Not a religious blog just a revert and her struggles
Author: Talia Noa
I write about faith, growth, and navigating both struggle and guidance on this journey—sharing my personal experiences, not as a scholar, but as someone learning and growing along the way
Reflections…. Ingratitude reveals ignorance … what a line
How often do we get overwhelmed by our troubles or tests and forget that we have so much to be grateful for even when the tests are coming thick and fast and hard.
Surah Ibrahim Verse 7 “And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’” (Quran, Ibrahim 14:7)
By showing gratitude to Allah this is a gift to call us back to Him for our own survival. We know that Allah (SWT) is closer to us than our jugular veins and that He loves us seventy times more than a mother loves her own child, but by constantly being in a state of gratitude, Allah (SWT) keeps our hearts always connected to Him. Perhaps this is His way of ensuring we never feel alone no matter how tough life gets and to soften our heart’s pain
Yesterday after my trip to the ocean I spent some time journaling. I reflected upon how our struggles in this dunya can become the darkness in which we find no light but we must search for the light and that this light is gratitude.
At the time of writing I kept returning to the thought of how there must be a turning, just as the sunflowers turn to the sun to grow we too must turn to the light that is An Nūr. Only by turning to him, he who illuminates everything in darkness can we truly find the light, the path of gratitude and love in this world.
When your heart is illuminated with gratitude to him only then can we bring the light of love into the world for others.
As I reflect on today, Eid, the crescent moon emerged last night marking the end of Ramadan. But the usual jubilation that fills the air at this time was overshadowed by a somber reality.
In Gaza, where the echoes of bombings and the weight of dire conditions persist, the spirit of my Eid celebration felt muted, if not altogether absent.
Instead of the customary excitement of new clothes, presents, and elaborate feasts, there was a deep sense of restraint and reflection in my home. How could we revel in abundance when our brothers and sisters are enduring unimaginable suffering?
Yet, amidst my heavy heart, I found solace on my prayer mat. I carried on as best I could, with prayers on my lips and empathy in my heart. I chose to forgo extravagance and instead directed my thoughts towards those less fortunate as we ate a simple meal.
In the absence of grand gestures, I made dua—prayers—for the healing and well-being of our besieged brothers and sisters. I prayed for peace to descend upon the war-torn streets and for hope to bloom amidst the rubble.
As the sun sets on Eid, I hold onto the belief that better days will come. And until then, I vow to continue standing in solidarity, extending a hand of compassion to those in need, and fervently praying for the dawn of peace in Gaza.
As we draw near the end of Ramadan I feel as if it has been one of the hardest ever and whilst this would be easy to blame on events happening to Gaza it isn’t the reason ive struggled.
This Ramadan has brought me closer to Allah then I have ever felt and not in a Joyful dancing about way as many feel during ramadan but in a deeper more spiritual way and through that closeness has been a breaking down of self and a reconnecting to my soul.
I realised how much I struggled this ramadan with my nafs and oddly with the opinion of others and above all how none of it truly matters, I had so many realisations some big and some small but the main one being that this life is simply a means to an end, with that end being the akhirah, which has made me focus less on material wealth and more towards spiritual health, it brought me to a place where I now look closer at my own heart and my own sins and my own path ahead to the one place we all return
When someone exhibits arrogance, they perceive themselves as superior to others, often evident in wealth, ethnicity, or mental status. This mindset leads to transgressions. Instead, we should strive for humility, focusing on self-improvement and forgiving others. Even passive arrogance is akin to challenging Allah’s authority, yet ironically, Allah elevates the humble, not the arrogant.
One way of discovering hidden arrogance is when someone corrects you or presents an alternative view or opinion and you think you are too good for the advice.
Ya Mutakabbir guide our hearts actions and thoughts to humility towards you
In Islamic teachings, there is an inherent recognition of the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world, including the Earth. The Qur’an emphasizes the concept of stewardship (or khilafah) over the Earth, urging believers to care for and protect the environment. Direct contact with the Earth, such as through grounding, resonates with the Islamic belief in the importance of maintaining harmony with the natural world.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) often sought solace and guidance in nature, reflecting on the signs of Allah’s creation. The practice of grounding aligns with this tradition of connecting with the Earth as a means of spiritual renewal and physical healing.
