By Gerald Lim

How do we live a meaningful life? By saying “Alhamdulillah” (All praise is due to Him and Him Alone). To live a meaningful life (despite long or short), we need to be grateful for the favours and the blessings that Allah has given to us. Unfortunately with our limited visions, we are not even able to accurately be sure of the number of favours that we are actually depending on Allah ﷻ to get by with our daily lives. Life has its ups and downs, no matter which state we are in, we must learn to be contented.

Abu al-‘Ala’ reported:

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Verily, Allah will put His servant to trial in what He gives him. Whoever is content with what Allah has apportioned for him, then Allah will bless him in it and expand it. Whoever is not content, he will never be blessed in it.”

Musnad Aḥmad

Quality of life is about quality over quantity. Proper understanding of the religion is always more important than just doing it blindly or without the heart. This is why the islamic Deen (way of life) places knowledge over routine rituals especially if it is not accompanied with consciousness and insights of knowledge.

Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas reported:

The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The virtue of knowledge is more beloved to me than the virtue of worship, and the best of your religion is cautious piety.”

al-Ādāb lil-Bayhaqī

When faced with the tribulations of sins, understand it stems from ignorance which results in a spiritual arrogance against Allah.

THE ONLY MEDICINE TO CURE IGNORANCE IS BENEFICIAL KNOWLEDGE. SEEK CREDIBLE TEACHERS WHO ARE ABLE TO INSPIRE US TO REMEMBER ALLAH IN ALL SITUATIONS AND PUSH US TOWARDS BENEFICIAL KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICE OF THE ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SO THAT WE MAY USE THESE TOOLS TO REACH CLOSENESS AND KNOWLEDGE OF ALLAH.

In order to seek redemption, we must continuously put in the effort to view the world with the lens of Allah first. Be conscious of His presence in everything, in every breath and in every step.

Safiyyah reported:

Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said, “Blessed is one who finds many prayers for forgiveness on their record.”

Shu’ab al-Imān

Do You Believe in One God
& Ready to [Re]start your Journey of Faith & Gratitude as a Muslim?