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Who was most inspiring for you?
Kashif
08/21/01 at 18:15:48
assalaamu alaikum Its been a long time since i put out one of these questions, but insha'llah this one can be of benefit to everyone. Aside from the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, who has been the most inspiring person you've read or met? Someone who you read and say "Wow! i wish i could be like that!" It might be a sahabi, it might be one of the great mujahideen of our ummah, it might even be your imam. I'll tell you mine a little later insha'llah. Kashif Wa Salaam
NS

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
Anik
08/21/01 at 20:22:35
A.A. well there are qualities in some non-muslims even that i admire, but yeah, i guess we are looking at total character... gee i don't really know... I guess my pick is Isa (AS)... however much i know about him. asalaamu alaikum. abdullah,.

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
Merimda
08/21/01 at 23:58:42
salam, It's so hard to choose among the many of our pious salaf. But for me four stand out, Prophet Musa (pbuh), Salman the Persian, Musab ibn Umair and Salah ad-din Al-Ayubi. Whenever I read about their lives I am always amazed and moved. All are outstanding and inspiring personalites in their own way. Salam, meri

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
Arsalan
08/22/01 at 00:51:44
As-Siddeeq ... radi Allahu ta'aala 3anhu ... Hands down! Wassalamu alaikum.

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
jannah
08/22/01 at 01:26:03
Most inspiring to me are people who are unknown widely. They appear in biographies and stories written by people long ago. A story of a stuggling Muslim sahabiyat there... a Muslim man trying to go to Hajj in the 11th century, an Austrailian convert in 1880... They are inspiring to me because they were average Muslims living in their time trying to fulfill their deen. History may not remember them and life went on without them, but they are still fascinating stories...

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
haaris
08/22/01 at 06:01:39
[quote]Most inspiring to me are people who are unknown widely. They appear in biographies and stories written by people long ago. A story of a stuggling Muslim sahabiyat there... a Muslim man trying to go to Hajj in the 11th century, an Austrailian convert in 1880... They are inspiring to me because they were average Muslims living in their time trying to fulfill their deen. History may not remember them and life went on without them, but they are still fascinating stories...[/quote] Jannah, could you post up some of these stories? I kind of agree with Jannah on this one.  Although I am truly humbled when I read stories of the Sahaba or the great imams I always sort of think "Man, I could never be that good, I'm struggling to bring in five prayers a day and cut down on my swearing". Maybe I'm setting my sights too low but I just try to be an average muslim.  Once I'm there, and Insha Allah I WILL get there, I'll aim higher. To be honest, at the moment the people who inspire me are some of the people on this board, some Muslims I have met in my life and some I read about. A cop out answer I know but perhaps I'll think of a concrete example to share later, Insha Allah.

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
deenb-4dunya
08/22/01 at 09:16:56
MOst inspiring for me... Too many to name... In the past---- Hafsah bint Sirin, and hert bro- Mohammed ibn Sirin IN the present-----Shaikh Mokhtar Maghraoui (if anyone doesn't know who he is...you gotta meet him!)

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
bhaloo
08/22/01 at 11:05:15
slm [quote]To be honest, at the moment the people who inspire me are some of the people on this board[/quote] I have to agree with Haaris on this one and I am not going to mention any names, otherwise they will get embarassed.  ;)

Surprise, surprise, surprise...
bhaloo
08/22/01 at 13:30:05
slm [quote]I am not going to mention any names, otherwise they will get embarassed.  ;)[/quote] After I posted that message I got this IM: it's ok, u can say my name, i don't mind *ahem* I'm not mentioning any names, and yes its plural. :)

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
eleanor
08/22/01 at 14:17:41
[quote] To be honest, at the moment the people who inspire me are some of the people on this board I have to agree with Haaris on this one and I am not going to mention any names, otherwise they will get embarassed.  ;)[/quote] me three! ;) wasalaam eleanor

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
Arsalan
08/22/01 at 16:33:13
[slm] To the people who said they are inspired by other members of this board: wanna do something to help them?  make du'aa for your inspirations! To others: *you* may be somebody else's inspiration!  Never forget that when you post! Wassalamu alaikum.

