Despite the vast diversity in our stories, dreams, and heartbreaks, we are all bound by the same fragile existence, held entirely in the hands of Allah Almighty.

The very first beat of your heart was because of Allah. The first word, the first emotion, the first reaction, the first thought, and billions more leading up to this very moment, until your ultimate return. In the equation of life, our sense of independent control is just an illusion. There is no ego that stands alone, and there is nothing that truly belongs to us. It is all under Allah’s will for you to be who you are and to own what you have.

Health, strength, willingness, success, family, your job, none of these are under your ultimate control. The moment we elevate money, careers, or passions above the Divine, we inadvertently create new idols. If you find yourself believing that a specific job or a bit of cash is what truly ensures your survival then you have empowered the creation over the Creator.

The tighter your grip on this Dunya, the heavier the sickness in your heart. Let go, and your soul will finally find its peace.

True Islam is absolute surrender. When you lose your ego to Allah and hold a high view of His mercy, hardships transform. You stop seeing struggles as pain and start seeing them as part of His perfect plan. You are in safe hands.

This life is a test, both in its joy and its heartbreak. But the most deceptive test is comfort. When we happily immerse ourselves in the dunya, we easily become blind and ungrateful. Those facing trials know they are being tested, but those surrounded by ease often fall asleep to reality. We live in the delusion of permanence, certain of tomorrow, when we aren’t even guaranteed our next breath.

When you are drowning in sadness, depression, or even a resentment for life, remember this: the ancient battle between Adam (AS) and Shaytaan is still being fought within us this very second. We constantly allow the devil to disrupt our worship and warp our morals, tricking us into pleasing society rather than Allah. This is an endless war, but we are never left defenseless. Through daily dhikr, the Quran, prayer, and true surrender, we are given a divine shield. We will still trip and stumble, but that is the absolute beauty of Islam , there is always a path back through repentance, and every fall is a chance to build an even stronger Iman.

Embrace this, and watch the suffocating weight of the dunya lift from your chest. Worrying about tomorrow doesn’t protect you — it just gives Shaytaan a foothold in your mind. True peace comes from surrendering those heavy emotions, anchored in the certainty that the Master of the universe, who created everything from nothing, will never leave your side.

On the Day of Judgment, no one will be by your side, neither your fortune nor your loved ones. You will stand entirely alone. Work with that mentality, and in everything you do today, set the intention to please Allah. He is always watching. Pray to become better and to cleanse your soul from the distractions of this world.

This life is not truly ours, yet we can still find its most beautiful moments through worship, charity, dutifulness to parents, and by being the best example of a Muslim, wherever and whenever you are.

The world, as we all can see, is not a nice place. Nothing feels real given the current news; nothing feels moral, and there’s no one to end this. And this is and will always be the essence of life on Earth. Yes, you are not meant to be the king here. Realize that it has been an endless war between good and evil.

The world feels so ugly right now. With everything unfolding in the comfort of our homes, we can see their literal agenda served to us on a golden platter. Yet, filled with the disgust, anger, and frustration I feel inside, I direct this emotion toward multiple targets. One of those targets is the people who surrender to their power, accept their existence and dominance, and still defend anything in the name of authority.

The only thing that will truly get you out of this brutal and ugly matrix is right next to you: a book that you dare to touch only once a year. It is a book you thought was too hard to understand a book you were even brainwashed into believing was not meant for you, that you were never the target audience to understand, practice, or even try to explain its meanings. Did you guess which book yet? Well, it is the Qur’an.

I am here to share how Allah’s mercy came to me, allowing me to witness a profound change in my character, my surroundings, and my atmosphere. It transformed how I deal with things, how I view the world, and how I live, fundamentally. I cannot help but feel deeply grateful for the gift of Islam. It acts as a reset button, turning a “monster” into who he was meant to be: a servant of Allah Almighty.

With everything going on, there’s something I am happy about. Despite the horrors of war and the abuse, people experienced Ramadan differently this year. The concept of turning Ramadan into fancy iftars, abaya nights, and whatever capitalistic names you want to use has faded. Instead, people used this Ramadan to actually worship, fulfill, and do so gracefully.

I hated how advertised Ramadan has become because of people how you are forced to buy fancy stuff to appeal to society, to host events and hire event planners. Yet none of them actually perform any of what Ramadan requires you to do.

