Each one of us must work to better ourselves and to become even more special in our own right. Let's exert ourselves to bring out the best in ourselves, much of which remains dormant within us. Whilst it is commendable that each one of us should focus to become a special brand in our own right, we need to be mindful that our greatness also lies in the things that we do together as a collective and as a community. All the formidable and worthy things we would like to achieve in life can only be accomplished in partnership with others.
Therefore, let us resolute seriously to network and partner more with one another than ever before. Let us build a culture of organisational partnership which is outcomes based, collaborative, mutually rewarding, and a win/win situation for all of us. We need to reflect on the resolutions that we ought to make and need to focus on in order to have the favourable outcomes we so much desire, intend, and earnestly pray for.
Let's make the right waves that would bring all the blessings and the outcomes that we so much aspire and will so vigorously work for. And let's pray that the Almighty Allah keeps the tidal waves at bay that leaves so much destruction in its wake against which we have little or no recourse.
Islam means peace, it also means surrender, surrender not to any mundane mortal, but to Allah. And the concept of God in Islam is that he is the universal creative and preservative force. God in Islam stands for the constructive forces of Harmony. And it is in surrender to this universal force of harmony that Islam seeks peace for the entire world. And it is as a religion of peace and harmony that Islam offers the olive branch of good will to peoples of all faiths.
At the core of Islam is the concept of charity - in its most expansive sense and widest dimensions. The holy Quran commands us not say things we do not do. There must be no contradiction between our words and our deeds.
The Holy Quran tells us to join hands in what is good and proper, and not to join hands in what is sin, transgression and aggression. Either as individuals or as groups of society, do we follow this golden rule? If not, may we ask why?
The Holy Quran orders us to do what is right and to forbid what is wrong. Do we follow this noble principle in our everyday life? If not, why?
These injunctions constitute the heart of Islam. If we do not follow them, why blame Islam? Are we not a little too soft on ourselves? Let us go in for better self-assessment, and be prepared to check our flaws and redress our shortcomings. By doing so alone can we bring ourselves on the Sirat Al Mustaqeem (right path) for which we pray in every prayer, the path of those whom Allah has blessed.
The right path will not come to us. We will have to go to that path. Let each one of us take a forward step, with the holy Quran as our guide and the holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) as our leader.
Our God is one, our Prophet is one, our book of guidance (the holy Quran) is one, and our Qibla is one.
Let us also be the one, a united and strong Ummah that dispels darkness, spreads light and sets norms for others to follow. If we could do that in the past, why cannot we do it today?