Sarah Sultan – Juz 25 Quran 30 for 30 Season 2
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briquettes everyone welcome back to Quran 30 for 30 and hamdulillah salatu salam salam ala alihi wa sahbihi women, Juana and Hamdulillah. But I mean, Sheikh Abdullah and I have been having some issues I've been I was I told him I really wanted what he's wearing. I know he sports it better than I ever would but the man Masha Allah, I want I want one, you know, like, I'm just saying I want one. So but anyway, we were we were having an argument, so we decided to bring a counselor Susana, to help us out.
We're almost at the homestretch. Ramadan is 25th We're almost there. And we just want to make sure we don't we don't get into it prior to eat.
So welcome to the Welcome to the show. Sister sada have the lie on a serious note sister sada is no stranger and hamdulillah to anyone that follows Europeans work. In fact, in the comment section, we had several episodes where it What are you bringing SR status Athan so it's at a point now where there's protests if you don't show up, and hamdulillah is one of the authors of the trauma collection and so many other good works handed down as a regular on so much of our programs with very beneficial insights. So welcome back sister Sana to second website and I've been so enjoying following Quran 30 for 30 This this Ramadan handed and it's it's wonderful to be here at home Padma
Monica la Fifi. So we had a correction session that we're going to do right now I'm going to correct myself and Sheikh Abdullah wanted to he said he wanted to correct himself on a serious note from a previous episode but I'm gonna start
and it fits perfectly from the meeting Mohammed slice I'm serious so just so everyone knows what I'm planning to do this year and shows that after the series is over after each week after inshallah probably I'll do a you know, q&a, clarifications, certain things you know, in the episode that maybe need a little bit more elaboration, so I'll do like maybe one session Insha Allah, but one of them that's going to come up
sister SATA, Egyptian background, what do you call milk and audibly lovin lovin only half Egyptian, but love
half Egyptian side of us as 11, which is one of the times that first actually lines up with mostly ledger. So like the first half actually lines up with the Egyptian dialect here. So for those of you that are not familiar with the Shami dialect, the Palestinians in the sham call milk Hadebe and Lebanese yogurt, so I keep on messing up and I hear it myself when I'm listening to an episode I'm calling Lebbon. Yogurt drink.
So, if you're hearing me say yogurt drink, it's not literally that container of lemon, lemon is milk, and I messed up and I will do a clarification session so I had to get that off my chest. The muscles are right. Laverne is milk. It's not yogurt drink. That's a Xiaomi intervention innovation though. From the drinks of the prophets. I seldom so I asked one of my teachers, like what do I do? He said well the prophets lie so um you know, they used to do a milk based drink so it was Lebbon per se but but sometimes it often truly was like a rubbish a milk drink type yogurt drink type, but anyway, that's an excuse I have to correct inshallah. So, from now on, if I mess up and I say Lebbon
as yogurt drink, you can correct me in sha Allah Tada. It is milk and the muscles are right. And I admit my, my fault in that regard.
So all the Egyptians should feel vindicated now about their dialect we do.
On a serious note, you you'd said right before we got started that you wanted to talk about something just in the previous episode, you just wanted to make a slight correction. hamdulillah Exactly.
It was a speaking about Prophet Yunus on A salaam I think it was a session that we had with Sister Aisha prime Mila preserver, I translated a portion of a verse and the translation was incorrect because it could imply something that is not befitting when it comes to the understanding of the prophets. When I was talking about the Prophet Yunus in the chapter so fast, I use another verse as well to speak about the Prophet Yunus when he was leaving his people and I use the verse in the chapter of Anbiya. Or last month, I said,
with a noona if that had been Mojave been mahadi Been for one and then now Khedira IE, when other people thematic Allah, Allah, Allah unis, he said, Allah subhanaw taala said and the, the companion of the fish when he left off angrily, but then I translated and I said, and he thought that Allah would not overpower him. Right. That's an incorrect translation. It's incorrect. And Len naka de la Yanni no de la he will not be it right. Because other as I'm almost sure has been translated, you know, by little coordinating. I saw the examples it has a number of number of meanings but none of them could really be in this particular context overpower because it's not befitting for a prophet
to think that God would not overpower him. Rather, it was when he left angrily. He thought that he did. He fulfilled his mission. Right? He didn't think that anything
What happened to him in regards to not fulfilling the mission but it was never that ALLAH SubhanA wa he thought that Allah subhanaw taala would not overpower him. hacerle recommend that would net that's never becoming of a prophet. And that's not what Allah spent Allah would predestined, so just wanted to correct that translation. When it comes to none of the rally he is rather didn't think that there would not be any decree upon him. Right. I think he fulfilled his mission.
