Is an empty prayer better than no prayer? Is this statement correct? The answer is yes it is.
Sometimes it feels like when we pray we are just going through the motions. We are not connected at all spiritually to the prayer or to Allah. It feels we are not spiritually growing through our prayers.
When that happens to us we feel what is the point in praying? This is Shaytan who is encouraging us to cut off our connection with Allah. However, as long as we have that connection we will find our way back to Allah. - aboutislam.net
Islam balances personal piety and relationship responsibilities by teaching that fulfilling one’s duties to Allah and to others are both acts of worship. A Muslim cannot neglect their spouse or family while focusing solely on personal devotion. True piety lies in giving each their due — as the Prophet affirmed, “Your Lord has rights over you, your body has rights over you, and your spouse has rights over you.”
Islam teaches us to live balanced lives, fulfilling our obligations to Allah and toward His creation.
It is stated succinctly by the Prophet’s eminent companion, Salman al-Farisi, when he told his friend Abu Ad-Darda’, “Your Lord has rights over you; your body has rights over you; your spouse has rights over you; so, you should give each one of them their due.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
Salman gave the above advice when he observed that Abu Ad-Darda was solely occupied by worship, ignoring his wife’s rights. He wanted to teach him that Islam is all about balancing our rights and duties without neglecting anyone’s side.
When the Prophet learned about what Salman told Abu Ad-Darda; the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Salman is right.”
Therefore, if your wife wants to please Allah, she cannot do so at the expense of neglecting her spousal duties as a wife. She can never expect to please Allah by going to such extremes.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “You will gain rewards (of charity) through your act of sexual intimacy with your spouses. On hearing this, the companions exclaimed, “You mean we gain rewards for fulfilling our sexual desires?” he replied, “Of course. How about if you were to go and fulfill it outside the bounds of marriage? Will you not be punished for doing so? They said, “Of course’;’ and then he said, “Likewise, you will be rewarded for fulfilling your sexual desires within the bounds of marriage.” (Reported by Muslim)
Therefore, ones wife could lead a balanced life by fulfilling her duties towards Allah without sacrificing her spousal responsibilities. That is the Islamic way, and that is the only way for her to gain the pleasure of Allah.
As healing is from Allah, doctors and medications are merely instruments of the Healer.
Sending the Qur’an to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), Allah says that reading the Qur’an and believing in it will also cure all your physical illnesses.
The first part of this article sheds light on how the Holy Qur’an contains rules of guidance which, if followed, promote good health and healing.
Use of Meditation in Prayer and Healing
Meditation includes acts of remembrance and communications with God as ordained to us.
1. “When my servant asks you (O Muhammad) about me, (tell them) I am close to them: I listen to the prayer of each supplicant when he asks Me. Let them listen to My call and believe in Me, that they may walk in the right way” (Qur’an 2:186).
2. “Your Lord says: “Call on Me and I will answer your call” (Qur’an 40:60).
3. “Those who believe and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of God, for in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest” (Qur’an 13:28).
4. “Remember Me, I will remember you; thank Me and reject Me not” (Qur’an 2:152).
5. “Remember thy Lord much and praise Him in the evening and morning” (Qur’an 3:41).
6. “Such as those who remember God standing, sitting and reclining” (Qur’an 3:191).
7. “and men who remember God much and women who remember God, God has prepared for them forgiveness and a vast reward” (Qur’an 33:35).
8. “O you believe! Remember God with much remembrance and glorify Him in the morning and evening” (Qur’an 33:41-42).
Sayings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Prophet Muhammad, like all other prophets of God, was engaged in the remembrance of God most of the time. He is known to have said:
1. “There is a polish for everything that removes the rust and the polish for the rust-of-heart is the dhikr (remembrance) of God.”
2. He was asked which people are most virtuous and most highly esteemed by God on the Day of Judgement.
The messenger of God (P) replied: “Those who remember God often.”
3. It is narrated in a hadith Qudsi (direct revelation to Prophet Muhammad) “God Most High says I am as my servant thinks I am. I am with him when he makes mention of Me. If he makes mention of Me by himself, I make mention of him to Myself. If he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than his. If he comes closer to Me a hand span, I come closer to him arms-length, if he comes to Me walking, I come to him running.”
