In the Footsteps of the Prophets (AS)

The depths of this journey should not be underestimated, and Umm Junayd tells you why.

Imagine the 29th of Shawwal. Muslims around the world anticipate news of the coming of the blessed month. Radios are tuned, satellite channels are constantly flicked through and the telephone line is checked several times.

The advent of Ramadhan brings about a change in many, some temporary while others aim for a degree of permanence. And it was my wish last Ramadhan to move away from the mundane and opt to pack my spiritual bags on a journey that reached back into the depths of history, yet stretched to the time of eternity. The journey required discipline and diligence; organisation and austerity; focus and foresight; it was one that caused a synchronised flutter of my heart and hand as I mapped out the path I would take. Doubt often plagued me, the slight whisperings that told me that I could never make it. Although it was a path that had been trodden by several of Allah’s (SWT) slaves before me, it was to be my first excursion through the wondrous tales of the days of old, thus I wanted to have my resting points well charted in order to pace myself steadily through the days and nights of Ramadhan.

As the month drew nearer, the nights leading up to Ramadhan became more purposeful as I concluded the route of my journey. It was dotted with mystery, depth and insight and all the while I knew that every aspect would help shape me once the blessed month had left. The goal was envisaged, and I anxiously awaited the confirmed sighting of the moon in order to cross the start line.

It was upon the sight of the thin crescent that I proclaimed the praise of my Lord, the one who created all things and the King in front of whom I would stand. I firmly asked for His Guidance on the straight path, protection from the crooked ways of those who earn His Anger and His curse.

The directions on my map plunged me into pages that are deeper than the ocean Yunus (AS) was thrown in, and I scurried past the destruction of Thamud, ‘Aad and the treacherous people of Sodom. The emotions were overwhelming - I batted back tears as I marvelled at the unfaltering strength of Ya’qub (AS), the heartbreaking patience of Ayyub (AS) and the superb bravery of Dawud (AS). While I journeyed, pangs of longing of companionship with the wife of Fir’awn and the conviction of Maryam (RA) overcome me.

I stopped by to once again praise the Owner of the Dominion and pondered upon how He causes birds to fly with nothing to hold them up but He. I trembled when I tiptoed through images of the fire and the torment that awaits those who reject Him; my eyes glazed over as I prayed for my supplications to be responded to on the Night of Power, and quivered upon mention of the convulsion of the ground that I know to be firm and stable.

Thirst beheld me as I envisioned quenching it with the sweet drink of Al-Kauthar, until I whispered with hot tears tumbling down my face: “Who whispers into the breast of mankind, from jinn and mankind.”

My thirty-day odyssey through the Qur’an was a steep and steady one, a dream that was once thought to be shallow, despite the many footsteps I had to trace. The journey through the Qur’an thrusts deep within the soul of the one who wishes to reflect – the one who wishes to retrace the steps of the faithful, and for you too it can be a dream that is not far off, and it begins upon the sight of the thin crescent.

This article was published in the Summer 2009 edition of SISTERS magazine.

You Are What You Say You Are

“I’m too lazy to lose weight,” “I’m not clever enough to teach my kids”, “I’m too fat to wear that dress…” Have you heard yourself saying similar statements before? Maybe you’ve heard another sister talking in such a way? These are
explosive assertions that are common on the tongues of women, and the question remains: why do we put ourselves down?

People tend to put themselves down for various reasons. For some it’s a matter of low self-esteem, where they’ve been told they are a certain way so many times that they’ve adopted it. For some, it is a sympathy ploy to get others to make a counter-claim. For others, it is an inherent fear that they will disappoint people if they do not surpass their expectations. Whatever the reasons may be, downgrading ourselves is unhealthy and can have adverse effects on our personae. I have seen many sisters who have been held back in their lives simply because of the way they think about themselves.

When you attach a definite trait to yourself, your actions begin to reflect that trait. When you say you’re too lazy to do something, you will behave lazily and fail to get things done. Likewise, if you say you’re not intelligent enough to pass a test, you won’t work to prove yourself otherwise for it is ingrained in your mind that you’re below par. The mind is a powerful thing, and the heart thrives on its thoughts.

Pumping your mind with damaging thoughts persuades your heart to feed on them and embrace them. It will not  willingly let them go until you do. The most dangerous aspect of putting yourself down is that it’s hard to break the cycle. Even though others may compliment you, your certainty that you are the complete opposite prevents you from freeing yourself of the negativity that weighs you down. These thoughts obstruct you from venturing forth and attaining your dreams; they are hurdles that you must jump in order to move ahead in life. Holding on to such beliefs, will cripple your mind and force you to live up to them. The sad reality is that you will remain undervalued until you discover the value within yourself.

Rather than degrading yourself, why not see yourself as a bird freeing itself from a cage of negativity? Once you spread your wings and fly into a world of endless opportunities by seeing your many positive attributes, you’ll find a flock of people wanting to fly with you to reinforce them with you.

Sister, you are what you say you are. Spread your wings and take flight on a journey to positive thinking.

This article was published in the Spring 2009 issue of SISTERS magazine.
© Umm Junayd, March 2009.