Wijhah Initiative Podcast

Hearing develops early, but deep listening needs to be taught. While many believe that listening is something that comes naturally, the truth is that listening is a complex skill that must be studied, practiced, and perfected over time. Listening is the foundation of human attachment and the binding glue of the early relationships that provide us with a sense of belonging. From the moment we come...

For certain people, Allah opens their hearts up to the beauty and Truth of Islam such that they are illuminated by its truth. What are the signs of a heart that has been illuminated by submission to Allah Most High?

Last week, we spent some time reflecting on how we might prepare to leave this world in a state that we are prepared for the next life. The most important things we must take with us from this world are the belief and knowledge of God, coupled with virtuous actions. If we don’t, we risk suffering a great loss on the Final Day.

One of the keys to receiving guidance is to listen closely and attentively to Allah’s message in the Quran. When Allah sees an individual paying close attention to His words, He opens up their hearts to accept and submit to its message.

We live in this world, but we live for the next. The destination and ultimate reality is existence in the next life, in paradise with God’s pleasure. Thus, the believer ought to prepare for the next life while living this one. How does one orient themselves towards that life, while not neglecting their duties in this life?

Resuming our study of Surah Zumar, Allah Most High speaks about the Final Day when people will be assigned to their final abodes. The mention of this Day and its events seeks to awaken us from our existential slumber and realize the urgency of living a meaningful life.

Whilst living in this world, human beings must seek provisions for themselves. But, often, this seeking of provisions is restricted to provisions for their bodies. We, humans, often neglect the provisions required for nourishment of our souls. While the nourishment of the body sustains this worldly life, it is nourishment of the soul that will bring salvation in the next life.

Imam al-Ghazali explains that we ought to arrive at some knowledge of God’s attributes and essence through contemplation of the soul’s attributes and essence. But, one must see through the veil of material phenomenon to the Creator of the heavens and the earth, because “it is a great error to mistake the slaves for the master.”

Sincerity to Allah means to remain devoted to Allah, no matter what circumstance befalls you. From verse 8, Allah Most High contrasts those who forget Allah with those who remain steadfast in their commitment to Him. While those who forget Him ascribe partners to Him and “will lose themselves and their families on Judgment Day,” those committed to Allah persevere in acts of devotion and will be re...

Following a discussion of knowledge of the self, Imam al-Ghazali highlights how such knowledge ought to lead to the knowledge of God. But for this to happen, one must reflect in a way that facilitates gnosis of God.

Being devoted to Allah means turning to Him and prioritizing Him over all else in our lives. In the next few verses of Surah Zumar, Allah Most High speaks of the different attitudes that humans hold in their relationship with their Creator. Some remain devoted to Him regardless of the circumstances; some only turn to Him in times of need. Allah commands us to develop sincerity and wholehearted dev...

The human being is the magnificent creation of God about which He asks the devil, “What prevented you from prostrating to what I created with My Own Hands?” Thus, God sets humans apart from all creation. What is the basis of this special status that humans enjoy?

Being devoted to Allah means turning to Him and prioritizing Him over all else in our lives. In the next few verses of Surah Zumar, Allah Most High speaks of the different attitudes that humans hold in their relationship with their Creator. Some remain devoted to Him regardless of the circumstances; some only turn to Him in times of need. Allah commands us to develop sincerity and wholehearted dev...

We resume our weekly Healing Hearts sessions by commencing a study of Imam al-Ghazali’s profound work, The Alchemy of Happiness. In our first session, we will explore the meaning of human felicity. All of us seek to live a meaningful and purposeful life; yet, much of our effort can be wasted when we don’t identify where true felicity lies.

As we return from our Ramadan break, we begin a study of the 39th chapter of the Quran, Surah Zumar. In the opening verses, Allah Most High commands us to devote ourselves sincerely to His worship due to having revealed the Quran. How does the Quran help us become more sincere in our worship of God?

As we near the month of Ramadan, one of the practices of our Prophet ﷺ during the blessed month was spiritual retreat (i’tikaaf). Imam al-Muhasibi advises us in the next section to maintain a constant spiritual retreat in our lives through the remembrance of God. What does that mean, and how does one practice that?

Last week, we discussed how experiencing betrayal can lead to a generalized distrust of others, including a distrust of our Lord Most High. This week, we will explore in further detail how one can rebuild the ability to trust again.

Having a good opinion of others is a part of our religion. We should always look for an interpretation of the actions of others that implies soundness in the religion and a good standing with God. To do otherwise is to open ourselves up to opinion that will imply sinfulness or even disbelief. The next section of Imam al-Muhasibi’s work offers guidance on this matter.

When someone you trust betrays you, it hurts tremendously. Whether you are double-crossed in a business deal, or a person in a position of authority abuses their power, or you have unexpectedly discovered that you’ve been lied to, betrayal is soul-crushing. After experiencing trauma associated with a betrayal you may suddenly find yourself scanning the world for threats all around you. Your fears...

We can often wonder what the status of our relationship with God is. Are we close or distant from Him? How might we gauge where we stand in relation to Him? In the next passage we will read, Imam al-Muhasibi offers us advice on how to find the answers to these questions.

Human beings have an innate desire for clarity and certainty. It makes life predictable and feels safe. However, much of our lives is riddled with nuance and complexity. When faced with difficulties and pain, it’s common for us to fall back on black-and-white thinking about life. Things are either good or bad; life is either enjoyable or terrible. How might we overcome this cognitive distortion of...

While it’s important to be present in our daily lives, it’s also important that we keep the end/outcome in mind as we progress through stages in life. The end serves as a horizon by which we can put the present in perspective. What are some things we can focus on to help us maintain perspective in life?

This week, we will be joined by Sheikh Zakaria Abdilaziz to help us prepare for the upcoming month of Ramadan. We will discuss the words of the Prophet ﷺ: “O Allah, bless us in the months of Rajab and Sha’ban, and let us reach the month of Ramadan.” (reported by Al-Bayhaqi, Abu Nu’aym, and Al-Bazzar)

One of the hardest things to accept in life is advice from others. This is often due to us perceiving the advice as an attack on ourselves. In the next passage of “Treatise for the Seekers of Guidance,” Imam al-Muhasibi frames sincere advice as an act of love. How could this be so?

While seeking growth and improvement are healthy things for humans, to do so in a rigid and inflexible manner can be harmful for one’s well being. We can set expectations for ourselves that are unrealistic and counterproductive. These expectations often take the form of “should” statements: a type of cognitive distortion in which we use words such as “should,” “ought,” and “must” to create ideas t...