Can I really make a difference?

Last night was the first time I attended a Young Muslim Project meet or circle. One aspect which really made me comfortable as a new comer was the casual relaxing style and openness of all those who were present. As I was leaving one of them encouraged me to open up and ask more questions. “We don’t judge,” that’s what she said. And to me, that really means a lot.

People when judging others, generally speaking, would usually base it on a preconceived perception of how they perceive or what they think of that person. This is a very dangerous thing to do because it will often lead to missed opportunities, both for us and for them. This is something that I learnt from personal experience and observation. Which I have trouble remembering at times.

Well, back to the meet. The guest speaker for this occasion, coming all the way from UK, was Sarah Joseph. She is the CEO and Editor of Emel magazine. She talked about her experiences; the things she went through in her life, from the moment she was first exposed to Islam to her hectic life now with talks and seminars. There was one point that could be heard loud and clear as she related to us her story; and that was the true meaning of what it actually means to be a Muslim.

“There’s going to be a time in your life when you have to make the choice that ‘I am going to voluntarily self surrender myself and choose Islam.” That was her response when someone said to her that she chose Islam and that made her a better Muslim, unlike most who are born into Muslim families. I agree with her. The current situation in our community now days faces us with the question: to what extent, actually, is our Islam? Is our Islam just an ascribed status, a Muslim by birth and name? Or do we truly sincerely, voluntarily live it as our way of life? All of us, especially Muslims by birth, have to make this decision.

One of the challenges that she faced early on was the dilemma of being a part of two worlds. This is something that I believe everyone can relate to. We all have multiple social realities because of the different environments in which we participate in. The challenge is how we bring them together. For her, she identified herself as both a westerner and a Muslim at the same time. One day she just realized that Islam is the “ultimate integration of the material and spiritual.”

“Islam is not just about rituals and politics… every strand of our life can be reflected in our deen. Integrating our thinking, and bring everything back to the reality of bridging our material and spiritual (world). It is our role,” she goes on, “to voluntarily do that.” This is the message that she wants to communicate.

“Islam is not foreign… but (rather) a continuation, a reminder, an enforcer and a clarification. Allah swt had one message; and that is Islam, asking human beings to surrender.”

At times I forget....

Yesterday turned out to be a very, I would say, informative experience. I went to the library and managed to get some reading done. A fresh new perspective on some very common concepts and values. It drove me to think in a casual manner about the people around me.

Alhamdulillah, I have had the pleasure of being graced with the presence of some very interesting people in my life. We never really realize the role of certain individuals and how they influence our lives. Sometimes we do, but then we take them for granted. Their intellectual insights, invaluable support and motivation are at times not truly recognized as they should. Only when they are no longer present in our lives that we truly appreciate them. Separation opens our eyes to those we take for granted.

But separation, by distance or by death, should not be the end of our relationship. If we truly regard a particular relationship as meaningful, then it does not matter if the person is there physically. Our remembrance of that individual will continue to inspire and motivate us throughout our lives. If their absence does not benefit us, then to what extent did we truly appreciate them during their presence? Let's think about this.

One important lesson to learn from this is to open your eyes to those around you. The people who are present in your lives at the moment won't be present for eternity. For now, they still have an active role in our life, but not for long. Acknowledge them for who they are, now.

For me, there are several individuals whom I feel has that effect on me, but here I would like to highlight three of them to whom I dedicate this post to; Rasulullah s.a.w., Ash-Shaheed Imam Hassan Al-Banna and my late grandfather, Haji Zailani bin Haji Sulaiman. May Allah be pleased with them.

At times I forget, but alhamdulillah we have each other to remind.

Awakening: In Search of Resolution

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

When in the event where one has immersed oneself in a system, and has participated openly in the mentioned system for an extended period of time, one becomes accustomed to the benefits and also to the flaws of that system, and therefore is numb towards the effect of the system to oneself. And when that happens, one has to ponder upon the thought of whether the system is a benefit or is a hindrance to oneself...

Hence, one has to embark on a journey of self discovery, relinquishing the comforts of the system one is accustomed to, to participate in different environments. This will compel oneself to conform to the new surroundings, and thus  will bring about the physical migration of the body, emotional refinement of the heart, intellectual transformation of the mind, and spiritual reconstruction of the soul.

Then, and only then, will one realize one's true potential and the task which has to be fulfilled. It is through this passage that one will realize the true advantages and flaws of the system one has left, a realization which is derived from the comparison between one's experiences through the travels one has undertook and the system where one originates.

Through these travels also, one not only looks to what the ambiguous future holds, but also to the accomplishments and failures of oneself in the assured past. When one contemplates the incidents which makes one's history, the experiences which develops oneself, the progressively wise one will come to know of one's faults and misguided actions.

When this realisation overwhelms oneself, a resolute feeling of regret is constituted. And from this, one will commence an act to consistently improve oneself. Definitely, the advancement of oneself towards betterment will bring about a revolution of the heart, body, mind and soul.

Through the sacrifices during the journey, one will learn to appreciate the benefits of the system. Through the enjoyment of the journey, one will be able to finally apprehend the flaws of the system. An open mind and heart is required in order to find the balance within oneself and one's stance in the ever changing world.

It is natural that at times, one will succumb to various appealing temptations... It is also natural that one will find oneself lost or misdirected along the journey... When this happens, one will have to intelligently look within oneself and overcome one's ego and overcome feelings that are easily swayed to find the strength and courage to be able to step back, and undo what wrong that has been done.

It is always best to return to the established foundation within which lies no doubt. And on that foundation is where one constructs a better and brighter future. A future which not only benefits oneself, but those in one's immediate surroundings, and indirectly, the world at large.

In the end, as one returns from the wayfaring, one will develop an elevated form of one's own identity. The internal conflict will have resolved after the holistic revolution of oneself. And the pages of history will keep on turning, for the pen has been lifted... the ink has dried... and it is time to dictate the writing of the new chapter...