📝🇵🇸 Note to self + a dua for Palestine

Advice on remembering the wisdom of the past, a reflection on the situation in Palestine, and a dua for the people of Palestine.

Productive Islam

Dec 01, 2023

‘And do not be like those who forgot Allah, so He made them forget themselves.’

Quran 59:19

Salaam!

I’m back! 🥳

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on this blog. Life has gotten busy and I’ve struggled to find the time and creativity to sit down and write. I hope that you all have been doing well. I know that there is a lot on our minds right now as our brothers and sisters in Palestine are suffering for their freedom and basic human rights (make sure to read the dua at the end).

Don’t forget 🤔

Throughout our lives, we come across many pieces of advice that change how we experience life. This advice can come from others but mainly it comes from ourselves: when we make mistakes and then reflect on them. This process is fundamental towards our growth as people. However, the problem lies in the fact that we often aren’t reflecting on ourselves when making mistakes due to lack of time, energy etc. This leads us to making the same mistakes over and over again, as we forget the advice that could save us. This also applies to goals. We tend to forget the reasons why we do things and end up making the wrong decisions as a result.

Make a note 🗒️

A solution to this that I have personally found very useful is to write down bits of advice as they come to you. Write them on a little post it note and then stick them up on your wall. This acts as a reminder from the wise and collected you to the stressed and busy you when you need it most. You’re effectively being your own friend/therapist. I also split my post it notes up into different sections on my wall depending on whether they’re about my work goals, my personal life etc.

Some examples of my notes:

“Tomorrow is a new opportunity - go to sleep” - This reminds me not to stay up just because I haven’t been productive enough today.
“Negativity is temporary“ - This reminds me that there is always an end to sadness, stress etc. even if I can’t see it right now.
“Goal: get an internship by any means“ - This reminds me of my short term goal.

A note about Palestine 🇵🇸

The situation in Palestine has no doubt deeply affected us all. Opening social media every day to see yet more innocent people dying in the name of “defence“. One of the most frustrating things is the lack of education people have about the history of the conflict and the brutality and oppression of the Israeli state.

However, more and more people are becoming aware and there is no doubt that this disaster has changed the world, exposed the hypocrites, and brought us muslims closer together. I have even seen people convert to Islam after seeing the strength and faith of the Palestinian people.

There is a lot we can learn from the people of Palestine. Their steadfastness and bravery is an inspiration to us all. They have reminded us to be grateful for what we have. They have reminded us that we need to stick together. They have reminded us of what it means to be human.

A book I recommend if you wish to gain a personal perspective on the struggles that Palestinians have endured is: Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa.

Dua for Palestine 🤲🏼

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ أُمَّةَ مُحَمَّدٍ اللَّهُمَّ فَرِّجْ عَنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْ أُمَّةَ مُحَمَّدٍ

Allahumma aslih Ummata Muhammad. Allahumma farrij ‘an Ummati Muhammad. Allahumma Rham Ummata Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wasalam)

O Allah! Improve (help) the state of the Ummah of Muhammad. O Allah! Grant ease to the Ummah of Muhammad. O Allah! Have mercy on the Ummah of Muhammad.