And I'm not gonna say who but one of the Maasai have texted you and then you said I really want to serve Hamdulillah I think there's something on a light note hamdulillah which is that every time someone comes on Quran 30 for 30 We've noticed that him that even within our own European community to have the love the scholars and teachers have been following some illustrations that reward all of them that are watching and that are keeping us on our on our toes and shallots out to make sure we are
you know, delivering to the best of our abilities like Lakeisha Abdullah for wanting to share that and Charlotte for the record. Oh, wait, one more. One other mistake numbers are just
in just for the record, that's why I think mashallah all of you that are in organizations, Islamic organizations or any kind of teamwork, you know, this tenacity is very, very important, you know, and those of you that may be giving comments and giving advice, you know, subhanAllah you know, mashallah it's read, you know, with the with the team again, and that's the word I want to capitalize on is the team. The presence is felt mashallah when you have people that look out for each other and they give the advice and that's something that is very very important as Muslims in general but if you're working together for a common cause, don't ever hesitate to give advice to
your brothers just because you know as long as it's in good faith inshallah the right intention, it's only going to be reward for everyone in sha Allah to Allah so my shoulder
was good and plug the fundraiser now so support you
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Zack, a law fair Chicago
Bismillah. We had a lengthy introduction later but let's let's go ahead and get started with the nighttime robotic law Fico. So we are now even for the judges like get it over with I'm getting tired in the back over here. Hurry up and get started. So we are now in Hamlet a little bit I mean, in just 25 minutes Karnataka grant us a good ending to the Sorbonne. Allahumma Amin and just 25 is makin Quran is still part of foresee that goes into SUTA Shura, Zoho Doohan Jadzia. It has the same theme as we've spoken about previously that emphasizes the afterlife and emphasizes the purpose of life. And it actually is the reason why some of the rhythms mentioned that there is such a punishing
tone from Allah subhanaw taala to the Mexicans in particular at this point, is because the people in Mecca were overtaken by a famine. And they asked the Prophet slice alum because this was sort of in the middle stage of his Mechon Dawa. If he truly is a prophet, to pray to Allah, that Allah lift the feminine, and so the prophets lie Selim after being requested of that, and he made the DUA that the famine be lifted, and it was lifted on the people of Makkah, they simply increased in their to Lian they increased in their rebellious Ness towards a lot and in their impression of the Prophet sallallahu. It was said, um, so it was set down so often, particularly their intimate say, was sat
down. In response to that, and the three suitors that come together to Hana and Jatha sat down in the same in the same sequence, as an answer to the drought of the prophets. I said, I'm an answer to the drought of the Prophet slice I'm being answered, which was a clear sign of his prophethood and hence a very harsh revelation of much warning to the people. However, there's one theme I'm going to spend a little bit of time on in sha Allah Tada, and inshallah I'm going to keep my part short because we had him to dinner. We have Sr. Sada. And we have Chef Abdullah, of course, and the introduction was a little longer today, but it's actually just one theme. I want you to isolate
insha Allah and pay attention that really does fit the seat of the Prophet slice them and is one of the most relevant issues of our time. And that is the theme of envy and jealousy, envy and jealousy. So Allah subhanaw taala mentions in verse 31, will call do Lola nosey Raha the Quran? Allah Raja demon Acharya Tanya Alvey? They said how come this Quran was not sent to one of the two great men of the two great cities. And this is as the professor Ron mentioned, you know how to learn as an island when needed and Molera in the Maccha Oh heavy neuron, a third coffee and advertise had this Quran been revealed to and what he did in Madeira with Chef Omer her saying we talked about highly
dignitaries or the alonside annual so Had this been revealed on our leader Molina of Mecca, or have have you been ignored of five we would have been okay, but why him? Right
And so the the envy that they had of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa salam being at the root of this at some point that as they were considering this message, and understanding the merits of this message but fine, why him? Why did Allah choose him how to love chosen one of us? Maybe we would not have had this type of a resistance to the message. So you found the jealousy of Abuja with his tribe of Benjamin Masoom. And, and and by the way, it will lead to more heroes also from the same tribe, as Abuja. So you have the jealousy of the tribe against battle Hashem, right battle, Hashem can produce a profit, and then we're left behind. And then you have the individual jealousy, like I
