Life - The Mizaan

5 Practical Tips to Finally Balance Deen and Dunya

Assia — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 22:09:29 +0000

5 Practical Tips to Finally Balance Deen and Dunya

In the whirlwind of today’s fast-paced world, balancing the demands of work, parenting, social life, self care and most importantly ‘ibadah can feel challenging and even overwhelming, especially when you’re deeply committed to improve as a Muslimah. I mean, we shouldn’t have to compromise on a harmonious lifestyle that fulfills both our worldly responsibilities and our spiritual needs right?

Let’s explore some practical tips that can help achieve this balance!

1. Set Clear Intentions

We all know how crucial intentions (niyyah) are in Islam, and it might sound very redundant but it is honestly too often downplayed and minimised. Here’s one simple example: when is the last time you formulated a sincere intention to make all your actions pleasing to Allah at the start of your day? Yes you might mention it during Fajr prayer, but what about when you actually open your eyes? Is Allah the first thing you think of?

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Actions are but by intention, and every man shall have only that which he intended” so by aligning our intentions, we can transform even the most mundane tasks into acts of worship and in fact, that has to be one of my favourite things about Islam: it frames absolutely every aspects of our lives and is therefore so much more than a religion.

2. Establish a Structured Routine

While I’m honestly not the best at keeping the same exact routine overtime, I know for a fact it makes a huge difference in our productivity and really help us keep up with our faith. The best example of that is morning dhikr, which not only strengthens our connection with Allah but also sets a calm and focused tone for the day. I find morning to also be a great time for Quranic studies! Besides that, the best way to structure your day is of course, to build it around Salah as much as possible. Trust me: the moment you start to do that, your days are so much more fulfilling Subhan’Allah. To make that easier for you, you could use Islamic planners to ensure you don’t focus on work and mundane things before ‘ibadah.

3. Prioritise and Do Tasks with Taqwa

I think this is probably the most strategic piece of advice here! Take a moment to think about how you can incorporate the concept of taqwa, (consciousness of Allah) into your daily life, how you can make every moment count. I always say this but the great thing about Islam is that it is not complicated whatsoever. Allah gave us so many opportunities to improve and to make sure we please Him in everything that we do, so what you can do is turn daily tasks into acts of worship by infusing them with good intentions and ethical practices. When you’re about to start, ask yourself how you can benefit from it both in this life and the next one. If you struggle to find an answer to this question, then you might need to question what you’re doing overall and how it actually aligns with your faith.

When doing things with taqwa, we naturally seek al Ihsan, excellence, which then not only boosts our productivity but also enhances our love for our deen.

4. Use Technology Wisely

In this digital age, technology can be both a blessing and a distraction. Use apps and tools designed to enhance your productivity all while keeping you connected with your faith. You could set reminders for prayer times, use Quranic apps for daily recitation, and explore Islamic podcasts (like In Balance for example ;)) and lectures to enrich your knowledge. Just be mindful of how you use technology to avoid falling into the trap of endless distractions and fitna like we’re unfortunately so used to. Speaking of which, you might consider taking some off social media too so you teach yourself to enjoy offline activities again and not be as addicted to dopamine anymore. You don’t necessarily have to get rid of socials altogether — with the right balance, technology can be actually be a great tool in your journey as a Muslimah!

4. Take Time for Reflection and Self-Care

Balancing work and worship requires regular self-reflection and self-care. I know this might be tricky especially if you work really long hours or are parents, but it is so essentiel for your mental and spiritual well being. Take moments to pause, reflect and assess how your body, mind and soul are feeling. Engage in activities that feel rejuvenating such as exercising, pampering yourself or spending quality time with family and friends. I cannot stress that enough: maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for sustaining long-term productivity but also preserving your imaan. You deserve to take care of ourselves!