Thus meditation/remembrance has been a practice of all Sufi sheikhs. In the words of Sheikh al-Mursi “dhikr (meditation) pleases God, defeats and drives evil forces, increases livelihood, makes the personality more prestigious, cleanses the heart, removes the faults and saves the tongue from lying, gossip, backbiting, and hypocrisy while engaged in the remembrance of God.”
Seeking Help with Prayers
According to Imam Ghazali, illness increases faith and brings man closer to God. Knowing this nature, we are told by the Qur’an – “O you who believe, seek help with patience and prayers, as God is with those who patiently persevere” (Qur’an 2:153).
The Prophet Muhammad used to comfort the ill when he visited them and would say the following prayer:
“O Allah remove the hardship, O Lord of mankind, grant cure for You are the Healer. There is no cure but from You, a cure which leaves no illness behind.”
He would also make the following prayer for his own health:
“O Allah cure my body, cure my heart and cure my eyesight from any illness” (repeated 3 times).
Do Prayers Work?
Yes, they do.? Dr. Larry Dossey in his book “The Healing Words” has documented the healing effects of prayer. Citing one example from the research conducted by Dr. Byrd at San Francisco General Hospital in 1988, 393 critically ill heart patients admitted to the intensive care units over a 10-month period were divided into two groups.
Patients categorized into group (A) were prayed for by name until they left the hospital.? Those in group (B) were not prayed for. Those giving the prayers were not told how to pray. The results were very interesting.
Those who prayed for left the hospital early, had a lower incidence of cardiac arrest, 2-1/2 times less incidence of congestive heart failure and required 1/5th fewer antibiotics.
The research team also observed that prayer combined with loving care worked even better.? Men who had angina pectoris and a loving, caring wife, reported a 50% reduction in angina than men who were single or divorced.
Prayers work for us even while we are sleeping. The Prophet Muhammad advised us to say prayers from the Qur’an (Surah Ikhlas, Al Falaq, Annas and/or last verse of Al Baqra (2:286) before going to sleep.
My Own Practice
I do dhikr in all my free time, especially while driving, and I pray for myself, my family, my friends and my patients by name knowing that cure is only from God.
One time I visited a critically ill patient who had an adrenal tumor (pheochromocytoma) and was in hypotensive shock. I asked her what I could do for her and she, out of desperation (doctors had told her she wouldn’t make it) asked me to pray.
So I placed my hand over the site of the tumor and made the prophetic prayer and left. The next day when I came, I was surprised to see her sitting up in bed smiling.
She told me that in the evening, the radiologist x-rayed her again and found no trace of the tumor. He could not explain it but thought that the arteriogram might have infarcted the tumor.
The Sufi Practices
In the treatment of diseases, Sufis use prayers and the knowledge of specific verses of the Qur’an and the names of Allah. This is called the Science of Tawidh (Taweez). They use the science of numerology associated with Arabic alphabets. Some sample tawidh is given for illustration.
One must know the healing is not in a piece of paper, words or numbers, but only from Allah. In my humble opinion, Tawidh is only a way to become God-conscious and receive His mercy as a result.
Reflects a good intention and a sign of somebody having a seed of a piety in his/her heart, which springs off a sense of guilt and remorsefulness, and that’s a first important condition and ingredient of Tawbah Nasuha (sincere repentance) opening the door of acceptance and forgiveness from the mighty creator, bi iznillah, as Allah says in the Quran: “O you who believe, repent to Allah with sincere repentance! Maybe your Lord will absolve you of your misdeeds and admit you into Gardens (Jannah) with streams running in them…” (Quran 66:8).
This type of repentance is also one of the prayers and supplications of the Prophet (pbuh) indicating its significance: “O Allah, grant me sincere repentance before death”.
So I would say “congratulations” sister for having that spirit “of having genuine remorsefulness, and please stick to it, our Lord is “lord of mercy”, and as He said in his hadith qudsi “Verily, my mercy prevails over my wrath”, and based on this He forgives all the sins (except shirk – polytheism); meaning that if we repent sincerely even our major sins can be forgiven. Haven’t you heard the story of a man who killed 99 persons and yet never felt despair in Allah’s mercy. In his quest for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness, he killed another person, making it hundred; despite all this, Allah subhanau wa tahala forgave him, Subhanallah!
