Coach Ramsha

وَوَصَّيْنَا الْإِنسَانَ بِوَالِدَيْهِ إِحْسَانًا ۖ حَمَلَتْهُ أُمُّهُ كُرْهًا وَوَضَعَتْهُ كُرْهًا ۖ – 46:15

“And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, Ihsan (goodness and excellence). His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship…” [Qur’an 46:15]

Peace be upon you, my beautiful human! Oh my gosh, I almost didn’t write this article tonight! I was so engrossed in my trip planning and kept pushing it off; this is a weakness I am working to overcome. It took a tremendous amount of willpower to force myself to open up my site and just start writing – no excuses. So here I am.

Let’s Chit-chat: Just if you’re curious BTW (like moi), I did finalize some itty-bitty details for my upcoming trip. I’m so excited that I’m pretty much giddy – it still feels like a dream!

Another side-note before we move on to today’s topic: I will continue to include words in different languages with their meanings linked as it is one of my passions!

OK I promise, last thing, just so you know how hard I’m working: I am sitting here, by my kitchen counter, typing away into the night. But not just that…I’m multi-tasking today – hah!

How? Well, my mom always tells me that I have to learn to stand up straighter since I’m already so close to the ground (barely 5’2 but who’s counting…).

So, to resolve this slight issue, I ordered a posture corrector from Amazon during the Cyber Sale for $12.99! It was a great deal, monetarily, but..Oh.My.GOD. It hurts. Badly.

As you know, this blog is all about crushing my bad habits. The only thing currently being crushed is my spine.

Yes, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger is quickly becoming my life’s motto. And yes, I crack myself up, too. He he.

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OK, after that teeny tiny tangent, let’s dive right in. I have only 15 minutes – I’ll explain everything later.

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This article began with a quote from the Qur’an. It is one of the many verses that emphasizes the importance of being the best to your parents, regardless of how (you think) they are to you.

Then, among your parents, your mother has a higher ranking because she gave birth to you, fed you and raised you – at least, in most circumstances. After all, God’s Love is compared to a mother’s love; God Tells us He Is Far More Loving than even a mother is to her child.

OK Mish, how is this related to your journey? Did some moms bribe you to write this article…?

*Sneaky face.*

I’m loving these highly intellectual questions! It’s all connected, I promise.

In fact, this is directly in touch with how we ended on Tuesday. I shared that it was my incredibly strong-willed desi mama who saved me from becoming a sufi fakir.

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When I discovered The Truth, it was like I was floating in the clouds. There are no words that can do justice to those indescribable feelings. If you search up convert to Islam stories on YouTube, like this one or this one, you will hear similar experiences.

When The Truth enters your heart, you feel complete. Everything it has been searching for is found. Forget being crazy in love, you are high on Love. All you breathe is Love.

“O you who believe! Respond to (the call of) Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life.” [Qur’an 8:24]

Your inner light combined with that Divine Light…God, it’s like explosive fireworks on the 4th of July in Herald Square…but way, way better. There’s nothing like it in the universe.

Going back to my story, I have to mention that I didn’t have a teacher through this journey. So in my ignorance, I thought that God Wanted me to retreat to the mountains -somewhere far away from the corruptness of humanity. My sole duty would be to worship Him, day and night.

I didn’t care about money, or a job, or where I was going to live…I was ready to completely abandon all worldly pleasures to Worship Him in solitude.

I was a teenager, ok! A naive, little teenager.

THANK GOD FOR MY MOTHER.

Mama, my first teacher, made me realize that, with all due respect to monks, becoming a sort-of monk is not what God Wanted from me.

In the Qur’an, in Surah Hadid: Verse 27, Allah Says, “And We placed in the hearts of those who followed him [Prophet Jesus (pbuh)] compassion and mercy and monasticism, which they innovated; We did not prescribe it for them except [that they did so] seeking the approval of Allah.”

Furthermore, she brought to my attention something crucial that I had forgotten in the heat of the moment. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was NOT a monk. He lived his life among the people, and changed society from within.

Not only was he (saw) a spiritual leader, he (saw) was also a teacher for every walk of life – manners to finance, relationships to military.

It was then that it dawned on me! It’s so much easier to retreat in solitude to worship God.

Isn’t it, then, infinitely harder to stay among the people while worshipping Allah?

Isn’t it that much more difficult to actually implement those beautiful teachings from the Qur’an and Sunnah within society?

To work hard, to crush your ego and try to revive kindness to neighbors, taking care of orphans and just smiling at your fellow humans?

How can you achieve that, living in solitude?

Yes, people will taunt you and ridicule you. No, they will not immediately listen to you, and some never will.

Even if all you’re spreading is love and compassion, you will still have enemies.

That’s the way it’s always been – you can’t make everyone happy. And guess what?

That’s not your job.

The Prophet (saw) himself went through the harshest of times; there was an instance when the children of a city threw rocks at him until his (saw) blessed feet were bloodied.

Allah Says, “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds.” [Qur’an 21:107]

So, this Savior of Humanity, the Prophet (saw) was always smiling, despite the harshness of life. He was the kindest, the most generous, the most compassionate human being of all time.

He never denied anyone an ask. He never let his ego dictate his actions. He was a walking Qur’an.

My heart almost gets torn out of my chest when I hear of these stories.

Bottom line? Two things, actually.

Lesson #1:

My precious mom shook such sense into me.

This Steve Harvey video makes me want to cry now.

I love you Mama. May Allah (Swt) Grant all our moms the highest level of Paradise. Ameen.

Final Lesson of the Day:

Mama’s always right! If you’re blessed enough to have her in your life, be the best of the best to her. Who knows how much time you have left with her. Go hug her tight, right now.

Humble yourself in front of your paradise, no matter what age or position you are in.

No matter what.

The greater the test, the greater the reward.

Speaking of earning reward, Islamic Relief USA has an amazing orphan sponsorship program. Click here to check it out and spread the love. Give and you shall receive. [Luke 6:38]

As a result of my mom’s chiding, I understood that the best form of worship to God and the way to earn His Good Pleasure is to be the best to His Creation.

It’s so much easier to love than to hate.

And love only for Allah’s Sake. Expect reward only from Him.

I am striving to be more generous, more loving, more forgiving, more grateful to my fellow human beings, even when it’s hard…especially when it’s hard.

And isn’t that what the test is all about?

Sweet Dreams,

Just Mishi

-Your Ordinary Human Girl

P.S.: OMG. Only 2 more articles left until Turkey+Dubai!!! I actually have to pick my mom up, even though it’s past my bedtime. Although I was a little reluctant in the beginning, my annoying habit of data analysis saved me. I found out that when I pick her up at night, I always manage to get VIP entry into the 5am Success Club! I love my Mama to the moon and back, my most precious gift from God. Allahu Akbar (God IS Greater). Gotta go, peace!