1 THE POWER OF CHANGE ‘We must learn something every day, if we don’t, we will age faster.’ —The noble Messenger Muhammad (S) almighty Allah wants us to strive with all our might to change, but vows that He will never change our condition without effort on our part. He promises to guide and assist those who strive to change. Allah states in Surah al-Anfal, ‘Allah will never change the favours He bestows on a people until they change what is in their own souls; verily Allah is He who heareth and knoweth all things’ ([8]:53). In another verse of the Noble Qur’an, Surah ar-Ra’d, Almighty Allah asserts: ‘Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they first change what is in their hearts’ ([13]:11). Almighty Allah created humankind pure and favoured them with wisdom and intelligence. He created angels to watch over them all the time recording any changes in their thinking and behaviour. Almighty Allah will never change the condition of a people who are not willing to change 4 PART ONE: TRANSFORMATION themselves within their hearts and from the depth of their souls. Almighty Allah bestows honour and blessing on the human being who takes action to change. Transformation is initiated with a passionate intention to change, before we can take on the challenges of life. If one commences the journey to change, Almighty Allah and His angels support and sustain the believer with Blessing, Mercy and Grace. T he past is our guide to the future. If we sincerely want to enjoy more opportunities, we need to understand change. By understanding why change takes place, we will stop wasting energy, time and effort in protecting our beliefs and fighting the unavoidable. Our need to be right is our major obstacle against change. We must understand where change is taking us; once we realise the need for change, we are better able to use those changes to our advantage. In Surah al-Baqarah, Almighty Allah promises protection and guidance to the faithful, He is the Protector of those who have faith: ‘From the depths of darkness, He will lead them into light’ ([2]:257). When we welcome change, we can make a difference in our personal growth. Once we initiate the intention to change, Almighty Allah will help and nurture us in the process. To progress in life, we must change consistently. These changes make the biggest differences in our personal, social and business lives. Change does not wait for people to adapt. To survive in the twenty-first century, change is the key. If THE POWER OF CHANGE 5 change in the world is greater than change in our minds, we will find ourselves seriously inadequate. Events will overtake us. Change has to begin from within. Change means sacrificing the familiar for the unknown, even if it appears unpleasant. Change is essential; through change we learn and grow—although not always without pain. Change brings about progress in our spiritual wellbeing. If we want success, the only way we can get it is through change. Change has become aggressive. Change is fuelled by the information explosion. Change is necessary to survive. Those who refuse to change will remain stag nant and ultimately deteriorate. The water of a river is fresh because it is flowing; that of a stagnant pool is dirty, germ ridden, and polluted. We are entering a new era in civilization where we can shape the future. Change is another word for growth; it is synonymous with learning. We can all do it and enjoy it! Be Almighty Allah’s vicegerent on earth. Be a model. Don’t adapt to the environment. Rather encourage the area of influence to adapt to the values of Almighty Allah as stated in the Noble Qur’an and the Sunnah. ‘If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you always got.’ T he future is knowledge and creativity-intensive: knowl edge and creativity rather than muscle power, and knowledge and clever machines in place of muscles. Learning starts with believing in Almighty Allah and our own abilities. The working world has changed because the 6 PART ONE: TRANSFORMATION methods of work are changing. We have entered the age of smart machines. Computers will continue to revolutionise the world. New converging technologies, also called the digital revolution, the multimedia revolution or the information highway, are shattering political barriers. Computer and f ibre optic technologies are breaking boundaries. T he world has changed irreversibly; it is becoming an unmanageable place for those who do not prepare. We need different survival skills to cope with the changes in this millennium. The tide will run strongly in favour of those who are predisposed towards looking inwards, who are ready to reform and improve their lives. We need to reinvent ourselves. We are living in a new age and can no longer assume that what worked well in the past will work again. By first starting with ourselves, we have to plan new strategies to change the world. Change is the word that should inspire us. With change, everything becomes possible. By transforming our thoughts, our minds, we can change anything. We all want progress; we can have it with change. We must change and recognize that change is our greatest ally. We must always be ready to change our opinions. Yesterday’s formulas for success may not be tomorrow’s panaceas. Remember the road to success is always under construction. How much have we seen that has changed in the past year? T he weapon of the brave resides in the heart. As the great poet of the East, Allamah Dr Iqbal, said: ‘Unshakable conviction, THE POWER OF CHANGE 7 consistent-action, world-conquering love / In the struggle of life, these are the swords of men.’ When we change, opportunities emerge. The same thinking that has brought us to where we are today will not necessarily get us to where we want to go tomorrow, unless we realise what change is. We must not fear change, for it is an unchangeable law of progress. When patterns and traditions are broken, new ideas and unlimited possibilities come into being. All progress is because of those who were not satisfied with where they were. They weren’t afraid to change. Change is our friend. A philosopher said: ‘The world is in a constant state of flux. You cannot step into a river twice, because, while you step a second time, the water has passed on.’ Our success in life does not involve competing, complaining, comparing ourselves with or getting ahead of others, but getting ahead of ourselves. We need to break our own records, to do our work with more force than ever before. Our future depends on us. ‘These ten little two letter words—if it is to be, it is up to me—are absolutely valid; the solution is, do it now!’ What we picture in our minds, our minds will go to work to accomplish. Let us remind ourselves that Almighty Allah is with us and that nothing can defeat Him. Almighty Allah in His infinite mercy has taken upon Himself to provide clear guidance to all believers who seek His direction and assistance. In Surah Al-Layl, Almighty Allah says: ‘Verily we take upon ourselves to guide’ ([92]:12). 8 PART ONE: TRANSFORMATION Almighty Allah is just in His treatment and the favours He bestows upon every human being. He has blessed us with great honour. Almighty Allah has given us provision and power, free will and the capacity to think. With these blessings we are free to shape the events that take place in our environment. Almighty Allah will always grant His favours to those believers who humbly and thankfully accept His Grace, Kindness, and Mercy and show gratitude. Almighty Allah’s Will is for us to grow. Whom we become and where we go in life depend ultimately on our decisions. It is in these moments that our destiny is shaped. Our decisions, not the condition of our lives, determine our destiny. Shaykh Sa’adi said: ‘Thy life is a bird and its name is breath. When the bird has flown from its cage, it cometh not back to captivity.’ In Surah Al-Nur Allah has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will of a surety, grant them land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their deen—the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state) after the fear in which they (lived), to one of security and peace ([24]:55).