This is a see through reflection. It takes deep courage to accept the truth without necessarily considering other disruptive or discouraging factors. Also, this is beautifully written. Allāhuma Barrik
Wafika BarakAllah. I appreciate your engagement with my post, settles me after being a bit nervous to share. May Allah (swt) reward you for your kindness ✨
Being amongst those who are humble enough to admit their wrongdoings is crucial to turning back to Allah SWT as He’s commanded us. Allahumabarik you’re an exemplar of this and inshAllah you’re only increased in this ability
MashAllah, this post is nothing short of beautiful and incredibly uplifting. It's almost as if it appeared at the exact moment I needed it most, during one of the darkest and most challenging times of my life. I can't help but wonder if it was meant to find me right now, or if it's simply the grace of Allah's timing, but what I do know is that it healed something deep within me. It reminded me that I’m not alone in this constant struggle with perfection, and that the only thing Allah asks of me is to keep trying, to keep striving, without the burden of impossible expectations. Your words have given me a renewed sense of hope and peace. Thank you, truly, for this gift of encouragement—I'm so grateful to have come across it. ❤
Alhamdiliah sister. May Allah (swt) continue to uplift you in ways that lifts you from the challenging things you may be facing.
This has made my day! It is all by the grace of Allah (swt). Al- Muhaymin. The one who ensures the wellbeing of his creation. For me writing helps my challenges and for you it was reading ✨
Thankyou for sharing. It is really appreciated. May Allah (swt) continue to renew your sense of hope. And don’t let yourself think any of us in the dunya are perfect. Allah (Swt) would have created us perfect if he wished.
Ahlan Biki! I learned a few things about self assessment and perfection here. Thank you for sharing your journey. I definitely feel like we are projecting our beliefs and expectations on others subconsciously sometimes and it puts us in so much turmoil.
I just started my Substack journey in which I explore effective ways of freeing Palestine and sharing deep thoughts (among other things) follow for more 🫶🏻
What a beautiful reflection. Inspired that you were strong enough to pour your own self through a strainer to catch your flaws. Not everyone is strong enough to accept their shortcomings. So beautiful.
Jeri, so much of this piece resonated with me. I’m struck by your sincerity and openness. “I've started sharing my work here as a way of fulfilling my promise to show up for myself and what I truly want to do” — this is why I started writing too, and I could not have stated it better. I’m still trying to keep that promise 2 years into this process but I think Allah swt brought your work as a reminder to keep striving for His sake.
ya Allah (swt) grant us goodness in our hearts to keep us on the straight path and to allow us to explore our passions all whilst pleasing you.
this comment really did make me smile, because sometimes i sit there and think, does any of what i am writing even matter at all? then i remind myself it gives me a warm feeling in my chest when i write and even warmer when i hear a sister like you has benefited or found motivation from it
JazakAllah Khair sister and thank you for commenting! 🩵
This is absolutely beautiful Jeri. Wow. Your focus on presence and cultivating an individual relationship to God is vital. Looking at myself, it stands as a testament to the often difficult uphill battle we have with ourselves once we stop “acting” and start “practicing”. I still often grapple with my own vices in this regard. Thank you for this.
thank you Akif! you’re right it’s definitely about practicing over acting.
Having that internal battle with our vices might just be a part of life, but turning to Allah makes it easier to navigate and handle. May Allah (swt) make it easier for you ✨
Wow what a beautiful post. You’re very right it’s super important to place Tawakkul in the center focus of everything. Who can we trust fully but Allah? That trust makes life so easy.
“Faith isn’t about habit; it’s about presence”.
Alhamdulillah everyone’s journey to Islam is so wonderful and Inshallah May Allah be proud of us for our righteous actions.
Welcome to the club haha. Very happy for you. Especially for the supportive family you have (your mom in particular, W mom for reading and commenting on yohr posts!!). May Allah swt guide them all to Islam as well.
You've grown a LOT in 2-3 years subhanallah. I'm sure there's soooo much you've experienced that you were not expecting in the slightest, from the good to the bad and sometimes downright petty and ugly, but also the amazing.
