choice

monday 1 am Karachi

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keep my current plans to please Allah subhanahu wata
ala by praying in Masjid al Aqsa, or drop my plans in order to
please my parents?

my parents watch the news. so they assume that every
muslim who visits jerusalem will face extreme
harrassment if not outright torture by the israelis. now
factor in my beard, literally, and my parents act like the
world could come to an end.

they are certain i should not go, and that if i do go that i
would be safer in the company of Americans
(read non- Muslims or at least with an interfaith group).

there was a time when thoughts of their discomfort,
anxiety, or paranoia would never deter me.

but Allah subhanahu wata ala is not pleased by disobedient
children who cause their parents pain, anger, or anguish.

so now the only argument sustaining my drive to go to
al Aqsa is that my parents' suggestions may be
unreasonable enough that i do not have to obey them.

after all, my parents were certain that i would be badly
treated throughout my trip because of my appearance.
and they've been so wrong.

it's been a fantastic trip, alhamdolillah. and i have no complaints
of harrassment of any kind.

sure, israelis have no love for Muslims. but they love
tourists (and tourists' money) and Americans --
and that's me: American tourist... with a long beard :)

the idea of traveling with an interfaith group seems
bad for me on three grounds:

(1) those groups are not going to spend much time at
Masjid al Aqsa. and that's the only place i want to go!
(2) those groups will be mixed men and women, and the
dress code will definitely not be hijab.
(3) i am not going to offer any prayer outside of
Islam, period.

i've got nothing against people exchanging ideas, trialogue, etc.

but i don't think such a group is suitable for me.

i'm still searching for the best decision. inshaAllah,
make dua for me that Allah subhanahu wata ala will
be pleased with me and will guide me accordingly.