S.T M 5/18/26
Today I went to class, I arrived at 8:57. For this week’s class, what I was required to bring and know was the full two page English translation of the prayer. I had studied and memorized most of it, every line from beginning to end. That was the only thing I was supposed to know coming in. I did not know beforehand that we would be going over the course concepts in class, so I had not prepared or reviewed those. My focus going into class was entirely on the English translation of the prayer, which I had made sure to know completely.
This week’s class was a thorough and meaningful review of all the concepts we have covered so far in the program. Our instructor went through the material in chronological order, calling on different students to explain each concept and filling in details where explanations were incomplete. The class was highly interactive and helped reinforce ideas that had already been introduced while also giving me a clearer and more connected understanding of how all of these principles relate to each other and to Islam as a whole.
One of the most foundational concepts reviewed was the tree trunk. The tree trunk represents the belief in one God, with all the different world religions branching off from this single root. This is a powerful way to understand Tawheed, which is the Islamic belief in the absolute oneness of Allah. Islam, like other divine religions before it, came to restore and protect this fundamental truth. During the time of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, many people had strayed from this belief and worshipped idols and false gods. The Quran came to guide humanity back to the pure belief in one Creator. This concept helps us understand why so many religions share similar moral teachings, they all originally came from the same divine source.
We reviewed CCA, which stands for Context, Common Sense, and Accountability. This is a framework for how to think and interpret situations in daily life. When facing a question or decision, we first use context to understand the full picture. We then apply common sense to reason through it. Finally, we are held accountable for whatever conclusion we reach and act upon. This framework is especially relevant in Islam because many situations are not explicitly addressed in religious texts, and so Muslims are expected to think critically and responsibly.
Accountability is one of the most important aspects of this concept because it means we cannot blame others for our choices, every person will stand before Allah and answer for the decisions they made.
Related to CCA is QHA, which stands for Quran, Hadith, and Accountability. This is the framework specifically for answering questions within an Islamic context. When a Muslim needs guidance on something specific, the first source they turn to is the Quran, which is the direct word of Allah. If the Quran does not address the matter specifically, they turn to the Hadith, which are the recorded sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The Hadith provide context, detail, and exceptions that help clarify the Quran’s teachings. If neither source directly answers the question, then the person uses context, common sense, and accountability. This system shows that Islam is a practical, living faith that equips its followers with tools to navigate any situation thoughtfully.
Universal values were also discussed. Universal values are moral principles that exist across all of humanity, regardless of religious background. For example, virtually everyone agrees that murdering an innocent person is wrong, that stealing is wrong, and that honesty matters. These shared moral instincts exist because Allah created human beings with a natural sense of right and wrong. The Quran reinforces these values by emphasizing justice, compassion, honesty, patience, and kindness. The Ten Commandments, which are central to several religious traditions, reflect many of the same principles found in Islamic teaching. This shows that divine guidance throughout history has consistently pointed human beings toward the same core truths.
The virtual oil jug analogy was reviewed as well. Every person is born carrying a full oil jug, which represents the wrongs, bad deeds, and spiritual debt accumulated through life. Every sincere good deed drains a little oil from the jug. The goal is to empty the jug before death. If the jug is not emptied before a person dies, it explodes, representing the severe spiritual consequences in the afterlife. This analogy is a powerful reminder that good deeds are not optional or cosmetic. They are essential tools for spiritual cleansing and growth. The jug also connects to the numbers one, five, and six, which represent different levels of spiritual standing.
The phone connect analogy was revisited to explain what is needed for salah to be effective. Just as a phone needs battery, a number to call, and a strong connection to make a successful call, prayer requires certain conditions to be meaningful. A person needs to be fully charged spiritually, meaning they should come to prayer with intention and energy, not laziness or distraction. They need to know what they are saying, just as knowing the correct number is essential. And they need a strong connection with Allah built through consistent worship, good deeds, and sincerity. Without these elements, prayer becomes hollow and disconnected, like a call that never goes through.
S bucks, or spiritual bucks, represent the spiritual currency a person accumulates through good deeds. These spiritual points increase every time a person does something good with sincerity. When making dua, a person needs enough S bucks for their dua to be accepted. When a dua is accepted, those bucks are spent, which motivates continuous good deeds. However, a critical condition is sincerity, S bucks earned without true intention will not carry the same weight. Our instructor shared a deeply important reminder: Allah will be there for us immediately when we need Him if we remember Him when we do not need Him. This means that a person who only turns to Allah during hardship has a weaker relationship than one who maintains constant remembrance, gratitude, and connection regardless of circumstances.