5. Seek Knowledge and Community Support

Finally, we shouldn’t underestimate the power of seeking knowledge and surrounding ourselves with a supportive community. Make sure to attend halaqas, to go to the masjid, to connect with the Ummah as much as possible, even if it just one the weekends. Engaging with like-minded people can provide us with encouragement, accountability, and valuable insights into balancing everything. Prophet Muhammad (saws) emphasised a lot of the importance of companionship (I mean, he himself had his sahabas!). Our community can truly be a source of great strength and inspiration, so make sure you surround yourself with the right peeps who aim, just like you, to find balance between their deen and this dunya.

Finding balance is certainly the journey of a lifetime that requires discipline, dedication, patience and compassion, but I hope these tips will allow you to cultivate a lifestyle that is enriching in all aspects insha’Allah! Remember: the key is to stay steadfast, keep our intentions pure, and trust that Allah’s mercy and guidance will help us navigate it all.

May He make it easy for all of us and grant us with eternal balance in Jannah!

The post 5 Practical Tips to Finally Balance Deen and Dunya first appeared on The Mizaan.

How to live a Mindful Life as a Muslim

Assia — Wed, 22 May 2024 00:28:42 +0000

How to live a Mindful Life as a Muslim

I think we can all agree that finding moments of peace in this dunya can be quite a challenge at times. I mean, the hustle and bustle of life makes it easy to lose track of what our actual purpose is. Yet, the principles of mindful living are deeply embedded in Islam and by making a conscious effort to integrate them into our daily routines, we can truly feel a sense of tranquility and connectedness to The One who matters the most.

Understanding Mindfulness in Islam

Mindfulness simply means being present in the moment, embracing a slow life and listening to how your body, mind and soul actually feel. The Quran and many hadith emphasize the importance of consciousness and reflection in our actions. They encourage us to live thoughtfully and purposefully in accordance to what Allah expects from us. In fact, the word “Taqwa“, which can be translated as ‘God-consciousness‘, perfectly encapsulates this idea. But how can we actually put that into practise?

1. Salah as a Practice of Presence

One of the most profound ways Islam incorporates mindfulness is through the five daily prayers. They aren’t merely obligations ordered upon us but opportunities to pause, reflect, and reconnect with Allah. Each Salah requires full attention and concentration and by focusing on each words, we can truly cultivate a deeper presence and serenity. In fact, have you ever thought about how the movements we do during Salah are very specific and somehow similar to Yoga positions? Obviously their meanings and purposes are completely different but ultimately, Salah does relax our bodies and soothes our souls, just like Yoga does for those who practise it. I’ve actually shared this video in collaboration with Minara where I share the secrets behind each Salah position if you’re curious.

I’m sure you’ve heard this tip before, but if you struggle to be focused during prayer, take a moment before starting to center your mind and intentions and try to eliminate distractions by going to a calm and clean space.

2. Shukr, or The Art of Gratitude

Gratitude is certainly a cornerstone of mindful living and I always find it funny when I hear personal development gurus saying how gratitude will change your life and how the more grateful you are, the more things to be grateful you get… That’s exactly what the Quran has been teaching us ever since it was revealed! It encourages expressing gratitude not only through words but also through actions and attitudes. It tells us that we shouldn’t only be grateful for our blessings but also the tests that we’re facing (that’s actually something that I covered in this video)… And Subhan’Allah, every time you say “Alhamdulillah”, it’s like a balm to the heart that instantly makes you feel calm.

One thing you could do is to list everyday 3 things you are grateful for and really try to list different things day after day. We will never be able to enumerate all of them, but it is a good way to learn to be content with what we have.

“If you tried to count Allah’s blessings, you would never be able to number them. Surely Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”

(16:18)

3. Hold Yourself Accountable (Muhasabah)

I love that Islam places a great emphasis on self-reflection and accountability. If we want to grow, we need to regularly assess our actions, intentions and spiritual progress. This practice is known as Muhasabah and fosters a deeper understanding of our own selves so we can align our actions with our values and duties.

You could journal about this, but personally I just love spending time on my own, ideally in nature. Don’t get me wrong, I love community moments where I get to talk for hours about Islam with amazing sisters, but I found that it’s also in these moments of isolation from people that I feel deeply connected to Allah. I actually feel that I’m not alone Subhan’Allah, am more inclined to really talk to Him, detach myself from this dunya and once again, be in the present moment. It is during these moments that I reflect upon my faith goals and try to evaluate how I’m doing so far, or upon my past mistakes, which I’m learning to forgive myself for.

