بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
A friend recently asked me "What's new?" I supposed, perhaps incorrectly, that it was a general question since the few "new" occurrences in the year, unknown to the questioner, had already passed thus making my life uneventful with nothing of great anticipation to share.
I imagine it is the lack of refreshed insights that has kept me away from this writing space (or perhaps just the angst of old and tireless words that saw no actions). Nonetheless, as I think about this idea of old and new, I must say that I have had a wonderful experience in recent months, namely teaching a group of young ladies weekly lessons.
My students taught me a great deal throughout our classes, but their lessons manifested themselves in such abstract and intangible ways that they now seem impossible to articulate.
On a basic level, my students taught me that being a teacher is a part of who I am. I am not a teacher because of any type of training or a job title, but I am a teacher because of the relationships that I share with my students wherein there is mutual respect, concern, and - dare I say - love.
I recall one evening when my students learned that I'm unmarried. They were surprised, "But sister Farzeen, you're so...." said one of my students just as I turned around to write something on the board hoping to change the topic as swiftly as possible. It was from that incident that I realized that my students did not consider me "a" teacher but rather "their" teacher. It's a distinction that may seem frivolous to many, but it is profoundly significant to me and a true honour.
All praises and gratitude are due to Allah alone, He who sent the best of all creations - peace be upon him - to teach us about Him and our relationship with Him.
اللهم لك كل الحمد وكل الشكر
اغفر لنا وتب علينا
وافتح علينا أبواب رحمتك
آمين
