Sayyan Mashkooran (Appreciated Effort)

Earlier this week my daughter and I went on a home-education trip to one of the best museums for kids in London. There was definitely a lot of learning during the trip, for both adults and children. We learned about the Amazon rainforest and the lifestyle of the traditional people living there. We also witnessed amazing creations of Allah SWT, gaining knowledge about various types of animals and plants. I was completely unaware how many different types of butterflies, fish, birds, and snakes exist in the world, each designed both externally and internally in the most perfect manner, suited to live in its designated environment. I kept reflecting on Allah SWT being Al-Musawwir (The Fashioner, The Bestower of Forms) – He has shaped every single creation the way He wills, and it all reflects His Beauty, Wisdom, and Power.

Although this trip was a huge learning experience, it was also extremely exhausting. The journey to and from the museum was long, and the visit was longer! After we came back, it took me the whole weekend to regain my physical and mental energy levels. I felt like every muscle in my body was hurting. The trip was surely an effort in the home-ed journey that I hoped would bear fruit.

Co-incidentally, before leaving for the trip, in the morning, I had recited a passage of the Quran that mentioned that the efforts of the people of Jannah will be appreciated and fruitful (mashkoor).

“But whoever desires the Hereafter and exerts the effort due to it while he is a believer – it is those whose effort is ever appreciated.” (17:19)

I had quickly made dua to Allah SWT to make this trip one of those efforts, the fruits of which will be evident on the Day of Judgment. I have been holding on to this verse since that day as a reminder. Whether it is cooking for our families and folding laundry, or answering the hundredth curious question of the day, whether it is putting all toys, books (and socks) back at their place at the end of the day or holding space for a 2-year-old’s tantrum during mealtime, whether it is taking the difficult decisions regarding education of our children or the physical and mental load that comes with caring for an elder, whether it is writing meaningful books for children that are also fun, or driving around our children for their sports activities – whatever it is that takes up our time and energy, may we always do it in the name of Allah so that we see them as appreciated efforts on the Last Day, when we meet our Most Appreciative Lord, Ash-Shakoor. Ameen.