The Real Challenge

Each and every day we face a multitude of challenges; the difficulty of studying for our degree, passing our exams, balancing our social and family lives or completing a project that we may have undertaken. My experience both as a final-year medical student and as an individual involved in a variety of local, national and international charity and faith-based work is that much of the past four years of my life can be described as, at the very least, challenging...

But it is Islam that continually compels me to think and rethink the way I perceive the world around me. One may ask how this is a challenge? The answer is rather simple; that my faith demands, day in day out, the best of the best of me. I am challenged to excel in every sphere of my life; whether it is addressing my personal shortcomings, spending time with my peers, studying at university or endeavouring to make a positive difference.

What I have found remarkable is that the tools that I have developed as I contend with both the internal and external manifestations of Islam, are the very same tools that have allowed me, in a very practical sense, to succeed in other spheres of my life. A critical mind, a grounded sense of empathy and compassion, forbearance, the ability to self-appraise, accept my limits and take on advice; are all essential aspects of what it means to not just be a good Muslim, but a good doctor, a good student, a good person…a great person.

This has demonstrated how faith is a very natural constituent of the human condition and how people of all faith traditions can benefit from the ability that faith has to unlock limitless potential in each and everyone one of us.

Don’t believe me? Give it a go!