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PHOTO // PIXABAY
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s tragic as death is, I have always been someone to value the heartwarming stories people share about their departed loved ones. I smile as those stories shift from the focus of the loss, transitioning into remembering their efforts in goodness. I perceive the definition of legacies to begin with memory and progress to the potential impact of these stories as ultimately, that is what they are remembered for. The multitudes may vary but each output is a positive reminder. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word “legacy” is defined as: “the long-lasting impact of particular events, actions, etc. that took place in the past, or of a person’s life.” By that understanding, as a Muslim, my mind instantly led me to remember a beloved person in our Islamic past, and specifically, his long-lasting impact that continues today. Let us begin by recalling the main purpose of the believers in Islam: to remember and please Allah SWT through the progression of our words and actions, living completely for His sake. Who is an example of such a righteous Muslim, beloved by Allah SWT, and a continuous example for us today? “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much.” (Quran 33: 21) A person’s legacy is remembered as something achieved through their efforts in the past. Such a narrative applies to the Prophet SAW, but I wonder if people frequently reflect on the impact such legacies have on our current lives and how their efforts shape our legacies. I believe the Prophet SAW, as a religious leader, exemplifies a person who left a legacy with a growing influence that continues to shape his Ummah’s legacies as well. His legacy is like a tree from which the seeds fall and bloom into more trees— our legacies—and grow into a huge, beautiful forest—the Muslim Ummah. His role as the leader of our Ummah means we are exposed to the ways in which he SAW lived, actions we call Sunnah, exemplifying how we should act today.
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This described influence is a perspective of mine that I attempt to follow in his SAW Sunnah as much as I can. The more I have learned about the life of Prophet Muhammad SAW, the more I am exposed to how he SAW would not allow the world we live in today—filled with humanly desires and broaching the thin line of ingratitude—to break his faith in Islam or change his relationship with Allah SWT. That is the expectation I set for myself.
PHOTO // PIXABAY
Throughout my life, I have been exposed to the impact I describe in multiple ways, although there is one in particular that stands out to me as it was at one of my lowest moments. At the beginning of my last semester of high school, I began to feel what is widely described as “senioritis.” Along with the struggle in motivation for school, parts of my social life had undergone plot-twists and within two months, the negative feelings these issues created for me, began to increase. I was constantly stressed, confused, and felt as if I was falling behind. What shocked me the most was that I was not acting any differently in my energy, that I knew of, but it came to a point, my teachers asked me if I was okay. One night, my friend was checking up on me and she said, “Remember, Allah SWT puts his strongest soldier through the toughest battles.” Comfort began to fill my heart. It was later that I was on Pinterest, looking for a possible picture of this quote to put the beautiful reminder on my phone’s lock-screen, that I landed on a picture with the writing of this hadith, “Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas reported: I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, which people are tested most severely?’ The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, ‘They are the prophets, then the next best, then the next best. A man is put to trial according to his religion. If he is firm in his religion, his trials will be more severe. If he is weak in his religion, he is put to trial according to his strength in religion. The servant will continue to be put to trial until he is left walking upon the earth without any sin.’” (Jami al-Tirmidhi 2398) After reading this hadith, I began to see my worldly struggles differently. Suddenly, they became very small in comparison to my faith. I felt extremely thankful for my struggles that led me to this beautiful moment. The perspective of my struggles being something negative happening to me changed to being seen as tests from Allah SWT. I remembered that Allah SWT tests the ones He loves, and it mattered not what the struggles were but how I responded to the struggles. The great impact that this hadith had on me then, continues with me today. It changed my view on worldly struggles as a whole and I carry this reminder with me every time. Hardship is inevitable in this world but seeking knowledge in Islam, through the word of Allah SWT and His messenger SAW teaches us how we can deal with it. Prophet Muhammad SAW set a beautiful example for us, especially through his sabr (patience).
When a Muslim friend confides in me with their struggles, I spread the teachings of Islam to them, sharing this hadith. Thus, to solely recognize Prophet Muhammad’s SAW legacy for the things he did in his time is an understatement. As seen through my example, his life continuously assists in the forming of the legacies left by each individual in the Muslim Ummah since we are influenced by him. In an attempt to follow in his Sunnah, I wonder, if I was in the presence of Prophet Muhammad SAW, what would I want him to see of me? Surely, I would want him to see his reflection. I am simply one of the many trees who continues to bloom through the impact of his legacy and I intend to stay amongst the forest of our ever-flourishing Ummah, so long as Allah SWT permits it. NOVEMBER 2023 | THE MUSLIM VOICE | 7
