Exam Shmexam (Hope I’m not too late!)

source : Fb Umar Mita

 

The exams. The most dreaded, yet anticipated and heartily awaited period by a group of homo sapiens called students. (Hehe)

Some say they hate it. Some say they love it. Some say it’s inaccurate. Some say it’s better than truckloads of assignments. Yet, all will have to face it.

The exams mark a critical period in a student’s life. The verdicts, or outcomes of their sweat, blood and tears all semester long goes down to a crunch of numbers and letters. From there, the students can sort of guess their future’s share, or so they say.

What’s your piece of mind about the exams?

Do the results mean anything for you?

Do you think the exams really define you?

What if there are no exams? How beautiful could that be?

Exams are a waste of time… do you agree?

 

The two flip sides

Bill Gates didn’t finish college. Steve Jobs too.

Bill Gates is the richest man in the world. He can buy a country if he wants.

Steve Jobs was a genius. He left a legacy history could never erase.

Some people say the exams and college education aren’t everything. The exams are just sorting machines, labeling people with numbers.

What matters are the skills some people say.  If you can do the job, paper qualifications do not mean much anymore. Alternately, having straight As and eight semesters of the dean’s list award but clueless of your job would just spit dirt on the face, some believe.

Some people talk about the doors of opportunities opened for them with the great results they achieved. If you want to study overseas, the As are the first things the sponsors look for. If you are applying for a job, your paper qualification usually is the first thing required.

Well, they might be right on that. And they might not.

Truth is, what actually drives you to score in the exams? The prestige it brings? The awards you get? Or the rewards from Allah you get for the effort put for it? Hmm.

 

The pitfall

Many were inspired by Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. These two iconic figures are an idol for many too. Their stories of success without finishing the normal route of education like other people had to, mesmerized the world.

Some even went more than being mesmerized.

“I’m quitting school, mum. If Bill Gates can do it, so can I.”

“There’s no use coming to classes, doing assignments and sitting for exams.  Steve Jobs never took it seriously when he was a student.”

The fact is not many people realize that these two figures’ success didn’t come in a blink of an eye. Their legacy is the fruit of sleepless days and nights, bone-breaking, mind crunching effort not many people are ready to endure. Yep, Gates and Jobs didn’t finish college education. But they sure possess superhuman effort and determination. And they’re not even close to Prophet Noah’s 900 years of da’wah works.

Let’s have a closer look at the story behind their success. The stuff in fine prints. The dirt, sweat and blood. Let’s not just focus on the fancy stuff, shall we?

The fact is, again, Jobs and Gate’s stories are isolated cases. They are the ‘different few’.  Jobs was, and Gates is here to spark some thoughts in our minds that what seemed impossible are not always so. The ‘different few’ group is few in numbers. If there are many, then they won’t be so different.

Then again, if you still wholeheartedly believe that you belong to this group,  proceed at full speed and never look back till you’ve reached your limit. Who knows, you might be the next Jobs and formal education is just slowing you down?

 

‘Alim Mujahid

A student is just like a sponge if he knows not why he is studying. Similar to that, a sponge absorbs water not knowing why it suddenly is wet and soggy.

A student, as the Arabic word ‘Tolib’ comes from the word ‘tolaba’ which means ‘to claim’. This echoes with the Malay word ‘penuntut ilmu’. (Honestly I prefer this term than ‘pelajar’. One might learn but wish not to be learned.)

A student claims knowledge so that he knows things and masters skills. With the knowledge and skills, he will be able to fulfill his duties as a khalifa for himself, for mankind and for the world.

His aim is beyond getting grades. His aim is beyond securing jobs. His aim is God-written.

He must master the knowledge and become a scholar (‘alim) and in getting there he must struggle. A struggler (mujahid) he is, to be a scholar and to continue struggling in working for his deen.

An ‘alim mujahid is beyond thinking leaving college to follow Gates and Jobs’ footsteps. He is also beyond getting good grades but forgetting everything after the exam ends. He is a moving sage, eager to magnet knowledge, and eager to spread them and put them for good use.

An ‘alim mujahid not only sees opportunities but create them. An ‘alim mujahid attends classes for the barakah of being in a congregation of knowledge. He gives his finest touch in his assignments as it is a black and white proof of his worship. He writes his wisdom on his exam papers, recollects his vast memory bank, and paints his genius to appreciate the teacher’s hard work on him. He scores in the exams to carve a smile on his parents’ face.

He did it for his deen. He did it because it is the way of the prophets. He did it because it is what he deserve as a Muslim, and what the Muslim ummah should expect from him.

Closing

This exams season, you know what you’ve got to do. And you know well enough that He’s always by your side.

“…..And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah . Indeed, Allah loves those who rely [upon Him]”

(Ali Imran : 159)

Happy struggling!