I am enough when I am with God
Bismillah
Dear Beautiful Souls
Salamun Alaykum
Hope and pray that this holy month of Rajab has been spiritually transformative inshaAllah!
Many young people today struggle with feeling “not enough” because they seek their worth in fleeting and superficial places. Social media, for example, magnifies insecurities by creating impossible standards of beauty, success, and popularity. They scroll through highlight reels of others’ lives, comparing them to their own unfiltered realities, and often feel they fall short. Others chase academic, career, or personal achievements, believing their value depends on how much they accomplish. But even when they reach their goals, they’re left with a sense of emptiness, wondering, “Is this all there is?”
This constant striving for external validation stems from a deeper disconnection—from God, the ultimate source of worth. Without anchoring themselves in Allah, young people often feel lost, drifting through life and searching for meaning in the temporary approval of the world. But Allah reminds us in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, We have honoured the children of Adam” (Qur’an 17:70)
“وَلَقَدْ كَرَّمْنَا بَنِي آدَمَ”.
This honour, this worth, is not conditional. It is intrinsic, granted by Allah Himself, simply because we are His creation.
The teachings of the Ahlulbayt (AS) emphasize that true liberation comes from grounding our identity in God. Imam Ali (AS) says:
“Do not be a slave to others when Allah has made you free.” –
“لَا تَكُونُوا عَبِيدَ غَيْرِكُمْ وَاللَّهُ جَعَلَكُمْ أَحْرَارًا”
When we realize that our value is defined by the Creator and not by the standards of the creation, we begin to free ourselves from the pressures of worldly expectations. This realization leads to peace, as Allah reminds us:
“Indeed, with the remembrance of Allah, hearts find peace” (Qur’an 13:28) –
“أَلا بِذِكْرِ اللَّهِ تَطْمَئِنُّ الْقُلُوبُ”.
However, this feeling of being “enough” is not just for the young. Parents, too, often feel overwhelmed and unworthy when they are disconnected from God. They may feel burdened by the weight of providing for their families, meeting societal expectations, or balancing responsibilities. The pressure to be perfect in all areas can leave them feeling inadequate. But just as with the youth, the answer lies in turning to Allah and finding their identity and strength in Him. Parenting, like every other role in life, is deeply enriched when grounded in God’s guidance and love. When parents remember that their worth is not in their performance but in their connection with Allah, they find peace in the midst of their struggles.
Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS), in his Dua Makarim al-Akhlaq, beautifully expresses this concept:
“O Allah, make my actions and intentions pure, and let my worth be defined by my relationship with You, not by the judgments of others.”
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“اللّهُمّ جَعلْ أَعْمَالي وَنِيَّاتِي صَافِيَةً لَكَ وَلا تَجْعَلْ قِيَمَتِي فِي نَظَرِ النَّاسِ”.
This powerful supplication emphasizes that true worth is found not in the approval of the world but in our sincerity and devotion to God.
The Qur’an also says:
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me” (Qur’an 51:56) –
“وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنْسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ”.
Worship isn’t confined to rituals—it’s about living a life of purpose, accountability, and surrendering our roles to Allah, whether as parents, children, or individuals. The Ahlulbayt (AS) teach us that completeness comes not from the world but from reflecting God’s light through our actions, our character, and our service to others.
So, here’s the truth: your worth is not measured by social media likes, worldly fleeting achievements, or how well you meet the world’s impossible standards. With Allah, you are already whole. But this wholeness comes with a responsibility—to rise up, embrace your God-given purpose, and carry His light into the world. When you ground yourself in Allah, you stop chasing validation from others and realize that His love and guidance are all you need to feel complete.
True peace comes when we align ourselves with Allah, recognizing that our worth is rooted in Him and not in the fleeting judgments of the world. Allah’s honor upon us as His creation is a reminder of the immense potential we hold:
“He is the One Who created everything in the best of forms” (Qur’an 32:7) –“الَّذِي أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقَهُ”.
This divine perfection reflects our capacity to rise, to become vessels of His light, and to reflect His mercy, justice, and love in all that we do.
To live as a channel of Allah’s light, we must nurture this alignment with practical steps:
1. Deepen Your Connection with Allah Through Reflection
Take moments of silence daily to reflect on Allah’s blessings and His purpose for you.
Imam Ali (AS) reminds us,
“He who knows himself, knows his Lord.”
Reflect on the fact that your worth is not earned—it’s a gift from Allah. By pausing to reflect, you will cultivate a sense of gratitude and purpose.
2. Remember Allah in All That You Do
The Qur’an says,
“And establish prayer for My remembrance” (Qur’an 20:14) –“وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي”.
Regular acts of worship—prayer, reciting the Qur’an, and sincere supplication—ground the heart and cleanse the soul from worldly distractions. Let your actions flow from this remembrance.
3. Be Grateful for Your Role as His Channel of Light
Gratitude is transformative. Imam Zayn al-Abidin (AS) beautifully expressed this in Dua Abu Hamza Thumali:
“O Allah, how can I thank You when my thanking You itself is a blessing from You?”
Acknowledge that you’ve been chosen to reflect His mercy and love. Write down or say aloud three things daily that remind you of your connection with Allah.
4. Serve Others as a Reflection of Divine Purpose
True alignment with Allah is not just in ritual but in action.
The Qur’an says, “Indeed, Allah commands you to uphold justice and kindness” (Qur’an 16:90) –
“إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَان
By serving others—whether through kindness, support, or advocacy—you become a living example of Allah’s guidance.
5. Seek Forgiveness and Renewal Regularly
Imam Ali (AS) said:
“Repentance is the purification of the soul. Turn to Allah in repentance, not out of guilt, but to realign yourself with His mercy. His promise is clear: Indeed, Allah loves those who constantly turn to Him in repentance” –
“إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ”.
6. Cultivate Inner Peace with Dhikr
Incorporate simple yet powerful phrases of dhikr into your daily routine, such as SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah), Alhamdulillah (All praise is to Allah), and La ilaha illa Allah (There is no deity but Allah). The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“The best remembrance of Allah is La ilaha illa Allah.”
In every moment of struggle or self-doubt, remind yourself of this truth: you are already honoured by Allah. Your purpose is not to prove your worth to the world but to live as a reflection of His light and mercy. When you align yourself with His guidance, you will discover a sense of fulfilment, clarity, and peace that nothing else can provide.
As Allah says:
“Whoever relies upon Allah, He will be enough for them” (Qur’an 65:3) – ”
وَمَنْ يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ”.
Trust in Him, align with His purpose, and know that you are complete in His presence.
Let this awareness guide your heart, your actions, and your journey toward becoming a true channel of His light.
And in that truth, you will always be enough—whether you are a young person striving to find yourself or a parent trying to balance it all. With Allah, you are enough, and you are complete.
May you have the best of the moments in these last days of this spiritual month of Rajab and looking forward to embracing the holy month of Rasullulah saww- Holy Sha’ban.
May Allah swt elevate your hearts in His Dhikr.
Until next time,
Be in Allah’s care and infinite Mercy.
If you have read and felt inspired, please share these spiritual nuggets with other like-minded souls.
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