It was a good start to the day

[Hassan Newaz]

AsSalamu Alaikum

 

Love you all...

 

Background:

Woke up 4 mins before Fajr Iqamah time at the Masjid. It was 5:06 by the time I was ready. Had second thoughts about going since was not sure if I will catch the Jamah. And all the other masjid near me pray before or around 5. For some reason, said to myself, let me make the Niyah and gave it a shot. Got to the masjid - saw cars were leaving. So just drove past and went to this other masjid that I dont usually go to. Subhanallah, they were in their first Rakah. That feeling of happiness that Allah made it easy for you: Incredible.

 

Question: Why did I end up at this masjid?

Answer: It was destined for me to meet Abdur Rahman.

 

As I was heading out of the Masjid, I see this brother putting his back-pack on and heading to the street. I just asked if I could give him a ride. Sadly, I was not intending to take him to his destination but at least somewhere on my way. Brother smiled and accepted. I found out that he had a meeting at 9 AM and his plan was to walk the distance to the office. He was unemployed and really didnt have the money to spend on a taking the bus. As he put it, "... get there early and make dhikr all the way." And he was so happy about it too. This walk was for a distance of 5.2 km and would have taken him an 1 hour (I google mapped it). We started talking and it was truly inspiring to see someone with such strong exemplification of rida (satisfaction). Here was a man nearing his 50s, no Muslim family, no job, recently moved to Toronto, who couldnt even afford to take the bus, and he had no complaints about his life. His diction which was perfect btw was full of QadrAllah. His conviction that Islam was the truth and his eloquence about it was inspiring. I really wish I had a recorder. Interestingly, he was the first Rwandan Muslim I met and he had converted in his ealy 40s. He had been working in construction until recently and literally his work would cause him to collapse at night. And this Ramadan, he wanted to spend it on more Ibadah, so he left Alberta and moved here. I dropped him off at his destination, a full 3 hours before his appointment. He didnt wish to impose on any further and he was happy to be with his books and his Dhikr. And as I was leaving, I saw him getting comfortable on the floor in front of the door with utter contentment.

Lessons for me:

 

1. Allah is the best of planners.

2. Accept your Qadr.

3. Do not even feel that you do not have enough, for surely there are others less privileged.

4. Work on my Imaan further, for surely this man who had nearly nothing of this world had more of the hereafter, than me.

5. Ramadan is important enough to give it its all.

6. Wealth is a tool to serve our cause. Its absence should not cause any grief.

7. Be extremely grateful that my work is easy and does not cause my hands to bleed and for me to collapse at night.

 

I was also extremely happy to be able to invite him to AlK's next course in Toronto and the look of happiness on his face was just worth it. Will like to thank those brs and srs who are always sponsoring students in need. And a shout out to the NMC brs/srs, because I was so proud to be remotely associated with something like NMC and to be able to speak him about it.

 

Let the work begin !!!

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Hassan Newaz

 

International Operations

Mercy Mission World

www.mercymissionworld.org

 

Skype: Hassan.Newaz
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