When Faith Fades
We all feel a bit more spiritual a few months in the year, like during Ramadan or Muharram, but if you’re anything like me, there are months that just feel like a blur. You get caught up in this dunya, in worldly issues and work, etc. You tend to do the basics of religion, but the little extras like Dua Tawassul on a Tuesday or a moment of reflection after prayer seem to dissolve out of our lives when we are not on a spiritual high. None of us are perfect, but after my many stumbles on this path, I think it’s safe to say that I have learnt a few tricks to help me come back to the path and to snap out of the foggy trance of this dunya.
- Take a step
We get busy, so there are sometimes weeks where we do the bare minimum and call it a day. While all of this is probably our norm, doing the bare minimum won’t get us moving.
If we religiously make an effort to do something extra, like read 5 pages from the Quran, taking 10 min to reflect on an ayah or memorising a hadith — whether it’s daily, weekly, or even monthly, those little extras will keep us on track and allow us to continuously take little steps towards Allah (S.W.T).
Allah (S.W.T) says: "Take one step towards Me, I will take ten towards you. Walk towards Me, I will run towards you." – Hadith Qudsi
- Have a conversation
Most of us are brought up with the notion that Allah (S.W.T) is a figure of punishment - "If you swear, Allah (S.W.T) will burn your tongue" - but although Allah (S.W.T) is Al-Jabar, He is also Ar-Rahem and Al-Wadud. Have a conversation with your Creator.
I’m not going to lie, at first it’s a bit daunting. I used to think, Allah is all-knowing and all-seeing anyway, so what can I tell Him that He doesn’t already know? What we don’t realise is although He knows everything, He still listens and He listens for us.
When you’re making a friend, the more you talk to them, the more you begin to trust them, love them, and know them. Why don’t we apply the same to our Lord? How do we expect to know God without talking to Him? You may argue that He doesn’t reply, but Allah (S.W.T) always replies, it is us that don’t notice the replies because of our uncleansed hearts.
Allah (S.W.T)’s replies are within the words of the Quran; they are in the sounds of the birds and in the rain. Have that conversation and be patient for the reply
- Hold yourself accountable and act.
At the end of the day relfect on questions like
- What did I do today?
- Did I perform a good deed?
- Did I commit a sin?
- Could I have done something better with my time?
We all struggle when it comes to faulting ourselves. We make excuses because its easier.
“Mindlessly scrolling on TikTok is not good for me, but it’s not haram so it’s okay if I continue doing it.”
“I sinned, but it was only a small sin.”
Excuses. Excuses. Excuses.
Instead, after Isha prayers or before you sleep, take 2 minutes to recap your day from the moment you woke up. Did you say salams to the Imam of our time upon waking? Did you tell a white lie to avoid trouble? Did you pray on time? If not, why and HOW can you avoid delaying prayer in the future?
This allows us to stay on top of our actions, making us think before doing something and also helps us seek repentance for the "small" things that go unnoticed but eventually add up.
If we can aim to put into action at least one of these 3 tips, it will allow us to take 1 step towards Allah (S.W.T) and Allah (S.W.T) will take 10 steps towards us in return. Sooner or later, We'll regain and strengthen that connection with our Creator.
So tonight, choose one. Take a step. Start a conversation. Hold yourself accountable and Inshallah Allah (S.W.T) will reward you for your efforts.
Your truley,
That Muslim Girl