ان اقذفيه في التابوت فاقذفيه في اليم فليلقه اليم بالساحل ياخذه عدو لي وعدو له والقيت عليك محبة مني ولتصنع على عيني

أَنِ ٱقْذِفِيهِ فِى ٱلتَّابُوتِ فَٱقْذِفِيهِ فِى ٱلْيَمِّ فَلْيُلْقِهِ ٱلْيَمُّ بِٱلسَّاحِلِ يَأْخُذْهُ عَدُوٌّ لِّى وَعَدُوٌّ لَّهُۥ ۚ وَأَلْقَيْتُ عَلَيْكَ مَحَبَّةً مِّنِّى وَلِتُصْنَعَ عَلَىٰ عَيْنِىٓ

If Allah has put you in a place of loneliness, then it is His endearment that you will notice Allah is with you even more so than you would have understood that He is with you amongst what you are familiar with and what you love.

O how much the Qur’an soothes the heart in every verse, in every chapter, in every prophetic example! What would we do without the love letter Allah has sent not only to Muslims but to the entirety of His creation?

“Put him into a chest, then put it into the river. The river will wash it ashore, and he will be taken by ˹Pharaoh,˺ an enemy of Mine and his.’ And I endeared you with love from Me ˹O Moses so that you would be brought up under My ˹watchful˺ Eye.” Surah Ta Ha 39.

And tonight this is the verse which captured my heart and attention. Therefore, above  is my reflection (taddabur). 

O how beautiful is Musa AS how beautiful is our messenger peace and blessings be upon them! 

Even more, how compassionate is Our Lord!

Your love freed me God,
It freed me from the shackles of fear, uncertainty and loss,
It opened my heart to the possibility of hope, trust and renewal,
It rebuilt me into a better version of myself,
It allowed me to reclaim my purpose, 
To serve you,
To love you,
To serve humanity,
And to shine the light of your love to the world.

Thank you God for freeing me, for loving me, for giving me blessing after blessing , and for holding me through every circumstance with your Eternal Grace. 

R. Hamdi​
 JazakAllah! This is a great reflection. I love your reflection.May Allah bless you with great ultimate success. 😊

'But when you fear for him, put him into the river' 'The river will wash it ashore, and he will be taken by Pharaoh, an enemy of Mine and his'- Truly reflect on that for a second. Put him into the river?? A child. A newborn.  Oh okay, he'll be washed ashore, he must be safe then. No! After that, he'll be taken in by the very enemy you're trying to escape.  You have to cast yourself into the river like a newborn baby. You have to cast yourself in surrender on this path. You have to trust. No, you MUST trust! You must trust that the river beneath you will hold you with love and not engulf you with rage. You have to trust that the basket in which you are encompassed will hold you with care and never betray you, guarding you, not letting go for even a second. In short, You must trust in Allah's care and love. Or else, you can choose to trust your own self, keep that baby with you, and watch how Fir'auns army will take him from you without mercy, without looking twice. Then, your big story, your own Qasas, will be over before it even begins. There's no reaching the palace, there's no being raised with Allah's love and being raised under his care, there's no reaching Madyan, there's no meeting the Almighty Lord at the fire by which They spoke, there's no coming back as a Prophet and freeing the oppressed people. All of this happened, because he was cast into the river. Cast yourself into that same river. If you trust yourself, you will fail. Trust Him, and you will be successful. 

This is for me first and foremost. I'm finding it hard to trust. It's difficult to trust. But I'll get there one day, won't I? I trust that I'll get there one day.
Eid Mubarak, my brothers and sisters. I'm very excited for us all, I hope you've all had an amazing celebration. We were patient during Ramadan, trusting that Eid will come. You're always in my prayers, sending lots of love to you all, my dear brothers and sisters in faith.

