As fall arrives, Ramadan ends and that crazy time of the year begins. Of course, the essentials are important: finding textbooks, buying the right pencils and ink pens, overloading on binders and lined paper that you may not even use, and finding the perfect bag that fits everything! Whether you are going into elementary school, high school, or university, or are parents sending your child to their first day of class, it is a hectic time for all. However, in time of such change, it is important to not abandon one’s faith.

In order to see how our youth in the Ottawa community are maintaining and strengthening their faith, several students were asked to discuss their personal goals for the upcoming school year.

Layla Warsame, 21, Major Law and English at Carleton University:

“It is true that it is difficult to juggle the dunya (this world/life) with the akhira (the afterlife), it is its own jihad (struggle in the way of God). However, we all must try our best to balance them both. With the start of the new school year, it being my last year, I will have to focus really hard and excel, but I also have to excel in terms of focusing on my afterlife, because this life can end anytime. That being said, in order for me to maintain and strengthen my faith, I will have to be consistent in my prayers and attain more Islamic knowledge, as my knowledge grows academically. In that way, I cannot go wrong, because Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala (glory to Him in the highest) will help me succeed, in both the dunya and akhira, if I never abandon Him”.

…with the multitude of responsibilities and opportunities that come with school, I find that having a strong connection to the deen not only keeps me strong at heart, but also makes tasks easier and more meaningful…

Tuba Yousuf, 16, Sir Wilfred Laurier Secondary School:

“In order to sustain my personal faith and imaan (faith), I will try my best to perform the five daily prayers, although most times I am obligated to pray kathzaa (an Urdu term for missed prayers) due to unsatisfactory school timings. However, it is extremely important that I do, in fact, perform the prayers daily and on time (unless there is some circumstance for which I must delay them— such as school). Another goal I have made to help strengthen my faith is to read the Quran (the Islamic holy book). Nonetheless, this is one thing I have been doing even during the school year. My Islamic teacher has been coming over every week in order to help me with this goal. Insh Allah (God willing), by sticking to this routine, my deen (religion) will stay strong and I will be able to not only maintain my faith, but also embrace it.”

Hussain Ali, 21, International Business at Carleton University:

“My goal is that no matter how occupied I am, I stick to praying five times a day, wake up for fajr (dawn prayers) and read the Quran. Insha Allah, as long as I keep these aspects of my faith intact, I know I will be successful in all paths of my life. Doing that brings a certain discipline in a person and encourages them to be an even better person. Another goal would be to encourage fellow Muslims to pray on time and help them with their goals. Lastly, I wish to learn more about my deen and understand it better”.

Salman Saghir, 21, Honours Specialization in Psychology at University of Ottawa:

“The personal goal that I have to maintain and strengthen my faith is to not miss any prayers during the school year. In the past I did not pray as some classes were during the time of salaat (daily prayers) and/or had to study for a midterm, etc.”

Unaiz Rehmani, 21, Health Sciences at University of Ottawa:

“In my experience, people either tend to abandon their religious practices in the face of new responsibilities or they struggle harder in the path of Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala. I think that it is important for Muslims to remember that the akhira should take more priority than the responsibilities of the dunya even though both are due their appropriate attention and equilibrium. For me, one way to maintain faith is to continue to remind myself about my purpose, and that is what the Quran really is, as Allah (swt) describes in His book: a reminder.”

Sabeen Awan, 21, Honours of Commerce with Specialization in Accounting at University of Ottawa:

“My personal goals to maintain and strengthen my faith include integrating Islam into my everyday life at school. With the multitude of responsibilities and opportunities that come with school, I find that having a strong connection to the deen not only keeps me strong at heart, but also makes tasks easier and more meaningful. This includes making sure I take breaks from events/classes when the time comes for salaat and praying it on time (in jam'aat (congregation), if possible). Even with exams, taking that extra few minutes to make sincere du’a (supplication) has helped me in many ways”.

The youth of today are an integral part of our community and it is impressive to see all their aspirations. May their words encourage others in striving to balance faith with their everyday lives.