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
se7en
08/22/01 at 18:42:58
as salaamu alaykum, I don't think a comparison can be made between people you've met or read about and people on the board. What we see of people on the board is limited.. it's what a person wants to share of themself.  That person's true nature.. their character, their actions, their eman.. may be very far from what they portray. On the board we don't see a persons initial reaction at being argued with; we don't see disdain and judgement in each others eyes; we don't see one's action when actually being posed with the difficult situations we so easily find answers for.. The Madina is this kind of ideal place.. where we see each other in this beautiful light.. our sins hidden and our goodness manifest with the words we string together to encourage others to become closer to Allah, to share our experiences, perspectives, reflections.. It is a beautiful thing.. in that it kind of *forces* us to follow the prophetic command to look for the good in people and overlook their faults.. but we have to be careful.. It reminds me of a scene in a movie I saw once.  Here's what I wrote about it before: In one part of the movie, the main character has the ability to see the evil others will commit.   So he walks into a crowded train station.  Streams of people walking by in every direction, some silent, some speaking, some laughing, together and alone.  He stops, still in the middle of this motion of people.   One woman brushes against him; he sees how she will steal a bracelet when a jeweler has his back turned. A young guy's shirt touches his; he sees him take advantage of a drunk girl at a fraternity party.  A maintenance man rolls his cart by, hits his leg; he sees the crime he will commit later that day.  Then the camera pans up; and all you see is this look of grief.. pain on the main character's face. SubhanAllah.  This was a *deep* scene.  Makes you think yeah? It made me think about how little we truly know of people, of their good and their bad.  How arrogant it is for us to assume we can judge people and determine their 'goodness' by the few things we see.  About how foolish we are in the assumptions and judgements we make, while knowing that Allah *alone* knows the deeds people hide and the deeds they commit openly. I gotta think about this more, but man, it was amazing subhanAllah. -- Not to totally ruin the vibe in this thread :) My point is, we're all looking at the glinting surface of each other and only Allah know what lies underneath.  Some of the amazing people in our legacy were known for their speech.. but their speech in conjunction with a lifetime of sacrifice and work fisabilillah.  So look for inspiration in people who not only speak (because speech is worth very little) but whose actions actually reflect what they say. Finding people like that are very rare.  People are good at talking.. but stepping up to the plate is a different story. :) Take care :) wasalaamu alaykum.

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
Nazia
08/22/01 at 22:14:55
slm, [quote]I don't think a comparison can be made between people you've met or read about and people on the board. [/quote] Perhaps people were inspired moreso by the *posts* then the actual *post-ers*.  I think its very easy for most people to be inspired by a conversion story, words of wisdom, tales of experiences past, etc.  This is perhaps, independent of the actual post-er, but inspiring nonetheless.  So it might be more appropriate for one to say that they were inspired by what they *read* by certain people.  Because, we have to assume the best of people right?  So we read an inspiring post and hope and pray that the person who wrote it exemplifies the inspiration he/she made us feel. Perhaps. Take Care, Wassalamu Alaikum, Nazia

just to name a few..
princess
08/22/01 at 23:09:28
as'salaamualikum ;-D i don't have just 1 person that takes the cake..as ppl r all different.. :) i admire the ppl in my life for different reasons, and try to benefit from how they r, who they deal with, how the deal with something, and how they impliment islam into their lives :) 1st and foremost..it would have to be my ammi :) i love her to death..although we have our share of issues :) she's as typical of a housewife as they get; but alhamdulillah, she's 1 of the best mom's over all..(i'm not just sayin that cuz she's mines ;) :)) she's set a good example for my siblings and myself..:) 2ndly, it would have to be my bhabijaan (sister in law) :) she's 1 of the best sister in laws in the world :) she's been in the family for9 yrs..and i totally seriously could [i]not[/i] imagine my life without her :) she's a fob, but i love her..i'm probably closest to her in my family :) 3rdly is my best friend..we go way back..we've been there for each other ever since i can remember..we've gotten closer of the past yr..there's a lot i myself have been through and i couldn't see myself without them..i think they've had the most islamic influence on me recently..:) always looking out for me, and my best and my families best :) [thumbsup] others r my brother, arsalAN, and the sufi slayer, for reasons i don't want to share :) i don't know too many ppl on this board, well enough to let them influence me in anyway :) anyways..:) have a nice evening :) feamanAllah ;-D

