Soul of Islam Radio

The month of Rajab marks the beginning of a sacred three-month spiritual progression that continues through Shaʿbān and culminates in the noble and blessed month of Ramadan. It is a period of inward turning, reflection, and renewal, inviting the believer to step back from distraction and return to presence, awareness, and conscious connection with the Divine. Rooted in the natural rhythm of the lunar calendar, Rajab serves as a reminder that spiritual life unfolds in cycles of awakening, refinement, and realization.

Rajab is traditionally associated with inner awakening and seclusion, and is a time to quiet the ego, detach from worldly attachments, and reconnect with what is Real and Eternal. Throughout Islamic history, seekers have engaged in periods of spiritual retreat (khalwa) to deepen remembrance, meditation, and awareness of God’s presence. While such formal seclusion requires guidance and wisdom, its underlying principle remains essential: periodically withdraw from noise, return to stillness, and allow the heart to re-awaken (Seclusion in Islam).

The spiritual energy of Rajab also prepares the heart for the increasing devotional intensity of Shaʿbān and the luminous culmination of Ramadan. This progression mirrors the journey from inward awakening, to refinement of character and intention, to the outward embodiment of faith within community and worship. By beginning this journey in Rajab, the believer aligns the soul with a deeper rhythm of growth, readiness, and grace.

Eternal Warrior Way

A central theme of this period is the cultivation of presence through worship, remembrance, and conscious discipline — especially during times of stillness and silence. The inward dimension of fasting, restraint from ego and desire, opens the way for the heart to awaken and for spiritual life to deepen. This inner fasting complements the outward form and leads toward humility, sincerity, and proximity to the Divine.

Islamic Meditation

One of the most blessed opportunities in this journey is rising during the last third of the night for prayer, remembrance, and supplication:

Our Lord descends to the lowest heaven every night during the last third of the night and says:
“Who is calling upon Me so that I may answer him?
Who is asking Me so that I may give to him?
Who is seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?”

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (Bukhari, Muslim)

This sacred time invites the seeker into intimacy, humility, and divine generosity, and provides a space in which the heart opens to forgiveness, guidance, and spiritual awakening.

Rajab also reminds us of the true purpose of human existence, a purpose affirmed in the Qur’an:

“And I did not create jinn and mankind except that they may worship Me.”

Surah adh-Dhariyat (Holy Qur’an, 51:56)

This month calls the believer back to meaning, intention, and spiritual alignment — away from illusion and toward reality, away from heedlessness and toward remembrance. Entering Rajab with sincerity and commitment opens the path toward inner awakening, preparation for Ramadan, and a deeper journey of return to the Divine.

In contemporary culture, healing is often framed as a backward-looking process. We are encouraged to revisit the past, analyze our wounds, and understand the origins of our trauma in the hope that insight itself will produce change. While such understanding can be informative and even illuminating, it is not what ultimately heals. Healing does not occur in memory. Healing occurs only in the present moment—through conscious response, right action, and surrender to the Divine Will.

How the Present Is the Key to Your Healing

The past cannot be changed, and the future does not yet exist. The present moment is the only place where action is possible. For this reason, it is also the only place where healing can take place. One may spend years analyzing childhood experiences and psychological patterns, gaining clarity without ever experiencing true transformation. Insight alone does not release trauma, because trauma is not merely an intellectual phenomenon. It lives in the body, in the nervous system, and in the subconscious. Healing, therefore, is not primarily a mental achievement, but rather, it is a spiritual process.

By the will of the Divine, life itself provides the conditions necessary for healing. These conditions rarely appear as ease or comfort. More often, they come in the form of challenges, trials, and emotional triggers. When a trigger arises, it signals that a wound has surfaced. This moment is not a failure; it is an invitation. If we react unconsciously—out of fear, anger, or ego—we reinforce the wound and re-traumatize ourselves. If, however, we respond consciously, with presence and restraint, the same moment becomes a point of healing.

