It is said that we are but where we want to be. We are now in the season in which many of the youth will be graduating from high school. This message is for them. You are where you always wanted to be, at your graduation ceremony receiving your diploma. I can imagine how great it feels when you hold on to your diploma after years of dedication and hard work.

The joy of such a moment will make you forget the long days and nights of homework, preparation for tests, and working on projects. I remember a statement of the Prophet (God's peace and blessings be upon him): "On the Day of Judgment, a person who was afflicted with much hardship [in this life] would be dipped into Heaven for a one brief moment. He then will be asked: Do you remember ever facing hardships? He will say: No." The pleasure and joy of graduation will make you forget the toil of school work.

While graduation is a time to celebrate, it also reminds us that life is full of doors of opportunities. Whenever one closes, another one opens. In a few weeks, colleges and universities will be your second home and you will be busy running from one class to the other.

It's important that our graduates keep in mind the following advice as they begin a new phase of life:
1.      The proper response to any accomplishment is gratitude. So please do not forget that your educational progress is due to the grace of Allah the Exalted. One sure way to ensure your gratitude is to strengthen your commitment to excellent character and prayers. And also, thank your parents and let them know how grateful you are for their support, love, and guidance. The Quran mentions that God will increase in bounty and all kinds of graces whoever is thankful.
2.      Striving to gain knowledge is a form of worship. If knowledge is accompanied by a sincere intention to please Allah, then it will be a source of light for you in this life and in the Hereafter. With this in mind, never stop seeking knowledge, for it brings joy and protects one from ignorance.
3.      As they say, "Failure to plan is a plan for failure." Look into yourself and see what you want to be and then proceed. Our beloved Prophet said: "Allah loves of His servant that when he does something, he does it with excellence." So seek the area of knowledge you love and find yourself drawn to. Do so with effort and a full heart.
4.      Many challenges are awaiting you, but remember that what you think of yourself is more important than what others think of you. Depend on Allah, have faith in your abilities, guard yourself by staying away from what is forbidden, never turn away from good counsel, choose good people as friends, and always remember that Allah is with you.
5.       Our community needs you. Years from now, insha Allah, you will be celebrating another graduation from the university and looking for a job. Never forget that you belong to a community that needs you. We need you back as a leader, contributor, and a volunteer, or in any other capacity you could serve others. It is only when our youth live in the sense of belonging to the community we can move forward and prosper as a group insha Allah.
 
We pray for your continued success and that Allah protect you always.
 
Sh. Kifah Mustapha