The Interview…by Zaiboon Motala
Al-Huda attempts to interview people who have made progress in their respective fields of study and work. In this regard we hope to shed light of the potentials Allah has blessed them with and how they use it. Therefore, we hope that you will be inspired and motivated to tap into your talents and use it to progress in life to please Allah.
Teacher of the year
In this month’s edition we interview Abdullah Sujee who won the Innovative Teachers’ Award in South Africa and then represented South Africa in the International Teachers’ Forum in Philadelphia, USA where he was voted in as the runner up in the best teacher category. In an interview with him I wanted to get a deeper insight to this person who I know for a long time. The competition was first national and than All of Africa and thereafter, the two winners were selected i.e. Abdullah Sujee of Roshnee Islamic School and Paul van Zyl of St.Johns.
The ITF in the USA was judged on 3 C’s and the fourth been the teachers’ choice of the best educator. The first C : Content i.e. how you use the curriculum design of your country over a number of years to produce innovative ideas that lends itself to ICT – integrated computer technology and Media orientation. The second C: Community i.e. how the school and its community is involved in your teaching style in overt, subtle, direct and indirect ways through the integration of the school’s extr-mural and co-curricular activities. The third C i.e. collaboration – this means how you formed Joint Ventures over a number of years with schools, communities, companies and established avenues of learning such that the image of one’s country is enhanced. The fourth category is where all the teachers who won in their respective countries or continents would vote in whom they thought was the best educator – it was in this category that Abdullah Sujee won an award. The judges were from various countries and are involved in education in various ways.
Zaiboon: Abdullah give us a background to your study years and you’re first few years of teaching so that we can paint a picture of you to the readers.
Abdullah : In the name of Allah, the Merciful. I completed my schooling in Roshnee at the Roshnee Secondary School and then pursued my studies at the University of Durban-Westville now known as the University of KZN. The career of course was teaching. After completing my studies I began teaching at Roshnee Secondary school and I really enjoyed teaching at the school. Allah blessed me with the HoD English post and then the Deputy Principal post at the same school. However, shortly after attaining that position I decided to go abroad to Saudi Arabia to teach English. My wife and taught at the same school in Saudi Arabia for one year and then returned to South Africa. Upon returning I took up a temporary teaching post at General Smuts High School and I was then offered a permanent post at the Roshnee Islamic School to teach Islamic studies, which I accepted. Allah blessed me with the Deputy Principal post again, the HoD English and to steer the Life Orientation Department. In a nutshell this is my background.
Zaiboon: Al-hamdulillah. Why did you choose teaching as a career and not law or another career for example?
Abdullah: Well, what makes you think I wanted to be a lawyer…Anyway, it was career choice but of the three options I made for myself, teaching felt the career Allah opted for me because, I made inroads into study Textile Technology, Personal Management and Bproc Law but, it did not gel into reality as did teaching. You should know that the year after matric I did not study because of the issues around career planning. Teaching therefore, is more a vocation for me than a career because; it requires you to love the profession more than life itself because teaching is life! As a Muslim therefore, teaching is a great practical sunnah because it revolves around developing the human potential to recognise Allah.
Zaiboon: Tell us about all that you do that made you win the Innovative Teachers Awards in South Africa and the Award in the USA and do you see yourself as the teacher of the year or the best in SA.
Abdullah: Let me begin with the last part of the question first. I do not see myself as the best nor do I consider myself as the best in SA or anywhere else for that matter. What I do see myself as, is a person that wants to be the best in whatever I do because, that is the Prophetic example. I felt the competition/forum that was organised by Microsoft was only a means to get some exposure to the great teachers of the world and their innovative practices.
