Author: Talia Noa

It is always my most powerful tool before any surgery or tests

The nurses or surgeons always kindly find me a quiet room to pray before I go in.

Often someone will pray with me as im laid on the bed in that room where they put you to sleep before the doors open to the operating theatre, as with emergency cases ive no time left and yet I never want to miss prayer but also at this time I ‘need’ Salah or to at least say “la ilaha illallah muhammadur rasulullah“, those final words, that connection to Allah always feels so final at that moment and yet the very words calm my fear, worry and doubt, and that is one of the most beautiful things about Islam, that no matter where you are you can call on him 

“Call on me, I will answer you. (40:60)”

Maybe right now your journey isn’t about love. 
Maybe right now your journey is about you. 
Maybe this is the season you are being challenged to be your own saviour, to be your own safe place. 

Maybe right now you are being reminded that the people who walked away were only ever leading you back to yourself, were only ever leading you here. 

And here, you are okay on your own. 

Here, you are rebuilding. Here, you are adapting, and mending, and reclaiming all of the pieces you let them walk away with. 

Here, you are being kinder to your soul, you are giving yourself the same kind of love you have always given to others. 

Here, you are not rushing your heart, you are not depending on another human being to fix it. 
Instead, here, you are doing that on your own

After what feels like another lesson I’m sat here journaling and thinking about the bigger things. 

I’ve come to realise that despite the numerous battles I face and overcome, I choose to greet the world with a smile. 
To most, I appear resilient and untroubled, my struggles hidden behind a smile and warm greeting. 

Only those who are loved and close to me see the truth, for it is in their presence that I allow my vulnerabilities to surface and here we hold space for each other 

My strength is not my own; it comes from turning to Allah, sharing my tears and sorrows with Him. In those private moments of salah, I find solace and renewal. 

How I respond to life’s challenges defines my power, a power rooted in faith and the present moment. 

As the Quran reminds us, “No one will reap except what they sow” (6:164). I strive to sow kindness, patience, and resilience, trusting that Allah sees my heart and my efforts, guiding me through every trial

Now I know better. 

I used to promise myself forgiveness, only to revisit old wounds, but now I understand the power of letting go. I once clipped the wings of my own dreams out of fear, but now I embrace them, letting them soar. I used to think so little of myself when I needed to stand tall, but now I recognize my worth.

I swallowed lies when I was starving for truth, but now I seek honesty, especially with myself. I believed the pain I endured as a child was my fault, but now I know I was never to blame. I withheld grace from myself, the same grace I so easily offered to others, but now I give it freely to myself too.

I let the world convince me that my heart was both too much and not enough, but now I see it for what it truly is—whole and worthy. I wasted days pretending to be someone else, trying to earn acceptance, but now I live authentically, on my own terms, unafraid of mistakes. I punished myself for far too long, but now I choose compassion over self-criticism.

I once believed that love had to be bloody and painful, that I didn’t deserve better, but now I know that love should uplift and heal. I used to look in the mirror and hate what I saw, but now I see someone deserving of kindness and respect.

Now, I realize I spent too much time focused on how others wronged me when the real apology was owed to myself—for not valuing this one precious life and for not recognizing that I am worthy of the very best. And for that, I have learned to forgive myself. 

Happiness isn’t in how your home looks, but in how you love the people inside.

It’s not about success or approval, but feeling at peace with yourself.

It’s not having the best, but making the best of what you have, and noticing the silver linings, even when life isn’t perfect.

Alhamdulillah for everything

When you feel you have lost your purpose in life, when you find yourself consumed by this Dunya turn to the creator for he created you with purpose for a purpose 
💕

Indeed my Lord is with me, He will guide me

Sura Shu’ara, 26:62

Inna Ma’iya Rabbi Sayahdini

Moses story has always been one that I turn to. This Sura has always meant so much to me, in my most difficult times.

It has always been my anchor to Allah. The rope to which I hold onto with faith and hope when it appears all else has failed.

Tawakkul is the key in situations where we see no hope

Tawakkul brings Allah’s pleasure and reward, and is a blessing that nurtures and strengthens our faith. It gives us hope, contentment with His decree, and confidence, especially in times of fear and uncertainty.

Allah promises, “And whoever relies upon Allah, then He is sufficient for him” [65:3]. As Ibn al-Qayyim said, “*Tawakkul* is half of the religion, and the other half is *inābah*—to return to Allah in all affairs and repentance.”

The Straight Path we seek requires faith, gratitude, and patience, along with placing our trust in Allah.

This reliance, or *tawakkul*, is one of the greatest acts of worship on this path. Allah commands, “…and upon Allah rely, if you should be believers” [3:122].

Being vulnerable requires true strength, as it involves stepping out from behind the masks we present to the world.

In many religious and spiritual circles, there is a pervasive belief that you aren’t good enough and must constantly do more, often leading to a form of gaslighting that blames you for your struggles by implying you aren’t doing enough.

The importance of rest is frequently overlooked, and there’s immense pressure to keep doing, which exacerbates the very suffering we seek to avoid. We place an unbearable amount of pressure on ourselves to fix our surroundings and our inner selves, causing us to lose sight of our blessings as we focus on what’s wrong or missing instead of what we already have.

Recall a time when you thought you couldn’t go on, when the burden seemed too heavy, and compare it to now. Didn’t He take care of you? All that is required of you is to turn towards Him and trust. “And in Allah let the faithful put their trust” [14:12].

So allow yourself to be vulnerable … your strength lays in your ability to be real

Letting go

Loving someone who’s slipping away is painful. You fight to hold on, only to realize the more you try, the deeper it hurts. So, you let go to protect yourself. Yet, even as you walk away, a part of you lingers in the empty spaces they once filled, an unshakable shadow bound to the fading light of what might have been.

For you

If my energy does not wake you up, I am not for you.

If my spirit does not inspire you, do not force the connection.

If my thoughts do not make you think deeper, then it is better to change direction.

If my presence does not help you evolve, my absence certainly will.

If my love does not open your heart, another love will.

Go and find what makes you vibrate, do not stop, do not look behind!