Ramadan is a reset month, and this year I finally understood it. You see, the soul is very complex and it is perfectly described in the Qur’an. The Qur’an explains how the soul stresses and worries, and how to tame it. How to treat the soul is to train it. Allah is offering you a month to actually do this. That is when you feel the miracles unfolding and understand how powerful Du’a is.

This is your most important takeaway:

Have complete yaqeen (certainty) in Allah. This dunya (world) is not meant for you to cling to. Have tawakkul (trust), and you will find that your worries, and even your ailments, begin to fade. Stress is a key factor in creating so many troubles in your life.Imagine waking up and realizing that this earth is entirely in Allah’s hands, and that your worldly purpose is limited to worshipping Him, performing good deeds, giving generously, and following Allah’s commands with respect.

The Qur’an is a mirror. It is your therapist. Everything that you might have is there, and everything that you might become is there. Everything to avoid becoming is also there, and everything with its reward is mentioned.

Life repeats itself. Whether through high technology or riding a camel for transport, you have the same duty. The weight is on you: how you act, what you believe in, what agenda you want to follow.

There is no permanent failure in the relationship between you and your Creator. Imagine an earthly relationship: if someone hurts you, it can be very hard to accept their apology. But that is not the case with Allah, the Most Merciful. There is always a door open for you to perform tawba (repentance). Allah will accept it if you have a pure niyyah (intention) to perform better. And Allah is Akbar (Greater) over everything and anything.

Understand how small you are on this earth, and yet, how incredibly close you are to Allah.

So get up, perform wudu, and pray two rak’at, and sense how blessed you truly are from having the five senses, to being able to walk, to breathing properly. You will never finish counting them. Subhanallah.

Growing up in school, you are a fiery soul, ready to discover the world. Yet when you step outside, you may face a different reality, one that feels dull. In school, as a kid, you know that if you don’t study, you will fail, and if you fail, you retake the test. There’s a clear way to behave, clear rules and duties, and you always know when there’s homework. In the real world, though, life isn’t like this. You don’t face clear deadlines, and there are no teachers behind you, pushing you to learn.

But guess what, we are never alone, and we were never meant to be. Yet many fail to realize that life becomes so much easier when we understand the bigger picture.

Khalifa

You see, each one of us exists within a greater system. There is one book — the Holy Qur’an — and within it are the rules, the rewards, and the consequences. It teaches us how to act rightfully, cultivate inner peace, and live with integrity and harmony in the world.

The biggest test is life itself. Once you are awakened, you realize that your real duties go far beyond something as simple as buying milk for the house. They are far greater and are owed to Allah Almighty. You are asked to be grateful and thankful every day for what you have. If you spent the entire day counting your blessings, you would not finish.

When you are part of a system, you feel safe and secure. Whatever you do, you understand the circumstances, and you know there is always a way to get back on track. Now imagine a system that not only created you, but the entire universe. Allah Almighty takes care of every atom within it. Everything lives in harmony, beautifully and perfectly, in ways far beyond our understanding. We are the khalifah on this earth, entrusted with a mission and a set of rules to follow in order to pass this great test, and in return, we will be granted the ultimate Paradise Insha'Allah.

“And ˹remember˺ when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I am going to place a khalifah (successor) on the earth.’ They said, ‘Will You place in it one who will cause corruption in it and shed blood, while we glorify You with praise and sanctify You?’ He said, ‘Indeed, I know that which you do not know.’”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:30)

To be a successor (khalifah) means to be a caretaker and representative of Allah on earth. We are entrusted with responsibility for ourselves, others, and the world, acting with justice, wisdom, and compassion. It is a test to see how we fulfill this trust, making choices that align with Allah’s guidance, knowing we are accountable for our actions in this life and the Hereafter.

Change

When it comes to changing your diet or building new habits, we often lack commitment and lose motivation. I have discovered a way to turn a habit into a lasting practice: purify your niyyah (intention) and realize, “This is what Allah is asking me to do.” When you do this, your drive becomes like a turbo engine, and the bond with your practice grows stronger. You will begin to feel the barakah (blessing) in these new habits.

This can take many forms. One simple example is being good to our bodies, for this body is not truly ours — it is an amanah (trust) that we must care for and not take for granted. Another example is helping people with the knowledge you possess. On the Day of Judgment, you will be asked whether you were a wise and effective member of society or whether you used your knowledge to harm or deceive others.

