Aspire, Believe, Strike!

Its not that we can’t do something; the problem is that we believe we can’t do it. This is the problem. It is a psychological problem. We do not dream of glory. We do not entertain thoughts of glory. Our aspirations have weakened. We do not desire what the students of the past desired. Our aims, goals and objectives have become tangible and materialistic. Their goals were of an intangible nature. They desired to please Allah in a way nobody has. They wanted to unlock the forgiveness of Allah with their humble efforts. They wanted to present something to the Prophet salallahu alaihi wasallam not presented before. They wanted to serve the ummah and further the cause of Islam.

One has to enjoy what he does. If a person loves studying, he will study night and day. We have to feel a certain ecstasy when reading. If a person gets ‘high’ by reading the exegesis of the Qur’an, commentaries of the Ahadith and the manuals of Fiqh, then he will crave to read more and more.

There is nothing complex. We erroneously believe that greatness comes after enduring complexities. This cannot be further from the truth. We do not achieve greatness because we do not have a game plan.

Every person has talent. Talent is natural. However, skill is attained by beating on your craft over and over and over again. If a person relies on talent, his progress is limited. One does not have to be naturally bright or intelligent. An unintelligent person who has a ridiculous, sickening work ethic will surpass the lazy and lethargic intelligent ones. One has to work to be better every day.

You do not set out to build a wall; instead lay each brick as perfectly as you can, soon you will have a wall. We have to believe in ourselves. We can do it. We can achieve the goals and aspirations we hold. It is well within reach. There is no reason to have a plan B, it distracts from plan A. There has to be a desperate, obsessive focus to achieve what you want to achieve.

Being realistic is the most common road to mediocrity. What purpose does being realistic serve? That which is realistic will transpire. That which is realistic will take place. We have to be unrealistic. We have to dream and make the unrealistic realistic.

It was unrealistic to flip a switch and expect a light to come on. It was unrealistic to bend metal and have it travel over the Atlantic. It was unrealistic to be able to sit in metal and reach the moon. It was unrealistic to speak to someone in a different country whilst sitting in the comforts of your home. However, there were individuals who entertained unrealistic thoughts and made these ‘unrealistics’ a reality.

Don’t ever let someone tell you ‘you can’t do something’. If you want something, go for it. Nothing is unrealistic. Students can become the Imam Abu Hanifahs, Imam Shafis and Imam Bukharis of today. You have to believe and then put thoughts and dreams into action. Glory awaits you. Enter the doors of history. Success is one step away.