Looking forward to reading more of your truth! And poetry.
Thanks haha! Ameen. JazakAllah Khair for the dua. I know right? A real win, I have to say Alhamdulillah everyday for being blessed with my supportive mum and my family
You’re right it’s been such a journey and I’m sure there is so much more to come. I really appreciate what you’ve said here, thanks again!
Yeah Ofcourse! The literally meaning would be this:
Muslim (2653) narrated that ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘As said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “Allah wrote down the decrees of creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth.” [sourced from IslamQA]
What I mean is that for me this reminder ensures I am not too harsh on myself. That if I have sincere intentions within my heart and actions that Allah (swt) will reward me with the good he has already written for me. It really helps me to be less critical of myself if something happens to pass me. It also reminds me to strive to please Allah (swt) first and foremost ✨
Ooh, thank you for the hadith!! And yes, we always have to reorient ourselves and our intentioned and expectations. Otherwise we can loose our direction.
This is a see through reflection. It takes deep courage to accept the truth without necessarily considering other disruptive or discouraging factors. Also, this is beautifully written. Allāhuma Barrik
Wafika BarakAllah. I appreciate your engagement with my post, settles me after being a bit nervous to share. May Allah (swt) reward you for your kindness ✨
Smoothly written
Beautifully crafted inner thoughts on the journey towards the Ultimate truth.
This piece will be one of my favourite.
May Allah SWT bless you all the happiness in this life and hereafter.
Ameen
Ameen, thank you so much for the dua. It’s really appreciated more than you know
JazakAllah Khair and may Allah (swt) be pleased with you for your kind words. Thank you again
Its my pleasure
Masha Allah tabarakAllah, sister. May Allah keep us all steadfast on His path, amin. ❤️
Ameen. mina wa minkum. thank you !! ✨
Being amongst those who are humble enough to admit their wrongdoings is crucial to turning back to Allah SWT as He’s commanded us. Allahumabarik you’re an exemplar of this and inshAllah you’re only increased in this ability
Wafika BarakAllah. Ameen may Allah (swt) make us of those humble and sincere in our hearts. Thank you for your lovely words and dua ✨✨
MashAllah, this post is nothing short of beautiful and incredibly uplifting. It's almost as if it appeared at the exact moment I needed it most, during one of the darkest and most challenging times of my life. I can't help but wonder if it was meant to find me right now, or if it's simply the grace of Allah's timing, but what I do know is that it healed something deep within me. It reminded me that I’m not alone in this constant struggle with perfection, and that the only thing Allah asks of me is to keep trying, to keep striving, without the burden of impossible expectations. Your words have given me a renewed sense of hope and peace. Thank you, truly, for this gift of encouragement—I'm so grateful to have come across it. ❤
Alhamdiliah sister. May Allah (swt) continue to uplift you in ways that lifts you from the challenging things you may be facing.
This has made my day! It is all by the grace of Allah (swt). Al- Muhaymin. The one who ensures the wellbeing of his creation. For me writing helps my challenges and for you it was reading ✨
Thankyou for sharing. It is really appreciated. May Allah (swt) continue to renew your sense of hope. And don’t let yourself think any of us in the dunya are perfect. Allah (Swt) would have created us perfect if he wished.
JazakAllah Khair for your intentions ✨✨
JazakAllah khair, sister! Your words have a way of bringing peace. Keep writing—I'm excited to read more from you in the future!
May Allah (swt) reward you for your kindness. InshaAllah I will be writing increasingly more from now! 🩵
❤️
Amazing, I don't know why it took Substack so long to show me this, it was like I was reading to myself, Masha'Allah, Baraka'allahu fik🤲🏻✨️🌸
barakAllah feek sis, thank you so much!!! 🩵🩵
Ahlan Biki! I learned a few things about self assessment and perfection here. Thank you for sharing your journey. I definitely feel like we are projecting our beliefs and expectations on others subconsciously sometimes and it puts us in so much turmoil.
it truly does indeed, alhamdulillah that Allah (swt) is allowing for us to see and pick out these projections so that we can continue to improve
Thank you for sharing this vulnerable and personal experience. It resonates deeply. Your writing is very special.
thank you so much sister, im glad you enjoyed it. May Allah (swt) make everything easy for you. JazakAllah Khair
I just started my Substack journey in which I explore effective ways of freeing Palestine and sharing deep thoughts (among other things) follow for more 🫶🏻
followed sis!