So here are what I would recommend for you to do:
1- Capitalize of that good spirit you have now (as mentioned above) and process it properly towards a level of “genuine sense of guilt and remorsefulness”
2- Never despair in God’s mercy: Move towards your Lord, get closer to Him, feel Him in your heart and cry unto Him, seeking His forgiveness and mercy, as the Quran says: “Flee to Allah; indeed, I am to you from Him a clear warner” (Quran 51:50) — While doing this, don’t let Satan weigh you down or discourage you, Allah is there for you always.
3- Tawhbah Nasuuha (sincere repentance): As mentioned above, let me quickly reiterate here that you will need to follow the above step with a sincere repentance which means that you would have in your heart a strong avowal of dutifulness and intention not to go back again, and that you will henceforth try to be an obedient servant of Allah, and He will certainly help you on that, because repentance is certainly the most cherished act of obedience in the eyes of Allah. May Allah accept it from us and help us attain the level of His devotees and pious servants, Ameen
It shows how Islam and the lifestyle that Allah Almighty has planned for us essentially liberates women and gives them much power and control. You can take a look at the article if you will, it is quite an interesting read.
And I can tell you that, as a Muslim woman, the more I read and learn about Islam, the more I truly and genuinely feel and become fully convicted that the Creator Allah Almighty quite outstandingly honors, elevates and raises the status of women in a manner that I haven’t found anywhere else- and Allah is my witness to that!
Allah, The Most Powerful, Most Knowing, Most Wise Creator has chosen women- not men- but women to be the carriers of life into existence!
We are the creations that are honored and chosen by Allah to bring life into this world. A woman’s womb in Arabic (rahm) is extracted from the name of Allah Himself ArRahman (The Most Merciful). In-and-of itself, this is a sign of elevation and closeness that the woman has with The Creator, The King of kings, the Giver of Life.
The noble Prophet says in a hadith:
“The word ‘Ar-Rahm‘ (womb) derives its name from ‘Ar- Rahman‘ (i.e. Allah, The Continuously Merciful). So whosoever keeps good relations with it (womb i.e. Kith and kin), Allah will keep good relations with him, and whosoever will sever it (i.e. severs his bonds of Kith and kin) Allah too will sever His relations with him.” [Sahih Al Bukhari]
This is the value and status of the woman, the source and the foundation of the society, the link that ties the entire community together.
Allah made men “maintainers” of women. Meaning, wherever she may be (at her father’s house or her husband’s house) the women must be fully taken care of and protected.
Her father or husband are obliged by Allah to take care of all her needs; her financial needs, her spiritual needs, her intellectual needs…etc. all must be met. They get rewarded for doing so, and they get held accountable before Allah Himself if the didn’t.
The Prophet says:
“Whoever has three daughters and is patient towards them, and feeds them, gives them to drink, and clothes them from his wealth; they will be a shield for him from the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.”[Grade: Sahih. Sunan Ibn Majah]
If she wishes to work and make her own money, she is allowed to do so as she pleases. But whatever money she makes is solely hers. She can do or buy whatever she wants with it.
She is not asked or required in any way, shape or form to spend money on her family or her husband, and he is not allowed to ask her for her money. She is not obliged either by Islamic law to cook or clean in the house. But her husband, whatever money he makes, he has to maintain and spend on her! If he didn’t, he is held accountable before Allah.
If anything, Allah is treating us like Queens, sister! The Prophet says, “Be gentle with the glass-vessels (i.e. the women)”.
He describes women as very delicate and must be dealt with softly, gently and with care.
Narrated Anas: Once Um Sulaim was (with the women who were) in charge of the luggage on a journey, and Anjashah, the servant of the Prophet, was driving their camels (very fast). The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said, “O Anjash! Drive slowly (the camels) with the glass vessels (i.e., ladies).” [Sahih Al Bukhari]
Also in the hadith the Prophet said “Indeed women are counterparts of men.”