Every trigger represents a fork in the road. One path leads to repetition of the past; the other leads to transformation. The difference lies in our response. Reaction perpetuates suffering. Conscious response interrupts the old pattern. This is how the present heals the past, and without needing to revisit it. Each moment handled with patience, surrender, and right action rewrites the internal narrative and gradually reshapes the self.

Central to this process is stillness. In highly charged emotional states, positivity may not be immediately accessible. Neutrality, however, always is. By pausing, grounding in the breath, and becoming present, we create space for guidance rather than impulse. Such stillness is not passivity. In truth, it is submission—placing oneself in alignment with Divine Will rather than egoic reactivity. From this state, action becomes guided and inspired rather than compulsive and reactive.

Surrender is not resignation. It is trust. It is the recognition that reality, as it appears in the present moment, is an expression of Divine Will and an opportunity for growth. Resistance to what is only deepens and perpetuates suffering, for it is surrender opens the heart to healing, light, and transformation. Over time, repeated right action reshapes character, dissolves fear held in the body, and alters identity itself.

Course in Spiritual Healing

Healing, then, is not instantaneous. It is cumulative. It unfolds across a lifetime through countless small moments of conscious choice. We are not asked to fix the past. We are asked to meet the present with faith, patience, and trust. When we do, the past loosens its grip, the future opens, and the heart moves progressively towards wholeness, peace, and the Divine Presence of our Lord and Creator.

Chapters

00:00 | Introduction: Healing Beyond the Past
01:31 | Why Healing Only Happens in the Present
03:05 | The Limits of Therapy and Analysis
05:28 | The Present Moment as Divine Opportunity
06:20 | Triggers as Invitations for Healing
08:03 | Egoic Reaction vs. Spiritual Response
11:33 | Stillness, Breath, and Conscious Choice
15:00 | Surrender, Trust, and Real Faith
17:35 | Right Action, Inner Change, and Destiny
22:23 | Healing, Destiny, and the Path Forward

Gratitude is not a secondary virtue in the spiritual life. It is the very foundation of faith, the essence of worship, and the light by which the heart comes alive. Everything meaningful in religion is built upon gratitude, because the greatest gifts ever given to humanity are guidance and knowledge. Without guidance, life loses direction. Without knowledge of God, existence loses meaning. Faith itself is a divine gift, and gratitude is the natural response of a heart that recognizes this gift.

How Worship Reveals the Light of the Heart

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ made this reality unmistakably clear when he explained the reason for his abundant worship. Despite being forgiven and protected by his Lord, he said, “Shall I not be a grateful servant?” This statement reveals that the true essence of worship is not fear, habit, or obligation alone, but rather is gratitude and love. Worship is the heart’s way of responding to divine generosity. If the veils of ego and heedlessness were lifted, and we truly saw how much Allah has given, continues to give, and will give from His oceans of mercy and beauty, we would never lift our heads from prostration.

Faith is not meant to remain hidden or theoretical. Real faith seeks expression. This is why the principle “faith without works is dead” appears in earlier scriptures and remains universally true. If faith is alive in the heart, it naturally manifests as worship, gratitude, humility, and service. Allah Almighty is absolutely independent and has no need for our worship; rather, worship is a gift given to us so that we may grow in light, beauty, and nearness to Him. When worship weakens, it is an indication that faith itself requires care, attention, and cultivation.

Worship therefore becomes a barometer for the state of the heart. A strong desire for prayer, remembrance (dhikr), sacred knowledge, night worship, the mosque, and wholesome spiritual gatherings is a sign of awakened faith. When these desires are absent or burdensome, it signals that faith has weakened and needs nourishment. This is not a cause for despair, but an invitation to return to the prophetic method of spiritual growth.

The primary method taught by the Prophet ﷺ for awakening faith is righteous companionship (suhbah). Faith was transmitted to the Companions not merely through words, but through presence, character, and living manifest example. This sacred method has been preserved throughout history and will remain so until the end of time by the will of God Who has sworn to protect and preserve the path, the religion and the revelation. Allah commands believers in the Qur’an to seek out the truthful and to keep their company, and through sincere companionship with those who embody faith, gratitude, and humility, hearts are awakened and strengthened.

