Solace in Allah
In the Name of Allah
The Most Gracious The Most
Merciful
All praise be to Allah
Lord of the Worlds
And Peace and blessings be
upon His messenger
Muhammed (ﷺ)
Our Main Purpose
We, as humans, are constantly driven to fill our lives with activity, often without even realising it. We strive for the best job, the highest income, the ideal spouse, and a comfortable home. These pursuits provide goals to work towards or meaningful ways to spend their time. But beneath this all lies a deeper need for purpose and direction.
Allah created us all with a core purpose in life, and that purpose is to worship Him (alone). There are many avenues of worship such as performing the 5 daily prayers, making supplication, giving to charity and performing the Hajj pilgrimage. Some of us may not realise that worshiping Allah is the sole purpose of our creation. While others may be aware of it, they are often distracted by the pursuit of other goals in life. We are constantly running after the next best thing, and no matter how much of the Dunya we may possess, many of us still feel an emptiness inside.
This emptiness can be filled with the remembrance of Allah, along with complete attachment to Him. When you sincerely revolve each and every day around the worship of your Creator, you will not be able to find any grander purpose in life, and your attachment to the Dunya will begin to diminish.
Worshiping Allah is an ongoing purpose - one that pleases Him, earns you rewards, gives you peace of mind, and, in sha’ Allah, a place in Jannah. What better purpose could there be than to worship Allah?
‘And I did not create jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).’
(Quran 51:56)
‘Surely, my prayers, my sacrifice, my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.’
(Quran 6:162)
Gaining Allah’s Love and Closeness
We live in a world where we are constantly seeking the love, admiration, and acceptance of others - whether through the things we do, the words we say, or the possessions we own. Being loved and accepted by people is a wonderful feeling, but instead, imagine being among Allah's most beloved servants because of the qualities you possess that please Him. Can any human love truly compare to the love of Allah?
The love of people can be beautiful, but it is naturally limited. People's feelings change, circumstances change, and even the best of relationships are affected by human imperfections. Allah's love, however, is perfect. He is the Most Loving and the Most Merciful. His love is not diminished by weakness or limited by the flaws that are part of human nature.
When you strive to earn Allah's love and draw closer to Him, you are seeking the love of the One whose mercy, compassion, and generosity are far greater than anything this world can offer.
Therefore, focus on becoming the person Allah wants you to be, rather than the person society expects you to be. Allah is Perfectly Just and Infinitely Generous. He never overlooks the good that you do, no matter how small. In fact, He rewards even the smallest good deed many times over.
When you commit a sin and sincerely seek His forgiveness, Allah is always ready to forgive. Such is His mercy that He not only erases sins, but may even transform them into good deeds.
How could a heart not love a Lord who is so merciful, so generous, and so forgiving? It is Allah alone who truly deserves our utmost love, devotion, and veneration.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said ''I will declare war against the one who shows hostility towards a pious slave of mine. And the most beloved things that a slave does to come near me are the obligatory acts; and my slave continues to come closer to me through the extra acts until I love him, then I become his sense of hearing with which he hears, his sense of sight with which he sees, his hands that he grips with and his legs that he walks with; and if he asks of Me, I will give to him, and if he asks for my protection then I will protect him.''
(Sahih Al Bukhari)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said ''Whomsoever seeks the pleasure of Allah though it will be displeasing to the people then Allah will be pleased with him and He will in turn make the people pleased with him, and whoever seeks the pleasure of the people through displeasing Allah then Allah will become displeased with him and will in turn make the people displeased with him.''
(At Tirmidhi)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said "There are three things that whoever attains will find therein the sweetness of faith: When Allah and His Messenger (saw) are dearer to him than all else, when he loves for the sake of Allah and hates for the sake of Allah, and when a huge fire be lit and he fall into it, than associate anything with Allah.''
(An Nasai)
Why do 'bad' things happen?
Sometimes we need to go through difficult periods in our lives in order to truly appreciate the good. However, it is also important for a believer to understand that evil is not an attribute of Allah; rather, it stems from our own wrongdoing. As human beings, we are prone to sin and error and Allah commands us to strive against our desires and refrain from what is sinful for our own good.
Remember, Allah does not need anything from us. Rather, it is we who are in desperate need of His provision in its entirety. We only harm ourselves when we fall into sin. Even when we do commit sins, Allah is so merciful that Allah may allow us to experience the consequences of our actions or afflict us with difficulties that encourage us to turn back to Him in repentance and grow closer to Him.
When you feel down and things aren’t going your way, remind yourself that Allah regulates all affairs and that nothing happens except by His permission. Remind yourself that all the affairs of the believer are good for them, whether in times of ease or hardship. Remind yourself of your purpose in life: to worship Allah alone and continue striving towards Him.
