Some events that occurred on specific dates are so embedded into the collective consciousness of the American people that each calendar year, we recall how our individual and national consciousness was impacted. Usually, such occurrences take place on American soil, like the 911 bombing of the World Trade Center’s twin towers or the January 6th insurrection attempt to block the certification of the winner of the 2020 Presidential election. But, on October 7, 2023, Hamas, The Islamic Resistance Movement in Occupied Palestine, launched coordinated operations on a music festival attended by hundreds of youths and on multiple Israeli kibbutz. These actions resulted in around 251 Israelis being taken as hostages. Western media reports of mass rapes of Israeli women and the beheading of infants were later proved to lack evidence, truth, or credibility. Shortly after the hostages were taken, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set into motion one of the most brutal genocidal assaults against non-combatants, primarily women and children, ever witnessed in the 21st century. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis were protesting in the streets for the ouster of Netanyahu on charges of corruption before the Hamas attack. The political calculus of his situation was to ignite a long-term military conflict in the region to stave off being unseated as Prime Minister and going to jail. The response of the United States to the Israeli bombing of Palestinian homes, schools, and hospitals and the destruction of the entire infrastructure of the Gaza Strip was to replenish their stockpile of 2,000-pound bunker-busting bombs, rockets, and other weapons of war against a defenseless civilian population disproportionately comprised of women and children. To date, at least 175 courageous Palestinian journalists have been illegally targeted and killed while daring to report and film the unprecedented orgy of slaughter against an innocent Palestinian population. The United States has a complicated relationship with the state of Israel that goes far beyond that of merely being an ally. Israel has served as a cat’s paw for American and European interests, particularly oil and other resources found in the region. However, some European and Asian allies of the United States are confounded by its seemingly uncritical support of the present and past governments of Israel’s crimes against humanity committed against the Muslim population of Palestine and the region. A critical understanding of the essential elements that have seemingly inextricably bound the fate of the United States to the Zionist state of Israel is in order. In the book, Israel, America’s Key to Survival, by Mike Evan’s, the author writes, “Only one nation, Israel, stands between terrorist aggression and the complete decline of the United States as a democratic world power…If Israel fails, the United States can no longer remain a democracy…Arab money is being used to control and influence major U.S. Corporations, making it economically more and more difficult for the United States to stand against world terrorism.” In addition to being a questionable, if not outright false, assertion, the statement ignores the actual power dynamics of the two states in which the destructive military capacity of the United States coupled with its financial strength compared to other nations act as significant deterrents for other nations to attack Israel physically. Also, the US’s absolute support of Israel in world bodies like the United Nations militates against any attempt to sanction Israel. The book’s premise is a classic case of the tail wagging the dog. The phrase “the tail wagging the dog” describes a situation where a more minor or less significant part of something controls or influences the whole inappropriately or unexpectedly. The powerful lobby for Israel AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, has additionally enhanced Israel’s status in the United States. AIPAC speaks and raises money on behalf of a coalition of pro-Israel American Jewish groups. Factually speaking, few US Senators and Congresspeople do not receive donations from AIPAC. In exchange for AIPAC’s donations, the expectation is for the recipients to vote in favor or against legislation as instructed by AIPAC. However, donations from lobbyists are not the sole contributing factor to Israel’s outsized influence over America’s domestic and foreign policy. The ever-growing presence of Christian Zionists across the United States has an out-sized impact on why Americans accept the extreme political and military behavior of the Zionist State of Israel against the Arab, mainly Muslim, countries and within Occupied Palestine, and on the African continent. According to a Pew Research 2023 study, 63 percent of Americans identify as Christians, the largest denomination being Catholics, followed by Evangelical Protestantism. Evangelical Protestants are among the fastest-growing Christian denominations in the United States today. Christian Zionism is a belief among some Christians that the return of the Jewish people to the Holy Land, modern-day Israel, and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 are following Biblical prophecy. This movement supports the political and religious alliance between Christians and Jews, particularly in favor of the modern state of Israel. Christian Zionists advocate for policies that unilaterally