Friday, July 18, 2008

If He Knows That I'm Trying

It is so simple. It's perhaps the least complicated, the truest thing in the world- Islam. It is unbelievable how difficult we make it for ourselves, the tiny little doubts that begin to form as we grow older and become more "educated." The concept of religion becomes more of a fantasy. Suddenly, you're blindsided. All those things you've been taught as a kid, all those things you grew up reciting- do you really mean it? Suddenly religion becomes a personal battle as you struggle to convince yourself that you believe it. That is what you call a religious crisis. Me- I'm guilty of it myself and as I found out, I'm not alone. I underwent a personal journey, discovered Islam for myself. It really was more about what I learned on my own- not things I was taught in Islamic school or things people tell me are Islam. Although those are great resources to strengthen faith, it really became about finding answers to the questions that I had and just understanding what I believed. This whole journey broadens perspective and allows you to understand what you believe instead of reciting something you may not even know the meaning to. The truth is, Islam is amazing. It's more than amazing, its just enough to take your breath away, kind of boggle your mind. The science, the morals, and the perfection is something really worth discovering and I know that there are Muslims out there who have no idea of its greatness. I just think the journey to understanding Islam, really understanding it, is a journey worth taking whether you're a born Muslim, a convert to Islam, or just someone looking for some answers. To people who might be going through this religious crisis, especially in a country where Islam is not supported or has a stigma attached to it, here is a little something that I hope will help:

If He knows that I'm trying
He will allow me to see
If He knows that I'm trying
He will rescue me from me
If He knows that I'm trying
He'll show me the way
If He knows that I'm trying
He'll never let me stray
If He knows that I'm trying
He knows that it's hard
If He knows that I'm trying
My faith He will guard
If He knows that I'm trying
He knows of those nights
If He knows that I'm trying
He'll fill them with light
If He knows that I'm trying
He knows of my doubts
If He knows that I'm trying
He'll clear up the route
He knows that I'm trying
Sees when I fall
He knows that I'm trying
Because He knows it all
And though I have questions
At times am unsure
When He knows that I'm trying
My faith will endure

We all have questions sometimes. We all have doubts and I'm the last person to say that I have figured out everything about Islam. The truth is though, that as long as you keep searching for the answers, as long as you keep trying to find them, I can guarantee that Islam will not disappoint. All you have to do is just really try and Allah will guide you. When He knows that you're trying, He won't let you down. Just trust Him.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello

I am born Muslim and reading your post i felt like you talking about me. I am 18 years old and i have been in state of confusion for long time. Sometimes you don't know what to say about what you have been taught. I recited things i don't even understand.

Like you said Islam is an amaazing and breath taking faith which is why i too am working to learn to read the quran and learn Arabic to understand it. It really is hard to believe with heart.

Nice AND very true poem.

Muslimah said...

Sorry i accident post my comment as anonymous.

Muslima said...

Hey Muslimah,

I'm 18 years old too and I totally know what you're going through which is why I wrote this post. It's really hard to focus on religion when you have so many questions and you can't ask anyone without them panicking, but the fact that you are even reading this post shows that you are working through the doubts. I like to remember that Allah guides who He chooses and as long as you are persistent in your faith and looking for answers, you can rest assured that in the end Allah WILL guide you through it all.