Will You Listen?🤨

Exciting announcement at the end.🥳🥳🥳

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Asalam Alaekum Waramatullahi Wabarakatu,

Trust you are well, striving and thriving, In shaa Allah.

Seeking knowledge teaches you a lot. A lot of times, it is a platform to learn the qualities that we should have as Muslims. I have always wanted to do a series on this, but till I get to it, I will just write about the lessons as they come to me. Recently, Alhamdulillah I completed a program and decided to revise and solidify the knowledge I had acquired so far or as my teacher puts it, ‘Know what I know’. I was keen on making sure that I was retaining the knowledge and not just breezing through.

Alhamdulillah, Allah sent me the best teacher, someone who is also a sister of mine and whose journey I am simply in awe of( May Allah increase her in knowledge). We are still in the early days, but I noticed after the second class that something didn’t quite sit right. I also knew that I was due for an internal review and that is exactly what I did.

I had barely started reflecting and my flaws started jumping out. I found that I was jumping to respond before I was asked anything and eager to reel out and defend the very little knowledge (In fact, micro) that I had. Very interesting behavior I tell you, after thinking about it, I think I could narrow it down to an insecurity that was hindering my ability to listen.

This interesting behavior, I realized had not made my sessions as beneficial as they could have been. So next class, I tried something different, the strategy was simple; shut up and listen. It did not matter whether I knew what was being taught or not, or whether I had a bright idea, mid-way, Ogbeni, just be humble and listen!! I was so mindful of this, that I even reminded myself out loud in class to behave. Pleased to announce that it was a beautiful, beautiful session Alhamdullilahi! Not jumping down my teacher’s throat, made for a beneficial class and one that I truly loved. The things I learned in this class alone!!!! Masha Allah! I was glad that Allah revealed my flaws and helped me to adjust accordingly. Still adjusting sha, but at least the awareness is there.

Is it not sad though to think of how much knowledge and goodness I have missed because of an inability to just listen? Sad to think of the losses, but grateful for the awareness.

The ability to listen is a key prophetic trait that every one of us should have and If I had not reflected on my behavior in this class, I would not have realized how much work I had to do, to become a deep, active listener.

Writing this, also reminded me of a book I bought about some months back, When Hearing Becomes Listening by Sheikh Mikaeel Ahmed Smith, and the many wisdoms contained in it. I will just share a few:

• Those who refuse to listen are not only likened to animals in the Quran but are referred to as deaf and those who are spiritually dead. The author goes on to explain how these serve as powerful metaphors, with one of their functions being to console the Prophet (SAW) explaining that the inability of some of the people he was speaking to listen, was not his fault but as a result of a noise within their hearts.

• In the Quran, Allah shows us the regrets of some of the people in the hereafter and one of them is their inability to listen ‘If only we had thought or listened, we would not be among the people of the fire’ (Surah 67:10)- May Allah save us from this fate.

• Allah is the one who always listens- he goes on to explain how to explain that listening is a divine quality of Allah and as those who want to become His most loved servants and representatives of earth it is a quality which we should strive for.

There is no doubt that this is a quality that I need to work on to improve my worship, relationships, and time on earth and the hereafter! At this point, I am just here to look for buddies. Is there anyone with me? Let us set our intentions and do it! I intend to start with the following:

• Including it in my Dua list.

• Listening more and talking less in my classes.

• Finishing when hearing becomes listening by Sh Mikaeel Ahmed Smith- Which I bought for this purpose and somehow forgot about..smh

Feel free to add to this list, based on your situation and if you are already a great listener, please let us talk!!! I want to learn from you. May Allah bless us to embody this beautiful and important quality and allow us to benefit from the beneficial knowledge available and the wisdom of others. Ameen

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🎉 Exciting News! 🎉

THRILLED to announce our first in-person session this year! Alhamdullilahi robbil Alameen! Get ready for an amazing mix of beneficial activities that will leave you feeling inspired and ready for the Islamic New Year. We'll be crafting a simple yet impactful plan with clear goals throughout the Islamic calendar.

As someone who's missed out on countless rewards by not fully leveraging the Islamic calendar, I don't want you to make the same mistake. That's why we've organized this super fun event! Here's a sneak peek of what's in store:

✨ Jannah day-dreaming

🎲 Fun games

🍴 Delicious food

👯 Meeting new buddies

It's a cozy gathering with only 20 spots available, and I'd LOVE for you to grab one of them! Click the link below to register and get all the details. If you know someone who would benefit from this, please share it with them too.

Don't miss out on this special opportunity! 💫

All errors (and typos) are from me and all good is from Allah.

We leave you in Allah's care,

One Of Us at Ibadahplug.