Moreover, Islamic teachings emphasize the importance of maintaining balance and equilibrium in all aspects of life, including the body’s internal energy. Grounding, as a practice that helps restore electrical balance within the body, can be viewed as a means of promoting overall well-being in accordance with Islamic principles.
Furthermore, scientific research on grounding’s benefits aligns with the Islamic concept of seeking knowledge and understanding the natural world as a means of deepening faith and enhancing human flourishing.
Therefore, from an Islamic perspective, grounding can be seen as a holistic practice that not only promotes physical health but also fosters spiritual connection and environmental stewardship, in line with the teachings of Islam.
One of the hardest things I found when I became a revert was this idea that I had to ‘Give up’ various practices as they were Haram. To be honest if you listen to the Ummah in its entirety it will have you believing that everything is Haram, you will either leave it all behind and have an identity crisis or you come to resent islam and leave completely.
Islam is simple but people complicate it more than it needs to be. we all have our own paths to walk towards Allah so walk your own in your own way and your own time .
Previous to islam I was pagan for over 32 years and a holistic practitioner, facilitating women’s circles and sound baths and reiki healing, which for the record ascribes to NO religion faith or practice it is simply being a channel for what is know in the reiki community as universal energy, or rather God and this is why it is frowned upon as it is argued that no-one can heal except Allah but had this been in the time Jesus would we still be having the same arguments ?, I dont think so.
Meditation is another thing many people stay away from and only recently have I seen more and more Islamic wellness coaches and mindfulness coaches embracing what many would class as Buddhist or hindu practices such a meditation etc and it still isn’t mainstream so what can we do to embrace these practices without compromising our beliefs ?
Reframing Meditation as a Practice:
Contrary to popular belief, meditation isn’t solely a modern concept; in fact, it finds roots in the teachings of Islam. In the life of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), the Arabic term ‘تدبر,’ often translated as ‘pondering,’ ‘reflecting,’ or ‘contemplating,’ held great significance. Engaging in deep introspection, he sought understanding of himself, his purpose, and the world around him. This practice, alongside Allah’s guidance, empowered him to make wise decisions, embody compassion and empathy, and inspire millions.
By embracing the wisdom of ‘تدبر’ in your own life, you can foster profound awareness, purpose, and a deeper connection with Allah, leading to a more fulfilling and harmonious existence.
There are many ways to mediate , for me it is reiki and it is using sound as a therapy whether that is with my Daf drum on the side of a hill at sunset or my crystal sound bowls.
Find what works for you, because at the end of the day its just you and Allah
Water does not resist; it flows. When you immerse your hand in it, you feel only a gentle caress. Water always finds its path, and ultimately, nothing can impede it. Water is patient; even a steady drip can erode stone.
Remember, Allah’s wisdom in creation. You are partly water. Embrace self-compassion, acknowledging your human limitations. If you encounter an obstacle, if you can’t pass through it, go around it, just as water does, guided by the divine will and with kindness towards yourself.
I keep being woken up at 3am so I try to go back to sleep till the adhan at 430 but I can’t. I know I am being called, so restless is how I spend the next hour.
My health has been awful as I entered Ramadan. My consultant said no to fasting but then reluctantly agreed that I could fast from food but absolutely not water and only if I agreed to weekly blood testing. So I did.
Yesterday was easier then the day before where I broke my fast as almost collapsed. I will continue to fast as long as I can , this year is so important to me and I’m not sure why ? Maybe it’s because I didn’t think I would make it to this one after my health deteriorated last year or maybe I am just so grateful that I did that I don’t want to miss a thing about it.
I’m trying to embrace the same compassion Allah blesses me with everyday. It’s not easy to show yourself compassion and a large part of that is accepting I will make mistakes but more importantly that it’s ok as Allah is all Forgiving Al – Ghafur
Even more than that he understands the struggles I am facing and fighting and shows me such mercy as he is also al-Rahman and al-Rahim – the Compassionate and the Merciful.
With this in mind I wrote in my journal :
In the stillness of the early morning, I kneel in prayer, tears welling in my eyes, reflecting the love and compassion Allah showers upon me. During the blessed month of Ramadan, these moments become even more profound. With each tear that falls, I feel my heart softening, opening wider to receive His grace. It’s as if every drop is a testament to His mercy, filling me with a profound sense of peace and gratitude. In those silent moments, I draw nearer to Allah, knowing that His love empowers me to share compassion and kindness with not only myself but to extend it to all His creation.
Seeking Sakina 