3 Tips For a Cleaner Heart

Assalamu alaykum,

Can you feel the air start to change with the arrival of Ramadan? Like an old familiar friend coming to visit, carrying riches beyond your wildest dreams, just waiting to generously fill your life, heart, and soul with them.

I’m filled with gratitude to be able to run our first Ramadan series, Polish Your Heart, with over 70 sisters enrolled.

We just completed our first session on the art of forgiveness and how to polish our hearts from both light and heavy seeds of resentment before entering this blessed month. 

This is a practice that the great Sahabahs would prioritise as essential spiritual preparation.

In fact, they wouldn't dare enter Ramadan with a drop of hatred in their heart towards another Muslim.

The act of purifying our heart from any grudges or smudges, is to keep it in the optimal condition needed to fully embrace and receive the abundant gifts this blessed month has to offer, allowing us to connect deeply with our Rabb without any interference.

Here are 3 tips to start thinking about other essential heart-work:

1. Be curious – Pay closer attention to the stirrings in your heart to identify what’s occupying space. What emotions or thoughts are lingering there that may need attention?
2. Make constant istighfar – Seek forgiveness often, purifying your deeds, heart and mind and clearing any negative energy.
3. Engage with the words of Allah – Reflect on the fact that these are the actual words of your Creator that He wanted to say to you. Be present in that conversation, with an earnest desire to learn, purify and grow!

On another note, Alhamdulilah, we successfully wrapped up the 4th cohort of The Travellers last week. It was an incredible group of travellers to work with and we’re humbled by the feedback we received.

This time, we also introduced bonus training sessions with expert leaders, teaching assistants and workshops designed to help participants embody the content through practical exercises and insightful discussions.

We're grateful to share that, from the students who provided their feedback, 100% felt the program met their expectations, with an average rating of 9.2/10 for the overall experience, Alhamdulilah!

Here’s some of what the brothers and sisters from the 4th cohort had to say:

"I signed up to the programme as a traveller who has done the programme a few times before because I can see the brilliant way in which the programme helps a person to assess and reflect upon the areas of one's life where we can spiritually grow and anchor ourselves to pillars of spiritual and transformative growth. I feel that I have grown with the Travellers programme and become a better Muslimah and a more hopeful believer.”

"Learning that our heart is the core center of our faith, rather than our brain, was an eye-opener. It was so deep! It feels like this programme has divided my life into two, before AHA Travellers V4 and after."

"Excellent! We had some wonderful, committed companions throughout the course. It was a great experience!"

“Great. Period. Loved every bit of it.”

“I really enjoyed having extra sessions on various topics this time around, having the support of the brilliant TA's and having an excellent cohort to bounce off ideas and hear each other’s' thoughtful reflections.”

We’ve received several queries asking when the next Travellers cohort will set sail. Please stay connected through email so you can be the first to know when Cohort 5 goes live, InshaAllah.

May Allah illuminate the ground we walk on and grant us the strength, sabr and resilience to enter Ramadan with clean hearts. May He make us worthy to embrace it with arms wide open, ready to receive every drop of goodness that Allah showers upon us. Ameen ya Rabbal Alameen.

PS: Take the Spiritual Confidence Quiz – discover your unique strengths and growth areas when it comes to showing up with faith-led confidence. Take the quiz here .

Reflection of the Week

What emotions might be occupying unnecessary space in your heart?

Tip to Release: Take a deep breath, make istighfar and consciously let go of the emotions weighing on your heart. Surrender them to Allah, placing your full trust in His wisdom and plan.

Dua of the Week

اللهم إني أسألك قلبا سليما

Allāhumma innī asa’luka qalban saleemā

“Oh Allah I ask you for a Sound Heart.”