Assalamu Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakhatuhu.
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.
We all know the struggle of spiritual connection especially when you’re surrounded by so many distractions. The on and off relationship with Allāh (SWT). The struggle to go back to Him (SWT) when you realise how lost you’ve been and how disconnected you’ve been from Him (SWT). When you don’t feel the peace in salah anymore because you’ve strayed so far. I used to find it so frustrating how one day I have such a strong relationship with Allāh and then another I feel so lost, struggling to find my way back to Him. It’s especially more difficult to stay on track because we’re surrounded by so many distractions (our phones being the biggest) and the people we surround ourselves with (when the people around you are also distracted and distant from Allāh, you find it more difficult to find your way back to Him).
But the thing is, this is a never ending struggle. Shaytan will keep trying to shake our faith, he will keep tirelessly trying to distract us, so we also have to keep tirelessly running back to Allah (SWT), His doors will always be open.
My relationship with Allāh won’t always be perfect or smooth but I have to keep striving, keep trying to become a better version of myself. It’s ok, I will slip but it’s not about the fall but the effort I put into getting back up. That’s the test.
I just want to remind you; To keep fighting and to never give up. To keep checking yourself and to become more aware of the choices/decisions you make (ie will this strain my relationship with Allāh?). To surround yourself with reminders. To surround yourself with people that help you get closer to Allah, that advise you when they see you straying from the right path.
I want you to know that your relationship with Allāh won’t always be perfect and that’s ok. I want you to try to reconnect with Him, when you realise you’re lost rather than beating yourself up about it. Don’t let shaytan make you feel hopeless. Keep fighting him because he never gives up and neither should you because once you give up, you let him win. And remember Allah will always lead you back to Him you just have to want to come back to Him and be willing to put in the effort.
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A mental exercise:
I want you to check yourself, sit down and think about the last time you felt disconnected/ distant from Allāh; what was the root cause?
Once you find out what caused it the last time, try to find a solution so you don’t fall into the same trap next time.
For me it’s either social media or trying to “relate” more with my friends when I realise I have nothing more in common with them. When I’m connected with Allāh I tend to delete all my socials and focus only on my relationship with Him.
I think what I need to do is to find a balance.
I understand now that I can have a relationship with Allāh while still having a social life. All I need to do, is to be more careful the contents I consume and how much of it I consume.
May Allāh strengthen our imaan and make His religion easy for us. Amīn🤲.
Ma'a salaam 👋.
Lecture recommendations on yt;
Reconnecting with your lord by Dr Haifa Younis