Why change is inevitable...

Assalaamu’alaykum,

I know it's been a while! So, firstly I pray that you are all keeping in the best of health and wellness.

There's been lots of changes on my side Alhamdulilah, and although some of these changes have been coming in fast with their own set of challenges, there have been many insights that have opened up along with each one... so I sit here as I type humbled and grateful for it all.

It led me to think about the concept of change. Quite often, especially when things feel nice and comfortable, we don't really want change. I think part of that is because we look at change as something we can't control and if we were to be completely honest, that uncertainty scares us.

But one universal truth is that we can't grow if our circumstances become stale and fixed. We understand that nature imitates life in many ways, so just think about a tree from seed to full formation. How could it possibly grow if the soil never turned or if the rain never beat down on the ground, even strong winds help to scatter seeds. Everything serves a higher purpose, SubhanAllah.

Allah in His perfect wisdom, kindness and mercy, sometimes gently and sometimes in more apparent ways, changes our life circumstances around us, so that we are forced to shift too. To face our inner selves, our nafs, our whims, our comforts and to re-align and re-emerge as a better version of ourselves.

Sometimes, the best within us only has the opportunity to be squeezed out when we ourselves are squeezed.

As a dear friend reminded me recently "You can't stop the waves... but you can learn to surf!"

And it's in that "surfing" that our connection with Allah increases, our hidden strengths and talents can rise to the surface and our nafs can be tamed and ultimately, we get to discover just how much strength Allah has placed within us.

Here's a few insights I've gained over the past few weeks that I'd like to share with you...

1. Life will always be "lifing" :)

And the intensity of things constantly shifts. Think about what was so intense and was overriding your thoughts and emotions just a few weeks ago and now look at your relationship with it today or what has replaced it. I'm sure you'll notice some change, that's the nature of life.

2. Change is Allah knowing there's something in the shift that is better for us.

Our level of "okayness" with the change, is in direct correlation with just how much we trust Allah and His plans for us.

3. Bring it back to the present moment.

Whatever we're facing, braving or having to work through becomes more heavier to carry if we pile on all the weeks and months ahead that don't exist yet. Strip it all the way back to this very moment. Take a few deep breaths and say "Allah, all that exists right now is this moment" and by focusing on what pleases Allah in this moment and releasing everything else to Allah, soothes the heart like nothing else. And you get to walk the path of the traveller!

I hope this offers some comfort to anyone experiencing uncomfortable change right now, and if you're happy to, write back and let me know.

Reflection of the Week

Think about a change of circumstance that you're resisting right now

Allow yourself to release the outcome and surrender it to Allah by bringing yourself to this present moment and ask yourself "What does Allah want from me?"

Dua of the Week

اللَّهُمَّ رَحْمَتَكَ أَرْجُو، فَلَا تَكِلْنِي إِلَى نَفْسِي طَرْفَةَ عَيْنٍ، وَأَصْلِحْ لِي شَأْنِي كُلَّهُ، لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ

Allahumma rahmataka arju, fala takilni ila nafsi tarfata ‘ayn, wa aslih li sha’ni kullahu, la ilaha illa Ant.

O Allah, I hope for Your mercy. Do not leave me to myself even for the blink of an eye. Set right all of my affairs for me. There is none worthy of worship but You.

Allah's name of the Week

Al-Wakeel, The Trustee, The One we rely upon

Ya Wakeel, when life shifts in ways we didn’t expect, help us to trust what You are doing even when we cannot yet understand it. Help us to loosen our grip on what we cannot control, strengthen our reliance upon You and guide us to respond in a way that brings us closer to You.

Aameen ya rabbal aalameen.