36in x 36inOil on Canvas The Prophet ﷺ said:“When the people of Paradise will enter Paradise, they will not find their friends who were with them in the world. They will say: ‘O Lord! We had friends who used to pray and fast with us. But we do not see them here.’ Allah will say: ‘Go to the Hellfire and take out anyone in whose heart you find faith equal to a mustard seed.’”— (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 7439; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 183) The quiet focus and gentle expressions of the students gathered around, studying Quran reflect a shared journey of faith, bound by devotion and community. The scene radiates comfort—a feeling of belonging.Growing up in a small South Texas town, our masjid school wasn’t just about learning; it was home. Instead of Sunday school, we had masjid class every day after school. While part of me dreaded more lessons after eight hours of government school, another part of me eagerly awaited the familiar faces of my Muslim classmates—the people who felt like home. Our Imam had a unique way of teaching, making lessons feel less like lectures and more like shared experiences. Sometimes, we’d sit on the park’s trampoline, at the communal reading table, or on the open masjid carpet, learning in ways that felt natural and engaging. These moments remain some of my most cherished childhood memories. This feeling of community is what I value and search for in every place.
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