I would also highly suggest listening to this khutbah to learn how Prophet Muhammad ﷺ actually used to do it.

4. Your Consumption should be Mindful too

This one won’t come as a surprise for you coming from me, but of course, Islamic teachings advocate for mindfulness in consumption. As a matter of fact, you don’t need to constantly be stimulated or rewarded by the pleasures of this dunya. The latter should be experienced in moderation so you can appreciate their benefits fully.

This applies to food, clothes, money, and even time! The concept of Halal and Haram guides us to consume what is pure and beneficial, avoiding excess and harm in all the resources Allah blesses us with. He also invites us to truly enjoy these things by slowing down, being content with little, whether it be mindful eating by savoring each bite, giving sadaqah regularly to purify your rizq and not always spend it on materialistic things, taking care of your clothes so you keep them for a long time or limiting your time on social media (I touch upon this topic in this video).

5. Practise Kind Speech to Others and Yourself

We know how harsh words can be. That is why Islam teaches the importance of mindful speech, advocating for a communication that is truthful, kind, and beneficial (something that tends to be often forgotten in the Ummah unfortunately…).

I rarely get angry Alhamdulillah. When I do though, my words often translate emotions that I feel but am not able to communicate properly or have been keeping for too long… Therefore, I end up hurting the person and myself. I’ve become way more conscious of that and have been working on it, telling myself that I should either speak good or remain silent. Now I’m trying to pause and consider the impact of what I want to say. I then communicate clarity once the anger has passed.

I also believe that when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said to be compassionate, it wasn’t just for us to show empathy and be active listeners to the people around us but also, show ourselves some mercy. I’ve touched upon this before: a lot of us can be incredibly kind to everyone but themselves. Mindfulness implies that you acknowledge your worth as a person and are certain that you are loved by Allah so you can show yourself some love too.

Sufyan ibn Abdullah reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, tell me of a matter I can depend upon?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Say: My Lord is Allah. Then, remain upright.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, what do you fear most for me?” The Prophet pointed to his tongue and then he said, “This.”

Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2410

See how Islam allows to lead a more mindful, balanced and purposeful life? By understanding and integrating these practices (and many more!), we can truly embrace our deen, enhance our quality of life and cherish a more fulfilling existence, because although this worldly life indeed a prison for the believer, it also comes with beautiful moments we’re able to experience by the grace of Allah and is our main playground to guarantee ourselves eternal happiness in Jannah insha’Allah.

The post How to live a Mindful Life as a Muslim first appeared on The Mizaan.

Calming Advice for The One Who Thinks Too Much

Assia — Thu, 23 Feb 2023 19:14:23 +0000

Advice for the Overthinker

February 23, 2023

What are the things you tend to overthink about? How does that impact your life?

I am definitely an over thinker myself and I really want to make it a goal to improve that: indeed, there is a line between being conscientious or caring and overthink everything to the point you are just unhappy with yourself, and I don’t think anyone deserves to drown in their own thoughts. As usual, it is about finding the right balance and I hope we can all help ourselves with these tips!

1. Take a deep breath and say Astaghfirullah

Ibn Taymiyyah (RA) said “The strength of the heart returns when one repents”. Make sure to breath deeply to calm yourself and release everything that is worrying you, all by asking Allah (swt) for forgiveness when you exhale.

2. Build a positive mindset & tawakkul

It all comes down to Sheytan and your nafs, so by trusting Allah (swt) blindly, you will be certain that the outcome will always be good, will stop “what ifs” or negative thoughts from constantly invading your brain and you will feel more at peace.

The strength of the heart returns when one repents”

Ibn Taymiyyah

3. Do your best and leave the rest to Allah

Regrets are what makes one overwhelmed by worries and questions. However, if you make it a point to always do your best as well as rely on the Qadr of Allah, then everything that doesn’t go as you expected will be welcomed as a lesson of humility & a chance to learn and improve.