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hen you think of the word ‘legacy’, what comes to mind? For some, a legacy may be a tangible object like an heirloom, and for others, a legacy can be more the formcomes of values stories. So, even though henabstract you think and of the may word take ‘legacy’ , what to mind?and For some, a legacy may be avaries, tangiblea object like an heirloom, andthese for others, a legacylies caninbethe fact that a the definition of ‘legacy’ commonality amongst definitions more abstract and may take the form of values and stories. So, even though legacytheisdefinition something that is passed down to us, and it is something that we pass down to those of ‘legacy’ varies, a commonality amongst these definitions lies in the fact that who come after us. In many a legacy we plant continues a legacy is something that ways, is passed down to isus,like andaitseed is something that that we pass down toto grow over time. those who come after us. In many ways, a legacy is like a seed we plant that continues to
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That being said, it is important for us to identify and acknowledge the legacies that have been That passed us, andfortheus impact they can In thinking about the Muslim beingdown said, it to is important as peoplethat to identify and have. acknowledge the legacies community, it can argued thatto one notable contribution from theInMuslim community involves that have beenbe passed down us, and the impact that they can have. thinking about the Muslim community, it can[1]. be argued that one notable contribution the Muslim comthe field of mental health To understand mental health, itfrom is necessary to recognize the munity involves field a of role mental (1) individuals To understandinmental health, itcommunity is necessaryto to experience intersectionality thattheplays in health. causing the Muslim recognize the intersectionality that plays a role in causing individuals in the Muslim comstigma related to labelling and treating mental health conditions [2]. Despite this stigma, munity to experience stigma related to labelling and treating mental health conditions. (2) Muslims havethisplayed a significant role in furtheringroleour understanding of the mental health Despite stigma, Muslims have played a significant in furthering our understanding of field. This, unfortunately, to be a lesser-known the mental health field.seems This, unfortunately, seems to be a fact. lesser-known fact. Thehistory history of of mental in medicine can be traced back to back as earlytoasastheearly 8th century, The mentalhealth health in medicine can be traced as the 8th century, when Islamic civilizations pioneered the concept of the Bimaristan. (3) The Bimaristan were when Islamic civilizations pioneered the concept of the Bimaristan [3]. The Bimaristan were health asylums that preceded the creation of the modern-day hospital. (4) Although other healthfacilities asylums thetime, creation ofnot thenearly modern-day hospital Although other for that the ill preceded did exist at this they were as organized and well[4]. thought facilities theBimaristan. ill did exist this time, they were not nearly organized well-thought out outfor as the (3)atMore specifically, the Bimaristan wereasorganized in a and way that wards to different types of illnesses and needs such as surgery or orthoas the dedicated Bimaristanseparate [3]. More specifically, the Bimaristan were organized in a way that dedicated pedics.3 However, of particular note is the fact that these Bimaristan had a ward specifically separate wards to different types of illnesses and needs such as surgery or orthopedics [3]. dedicated to mentalnote illness,isathe concept which can now be seen had as revolutionary. (3) However, of particular fact that these Bimaristan a ward specifically dedicated to mental illness, a concept which can now be seen as revolutionary [3].
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One noteworthy fact within this history is the story of Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi who was a physician credited with acknowledging the complexities associated with the interconnectedness of mental health and physical health [1]. More specifically, al-Razi directed one of the first documented hospitals Baghdad,factduring which heisused values of compassion andal-Razi hope who to guide his practice [1]. Oneinnoteworthy within this history the story of Muhammad ibn Zakariya was a physician Furthermore, helped differentiate various types of illnesses and incorporated creditedal-Razi with acknowledging the complexities associated withmental the interconnectedness of mental health the and concept physical health.to(1) More specifically, al-Razi directed one of the first documented durof psychotherapy support patients with mental health concerns. He also hospitals createdinaBaghdad, patient discharge ing which time he used values of compassion and hope to guide his practice. (1) Furthermore, al-Razi helped system which involved providing patients with money to help them transition back into their lives, a concept mental illnesses, incorporated the concept of psychotherapy to support pawhich differentiate resembles different moderntypes dayofpsychiatric aftercare [1]. Hence, al-Razi made significant contributions to tients with mental health concerns, and created a patient discharge system which involved providing patients the field of medicine, particularly in the areas of mental health, a topic which was seldom understood with money to help them transition back into their lives, a concept which resembles modern day psychiatric during aftercare. this time (1) [1].Hence, al-Razi made significant contributions to the field of medicine, particularly in the areas of mental health, a topic which was seldom understood during this time. (1)
Coming back to today, we are currently living in a time of unprecedented rates of mental health Coming back today,are we are currently livingpsychological in a time of unprecedented rates of mental health concerns, many oftowhich a result of the impact that COVID-19 had concerns, on the world [5]. many of which are results of the psychological impact COVID-19 has had on the world. (5) But today, we But today, we have mental health specialists, mental health-focused institutions, and a variety of evidencehave mental health specialists, mental health-focused institutions, and a variety of evidence-based interventions basedthat interventions can bethose used to are support thoseWhile whothere are continues struggling. Whileroom thereforcontinues to remain can be usedthat to support who struggling. to remain growth within thegrowth field of mental early this discipline can be credited Islamic civilizations. (3) room for withinhealth, the field ofprogress mental inhealth, early progress in thistodiscipline can be credited to Islamic civilizations [3].
