...Yes, I have attachment issues too. 

Well, I am a human after all. 

But my attachment issue is not with humans (I love my parents, siblings, family friends) or animals (and I love cats and my Mano). 

My attachment is with my Allah-Ji whom I've been extremely close to since childhood. He's my bestest friend. 

When I was little, lying in the garden one summer afternoon, I looked up to the sky and was making shapes with the clouds. With one of them I made a castle. I said; 'That is Allah-Ji's Castle - His Home' and I imagined I was Jack from Jack and the Beanstalk and I planted some seeds and then a massive beanstalk shot up and became a ladder and I climbed up and went into the castle. I was only about 7, 8 or 9 then.

I bug him 24/7 and tell Him everything. Actually, He already knows everything. But I still bug Him with my stories. 

This attachment is so intense that I can be without humans and seclude myself to worship Him and talk to Him. 

Only He understand me and my tears!

It's a childhood thing. It's from Him. And i'm eternally grateful as this has allowed me to understand His creation, the human emotion and our ultimate purpose. 

By the way, just before you think it, i'm no where perfect and I don't have any intentions of trying to be perfect and I don't claim to be given a free ticket to Jannah. Non of us have been given that ticket. We have to work it. Jannah must be won! 

I invite you to learn more about Allah through His names and attributes.

This well help you in your ibaadah - in your Salah and your Qur'an.

Allah (swt) says: “Take one step towards me, I will take ten steps towards you. Walk towards me, I will run towards you.” Hadith Qudsi (partial).

Attachment issues - especially those with humans - especially with a haraam relationship - are a way of saying that we have an unfulfilled need - which usually stems from childhood.

Take a serious look at your life and see where this is coming up for you.

To read more about this click here to read the post on 'All about Love'.

God has created you for greatness and a higher purpose.

Let's not waste our time on attachments and let's once and for all deal with them and heal our souls.

We will be accountable for it on the Day of Judgement.

Start your Monday on the right foot or on the right note (whichever you prefer) - if you were to die right now, are your ready to meet Allah? Are you ready to understand your relationships and tread wisely.

The only one who can save us is Allah - yes even from our own destruction.

Get motivated to re-connect with Allah right now.

And for the ladies reading this register for my *FREE* Diamonds Masterclass. I reveal my top 3 secret on how i said enough is enough and started living my life on purpose again.

You too can become close to Allah and attached to Him. He too can be your bestest friend - if only you allow Him to be.

Will you give Him that permission now?

He's waiting for you! :)

Love, love and love!

It seems everyone is into love.

Wants to be loved.

Is in love.

Is complete and fulfilled by love.

Is broken by love.

Is confused by love.

And wants to be loved again.

Me too! I’m all about love!

Ok, well it’s not 14th February (Valentino’s Day – as I like to call it) and maybe I should save this post for then (I’ll repost it then!) but I really want to get into this topic today as it’s not just a Valentino’s day thing but an everyday thing.

And in fact love is not actually or just about Valentino’s day – that’s just some crazy commercialised holiday – as are so many other holidays.

Today I’m not here to talk about love as in spoucy type or when you get married etc, but I’m going to talk about everyday love, eternal love, internal love and that love that is simmering within us 24/7.

This love is beyond marriage or children.

It is much, much more. It’s basic stuff really.

And in fact, it is practiced by each of us daily – albeit unconsciously at times.

And you know what – this love is pure.

It’s like the baby love – you know when a baby just wants to be loved by its parent and isn’t aware of anything other than pure mummy/daddy love.

I want to talk to you about this love today – which is deep within us – because this love can actually make us or break us.

And it does daily – depending on how we use it.

And, no, it’s got nothing to do with the opposite gender at all!

Confused?

Keep reading.

This post is about love in the context of personal and spiritual development of the individual.

According to Maslow love and belonging are third on the level of human needs (after physiological and safety needs are fulfilled).

Humans need to love and be loved and this need is particularly strong in childhood and any deficiency in it can affect us in our adult life.

And any deficiency in adult life can lead to loneliness, anxiety and depression.

God created us social being and to be part of a social network.

The Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) teaches us many different aspects of our social life – how to interact and deal in different social settings and to create successful social spheres.

Here’s the thing.

This is all awesome and brilliant – and I totally agree with it.

