Crying as I read this , I’ve lately over the last year been reciting Surah Alam Nashrah and it’s brought me peace during some personal catastrophic events . I have tears in my eyes as I read your post . Sending you much love 💜
When I saw the newsletter title in my inbox I was overwhelmed with joy because I recently have been studying the Quran and hold this line dear in my heart. It always finds me when I need the reminder most. Thank you and praise be to Allah❤️
I love this so much, Carrington! Aameen aameen to your beautiful dua. This line is so beautiful and the other Surah I love so much that's in the same "section" of the Quran is "Surat Al-duhhah" (the morning light). I find it so soothing and poetic.
The last line ... I have so many stories of the Prophet Muhammad's softness. I look to them whenever I'm hardening or expecting hardness. It's proof to me that God wants us to be soft, to know our emotions.
So beautiful, so true, so needed. Thank you for this. Surely, with hardship comes ease. Thank you. I love your reflection that there is no promise of not experiencing hardship. Only that it WILL ease, before the next round, and the next. Your laughter after your tears, your love after loss. Yes. Thank you.
"tears are a mercy from God" beautiful. How desperately we need the permission and the reminder to feel. To allow ourselves to be affected by our suffering and the suffering of our neighbors. How else do we conserve our humanity and the humanity of others?
Isn't it funny that we assume not feeling makes us stronger? Black and white solutions are easier to swallow but ultimately harmful. We need allow ourselves nuance, especially with our feelings.
I love this! Though there may not be ease from the relentless hardships across the world, we can find ease in our individual lives. The bright side is available. Let us not feel guilty for seeing it and relishing it—some would say a belief in the ease on the other side is what holds the whole world together.
Grief always feels crushing and raw, yet I know it also has the potential to bring great compassion and tenderness. Perhaps, on some level, it also brings an acceptance or realization that this life is not all there is -- so in that sense, ease from knowing that we are not bound here forever.
I'm struck, this day, by how the universe is sometimes so clear in its messages: Just now, I read and shared a post from Don Boivin (Shy Guy Meets Buddha) in which he explores an awareness that enlightenment doesn't mean suffering no longer exists. Yours, like his, is beautifully written. Thank you, Noha.
Elizabeth, thank you so much, and thank you for pointing me to Don's post. For me personally, I don't think I would be able to deal with the suffering of this world if I didn't believe there was more. As you said, we are not bound here forever...
Sometimes I wonder, would I even WANT a life that never held hardship? Who would I be without it? I think that from the God who consoles I have learned more about consoling others.
Beautifully felt through your words. I see certainty in the visual beauty of the calligraphy and its symmetry - your eye sees it and your heart feels it.
As someone with awful visual arts skills, I feel the same way about calligraphy. It really is stunning, not only in the visual beauty, but in that it manages to capture the linguistic beauty or poetry as well.
Crying as I read this , I’ve lately over the last year been reciting Surah Alam Nashrah and it’s brought me peace during some personal catastrophic events . I have tears in my eyes as I read your post . Sending you much love 💜
My heart is with you, Kulsoom. It really is a beautiful surah and so reassuring. I love Wadduhaa too.
Receiving your love and sending you so much back.
fantastically beautiful
🥰🥰🥰🥰
Tears are a mercy from God. Wow. I love learning from you Noha. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you so much 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
When I saw the newsletter title in my inbox I was overwhelmed with joy because I recently have been studying the Quran and hold this line dear in my heart. It always finds me when I need the reminder most. Thank you and praise be to Allah❤️
I love this so much, Carrington! Aameen aameen to your beautiful dua. This line is so beautiful and the other Surah I love so much that's in the same "section" of the Quran is "Surat Al-duhhah" (the morning light). I find it so soothing and poetic.
Thank you, Noha. I've been experiencing the truth of "hardship and ease" this week. Your piece feels like a much needed companion.
Oh Emily, I hope the ease is softening the hardship. You are strong.. Much love.
The ease is there. Your piece reminded me of that. Thank you, thank you for the encouragement.
The last line gutted me. Love these stories told by you ❤️
The last line ... I have so many stories of the Prophet Muhammad's softness. I look to them whenever I'm hardening or expecting hardness. It's proof to me that God wants us to be soft, to know our emotions.
So beautiful, so true, so needed. Thank you for this. Surely, with hardship comes ease. Thank you. I love your reflection that there is no promise of not experiencing hardship. Only that it WILL ease, before the next round, and the next. Your laughter after your tears, your love after loss. Yes. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Anne-Marie... The world is both hard and beautiful.
Your writing moves me! Every. single. time. Great piece, Noha ❤️
Thank you so much.
"tears are a mercy from God" beautiful. How desperately we need the permission and the reminder to feel. To allow ourselves to be affected by our suffering and the suffering of our neighbors. How else do we conserve our humanity and the humanity of others?
Isn't it funny that we assume not feeling makes us stronger? Black and white solutions are easier to swallow but ultimately harmful. We need allow ourselves nuance, especially with our feelings.
I love this! Though there may not be ease from the relentless hardships across the world, we can find ease in our individual lives. The bright side is available. Let us not feel guilty for seeing it and relishing it—some would say a belief in the ease on the other side is what holds the whole world together.
This is a beautiful take. We need to both search for the ease and search for the ways to make things better. The two can happen simultaneously...
thank you for writing this. means a lot.
Thank you for reading.
This is a beautiful and needed reminder, Noha. Thank you for sharing! Going to restack now.
Thank you so much, Ramya 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Grief always feels crushing and raw, yet I know it also has the potential to bring great compassion and tenderness. Perhaps, on some level, it also brings an acceptance or realization that this life is not all there is -- so in that sense, ease from knowing that we are not bound here forever.
I'm struck, this day, by how the universe is sometimes so clear in its messages: Just now, I read and shared a post from Don Boivin (Shy Guy Meets Buddha) in which he explores an awareness that enlightenment doesn't mean suffering no longer exists. Yours, like his, is beautifully written. Thank you, Noha.
Elizabeth, thank you so much, and thank you for pointing me to Don's post. For me personally, I don't think I would be able to deal with the suffering of this world if I didn't believe there was more. As you said, we are not bound here forever...
Beautiful Noha, and I love that video!
It really does capture the essence of the phrase: Joy is resistance!
Sometimes I wonder, would I even WANT a life that never held hardship? Who would I be without it? I think that from the God who consoles I have learned more about consoling others.
A beautiful little reflection for today.
Couldn't agree more, Rea...
Do you know that song, "What it takes" by Jason Mraz. It captures this sentiment super well.
I don't. I will have to give it a listen.
Beautifully felt through your words. I see certainty in the visual beauty of the calligraphy and its symmetry - your eye sees it and your heart feels it.
As someone with awful visual arts skills, I feel the same way about calligraphy. It really is stunning, not only in the visual beauty, but in that it manages to capture the linguistic beauty or poetry as well.