Do not Kill yourselves

How many of us kill our selves before our time of death even comes? How many of us bury our own souls before we are physically buried under ground? Whether we allow ourselves to succumb to what lowly words people make of us or allow our own negative thoughts to limit our potential, the fear of change can make us stagnant. We can be so hard on ourselves to the point where we kill ourself in stillness, not seeing the possibility for a life better. But what does Allah say in this verse? “Verily, He is merciful toward you”. Toward YOU! So why are you not merciful to your own self?

It’s in this chapter just verses after that Allah tells a people who suffered a consequence of simply not changing their situation, “Isn’t God’s land vast so you can migrate?” If you are bombarded with negative thoughts, help yourself migrate from them. If you have friends pulling you in directions you don’t want to go, migrate out. If you are living in a place that is killing your soul day and day out, seek help and guidance. Don’t kill your self. Allah is gifting you with mercy. Be merciful to yourself.

No Word is Arbitrary

https://youtu.be/SFRAhvwRsRM

The sequence of verses and the specific choosing of Allah’s names in the ending of verses are never haphazard. Ever single name mentioned in a verse is so incredibly appropriate to its overall meaning. Take these 2 verses as examples. The wisdom in Allah’s choosing is beyond spectacular. #Quran #Quranicreflecrion #Tadabor #Alshura #Allah #HisNames #Alkhabeer #God #TheAllKnowing

Ibrahim’s dua ingredients

Prophet Ibrahim in a raw and powerful supplication in chapter 14, verses 35-41, breaks down key components of an accepted dua. What are some of the ingredients so we may apply them in our own duas as Ramadan approaches? @lillyandluluco and I sat down and broke them down one by one, and made this sheet for us to learn from and apply in our own duas! Get working on your dua list for Ramadan! May all your duas be fruitful 🙏❤️#Ibrahim #dua #ramadan #supplication #Quran

Al Lateef

Last Ramadan, my daughter Maryam who was born with a rare syndrome had just been recovering from surgery, and the last thing on my mind was Ramadan decorations. But Allah plans for us so subtly and surprises us in ways beyond imagination. My friend @lillyandluluco made me customized Eid banners and dropped them off at around the same time I received a Ramadan package from @muhsenorg for my daughter. It included beautiful Ramadan decor sponsored and made by @daysofeid. I was taken aback with emotions as my older daughter screamed in excitement at how amazing these stars that light up were! Because of how overwhelmed and shocked I was all at once, I couldn’t even put the stars together! 😅Alhamdulillah @lillyandluluco once again came to the rescue and put them together and hung them up for me. It’s in moments like these that Allah shows his Lutf (utter kindness) through His creation. Thank you @muhsenorg and thank you @daysofeid and thank you @lillyandluluco! May Allah bless you all ❤️ #Ramadan #RamadanDecor #Allateef #Quran #Alhamdulillah #Specialneeds #CHILDsyndrome

Look out at His creation

This picture is the full moon of Shabaan just minutes after its rise above the horizon. Isn’t amazing that day in and day out, the sun and moon are constantly rising and setting? In this verse, Allah calls us to physically look at His creation, and when we do, the physical realization of the occurrences around us should call us to think deeper with our hearts. Who is the Creator? When we watch these daily miracles with hearts open, we are reminded that along with the setting of these creations of God, we too are a part of that creation, and we too will have our own setting. Until then, how are we sources of light? #Shabaan #Moon #Quran #Alaraaf #God #Nature #Moonrise #Sunrise #Moonset #Sunset #Death #Life #Ramadan

Migrate; Trust-Fall to Allah

A Quranic reflection on verses 56-64 in Chapter 29(Alankaboot) in the Quran. These verses sent at the time of hijra (migration) from Makkah to Medina ask us this one question: How are we migrating in our own lives? What is our destination? How can we trust-fall to Allah?

https://youtu.be/cGMy4nPy3u0

Taking refuge

With the entire world seeking refuge in personal homes from a virus that no one but God can remove, how appropriate is it that while we are escaping from something He has power over, that we deliberately seek that refuge in Him? #foodforthought #Refuge #God #Allah #Hope #Shelter #Quran #repentance  

Be a force today

This statement appears in the middle of a verse that speaks of Allah sending his tranquility to prophet Muhammad and his companion, Abu Bakr, who were in a cave taking refuge. (Chapter 9, verse 40)

This particular line has always called me to question, “How am I a force of God?” Allah appoints whomever and whatever He wills to fulfill His commands, whether it be humans, insects, angels, or forces of nature around us. The circumstances that exist in our midst are a function of Divine will and intervention, not a matter of chance or “coincidence.” Everything we see in nature is appointed by God, and not just a mere accident.