However, our childhood conditioning can lead us to seek love and focus on it more than doing anything else in life.

What I mean by this is – and I speak from personal experience and in fact it is something I have to also work on a lot in my life – we always want to seek approval from those who we love when we want to take a step into whatever it is we want to do.

This form of approval can be from anyone really.

Mostly it is family.

However if we have had childhood family issues then we seek it elsewhere.

Some reading this may disagree – but in my personal coaching and mentoring capacity and getting to know many people from across the globe I have noticed that we tend to seek approval even if it is from our boss and even if we act all ‘nothing hurts me – business is business!’.

Deep down inside we have a craving – we need to fulfill it – we need to belong! We are seeking love and trying to fill the ‘void’ within us.

Now when we seek constant approval from those we love and we don’t get it we start to self-sabotage our own dreams and life.

We don’t even realize that we do it – it seems so normal.

I want you to focus back on you today.

I want you to start loving yourself today.

I always say love and respect yourself if you want to be loved!

Love doesn’t cost a thing!

You don’t have to go out there and purchase a magic pill to love yourself.

It’s free!

And think about it for a moment – the love that you’re craving – whoever you’re craving it from – they are also craving it too!

Did you even know that?

Like wow!

So, I mean, here we are being selfish and wanting to be loved yet how much do we love the one we want to be loved by? Unconditionally?

This is no manipulation game!

This is no; ‘If you love me and I will love you’ or ‘If you’re there for me I will be there for you’.

No!

This is the pure love that comes from within.

It’s natural.

You just love – because you do.

No expectations.

Read that again.

NO EXPECTATAIONS.

The reason we are stuck where we are is because we are yearning to be loved and accepted and we want to hear it in words or feel it with love or tangible objects.

But that is not necessary at all.

Yes, it’s part of it.

But not the main part.

You know I have a very close relationship with my parents and siblings since childhood.

Whenever anyone asked me; ‘Do you love Abu more or Ami more’ I used to get confused and say both. ‘No, you have to choose one’, they used to say. And me? I used to start crying!

As I got older things changed.

Life changed.

Its’ supposed to – it’s natural!

And all I ever wanted was to ‘feel’ that love as I felt it as a child.

Every time I asked my parents; ‘What shall I study/work/do?’ they always replied with; ‘Do what you want and feel happy with!’.

Ok, which kid does not want to hear this and do what they feel, right?

But me? I thought they didn’t love me anymore.

I thought they were too busy for me.

But they weren’t.

They were always there for me – but had a different way of expressing it.

You know if my parents never said; ‘Do what you want and feel happy with’ then today I wouldn’t be who I am – at all!

Honestly!

But the crazy part is – I stopped loving myself!

I hated ME!

My own soul!

Like, what?!

Yes, I hated me – because I thought the ones I loved didn’t love me!

You feel me on this?

Ah man!

How wrong was I?!

And because of this, I didn’t take the steps I needed to in life.

I was never confident.

Actually, everyone thought I was confident.

But I wasn’t!

I faked it.

There – I confessed!

(But, it worked!).

It’s like I had to start from square one and love myself again.

Love myself enough to believe in me.

Love myself enough to love others without attachment.

They pure type – for the sake of Allah type.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “None of you truly believes (in Allah and in His religion) until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself” [Bukhari and Muslim]

It doesn’t cost anything to love your sister and brother in Islam or humanity.

How could we want bad things to happen to them? We don’t wish bad on ourselves.

If we follow this Hadith correctly then there would be no hatred in the world and we wouldn’t need to search for love here and there and we wouldn’t have attachment issues.

And in fact the only one we need to be attached to and ask of is our creator – our Allah.

“And yet there are some people, who replace Allah with rivals, loving them as Allah is loved. But the believers love Allah more intensely” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:165) 

When you develop deep love for Allah then you will love everyone unconditionally and you will be good to them and wish good for them without attachments.

You won’t need to worry about attachments or fall into them.

You will see that your family mean well and your siblings mean well.

You will see that those around you mean well.

Obviously I’m not talking about someone who has taken your rights off you and has deliberately hurt you physically or emotionally or those oppressive tyrants across the globe.

I’m praying that my tribe of followers have more knowledge and wisdom to think I’m condoning all that!

