Too many times I wish I could have a do-over

Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?

If I had to think of one, it would probably be marrying my first wife.

Suffice it to say I destroyed a long standing friendship. I experienced more heartache than I can fathom. And spent the night behind bars for the first time in my life.

All that being said, I know I can’t get another chance, and I’m glad. All those experiences made me who I am today, and I think I’m ok.

A work in progress, sure. But I’ve become someone I would have never imagined being back then.

ولله الحمد وتوفيق

Names of Allaah: Ar-Rahmaanu

This name means that Allaah has unlimited mercy, which He shows to everyone, regardless of whether a person is a Muslim or not.

This name comes in conjunction with another great name “Ar-Raheem” in the phrase “Bismillaahir-Rahmaanir-Raheem”, which in translation means: “In the name of Allaah, The Gracious to all in this world and The Merciful only to believers in the hereafter”.

Ar-Rahmaan emphasizes here the breadth and greatness of Allaah’s mercy.

#الأسماء_الحسنى

Self Mastery and Spiritual Growth: My Personal Journey

Peace be upon those who follow Guidance,

First Steps to Transformation

Feel free to dive into some brief reflections on the path of Sulook (spiritual journeying) – the link above is to a thread on my Twitter account. It’s an adventure I’ve been on for some time now, and I’m constantly trying to find new information to help me understand it and implement it in my own life.

One thing that helped me enormously was a detailed study of Ibn Qudaamah’s book Mukhtasar Minhaaj al-Qaasideen – (literally) the abridgement of the methodology of the desirous ones. It’s all about the journey of seeking spiritual perfection – or at least what comes as close as possible to it (since we’ll never be ‘perfect’).

Why I’m on this journey

I was born with a rare metabolic disorder. It prevents me from processing a component of protein in the right way. The end result is that very important things like Serotonin and Tryptophan are in short supply in my brain. Because of that I had great difficulty with focus, impulse and emotional control, and thinking in general. It leads to a greatly increased risk of anxiety and depression. This caused me to both need and want to find ways to gain some level of self mastery.

In addition to that, I finally started to get my condition under control through new developments in therapy. Al-Hamdulillaah (all thanks and praise is due to Allaah [God]).

Next Steps

I’m going to try and share more and more of these gems with time. Please be patient.

Join me on this journey and let’s grow together!

Why do we do this?

I want to thank Mangus for writing this.

I’m at the beginning of my journey and have been asking myself a similar question.

I to feel inclined to battle demons. An earlier version of this was just that. Now I fight not because I want to. I tell stories not because I need to. I do these things because I hope that my successes (however few) and my failures (far too many for my taste) can serve as lessons for others.

Because of my wading deeper into Islamic Psychology and Spiritual Purification I feel it necessary to put all of these experiences in context. To reflect back on the lessons learned (or at least the ones that should have been) and to project forward a better version of myself and (hopefully) help others do the same.

It often seems reading about others struggles with the same or similar challenges as us allows us to look at our own lives anew. When their stories can share victories or hard won truths it allows us to course correct without all of the associated pain and suffering. Allaah knows best.

I won’t beleaguer the point further, but thanks again for showing what this journey could be.

Onwards & upwards!

SHHH…My Lady & Editor Might Be Geniuses

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My personal philosophy of Da’wah

What’s a personal mantra or philosophy you live by?

So, Da’wah has pillars and principles that are well known. I’ve taught them many times, and I’m not saying we should throw them out.

However, I have come to understand that I approach Da’wah differently than some – I’d say most – people.

My personal philosophy has only recently become clear to me, and this is it:

1. Have genuine dialogue
2. Build lasting relationships

That’s it!

What’s your personal philosophy, and it doesn’t have to be about Da’wah?

You Don’t

How do you write what people actually want to read?

If all you care about is validation, then go for it, but people’s tastes can be quite fickle.

Instead, I’d suggest right what you want/need to read and like like minded people find you. It’s more personally satisfying and much more sustainable.

Now, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to doing that first one from time to time, it can be a real blast to go viral (or nearly so), but like I said it’s not sustainable. My favorite pieces, the ones that brought me to tears or I felt really proud of often don’t land. I’ve learned over time not to let it get to me. I’m not saying it’s easy, but it’s definitely the healthier choice.

Write your heart out, but do it because it’s good for you, not because you want/need a pat on the back – it might never come.

“Between Hope & Fear There Must Be Love 🩵”

aboosuhaylah@brosaeed.com

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So many things

What’s one thing that would instantly improve your city?

In my city, probably my whole state, the best thing would undoubtedly be for law enforcement to actually prosecute traffic violations in a timely and consistent manner.

The lack of prosecution creates a situation where people brazenly drive recklessly and endanger others – it’s to the point where there have been hits and runs that are caught on camera and the police say “What do you want us to do?” HOW ABOUT YOUR DAMN JOB!

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The Everyday Jihad: How a Comic-Book Nerd with a Rare Disease Learned to Love the Struggle https://a.co/d/00DvjXNm

No Contest

Which author would you love to have dinner with?

Dr. Shaykh Abu Ameenah Bilal Philips (may Allaah preserve him).

His books were pivotal to my, and many others, early steps in Islam.

I had the great pleasure and honor of communicating with him directly, but we’ve never met in person.