Reflecting on an experience with an older man in front of the mosque, who was struggling as he maneuvered through a sea of shoes left unorganized by the worshipers.
On a cloudy Dubai afternoon, as I left the mosque doors, I looked back and saw an older man making his way out of the mosque. Unfortunately, while making his way out, he was tripping over a sea of shoes left unorganized in front of the door. I saw the struggle in his eyes and the quivering of his delicate leg as he tried to maneuver through the footwear. I walked back towards the mosque and gave him my hand in assistance. His green eyes locked onto mine as his frown began to release itself from his face.
As he came closer to his sandals, he said in Arabic “By Allah we are people who believe but have no faith”. I paused for a second, as I tried to decipher what he was trying to say. I then smiled at him as he reached his sandals and prayed for his wellbeing. I made my way out of the mosque again, but this time my mind was occupied with the words I just heard. What did he mean by “we are people who believe but have no faith”? After I took a few more steps, I began to realize what it was he was trying to tell me.
Five times a day Muslims stand shoulder to shoulder alongside each other as they bow and prostrate to God. The precision in their formation of rows is remarkable. Even if you were slightly out of line to those by your side, you would feel a slight tap from your neighbors compelling you to readjust yourself to the row. However, outside the mosque, an older man struggles every day as he tries to maneuver through the chaos left by the worshippers.
When the older man said that we are people who believe but have no faith, he was referring to a practice in our belief when it comes to organization and helping one another. To believe in something is to acknowledge its existence, but to have faith, is to practice that belief. It is of no use if we stand shoulder to shoulder in neat and organized rows inside the mosque but are chaotic outside. It is thus essential that we refrain from leaving our footwear in front of mosque doors. Instead, we should strive to place them on designated shelves if available, or away from people’s path, neatly tucked by the wall.
Furthermore, placing our shoes neatly in front of the mosque is a representation of the respect we give towards our place of worship. It is saddening to see many worshipers throw about their sandals in front of mosque doors, utterly disregarding others and the image they portray to society.
It is up to us to raise awareness of this issue. I for one, am sick of seeing a sea of footwear thrown about in front of mosques where designated shelves are left abandoned. If you’re a Muslim, try to promote the orderly placement of footwear at your local mosque by first taking the initiative yourself. One can also raise awareness by gently talking to others or placing signs on mosque doors reminding others to the orderly placement of their footwear. I hope that enough people would adhere to this so that no one else leaves a mosque with a frown, just as the man did on that cloudy Dubai afternoon.
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