A Conversation in Aisle Seven: How One Honest Question Bridged a Divide
It started like any other trip to the grocery store. I was wandering through Whole Foods, balancing my shopping list with the gentle hum of background music, when I reached for a carton of eggs. A light tap on my shoulder made me startle, and I turned around to see a woman standing there, her eyes wide and earnest.
“Do you really hate me because I am an infidel?” she asked.
I froze for a moment, the carton of eggs forgotten in my hand. The question was so direct, so unexpected, that I didn’t know how to respond immediately. “Excuse me?” I said, trying to mask my surprise with a polite smile.
She laughed nervously, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m so sorry to approach you like this,” she said. “You just… you looked like such a sweet girl, and this is my first time meeting a real-life Muslim. I live in a very small town west of Dallas, and… I just need to know. Do you hate me?”
Her words hung in the air, heavy with fear and curiosity. I smiled softly and said, “Ma’am, why would you think that? I don’t even know you.”
She hesitated, glancing down at the floor before looking back up. “On the news,” she said, “they’re always saying that Muslims hate people like me. I just… I needed to ask.”
And in that small aisle, surrounded by stacks of cereal boxes and fresh produce, something beautiful happened. We began to talk.
For twenty minutes, we shared stories, hesitations, and laughter. She told me about her quiet town, the limited exposure to people from different faiths, and the fear that sometimes comes from seeing the world through the narrow lens of headlines. I shared my perspective as a Muslim woman, the frustration of being misunderstood, and the deep desire to live by the values of compassion and understanding taught by the Prophet (pbuh).
At the end of our conversation, she reached out and gave me a hug. “I wish the news would show people like you,” she whispered. “Anyway, honey, if you’re ever in west Texas, please come visit me. I would love to have you.”
Walking away, my heart felt lighter, my perspective sharpened. In a world that often feels divided by fear and misunderstanding, this brief encounter reminded me of something vital: there are good people everywhere, people willing to listen, to question, to learn.
It also made me reflect deeply. What if I had never met her, and all I knew about non-Muslims came only from sensationalized stories on the news? How many bridges remain unbuilt because we never take the time to meet someone face to face?
As Muslims, we are called to emulate the Prophet (pbuh) in our actions, to show kindness, patience, and understanding. It is in these small, human moments—sharing a smile, listening, and engaging honestly—that we can truly show the world what Islam represents.
That day, in aisle seven, I realized that sometimes, change doesn’t start with headlines or speeches. It starts with a simple conversation, an open heart, and the courage to answer a question with truth and compassion.
Credit: Dunia Shuaib
