Reflections

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Reflection 2-14

In the war against sin, the battle is not against the final act, but rather the first

When you become real, you are able to see reality, to appreciate things for what they are. You no longer need drugs, wine, entertainment, or escapism, for these are veils. Reality is more beautiful unveiled.

Reflection 2-16

Reflection 2-17

Islam is the solution to every problem not in so much as it erases them but in that it helps you surmount them.

Reflection 2-17

Islam is the solution to every problem not in so much as it erases them but in that it helps you surmount them.

Reflection 2-16

Reflection 2-15

Don't make your life about things, make it about doing something.

Reflection 2-14

In the war against sin, the battle is not against the final act, but rather the first

Reflection 2-13

We have not been sent to earth to accumulate maal, but rather to accumulate a'maal.

Reflection 2-12

It's funny that when you want to let go, holding on is the only way out.

Reflection 2-11

Life knoweth no betrayal greater than that made in loving trust.

Reflection 2-10

The howl of the wolf dims not the moon.

Reflection 2-9

Lovers speak in silence.

Reflection 2-8

If words are taken to represent realities beyond themselves, then there is no word more perfect than Allah.

Reflection 2-7

The heaviest weights are those borne most silently.

Reflection 2-6

Pride is the dark side of a coin named delusion.

Reflection 2-5

To gloat over self control, openly or implicitly, indicates a dearth of the same.

Reflection 2-4

The secret to good living has little to do with what we have, and much to do with how we think. It is no small blessing then that thoughts are free.

Reflection 2-3

A smart person is able to discern the correct answer, a wise person the right choice. The two are often not synonymous.

Reflection 2-2

Suicide is sometimes an exaggerated form of laziness.

Reflection 2-1

To win sometimes we must first lose.

Reflection 1-100

Life is meant to be a sajdah that doesn't end.

Reflection 1-99

When confronted with sin, exit is more important than the gracious part.

Reflection 1-98

There is no name more beautiful than Thine, especially when nothing but silence clasps these ears of mine. The head bows, symbols fall, leaving me alone with You.

Reflection 1-97

That I seek Your love I pray marks the same.

Reflection 1-96

Trials provide an opportunity for love and sacrifice to manifest, for the potential to become kinetic. A rose is always more beautiful than the seed.

Reflection 1-95

We are a curious breed - quite literally. Tell one not to Google your name and they most surely will. This kills not only the cat but sadly many a wandering eye and ear as well.

Reflection 1-94

Growth requires change, and change is uncomfortable. Being too snug is a sign of spiritual dormancy.

Reflection 1-93

Bitter pills are often the ones that are most effective.

Reflection 1-92

As unsavory as it is, we are sometimes required to compromise our principles. The line between Hikmah and Mudahanah (sycophantry) is often fine indeed, but the key to differentiation lies in intention. The first is for Allah, the latter for people.

Reflection 1-91

To want what is not yours is a well-tried recipe for misery

Reflection 1-90

Some speak over others by tongue, others in their mind. Both make poor listeners.

Reflection 1-89

The spiritual engine behind the entire Ummah is the heart of Rasulullah (S). We are each but a caboose or box car, linked to those before us and thus pulled along. To think oneself an engine, and thus to disconnect from the car ahead of us, is as empowering, and affords as much autonomy, as a mountaineer that cuts his…

Reflection 1-88

The spring of wisdom spouts more from experience than labored thought, if only because it is hard to think about something we would never have thought to think about.

Reflection 1-87

We inspire other less by what we achieve than by what we have sacrificed to achieve it.

Reflection 1-86

Zikr polishes the heart. When the lens is clear, one can see things for what they are.

Reflection 1-85

In the hurry to arrive, do not forget to enjoy the ride.

Reflection 1-84

Ikhlas is what's left when feelings fade.

Reflection 1-83

Armchair Islam is comfortable but doesn't seem to get you anywhere.