Change itself is a form of jihad — a struggle where you step out of your comfort zone for the sake of Allah. One of the purest forms is in acts of worship: praying Fajr on time, waking up in the middle of the night for Qiyam, and praying with a sincere and open heart.

Another important example is how you treat your parents. In Islam, birr al-walidayn — righteousness toward one’s parents — means that you should never argue with them or show a bad temper, even if they are wrong. You are asked to be the best example of a child: one who listens, is never a burden, comforts them, and supports them both mentally and, when possible, financially. For some, this is not easy, as it is also a form of test to see if you succeed or fail. Parents in Islam are a red line, a boundary you must never cross. And there’s a lot more examples..

Each one of us has duties and responsibilities toward ourselves, our family, our community, and most importantly, our Creator. Imagine what happens when you start taking action on your own, without waiting for circumstances to change or blaming your environment. You will see how change truly happens. This is exactly what Allah mentions in the Qur’an.

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُوا مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ [الرعد:11] — “Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.” Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:11)

This means that each one of us has a limited personal space in which we can cause change, as the world around us is shaped by what we are responsible for. You are responsible only for your own actions, whether toward yourself or others. You are fully in charge of what you do, and yet you are under the care of the Most Merciful, Allah Almighty.

Dunya vs. Akhira

With all the duties we have in everyday life, waking up, getting ready for work, sending emails, putting hours into a project, if our first motive of the day is simply worrying about life itself, we enter a permanent state of restlessness. No matter what we achieve or pursue, we will always feel behind and never find true peace within.

And this does not mean ignoring your work, but rather understanding your true duties to Allah. It means realizing that this life is nothing but a test, and that each new day you are given is a call from Allah — a chance to do better, be better, and worship Him sincerely.

فقد روى الترمذي رحمه الله عن أنس رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “ من كانتِ الآخرةُ هَمَّهُ جعلَ اللَّهُ غناهُ في قلبِهِ وجمعَ لَه شملَهُ وأتتهُ الدُّنيا وَهيَ راغمةٌ ، ومن كانتِ الدُّنيا همَّهُ جعلَ اللَّهُ فقرَهُ بينَ عينيهِ وفرَّقَ عليهِ شملَهُ ، ولم يأتِهِ منَ الدُّنيا إلَّا ما قُدِّرَ لَهُ”.

Al-Tirmidhi, may Allah have mercy on him, narrated from Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever makes the Hereafter his main concern, Allah places richness in his heart, brings his affairs together, and the world comes to him despite itself. And whoever makes the worldly life his main concern, Allah places poverty before his eyes, scatters his affairs, and nothing of the world comes to him except what has already been decreed for him.”

It’s about shifting your mindset to stay grounded. Nothing and no one can make you truly successful except Allah, and only He can make you feel that success. Worship Him, remember the Hereafter, and keep in mind that we are not here merely for fun, to play around, or to live just for the sake of living.

Rizq

Money plays a central role in everyone’s life. Some work hard to save a single penny, others don’t know how to manage even one, while some have seemingly endless resources. You will see people working day and night, facing countless struggles, just to achieve a luxurious lifestyle — to get the latest model, follow trends, and live extravagantly. Some even take jobs that are forbidden, both religiously and legally. Yet humans often forget that it is Allah alone who provides. No matter how hard you strive, you will only receive what Allah has decreed for you.

سورة الذاريات (51:22–23)
وَفِي السَّمَاءِ رِزْقُكُمْ وَمَا تُوعَدُونَ (22)
فَوَرَبِّ السَّمَاءِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِنَّهُ لَحَقٌّ مِّثْلَ مَا أَنَّكُمْ تَنطِقُونَ (23) — “And in the heaven is your provision and whatever you are promised.” (51:22)
“By the Lord of the heaven and the earth, indeed, it is the truth, just as surely as you speak.” (51:23)

These verses remind us that all our provision (rizq) and what has been promised to us by Allah are already in the heavens — meaning they are known, recorded, and perfectly managed by Him. Nothing we do can add to or take away from what Allah has decreed. The second verse emphasizes the certainty of this: “By the Lord of the heaven and the earth, indeed, it is the truth, just as surely as you speak.” This shows that what Allah promises is absolutely true, just as our words are true when we speak. It reassures us that our sustenance, opportunities, and blessings are in Allah’s control, and we can trust Him completely.