But what I am trying to say is that we need to move away from; ‘Oh I was attached again and he/she hurt me again’.

That is victim mentality – and no one wants to be there.

The only one allowing yourself to fall into that trap is you.

You’re scared of being alone, rejected, not wanted.

I know! I’ve been exactly there!

Understand who YOU are!

Understand why YOU feel the need to be loved and then fall into this scenario.

Mine was straight up – I was looking for that ‘support’ from my parents and when I didn’t get it (or understand their way of giving it) I looked elsewhere!

Wrong move!

Now – it’s all good.

Now I understand.

Now I know that everyone who comes into my life is for a reason.

Allah has sent them for a reason.

And if they have to go – Allah said so!

You don’t become bitter.

You don’t hate.

You just…be.

Love doesn’t cost a thing!

You don’t have to be selfish with it.

You don’t have to ‘astagferullah’ about it.

It is who we are and there’s plenty to go around the world.

Allah is the one we need to turn to at each point.

He (swt) is the one who helps us, guides us and heals us.

Don’t hate any one.

Everyone is on their journey.

You’re not the only one in this world and the world doesn’t owe you anything.

When you realise this you can actually start to heal your wounds. You can close previous chapters. You can forgive and leave them to God and move on. You are much stronger than you’re giving yourself credit. And this is not the time and place to be getting all humble and modest.

Think about it – others have moved on and getting on in life – so what about you?

Get to know yourself again.

Get to know God again.

This is deep stuff – I know – it doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s a start right?

Once you become aware of this and focus on the purpose why Allah created you and how limited your life truly is then you won’t waste it.

Attachments are all about a need which was not fulfilled and most likely from childhood.

Seriously.

Think about it and dig deep.

Where in your life does this issue come up and with whom?

I’m not talking about today – trust me – I’ve given you a direct example of my own life.

Once you realise this – work on it and understand the context then you’ll be able to move forward.

When it happened with me I went through this process also - with Allah.

I talked to Him (swt) and asked Him to show me the way.

You need to do this for yourself and do it now.

If not you’ll always be stuck.

You’ll misunderstand love.

Love is an emotion deep within.

Allah put it there.

Don’t fight it!

Don’t be bitter against love.

That’s wrong.

Will you hate everyone and everthing?

That’s what we end up doing really!

And if it does go down the haraam road then trust me it’s something you need to look into your life.

Wait till Allah makes it halaal for you!

Why is it that we become so attached to s/he and our parents become our enemies?

Where is this coming up in your life?

Work on it and heal it.

Maybe you’ve never seen it this way before.

I hope it truly helps.

As even when you’re married your love for Allah will be more – as you know that He is the one who gives and takes and He is our Creator.

He (swt) is not here to hurt us.

We hurt ourselves.

Love yourself again if you want others to love you.

Love Allah even more and watch the doors of goodness He (swt) opens up for you.

There are numerous verses in the Qur’an about love – and I could just quote them.

All things start with us – even going to brush our teeth!

If you want to make the most of this one life Allah has given you then now is the time.

I invite you to a world of love and happiness – which is already awaiting you now.

Action Points:

1. Reflect on your life and your relationships – where can you improve and what needs to be resolved. Get on to it.

2. Learn about Allah and our purpose. Learn about RasoolAllah and his mission.

3. What do you want from your life now and whose approval are you waiting for? Be real – to yourself – and now you know what steps to take insha’Allah.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you thought about this article.

...Today I was going to give up and quit it all - all of it! I cried - a lot. Sometimes it gets really overwhelming and just too much for one soul. I made a dua in the early hours and asked Allah to show me the way. I've never been more serious about quitting than today.

Today is also the Day of Arafah. Millions of people are right now on the plains of Arafah begging for Allah's mercy and forgiveness. A day when many are guaranteed salvation from the Hell-Fire and those who return from Hajj return as a new born - sinless - a Hajj Mabroor.


I remember it clearly - like it was just today.

It was 5th March 2001 - I was on the plains of Arafah with my parents and millions of other Hujjaj.

A childhood dream come true and one of the youngest from my clan to do my Hajj. I was just 20 years old (actually, two weeks after I returned I was to turn 21 and I was in my final semester of my final year of my law degree at University).

So many dreams in the eyes of a young 20 year old.

I'm childhood ambitious. 