should have been the leader, I should have been the one to be a prophet. And the last times I says, do you get to distribute the Mercy of your Lord? Do you get to distribute the revelation, you don't make those types of decisions. So the arrogance that was produced by that entity, and that produced a rebellious pneus, and an opposition to what they knew of being the truth and Subhanallah, they could have been people of Jannah, they could have been companions of the Prophet, slice Allah, and competed with other companions and played and good, but instead, because of their envy, what ended up happening to them, they ended up losing out on being Sahaba. And they ended up in the process
being complete losers, right, complete losers in this life and in the Hereafter. And there is a parallel before I get to the other CRO implication of that to the shaytaan to at least, at least his objection to why the money has Salam over me. IBLEES was already elevated above the rest of the gym. So in his rank, in his rank, and in his in his area, where he could have excelled he Excel to the maximum of rising above the gym to even be in the company of the angels. But Subhanallah he is envy drove him to what his pride his envy drove him to what to become an enemy of Allah subhanaw taala to become the worst enemy of Allah subhanaw taala had IBLEES done such that to undermine his thumb, he
would have maintained his rank and he would have even ascended in his rank, because it would have been another sign of obedience to Allah subhanho wa Taala but we see what happened to him as a result of that. So the topic of envy comes up here and particularly their degrading of the profit slice and what that led them to Now the really interesting thing Subhanallah is the the other side of this and I'm actually going to end with this and I'll just share this i and then we'll move on because I'm really excited are two more eyes and so really excited to hear the input, but alas, doesn't so it's a short i Sam juris, one of the best health Allahu Risca, the arriba de la fille
Aldi when I can you and as it will be harder in nyesha in Nairobi, arriba de Javi, Ron Basia, if Allah were to grant ample wealth to his servants, they might go about, they may go about transgressing in the land, but instead he sends down in proportion, whatever He wills of His sustenance and surely Allah subhanaw taala is well acquainted and all seen. He's well aware, he's Kabir. And he's bossy and he's all seen when it comes to the matters that relate to servants and otherwise, and hubbub and then Arato, the latter and who says this verse was revealed about us the poor Muslims, who looked at the wealth of some of the disbelievers in Medina, Betancourt Eva, being
you know, one of the tribes they're the wealthy tribes there in Mecca looking to some of the rich of some of the tribes like Beto Muslim and others, but we were looking at some of those that had so much wealth and that can feel like an injustice, right? Like why does that person have so much good when they're such bad people? And why am I deprived when I'm a good person when I'm believing and following the path, and Subhanallah this, this is according to Kabbalah, there'll be a lot of time and a response from Allah Subhana Allah not a condemnation, but Allah knows where he puts his visa where he puts his message and Allah knows where he puts his money in his wealth and Allah knows
where he distributes power. And Allah subhana wa Tada knows what he's doing. And he's well acquainted and well aware, and it is ultimately for our own good. And so the poor believers were comforted by that and in fact, they sought out how to compete for good deeds, right when they complained to the Prophet sly, some about the rich Sahaba taking all of the good deeds in regards to their salah. But at the same time, human beings so sometimes you know, that sense can overcome a person. And then Allah Subhana Allah says, Finally, responding to Abuja, and this is also you know, this is known as jafria Verse 49. Look in into that as ease of carrying taste this punishment you
are a person who is Aziz was Kadeem, who is mighty and who is noble. Why did that I come down Subhanallah one time the prophets I seldom met Abu Jahan in Abuja, * stops the Prophet so if somebody says hey, you know, I am Eliza, Kevin, have a look at the arrogance. It just stops the prophets like someone says, you know who I am, I'm the most powerful person on this earth. I am the one who is mighty I am the one who is no
Will Allah Subhana Allah Allah causes him to be killed at better humiliated and he is reviled he is, he is admonished with his own words Subhanallah his own words, look, go ahead, taste the punishment of the fire. You are a disease of Kadeem, aren't you? You are this person who says that you are mighty and noble. So Tapella, the tie in here of envy, right is just very powerful, the envy of those without prophethood of the Prophet slice on them, and what that led to their destruction and Allah subhanaw taala, comforting the Companions not to look to those or feel jealousy towards those who had wealth, but instead understand that the apportioning of Allah subhanaw taala was perfect and
with that inshallah tan sister salah, if you have any reflections, and then we'll move on to shift from the little bit,
just second little, play it on for the beautiful reminder, mashallah, you know, a couple of thoughts came to mind as you were speaking about that. And the first one being, like, the understanding of who Allah subhana data is, is so essential when we're working on jealousy, right, because jealousy is a very normal human emotion, to struggle with that.
