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[close] God, who is All-Knowing, All-Hearing, All-Seeing, and Al-Khabir (The One who knows the truth of things) yet tells us to speak to Him. He wants to hear our dua (supplication), hopes, dreams, fears, worries, yet He knows them all, even those that are secret to us.

[close] The video discusses Chapter Seven of the book: God Intervenes Between A Person And Their Heart: Key Lessons From The Prophets." "Indeed, I have turned my face toward He who created the heavens and the earth, inclining toward truth, and I am not of those who associate others with Allah." (Quran 6:79) This video discusses the difference between rationalizing and truth-seeking in the light of lessons from the Prophet Abraham, upon him peace. Submission Submission or surrender to God is an idea that’s much-misunderstood, sometimes purposefully so. Both words have mostly negative meanings in current usage. A woman is “submissive,�� for instance, if she doesn’t think for herself. We “surrender�� when we are weaker than the other party, usually unwillingly. Yet the sense in which we submit or surrender to God is something entirely different. I invite you to listen to the whole video. Your feedback is welcome.

[close] It will never work to love or hate yourself into a better version of who you are. Rather, turn to God and seek His Love, and ask Him to purify your nafs (ego) - into a better version of who you are.

[close] Lying by omission and vagueness is a trademark of an abuser, a manipulative liar, and not a healer or a believer. "The most obvious sign of a manipulative personality is also one of the most effective methods of manipulating others - lying. Lying gives the manipulative person an advantage; namely, they know what they're really doing when you don't. If the person were entirely honest it would create a level playing field, which wouldn't give the person control or power. There are countless ways to lie that don't include the obvious untruth. A manipulative person can lie by omission (leaving out information that would tell you the whole truth about the situation), through vagueness (being so hazy about the details that you're really none the wiser) and leaving out key details within a litany of true facts." Be mindful to not use God or hide behind "a litany of true facts" to manipulate, abuse, or mislead people to falsehood or a story that is layers of lies upon lies.

[close] The following prayer for forgiveness by Imam Hassan Al-Basri is excellent for reflection. I added the word protection in brackets, explained at the end. "O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness and [PROTECTION] for every sin for which I employed such cunning that invokes Your wrath, or in committing which I overcame those in Your obedience, or by which I lured—or intended to lure—one of Your creation into disobeying You. And though I made it seem to Your servants that through my endeavors I seek You [and Your pleasure], my true aim was to disobey You, and as such my desire was turned away from Your obedience." Reflect on this not just in sexual terms, but non-sexual, like Satan and Adam, upon him peace. 1. What does this prayer mean to you? 2. What lessons can you extract for you first and foremost? 3. Try to model this advice and seek God's grace to put it in practice whether the communication is between men and women, family, intrafaith, or interfaith. The word, protection in CAPS and

[close] Law of Projection: You spot it, you got it. "Biased interpretations. A person will always interpret everything he hears according to the light which dominates his heart." --Imam Ghazali "And the human understanding is like a false mirror; which, receiving rays irregularly, distorts and discolors the nature of things by mingling its own nature with it.�� --Francis Bacon

[close] When our values are weaponized to control and abuse others. Muslims do it, and so do non-Muslims. We all have values, principles, and beliefs we revere and call to. However, we scapegoat others and claim that they are undermining our values, yet a closer look we find many cases where we betray those values. We convinced ourselves that Muslims use religion to limit our Free Speech. Yet, there are cases of us attempting to silence voices of others who try to use speech to respond to falsehood, historical truths, or justice.

[close] "And if Allah should touch you with adversity, there is no remover of it except Him. And if He touches you with good �� then He is over all things competent." (Quran 6:17) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Prophet Muhammad, upon him peace and blessings, said, “O Allah, I ask you for guidance and direction.�� Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2725 Trials and tribulations touch us all in various ways and degrees, some many times throughout their lives. As human beings, we want to know why. If we turn to God, and seek His Guidance, He will direct us to see the wisdom behind our trials at the right time. The answer is sometimes hidden out of His Mercy. If the truth was revealed before its times, it can cause more harm and suffering. If we let it unfold like the day unfolds out of the darkness at dawn, gently melting into breathtaking view to a sunrise - we can adjust our minds and hearts to the beauty of guidance. Moses, upon him peace, was told to be patient in seeking to u