Zaiboon, All praise is for Allah, the thrust of the classroom is to connect the world outside the classroom with the classroom itself. Therefore, the world of media plays a major part in all my lessons such that today I use PowerPoint Presentations, audio streaming, radio, TV and Integrated Computer technology in lessons. This means making learning more integrated and holistic. For example, in the teaching of Shakespeare’s plays, pupils would have to produce an audio assignment on the play i.e. they had to produce a main news bulletin, secondary news flash, an advert, a letter to the editor and anything else. All this has to come out from the play thus, enticing the pupil to read the play – you do know that pupils today don’t really read their novels and plays. The same lesson would apply to novels and short stories. Pupils would also produce a film on a play or novel and you can imagine how they would have to ‘read’ the set work to identify setting and props to produce the effect of the writer. Mind you, it made pupils read more critically i.e. looking into the text for specific clues to heighten the image on screen. Furthermore, when pupils would be taught poetry through the use of P.P.Presentations and the internet, they would post their comments on the web and compare their comments with people across the world – this was an amazing feat! The ideas that I presented here has been presented at various national conferences as well therefore, many issues were revised after the conferences because teachers would make you aware of things you did not think of.
Zaiboon: Tell us about your international experience at the International Innovative Teacher Forum in the USA in December 2006.
Abdullah: It was an amazing and an exhilarating experience that made me appreciate teaching even more. You know when you meet with teachers from all over the world, from more than 30 countries, you realise just how little you know and do. My colleague, Paul van Zyl, also from SA shared the same view. What impressed me greatly was how teachers from other countries appreciate what we are doing in South Africa. They were really impressed by the establishment of Muslim Schools as a world wide phenomenon. It’s very difficult to express what I learnt in the short space of time save to say that the sponsors, Microsoft and SchoolnetSA, made it more memorable in that they highlighted our ideas to the world. The overwhelming feeling was when my name was called out as the runner up in the teachers’ choice – it was something I really did not expect from amongst the great teachers from across the world. Allah loves me and therefore, I believe this award is a gift from Allah because; I joined the profession feeling that it would take me across the world and yes, I see it happening – alhamdulillah.
When we visited the School of the Future in Philadelphia, I was flabbergasted at this institution. It is a school that is really high tech and it has all the trimmings and trappings to make teaching a dream, for example each lesson is recorded and can be downloaded from the school’s webpage and all the pupils have their own laptops as ‘notebooks’. There is just so much to say however, the one thing that really surprised me is the ignorance of Islam even in the teaching fraternity. The fact that I teach at a Muslim school some teachers wanted to know what brand of Islam I teach – I don’t blame them save to say that they are so caught up in web of deceit of Islam on the airwaves and that is why I focus on integrating media into lessons. I have so much more to say but, it would need more time. If log on to www.schoolnetSA.co.za you will find more details and also the Thutong Portal on the world wide web you will learn more of the Innovative Teacher.
The one teacher’s work with grade 1’s really made me jump out of my skin. It was a school in New Zealand where grade 1 pupils would create their own blog on the world wide web, have their own dedicated website and post all their work on their blog and this would be carried through to the next grade – it was really awesome to see these children’s work on the web. It’s not just writings but, picture drawings, assessments and so much more. So you can imagine what their Grade R learning is like.
Zaiboon: That sounds really interesting and yes, all praise is due to Allah, HE has blessed you. Now tell me about Cii and SAFM and your articles you write for this magazine.
Abdullah: I tell my pupils that ‘I do what I tell you to do’ therefore, when the idea of radio broadcasting came to mind I had to get on radio. Allah presented me with the opportunity with Radio Islam from its inception where I did the Youth Forum slot which I then handed over to my pupil, Asad Sather, back then who managed it for 4 years. When I joined Cii after my return from Saudi Arabia, I wanted to focus on a slot that was exclusive to education. Omar Farouk, the programme manager of Cii, allowed me that privilege and the programme is now 3 years old and going very strong – alhamdulillah. The name of the programme is Educational Forum and every year pupils that I teach are identified to do the programme in December of that year. This year Muhammad Shaahid Abdool handled the program with so much verve and it makes me feel so good. Cii is really keen in this part of its social outreach programme. Cii is really interested to make a difference in their standards all the time and are very appreciative of the work all their employees do. It has come to our notice at Cii that we are doing something unique on this regard in that we have a special programme dedicated to education on a weekly basis. The programme is aired on Wednesday evenings at 8pm CAT (Central African Time).