But knowing that Allah's past data is the most wise that almost has, that is the most just and so that wherever he is spreading, you know, risk in whatever form it is, you know, looking at the risk in our own lives, not just materially but also emotionally, and socially, and relationally, and all of these things. And then, you know, realizing that goodness comes from a less past data, and it often comes in forms that we don't recognize. And so we will look at what we think is goodness and other people's lives and think about what's lacking and ours. And that's what amplifies jealousy. So really knowing Allah Subhana Allah, and knowing, you know, the goodness, that that, that he
provides, in the end, the that he's the most just in the most wise really, is really tremendously powerful. And then the other you know, then the other thought that that came to mind is something that a lot of people have been bringing up lately is the the jealousy that comes with social media consumption, right. And so just one thing to keep in mind, especially with these last few days, is limiting our access to consumption that's going to yield jealous feelings within us. Because again, natural human emotion but it's such a Steeler of joy Subhanallah and so just trying to be very careful about what we're taking in and are we looking at those like the province has send them says
like, look at those below you in terms of like material material wealth, so that you don't belittle the blessings of electronic data. And so you know, are we are we reflecting on it that way? And are we limiting our consumption of media that might be yielding jealous feelings.
Park along picking excellent Asha from
this will now salatu salam ala Rasulillah
he or Sufi woman with a mother I do.
So when mentioning that Subhanallah, you know, the talking about, you know, of those mushy corn, that's were very arrogant, when you see a Buddha and the Buddha have, you know, and there's a chapter devoted to God speaking about him Tibet, you that I'd be loving What's up, you know, that he was very ridiculing of the Prophet SAW Selim in the message. That is because you know, the people that did not wish philos $1 voluntarily disbelieved in Him, they would look at the signs that Allah subhanaw taala has put in front of them. But the response to those signs is that which was not befitting to them in this life and in the next life. And that's why even when speaking about
jealousy, and these emotions, they are natural that we may have them. But there is a level of responsibility that we as human beings have, when that sign that we may see emanate from someone that could breed that jealousy, that natural response that we may have, what do we do with it? Do we allow it to continue on? And if it becomes a problem? Do we seek the proper means in order to alleviate or relinquish that ailment that may take place internally, whether it's psychologically or spiritually and even those intertwined within one another? So I want to talk about a verse in the Quran. And it's in the end of the chapter first lesson is one of my favorite verses Subhan Allah in
regards to just reminding me of this, the simplicity of the communication of Allah subhanho wa Taala but also the how it's complex at the same time, what do I mean by that?
You know, last year Subhan, Allah Sheikh yesterday asked me, he mentioned he talked about the eyes of Allah subhanho wa taala. And it was very, very profound, because I liked what he said that Allah speaks to you through his eyes and he mentioned the statement of ezeli him Allah to Allah, that when ALLAH SubhanA wa Taala speaks to you through the word humanism. But then he also speaks to you from that which is the freaky tabula store that which is in the Quran, but also with the signs among for that which you see that what you see in front of you
Allah is speaking to you. Allah is speaking to you and telling you the the manifestation or how his names and attributes are put forth in front of you. So when you have a child, one of the names amongst many of the names is a result. One of the names amongst many of the names is Hafeez. And Razak is the provider, His provision will never be overpowered by anyone or anything else when he wants it to happen, you will confer your coin. Right when Jesus was born, we believe Jesus was born and the woman of his mother Mary, and Allah said b and it is and Jesus was born on a sunnah. So when looking at this, all of these are signs. All of these are signs of the greatness of Allah from
different aspects of our of of His Majesty and His greatness in his honor. These names and attributes which are very, very beautiful that we should learn, and should try to understand in our lives. And then also it's science for us as human beings. So Allah subhanaw taala says in the beautiful verse when he's speaking
to the prophets of Allah, Allah was salam, and he's telling him to tell the machico and the people that voluntarily disbelieved and Allah subhanho wa Taala and did not acknowledge those signs as they should be acknowledged. He says after argument is not a gem, or a tomb in Canada, and in the law, he will make a fortune be timbi Mon Ebola amendment who official Cochem by eight, this is verse number 52. A last month Allah says Say, Have you considered if the Quran is from Allah and you disbelieved in it, would, who would be more astray than the one who is in the stream extreme dissension?
