Missing out on politics, logic, aqeedah, mawlid debate shenanigans, activism....
I wrote a post earlier where I mentioned some of the things I've had to sacrifice, such as gym, the decision to discontinue my spoken Arabic class after the completion of A level in the summer, watching TV etc.
But there are also other things - less 'concrete' things as it were - that you have to sacrifice if you want to pursue hifz. And these include wider reading. A friend mentioned a book that Shaykh Hamza Yusuf had based a talk on, on advising on the detrimental affects of TV (called 'Remotely controlled' if you were wondering). I considered ordering that today, then looked at all the unread books on my shelf that I had ordered in a similar fashion. Its the same reason I cant listen to the talks recently on interesting topics such as Islamophobia by Sh Yasir Qadhi and an aqeedah series by Sh Hamza Yusuf (not necessarily saying I agree or disagree with either of them). The ongoing 'mawlid debate' between dawah man and Imam Asim. Let's be honest as much as we'd advise others to avoid wasting time on a debate that has been wrangling on for centuries, its still pretty entertaining from the minute snippets I've heard! The books on logic, politics etc etc.
It can be a little disheartening at times that I cant read whatever I want or I have to stop myself googling whatever comes into my head.
But the good times will come inshaAllah when I can relax somewhat and further my wider reading and activism, and get back in the gym. For now I need to set in place the two parts of my foundation for everything else - Arabic and Hifz. Arabic has come a long way and I'm not too worried about that. The Hifz, I have completed 2.5 juz out of 30. There is a long way to go. The distance and time are not issues. What matters is the consistency and the endevour. The late nights up to 2-3am reading, often only going to bed at the pleas of my mother worried that I'll be impaired at work the next day (alhamdulillah I have never felt that my performance at work as been affected).
I will endure. I will continue. Consistency and hardwork and ofcourse the blessing from Allah are what will determine whether I succeed or not, but for my part I am 100% driven to see this to the end. I will not miss a single day and will continue to strive with the efficiency that for the most part has been over 90% (on my own efficienciotmeter). In sha Allah.
But there are also other things - less 'concrete' things as it were - that you have to sacrifice if you want to pursue hifz. And these include wider reading. A friend mentioned a book that Shaykh Hamza Yusuf had based a talk on, on advising on the detrimental affects of TV (called 'Remotely controlled' if you were wondering). I considered ordering that today, then looked at all the unread books on my shelf that I had ordered in a similar fashion. Its the same reason I cant listen to the talks recently on interesting topics such as Islamophobia by Sh Yasir Qadhi and an aqeedah series by Sh Hamza Yusuf (not necessarily saying I agree or disagree with either of them). The ongoing 'mawlid debate' between dawah man and Imam Asim. Let's be honest as much as we'd advise others to avoid wasting time on a debate that has been wrangling on for centuries, its still pretty entertaining from the minute snippets I've heard! The books on logic, politics etc etc.
It can be a little disheartening at times that I cant read whatever I want or I have to stop myself googling whatever comes into my head.
But the good times will come inshaAllah when I can relax somewhat and further my wider reading and activism, and get back in the gym. For now I need to set in place the two parts of my foundation for everything else - Arabic and Hifz. Arabic has come a long way and I'm not too worried about that. The Hifz, I have completed 2.5 juz out of 30. There is a long way to go. The distance and time are not issues. What matters is the consistency and the endevour. The late nights up to 2-3am reading, often only going to bed at the pleas of my mother worried that I'll be impaired at work the next day (alhamdulillah I have never felt that my performance at work as been affected).
I will endure. I will continue. Consistency and hardwork and ofcourse the blessing from Allah are what will determine whether I succeed or not, but for my part I am 100% driven to see this to the end. I will not miss a single day and will continue to strive with the efficiency that for the most part has been over 90% (on my own efficienciotmeter). In sha Allah.
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