Reflections from the mountains of Andalusia

Assalaamu’alaykum, 

I just returned from the mountains of Andalusia, Southern Spain. No distractions, no tech, no rush, just the land, the mountains, the wind, the trees… and the silence.

And subhanAllah, in that stillness, something shifted, deeply.

Being immersed in nature opened up parts of my awareness I didn’t even know had dulled. New perspectives surfaced like the sunrise that doesn’t ask for attention yet changes everything it touches.

Life in the busyness often feels like a constant layering of stress. We become sensitive, irritable, drained.

And without even noticing, we start to complain about work, people, responsibilities, making ourselves victims of our own lives. But when you unplug, step away and sit in silence, something else happens, you begin to notice the natural rhythms around you.

For me, it was the mountains. Grand, unassuming, yet strong. They rise tall not in defiance or arrogance, but in quiet service. They hold space for growth around them, cultivating fertile ground, yet they never bend or break to please the world. They stand steady because they honour their own needs, knowing that steadiness allows everything else to grow.

It reminded me we need that too. Stillness. Wholeness. A regular pause to remember where we came from, where we’re going and who we are becoming in between.

It makes complete sense to me now why the Prophet ﷺ would retreat to the cave of Hira. Away from the noise, away from the people, into stillness and solitude. It was in that silence surrounded only by the rawness of creation that he was prepared to receive Revelation.

There’s something sacred about that rhythm. A return to stillness. A retreat into nature. It clears the internal noise, polishes the mirror of the heart and opens the soul to guidance.

While I was in Andalusia, each morning I’d see a shepherd guiding his goats across the mountains. The sound of their bells would echo across the valleys, it was quite special. A slow movement across rugged land, day after day.

And it dawned on me that many of our Prophets were shepherds. That’s not a coincidence. There’s deep wisdom in that way of life. Lessons I’ll save for another time, inshaAllah.

But what I can say is there’s something that regulates the soul when we return to rugged nature. When our bodies are used in the ways they were designed to move, digging into the earth, carrying water, walking uneven paths, feeling the sun on our backs, it brings a kind of peace that modern living has stripped away.There’s a purity in it. A raw, wholesome kind of living that resets something deep within.

This week, I encourage you to find a small moment to step outside with no rush and no destination. Just observe. A breeze, a leaf, a silent sky. Notice what it stirs in you. I’d love to hear what you capture or reflect, send me a reply with your photos, thoughts or a moment that stood out to you

I’m also planning a retreat in the mountains soon, inshaAllah. A space to unplug, recentre and return to a state of wholeness and deep connection with Allah, with nature and with the parts of ourselves we often neglect. The goal? To return to our lives more rooted, with higher perspectives and most importantly, a way to carry inner calm in the middle of the noise. Please carry this intention in your duaas :) 

Until then, here are 3 simple ways to reconnect with nature this week:

1. Walk barefoot on grass or earth: Let the ground hold you. Feel it.
2. Watch the sky for five minutes: No phone, no agenda. Just be a witness.
3. Sit under a tree in silence: Breathe. Listen. Let your heart open to it's inner truths and wisdoms.

P.S. Here's a few ways we can work together...

1. Join Breaking Barriers Coaching Group. Together, we’ll deepen our trust in Allah, take inspired actions and witness with gratitude how incredible outcomes unfold. This a space for spiritual and personal growth, practical tools, meaningful suhba (companionship) and life transforming reminders (Available to sisters only).

2. If you're ready to shift your perspectives, discover your true self and align your efforts with your highest worldly and spiritual aspirations, click HERE to schedule a 1:1 discovery call with me. (Available to sisters only).

3. Join The Travellers Programme HERE. (Available to both brothers and sisters).

4. Join Sail Forward, a budget-friendly group coaching circle where you’ll receive personalised laser coaching in a supportive, faith-rooted space. It’s designed to help you reflect, realign and rise with practical tools and spiritual grounding. Small groups, big impact. You can learn more or sign up HERE. (Available to both brothers and sisters).

5. Join the Telegram community for short, inspiring messages that uplift you throughout the week and help you stay aligned and comforted by a faith-centered perspective. Join HERE. (Open to all). 

Reflection of the Week

What do you notice in stillness?

Find five quiet minutes today, sit with nature, no distractions, and ask:

What is Allah showing me in this moment?

Dua of the Week

ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍۢ طِبَاقًۭا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِن تَفَـٰوُتٍۢ ۖ فَٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍۢ 

˹He is the One˺ Who created seven heavens, one above the other. You will never see any imperfection in the creation of the Most Compassionate. So look again: do you see any flaws? [67:3]