Reflection 1-82

The difference between patience and thankfulness is that in one we endure, in the other we accept.

Reflection 1-81

Peace cometh with gratitude.

Reflection 1-80

In matters of the Dunya, I have learned that where I am is best, not where I want to be. By embracing the now, one is free to sculpt their future. Otherwise, one is embroiled in fixing a moment that is already fleeting.

Reflection 1-79

Complaints are to thankfulness what a slap is to a face.

Reflection 1-78

Sometimes we travel so long only to learn we are not very far from where we left.

Reflection 1-77

By taking the first step on the road that leads to a sin, one has already passed the point of no return -- particularly when the road is well traveled.

Reflection 1-76

Magnanimity in the face of an affront melts the heart almost as quickly as selfless love.

Reflection 1-75

Too often, we misdraw our limits. The battle is not against sin, but rather the environment of sin. If one finds himself at the precipice of sin, it is usually too late.

Reflection 1-74

Nature is thus: what holds substance is pulled rapidly to the earth, while hot air so quickly riseth. How distant the hallowed and the hallow - the head prostrate and that in the sky.

Reflection 1-73

Success lies not in victory but in the struggle.

Reflection 1-72

An action many times is not nearly as valuable as the attitude behind it.

Reflection 1-71

If we must leave everything we love, why do we love everything we must leave?

Reflection 1-70

Taqwa protects 'Amal, and 'Amal Iman. To avoid losing faith, gaurd Taqwa, Iman will follow.

Reflection 1-69

Insight requires that we be brave enough to see ourselves for who we are, not who we want to be.

Reflection 1-68

Piety precedes the preach. One cannot give what he or she does not have.

Reflection 1-67

It is through niyyah that we make the mundane meaningful.

Reflection 1-66

The greater the treasure, the more assiduously one stands sentry over it. The same applies with the Qurb of Allah (SWT). The more one has, the more he or she will avoid anything that could potentially place it in jeopardy.

Reflection 1-65

People often contemplate how to achieve Taqwa. Know that people only guard something when they possess something worth guarding.

Reflection 1-64

Perhaps the best way to wash away the trail of tears created by one's past is by creating a river of change in one's future. Oddly By taking hold of our future, we reclaim our past.

Reflection 1-63

The paradox of time lies in that the more we get in life, the less we have.

Reflection 1-62

Time is amnesic. The key lies in not allowing ourselves to forget lessons learned and vows made.

Reflection 1-61

You may own things of the dunya; just ensure that that the dunya does not own you.

Reflection 1-60

Disillusionment with Dunya begins when the illusion ends; her elusion begins when our disillusionment does.

Reflection 1-59

Is belief predicated on faith or reason? Faith. This may be unsavory to some, terrifying even. It rings of barbarism- a backward, dogmatic, and oversimplified approach to life. We create a diatribe of polemics and apologetics to ward this less than desirable label. It puzzles me though why we fear faith because it is blind, but not reason lest it…

Reflection 1-58

There are myriad reasons why people leave the Deen in this day and age - the slow rust of sin, scourge of skepticism and doubt, preconceived notions of the Truth, negative interactions with Muslims, hubris of intellect, the apparent rational appeal of alternative ideologies or personalities, the desire to fit in, growing weary of restrictions, anger at life, over-entitlement, the quiet…

Reflection 1-57

Sin is not always the product of venial inception. A classic example is that of curiosity. How many has Shaytaan lured with this benign snare into the lion's den? What began in innocence ends desecrated. That's what you call mauradery.

Reflection 1-56

Structures follow substance, not the other way around. Let milk be made before the glass fashioned.

Reflection 1-55

If you are to serve as a base for those close to you, the foundation upon which your loved ones stand, one must ready themselves to be trodden upon. Such is the earth - it lets the world walk all over it, but never gives up its perennial support. To find this strength turn inward, for earth is the being…

Reflection 1-54

People too often take the Deen being easy to mean what's easy being Deen; when, in fact, the two are worlds apart.