And Allah Almighty revealed that women and men are equal before Him. He said:
“Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so – for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (Quran 33: 35)
Now, with regards to what you mentioned, we need to make one point very clear. Allah didn’t create men and women to fight with each other. Rather, He created them to complement one another and cover each other’s needs—which is a very beautiful understanding.
“They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them.” (Quran 2: 187).
Men and women- the husband and wife- are described as clothing or garments for one another, which shows the closeness, mercy and bond that must be there between them.
It’s important to realize and come to the understanding that the believing men and believing women are allies! We’re not competing with one another, fighting or trying to overpower one another.
“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those – Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.” (Quran 9:71)
The attitude of “why do I have to do this, not him” or “why do I have to do that, not her,”“Why do I obey him, why do I obey her” ….This is not mature way of thinking or acting for us and this is not befitting!
Again, men and women are supposed to collaborate and complement each other’s roles and have mutual understanding.
If you think something is unjust, why do you suggest fixing an injustice by imposing further injustice on the other? Do we fix something wrong by doing the same wrong to others?
Again, Allah created this world upon “balance”, there must be balance, and there must be agreement and coordination. We do not try to possess something completely or bring it completely to our side,or harm the other party to bring benefit to ourselves. That’s not true justice or true activism or feminism. This is imbalance and Allah didn’t call for that.
“And the heaven He raised and imposed the balance. That you not transgress within the balance.” (Quran 55: 7-8)
Men and women are building communities together; pure, dignified communities. We are meant to bring goodness to this world together, raise children and serve humanity together.
It’s not befitting for us to say for example: why are men obligated to spend their money on their families while women aren’t? Or, why are women given the ability to give birth and men aren’t? Or, why there is a chapter in the Quran called “The Women” and there is no chapter called “The Men”?
Again, each of us have rights and responsibilities. Women are the center and the foundation of the family, the community and the Ummah. Men are maintainers and protectors of women. Together they complete and complement each other. While they’re unique in their roles and responsibilities, but in the Sight of Allah, they’re equally valued and rewarded…
With regards to the verse you mentioned: no, it doesn’t allow men to beat women unjustly and ask women to stand there helplessly. Rather, it says that in severely extreme cases where women have repeatedly transgressed all boundaries, became harmful, abusive and immoral, men can stop their harm lightly but with limits.
That’s what the ayah does, it puts limits. It doesn’t invite people to beat their wives. Whoever transgresses those limits has wronged in the sight of Allah. Simultaneously, Allah didn’t put any limits on women as you mentioned, on the contrary, He left it open and didn’t even put restrictions on them in this regard like He put on men.
You can watch this very short but concise explanation of the issue of ‘beating’ women here. Insha’Allah it will benefit you as well.
Finally, I remember reading a quote by renowned Egyptian scientist and writer, Mostafa Mahmoud who said “Allah entrusted men with the responsibility of building buildings and constructions…etc., and He entrusted women with the responsibility of building the human being—which truly is a much nobler mission!”
Sister, Allah heard a woman who came to the Prophet to complain about her husband and He revealed verses from the Quran to give this woman her right back and to show how close He is to us, and those verses will be recited by all people in the Quran until the end of time… [Sunan Ibn Majah]
“Certainly has Allah heard the speech of the one who argues with you, [O Muhammad], concerning her husband and directs her complaint to Allah. And Allah hears your dialogue; indeed, Allah is Hearing and Seeing.” (Quran: Chapter 58: 1)
This same woman was reported to have stopped the most powerful man in her time, Omar Ibn Al Khattab, the Khalifa, the Chief of the believers, and she challenged him and advised him on matters of the ruling and he was listening to her humbly and attentively and didn’t speak back at her.
When she was gone and he was asked why he didn’t interrupt her when she took so long of his time, he said “shall I not listen to the one whom Allah has listened to!”
Such is the honor of women in Islam. They’re elevated, their bodies are sacred, and their sanctity, their intellect and their existence are dignified and protected, even serving them is rewarded.
So, have good expectations of your Most Beautiful, Most Wise, Most Just Creator, my sister. Ask Him to open doors of understanding for you, and to keep you among those who truly understand and properly practice their beautiful religion.