About SAFM (104-107 on FM), well I do the program called ‘This new day’ – it is a program where presenters from the major religions present a 3 minute inspiration every Friday mornings at about 5:30am or 6:05am. It was the exuberant Mr Idrees Khamisa who introduced me to the SAFM team and got me to do a programme and since then, I have been on SAFM – Alhamdulillah. In the year I would present for 3 or 4 months.
About writing for Al-Huda, may Allah reward you for the opportunity you gave me and, it is a pleasure and again its part of the motto to my pupils that ‘what I tell you to do I do’. The articles are characterised by current issues and whatever I feel is important to write about. In fact all the articles are posted on my blogspot: rendezvousofminds@blogspot.com
Zaiboon: I have so much more to ask but time and space is a limitation save to say that it is pleasure listening to your programme. I am still eager to know why you cut your teaching stint short in Saudi Arabia, which school was and is the best for you, the number of A’s you attained this year at the RIS and something brief about the madressah, Sabeerlur-Rashaad, that you are part of in Sharpeville.
Abdullah: Now that’s a lot of questions…lets take it from the top. In KSA I found that the education system did not lend itself to innovative practice and it limited the teacher and pupil. For example, in all the expensive textbooks the teacher would use an industrial stapler to staple pages together that had anything to do with the holocaust – a ghastly deed we as Muslims had nothing to do with even if there was an Al-Qaeda back then! Furthermore, in lower grades you had to shade in the trunk of the elephant because it is considered as a phallic symbol. Therefore, my wife and decided to come back citing the above as just one of the key issues of discontent. However, I should say that many South Africans are teaching in the KSA and are enjoying it. I found it strange that a people who have so much potential are duped by an unsuitable Americanised syllabus in keeping them backward when they have the language of the Quran to spur them on to be the educational leaders of the world. Really Zaiboon, money is not an issue in KSA – I have been to a school in KSA that is so huge and beautiful and has an Olympic size swimming pool on the second floor! This should tell you that they can put up the best of the best institutions of learning in the world at any cost but, the system needs to address the socio-political issues more relevantly and correctly.
I have no best school save to say that I make the school I teach in the best and believe it can be the best in the world. If there is a best school for me, it would be the raised platform in blessed Madina where the best (Sahaba R.A.) learned from the very best – Nabi Muhammad (S.A.W).
Zaiboon, This whole “A” symbol campaign drive concerns me. I don’t teach for an ‘A’ symbol but, for life because, life is what people live and not their A’s. Al-hamdulillah, the pupils I taught attained 8A’s, 7B’s many attained C symbols and fortunately none of the pupils failed… I mean did you ever ask the doctor how many A’s he/she got before you take the treatment?... Yes, you do need ‘A’ performing candidates but, that is not the end all and be all of teaching because, every pupil has the potential to serve humanity. Finally on this point, Allah says in the holy Quran to the effect that HE does not look at your wealth and appearances but at your hearts and your deeds, therefore, we need to impress service to humanity in our teaching. Thus, an “A” candidate with this impression will leave a legacy of greatness for others to follow… What’s the point of an ‘A’ candidate without a refined Islamic character and sense of service to humanity? – A mere mortal living like an animal.
Unfortunately, today’s world dominates the mind and heart towards self-aggrandisement and we have become brainwashed to the extent of fighting with teachers if our children don’t get A’s! Somehow all this makes my stomach churn. I mean, Zaiboon, Nabi Muhammad (S.A.W) was unlettered but He had the desire for truth and Allah made Him a Nabi and gave Him the holy Quran for guidance therefore, if we can instil in our children the desire seek truth & knowledge Allah would make them great and acceptable as HE did with the Sahaba (R.A.) Please give this thought and lets talk about it at a later stage –inshallah.
