Assalamu Alaikum my dear friend

It’s been a while. I stepped away—intentionally. I was on holiday, taking a longer pause to breathe, think, and realign before writing again. On my walks, one question kept circling back: What do I truly want from this life? What “dent” do I want to leave when I return to Allah? It’s a simple question, but not an easy one.

When I ask my clients the same question, many struggle—deeply. Not because they don’t care, but because we rarely pause long enough to face it. We’re happily distracted. News that never ends, notifications that never sleep, feeds designed to swallow our attention. And yet, this question matters more now than ever.

We’re at a crossroads. New technologies like AI don’t just compete with our jobs; they compete for our minds. Social media doesn’t just waste time; it corrodes hearts. And watching the injustice against our brothers and sisters in Palestine has weighed on our souls—its ripples touching politics, money, and culture. It can leave us angry, numb, or hopeless.

In moments like these, I keep returning to a quiet conviction that settled in my heart during that pause: before we can reshape the world, we must reclaim our thoughts. Let the world be loud if it must—but let your inner world be led by intention. Allah subuhanawut’ala tells us: “Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is within themselves.” Change begins inside—where attention, intention, and action are born.

No, you and I may not hold the keys to global solutions. But we’re not powerless. We can refuse to become doom-scrolling zombies. We can become steady forces of good in our homes, our communities, our craft. And from such people, Allah subuhanawut’ala raises the ones who move history.

I’m not preaching from a pedestal. I’ve had days where I wasted time and felt hollow—emotionally, physically, spiritually drained. On those days I turn back with istighfar, sometimes even make wudu just to reset my heart. Because purification of the nafs is the foundation of our relationship with Allah. The Prophet ﷺ taught us that the most beloved deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if small. And even if the Final Hour were upon us, he ﷺ told us to plant the sapling in our hand. Keep doing the good that’s in front of you.

If you’re ready to reclaim your thoughts and reshape your world, begin small and begin today:

• Write your “dent” in one sentence: “By Allah’s permission, I want my life to do X for Y people.” Place it where your eyes meet it daily.
  
  
• Guard your inputs: choose one short news window per day; delete one app (or move it off your home screen); replace 10 minutes of scrolling with Qur’an or dhikr.
  
  
• Pick one consistent act of service each week (family, neighbor, masjid, a cause you care about). Let your concern become contribution.
  
  
• Close the day with istighfar and dua for the Ummah—especially Palestine—trusting that Allah hears what the world ignores.
  

If you want your personal situation to change, start with you. If you want the Ummah’s situation to change, start with you. Ask yourself what you truly want—and walk toward it with sincerity. Tie your camel. Take the next right step. Trust Allah with the outcome.

May Allah subuhanawut’ala cleanse our thoughts, anchor our hearts, and make us among those through whom He brings khayr to many.

With love and gratitude,
Rushdhi

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