What a beautiful reflection. Inspired that you were strong enough to pour your own self through a strainer to catch your flaws. Not everyone is strong enough to accept their shortcomings. So beautiful.
what kind words, SubhanAllah. thank you so much! it truly is appreciated and JazakAllah Khair sis 🩵
Jeri, so much of this piece resonated with me. I’m struck by your sincerity and openness. “I've started sharing my work here as a way of fulfilling my promise to show up for myself and what I truly want to do” — this is why I started writing too, and I could not have stated it better. I’m still trying to keep that promise 2 years into this process but I think Allah swt brought your work as a reminder to keep striving for His sake.
ya Allah (swt) grant us goodness in our hearts to keep us on the straight path and to allow us to explore our passions all whilst pleasing you.
this comment really did make me smile, because sometimes i sit there and think, does any of what i am writing even matter at all? then i remind myself it gives me a warm feeling in my chest when i write and even warmer when i hear a sister like you has benefited or found motivation from it
JazakAllah Khair sister and thank you for commenting! 🩵
so beautiful !
JazakAllah Khair !
This is absolutely beautiful Jeri. Wow. Your focus on presence and cultivating an individual relationship to God is vital. Looking at myself, it stands as a testament to the often difficult uphill battle we have with ourselves once we stop “acting” and start “practicing”. I still often grapple with my own vices in this regard. Thank you for this.
thank you Akif! you’re right it’s definitely about practicing over acting.
Having that internal battle with our vices might just be a part of life, but turning to Allah makes it easier to navigate and handle. May Allah (swt) make it easier for you ✨
Wow what a beautiful post. You’re very right it’s super important to place Tawakkul in the center focus of everything. Who can we trust fully but Allah? That trust makes life so easy.
“Faith isn’t about habit; it’s about presence”.
Alhamdulillah everyone’s journey to Islam is so wonderful and Inshallah May Allah be proud of us for our righteous actions.
thank you for these lovely comments, i really appreciate them ✨
Ameen. May Allah (swt) make it easier for us all and place sincere intentions in our hearts and action
Welcome to the club haha. Very happy for you. Especially for the supportive family you have (your mom in particular, W mom for reading and commenting on yohr posts!!). May Allah swt guide them all to Islam as well.
You've grown a LOT in 2-3 years subhanallah. I'm sure there's soooo much you've experienced that you were not expecting in the slightest, from the good to the bad and sometimes downright petty and ugly, but also the amazing.
Looking forward to reading more of your truth! And poetry.
Thanks haha! Ameen. JazakAllah Khair for the dua. I know right? A real win, I have to say Alhamdulillah everyday for being blessed with my supportive mum and my family
You’re right it’s been such a journey and I’m sure there is so much more to come. I really appreciate what you’ve said here, thanks again!
More poetry and InshaAllah insights to come ✨
Btw, can you elaborate on that fifty thousand years bit?
Yeah Ofcourse! The literally meaning would be this:
Muslim (2653) narrated that ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr ibn al-‘As said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say: “Allah wrote down the decrees of creation fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth.” [sourced from IslamQA]
What I mean is that for me this reminder ensures I am not too harsh on myself. That if I have sincere intentions within my heart and actions that Allah (swt) will reward me with the good he has already written for me. It really helps me to be less critical of myself if something happens to pass me. It also reminds me to strive to please Allah (swt) first and foremost ✨
Ooh, thank you for the hadith!! And yes, we always have to reorient ourselves and our intentioned and expectations. Otherwise we can loose our direction.