Hence,the theMuslim Muslim community hashas played a consequential role in our understanding of mental health con- health Hence, community played a consequential role in our understanding of mental cerns, and in subsequent interventions. While the early contributors to this field are not able to see the longconcerns, and in subsequent interventions. While the early contributors to this field are not able to see the term impacts of their work, they have left behind a legacy nonetheless. They paved the way for us by planting long-term impacts of their work, they have left behind a legacy nonetheless. They paved the way for us the seeds. Over time, their work has continued to grow and now it is up to us to take the legacy we have been by planting thefurther seeds. Over time, work has continued to blossom andTime now it is upbut to ituscantobetake the given, to its growth, and totheir continue to pass it down to future generations. is fleeting, legacyargued we have been to continue to pass it downwork. to future generations. that we havegiven, to use to thefurther time weitsaregrowth, given toand engage in meaningful and impactful So, I ask you once again, when you think of the word ‘legacy’ , what comes to mind? Time is fleeting, but it can be argued that we have to use the time we are given to engage in meaningful 1. Yilanli M. Muhammad ibn Zakariya and theyou First Psychiatric Ward. American Journal when of Psychiatry Residents’ and impactful work. So,al-Razi I ask once again, you Journal. think2018ofSep;13(9):1 the1.word ‘legacy’, what comes to mind? 2. Ciftci A, Jones N, Corrigan PW. Mental Health Stigma in the Muslim Community. Journal of Muslim Mental Health [Internet]. 2012;7(1). Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/2027/spo.10381607.0007.102 3. Tschanz DW. The Islamic Roots of the Modern Hospital. AramcoWorld. 2017;68(2):22–7. 4. Maristan [Internet]. [cited 2023 Oct 24]. The History of Maristans. Available from: https://maristan.org/our-story
1. Yilanli M. Muhammad ibn Zakariya al-Razi and the First Psychiatric Ward. American Journal of Psychiatry Residents’ Journal. 2018 5. Anne C Gadermann, Kimberly C Thomson, Chris G Richardson, Monique Gagné, Corey McAuliffe, Saima Hirani, et al. Examining the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on family mental health in Canada: findings Sep;13(9):1 1. from a national cross-sectional study. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2021 Jan 1;11(1). Available from: http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/1/e042871.abstract 2. Ciftci A, Jones N, Corrigan PW. Mental Health Stigma in the Muslim Community. Journal of Muslim Mental Health [Internet]. 2012;7(1). Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/2027/spo.10381607.0007.102 3. Tschanz DW. The Islamic Roots of the Modern Hospital. AramcoWorld. 2017;68(2):22–7. 4. Maristan [Internet]. [cited 2023 Oct 24]. The History of Maristans. Available from: https://maristan.org/our-story 5. Anne C Gadermann, Kimberly C Thomson, Chris G Richardson, Monique Gagné, Corey McAuliffe, Saima Hirani, et al. Examining the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on family mental health in Canada: findings from a national cross-sectional study. BMJ Open [Internet]. 2021 Jan 1;11(1). Available from: http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/1/e042871.abstract NOVEMBER NOVEMBER2023 2023| |THE THEMUSLIM MUSLIMVOICE VOICE| | 59
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thought about the life my grandmother envisioned for me and my future children, my parents and my siblings, my aunts and my cousins. Every day, my grandmother goes to sleep with these dreams and wakes up because of them. She would rush to pray in the last third of the night, patiently making dua that they would become a reality. And I feel that I am living half the dreams she had told me. When I think about what I want to be remembered for, I immediately think about my acts of kindness. In my experience, I have learned that the process of legacy-making is one that combines creativity and spirituality: imagining the life we want for ourselves and our descendants, and continuously asking for Allah’s SWT guidance in connecting those life experiences. Legacy should not be thought of merely as an endpoint—it is an accumulation of processes. Our legacies are partly empowered by the duas of our loved ones, which tie the strings of fate that nurtures us to be better Muslims as we mature through life. I was grateful that I never had to challenge my belief— of the constant opportunities for acts of kindness, of meeting the right people at the right time, of the promise of a future. I witnessed the vitality of my grandmother’s duas, how they align fates that bring me closer to my goals. But to believe that this is true for all my Muslim brothers and sisters around the world seems to be imprecise. And by the will of Allah SWT, my belief was challenged. 10 | THE MUSLIM VOICE | NOVEMBER 2023
Two weeks ago, I visited my friend’s apartment to study together, where I met a Lebanese postgraduate student. He is a friend of my friend, and since we were sitting at the same table, I introduced myself. I ran him through the template introduction - I’m Hasna, I’m a third-year student, I study International Relations and Public Policy. These days, the mention of my field of study would lead to a long questioning about my thoughts of the occupation in Palestine and the resistance movement, and this time, it was no different. “The world is very polarizing now,” he sighed, after I asked him if he’d heard of the killing of the Palestinian child in Chicago. “People keep telling us to make duas, but what’s the point anymore? Where is God in all of this?” As I reflected on his remarks, I started rethinking specifically about my pitch for this piece, the one you’re reading. If a Muslim’s legacy is their acts of kindness and their encounters with opportunities for those acts are empowered by their loved ones’ duas, to what extent can this be true for our brothers and sisters in Palestine? Palestinians make more duas for those who passed than those who remained. They pray more janazah prayers than they do the fard. How can they practice kindness when the world is unkind? How can they maintain steadfastness in their duas when the promise of a future, a liberated Palestine, seems like a distance away?
My acquaintance’s thoughts, however, reveal a bigger problem in our Ummah. In post-9/11 North America, the continuous attack on the collective identity of Muslims has challenged our ability to unite in empathy with our Muslim brothers and sisters worldwide, for fear of more surveillance and persecution. The Western world’s hostility has fragmented our voice as an Ummah, pushing many to a crisis of faith that leads to self-reliance—a frustration shared by my Lebanese acquaintance. Conversely, Allah SWT will not afflict calamities on His believers without leaving His hikmah in this world. Look around—our Ummah has only emerged even more resilient after decades of silencing. Allah SWT softens the hearts of many towards Islam and reveals the hypocrisy of the oppressors. Non-Muslims marvel at Palestinians’ resilience, turning to the Quran for answers. Millions worldwide call for a ceasefire in Gaza and the end of the occupation. I believe there has been no easier time to mobilize collectively against the Israeli occupation than this past month, Alhamdulillah. Our promotion of righteousness and condemnation of evil proves that we are amongst “the best community ever raised in humanity” (Quran 3:110). So let us honour the invitation from our Lord to reclaim our narrative— to focus on how we can individually contribute to the Ummah’s broader legacy while proudly displaying our kindness and softness. Oftentimes when we think about legacy, we are simply thinking in terms of individuals. We do acts of kindness because we feel the direct, personal benefit of doing good—it brings us closer to Allah SWT and it is a learning process to be a kinder human being. Since it is human nature to believe whatever is perceptible, the benefits become more pronounced if we can see the reciever of our kindness.
