Faith & Spirituality

The Prophetic way is to work to find balance in our lives and to enjoy being a Muslim.

Just as our Prophet never lost control of his emotional state, we too must strive to keep a level head during these times of madness. It’s a matter of perspective: we can either choose to be nervous and afraid or we can continue to take solace and remain positive. In the end, we can only focus on the things we can do and can control— seeking assistance through patience and prayer, which will be difficult except for the people of humility. It is arrogance of the worst order to demand that Allah do something when we haven’t done anything. The people of humility are those who realize that they are not powerless. Their seemingly feeble prayer, supplications, avoidance of the prohibited and utterances of remembrance have the power to delay the coming of the Hour. We must continue to be Muslims and civic citizens to the best of our ability: to be in the service of Allah and all of His Creation, because that is what the people of ḥilm (forbearance) do because they follow a Prophet who embodied that same ḥilm.

The 2016 Al-Madina Institute Retreat on Purification of the Soul was a deep and powerful experience structured to purify one's soul. At the conclusion of the retreat, participants had the opportunity to share their moving reflections with the rest of the group. ImanWire will be sharing several of those reflections that describe the internal spiritual journey each participant was experiencing during this retreat.

Imam al-Ghazali and Shaykh Ibn Taymiyyah, two of the most gifted Islamic scholars in history, stood before me. I envisioned their encouraging me and thanks, but instead they slapped me across the face.

The day of Ashura is unfortunately not given its full due because we choose to observe it through the polarizing lens of our own personal ideology. Some observe Ashura as if the death of Imam Husain never happened on this day, while others observe Ashura as if only the death of Imam Husain happened on this day. Others are apathetic about observing it at all. In all of these circumstances, this blessed day is being shortchanged, and we are the only ones who lose out. With Thanksgiving season approaching, a reflection on gratitude may lead us to a more comprehensive and unifying perspective on Ashura.

Prophetic tradition is to implement moderate exercise to attain optimal health, ultimately enabling and helping us draw nearer to God on these sacred journeys.

On my way home, while walking on the usual cobbled path, I stepped down on a grassy plot. I saw a tiny fragment of a leaf lying on my way. I was about to step on it, when it cried, “Stop! Don’t do that.”

There is a metaphysical effect to observing the Sacred Law that is undermined by its abandonment. Prayer is not a set of stretching exercises, the Hijab is not about men, and fasting is not about losing weight.

Every believer has a personal journey in maintaining their spiritual health in a world that is filled with distractions. But, the victorious are those who shun the puppets in the cave—as described in Plato’s Republic—and make God the King of their heart.

Now that Ramadan is over, we need to focus on perhaps the most important item of all—istiqaama.

The core message of Surah Ali-Imran is about patience. Be patient in the face of challenges and calamities. Don’t give in. And that requires an action of the heart.

Those who forgive, they restrain anger, and forgive the wrong that is done to them. And truly Allah loves those who are muhsinoon – those who are generous in the way they behave with others.