Loving and Living the Quran

Allah says: "And the soul and Him Who fashioned it, then inspired it with its fujūr and its taqwā." (91:7–8) After speaking about fitrah, we now turn to another powerful reminder: your soul already carries moral awareness. Allah swears by the nafs — a sign that this is something we must pay close attention to. He "fashioned it" balanced and sound, then inspired it with an awareness of what breaks...

Allah says: "So set your face toward the religion, inclining upright — the fitrah of Allah upon which He created mankind. There is no altering Allah's creation. That is the upright religion, but most people do not know." (30:30) Today we reflect on the word fitrah — the innate, primordial nature upon which every human being is created. Fitrah is our original calibration. It is the built-in inclina...

Allah describes the creation of the human being: "So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My Spirit, then fall down before him prostrating." (38:72) In this verse, Adam (as) is first fashioned from clay, then honoured by the breathing of Allah's Rūḥ. Scholars clarify that this does not mean humans carry a piece of God. Allah is utterly transcendent. Rather, this attribution is a d...

Allah tells us: "Truly We created the human being in the most beautiful stature (ahsanu taqwīm). Then We cast him to the lowest of the low." (95:4–5) These verses outline the full spectrum of the human condition. The word taqwīm comes from qawwama — to shape, form, arrange in balance. Scholars explain that ahsanu taqwīmrefers not only to our outward form, but to our inner potential — harmony, bala...

Many of us are watching the state of the world with heavy hearts. We see cruelty, dehumanization, and moral numbness — and we ask: How can human beings do this? Where is their conscience? The Qur'an reminds us that moral collapse does not happen overnight. It is rarely one dramatic moment. It is a gradual process — a slow silencing of the inner voice that once made wrongdoing uncomfortable. This R...

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025]   In this episode, we discuss the importance of Salaat as a tool of strength, success and discipline. We discuss the superpowers of salaat and how we can begin to become more mindful of our prayers   For questions and or comments related...

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025]   In this episode, after reviewing our journey into exploring Istiqama thus far, we turn to learning from Sayyada Zaynab [as] who is an embodied model of resistance. We look at her sermons in Kufa and Damascus and see what lessons we can...

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025]   In this episode, we explore the meaning and importance of enjoining good and forbidding evil, why it is challenging and needed today and how to do it effectively by making love the foundation   For questions and or comments related to...

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025]   In this episode, we explore the meaning and importance of standing up to injustice and how we unknowingly be the problem   For questions and or comments related to this content, please email livingthequran786@gmail.com Please visit www...

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025] In this episode, we explore the meaning and importance of having Tawakkul in Allah swt, what are some of the preconditions, why it is so important and then we discuss how to develop Tawakkul in our hearts   For questions and or comments...

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025] In this episode, we continue our exploration of ways to strengthen our relationship with God and focus especially on developing Khasiya or Awe in our hearts. We end the discussion by exploring 5 ways we can experience Awe in our everyday...

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025]   After completing our discussion on distractions on the path towards God, we start our discussion on building our relationship with Allah by looking at His proper name   For questions and or comments related to this content, please emai...

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025]   After reflecting on what we can do to build personal resilience, we begin the topic of building our relationship with Allah swt as this is the foundation for Istiqamah. Many of us report feeling disconnected from Allah swt these days....

[Muharram 2025 Series:  Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025]   In order to have the stance of istiqamah, standing strong, we need to have resilience. In this episode, we explore the meaning of resilience, talk about the purpose of trials in our lives and discuss the secrets of resilient people who...

In this episode, we reflect on the verse from Sura Fussilat where Allah swt says:    [41:30] (As for) those who say: Our Lord is Allah, then continue in the right way, the angels descend upon them, saying: Fear not, nor be grieved, and receive good news of the garden which you were promised. We start exploring the need for idea of resistance as stance towards injustice. We also explore the meaning...

📌 Episode Summary: This episode continues the narrative of Surah Maryam with the miraculous moment when the newborn Isa (as) speaks from the cradle to defend his mother and declare his prophetic mission. You unpack the meaning and significance of each part of his speech—from affirming his identity as Abdullah (servant of Allah), to describing his mission of prayer, charity, and respect for his mo...

📌 Episode Summary: In this powerful and emotionally resonant episode, you delve into the heart of Surah Maryam—the miraculous conception and birth of Prophet Isa (Jesus) through Maryam (as), a paragon of purity, courage, and spiritual strength. Beginning with the backstory from Surah Al-Imran, we learn about Maryam's early life, her mother's intention to dedicate her unborn child to God, and the...

📌 Episode Summary: In this opening episode of the Surah Maryam series, we dive into the historical and spiritual backdrop of Chapter 19 of the Qur'an. You begin by highlighting the virtues of Surah Maryam—its poetic rhythm, spiritual benefits, and relevance for those struggling with anxiety or hardship. The main focus is on the profound story of the first Muslim migration to Abyssinia. Through th...

"…and so that you complete the number and glorify Allah for having guided you, and that you may give thanks." — Surah Al-Baqara (2:185) 🌙  Episode Summary As we approach the end of Ramadan, we reflect on what it means to truly keep Allah at the center of our lives . Ramadan has been a time of spiritual focus, self-discipline, and connection to the Divine. Now, as we prepare to celebrate Eid, we a...

Count Your Blessings Verse Reflection: "And if you count Allah's favors, you will not be able to number them." — Surah Ibrahim (14:34) 🌟  Episode Summary In this episode, we reflect on the Qur'anic reminder that Allah's blessings are infinite—too many to count. From the seen to the unseen, the obvious to the hidden, His favors surround us constantly. True gratitude lies not just in counting our b...

Pay It Forward Qur'anic Verse: "…And do good to others as Allah has done good to you." – Surah Al-Qasas (28:77) 🌟  Episode Summary This reflection centers around the Quranic command to use our blessings—wealth, knowledge, time, and influence—not just for ourselves, but in service to others. Drawing from the story of Qarun, a man who failed to recognize his blessings as a trust from Allah, we are...

"And I swear by the self-accusing soul." – Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:2) 🧭 Episode Summary: In this reflection, we explore the concept of Nafs al-Lawwama —the self-accusing soul—as a divine gift that keeps our spiritual compass aligned. Rather than seeing guilt as something to suppress, the Quran invites us to embrace it as a sign of life in the heart and a tool for growth. During Ramadan, when our spi...

"Repel (evil) with what is best, then the one between whom and you was enmity will become like a close friend." — Surah Fussilat (41:34) 🧭  Episode Summary: Conflict is inevitable, but how we respond is a powerful reflection of who we are. In this episode, we explore the Quranic invitation to repel negativity with what is best . Instead of mirroring anger, sarcasm, or aggression, we are reminded...

"Let not hatred of a people incite you not to act equitably; act equitably, that is nearer to piety." — Surah Al-Ma'idah (5:8) 🧭  Episode Summary: In today's episode, we reflect on the Quran's powerful guidance to uphold justice and fairness, not just with those we love, but especially with those we disagree with or dislike. True justice, as Allah commands, is rooted in principles , not personali...

🧭 Episode Summary: "O you who believe! Let not one people deride another; it may be that they are better than they." Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11) In today's reflection, we explore the serious spiritual and emotional consequences of mockery and ridicule in relationships and community life. While sarcasm and making fun of others may feel like harmless humor, the Quran reminds us that such behavior erod...