“We all have examinations in life, different types of examinations and each one has to try very hard. As you know, in a set up where there is a school or a university, at the end of every semester, trimester or term you would have some examinations in order to qualify you, to get to the next level. As you progress in life the examinations become more & more difficult and you know that without working, we don’t achieve. We know the common saying (man jadda wa jaddah) – Whoever works really hard will definitely see the fruit of that particular working… Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) will grant each person achievement according to his will but also connected to the effort that, that particular person makes … We need to continue to, fulfil your salah & progress/develop. Don’t think for a moment that life is going to become any easier. The only thing that will happen is, with the development of the link with Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), we become more content, we understand the nature of the world. We understand the nature of tests of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), so we enjoy going through them in the sense that we are content. We are happy with the decree of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)… With constant preparation, without giving up hope, never ever giving up, never saying ‘No’… By the will of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), we will achieve and we will achieve great heights.” (Mufti Ismail Menk)