4. Lifeboat

Dear Sister in Islam,

31. This life is a struggle. Suffering is universal and inevitable. Know this with certainty. Prepare your children for this. Equip them with the tools they need to navigate trial and tribulation. Having faith, patience and perseverance, and clinging on to the truth at all costs, are the hallmarks of a believer. This is what Surah Al-Asr is all about.

32. This world is a bridge between the world you came from and the world you are going to. No one should be taking up permanent residence on a bridge that is temporary.

“And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter - that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew.” [Al-Ankabut/The Spider, Verse 64].

33. When the lifeboat you are in is rocked by forces beyond your control, hold fast to the Rope of Allah (the Book and the Messenger ﷺ) for guidance, direction and navigation.

“And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.” [Al-Imran/The Family of Imran: Verse 3]

34. Never hand over your power and agency to someone else. The key to your own needs, wants, and contentment needs to stay securely in the safekeeping of your own hand.

35. You are responsible for your own joy and contentment, just as you are responsible for carrying your sorrow and grief.

36. You have been gifted intellect, reason, logic, wisdom, agency, and choice. What you need to add to the mix is to pursue knowledge, be intentional, have courage, put in the effort and to find staunch companions who will accompany on this journey of life and who will elevate and uplift you. Be careful whom you surround yourself with because you will be influenced by them.

37. You need to constantly question the scripts that you are handed to in life by other people or by the zeitgeist of the time you live in. When you are told that you should do such and such, always ask yourself why should you? Does it align with your faith and your values? You should not mindlessly conform to that which does not align with your faith and the prophetic way of life.

38. Intentionality really matters in anchoring your life. Intentions have to be followed by meaningful purpose and hard work. Your intentions need to be based in faith and aligned with prophetic character, prophetic values, and prophetic practice. That is why it is crucial to study the seerah and to surround yourself with companions who elevate your own rank in righteousness.

39. You have to leave the outcome of your intentions and efforts in the hands of the One who is in control of all your affairs.

40. Death is the great equaliser. You are created from dust and you shall return to dust. If you need to overcome the grip of mind-numbing and paralysing fear when dealing with difficult people and difficult things, imagine each one of them wrapped in the white shroud of the kaffan, silent and still, buried in dirt, decomposing back to the earth, until they are awoken up by the trumpet, to be held accountable for they deeds. Everyone has an appointment with death.

Earth to earth, 

Dust to dust. 

Ready or not, 

Here I come.