favor Israel’s security and sovereignty at all costs, often influencing political decisions in the United States. The current President of the United States has emphatically stated that he is a self-avowed Christian Zionist. Maybe this helps us to understand why he is facilitating genocide while professing to be a faithful Christian. Since the establishment of the secular Zionist state of Israel, Biden and American Presidents before him have assisted the Israeli devastation of Palestinian Muslim populations and forced removal from their homes. Like Biden, Christian American Presidents, as one of the first overseas acts of their Presidency, have put a yamaka on their heads and bowed their heads at the Wailing Wall in Occupied Jerusalem. The carnage that we have seen in Occupied Palestine since October 7, 2023 could not have happened without the tacit support of Christian Zionists in the US. As witnesses to a horrific, indisputable genocide being brought to us by social media, selective mainstream accounts, and brave Palestinian journalists, we must do our part to influence an authentic narrative

The Power of Gratitude: How Islamic Prayer Can Improve Your Day Islam is a religion that emphasizes the importance of remembrance of God in all aspects of life. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, used to say a prayer on almost every occasion such as eating, drinking, sleeping, traveling, and entering one’s home. This article will highlight the psychological and mental benefits of one such supplication, the one recited when one wakes up. Islamic Prayer Upon Waking: A Reminder of Death and Resurrection Muslims are encouraged to begin each day with a prayer that says “All thanks are due to God who gave us life after death and to Him is the resurrection.” (Sahih Bukhari). This prayer highlights the importance of recognizing that sleep is a form of temporary death and that waking up in the morning is a new lease on life. It also reminds us of the ultimate reality of death and resurrection, and how every day is a rehearsal for the day of judgment. What is similarly important is that it encourages Muslims to start the day with a prayer of gratitude. The first words that are uttered upon waking up, when one’s eyes are barely open, is “Thanks to God.” This has a tremendous impact on one’s psychology. It sets the tone for the rest of the day and helps to cultivate a positive mindset. Gratitude is a powerful psychological tool that has been shown to improve well-being, increase resilience, and enhance interpersonal relationships. How Gratitude Can Better Your Mental and Physical Health Research has shown that practicing gratitude can increase levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which are neurotransmitters associated with feelings of pleasure and happiness. Gratitude can also reduce levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which is associated with a range of negative health outcomes, including anxiety and depression. Gratefulness is an antidote to negative emotions such as anxiety, depression, and stress. When we express gratitude, we shift our attention from what we lack to what we have, and this shift in mindset can have a powerful effect on our overall outlook on life. Grateful people are more optimistic, have better relationships, and are more resilient in the face of adversity. Gratitude and Patience: The Keys to a Happy Life The reality is that everyone has some kind of problem in their life. When we wake up, we often think of what we have to do that day or the challenge we have to overcome. However, Islam teaches us to be grateful not just for the blessings we receive, but also for the challenges and difficulties we face. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, “How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him.” (Sahih Muslim) Gratitude and patience are important in all circumstances, whether they are good or bad. It reminds us that challenges are opportunities for growth and development and that even in difficult times, there is always something to be grateful for, even things we often take for granted, such as the fact that we wake up each day. Practicing Gratitude Regularly Can Lead to a More Meaningful Existence Starting the day with a prayer of gratitude is an important practice in Islam that has both psychological and spiritual benefits. It reminds us of the temporary nature of life and the ultimate reality of death and resurrection. It also helps to cultivate a positive mindset and increase feelings of happiness and well-being. Gratitude is a powerful tool that can be used to enhance all areas of our lives, and practicing it regularly can lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful existence. The Prophet Muhammad’s Teachings on the Purpose of Life Ultimately, the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, are full of wisdom that has real-world benefits. The act of sleeping and waking up is a rehearsal for the Day of resurrection. It is a mini death and resurrection every day. This prayer reminds Muslims of the ultimate purpose of life. It is a reminder that all humans are accountable for their actions and that they should strive to do good and avoid evil. This awareness can help people make better decisions throughout the day and align their actions with higher moral values. All of Islam’s teachings are meant to bring good and ward off bad from the lives of humans. It is only through Islam that one experiences actual peace, tranquility, and serenity. Have more questions? Call 877-WhyIslam, you deserve to know! Read Other Articles on whysialm.org