4. Focus on your salah

Al Hasan Al Basri (ra) said “As much as you fix your salat, your life will be fixed”. We tend to forget that although it is an obligation, it should never be done mechanically. Question the way you do it, take it as an opportunity to meditate and tell everything to our Creator.

As much as you fix your salat, your life will be fixed.

Al Hasan Al Basri

5. Take care of yourself

Chances are you’ve been neglecting yourself and let all these thoughts take control over your life. If so, it is time to do something that brings you comfort, to be more compassionate, to take action, to ask for help… Just take a step back and love yourself.

More food for thoughts

5 Practical Tips to Finally Balance Deen and Dunya

How to live a Mindful Life as a Muslim

Calming Advice for The One Who Thinks Too Much

The post Calming Advice for The One Who Thinks Too Much first appeared on The Mizaan.

Why are Pre-marital relationships forbidden if they feel so great?

Assia — Thu, 29 Sep 2022 08:40:25 +0000

How I've been building self confidence

Why are Pre-marital relationships forbidden if they feel so great?

September 29, 2022

Photo by Nathan Dumlao via Unsplash

Let’s admit it: not acting upon our feelings and desires is hard, not only because of our nature, but also because of how influenced by the western world we are, whether it comes to beauty standards, life enjoyment and of course, relationships.

Having a better understanding of why pre-marital relationships are forbidden and realising it doesn’t mean you cannot feel the way you do towards someone sometimes is key to embrace what is probably one the most challenging commands sent to us. Islam teaches us a sense of self-control, loyalty and commitment and these values, which are often mocked or misunderstood, are in fact a way of building character and faith.

1. Have respect for Allah & yourself

Expectations being shattered, losing sight of who you are and feeling guilty for having disobeyed Allah (swt) for someone you won’t be spending your life with… A heartbreak or a moment of fun often has terrible consequences on your self confidence and on your relationship with Him.

Don’t do this to yourself, it’s not worth it. Instead, remember you don’t know better than Him and embrace the beauty of being intimate with the one person He chose for you. Believe me: you’ll heal from losing a man, but never from losing your Creator.

A moment of pleasure is not worth an eternity of regret.

2. It’s never just the two of you

People like to say “I know my limits” or “it doesn’t mean we’ll have sex” but Let’s be real: if you like someone and find yourself alone with them, the temptation will be high.. Don’t think risk anything thinking you’ll be able to resist temptation and not commit Zina because some were able to and ended getting married. Don’t overestimate your imaan nor underestimate Shaytan, because he will be the third one there, pushing you to make the most of the moment, whispering to listen to your burning desire and cease the opportunity to just let go of self control for once.

Be strong, remind yourself that Allah (swt) is watching, and He is the one we should be listening to.

"Behold! A man is not alone with a woman but the third of them is Shaytan." (At Tirmidhi, 2165)

3. You cannot change a person

Don’t go into a relationship thinking “Maybe he’ll want to change for me”, “maybe I’ll inspire him to be a better muslim/to convert”, “maybe I’ll make him want to marry me” – no, beside the fact it is an unhealthy way of building a relationship, Allah (swt) guides whoever he pleases and knows best. What if you end up being the one who changes? What if you’re the one being led astray? Be humble and accept you simply cannot have control over everything. If he wants and Allah (swt) wants him to change, he will.

One thing you can do though is making lots of dua’a : if you’re meant to be with this person you will, if not, then it is best for you. Ask Allah (swt) during salat istikhara to give you the answers you need.

“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”
[13:11]

4. Your first love should always be Allah

Being in love and wanting to be with that person can be incredibly frustrating as you might not see or comprehend what is wrong about it. Indeed, how could that possibly be bad when it is such a beautiful thing? Why should we preserve ourselves for marriage when even this is not guaranteed to last?

You need to remember that Allah knows best and if you loved and trusted Him enough, you wouldn’t question His commands at all. These sacrifices might hurt at first, but Subhan’Allah, you will never regret making them. The more you want to please Him, the bigger His reward is, both in this dunya and in the Akhirah.

