Never Give Up! Amazing Islamic Reminder - Digital Islamic Reminder

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Never Give Up! Amazing Islamic Reminder"

Podcast Information:

Title: Digital Islamic Reminder
Host/Author: Digital Islamic Reminder
Description: Introducing Islamic thought and understanding to the masses by the illustrious scholars of our time. We will be hosting thoughtful reminders and lectures in English and Persian/Dari languages.
Episode: Never Give Up! Amazing Islamic Reminder
Release Date: February 18, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled "Never Give Up! Amazing Islamic Reminder," the host from Digital Islamic Reminder delivers an inspiring message centered on perseverance, steadfastness in faith, and the relentless pursuit of success both in this life and the Hereafter. The discussion weaves together practical life lessons with profound Islamic teachings, encouraging listeners to maintain their efforts despite challenges and to remain steadfast in their worship until the very end.

Life’s Examinations: Parallels with Academic Challenges

The host begins by drawing a parallel between life's examinations and academic tests. [00:25] he states:

"As you know, in a setup where there is a school or a university, at the end of every semester, trimester or term, you would have some examinations in order to qualify you to get to the next level."

He emphasizes that just as academic tests become progressively more challenging, so do the tests in life. The key to overcoming these challenges, he asserts, is persistent effort and hard work, encapsulated in the Arabic proverb "manjadda wajadda" (Whoever works very hard will definitely see the fruit of that particular working). [01:10]

The Deen as a Continuous Test

Transitioning from worldly examinations to matters of faith, the host highlights that the challenges do not cease but instead intensify as one progresses in life. [02:05] He remarks:

"We also have an issue with the deen where as we progress in life, we will have more and more tests and they become more and more difficult until we meet with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala."

This continuous testing underscores the necessity of unwavering commitment to worship and obedience to Allah.

Enduring Worship Until the Final Breath

The host reinforces the importance of persistent worship by recalling the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) enduring commitment. [03:15] He cites:

"The Prophet was told, worship your rabb until death overtakes you. Worship your rabb until the end. Right up to the end, keep on worshipping, continue, do not stop, do not pause, do not lose hope."

This directive serves as a timeless reminder to maintain steadfastness in worship regardless of life's trials.

Quranic Insights on Perseverance

Delving deeper into Quranic teachings, the host references a specific verse to illustrate Allah’s perspective on persistent effort:

"Calling upon Your Lord in the early morning and late afternoon. Indeed, the hours of the night are more effective for learning. Indeed, they are more likely to contain a light." (Quran 17:79) [04:40]

He underscores that Allah rewards consistent efforts and that each individual’s achievements are tied to their dedication and perseverance.

Prophetic Examples of Steadfastness

Citing the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) 23 years of perseverance in delivering the message of Islam, the host illustrates the immense challenges faced and the unwavering commitment required to overcome them. [05:30] He notes:

"Muhammad delivering the message, it was not easy and it was difficult. He faced so many challenges. He continued and he persevered 23 whole years of nubuwa."

This example serves to inspire listeners to emulate the Prophet’s resilience in their own lives.

The Consequences of Giving Up

The host warns against the peril of abandoning one’s duties at critical moments. [07:00] He presents a poignant scenario:

"Imagine a person who reads Salah for 70 years and suddenly the last year, just before they die, they give up their salah. They throw in the blanket and say, that's it."

Referencing a hadith, he emphasizes that such abrupt abandonment can lead to severe consequences, including being cast into hellfire despite long-term devotion.

The Tunnel Metaphor: Perseverance Until Success

To further illustrate the importance of persistence, the host employs the metaphor of digging a tunnel. [09:20]

"Imagine a person digging a tunnel, for example, and right when they are near the end, they suddenly give up thinking that, you know what, I don't know how long this is going to carry on for. Had they carried on for a minute longer, they would have broken through."

This analogy underscores that success is often just beyond the point of apparent difficulty, urging listeners not to give up prematurely.

Personal Development and Contentment Through Strengthening Faith

Shifting focus to personal growth, the host explains that developing a stronger relationship with Allah leads to greater contentment and a deeper understanding of life’s trials. [11:45]

"With the development of the link with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala we become more content. We understand the nature of the world. We understand the nature of the tests of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. So we enjoy going through them in the sense that we are content."

This contentment stems from accepting Allah’s decree and finding peace amidst challenges.