Learn more about Allah. How can we assume matters that are unjust about Him when His Name is The Just. Have strong faith in Him;faith like Hajar’s, the wife of Prophet Ibrahim, who had such strong faith in Allah even in the toughest, most inexplicable moments.
But with her faith and perseverance, Allah made her a role model for all believers until the day of judgement. He made her a founder of one of the main pillars of Islam: Hajj. Her journey between Safa and Marwa Mountains have become a requirement for the fulfillment of a pillar of Islam: Hajj. [Al Bukhari].
That’s the status of women, sister, and this our Most Merciful Creator…
May Allah honor and shower you with wisdom, peace and light in this life and the next. Ameen
Sleep closes your eyes, but power continues to run through your veins and nerves, sustaining life in your body, never ceasing or slackening.
Who keeps them alive, active, and vigilant for you? Who created and caused them to work from nothing?
You were not created because you asked to be, or provided for while an embryo and a baby because you asked to be. Rather, it was the Generous Bestower and Glorious Maker Who did these things for you, out of His Grace. He truly is more merciful to you than you are to yourself.
Meaning of Thankfulness
Thankfulness is a word that – along with gratitude – means praise and exaltation, and herein lies its worth and merit.
What is important is that the tongue utters gratitude while feeling it in the heart, and acknowledging from deep inside that God, as the source of every good bestowed, deserves all thanks that is sent.
With every blink of the eye and beat of the heart, Allah acquaints mankind with Himself through the blessings He bestows and the good things He sends.
These blessings and bounties, which are renewed throughout every day and every night, should be received with recognition for and thanks to the One Who Bestowed them.
It is He Who made the night and the day follow each other, for such who desires to remember or desires to show gratitude. (25: 62)
If you provide someone with food, give him shelter, pay off his debts, or raise him to a high rank, and he then frowns upon you or gives you his back despite the kindness shown to him, you would perceive him as someone without whom earth would be a better place.
What do you think about the Lord of existence – Who creates out of nothing, provides sustenance and clothing, and showers down His Graces and Favors year after year – when He sees that those living and rejoicing in His Blessings are stern and steadfast opponents of Him!
He has created man from Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge), then behold, this same man becomes an open opponent. (16: 4)
Ingratitude
Ingratitude is baseness. The incessant flow of bounties is just repaid with turning the back to their Giver and disobeying Him in His watchful Presence.
With persistence in such behavior, the right to more is diminished to nothing. Therefore is the command to mankind to thank and express gratitude to Him, their Lord.
Gratitude is not a difficult duty that has to be borne with patience; rather, it is the road to perfection that people must walk with determination and purpose.
O you who believe, eat of the good things that We have provided for you, and give thanks to Allah, if it is truly Him that you worship. (2: 172)
Thankfully acknowledging Allah’s Favors with sweet composure and acquiescence of the heart towards the Maker makes a person worthy of receiving more. Blessings in his hands are like water poured on a fertile land that bursts with flowers and fruits. Pouring more cannot be withheld or reduced.
Contrarily, watering a barren land is a waste, and therefore water is cut off.
If you give thanks, I will give you more (of My Blessings), but if you are thankless, verily My Punishment is indeed severe. (14: 7)
Severe punishment is thus deserved for the evilness of ingratitude.
What will people lose if they enjoy the Blessings of Allah with a thankful heart that acknowledges the Bestower and says to Him, “Thank You.” Or is this too difficult?
All praise and thanks to Allah Who restored to me my soul, made my body healthy, and allowed me to remember Him.
Whenever he finished eating, he would say:
All praise and thanks to Allah Who fed us, quenched our thirst, and made us Muslims.
Whenever he returned from relieving himself, he would say:
All praise and thanks to Allah Who made me taste its (food) good flavor, retained within me its power (strength and energy derived from food), and removed from me its harm.
Whenever he wore a new garment, he would say:
All praise and thanks to Allah Who has clothed me with this garment and provided it for me, with no power or might from myself.
Whenever he returned from traveling, he would say:
We are returning, repenting, worshiping, and praising our Lord.
Whenever something happened that pleased him, he would say:
All praise and thanks to Allah by Whose Blessings all good things are perfected.
And whenever something happened that displeased him, he would say:
All praise and thanks to Allah in all circumstances.