That’s why the extent that we can think of our individual legacies as a collective one would typically encompass our closest people, such as our family and friends. It is slightly more difficult to think of our role within the broader Ummah and how our voice can matter if we are just one amongst the billions. Our Palestinian brothers and sisters understand the value of a voice, be it in the forms of resistance against the oppressor or supplication to the Creator. We are created as one Ummah to give and receive kindness in this world, especially through times of trials. The smallest forms of kindness, our sincere duas, may only have an intangible impact. When a believer is hit with trials, another offers kindness so they can renew their faith in Allah SWT and persist through their tests with patience and strength. When Allah SWT removes those trials, they will feel their heart expanded, ready to give kindness to those in need. However, it is only by the grace of Allah SWT that He rewards us in this cycle. Allah SWT is the turner of hearts and the giver of peace. So how can He be unjust, when He’s destined that we have each other in these tough times? As an Ummah, let our legacy be that we had strengthened our ties through our acts of giving and receiving kindness. On the Day of Judgment, may we testify before our Lord that we had been each other’s relief through difficulties. “So that Allah may forgive you for your past and future shortcomings, perfect His favour upon you, and guide you along the Straight Path” (Quran 48:2). Let us continue our days ahead with this bigger purpose in mind, bound by a promise— to keep each other in our duas, always. NOVEMBER 2023 | THE MUSLIM VOICE | 11
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ometimes, I think about my bari nano, my great-grandma. A woman so accustomed to the grand havelis in her village in India but forced to leave it all behind during the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947. She moved with her family to a small area in Akalgar, Pakistan. I remember visiting her in the little living room shared between five other families. She would always sit in the center, her children and grandchildren and even great grandchildren surrounding her. She sat against her little cushion as if it were a throne instead of an old bolster whose blue colour had long since faded. Once, she was the woman of a haveli, overseeing the work of her gardeners and servants. Now, an elderly woman with no servants to oversee and no grand haveli to live in but she still sat in a court of her descendants with the same grace. According to my grandmother, bari nano had always been a gentle woman. It was as though kindness and compassion were woven into the fabric of her character. I felt it when I spoke to her–in her loving tone and her gentle eyes. That didn’t change after she’d witnessed the horrors of the partition. She may have lost her riches, her home, and her family, but she never lost her character. 1. Arabs of Canada. A message from a mother in Gaza [Internet]. 2023 Oct [cited 2023 Nov 3]; Available from: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CyY8Q_ sxFnu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 2. Motaz Azaiza https://www.instagram.com/motaz_azaiza/?utm_source=ig_ web_button_share_sheet&igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== 3. O’Reilly, A. (2019, May 3). The cartographer’s mistake . WAG. https://www. wag.ca/art/stories/the-cartographers-mistake/ 4. Sarindar Dhaliwal. The cartographer’s mistake: the Radcliffe Line, 2012. Chromira print, 107 x 107 cm. Collection of the Art Gallery of Ontario. J.S. McLean Collection, by Canada Packers Inc., 2020. Sarindar Dhaliwal
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I never saw the havelis, but I will always remember bari nano’s kindness and strength. A strong character is more powerful than a haveli built of the strongest bricks. After all, havelis can be taken and destroyed. But the strength of our character and our firmness in our faith? No one can take that away from us. As I write this, I can’t help but think about the genocide in Gaza, which has reached unimaginable heights. I think of the message from a Palestinian woman who even in the midst of constant violence found the words to give strength to the rest of the world [1]. I think of Motaz Azaiza, a journalist risking his life to show the world what is happening in Gaza [2]. I think of the unwavering faith of the Palestinians and their love for their land and people. It pushes me to reflect on my own character and faith. When we leave this world, our wealth, our buildings, our successes will be left behind. We will take nothing with us. Our character—how we treated others and carried ourselves—is what everyone will remember. Not the havelis and the gardens. The legacy of the Prophet’s SAW has not prevailed for over 1400 years because of his wealth or material possessions. It has not prevailed because of the battles he SAW won. It has prevailed because of how he SAW won them. People believed in him because of his character SAW. He SAW was Al-Sadiq and Al-Amin. The one who is truthful and the one to be trusted. Our character is all we will have to show for ourselves when we stand before Allah SWT. And a good character is all that will carry us towards a better Akhirah (afterlife). A good character and good actions go hand in hand, because no matter how big or small our actions, they always ripple through the lives of others. When I think about partition, I think of Sir Cyril Radclife, the man who drew the line that separated Pakistan and India [3]. It’s worth noting that Radcliffe had never set foot in South Asia before [3]. Sarindar Dhaliwal, a South Asian artist who takes inspiration from the partition produced an artpiece titled The Cartographer’s Mistake [3]. This artwork underscores the enduring consequences of Radcliffe’s decisions, still felt in modern-day Pakistan and India. The persistent violence and conflict in Kashmir serve as a stark reminder of this legacy. Dhaliwal said that she imagined Radcliffe to reincarnate as a bird over and over again. The bird tells stories about his different lives [4]. The bird’s mistake as a human had a great cost and the after-effects of his actions can be seen in Kashmir today. In the end, the legacy we leave behind is not in the grandeur of our possessions or the wealth we accumulate, but in the actions we take and the character we exhibit throughout our lives. The first funeral I ever attended was bari nano’s. Last year, my grandmother passed away. It’s heartbreaking to think that eventually, my mother will pass away. And one day, so will I. Death is an inevitable thing, and it is overwhelming to think about what I will leave behind after I die when it feels like my life has only just begun. But, as Muslims we believe in a life after this one. That is what we dedicate our temporary, ephemeral lives to. Even if no one in this world remembers my name, I pray that they remember my kindness and compassion. I hope the quality of my character becomes my legacy. I pray that we are able to become people who stand firm in our faith, whose imaan is unshakeable even in the worst of times. NOVEMBER 2023 | THE MUSLIM VOICE | 13
y neck is guarded by a gold chain that carries the stories of all those who came before me. It has not left its place since my mother first clasped the chain around my neck at nine years old. Since then, I reach for the necklace instinctively at every burst of emotion I feel. When I am happy, I clutch the pendant as I jump up and down in joy; when I am nervous, I fiddle with the chain in between my fingers; when I am scared, I rub the clasp against the back of my neck. Over time, the necklace has become a part of me—a form of portable comfort I can bring everywhere. However, this comfort does not come from the physical object itself, rather the knowledge that I am another carrier of a long-standing history.