In an otherwise normal, decent world, pornography is not a topic that we would wish to publicly discuss. Talking about issues with negative connotations often brings out the very destructive impact on the public that we intended to avoid.  But once a destructive issue is already in the public sphere and impacting society, it is important to discuss it. The case of pornography in the West and most countries in the world is exactly that—it’s way past the threshold. In fact, it’s wreaking havoc in society. Pornography has manifested in its most extreme state of vulgarity in our current time, using the omnipresent technology of the internet and mobile devices. Pornography has always been a part of human culture, going at least as far back as the fertility cults, with their pornographic drawings, that existed throughout the world. Some researchers suggest that fertility symbols were used as early as prehistoric times. The digital age has given pornography new dimensions and raised concerns about its negative impact on individuals and society as a whole. It’s just like “sugar” in the modern diet causing a public health disaster, it’s omnipresent—you don’t need to seek sugary products explicitly, but added sugar comes to you in every food you buy, be it kids’ milk pouches, juice, bread, ketchup… you name it. Similarly, pornography or the likes of it doesn’t need to be sought explicitly but comes to you as an ingredient in your everyday life—you go to a TV channel, a web page, YouTube, or internet gaming sites—you constantly get baited or even sampled (sampling is a direct marketing technique that offers the consumer a small sample for free so that they will be motivated to purchase the full product after that). Baiting is most often done with soft porn, a gateway to more hardcore pornography. According to definitions.net, softcore pornography is… “…commercial still photography or film that has a pornographic or erotic component but is less sexually graphic and intrusive than hardcore pornography, defined by a lack of visual sexual penetration. Softcore pornography includes stripteases, lingerie modeling, simulated sex and emphasis on the sensual appreciation of the human form. It typically contains nude or semi-nude actors involved in love scenes and is intended to be sexually arousing and aesthetically beautiful. The distinction between softcore pornography and erotic photography is largely a matter of taste.” Islamic Clarity About Pornography For Muslims, there is no distinction between soft- and hardcore porn. Islam is clear on the issue of producing or consuming sexually explicit material of any kind. It hasn’t just declared it unacceptable but creates barriers surrounding it so that society can prevent individuals coming close to it. Islam is the religion of haya, modesty. In that way, Islam provides, so to speak, a natural immunity to pornography. So, we shouldn’t be worried, right? Far from it. This danger is like an infectious virus—indiscriminately attacking Muslims and non-Muslims alike. We’ll go over why the Muslim “immune system” to pornography isn’t working. Let’s understand first the “immune system,” if you will, that’s inbuilt in Islam. Islam has put modesty of men and women as a criterion of faith. It’s not just about wearing modest outfits and restricting the mixing of men and women; it is also a lowering of the gaze by both men and women. Islam accepts the reality of human biology that drives us sexually. Thus, Islam puts marriage as a top priority to channel sexual impulses in a healthy and productive way. The Qur’an is very clear on every able man and woman getting married unless there’s a condition of prohibitive disability or abject economic hardship where they are advised by God to “fast” to counter the effect of human biology and hormones. The Qur’an then takes it to the next level: advising men and women to not even come close to sexual involvement outside of marriage—knowing that humans are created weak and that one must stay away from the slippery slope of immoral activities. At a societal level, the Islamic economy has made it very explicit that anything harmful to society shouldn’t be a money-making industry. Alcohol, drugs, gambling, pornography, etc., are prohibited in the Islamic system. That’s a macro-level immunity that Islam provides. One should then ask why all the above aspects of such a broad-based defense mechanism is not working for Muslims. The answer is simple — we’re living in a society that promotes a lifestyle that compromises the “immunity” that we are supposed to have. Do not think that it’s only in America or in the West. It’s also ubiquitous in many Muslim countries as most of the world is now following the West as a cultural role model without giving any critical thought to religion or societal stability and well-being. Pornography is a legal business in most countries. Some may deny that Muslim countries have such an industry. I would argue, however, that the entertainment industry is not far removed from it, and most Muslim countries allow the almost unrestricted flow of Hollywood or Bollywood movies. As mentioned above, soft porn, which is prevalent in movies, is just one step from more hardcore pornographic material. To make the effect worse, marriage between a man and a woman is being hollowed out, while the uncensored mixing of men and women is encouraged or, many times, structurally necessary in the workplace. Harming of Faith and Healthy Relationships The most devastating harm pornography or the entertainment industry does is that they eat away the foundation of the faith (iman). Imam Ghazzali wrote in his book Minhajul Abedin that if our nafs (self, soul) is a wild beast that drags us to follow our desires, then the gates through which it’s fed are through our senses. The most important sense is our eyes. The more the beast is fed, the wilder it becomes. And it drags you further away from the remembrance of Allah. It’s like a rain shower on a barren land with a downward slope—you put soil on it to farm crops, but the

