As students of a University known for its sciences, with physics being one of those pesky GURs, most of us do know or will know that the efficiency of a system is determined by how much of its potential energy can be converted into kinetic energy.  Every year we see advancements that help cars achieve enhanced mileage, help computers run faster, help batteries last longer, and so on. In biology, we are taught that, despite breakthroughs in technology, one of the most efficient systems known to all of science is the human body, which utilizes cellular respiration where it turns some scrumptious glucose and oxygen into energy and byproducts.

Now consider how efficient you are as a person. Are you living up to your “potential”? Can you improve your efficiency?

Muslims are taught to follow the Quran, what is believed to be the final revelation sent down by Allah Subhana wa ta’la (the glorified and exalted) to the final prophet, Prophet Muhammad (Peace be up on him).  We are told many times in the Quran to live everyday as if it is your last; meaning to take part in doing good things in the world while you are still breathing. One should feel accomplished at the end of the day and have no regrets of what he could have done. On your death bed, you do not want to be full of regrets, thinking of all the things you could have accomplished and the good in this world you could have accomplished.  When asked why you did not take part in good activities while still healthy, you may find that you do not have many excuses.  Opportunities are everywhere, all it takes is for you to take the effort and look.  We should be aiming to turn as much potential that we have physically and mentally to better ourselves and the people around us. We should make use of the time we have on this planet, for surely we do not have much time.

Last Monday, one of the female students in our community, Sanya Hashmi, fainted while walking outside with some friends. Her heart stopped beating and brain damage concurred. Even though CPR was administered, doctors later determined she had lost most of her brain functionality. She entered into a coma after her episode. One week later she was officially pronounced dead. She once was a healthy, ebullient student attending one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Her life was taken from her at the age of 21. She was on her way to becoming an extraordinary doctor, having obtained perfect grades on her exams. Now imagine your life were to end at that age; what would you have under your belt to make yourself ready for death at that age? If you knew you were to die then what would you do differently? The truth is that none of us know when we will die, that is why it is essential that we capitalize on the present and perform as many good deeds as we can, while staying away from sin.

By Muslims and non-Muslims alike the prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), was considered a wise, just, and an influential man.  His advice applies to people from all walks of life.  As recorded as one of the sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him), he said: A servant of Allah will remain standing on the Day of Judgment till he is questioned about his age and how he spent it; and about his knowledge and how he utilized it; about his wealth from where he acquired it and in what (activities) he spent it; and about his body as to how he used it.- Al-Tirmidhi Hadith – 148

College is a time for us to nurture our minds, to cultivate our talents and interests. It is a refinery that takes the fuel, your potential, purifying it, making the energy stored more accessible, and much easier to use to your advantage.  Don’t waste your time. Challenge yourself to use your fuel to do great things. Pursue what you’re good at, pursue what you love. Above all else, as one of the tenets of Islam, be righteous and achieve success with the intention to help others and you will be blessed in-sha-Allah (God willing). And remember this, if you shoot for the top, you will never hit the bottom.

Noor Shahin