I’m involved with a few organizations here n there. One of the organizations I act as an advisor. And one day after Friday prayer, a man approaches me and says ‘You’re Suhaib?’ so I said ‘yeah’ – he immediately asked to meet with me and it seemed quite important by the tone of his voice.
OK, so I agreed to shift my timetable to meet him the next week – I text him and said is it OK for 7-8pm (i.e. 1hr) – so he text back saying that’s cool etc.
On the day I’m supposed to meet him, he calls me during lunch hours – confirming I was still coming – then he said there’ll be food served (I was going to his house)..so I thought, that’s a nice man alhamdulillah.
So I went to his house – came there on time…and he invited me in…we sat down…he brought another friend with him…they talked and talked about Islamic issues – alhamdulillah that was cool…and I listened…I didn’t really say much, I was too tired to be honest and I just kept glancing at the clock thinking the hours gonna be over soon and the food’s not even arrived..
Well, the food finally arrived…alhamdulillah it was nice…but as harsh as I may sound..I was really hoping for some Pakistani food (as opposed to English dinner)…anyway, after we finished eating..it was about 9pm …we prayed isha. And then it was about 9:30pm – then he talked to me about what he wanted to talk to me about.
And what an appalling issue he discussed with me. Something so trivial – something that only he made big (out of respect of the organisation, I don’t wish to say anything). So I stressed to him – I hear what you’re saying but I’m an adviser to the organisation, not the president. So I can’t guarantee I can do anything.
Then he became happy! I thought… what???!!! Did I just promise I’d do something for him and make the changes he wanted to make? So I stressed again – ‘I can’t promise anything, I’m just an adviser’ …so he said something like ‘no problem brother’
By this time I was itching to get out of his house and back to my life …from a 1hr meeting, it turned out to be 3 hours. By the time I had come home, it was 10:30pm – I was tired and annoyed that I had used 4 hours of my life (including travel time) for something so ridiculously stupid that could have been over in 2 minutes.. so I pushed my life schedule back by not doing anything that nite – from what I recall, I just played on my guitar watch some malay drama and went to sleep…yep, I was in a mood..hah.
About a week later, he SMS’d me asking for a follow up meeting – well… I was busy doing other things so I hadn’t even bothered to think about his issue…so I didn’t even respond to his SMS. Also, the thing is, he SMS’d me on my public number (which he got from someone else) – and I only respond to my public number when I feel like it (and I only respond to my private number if I recognize the caller). Anyway…he didn’t bother me until the Friday prayer before I set off to Msia…he came to me with a smile on his face.. “A’kum brother Suhaib, good to see you…how’s life?” … I said ‘Alhamdulillah Brother, not so bad’ …so he asked ‘Have you done anything about what we discussed?’ … I said, ‘2B honest I’ve been BZ – and not been able to do anything much’ – (although its been about a month now)…then he kind of pulled a ‘P****** off face…so I said ‘Brother, I’m going to Malaysia tomorrow for 2 weeks’ …. so he asked – who’s in charge when you’re not around…I pulled a ‘are u stupid face’ and said – I was never in charge, I’m the adviser…you need to speak to [name of person omitted]’ – this really irritated him … he pulled a very P***** off face …and immediately turned away in frustration…then turned briefly back before storming off in a tantrum like a child..
I shrugged it all off and went back to my own life..heh.
Now I’m currently in Msia – with free time…so I thought I’d write a blog about it…kinda cool rite?
Is there a moral to this story?
Hmm….
Moral: If you’ve got a problem with someone, try going to the person direct – don’t go through someone else. If you go through someone else as a ‘style’ to get to the correct person, don’t get vexed when it doesn’t work out.
Normally, if you can’t convince the person direct – consider it might be your fault as well for not being able to put your argument across in a convincing way with that guy.
Lastly, if I say I’m an adviser…then I’m an adviser … that means to advise i.e. give advice (not make commands or decisions)… don’t think that I’m more than that…because I won’t act more than an adviser just for your purpose. My life doesn’t evolve around yours. Do u get me? (**laughter**)
S.Shafii School of Thought 