Islamic Voice A Monthly English Magazine

AUGUST 2008
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LIFE & RELATIONSHIPS

No More Temper Tantrums
The 4-Day Discover Yourself Workshop was organised by the Muslim Educational Society in Kuwait for teenagers at Hotel Crowne Plaza on June 18, 19 ,20 and 21, 2008. Some of the participants share their experiences.


Fema: Prior to attending the workshop, I always argued with people around me for no reason. But after the workshop, my behavior and attitude towards people has changed, I was not all that willing to participate in the workshop, but then it benefited me in a lot of ways. My parents too were happy, but they were not expressing it out.

Arjun: I was short tempered, and always thought that I was right. I would always retaliate to everyone and had lot of issues, but during the workshop days, I have been exposed to a variety of information which has helped me overcome my issues.

Jolly: Earlier I used to forgive people easily as I felt they would do the same mistake again, but now I forgive even more very easily. I also try not to react back when my parents scream at me. I have also kept control of my thoughts, actions and words.

Hiba: My temper has lowered after attending the workshop. I felt but I think such workshop should be conducted once in a year.

Abu Backer: What I learnt in the workshop is about having patience and my temper was also under control. I had a problem of getting tensed for everything, but now I am not even tensed for anything and another problem I had was closing the door and sitting inside my room. I enjoyed this workshop and I am sure I can now advice my friends.

Lubna: Life before this workshop was not so different, but this workshop helped me to make a small difference in my life,but which was actually a very big drawback in my life. I lived in my past and at times forgot the present and future. I understood that the internal dialogues are not actually my true self and I should not do things according to it. I also understood that you should not take any one’s words negatively or interpret it, but take it just as their opinion and positively. We should not resist to our failures, but surrender to it, learn from it and transform failure to success.

Ayesha: I would like to thank Mr Sadathullah Khan for conducting this workshop. Before the workshop, I was never in the present, I was always worrying about the future and past. I used to get angry very fast and I used to be stubborn from childhood. But now after the workshop I came to my present, I cleared my background and my mind is gearing towards nothingness. Slowly my anger is vanishing away. I realised that without love, we cannot have a peaceful and happy life. I used to be very shy and did not like public speaking and I did not want anyone to notice me. But now my shyness has vanished.

Fathima: I used to be a very high resistant fuse. The slightest mistake and I lose my temper. However, after attending the workshop I learnt, I am responsible for my interpretations and my life. To be able to live in the present and happily, I have to honour my word, stop making others wrong. I realised I had to believe in myself. I heartily thank the organisers and Mr Sadathulla Khan for this gift.

Haider: Before the workshop, I was really short tempered. I would get into arguments.My confidence level was low, but after the workshop, I know how to take control over my temper, concentrate, hold back my rude answers . I really have to thank Mr Sadathulla Khan for bringing this change in my life.

Muna: Before the workshop I used to lose my temper. And now I do not get angry at all. And I am controlling my temper. My life is great after the workshop.

Syed: My life before the workshop was kind of “ok”. But now after the workshop, I am more relaxed and calm. I really appreciate Mr Sadathullah Khan for his contribution and time to help us be in the present. I have completely changed my family members like my father, mother, uncle and aunt as well as my brother, who are all shocked to see the sudden change in me and are happy to see me like this.


Let Go Your Past in Nairobi
The 3-Day Discover Yourself Workshop was organised by Respect Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya on June 27, 28 and 30 June, 2008. Some of the participants share their experiences.


Razia: This workshop has been a major turning point in my life. I have forgiven all the people who have hurt me, I feel free and happy. I have accepted my co-wife and I told this to my husband and he is happy. I have made a choice to be happy and talk to my co-wife. I will go see her and forgive her too. Already I have let my four kids free and today they are with my husband and co-wife. I am going to be happy and create peace between my husband, my children, in-laws, co-wife and me.

Hanna: Before attending the workshop I could not let my husband marry another women, after all what we had achieved together. I was for 16 years under this fear, but now courtesy of the workshop, he can marry again. I have no fear, no insecurity anymore. I have discovered myself and for the first time experienced what freedom is- to let go. I am beginning to experience peace (Jannah) within me. My family also has seen the fruits of this workshop, because for the first time my husband opened up with me.

Aalia: There is so much to say; yet putting it in words is the hardest! What I can say, this workshop spoke all the things that are so true. Before the workshop, I was a person who was so judgmental and I thought or rather convinced myself that I was not judgmental. Until this workshop, I was blind. It helped me to know my mistakes and help evaluate myself. And better myself; to be able to live a wholesome life, one that pleases me and more importantly, it will please Allah. For that, I am ever grateful to Brother Sadath. I cannot explain how deep his insightful work goes. What I have explained are fragments of how much more that I have to say. It is inexplicable…. his work is a gift to us all around the world, you are enriching people, helping people cleansing them and changing lives, making them more happier and removing the sufferings through your simple words. You have empowered me… I appreciate you, thank you.

