Astaghfirullah… that day I was truly astonished.
As usual, I was tending my shop. Suddenly, a loud noise came from the road in front—a car’s tire had come off! The location wasn’t far from my shop. I managed to see it from a distance, but I didn’t get too involved because I thought the owner would surely come soon.
Not long after, indeed, a man came to my shop. With a rather hurried tone, he said, “Miss, may I borrow your motorcycle? I need to get a jack, because the jack at the workshop nearby doesn’t work.”
I was silent for a moment. Then I softly replied, “I’m sorry, Sir. It’s not that I don’t want to lend it, but I don’t know you. If the one asking were someone I know, like the workshop guy, I wouldn’t mind.”
Suddenly the man immediately said, “I’m Haji so-and-so, my house is down there. I have six cars at home.”
I remained calm and replied, “I don’t mind, Sir, how many cars you own. But I still don’t know you. If you want, my motorcycle can be used by someone I do know.”
Then the man suddenly raised his voice. He got angry. He said I was arrogant, unwilling to help, and that my fortune would dry up. I stayed silent. I couldn’t say anything back.
Since that incident, every time he passes by my shop, he yells, “Arrogant! Unwilling to help!” As if I were the bad one.
I can only whisper istighfar. O Allah… You are the One who knows what lies in the heart of Your servant. I don’t want to judge others, but I also have a responsibility to protect myself and my belongings. Is it wrong if I’m cautious?
That day became a great lesson for me: good intentions are not always understood, and not everyone can accept the word “no” with an open heart.
Photo by Sardar Faizan on Unsplash
