Islam Is My Life Because..

Before marriage, the place of Deen (religion) in my life was only limited to praying the Friday prayers and fasting the month of Ramadan. After marriage, my life was nothing different from that of a normal married girl – expecting a lot from your husband, glowing with happiness at his praise and appreciation, and feeling sadness if he were ever to be in pain.

But, a feeling of disillusionment and mistrust began building in my life when I started noticing that I was being lied to for small, little things – merely for one’s own self-interest. And this was done by none other than my very own near and dear ones, whom I used to trust blindly. My inner soul started to constrict and suffocate. This feeling increased to the extent that I could not even go on with my daily, routine work normally… and I started losing interest in life.

But, it was at this moment that I started reading the Qur’an. And somehow, a sense of relief would pass over me. It was now that I read the Surah of the Quran called “Al-Feel” or “The Chapter of the Elephant.” I was astounded by the extent of Allah’s Greatness and Strength – that how He destroyed a great army which was marching with the intention of destroying His House; and how He protected His House from them.

This knowledge started giving me a strange sense of contentment. I slowly started coming out of my condition of depression and I made the resolve of learning the religion of Allah… and I continue my venture. The moment the Shaytan tries to take over my instincts and emotions, I gain strength by reading the Book of Allah.

Today, I am grateful for the blessings that Allah has given me… I am grateful that He made me a Muslimah. And in my life now, my struggle is to be able to fulfill the right of My Creator for whatever He has given me. Surely, it is as Allah says in the Qur’an in “Surah al-Haj” or “The Chapter of Pilgrimage” –

“They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal (due to Him)” {Al Haj:74} – (meaning that they have not understood the Perfection and Greatness of Allah in the proper sense, and thus have not given Him His due Rights.)

And surely, it is as Allah says in the Qur’an in “Surah ash-Sharh” or “The Chapter of Opening Forth” –

“Indeed, with [every] hardship [will be] ease” (Ash-Sharh:6)

Today, I definitely believe that Allah gives us some ease with every difficulty. My journey with the Qur’an started when I was going through great personal difficulties. Before this, I could never understand the meaning and truth of this life, nor could I realize the faults which were in my own self.

This Deen taught me that evil doesn’t only reside in others… you also have faults and mistakes. And right now, I’m in the struggle of removing my own shortcomings and errors. As Allah says in the Qur’an –

“The colouring of Allah! For who is better in colouring than Allah?” {al-Baqarah:138} – (meaning that, this religion, this is the hue or religion of Allah, and surely what can be better than the hues and colors which Allah has chosen Himself?)

Surely, I believe that Allah’s colouring is the most beautiful. And what is more important in life than adopting all the beautiful qualities that Allah has wished for His Servants? And for this, our only role model is the Prophet صلى اللّٰه عليه وسلم and his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all)

May Allah guide us all to walk on the True Path of His Deen. I desire that we become useful in spreading His Message, so that we may get the returns of that in the hereafter. Aameen Ya Rabb al’alameen!

Guest Submission: Mrs. Swaliha Sherwani
Special Thanks to our Editor-in-Chief, Anam Zaki