my hero…

I wanted to introduce you all to a hero of mine.  It isn’t a rapper or a celebrity.  *shakes head* It’s a senior in high school out in Massachusetts.

Her name is Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir (it’s pronounced Bil-KEACE) and she’s from Massachusetts.  I’ve never met her before, but she is my hero.  I will forever remember her and look up to her.  She is like many other muslim girls out there.  She is wrapping up her high school career this year at New Leadership Charter School, tries her best to be a devout Muslim by wearing hijab and dressing modestly while dealing with common issues a girl her age must deal with, oh and did I mention that she is the first person, boy or girl, in Massachusetts high school history to score 3,000 points in her career?  Yup, you read it properly.  Ol’ girl has dropped 3,000 points during her high school career (mash’Allah) and all while dressed from head to toe because of her dedication to Islam and her love for Allah.

Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir is the first Massachusetts high school basketball player -- boy or girl -- to score more than 3,000 points in a career.

For a girl to reach such an achievement, is something tremendous in and of itself.  But for a Muslim sister to do this while wearing hijab, and as articles have stated, “has played for New Leadership Charter School in Springfield in full Muslim dress, arms and legs covered beneath her uniform, wearing a head scarf, or hijab.”

This should be inspiration and motivation for us all.  There are many sisters out there who are struggling to wear hijab or dress modestly because of they way they may be perceived at work or at school.  Then, there are the studs out there like Bilqis (and yes, she definitely is a stud–mash’Allah).  A young Muslim girl who is out on the courts playing hard and scoring at will, all the while keeping her faith and modesty as in tact as she can.  Mash’Allah.

When I was younger, I played ball in junior high and even in high school.  I have had my share of taunts and what not from the crowd (especially since I was at a military school for 2 years in high school to hoop) and let me tell you, it’s not easy.  I didn’t have a beard that reached my knees or anything like that, but because of my name and the color of my skin, I was called names and bad-mouthed.  I can only imagine what this young woman has gone through, and to persevere through all the hate and maintain her dignity, modesty, she still was able to ball out of control (hehe sorry, couldn’t help it…)

You know there’s that saying that you can do anything as long as you put your mind to it.  Bilqis Abdul-Qaadir is a tremendous example of this saying.  She is also an amazing example of what a Muslim may achieve when they put Allah first and foremost before everything else.  She could not have scored a single point if it wasn’t for the Mercy of Allah and to me, her thanks was to adourn herself in hijab for every game and for everyone to see.  Not only was she the first person to score 3,000 points in her high school career, but she is also going to be the first Muslim player in NCAA Division I history to take the basketball court in full dress when she starts her college career next fall on scholarship at Memphis.

I’m going to be honest; I was never one for women’s basketball at any level.  But after learning about this inspiring young woman mash’Allah, I think I may start to take an interest and cheer her on (I mean she broke the high school record, but how about shattering that NCAA record eh?).

Anyways, I wanted to share this with you all to know that no matter what you think, no matter how hard something may seem, know that true faith and love of Allah is 90% of the journey as Bilqis has shown the entire nation.

Subhan’Allah it’s incredible how a young woman such as herself could impact so many people, just by wearing a few pieces of clothing.  Imagine if we had more of our sisters adourned in such clothing in all different avenues for the world to see.  Really makes you think about how great Allah truly is.

Keep on doing what you’re doing Bilqis.  You are my hero and I pray that Allah always guides and protects you and your family and that He helps you on and off the court and makes all of your endeavors easy for you and grants you the utmost in success…

-peace-

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Tags: basketball, bilqis abdul-qaadir, hijab