Laura El Alam When people first embrace Islam, they are often filled with energy, optimism, and positivity. The joy of connecting with their Creator and discovering His plan for humanity makes them feel like they have a new lease on life. When they share their new mindset and lifestyle with their loved ones, they might experience a variety of reactions. In the best case scenario, their friends and family are willing to listen, learn, and support them on their journey. Sadly, that is not always the case. Some new Muslims face opposition, hostility, and rejection. They are ostracized by their family or abandoned by their friends. What should you do if your loved ones reject you because you became a Muslim? 1. Try not to be too worried if their initial reaction is negative. People’s hearts can soften over time. If someone responds in a way that is unsupportive, challenging, or upsetting, you should remind yourself that it might just take a while–months, or even years– for their feelings to settle. Some people find change to be extremely hard to cope with, but over time, many can adapt and broaden their outlook. 2. Don’t try to convince them of Islam by debating, arguing, or attacking their religion. You might feel like you now understand the Truth and you want to share it with them. However, pressure tactics usually backfire. Instead, focus on showing the beauty of Islam through your actions. Be as kind, gentle, and helpful as you can. This will teach them about Islam more than any lecture could, and it will also reassure them that the “new you” is positive, wholesome, and more loveable than ever. 3. Decide who is worth your efforts. In Islam, maintaining family ties is extremely important. If the people who are opposing your conversion are your parents, siblings, or other close family members, you should make a sincere effort to preserve your relationship with them, and God will reward you for any patience you display. On the other hand, if a friend, colleague, neighbor, or acquaintance rejects you because you chose to become a Muslim, you might want to consider whether this person really deserves to be a part of your life. A worthy person will try to understand your point of view, support you, and want the best for you. So, if someone outside of your close family refuses to respect your new lifestyle, then they are probably not deserving of your emotional energy. Save your efforts for the people who truly matter. 4. Once you have determined that someone is worth your effort and energy, you will need to summon up a lot of patience. If they are unhappy with your conversion, they will likely question your beliefs and possibly even debate or argue with you. One helpful thing to remind them (and yourself) is that each and every one of us is in charge of our own soul. Our primary responsibility is to our personal connection with God, and other people’s approval and opinions do not matter in the crucial decision of Whom to worship. We can still love and respect our family without letting their negativity affect our core beliefs. We can also choose not to debate or argue, especially if the other party is not listening to our point of view. 5. Understand that a variety of emotions might lie behind negative reactions. What looks like anger is often a manifestation of different feelings: fear (of losing you, or of stereotypes they have about Muslims), anxiety (about how their life and/or your relationship might change now that you are a Muslim), sadness, or even insecurity. It’s quite possible that they aren’t aware of their true feelings, or they don’t know how to identify – much less verbalize – their feeling of “I love you and I don’t want to lose you.” If someone is lashing out when you tell them about your decision to embrace Islam, you can say something like, “I can see this is hard for you to accept right now. Just know that I love you and I intend to keep being a good daughter/sister/friend to you. Someday I hope you will find a way to support me because I am happy with my choice, and my dedication to Islam is making me a better person.” 6. Recharge your battery with supportive people. All the negativity can be draining and might even take a toll on your iman (state of heart, or spiritual health).  Make sure to spend time with Muslims who teach and inspire you. If possible, join a class for converts to learn more about your faith, make friends, and find sympathetic listeners. If you find that certain people in your life are so toxic that they are making you doubt Islam, then take a break from those people. Nothing is more important than your faith, and you must guard it carefully.

