Final part of the series with internationally acclaimed author Umm Zakiyah!!!
by Umm Zakiyyah
What is the best feeling you’ve gotten from being a ________________. Please fill in and describe the situation.
Muslim. I know it sounds cliché, but for me that’s the one thing that is most fulfilling for me. I reflect often on how, perhaps, one day I will no longer be a writer or teacher. Perhaps, one day there will be no children growing up under my care, and perhaps even my husband will have passed from this world. So, to me, even today, my Islam is all I have, or ever will have, of worth in the end. I feel this most intensely when I see another person accept Islam and my eyes flood with tears, or when I’m praying late at night when everyone is asleep and tears slip down my cheeks as I realize that I have the opportunity for the best gift anyone can be awarded—Paradise, and I think, SubhaanAllaah, can there be a better feeling than this?
What is your favorite book (besides the Quran J) ? What are you currently reading?
I don’t know that I have a favorite book per se, because my favorites fall into categories, but I would say that my favorite Islamic-learning book is Du’a the Weapon of the Believer by Abu Ammar Yasir Qadhi ; my favorite Islamic-themed book is From My Sisters’ Lips by Na’ima B. Robert; my favorite “secular” book is The Surrendered Wife by Laura Doyle; and my favorite novel is The Land by Mildred D. Taylor. Currently, I’ve just finished reading Establish the Prayers and the Prize is Paradise by Abdul-Malik Al-Qasim, and I’m currently reading so many other books that I need to narrow them down and focus on one, which is extremely difficult for me J. But one of the ones I’ve set my mind to finish is Life is an Open Secret: Think About It by Zabrina A. Bakar.
Many sisters have hidden talents, what’s your advice to them about pursuing their passions?
I’m constantly intrigued when I meet so many sisters who have amazing talents, and I’m often in awe as I sit and listen to them speak and reminisce. However, there is a tinge of sadness in my heart as I witness how much of their talking is so past tense, as if their current life—due to Islam, marriage, or motherhood—is mutually exclusive to their ability, or right, to capitalize on the talents Allah has given them. I don’t know that I have one piece of advice that would suffice for all of my talented Muslim sisters, but I advise this: Take your life by the reins, and cease being a passive passenger on its inevitably bumpy ride. There is no “perfect life” or “perfect opportunity” wherein all the obstructions to your life goals miraculously fall away and an intense light illuminates your path to success, and you merely walk, unchallenged, down the road. Anyone who has achieved anything in life achieved it because they found a way to keep going, to stay focused, even through the turbulent winds and torrential rains that characterize every life—not because they weathered no storms. And know, too, that the grass is rarely greener on the other side—and even in the rare cases that it actually is greener, it’s only because someone watered their grass—and pulled weeds—more than you. So be honest with yourself and look deep within to find the real reason you aren’t tapping into your “not-so-hidden” talents to benefit yourself and others.
I know for some sisters the reason is simply that they haven’t found a way to recapture that talent and motivation in an Islamically appropriate context, or they have so many other burdens on their shoulders that they can’t see beyond the stress of daily life itself. I know too that others have deeply personal issues that require a spiritual and practical makeover in their lives and the lives of their families. However, in any case, it’s important to remember that Islam, as well as marriage and motherhood, is life itself, not separate from it. So find your personal motivation within your Islamic and personal life, and ask Allah to help you find yourself and practical purpose in a manner that is pleasing to Him, and that does not in any way take away from your spiritual or family life, but that, in fact, enhances them both.
What’s something that you want to leave as your legacy?
I hope that my legacy is established through the success of my novels in Muslim and non-Muslim circles as tangible evidence of a practicing Muslim of contemporary times having capitalized on success in this world and the Next without sacrificing, but rather enhancing, my worldly and spiritual endeavors in the process.
What’s next? Any upcoming engagements or events you’d like to share with us?
For now, I’m working on more novels, and prayers for their successful completion are certainly appreciatedJ. Also, look out for a book trailer for my latest novel Realities of Submission in May, inshaaAllaah.
My Goal is to use SIS to exemplify how we all can tap into our own personal strengths and use them to magnify Allah (swt). What are your final thoughts about achieving this lifelong challenge?
Focus on Allah, your prayer, and your soul…and you’ll find your personal strengths, as well as opportunities to capitalize on them, sprout from places you never imagined.
Lastly, Jazak Allahu Khair for your time and patienceJ! May Allah continue to bless you and allow you to let your light be a shining example for others!
Wa iyyak, and may Allah bless you for being a means to show others that Islam broadens, not shrinks, our horizons, in this world and the Next…if pleasing Allah is truly our life’s goal.
Thanks for letting your light shine!
Teacher Tamara
© 2009 Teacher~Tamara ™. All rights reserved.
teachertamara
this is a really inspiring interview,thanks i pray that the young people take the advice. may Allah bless you both .
SIS is a wonderful segment, Teacher T, mashaAllah…keep it up!! As usual, UmmZ drops mad gems. I think her statements:
“much of their talking is so past tense, as if their current life—due to Islam, marriage, or motherhood—is mutually exclusive to their ability, or right, to capitalize on the talents Allah has given them”
and
“it’s important to remember that Islam, as well as marriage and motherhood, is life itself, not separate from it. So find your personal motivation within your Islamic and personal life…”
can both be developed into books in their own right. How true the statements are, but how opposite trendy thinking. Bottom line, people don’t wanna realize that life is obligation as well as rights, and joy is to be found in both.
“Take your life by the reins, and cease being a passive passenger on its inevitably bumpy ride. There is no “perfect life” or “perfect opportunity” wherein all the obstructions to your life goals miraculously fall away and an intense light illuminates your path to success, and you merely walk, unchallenged, down the road. Anyone who has achieved anything in life achieved it because they found a way to keep going, to stay focused, even through the turbulent winds and torrential rains that characterize every life—not because they weathered no storms. ”
Masha Allah, jazakiAllahu khairan for this precious advice sister Umm Zakiyyah!!
And jazakiAllahu khairan for this series and your inspiring blog Teacher Tamara.
Salaam, Sisters.
I love this statement: “And know, too, that the grass is rarely greener on the other side—and even in the rare cases that it actually is greener, it’s only because someone watered their grass—and pulled weeds—more than you.” It really makes you realize that if you want something great to happen in your life you’ve got to get up and do it. The grass isn’t naturally greener somewhere else!
Thanks Teacher Tamara and Umm Zakiyyah for having the strength, courage and determination to make the world more beautiful for all of us.
JazakAllahkhair Sis Jamila, I too hope and pray that this series and all of the articles are inspirational and useful. That’s exactly the point in doing the series, I hope sisters and brothers of all ages are inspired take something good away from it and build upon it to let their own lights begin to shine!
Sis Hibahmac I wholeheartedly agree joy and beauty are found when we give one another “our rights”. Fulfilling the responsibilites in a joyful manner only increases the joy that we have, it’s a big cycle. Jazak Allah for posting!
JazakAllahkhair Sis Zahra M. for reading and posting! MashaAllah these SIS sisters are amazing! SubhannaAllah, I am really excited about the series I can’t wait to bring you the rest! Stay tuned! Even though I conducted the interviews I STILL LEARN new things each time I read it again, and that’s great.
Yes Sis Sonia we must get up and get going! We never know what potential we have until we try. May Allah give us all the strength courage and determination to do His will, bettering our situation and that for others as well. It that baked chicken I smell
Jazak Allah for posting!