Deathbed reflections: A catalyst for change for former LGBT member
A former LGBT member highlighted that spirituality plays a crucial role in this journey; nurturing a relationship with Allah brings protection and guidance.
WAN AHMAD ATARMIZI ASHWIN KUMAR
KLANG - Syahrin Rashidi, a 59-year-old former member of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, knows the struggle for true faith. It's not a clean break, a one-time choice. It's a constant battle against the familiar, the pull of past desires.
But Syahrin offers a powerful weapon in this fight: the awareness of life's impermanence.
Sharing his story with Sinar Daily, Syahrin stressed that staying istiqamah (steadfastness) is indeed challenging because outward appearances can be deceiving.
Temptation and the Importance of Connection
“While someone may seem to have changed, internally they may still struggle with old habits and desires, as I do. Personally, I still experience attraction to men, so it is my duty to remain steadfast and control myself.
“When we cultivate taqwa (God-consciousness), Allah protects us from sinful behaviours. By maintaining a strong connection with Allah, we can resist temptation. It is essential to prioritise practices like reading the Quran and engaging in zikr (remembrance) to strengthen our resolve.
“Without these efforts, returning to old friends and environments, such as those within the LGBT community, can easily lead us back to our former ways,” he said.
Syahrin highlighted that spirituality plays a crucial role in this journey; nurturing a relationship with Allah brings protection and guidance.
“If we neglect this relationship, there are repercussions: people may mock, judge, and question us. Ultimately, Allah is the one who allows these things to unfold; if He does not permit it, it will not happen.
“Perform your daily prayers, zikr and recite the Quran, Insyallah His protection extends wherever you go.
“Cultivating a strong relationship with Allah requires dedication, including sacrificing time and wealth for His guidance,” he stressed.
Facing Mortality: A Catalyst for Change
Syahrin also stressed the temporary nature of this life, emphasising that our true rewards await in the hereafter.
“The Prophet Muhammad SAW often reminded his companions that this worldly life is fleeting; our real life is in the hereafter. In the afterlife, Allah will grant us His paradise, where we can attain everything we did not in this temporary life.
“The Prophet SAW also mentioned that this ummah (community), the last ummah, our life expectancy is relatively short, between 60 to 70 years, and by Allah's will some will exceed that number and some may not.
“When we are dead, we leave everything behind, including our wealth. No matter how rich we are, our money cannot accompany us in the afterlife,” he mentioned.
Syahrin shared that recently, many of his friends passed away unexpectedly in their 30s and 40s, reminding him of life's uncertainty.
“Death can come suddenly, and we must be prepared. I have also had friends in the LGBT community who took their own lives because they lacked a connection to religion.
“Returning to Islam is the solution to our problems. The Prophet Muhammad SAW taught that the wisest person is one who remembers death frequently.
“Reflecting on death scared me into considering my fate. I often cried at night, seeking Allah's guidance, and thankfully, He showed me the right path,” he added.
