A Lesson

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

1 comment:

Maketta said...

Assalamu Alaikum Sis,

I am glad to see that you are doing something that you love to do. May Allah reward you and put many barakah's in it!

"Do you think that you will enter the Paradise without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? They encountered suffering and adversity and were so shaken in spirit that even the Apostle and those of faith who were with him cried: 'When (will come) the help of God?' Ah! Verily the help of God is (always) near!" [2:214]

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Inspiration

"Be mindful of God, and God will protect you. Be mindful of God, and you will find Him in front of you. If you ask, ask of God. If you seek help, seek help of God. Know that if the whole world were to gather together to benefit you with anything, it would benefit you only with something that God had already prescribed for you. And if the whole world were to gather together to harm you, it would harm you only with something that God has already prescribed for you. The pens have been lifted and the ink has dried."
--Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him]