Moreover, rizq is not limited to money. Family, friends, and health are among the most important forms of rizq that people often forget. Even having a shelter over your head or a meal in your hands is something that is far too often taken for granted.

Barakah

This is something we often don’t realize exists until it’s gone — something beyond this realm, magical, beautiful, and healing. For a while, I had lost it, until I started doing something I once thought was impossible. I thought, “Nah, I’m not the targeted audience.” Silly me — imagine saying that to Allah Almighty! We are all seen, loved, and forgiven. Even though we keep making mistakes, we are given another chance. How often do we experience that kind of unconditional love and patience in normal relationships?

What I started adding to my routine is a regular reading of Surah Al-Baqarah, the longest surah in the Qur’an. I had read about its many benefits, and to be honest, after more than two months of never skipping it, I can share what I feel. Life, all in one cup, feels different — lighter, shorter, and easier. There is a light that guides you through the choices you make. It aligns your heart, puts you in harmony and peace, and grows a deeper passion to worship. It encourages you to relearn what you were taught, understand things more deeply, to question, to read, to ask, and to be curious.

And this is what barakah is — when you no longer feel the desire to waste time in idle company, but instead want to work hard with passion, striving to do better for the sake of Allah. When you wake up motivated to be better than yesterday, when you value time with the Qur’an, in prayer — the most peaceful act of worship — and when you truly understand fasting and all the deeds you are required to do.

It is not just serenity, but full peacefulness: when you entrust all your worries to Allah, realizing that you are always in safe hands, protected and watched over. When you have tawakkul (trust) and yaqin (certainty), you will witness wonders and miracles unfold, because you are praying with full reliance on Allah, the Creator of the entire universe. His authority over all creation is absolute; the effortlessness of His command means that nothing is impossible for Him. “كن فيكون” — Be, and it is.

May this piece be a guiding light for your wandering hearts in this life, and a reminder for me if I ever lose my way. May it stand as a witness that I reached this level of true comfort, ease, and happiness in this life. And may Allah grant us the best of the best, in this life and in the Hereafter. Ameen.

Let’s read this as if we were children, surrounded by colors and wonder, back when we could turn small things into grand adventures, when boredom did not exist, and curiosity filled our days.

Today, as adults with dreams of our own, there is a numbness that settles in once we achieve something we have longed for. We pause and ask ourselves why we do not feel fulfilled. We did what we always wanted, we reached what we once prayed for, yet there is a void that lingers after every accomplishment. It is as if the soul keeps searching for more, raising its expectations higher each time, pushing the mind and heart into a constant state of survival rather than peace.

This brings me back to one of my favorite animated movies, Soul. There is a scene in it that has always stayed with me, a quiet realization that life is not just about chasing what is next, but about being present in what already is. It reminds me that purpose is not always found in achieving more, but in feeling grateful and alive in the small, ordinary moments Allah blesses us with.

No matter what your goal is, no matter how clear your vision or how strong your desires for this world may be, you should never tie your happiness to them. Do not build expectations that your peace will come once you reach a certain milestone, because when you finally do, the joy often fades and a strange dullness takes its place. You find yourself wondering why the feeling did not last. As Muslims, we are reminded not to cling too tightly to this life. Our hearts were never meant to settle here. True contentment comes from knowing with full yaqeen that whatever we strive for in goodness will be rewarded far beyond this world, in a place where joy never fades and peace is eternal.

You know how some people have a motto in life? For me, it’s a hadith from Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that sums up everything:

الحديث هو قول النبي محمد ﷺ: “من أصبح منكم آمناً في سربه، معافى في جسده، عنده قوت يومه، فكأنما حيزت له الدنيا بحذافيرها”.

Its meaning is that whoever begins the day as a believer, feeling safe and secure in himself and his family, in good health, and possessing enough food for the day, then Allah has granted him the best of this world — as if he owns the entire world.

Aiming high without having a clear vision will only lead you downhill. Constantly complaining won’t bring you any good. We were created for a purpose, and it’s our duty to fulfill the roles Allah Almighty has destined for us. How can we recognize His mercy, His grace, and His blessings within us if we don’t truly say Alhamdulillah and mean it? If we fail to do that, then what’s the point of it all?