How amazing is the affair of the believer, for all his affairs are good! If something good happens to him, then he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he is patient with it and that too is good for him.''
(Sahih Al Muslim)
''And whatever misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your own hands have earned. And He pardons much.''
(Quran 42:30)
''Allah does not burden a person with more than that he can bare.''
(Quran 2:286)
Good thoughts
A person must strive to always think positively about Allah, especially during tough times. Reflect on the fact that you are still here. You’ve made it through many difficult moments in your life. Allah has never given you, and will never give you, a burden you cannot bear. We know that His words are true. He has made you resilient, and even in the midst of hardship, He grants ease. He is the Most Kind, the Most Merciful.
Remember that Allah loves most those whom He tests. If you are going through a trial, remind yourself that the purpose of the test is to strengthen you.
Speaking from personal experience, I - the writer of Solace in Allah - began practicing Islam more seriously because of the challenges I faced. One difficulty after another came my way. Yet, I emerged having gained something valuable everytime. I grew in my understanding of Islam, found more peace within myself, and began to see the wisdom behind those hardships.
There were moments during those trials when it all felt overwhelming. But looking back now, I genuinely see how those tests were some of the greatest turning points in my life. Without them, I might not have come to know Islam in its depth and beauty. I might not have appreciated the importance of the Sunnah, grown in character, adopted modest Islamic dress, or even written this book!
''So verily, with every difficulty, there is ease.''
(Quran 94:5)
''Whomsoever Allah wants good for, he tests. He places them through difficulties. Like coal or a metal that requires pressure or to be burnt in order to remove the bad and be purified into diamond or pure gold.''
(Sahih Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
Having Tawakul in Allah
Having Tawakul (trust and reliance) in Allah is a form of worship and is obligatory for us. Think about all the times Allah has taken you out of difficult situations and granted you ease and something better than what had passed you by. Allah knows best and wants goodness for His slaves. For that reason, we need to learn to trust in His plan and to have Sabr while His plan continues to unfold.
How can one learn to trust Allah without truly knowing Him? Let's look at some of the Names of Allah that can help build our Tawakul.
Al Hakeem – The All Wise. Allah is the All Wise. He knows everything, including what is good for us and what is bad for us. Whatever situation you may face, think of this name and believe with all your heart and soul that Allah has a purpose and reason for what you are going through.
Al Wadud – The All Loving. He doesn't need anything from us, yet He gives so abundantly. He wants good for us and wants us to enter Jannah.
Al Wali – The Protecting Friend. He knows the harms of certain actions, which is why He commands us not to perform such actions. Nothing we do can ever harm Allah, but it can harm us and others around us. The boundaries are there to protect us, so we must trust Allah and follow His guidance when He commands us to stay away from certain acts.
''And upon Allah rely, if you should be believers.''
(Quran 5:23)
''...and rely upon Allah. And sufficient is Allah as disposer of affairs.''
(Quran 4:81)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said ''If you trust Allah with true tawakul then He will provide for you sustenance just as He provides for the birds - they leave in the morning with empty stomachs and come back in the evening with full stomachs.'' (At Tirmidhi)
Being Grateful to Allah
Think of your age right now. Think of how many years Allah has been watching over you, protecting you, nurturing you, and providing for you. Nothing happens except by His permission, and the fact that you are still alive and breathing is by His will. Every second of your life, He has been there - through your joy and through your pain, through your confusion and through your clarity. Yet many of us go through life without acknowledging this, and we fall into ingratitude.
Take a moment to remember the times you felt lost, overwhelmed, or broken and yet somehow, you made it through. That wasn't your strength alone. That was Allah carrying you, even when you didn’t realise it.
We need to know Allah to truly love Him. The more we learn about His names and attributes — Ar Rahman (The Most Merciful), Al Wakeel (The Trustee), Al Lateef (The Subtle and Kind) the more our hearts soften and fill with gratitude.
Let your heart remember: not a single tear you’ve shed and not a single prayer you’ve whispered, has gone unnoticed by Him. He is closer to you than your jugular vein, and He never abandons those who seek Him. Think well of Allah, and you will find peace that no worldly comfort can give.
''And if you would count the favours of Allah, never could you be able to count them. Truly Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.''
(Quran 16:18)
''And whatever blessings and good things you have, it is from Allah.''
(Quran 16:53)
''...If you give thanks, I will give you more. But if you are thankless, verily, My punishment is indeed severe.''
(Quran 14:7)
Love, Hope and Fear
I have mentioned love several times throughout this book, but it is important to remember that Islam is a religion of balance. As believers, we must strive to be balanced in our love, hope, and fear of Allah. We should love and appreciate Allah for all that He has done for us, and we should also fear His punishment. It is vital that we maintain this balance because any imbalance can be spiritually harmful.