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Gold has always been used to preserve history across generations [1]. Some necklaces even hang in museums as medals or relics of powerful empires. While my necklace cannot be found secured and guarded behind a glamorous trophy case, its story carries the same importance. In my family, gold is passed down from mother to daughter as a reminder of the strength and resilience running through my blood. The necklace I wear around my neck is a reminder that the women before me have survived so that I can get to this point. When my mother first revealed the necklace, I was too young to realize why a single piece of jewellery needed to be paired with such a long-winded family history. Ten years later, I realize that inheriting this necklace means inheriting the legacy of all those before me, in hopes of building onto it to pass down to the coming generations. 14 | THE MUSLIM VOICE | NOVEMBER 2023
This necklace was not the first nor the last thing I ever inherited from my mother. I have always been told that I have my mother’s smile, nose, and cheeks, while she loves to remind me that I radiate her kindness, knowledge, and generosity. However, in my opinion, the most important thing I have inherited from my mother is her faith. My mother raised me with the same beliefs and values that contributed to her remarkable character. My mother radiates kindness, knowledge, and generosity because of her faith, and I hope and pray to follow in her footsteps. Every decision I make and action I take throughout my life is influenced by the words of the Quran. My faith guides me to ensure that I leave behind a legacy that is virtuous and worthy. As a Muslim, I have both the privilege and responsibility of carrying a legacy that has existed long before me. In moments when the right decision feels too difficult or ambiguous to decipher, I turn to the words and stories of Islam and follow in the footsteps of the figures before me. I reflect Islam not only in my beliefs, but in my values and character because religion is not just about believing, but also about learning and growing. I take every story from the Quran as a lesson that supplements my growth in hopes of becoming a better version of myself every day. The Muslim legacy is about prayer and faith as well as charity, kindness, honesty, and working towards making this world a better place. As a Muslim, my legacy is not just about what I leave behind in this dunya, but also what follows me to my akhirah. Legacy is a beautiful thing; a preservation of people, stories, and faith. However, to leave behind a beautiful legacy and be remembered in a good light is a privilege. Our legacy is not a nascent creation, but an extension of our history. Every choice we make and action we take is writing another line in our chapter of a long deep-rooted book of legacies with the hope that, one day, we will be remembered through necklaces, books, and stories. 1. Pillsbury J. Gold in the Ancient Americas [Internet]. The Metropolitan Museum of Art; 2020 [cited 2023 Oct 30]. Available from: https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/gdaa/hd_gdaa.htm#:~:text=Gold%20was%20 highly%20valued%20for,the%20sway%20of%20gold’s%20allure.
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PHOTO // NATALIYA VAITKEVICH
A strong foundation, a delicate rose A stunning wonder no one can oppose. My mother is the true definition Of a sweet angel, of abnegation. A caring woman with a heart of gold, She protects me from the rain and the cold. I know she would face any dreadful storm Fiercely, only to keep me safe and warm. She has the power to dissolve my pain With a simple touch, she can end its reign. She makes me laugh when I feel like crying, And gives me the courage to keep trying. Her advice to me has always been wise When I feel down, she lifts me to the skies And when arrogance clouds my little mind She keeps me grounded, still loving and kind. She illuminates my life like the sun, A perfect mix of serious and fun. And even when she has no time to spare She always saves me a moment to share. She raised me to be who I am today, And no one could ever take that away. Oh, what a great honor it is to be The heir to her beautiful legacy!
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PHOTO // DEEPAK RAMESHA
The only breathing souvenir that survived the ruthless demolition of the sandcastle of my Father’s dreams by the waves of Time are the pigeons he bred, carrying scriptures for a long-forgotten citizen.
He is summoned to surrender this futile migration between ruthless countries that has rendered him exhausted. The kabootar my Father nurtured in his youth have become messengers with the ominous warning that the silver streaks in the abr of his once ravenous tendrils serve witness that if he does not return now, he will become abtar from the roots of his childhood.
PHOTO // DISENOIDEAS
Therein, he almost belongs, is remembered as one of them; his name inscribed into this cruel joke of a poem, whose translation evaporated through the disintegrated ozone— And what does it mean for me, A letter addressed to Fortune as I uselessly try to grasp is the harbinger of tragedy. the grains of sand in the faithful emptiness of Kyun des vides phire maara my resilient hands Kyun haal be’haal thaka haara and overturn the decree O nadaan parindey ghar aaja of the hourglass.
