Reading time:6 min read

New Semester: Embracing the Momentum

Embracing the momentum of life is intrinsic to the teachings of Islam, a religion that champions resilience, hard work, and the pursuit of excellence. The life stories of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions exemplify a commitment to overcoming challenges through dedication and unwavering effort. This ethos is echoed in the Quran, emphasizing the judicious use of opportunities with determination, hard work, and the execution of prompt worship.

Islam is a religion of struggle and does not encourage truancy, laziness, or settling for less. This could be seen in the life history of the Prophet and his companions. The prophet himself sent Zaid bn Thabit to learn the language of the Jews in other to use it to uplift Islam because it will be very easy to disseminate the message of Allah to people when you understand their language.

Several verses of the Holy Quran emphasize making judicious use of the opportunity with strong determination, hardworking and execution of prompt worship.

Allah says in Quran 29 verse 69.

(وَالَّذِينَ جَاهَدُوا فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَمَعَ الْمُحْسِنِينَ)

“And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good”

Allah also enjoins us to respond to any challenge with the same measure it is being displayed to us by our counterparts and this can only be achieved by serious struggle via good preparations towards our exams and leaving all illicit acts which could terminate or stain our image as Muslims.

{وَأَعِدُّوا لَهُم مَّا اسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن قُوَّةٍ وَمِن رِّبَاطِ الْخَيْلِ تُرْهِبُونَ بِهِ عَدُوَّ اللَّهِ وَعَدُوَّكُمْ وَآخَرِينَ مِن دُونِهِمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَهُمُ اللَّهُ يَعْلَمُهُمْ ۚ وَمَا تُنفِقُوا مِن شَيْءٍ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ يُوَفَّ إِلَيْكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تُظْلَمُونَ)

“And prepare against them whatever you are able of power and of steeds of war by which you may terrify the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them whom you do not know [but] whom Allah knows. And whatever you spend in the cause of Allah will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged.” (Quran 8 verse 60).

It has been reported in many traditions of the Prophet that he encourages seriousness, strong determination, and working towards perfection in achieving our predetermined goals and objectives. He advised us to be resolute while supplicating to Allah.

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “You must not supplicate: ‘O Allah! forgive me if You wish; O Allah bestow mercy on me if you wish. ’ But beg from Allah with certitude for no one has the power to compel Allah.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In another narration he implores every person to strive hard and also states its importance which brings Allah’s love and once you gain His love them everything become yours.

Aisha reported that the Messenger of Allah said ”Verily Allah, most High, loves for you to perfect a good deed when you perform it”.

Sahl ibn Sa’d, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Indeed, Allah loves noble deeds and dislikes indecency.”

How to attain greatness in life.

1. Have good intention: Every action of a Muslim should be accompanied by good intention and that is: To serve Allah in elevating His religion, eradicate ignorance, and make it beneficial to anyone who needs it
   

2. Maximize your time: This can be done by utilizing youth age to achieve your aim because opportunity comes but once and you make hays while the sun shines.
   

3. The Prophet admonished also in one of his speeches to maximize our leisure period before our busy period. He also advised us to know Allah when we are relieved so that he may help us when we are depressed
   

4. Stay connected with good people: determination without a hardwork brings nothing. A poet said:
   
   If knowledge were attained effortlessly,
   Ignorance wouldn’t persist in the wild.
   
   Exert effort, avoid laziness, and be vigilant,
   For regret awaits those who are indolent.
   
   You need to be industrious in your studies if you do not want regret to befall you and this can be easily achieved by working together with like minds.
   

5. Supplicate to your lord: “Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer): but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell – in humiliation!” — Quran 40 verse 60.
   
   For you not to be humiliated with your result execute your obligatory worship and seek success from Him alone
   
   “And rely upon the Ever-Living who does not die, and exalt [Allah] with His praise. And sufficient is He to be, with the sins of His servants, Acquainted” — Quran 25 verse 58.
   

6. Patience is an important factor in achieving success.
   “And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive (to Allah)" — Quran 2 verse 45
   

In Conclusion, embarking on the path of knowledge to achieve success in serving Allah is considered an act of worship. Striving for excellence in studies is viewed favorably by Allah, as elucidated in Quran 61 verse 11. The wisdom shared by Abdul Karim Bakr resonates, emphasizing the triad of desire, capability, and opportunity as pivotal elements of success.

In parting, may Allah grant success in all endeavors, and may the pursuit of knowledge pave the way to ease in attaining Jannah, as articulated by the Prophet: “Allah makes the way to Jannah easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge.”