Reassessing Your Journey Towards Allah and Finding Inner Peace in the Process
Allah is the Guardian of the believers — He brings them out of darkness and into light. As for the disbelievers, their guardians are false gods who lead them out of light and into darkness. It is they who will be the residents of the Fire. They will be there forever. — Qur’an 2[Al-Baqarah]:257
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to lose sight of our spiritual well-being and drift away from our connection with Allah. Yet, amidst the chaos, there lies a profound yearning within each of us for tranquility and spiritual fulfillment. However, Islam provides us with timeless wisdom and guidance on how to reconnect with our Creator and find tranquility amidst the chaos.
By reassessing our lives through the Islamic lens, we can embark on a journey towards divine connection and inner peace. We need to take a step back, reassess our priorities, and refocus on what truly matters. The goal is to lead a righteous life and meet Allah as faithful servants of His. Allah’s Apostle ﷺ said:
“Whoever loves to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him; and whoever hates to meet Allah, Allah hates to meet him.” — Sahih Bukhari
In this article, we’ll explore how to rebalance our lives and embark on a journey of self-discovery and reflection. This will be done by exploring practical steps and aligning them with the teachings of Islam.
Learning from the Life of Umar
The story of Umar ibn al-Khattab — may Allah be pleased with him, serves as a powerful example of someone who reassessed his life for divine connection and inner peace. Before accepting Islam, Umar was known for his harsh demeanor and hostility towards Muslims. However, after reassessing his life and embracing Islam, he underwent a profound transformation.
Umar became known for his justice, humility, and devotion to Allah, earning him the title of Al-Farooq — the one who distinguishes between truth and falsehood. He was a clear depiction of the narration: the best of you in jahiliyyah is the best of you in Islam. This was because he found inner peace by making his priority, the pleasure of Allah.
Umar would later become the Khalifah and burden himself with the worries of the people whom he’s made leader over. His journey reminds us that no matter our past mistakes or shortcomings, we always have the opportunity to change our lives positively and seek divine guidance for a better future.
10 Practical Steps for Reassessing Your Life
- Reflect on Your Intentions: Whatever you want to do, begin by examining your intentions. Ask yourself: “What drives me? Why am I doing this? What are my motivations?” Ensure your intentions are pure, seeking Allah’s pleasure alone. Remember, the intention is more important than the action. And all actions will be judged by the intention.
- Reflect on Your Actions: Take time to reflect on your daily habits, behaviors, and decisions. Are they in line with Islamic principles and values? Are you following the sunnah or your desires? Identify areas where you can improve and make a commitment to change for the better.
- Reflect on Mortality: Reflecting on mortality instills a sense of urgency in prioritizing your spiritual growth and fostering a deeper connection with Allah. Remember that your time in this world is finite and fleeting. And ultimately, we all will return to our Creator. Contemplating the transient nature of life and the certainty of death serves as a powerful catalyst for spiritual awakening. Use this awareness as motivation to live a life of purpose, righteousness, and devotion to Allah Alone
- Seek Knowledge: Seeking knowledge is a cornerstone of Islamic tradition and a pathway to spiritual enlightenment. The more we learn about our faith, the deeper our understanding becomes, and the stronger our connection with our Lord. Invest time seeking Islamic knowledge and understanding by attending lectures, reading books, and engaging with trustworthy scholars to deepen your understanding of the Deen and strengthen your faith.
- Establish Regular Worship: Establishing a consistent routine of worship is essential for nurturing your spiritual connection. Set aside specific times each day for Salah, Dhikr, and Quran recitation. Make these acts of worship a priority in your daily schedule, regardless of how busy life may seem. By dedicating time solely to devotion and acts of worship, you’d cultivate a sense of discipline, focus, and spiritual presence in your life.
- Embrace Your Community: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was reported to have said: “The believer is a mirror to his faithful brother. He protects him against loss and defends him behind his back.” Connecting with like-minded individuals who share your spiritual values and aspirations is essential for growth and support. Seek out opportunities to engage with the Muslim community through congregational prayers in the masjid and other Islamic gatherings. Be around individuals who inspire you to strengthen your faith. Together, we can uplift and empower one another on our spiritual journey towards Allah.
- Practice Gratitude and Contentment: Recognizing Allah’s blessings in every aspect of life will help you cultivate an attitude of gratitude. You can achieve this by acknowledging and appreciating the blessings in your life, both big and small. Take a moment each day to express gratitude to Allah for His countless favors upon you. Also, be satisfied with whatever Allah ordains for you. Know that what is yours will never pass you and what missed you was never meant for you.
- Your Connection with Others: Do not be a people pleaser, but be that kind of person who leaves a positive impact on the lives of others. Find opportunities to serve and help those in need. Whether it is volunteering at your local masjid or offering assistance to a family or friend in need, acts of kindness and generosity can bring immense inner peace and fulfillment.
- Embrace Self-Care: Reassessing your life requires that you take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. This includes healthy eating, exercise, mindfulness, and stress management. Remember, it’s a sound mind that is able to connect with Allah and attain inner peace.
- Regularly seek Forgiveness and Repentance: None of us is free from sin and imperfection. Yet Allah, in His infinite mercy, offers us the opportunity for forgiveness and mercy. Engage in sincere repentance, seeking forgiveness for any shortcomings or transgressions. Turn to Allah with sincere repentance, acknowledge your mistakes, and commit to positive change.
Conclusion
Reassessing your life for divine connection and inner peace is a transformative journey that requires patience, sincerity, and dedication. By aligning your life with Islamic teachings, seeking guidance from the Quran and Sunnah, and drawing inspiration from the stories of righteous predecessors, you can embark on a path toward spiritual fulfillment and inner tranquility. May Allah guide us on this journey, showering us with His mercy and blessings, and granting us inner peace and contentment in this life and the Hereafter.
PS: Success comes only by the will of Allah! If you find this piece beneficial, it’s by Allah’s Grace. It’s no scholarly work and we accept our mistakes. Suggestions are welcomed in making this effort better as well. You are free to share by any means for enlightenment purposes. Kindly give a “click-clap” to enable other readers on Medium to see this post. We ask Allah to keep us guided and steadfast upon the right path. Do subscribe to Jum’ah Nugget to get our subsequent publication in sha Allah!
Yaumul Jumah 17th Shawal 1445H // Friday 26th April 2024
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