Being overly hopeful in Allah’s mercy may cause us to take sins lightly and become negligent in our actions. On the other hand, lacking hope in His forgiveness can lead us to despair and to distance ourselves from Him. Therefore, a balance is needed.
Live your life in obedience to Him, knowing that you were created to worship Him. Understand that you will inevitably fall into sin as it is part of being human. However, you should never allow that to make you give up. Instead, return to Him again and again with sincere repentance, for He loves those who turn back to Him.
Let your love drive your worship, your hope keep your heart alive, and your fear keep you grounded. This is the path of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and the way of those closest to Allah. And remember that as long as your heart beats, the door to Allah’s mercy remains open.
''The heart on its journey to Allah is like a bird. Love is its head and the two wings are fear and hope.''
(Ibn Al Qayyim)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said ''Every son of Adam commits sins and the best of those who commit sins are those who repent.''
(At Tirmidhi)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said ''By Allah, I ask Allah for forgiveness more than seventy times everyday.''
(Sahih Al Bukhari)
In the End
As morbid as it may sound, we are all dying. Each and every day that passes brings us a little closer to death. It is the end that every soul will inevitably face. It is the destroyer of all pleasures. You may be thinking that I’ve taken a negative turn after everything I’ve written so far, but it’s all about perspective and reality...
To remind oneself of death is not something to view as negative, but rather as a motivating force. It wakes the heart from heedlessness and helps us realign our priorities. It reminds us that our time here is limited, and that the choices we make matter. Remembering death can inspire us to live in obedience to Allah, to seek His pleasure, and to strive for a noble rank in the Hereafter - where the real and everlasting life begins.
We don’t know when or how we will die, and because of this, we should be careful not to seek excessive pleasure in this world or become too attached to it. When we live with the awareness that this life is temporary, it helps protect us from deep emotional turmoil during hardship like the loss of a loved one or being diagnosed with a serious illness. This mindset allows the heart to be firmly rooted in the reality that this is not our final home.
Remind yourself often that the grave is not far. Every soul shall taste death. Prepare for it not with fear, but with sincerity. Turn back to Allah by seeking His forgiveness, and by striving to meet Him with a clean heart. Visit the graves, ponder over their silence, and remember that one day, you too will be placed beneath the earth. Let this remembrance purify your heart and push you to live a life of purpose.
''And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of deception.''
(Quran 3:185)
''Every soul will taste death. Then unto Us you shall be returned.''
(Quran 29:57)
''In the end, to your Lord is your return and He will inform you of what you used to do.''
(Quran 39:7)
Make Jannah your final abode
Life in this Dunya will always have its ups and downs. Our feelings and emotions will naturally fluctuate. However, Jannah is a place of constant happiness and peace. There is no pain or sadness in Jannah - things only get better and better there!
Jannah has different levels, and the highest and best level is Jannat ul Firdaus. Naturally, we all desire the best of the best, so we must diligently strive towards it and sincerely make dua to Allah to grant us Jannat ul Firdaus.
Imagine the moment when we finally enter Jannah, greeted by the warm smiles of our beloved family and friends who also earned their place. We will live in perfect bliss, free from pain, sadness, and worry. Our hearts will be filled with endless peace as we enjoy the countless blessings Allah has prepared for the righteous. Most importantly, we will have the incomparable honour and delight of seeing Allah, our Lord and Creator. This would truly be the greatest reward and source of true happiness for every believer.
The journey to Jannah requires patience, faith, sincerity and consistent effort. By turning to Allah in sincere worship, seeking forgiveness, and doing good deeds, we prepare our souls for that eternal abode.
“Allah will say, "This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness." For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment.”
(Quran 5:111)
“We [angels] were your allies in worldly life and [are so] in the Hereafter. And you will have therein whatever your souls desire, and you will have therein whatever you request”
(Quran 41:31)
The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Allah said, "I have prepared for My righteous slaves (such excellent things) as no eye has ever seen, nor an ear has ever heard nor a human heart can ever think of.' "
(Sahih Al Bukhari)
Gaining Knowledge
It is incumbent upon us as Muslims to seek knowledge, and it is those who have knowledge who truly fear Allah. One of the most powerful ways to draw closer to Allah is through learning. Many of us spend a great deal of time studying for academic exams, investing effort and dedication into our worldly success. But it’s important to ask ourselves: are we giving the same commitment to preparing for the test of this life? Are we striving to worship Allah wholeheartedly and aiming for the highest rank in Jannah?