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
bhaloo
08/23/01 at 00:59:34
slm [quote] I don't think a comparison can be made between people you've met or read about and people on the board. [/quote] I don't see why not.  In both instances we don't truly know the individual.  We just go by what we have read and/or interacted with the individual. [quote] What we see of people on the board is limited.. it's what a person wants to share of themself.  That person's true nature.. their character, their actions, their eman.. may be very far from what they portray. [/quote] That's true, but that's also true of people when you meet them face to face.  Actually I'll be so bold as to say its more true meeting them face to face.  People are more willing to let you know their true nature through the online medium, because there is a sense of anonimity to it as compared to the real world.   [quote] My point is, we're all looking at the glinting surface of each other and only Allah know what lies underneath.   [/quote] That's true, but that is true of any of the people you'll meet in this world.  There are people on this board that have definitely inspired me, and are among the best people I know. I'll take Arsalan's advice and make duaa for them insha'Allah. p.s. princess you forgot #4: the smileys. :)

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
haaris
08/23/01 at 05:49:19
[quote]To the people who said they are inspired by other members of this board: wanna do something to help them?  make du'aa for your inspirations![/quote] Allah and I know that I do from time to time. [quote]I don't think a comparison can be made between people you've met or read about and people on the board.[/quote] I take your point sister but if someone chooses to tell us on the board of an experience of theirs and how it benefitted them or gives a sound piece of advice it will be that experience or that advice that inspires me.  If they choose to cover up their faults, then so be it. As brother Arshad said, the person you speak to at the mosque could behave entirely differently at home: unlikely perhaps but that is between them and Allah. Part of the reason that I keep coming back to this board is that it offers me many things: a community of people who discuss things in a constructive, polite and educational manner; cautioning against the wrong and enjoining the good; a host of links to other resources; a spotlight on islamic events and happenings in my area and beyond to name just a few.  That in itself inspires me and makes me want to become a better muslim, Alhamdullilah.  Even though I know that not everyone who posts is a walking example of the Sunnah in action.  The struggles, imperfections and failures of others inspire me every bit as much as their successes. Incidentally, the fact that I don't know any of you personally is, in a funny way, perfect for me.  If I have a problem and post it on the board no-one will feel compelled to post advice purely because they like me as a person and feel that they should "help" me nor (God forbid) refuse to post because they know me personally and have decided that they don't like me.  No, people will post advice because they feel that it is the right thing to do, for the sake of Allah.  Similarly people will refrain from advising if they feel that they don't have the resources to offer that advice in accordance with the teachings of Islam.  I honestly think that this board encourages a "Can I do what is right, Islamically" mentality to the posts in that people try to help not for my sake but for the sake of Allah, to help a fellow muslim. I cannot recollect a single visit to this board that hasn't left me wanting to be a better Muslim as I click on the "Logout" link.  I know you guys are not perfect.  But, subhana Allah, you all have good traits that you show in your posts.  They make me wonder at the Rahma of Allah, they make me grateful for all I have and ashamed of my own shortcomings. And they make me want to make myself a better Muslim. May Allah bless you all and forgive us all our shortcomings.

