Believers are not meant to be average...
Most people are people who like to blend into the crowd. They are average in their studies, go on to get average jobs, and lead average lives.
But believers are not meant to be average, they are meant to stand out. They are meant to be seen as “strange” for all that they wish to achieve in both this world and the next.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Islam began as something strange and will revert to being strange as it began, so give glad tidings to the strangers.”
Do not fear being a “stranger” in wanting to follow the footsteps of our pious predecessors. They were never average! They were people of Action, people of Determination, people of lifelong Commitment.
When you stand up and reach towards higher goals, those around you want you to sit back down, to lower your standards and to be average just like them. Greatness makes them uncomfortable.
Be great anyway!
- Muhammad Al Shareef