What does it mean for me as I inherit the fate of a man whose faded memory proclaimed me a gift as if I could encompass all of his lost potential and all that I am supposed to be in this half-read and still unfolding legacy.
My innocent, unaware Father is invited home for the last time before the distance effaces the voyage to the marble mansion of his mango-coloured memories. Glossary: Kyun des vides phire maara/ Kyun haal be’haal thaka haara/ O nadaan parindey ghar aaja Why do you traverse these native and foreign countries aimlessly/ why have you been resigned to such a terrible state of destitution/ oh innocent winged-bird, return home kabootar: pigeon abr: cloud abtar: cut off
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hat do you look for in a spouse? Men quote like-mindedness and compatibility, whereas women are often looking for love or financial stability. Families try and search for the ‘best of the best’ for their sons—for instance, where I come from [Pakistan], a typical mother is notorious for seeking out a ‘doctor bahu (daughter-in-law) who can whip up gol rotis (round flat bread)’ implying the best of both worlds: an accomplished career woman and a housewife. Is anyone else reminded of Mr. Darcy’s idea of an accomplished woman [Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen]? Of course, everyone naturally wants someone pleasing to the eyes. All of that is very well, none discouraged, none too problematic, as long as the individuals to be married and their families are compatible. Then there are the “unspeakables”—individuals “haram” even to consider if we were to heed the voice of society alone: individuals not married past a certain age, the divorced, and the widowed. Perhaps the most stigmatized of them all is considering a single parent because how could we even dare fathom raising someone else’s children! Especially if any of these individuals are women, the stigma is far worse. Society shuns these women to the point that it might feel impossible for them not to virtually see “damaged goods” stamped across their foreheads every time they look in the mirror! What, then, of religion? Yes, most people consider religion as non-negotiable, along with a strong preference for a similar culture and/or language. Ask yourself this though—are you looking to appease your family, or to please Allah SWT? The uncomfortable truth is that not many of us actively prioritize righteousness in a spouse [although that does somewhat depend on how religiously oriented a person is in themselves], and few of us are able to look past worldly factors to prioritize it in a potential life partner. It is here that a reminder from the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet SAW is in order. The Prophet SAW said: “A woman is married for four things, i.e. her wealth, her family status, her beauty and her religion. So you should marry the religious woman (otherwise) you will be (of) the losers” [Sahih alBukhari 5090]. The lesson here is twofold: while we are clearly encouraged to prioritize religiosity, one is still allowed to look at other factors. In other words, going back to where we began, one may pursue beauty, like-mindedness, financial stability and other aforementioned factors in a potential spouse, but not at the expense of religiosity. Ultimately, Allah SWT leaves it up to us to exercise our better judgement. Allah SWT leaves us with powerful examples to learn from. The paramount example is the marriage of the Prophet SAW to Khadijah RA. The mother of all believers, Khadijah RA was then called Tahira (the pure one) by the people of Makkah, and subsequently blessed with countless honours and titles. Allah SWT personally sent her Salam (greetings) through Jibrael AS and gave her glad tidings of a palace in Paradise [Sahih Muslim 2432]. The Prophet SAW recognized her as the best of the women of her time, one of the four best women of Paradise, and his dearest wife, so much so that Aisha RA felt understandably jealous of Khadijah RA years after the latter had passed away [Sahih al-Bukhari 6004]! NOVEMBER 2023 | THE MUSLIM VOICE | 19
What is less remembered is that Khadijah RA was fifteen years senior (three years according to one tradition) to the Prophet SAW, previously married twice, had three children prior to her marriage to the Prophet SAW, and was the one to first express interest in him [Great Women of Islam by Mahmood Ahmad Ghadanfar]! Subhan’Allah! Khadijah RA recognized the Prophet’s SAW character, honesty, integrity, the way he dealt with traders and his reputation as sadiq (truthful) and amin (trustworthy) that compelled her to want to turn the business relationship into a personal one. The Prophet SAW, on the other hand, a youth of barely 25 at the time, paid no heed to the age difference or her prior marital status and instead, considered her excellent character alone. Does this mean that one must be blind to other factors? The marriage of Zainab bint Jahsh RA to Zaid bin Harith RA is another pertinent reminder. Zainab RA had belonged to the noblest and wealthiest of families in Makkah. Zaid RA had been a slave, freed and subsequently adopted as a son by the Prophet SAW. Due to the wide class/status difference between them, they were both opposed to the union but respected the Prophet’s SAW recommendation when he proposed it. Despite both being of the most beloved companions RA of the Prophet SAW, the two were not able to maintain the marriage due to incompatibility. Thereafter, Allah SWT instructed the Prophet SAW to marry Zainab RA, to abolish the Arab custom of conflating an adopted son to a biological one (Quran 33:37). How wise are the decisions of Allah SWT! There are countless lessons to be learned from the marriages of the Prophet SAW and his companions beyond the scope of this piece. However, I hope the two examples above serve as another reminder of how beautifully balanced our religion is. We are reminded to prioritize piety in a spouse, but NOT in the absence of other factors that determine compatibility because indeed, the Prophet SAW relayed, “of the halal (allowed) acts, divorce is the least liked by Allah” [Sunan Ibn Majah 2018]. Hence, first and foremost we must aspire to submit to the will of Allah SWT, part of which is selecting a righteous spouse to nourish our relationship with Him. Second, is to look at factors that dictate compatibility to facilitate a lasting union.
