To My Granddaughter Amani
O Amani! Listen well and take heed
(A word to my granddaughter Amani, the daughter of my daughter Hālah, on the occasion of her thirteenth birthday – 4th August 2025)
My beloved granddaughter,
Today you arrive at a new milestone in your life and take your first steps into a stage that signals your growing maturity—a stage in which the soul begins to blossom, the intellect expands, and your sense of awareness strengthens. Congratulations to you, my little one—and congratulations to us, in having you.
I have watched you grow before my very eyes, a blooming flower whose fragrance grows day by day. And now that you have reached this day, I feel compelled to write to you—not only to offer you direction, but to share with you what my heart holds in love, and what my mind has gathered in wisdom and counsel.
My daughter, time does not merely add years to a person—it adds responsibility, duty, and reflection. Just as the body grows, so too must the intellect mature, understanding deepen, and the heart become purified. While emotion may be sincere, sound reason is often truer in moments of trial. Do not let your feelings outrun your judgement. Weigh your words in the scale of thought before you utter them. Do not act until you have considered the consequences.
O Amani, the pursuit of knowledge is not a pastime—it is a duty, indeed an act of worship. Strive not just for the sake of exams or certificates, but so that you may become someone who knows how to think, how to choose, and how to discern right from wrong.
And remember your mother—she who stayed awake for you, toiled and raised you, and bore hardships on your behalf. Your kindness to her is part of your kindness to Allāh. Your obedience to her draws you nearer to all that is good in this world and the next. Be gentle with your siblings and kind to them—they look up to you and learn from you. They see you as a model to follow.
Then I advise you with something greater still: strive for wisdom, and nurture within yourself taqwā. This world can distract; it can tempt. But the heart that finds companionship with Allāh, and is lit by the light of īmān, will never go astray nor suffer loss. Keep your connection with your Lord at all times—be thankful in times of ease, patient in hardship, and devoted to doing good as much as you can.
You, my dear one, now stand at the threshold of a new era in your life, preparing to become a mature soul, a sound mind, and a responsible self. So be as Allāh intends you to be: steadfast upon the truth, intelligent in your thought, and pure in your inner being. Never belittle your worth, and never neglect the trust placed within you—both in regard to yourself and to those around you.
And I, my little one, have full confidence in you. I am reassured by your intelligence and firmly believe that you will walk the path of light—so long as you take your intellect as your guide and your faith as your provision. Go forward, then—with blessed steps, your head held high. May Allāh protect you, watch over you, and guide you wherever you may be.
Disclaimer: This article was translated by AI. Original post: https://t.me/DrAkramNadwi/6651
