Then, oftentimes, the next thing we find ourselves doing is scrolling on our devices... wasting time.

Then, your nafs may feel satisfied, but then after some time passes, you feel like you don't have the time to learn a new skill or language, cook or bake something new, build on that business idea, etc.

And this cycle repeats.

Subhan'Allah, we fail to realize that these exact moments, moments of 'boredom', are the moments we could, and really should, utilize towards what will benefit us.

قال رسول الله صلى الله عله وسلم:

نِعْمَتَانِ مَغْبُونٌ فِيهِمَا كَثِيرٌ مِنَ النَّاسِ، الصِّحَّةُ وَالْفَرَاغُ

صحيح البخارى ٦٤١٢

The Prophet SAW said:

"There are two blessings that many people are deceived into losing: health and free time."

Sahih al-Bukhari 6412

With the distractions majority of us experience today, one way to begin overcoming these time wasting habits is to avoid screen time, and to slowly but surely replace it with benefit - such as writing, reading, going for a walk, etc., to really free up the mind.

Look at the way they’re living and internalize it

Practice gratitude to Allah SWT and what He has bestowed upon you — and your loved ones

Allah SWT says:

لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ ۖ

If you are grateful, I will certainly give you more

Surah Ibrahim, Ayah 7

Instead, try communicating your wants and needs.

Don't assume they know everything you're thinking of.

Give people benefit of doubt as well.

Al-Bayhaqi reported: Ja’far ibn Muhammad, may Allah have mercy on him, said:

“If you hear something from your brother that you reject, make an excuse for him up to seventy excuses. If you cannot do it, then say: Perhaps he has an excuse I do not know.”

You need to discipline your نفس

Memorizing the Qur’an will only come when you choose it for yourself and YOU take the steps necessary, not by depending on the people around you.

Same thing with starting that brand idea

Or beginning that workout routine

Sleep routine, akhlāq improvements, the way you speak, etc.

Whatever it may be —

It is all within you.

Turn to Allāh SWT for His Help and Guidance, and make things happen for yourself.

قال الله تعالى

إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا۟ مَا بِأَنفُسِهِمْ ۗ

Indeed Allāh does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.

Reading a portion of the Qur'an every morning after Fajr feels like there is real nūr added to my day.

Without it, things feel wrong.

Alhamdulillah.

A chance to ask for forgiveness & guidance

Such a blessing it is to reflect on the past to improve for the future

While you let your own pass you by…

It’s a scary thing...

Focus on you.

Put a pause on the vlogs, the Pinterest posts, the stories

Focus inward — how do you truly feel about your own life? What do you need to change, remove, or add to your day that will help you feel more fulfilled? Or like your day has more value to it?

Being present makes life wayyy more beautiful

Eating without a screen in sight. Just thoughts & gratefulness

Walking & sitting outdoors with attention

Eliminating multitasking habits

Cooking with mindfulness

Moving, speaking, thinking slower

All Praise to The Most High

—

And that has to be one of the scariest things to the believer.

Regain love of Allāh سبحانه وتعالى.

How else will you choose and love to worship Him in all possible ways?

Regain fear of Allāh سبحانه وتعالى.

How else will you ensure to stay as far away from sins?

Regain hope in Allāh سبحانه وتعالى.

Learn, study, apply.

Do it scared. 

How else will you grow? 

And do your best…

رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قال

إنَّ اللَّهَ كَتَبَ الْإِحْسَانَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ

Indeed Allah has prescribed excellence upon all things.

Don’t mindlessly say what comes to mind

To yourself and to others

It will harm you in the long run

Be careful of your words

:قال رسول الله ﷺ

Speak good or remain silent

You are your words. They affect you – your character, your behavior, your mindset

They affect your quality of life

Have good thoughts of others.

Having lowly thoughts of others will disturb your peace.

May Allāh SWT protect us.

Focus on yourself and think better of people, even if it’s hard for you to do so. 

Everyone is going through their own thing. 

Give them the benefit of doubt. 

Stop holding so many expectations. 

Stop taking things personal.

Make dua for them. 

Ask Allāh SWT to purify your qalb. 

Haram conversations 

Pointless gatherings with no benefit

Thoughts & actions that are ُمَكْرُوه (disliked)

Wrongful outfits 

Wasting time 

Let them go. Do not return to them because of comfort.

Nurture your growth and continue improving 

قال رسول الله صل الله عليه وسلم:

If they choose to do that thing, let them.

If they choose not to do that thing, let them.

Stop taking things personal and focus on what improvements you need to make to please The Most High.

He is the One in Control over all things. Trust. 

The outcome isn’t from that individual, or from you, or from the individuals involved in your current situation. It’s literally all from Allāh سبحانه وتعالى, understand that.

What you can do is make dua. Ask for āfiyah. Ask for ease. Ask for tawfīq. And trust Allāh سبحانه وتعالى. 

If a thing happens in your way, understand that Allāh سبحانه وتعالي intends something for you from the outcome of the situation.

And on the contrary, if something happens in a completely different way, understand that Allāh سبحانه وتعالي intends something for you from the outcome of the situation.

وعلى كل حال

Internalize the fact that He سبحانه وتعالي only intends good for you. Even if you don’t see it at the moment. 

And it will feel so hard at times. Like your heart is constricted. And your emotions are unexplainable. 

But know that Allāh سبحانه وتعالي is Al-Alīm, Al-Khabīr, Al-Qarīb, Al-Mujīb, As-Sami’, Al-Basīr

There must come a time where we realize this life is a prison 

There are restrictions and limitations for the believers 

The thing deeply craved could be something so simple

And seemingly harmless

But to hear and obey is to let go of whatever we must 

And in return - there is a distinguishable nearness between you and your Creator سبحانه وتعالي

إنشاء الله 

Remaining unseen and not seeing others is honorable 

The women we see the least

The ones who aren’t easily accessible because of the personal duties and responsibilities they take on for the sake of Allah سبحانه وتعالي

The ones who follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah

No wonder they seem to be so well