And he prayed:
O Allah, help me remember You, thank You, and perfect my worship of You.
Satan’s Plan
What plan did Satan have against mankind after he was expelled from heaven?
His vengeful endeavors were to rob mankind of contentment and make them ungrateful.
His vengeful endeavors were to distract them and cover their insight with veils of heedlessness, so that they eat the Bounties of Allah and do not thank Him and see His Grand Signs and do not glorify Him.
When beasts find food, they devour it, sensible of nothing else. And when they lack food, they feel hungry, sensible of nothing else. When healthy, they run and jump. But when sick, they lie down and rest, sensible of nothing else.
They know no patience with affliction or thankfulness for bounties.
This is the kind of life that Satan wants mankind to live, neither to remember nor thank Allah.
This was the oath of Satan on the day he was driven out of heaven.
I will surely lie in wait for those on Your Straight Path. Then I will come to them from in front and from behind and from their right and from their left, and You will not find most of them grateful (to You). (7: 17)
The Consequences of Ingratitude
The worst of ingratitude is when it is a collective feeling into which an entire nation slides. As if there is a written agreement among them not to mention anything good about Allah, and to gorge His Bounties and ascribe them to anyone other than Him.
Were previous nations, such as ‘Ad and Thamud, destroyed for any cause other than ingratitude?
It was said to ‘Ad:
Remember that He made you successors after the people of Nuh (Noah), and increased you amply in stature. So remember the graces (bestowed on you) from Allah, so that you may be successful. (7: 69)
It was said to Thamud:
Remember that He made you successors after ‘Ad (people); and gave you habitations in the land, you build for yourselves palaces in plains, and carve out homes in the mountains. So remember the graces (bestowed on you) from Allah, and do not go about making mischief on the earth. (7: 74)
The flood of blessings and bounties that flowed throughout their land was nothing to these people. Consequently, they were deprived of what they were ungrateful for; dispossessed of what they denied, and torment was justified against them.
Mankind is warned not to tread such pernicious paths.
Remember Me, I will remember you. And be thankful to Me and do not be ungrateful. (2: 152)
But despite Allah’s Warnings, only few are those who acknowledge His Favors or feel grateful.
From the book “The Emotional Side of Islam” by Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghazali. Translated and adapted by Haya Muhammad Eid and edited by Emily Katharine Richardson.
Considering all the tragic and heartbreaking events happening around the world, I and many others reading this are infinitely blessed.
Indeed, the Prophet Muhammad says,
“Whoever wakes up safely in his home, and is healthy in his body, and has provisions for his day would have acquired all the worldly possessions he is in need of.” (Al-Tirmidhi).
People around the world are being tested by losing their homes, their families, their lives, and everything dear to them. So then, what is our test while being blessed?
Our test is how we will use those blessings to make this world a better place.
Showing our gratitude for the blessings by bringing more goodness to humanity.
Our test is: What will we leave behind when we die, and what kind of difference will we have made?
Let’s not be stopped by guilt, feelings of helplessness, and despair.
As life goes on, we must go on to cultivate courage and build a better world, because that is our job.
And it is He (God) who has made you successors upon the earth and has raised some of you above others in degrees (of rank) that He may try you through what He has given you”
Qur’an 6:165
What Are You Responsible For?
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said,
“Every one of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The leader of people is a guardian and is responsible for his people.
A man is the guardian of his family, and he is responsible for them. A woman is the guardian of her husband’s home and his children, and she is responsible for them.” (Bukhari, Muslim).
Thus, once again, we each hold a responsibility.
The unbearable suffering we see happening in the world needs to move us, motivate us, and push us to take on that responsibility and do our part.
Figure out your talent, your skills, your knowledge, and your experiences that you can use to help others around you.
Do you write, speak, draw, design, educate, mentor, parent, fundraise, or advocate?
Me and you can and will do something. We just need to find it and run with it.
Are You Blessed With Choice?
Each and every one of us may have reason to feel hatred, anger, and fear, but we can absolutely choose to spread love, hope, and courage instead, in spite of all the suffering we see around us.
We can choose to advocate for justice, equality, and peace through respect, foresight, and wisdom.