5. But you can fall in love

At the end of the day, we’re human and some people just swipe you off your feet, are special to you. Don’t beat yourself up for it ! In addition to praying, reassure and remind yourself of the benefits and reward of doing the things the right way. Yes, you can fall for someone, but if they don’t bring out the best in you, if they don’t want to do things the halal way, they’re simply not the one for you. I mean, would you really want to spend your life with someone that doesn’t make du’as for you, that doesn’t want to please His Lord and benefit from all His barakah in your relationship? It’s easy to get blinded by our feelings, so make sure that as soon as you start to have them, you keep nurturing your imaan and remain close to the One who matters the most so you’ll have sabr and tawakkul, whatever the outcome of this new love is.

“And of His Signs is that He has created mates for you from your own kind. That you may find peace in them and He has set between you love and mercy. Surely there are Signs in this for those who reflect.” [30:21]

I hope you find these helpful! I want to add that this post does not aim to make anyone feel guilty, and it’s actually quite the opposite: first, know that this is simply a kind and educational reminder for those who have been tormented by this but have not acted upon it.

I’ll write another post for those of you who have committed this sin and have been feeling guilty about it, but please remember this in the mean time: everything was written already. Your guilt, or even the fact you don’t feel guilty about what you did/are doing, are signs of faith, because otherwise, you wouldn’t even be thinking about it. And know that Allah is the most Forgiving and the All Knowing.

Take care of yourself sisters

The post Why are Pre-marital relationships forbidden if they feel so great? first appeared on The Mizaan.

How to Build Unshakable Confidence in Allah and Yourself

Assia — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 18:17:45 +0000

How I've been building self confidence

How to Build Unshakable Confidence in Allah and Yourself

June 26, 2022

We all need a little boost of confidence sometimes, whether you’re usually pretty confident but having moments of doubts or if you have always struggled to know your worth.

As a teenager who used to be bullied and never felt good in her own skin, I’m glad that I turned into a young woman who knows what she is capable of and despite occasional lows, knows that she can be proud of herself Alhamdulillah. So without further a do, let me share with you the few tips that helped me through this journey.

1. Note your strengths and qualities

It all starts with being aware of these, whether it being in relationships, in your studies, your work, your passions… Don’t be biased by your negative thoughts, but instead, identify what you’re great at and what you’re good at but would like to improve! And you know, it is okay not to have ‘a gift’ or not to be excellent at something but good at multiple things: don’t over pressure yourself or overthink this, just focus on the growth!

2. Know your hard work will always pay off

Positive thinkers always say “You don’t fail, you learn”. But Allah (swt) said: “Indeed, this is for you a reward, and your effort has been appreciated.” [76:22]. So not only will you earn something valuable in this life by working hard, but you’ll also be rewarded for it – Trust the process!

Indeed, this is for you a reward, and your effort has been appreciated.[76:22]

3. Allah (swt) made no mistake in His Creation.

The All Mighty said: “We have certainly created man in the best of stature” [94:4]. So how can we dare thinking we’re not beautiful, smart and worthy? Don’t focus on society’s standards, because first, He is above it all and second, He blessed you with the best gift ever: being Muslim. Out of billions of souls, He chose YOU. Isn’t that something to be proud of and be confident about?

“We have certainly created man in the best of stature.”
[94:4]

4. People always talk, do not mind them

Whatever way you decide to live your life, people will always have an opinion and sometimes find mean, uncaring comments to make. So why let that impact the way you see yourself and make your choices? If what you’re doing is halal and done with the right intentions, go for it!

5. You are not alone

One thing leading to having really low self confidence is feeling like we can’t progress, we’re too little or strong enough to reach certain goals. But by putting all your trust in Him, nothing is impossible. Remember: “and Allah is with you and will never deprive you of [the reward of] your deeds.” [47:35]

It’s important to know that being confident doesn’t mean being arrogant. I recently heard something that I completely relate to: ‘I’m not comfortable in my comfort zone’. I thought this was brilliant because I genuinely believe that self confidence comes from challenging oneself to the point you never assume you don’t have to make efforts anymore, you simply want to become the best version of yourself… And isn’t that what Islam is about?

