Life & Relationships

It is important to reflect over our lives. In this fast-paced world, it is very easy to be carried away by the glitter and glamour.


Almighty Allah provides people ways and means of analysing their inner selves. The Discover Yourself Workshop, designed and conducted by A.W. Sadathullah Khan, is one unique means by which people have woken up to the realities of their own lives and changed for the better.

The Three-Day Discover Yourself Workshop was conducted in Durban, South Africa on August 25, 26 and 27, 2006 at Thekwini College, Asherville Campus. The participants share their experiences after the Workshop.


Dear Sir: You have taught me how to laugh again, and reminded me that it is ok to giving even though I may not always get it back. I always felt good after helping - so now I will continue doing so without expecting something in return. The sparkle in my eyes, the spring in my walk is all thanks to you. May Allah reward you here, and in the akhirah for all your sacrifices, not forgetting your family who is being deprived of your very special presence! Birds flying in the sky will always remind me of you- so I guess you will always be alive in us, in so many people you have made a difference to all over the world. Inshahallah, our paths will cross again for Allah knows we need sincere people like you, Jazakallah. Samina & family.


FAMINA: Alhamdulillah, I have learnt how to behave with my family, how to respond, listen and react with my wonderful children and husband. I had a habit of expecting more than my children can give off, always running them down and telling them negative things. I am going to love my family and so will I get back love. I am thankful to Allah (swt) for bringing me to this workshop, as it was a great benefit to me and to my family. My sincere gratitude to sir, for making a difference in my life. May Allah use sir, to benefit the Ummah as well, shukran.


AMINA: It was a re-awakening for me. I came here with no expectations, but this workshop is priceless to me. Inshallah, my family will definitely benefit from my experience, as I am a single mother. It has been a pillar of strength. I feel as if I threw off a very old, heavy, dark blanket and can (after many years) see a beautiful tomorrow (i.e. I have faith and hope). I know that “I” have the power over my life. I feel and see the light. I offer my services to this cause. May Allah grant you the best in this world and in the hereafter. Ameen.


YUSUF: I have accomplished answers to many questions. I have slept well for the first time after many years. All the issues that I wrote down when I entered on the first day, I have the keys to solve them and move my life forward to a higher spiritual level, Inshallah. I feel light and energised and know that after many many years there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The Qur’an has come alive to me. This workshop is a complete manual for a successful life, for it supercedes “The journey”, “The present moment awareness”, Eckhart Tolle, John Kehoe, Deepak Chopra, Robin Sharma etc, and all the other self help Gurus, as I have attended many of these. You are at the forefront of a revolution as the key concepts are so simplistic. May Allah reward all those who made this workshop possible. This workshop was mind blowing. This course gives us the keys for a successful life and you do not need to do anything else. Its beauty is its simplicity. Jazakallah


ZARINA: I had pointed to you on the first day that I am under going chemotherapy. For the past few months I was going through a traumatic experience with constant fear, dreading the next chemo. I changed to a cheerful person. Constantly asking Allah to give sabr (patience). I have had sleepless nights withdrawing from people. I thank my Allah for answering my prayers and bringing me to this workshop. I now feel confident, can face any trauma, feel positive, feel lighter, no baggage. I am able to see my family in a different light and will make a drastic change in their lives. To me this is the first day of my life, I feel free of hatred, revenge, I feel an inner calm within me. My prayers are answered, I now will definitely get better and I will win my family their love and trust and be a far better human being. Thank you.


KHATIJA: I was not speaking to my step-son who is 19 years. My 18 years of marriage was a conflict between my husband and myself- finding every excuse to prove him and my step-son wrong. A week before the workshop, my husband had pronounced single talaq. My husband gave me the invitation of this workshop and spoke about the opportunity for me to attend and help me. He asked for forgiveness and took back the first talaq. On my first day of the workshop I found courage to speak to my stepson and found out how he felt about me, he did not have a mother for 19 years. My husband was surprised that I could speak to him and not get upset. The relationship between my husband and my step-son has improved in the past two days.


WAHID: Br. Khan’s simple topics have amazing impact because they depict realities, which you do not generally think about. Yet these realities control a person’s life. I strongly recommend that some workshops be organised for as many schools/ colleges as possible. Many of our youth are involved in drugs and other vices; let them get a good start at the right age. The workshop techniques are fun and the youth will always enjoy participating. I am relating this to my own life as certain incidents from childhood had remained with me up till now.


