January’s theme: Courage

Each month, we introduce and discuss a new monthly. The theme is spoken about during morning assembly and our students also complete a culminating activity related to the themes on a monthly basis.

The theme for the month of January is Courage. 

It is only the Shaytan that causes you to fear his friends, but do not fear them and fear Me [only] if you are believers. – Sura Aale Imran, 3:175

Courage is one of the outstanding qualities of a believer. A believer is not afraid of anyone but Allah. Faith in Allah gives a believer strength to overcome fears and do what is right, even if it is difficult or risky. To be courageous does not mean being oblivious of the danger. It means to muster up strength and handle the situation in the best way possible, according to what God would expect. Courage is the middle ground between recklessness and fearfulness.

Courage is required in different areas of life. It is necessary when facing physical dangers, in fighting against one’s soul, in facing problems of life, and in standing up for one’s beliefs and values. To become a better person and a more beautiful soul, courage must be exercised in all these areas.

Fear is natural in the face of danger. But it can be overcome by reminding yourself that God is with you. Prophet Musa (a) felt a twinge of fear when he was in the court of Fir’awn but Allah reassured him that He was with him, watching and seeing. The Ahlul Bayt (a) taught us that fear must be conquered in the path towards God. Despite being taken as prisoners to the courts of Ibn Ziyad and Yazid, the women of the Ahlul Bayt showed us through their fiery speeches how to be courageous and stand with the truth. They modeled an excellent example of courage in the face of tyranny.

We are grateful to Sister Tahera Kassamali for her contribution to this piece.