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “God has appointed a group of His servants to fulfill the needs of people. People rush to these servants when in need.” To these people who God appoints to leave groceries at my doorstep, knowing I am not leaving my house to protect my vent-dependent toddler in light of COVID19, I have no doubt they are forces of God working to benefit the world around them, even amidst this darkness. 

How were you a useful force of God today? 

#God #COVID19 #Lovethyneighbor #hope #Quran  

Reviving the Heart

In these beautiful verses in chapter 16 of the Quran, Allah is telling us that we will be rewarded based on the best of our deeds! And not just that, but He repeats this statement twice in a row. And what comes in between the two? That whoever believes and tries their best will be given a new life, a revived life of goodness. Let these verses soak in and let them resuscitate our hearts back towards Him. #Quran #Revival #Gooddeeds #Reward #Allah #God #Sabr #Heart #Alnahl

https://youtu.be/WafFb-FWOjc

Break down and break through

When we pour our brokenness to God and channel our hurt to the Healer of it all, we choose our own freedom from the shackles of life. In Chapter 6, verse 95, God states that He is the one who causes the seed to split and thus, break open and bloom. He then immediately affirms that it is also He who gives life after death. When we take our own broken pieces to Him, never underestimate the power of His abilities to help us feel whole again. If He can bring life to the dead, surely He can revive your aching heart. Break down to Him and break through. #Healing #Hurt #God #Freedom #Allah #Quran #Brokenness

Your Heart can carry what mountains could not bear

A natural object we deem so mighty and strong crumbles upon receiving the words of God, but our hearts can not only perceive His words, but soak them in and feel them, penetrating the deepest parts of our emotions. Our hearts are stronger than mountains in their ability to carry these verses and hold them so dearly. How have you used your heart today?

What does God want for us? Reflections from Surah Alnisa

In the first several verses of chapter 4, surah Alnisa, we are given certain guidelines and legislations. Then in 3 consecutive verses, Allah says what He wants for us. Connect these two concepts together to see what we can extract from how Merciful and Wise Allah swt is in His rulings placed for us. #Quran #God #Allah #Scripture #Islam #Alnisa #Women

https://youtu.be/IOg8m6bmkgE

Constellations, stars, and the Quran

In two different chapters in the Quran, we see the concept of stars and the Quran and/or a sign from God coming back to back. Perhaps both the stars and the words of God are a source of guidance for the lost and a source of light in the darkness around us.

https://youtu.be/GzeGcNteIqE

Validation and anxiety in the Quran

Breathe, sit with your feelings, release that constriction within:
God Himself is validating His prophet in the last 3 verses of chapter 15 by telling him “We know your is constricted”. Can you imagine how Prophet Muhammad felt in that moment? To have your feelings acknowledged by God Himself?! We can extract so much from these 3 verses and find a beautiful recipe to release the constriction within. #Quran #Prophet #Muhammad #God #Allah #Constriction #Anxiety #Breathe #Blessings #Gratitude #Mindfulness #Prostration

https://youtu.be/BkbQd8ox89Q

The gift of prayer: Alisraa walmiraaj

Today is the day of Alisraa and almiraaj, the miraculous night journey and ascension to heaven for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The prayer was unmistakably gifted in that journey. How was the 5 daily prayers a huge healing to the prophet in those crucial moments of his life? How can we use it as a healing ourselves?

https://youtu.be/9J3usEi6Jk4

Corona and how to react as Muslims per the Quran

2 perfect verses that relate to our time at this moment. This whole Corona thing can be scary. How should we react as Muslims to such trials? Listen to these verses that we can relate to and get so much out of iA.

For more Quran reflections, follow my page “Quranic_Ocean” on Instagram.