Awakenings Academy

Islam represents the perfection of sacred and divine guidance given to humanity. Allah has completed the religion and chosen Islam as the way of surrender, balance, and truth. The purpose of life is not merely to believe abstractly, but to awaken the hidden potential within the heart that allows a person to approach their Lord sincerely, humbly, and beautifully. The ultimate goal is not just outward compliance, but entering into the Divine Presence by God’s grace and coming to know Him.

One of the highest stations of gratitude is to be grateful for gratitude itself—to recognize that Allah Almighty has given us the awareness, sensitivity, and capacity to thank Him. Gratitude is beautiful, and beauty is beloved to Allah. True beauty is not external form, but inner character: humility, thankfulness, sincerity, and devotion. Ingratitude, by contrast, is repeatedly paired with disbelief in the Qur’an, while gratitude is a defining quality of a true believer.

The faithful servant is not consumed by complaint or lack, but is focused on thanking the Creator and worshipping Him. Such a heart finds peace, purpose, and meaning, regardless of circumstance.

Chapters

00:00 – The Foundation of Faith: Gratitude
Opening reflection on gratitude as the essence, light, and root of true faith. 85 Gratitude Faith

01:09 – Why the Prophet ﷺ Worshipped: The Secret of Gratitude
Exploring the hadith, “Shall I not be a grateful servant?” and the meaning behind abundant worship.

02:02 – Seeing God’s Gifts Behind the Veils
Recognizing divine generosity and how unveiling would transform our worship.

02:51 – Faith Without Works Is Dead
How true faith naturally seeks expression through worship, gratitude, and righteous action.

03:37 – Worship as a Gift and Mirror of the Heart
Understanding worship as a divine gift that grows beauty, humility, and light within the believer.

04:29 – Diagnosing the Heart: Worship as a Barometer
Desire for prayer, dhikr, and sacred gatherings as signs of strong or weak faith.

05:25 – The Prophetic Method: Sohbah and Righteous Companionship
The essential role of spiritual companionship in awakening and cultivating faith.

06:06 – The Perfection of Islam and the Purpose of Life
Faith, surrender, and awakening the heart’s hidden potential to know Allah.

07:01 – The High Station of Being Grateful for Gratitude
A deeper reflection on gratitude as beauty and the inner character beloved to Allah.

07:54 – Gratitude vs. Ingratitude: The Qur’anic Lens
How unbelief is repeatedly paired with ingratitude—and the qualities of the true believer.

08:53 – A Closing Prayer and Invitation
Final supplication and a reminder to share.

From my journal and personal reflections, I recorded this episode to address a truth that often gets buried under modern distractions: all of Islam is about awakening consciousness. This divine capacity, placed within the human being, is what allows us to witness truth, to grow spiritually, and ultimately to know God. But in our current age—bombarded by content, media, and endless consumption—we face more obstacles than ever to true spiritual awakening.

I reflect on how anything that reduces our consciousness—from intoxicants to social media—impedes our development and distances us from divine purpose. Even well-intentioned content can become harmful when consumed without reflection. The inner jihad, or jihad al-nafs, becomes the most essential struggle of our time—a greater jihad that demands mindfulness, discipline, and spiritual minimalism.

True progress lies not in collecting more information, but in emptying the self to receive real, living knowledge from Allah Almighty. This episode emphasizes the need for sincere companionship with righteous guides, those who walk the path of truth and embody divine presence. As Imam Malik (ra) taught, only with both the outer form (Sharia) and the inner path (Tariqah) can we reach Haqq—the Truth.

I also discuss how our time is precious and fleeting. To live with meaning, we must consciously step away from illusion, superficial religiosity, and ego-driven distractions. We must strive to become truth-seekers, grounded in sincerity, willing to sacrifice for real transformation. This is the heart of Islam: to awaken, evolve, and ultimately realize our nearness to God.