جزاكم الله خيرا كثيرا 
It's so important to put your trust in Allah SWT words, Wahi and ilham, as Mother Musa did on ilham to her.
We are being tested in this world, with incomplete and imperfect knowledge, power and Qadar, we must put our managing trust on Allah SWT after doing our homework and effort.
And ظن except on Allah SWT promise, can become sin, as can be خرص, estimating the bearing on faulty knowledge.
There comes a time you have no other choice but to take a leap of faith 

Life Design is one of the themes that I stumbled upon recently, especially as a life coach who helps Muslims optimize decisions in their lives and position themselves in a manner that creates a bigger impact in this world and the next.

There's so many inspirations from the life of Prophet Musa (AS) on this, so many profound wisdoms, duas, inspirations, and frameworks that one can derive...

But this one is really my favorite moment: when Allah told Musa: and I have selected you, conditioned you, created you and prepared you for my service. All that from one word in Arabic: واصطنعتك - which is derived from صناعة - the act of designing, manufacturing, conditioning, and producing someone or something. 

If you're passionate about such theme, feel free to follow this mini-series this Ramadan. 
And let me know: what is your most essential life-design question? What is a decision, a long term or short term plan, a trial or tribulation, that you wish to find answers for from the book of Allah SWT?

Link
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGoWPYzNfKd/ 

#QuranicLifeDesign ​ ​
#ProphetMusaStory ​ ​

:))) I too love this conversation. How Allah engages Musa as in conversation. 
JazakAllah for bringing a smile on my face. May you see Allah’s as you go and feel His presence in your heart always. Ameen 

Prophet Yunus in the darkness, alone in the belly of a whale.

Prophet Yusuf in the darkness, alone in a well and in prison.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them) in the darkness of a cave as he leaves his beloved city.

Prophet Musa in the darkness of a basket alone in a river.

Maryam gave birth alone away from her family and community.

All these great figures in our history, who were chosen by Allah and beloved to Him, had to endure difficult and trying experiences, times of darkness, loneliness, fear and uncertainty.  

They could have been spared all this pain and suffering but instead we are told their stories of hope and resilience so we can learn and grow. 

It makes me think these dark and lonely instances were like incubators for these great figures to grow utter reliance on Allah and the strength, stamina, trust and faith to become triumphant and deliver important eternal legacies to humanity.

So if you're feeling restricted or constricted, perhaps due to illness or any other type of adversity,  it could be preparing you to fulfill your potential, to pave your purpose, to grow your capacity to deliver an important legacy.

Maybe in this restriction, through Allah's lutf and subtle grace, you are being protected, elevated, cleansed, healed and given an opportunity to focus on what really matters. 


#reflectingincrisis

MashaAllah, how beautiful this was. I had to create a profile just to thank you for sharing. May Allah reward you!

Imagine being gifted with divine love in the midst of imminent danger, darknesses and fear ? 

In this verse, God tells the mother of Musa to put him in a chest, which is dark, then put him in the river where it's also dark, then he will be captured by an enemy, indicating danger and fear. 

Amidst all this uncertainty, *in the same verse*, God assures the mother of Musa by telling her He will cast His love upon Musa and He will be brought up under His watchful eye.

It's as if this verse is telling all of us, when you feel in darkness, danger and fear, trust that God hasn't left you even for a split second. 

He's with you, in every moment, loving you, protecting you, and guiding you through it all. 

His love encompasses all of your darkness and fears. His love will grant you light and security and care even amidst the most dire of circumstances. 

He's always been and always will be there with you.

#divinelove

A fun day at the Huron River in Michigan could have turned into the saddest day in my life, 
but Allah's protection was there, alhamdulillah. 

So last month, we went on a canoeing trip with my family. the river had two sections: one of them was slow and safe, and there was a right turn where people can *choose* to continue to the wide open river. 
We started in the slow and safe section of the river, my 10-year old daughter was ahead of us, and I failed to explain to her clearly what to do when she reaches that junction. I assumed that we will all be together when we reach that point. 

