Being a Muslim and its challenges

Ever since I got hold of the news that my teacher will be giving a talk at Darul Arqam this Friday, I didn’t cease my prayers to Allah swt, to aid him in his speech, to make smooth his speech so that the audience can hear him clearly.

I prayed more fervently for Ustaz than I prayed for myself.

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday… the days got nearer, I prayed harder. Thursday…. And finally Friday, 20 February arrived.

And I found myself thinking and thinking about the lecture that will take place at Darul Arqam, 8pm. I kept asking and asking Allah swt in my prayers for forgiveness and mercy. Because if Allah didn’t want the audience (which will be us) to reap the benefits of this lecture, He, the Al-Mighty could have got Ustaz to slur in his speech right?

By 8pm, the auditorium was already 98% filled. The good thing is, Darul has improved its PA system and the people who had to be seated outside would have the LCD screen and the audio audible to them. (my previous experience outside was quite bad).

Finally, about 8.20pm, Ustaz came into the auditorium on a wheelchair. Quickly, I recited ‘fatihah’ and then asked Allah swt for help.

After the introduction by the Head of Marketing/Communications of Darul, Ustaz briefly told the audience about what had happened to him 2 years ago. I am sure all of his students would be very happy for him that he is able to return and enlighten us with his talk. And so he opened the talk with a story with a light hearted joke that rocked the auditorium. It was a topic that Muslims needed badly at this time:
"Being a Muslim and its challlenges"

He talked about the importance of having taqwa and the true meaning of taqwa is the only criteria to be accessed in terms of nobility.
" O you who have attained to faith! Be conscious of Allah (taqwa) with a true conscious, and do not allow death to overtake you unless you are in a state of submission to Allah."

He told us the importance of knowing the verses that were contained in the Quran, directed to the Muslims. In it were lessons, guidance and teachings for the believers. He said that, if one truly has taqwa, one will be truly fearful towards Allah swt, and no thought of transgression would ever occur.

He also stressed the importance of learning Islam from the right sources. He mentioned that there was a surge of Islamic terms which portrayed Islam as being an orthodox religion, religion of raising jihadists, extremists etc. He also noted that Muslims themselves are 'going' towards the non Muslims Professors to learn about Islam. "Doesn't Islam has our own breed of scholars? Do we know who they are, and what did they contribute??"

It is indeed a shame, really. To think that our predesuccesors have contributed and sacrificed so much in the past. Islam's history has been so rich because of what they did. But now, we are doing nothing to preserve our religion. There are alot of things happening around us, and i believe people are aware of it so i don't want to go into details.

Ustaz had alot to cover that night but due to time constraint, he had to stop. It was a pity. But nevertheless, he didn't close the door on us. Anyone could visit his weblog for the entire powerpoint slides.

I really learnt alot of things that night. Now it's time to convert that theory into practical. Insya allah.