In late summer, students across universities in Bangladesh hosted various demonstrations, protesting a revival of a quota system where descendants of the fighters of Bangladesh’s liberation in 1971 would be awarded with government jobs. This accounts for around 30% of government jobs. At the time of the protests, there were 18 million unemployed young people in Bangladesh. Students formed a countrywide movement to protest for reform of the quota system, coined “Students Against Discrimination.” What started as peaceful protests quickly turned deadly, with Bangladeshi police killing a student coordinator, Abu Sayed. The video of Sayed’s killing sparked even more protests, with thousands of students pouring into the streets. Protesters were sparked further by the way the government refused to meet any demands. Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh’s prime minister, ruling for over 15 years, called protesters “Razakar,” which is an offensive term used for collaborators. Protests turned more violent when police started attacking more and more student protesters in Dhaka. The government then shut down universities and cut off the internet. According to Al Jazeera, at least 187 people were killed, and 1,000 were arrested between July 10 and July 20. On July 18, it was reported that the internet in Bangladesh was cut off by authorities. The next day, armed forces fired at large crowds of protesters. After the days of violent response to protests, the Supreme Court on July 21 decreased the 30% quota to 5%, and reserved a 2% quota for ethnic minorities. The rest of 93% of civil jobs will be decided on merit. However, protests continued because a curfew was still imposed on universities, internet was not fully restored, and the arrest and killings of student demonstrators were too violent. Protesters renewed their demands, which then included the release of protest leaders, lifting of curfews, and reopening of universities. An estimated 300 protesters died at the hands of the government. BBC reports that around 32 children died during the demonstrations. A mass protest in Dhaka’s central square eventually forced Hasina to resign and flee the country, ending her 15-year rule. After Hasina’s escape, the Bangladeshi president released several prisoners charged under false circumstances, that were imprisoned by Hasina’s orders and under her direction, among them her opposition leader. Though her long-standing rule was unpopular for many reasons over the years, it was the violence against students which finally led to the collapse of her rule. Students could not bear the injustices perpetrated against their friends and community members.

Habeeba Husain A young Christian man never thought the Muslim friend he played basketball with in his twenties would re-enter his life nearly fifteen years later as his brother in Islam. “I was praying for him, and I felt like at the same time, he was praying for me,” said Maurice Hayes, 39, of New Jersey who converted to Islam this past Ramadan. Although he grew up in a religious Christian family, Hayes’ level of practice see-sawed throughout his life. His parents were both very much involved with their local church, but he described himself as a backsliding Christian, a person who is not fully practicing and moving away from God as a result. But when he entered his late twenties, Hayes decided to go all-in to his religion. “I know the Bible almost like the back of my hand,” Hayes said. “I could empathize with people based upon their struggles, and I could resonate with them on this level…Jesus said this, Paul said this…I could put a message together.” Diving so deep into learning the Bible made Hayes almost too knowledgeable in the subject. He was able to argue from both sides. He found holes, things that just didn’t add up in the text. “There were too many contradictions within the book for me to just go forth and practice,” Hayes said. Additionally, Hayes took issue with other Christian preachers that used the “you’re going to Hell” approach. He quoted Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” With this clearly mentioned in the scripture, Hayes would question the preachers, “So how do you know that you’re going to make it?” The inconsistencies within the scripture and this popular approach to preaching Christianity pushed Hayes into agnosticism. “I knew there was a creator, but I couldn’t figure out who it was,” Hayes said. For over a decade, Hayes lived a secular lifestyle all the while knowing God was out there. His Christian roots taught him to seek God’s help and fast when facing a difficulty, and he continued to practice this from time to time throughout his life even as an agnostic.  