[close] The soul knows of the covenant. When we are reminded of the covenant, it is embedded already in our soul and heart. It is not something new we are learning. The guide just makes us aware of this embedded knowledge within and mindful of it. "When thy Lord drew forth from the Children of Adam - from their loins - their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves, (saying): 'Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?'- They said: 'Yea! We do testify!' (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: 'Of this we were never mindful': (Quran 7:172)

[close] This video is the transition point between from my first book, God Intervenes Between A Person and Their Heart, and the forthcoming book, Love Is Deeper Than Words. I have written many articles on healing, trauma, and the self-help placebo which will be discussed in the forthcoming book. An important point the Quran makes is in this verse: "The Most Merciful Taught the Qur'an," (Quran 55:1-2) "If Allah were to punish men for their wrong-doing, He would not leave, on the (earth), a single living creature: but He gives them respite for a stated Term: When their Term expires, they would not be able to delay (the punishment) for a single hour, just as they would not be able to anticipate it (for a single hour)." (Quran 16:61) The clip mentioned by Imam Sharaawy can be found right here: Here is some more information to help you reflect on this idea. To understand truth you need to understand how the process of falsehood becomes prevalent. We

[close] "If you are neither swimmer nor seaman, Cast not yourself into the sea out of self-conceit." --Rumi This video expands on the concept that many discuss during #mentalhealthawarenessmonth : pain and suffering. I prefer to use the terms: trials and tribulations. This is one of the blogs and there are many other discussions on such trials. The instagram post that I am using is: The below YouTube video is helpful to listen to as a supplement. Since it is translated, it is sufficient to listen to and reflect on his wisdom. Faith does not call us to renounce the Dunya or the material. Instead, faith teaches us it is not an END but a means—a bridge to the next life, not the destination. Short clip:

[close] The video discusses a blog on healing using the Zionist movement as an example: Healthy remorse: Prayers of Forgiveness by Hasan al Basri Empty yourselves of rationalizations of self-oppression or oppression of others. So you can absorb the following: "God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The Parable of His Light is as if there were a Niche and within it a Lamp: the Lamp enclosed in Glass: the glass as it were a brilliant star: Lit from a blessed Tree, an Olive, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil is well-nigh luminous, though fire scarce touched it: Light upon Light! God doth guide whom He will to His Light: God doth set forth Parables for men: and God doth know all things." --Qur'an (24:35) Traumatized Children Deny the Nakba, then admit and threaten another Nakba

[close] This video invites us to redirect the endless questions on who loves who, today to a more beneficial set of questions for ourselves and others. Why? People are blind to the boundaries that protect others from their harm or the boundaries they can set to protect themselves from others' harm, whether the boundaries are physical, emotional, or psychological. The interpretation a person places on others' actions and words are based on the light that dominates their heart. If you listen and observe, people tell on themselves. What might they be disclosing and unconsciously confessing? Throughout history, shame or shaming is the tool of oppressors, imperialists, and supremacists. SEE: Toni Morrison breaks down racism in sweeping 1993 interview with Charlie Rose Her famous quote: "If you can only be tall, when someone is on their knees, then you have a very serious problem."

[close] The conversation between Prophet Noah, upon him peace, and the chiefs during his time, is throughout the Quran from various angles and perspectives. Each perspective sheds light on one aspect of the conversation. He said, “My Lord, indeed I invited my people [to truth] night and day. But my invitation increased them not except in flight. And indeed, every time I invited them that You may forgive them, they put their fingers in their ears, covered themselves with their garments, persisted, and were arrogant with [great] arrogance. Then I invited them publicly. Then I announced to them and [also] confided to them secretly And said, ‘Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Perpetual Forgiver.’�� (Quran 71:5-10)

[close] This video discusses chapter five of my book, God Intervenes Between a Person and Their Heart: Key Lessons From the Prophets. Photo by @emilysevenoaks via unsplash.com The video addresses the following sections: 1. The Key Lesson and Importance of Resolve in Our Life Journey 2. Rejection in Art 3. Manipulation vs. Persuasion 4. Listening vs. Distractions 5. Corrupter vs. Reformer 6. Ignorant Corrupter vs. Arrogant Corrupter 7. How Does Faith Respond to Corruption See description section on YouTube for the video.

