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I read a surah (chapter) from the Qur’an, a Surah that made me question a few things. It made me think about the purpose of my existence. One thing that crossed my mind was a person’s occupation. Even if I were qualified to be a teacher, if I don’t actually teach, would I still be a teacher? Or would a chef still be a chef, even if he had never actually cooked professionally? I suppose the logical answer is sure they are, but they don’t actually practice the profession they have trained in. For most people and professions, this is perfectly acceptable; people don’t necessarily build a career in their area of training. But, If someone doesn’t practice what they have been equipped to be able to practice, then all they have is a title; a title which at the very least allows them to feel a sense of accomplishment for their efforts.

But what if the title they hold isn’t a result of their own accomplishment? What if the title they hold is something they were born with, or something given to them? What if the title they hold is that of a ‘Muslim’? Then is that Muslim, still a Muslim even if he doesn’t do what a Muslim is supposed to do? If they do not actually practice Islam can they still hold the title of being Muslim? When you think about it, the immediate answer is ’no’. They can’t feel that sense of accomplishment because they didn’t accomplish anything that enables them to feel proud. Most of the time, they did not chose Islam; rather,  Islam was given to them—and alhamdulillah (all praise and thanks belongs to God) for that.

The teacher who holds only the title of a teacher can still be proud of the work they put in to become a teacher, and the chef who holds only the title of being a chef, can be proud of all of his training to become a chef—but the Muslim, who did nothing to be Muslim, nor does anything as a Muslim, has nothing but an empty and worthless title. If you handed in an essay to your professor and all your essay consisted of was a title, how do you think your professor would grade you? Most of us wouldn’t even dream of doing that! Yet so many of us will be in front of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He), with nothing but the title of ‘Muslim’, may Allah protect us from this.

It’s time we start acting on that which we claim to be; if we truly consider ourselves to be worthy of the title of a Muslim, then we need to ensure we practice that which we ought to practice. What is the purpose or the ‘occupation’ of a Muslim might you ask! Well, the surah that inspired this thought is one of the many that provide the answer: Surah Al-Asr.

1. “By  time,
2. Indeed, mankind is in loss,
3. Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds, and advised each other to truth ((i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which Allah has forbidden)) , and advised each other to patience ((for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allah’s cause)) .”

May Allah make us amongst those whom He favours, those who have strong belief, follow through with good deeds, share the truth of Islam to others, and have sabr (patience).

 Ameen.