Seeking Sakina

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 
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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!

I was asked recently why do you write when you don’t push your writing on your book ?

I don’t write for likes or popularity or followers as has become the trend in determining a persons worth on social media of late

I write for me.

Never will I sacrifice authenticity for approval.

Early in my life I was taught to Stay true to yourself and your beliefs, and always write from the heart. To always avoid the temptation to copy others or write solely for likes and popularity.

I learnt that by prioritizing authenticity over seeking validation, you actually honor your true self and make a meaningful impact on those around you.

We are all unique and your voice and experiences give a voice and perspective to your words and that is what truly resonates with others and contributes to a genuine connection in your writing.

So keep writing even when you think no one is listening.

“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.” ~ Rumi

We all bear numerous scars on our hearts and souls. Some we acknowledge, some we hide, and others remain fresh, causing recurrent heartache and pain.

Why don’t we allow our past scars to heal? It’s because we don’t truly love ourselves.

Self-love is essential for healing, well-being, joy, self-empowerment, and creating the life you desire. You cannot find happiness if you are not at peace with yourself. Your relationship with yourself is the most important one you’ll ever have.

Spiritually, turning inward lets you experience your connection with Life, God, and All That Is. Physically, every relationship you have mirrors aspects of your relationship with yourself.

Self-love is a profound dedication to your happiness. It is a continuous choice to embrace life, here and now, in your own body. It involves valuing yourself, building a meaningful relationship with yourself, and supporting your dreams with encouraging thoughts and actions.

Every person carries their own personal truth, molded by their unique experiences, beliefs, and perspectives. These individual truths are meaningful and significant to each person, reflecting the diverse ways we understand and interpret the world around us.

However, personal truths are inherently subjective and can vary greatly from one person to another.

In Islam, it is believed that amidst these numerous personal truths, there exists one ultimate and absolute truth found in Allah. This divine truth is eternal, unchanging, and transcends the limitations of individual perspectives. Allah’s truth provides a steadfast foundation in a world where personal truths can often be relative and fluctuating.

By turning to Allah, we can seek guidance, wisdom, and clarity. Through sincere devotion, prayer, and adherence to the teachings of Islam, believers are able to navigate the complexities of life with a sense of purpose and direction. In seeking Allah, we find a source of truth that is not merely personal but universal, offering a path to spiritual fulfillment and inner peace.

Before I came to Islam it’s not secret that I was pagan for over 34 years.

Leaving paganism meant I left behind allot of beliefs and celebrations.

The summer solstice was always such a joyful event watching the magnificence of the sun rise at Stonehenge. So I began digging into the Quran to discover if it held any significance and of course it does.

So Let’s talk summer solstice.

In the uk it occurred at 950pm last night.

“The Lord of the two Easts, and the Lord of the two Wests.” (Quran 55:17)

This ayat has been interpreted in various ways. One interpretation that aligns with scientific knowledge is that it refers to the two solstices: the summer solstice (21st June) and the winter solstice (21st December). These two astronomical events mark the shortest and longest days of the solar year, respectively, and represent the furthest points east and west where the sun rises and sets. So before we dismiss this as pagan event we need to realise that Allah is found in everything and this verse highlights the magnificence of Allah, who governs the entire cycle of the sun throughout the year.

Islam doesn’t require us to throw everything away but instead to look to where it originates or is associated and the rising of the sun the creation on which we live is all from the creator. So take joy and bliss from basking in the sun as this is a gift from Allah too.

My heart rests in the one truth that is Allah. I love life; it has so many twists and turns, each offering a new path to travel, lessons to learn, and knowledge to gain. I am grateful to be the type of person who doesn’t stick to one lane, but instead chooses to experience all, knowing that every path ultimately leads back to Allah. This journey is one of love, the path of the Sufi, where every step is guided by the divine truth of Allah.

This lifetime and especially the last 20 years has felt like a personal fast-track evolution. My incessant searching hasn’t been about finding a final destination, as I once thought, but rather a mission to gather as much experience and knowledge as possible, always recognizing that Allah is the ultimate truth guiding me. My soul is not tied to any set path except the one that leads to Him. The more I let go of outdated ways and teachings, the clearer my journey becomes, revealing Allah’s wisdom in every turn. The journey is surprising and yet so familiar.

When faced with our own mortality, we can assess life like an eagle from above, seeing everything with clarity and cutting away all that no longer serves us. What truly matters becomes crystal clear, like water on a sunny day, revealing Allah’s guidance and purpose in our lives.

There is one absolute truth in my life—Allah. Following His truth is essential, and to not follow it would be living a lie. Don’t be bothered by others’ opinions or entertain them. Be true, be you, and trust in Allah. Walk the path of love, the path of the Sufi.