Young Muslim Voices Vol 5

Al-sabr, often translated as ‘patience’ in English, has many places within our lives and deen. We too-often equate it only with enduring hardships. Those with greater understanding add on thankfulness and gratitude while facing adversity. Patience of course has many deeper levels we sometimes neglect or forget: calmness and composure; controlling our anger; maintaining good character; grit and fortitude when trials become increasingly laborious; restraint; tolerance; maintaining focus and balance when others have given up, all the while remembering, thanking and praising the Almighty. Calamity or travail often leads to a feeling of solitude, grief and stress. These are the moments of life’s tests. These are the moments weighed heaviest on the scales. These are the moments where patience is requisite. Present day culture and society moves rapidly and is getting increasingly faster. People no longer have time to eat, or sleep or maintain personal social relations without commotion. Screens occupy countless hours of our day, keeping us distracted from our relationships we must foster, our duties we must fulfill. Many who do take the time to remember their Creator do so in a rushed manner, minds racing, thoughts fleeting, hearts straying. Patience may be the one virtue we are currently more in need of than any other. In this, the 5th coming of Young Muslim Voices, our youth explore the question of patience and how it impacts their lives. What does patience mean to them, how do they achieve it and what are the lessons we can learn from trials and tribulations. This publication arises from an annual essay competition we hold to encourage the youth to identify challenges which face them, critically analyze these challenges and develop viable solutions. Our goal is to help develop writers, orators, thinkers and leaders to command the next generation. We are indebted to all of those individuals who have sacrificed their time and efforts in this collective good for our youth. The volunteers and judges for these competitions competitions are to be commended for their true commitment and patience in this endeavor. May Allah bless their perseverance and strivings for His cause.