Choose to teach our children compassion, kindness, and empathy because we want them to live in a better world than we did.
We can choose to trust that, in the end, there is an All-Seeing, All-Hearing, All-Compassionate God that is taking care of every single soul that walks this earth.
Choose hope. We can choose love. And we can choose courage.
Find that courage, embrace it, and let it fuel your ability to make a profound difference for the betterment of humanity.
And if you’re still feeling fearful, uncertain, or anxious, please try the following steps to cultivate courage in order to build a better world:
1) Accept Your Fear
Fear is a natural human response that keeps us safe from life-threatening situations.
However, fear is also a “learned behaviour” that is fed by our environment, such that our brain has almost become trained to be “fearful.”
To “re-wire” our brain, if you will, we need to accept and allow ourselves to feel our fears instead of avoiding or fighting them.
Then we need to ultimately face them.
Most of the time, it is not the fear of wild animals or jumping out of airplanes that you have to overcome.
Rather, the fears that are common to many people, such as the fear of failure or the fear of what others think stand as an obstacle in our way.
And the way to overcome such fears is to simply go ahead and try.
Even if you “fail,” and even if others think negatively, because at the end, every “failure” is a stepping stone.
Ultimately we should not worry about the creation when we have the Creator on our side.
2) Talk to a Trusted Person About Your Fear
Sometimes you don’t really know what your fears are or why you have them until you have a chance to discuss them with a trusted, experienced friend, coach, therapist, or mentor.
You may even wish to discuss it online if you wish to remain anonymous.
As adults, when you face certain situations, and may act in ways that ultimately demonstrate there is fear deep inside.
You may need a trusted individual to help you dig back in and identify the events and feelings that caused that fear so you can overcome it.
Then you can move on to demonstrate more healthy patterns of interactions with others in your future experiences.
3) Take The Time to Reflect
Taking the time to reflect and be mindful can help you overcome your fears.
Through our daily prayers and supplications, this can be the best practice for getting over fear.
When praying, share with the Creator your deepest fears and ask Him to replace those fears with courage and strength.
Visualise yourself overcoming your fears, having more courage, and doing the things you have always wanted to do, knowing that they will bring goodness to humanity.
4) Have Faith in Yourself Based on Your Faith in God
The greatest place to feed that faith in yourself is your faith in God, because He has created you in the best way possible, and with Him, everything can be possible.
We are told that:
“We have indeed created humankind in the best of molds” (Quran 95:4).
Yes, some of us are born with illnesses “flaws“, and what society may label a “disability.”
But did any of us think that God actually created us “perfectly” in many ways, not just physically?
Those ways include our spirit, our willpower, our emotions, and our ability to love, forgive, and long for Allah.
Many of us have self-defeating and disempowering beliefs, not knowing that this can actually be contrary to how Allah wants us to view ourselves.
If we keep putting ourselves down and holding ourselves back, how can we fulfil our role as successors on this earth and give our best to the world?
If we keep beating ourselves up over failing at one task and wondering why we fail at “everything,” how will we ever have the courage to keep trying?
We have to believe in Allah, who does not make errors when He creates.
He, in His infinite wisdom, created us in a way that is perfect for us, our situation, and our current time.
Remember, “Progress, Not Perfection”
The important point to remember is that this does not mean that all of our actions are perfect, but to remember that, as per Prophet Muhammad’s hadith (authentic tradition):
“Every child is born in a state of fitrah, which means in a state of goodness and purity.
We were created with an inner capacity for spreading compassion and equality.
Never ever lose that faith in yourself, bestowed on you by the Creator of the Universe.
5) Persevere in The Face of Fear
Facing your fears and doing something different will inevitably mean that you will encounter failure, criticism, and setbacks.
However, you can reframe all of those into “experience,” “feedback,” and “stepping stones.”
Every “failure” taught you a great lesson that you may not have learned elsewhere.
Every “critique” can either be constructive feedback that you take to improve yourself or simply idol talk that you ignore.
That strengthens your ability to not define yourself by the opinions of others but only by the opinions of God.
Every “setback” that you experience can actually be a “stepping stone” to something greater that you will achieve.
Do not allow difficult circumstances to diminish your mental and spiritual power.