As I watched a podcast recently, it opened my eyes to stop being passive and start truly learning. Imagine having the literal words of Allah, the speech of God Himself. Allah Almighty did not reveal the Qur’an just for us to recite, but for us to do tadabbur, to deeply reflect, to read with intention, to question, to notice patterns, and to ponder why a certain word was used instead of another. Within the Qur’an, you will find guidance on politics, health, economics, family, justice, psychology, spirituality, and the very essence of human behavior, everything that shapes life itself.

So while reading Surat Al-Kahf, I noticed that the very first word is Alhamdulillah, and it reminded me that the first verse of Surat Al-Fatiha after Bismillah also begins with Alhamdulillah. That realization really opened my eyes. I did some research and found out that there are five surahs in the Qur’an whose opening verses begin with Alhamdulillah. And you think that’s random? SubhanAllah, nothing in the Qur’an is without purpose; everything is placed with divine precision.

The five surahs are:

Al-Fatiha (1:2) — “Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘alamin”
Teaches us gratitude and recognition of Allah’s lordship — the essence of faith.

Al-An‘am (6:1) — “Alhamdulillahi allathee khalaqa as-samawati wal-ard…”
Highlights Allah’s power as the Creator, affirming His Oneness through creation.

Al-Kahf (18:1) — “Alhamdulillahi allathee anzala ‘ala ‘abdihi al-kitab…”
Celebrates divine revelation — the Qur’an, our ultimate source of guidance.

Saba’ (34:1) — “Alhamdulillahi allathee lahu ma fis-samawati wa ma fil-ard…”
Affirms Allah’s ownership and sovereignty over all things.

Fatir (35:1) — “Alhamdulillahi fatiri as-samawati wal-ard…”
Praises Allah as the Originator and Creator of everything that exists.

Each of these surahs begins its message with Alhamdulillah, covering the key aspects of our faith — Lordship, Creation, Revelation, Sovereignty, and Origin.

— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —

This is for me as a reminder, and for you, dear reader: happiness is not something to look forward to, it’s something within your choice, your will, and your faith.

Capitalism, and other societal systems somehow train us to keep looking higher and never feel satisfied. They push us to see the pessimistic side, to compare ourselves to others, and to believe that our own happiness is not real unless it comes from a high-paid vacation in Honolulu, a Porsche, or some other material possession. This consumerist mindset, combined with an empty or unexamined faith, conditions us to constantly push the bar higher and higher, never pausing to appreciate what we already have.

True contentment comes from recognizing and being grateful for the blessings Allah has already placed in our lives: our health, our shelter, our family and friends, our sustenance, and the very opportunity to reflect on His guidance. Happiness is not in accumulation or comparison; it is in gratitude, presence, and trust in Allah’s plan.

SubhanAllah, when we internalize this, life transforms. We begin to see that contentment and joy aren’t rewards to chase but states to cultivate through faith, gratitude, and conscious reflection. It’s in saying Alhamdulillah and truly meaning it, in finding peace in the simplicity of our days, and in understanding that our purpose is far greater than temporary pleasures.

Once you achieve it, you realize, oh, this is it. I used to wait for the weekend, counting the days, thinking happiness would come later. Now I see I can create my own moments, anytime, anywhere, even while working. Happiness is literally a choice, and the most intelligent people are those who seize it instead of letting it slip away.

We are living in very difficult times, where literal genocide is being documented around us. And yet, many of us still nag and complain like children that our lives are hard or unfair, completely blind to the countless blessings surrounding us, not one, not a few, but hundreds and thousands of gifts from Allah. We fail to see them simply out of ignorance. SubhanAllah, how easy it is to forget that contentment and gratitude are choices within our reach.

Life is not about chasing desires or waiting for perfect moments. True contentment comes from faith, gratitude, and awareness. When we sincerely say Alhamdulillah, we find peace and joy even in life’s chaos.

I am a waterfall of emotions, always running, some might see chaotic and some might appreciate its beauty, and for me to be living, i have to keep working, thinking, and reflecting on everything, from early childhood till today. This story, which might have felt weird and uncomfortable back then, now reveals worlds I hadn’t noticed and opens my eyes in ways I couldn’t have imagined.

Growing up, I was exceptional in school, but school wasn’t. I was authentic and unique in my own world, yet my school didn’t see that. I felt special by my own force, but I still wondered why I wasn’t like my friends — going to fancier schools, living a high lifestyle. Yet we still hung out and played together. As a kid, you can’t help but feel pressured and a little less of a being, even with all the support from your family, because friends have a big impact at this age.