When you look at the science and you realize that there is a Creator, there is a maker there is a sustainable Holika Roscoe Wu, he has authority over everything. What's most important for the human being, is that when you see these characteristics of God, or you see the actions of God of Lordship, what response does that engender? What does it bring forth from you, and that is the level of responsibility for the human being, when you see and realize that what is beyond my capabilities has been given to me, or that sustains me from the air from the sun, all of these elements of creation within the ecosystems that we see is there for you, Abdullah, it's there to provide for us is to
sustain you at the same time. So then Allah subhanaw taala, you know, told the process someone to ask this question, if you think that this is from Allah subhanaw taala if you consider that this Quran is from Allah who disbelieved in it, what do you think what would happen? Then Allah subhanaw taala continues on and he brings a beautiful verse, Pamela, after those that disbelief after seeing those abou loves the Abuja hands right after seeing those signs from Allah subhanho wa Taala and you voluntarily disbelieved in that. You have it in your heart, but you didn't make choice because of something that you wanted to obtain and maintain within your status, your reputation that was much
more beneficial to you aspects of the dunya This is why last week's about the dunya so many times in the Quran of this worldly mesmerizing life fizzle or or it is deceitful it is as full of deception. Allah says after that century, he is in a field RFLP where he unfussy him had to obey in Allahu unknowable Huck. I'd say it's the bane of the home and will help Allah subhanaw taala says here, we will surely so there are signs. So reading out i Aetna, we will show them Our signs in two things. Phil FLT Wolfie unfussy him. And alpha alpha is like the horizons or anything that some scholars mentioned, that takes place within the cosmos within our elements. The cosmos union alpha is they
say, as you can see his horizons. But when we say anything that the horizon captures are what we can see within our within ourselves and outside of ourselves, particularly outside of ourselves. Some scholars mentioned in this case, so when looking at the horizon, we look at the sun and we see how it, it rises, and we see how it declines. We see what takes place on the earth. And that's why some of the scholars, they say that Phil RFLP, they talk about some scholars say that it was
the conquest of the different areas around Mecca. Wolfie unfussy calm and in yourself was the conquest of Mecca. Some scholars say it was buzzard. But in any case, if we want to generalize it, we say everything external, everything outside of you, is the alpha. So looking at everything that takes place, as was mentioned, the ecosystems how the seasons change, and you have no ultimate control over it. But it's going to happen beyond your control and beyond whatever you wish and whatever you want. It's going to take place, there has to be an ultimate maker for it. There has to be a sonic there has to be a creator, there has to be a sustainer
that is Allah subhanho wa taala. So Allah says we're going to continuously show them Our signs, and then feet unfussy come in your own cells. And when we talk about yourself
As many of us may think of the anatomy, and the physiology, you know, the organs in your body, your eyes, and then the What the What does that organ do? But it's much more than that. As you see, Michelle, we have a therapist with us today, your psycho psychologically, what takes place in your heart? How does that affect your mind? You know, these things that take place, from the intangible aspects of our physical self, Allah is telling you to ponder over that as well. Ponder over all of these things. And that's why last thing, we're going to show them all of this over and over and over again, until the truth comes clear to them. And that true Some scholars say, the province of Allahu
Allah wa salam, the Quran, Islam, the meaning is one, it is, as they say, settler for to know what it is something that is maybe different in which we understand it. But it's all generally the same thing. Meaning that this truth of Islam, the truth of Allah being one, the truth of him being the Ultimate Creator, and acknowledging what the truth is brought in front of you should bring forth something in yourself. If you have that feeling, just as I did before I became a Muslim, I had those questions, is this really the right thing to do? I see all these signs in front of me, and I know it has a deity, but my responsibility, have I fulfilled that ultimate responsibility, which was for me
to acknowledge them in my life, and acknowledge the promise, a lot of it was something so this is the ultimate call that was being given to those polytheists at that time, but in general is for all of creation to remember the signs and to answer that communication that Allah is giving you through the signs. And as a result, in gratitude, and in sugar and thankfulness of ALLAH SubhanA wa Tada to Him, and to all the creation, Allah knows best.
