I am vendor of my soul

“Your time should not be without any structure, such that you occupy yourself arbitrarily with whatever comes along.  Rather, you must take account of yourself and order your worship during the day and the night, assigning to each period of time an activity that must not be neglected nor replaced by another activity.  By this ordering of time, the blessing in time will show itself.  A person who leaves himself without a plan as animals do, not knowing what he is to do at any given moment, will spend most of his time fruitlessly.

Your time is your life, and your life is your capital: by it you make your trade, and by it you will reach the eternal bounties in the proximity of Allah.  Every single breath of yours is a priceless jewel, because it is irreplaceable; once it is gone, there is no return for it.  So do not be like fools who rejoice each day as their wealth increases while their lives decrease.  What good is there in wealth that increases while one’s lifespan decreases?

Do not rejoice except in an increase of knowledge or an increase of good works.  Truly they are your two friends who will accompany you in your grave, when your spouse, your wealth, your children, and your friends will remain behind.”

-Al Ghazzali 

-Bidayat al Hadayat

A few reflections on 2012

2012. The year, according to the Mayans, the world in its entirety was to end. It didn’t. This may not perhaps be much of a surprise considering even Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) didn’t claim to have knowledge of the final hour. Indeed when the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked by Angel Jibra’il to tell him of the last hour, he replied, “The one being asked knows no more of it than the one asking.” (Sahih Muslim) The discussion over the world ending however puts everything into context. One day, we know, we will each have to leave this temporary abode behind. One can’t help but ponder over what legacy will be left.

Time, as one proverb informs us, is “like a sword. If you don’t cut it, it will cut you!” Through reflecting on how our year has gone we are able to gain a better understanding of how we have used our time, and inshāAllah use our experience to better utilise what time we have left. Surah al-‘Asr emphasises the concept of time, where Allah swears by it: “By time. Verily man is at loss…”This highlighting of time in the Qur’an brings to head its importance.

Looking back at 2012, some key events stand out. Any international sporting event is usually met with great jubilation. The fact that the Olympics and Paralympics were brought to home soil this year boosted the experience. Branded as an Olympics set to ‘inspire a generation’, the focus was a noble one. Hope and inspiration work well in international events such as the Olympics. Equally however at a grassroots level do certain projects shine. The launch of the ‘Ilm 2 ‘Aml Curriculum across Muslim schools in Southern and Northern England too has geared a community to focus on educating and inspiring the next generation. Equipping the youth with an understanding of key citizenship and religious issues, alongside activating and encouraging them to be directly involved in local community projects, the progress of the curriculum will definitely be one to watch in its shaping of a next generation who are both positive and proactive.

Another defining moment of the year was when the Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner broke the sound barrier by freefalling 128,000 ft. Undoubtedly jaws dropped across the world as we watched him fall so fast from such a distance. The progress of science has moved fast in recent times. Technological advances in every field have gained momentum such that as humans we feel ever more in control of our affairs. Yet, we are reminded in the Qur’an to look further and realise that it is our abidingly real Creator Who sets to motion all the causes and effects in perfect harmony. We all attain highs in our personal lives, when we see our own plans come to fruition, duās get answered and things go our way. It is in such moments though, far from turning away and believing ourselves to have independently caused our success, we realise that in truth these moments are opportunities to get closer to our Lord through praising and thanking Him for such gifts.

The continued bloodshed around the world in 2012 has illustrated clearly that there is a bigger plan in motion. From Gaza, Palestine to Connecticut, America, both in the East and West have people faced a reality of injustice this year. It is in the time of difficulty that as Muslims we again are reminded to turn to Allah and turn to assisting the community. What occurs during these trials is the chance to assist those in harm. The aid convoys and continual charity being donated to war zones all over is a sign that the Ummah is rallying together to serve those in harm’s way. The contribution of Muslims to the multi-faith prayer ceremony for the Connecticut shooting also illustrated empathy and unity.

While many of us easily get excited about the synchronisation of numbers, (yes, 12/12/12 caused quite a stir this month, and 1/2/34 of the Islamic calendar which came about in December also got many a folk excited), looking at the synchronisation of our actions with the Qur’an and Prophetic guidance is of greater importance. As we reflect on what has past, both in global events and in our personal lives, and look forward inshāAllah to what is to come, it is worth going back to the source of direction, the Qur’an and contemplating again on the emphasis given in Surah al-Asr.

“By time. Verily man is at loss. Except those who have faith and do righteous deeds and join together in mutual teaching of truth and in patience. ”

(Written for www.1stethical.com)

May your calling be victory!

It's an exam which many have sat

Some are currently sitting

Others are yet to sit

3 hours is all it is

But each hour feels like a number of years.

Childhood. Maturity. Old Age.

Though most exams are three hours, there's a great unknown,

whether yours would be one, you weren't prior told.

Some classmates' exams are taken by the examiner early,

without notice the end has come for their turn,

they must leave the exam hall at once,

leaving us to pray for their success,

and from their methods learn.

Others get a golden ticket, a longer timed exam,

the only problem is the more time you got the more mistakes you can make

and the more likely you'll forget the plan.

So too is it true that the longer the exam, the harder it gets to find the pages

which were wrong and the parts to rub out

for realisation and rectification has many stages.

Some choose to submit their exam in early, though this is against the rules,

they give up, sometimes due to their fellow classmates,

sometimes due to other pressures of the examination room.

But alas they didn't realise,

before choosing to depart,

that you must stick to the end of the time given,

to even be considered for a final mark.

Ah, the final mark.

We will all gather soon to find out our results

and our Examiner will be Most Kind with feedback

every word that was written will be annotated clearly, with a tick or a cross-

the marks weighed on a scale to keep track

Graduation will be held on a thin bridge,

not really what most would call ideal,

for those who fail will realise it then,

but there's no chance of retakes or repeats!

It said so on the instructions of the exam,

but not everyone did read.

But those who read and did pace themselves

may find they passed with flying colours indeed.

Even those with basic pass grades will have such joy on their faces

such joy that joy will be realised never to prior have held any meaning!!

What can be said then of those who got the best mark in the class?!

Amongst a class of trillions of billions of millions of students,

how amazing if one has a top mark!

They will be sent to a unique VIP graduation party

where the Headboy and school prefects too will be

Their calling shall be victory.

Understandably, the exam seems mystical and many will not believe what I profess

For surely you must be questioning; "such rewards for but a 3 hour test?!"

Know that this is the examination hall

You are in the 2nd hour of the exam

The exam better known as Life itself.

Youth is the time to utilise your time efficiently

Excellent reminder for myself. Subhannallah. Always to the point, is Shaykh Hamza

The Reality of Life

"The adhan is made in the baby's ear at birth
While the prayer is delayed till death
A sign that life is short
Just like the time between adhan and prayer."

A pearl among pearls, found in the excellent book,
'The Value of Time' by Shaykh Abd' al Fattah Abu Ghuddah