See, I understand life is hard. I understand there are moments when you can see no way forward—when everything feels so bleak that escape seems impossible.
But I need you to read this, and I need you to believe it: things are working out in your favor, especially when it doesn't seem like they are.
It doesn't have to make sense right now. It may not look like it. You may not even see a glimpse of how. Still, keep working. Keep showing up. Keep moving.
You'll get tired. Some days you'll feel weak, stuck, and completely overwhelmed. But there is always a way through. It may not be visible to you at this moment, and it may not even be within your control, but in time a path will open.
So don't give up because you can't see it yet. Some of the best things that happen to us began long before we got stuck in the thoughts that they'd never work out.
is anyone willing to ease the burden of another for the sake of Allāh? one of us here is going through a really difficult time and could use some financial support.
if you're willing to help, kindly send a dm.
please share. 🙏🏾❤️
As the night of Jumu’ah begins, increase in sending salawāt upon Allaah’s beloved ﷺ.
Sending abundant Salawaat is a means of illuminating the heart, attaining forgiveness for sins, relieving worries, and bringing tranquillity to the soul.
the funny thing is that almost everybody thinks they're the exception. the one with the uniquely terrible life. meanwhile, if lives were laid bare and people were asked to exchange theirs for another at random, many would run back to the very life they were complaining about.
comparison is truly the thief of joy. there is always someone with more wealth, more beauty, more influence, more opportunities. but there is also always someone carrying burdens you would not survive, trials you would beg Allah not to test you with. yours is not the best life, so you want more. yours is not the worst life either, so be grateful.
and for the muslim especially and particularly, hope is not a coping mechanism. hope, for us, as muslims, is ibādah (worship). it is from husnu-dh-dhann billah. it is part of what keeps the heart attached to Allah and strengthens one's aqeedah. the muslim thanks Allah in hardship not because suffering itself is enjoyable, but because he knows his Lord is Wise, Merciful, and does not waste the reward of patience. he knows that today's difficulty is not the entirety of the story.
you will see a person saying “alhamdulillah” through hardship and think they've been fooled by religion. however, the truth is they have understood that life was never promised to be free of trials. what we are promised is that our hardships (accompanied with our strife to be free from them) are meaningful. what we are promised is that our patience through these hard moments will be rewarded. what we are promised is that death upon this faith and belief grants us the win in the end. so keep your head up, my friend. you win or you win.
forgiving a debt is one of the greatest acts of kindness you can show your fellow Muslim, if you are able. and if you cannot forgive it entirely, then make repayment easy for them and grant them time.
so many people now understand the significance of ‘Arafah, and many are beginning to take it with the seriousness it deserves, even more consciously than Eid itself. may Allāh reward everyone sharing the khayr.
The best words to say on the day of Arafah is that which the Prophet peace be upon him and the Prophets before him said.
Say:
Lā ilāha illā Allāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, lahu al-mulku wa lahu al-ḥamdu, wa huwa ʿalā kulli shay’in qadīr.
The restricted Takbir (Takbir Muqayyad) is to be said after the five obligatory prayers during the days of Dhul-Hijjah; that is, the day of Arafah, the day of Eid, and the days of Tashriq.
It starts after the Fajr prayer on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah and ends after the Asr prayer on the 13th.
One should say it immediately after the salam, facing the Qibla. The minimum is to say it once, and the better practice is to say it three times.
If someone says it more than that, there is no harm.
And Allah knows best.
tomorrow is Yawmul ‘Arafah! fast, if you are able, and encourage others to do the same.
and as you observe your fast, try to avoid all forms of transgression whether major or minor.
you shouldn't be sinning on the day Allāh expiates sins.
may Allāh count us among the forgiven.