2025 Aug HM M 13 Aug 24 2025
Sorry For it Being a bit late
I walked into the room a bit late that day. Next time you’re late, he said, “You will be removed from the program.”
As I took my seat, we started learning about the three pledges. First was the Pledge of Allegiance, a reminder of our loyalty and dedication to our country. Then came the Pledge of Faith, an affirmation of our beliefs and the principles that guide us in our daily lives. Lastly, the Pledge of Knowledge underscored our commitment to learning and personal growth.
We were introduced to an additional fourth pledge, which emphasized the nature of the program—we chose to be here, united in our pursuit of knowledge and self-improvement. The teacher reminded us that not only does he not have to teach us, but we also aren’t obligated to attend. It was a valuable reminder that the initiative must come from us.
After discussing the pledges, we shifted to the three core rules about being a muslim. They were simple yet important: First, make yourself better. This was about self-improvement and striving to reach our potential. Second, try to help make others better people—it’s about lifting those around us in our community. Lastly, strive to make the world a better place.
Our teacher then shifted the focus to an upcoming challenge: in the next two weeks, each of us must present a ten-minute presentation on a topic of our choice.
Following this announcement, the teacher delved into some teachings. He explained why we say “bismillah” before eating. Typically, we often overlook the significance of why we say it; it can become a habit. However, he emphasized that saying “bismillah” is important; it serves to feed and cleanse our souls.
As the lesson progressed, He explained that after we pass away, we will be questioned by angels. The questions would be important: Who is your lord? What is your religion? Who is your prophet?
We also reviewed the concept of the CCA, which stands for Common Sense and Accountability. This principle held us accountable for our actions, reinforcing that we are responsible for whatever we choose to do. He explained that if we do good in life, Allah will show us the good path. On the other hand, if we choose to do wrong, we would be shown a path filled with negative consequences.
An intriguing metaphor emerged from our discussion when the teacher explained that we should always strive to be a “goat,” which in this context meant to be a leader.
One very important aspect of our learning was understanding prayer on a very deep level. Rather than performing rituals out of obligation, he encouraged us to approach prayer consciously—to communicate directly with Allah, treating it as a personal conversation rather than a chore.
The lesson progressed, and we revisited the numbers that often held significance in our teachings: one, five, six. The number one symbolizes the belief in one God, while five represents the five daily prayers we are encouraged to undertake. To encapsulate this lesson, he told us how the prophet told us to do things in groups of three
As we navigated through these teachings, he presented an analogy involving soap and water,
After wrapping up the lighter discussion, he returned to the more serious matter of the “bridge to Junnah,” a representation of the afterlife. He elaborated on the concept that if you wrong someone in this life and you don’t ask for forgiveness, it could harm you in the afterlife. On the other hand, if someone wrongs you and they don’t seek your forgiveness, you gain the points they lost.
Finally, he shared the six benefits. After that, I left the room, and that was the end of the day.
Written by HM for my homework project