The madressah in Sharpeville is about 13 years old and it began with some very dedicated men who are still involved in the affairs of the madressah and this year we hope to build the first masjid in Sharpeville. My job is just to administrate the madressah on a part time basis.
Zaiboon: Alhamdulillah. I knew your dad, Mr.Ali Bhai Sujee, and he was remarkable man. Tell me what your thoughts are when you know that people know your father more than you because, you were very young when he passed on to Allah.
Abdullah: Al-hamdulillah…It’s the most difficult thing to live in the shadow of a great personality but, it is so inspirational to have your father as an icon of success especially when he enjoined in good and forbade the evil to please Allah alone. Therefore I really miss him, may Allah grant him Janatul-Firdose, in these times because, I also believe he was a remarkable man. However, I have my mother and that makes me proud because, she is a pillar of strength and makes me know who my dad was. Then my late father’s friends… you know they inspire me more because, they would talk about him as if he was alive and is advising them on issues of faithful work for Allah…really it’s amazing. In all of this again, I feel blessed to have had a dad like my dad. So I say to all and sundry, look after your parents because, the legacy they leave behind are the ones you follow… Allah teaches us that Allah’s displeasure lies in one father’s displeasure and that Jannah lies at the feet of the mother…
…Conversely, I say to all parents be noble and create a legacy of good to please Allah because, that is what will be your Thwaab-be-jarriah. And what better way to receive it i.e. through your own children’s actions.
May Allah help and guide us.
Zaiboon: Alhamdulillah. Now we out of space and time what are your future plans?
Abdullah: Allah knows best. I hope to advance my studies and progress in the field of education to the best advantage for the ummah and to write books – inshallah.
Zaiboon: Jazakallahu-ghairan for your time any may Allah grant you your dreams and wishes.
Al-Huda attempts to interview people who have made progress in their respective fields of study and work. In this regard we hope to shed light of the potentials Allah has blessed them with and how they use it. Therefore, we hope that you will be inspired and motivated to tap into your talents and use it to progress in life to please Allah.
Teacher of the year
In this month’s edition we interview Abdullah Sujee who won the Innovative Teachers’ Award in South Africa and then represented South Africa in the International Teachers’ Forum in Philadelphia, USA where he was voted in as the runner up in the best teacher category. In an interview with him I wanted to get a deeper insight to this person who I know for a long time. The competition was first national and than All of Africa and thereafter, the two winners were selected i.e. Abdullah Sujee of Roshnee Islamic School and Paul van Zyl of St.Johns.
The ITF in the USA was judged on 3 C’s and the fourth been the teachers’ choice of the best educator. The first C : Content i.e. how you use the curriculum design of your country over a number of years to produce innovative ideas that lends itself to ICT – integrated computer technology and Media orientation. The second C: Community i.e. how the school and its community is involved in your teaching style in overt, subtle, direct and indirect ways through the integration of the school’s extr-mural and co-curricular activities. The third C i.e. collaboration – this means how you formed Joint Ventures over a number of years with schools, communities, companies and established avenues of learning such that the image of one’s country is enhanced. The fourth category is where all the teachers who won in their respective countries or continents would vote in whom they thought was the best educator – it was in this category that Abdullah Sujee won an award. The judges were from various countries and are involved in education in various ways.
Zaiboon: Abdullah give us a background to your study years and you’re first few years of teaching so that we can paint a picture of you to the readers.
