Rediscovering faith through reflection
There are moments in life when scattered thoughts, childhood memories, and divine guidance come together so seamlessly; a clear sign that Allah Himself is gently guiding the heart.
Recently, I found myself reflecting on a saying my beloved Naani used to tell me during my childhood:
“Pad pad ke gaya pathar, likh likh ke gaya choor.”
For years, I didn’t understand what she truly meant. She only said this first part, and I never thought to ask why. Perhaps the second part was in Urdu, and she couldn’t express it fully. But just a few days ago, I heard the complete version:
“Pad pad ke gaya pathar, likh likh ke gaya choor, Jis padhne se Sahib mile, woh padhna hai aur.” “The knowledge that leads you to Allah, that is the knowledge worth seeking.”
Suddenly, it all made sense. My Naani had been trying to teach me that knowledge without purpose, without direction, is empty and lifeless. True knowledge is that which brings us closer to Allah. I was amazed by the depth of these words and how beautifully they capture the essence of what it means. I realised that knowledge, when pursued with sincerity, transforms the heart and draws us nearer to Allah.
This reflection led me to think of something I read years ago about the profound emptiness that comes from attaching ourselves to the temporary pleasures of this world and how that emptiness affects our hearts. I once came across a powerful reminder: “Empty your heart from the worldly love.”
A question followed that pierced deep into the soul:
“What is it that we really worship? The gift or the Giver? The beauty or the Source of Beauty? The provision or the Provider? The creation or the Creator?”
These words reminded me of the tragedy we often bring upon ourselves by placing our hearts in the wrong places. We attach ourselves to the temporary—whether it be wealth, status, or fleeting desires—and wonder why we feel emptiness and pain. It was explained that we often harm ourselves by attaching to the wrong things and then cry when it hurts.
This insight deeply resonated with me. We are the ones who bind our hearts to the material world and then question why we feel suffocated. True peace and contentment only come when we release those attachments and reconnect with the Source of all peace: Allah, the Creator.
Just yesterday, I was further reminded of this truth while sitting in class, as my teacher explained the Tafseer of Surah Luqman. As I listened intently, my gaze drifted toward the window. The sun was shining brilliantly, and its warm rays softly touched me. In that serene moment, I felt deeply connected to everything around me. It was as though Allah was speaking to me through His creation, reassuring me, guiding me. My teacher recited the powerful words from the Qur’an:
“And remember when Luqman said to his son, while advising him, ‘O my dear son! Never associate anything with Allah in worship, for associating others with Him is truly the worst of all wrongs.” (Qur’an 31:13)
Hazrat Luqman renowned for his wisdom, began his advice with the most essential truth: to worship Allah alone. This is where true knowledge begins—with Tawheed, the oneness of Allah. Without this foundation, any knowledge gained is incomplete. It reminded me that the path to peace and success lies in recognizing Allah as our Creator and Sustainer and avoiding every form of association and innovation in worship.
This reflection deepened when I remembered something I once heard from a scholar, advising not to chase after fame and wealth but to sincerely seek knowledge. It was said that “if you seek knowledge sincerely, everything else—success, provision, and honour— will follow you naturally.”
This is a truth that many overlook today. When we make Allah our priority, everything else falls into place. The worldly matters that once overwhelmed us suddenly become manageable. Life’s difficulties don’t disappear, but they feel lighter because the heart is content. A heart connected to Allah remains grateful in hardship and patient through trials.
Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Qur’an 13:28)
True peace comes when we shift our focus from the fleeting pleasures of this world to the eternal rewards of the Aakhirah (Hereafter). When Allah’s love becomes our ultimate goal, He makes the world follow us. He eases our path, grants us contentment, and fills our hearts with light. But this requires sincerity and consciousness (Taqwa). It requires us to rely on Allah fully, to build our connection with Him, and to guard our hearts against shirk (associating partners with Allah) and bid’ah (innovations in religion). Without pure Tawheed, even the most extensive knowledge can lead us astray. But with it, even small acts of learning and worship become immensely valuable.
I was reminded again of the Kashmiri sayings my Naani would often quote:
“Alim chu noor, Alim chu gash.” Knowledge is light, knowledge is guidance.
“Alim badi daulat hai” Knowledge is the greatest wealth.
This light is not just intellectual knowledge, it’s the guidance that leads the heart to Allah. It’s the understanding that this world is temporary and that our true success lies in preparing for the next life. Many people often say that knowledge can be gained through learning, knowing, and spreading information. But in reality, merely gaining and sharing knowledge isn’t enough unless we practice it. I’ve come to realize this late in life, but it’s a truth that I now understand deeply. Knowledge that is not practiced is like a treasure buried deep in the ground—it’s useless unless we bring it into action. “Ilm” (knowledge) should be visible in our actions! It should reflect in how we live, speak, and treat others. It’s easy to point fingers at others, criticizing their shortcomings, and saying that something is wrong, but do we first reflect on our own faults? Only when we rectify ourselves and align our actions with correct knowledge, can we help others by guiding them.
This selective implementation of knowledge happens when we pick and choose parts of the Deen that suit our convenience. We selectively practice what we find easy or comfortable while ignoring the rest. This approach is not what Allah wants from us. If we follow our Deen in its entirety, without modifying it to suit our needs, we will find that it makes our lives easier, not harder. Allah has provided us with guidance to navigate this world, to make our lives easier, and ultimately to attain Jannah.
