Tag: Faith

personal thoughts

A Debt You Don’t Owe

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That’s worrying, and it’s awful. 

As usual, I came across this quote while scrolling through Instagram. And, as always, it reminded me of what had been my strongest enemy over the years:  my worries.

If you’re hoping this post will offer any tips on how or why to overcome your worries, then I am sorry, so sorry. All I can offer are kind words and prayers. Something like; ‘Don’t think about it too much,’ ‘I hope everything will be alright,’ or ‘Don’t forget to hand your worries to God.’ The same simple phrases I use to soothe myself or others when worries strick.

This method might seem useless to some, but to me, it’s the best. Imagine, you’re worried about … say your job as some of your colleagues get fired. So far, you seem to be in the safe zone, but without safe mind for your worries are eating it bit by bit. You pour out your worries to me, and I say: ‘Worrying is like paying a debt you don’t owe.’ Would that really ease your mind? Or would that remind you of your actual debts and make you feel like throwing yourself out of the window?

Everyone has their own worries. It seems that even though life is becoming easier, it’s also becoming harder. There’s nothing quite like finding a good listener, someone to hear your worries, and reassure you with kind advice or heartfelt prayers. But, in most cases, people are busy, and overwhelmed with their own worries. They don’t want to listen, but to talk and nonstop.

Over the years, I’ve learned that most of the things we worry about don’t actually happen. Yet, they stay there inside our heads for a while, tightening each and every muscle, piling pressure on the skull, and causing the most awful type of headache: the tension headache. And you know what? No medication, no scientific tips, no meditation, nothing can relieve this headache like your own determination to overcome your worries.

I mentioned earlier that my worries had been my strongest enemy. They were, but not anymore. Raising a family is no easy task. Raising a family in a foreign land is ever harder. And raising a family with no family or friends around is the hardest of all. You can imagine why worries find it easy to pay me a visit every now and then. But those worries taught me to think differently and grow stronger, and, most importantly to hope for the best, and never lose my faith.

With hope and peace,

Nahla










personal thoughts

Water — Literary and Literally

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What Is Water? 

There are two ways to answer this question — literarily or literally. Which one do you prefer?

Of course, in a science class, I would have no other choice but to define water using its H2O formula. I’d have to think of it, literally: as molecules, atoms, and a chemical substance existing in three different states — liquid, gas, and solid. Such great, interesting, and very important facts, indeed. But, do we need to study water to know it ?

That’s why, with all due respect to science, in most cases, my brain leans toward thinking literarily, and in most cases, I let it take the full reign.

So, to literarily answer the question, I’d say: water is the soul of life. It’s the source of life. It’s pure, clear, and holy. It’s sweet, salty, and unique. It’s up there in the sky, lies deep underground, and flows between the mountains.

Nothing quenches your thirst like water. Nothing cleanses your body like water. And, nothing purifies your heart like genuine tears, which, too, are water.

Water gives and takes, destroys and builds, heals and wounds.

It’s so powerful, yet so gentle.

It’s part of our creation, every creature’s creation.

Isn’t it miraculous? Far more wondrous than the Seven Wonders of the World?

Ironically, a Bedouin in the desert, a farmer in the village, and even an animal in the woods appreciate this divine blessing more than students in a science class.

And here’s a beautiful quote by Rumi that says: “Perform your ablution with love, for a prayer with a spiteful heart is not permissible.” (My translation). A spiteful heart is the only thing water cannot cleanse, because it is unreachable, untouchable. It’s only when that spiteful heart discovers love that water can reach and cleanse it, fully preparing it for the sacred prayer.


With hope and peace,

Nahla

personal thoughts

They Don’t Cost Much

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There are things that cost little but can brighten your day, draw a genuine smile on your face, and take you by beautiful surprise.

These things surround us in abundance, waiting just for us to notice and enjoy. Can you think of any? Please do.

Isn’t it interesting how these little things that make your day can be as much given as received? What could be better than kind words spoken fully and sincerely, without abbreviations? They are simple, free, and abundant.

Everyday greetings, wishes, and casual compliments are among the simplest you can offer to make someone’s day. “Thank you”, “Good morning”, “Have a good day” – all are free of charge, yet full of beautiful meaning.

Have you ever thought that there is a higher level of kind words, those that can fill your heart with peace and delight? These are blessings.

I once read that the word  “Hello” doesn’t exist in the Gaelic culture. Instead, blessings were used during their daily encounters. Isn’t this beautiful? This is so similar to my Arabic culture, where blessings are plentiful in our greetings.

May peace be with you.
May God be with you.
May God guide your path.
Be in God’s care and assistance.

There are loads of blessings, and do you know what, goodness in my form – be in words, deeds, or feelings – always returns to the one who gives it.

So, why give less when you can give more? After all, you will receive your great share of happiness. That’s God’s promise for both the giver and the receiver.

With hope and peace,

Nahla






Just writing

All Is Forgiven

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How simple and relieving is this sentence!

But, of course, you wouldn’t grant it to others every now and then. Or would you?

Suppose, for example, you had a bully at school, or at your workplace, or even in your neighbourhood. After every disaster caused by this person, they put on a repentant mask, shed a few tears, apologised, and swore on the name of God to never repeat the awful deed, never cause any harm, never cheat or steal from you. Would you grant them your forgiveness?

Before you reply, please be honest and realistic, because unless you’re, God Forbid, another bully you’d have only three options:

In the first scenario, you might voice the words, but from the bottom of your heart, you’d pray that the ground would open and swallow them whole, delivering them straightaway to hell.

