suhyla

[suhyla]

The beginning of Surah Taha is full of Musa repeating that he was afraid and Allah would reassure him by telling him not to worry because He was with him.

In Surah Al Shuara, when the story of Musa reaches its climax with Bani Israel between the army of Pharaoh and the sea, Musa was the one that called out with confidence, “No, My Lord is with me and He will guide me!” He had already seen time and time again that whoever relies on Allah, Allah makes a way out for him. That no harm could ever touch him without Allah’s permission. That often, the things we’re most afraid of have no real power over us. For Allah has power over them.

When you are placed in situations where you are afraid or carrying burdens you feel are beyond your capacity, know that perhaps Allah is preparing you for something great in your future. Perhaps this is a training period. Perhaps Allah wants you to overcome your fears. Perhaps Allah wants you to see what you are capable of, so that you may be bolder in your future pursuits. The possibilities are endless.

But what is certain is that if Allah has placed you in a situation of fear or difficulty, then know He is with you and will lovingly guide you through it. He only plans to your benefit 🩵

@dearallah on instagram

#islam #allah #quran #deen #islamic reminders #ramadan #duaa #musa #Surah Taha

[suhyla]

Surah Yusuf is the best of stories and Allah chooses to tell it from the eyes of several characters. We see glimpses of the story through Yusuf, Yaqoub, the brothers, the wife of the Aziz, the women of the town, the King, and the prisoner who was saved.

Yet I can’t help but wonder how all of this might have been experienced by Benyamin.

I wonder what Benyamin felt when he was to go to Egypt alone with his older brothers, especially after what happened to Yusuf. I wonder what he felt looking into Yaqoub’s eyes before that trip. I wonder what he felt when the powerful Aziz spoke to him privately, and most importantly, I wonder what he felt when he discovered that the Aziz was none other than Yusuf himself, the older brother he was deprived of.

I think of how Yusuf’s brothers treated him, and my heart warms at Yusuf’s words to Benyamin when they were reunited for the first time. Of all the words Allah could have chosen to record from that exchange, how beautiful that He chose these: “I am your brother so don’t despair over all they’ve done.”

We often discuss the way Yusuf treated his brothers who betrayed him. But we can also appreciate how he treated his little brother who was left behind. Full of protection, he tells him not to despair. That he was safe in Yusuf’s care. That everything would be okay. Let us show up in the lives of those we love the way Yusuf shows up for Benyamin, rather than how his brothers (didn’t) show up for him.

instagram

#islam #allah #quran #deen #islamic reminders #ramadan #duaa #words #surah yusuf

[suhyla]

I’ve been at rock bottom for so long and I can tell you: all that you’re doing right now is investment in the future you want. Ask for the impossible. Ask Allah to give you even more than you could dream of. Ask Allah and as you wait, focus on working toward what you’re praying for. Focus on being grateful for what you currently have. I’m still waiting on those things I’ve prayed for and desperately want. But it wasn’t until I decided to be more present, appreciating that I’m surrounded by blessings I once prayed for and learning how to be patient, that I was able to find peace. I still pray and I still haven’t received signs that what I’m praying for will happen. But I now know that if Allah has delayed the response, then it is always because He will make it even more beautiful than I imagined. If we knew whether or not we would receive it, then that’s not faith. I spent months asking myself if I should keep praying for what I hoped for. Asking Allah to give me a sign just so I could know whether or not to keep making duaa, because I didn’t want to make this much duaa for something and not receive it. But that was a wrong approach to duaa. It’s approaching duaa with doubt. You pray with full certainty that you will receive what you’re asking for, while knowing that if Allah gives you something different, it is because He knows you will love that other thing even more. But you don’t pray while doubting whether or not you will receive it. You don’t take the delays as denial. You keep praying with your whole heart until Allah either brings it to you or you find that you don’t want it anymore. That’s what I’m doing currently and I hope this helps you in some way

The same pen that wrote for Yusuf to be sent to prison, deprived of his rights and denied justice, was the pen that wrote for him to become a minister, reigning over the treasury of Egypt.