Learning about Islam brings a sense of peace and clarity. Reading Ahadiths about the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions offers a glimpse into a world of purity, strength, and honourable character. In today's times, where good morals are often overlooked and the pursuit of fame and wealth dominates, the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions remains refreshing and uplifting. We should all strive to follow the best example ever given to us.
A good place to start is by learning about the Oneness of Allah, His beautiful names, and the character of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Most importantly, we should strive to put this knowledge into practice in our daily lives. When sought with sincerity, knowledge has the power to purify the heart and transform our lives.
The Prophet (ﷺ) said "Ask Allah for beneficial knowledge and seek refuge with Allah from knowledge that is of no benefit."
(Ibn Majah)
''It is only those who have knowledge amongst his slaves that fear Allah.''
(Quran 35:28)
''Allah will exalt in degree those of you who believe, and those who have been granted knowledge.''
(Quran 58:11)
“When Allah wants good for a person, He makes him understand the religion.”
(Sahih Al Bukhari)
“Whoever treads on a path of Islamic knowledge, Allah will ease the path to Paradise for him. The angels will lower their wings in humility, pleased with this seeker of knowledge, and all in the heavens and on earth will ask forgiveness for the knowledgeable person, even the fish in the deepest of waters will ask for his forgiveness.”
(Abu Dawud and At Tirmidhi)
Reminding yourself
It is helpful to remind yourself of Allah throughout the day so that your daily routine revolves around worshiping Him. Since we often look at our phones constantly, one simple way to increase your connection with Allah is to set a verse of the Quran or a meaningful word as your phone wallpaper. For example, the word Ihsaan means striving for excellence and worshiping Allah as though you see Him. Having this word on your phone screen can gently remind you to be mindful of Allah’s presence. Similarly, you could place a small canvas or card with the word Ihsaan near your prayer mat to encourage focus and sincerity during salah, reminding you to pray as if Allah is right before you.
Setting alarms and reminders on your phone not only for salah but also for dhikr, voluntary prayers, and acts of dawah can be beneficial. For instance, you might set a daily reminder to share a Quranic verse with friends or on social media, or create an Islamic to-do list to track your spiritual goals.
Keeping a personal diary to record your gratitude toward Allah can also strengthen your faith. In it, you could write about answered duas (big or small) as well as moments of happiness and blessings from Allah. Reflecting on these entries, especially during challenging times, can boost your Iman (faith) and remind you of Allah’s mercy and kindness. Remembering how Allah has helped you in the past can increase your tawakul (trust and reliance) in Him, especially when facing difficulties.
Try to develop the habit of thinking about Allah in both the “small things” and the “bigger things” around you. For example, noticing the strong scent of a few coffee beans or watching how tea changes color when milk is added can be simple reminders of Allah’s design. Reflecting on these small everyday details can help keep your heart conscious of Him. At the same time, contemplating larger creations — the sun, the moon, the stars, and the clouds can deepen your appreciation of Allah’s majesty and power.
Allah has planned everything with wisdom and purpose, whether great or small. Every detail in the universe, from the smallest grain of sand to the vastness of the stars, is part of His perfect design. This understanding reminds us that nothing happens by chance, and that our lives are carefully and lovingly guided by the Most Wise and Most Merciful. When we trust in this divine plan, we find peace amid uncertainty and strength in times of difficulty. Remembering that Allah’s knowledge encompasses all things and that His mercy is boundless helps us surrender our worries and place our trust fully in Him. By reflecting on His creation and His wisdom, our hearts can grow in gratitude, patience, and reliance on Allah’s perfect decree.
''And remind for verily the reminder benefits the believers.''
(Quran 51:55)
"...What is Ihsan?" Allah's Messenger replied, "To worship Allah as if you can see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must understand that He is watching you."
(Sahih Al Bukhari)
''And it is He who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon''
(Quran 21:33)
Dua and Dhikr
Dua (supplication) is the essence of worship, and it is the hearts that find ease in the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah.
Call upon Allah by His beautiful names and begin your supplications with salutations upon the Prophet (peace be upon him). Be sure to reflect on the meanings of the words you say. Don’t let the words pass your lips without passing through your heart. For example, when you say Allahu Akbar, you are declaring, “Allah is Greater.” Greater than your worries, your pain, your fears, and your desires. He is above all things and has power over every affair.
Let your heart remain open and keep returning to Allah in moments of joy and sorrow. In dhikr and dua, you will find solace, because the One you are calling upon is always near.
He, The Most Loving, The Most Merciful, is closer to you than your jugular vein, always ready to respond with mercy, love, and guidance.
“And your Lord said: “Invoke Me and I will respond to your invocation.”
(Quran 40:60)
''Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find peace.''
(Quran 13:28)
References