Learning from a Muslim! Yes, A Muslim!

It is hard to find individuals who can inspire! The great inspiration comes when you discern that the individual, who is inspiring you, is yet another human being who does not matter to the world as much as he matters to you. Recently, I have met a young boy in his early twenties who practices Islam. This boy is an inspiration for me for his simplicity and genuineness. He is straightforward, blunt and honest.

It amazes me that his belief, passion and devotedness towards Islam have not affected our relationship. The reason I say about affecting our relationship is my strong belief in Christianity and obsession with Jesus Christ. Usually there is a notion that people from different faiths who are strong in their beliefs do not get along. Our relationship is failing that idea because this boy is validating Christian scriptures for me! He makes the word of the Lord God real to me! I feel God is teaching me using a person from another belief as a vessel. How amazing is this feeling of knowing God and learning about Him Almighty from a person with a different belief.

Anyways, we have always heard and been told stories of religious persecution in different parts of the world. However, nobody highlights an amazing and inspiring story! The story I want to relate is of this young boy who goes out of his way and potentials to help another young boy of his age but from a different religion.  Being of same age tends to create competition and being from a different religion tends to bring about beliefs of superiority. However, this boy unknown of both, gave a good amount of money to help his friend who he genuinely called his brother. This amount was not lend or donated to his friend. This was a way to help a friend to progress towards a goal. It was a way to provide resource to a jobless friend who was trying to go abroad for higher education. This boy is pushing his friend so he could be independent! It boggles my mind that this Muslim boy does not for a second feel that he is helping a Christian. He is genuinely supporting! I am not undermining the flaws of this boy as an individual. However, when I was giving up on believing that there are still honest and genuine humans who live on this planet, God brought him. This boy demonstrated a genuine approach from his actions. He taught me that there are still people who live without an opportunistic approach.

Moreover, recently going through some series of queries I had for God. This person from a different belief answered my queries simply and precisely. He taught me how important it is to let God be in control! He taught me the acceptance of the will of God! He brought me out from this land of confusion to the land of clarity.

Last but not least, this young person taught me the specialty of pureness in our eyes. I live in United States of America, therefore I wear western clothes despite the fact that I was born and raised in Pakistan. I have no preference of what I should wear. I am a grab and go person. I love the rugged and easy look if I have no special events to attend. This boy disapproves of my western attire as for him my jeans, sweatshirt and boots makes me untraditional. He wants me to look traditional and cultural. He told me that if I am not wearing traditional clothes the day we meet, he will just walk away from me. Not out of anger but out of respect! He said that he gives me honor and reverence. He added that purity should be in his eyes for me. I love his approach of giving me honor by walking away. We always want people to change. We always want to cover people and change their attire claiming to view them with purity. However, this boy taught me that purity is in our own eyes. We should walk away if we see something impure. We should try and not indulge in what we consider not good. His idea of walking away from things, which according to him are not up to his purity and reverence standards inspire me.

This boy has influenced my life! However, having said all the nice things, I would still let him live his life. He definitely is an individual who make mistakes and is learning from them. He is a role model who teaches me from both his mistakes and genuine ways of success.

#JesusChrist #Islam #Muslim #learning #life #honest #God