Silver Lining Behind Dark Clouds.........

“Five truly effective prescriptions to remedy a bad day.
(You can't overdose.)

—Pray; discuss your troubles with God.
—List your blessings. (The blue sky, soft cookies, warm socks, etc.)
—Call your mom.
—Visit an animal shelter and hug a lonely cat.
—Visit a nursing home and hug a lonely grandparent.”
― Richelle E. Goodrich

Like any other normal human, I too, have days when my sanity hangs by a thread. These are the days when I become an emotional wreck because the unscrupulous people who got on my nerves. I would feel completely unappreciated and useless, and I just want to crawl into bed and sleep for eternity. Maybe the bogeyman will go away and my world will be happy and peaceful again. But….that doesn’t happen! No matter how long I hibernate under the blanket, my problems will not go away on its own.

Sometimes, when I am faced with this kind of days, I can’t help feeling disappointed because I have failed as a Muslim. The reason being is my heart is silently groaning and sighing. No matter how hard I try, there are days when I just fall into despair. Does that make me ungrateful to my Maker? Does that make me an inconsiderate servant? Am I questioning my fate?

The last two days, I was actually feeling insignificant and small. I just felt frustrated because I felt that the little knowledge that I have, is not benefitting others as much as I would like it to be. It didn’t help when someone commented “ oh, you are not an ustazah (religious teacher)!”. Sigh! It is true that I am not an ustazah or a doctor or even a professor in Islamic Usuluddin but then again, I never said or declared that I was. I am just a normal person who is trying to do what every Muslim is supposed to be doing….sharing…..

“The Prophet SAW said: "Acquire knowledge and impart it to the people." –

Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 107

Then, I remembered one of my conversations that I had with the Wise Owl. The Wise Owl told me once that even Prophet SAW had sad moments in his life and he too felt helpless at times. Being sad or frustrated is normal human emotions. If we do experience those feelings, that only means we are human. Feeling sorrow or despair does not mean we are being ungrateful. The most important thing is how we deal with our sorrow or frustration or heartache.

“Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri and Abu Huraira: The Prophet SAW said, "No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that."  

Sahih Bukhari #545

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "If Allah wants to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials."  

Sahih Bukhari #548

I must be constantly reminded of the above hadith because sometimes it just slipped my mind. Of course everything is a trial but sometimes, I do get beaten down. Normally, when that happens, God Al Mighty always sends me someone or something to remind me of His Trials and also His Mercy.

So back to my sob story. Whilst I was wallowing in self pity, I received a phone call from the Wise Old Man. This person is like a walking encyclopaedia. It would seem that he has everything at the tips of his fingers. I tutored under him for years and to me, his vast knowledge is amazing. Anyway, he called me and said, “sister, I need to consult with you on a matter. This is an area of your expertise and I would appreciate it if you could spare me some time and give me your opinion.” Err…..I was gobsmacked for a while. The Wise Old Man is asking me for an opinion?  Dark clouds suddenly lifted and I didn’t feel useless anymore. My knowledge is useful to someone…

What the Wise Owl had once told me is in fact very true. We should never be arrogant in acquiring knowledge. Just because a person does not carry any academic title, it does not mean that he or she is not qualified to be a teacher. Our Prophet SAW himself was not a university professor but his knowledge incomparable. Even if a person holds a doctorate, in a certain field, it does not mean that he knows everything and he can’t learn from a person who is academically inferior than him. Knowledge is precious. Find it, learn it and impart it. Do it for the sake of Allah SWT. Don’t be stingy with your knowledge. By hoarding your knowledge to yourself, it will not make you a genius. By sharing your knowledge with others, it will not lessen your intellect or I.Q. but it will increase your rewards…

“The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Do you know who is most generous? ... God is the Most Generous, then I am most generous to humankind, and the most generous people after me will be those who will acquire knowledge and then disseminate it. (They) will come on the Day of Resurrection singly, like a ruler." Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 93

So….in conclusion, let me state this again. I do not have a doctorate in Islamic studies neither am I a professor. I am not an ustazah or a famous religious scholar but I am a Muslim and for as long God allows me to draw in my breathe, I will continue sharing the knowledge that I acquired during this lifetime…..In Shaa Allah……