Chapter 7 | The one with excess melanin

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Allah does not look at your appearances or your financial status, but He looks at your hearts and the nature of your actions."  (Al-Bukhari)

My sister Humayra was born on the 14th of August 1989. Exactly one year and five months after my birth. By then, Papa had lost interest in Jamaat and so, was around for the birth of his second child. As young as I was, I felt responsible for her.

When my legs were sturdy enough to carry me around I would push her in her pram even though my arms could barely reach the handle bars.

In my eagerness, I had accidentally let slip of the handle with 'Miya' in it.I couldn't pronounce her name accurately and I took to calling her Miya. She howled, more out of shock than actual pain and I was devastated. I was her older sister and I was unconsciously obligated to look out for her.

Her name was apt. Humayra was the nickname Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) had given to his wife Ayesha. It is an arabic word derived from the root word 'ahmar', meaning 'red' in color. Thus Ayesha was called Humayra - the one with reddish cheeks.

In comparison to my melanin filled complexion, Miya was fair skinned, with red tints on her plump cheeks.

I am often asked: 'How is it that you're brown and the rest of your family is fair?'

I never quite got over the initial shock of these inquisitions and it had taken me a long while, and a large chunk of my self-esteem, to get accustomed to them.

At first, I was flabbergasted. How dare someone ask me that? With experience, my responses became more sarcastic and less dejected.

'Actually, what happened was, my mum  left me in the sun when I was a baby. She forgot all about me and I burnt. We've been trying ever since then to regain my original coloring but to no avail.'

'No, I'm actually fair, but I chose to wear a darker skin today.'

'I asked the Mirror on the wall whose the fairest of them all and the mirror responded: People are dying in Syria. Get over yourself!'

Regardless, I never despised Miya for the color of her skin. She was my sister and I could never have hated her for something that was beyond her control.