Points of Reflection:
- Like the boy discerning the sorcerer’s and the monk’s teachings, we often have to discern between beneficial and unbeneficial knowledge, true and false information – all from a multitude of sources.
- Think about how we may deduce certain sources of information are trustworthy and how we may know when someone or something is attempting to lead us astray.
- What do we learn about trust, service, and Truth from the relationship between the boy and the monk? How so?
- Regarding the point at which the boy evolves from being a student and follower to being a da’iyah and leader to righteousness, discuss the following:
- Do you think the boy stops being a student and follower when he evolves into being a da’i?
- Is it possible to be both a student and teacher, follower and leader? How so? Why?
- What lessons do we learn about our own journey of faith and service from the boy in this lesson?
- Think about your own journey of faith and service.
- Do you feel that you are a follower, leader, or both? In what ways?
- Do you feel like there is growth in your knowledge, faith, service, and activism? If yes, how so? If not, reflect on why.
Quiz Questions:
- Who collected the long hadith that gives the narrative detail of the story of the boy and the King?
- (Imam Muslim)
- Many scholars believe that the group of people in this story refers to what group of people?
- (a group of unitarian Christians who lived before the Prophet Muhammad (s) received revelation)
- Who does al-rahib refer to? What does this mean?
- (the monk)
Challenge
Think of how your growth and development in knowledge, service, and dawah is more dormant or active. Write down how you would like to revive parts of your faith that are dormant throughout the year in your daily life. (In doing so, think of what has been the consistent reality, articulate your ideas and goals, reflect on the why behind those ideas and goals, analyze the roadblocks that you might be facing in the active pursuit of those ideas and goals, and develop a mini action plan to work toward achieving this personal revival. Extension: reaching out to people who may support you in this “re-activation”).
About In the Shade of Ramadan Triumph in Trial: Lessons from Surat Al-Buruj
This year’s In The Shade of Ramadan (ISR) web series explores the stories, lessons, and connections that are found in Surat al-Buruj, a chapter of the Qur’an that offers us much-needed reminders and reassurances during this time of heightened Islamophobia, continued global conflict, and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
#ramadan #intheshadeoframadan #ramadanspecial #ramadan2024 #motivation #islam #muslim #muslimamerican #purification #heart #tbt #SuratAlburuj #boyandtheking