Zakouma how beautiful reflections, so solid.
Does that allow fire on for that beautiful reflection to have done, I think it ties so beautifully into what I'm hoping to discuss, you know, subhanAllah, the idea of being able to embrace and accept Allah Subhana Allah is the One True deity as the source of truth, as the one stable entity in our lives is at the core of, of what I'm hoping to discuss today.
Which is, you know, that sometimes we struggle to embrace and accept the truth. Sometimes there are pieces of ourselves, you know, like Chifa, Shikamaru, was discussing jealousy sometimes there are pieces of us that struggle our egos our desires for temporary gratification. And so I wanted to talk about the verse in incidents and Javea where Allah subhana data says, Have you seen to the prophets, I send them those who have taken their own desires as their God. And so Allah left them to stray knowingly sealed their hearing, and hearts and place the cover on their site, who then can guide them after Allah? Will you all not then be mindful? Right? And so you know, this, I wanted to focus
on this first part of this, this incredible verse, you know, fri, 8am, and it Tada, Elon, Elon,
excuse me, however, and so, you know, this idea of Have you seen those who have taken their own desires as their God? And so when we ask ourselves, the idea of, you know, what's more important in our own lives? Is it that we prioritize a less past data, or that we prioritize our wants and desires? If we were to ask any of ourselves as you know, we would, we would say that we prioritize Allah that Allah Subhana Allah is first and foremost. But a lot of times our actions can really struggle to catch up with that value with that prioritization. And so I know that, you know, during Ramadan, we all hope for this sense of upliftment, right, this spiritual emotional upliftment as we
strive to increase our worship during this month, but what about when that doesn't happen? Right? What happens when it's really hard? What happens when we just don't feel it? When worship feels like a mountain that has to be climbed rather than a path that's filled with serenity? Most of our wants are typically neutral, they're not positive or negative, right? But what happens when our desires don't align with what's pleasing to us path data? And this is a struggle that every single one of us faces, and we face it very often, and that's okay. Right? We're not held accountable and hamdulillah for our feelings, right? we're held accountable for our actions. And that's why the reward for not
choosing to take our wants as God's for us is so incredible, right? In sort of the Meza Allah's path Allah tells us that as for those who were in awe of standing before their Lord and restrain themselves from evil desires, Paradise will certainly be their home. Right.
And so this idea of being able to restrain ourselves from our evil desires
of being able to, to control our actions despite these are desires, which means that we naturally feel the want the feeling is fine. But what we do with it will determine things right? And so feeling something having that desire is not the same as acting upon it. And so that that feeling of something wanting something and not acting upon it can actually be a path toward Jannah for us, because when we do that, we are choosing Allah subhanaw taala standard over our own. We're proclaiming that Allah Subhana Allah is our, our, our Rob Right that He is our Lord that he is an ohana, that he is our Creator. But he is alarming. He's the one who knows everything and we don't
that he is unhappy, the one who guides us and leads us to the right path that he is unhappy, right? The one who is the truth, the one whose essence is wisdom, justice and rightness. Right and so with this mindset, we can acknowledge that sometimes when we want something right sometimes even when that thing feels right, that our emotions are not facts right and this is why the Prophet Muhammad wa salam used to always repeat this dot yarmulke liberal Colusa bit call reality Nick right where asking illustrata Oh Turner of hearts, keep my heart firm on your on your religion, your faith, right? And so our input our emotions, they play an important role in our lives, it was important to
pay attention to them write their signals, but they are not decision makers. Emotions are transient, they change constantly. But what is not transient?
Excuse me. But what is not transient? What is always permanent, what is always stable, is what Allah's path data has told us is the rope of Allah's path data, it's his promise, his truth, and the commands that he has given us. Right? So so how do we do this? How do we, when we are struggling? How do we push through when our feelings are not aligned with what we know to be pleasing to Allah subhanaw taala when our desires are not aligned with that. And so there are three factors that I think are really important for us to consider. The first is reminding ourselves of our purpose and our values.
