Yaser El-Waly and His Approach to Living by Deen
Faith as the Starting Point
Ask Yaser El-Waly anything about his life, and it is sure to come back to his faith. Growing up in Perth, Western Australia, he has always held that everything he does needs to be based on Islamic principles. Being a West Australian male in his fifties, he holds that success can be defined both in terms of what one achieves in life as well as how well one performs one’s duties towards Allah.
Over the years, he has nurtured an academic interest in Islam, although he never considers knowledge to be limited only to formal settings of learning. For him, the knowledge gained from Islam is meant to guide the individual in their everyday activities, whether it is in how to relate with their family members or earn a livelihood.
Guidance That Encourages Thought
For those who turn to him for consultation, the issues that face them are common to most families: problems of disagreements, confusion, or of knowing what the right thing to do is. He does not say that he will always be able to give a fast solution to everyone’s problems. His first point of departure when consulting is the Qur'an and Sunnah, followed by thoughtful contemplation before action.
Yaser El-Waly talks about patience as one would talk about a journey already undertaken and not an idea that was once read in a book. Such an approach makes his consultations slow and considered. Instead of thinking in terms of big changes, he often emphasizes the importance of small but sincere efforts.
Strengthening Community Through Character
Within Perth’s Muslim community, Yaser El-Waly continues to participate in religious instruction, mentoring and charitable work. These obligations are seen by him not as different tasks, but as part of his religion. Assistance, education, and participation in community programs are for him just a part of practicing Deen.
His family is always close to these conversations. He frequently talks about respecting parents, maintaining family bonds and building homes that promote kindness and respect daily.
A Consistent Way of Living
People who know Yaser El-Waly come to realize that his conduct reflects how he expects others to behave. Regardless of whether he is teaching, listening, or doing his community work, it all comes down to being humble, disciplined, honest, and of course selflessly serving others.
To this man from Western Australia, Islam goes beyond mere academics because Islam is everything to him as a leader, philanthropist, husband, and most importantly as a Muslim before Allah.