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
jaihoon
08/26/01 at 08:16:30
-------------------------------------------- What we see of people on the board is limited.. it's what a person wants to share of themself.  That person's true nature.. their character, their actions, their eman.. may be very far from what they portray. -------------------------------------------- As Mirza Ghalib, the legendary poet said: " Ghalib, unless flowers cover the whole view, Take not the spring  in its prime, 'tis not yet new" :)

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
zanfaz
08/26/01 at 23:12:41
[slm] The most inspiring person in my life is my mom. Her sincerety and patience is what inspires me most. Another person to inspire me is my brother-in-law. I love him for his simplicity. And ofcourse, brothers and sisters from this board inspire me a lot. They help me remain steadfast in the deen. JazakAllahu Khair ! wassalam

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
JustMe
08/30/01 at 05:21:45
This is different: Who truly inspires me is Allah(S) for many reasons: 1) I feel his Presence almost all the time whenever I keep a watch for Him.     2) Because He puts me through all sorts of trials and situations so I can enjoy the fruits of a difficult endeavor. 3) He really cares for me and Knows what's best for me!! All of the time! 4) He makes me aware of a Hereafter!! But I also feel like He is too mean sometimes.  He's not a person so He doesn't have to worry nor should I feel guilty about feeling upset with Him.  Sometimes I wish that People would inspire me so that I don't have to deal with a Higher Power of a sort but that would be a cop out.  Lastly I am forced to confess that the people of this message board have made it possible for us to be inspired within, amongst and by each other.  Meeting at ISNA would be kewl but my family and I are going to Detroit to spend time with my brother and his family.  Incidentally if it were a human I would chose my brother as the inspiration because he saved my life and almost killed me too.  I hate his bossy rear-end! actually he's not my most influential inspirational person.  I would say it was my grandfather who was orphaned at the age of 14 and became very well-educated and influenced many other people in India who are now professionals all over the world from his teaching profession.  All children before teenage years are inspirational to me!!  Today's working women are inspirational!  authors like Thoreau and Emerson have been very influential to me because they are Transcendentalists (like people of the East) in a mostly secular environment. Lastly, it would be my wife but as yet I don't have one so that's that. :) I'm gonna take a risk here and say I don't know is it just me or I don't see how the sahabas are influential to today due to all the time that's past in-between and our truthful as opposed to storylike portrayals rather than influential pieces of knowledge which they carry through to today.  I guess unless one does some Major investigation one can really make sense out of the images of Arabia at the time of Our Rasool(s)

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
halwa
08/31/01 at 10:43:04
Assalamu ALaikum people that inspire me?..well there are a couple. First, ofcourse after hte prophet (pbuh), is Nusaiba bintu Kaab.  She made jihad her whole entire life iwthout one complaint, nad i feel like as her namesake..i should try to make an affect like she did. Inshallah. Make Dua for me. Also another person that i respect is my other half. WE face alot of the same problems, but she inspires me to always move on and to always have faith in allah. Also, to never forget that Allah is with you 24-7. MAy allah Grant her Jannah and a wonderful berzakh. LAStly but Not least, MY PARENTs.., They have done soo much for me, they are my best friends. I respect them and i am inspired by the dedication that they have towards me and my brothers. I cannot imagine myself without them. May Allah grant them Jannah. WAsalamu ALaikum wa Rahmatu Allahi wa BAraktuh nassiba

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
taueeya
09/07/01 at 03:27:05
Assalamu Alaikum,               [quote]Aside from the Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, who has been the most inspiring person you've read or met?[/quote]              The Khulafa-e-Rashidoon are the 'read' ones by whom I am most inspired.              As far as the 'met' ones are concerned,  there were none before I attended, for the first time in my life, this ISNA convention, and now I can say that I am truly inspired by Siraj Wahhaj and Hamza Yusuf. They are top of the list, and the others included are Anwar Awlaqi, Alaeddin AlBakri.              Didn't get a chance to listen to some other scholars like Jamal Badawi, Zaid Shakir, Mukhtar Maghroui (have heard of them a lot). InshaAllah, next time in D.C. Wassalam.

Re: Who was most inspiring for you?
Muslima-Aktiv
09/07/01 at 16:38:54
Assalamu alaykum For me it was Malik Al-Shabbaz (Malcolm X), when and after he became real Muslim. Such a strong character and a strong loyality towards Allah. WOW! :) Assalamu alaykum
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