Allah Helps Those Who Help Themselves

People who can form such ideas about others, basing their ideas on the apparent reality they see like skin color, economic level, cultural background, and historical points, fail to realize a universal truth: Life offers each of us a series of opportunities: some handicaps, some advantages, a set of tools for life, a mind, a pair of eyes, a culture, an insightful spirit, and never-ending hope. And then we set off on our way, tools in hand, and the test is to see what we'll make of all that.

Unfortunately, many people settle down into self-pity, apathy, hopelessness, depression, making excuses all their lives that it is so impossible to ever be a somebody that they remain content in being a nobody. Often they listen to what the world says about them: "Oh, a dark-skinned, poor, uneducated person who doesn't know any influential people—forget it! He or she will never be a somebody!" So they say.

However, the other kind of people gather up all the opportunities and abilities they have and forge a way for themselves in life. They become a somebody; they don't bow down to the pressures of life; they seek to please Allah in all they do, and through their humility they become famous; through giving, they receive; through divorcing this worldly life, the worldly life lies at their feet.

This particular little boy proved the cynics of the world wrong. He was only 9 years old when poverty drove him to migrate to his father in South Africa. His family was poor, but they loved and supported each other. He rode out the storm of apartheid and educated himself in the deen of Islam. From a young age he dedicated himself to serving Allah the Almighty and calling for the true message of Islam. All his life he lived humbly, without ostentation—a warm, kind, friendly person filled with wit, intelligence, and vitality.

He never sought fame, wealth, or prestige. His message was a simple one and his course was straight: Be the best Muslim you can be, dedicate yourself to learning, and give the message of Allah to every person you meet. He was Ahmed Deedat.

We live in a world that is full of information and ease. Labor-saving devices fill many homes around the world and people are more often than not left with a lot of free time. But what do people usually do with that time? How much time do you spend in front of the TV or playing computer games? What if you put that time into learning? Ahmed Deedat did just that. He learned and never stopped seeking knowledge. He didn't waste his time. And he didn't stop there. He shared that knowledge to all and sundry.

Why do so many people in the world find it so hard to answer easy questions and solve simple problems? Could it have something to do with knowledge? With common sense? With the warmth and love of families? With receiving guidance from Allah?

Ahmed Deedat is a role model for many young people because he didn't stay in the role the world expected of him. He made use of his culture and background and made them work for him to make great achievements in his life. He didn't make excuses for himself; he didn't feel sorry for himself even when bedridden for many years; he never allowed himself to sink into the mire of hopelessness. He always reached up and out and beyond perceived weaknesses and limitations to the point that he even invited the pope to accept Islam. The answer wasn't important; the fact that he reached out was.

Selma A. Cook is an Aussie Muslim writer who lives and works in Egypt.  She has written a number of books including: Buried Treasure (An Islamic novel for teenagers), The Light of Submission (Islamic Poetry). She has also edited and revised many Islamic books. She can be contacted at: youth_campaign@iolteam.com.