Allah is with you & will never deprive you of [the reward of] your deeds.
[47:35]

The post How to Build Unshakable Confidence in Allah and Yourself first appeared on The Mizaan.

What does being Successful as a Muslim mean?

Assia — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 17:40:57 +0000

Being Successful: a Muslim's Perspective

April 19, 2022

You know what’s one thing I love most about our deen? It is all the personal development that comes from it, how when you learn about it with the right intentions, it all makes sense and allows you to become a better person everyday. Subhan’Allah.

Grades, wealth, fame, might be the first thing coming to one’s mind when thinking about success, with the influence of culture and past generations’ being undeniable: Wait, you’re not a doctor, a lawyer or an engineer? Your business doesn’t allow you to earn a 6 figure yearly income? You’re 30 and not married? You’re struggling to get pregnant? You’re not well known in your field? Well, you don’t qualify for the ‘successful’ label yet.

What is particularly interesting about this is how success is measured by how much people praise you and congratulate your life journey at a certain point instead of what matters to YOU.

Before diving into the Islamic approach of this topic, let’s take a moment to think about how we generally define success.

1. What is success?

Here is an unbiaised definition: success is simply a positive and beneficial outcome, the accomplishment of a purpose.

Let’s say you build an Ikea furniture: if it holds perfectly, looks like it is supposed to, and serves its purpose, then it is a success. It will be more gratifying if you don’t use the notice because we naturally thrive from witnessing the wonders of our brains and seeing the fruits of our hard work, but regardless, the outcome is positive and is beneficial to you.

Therefore, being successful means knowing what makes you happy and satisfied, working towards that goal and reaching it – meaning there isn’t one single way or only one right way to define it.

Success is simply a positive and beneficial outcome,
the accomplishment of a purpose.

2. Okay, but what about success in Islam?

What is astonishing about Islam is that Allah (swt) gave us all the keys to not only find success in this dunya (called Al Falah), but also in the Akhirah (called Al Fawz), something that the common definition of success does not include whatsoever. So why settle for that one if you can guarantee yourself eternal success?

By following the commands of our Creator, you are building success in ALL aspect of your life. But while you should make sure your definition of success does not translate into solely getting others’ validation, The All Mighty also shouldn’t take others’ “successes” as and example: “So let not their wealth or their children impress you.” [9:55]. Why? Because being successful as a Muslim is more than that.

By following the commands of our Creator, you are building success in ALL aspect of your life.

3. So… Shouldn’t I be successful in this dunya?

Contrarywise to common belief, the Quran does not forbid you to seek knowledge through studies, to search for love nor to aim for financial comfort at all. Allah (swt) praises hard work and efforts even more than the actual result. He also blesses people differently and did give some of us generous wealth to start with, ease through the best universities or in finding a partner.

But none of this is worth anything if your intentions aren’t pure, if you do not show righteousness and if you do not remember Him at all times. In addition, positivity attracts positivity and so the more you are showing wise, selfless and kind behavior for His sake, the more He will give you. If you’re not but He is still giving you, then my friend, you might be failing your test.

4. How can I be a successful Muslim?

Think of a modest divorced stay-at-home mom and a multi billion-dollar oil company owner. Many will see the second one as more successful, right? But do you genuinely believe that is just how Allah (swt) sees it and how we as Muslims should see it? Isn’t that a bit reductive?

Islam is not a religion of extremes, but rather, is all about Al Wasatiyyah (the Middle Path, the Moderation) and Al Ihsan. As a result, to be successful here and after, you need to refocus on your spiritual journey, on nurturing your soul, on having steadfast tawakkul, on helping those that weren’t given the same chances in this world, and on remembering this: “And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger and fears Allah and is conscious of Him – it is those who are the successful ones.” [24:52]

And whoever obeys Allah and His Messenger and fears Allah and is conscious of Him - it is those who are the successful ones.
[24:52]

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