The second is knowing for certain having that certainty, that the long term benefit of doing this of worshiping Allah of choosing sometimes what's the harder path, knowing that the long term benefit that comes with it is the best for us, right? Because it's much easier to choose what's best for us when we're fully certain that goodness is coming. And then the third is learning to sit with discomfort. And this is such an important skill and one that we don't often Hone, right, as human beings, we naturally try to escape discomfort, right. But most things that are worthwhile are not easy, right? Whether it's choosing a healthy meal over one that looks more appealing or choosing to
work out when you're not feeling it, waking up for Vegeta. When you're exhausted, apologizing to someone, you've wronged learning a new skill, I mean, the list goes on and on and on, of all of these things that are really worthwhile in our lives, but take effort, and that are a lot of times difficult, and a lot of times something that we don't necessarily feel inclined to do. Right? Which is why sometimes our feelings are you know, that's not our decision maker, right? And so for our purpose and value, you know, asking ourselves, are you living your purpose? Are you living your values, right, because we live in a world that constantly presses us to make decisions that are not
our own, right. And authenticity is like this collection of choices that we have to make every single day to live our values and our purpose. And when we don't do that, what happens is something called cognitive dissonance, which is when your values don't align with your actions, you feel a sense of discomfort, you feel anxiety, you feel sadness, you feel that that pit in your stomach, right. And so when you're confronted with situations that contradict your beliefs, and your ideals, then what we do as human beings is we try to find a way to resolve the contradiction, to get away from that sense of discomfort. And so when our wants, or our actions or our desires contradict our
faith, then how do we deal with that? We either change the behavior, or we change the values, right? And so, a lot of times, the easier path is to you know, just change your values, right? Just Just let go of the things that we know to be important. Because in that moment, that instant gratification of alleviating that negative feeling that discomfort feels better. But if we choose to prioritize our values, right, and that comes with the second step of like, knowing that goodness is coming, right, we seek the sense of upliftment in our worship, like I was saying, you know, and it's something that we all want to attain, but it's really important to realize that that is not the
ultimate goal. Our ultimate goal is the
problem is the pleasure of Allah Subhana Allah the worship of Allah had data, hoping to see the to see the face of Allah packed data. And I asked her that everybody you know, here and listening has that opportunity Aloma me and right. But the ultimate goal is submission to Allah, even when it's hard, right? Especially when it's hard. And so being able to truly trust that Allah subhanaw taala is the one who knows what's best for us that our perception of reality is limited. But Allah Subhana Allah sees every single facet, right? That societal standards of happiness and living your best life and then things like that, that those things are constantly changing. But that the true freedom,
true filling of that void and yearning that we all have within us, is on holding on to the rope of Allah pancetta that is constantly stable, even when we don't feel it in the moment. And even when our perception of what's best for us differs from what we know truly to be what's best for us in the eyes of almost pannacotta, right? Because we've all probably made those decisions sometimes that we've regretted right? They felt right in the moment, right. But in the end, we regretted them. But worshipping Allah pathauto is something that will never lead to a sense of regret. Because it's dictated by the one who knows everything. Right? We all have these things that we want. But Allah's
path data shows us what we need.
Right. And so the final point that I that I wanted to talk about with regards to this idea about being able to manage our desires, rather than being from amongst those who take their desires as their god right is about discomfort, and sitting with the fact that okay, I want this, I want to do this, this instant gratification is so difficult to resist, how do I resist it? Right. And I once heard a story shared by a rabbi about lobsters, and how lobsters are very soft animals, but they live inside a rigid shell. And as they grow, the shell remains the same. And so they become very uncomfortable, they find the shell very confining. And so they cast off their shell, and they
produce a new one. And so, you know, the what happens to this lobster is its signal for growth was discomfort. And that's something that's really important for us to realize is a lot of times, moments of discomfort and challenges are also times of growth. And they're opportunities for us to growth, just to grow. Discomfort isn't necessarily negative, it can actually be something positive, depending on how we push forward and whether we are pushing forward toward our true purpose. And so I want to leave you with two final tips, practical tips
about how to help us sit with this discomfort. And the first one is to realize that distress, discomfort, pain, it's, it's all temporary, right? But the joy of choosing the hereafter is everlasting. Right. And so if we think about the example of hunger, which is very appropriate for, for Ramadan, you know, it's a very powerful example, because, you know, you can get very hungry, and you've all probably experienced this, this, anybody who is able to fast that if you can't get to food for a while, you know, the hunger doesn't continue to grow and grow and grow and grow. At some point through the day, like it gets really hard, and then all of a sudden, it kind of plateaus,
right? And then it might even start to go down. Discomfort is the same, right tolerating, and when you're working towards something worthwhile when you're doing something hard, it's important to realize that discomfort doesn't last forever. This pain, emotional pain, physical pain, any type of pain, it doesn't last forever, right? And so we remind ourselves that, you know, the struggle is temporary, but the reward is eternal.
