AVOID BEING ARTIFICIAL
I once read a poem of Abu Reeshah and was instantly captivated by his words. I memorized the poem and studied Abu Reeshah’s style. Soon afterwards, I had to present a poem at a school recital, so I tried to copy Abu Reesha’s style — the only problem being that I am not Abu Reesha. Hence the words that came out lacked coherence, and the poem in general was stale and insipid. After that day I stopped copying other peoples’ styles. I began to write according to what I felt, and in this way I was automatically able to infuse my personality into my poetry. Similarly, I once prayed behind an Imam in Jeddah. He was trying to copy a famous reciter; how far he was, though, from achieving the desired effect! His voice was too different from the famous reciter and the attempt at imitation seemed blatantly affected. It was hard for me to bear his effort because I was feeling all along how hard he was struggling to reach similarity. I realized that Allah created every person with distinct qualities, characteristics, and talents:
(To each among you. We have prescribed a law and a clear way) (Qur’an 5: 48)
If you want to excel in something, try to follow a way that suits both your nature and your ability:
Say: [O’ Muhammad to mankind]: ‘Each one acts according to Shaakilatihi [i.e. his way his disposition, his religion, or his intentions, etc.].) (Qur’an 17: 84)
IF YOU REALLY CANNOT DO SOMETHING, LEAVE IT
I used to give the Friday sermon in the city of Abha. Most of my sermons dealt with different aspects of the Prophet’s life, and this became something of a specialty with me and was something with which I felt comfortable. Somebody had asked me to give a sermon about the increasing tendency of extravagant dowries. I was loath to comply with this request because I felt more comfortable in speaking about the biography of the Prophet (bpuh). Nevertheless, I gave an impromptu sermon on the requested topic. I quoted verses from the Qur’an and sayings of the Messenger of Allah (bpuh). I was covering the topic in a desultory manner, and as I was speaking, I felt the sweat trickle down my forehead. After my sermon was over, I felt that I had done a very poor job in speaking about the subject, and so I resolved to stick to what I excelled at.
(…nor am I one of the Mutakallifoon [those who pretend and fabricate things which do not exist].) (Quran 38: 86)
Every one of us should work in a field that he is skilled in. The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:
“Indeed, Allah loves for each of you, when he works at something, to perfect it.”
DO NOT BE CHAOTIC IN YOUR LIFE
One day I gathered twelve different commentaries of the Qur’an: At-Tabari, Ibn Katheer, Al-Baghawi, Az-Zamakhshari, Al-Qurtubi, A;-Zilaal, As-Shinquiti, Ar-Raazi, Fathul-Qadeer, Al-Khaazin, Abu Mas’ood, and Al-Qaasimi (some in this list are the names of the authors while others are the names of the actual books). I had intended to read every day the commentary of one verse of the Qur’an from each of these books. I planned to read the explanation of the daily verse from the first book, then the second, and so on, until I had completed them all. I tried this for a while but I quickly felt bored and exhausted. It is true that I was enthusiastic, but I had been too hasty in planning and in choosing a proper method of study.
To the student of the Islamic sciences I give this advice: do not overburden yourself with a great number of books. A better way is to plan and choose carefully what you read. It is of utmost importance to be consistent, even if you do only a little. The most favorite deed of the Prophet (bpuh) was the one that was practiced consistently, even if the deed was a small one.
CONCLUSION
Let us all seek the pleasure of Allah, Lord of all that exists. Let us stand before Him in worship, without associating any partners with Him; let us ask Him ardently and then wait patiently for the answer. For truly, He is sufficient for us; He is the One who Cures; He is the Creator and Provider; He alone brings to life and causes death.
(‘Our Lord.! Give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the torment of the Fire!)(Qur’an 2: 201)
“O’ Allah, grant us health and well-being always, in this world and in the Hereafter”
“O’ Allah, we ask you with the best of what your Messenger Muhammad asked, and we seek refuge in You from the worst of that which your Messenger Muhammad sought refuge from.”
“O’ Allah, we seek refuge in You from anxiety and grief we seek refuge in You from incapability and laziness; we seek refuge in You from miserliness and cowardliness; We seek refuge in You from the burden of debt and from the subjugation of man.”
Source: Islam Basics By Aaidh ibn Abdullah Al-Qarnee
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John Doe
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