She simply went with the flow, and continued her way to the right, where the Huron river extends to more than 130 miles. 
She already had her life jacket on, the flow on that day was relatively smooth, and we immediately called the cops to have someone wait for her half a mile away. So it was not really a life-or-death situation, but the thought, the idea, was scary to any parent. 
And I spent 15 scary minutes trying to catch up with her, 
I spent 15 scary minutes reflecting on Musa’s mother, and the name of Allah Al-Haafez, and Al-Hafeez, and the protection of Allah and His angels and how they surround us and work across the hour to protect us. 
I spent 15 minutes reminding myself that no matter what happens, it is part of Allah’s plan. 
A youth from our community, who is a hafiz of the Quran, drowned in that river 5 years ago,  and we have to be mindful that: had my daughter drowned in the same river, then Allah’s protection has NEVER left her a single second, it simply shifted into another form of protection, only for believers, in the afterlife

In this Khutba, I gave some reflections on the beautiful concise hadith of prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
احفظ الله يحفظك – take care of Allah’s commands, so He takes care of you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_piklvoLNH4 

PS: If these reflections resonated with you, there is more at HekmahOS.com, where I provide online courses that explore how Quranic wisdom can shape the way we live and think.

#40Hadithonactivism ​ ​ #Facts ​ ​ #TrueStory ​ ​ 

JAK Dr Mohannad, for sharing this heartfelt and absorbing reflection. Alhamdulillah, I'm glad you're all fine as a family.

For The One For The One Who raised me before my parents raised me, 

For The One Who loved me before anyone saw me, 

For The One Who protected me before I was born under layer upon layer, 

For The One Who gave me a heart to feel love and happiness with, 

A mind to think of what’s best for me and others, 

Eyes to see the beauty of the sun, sky, mountains and oceans, 

Ears to hear the sounds of seas, birds, rain, and laughter, 

A tongue to speak the truth with, 

A family who cared and supported, 

Friends who listened and encouraged, I say thank you.

 I say thank you for being with me every step of the way, Caring, Loving, Planning, Protecting, Educating, Empowering, Honouring, 

Thank you, God. 

(This excerpt is taken from my book 'Hope Rekindled: A Heart Empowered').

JazakaAllah Kheyr for posting this. May Allah reward you 💜 really beautiful 

Divine Love is the Fuel To Face Life's Most Difficult Moments

For anyone needing hope and searching for peace, for anyone longing for love and seeking strength, for anyone seeking to heal and gain perspective on life’s struggles, dive into divine love with this verse:

'..For I bestowed upon you love from me so that you would be brought up under my ‘watchful’ eye' (Quran 20:39).

In this verse, when God asks Mosus’ mother to do the difficult task of ‘putting him into a chest,  then putting it into the river and the river will wash it ashore and he will be taken by the pharaoh…’, He beautifully comforts this mother's anxious heart by revealing Mosus is blessed with Divine Love from Him (God). And that this love leads for Mosus to be chosen to be raised and protected and taken care of in such a deep and close way by God Himself.  

These verses are comforting for a distressed mother who has to let go of her own child into the darkness of the unknown, yet where this child will be loved and taken care of by the light of An All-Knowing All-Seeing Loving God.  

Shortly after these verses, God asks Mosus to go to Pharaoh and to speak to Him gently to remind Him of God. 

These verses lead me to feel that Divine Love is The Source of comfort, peace, protection, healing and strength for life's most difficult moments. It is such for a mother who needs to part with her child in order to protect him as we see with Mosus' mother and Divine Love is also the source of strength for one of the most difficult missions given to a Prophet who is worried about facing the cruelty of the Pharaoh. 

So Divine love becomes the fuel by which we can face the most difficult moments in our lives, and the most uncertain and anxious filled experiences. So when you feel like you’re being thrown into an ocean of darkness like Mosus was as an infant or have what may seem like an insurmountable task ahead of you, know that in that ocean and in that difficulty, you are surrounded by and cared for with Divine love.