Sarah: I have been living in a marriage of lies, anger, enmity and hatred. The workshop has helped me to be born again and now I am starting my married life afresh. I am going to ask my husband to wed me afresh! I have delivered myself from the burdens I was carrying on my shoulders (my husband and the rest). My husband can now feel my warmth and my children have started enjoying love and care I had denied them.

Saira: Alhamdulillah by the help of the workshop I have lifted all the burden I was carrying with me for 3 years. I have learnt to see people as human beings and love them equal.

Muna: My life before the workshop was a life full of anger and resentment towards everyone that loved and cared for me. I used to think that they were all against me and I was a victim but after these three days, the workshop has really opened up my eyes in so many different ways and I have learnt to keep my faith and forgive. After the workshop I started to share in a peaceful way with my family. All I want to say is that this kind of workshop should be done often and in many countries, cities and villages.

Hafsa: My life was miserable before. I was not happy with the people around me, but mostly I was not happy with myself, I was judgmental and a critic. This workshop made me able to see people as they are and not as they seem to be. It made me be at peace with myself and hence have peace and love around my life and me. I have come to terms with my fears, left the past in the past and I am now able to LIVE. Jazakallah Khair!!

Munira: This workshop is a best gift from Allah. Before these 3 wonderful days my life was false (now I can say it) Now I discovered myself. I have changed with Allah’s help. I now know what I want from life: Peace and happiness and I know for sure this (workshop) will change my life and my family. Thank you.

Razia: Before the workshop I was always feeling “Why me?” I have only one son and have been trying for another child. I got depressed and did not know whom to blame. I am very good with time and organized, my husband isn’t, and I constantly remind him of that. My home life was terrible. My son developed stammering and my husband ignored me. I developed fears, insecurities, had regrets from the past. I prayed regularly and I still did not know why I did not get peace. My son told me he hates me and wants to run away from home. I wondered why is this all happening to me, when I am so good! I have developed multiple problems, high BP, ulcers, sinusitis, have spent thousands at doctors trying to get well. Attending this workshop has made me realize it is “ME”! It is all in my head, not my husband, not my son. I started to appreciate my husband and my son.. I will be a true Muslim and die a happy person. Please come back to Nairobi soon, there are many others waiting to attend the workshop.

Riziki: When I came to the workshop, I was feeling low. I had divorced and married again. This is my second year in the marriage. Any time my husband made a mistake; I felt I made a mistake by marrying a wrong person. I did not trust him. After two days of the workshop my husband brought me presents and said I have shown him more love in these two days than I have ever shown him in two years of marriage. I have forgiven all the people in my life. I feel I have born afresh and starting my life on a clean slate. I am sure I am now going to have marital bliss, Inshallah.
(Respect Foundation, P.O. Box:1506000100, Nairobi, Kenya)


Muslim Ummah is Sleepwalking… but on a Sanctimonious High Horse
By Miriam Patel
My name is Miriam Patel. I attended the workshop at Johannesburg. First, I would like to most powerfully endorse the workshop as the most transformative, inspirational and eye opening one that I have ever been to. On day two, I asked Mr Khan a question: Where on the spectrum on this journey to self discovery would you place your workshop? Today, after the three days I would like to answer that question: IT COULD EASILY BE THE BEGINING, MIDDLE AND END, since it covers the whole spectrum in that I have been to several self development courses and the growing awareness of all the universal truths awakening in my psyche was only hampered by the fear that I was crossing the boundary in terms of what my religion is. This of course was due to an ignorance of the simple truth of the essence of my faith, but also because I was very harshly judged by my community for participating in the ‘Art of Living’ course and it was insisted that I had committed shirk, knowingly or unknowingly. This growing awareness, although getting fiercer in me everyday, brought me into conflict with many people, who have a very narrow view of Islam and who consequently put me in the role of the odd one out, who is seeking outside her faith and who should just read her salah etc, as it is clear that I am going to lose my Imaan (faith). I, for the most part have returned true to myself, but I was worried because my ultimate aim is to come closer to Allah.
After doing the workshop, the simplicity of what our purpose makes me feel that the Muslim Ummah is sleepwalking, but on a sanctimonious high horse. I want this to be taught to every child in every Muslim school because what we are learning is completely useless when we do not realize how incredibly simple it is. I am a teacher by profession, but not a practising one and I believe that if we impart this knowledge to our teachers, the ripple effect would be phenomenal. In Roshnee, we have an Islamic School run by a board of governors and my father is one of the board members. The growing concern in our community is the decrease of the moral fibre of human beings and I make dua that Allah brings the workshop to every Muslim on earth, if only to wake them up to their game of self deception.