i was indeed blessed

It was a normal day in UIA, exams mood.

I took a break from my studies and went to grab a cup of tea. I sat on the table facing the river flowing by.

In this calmness and peace of mind, i looked around and wondered about the place I was in. I was in Malaysia, studying in one of the best universities in the Muslim world, good living standards and security.

The events of the morning news started to flash in my mind. There were bomb blasts in Iraq, Israelis killing innocent Palestinians and destroying their homes, NATO forces in Afghanistan battling Taliban, unrest in Pakistan and protest in Kashmir. I began to realize all the blessings i possessed.

I was living a far better life than most of the Muslims around the world and the thought of it made my mind freeze for a while, no bombs, no shootings, no curfews, no crackdowns, no floods, no hunger, no poverty nothing that i could think of that would say i wasn’t at peace. Alhamdulillah..

I was indeed blessed. But again, is it enough to just say Alhamdulillah verbally, or casually while praying? What about my lifestyle, does it reflect being thankful for the blessings i possess? I sat back and started to picture the lifestyles that most of us live here in UIA.

Our accomodation, safe and comfortable, equipped with everything we need but not as good as people in Africa and India who sleep on streets or cardboard boxes, or the millions of Palestinians refugees that were forced out of their own homes.

Our food is of such variety that we find ourselves stopping at different canteens before we find the food suits our appetite.. and yet we complain. What about the millions who queue up everyday for relief food just to survive, or those millions who dies of huner every day? Our clothes, branded and fashionable, made of the finest material to suit our needs, while there are millions who have nothing to wear except a piece of cloth to cover them or those who wear the same clothes for years without complaining.

We fall sick and we get the best treatment to make sure we are cured, while they are millions who do not even have the basic medication to help them live. We have taken the blessings that we possess for granted and have forgotten to thank Allah in all possible means. Question your behaviour, lifestyle, and spirituality, and make sure they express the gratitude that Allah truly deserves. Indeed, His blessings are  much more than our ability to be thankful.

By : Salman Bashir

Edited : cik ada