True Tawakkul
Tawakkul is often translated as “reliance on Allah,” but it is more nuanced than passive resignation. Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali defines tawakkul as: “The heart’s dependence on Allah for bringing about what benefits and repelling what harms, in matters of both this world and the next.” True tawakkul consists of two pillars: 1)Taking the means […]
Let’s Read Surah Kahf Today When Grief Overwhelms: What Surah Al-Kahf Teaches Us About Grief
Surah Al-Kahf, Ayah 6, says: “Then perhaps you would kill yourself through grief over them, [O Muhammad], if they do not believe in this message, [and] out of sorrow.” This ayah reflects the deep emotional pain the Prophet ﷺ felt when people rejected guidance, to the point that it affected his mental and emotional well-being. […]
Mind Your Own Business: A Sign of Wisdom in Islam
A big problem many people have is getting involved in things that don’t concern them. Asking personal questions like “How old are you?” or “How much do you make?” may be common in some cultures but have no real benefit and can be disrespectful. The Prophet ﷺ said that part of being a good Muslim […]
What Sufism Really Means: Living Islam with Heart and Practice
Sufism, or tasawwuf, is really just about bringing your heart closer to Allah. It’s not a different group or a strange version of Islam—it’s the spiritual side of our deen that focuses on sincerity, humility, and remembering Allah. Being a Sufi means living Islam with heart—purifying the soul, relying on Allah, and following the Qur’an […]
Not Everyone Marries: Lessons from Imam Nawawi’s Life
Imam Nawawi, one of the greatest scholars of Islam, is known to have never married. He spent all his time studying, teaching, and writing books that Muslims still benefit from today. It’s not that he didn’t value marriage—he just felt that his purpose was to serve the religion through knowledge, and he didn’t want anything […]
Timing Matters: Marriage Decisions for Students
Deciding to get married while you’re still in school is a big choice and needs careful thought. It’s important to ask yourself if you’re really ready—mentally, emotionally, and financially—to take on both school and marriage at the same time. Talk to people you trust, like your parents, teachers, or mentors, and most importantly, pray istikhārah […]
Reflecting Divine Light: Living by the Light of Allah in Our Hearts
Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth—a reality that not only illuminates all creation but also brings clarity, guidance, and purpose to our hearts. This divine light is not like any physical light, but the light of truth, knowledge, and presence. When Allah places this light in a person’s heart, it transforms […]
Beyond the Red Sea: Escaping Our Inner Tyranny
The Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ is a day of remembrance and gratitude, marking the miraculous victory when Allah saved Prophet Mūsā (ʿalayhi as-salām) and the Children of Israel from the tyranny of Pharaoh. As we reflect on this divine liberation, we must also ask: what Pharaohs rule our own hearts? What forms of ego, greed, or […]
Let’s Read Surah al-Kahf Today Faith in Trials: The Echo of Musa’s Story in Surah al-Kahf and Ashura
On the Day of Ashura, we reflect on the story of Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) and the miraculous salvation of the Children of Israel from Pharaoh’s tyranny—an event commemorated through fasting in gratitude to Allah. Surah al-Kahf, though not directly about Ashura, echoes the same themes of divine guidance, patience in trial, and […]
When the Divine Knocks: From Wārid to Wird
When Allah loves you, He sends you a wārid—a spiritual influx, a sudden moment of clarity, presence, or longing that awakens your heart and draws you toward Him. A wārid is not something you create; it is a divine gift from the unseen, a subtle call from Allah inviting you closer. That sacred impulse inspires […]
Polishing the Heart for Divine Light
Divine light is a gift, not something earned by our deeds alone. It enters the heart through sincerity, humility, and presence with Allah. One of the aphorisms of Ibn ʿAṭā’illah says, “Lights are the mounts of hearts and secrets.” That this light allows the heart to perceive truth clearly, to be protected from deception, and […]
Du‘ā of Light (Du‘ā al-Nūr)
اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْ فِي قَلْبِي نُورًا، وَفِي بَصَرِي نُورًا، وَفِي سَمْعِي نُورًا، وَعَنْ يَمِينِي نُورًا، وَعَنْ يَسَارِي نُورًا، وَمِنْ فَوْقِي نُورًا، وَمِنْ تَحْتِي نُورًا، وَأَمَامِي نُورًا، وَخَلْفِي نُورًا، وَاجْعَلْ لِي نُورًا Allāhumma ajʿal fī qalbī nūran, wa fī baṣarī nūran, wa fī samʿī nūran, wa ʿan yamīnī nūran, wa ʿan yasārī nūran, wa min fawqī nūran, […]