And then there's a powerful exercise that I wanted to end with, which is something used in therapy for tolerating, tolerating discomfort,
which is using imagery. So I want you to think of something that you might be struggling with, that you know, would really be the best for you to begin working on that it might be hard, it might be uncomfortable, right? It might be if you're trying to pray your prayers this month. If you're trying to wear hijab, if you're trying to be patient with someone in your life or trying to give up a negative habit. Whatever way you're striving to worship Allah subhanaw taala but you're really struggling with it. Just put that in your mind. And then using imagery, right, whenever it's time to do that thing to pray to walk out of your house in hijab, do not yell when you're frustrated, etc.
Right?
walk yourself through imagining something really profound, right? And I'm gonna go through it just in a second right?
because it triggers a different response in your mind, your brain and your and your body. Right. And you can choose any visualization you'd like. But I'm choosing one based on a saying by a novice or the low animal, where he said that very good deeds bring brightness upon the face, a light in the heart and expansive provision, strength in the body and love in the hearts of the creation. And so, whenever you're picturing yourself, doing this act of worship, that you're really battling within yourself, because that's really, really hard, right? When you notice yourself battling these wants, and you are reminding yourself that you are choosing us pans out as your God and not your desires,
picture yourself engaging in this act of worship that you're striving toward. And while you're picturing yourself engaging in this act of worship, imagine the light radiating from your face. Imagine your heart being showered with light. Imagine the strength entering your body, picture the angel on your right shoulder actively writing down every single deed and knowing that this deed is being multiplied tremendously as you engage in this. And as you strive toward this, right, and see how this shifts your ability to work toward this goal in sha Allah. And I asked Atlas pancetta to make us feel amongst those who are able to live our values through our words and actions, who are
guided toward a path that brings us closer to Him and to align what's pleasing to us with what's pleasing to Him and show myeloma me. I mean,
it's probably a very powerful exercise. Because he just loves it. She's like, this is great. Even as a two year old, she's like, I can get this I can get on board with this. But the verse is verse 23, from sort of jafria, what you just covered, and I think Subhanallah you know, it actually fits that we were talking about, we started off talking about people who were seeing the divine through their desires, and not the opposite, right, like so they wanted the divine to acquiesce to their desire. So I will appreciate the religion as long as it gives me what I want. And then here you're seeing Subhanallah, like Allah calling it out for what it is, I'm going to tell her that. So wait, you want
the religion to follow your desires, so then your God is your desires? It's not it's not the idol. It's what the idol gives you access to. It's not what else you're worshiping beside a lot. It is what that gives you access to have your desires to dictate your own terms on God and how you want to live in that regard. And subhanAllah sort of the Jaffa is people being brought to their knees literally on the Day of Judgment,
enforced submission, right, like all that they oppressed and rebelled in person, you know, like, Okay, now you're brought to your knees.
And the believer is brought to their knees in submission in this life instead. And in that verse, it was, you know, you're talking about imagery. What does the law say right after it Monica De La Hoya Allah mentions the ceiling of the hearts, the ceiling of the eyes, the ceiling of the ears, and just go about in your Euro Strangeways, right that allows parents it lets them in their straightaways. And then the opposite of that what you were talking about the empowerment of submission, but a person feels the expanse and submission, not suffocating in submission but liberated an expanded in submission to Allah subhanaw taala so it was clear for those beautiful reflections
does that come up?
I'm lying but I think it's all the time that we're at time so I'm gonna go ahead and close it off for the for everyone else but SR sada is going to help me and should have delegate over our our beef so that we can we can end them with on a strong with each other in Shalonda. We appreciate you sister Sana and Sheikh Abdullah as always, and the ASL interpreter as always, and I was Pantai bless you and bless all the volunteers and those behind the scenes and bless all the participants reminded everyone please tune in in sha Allah Tada to the nightly drop now that chicks with a man honey is doing so we have like the night of the reflection at 1am
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