The same pen that wrote for Yusuf’s brothers to dominate over him and throw him in the well

is the pen that brought them to Egypt, standing before Yusuf in need and at his mercy.

The same pen that took Yusuf from the arms of Yaqoub, returned him to his father years later as a Prophet and minister.

I do not know what may be written in my story next. But I know who holds the pen.

Shall I not trust the One who wrote the best of stories to write my story too?

— instagram

[suhyla]

The same pen that wrote for Yusuf to be sent to prison, deprived of his rights and denied justice, was the pen that wrote for him to become a minister, reigning over the treasury of Egypt.

The same pen that wrote for Yusuf’s brothers to dominate over him and throw him in the well

is the pen that brought them to Egypt, standing before Yusuf in need and at his mercy.

The same pen that took Yusuf from the arms of Yaqoub, returned him to his father years later as a Prophet and minister.

I do not know what may be written in my story next. But I know who holds the pen.

Shall I not trust the One who wrote the best of stories to write my story too?

— @suhylawrites on instagram

#islam #allah #quran #deen #islamic reminders #ramadan #love #duaa #poetry #words #surah yusuf

[suhyla]

#islam #allah #quran #deen #islamic reminders #ramadan #duaa

[suhyla]

I know, I know. I cringe at the “Coffee = Love” Instagram posts too.

But back when my relationship with my dad had gotten pretty sour — one thing remained constant: my dad would get me an iced coffee every night, even learning to make it himself when my favorite coffee spot was closed. It was such a simple gesture but it meant so much to me. It was an act of love.

So much has changed since then. Different cities. Different people in my life. I myself have changed so much. But it’s so comforting that people express love for me the same way — over coffee.

A few months ago I spent a week with some of the most phenomenal people I ever met. Saying goodbye felt so bittersweet. Who knew one could have so much love for people they’ve only known for a week? And when we realized some of us would be in the airport at the same time, we hurried over to their gate to say one final goodbye before our flights. When one of those dear friends bid me farewell with a latte, I felt my eyes water. What a fitting end.

When I was late for taraweeh and couldn’t grab coffee beforehand, the sweetest girls ran up to me, saying their friend was on the way and would pick one up for me. When my favorite coffee shop was closed, my friends surprised me and drove us to another location instead of going home. I invited a friend I met only once to an event I thought might interest them. They greeted me with a hot cup of coffee with cardamom, because I liked it so much when we last met. My brother and I have gotten closer for the first time. I knew something was different when he began picking me up, an iced coffee waiting for me in the cup holder. I love the friends who walk me to grab coffee, though they don’t drink it, and the ones who send me cafe recommendations they heard of from other friends.

At its core, each of these memories is filled with love. More importantly, how beautiful is it that Allah, who knows us most intimately, gifts us with people who love us in the ways that are most meaningful to us. Every time someone has gone out of their way to make, pick up, try, or share a coffee with me, I have been filled with so much warmth. I have been filled with so much love.

instagram

#coffee #love language #love #poetry #words #poems #love poem

[suhyla]

Tell me oh Yusuf, what did you feel

When that old dream of yours was finally real

You’ve gone through so much, all on your own

The son of Prophets, cut off from home

You loved your brothers and were still betrayed

Sold as a slave without an escape

But it was not all for naught, Allah had a plan

With patience and wisdom, you became a man

You tamed your desires when it was not easy to do

Yet they threw you in prison and left you accused

You spent years with royalty and then years alone

Then came a dream by the king of the throne

Allah gave you a gift, a purpose to fulfill

Decreed long before you were thrown in the well

You made sense of things that no one else could

You heard the King’s dream and you understood

Famine would come, Egypt would have to prepare

Every little detail was in Allah’s care

You rescued Egypt, the King offered his thanks

Soon after, you received both freedom and rank

You observed patience and after all these years

Wrongs were made right and your name was clear

You became a minister, the story was not over yet

In came the brothers who deemed you a threat

For the drought did not impact Egypt alone

Need for grains brought your brothers from home

You knew them at once, for how could you forget?

