By Mohammed Nibras

“By the ˹passage of˺ time! Surely humanity is in ˹grave˺ loss, except those who have faith, do good, and urge each other to the truth, and urge each other to perseverance.”

Surah Al-Asr (103:1-3)

Every Saturday, I sit through my Saturday Iqra class; coming significantly late, not having done my homeworks or my memorisations.

I am one of the individuals my teacher criticizes for being on the dean’s list and not putting enough effort on seeking beneficial ‘ilm.

I prioritized studies so I can get a scholarship and graduate school without taking any student loans.

I prioritized studies so I can command a high salary; so that I will not have to take a loan when buying a home.

However, is it truly the right path when I alone am given the opportunity to escape riba while the muslim community is steeped in it?

I can offer no promising alternative to riba, but perhaps this issue reflects a deeper principle behind Islam that I have been neglecting.

It is not enough for one man to be righteous, but he does not do anything for his community.

For the longest time in my journey to become a better muslim, I have been solely focused on my individual obligations.

Maybe if I prayed better, if I fasted better, if I committed less sin, then perhaps, it will do something for the community?

At the end of every gathering with our teacher, we recited Surah Al Asr — to urge one another; to help each other.

Yet, many of us — me included — do not do the work for our community.

To my teachers and my friends who do, may Allah place barakah in your efforts and grant everyone the highest reward.

I STUDIED HARD SO I ALONE CAN ESCAPE SIN. YET I DID NOT HELP ANYONE ELSE AVOID THEIRS. HENCE, THIS IS A REMINDER TO MYSELF AND TO ALL OF US, NOT TO PRIORITIZE JUST OURSELVES.

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said,

“A believer to another believer is like a building whose different parts enforce each other.“

Yet, we built our bricks in splendid isolation, separated by the artificial, meaningless boundaries of nationality and ethnicity. We left the body of the Ummah weak, fragmented, and powerless.

Thus, I made some changes. Perhaps not enough, but at least, to start with the muslims around me. I greet and talk to more uncles in the masjids, and I build connections with my juniors and provide mentorship so that they may have better career prospects.

I also took responsibility to write a summary work of the Etiquettes with the Quran for NMSI.

I often look at my small weak hands to see what good they might be capable of. I raise them to make Dua’.

Maybe not this generation, but Insha Allah, certainly we can strive to put the Ummah in a better position for the future.

Do You Believe in One God
& Ready to [Re]start your Journey of Faith & Gratitude as a Muslim?