Know that every great person achieved their greatness by persevering in the face of fear.
Starting with the Prophets (PBUH), all work through their fear.
So in summary, to cultivate more courage for a better world, accept your fears, talk about them with a trusted individual, take the time to reflect, do something different, have faith in yourself based on your faith in God, and persevere in the face of fear.
You can choose courage. Choose courage so we can build a better world together, Insha’Allah.
During Medieval times, almost all Christian theologians accepted the Ptolemaic Geocentric Greek view of the universe as an absolute universal truth. The Catholic Inquisition punished those who, like Galileo, dared to voice other ideas.
I don’t know why they believed that the rarity of life in our universe proves that God must have created life only on this planet. Perhaps they believed that if intelligent life exist on other planets; it would diminish the miracle of God’s creation of Human Beings.
However, for me, the opposite is true. That God’s universal creation is full of life. This is simply the result of God’s mercy and love of all living things.
The Holy Qur’an and the Hebrew Bible both teach that the Living God created the whole universe to be conducive to the universal evolution of life.
The Holy Qur’an says, “We have not sent you but as a blessingfor all the worlds.” (Surat Al-Anbiya’ 21:107). Many commentators say this refers to the 18,000 worlds created by Allah. Our world is one of them. (Mir’at-e-Kainat, vol.1, p.77). [1]
The Hebrew Bible says in the Zabur of Prophet David, King of Israel; “Your kingdom is a kingdom of all the worlds; and Your dominion is for all generations.” (Psalms 145:13).
In January 2013, astronomers estimated that there could be at least 17 billion Earth-sized exoplanets in just our galaxy; the Milky Way. They also said that one in six stars could be hosting an Earth-sized planet in a close orbit.
Two years later, two new studies have offered additional evidence favoring widespread solar systems with earth like planets thus providing more proof that Allah’s Universe can be filled with life.
First, at a meeting of the American Astronomical Society (AAS) this January, NASA’s Kepler Space Telescope team announced its 1,000thdiscovery of a planet outside our solar system.
This brings the total number of confirmed exoplanets to 1,795, with an additional 4,000 possibilities also located by Kepler.
Twenty years ago we had no proof at all that our planetary system wasn’t unique in the universe. Now we know that we are one of thousands.
Are We Single or Unique?
Second, the Kepler Space Telescope has discovered a star with three planets only slightly larger than Earth. The outermost planet, which is 50% larger than planet earth, orbits in the zone where surface temperatures could be moderate enough for liquid water and perhaps life to exist.
In fact, this means that proof that Allah’s universe can be full of life is literally coming closer and closer.
The discovered star is a cool red M-dwarf, about half the size and mass of our own sun. Roughly three-quarters of the stars in our galaxy are M dwarfs.
M dwarf stars burn their fuel slower than larger stars. Thus, they provide more time for life to evolve on any planet with the right conditions.
At a distance of only 150 light years, that star ranks among the top 10 nearest stars known to have transiting planets. Its proximity means it’s bright enough for astronomers to study the three planets’ atmospheres to determine whether they are like Earth’s atmosphere and possibly conducive to multicellular life forms.
For those who believe in the One God of all the inhabitable worlds, these two new scientific studies aren’t shocking.
Unlike the Roman inquisition’s condemnation of Galileo, no Muslim or Jewish astronomer was ever condemned by a Muslim or Jewish inquisition, because Jews and Muslims never had an institution like the inquisition.
Also, because both Muslims and Jews had many philosophers who were critics of Aristotle’s and Ptolemy’s science, most medieval Jewish and Muslim religious leaders didn’t feel they had to prevent new science from disagreeing with Greek science.
Thus, even as new discoveries always change the scientific understanding of God’s universe; the religious belief that the whole universe exalts God and reveals God’s glory remains the same.
The Holy Qur’an proclaims over and over again, “Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth exalts Allah” (Qur’an 57:1, 61:1, and 64:1) and the Zabur states; “The heavens declare the glory of God.” (Zabur of Prophet David-Psalm 19:2).
- aboutislam.net
References:
Muhammad Hilmi Kutlubay. “Let us unite under the creed of Ahl-isunnah, under the guidance of ayahs and sunnah”. P.23.
