An Interview with Sr. Amna Tariq
The Muhammad Anver Beig Leadership Award was presented to Sr. Amna Tariq, of YM NY, in July 2006. Below is an interview with Sr. Amna Tariq, the YM Leader of the Year, 2006.
Q: What advice do you have for the youth to stay active in Islamic work?
There will always be obstacles but be patient and never give in to desires. Emotions and inner weaknesses may prevail at times; this is only because we are human. Laziness, anger, pride, greed, envy, selfishness and miserliness are traits each of us possess in whatever quantities. Being Muslims, our lives should be devoted to taming and controlling our behavior in a world where green colored paper is at the peak of “successfulness”.
Obstacles will always be in the path of the farmer who doesn’t have enough seeds to sow the land and will also be in the operation of a doctor who has to determine which tools to use to prevent further disease. Obstacles are in the path of every individual. Working with an organization such as Young Muslims, the ability to troubleshoot the Islamic perspective of living life, fulfilling the Commandments of the Qur’an and Sunnah, and taming a single identity
are all emphasized and polished upon. However one should implore Allah azawajal’s bounty and make use of latent talents and intellect in order to prosper.
Shaytan is our worst enemy and he entices us away from Islamic work more than any other task. As worker’s for the deen, it is extremely necessary to remember that no matter what the hurdle may be, physical, mental, social, financial, political etc. our duty is to worship Our Creator and be witnesses unto mankind. Staying with the jam’aah will help us fulfill our obligations as Muslims, therefore, think well before you ignite another excuse in light of a hurdle.
Q: How did you balance and excel in your daily responsibilities?
It was Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala’s will that I work with Young Muslims as a Local Coordinator of one of its most expanding units, and I seek His maghfira and rahma for my numerous shortcomings and humane errors. It was He who brought me out of my mother’s womb and made me into the women I am today, of this I am very grateful. However, for the sake of mentioning the struggles and endeavors for His pleasure, I felt the experience to be a new addition to abstract memories, and a token into reality.
Juggling several responsibilities is always very tedious until and unless ones chores are a part of their passion. Alhumdulillah, going into retrospect, the need to complain, or grouch about is so unperceivable, and I pray for His forgiveness if any such thoughts or ideas occurred to me. Constant pats on the back, both virtual and physical, were always signals to try harder or to experiment with something new. It is always a desire to excel in everything that we do, however gradual tasks are always the most beneficial, and I pray Allah azawajal makes us of those who are gradual and consistent.
At times the world would seem to have many moments of unease, chaos and problems and other moments would be of happiness, laughter and success. Balancing is a key term when it comes to religion along with other walks of life, and especially when we take on a task which is very vast and afresh, it is a key element. As a Local Coordinator, the task was very similar to finding pearls. After diving several times into the sea, with enough exploration and skill pearls would be surfaced, a hearty satisfaction after numerous attempts. At times the dives would be too long and other times due to lack of experience the dive would be exerted where ease was required. Similarly, my time was managed and many pearls and tokens of time will be embellished, as personal experiences serve as better teachers than any encyclopedia or scrolls of advice.
Q: Who are some of the inspirational figures in your life?
By the passing time, man is surely in loss. Our pursuits manifest themselves as we age and may Allah azawajal make us amongst those who age seeking His pleasure Alone. Ameen. Each day is a slate of achieving ideals or curbing weaknesses. One would immerse in what they believe gives them solace and eternal peace, and distance themselves from that which gives them sores and pain. Acquaintances are keys to achieving the best results. At the time of the Rasul salallahu alayhi wa sallam, several companions have been marked down in history books due to their eye witnessing the tremendous personality of our Prophet of Islam. And as one ages, true friends pray for forgiveness up on the deceased body and reunite together beneath the honorable throne of Allah azawajal with the only limitation of having had His pleasure between them.
I met several individuals years ago many sober minds who led me to appreciate that each day was to be taken as a day and nothing more or less. They showed me mountains to climb and gave me sturdy timber boots to do so, and they made my soul thirsty to be as patient and sincere as I reached the peak. The passing days bring on new plantations to weed and several fields that are ready to be harvested into friends. However the one friend who will be with me in my grave are my deeds and I pray they are inspirational enough to lead me to the highest level of Paradise as my eternal abode insha’Allah.
Q: Describe your involvement in YM and how long have you been active?
Young Muslims is a youth group which has grown with the grace of Allah azawajal. From its first years of initiation and spurt, alhumdulillah I witnessed being an active member up until this day. Since then, it has always been a grace of Allah azawajal to make me amidst such sisters. Several years ago I was out of the country. However, over the course of a few months of settling back into the States, I was given the responsibility of being a Neighbor Net Coordinator of my neighborhood, thereafter I was elected into becoming a Local Coordinator for two consecutive years. I pray for forgiveness and mercy from Allah the Lord of All the Worlds and take this opportunity to extend my heart felt regards and sincere dua’ahs to those whom I may have offended or harmed, as in an organization as vast as YM, such offenses aren’t incapable. Please do keep me and my family in your dua’ahs.
