Faith, family and strong communities: Wisdom from Shazia Anwar
I am writing this story from the sacred city of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Makkah is the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad and the naturalized home of Prophet Ibrahim’s progeny through his first son Ishmael.
Makkah is a sign of Allah, a barren land where Allah chose to build his first house of worship. This story is powerful in understanding how a parent’s vision and faith can carve the destiny of children and their future generations.
The faithful vision.
When Ibrahim is commanded by God to settle his family, his (second) wife Hager, and their infant son Ishmael in the desert, it was a leap of faith! Hager, when informed about this plan said, that I believe Allah has a plan for us.
The essentials for a flourishing community: faith, peace, and sustenance.
Ibrahim invoked, “My Lord, make me an establisher of prayer, and from my descendants. My Lord, make this city secure and keep me and my sons away from worshiping idols. Lord, make this a secure city and provide its people with fruits – whoever of them believes in Allah and the Last Day.”
-Allah provides sustenance :.
It is narrated that Hagar and her infant baby ran out of their water ration, the worried mother ran in between the two cliffs of Safa and Marwa, looking for water. The angel Gabriel, with the permission of God, struck open a Spring of water under the feet of the thirsty baby. The water spring overflowed, Hager and the baby were replenished. This body of precious drinkable water in the desert attracted the nomadic tribes hence the family of Ibrahim became Arabized Arabs.
To the young people:
God has made people of different colors and languages to add interest in this world. People of different cultures and religions have been migrating across the world forever. The culture exchange is a beautiful phenomenon that increases the growth and prosperity of any given society.
In today’s globalized world, the ‘perceived’ norms of new culture are usually not rooted in what was based in faith and experience-based wisdom. The enculturation passed down in generations is an invaluable requirement in raising children.
Just as a tree without strong roots cannot sustain the harsh environmental pressures, generations that are not strong in their roots will have much difficulty going through the test of this life without faith and the support of caring community.
Peace be with you.
This reflection was written by Dr. Shazia Anwar. She is a licensed coach, doctor, author and educator as well as a friend of Retreat House Spirituality Center as a regular participant and teacher through our regular interfaith series. She is especially passionate about working with young minds to help prevent and/or alleviate mentally and physically distressing behaviors by balancing the thought process and creating productive habits. Connect with Shazia.