Reflection 1-53

You are the sun whose light erased even my shadow.

Reflection 1-52

I shall have loved thee better from afar.

Reflection 1-51

Perpetual striving to achieve Istiqamah is also an example of the same.

Reflection 1-50

A child learns to walk first by faltering, even falling down, but always getting back up. So too is the case for one who looks to gain consistency in their actions.

Reflection 1-49

Altercations have the uncanny ability to induce deafness, making the benefit of screaming incremental to absent.

Reflection 1-48

Yelling and education are often mutually exclusive. Teach children what to do calmly but firmly. This serves the latter goal better than incessant tirades which usually are dismissed presently despite their force.

Reflection 1-47

The language of love is felt not heard. That is why it is hard to convince someone to love you.

Reflection 1-46

There is an element of masochism in choosing to be a prisoner of love.

Reflection 1-45

Bondsmanship to the Infinite removes bounds; attachment to the finite imposes them.

Reflection 1-44

Love, however true, seems to me tenuous.

Reflection 1-43

To love is to open oneself to hurt; without this risk, it is not love. Perhaps the only haven lies in the Lord and His Messenger. Why we choose to invest of ourselves elsewhere is puzzling.

Reflection 1-42

Actions are not spontaneous; they are but branches of a tree. And any agronomist will tell you that every tree has roots

Reflection 1-41

A sign of love for Allah is that you continue to seek Him even when you feel nothing inside.

Reflection 1-40

I would rather live life in obedient sobriety than disobedience couched in ardency, however fervent.

Reflection 1-39

A misplaced glance requires one turn their gaze from Allah.

Reflection 1-38

The nature of sin is selfish and gratuitous.

Reflection 1-37

I don't know what is the stronger driving force: acceptance or rejection. What is clear though is that one excludes the other.

Reflection 1-36

Things cost. To purchase the adoration of people, one must pay with the love of Allah (SWT).

Reflection 1-35

It is when one stops believing they are perfect that they start the journey of perfection.

Reflection 1-34

(2:285) وَقَالُوا سَمِعْنَا وَأَطَعْنَا There is a certain futility in asking, "Why?" Since when was the truth value of a statement ever predicated on either the ability to prove or understand it. While these may aid in transferring Truths, they do not establish them. Truth is that City of Light that exists regardless of whether one is opportune enough to…

Reflection 1-33

Rather than determining what to believe, our time would be much better spent simply believing.

Reflection 1-32

False ideals can be as dangerous as false idols.

Reflection 1-31

(63:7) وَلِلَّـهِ خَزَائِنُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ Our persistence in sin can never outstrip His forbearance, just as our insatiable wants can never burden His ability to give. The extent of His holding back is as vast as the expanse of His giving forth - neither know any limit. Only such can be the One in Whose hands lies the Heavens and…

Reflection 1-30

Our ability to sin can never exceed His to forgive.

Reflection 1-29

In relinquishing want, find freedom - in accepting poverty, slavehood.

Reflection 1-28

One who allows themselves to be held captive by their past, relinquishes something of their future.

Reflection 1-27

I've never loved anything so unseen, but yet never seen any love so real.

Reflection 1-26

On this path, expect celestial occurrences to be bound by terrestrial constraints.

Reflection 1-25

We were created in the world, not for it.

Reflection 1-24

While one must live in the world, he cannot love it. Such is the state of a traveler whose home is somewhere else. He longs for two things: quick passage and sweet return.

Reflection 1-23

The mercy of Allah SWT abounds. He made seven limbs touch the ground in sajdah to remind us of seven articles of faith that complete our submission to him. He made five fingers to remind us to fill our book of deeds with the five daily prayers. He made five toes to remind us with every step that it is…

Reflection 1-22

The uninitiated Nafs hates restraint; corralling is indeed hard work. But in wolf country, one can only go home when all horses are in the stable.

