Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested?
( AL QUR'AN -029.002 )

It's that time of the year again.Those that have studied well and smart are enjoying the fruits of their hard work.Those that took it easy and never bothered to prepare themselves,well they are left with the last minute studying frenzy.We've all probably been there,and I can vouch for it that it sure isn't fun.

Let's visualise that dedicated student who really valued his studies.He knew when it was time to work,and when it was time to play.Come exam time,he's just got revision to do.Perhaps he is worried,but deep down he is confident that he can not only pass but do well.He probably had to make a lot of sacrifices to reach that stage.He had to plan ahead,prioritise and be diligent.It's no easy task but it's certainly not impossible.The day he gets he's results though,he'll know it was all worth it.

Now lets turn our attention to the last minute student.He never bothered to study.He wouldn't know what the word 'priority' meant.Frantically he tries cram as much into he's brain in the little time that is left.Formulas,theorems,formats,factors,graphs..gibberish to him really.The moment he looks at that exam paper all the infomation crammed in his head lets out a cry of alarm and flees in all directions.Chaos rains supreme.The day he gets his results he'll probably not be a very happy chappy.

Now,I want to draw your attention to an even Bigger EXAM that we all have to take.Let's call it 'MY LIFE 101'.Every person on the face of this earth has to take this exam.Whether you're a doctor,a street sweeper,a millionare,a begger...your exam has been booked and confirmed.

Let me outline this course for you a little.Your Text Book is the 'HOLY QUR'AN' written by none other than the Creator Himself. The Study Guide is the Glorious 'SUNNAH' as shown to us by the Best Mentor there will ever be.The text books and study guide are taught to us by our learned Scholars.

Now is the time to prepare for that Exam.

Our time is getting less and less.We can be called in to take the exam at any time.Who knows when? The next minute might be your turn.So how do we prepare for this exam? Well,in this course there is alot of theory but even more practise.The two go hand in hand.Without the theory you cannot practise,and without the practise it's just theory.We have to LEARN what is expected of us in the QUR'AN and SUNNAH,but that's not enough.We then have to put in into PRACTISE.If You do that sincerely,if you strive to perfect your answers,if you be diligent in those two things...your success is guaranteed insha Allah.

One thing that I should mention about this Exam though-You only get one chance to take it.No subs,no second chances,nothing.Seems tough? Well, it isn't really.The answers have already been given to us.All we have to do is learn them and practise them.Nothing hard about that.Of course,if we CHOOSE to ignore the blatant signs and tips given to us over and over again-we are Choosing our ill fate.The smart one's will take heed.The fools will refuse to listen,refuse to see,refuse to accept.Who do we want to emulate? The choice is infront of us right now.Remember this Exam can never be repeated.It's either we pass or we fail.Our answers will either be pleasing to our Creator or not.It's either Jannah or Jahannam.

The answers are staring every one of us in the face right now.We have a choice.We have been given Imaan,a blessing nothing can repay.We believe in LAA ILAA HAA ILALLAH MUHAMMADUR RASULULLAH.We are not ringing a bell in some church or singing some hymn in a temple somewhere.Allah has guided us to the Truth...we just need to make that little effort.Just that little sacrifice.If we look at the Sahaba,what sacrifice didn't they go through for This Deen? They knew the value of this Iman.When huge boulders were placed on them while they lay on the scorching desert sand,they didn't give up.When they were so hungry they had stones tied to their bellies and they had to chew leaves for survival-they didn't give up.When their flesh was covered and bleeding with the wounds of battle-they didn't give up.Today they are happy.They have passed their exams with flying colours.We salute them and look upon them as shining stars to follow and emulate.

Our sacrifice is not even equal to a fraction of theirs...what is difficult for us? We want to pass too don't we? That little sacrifice is all we have to make.If we follow Islam as we should be following it...if we study and practise it as we are told to,we will really enjoy this course. Whatever times we are in,whether happy,sad,difficult or easy-we should consult our Text Book and Study Guide.It has all the answers.We shall know how to deal with every situation.And on that Day when the results shall be revealed,we shall be of the successful Candidates Insha Allah.

May Allah Guide us all in our Examinations of Both Worlds.Ameen.