Be the big box (or the candle)

 

Meet the Farnsworth House by Mies. At the corner of the house is a big box; filled with all the basic amenities of a house. You know, things like kitchen, bathroom, toilet, wardrobe and even a fireplace. The beauty of the box lies in its positioning. Depending on the size of space that it captures on its sides, it defines the function of the space.

A wide space, coupled with the fireplace of the big box, will become a suitable space for a living or even a bedroom.
 It can remain as flexible as we want it to be.

A narrow space, framed by the kitchen side of the box will obviously suggest that the 'hallway' is only for cooking purposes. The adjacent space near the area is probably a good space to have the dining area, as suggested in the picture below.

Notice one important thing; there are no walls to define the space and function. The clever design and strategic positioning of the big box is enough to ACTIVATE the space surrounding it and suggest to them their own function.

It would be a totally different house if the big box is not there.

 ...

Think about this as an analogy.

How would our surrounding change if we are no longer part of it?
Would it be any different?

If the answer is yes, then we should try and be the big box.
Because our ummah needs a lot of these big boxes.

خَيْرُ النَّاسِ أَنْفَعُهُمْ لِلنَّاسِ

“The best people are those who are useful to others.”

Shahih al-Jami’ no 3289 (Hasan).

Da’ie is like a candle that burns itself to light up the way for his people.

So, be the big box. Or the candle.
(Not to be taken literally laa...)


ps:
The big box doesn't have to do everything to activate the space. It only needs to be there, making sure it plays its role as the core of the house. The furniture will help it to do the rest.
Likewise, being a da'ie, we don't have to do everything on our own. Just spark the change. Our surrounding will eventually change, provided we do our work.

Allahua'lam. Allah knows best.