How Islam Helped my Indecision!
I think I was 20 when I picked up a Quran at my local library. I was meant to be doing an assignment for uni, but for whatever reason I went looking for an English version of the Quran instead.
With so many non-Muslims are reading the Quran these days Alhamdulillah, it got me thinking of when I also started reading it.
I had been learning a lot about it inadvertently from my uni classes – Islam seemed to positively permeate through a lot of my lessons. I also had been reading a lot of books – some was just because I was doing an assignment on the 5 pillars of Islam -YES, I wasn’t Muslim and was learning about the main parts of Islam! I think it was for my religion and philosophy course.
Anyways, I found I was really taken by how much the religion was in line with my own values – I was known in our friendship circle as the non-drinker, non-smoker etc … the ‘sensible one’ I guess! And my parents always raised my siblings and I not to speak negatively – “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all”, and swearing was also frowned upon.
And actually it was the emphasis on good character that really drew me in. And I noticed I became even more aware of my actions, and found myself standing up for others in the workplace, which was, to my relief, received so well.
I would even have in depth chats with another co-worker as we folded clothes (retail chicks – when you know, u know!). She was religious herself (I can’t remember which religion but maybe Catholic). Something that would always come up for me was, how do we, as people, KNOW what we should be doing. What is the best way to act in situations. Because what seems fine to person A seems wrong to person B. And she would always say to me, but God Loves us so He’ll forgive us for everything. We just try our best.
But there was still no direction. I was still having to use my own judgement – based off of societal norms or whoever was in my life at the time to try and make big life decisions. In a world full of different advice and opinions that were either waaaaay left or right, I found it overwhelming.
And this is what I loved – and still love – about Islam. Whatever situation in life – there was guidance. Even if I fall short, I KNOW what I should be aiming for. And that brings me comfort. If I’m faced with a decision, I look what Allah Guides us to do, and go that path. And if it doesn’t turn out how I expected, then I take comfort in knowing I still did the right thing, and know there was good in it.
I cannot tell you how much peace this brings me.Alhamdulillah.
About
Emma L. Halim is an award-winning and best-selling author, songwriter, educator & editor from Australia. It’s also possible she invented spaceships, pavlova and the Frisbee… oh wait. Nope, she didn’t, but she is good at telling stories that grab people’s attention.
