Estimated reading time: 11 minute(s)
By: Hannibal Muhammad
As-Salaam Alaikum (Peace Be Unto You),
I pray that reading this journey will uplift and help you.
Over the last three years, I have been on a spiritual journey. I first noticed it in April or May of 2017. I was having some spiritual challenges. I felt that I had reached a spiritual ceiling. Yes. I did say a spiritual ceiling. I could not figure a way to go beyond that stage of development. No matter what I did, I kept finding myself back in the same space.
I reached out to my brother Deric Muhammad of Houston, TX for some guidance. He has always been one of my mentors and big brothers. He reminded me of my high ambitions and how I’m not easily pleased with my accomplishments. He also reminded me that the things that may be difficult for others have seemed to be easy for me to complete, and maybe I am not challenging myself hard enough. He suggested that I get back in the gym, reread all of the books of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, and find something that will challenge me to the point that I want to quit. However, I am not allowed to quit whatever that thing would be. When I break through the challenges from wanting to quit, I will find myself breaking through my spiritual ceiling and that will take me to my new heights.
I took notes from our deep conversation. I established a gym membership, opened back up the books, and registered for school. I also hit my prayer rug and petitioned to Allah. I opened to Allah stating “Oh Allah, I am willing to take on whatever you have for me. I am not saying that I am ready, but I am willing Allah.” Why did I do that?
Being in the gym was giving me peace and excitement. I was never a gym rat, but I was always athletic. When I wanted to exercise, I would go play basketball and get back into some leagues. I found new enjoyment in the gym. I found myself reading books while being on the treadmill. My wife was even noticing the new muscle mass that I was putting on. Now That felt great.
A couple of months after speaking with Brother Deric, my mother continued to reach out to me, wanting help with running the family business. After much consideration, I left my 10 years of banking to run one of her group homes. I am taking online classes, and I am finding myself really transitioning into a more peaceful place in life. As negative experiences and trials would transpire in my life, I would find myself not as easily angered. I would stop and ask Allah: “What are you trying to show me? Why did this happen? What am I supposed to gain from this?”
Sometimes the answers would come within moments, and sometimes the answers would come somewhere down the line. People who have been in the car with me know I have always had subtle road rage. Yes. I did say subtle. Now, if anyone tells you otherwise, they are fabricating on me. I had this thing I would do when a horrible driver would be on the road and you know what horrible drivers do. I would start tapping on my steering wheel (making beats) and started talking about how did this person get their license? Their driving is trash.
I found myself not doing that as much as usual. When a car would cut me off, I would slow down and fall back some. I would thank Allah for me not getting upset. Not much longer, I may see that same car pulled over for speeding or such. I would thank Allahagain, knowing I was speeding, too. That could have been me. Now that’s an aha moment.
Like I mentioned above, Things are going great for me. I am finding myself growing spiritually, mentally, and physically … Not knowing the first and biggest trial of 2017 was really about to happen. Exactly 30 days after transitioning into my new role, I would receive devastating news about my grandmother.
God willing, we will discuss details next time.
(Brother Hannibal Muhammad is a registered member of the Nation of Islam, husband, father, photographer, graphic designer, international traveler, motivational speaker, and Student Assistant Minister in Phoenix, Arizona. He can be found on all social media @BrotherHannibal)
