by Zaahied Sallie

I am always seeking inspiration and often find it in the unlikeliest of places. The inspiration for the title of this article came from a slogan which read Reboot Your Life.

The philosophy of starting anew abounds in nature.

Fauna and flora embrace the four seasons with striking divergence and remarkable resilience. Adaptability is essential for survival, and it is the ability to deal with the uncomfortable that gives birth to its versatility. On the other hand, Homo sapiens find themselves almost always fleeing from discomfort. We seldom become intimate with our pain, and this flight syndrome often leads to us masking or inhibiting an indicator essential for healthy growth.

The mature amongst us use pain, discomfort or weakness as a teacher and guide. For the wise amongst us, it is an essential ingredient required for mastery.

Starting anew is preceded by first thinking anew.

Sayduna Ali (KW) said: “A wrong begins with a thought just as a flood starts with a drop.” The contrary also holds true and highlights the power of thoughts and beliefs.

The analogous theory of Sayduna Ali’s wisdom suggests that thoughts and ideas can shape as water shapes the landscape through its erosive and destructive forces. Positive thoughts and sound beliefs are therefore critical for renewal.

The following hadith elucidates this theory quite stunningly:

وعن أبي هريرة، رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال‏:‏ ‏ “‏يقول الله تعالى‏:‏ أنا عند ظن عبدي بي، وأنا معه إذا ذكرني، فإن ذكرني في نفسه، ذكرته في نفسي وإن ذكرني في ملإٍ ذكرته في ملإٍ خير منهم‏”‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said “Allah the Exalted says: ‘I am as my slave expects me to be, and I am with him when he remembers Me. If he remembers Me inwardly, I will remember him inwardly, and if he remembers Me in an assembly, I will remember him in a better assembly (i.e. in the assembly of angels).”

_{[Al-Bukhari and Muslim]}

_{Sunnah.com reference: Book 16, Hadith 28}

_{Arabic/English book reference: Book 16, Hadith 1435}

It is evident from the above that our thoughts and beliefs shape our actions. We are a manifestation of our opinions.

The responsibility, therefore, rests upon all to continually check and verify what we believe. Are our thoughts correct? Is there a better way? Do I communicate a positive expectancy within myself? Are my thoughts my own? Is there a need to renovate, throw out or overhaul my thinking and become authentic? Have I accepted the mainstream system of living in this world as my gospel? Or am I too afraid to question as I might find myself in error and conclude that my life’s foundation is faulty?

Thinking anew takes courage. Challenging our beliefs is utter bravery. Many of us are afraid to change the way we think, act and feel. It is uncomfortable and removes us from our comfort zone. It needn’t be that difficult. Enduring change is gradual and can incrementally be accomplished. The best deeds in the sight of Allah are small but consistent.

Acclaimed author and thought leader, Robin Sharma, speaks of this incremental progression in his Little Black Book for Stunning Success: “If you improve your health only one percent each day for the next 30 days, you will see a thirty percent increase in that dimension of your life in only one month. Same for every other area of your life, from your relationships to your career. Doesn’t seem so scary now does it?”

And Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:

إنا أخلصنهم بخالصة ذكري الدار

Lo! We purified them with a pure thought, remembrance of the Home (of the Hereafter).

_{Al-Qur’an, 38:46 (Marmaduke Pickthall translation)}

A continuous upward spiral progression towards pure thought and action is what our lives were intended. Let’s start thinking a new so that we may start anew.

Zaahied Sallie is the CEO of Red Kufi Books