An Ummah of Talent, An Ummah of opportunities
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By: Magda Ali
My dear brothers and sisters, I feel that it is necessary to address an issue that evidently, we have a tendency to avoid, a tendency to brush aside, neglect and abandon. BUT WHY, WHY BRUSH ASIDE? WHY NEGLECT? AND WHY ABANDON?
Do we not know that this struggle in itself is a blessing which Allah (swt) has bestowed upon us? If you haven’t yet grasped what I am referring to, please take a minute to think. Something which we take for granted, an opportunity which I believe was not granted to the generations before us. What I am referring to is the training of the human mind, the eradication of being unaware and uninformed, the prospect of putting one’s potential to maximum use: EDUCATION!!!!
The importance of education in Islam is a non disputable matter as, indeed, to seek knowledge is a sacred duty, it is obligatory on every Muslim, male and female. The first word revealed of the Qur’an was “Iqra” READ! Seek knowledge! Educate yourselves! Be educated. One can safely say that a human being is not in the proper sense till he or she is educated.
A wise man once said: “Without education, man is as though in a closed room and with education he finds himself in a room with all its windows open towards the outside world.”
Yet one must be certain that the reasons for seeking knowledge should be for no other but seeking the gratification of Allah (swt). As Allaah’s Vicegerents, we must continuously strive to update ourselves with knowledge that would benefit us and our Ummah in this world and in the hereafter. One question if I may… Why are you at university?
Many of us are at university for no other reason but to satisfy our own self-actualisation needs, yet even worse try to satisfy the needs of others, continuously acting upon our heedless intentions till we become pessimistic and just abandon it altogether.
Einstein once said that the definition of madness is to do the same thing over and over again and expect different results; sounds quite familiar doesn’t it? As Muslim students, we have to ask ourselves what we’re doing about our education, about our attitudes and behaviours.
It is evident that what is lacking today is optimism, why are we content with achieving the lowest of the lows? Why are we happy with just about scraping it to the next semester? Realistically how much effort do we really make to better ourselves? I’m assuming by now most of you have received your January examination results, can you sincerely, hand on heart; claim that you have put your potential to maximum use? I for one can testify with humiliation that I did not.
Islam is a high religion and it calls to the highest human ideals. We as Muslims have to live up to that. If we want to have the moral high ground where the sacred is honoured than we have to honour the sacred in ourselves and in others. It is thus improper for us to be content with the lowest of the lows.
Indeed, Allaah has reminded us to work in this world…
“Seek, amidst that which God has given thee, the Last Abode, and forget not thy portion of the present world; and do good, as God has been good to thee.” [Qur'an, Surat al-Qasas: 77]
Ultimately, the verdict is very clear – hard work, commitment, persistence and determination to excel are the ingredients to success in this world and the hereafter.
Yet what amazes me is that we have people who are clearly intelligent but are not using their intellect …. You just need to take a look at the shortage of role models within the Muslim society today to comprehend the deplorable reality. Ever heard the phrase: nothing comes easy in life? We are undeniably part of it, hence we have a responsibility towards improving it and remedying its ailments. We must envision ourselves within society in order to impact society in a positive manner. The question boils down to: Do we have what it takes to do what our conscience tells us to? Or do we lack determination and does the love of an easy life make us cling to our comfortable passes and 2:2’s?
Another thing that we really must think about is the money, we’re all paying for our studies, £9000 to be precise, some of us even compromising our faith (riba) for the sake of paying the debts that we’re drowning in. If we can’t even take our education seriously; that’s three years wasted along with £9000 …. think deep and hard about how many lives you could have saved with that money… how many starving children you could have fed, how many orphans you could have sheltered… and how many people you could have helped within the three year period.
Yet, if that money is spent wisely, what your skills, knowledge and expertise can contribute to the Ummah will indeed outweigh the cost….
The future belongs to those who prepare for it today – Malcolm X …
We must prosper in this world so that our Ummah can benefit and strategise so that our Ummah can succeed in the long run Insha’Allah.
Allaah has promised…
Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions. (The Bee 16 : 97)
Opportunity awaits….. Question is…. ARE WE GOING TO SEIZE IT???
I’m willing to give it a try…. Want to join me on my journey to success for the sake of Allah (swt) ?
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May allah (swt) bless you for this, i was in dire need of some inspiration, and i do agree that we as muslim students for most parts need to work harder