As the series of weekly programs under the auspices of the Anjuman at Madar-e-Ilmi Darul Uloom Deoband ceases in anticipation of the annual examination, the writing also stops immediately. To move this caravan forward requires considerable courage and firm resolve. But as this intention is being put into practice, the academic days start again. In this way, almost two months pass without picking up a pen. After such a long time, it is not easy to move the pen and bring together scattered thoughts and put them on paper.
My condition is also the same, that the passion for essay writing that had settled in since the beginning of education, that passion remained intact; but the series of writing in a broken manner, it ended completely near the annual examination. Whatever I had intended to write and read during the holidays, firstly, heart-wrenching and sudden accidents ruined that intention, and then the trouble of Tarawih and harvesting completed the remaining deficiency.
Now, after many days, I have been granted the ability to pick up the pen by God Almighty, but I am unable to write anything. Words are not supporting me, my mind has become frozen, laziness and lethargy are riding on my head, and picking up the pen seems nothing less than a burden. In such a situation, the noble saying of the cause of creation, Muhammad Rasulullah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), "The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are continuous, even if they are small"
(Ma'rifat al-Sunan wal-Athar 5197) becomes even more clear in its truth and meaning, why did the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) consider that action to be the most beloved and preferred by Allah, which is adopted with continuity and permanence? This is because when laziness, sloth, and negligence intervene, then girding up one's loins for any work anew is tantamount to bringing milk from a lioness. Therefore, whatever the work may be, regardless of whether it is small or large, it should be continued continuously, even if mountains of obstacles stand in the way. All obstacles, all impediments, and all accidents must be faced, and this work must be continued with regularity and permanence. Only then can the boat reach the shore of the sea, and we can be successful.
✍️: Muhammad Shahid Gudawi