In the second scenario, you’d scream, “Never!” out loud, and be either a martyr of bravery or live with all its consequences.

As for the third, you’d play the diplomat and remind the forgiveness seeker, that genuine good deeds erase bad ones. That’s God’s law. The Most Merciful knows what lies deep in the heart, but of course there’d be no need to voice the final addition.

If you had the three options, which one would you choose?

And, finally, don’t forget that all can be forgiven but not forgotten.


With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Cinderella’ Dream

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Definitely, Cinderella didn’t dream of marrying the king or the prince. Perhaps, it was because she didn’t descend from the royal family. But, maybe, it was also because she wasn’t after money or fame. According to the story, all Cinderella wanted was a decent life full of kindness and love. But then, the package came with a handsome prince. Would any sensible girl refuse it? Of course, not.

On the other side, have you ever wondered that the prince had also his own dreams, his own wishs? He wasn’t after the pretty princess who lost a pair of her sparkly shoes as she ran away when the clock struck midnight. According to the story, he was also seeking kindness and love.

Isn’t this quote so true: “What you need you attract like a lover.” Better still,  God knows our hearts, what’s lying and hidden deeply there. He listens and makes plans in His perfect timing. That’s part and parcel of Faith, my faith.

Have you read The Rose Garden Husband by Margaret. I like its simplicity and normality. Good stories do not  always have to be complicated and thrilling, do they?

Here’s the link for my book review;

https://nh825.wordpress.com/2025/01/11/the-rose-garden-husband/

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Safe place

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Have you ever found yourself having to move to another place? A totally different place? Or, perhaps, to a bit farther from the familiar place, faces, and things you used to see and live with?

I did.

Whether you planned for that change or it was imposed on you, whether you are happy or mad about it, the result is the same: you have to move.

And you move becuase it was time to leave that certain place, those certain people, and the those certain things you have been doing. Perhaps it’s to make a new beginning, a new life, new friends, or new projects. But, perhaps it’s also to move you into a safer place. That doesn’t necessarily mean being saved from natural catastrophes. But there could be other types of catastrophes; social, personal, emotional or even moral.

In my heart, I believe it’s mainly God’s timing. It is a divine mercy. God is the One who knows best, and He is the One who will always put us in a safe place.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

Noah’s Ark

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Someone was commenting on the current events around the world saying ” Is it really logical that people nowadays are from the offspring of the righteous people who had embarked on Noah’s Ark. But then, what kind of morals did those who had drowned in the flood have?’

That’s funny but it also makes a good point.

But, perhaps, we should think more about Noah than his people or his offspring. How did he cope with mockery, hatred, and betrayal? How didn’t he give up building his Ark? Never. How strong was his faith? And how he made a new start and lived a better, longer life?

Noah was patient, faithful, and resilient. He had never lost hope, never abandoned his faith. In the end, he was saved while most of his people drowned.

Could we just embark on Noah’s Ark and do our best to live a good,  healthy life on this earth?

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

One book

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What book could you read over and over again?

When the book is intriguing, unexpected, and full of events, its reader can finish it in two nights maximum even though its pages might exceed four hundred pages. But, rereading it might be doubtful. The fun, the excitement, and curiosity would be all faded. So, why not try another of the same author instead? That’s what I do and I seldom reread a book even if it is one of my favourites.

However, there is only one book I will read over and over again, and that’s the Holy Quran. It’s part of our faith to never abandon our holy book. Once we finish it, we start reading it all over again with the same commitment, respect, and joy.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

Just writing

A different aim

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If you could have something named after you, what would it be?

Something named after me? The first thought was a mosque. But I soon changed my mind.

But why should mosques bear the people’s names? I asked myself. As a Muslim I believe that we should not boast our good deeds. Your left hand should never see what’s your right one is giving. Therefore, how can one justify writing their names on a mosque? It’s none of your property. Our money is mainly a means to construct the place of  worship. Besides, the Almighty knows your name, your intention, and your offering. So why name a mosque after me.

I searched my mind and urged each of its cell to find something. I thought and thought until the answer came to me.

It’s a title of a chapter in a book about the lives of Muslim women in a foreign country. Why just a chapter and not the entire book? Because it’s neither an autobiography nor a memoire which would  typically be named after a specific person. Besides, that wouldn’t be my aim. A chapter bearing my name would preserve both my experience and my existence within a colourful  picture and a broader narrative.

With all the best wishes,

Nahla

daily prompt

On a deserted Island

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What are three objects you couldn’t live without?

Three objects!

That reminds me of  a question  that I think was discussed in one of my science classes  many years ago. We were asked to pick the most essential items that would be mostly needed by a man on a deserted island and to explain why. You propaly  have solved one of these riddles on  your smart phones app games these days. Mainly material objects were suggested in our lesson;  things like a knife, a flashlight, box of matches, a water container, and other simple things and we, the students, were excited to prove which of the them would be the most helpful and the right choice.

However, asking me now the same question, I  would say that there are far more important things that those simple ones I had been learned to focus on at school. The things that I belive one would need both on a desered island and in crowded city.

There’s the will to survive. Without this will, all other things are useless. Without this will one won’t be able to adapt to the new environoment. But, I also believe that to stengthen this will, one should have a Faith. When you have faith, you’ll never feel deserted. You can add any other things after these two.

As for me, I believe it’s laughter.  Some people say, a good laughter could increase the number of your days on this earth.

Faith, the will to survive, and laughter. A simple recipe to live with!

With all the best wishes,

Nahla