Bedraggled

She sat cross-legged on her bed at the ophthalmology ward.

Her clothes were bedraggled and she had her head-veil carelessly wrapped around her wise face.Deep lines spread all over her face told tales of a life she's led.She felt content as she turned to look at her youthful daughter sitting on her side..."No dear it's alright,she mutters.."Ana kweysa, ana kweysa" "I'm good ,I'm good"

She smiled at me.I introduced myself...A medstudent who's here to examine her eyes,only if she didn't mind.I stretched my hand out to shake hers.Her face lit up,and she knelt down and kissed my hand.I officially panicked and took my hand back right away.

I leaned down and hugged her...she almost wept,and so did I.

Over and over I'm met by stereotypical egyptians.Some who have been brought up to believe that a Physician is a 'Hakeem',a 'Wise man'.Someone who deserves all the respect and gratitude there is to offer.My grandpa used to shake only "fingers" with patients who were nothing but farmers...To him,people were categorized.Gestures were tailored according to the social standards.That sets me at so much unease.

Frankly speaking,I find categorizing fellow humans an utterly obscene act.We're way too shortsighted and under-equipped to judge others.We judge people by their looks,accents,clothes, and levels of education. Let me tell you that some of the most wonderful human beings reside in the poorest of districts,dress up in the cheapest of clothes,and perhaps possess little,if any knowledge of those mindblowing scientific achievements.Taqwah (Piety) sets them at a higher standard than any other mid-class or high-class citizens.They have morals.Strong hellbent ethical norms.Allah has them at higher levels within His books.They're light years ahead of us.

Next time you set off to judge a person,remember that sometimes the most astounding human features are not merely displayed on their outsides.They might be buried deep in their souls,hidden as parcels of good-manners that show up if you give them a chance.Or they might be scribbled down in books so sacred that they're in the possession of angels.Angels who jot down every bit of act we do.Careful what you do.For I know that one day I'll be desperate for a single good deed.You never know if you ever will be,too.