We may bend, but we will never break...

The other day in Shariah class, we were discussing the trials and tribulations that our Prophet Muhammad (Peace by upon him) went through to convey the message of his creator, Allah (SWT), with little support from his closest family members and from the members of his community. The amount of pain and suffering he endured for a God that was so foreign to him is something unimaginable. One man, born an orphan, can surpass any comments, any doubts, and all disbelief in him by everyone, to bring about a change that becomes the best thing that's ever happened to mankind. The change, of course, like in any other society in the world, causes havoc and outrage, that this illiterate man would dare to step beyond his boundaries and disbelieve in the idols; but what pulled him through the most turbulent times was something no man or woman could ever break, and that was Prophet Muhammad's extreme faith and hope in Allah. The hope that one day people would listen, would learn, would open their minds and look beyond the facade that hides them from the truth.

We complain about being targeted and misconceived; we complain about being mistreated and abused, and we break. We forget in the Prophet's message; one he tried to convey through years of torture and struggle, and we eventually let our emotions overcome our senses. We begin to hate, and think negatively. We begin to see ourselves as victims, but it was Allah who said:

'Verily God does not change the condition of a people unless they change what is in themselves.'

إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ

(13:11 )

How can we help in our Prophet's journey, when we can't even help ourselves? How can we fulfill our duties as Muslims, when we blame, ignore and abuse our fellow brothers and sisters in Islam; those who struggle to live just one more day, those who have no hope for the future, and those who can't even protect and serve their families? Islam is a religion of peace and unity. If we can't better ourselves, how can we provide help for the Muslim nation? The prophet was one man; a great man undoubtedly, but he was a man, and just like the rest of us, he made mistakes; but he looked past his imperfections and dedicated his life to Islam. He had no one to support him, but he needed no one but Allah. If this man, created by Allah (S.W.T), can look beyond his needs and desires, and start a revolutionary beginning, then each of us can also look beyond our weaknesses and continue with the mission of Islam.

None of us are perfect; we WILL lose faith, and consequently our drive to keep going and we WILL feel hatred and disgust; but no matter what, no matter how much we get criticized and damned, we must concentrate on improving ourselves, and that will be the path to follow in mending our way of life - Islam.

Salams :)