Abdullah : In the name of Allah, the Merciful. I completed my schooling in Roshnee at the Roshnee Secondary School and then pursued my studies at the University of Durban-Westville now known as the University of KZN. The career of course was teaching. After completing my studies I began teaching at Roshnee Secondary school and I really enjoyed teaching at the school. Allah blessed me with the HoD English post and then the Deputy Principal post at the same school. However, shortly after attaining that position I decided to go abroad to Saudi Arabia to teach English. My wife and taught at the same school in Saudi Arabia for one year and then returned to South Africa. Upon returning I took up a temporary teaching post at General Smuts High School and I was then offered a permanent post at the Roshnee Islamic School to teach Islamic studies, which I accepted. Allah blessed me with the Deputy Principal post again, the HoD English and to steer the Life Orientation Department. In a nutshell this is my background.
Zaiboon: Al-hamdulillah. Why did you choose teaching as a career and not law or another career for example?
Abdullah: Well, what makes you think I wanted to be a lawyer…Anyway, it was career choice but of the three options I made for myself, teaching felt the career Allah opted for me because, I made inroads into study Textile Technology, Personal Management and Bproc Law but, it did not gel into reality as did teaching. You should know that the year after matric I did not study because of the issues around career planning. Teaching therefore, is more a vocation for me than a career because; it requires you to love the profession more than life itself because teaching is life! As a Muslim therefore, teaching is a great practical sunnah because it revolves around developing the human potential to recognise Allah.
Zaiboon: Tell us about all that you do that made you win the Innovative Teachers Awards in South Africa and the Award in the USA and do you see yourself as the teacher of the year or the best in SA.
Abdullah: Let me begin with the last part of the question first. I do not see myself as the best nor do I consider myself as the best in SA or anywhere else for that matter. What I do see myself as, is a person that wants to be the best in whatever I do because, that is the Prophetic example. I felt the competition/forum that was organised by Microsoft was only a means to get some exposure to the great teachers of the world and their innovative practices.
Zaiboon, All praise is for Allah, the thrust of the classroom is to connect the world outside the classroom with the classroom itself. Therefore, the world of media plays a major part in all my lessons such that today I use PowerPoint Presentations, audio streaming, radio, TV and Integrated Computer technology in lessons. This means making learning more integrated and holistic. For example, in the teaching of Shakespeare’s plays, pupils would have to produce an audio assignment on the play i.e. they had to produce a main news bulletin, secondary news flash, an advert, a letter to the editor and anything else. All this has to come out from the play thus, enticing the pupil to read the play – you do know that pupils today don’t really read their novels and plays. The same lesson would apply to novels and short stories. Pupils would also produce a film on a play or novel and you can imagine how they would have to ‘read’ the set work to identify setting and props to produce the effect of the writer. Mind you, it made pupils read more critically i.e. looking into the text for specific clues to heighten the image on screen. Furthermore, when pupils would be taught poetry through the use of P.P.Presentations and the internet, they would post their comments on the web and compare their comments with people across the world – this was an amazing feat! The ideas that I presented here has been presented at various national conferences as well therefore, many issues were revised after the conferences because teachers would make you aware of things you did not think of.
Zaiboon: Tell us about your international experience at the International Innovative Teacher Forum in the USA in December 2006.
Abdullah: It was an amazing and an exhilarating experience that made me appreciate teaching even more. You know when you meet with teachers from all over the world, from more than 30 countries, you realise just how little you know and do. My colleague, Paul van Zyl, also from SA shared the same view. What impressed me greatly was how teachers from other countries appreciate what we are doing in South Africa. They were really impressed by the establishment of Muslim Schools as a world wide phenomenon. It’s very difficult to express what I learnt in the short space of time save to say that the sponsors, Microsoft and SchoolnetSA, made it more memorable in that they highlighted our ideas to the world. The overwhelming feeling was when my name was called out as the runner up in the teachers’ choice – it was something I really did not expect from amongst the great teachers from across the world. Allah loves me and therefore, I believe this award is a gift from Allah because; I joined the profession feeling that it would take me across the world and yes, I see it happening – alhamdulillah.