Reflection 1-21

One problem with having one's head above the clouds is that it is easy to lose sight of the rest of the world from up there. The second is that it's easy to trip and fall. The third is that it smarts so much more when you do.

Reflection 1-20

In marriage, sometimes letting go is the first step to holding on.

Reflection 1-19

Do you dissolve a relationship because the two of you are not compatible? Compatibility is a funny thing. It sure is good to have, but maturity does well in its stead. The more you have of one the less you need of the other.

Reflection 1-18

You can be right, or you can reach resolution. In life, the two are oftentimes not synonymous. He who seeks justice may get it, but it may be a hollow victory. Life is not meant to be played fairly or won, there is a higher ethic.

Reflection 1-17

A single touch outstrips a hundred words, sweeter than honey, softer than rose. But love pure, outweighs them all - the delicate caress, the gentlest prose. It embraces without contact, speaks without words. Never seen, always felt...that which cannot be sensed, always is.

Reflection 1-16

The scourge of Fikr is set right by the balm of Zikr.

Reflection 1-15

Travel light, my children…the journey is long.

Reflection 1-14

The height of arrogance is measured best by the ruler of ignorance.

Reflection 1-13

An unglazed scone is yet incomplete.

Reflection 1-12

Knowledge without spirituality is empty; spirituality without knowledge misguidance.

Reflection 1-11

"I never let my emotions overcome my intellect, and I never let my intellect overcome the Shari’ah." – Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi

Reflection 1-10

The one who knows but acts not has little advantage over one who knows naught.

Reflection 1-9

Shelter is a place of refuge from the elements, an escape from the chilling embrace of winter. I envision the warmth of a cinnamon fireplace, of cobbled stone and children snuggled under wooly throws, while icicles peer in through windows with half drawn curtains while clasping tenuously to the soffits and fascia, while soft golden rays laying warm hues over the cold, blue blanket…

Reflection 1-8

It seems that everyday we are confronted with our inability to be who we would like to be, by our personal saga of frailties and failures. If this is true then perhaps our success does not lie in surmounting our failings, because in a sense one never does, but rather in continuing to strive despite of them.

Reflection 1-7

For important admissions or presentations, people set up mock rehearsals. The salik should also run a mock. Nightly, weekly, monthly - regardless there needs to be accountability. While mocks are painful, like listening to a recording of one’s own voice, they facilitate a smooth performance when it really counts. On that day, it's make it or break it. You don’t…

Reflection 1-6

Sins of intimate nature appear irresistible. No matter how prolific the swimmer, he cannot fight high tide. One confronted finds himself torn. He put forth all resistance but the pressure is too high, pull too forceful. He surmises that to succumb is to find relief, however temporary. Therein lies the paradox. Yes, letting go may lend some short-lived respite, but…

Reflection 1-5

There are those that love Shakespeare, and then those that love the feeling of understanding something no one else can. Another example of a life full of empty pleasures.

Reflection 1-4

There is an Arabic aphorism that states: كُلُّ جَدِيدٍ لذِيذٌ This rings particularly true today where we see a shared obsession for “re-ing.” Reinvent, renaissance, revolution, renovate, rethink, revisit, reply. If we could redo gender, we would - wait, we already have (though trans-ing is still not nearly as Miami as “re-ing”). And so the rallying cry for thought leadership,…

Reflection 1-3

We agree that transparency is important in relationships. That is not to say that everything need be said, but rather that one lives such that they leave nothing to say.

Reflection 1-2

Some judge piety by the length of their beards, the width of their khimar, or the height of their knowledge. The pious reserve measure for their deficiencies.

Reflection 1-1

It is a western malady. We dub sin as modernity and godliness as old-fashioned. The former is seen as rapidly progressive, the latter stale and static. And they are right. One is a car quickly racing over the edge of a precipitous cliff, the other safely parked in a heated garage. It is not surprising then that suicide, spiritual or…