A Great Lesson Learnt
Archived under Heart-Melters .
Last weekend, Allaah granted me the life, time, money and support to attend one of the most mind-boggling, exhilarating, intense and exciting lectures I've ever been to: AlKauthar's third London course, The Real Deal. It was a potent course on the fiqh of business transactions - a topic that sisters accused of being 'boyish', but is probably more applicable and important for sisters due to our spending power.
A great rainbow of sisters (and brothers) attended the two-day course and I felt a great sense of sisterhood amongst so many sisters who varied in complexion, height and weight. However, there was one sister who I immediately felt drawn to, not out of pity, but out of awe and admiration. She was a wheelchair-bound sister with evident physical disabilities. Naive preconceptions clouded my mind upon seeing her: how would she benefit from the course?, I thought stupidly; may Allaah forgive me for such an ignorant thought!
During the first of our many tea breaks, I walked past the disabled sister on my way to pick up some biscuits for a sister, but before I knew it, I found myself in front of the disabled sister - who I'll name Maryam - giving her salaam. I congratulated her for making the effort to attend the course and I will never, by the Permission of Allaah, forget her response (paraphrased):
"I've got things good. Allaah has made things easy for me. Here I am, I have been able to get an education, I have support, but there are people worse off than me. At least you can see my disability; there are people who you cannot see their disability. If you look at the people around the word with disabilities, they are not given a chance to prove themselves, although they may have the intellectual capacity. Alhamdulillaah, Allaah has given me the opportunity. Please make du'aa for me."
Know that before she had finished, the dam hidden behind my eyes had broken its seal; I simply could not hold back the tears.
Yaa 'Ibaadullaah - Oh servants of Allaah - what is stopping you from seeking knowledge? What is it that is holding you back? Don't give excuses - you are able bodied, mashaa`Allaah, but yet you make excuses?
Our dear sister Maryam, may Allaah protect her eemaan and grant her al-Firdaws within which she'll be able to run, she cannot walk, her speech is severely impaired, her physical state is desperately lacking, yet she said that the course was an opportunity she must take! So what is stopping us, oh servants of Allaah?
Maryam not only attended the course, mashaa`Allaah tabaarakAllaah, she also actively participated when we discussed case studies and inspired us with her enlightening comments, giving us all a little of the knowledge she has. Allaah is so Merciful - He tested Maryam with a physical disability, yet granted and excelled her in her mental capacity. Is this not from the Mercy of Allaah?
Every student who attended the course was asked to write down one Pearl of Wisdom, something they learnt from the course and Maryam was my POW. A thump to my head to wake up and stop being complacent - wake up and stop making excuses.
I recall reiterating my conversation with Maryam to a dear friend and she blew me away with another POW: Maryam has attained a degree in Islaamic Studies from the London Open College. Allaahu Akbar Kabeerah!
So I ask, oh servants of Allaah, what is YOUR excuse for not attaining knowledge? Is it not an obligation? But beware, seek knowledge only for the pleasure of Allaah alone and not for unscrupulous reasons:
"Do not seek knowledge to compete with the scholars, nor to argue with the foolish people, nor to gain control of gatherings; for whoever does that - the Fire, the Fire!" [an authentic hadeeth collected by Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan, and Al-Bayhaqee]
Yaa Allaah, grant us beneficial knowledge ('ilm an-naafi'a) and acceptable deeds ('amalan-mutaqabbala), indeed you are the Hearer of supplications.
Wa subhaanak Allaahumma wa bihamdik. Ash-hadu al-laa illaaha illa ant. Astaghfiruka, wa atoobu ilayk.
~ Umm Junayd.
Your Thoughts
Asalaam'Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa baraktuh',
Alahamdulillahil-ladhi bi'nimatihi tatimmus-saalihat. Allahu Akbar... that was such a beautiful lesson to learn from, mashaa'Allah tabaarakAllah. Really inspiring when you see people with physical disbailites and yet striving their utmost for the pleasure of Allah subhanahu wa ta'aala.
I jus wanted to ask, a local brother also attended and he said the whole two day lecture was amazing, mashaa'Allah. I'd like to know for those who did not attend, if the course material is available to purchase?
Jazakallahu khayran
fee amaaanillahi - wassalaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa baraktuh'
Wa 'alaikumus-salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh.
I'd like to know for those who did not attend, if the course material is available to purchase?
To be honest, I'm not sure at the moment. They may decide to sell the lectures, but as far as I am aware, they are not doing so now. The courses are very intense, so to BE THERE is paramount. There's no use simply having the notes (which are provided in a neat folder, mashaa`Allaah), the guidance from the lectures are essential in grasping the key concepts.
I would advice you to try to attend the next course: Price of Salvation, inshaa`Allaah.
Was-salaamu 'alaikum
~ Umm Junayd.
Asalaam'Alaykum wa rahmatullah,
good advice, barakallahu feekhi ukht.
I'm registered now inshaa'Allah, just a note on the side, this writing of yours should be posted elsehwhere, i.e some forums, as it is really a great lesson to learn from, Inshaa'Allah
May Allah Azza wa Jall bless you and the sister and increase you both in Knowledge. Aameen
..wa'alaykum asalaam wa rahmatullah
AlKashmiri
Wa 'alaikumus-salaam wa rahmatullaah.
Aameen, wa iyyaka yaa akhee.
RE: the reminder... If you feel it will be of benefit elsewhere, please do share it with others - this is of course under the understanding that it all remains intact and there is a link back here or a copyright notice of some sort.
BaarakAllaahu feeka.
Was-salaamu 'alaikum
Umm Junayd.
As-salaamu `alaykum wa rahmatullaah
Jazaakillaahu khayran ukhti for posting this beautiful reminder. The sister's contributions to the course were amazing, and you know subhan'Allaah I've seen her at many courses and learning seminars - may Allaah reward her in this life and in the Hereafter. Ameen
Inshaa'Allaah, I hope to see you and the sister at the Price of Salvation course.
Take care,
Wasalaamu `alaykum
Assalaamalaikum sister,
may i ask where and when did u attend this lecture? is there a website where i can register for upcoming events?
Jazakallahukhair
Wa 'alaikumus-salaam.
Sorry for this very late reply!
You can register for courses here.
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mashallah, what a eye opener. may allah grant maryam with jannah ameen. jazakallahu khair for sharing that with us sister, may allah make us amongst those who strive hard for his deen.