Supplication for Success in Dunya and Preparation for Akhirah

Concluding his message, the host encourages listeners to actively seek success in both worldly affairs (Dunya) and the Hereafter (Akhirah) through continuous effort and reliance on Allah’s mercy. [13:30] He prays:

"We ask Allah to bless you, to open your doors, to prepare for the Akhirah. It's not an easy task, but with the hope and the mercy of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala things will be made easy."

He reiterates the central theme of never giving up, emphasizing:

"With the constant preparation, without giving up hope, never ever giving up, never say no, never just throwing the towel. By the will of Allah subhanahuat we will achieve and we will achieve great heights." [15:00]

Conclusion

In "Never Give Up! Amazing Islamic Reminder," the host masterfully blends practical life advice with rich Islamic teachings, urging listeners to persist through life's inevitable challenges with unwavering faith and effort. By drawing on Quranic verses, prophetic examples, and relatable metaphors, the episode serves as a powerful motivator to maintain steadfastness in worship and personal endeavors, ultimately aiming for success in both this life and the Hereafter.

Notable Quotes:

[00:25] "As you know, in a setup where there is a school or a university, at the end of every semester, trimester or term, you would have some examinations in order to qualify you to get to the next level."
[01:10] "Manjadda wajadda. Whoever works very hard will definitely see the fruit of that particular working."
[03:15] "Worship your rabb until death overtakes you. Worship your rabb until the end. Right up to the end, keep on worshipping, continue, do not stop, do not pause, do not lose hope."
[09:20] "Imagine a person digging a tunnel... Had they carried on for a minute longer, they would have broken through."
[15:00] "By the will of Allah subhanahuat we will achieve and we will achieve great heights."

This summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who have not had the chance to listen, while preserving the motivational and instructive spirit of the original content.

Transcript

A (0:00)

Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa rakatuh bismillahir rahmanir rahim. My beloved brothers and sisters, it's great to be talking to you. And as you know, we all have examinations in life, different types of examinations, and each one has to try very hard. As you know, in a setup where there is a school or a university, at the end of every semester, trimester or term, you would have some examinations in order to qualify you to get to the next level. And as you progress in life, the examinations become more and more difficult. And you would know that without working, we don't achieve. We know the common saying manjadda wajadda. Whoever works very hard will definitely see the fruit of that particular working. So just like we have people who failed because they did not work hard or they did not understand that the examination would become more and more difficult as time passes. We also have an issue with the deen where as we progress in life, we will have more and more tests and they become more and more difficult until we meet with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. And this is why the Prophet was told, worship your rabb until death overtakes you. Worship your rabb until the end. Right up to the end, keep on worshipping, continue, do not stop, do not pause, do not lose hope. In fact, progress and become stronger and stronger. If you take a look at some of the other verses of the Quran, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala makes mention of faeeda faragh tafan sab wa ila rabbika farqab. You know, with Muhammad delivering the message, it was not easy and it was difficult. He faced so many challenges. He continued and he persevered 23 whole years of nubuwa. And Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says, when you have subhanallah subhanallah, you know, the achievement that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala granted him. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will grant each person achievement according to his will, obviously, but also connected to the effort that that particular person makes. If we were to give up suddenly, we would never be able to achieve even Jannah. Imagine a person who reads Salah for 70 years and suddenly the last year, just before they die, they give up their salah. They throw in the blanket and say, that's it. Such a person has been mentioned in the hadith of Rasulullah where a person could be worshipping Allah for so many years and right at the end they turn. So they are cast into hellfire. And a person could be disobedient for so many years. And right at the end they worship Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala turn back to him. So they will be from amongst those who go to paradise. So it's important for us to know that to give up, you don't know how close you are to the end. Imagine a person digging a tunnel, for example, and right when they are near the end, they suddenly give up thinking that, you know what, I don't know how long this is going to carry on for. Had they carried on for a minute longer, they would have broken through. So with us, we need to continue, fulfill your Sanaa progress, develop. Don't think for a moment that life is going to become any easier. The only thing that will happen is with the development of the link with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala we become more content. We understand the nature of the world. We understand the nature of the tests of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. So we enjoy going through them in the sense that we are content. We are happy with the decree of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. So, my brothers and sisters, not only do I say, work hard to achieve here in the Dunya and may Allah bless you and grant you success in these examinations, but even in the Akhirah, we ask Allah to bless you, to open your doors, to prepare for the Akhirah. It's not an easy task, but with the hope and the mercy of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala things will be made easy. And at the same time, with the constant preparation, without giving up hope, never ever giving up, never say no, never just throwing the towel. By the will of Allah subhanahuat we will achieve and we will achieve great heights. Wasalam Muhammad.