Assalamualaikum

Contrary to contemporary belief that the muslims are a backward people and have no share in the progress of society , the Islamic civilization is arguably the greatest civilization to ever grace this earth.

The colonial masters have led - or rather misled- the world to believe that when Europe were slumped in their Dark Ages , that the rest of the world were also in darkness ! They conveniently erase from history and education the fact that whilst it was the dark ages for them , it was the Golden Age for the muslims !

The richness of the Islamic society was not just confined to science and technology but it spread across spiritual, judicial and social realms as well. Historians have even recently discovered written testimonials by Jews living in muslim Spain, attesting to the peace and justice that they received from the muslim state.

The 1001 Inventions Exhibition is doing some amazing work by showcasing the huge contribution of muslim civilization on today’s life. I came across this amazing video made by them starring Sir Ben Kingsley.

This Golden Age just implies to show how great muslims were when they implemented Islam. We need to bring back Islam into our lives if we want to get that back. SubhanAllah. Like Muhammad Assad said in his amazing book 'The Road to Mecca'

'It was not Muslims that had made Islam great: it was Islam that had made the Muslims great! '

Assalamualaikum

Life is a test of all sorts. We have the choice of how we use and react to every passing minute, every passing moment, every passing opportunity. Do we make use of it for our betterment, do we let it go pass by, or even worse, do we misuse it (May Allah protect us) ?

The more closer you grow towards your deen the more black and white the world becomes. You start to see how things 'ought' to be, how things 'actually' are and how far we have allowed ourselves to drift away. You now want to set things right and start to disassociate from all the norms of society and make a conscious effort to live like you ought to, an Abdullah. No music, no backbiting, no TV, no haram socializing, a beard and trying to persuade others to do the same. What this does is, it turns you into an outcast, a stanger,and truly this can be testing times

"Islam began as something strange, and it shall return to being something strange, so give glad tidings to the strangers." [Sahih Muslim]

During the course of these tests sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don’t and when they don't, it can be a tricky situation. My past few weeks have been a little rough in that regard and that can lead you down some dark roads. Frustration, agitation, and even isolation.

When things don’t go the way you want it to , it can be testing times for any muslims. You might not get that job you wanted , you might not have achieved some goals in the time you want to , you can get ridiculed by your own friends and family for your beliefs and this can truly disturb your peace.

But then it got me thinking , why should I feel this way when Allah has bestowed me with so much Alhamdulillah. Allah (SWT) has blessed me with Islam and iman, chosen me to be a Muslim and of the ummah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW who was the best of mankind. This is the best gift anyone can be given , and after having been bestowed this honour how can I complain over anything.

Our tests are nothing in comparison to what the prophets and the messengers had gone through. May peace and blessing be upon all of them. They displayed the epitome of patience, love, compassion, humbleness and servitude to Allah SWT. This is why they were chosen as examples for us to follow. How can I allow myself to feel discouraged when even after 950 years of preaching only a few of the people followed Prophet Noah (a.s)? How can I be impatient when Ayyub (a.s) was tested with something I cannot even comprehend ? How can I feel angry when the Prophet (s.a.w) was thrown stones at by the children of Taif and still had hope in them accepting his message ? Sallallahualaihi Wassalam !

"Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny ? [Surah Rahman]

None ! The favour of choosing me to be a muslim , the favour of choosing me to be from the ummah of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), choosing me to be of the best nation of mankind, choosing me to be of the ummah that received the greatest miracle , the timeless miracle, The Quran.

How then can I be frustrated with dunya when what Allah has blessed me is better than all that is in it !? How can I be a frustrated muslim ? Al Hamdullilah

"And He gives you all that you ask for. But if you count the favors of Allah, never will you be able to number them. Verily, man is given up to injustice and ingratitude." [Qur'an 14:34]