When we visited the School of the Future in Philadelphia, I was flabbergasted at this institution. It is a school that is really high tech and it has all the trimmings and trappings to make teaching a dream, for example each lesson is recorded and can be downloaded from the school’s webpage and all the pupils have their own laptops as ‘notebooks’. There is just so much to say however, the one thing that really surprised me is the ignorance of Islam even in the teaching fraternity. The fact that I teach at a Muslim school some teachers wanted to know what brand of Islam I teach – I don’t blame them save to say that they are so caught up in web of deceit of Islam on the airwaves and that is why I focus on integrating media into lessons. I have so much more to say but, it would need more time. If log on to www.schoolnetSA.co.za you will find more details and also the Thutong Portal on the world wide web you will learn more of the Innovative Teacher.
The one teacher’s work with grade 1’s really made me jump out of my skin. It was a school in New Zealand where grade 1 pupils would create their own blog on the world wide web, have their own dedicated website and post all their work on their blog and this would be carried through to the next grade – it was really awesome to see these children’s work on the web. It’s not just writings but, picture drawings, assessments and so much more. So you can imagine what their Grade R learning is like.
Zaiboon: That sounds really interesting and yes, all praise is due to Allah, HE has blessed you. Now tell me about Cii and SAFM and your articles you write for this magazine.
Abdullah: I tell my pupils that ‘I do what I tell you to do’ therefore, when the idea of radio broadcasting came to mind I had to get on radio. Allah presented me with the opportunity with Radio Islam from its inception where I did the Youth Forum slot which I then handed over to my pupil, Asad Sather, back then who managed it for 4 years. When I joined Cii after my return from Saudi Arabia, I wanted to focus on a slot that was exclusive to education. Omar Farouk, the programme manager of Cii, allowed me that privilege and the programme is now 3 years old and going very strong – alhamdulillah. The name of the programme is Educational Forum and every year pupils that I teach are identified to do the programme in December of that year. This year Muhammad Shaahid Abdool handled the program with so much verve and it makes me feel so good. Cii is really keen in this part of its social outreach programme. Cii is really interested to make a difference in their standards all the time and are very appreciative of the work all their employees do. It has come to our notice at Cii that we are doing something unique on this regard in that we have a special programme dedicated to education on a weekly basis. The programme is aired on Wednesday evenings at 8pm CAT (Central African Time).
About SAFM (104-107 on FM), well I do the program called ‘This new day’ – it is a program where presenters from the major religions present a 3 minute inspiration every Friday mornings at about 5:30am or 6:05am. It was the exuberant Mr Idrees Khamisa who introduced me to the SAFM team and got me to do a programme and since then, I have been on SAFM – Alhamdulillah. In the year I would present for 3 or 4 months.
About writing for Al-Huda, may Allah reward you for the opportunity you gave me and, it is a pleasure and again its part of the motto to my pupils that ‘what I tell you to do I do’. The articles are characterised by current issues and whatever I feel is important to write about. In fact all the articles are posted on my blogspot: rendezvousofminds@blogspot.com
Zaiboon: I have so much more to ask but time and space is a limitation save to say that it is pleasure listening to your programme. I am still eager to know why you cut your teaching stint short in Saudi Arabia, which school was and is the best for you, the number of A’s you attained this year at the RIS and something brief about the madressah, Sabeerlur-Rashaad, that you are part of in Sharpeville.
Abdullah: Now that’s a lot of questions…lets take it from the top. In KSA I found that the education system did not lend itself to innovative practice and it limited the teacher and pupil. For example, in all the expensive textbooks the teacher would use an industrial stapler to staple pages together that had anything to do with the holocaust – a ghastly deed we as Muslims had nothing to do with even if there was an Al-Qaeda back then! Furthermore, in lower grades you had to shade in the trunk of the elephant because it is considered as a phallic symbol. Therefore, my wife and decided to come back citing the above as just one of the key issues of discontent. However, I should say that many South Africans are teaching in the KSA and are enjoying it. I found it strange that a people who have so much potential are duped by an unsuitable Americanised syllabus in keeping them backward when they have the language of the Quran to spur them on to be the educational leaders of the world. Really Zaiboon, money is not an issue in KSA – I have been to a school in KSA that is so huge and beautiful and has an Olympic size swimming pool on the second floor! This should tell you that they can put up the best of the best institutions of learning in the world at any cost but, the system needs to address the socio-political issues more relevantly and correctly.