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It is imperative here to touch upon the forgotten Sunnah of the Prophet SAW of marriage to the widowed and divorced. Allah SWT says “And marry those among you that are single (Al-Ayama)” (24:32). The term Al-Ayama refers to a person who is single, regardless of whether they were previously married or never married at all. Yet, contemporary Muslims heavily stigmatize women as well as men who have been previously married. Remember dear readers, none of us know what Allah SWT has written for us, nor where our lives will lead us. Where is the motivation to provide shelter to a widow? Why are we not racing to the reward for raising an orphan? Let us strive to return to our roots, follow the Sunnah on a societal level and attempt to remove these false marriage stigmas. Islam encourages community—we do not leave anyone of the Ummah of our beloved Prophet SAW behind.
NOVEMBER 2023 | THE MUSLIM VOICE | 21
PHOTO // EKATERINA BOLOVTSOVA
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ur lives consist of countless events, in which our responses and reactions accumulate to form what would eventually become our legacy. We find on many occasions that the events we face do not revolve around us alone, but concern humanity as a whole. The ways we address matters of our personal lives hold just as much value as the ways we address matters concerning society. Despite many efforts to minimize our existence in order to handle our own affairs, the world works in such a way that what affects others, will affect us just the same. Part of our legacies are the existential joys we often witness and choose to take part in. Other times, we witness the sorrows of this world, that if we put in effort to mitigate, will also eventually be part of our legacy. It is known that Allah SWT will ensure all affairs are handled, though we still play a role in amplifying joy or mitigating sorrow amidst the many events we face in life. When we witness the injustices of this world, our souls simply cannot remain silent. Nor should they.
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Our beloved Prophet SAW told his Ummah,
“You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6011). I wonder then, if we are meant to live and breathe as one, why is silence so prevalent among us? We fall into silence in moments when it is most detrimental, when horror is inflicted upon our people, holy lands, and the innocent (regardless of faith). The oppression faced by communities within our Ummah is not meant to be endured by them alone.
Our humanity should not allow us to remain unaffected by the suffering of our brothers and sisters. The benefit of being Muslim is the knowledge that loneliness in suffering is a rare occurrence or rather, it should be.
PHOTO // IDRISS BELHAMADIA
The question then arises: When world leaders silence our people until their existence is questioned, where do we stand? The simple solution would be to do as the Romans did, or in this case, every major news outlet, every political leader, or every individual with a platform. Many of us live in places where our livelihoods, reputations, and so much more are threatened as a result of support for the oppressed, simply because it does not adhere to the opinion of Western leadership. As Muslims, we are granted the opportunity to act on different levels according to our abilities. It is our duty to ensure that our brothers and sisters being treated unjustly are not experiencing such suffering because we simply let it happen. We have the choice to facilitate change with our hearts, if not our tongues, if not our hands (Hadith 34, 40 Hadith an-Nawawi). If we do none of these, and simply watch with sealed lips and hearts as their worlds crumble, we have not only failed our people, but our future generations, and Allah SWT. It is not only that our Prophet SAW asked this of us. Speaking and fighting against oppression for the just treatment of our brothers and sisters is an order from our Lord.
“O You who believe, uphold justice and bear witness to Allah, even if it is against yourselves, your parents, or your close relatives. Whether the person is rich or poor, Allah can best take care of both. Refrain from following your own desire, so that you can act justly—if you distort or neglect justice, Allah is fully aware of what you do.” (Quran 4:135). The ways in which we react are in correlation to our humanity, compassion, and love. This dunya (world) overflows with sorrow and false narratives, yet we try to find it within ourselves to never be bystanders. Everything in this dunya is temporary, including what is wrongfully said about those suffering.
In time, it will be known who was on the right side of history, because surely Allah SWT is the Most Just. He will bestow victory upon the innocent, whether in this dunya or in the akhirah (Hereafter). It will be known that the steadfastness of our people was their most valuable trait in establishing a legacy of strength and nobility. The plague of performative activism has infiltrated us on a global scale. It is far too common for people to pick and choose where to draw the line, using the same logic and rhetoric as the world leaders who have failed us time and time again. To those who know exactly where they stand on most social issues, but not on the ones the Western world tries to convince you are far too “complicated,” I offer you this: If you are feeling uncomfortable, good. Soften your heart. Do not become numb to what is right in front of your eyes. We have been blessed with lives that are far too comfortable so much so that we do little for our brethren, not realizing that a thought without prayer will not suffice. Dua is the catalyst which makes our thoughts more meaningful. It is astounding that so many are aware of the devastation in this world, yet we are desensitized to the point where it no longer elicits a second thought. I assure you, however, that losing a home, family, and everything you have ever known is not something you can ever get used to. The privilege of safety does not erase the reality of such terror. When all is said and done, remember that Allah SWT knows all, from the flags raised to the sky as we march to the duas that expand from the very depths of our hearts. The way we act in the face of oppression should be with the best of intentions and in the best interests of our brothers and sisters. Surely, such efforts will be rewarded In Sha Allah. I urge you to fear not, for what pleases you is known by Allah SWT and what pains you is also known by Allah SWT. If this dunya’s rampant cruelty against the innocent pains you and you find your heart calling out to our Creator and Sustainer for justice to prevail, then know your humanity is intact. Utilize such a blessing with the knowledge that far too many choose not to. In the end, this dunya is temporary and so is its pain and suffering. We hold hope that the afterlife will bring the peace we all long for, far from the fitna (trials) that surrounds us today. NOVEMBER 2023 | THE MUSLIM VOICE | 23
