Few Minutes with Bala Muhammad - A Take Away
Few days ago, we had a meeting with one of our mentors in Kano, the learned Dr. Bala Muhammad of Daily Trust. As always, we were warmly received. Of course, I can't take you into details of our discussion (you wouldn't care, perhaps). But I will tell you two things you might find interesting; one of Dr. Bala and the other of myself.
Anytime I get the privilege to have time with learned people like Dr. Bala, in my humble and meek ways, I naturally become very observant of what they say and do during the little time we spend. I even observe the environment we spend the time (if it's theirs, not a hotel or someplace like that). By any means, I want to learn and take something home. That's the (silly?) thing about me.
The thing with Dr. Bala, which is why I wrote this, was: after he led us in Magrib Salat (evening prayer) which marked the end of our meeting, we shook hands and rise to say goodbye. While my friends were simultaneously but independently saying "thank you sir, God bless, thank you for your time and everything," I said something different that seem to caught his attention. He looked at me in the eyes, smiled and then said "you see, my philosophy in this life is this," we all returned to our seats even though he insisted we might stand if we wish, "by any means," Dr. Bala continued, "I have to sacrifice and offer the little (time and knowledge) I have."
He asked whether we know a certain Masjid (mosque) in Kano, where his father was the Imam before he passed away. Some of us answer in affirmative. He then said "My late father, may he continue to rest in peace, had this philosophy of making sure he raised kids that will be PIOUS and be PRAYING FOR HIM when he dies. And Alhamdulillah, he had succeeded. I and my siblings always try to be as good as possible in character and we never cease to pray for him. Upon growing up and learning, I learnt that my father got his philosophy from that (in)famous Hadith of the prophet upon whom be peace [which says when a person dies, all their deeds ends, except three: 1. a continuing charity (like digging a well to provide a community with a lifesaving water); 2. beneficial knowledge (they leave behind in form of books or what they taught others) and; 3. a child who prays for them.'] Seeing that I don't have enough (money) to give out to people and the other options in the Hadith, I commit myself to doing the best I can to see that I pass onto others the little I know. And when one is seeking for an advice or any help beyond my reach, I equally do my utmost best to connect them with who can. This is, as I see it, the only and better way to give back to the society. And I charge you the young stars to do more than we are doing in this regard."
Far from my observations; of his respect to time, the variety of tea (he intended to serve us himself), the radio set - of maybe listening to BBC Hausa and VOA - that's always with him in the office, the beautiful recitation of the Glorious Qur'an, the sincerity in his words and the humility of bringing himself down to us, those last few minutes, that last moment with Dr. Bala was the most productive of it all.
Now, I know most of you reading this might not have a chance to meet with Dr. Bala in person to sip from his fountain of knowledge and wisdom, but I believe everyone of us have those learned people around to associate with and listen to. And as for Dr. Bala, you can virtually associate with him every week on his column of the Daily Trust.
I hope you read something worth your time in this. And lest I forget, what I said to the Dr. was "Allah Ya karawa rayuwa albarka." Loosely translated "may Allah continue to bless your life." I pray Allah continue to bless our lives and grant us the ability to positively give back to the society. Amin.
December 21, 2018
Anytime I get the privilege to have time with learned people like Dr. Bala, in my humble and meek ways, I naturally become very observant of what they say and do during the little time we spend. I even observe the environment we spend the time (if it's theirs, not a hotel or someplace like that). By any means, I want to learn and take something home. That's the (silly?) thing about me.
The thing with Dr. Bala, which is why I wrote this, was: after he led us in Magrib Salat (evening prayer) which marked the end of our meeting, we shook hands and rise to say goodbye. While my friends were simultaneously but independently saying "thank you sir, God bless, thank you for your time and everything," I said something different that seem to caught his attention. He looked at me in the eyes, smiled and then said "you see, my philosophy in this life is this," we all returned to our seats even though he insisted we might stand if we wish, "by any means," Dr. Bala continued, "I have to sacrifice and offer the little (time and knowledge) I have."
He asked whether we know a certain Masjid (mosque) in Kano, where his father was the Imam before he passed away. Some of us answer in affirmative. He then said "My late father, may he continue to rest in peace, had this philosophy of making sure he raised kids that will be PIOUS and be PRAYING FOR HIM when he dies. And Alhamdulillah, he had succeeded. I and my siblings always try to be as good as possible in character and we never cease to pray for him. Upon growing up and learning, I learnt that my father got his philosophy from that (in)famous Hadith of the prophet upon whom be peace [which says when a person dies, all their deeds ends, except three: 1. a continuing charity (like digging a well to provide a community with a lifesaving water); 2. beneficial knowledge (they leave behind in form of books or what they taught others) and; 3. a child who prays for them.'] Seeing that I don't have enough (money) to give out to people and the other options in the Hadith, I commit myself to doing the best I can to see that I pass onto others the little I know. And when one is seeking for an advice or any help beyond my reach, I equally do my utmost best to connect them with who can. This is, as I see it, the only and better way to give back to the society. And I charge you the young stars to do more than we are doing in this regard."
Far from my observations; of his respect to time, the variety of tea (he intended to serve us himself), the radio set - of maybe listening to BBC Hausa and VOA - that's always with him in the office, the beautiful recitation of the Glorious Qur'an, the sincerity in his words and the humility of bringing himself down to us, those last few minutes, that last moment with Dr. Bala was the most productive of it all.
Now, I know most of you reading this might not have a chance to meet with Dr. Bala in person to sip from his fountain of knowledge and wisdom, but I believe everyone of us have those learned people around to associate with and listen to. And as for Dr. Bala, you can virtually associate with him every week on his column of the Daily Trust.
I hope you read something worth your time in this. And lest I forget, what I said to the Dr. was "Allah Ya karawa rayuwa albarka." Loosely translated "may Allah continue to bless your life." I pray Allah continue to bless our lives and grant us the ability to positively give back to the society. Amin.
December 21, 2018
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