And then the questions started to grow inside me: why are there classes, why do some have access to better education, and why is private schooling so expensive? These were questions a child shouldn’t have to think about. One day, while playing football with my friends under our building, we noticed a boy about our age. But he wasn’t like us, he had a flock of sheep following him. We all wondered and went over to talk. We asked his name, if he went to school. He said yes, and to my shock, he named the same school I went to. In that moment, I didn’t just feel the world trembling, I wished I could sink into the ground. Me and him, the same school. Little me couldn’t understand that, especially in front of my friends, but i immediately ran a conversation with him, and we chatted about our favorite teachers.

These encounters shape us deeply, teaching us to see the world through our own eyes and through the eyes of others, revealing how complex life truly is. I am grateful to my little self for that quiet bravery, because even though I couldn’t stop comparing, I still found my light and became who I was meant to be. If I could see the shepherd I met back then now, I would thank him, because I finally understand the weight he carried. A little boy, entrusted with so much responsibility, guiding his flock, moving through life with independence, and proudly saying he was learning in school, he taught me more lessons than any school ever could.

Now, as an adult, with a broader understanding of the world around me, I feel deep gratitude for every experience and every opportunity to learn. Part of my journey as a teacher has been a way to heal the little wound I carried as a child, to understand what I was missing, and to see what the world on the other side truly looked like. This time, I hold the power to create a magical journey for my students, teaching lessons inspired by the shepherd and by my own experiences: to always be grateful regardless of privilege, to find satisfaction while striving to grow, to believe in themselves, and to shine in their own unique way, because no one can replace them in this life.

فيا إنسان، عُد إلى ربك؛ فالعالم يفنى، ونحن – أنا وأنت – لا مكان لنا هنا. لن نعمر الأرض طويلاً، ولن ننال نصيبنا إلا بما يقدّره الله لنا.

ذلك الموقف أيقظ بداخلي مشاعر كثيرة؛ فاليمين غارق في الفرح، لا يفكر في حزن اليسار، واليسار غارق في الألم، لا يجد وقتًا ليفرح مع اليمين.
هكذا تبدأ حياتك من اليمين... وتنتهي إلى اليسار.
مكان واحد، ولحظة واحدة، تحمل كل التناقضات.
نحن في زمن حساس جدًّا، لا نجاة لنا فيه إلا بديننا الحق.
ولكي نستحق النجاة، علينا أن نعتز بإيماننا، وألّا ننشغل بأمور الدنيا الزائلة، وأن نهتم بآخرتنا.

ولا نعلم أن لكل موقفٍ سنُسأل عنه، وأن الوقوف مع الحق، وعدم السكوت مهما كان الموقف، هو واجب لا خيار.
فالمسلم الواعي مُجبَر على أن يقف مع الحق، ولو وقف العالم كله ضده، لأن الله خالق الجميع، والله أكبر من الجميع.

وعلى المسلم أن يُفيد بعلمه، ويثابر على الإحسان، ويسعى إلى طلب العلم والتدبّر، لا الحفظ فقط، بل فهم القرآن بعمق، والتأمل في معانيه.
وعليه أن يكون إنسانًا ذا فكرٍ واسع، لا تحده حدود، يربط العلم بالإيمان، ويجعل عقله أداة لفهم عظمة خالقه.

يقولون إن حياتي سهلة، لكنهم لا يعلمون أن هذه الحياة اختبار. فوالله، النعم اختبار، والمصائب اختبار، والحزن والفرح اختبار.
لا يدرك الإنسان أن حياته هنا لا شيء، سوى فترة قصيرة وعابرة.

اللهم استر آخرتنا، واغفر ذنوبنا، ويسّر أمورنا، وابعد عنّا الفتن والشهوات، في عالم أصبح من الصعب على الفرد أن يعيش فيه حياة طبيعية بعيدة عن المشاكل.
اللهم ثبّتنا... نعم، اللهم ثبّتنا، والنعم بالله.

وحتى إن وُلدت فكرة حزب بنقاء وصفاء، تبدو في بدايتها جديرة بالانضمام، إلا أنها مع الزمن تنحرف عن مسارها، فتُفرغ القضية من معناها، وتتحول إلى مشروع سياسي أو تجاري يخدم مصالح خاصة لا عامة.

