By Azra Farzana Shuib
Often we are affected by emotions of people around us “ when our friends are nervous, we tend to become nervous too, and when our friends become anxious, the anxiety could also become contagious.
We should not forget that Allah can always change our condition to the better and only He can calm us down. If we have made the efforts, just leave it to Him, anything can change with the power of prayer.
Yes, exams would somehow determine your future, but dont let it define the real you. You are a university student, with a sound mind and a brave heart. Face the challenges, but dont let the environment affect you, negatively.
I came across a very beautiful saying from Solusi magazine the other day which I wanted to share. I picked this from Issue 71, page 15, words by Ustaz Pahrol Mohamad Juoi. Translated, it goes like this; No matter where our ranks may be in the eyes of people, if we live with Allah, we will achieve serenity, intrepidity, and freedom that is unbeatable. Serenity that leads the poor to live like a billionaire. Intrepidity that drives the labour to be more endeavouring than his proprietor. Freedom that makes the slave to feel more gleeful than the master who owns him.
Since the final exam is just around the corner, most students now are getting prepared, or perhaps are already prepared. Physically, everyone conceives the same idea regarding the preparation “ healthy body, healthy foods, clean study place, a focused mind and the like.
But do all of us take heed about the spiritual part, a part of us that calms us down, releases our stress, and makes us content of whatever may come, despite our persistent efforts towards attaining our own expectation of result?
And there are some who opted to cheating as a means of achieving good result. What is knowledge, without virtue? Even if one survives cheating, will his or her certificate or degree be worth it? He or she may have earned it, but whether or not the person deserves it, ethically, is a different question.
Your principles, good attitudes and ethics should not be compromised by any situation. Be like a mountain, stand firm, not easily shaken. Just because others are doing it, doesnt mean you should do it too.
And do not be too driven by your own success. All your knowledge belongs to Him. If you are so good in something, dont be reluctant to share your knowledge with people in need. I would like to share the writings of ˜Aid al-Qarni, in his book, Muhammad: As if you can see him, about the generosity of the Prophet, in which he shared a poem by an Arab poet:
He said ˜no never, except when he made Tashahud,
Had it not been for the Tashahud, his ˜no would have been a ˜yes.
According to ˜Aid al-Qarni, what the poet meant is that whenever someone went to the Prophet, and asked him for something “money, food, clothing or something else “ he would never say ˜No. But he did use the word ˜No in the Testimony of Faith: œNo one has the right to be worshipped but Allah.
Whatever you may face, you should remember of The One who has the power over everything. Pray to Him that you may pass with success, and exercise tremendous efforts in order to achieve excellence.
Whatever you do, He is sufficient for you. And whoever fears Allah – He will make for him a way out, and will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.(65:2-3)***