Bismillah. Ar Rahman. Ar Rahim.
Alhamdulillah.
Some people command your attention when they speak. These rare individuals don't need to shout nor try too hard. They naturally have a unique magnetic attraction whenever they speak. People gravitate towards them and immediately like them. These people have an amazing gift many would die for.
Over the past few hours I have been thinking a lot about Islam, life, relationships, gold and silver trade, chores and family. I have come to the conclusion that those people that I mentioned beforehand have a secret. And I'm here to tell you that I think, (THINK) I've managed to uncover a little of it.
If you are guilty of trying too hard to be heard by yelling, joking too much or physically moving about, listen up. Those people don't have to resort to dire acts. The secret is... they walk their talk.
In fact, the secret is that THERE IS NO SECRET! If you want to know why some speakers attract your attention to listen to their environmental campaign or why some shops influence you to buy their product, its because they WALK THEIR TALK. When you do the very thing you preach, you earn the RIGHT to speak about it. In arabic, you practice the AMAAL, then you preach the message.
Metaphorically speaking, how can a teacher talk about Volunteerism, if the only thing he's ever sacrificed is his chicken bone for the stray cats that pass by? How can a teapot pour anything into a cup if its empty? A teapot is only as useful as its contents. If its filled with coffee, it can only pour out coffee.
Which brings me to my second point, a Good teacher makes a Good student. A great teacher makes Great students. The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree. I realize that if I want to become someone great, I need to find the BEST teachers around to show me the true way. It will take a lot from you to lower your EGO and NAFS. No doubt you might even break down when you ask them, I know I will.
Some mentors teach their men-tees for years until the student is finally 'ready' to face the world. Perseverance, Dedication, Humility, Respect, Discipline, Responsibility are crucial factors to success. I'm reminding myself that even when I do reach my finish line, I should never be arrogant with the knowledge that I have. For that knowledge is really not mine at all. It belongs to Allah, the Most Gracious and All Knowing.
In Islam, the more you know about your Deen, the more humble and respectful you should be. The more you know, the more you realize how heinous and small we are in the eyes of Allah. Let alone Syaitan was cursed out of Jannah because he refused to bow down to Adam because "Adam was made from clay and Syaitan was made from Fire, so why should I bow down to him?". This arrogance are mere seeds of hatred sparked since the beginning of time. All of these are reminders to those on the path, the seekers among us.
In essence, seekers are always on the path and never really 'arrive'. Until the day of Judgement, that is when all of us will end this path. So in order to talk with vigor and influence and energy, we need to lower the nafs, look for teachers and practice before preaching. The best among us practice now from just one little bit of knowledge. The more the knowledge, the more that is practised.
Wallaua'lam. May All of us be among those who walk their talk and become people of influence to the deen!
