We need to 'Each One Teach One'

FRIDAY, OCT. 5: Have you ever tried to get away from a person because they talked too much? 

I know I have and I’m sure many people say that about me!

But I have come to learn is that what people have to say can indeed be beneficial.

Take the elders for example;  I remember when I was growing up, how many of the elders always had a story to tell and most times, several stories to tell.

I would be polite and listen but I really didn’t want to.

But over the years I have learned that those stories told were invaluable lessons that prepared me for life. 

From the stories I was able to receive much knowledge;  knowledge which has been of great benefit to me. 

But at the time of receiving the story I did not know how valuable it really l was.

The elders dropped seeds of wisdom along the way and they used every opportunity to do so.

I feel this is what is lacking today — we are not dropping those seeds of wisdom onto the younger generation.

I remember when my grandmothers would tell me stories, some of which I had heard before, but I dare not say so.

I do remember however, one time my father began to tell me a story I had heard before  and I was brave enough to stop him and say, “I heard that before”, and  you know what he told me…. “Well you’re gonna hear it again!”.

So I listened and was the better for it.

Throughout time, stories related from one generation to another are the only history we have.

The elders always used and knew the importance of the concept ‘Each One Teach One’. A concept which I hold near and dear up to this day.

From the free encyclopedia on the Internet I took this excerpt to reinforce my thoughts: ‘Each One Teach One’ is an African-American proverb.

The original author is unknown. This phrase originated in the United States during slavery, when Africans and African-Americans were denied an education, including learning to read.

Many, if not most slaves, were kept in a state of ignorance about anything beyond their immediate circumstances which were under control of owners, the law makers and the authorities.

When a slave learned or was taught to read, it became their duty to teach someone else, spawning the phrase ‘Each One Teach One’.

What a good concept to follow. The sharing of knowledge is so beneficial for the advancement of the world and its people.

This weekend, in fact starting this evening, Al- Mu’minaat (The Believing Women), a branch of the women’s committee, will be hosting our annual Women’s Retreat, entitled ‘Fulfilling our Sacred Trust’ at the Fairmont Hamilton Princess.

The retreat is open to all women, not just Muslim women. The retreats have been held for over a decade and are always uplifting, but this year we have invited a special guest speaker, Sister Tayyibah Taylor, publisher-in-chief of Azizah magazine.

Sister Tayyibah is a popular and knowledgeable speaker who focuses on women’s issues, participates in interfaith dialogues and, of course is an advocate for woman in business.

She is an inspiring woman representing all women of substance. I am anxious to hear from her and can’t wait for the retreat to begin.

Sharing knowledge is important in Islam and all knowledge gained must be beneficial and used to better the conditions of the student and those around him/her.

There is a hadith narrated by At-Tirmidhi,  that the Messenger of Allah said, “He is not of us who does not respect our elderly, is merciful to our youth, and knows the rights of those who teach us”.

Indeed we must respect those of knowledge and seek to learn from them.

“Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous. Who has taught (the writing) by the pen. He has taught man that which he knew not.” (Qur’an 96:3-5)

The tenets of seeking knowledge shines through in the following verses that are an integral part of Islam: ‘Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave’; and that ‘The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr’.

Bermuda — seek knowledge, listen and learn, and what you learn, use it for good. Ameen

To find out more about the retreat go to www.bermudaretreat.com — it is not too late and we, your Muslim sisters, would love to welcome you and share in the knowledge — bearing in that knowledge is powerful.