I have no best school save to say that I make the school I teach in the best and believe it can be the best in the world. If there is a best school for me, it would be the raised platform in blessed Madina where the best (Sahaba R.A.) learned from the very best – Nabi Muhammad (S.A.W).
Zaiboon, This whole “A” symbol campaign drive concerns me. I don’t teach for an ‘A’ symbol but, for life because, life is what people live and not their A’s. Al-hamdulillah, the pupils I taught attained 8A’s, 7B’s many attained C symbols and fortunately none of the pupils failed… I mean did you ever ask the doctor how many A’s he/she got before you take the treatment?... Yes, you do need ‘A’ performing candidates but, that is not the end all and be all of teaching because, every pupil has the potential to serve humanity. Finally on this point, Allah says in the holy Quran to the effect that HE does not look at your wealth and appearances but at your hearts and your deeds, therefore, we need to impress service to humanity in our teaching. Thus, an “A” candidate with this impression will leave a legacy of greatness for others to follow… What’s the point of an ‘A’ candidate without a refined Islamic character and sense of service to humanity? – A mere mortal living like an animal.
Unfortunately, today’s world dominates the mind and heart towards self-aggrandisement and we have become brainwashed to the extent of fighting with teachers if our children don’t get A’s! Somehow all this makes my stomach churn. I mean, Zaiboon, Nabi Muhammad (S.A.W) was unlettered but He had the desire for truth and Allah made Him a Nabi and gave Him the holy Quran for guidance therefore, if we can instil in our children the desire seek truth & knowledge Allah would make them great and acceptable as HE did with the Sahaba (R.A.) Please give this thought and lets talk about it at a later stage –inshallah.
The madressah in Sharpeville is about 13 years old and it began with some very dedicated men who are still involved in the affairs of the madressah and this year we hope to build the first masjid in Sharpeville. My job is just to administrate the madressah on a part time basis.
Zaiboon: Alhamdulillah. I knew your dad, Mr.Ali Bhai Sujee, and he was remarkable man. Tell me what your thoughts are when you know that people know your father more than you because, you were very young when he passed on to Allah.
Abdullah: Al-hamdulillah…It’s the most difficult thing to live in the shadow of a great personality but, it is so inspirational to have your father as an icon of success especially when he enjoined in good and forbade the evil to please Allah alone. Therefore I really miss him, may Allah grant him Janatul-Firdose, in these times because, I also believe he was a remarkable man. However, I have my mother and that makes me proud because, she is a pillar of strength and makes me know who my dad was. Then my late father’s friends… you know they inspire me more because, they would talk about him as if he was alive and is advising them on issues of faithful work for Allah…really it’s amazing. In all of this again, I feel blessed to have had a dad like my dad. So I say to all and sundry, look after your parents because, the legacy they leave behind are the ones you follow… Allah teaches us that Allah’s displeasure lies in one father’s displeasure and that Jannah lies at the feet of the mother…
…Conversely, I say to all parents be noble and create a legacy of good to please Allah because, that is what will be your Thwaab-be-jarriah. And what better way to receive it i.e. through your own children’s actions.
May Allah help and guide us.
Zaiboon: Alhamdulillah. Now we out of space and time what are your future plans?
Abdullah: Allah knows best. I hope to advance my studies and progress in the field of education to the best advantage for the ummah and to write books – inshallah.
Zaiboon: Jazakallahu-ghairan for your time any may Allah grant you your dreams and wishes.
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