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Assalaau'alaykum,
I must’ve been around 13 years old when she said those impactful words to me…
I was a reserved child, often hesitant to speak up and somehow always found myself blending into the background.
But she always saw me.
She looked at me with her kind yet adventurous eyes and told me how intelligent and confident she thought I was and that I was going to achieve great things.
To a young timid teenager, her words carried with them so much hope, warmth and sincerity, I never forgot them.
Perhaps, she’s partly the reason why I became a confidence coach.
She was my first Quran teacher, a vibrant yet ever so gentle Syrian lady who was the very embodiment of kindness, love and inspiration.
She was more than a teacher, she was somehow even closer than family.
May Allah raise her soul to highest of ranks for the light that she was. Allahumma aameen.
She understood the power of words and the lasting impact they could have, particularly on a young and impressionable mind.
She made it a point to see the best in people and never failed to share that with them.
Her carefully crafted words were always so beautifully adorned, like her soul.
This was her reputation, a clear mark of faith and noble character.
In Islamic tradition, we see that the Prophet (saw) treated the youth with great care, affection and dignity.
He would speak to them as if they had something to offer the community, instilling in them a sense of hope and potential.
With this in mind, let's never miss an opportunity to shine a light on the youth around us.
Especially in today’s challenging world, our youth need to know that their value is seen and appreciated and that each of them possesses unique potential.
I've never forgotten how those precious interactions made me feel, and I strive to honour that by shining a bright light onto the youth I have the privilege to meet and potentially impact, by Allah's mercy.
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