But they knew you not and had no regret

Coming together, all according to plan

The climax of the story finally began

The moment arrived, the truth was made clear

Yusuf was not dead, Yusuf was here

They had to admit their wrongs at last

Unearthing all that they thought had passed

How beautiful were you, and how pure a heart

To forgive for the sake of a brand new start

Welcoming them to Egypt with safety and peace

Reunited with Yaqoub, whose prayers did not cease

You once had a dream, before all the scars

You dreamed of the sun and moon and stars

Prostrating to you, and now it was real

So tell me oh Yusuf, how did it feel?

To know the promise of Allah was true

Friend of my heart, I draw strength from you

— instagram

#islam #allah #quran #deen #islamic reminders #ramadan #duaa #words #poetry #Islamic poetry #Surah Yusuf #Yusuf

[suhyla]

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali رحمه الله said,

"O you who has wasted the years of his life, there is nothing that will amend those lost and wasted years except for the night of Al-Qadr, for verily its value is equivalent to that of a lifetime.”

{Latā'if Al-Ma'ārif (272)}

[suhyla]

لغات الحب كثيرة، والدعاء هو أفضلها

The languages of love are many, dua is the best of them all.

[suhyla]

﴿وَلا تَستَوِي الحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ادفَع بِالَّتي هِيَ أَحسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذي بَينَكَ وَبَينَهُ عَداوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَميمٌ﴾ [Fuṣṣilat: 34]

And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon, the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.

No matter what others do to you, treat them with ihsan for the sake of Allah. Allah will accept your deeds and it will weigh heavily on your scales. Because you rooted your actions in what Allah loves. Who knows— Perhaps your forgiveness and kindness will be so appreciated by them that it enables them to reflect on their actions and strive to be better. Perhaps it could be the reason that the enmity between you transforms into love and friendship.

instagram

#islam #allah #quran #deen #islamic reminders #ramadan #duaa

[suhyla]

beautiful list of duaas 🌸

[suhyla]

“When the race horse knows that it is nearing the end of the track it exerts all of its effort to win the race. Do not allow the race horse to be cleverer than you. Indeed, deeds are judged by their conclusions. Thus, if you didn’t do well with welcoming Ramadān then perhaps you will do better bidding it farewell.” Ibn al-Jawzī (raḥimahullāh)

#Ramadan #laylatul qadr #ibn al jawzi

[suhyla]

It begins with ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ, Healing, begins when you look around you and you realize how much Allah has given you, without you even having to ask. Healing begins when you embrace the little things in life and you accept that you have everything you need. Healing begins when you choose to be content with who you are, where you are and what you are in this world.

So say ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ for life, for food, for shelter and for the love. Praise Allah and be grateful for whatever is right in your life. If you are grateful, He will give you more. If you are grateful for what is small, He will increase it for you. If you are grateful for where you are, He will take you further.

Because Allah ﷻ is the most loving, most merciful.

[suhyla]

If you find yourself sluggish during Ramadan, stir up your determination by reminding yourself that these are just numbered days, and that in fasting and staying up at night in worship during it, there is abundant reward.

The opportunity for good deeds during Ramadan will pass with its passing, and if it is not taken advantage of, there will be no way to catch up with it later.

So be patient and seize what remains of it before it is gone.

[suhyla]

click on the image for better quality 🌸

excuse the messy annotations, but today i thought i'd share a full page quick glance at what we learned for the past week. as you read this surah, ask yourself: what is Allah trying to tell me here? what can I learn from this? what can i take from the prophets' examples and apply to my life? what skills did Allah give me that I can use for His sake, like the prophets did?

@dearallah

[suhyla]

ramadan reflections series

surah al anbiya (73) 🌙

[suhyla]

surah al anbiya reflections

verse 90 🥀