From Scepticism to Enchantment

Growing up as a Muslim-Australian in a first generation migrant community can have many advantages and disadvantages. For starters the hyphens are a little difficult to manage. Secondly as young Muslims often the depth of our spiritual/religious connections can be traced back to what we are exposed to as children. So negative experiences at the hands of well meaning, overzealous, Saturday school teachers and preachers can leave long lasting effects.
Unfortunately I am one such example. I began to suspect a pattern developing between the ‘lectures’/ durus I was attending and my growing confusion and my ever increasing feeling of alienation. So as I got older I became sceptical of such gatherings and those that ran them.
Which brings me to my topic. I heard about the Al Ghazzali Centre Seerah classes from a childhood friend. In the past she had made many unsuccessful attempts in interesting me in accompanying her to durus classes. So understandably when she pitched this new Seerah class, my initial reaction was “ummm ...thanks, but no thanks”.
She however, knowing my prejudice promised that “this class was unlike any of the others”. So out of intrigue I agreed to attend “ONE class no strings or commitments attached”.
That first evening I asked my sister to accompany me as a diversion, should the need arise. But as I walked into the venue I was pleasantly surprised. It was an intimate gathering and the mix of people in attendance was slightly unorthodox. I took my seat and as the Imam began the class.
The class was on the Seerah of the last Prophet (pbuh). A topic undoubtedly covered many a times before. But this time it somehow felt different. The Seerah and history were unchanged, but it was the delivery and sincerity that threw me.

I found that I was unprepared for what I was experiencing and hearing.
What was most surprising was that the Imam FELT. He taught the necessary facts and history with enthusiasm and passion. Listening to him speak of the Prophet (pbuh) you could hear, see and feel his compassion, his mahaba. He articulated exactly what I was thinking one evening when he said that the Seerah of the Prophet (pbuh) had been taught many a times, but the focus was often on the number of battles he fought, rather than the love and humility he showed.
The Friday evening classes became a ritual for my sister and I. Ironically I found myself trying to recruit my friends using the same line that was used on me “this class is unlike any of the others” I vouched.
The Al Ghazzali Seerah classes have planted a seed, a seed of receptiveness and willingness that I had lost. My scepticism was replaced with enchantment and mahaba.
I have learnt that mahaba is the first stepping stone of many to receive the light of knowledge.
Alia Gabres

Photo by Zahrah Habibullah