أما أنا، فقد أُعجب أحيانًا بثبات بعض الأفراد في مجالاتهم، لكنني أؤمن بأن الأحزاب، بطبيعتها، تناقض مبدأ التعايش. كم من دماء سُفكت بسببها، وكم من شهداء سقطوا، وكم من شعارات رُفعت بلا مضمون… مجرد كلمات تُقال لتُنسى.

الحرية، في جوهرها، تعني ألّا تركع لزيف التصفيق. أن تكون حرًا بحق، يعني أن تفكر، أن تحلل، أن تملك الجرأة لتنتقد وتقول كلمة الحق، حتى لو خالفت التيار. الحر لا يهتف لمن يهتف له الجمهور، بل يقف حيث يقف الحق.

قضايا الحق لا تُحتكر، فهي قضيتي وقضيتك وقضية كل حر. فلسطين، تحرير الأمة، مقاومة الجوع والفقر… كلها ليست شأن فئة أو حزب، بل شأن كل من في قلبه نبض حيّ لا يرضى بالظلم.

نعم، يبقى بعض القادة ممن لا يسعنا إلا أن نرفع لهم القبعة، ومنهم يحيى السنوار. عاش حرًا، حارب حرًا، ومات كما عاش… حرًا.

لكن القضية أكبر من أي اسم. لا أنتظر أحدًا كي أتحرك، فقد أمرني ربي أن أقول كلمة الحق، وأقف ضد الباطل مهما كانت الظروف. واقعنا لا يحتمل مزيدًا من تلك العقائد المريضة المدفونة في العقول.

أنا لم ولن أنتمي لأي أحد. فالانتماء، كما أراه، يناقض الحرية. أن تكون حرًا يعني أن تكون عبدًا لله وحده. لا تخاف إلا منه، ولا تطيع إلا أمره. في هذا الظلام، لا يضيء الطريق سوى كلمة الله… فهي وحدها الحق.

هذه هي حكاية السطر الأول في حياة كل واحدٍ منا؛ فمع التقدّم في العمر، تبدأ أولى الحروف بالظهور عليه، ثم تتوالى النقاط والكلمات والفواصل والمقاطع، حتى تُختم بنقطة أخيرة، ينتهي معها الكلام، ونرحل من هذه الدنيا.

ملخّص لتكوين فكرة عن هذا الإنسان: ما يُكتب على السطور ليس عبثاً، بل هو انعكاسٌ صادق لروحه، بما قامت به من أعمال، وعاشته من تجارب، وأخلصت فيه من عبادة.

موقفي هنا لا يتناول حكاية كل واحدٍ منا بقدر ما يتأمل في تغيّر مفهوم الوعي مع التقدّم في العمر، كيف يختلف فهمنا للحياة من شخص لآخر. كما يتوقف عند ظاهرة شيوع الحجج لتبرير الكسل، وكيف تحوّلت فكرة "الحرية المطلقة" إلى الراعي الرسمي لكتابة تلك السطور، مهما كانت خالية من الفعل أو المسؤولية.

ما أتحدث عنه ليس شيئًا عابرًا أو تافهًا، بل هو أمر تطلّب مني وقتًا طويلًا لفهمه والتأمّل فيه. لقد أدركت الداء، لكنني لم أجد الدواء بين أيدي الناس، بل كان مذكورًا منذ البداية. الآية 46 من سورة الحج توضح ذلك بجلاء:
"أَفَلَمْ يَسِيرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ فَتَكُونَ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ يَعْقِلُونَ بِهَا أَوْ آذَانٌ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا ۖ فَإِنَّهَا لَا تَعْمَى الْأَبْصَارُ وَلَٰكِنْ تَعْمَى الْقُلُوبُ الَّتِي فِي الصُّدُورِ".
الحقيقة ليست فيما نراه بأعيننا، بل فيما تدركه قلوبنا. فمن شاء الله له الهداية، أبصر ببصيرته وإن ظنّ غيره أنه أعمى.

هناك صراع عالمي خفي لكنه عميق، يتمحور حول كيفية دفع الفرد ليعيش ما يُسمّى بـ"أقصى درجات حريته". يُمهَّد له بكل الوسائل، وتُزال الحواجز الأخلاقية والروحية تحت شعار التحرر، حتى يُمحى ما يميّز الإنسان عن الحيوان. يُقلَّص وعيه، وتُهمّش قدراته، ويُرفع الكسل ليصبح رمزًا للحرية، في حين يُغيب عن الأذهان أن الإنسان خُلق ليرتقي، لا لينحدر.

