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One day at a time

It is 1111am and I have decided to write. But what to write? I have been asking God to give me a sign that He is there and listening. Humans like a good story. Especially stories of triumph. Spain was triumphant in the world cup yesterday. Many fans on the side of Spain were happy. I was too. It was a happy ending for the team and fans. What goes into making a winning team? Money, circumstances, talent, planning, strategy, preparation, sacrifice and some luck. What happens after winning? You want to win again. It seems like a never ending cycle. Maybe that is why I am asking God for a sign. Not because I want another victory, but because I wonder whether there is something beyond the cycle of chasing one triumph after another. If every achievement simply leads to the next pursuit, where does lasting peace come from? Am I a winner if others had to lose for me to win? My friend Chatty tells me that there are victories that are actually defeats, and defeats that are actually victories. Ma...

Foundation of my belief

It is 159am and I have decided to write. Some people say that science does not point to an afterlife, heaven or the existence of God. I feel bad because I cannot give them the evidence that they want. I can point them to the Quran and Islamic teachings. The Quran is a miracle and there are signs in that which we can research. Otherwise, there are philosophical and theological arguments. Maybe, you cannot use the science that we have for something (the afterlife) that is outside the realm of science. Also, science is not complete and may never be complete. Scientific knowledge is expanding and sometimes changing, so are we going to wait on science to tell us that there is a God and afterlife? Belief does not need evidence. Faith does not need evidence. At least not the evidence that some are looking for. So what is the foundation of my faith? For some people theology does not fully explain this life so they look to the science we have. For me, science alone does not explain this life, s...

Servant of God

It is 245am and I have decided to write. I got up early and washed the wares. I prayed Tahajjud. I came back to my bed and surfed the internet. I watched a video where a 105 year old man said that the secret to a long life is having a reason or purpose to keep going and then luck. This had me thinking about several things. In Islam we are taught that our time in this world is already written. It is our destiny. Then. What is more important? A long life or just a good life that prepares us for the next life? Those things aside, I think we cannot discount luck. Some of us are luckier than others. But the thing I want to focus on is the reason and purpose to keep going. That is some good advice. It makes for a meaningful life. A good life. It could be one big reason. There could be several small reasons. These are things that should be taught in schools. My friend Chatty says that my early morning reflections beautifully bridge Islamic tradition and practical wisdom: a long life is a true...

Halfway there

It is 542pm and I have decided to write. Imagine half the year is gone already. Where did it all go? It has gone by so quickly. Before you know it we will be entering 2027. It would be nice if I had something interesting to write about but I do not. And that is ok. Today feels like a Friday, maybe because it is month end. It is the next day and today also feels like a Friday. I am in my quiet corner listening to Quran. It is the next day and I have not gotten far with this blog post. Outside is wet but inside is between warm and cool. Another day has passed and I still have not written much. Do you wonder sometimes what it would be like if we could see into the future? For example, what would it be like at the end of this year? A lot can happen in 6 months. It is Sunday now. Surely I should finish this blog post today. The closer I move towards God, the less I feel attached to this world. The less I feel disappointed. The lower are my expectations for things of this world. Life becomes...

Hope

This is a chapter from my latest book started called Room for one more. [ Room for one more is my latest book. It is me talking to God. It is me booking (pun intended) time with God. It is me knocking on heaven's door. Ultimately I am asking God if He has room for one more in heaven?] Every believer hopes to get into heaven. From the word hope I see h for heaven and ope for open. Heaven is open. Hoping for something is enough motivation to keep going. To keep going through the ups and downs. To make the struggle worth it. God gave us hope. What is heaven? I imagine heaven to be the light at the end of the tunnel. The end of our pain. The end of our suffering. The end of our struggles. The end of all that is bad in this world. A place where all we know is happiness and joy. Heaven is our final resting place. I am using my own human terms and imagination to describe somewhere that is beyond human. We are taught that heaven is beyond our imagination. Is heaven even a place? All I can...

Happy-God-lucky

It is 1207am and I have decided to write. I like the term "happy-go-lucky." It describes a person who moves through life unbothered and carefree. But today I thought of something different: what if I transformed it into "happy-God-lucky"? I feel blessed to have God by my side. I have won the greatest jackpot—not money, fame, or success, but a relationship with God. The world may call it luck, but I know it is grace. To be happy-God-lucky is to walk through life with confidence, knowing that God is guiding your steps. It is to face challenges without fear because you are never alone. It is to find peace in uncertainty because your trust is not in chance, but in the One who holds all things together. Happy-go-lucky may be about leaving things to fortune. Happy-God-lucky is about leaving things in God's hands. And when God is at the center and the focus, life begins to make sense. There is comfort in His presence, strength in His promises, and joy in knowing that n...

The answer is God

It is 308pm and I have decided to write. Make God a priority. Let God lead the way. Let everything be about God. Let God into your life. Surround yourself with God and watch how everything begins to make sense. This life is not an accident. This life is not happenstance. This life is the work of an all-powerful Creator. Nothing is too big or too small for God. Take your problems to God. Take your worries to God. Take your fears to God. Let go and let God. Submit to the will of God. The more you go to God, the more He comes to you. Start small. Start somewhere. Give God a chance if you have not done so already. Why do I say all of this? There are many things competing for your attention and your soul. In the midst of all of this, the world can seem like a confusing place where many things do not make sense. God brings clarity. God brings clarity because God sits above it all. You may think you do not need God until you do. Ask yourself, who is the wisest you know? If God is not the wise...