Let me tell you my story. I hope it inspires you.
At the age of 18, I wasn't praying. I got punished by my parents each time i skipped a prayer. At times i would go to washroom to perform ablution, I simply washed my face and feet that's it. And i would pretend as if i was praying.
I used to sing and rap. I memorized many 2pac songs. I was good at it. I also learned many Bollywood songs. In fact i used to sing Bollywood songs in gatherings such as kuch kuch hota hai, Chalte chalte and so on.
I used to be dull in school. My performance was very low. I was the dullest of my class.
I used to fight with my dad. We could spent two weeks without seeing eye to eye. I was a very stubborn kid. I troubled everyone.
What happened later?
My father gave up on me. But my mother didn't. She always prayed for me to become a good child. She would send people to pray for him in makkah. Soon, however, Allah accepted her dua.
I started praying once a day. Then twice, then thrice, some times once a week. Eventually i started praying 5 times a day. I would also fast in Ramadan, i used to skip for no reason. Before the age of 20 i was fully praying.
I quit music and embraced Qur’an. I started memorisation. Alhamdulillah i did well. I enrolled in madrasa. Well, i resumed actually. Bcos i was enrolled at the age of 6. I used to skip. But later resumed. I even started exposing the hypocrisy of musical industry when i quit music.
From a low performing student to the best of my class. Immediately i started representing my school in competitions and debates. My turn around in academics shocked everyone. Alhamdulillah, at the age of 24, i became the youngest Microsoft Certified System Engineer in Nigeria. I started attending meetings and conferences with older men who are far ahead of me.
My father used to cry bcos of my mischief. Soon he started crying bcos of my achievements. I quickly turned from bad boy to good boy. I became my father's best friend. Alhamdulillah.
Alhamdulillah, each time i see myself in the mirror I thank Allah and my mother. She didn't give up. She prayed very hard. And Allah accepted. Sadly, they haven't lived long enough to enjoy my blessings and to see the man they raised.
So if you are a bad person and you are wondering if you would ever become good, i say you have hope. If you are a mother and you feel you can't try anymore, i say you can. Allah can turn any heart if He so wish, just as He turned the heart of Omar ibn Khattab. So have hope in Allah.
Today thousands are benefitting from the mouth that used to sing and from the hands that used to write songs.. Alhamdulillah.
