Bismillah بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
You know what happened to me this morning? I woke up to my alarm, and just as I turned it off, my phone shut down. The battery was completely drained. SubhanAllah, I couldn’t help but feel like even my phone was playing a part in guiding me to do something good. It was a sign—maybe even a nudge from Allah to wake up for Tahajjud, that blessed time to connect with Allah.
The night before, I had told Allah that I wanted to please Him more. I wanted to show Him how grateful I was. Tahajjud seemed like the perfect way to do that, and in that small moment, I realized that even a dead phone could serve a purpose in helping me fulfill this. As Allah says in the Quran:
“And during the night, pray with it as additional worship for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:79)
It’s a reminder that sometimes, even the smallest things in life can be a sign to help us grow closer to Allah.
The Wisdom of Elders
Yesterday, I visited an elderly relative. She’s always been a source of warmth and wisdom for our family, offering just the right words to lift us up. Every time I visit her, it feels like I leave with more energy, more perspective, and more clarity. Her presence has a way of bringing light to any situation.
She’s very direct and honest, and I admire that. No sugar-coating. She tells you exactly what’s on her mind, especially when it comes to guiding others. There’s a beauty in that level of sincerity. She might not say what you want to hear, but it’s always what you need to hear. Sometimes we need that kind of straightforwardness, someone who cares enough to speak up, even when it’s hard.
Her honesty always makes me reflect on the words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
“The religion is sincerity.” We said, “To whom?” He said, “To Allah, to His Book, to His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.” (Sahih Muslim, 55)
In a world where it’s often easier to stay quiet or avoid uncomfortable truths, we need to appreciate the wisdom of those who are willing to speak the truth, especially when it comes from a place of love and care.
A Family Growing More Distant from Faith
Lately, there’s been something on my heart that’s been difficult to shake. It feels like some members of our family are slowly becoming more distant from the teachings of the Quran. There are things happening that I wish could be different. I won’t get into too many details, but let’s just say that there are some relationships being formed that don’t align with our values.
I can’t lie—it makes me sad, deeply sad. But what makes it even harder is that I feel powerless. I’m not close enough to many of these family members to have the type of conversations that could help them see things differently. And, to be honest, I sometimes don’t even know where to start.
Still, I take comfort in the reminder from our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
“There will come a time when holding on to your religion will be like holding burning coals.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, 3058)
I try to focus on making du’a for them, asking Allah to protect them and guide them back to the right path. If we can’t physically change something, at least we can change it in our hearts, and that’s what I try to do.
A Heartbreaking Rift
Another thing that’s been weighing on me is a situation within our family that’s left some lasting effects. Not long ago, one of my older family members had a falling out with another. A conversation about religious matters led to some hurt feelings, and it’s sad to see that something so simple has caused a rift. Since then, this family member has stopped visiting others in the family. It feels like such a loss, especially considering how much everyone used to enjoy those visits.
It reminds me of the story of Musa (AS) and how Allah commanded him to speak gently to Fir’aun, the most arrogant tyrant of all. If Musa (AS) was told to approach such a powerful and cruel man with kindness, how much more should we, when dealing with family members, approach them with compassion and love?
“Go, both of you, to Pharaoh. Indeed, he has transgressed. And speak to him with gentle speech that perhaps he may be reminded or fear [Allah].” (Surah Ta-Ha, 20:43-44)
This story always reminds me that dawah (inviting others to Islam) should be done with patience, gentleness, and love—especially when it comes to those closest to us.
Dawah with Love and Kindness
When it comes to giving dawah to our families, the most important thing is to do it in the right way. We can’t force anyone to change their hearts, but we can invite them with kindness and compassion. People respond better to love than to harshness. Even if we know the truth and want to share it, we have to remember to do so with a gentle heart.
There’s a beautiful example from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that shows us the power of kindness. A man once came to the mosque and began to urinate in the corner. While others were ready to scold him, the Prophet (peace be upon him) calmly asked them to allow him to finish and then explained the sanctity of the mosque in a way that the man could understand.
“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best.” (Surah An-Nahl, 16:125)
It’s a reminder that sometimes the way we say something is just as important as what we say. In dawah, the goal is to guide, not to alienate.
Finding Hope Amidst Imperfection
I’ve been feeling sad about the state of things within the family, but one thing I’ve come to realize is that no family is perfect. Every family has its struggles, and what matters is how we respond to them. We can’t change others, but we can change ourselves and how we interact with them.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) taught us that du’a can be a powerful tool. We may not always be able to have the right words or actions in every situation, but we can always pray for our family. Allah’s mercy and guidance are beyond our understanding, and we must trust that He is guiding us all in the best way.
As Allah reminds us in the Quran:
“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:11)
Even when things seem beyond our control, this verse gives us hope that we can still make a difference by changing ourselves first.
Conclusion: Gratitude, Prayer, and Action
This morning, in that simple moment with my phone, I was reminded of how Allah is always guiding us—whether we realize it or not. Even in the smallest actions, there’s an opportunity to show gratitude, to reflect, and to reconnect with Him.
Our families, no matter how imperfect they may seem, are an important part of our lives, and we should approach them with love, kindness, and gentleness, especially when inviting them back to Allah.
May Allah guide us all to the straight path and protect our loved ones from harm. May He help us approach each other with kindness and sincerity, always seeking to invite with love, before it’s too late. Ameen.
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