When Hayes distanced himself from Christian practice, his relationship with his family members soured. He didn’t agree with their methods of practice of the Christian faith that, in his view, contradicted the Bible. Things like putting up a Christmas tree or drinking alcohol made no sense to him, and thus, he was fine living a secular lifestyle—he wasn’t looking for a replacement religion. However, this mindset shifted in October of 2023. All over his social media timelines, Hayes saw the gruesome images coming out of the Gaza strip. For months, his eyes and ears unwillingly became witness to Israel’s atrocities against the Palestinian civilians. It was these people who reminded Hayes of someone very familiar to him. “I’m seeing people worshiping, in spite of all the suffering,” Hayes said. “If there’s any example of what Jesus was like—suffering and still praising God, crucified and still praising—this. This is it.” People across the world have seen the photos and videos from the Gaza strip, things like entire neighborhoods destroyed in the background of a sole survivor holding his decapitated dead or a father mourning while carrying his child’s lifeless body. But despite the unimaginable images, the world—including Hayes—heard the Palestinian people still say, “Alhamdulillah,” or “All praise is due to Allah,” illustrating their immense trust in God’s decree and firm belief of better days to come in Heaven. In his own life, Hayes said he has troubles. From his family to his business, he felt things were falling apart. But observing the steadfastness of the Palestinian people opened his eyes. “I can’t feel bad for my situation, because they’re suffering one thousand times more than I am—and they’re still worshiping God,” Hayes said. Then he decided, “Let me look into their faith.” As Hayes began to research Islam, he came across videos and articles that debated and pointed out the same flaws he saw in the Bible. He realized he wasn’t alone in his thinking, and in fact, there were millions who felt the same way. The more he learned about Islam, the more he filled the gaps left by his former faith. “I love the fact that the Quran is preserved. I love the fact that I can speak about it with full confidence, whereas I would have doubts before [with the Bible],” Hayes said, referencing the idea that the holy book of Islam has remained unchanged, protected by God. Since the time of the Prophet Muhammad (may the peace and blessings of God be upon him), people have been memorizing the Quran and passing it down to subsequent generations both through an oral and written tradition. This past Ramadan, Hayes privately took his shahada, the Islamic testimony of faith in which a person declares, “There is no god but Allah, and the Prophet Muhammad (may the blessings and peace of God be upon him) is His final messenger.” This entered him into the fold of Islam. He was officially a Muslim, just like his friend from a decade and a half prior. Hayes wanted to reconnect with his Muslim basketball buddy, but didn’t even have his current phone number. He logged onto LinkedIn, took a deep breath, and sent a direct message to share his good news. His friend of course shared in his joy of this new chapter and volunteered to drive him to a local mosque to declare his faith publicly and meet the greater Muslim community. “I had to thank him,” Hayes said. “I [told him], ‘I know you were praying for me. I was praying for you to become a Christian. I know you were probably praying for me to become a Muslim. I owe this to you.” With his newfound faith—his gift from God—Hayes cannot help but feel a deep sense of gratitude. Gratitude for guidance from Allah’s Quran, gratitude for the friendship all those years ago

As Muslims, we believe that tawakkul, trust in and reliance on God, is one of the most important core principles and values in maintaining our spiritual identity and continued growth toward closeness to Allah. The concept of tawakkul is highly emphasized in the Qur’an and ahadith and by many great scholars. However, in this day and age, we have unfortunately come to oversimplify the meaning and understand it as a one-dimensional and depthless trust in God. But in reality tawakkul is a nuanced concept with far-reaching and profound implications. With everything going on in the world, it is important that we don’t lose sight of the foundation of relying on Allah and understanding that not everything is in our control. Tawakkul:  Qur’an and Ahadith Allah says in the Quran, “And whoever has tawakkul, then Allah is all that he needs” (Qur’an 65:3).  