[close] This video discusses the last section of chapter four of my book, God Intervenes Between a Person and Their Heart: Key Lessons From the Prophets. The following points were addressed in this section to help clarify the message: 1. God is not a human being, so sometimes our questions are not just rationalizing but foolish. Did Allah create us in order to punish us? 2. Soul rides ego 3. Ego throws soul off and bulldozes through Lying by Omission �� Origin of story between God and Human Beings, recipients of the Divine Breath. Some supplications of Prophet Muhammad, upon him peace and blessings, were used to reflect on this section. "Normal fear motivates us to improve our individual and collective welfare; abnormal fear constantly poisons and distorts our inner lives. Our problem is not to be rid of fear but rather to harness and master it.�� --Martin Luther King Jr. People want the right to be angry at perceived injustices against them, but God cannot be angry with them for tran

[close] This video is a section in chapter 4: Lessons on Repentance and Forgiveness from Adam and Eve. It uses Christopher Hitchens as a case in point to show how human beings are more likely to conjecture and rationalize then to use pure reason.

[close] This video discusses the fourth chapter of my book, God Intervenes Between a Person and Their Heart: Key Lessons From the Prophets. Lessons: 1. Adam, upon him peace, first words were: "Alhamdulillah." 2. The story begins with a Divine Plan, gift of the Divine Breath, and Adam responding with gratitude to that gift. 3. The Angels bore witness to that gratitude, since they responded to Adam, with Yar HamukaAllah or May God have mercy upon you. 4. Finding utopia will not protect us from the human condition, like Satan, in the company of Angels, did not protect him from disobedience. Hence, accept who you are. 5. The world is the abode of trials and tribulations, not utopia. Hence, don't search for utopia. 6. The Angels modeled to Satan how to respond in the face of command that confuses you. 7. Adam, upon him peace, modeled to Satan how to respond when you disobey God. 8. Adam, upon him peace, accepted his humanity, was willing to accept leaving heaven, coming down to earth, but not losing

[close] This video discussion one of God's Most Beautiful Names, al-Bā'ith. This is the first section of Chapter 4, which is on lessons on repentance and forgiveness from Adam and Eve. The Awakener, The Resurrector, The Arouser, The Dispatcher The One who chooses who shall awaken and who shall be sent forth. The One who decides who to raise up. The One who awakens the dead. The One who resurrects. The One who rouses up mankind. The One who sends Light into the worlds. The One who dispatches messengers into the world.

[close] This video discusses the third chapter of my book, God Intervenes Between a Person and Their Heart: Key Lessons From the Prophets. We ask many questions of Islam or comment on Islamic teachings, however, we are not sincere in doing so. There are many classes around that one can enroll in, and have these questions answered.

[close] This video discusses the second chapter of my book, God Intervenes Between a Person and Their Heart: Key Lessons From the Prophets.

[close] In this project, it’s important for us to connect all our wounds together: The wounds of the prophets; the wounds of the Native Americans; the wounds of slavery, Jim Crow, and racism; the wounds of the disabled; the wounds of domestic violence. We have to recognize and seek out the wounds in our society, both as the oppressed and as the privileged, and sometimes as both. The prophets�� stories can help us see into this complex landscape, and help us see how coexistence, too, is a shared, universal experience. I hope to open the book with the anger of the oppressed and blend it into the stories of the Prophets.

[close] By sharing stories of prophets in an interconnected way, I hope to illuminate the core of faith, which is mercy, compassion, and coexistence. To do this, all the stories of the prophets must fit together, helping us see ourselves afresh, layer by layer. The prophets' stories can help us see into this complex landscape, and help us see how coexistence, too, is a shared, universal experience.

[close] Why Al Fatiha? Listen to the video. Many enter the Quran to debate and argue, instead of to seek guidance. Reflect on Al Fatiha so you can enter into the Quran properly and gain wisdom and insight. In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful. Praise be to God, Lord of all the worlds. The Compassionate, the Merciful. Ruler on the Day of Reckoning. You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help. Guide us on the straight path, the path of those who have received your grace; not the path of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who wander astray. Amen.

[close] This video is a commentary and introduction to my book that was published May 23, 2020. Embark on a journey to know the Prophets. The stories of the Prophets are connective tissue, and the Prophets are connective figures, helping connect Muslims with God, Muslims with themselves, Muslims with each other, and Muslims with others groups. The book opens with the anger of the oppressed, and blends into the stories of Adam and Satan, as the story of humanity begins with repentance and self-criticism: a state that doesn't have to feel harsh or depressing, but instead can feel comfortable and wholly human. The questions of love and projection, truth and wisdom, power and oppression are not just stories from the Torah, Bible, or Quran: They are things that each one of us struggles to understand. By being able to connect to the shared cultural history, and the shared stories of these prophets, we can connect to each other. The prophets' stories can help us see into this complex landscape, and h