Q: What advice do you have for the youth to stay active in Islamic work?
There will always be obstacles but be patient and never give in to desires. Emotions and inner weaknesses may prevail at times; this is only because we are human. Laziness, anger, pride, greed, envy, selfishness and miserliness are traits each of us possess in whatever quantities. Being Muslims, our lives should be devoted to taming and controlling our behavior in a world where green colored paper is at the peak of “successfulness”.
Obstacles will always be in the path of the farmer who doesn’t have enough seeds to sow the land and will also be in the operation of a doctor who has to determine which tools to use to prevent further disease. Obstacles are in the path of every individual. Working with an organization such as Young Muslims, the ability to troubleshoot the Islamic perspective of living life, fulfilling the Commandments of the Qur’an and Sunnah, and taming a single identity
are all emphasized and polished upon. However one should implore Allah azawajal’s bounty and make use of latent talents and intellect in order to prosper.
Shaytan is our worst enemy and he entices us away from Islamic work more than any other task. As worker’s for the deen, it is extremely necessary to remember that no matter what the hurdle may be, physical, mental, social, financial, political etc. our duty is to worship Our Creator and be witnesses unto mankind. Staying with the jam’aah will help us fulfill our obligations as Muslims, therefore, think well before you ignite another excuse in light of a hurdle.
Q: How did you balance and excel in your daily responsibilities?
It was Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala’s will that I work with Young Muslims as a Local Coordinator of one of its most expanding units, and I seek His maghfira and rahma for my numerous shortcomings and humane errors. It was He who brought me out of my mother’s womb and made me into the women I am today, of this I am very grateful. However, for the sake of mentioning the struggles and endeavors for His pleasure, I felt the experience to be a new addition to abstract memories, and a token into reality.
Juggling several responsibilities is always very tedious until and unless ones chores are a part of their passion. Alhumdulillah, going into retrospect, the need to complain, or grouch about is so unperceivable, and I pray for His forgiveness if any such thoughts or ideas occurred to me. Constant pats on the back, both virtual and physical, were always signals to try harder or to experiment with something new. It is always a desire to excel in everything that we do, however gradual tasks are always the most beneficial, and I pray Allah azawajal makes us of those who are gradual and consistent.
At times the world would seem to have many moments of unease, chaos and problems and other moments would be of happiness, laughter and success. Balancing is a key term when it comes to religion along with other walks of life, and especially when we take on a task which is very vast and afresh, it is a key element. As a Local Coordinator, the task was very similar to finding pearls. After diving several times into the sea, with enough exploration and skill pearls would be surfaced, a hearty satisfaction after numerous attempts. At times the dives would be too long and other times due to lack of experience the dive would be exerted where ease was required. Similarly, my time was managed and many pearls and tokens of time will be embellished, as personal experiences serve as better teachers than any encyclopedia or scrolls of advice.
Q: Who are some of the inspirational figures in your life?
By the passing time, man is surely in loss. Our pursuits manifest themselves as we age and may Allah azawajal make us amongst those who age seeking His pleasure Alone. Ameen. Each day is a slate of achieving ideals or curbing weaknesses. One would immerse in what they believe gives them solace and eternal peace, and distance themselves from that which gives them sores and pain. Acquaintances are keys to achieving the best results. At the time of the Rasul salallahu alayhi wa sallam, several companions have been marked down in history books due to their eye witnessing the tremendous personality of our Prophet of Islam. And as one ages, true friends pray for forgiveness up on the deceased body and reunite together beneath the honorable throne of Allah azawajal with the only limitation of having had His pleasure between them.
I met several individuals years ago many sober minds who led me to appreciate that each day was to be taken as a day and nothing more or less. They showed me mountains to climb and gave me sturdy timber boots to do so, and they made my soul thirsty to be as patient and sincere as I reached the peak. The passing days bring on new plantations to weed and several fields that are ready to be harvested into friends. However the one friend who will be with me in my grave are my deeds and I pray they are inspirational enough to lead me to the highest level of Paradise as my eternal abode insha’Allah.
Q: Describe your involvement in YM and how long have you been active?
Young Muslims is a youth group which has grown with the grace of Allah azawajal. From its first years of initiation and spurt, alhumdulillah I witnessed being an active member up until this day. Since then, it has always been a grace of Allah azawajal to make me amidst such sisters. Several years ago I was out of the country. However, over the course of a few months of settling back into the States, I was given the responsibility of being a Neighbor Net Coordinator of my neighborhood, thereafter I was elected into becoming a Local Coordinator for two consecutive years. I pray for forgiveness and mercy from Allah the Lord of All the Worlds and take this opportunity to extend my heart felt regards and sincere dua’ahs to those whom I may have offended or harmed, as in an organization as vast as YM, such offenses aren’t incapable. Please do keep me and my family in your dua’ahs.
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