This verse illustrates how tawakkul is directly connected to reaching a state of contentment where we feel that God is all we need. Allah also tells us to “rely upon Allah, and sufficient is Allah as disposer of affairs” (Qur’an 33:3). The phrase “rely upon Allah” encourages believers to put their complete trust in Allah and rely on Him for guidance, help, and protection. It requires acknowledging that Allah is the ultimate source of strength and that He is fully capable of managing and taking care of all affairs. Truly tawakkul is one of the most important keys to living a life that is in accordance with the Qur’an and sunnah and gives us the security to thrive and flourish, to achieve our full potential. This tawakkul in Allah gives us the strength to stay steadfast in our decisions as well. Allah says in the Qur’an, “So when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves those who rely” (Qur’an 3:159). We get the comfort of knowing our decisions have God’s support when we have tawakkul. Making decisions and taking action, interwoven with tawakkul, earns Allah’s love! What more could we want for ourselves? It gives the understanding that no matter what happens, that is what was meant for us because that is what Allah decreed. It gives us the motivation to continually renew our faith in qadr (divine destiny). There is a beautiful hadith of the Prophet: “Strange are the ways of a believer for there is good in every affair of his, and this is not the case with anyone else except in the case of a believer. If he has an occasion to feel delighted, he thanks [Allah], thus there is a good for him in it; and if he gets into trouble and demonstrates sabr [patience and perseverance], there is a good for him in it” (Sahih Muslim). This hadith very clearly lays out how to construct our thoughts and attitudes around all types of events that befall us or surround us. If something good happens, we say “alhamdulillah,” and if something that we perceive as negative happens, we stay steadfast and patient and rely on Allah, knowing that this is what was written for us. The cultivation of these beliefs ensures that nothing can break our resolve and steadfastness in our belief in God and the meaning and purpose of our lives.  How amazing to live a life in which encountering both favorable and unfavorable conditions and circumstances leaves us surrendered to, and content with, the decree of our Lord. Prophet Muhammad (s) also said, “If you were to rely on Allah with the required reliance, then He would provide for you just as He provides for the birds. They go out in the morning empty and return full” (Sunan at-Tirmidhi). I may have nothing, come from nothing, and start the day with nothing, but with tawakkul, I know God will always provide what is needed. Our Prophet (s) also said, “If you ask, ask from Allah, and if you seek help, seek help from Allah” (Sunan Abu Dawood). Why should we turn to anyone other than God? In Surah Ra’ad (13:28) Allah says “…those who believe and whose hearts find comfort in the remembrance of Allah, surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort.” We can choose to remember Allah constantly, and in times of trial and tribulation, we can find comfort in dhikr, ultimately leading us back to tawakkul. We know that this is what was meant for us and this is the best for us. Ibn Abbas reported that the Prophet (s) said, “Seventy thousand from my nation will enter Paradise without reckoning. They are those who do not rely on incantations, nor believe in omens, but rather they trust in their Lord” (Sahih al-Bukhari). Not only will this trust help us in our earthly lives, it will more than suffice us if we can enter paradise without reckoning! From this brief overview, we can conclude that tawakkul involves placing trust in and reliance on Allah in all aspects of our lives.  It is intertwined with other Islamic values such as patience, gratitude, and acceptance of Allah’s decree. Tawakkul also teaches Muslims to have faith in Allah’s wisdom, providence, and guidance, knowing that He truly is the ultimate provider and controller of all affairs. Tawakkul requires active and sincere effort, aligning our beliefs and behaviors in such way that trust in Allah’s wisdom and decree imbues our lives with ultimate meaning, purpose, resolve, and sustenance. From these ayahs and ahadith, we are encouraged to rely on Allah, seek His help through prayer and supplication, and trust that He will guide and support us. This belief then fosters inner peace, contentment, and a sense of surrender to the Divine Will. Tawakkul: Scholarly Commentary Ibn Taymiyyah Sheikhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah discusses in his various writings the concept of tawakkul, a fundamental aspect of faith, and how it positively affects the believer’s heart and actions; and he emphasizes the significance of tawakkul in one’s relationship with Allah and in getting closer to Allah. Ibn Taymiyyah highlights the need