The Quran isn’t just a book, but an ocean waiting to be explored, where infinite pearls & treasures are found. All we have to do is dive 📖🌊

https://youtu.be/lmx0cUemm3E

How the Quran addresses depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, taking ownership and more

How does the Quran address anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, taking ownership of our lives, and many other issues in our society today? Watch a portion of this mental health session where I extracted concepts from the Quran and integrated them with therapeutically studied approaches. #Quran #Psychology #God #therapy #counseling #socialwork #suicide #depression #teens #youth #overcomingstigmas

On the panel are: Aja Harrison (licensed social worker and therapist), Arwa Saleh (licensed clinical mental health counselor associate), and myself, Samia Mubarak (Quran teacher with degrees in psychology and communication).

https://youtu.be/I-SJuEnKeus

Full Facebook live video here: https://www.facebook.com/samia.mubarak/videos/10221392069127109/?d=n

YOUR voice can bring life to the Quran

https://youtu.be/elEWsgceDoA

What an honor that Allah uses your voice and your own emotions to bring the Quran to life for others. Think about that for a moment. The mountain crumbles at the words of God, but your heart can reflect on His words and your voice can read them and you can share that beauty with others. What an honor we have and are blessed with.

Which exception do you want to be a part of?

In a chain of a few verses, there are 3 exceptions back to back in this surah. Follow this interesting story in Surah 15, verses 30-42. How can we part of the exception God wants us to be from?

https://youtu.be/s8F4O6nJU1Y

Know your purpose

وَبَلَوْنَاهُم بِالْحَسَنَاتِ وَالسَّيِّئَاتِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ

“...And We tried them with blessings and with afflictions, so that they might come back.” -7:168

Times of hardship and times of ease share the common purpose of bringing us back to our own purpose. When we are tested or when we are given, both grant us the opportunity to come back to Our creator and turn to Him in gratitude and in seeking solace. Let us not mistake that. 

He never sets

فَلَمَّا رَأَى الشَّمْسَ بَازِغَةً قَالَ هَٰذَا رَبِّي هَٰذَا أَكْبَرُ فَلَمَّا أَفَلَتْ قَالَ يَا قَوْمِ إِنِّي بَرِيءٌ مِّمَّا تُشْرِكُونَ

“When he (Prophet Ibrahim) saw the sun rising up, he said: "This is my lord. This is greater." But when it set, he said: "O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners in worship with God.” -6:78

In a few consecutive verses in this chapter, Prophet Ibrahim is showing his people that the stars, the moon, and the sun cannot possibly be God. But what’s most interesting to me is the reason he gives them for this impossibility. In each separate mention of the stars, moon, and sun, he says they cannot be God only after witnessing them vanish. What does that tell us about the one true God? That He never sets, never leaves us, and always remains. A Creator who cares is consistently there, with a presence that never escapes us. And Prophet Ibrahim understood that. 

Book and Prayer

وَالَّذِينَ يُمَسِّكُونَ بِالْكِتَابِ وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ إِنَّا لَا نُضِيعُ أَجْرَ الْمُصْلِحِينَ

“And as to those who hold fast to the Book and perform prayer, certainly We shall never waste the reward of those who do righteous deeds.” -Quran (7:170)

Abiding by God’s book and its teachings and establishing prayer comes hand in hand with working to benefit the world through your action. Although the two seem like individualistic goals, they very much are what can shape and positively change communities and entire nations for the betterment of society at large. 

Wake up and see

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِّنَ الشَّيْطَانِ تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذَا هُم مُّبْصِرُونَ
“Verily, those who are mindful of God, when an evil thought comes to them from Satan, they remember (Allah), and they then see. - Quran, 7:201

Not everyone who has eyes can see clearly. It’s in the remembrance of God that our vision awakens.

What’s to fear?

https://youtu.be/vdjjIhB8hFg

42:25

Alwadud

When we fall short or make mistakes, one of the biggest motivators to get back up is the fact that God is Loving and Merciful. No matter how deep we have fallen, rising back to Him is easy because He is the source of unequivocal Love and Mercy.
‎وَاسْتَغْفِرُوا رَبَّكُمْ ثُمَّ تُوبُوا إِلَيْهِ إِنَّ رَبِّي رَحِيمٌ وَدُودٌ
"And ask forgiveness of your Lord and turn unto Him in repentance. Verily, my Lord is Most Merciful, Most Loving." - Quran (11:90) #Quran #Love #God #Wadud #Mercy #Godslove 

The fluidity of the Quran

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ عِندَ رَبِّكَ لَا يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ وَيُسَبِّحُونَهُ وَلَهُ يَسْجُدُونَ
“Indeed, those who are with Your Lord are not too proud to serve Him, and they praise Him and prostrate before Him.” Quran (7:206)

This is the conclusion of this long beautiful chapter in the Quran, affirming that the servants of God are not too proud to bow their head to the One in control, their Creator and Fashioner. The most interesting part of this verse to me, more than the context, is what it does to the chapter as a whole. Because of this one all-encompassing verse, the reader of this chapter is suddenly taken to scenes from the very first story of the chapter, a scene where Iblees was too proud to prostrate when God asked him to. And now, at the unfolding of this chapter is God telling us how His true servants do not take Iblees as a precedent, only the exact opposite.

