Force It Until You Make It Naturally

Assalamualaikum WBT...

Alhamdulillah Allah masih beri kesempatan waktu, dibukakan mata hati untuk melihat, dan diilhamkan untuk berfikir dan reflek. Dah habis dah cuti musim panas 2 bulan. 

How does that affect me? My two routines were also stopped during the summer break; my Tuesday Tafsir class with Syaikh Marwan and my Sunday KAFA class at SOFA College London. I didn't realize how important these two things for me until we had the summer break. I feel an emptiness in my heart that slowly dragged me away from the straight path. I realized the importance of istiqamah in whatever you do. You will not see as much impact if you only do things one-off, it doesn't work that way. If you want to the impact in whatever you do, you need to at least constantly doing it for 3 months. Then you will see the impact, how it slowly changing your life.

Alhamdulillah, it's not easy and I must admit I was forced to do it at the beginning, but with time I naturally longing for it once I tasted the sweetness in doing it. I thank Allah for guiding me to this path, I am shall be gratefull even it has to start by force. For me, it's OK to force yourself into doing it until you make it naturally. Because I am afraid if I keep waiting for my heart to do it without force, I will be too late when the time comes. So, FORCE it (or even FAKE it) until you MAKE it. 

That's what I learnt from the past few days. I was struggling with my busy schedule, my overdue work, my deadlines etc. I was struggling to prioritise my list 'things to do' weighting its purpose, which one will bring more tranquillity and happiness in my life. But, deep inside I know what I need to do, but how do I put it into action?

Then I realize, I shouldn't wait until I feel I want to, I should be able to identify, if this thing is for the sake of Allah, if stepping out of this door even if it's far will make me be closer to Allah, I shall force myself to do it, I shall make time, I shall put every efforts to do it. Because from what I experienced, even if I did have that heavy-lazy feeling at the beginning, but I never returned empty-handed after I did it. I will come back with more Sakinah in my heart and I always feel "Oh, I am glad I came here, I am glad I did this". Thank you, Allah, for guiding me. 

So, FORCE it (or even FAKE it) until you MAKE it. That's the key for ISTIQAMAH. Make dua may Allah make it easy for you to always choose to do good deeds and to always make time to seek knowledge of Islam.

Here is another example where I did force myself to do it. But, now I am so in love with it. I attended a 1 day Moon sighting course. I am so grateful I attended this course. Alhamdulillah. So, Yati, remember, every time you feel lazy to do things, try to analyze first before you walk away from it, if it's for the good things, make yourself do it, willingly or by force :). 

That's my notes :)

With Imad Ahmed the founder of the New Crescent Society and other trainees.

31.08.2019: We saw the new crescent that marked the beginning of 1st Muharram 1441H at Northala Fields. 

Same goes to waking up for Tahajud prayer, reading and studying the Quran every morning, or listening or attending Majlis Ilmu... it will be hard at the beginning, but do it consistently (at least for few months) until Allah opens your heart, then you will feel itweird like something is missing when you missed it, you will feel empty when you skipped it. 

Life in this Dunia is short, we all soon will go to the next life. Let's continue to strive for the better in our self-betterment journey. Insha-Allah. May Allah makes it easy for us.

Nur

18/09/2019

East Finchley