tells you that there's somethingmore to life, that calls you to do
something meaningful, to experience the world in a profound way. So
many of us dismissthat voice and suppress it. We are told that our
dreams are not realistic or practical. We are told that we should
settle for what is reliable, and will pay the bills, and garner us the
respect of our peers.
But if we do not listen to that quiet voice, then who will? There is
no external advocate who can read theyearnings of your heart and speak
up on your soul's behalf. You must be the champion of your own soul.
On the authority of Abu Malik Al-Harith bin Asim Al-Ashari said that
the messenger of Allah said:
"Purity is half of faith. alhamdu-lillah [Praise be to Allah] fills
the scales, and subhana-Allah [How far is Allah from every
imperfection] and alhamdu-lillah [Praise be to Allah] fill that which
is between heaven and earth. Prayer is light; charity is a proof;
patience is illumination; and the Quran is an argument for or against
you. Everyone starts his day and is a vendor of hissoul, either
freeing it or bringing about its ruin."
(Related by Muslim).
You are the vendor of your soul: either freeing it or bringing about
its ruin. Youfree it by worshiping Allah in love, gratitude and fear;
keeping the praises of Allahon your tongue and in yourheart; praying
and fasting and living righteously (as opposed to self-righteously);
by showing love and concern for other human beings; and by being true
to yourself.
Allah created you with a unique nature. Do you think it's only your
fingerprints that are unique? Or your retinal scan, palm print, voice
printand DNA? Do you believe that your uniqueness is encapsulated by
measurable biometrical data? No, your uniqueness extends to your own
wonderful thought patterns, your special heart, and your soul. You are
you, not anyone else.
You are not an assembly-line robot, or a machine put here to consume,
produce and expire. You are different from everyone else in the world
because you are you. Respect that, and don't try to force yourself
into an uncomfortable or even impossible mold that someone else has
dictated for you. Be true, be you , and free your soul.
I'm not talking about sinfuldesires. I am speaking of the quiet and
inspired urgings of your heart. Maybe you dream of working in disaster
relief, helping all those poor soulswho suffered after the Indian
Ocean tsunami, or from the earthquake in Haiti. Maybe you have an
inner artist and you'd like to pursue that passionatelyand see where
it takes you.Maybe you love children and would like to teach; maybe
you are not satisfied with current school curricula and you have an
idea of starting your own school. Maybe you've always fantasized about
being a karate black belt, or helping poor villages in Africa become
self-sustaining, or campaigning for human rights.
Maybe you're single and you have feelings for a certain person, or
just an undercurrent of admirationand respect, but you fear rejection
if you come forward with a marriage proposal; or maybe the person
comes from a different cultural background and you worrythat your
family or your peers would not approve.
I could go on, but you get the point. The fact that each of us is
utterly unique is a blessing, because each of us brings a new
imagination to solving the world's problems, and eachof us beautifies
the world in a new way. Each of us has something important to teach.
Each of us has a different voice, not so that we can win "American
Idol", but so that we add tothe universal chorus that praises Allah.
Don't fear your dreams: cherish them, nurture them, and do your best
to live them. Let's face it, life is short; it passes so quickly, much
sooner than we expect, and when we get to the end of the road we will
regret only that wesuppressed our hearts, and shoved them down into
silence, and failed to live up to our potential as believers and as
unique individuals, with our own God-given gifts.
Sister Sara, author of the Sweet Serenity blog, pointed out, "Often
while in search for who we truly are, we are dictated by the world
around us, and thereby lose ourselves. Thewords of the Qur'an and
example of the Prophet (sallAllahu 'alayhi wasallam) should be our
guides and inspiration, reaffirming that we need to patiently
persevere, following the calling in our hearts and Insha'Allah, we
will be able to make our dreams a reality."
One person pointed out that following his dreams is impractical for
him due to his family obligations. That is a valid objection. We have
realities of family to deal with, and that oftenrequires compromise.
Our duties to our family are a part of our deen.