The soap or water analogy describes the difference between sincere effort and careless action. Washing with only water represents going through the motions without focus or genuine intent. Adding soap represents sincerity, determination, and full spiritual engagement. In Islam, the intention behind an action is just as important as the action itself. Someone who prays only to be seen by others, or gives charity only for praise, gains little spiritual benefit. True worship requires soap, real focus, real sincerity, and a real relationship with Allah.
The karate chop analogy connects to focus during salah. A martial artist concentrates all of their physical energy into one precise point to break a brick. That total concentration is what makes the action effective. Similarly, Muslims are called to concentrate entirely during prayer rather than letting their minds wander. The mind should not be on homework, plans for later, or distractions around the room. True salah requires the same focused energy as the karate chop, all of it directed toward Allah.
The eight seconds concept teaches gradual improvement. In bull riding, a rider earns points for every eight seconds they remain on the bull, improving incrementally with each attempt. This was compared to building focus and quality in salah. No one achieves perfect concentration in prayer overnight. It is a skill built slowly, through consistent practice, discipline, and small improvements over time. Even a small increase in focus each week is valuable and pleasing to Allah when it is sincere.
Bridge and forgive is one of the most important and sobering concepts in the course. On the Day of Judgment, a person’s relationship with Allah is separate from their relationship with other people. Sins against Allah can be forgiven through sincere repentance. But wrongs done to other people, harm, injustice, betrayal, unpaid debts, broken trust, are a different matter. Those who were wronged have a claim against the wrongdoer. If forgiveness is not sought and granted, those unresolved wrongs can hold a person back on the Day of Judgment. This teaches the enormous importance of repairing relationships, apologizing sincerely, and treating people with justice and respect every single day.
The rope teaches us never to judge others. The rope represents the thin thread of faith that a person holds onto no matter how far they may have strayed. Even someone who appears deeply lost may still have a sincere, invisible connection to their faith. We cannot see into people’s hearts, and Allah is the only true judge of a person’s inner state. This concept calls for humility, compassion, and the avoidance of arrogance or condemnation toward others.
BS, or Belief and Sincerity, teaches that belief without sincerity is incomplete. A person may say the right words and perform the right actions outwardly, but if sincerity is absent, the spiritual value is greatly reduced. Islam is not a religion of performance for others, it is a personal, sincere relationship between a person and Allah. Every act of worship, charity, and kindness should come from a genuine place within the heart.
The broccoli analogy teaches patience with the process of growth. Broccoli may not be appealing at the moment, but its benefits for the body are real and long lasting. In the same way, good habits, discipline, and sincere worship may feel difficult in the present, but their spiritual benefits accumulate over time. This analogy encourages us not to give up simply because we do not see immediate results.
The distinction between goats and sheep reminds us to be independent thinkers and leaders rather than followers. Goats represent people who take control of their own lives, think for themselves, and lead with responsibility. Sheep represent those who blindly follow the crowd without questioning whether the direction is right or wrong. Islam calls its followers to be goats, thoughtful, responsible, and firm in their values even when facing pressure to compromise.
The slacker, cruiser, and hacker framework describes three levels of effort. A slacker does the bare minimum. A cruiser does what is comfortable and required but no more. A hacker pushes themselves to constantly improve and go beyond what is expected. Islam encourages believers to be hackers in their worship, character, and knowledge, always striving to become better rather than settling for bare minimum.
K wisdom highlights the important difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is the accumulation of information and facts. Wisdom is knowing how to apply that knowledge appropriately in real life. A person can memorize the entire Quran without understanding how to live by it. The Quran repeatedly praises those with wisdom, because wisdom is what transforms knowledge into meaningful action.
Predestination is the Islamic belief that Allah has already written what will happen in the universe. However, this does not remove human responsibility. Allah has given people free will, and they are accountable for their choices. Predestination and free will coexist in Islam, what is written reflects Allah’s complete knowledge of what people will choose, not a removal of their agency. Free will and Shaytaan were also discussed: Shaytaan tempts people and tries to lead them astray, but he cannot force anyone to sin. Each person is responsible for resisting temptation and choosing good.
The blue and white concept is a meditation practice used at the beginning of class before salah. The goal is to clear the mind and enter a state of focused calm before prayer. We visualize the color blue slowly covering their body from the feet upward, calming and stilling the mind. They then envision their soul as pure white. Finally, they say “Allah … hu.” This practice prepares the heart and mind for meaningful prayer and prevents salah from becoming a rushed or distracted routine.
The four pledges were also recited and reviewed: the pledge of allegiance, the pledge of faith, the pledge of knowledge, and the pledge of voluntariness. These pledges represent the student’s commitment to the values and responsibilities of the program.