The way the verses and chapters connect so organically is one of the never ending miracles of the Quran. May we be gifted the ability to see them. 

Are you surprised at the decree of God?

قَالُوا أَتَعْجَبِينَ مِنْ أَمْرِ اللَّهِ
They said, “Do you wonder at the acts of God?” -Quran (11:73)

https://youtu.be/HsFhNmfaa-g

Here was Prophet Ibrahim’s wife at the peak of old age where it was incomprehensible to be fertile. Yet, the angels give her the news that she will have a baby. Her instant reaction was pure bewilderment, shock, and disbelief. Their reply to her in this grandiose moment was, “Are you astonished by the works of God?” Like, do you know who God is? Nothing is impossible for Him.

And now for us, when we read this passage and deem so many situations in our lives impossible, and so many dreams unimaginable, remember what these angels said. Is anything too much for God? His decree can do the inconceivable. What’s not to believe?

Al Wali

إِنَّ وَلِيِّيَ اللَّهُ الَّذِي نَزَّلَ الْكِتَابَ وَهُوَ يَتَوَلَّى الصَّالِحِينَ
“Verily, my protector is God, who has revealed the book, and He who protects those who are act in goodness.” Quran (7:196)

What is understood in this verse is that God is the ultimate protector and One to be relied on, and that His protection befalls upon those who do good. But what’s interesting is that there is an additional description of God’s protection before He tells us who it’s for. He says that the Protector is the one who sent down His book. What does His book have to do with His protection to those who do good? Perhaps His book is a manifestation of His protection and that the book is a bridge between us and the way to rely on Him. In His book lie the keys to our reliance on Him and to His protection. 

Never belittle the smallest of deeds

With minutes left till the fajr Athan came in, I was scrambling in the darkness to find any cup to pour water into. My eye caught a white cup sitting in the dryer rack. I picked it up, filled it with water and quenched my thirst. After the Athan came in and my senses slowly awakened, I saw this white cup sitting on my counter. It was the cup I drank my suhoor water from, but not just any cup. It was a mug my friend recently gifted me with just days ago. It called me to question, “In the darkness of the night, did Allah want me to specifically find this mug to drink my suhoor water from so she could get the reward for fasting?” Isn’t God this generous? Can’t Allah see one pure intention of ours and multiply it in ways beyond our own comprehension?

Imagine every intricate detail of our daily lives; Every time we let a car into our lane in front of us, are we also being rewarded for their rush to be there for their child at home, their mother in the hospital, or their productivity at work? When we pick up a tossed candy wrapper off the ground, are we being rewarded for cleaning up and beautifying God’s land? When we go out of our way to pick up groceries for someone in need, is God putting baraka(blessings) in our gas tank with every mile we drive? Is every acceleration on the pedal towards that deed a witness of goodness for us in this life and the next?

When we live our lives knowing who God is, and that no small deed is overlooked in this large, busy world, we are compelled to being there for His creation, even in the minimalist of ways.

So please, for God’s sake, merge into my lane. And oh, here is a mug.

لَا يَعْزُبُ عَنْهُ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا أَصْغَرُ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَا أَكْبَرُ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ
“...Not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant) or less than that or greater, escapes from His Knowledge in the heavens or in the earth, but it is in a Clear Book.” - Quran (34:3)

Sprout

If seeds refused to grow, imagine how much color and beauty would be stripped from our world? When we remain stagnant in our lives, not only are we preventing our own selves from growth but from blossoming and beautifying the world all together.

In Chapter 6 of the Quran, verse 95, God states that He is the one who causes the seed to split and thus, grow. Immediately after this statement He then says that it is also He who gives life after death. If we don’t give ourselves the chance to sprout, how will we then taste life in all its meaning? When we refuse to grow, we are essentially choosing death before our time even comes. But God wants better for us. He gave the seed the ability to sprout. Who said you can’t too?

“And the time came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom”- Anais Nin 

One letter can change everything

It’s mind blowing how much we can gather from just 1 letter in these verses. Quran (28: 16&24) we can learn so much from prophet Moses here.

https://youtu.be/t8ugVPM1KJ8