“Too many families are hurting in silence.”
Over the past four years since its birth, Lantern of Light Charity has grown into a space where healing, reflection, and spiritual nourishment meet. From podcasts and reflective articles to soulful workshops, our vision has evolved with one truth at its heart: our communities cannot stay silent on mental health. The need for these conversations is greater than ever.
We live in a hustle culture where people are constantly on the move, chasing deadlines and distractions, rarely pausing to breathe and ask: What am I really doing? Where am I heading? It is in this restless world that spaces like these workshops become vital. They allow us to stop, reflect, and begin the work of spiritual healing that our souls are desperate for.
On Saturday 20th September, in collaboration with Parenting Pathways, we hosted Part 2 of our workshop on Navigating Challenges in Family Dynamics at the Al-Abbas Islamic Centre in Birmingham UK.
Thanks to God, with 22 participants and volunteers, the room was alive with honest reflection. The workshop ran for three and a half hours, beginning in the morning and concluding after Salatul Dhuhr. Participants enjoyed a beautiful communal atmosphere with mosque tea, mandazis for breakfast, fresh fruits, and delicious lunch refreshments. These moments of sharing food and conversation added to the sense of connection, grounding the serious discussions in warmth, care, and community. The session began with a soulful recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Mohamed Master, setting the tone for honest reflection.
The facilitators, Dr Zabbair Husein and Dr Yasmin Mohsin, guided participants with empathy and clarity, unpacking unconscious parenting, family scripts, and narcissistic patterns that can affect generations. Dr Zabbair shared a powerful cultural example: “Back then, brides were told you leave this house only as a bride and return only with your burial shroud. Expected to endure everything silently, with no thought for your own happiness.” These harmful cultural scripts are far from the teachings of the Qur’an and the Ahlulbayt (as), reminding us how much work is needed to break patterns that no longer serve our communities.
At times, we also use silence as a form of punishment or control, the so-called “silent treatment.” This can be deeply hurting, breaking someone who is close to us, yet often we don’t even notice the impact of our actions. The workshop reminded us that self-awareness, empathy, and reflection are vital to recognise these patterns, take responsibility, and create relationships that are nurturing rather than damaging.
This workshop was not for people who have narcissistic traits. It was for each one of us, to understand ourselves better, to ground ourselves in empathy and compassion, and to also learn to be assertive in our relationships. It was about creating healthy spaces, setting boundaries that nurture our growth, honour our self-worth, and allow us to practise Ikram to ourselves. Alhamdulillah, with God’s grace, Mashallah, we had a wonderful turnout. Despite any fear of being judged or labelled, participants crossed those bridges beautifully, showing courage to engage, reflect, and begin this healing journey together.
One of the strongest reminders of the afternoon was that patience does not mean silent suffering in oppression. The holy Qur’an gives us protocols to follow, self-awareness, self- purification, and change from within:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ
“Indeed, Allah does not change a people’s lot, unless they change what is in their souls.” (Surah ar-Ra’d 13:11, Ali Quli Qarai)
And the Ahlulbayt (as) remind us that understanding ourselves is the beginning of understanding God. Imam Ali (as) said: “Whoever knows his own soul, has known his Lord.” Self-awareness (muraqabah), self-esteem, and honouring one’s God-given worth are acts of worship. The Qur’an also calls us to balance and justice:
وَكَذَٰلِكَ جَعَلْنَـٰكُمْ أُمَّةًۭ وَسَطًۭا لِّتَكُونُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَ عَلَى ٱلنَّاسِ
“Thus We have made you a middle nation, that you may be witnesses to the people.” (Surah al-Baqarah 2:143, Ali Quli Qarai)
Islam gives us a blueprint for balancing the four faculties within us, intellect, imagination, desire, and anger. When balanced, they nurture healthy happier families, and communities; when extreme, they cause harm. The workshop gave participants practical tools to regulate themselves, communicate with empathy, and set healthy boundaries, using the Qur’an and supplications of the Ahlulbayt (as) as spiritual anchors waiting for the Awaited Saviour Imam Al Mahdi ajfs.
Participants described the space as safe and reflective. Many said a single afternoon was not enough and requested a weekend or more to dive deeper. The sacred program was rooted in prayer as we paused for Salatul Dhuhr, shared food, and reflected together. It was proof that worship, learning, and healing belong side by side.
The Holy Prophet (saww) said:
“The most beloved of people to Allah is the one who brings the most benefit to others.” By creating safe spaces for these discussions, we are doing the work of bringing benefit, light, and healing to our communities.
This is only the beginning. In today’s world, where we see narcissistic leadership at all levels and families under pressure, it is vital to return to the Qur’an as our blueprint and the Ahlulbayt (as) as our model. Spaces like this help us unlearn harmful cultural scripts, relearn our fitrah, and ground ourselves in empathy, compassion, and self-respect. May we carry the light of God within us and into the lives of those we love.
Sis Nasim Walji Pirmohamed
Dr Zabbair Husein CBT – Psychotherapist
Dr Yasmin Mohsin – Psychiatrist
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