A
wailing child calls to their mother, tears clouding their eyes and beckons her towards them for relief. The mother runs to her child, searching for their source of pain. Did they scrape their knee? Did they cut their hand? Did they hit their head? “Mama,” the child whispers through sniffles, “I broke the plate.” The mother looks off to the side where her late mother’s navy lined, gilded floral plate lays shattered on the hardwood floor. The polished lines of the intricately gilded petals have become indistinguishable. She kept very few belongings of her own mother, and she frequently told her children to be careful while handling them. Holding in tears, she looks back to her child and raises her hand to their face. She cradles their cheek, wiping away the warm tears with her thumb. “Are you hurt?” she asks despite her great pain. She misses her mother who taught her to remain patient in moments such as these. “No,” her child says, “I’m sorry, Mama.” She smiles and gently hugs her child. “It’s okay, habibi. Let’s try to be careful next time. Don’t go over there until I clean it up.” 24 | THE MUSLIM VOICE | NOVEMBER 2023
Her child, though young, will continue to remember their mother’s kindness and patience with every hardship and growing pain. They will grow and embody that kindness in moments when their own mother is weak and unwell. They will remember to be patient with her as she slowly forgoes this life, leaving her children to outlive her, grieve her, and remember her. We often part this world just as we entered it—weak, feeble, and in need of assistance. A child is pure, with a clean heart and a clean mind. Their skin, as smooth as talc or a kitten’s fur, with eyes filled with love and wonder. Children are our legacy. They outlive us. They remember us. They tell our stories. There is no greater joy than when a child jumps on top of us forcing a grunt to escape our mouths. They climb to put their heads on our shoulders, draping their arms around us. Cheek to cheek, their skin is soft—delicate almost. They grow quickly and form complex emotions, understand adult wit, and crack jokes of their own. There is no greater beauty than watching their hair grow in length, or their height becoming just short of ours.
Children are malleable, reliant on their caregivers, seeking relief from hunger, thirst, and pain. Being the beautiful treasures that they are, “Wealth and children are an adornment of this worldly life” (18:46).
It is an Islamic obligation to fulfill the role of a kind and merciful caregiver that grants their children equal opportunities and endless love, to the best of their abilities. A mother and father must love their children unconditionally, and teach them to love God and His servants. Imam Sadiq in Tuhaf al-’Uqul once said, “Three rights for the child are incumbent upon his father: selecting a good mother for him, giving him a good name, and exerting the utmost effort in raising him well.” Acquiring greatness begins with the love and care we receive from our parents, and through that, their character imprinting on ours is how we remain remembered to the souls we meet in our lifetimes. No one wishes to remember those who hurt us, but the stories of mercy and kindness are repeated long past our death dates. The reality is, many of us might not grow to see our faces on billboards or our names etched into newspapers. Many of us might not receive a Nobel Prize or have an extensive list of accomplishments on our screens when we Google our names. This doesn’t make us any less than those that do, and Allah SWT will not decrease our rank simply because our names aren’t written in history books or known by the masses. We are known to Allah SWT, and we are known to our children. Our greatest legacy is that which is connected to our greatest responsibility—molding and caring for our children. In a hundred years, many of us will probably be forgotten— perhaps discovered at some point when our great great grandchildren delve into the family tree for a school project, coming across our branch. In relation to the vast universe, we seem insignificant by name. This might feel uncomfortable to many, but not to me. I find comfort in knowing that I am one of many. We are merely specks in a world that has seen millions of lives past, present, and future. We are simply one timeline in what appears to be a billion. I may not be remembered a hundred years into the future, but my behaviour, my akhlaq (character), my impact on this world will cause ripples in the universe, surviving centuries into the future.
Maybe I extend some kind words to someone on the street who is struggling internally, and tomorrow they find the courage to continue living. Imagine doing these acts of good in front of children—autonomous creatures that absorb everything and anything they see or hear. Sharing kind words, giving charity, or reading the Quran will all be ingrained in the minds of our children, to whom we are the most valuable sources of knowledge. How often do we see young children put on the hijab and follow their mother’s movements of prayer out of pure curiosity? How often do we see children sharing their toys or food because they saw their father sharing with their mother? Our kindness is not limited by the extraordinary accomplishments we have in our lifetime, but the habitual acts of good we engage in every single day. As such, parents have an Islamic duty to be kind and merciful towards their children. Once narrated in Sahih Muslim, a companion of Prophet Muhammad SAW saw the Prophet kiss his children. The companion says, “I have ten children and have never kissed any of them.” Our Prophet SAW responded, “God will not have mercy on a person who does not have mercy on others” (Sahih Muslim 2318a).
We are the legacy of our grandparents, and our grandchildren will be our legacy too. Family trees are ribbons stretching across the existence of human life within this universe, while kindness and imaan are at the core of worship. I hope and pray that the ribbon of my lineage continues to extend beyond my existence and that it remains beautiful, unharmed, and sustained by the love and kindness that parents give to their children to inevitably create a cycle of tolerance and patience. As Muslims, we have a duty to exhibit the character of our Prophet Muhammad SAW, embodying the manner in which he showed his children love and mercy, who in turn, showed the same compassion for theirs. Every day we should choose to demonstrate such everlasting kindness, as modeled by the great leaders of Islam, in the hopes that our children’s kindness will one day become a testament of the love we’ve shown others.
Today I might help an elderly lady find her way around the subway and tomorrow, a bystander might do the same. NOVEMBER 2023 | THE MUSLIM VOICE | 25
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