Wijhah Initiative Podcast

As we resume our Wednesday night sessions, we begin a new series covering the book, “With the Heart in Mind” by  @mikaeelahmedsmith  . One of the most important traits for anyone to develop in life is emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence can have a surprisingly powerful effect on our lives, from our ability to foster long-term relationships with friends and romantic partners to whether w...

We resume our study of Surah Taha this week starting from verse 80. In the verses that follow, the story of Musa (peace be upon him) shifts to a discussion of the condition of Banu Israa’il post-Pharoah. Having escaped from the tyrant, Banu Israa’il now encounter a man named Samirii.

After the showdown between Prophet Musa (peace be upon him) and the magicians (on behalf of Pharoah), the magicians who had previously devoted their life and work to Pharoah recognized the truth of the message of Islam and submitted. Threatened with execution, they remained firm, ultimately choosing Allah despite what awaited them. The next passage moves on to address the final moments that Musa (...

Among the most important and transformative actions of the heart is husnul dhan billah'. to always have a positive opinion or expectation from Allah. This manifests when we always assume the best from what God is doing. It means to always look with a positive lens at the work of God–at the actions of God in our lives and in the world. This spiritual practice completely transforms the way we respon...

In the next passage, Allah Most High describes the showdown between Musa and the magicians, followed by the magicians’ acceptance of Musa’s message. The passage reminds us to never give up hope when inviting others to the worship of Allah.

There are many psychological resources that help us heal, but even more powerful than all of these are the spiritual resources given to us by God and His Messenger (ﷺ). These potent tools can transform our lives and the way we respond to pain, but only when applied consistently. Knowledge is power-but only when lived. Only when that knowledge is integrated in­ternally and externally. When the ligh...

Beginning from verse 49, the conversation between Musa (peace be upon him) and Pharoah is mentioned. After receiving guidance from Allah Most High on how to advise Pharoah, Musa and Harun (peace be upon them) proceed to speak with Pharoah about God and His attributes, contrasting the characteristics of virtue against the characteristics of corruption.

When we think of recovering from loss, some common tools of recovery come to mind. We think of therapy, self-care, and the likes. However, there are also some less intuitive methods of recovery like relationship building, service to others, and good character.

Pharoah is one of the greatest tyrants of all time - he oppressed thousands and thousands under his control and eventually inflated his ego to the point where he declared, "I am your god, the most high!" His transgressions against God and humanity reached such limits that Allah gave Musa and Harun (peace be upon them) the mission to go and speak to him. When someone is clearly in the wrong, and th...

Pain is real. But so are the tools to heal it. We are told to take action to improve our own situation and prevent pain from turning into prolonged suffering. We were meant to be tested in this life. But we are not meant to sit passively and suffer. And just like there are factors which hinder healing, there are also psychological and spiritual tools that support and even expedite the healing proc...

In the next passage we’ll be discussing, Musa is seeking aid from Allah regarding the task at hand; Allah Most High has told Musa (peace be upon him) that he is a messenger and that he must go to Pharoah and convey the message of truth and justice of Islam to him. This is the most overwhelming task that Musa has been given in his life. Despite having gotten by in life until now, and despite being...

Often in life, we don’t have all the answers. We may desperately desire an answer, yet we don’t receive closure. We end up delaying our own healing process. We are like a detective who refuses to close the case. Like an open wound that we refuse to let heal. We use all our energy looking for clues, rather than allowing for closure and acceptance.

Verses 17-23 of Surah Taha cover a well-known conversation between Allah Most High and the Prophet Musa (peace be upon him). This conversation contains powerful lessons about tawakkul (reliance on God) and God’s omnipotence.

Once we are in shame, we often fall into despair. We may believe we are not worthy of Allah’s love and mercy and forgiveness. And then we give up on trying to attain Allah’s pleasure and nearness, ultimately because we feel we don’t deserve it. And so in ayah 2: 268, Allah contrasts this plot of shaytan, which uses fear and indecency, with Allah’s mercy and bounty and abundance. The antidote for s...

Our study of Surah Taha continues as we begin from verse 9 with the story of the Prophet Musa (peace be upon him). There are many similarities between the experiences of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the Prophet Musa (peace be upon him). Hence, Allah Most High shares many stories of the Prophet Musa in Surah Taha.

When we indulge, entertain, and feed negative thoughts, we sabotage our own healing and happiness. Thoughts will always “knock on the door of our minds.” We must view our thoughts and inner dialogue like we view a visitor that comes to our door. Think of how diligently we guard our homes and valuables. We use locks, security systems, and fences. We do not open the door for just anyone. And if a ro...

As Ramadan nears, it’s important to prepare for the blessed month by increasing our connection with Allah’s word. So, for the coming weeks until Ramadan, we will pause our study of the 99 names of Allah, and we will begin a study of Surah Taha. The surah begins with a reminder that the Quran serves as a reminder and source of guidance, not a cause for distress.

We all understand what happens if we get a physical wound. We un­derstand that it needs treatment, and we need to go to a doctor. We know there needs to be a process for that wound to recover. Unfortunately, when someone has an emotional or psychological wound, many people do not have this same understanding. There is often very little patience or compassion for the process necessary for healing....

God is the Most Wise, the Most Just, and the Most Merciful. Both His withholding from us and His giving are part of His wisdom, justice and mercy. God knows us and our states. When He restricts, He also expands - there is no restriction without eventual expansion, there is no withholding without eventual giving. The manifestations of qabd (withholding) and bast (expansion) are many.

We are all tested in different ways. Some people are tested in their health, while others are tested in their wealth. When health is given to us, how do we use it? When wealth is given to us, how do we spend it? And then when health or wealth is taken from us, how do we respond? Our trials also serve many purposes in this life and the next. Our trials can cure us, purify us, strengthen us, and bri...

God is the source of all light and, because He is the Light, it is only He who truly illuminates. It is by His light that all darkness is dispelled - both physical and spiritual - yet His light itself is too powerful for us to comprehend in this life. When we are facing a problem, we are in darkness. The solution to that problem is from al-Nur. This is part of God’s illumination.

At some level, so many of us have experienced emptiness. But very few people know why. And even fewer people know how to fill that emptiness. This life and our entire journey here, is not an end in itself. It is a purposeful process, designed by God to shape our hearts. To prepare our souls for the Final Meeting with Him. We must allow the process to refine and remake us. And our wounds are a part...

The Arabs would use the word Karim for something beneficial with lasting benefit, and it is also used for something that is weighty and dignified. The adjective karim is used to describe someone who gives without being asked, and exceeds expectations.

This week, we will be discussing the following hadith: Sahl ibn Saʿd reported that Allāh’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “Indeed, there are treasuries of this goodness. These treasuries have keys. Blessed is the person who Allāh has made a key for goodness and a lock for evil. And may that person be ruined who Allāh has made a key for evil and a lock for goodness.” (Ibn Mājah)

The names al-Hamīd and al-Mājid are frequently mentioned together. Allah is al-Hamīd and al-Mājid because He truly possesses all those numerous attributes and qualities that are glorious and necessitate praise - qualities of perfection and goodness.