00:00 | Introduction and Intentions
Opening reflections on journaling and the purpose of sharing these insights.

00:45 | What Is Consciousness?
The deeper meaning of consciousness as the heart of Islam.

01:40 | Consciousness vs. Thinking
Thinking as a byproduct of deeper spiritual consciousness.

02:41 | What Harms Consciousness
How substances and content that reduce awareness are spiritually harmful.

03:43 | The Double-Edged Nature of Our Age
How today’s access to knowledge comes with greater distractions.

04:33 | Social Media and Lower Consciousness
How media consumption feeds the ego and prevents growth.

05:17 | The Greater Jihad in Modern Times
The inner struggle as the most urgent and rewarding jihad.

06:04 | Spiritual Minimalism and Content Diet
Deliberate content consumption as a spiritual discipline.

07:46 | Realigning with Prophetic Simplicity
Consumption habits, prophetic guidance and spiritual health.

08:40 | Introducing the Path of Real Knowledge
The path of spiritual companionship.

10:16 | Awakening the Heart
The central goal of Islam: the awakening of the heart.

11:11 | Real Knowledge Is Hidden
Why true spiritual knowledge is rare and often overlooked.

11:58 | Leaving Illusion Behind
Detachment from both worldly and superficial religious illusions.

13:41 | The Truth Seeker’s Journey
The mindset needed for true spiritual seeking.

14:31 | What Is the Rope of Allah?
The rope of Allah as the companionship of the righteous.

15:19 | The Only Path to Truth
Sincerity and striving are the only way to reach divine truth.

16:15 | The Gift of Time and the Need for Focus
How to use our time wisely and avoid distraction.

17:03 | Closing Reflections and Call to Action
A call to share, rate, and spread the message to sincere seekers.

In this episode, I explore the vital distinction between pain and suffering through the lens of Islamic spirituality, journaling, and self-awareness. Drawing from personal reflections and teachings, I share how pain is a natural and unavoidable part of life—but suffering often comes from our resistance, our ego, and the stories we construct around that pain. As I reflect on writings from my own journal, I touch on the wisdom of the Qur’an, the sacredness of writing, and insights from classical teachers like Rumi (qs), who remind us that our wounds are often the entry points for divine light.

I discuss the spiritual path as one of surrender—surrendering the ego, the mind, and the false narratives that keep us trapped. True freedom and inner peace begin with accepting pain without resisting it and recognizing that suffering is not imposed from outside, but generated from within. The way forward lies in patience, presence, and persistence. This isn’t a quick fix, but a lifelong practice of returning, of softening, and of deepening in trust and faith. Through writing, contemplation, and spiritual discipline, we create space for wisdom and guidance to flow—transforming our experience of hardship and reconnecting with the Divine.

00:00 | The Sacred Value of Contemplation
Reflecting on the importance of contemplation and the prophetic tradition valuing one hour of reflection over years of worship.

01:15 | The Divine Command to Read and Write
Discussing the first Quranic revelation and the significance of learning and journaling in Islamic practice.

03:08 | Writing as a Spiritual Practice
How the act of writing becomes a sacred tool for receiving divine inspiration and clarity.

06:22 | Introducing the Theme of Suffering
Exploring the difference between pain and suffering through personal journaling and spiritual insight.

08:24 | Pain Is Inevitable, Suffering Is Optional
Understanding that resistance to pain creates suffering, while surrender leads to peace.

10:08 | The Ego and the Story of ‘Me’
Identifying the ego and personal narratives as the root of suffering.

11:53 | Beyond Judgment: Rumi’s Field
Exploring the wisdom of Rumi (qs) and the spiritual field beyond right and wrong.

12:42 | The Path of Surrender and Presence
Describing the journey of spiritual awakening through letting go and transcending the self.

14:07 | Persistence as the Greatest Miracle
Why spiritual growth is slow and steady, and why consistency matters more than perfection.

14:48 | The Choice to Suffer or Surrender
Reiterating that suffering is a choice—and surrender, patience, and trust are the remedy.