Looking back 2017

1st of January 2018

Yesterday was the last day of 2017. Another year has passed the corridor of my life. Yesterday, the whole day was a happy day for me, as I had the opportunity to spend whole day in serving humanity, the job I love the most. But the day ended with a sad news that one of my great predecessors Mr. Ebrahimsa Mohammad, the former CEO of Muslim Aid, has passed away last night. He was a great man, a great philanthropist, a silent but great leader of the sector. As long as I knew him he was always dedicated for others. He used to help others without expecting anything in return. Sad that the nation and the Ummah has lost a great man. As soon as I hear the news of his death it gave me a realization that I am the third in serial among the living ex-CEOs of Muslim Aid. May Almighty Allah accept all his good deeds and grant him Jannah Al Firous, ameen. May He allow us to keep on right path and give us tawfique to continue serving humanity for His pleasure until the moment he calls us back to Him, thumma ameen.

Last year was a significant year in my life. It was an eventful year. Last year I had to make a crucial decision to leave my newfound career and returning back to humanitarian world. At the end of the year I can confidently say that it was a right decision that I made for the best my remaining future. Last year I made 14 overseas visits in 10 countries, visited 25 cities and many villages in Asia, Africa, Europe and North America. I travelled over 65,000 miles by air and land. I met thousands of people, young and old, male and female from many creed, cultures and religions. It gave me enormous knowledge and experience about different societies, their challenges, opportunities and ways to unleash the potentials that God Almighty bestowed in people’s lives. I feel humbled and truly and utterly grateful to my beloved Lord Allah that he choose me to dedicate my life in serving humanity worldwide. May Allah bless me and all in this service to keep sincere all along, safe us from any sort of harms, accept all of our good deeds for His cause and allow us to stay firm on the right path to attain His pleasure till the last breath of our lives, ameen.

When I look back at what has happened in my life and around in 2017 and what may happen next, the reviews of all aspects of my life they appear with numerous lessons that can help to shaping my life in future. As Allah mentioned in His guidance for us: “And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.” Al-Quran 5:2, I feel that I should share my lesson learned. I have identified 26 lessons from last years events in my life.

Lesson 1. If you rely on Allah wholeheartedly He will help you miraculously.

Lesson 2. In your difficult time, you may see many friends would avoid you unthinkably. Allah is the only friend who will never leave you alone.

Lesson 3. Never lose hope: Sometime the journey of life can be roller coaster. Especially when you have to change the direction of your career. You may experience many extreme conditions that may cause helplessness leading to hopelessness. That is the real test of life. Never lose the hope in Allah; you will see there is a light waiting for you at the tunnel of darkness. As our beloved Prophet said:  “Verily, if Allah loves a people, He makes them go through trials. Whoever is satisfied, for him is contentment, and whoever is angry upon him is wrath.” (Hadith-Tirmidhi)

Lesson 4. No challenge comes without an opportunity: Life is full of challenge. But the reality of life is that no challenge comes without an opportunity. Therefore, embrace the challenge with courage and commitment to overcome it and rely on Allah. You will see the doors of opportunities are there open for you.

Lesson 5. Adopt Sabr, never think of revenge: You may find many of your respected or loved people doing injustice on you. Don’t be angry at the face of injustice. Be patient, take it as a test from Allah and seek help from Allah with sabr and salah. You will see a rewarding and dignified opportunity is waiting for you. Allah will deal with those who are unjust to you.

Lesson 6. Nothing is impossible for you except what Allah has not destined for you: Sometime we are scared about taking initiative, thinking that it is impossible. In fact nothing is impossible for a believer except what is not destined for him or her by Almighty God. Sincere efforts with firm commitment may make many things possible that ordinary people may think impossible.

Lesson 7. Think big: If you think big, you can achieve big. Habit of thinking big is important for those who want to bring improvement in the society.

Lesson 8. Keep Positive: Positive thinking is key to success. We should always have the attitude of glass half full. If you see something wrong in a man or woman, think that he or she has los of good in him or her. Even if we see that a person has 90 bad habits and 10 good habits, Let us try to appreciate 10 good habits. Then the person will 10 percent friend. Based on the 10% friendship build the trust you may find in course of time the person will be trusted friend and influenced by you to change his/her life. But if you start hating him for 90% bad habit the person will be 100% enemy with full blown hatred.

Lesson 9. Do not be judgmental about others: If you want to be respected, respect others as a human being. Don’t be judgmental. You will have more friends than enemies.

Lesson 10: Don’t be busy with others at the expense of your family, as they are the most responsible friend after your Lord. Majority of your friends are for your name, fame and position. When you are affluent in wealth, glory and position you will see many people around you. As you become weaker, you will see many of your close friends will try to avoid you. When nobody will have any time for you, it is your family who will be around you to give you comfort.

Lesson 11. Don’t expect too much from your friends and relatives: Expecting too much from friends and relatives often make you disappointed. We must think that everybody has his or her own life, own choice and own priority. They may not like what you like. Your priority is not their priority. The best way is not expect anything from others. That will ensure you a ever happy life.

Lesson 12: The best friends: The best friends are those who love you for the sake of Allah.

Lesson 13. Help others without expecting any return. That is the best way to live a happy and stress free life.

Lesson 14. Take care of yourself when you are able: Nobody can/will help you when you are weak and less able.

Lesson 15. Finish your work in your hand now, tomorrow will be much busier or may not come at all.

Lesson 16. Success depends on appropriate vision, plan and people around you, not necessarily on your hard work. A compelling vision with a dedicated team can never go unachieved, although in the outset it may look impossible.

Lesson 17: People of vision with firm mission move forward faster with success but people of emotion can’t come out of a circle.

Lesson 18. Don’t involve with any venture that you do not have clear idea about. Knowledge and skills cannot be borrowed thy must be owned by yourself.

Lesson 19. Don’t give somebody a position because you love him. Make sure that he or she has the capacity to bear the burden of the position. Remember, when he or she fail to carry the burden the person who you gave the favour will stand against you together with many others.

Lesson 20: When you are successful everybody will praise you with gift; but when you fail, your long standing friend will become stranger. However, we should remember that solid success comes from failure.

Lesson 21. Money is not everything but it is an important element of life. Therefore, don’t run after money; but at the same time do not ignore it.

Lesson 22. Self-confidence is the best vehicle for success. Therefore, have faith in your ability. Never undermine the strength and potentials that Allah (SWT) bestowed in you.

Lesson 23. Sabr (patience) not revenge: In life many disaster can make your life miserable. Many friends may ruin your achievements. Be patient in all situation. Never allow your desire to be revengeful. Remember you have enormous abilities to overcome the challenges and disaster. It is patience that can shape your inborn abilities into unbelievable success, that can ashamed those who wanted to ruin your life. You must have a dream to build a shining life. To attain the dream you must have the courage to overcome the challenge. And the courage to overcome the challenges comes from patience. Revenge cannot remove the obstacles but patience can.