Lessons from Ijtima – By: Aqibulalh Chitral
The Tablighi Ijtima came to an end in Chitral after three days of full-blown grace. From the sermons to the gatherings, everything gave a sense of Allah’s blessings. What propelled me to write this was not just the spiritual experience, but the organization and discipline displayed by the event’s organizers during these three days.(Khidmatgaars).
The most impressive and resplendent part was the dedication of those who were assigned myriad tasks, or “khidmat” as it’s called in Tablighi terms. These people were not professionals, but they performed their duties with remarkable efficiency. Learning lessons from individuals who weren’t trained to organize such a massive event, in my opinion, is even more exciting.
Everything was immaculate, including the behavior of those ordinary people on duty. They were not given special instructions on how to execute the tasks properly, but they managed everything flawlessly. These were ordinary members of our society, and I couldn’t help wondering, What made them stand out ethically and morally during these three days? Why did they not refrain from completing their responsibilities?
After some pondering, I found the answer: a “Sense of Responsibility.” During these three days, they awakened that internal feeling of responsibility that exists within all of us. The way they behaved, performed their tasks, and managed everything stemmed from an emerging sense of duty,a sense of Self-consciousness.
If we desire to be disciplined, organized, and responsible, the lesson from these three days is clear, we should not be contingent on external to awaken out inner self. Instead, that sense of responsibility and commitment must arise from within us if we want to create a better society, one where morality prevails, tasks are performed immaculately, and duties are fulfilled without excuses.
Imagine a place where everyone performs their duties with the same commitment as the “khidmatgaars” did during the Ijtima. Suppose a Chitral where everyone behaves according to the teachings of the Quran, where no external force is needed to compel us to do our religious and social duties. Suppose a place where everyone practices morality and and patience. Wouldn’t that be a place akin to heaven?
In a nutshell , I offer my appreciation to the Tablighi Jamaat for organizing such exquisite Ijtima. Thanks to the organizers and everyone who spent their time and energy to making it successful. I also request those who attended, including myself, to practice the patience, ethics, discipline, and commitment ,we witnessed during the Ijtima , in our daily lives on daily basis. If we do, finding a more serene place to live in than Chitral would be hard to be found.
