Three Years, Many Lifetimes, One Clear Truth

Assalaamu'alaykum,  

Today marks three years since my husband’s soul was returned to Allah.   

Three years. SubhanaAllah.  

I feel like I have lived many lifetimes inside of these three years. 

In some ways, I feel like I was meant to become an entirely different person through this test.  

A test that has taken me across many paths, some winding over high mountains, others dipping into deep valleys. Some have been steep and rocky, testing my every step, while others were straight, uncomplicated and gentle beneath my feet. 

But no matter the road Allah placed me on, there has always been a handrail to steady me, a foothold to keep me grounded or a helping hand to lift me when I couldn't find the strength or way forward.  

Allah never withholds His generosity, kindness or mercy. 

I stand in complete gratitude for what He has blessed me and my family with and with hope of what’s yet to come, InshaAllah.  

I don’t think our life path was ever meant to be easy, for any of us.  

There are moments of ease, goodness and soul-deep comfort that nourish our hearts and replenish our spirits, but this world was never meant for pure pleasure. It’s a fragile existence, carefully designed to test us, to shape us and to distinguish our good choices from the bad, moment by moment, day by day. 

To weigh up the number of times we chase the fleeting highs of false promises over the steady, enduring pursuit of Allah, His pleasure, His nearness and ultimately, a home in His Garden. A path meant for the resilient, awakened souls to tread. 

We can only pray to our Rabb that our moments of sincere worship outweigh the times we’ve given in to temptation and distraction and that He envelops us in His boundless mercy. 

I find comfort in the thought that my late husband and father have now entered the real world, a world parallel to our fleeting and illusory existence. 

Indeed, it is us who are left in the waiting room, waiting to move on to our next destination.  

The question we must continually ask ourselves is: How do we choose to wait? What do we fill our time and efforts with? What imprint do we leave behind that will echo for us in the next realm? 

As I reflect on my efforts, the intentions behind my pursuits and the areas in need of repair, I recognise a theme my heart craves - simplicity. 

Simplicity not just in my surroundings and possessions. 

But simplicity in my decisions, lifestyle, thoughts and where I choose to invest my time, energy and focus.  

On a daily basis we’re bombarded with information, endless to-do lists, with our minds and bodies relentlessly tugged by every money making machinery that exists! 

I choose to step out of this.   

Because there is beauty in simplicity. A cleanness about it that fills my heart with peace and ease.  

And it falls in line with the golden advice of our beloved Prophet (ﷺ): 

The Companions of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) mentioned the life of the world before him.  

He (ﷺ) said, "Do you not hear? Do you not hear? Simplicity (in life) is part of Faith, simplicity is part of Faith." [Abu Dawud]. 

For now, my simplicity begins with these three things:

1. Focusing on the basic pillars of my day: prayers, morning and evening adhkar, Qur’an, gratitude and health routines. Everything else will have to find its place around these.
2. Spending more time in nature: connecting with Allah’s creation, watching the trees sway, the birds in flight, the creatures of all shapes and sizes and the ever-changing colours of the sky, all with a heart full of wonder and admiration for Allah.
3. Disconnecting from devices: stepping away from the noise, the distractions and the constant chatter. Instead, choosing time for contemplation, meaningful in-person connections and being fully present with loved ones.

And so, as I continue to walk this path, one shaped by loss, mistakes, growth and deep reflection, I find myself drawn to the quiet, the stillness, the simple moments that nourish the soul. 

Perhaps you too have felt the weight of life’s noise and longed for simplicity. If so, I pray that Allah grants you clarity, peace and the strength to centre your life around what enriches your heart the most from the simplest of life’s moments. 

May He guide our hearts to Him, keep our footsteps firm and fill our waiting room with deeds that echo in beautiful rhythm into the next life. Allahumma 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 .

Dua of the Week

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَ فِي الآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً

وَ قِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.