I have grand dreams.

Not just for myself though - i'm not that selfish.

I have grand dreams for our Ummah and for the entire humanity.

I have grand dreams which involve YOU - yes YOU reading this now.

I want to see YOU succeed in all areas of your life - in this world and the next.

I walk the talk and expect 150% ExCel Mode from myself. 

That is what I operate at.

You might say i'm too harsh on myself - or that I expect too much of myself.

You're right - I do!

I only have one life here - just one chance to work for that one vision Jannah al-Firdaus.

It all starts here though - right here - in my front room, by the fire.

It all starts in this world.

How else will you and I achieve our ultimate vision of Jannah al-Firdaus if we don't work it here.

Jannah has to be won - it won't be given to us on a plate.

On a day like Arafah when gazillions are begging for Allah's mercy and forgiveness - here I was ready to quit - today 2013.

I'm extremely sensitive.

Only my very close souls know this.

Everyone else see's the confident me.

But my close one's know how deep I am and how sensitive I am and how I take things to heart.

I don't cry in front of anyone - not my family, not my friends.

Just with Allah - and Mano (my cat).

I'm not overly emotional - like I don't burst out crying if you don't like me.

Not me! 

I may have my shy and sensitive girly side - but i'm very much tom-boyish also.

I have zero-tolerance on women and men who just cry over tiny things!

I'm the; 'Yes we can! Let's do it now' type.

So, for me to even be sharing a piece of my heart with the entire universe is deep.

This is the vulnerable me - one which you might not see again - or might see on a very rare occasion - like today.

I'm willing to give you a glimpse into my heart and soul - and be vulnerable like this whilst I have tears in my eyes.

I share with you as you may be going through your own journey, trying to find who you are and what you want to be or supposed to be doing.

You may feel lost and confused.

You're trying and trying and yet nothing is working.

No one is supporting you - like you thought they would!

Just like me you may be ready to give up.

I went to sleep crying with my dua of guidance.

 And then I woke up to a message from a sister who made dua for me and said; 

"...jazakAllahu khair for your posts they really are inspiring and I just wanted to say never give up what your doing mashaAllah. May Allah grant you a long and productive life sis and remove all your sins ameen. Don't let others negativity affect you. I know its hard but you touch more hearts than u know inshaAllah. Allah chose u for this - I don't see anyone else doing what u do and that is your calling so keep close to Allah and don't get knocked backed wen the road is so tough. Ur work is inspiring and an encouragement to others". 

I think I'm gona cry again!

This one message has taught me so much instantaneously and touched my core.

And the weird part is that this sister had no idea what i was feeling.

She is someone i met a year ago and we have the usual facebook and whatsapp contact.

This was deep.

Read her message again - it's from me to you now.

I'm ready to redirect my intention and focus.

I'm here til Allah decides my time is up.

For now - i'm staying :)


Bismillah-ExCel!

Begin the day and the week on the 'Right Intention'.
 
In Islam actions come from intentions and each person will have what s/he intended (That is a hadith which i just summarised in my own quick words).

Here's the thing though. 

In the West we have become accustomed to living in a Matrix. 

We go to work all week and then weekend we party and then we have Monday Blues.

Who created this Monday Blues concept?

Each day we wake alive is another day for us to ask for Allah's forgiveness. His mercy and His help.

We ask Him (swt) in each prayer; 'Guide us to the straight path' yet we have Monday Blues?

We as Muslims need to snap out of this! And yes we can.

Monday is also a Sunnah fast day - so fast.

Surround yourself with good friends, books, articles - all things which will uplift your soul and help you - especially if you have an emaan low.

This doesn't mean that we don't think about others who are being oppressed in the world - however, honestly, how can we help them if we need help? I mean if we are low on emaan or if we are negative then how can we help our Ummah.

Helping those oppressed is not just through monetary means but also by being strong Muslims.

Eats well. Sleep well. Read well. Be well.

If you are well then insha'Allah you can help others also.

And then if you are down others can help you also.

That's the way it works.

So no more Monday Blues - let's make our moments count as each moment is our only moment - and this should be a sufficient reminder for us.

Have a blessed week ahead and let me know what you've got planned! :)

If you're a sister reading this and you missed the 'Diamonds Masterclass' - then click here to register to the class right now! :)