 When I was contemplating embracing Islam, I took into account my values and love for tradition as a Catholic seminarian. I read many books about the lives of great saints and men of God who sacrificed a lot to demonstrate the death of their faith in Jesus. However, I depth deeper into my studies. I began to recognize that some of these men were in error in their adherence to Christianity. One such figure was Jerome, who translated the Bible and was the first to highlight its errors and contradictions. To remind himself of the fleeting nature of life and the fertility of this world, he was often seen with a score. This was a powerful symbol of the inevitability of death and serves as a reminder to him of the transience of this life and a meat of focus of the afterlife. As I reflect on the lives of these great men of God, I began to see parallels with Islam. Like these Christian figures, many Muslims have sacrificed much to live out their faith and show their devotion to Allah. It was this death of faith and sacrifice that ultimately led to me embracing Islam and beginning my own journey of devotion and spiritual growth. These pictures depict various saints such as Jerome holding his call, Catherine of Sienna wearing a crown of thorns, Daniel surrounded by lions, Anthony the Hermit of Egypt with a desert fox and the Macarius of Egypt standing on sepence. These depictions illustrate the saints' experiences and the detachment from worldly pleasures, riches and sensuality, all for the sake of their beliefs. Similarly, I reached a similar conclusion when I watched a video clip of an Imam reminding himself of the proximity of the grave for every servant of Allah, whether one is beautiful, handsome, rich, poor, powerful, oppressive, dictatorial, sinful or faithful, the grave is close to all of us. What ultimately matters is the accumulation of helpful riches marked by a life of prayer, truthfulness, obedience to Allah and service to the Umar and all of humanity. There are many Islamic figures throughout history who have sacrificed their own personal comfort and pleasure in order to pursue their faith and live according to their beliefs. Their story serves as a reminder to Muslims and non-Muslims alike of the importance of prioritising spiritual pursuit over worldly desires. The best example of a man who displayed his rock-hard belief in the faith is Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. He endured persecution, ridicule and fiscal attacks, yet he never withered in his commitment to his beliefs. However, I want to perhaps speak about Imam Ali, al-Salam, the cousin and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. He lived a very simple life, often going without food or sleep in order to devote himself fully to his faith. He also endured many physical hardships, including battle wounds and a poison sword, yet he never lost his faith or his commitment to justice. Assalamualaikum brothers and sisters, welcome to another episode of the Open Minded Thinker Show. This video is proudly sponsored by the like and share button, please like and share with your family and friends. Don't forget to subscribe to help us grow. Some Muslims online were criticising this Imam over what they said was an unnecessary innovation in the mosque. But for me, it was an innovation to highlight an important aspect of our spiritual journey. The mosque in Africa has cured a unique and humbling atmosphere, one that reminds us of the impermanence of life and the inevitability of death. As the camera pans over the congregation of worshippers, it seems evident that this is no ordinary mosque. The majority of the worshippers that dropped in traditional Africa attire a testament to the rich diversity of Islam in Africa. The most striking feature of the mosque, however, is the presence of a grave placed prominently in the centre of the prayer hall. Unlike the traditional flat floors found in most mosques, the graves seem to rise up from the ground as if inviting the worshippers to contemplate the flittered nature of life. As the Imam begins the prayer, he steps down into the grave bowing his head in submission to the will of Allah as he leads the prayer. It is also a pregnant moment as the Imam reminds us that we are all but temporary inhabitants of this world and that death is the ultimate reality that awaits all of us. Yet even in the face of this talk reminder, there is a sense of peace and tranquility in the mosque as you can see. The worshippers bow their heads in unison, offering their prayers to the Almighty and seeking His mercy and forgiveness. This unique mark serves as a path reminded to all who enter it was that our time in the world is fleeting and that we must strive to live a life that is pleasing to Allah so that we may be granted internal paradise in the hereafter. It is innovative but very necessary as a reminder. Let's live it right there, ladies and gentlemen. Until next time, As-salamu alaykum.