FARIDA: I had the opportunity to experience personal growth in this workshop as it focused on the Islamic values and principles. As a social worker. I spent all my life helping others with problems. In this workshop I was able to help myself deal with the issues that I suppressed over years.


MARIAM: Alhamdulillah, I have in these 3 days benefited, and a tremendous amount of transformation has taken place. It has awakened me from my slumber and before this I was judgemental. The section on Khalifa and why we are here on this Earth was very good. I really enjoyed it. From today, everyday will be a learning experience, Inshallah. I would like everyone to attend this workshop.


YASMIN: Today I told my husband that he was the “perfect husband”. I realised the good qualities in him. I have seen the good in my children and am now aware of the true worth. My lenses are clear and with this I shall proceed forward towards “light”.


MUNIRA: My life before the workshop was the worst any Muslim could have. I had tried to commit suicide twice. I was depressed and my in-laws had separated me from my child. Alhamdulillah after the workshop my husband decided to move into a flat. It has changed my family and me. I feel I am a stronger person, better able to cope with life. I look forward to begin a new life living in the present forgetting the past.


(Names of participants have been changed to protect their identity)

The Three-Day Discover Yourself Workshop was conducted in Nairobi, Kenya at Agha Khan Sports Club on August 6, 7 and 8 2006.


The participants share their experiences after the Workshop.


Dear Sir: I would just like to give you a big thank you, because for the first time, I feel so free!! As free as a bird. I am going to honour my word, I will speak to my father. I have spent my whole life cursing and I will forgive him Inshallah. Every time I pray, I will always pray for you because I am a new person. Thank you. I am sorry I could not get you a perfect gift, but I feel like I need to show you a token of my gratitude because I feel like I owe you. It’s amazing what you can do in the state of nothingness. You can create wonders… Thank you, Thank you very much,

Shaista


ZARINA: Before the workshop I could not do anything better and I could not believe in myself. Believe me, after the workshop I feel like I have been born again. I feel free. I had no courage to face my exams in spite of my working hard because of the fear. I had tried very hard for many years to fight this fear but now, because of Allah’s will and the workshop I have overcome it. I thank Allah (swt) who sent Khan to open our hearts and guide us.


MAHIRA: I am seeing life with a different perspective. I am able to forgive people. Before the workshop I was in pain, always questioning why me? Why the divorce? And my father’s death. But now I understand and have totally surrendered to the will of Allah and I feel free now. I feel more love for everyone. This workshop has opened a new life totally. Lastly I am very grateful to Allah (swt) for giving me this opportunity to attend this workshop.


HAWA: I managed to resolve all the problems and issues I had with my mother and Inshallah will be able to solve the other problems I have. I believe that Mr. Khan has changed my life in every way possible. I am a much happier person now. I am willing to give up anything and everything that I feel will affect my life in any negative way.


GANATRA: I enjoyed the workshop as I laughed and cried a lot and thereby learnt a lot. I looked deep into myself and have realised that Allah destined all the tragedies, which took place in my family. I used to feel guilty and blame myself, but I have let myself free. I have always been forgiving but will be even more. I like to help people and bring joy in their lives.


SAMINA: Alhamdulillah I thank Allah (swt) for this wonderful workshop. Actually I have experienced and benefited a lot. It made a difference in my day-to-day life. It helped me a lot especially in improving my relationship with my family especially my children, my husband, close relatives and my neighbours. I have realised that I was wrong and I am willing to change. Inshallah and I am willing to change my character for my future.


SAIDA: I have discovered my self. The workshop has really changed my life and I am hoping to change other people’s life by sharing with them what I have accomplished in this workshop. I have stopped judging people, dumped my past baggage and can face anyone and tell them that I love them for Allah’s sake. I really thank Allah for showing me the path to this workshop and may Allah bless you and give you the power to change as many people and if possible everyone in this universe.


FARHIN: I have realised that I have been living in the past and grieving about the stuff that does not matter. I have accepted the situations and circumstances that I encounter and am free now. My family members do not have a ‘nagging wife and a monster mummy’ anymore! I will praise the children for their abilities and stop saying ‘you are mad. I shall start praying regularly. An enlightening workshop, Thank you.


SALMA: I have benefited from this workshop because I was a person who was full of fear and was always afraid to do something good to myself. My past was hurting me. I was not staying with my mother and my father is a short-tempered person and I always avoided him. But from now, I will accept him as my father. I always thought life was unfair but Alhamdulillah I learnt a lot. I learnt to appreciate and accept people for who they are and what they do and not judge them. Inshallah, I will keep my word and pray to Allah to make me a better Muslim and an example to my fellow Muslims.