Turning to Allah

There are times when you have tried your best and it still does not seem enough.  

There are times when you have tried to do the right thing by your faith to hold fast to your Islamic principles and are judged, mocked, excluded or ignored for it.

There are times when you don’t feel strong enough and hold your tongue or relax a little thinking you can’t force your religion on others, but still it is not enough.

You cannot please this world: not your family, office, community or school. Not all of the time, often need even some of the time.

Not if you hold your tongue on indecency, not if you style your hijab to look less modest, not if you forego your prayers for convenience, not if you don’t talk about your faith in front of people to avoid discomfort,

But you can try to please Allah (SWT), a little effort for Whom, goes such a long way:

Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

said: Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala said: I am as My servant thinks (expects) I am. I am with him when he mentions Me. If he mentions Me to himself, I mention him to Myself; and if he mentions Me in an assembly, I mention him in an assembly greater than it.  If he draws near to Me a hand’s length, I draw near to him an arm’s length.  And if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed.’” (Sahih Bukhari)

As I get older, alhamdulillah I care less and less what people think and I am more comfortable being clear about my limits or requirements according to my faith.  I have to remind myself to implement this without becoming harsh or judgemental and to act from love always when living by my faith and understand that others also are in a different place in their journey.

Image Courtesy of the Momin's Journey