Oh God, cast a love unto us from you,
Which heals our hearts,
Relieves our stress,
Nourishes our wounds,
Strengthens our determination,
Drives our hopes,
Makes our dreams come true 
And lights up our souls. 

Ameen.

JAK Sr Raghad. I could not help but be overcome with a rush of emotions when I read your reflection. It is truly uplifting. Alhamdulillah. When humanity wholeheartedly accepts divine love into their hearts—I believe it will become 'the source of comfort, peace, protection healing, and strength for life's most difficult moments.' The true acceptance of Allah SWT is a turning point.

I am fascinated by this ayah:

'But when they ˹finally˺ reached the point where the seas met, they forgot their fish, and it made its way into the sea, slipping away ˹wondrously˺.' 18:61

A dead fish came to life and made its way into the sea wonderously! It makes me think about how Musa (A) himself made his way into a body of water wonderously 2 times as well- 

One time when he was a baby and was cast into the river by his mother, and another time when the army was behind him and Allah parted the sea for him. 

When I think of this dead fish that came to life, it also reminds me of how the staff of Musa (A) came to life. Allah knows best the meaning behind these events.

Some of the lessons I learned by reflecting on these events are:

1) What appears to us to be a basic tool or resource can turn into a very valuable resource when Allah blesses it for us. Don't feel that your resources are too limited to do amazing things in your life for the sake of Allah. For example, imagine if this is all a person has:  

A) A basket
B) A dead fish
C) A lifeless staff

From a worldly standpoint, these don't seem to be tools that could:

A) Carry a helpless infant (who would otherwise be murdered) to the exact place that would allow his life to be saved.
B) Become a sign and a placemarker that would lead a seeker to find the knowledge they are seeking.
C) Become a tool that saves ones life, and the lives of others, when facing a very dire and deadly situation. (The staff also swallowed up the illusions of the magicians)

But with full trust in Allah, and with His blessings, these seemingly basic resources become extremely valuable. 

2) Never feel that you are not good enough or too weak to accomplish amazing things or to change the world. If Allah can use a basket, a dead fish, and a lifeless staff to do these amazing things- imagine what He can do with you! A living, breathing human being who bears witness to His Oneness! 

3) Another lesson is about persistence. Musa (A) was resting when the miracle of the fish occured, but once he discovered where he needed to go to seek knowledge, he immediately turned around and sought out the opportunity that he had missed. Sometimes we are so hard on ourselves for making mistakes that it weakens us. Or we become very critical of others who make mistakes or forget (like Musa's assistant). But I didn't read any ayahs where Musa (A) chastised himself or his servant for this missed opportunity (Allah knows best). He remained focused on getting to the place that he was seeking for the sake of Allah. This made me think about how we are supposed to react if we accidentally miss a salah - we pray immediately upon remembering it. Or if we accidentally eat or drink something while fasting - we immediately resume our fast.

So don't waste any time. Don't blame others. Don't become hopeless and give up on yourself either. Just get up, dust yourself off and get back on track.

4) Another lesson is that we should never lose hope in Allah's Mercy. When they were waiting for the sign of the fish, Musa (A) was resting and his servant was tricked by shaytan. Allah could have easily made Musa (A) and his servant continue to wander longer or to close the door of opportunity to meet the righteous servant of Allah whom they were seeking. But Allah had Mercy on them and they were reminded soon after and Musa (A) was still able to meet the righteous servant of Allah.

Have you ever experienced moments where you missed out on something important, but then Allah opened the doors of opportunity for you again? Allah is so Merciful, Alhamdullilah! 

If you missed out on an opportunity to seek knowledge and feel regretful - have hope in Allah's Mercy and TRY AGAIN! 

(This is the ayah I chose for the #bestfriend challenge: https://quranreflect.com/posts/4513 You are welcome to join anytime and use the #bestfriend when you write your reflection!)

Reflections: Taha 20:39