Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Through a Valley Blindly |
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| Asim |
| 05/30/01 at 00:39:00 |
| Through a Valley Blindly Like a tree, my life has sprouted and shed leaves with changes in environment. But over the long run I think it has grown stronger and resilient and better, alhamdulillah, not just taller and denser. The growth has been and still is generally slow with periods of some growth and periods of almost no growth, just like the growth of a tree through the seasons. One fateful day in my late teens the pattern of growth changed for the better when at an eye exam I was told that I am going blind…! That diagnosis sort of jolted me out of my complacency and forced me to think and reflect on my goals in life and cultivate a more lasting growth - a growth in strength and resilience and inner improvement. I did not make any resolutions or such at the time but rather a gradual awakening, realization, and understanding developed in me through everyday experiences. This struggle for self-improvement continues till today and will continue for life, inshaAllah. My early life was easy. I grew up in a rural setting as a shy and reserved kid who liked the outdoors and did well in school. Thanks to my parents and siblings I have been praying, fasting, etc since my childhood and was considered a good mannered kid, honest :) Friend: "Hey Asim let's raid that mango tree!" Me: "No-noooo, that belongs to Mr. X and Alsatian dog Y" Friend: "You are such a coward!" :) During my teen years the setting changed as I got transplanted to an urban environment. I did not like the new environment and never quite adjusted to it. But I was still content with my outward growth (doing well in school, etc) and paid little attention to my inner growth. I must say though that I was an odd teenager. Friends: "We are going to the market/mall, wanna come?" Me: "To do what?" Friends: "Just hang out and maybe ogle some girls…" Me: "Nah, thanks." :) I was like a tree in a wide fertile valley basking in the sunshine and getting taller and luxurious. Things were going my way: engineering school was on the cards, a few decent friends came into my life, and hey maybe even a marriage within the family was on the cards! (actually, just on my mind :)) But in reality I was wandering blindly through the valley with no direction and no destination, an aimless journey that went nowhere fueled by the ignorance/indifference that this is all what life has to offer. Then one day the 'impossible' happened: the walls of the valley started creeping in. Sunshine faded, the future became uncertain and the lofty stars that I once aspired to gradually dimmed and disappeared from view. My outward growth did not change much (alhamdulillah, I just took the whole thing in stride) but inwardly I became more conscious, paid more attention to my intentions, and strived to travel on the path whose destination was better than anything this world can offer. The valley is now narrow and dark. But there is a light uphill, a tiny beacon of an opening that guides me on the straight path. The valley is now narrow and dark. But this prevents me from straying laterally far away from the straight path. The valley is now narrow and dark. But this helps me focus on what is important in life. Don't be a fool like me; take advantage of your health before your sickness! Within a span of 15 years I went from being a great mountain biker (and in general from an above average athlete) to one who can hardly walk across a room without tripping over something! But this is nothing. What really gets to me is seeing all the brothers and sisters garnering rewards (mashaAllah) by doing dawah, helping the Muslim community, and being active contributing members of society, while I sit alone sulking. Don't let this happen to you. Also remember that when hardships befall you bear them with happiness because they are a blessing and a correcting influence. I remind myself first because the nafs *never ever* learns its lesson completely! O Allah! Help us and guide us and protect us and keep us steadfast on the Straight Path. O Allah! Let not our hearts deviate now after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You. Truly, You are the Grantor of bounties without measure. |
| Re: Through a Valley Blindly |
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| se7en |
| 05/30/01 at 16:41:03 |
| Asim, subhanAllah, that was beautiful. |
| Re: Through a Valley Blindly |
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| Saleema |
| 05/30/01 at 17:09:06 |
| [slm] Asim that was very moving and indeed very inspirational! May Allah grant you and all of us janatul fardous. A thousand times Ameen. [wlm] Saleema |
| Re: Through a Valley Blindly |
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| Barr |
| 05/31/01 at 09:57:13 |
| MashaALlah, akhi... that is beautiful :) Thanx for sharing :-) [quote]Within a span of 15 years I went from being a great mountain biker (and in general from an above average athlete) to one who can hardly walk across a room without tripping over something! But this is nothing.[/quote] But r U alright, akhi? ... did U get into an accident or smt? or is that just metaphoric? wassalam |
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