Assalam u alaikum everyone,

I know that summer days are taking a toll on all of our lives. Everyone is busy doing one thing or another and sometimes juggling more than five jobs at the same time. However, it is the life and readership of Hidaya that has been suffering the most. There don't seem to be enough articles anymore and while the summer time is the only time where we can work on our Imaan and on the Knowledge of our Deen lavishly, there seems to be a lack of insipiration in general. Maybe the reason for the "summer abductions" is the lack of positive feedback and comments that we normally get during the school year. If that's the case, then we must account and fix ourselves because it is not the feedback of the people we want ; it is the Happiness and the feedback of our Creator for which we humbly strive through our writings and actions.

Anyone who has been writing here and even reading Hidaya must have experienced a positive change in himself or herself. We, as writers try our best not to talk about those things which we ourselves don't practice. However, we do try our best to communicate to others the reflections and amazing experiences we have felt in our striving towards the Right Path. We know that our words are not going to affect others unless we ourselves act upon what we say and write. Therefore, through our writings, not only do we affect others but facilitate our spiritual growth as well. Also, through writing, we come to know ourselves better and get in tune with our feelings and our mission in life. I will have to agree that had it not been for Hidaya, I would never have come to know there I can actually do poetry and use poetry for a good cause.

Allah(swt) says in Sura-Al-Asr:
By the (token of) time (through the ages), verily man is in (a constant and perpetual state of) loss, except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and join (together) in the mutual enjoining of Truth, and of patience and constancy.” (103:1-3)

Our job, therefore, does not just end in becoming good Muslims. It is also our duty to help others become good Muslims and in the process beautify ourselves with the Noor of Allah (swt) and to gain His Complacence. Hidaya is a great outlet to do just that. Everytime we internalize something good about which our brothers and sisters may not know, we can write about it in a beautiful manner; maybe it will help someone else who is struggling to acquire the same virtue.

Hidaya is a beautiful opportunity through which we can initiate a change within ourselves and in others. We should not let go of this opportunity, be it summer or winter and whether people comment or not. We should try our best to make the best use of it and strive actively to write a good advice which has helped us gain one step further in the way of Allah(swt).

May Allah (swt) give us Hidaya to make the best and effective use of Hidaya and make it easy for us. Ameen