لم أكن أعلم من قبل أن مجاهدة النفس هي مسؤولية خاصة، وأمرٌ ربّاني في جوهره. قلّ من يتحدث عنها بهذه الصيغة، وكأنها مجرد خيار روحي أو سلوك أخلاقي، بينما هي في الحقيقة تكليف إلهي. وحين ندرك ذلك، تتضاعف المسؤولية.
كما قلت سابقًا، ليست العيون من تعمى، بل القلوب. ومجاهدة النفس ليست رحلة هادئة، بل معركة مستمرة، تحتاج وعيًا وإصرارًا. علينا أن نكون أفضل مما نحن عليه، لكننا، للأسف، بعيدون عن ذلك في واقعنا.
من الصلاة، إلى الزكاة، إلى رعاية الصحة الجسدية—كلها مسؤوليات وليست مجرد أعمال اختيارية. أجسادنا أمانة، والاهتمام بها واجب، لا رفاهية ولا خيار. الإهمال في حق النفس، روحًا وجسدًا، هو تفريط في أمانة كلفنا الله بها.

من أكثر المواضيع التي أتحسس منها هو عندما تتجاوز مشاعر الإنسان الهشّة أوامر الله، فالنفس تميل بطبيعتها إلى لوم كل شيء إلا نفسها. ولهذا نجد بعض العقول ترفض فكرة أن لكل شيء حكمة، وأن الإنسان لم يُخلق مظلومًا أو ضحية، وهذه نظرة خاطئة تسيء إلى جوهر الدين. لا أقول هذا من باب أنني أفضل الناس، ولكن الحق يُقال: الاعتراف بالذنب وتحمل المسؤولية بدلاً من إلقاء اللوم جزافًا هو أول خطوة في الطريق الصحيح.

هذا المفهوم يجب أن يُغرس في التربية داخل البيوت، فالدين دين حق، لا وسيلة تجارية ولا مساحة للعبث. ومشاعرك، التي قد تبدو مبررة اليوم، ستفقد معناها لاحقًا حين تدرك قيمة ما فُقد.

ويذكرني هذا بقول الخضر عليه السلام في سورة الكهف:
"قَالَ أَلَمْ أَقُل لَّكَ إِنَّكَ لَن تَسْتَطِيعَ مَعِيَ صَبْرًا"
فهذا هو جوهر الأمر؛ فهناك أمور لا نراها بظاهرها، ولا ندرك حكمتها، ولكن الله يريد الخير لمن عبده وآمن به.
ولهذا نُذكَّر بقراءة سورة الكهف كل يوم جمعة، لنستحضر أن الصبر مفتاح، وأن الحكمة الإلهية أوسع من أن تُدرك بالعَين وحدها.

فلنُشجّع بعضنا البعض على خوض هذه المعارك الداخلية، فهي التي تُثمر النجاح الحقيقي، لا تلك الحرية الزائفة الخالية من المعنى، التي تُروّج لحب النفس بمعزل عن المسؤولية، وتنكر وجود هدف سامٍ للحياة أو أي أثر فعّال للعيش.

People are different in how they handle their canvases. Some are born artists, shaping their world with ease. Others are careless, painting on someone else’s canvas without their consent. And some, like me, can’t control what appears on their own little canvas.

Brushes and colors carry many meanings. Some brushes are gentle, others harsh. Some people know how to be kind, leaving a positive mark by sharing their beautiful paint in your life. But others come with a rusty, rough brush, splashing chaos everywhere.

To some, there is a layer of oil protecting their canvas. By that, I mean self-management and having control over who influences their life. For emotional people like me, sometimes we cannot get rid of the paint we do not want on us. Some energies, behaviors, and actions affect us more deeply than others. We tend to suffer on a different level because their paint remains on us, leaving a lasting impact.

But then again, as I always say, it is both a curse and a blessing. A blessing to be affected by things people have no care for. Maybe this is what makes us stand out as human since humanity is losing its colors. We are meant to be vibrant whether like the dull hues of autumn leaves or the bright blossoms of spring. We are fragile and I appreciate the feelings we experience from pain to sadness from disappointment to self reflection in a world like this.

Maybe one day, I will learn how to hold the brush for myself. Maybe I will learn how to clean the stains without losing the layers that made me who I am.