Fasting is for piety and being good to parents

Quran at Fajr and Smiling

We get through tests in life by adhering to the religion. But what happens when the test is WITHIN our adherence to the religion? It feels like no matter what good deed we try to do, it just doesn't happen. Low Iman is real, and believe it or not, the fix is within the religion.

Among the tests of this dunya is a loss of health. Whether that happens in old age or while still young, losing certain abilities due to poor health is a trial and a calamity. We can sometimes lose sight of our goal, which is ultimately Allah's acceptance. Use your illness as a means of forgiveness for your sins, and a reminder that your reliance is on Allah.

One of the biggest tests of this dunya is the loss of money. Financial struggles expose how reliant we are on Allah or how attached we are to the temporary pleasures of this temporary dunya. Following the guidance of the Messenger of Allah enables us to get through struggles when we can't seem to find a way.

The death of a loved one is amongst the most trying of tests of this dunya. We are still shocked when it happens, as if it isn't the only thing we are promised. Alhamdulillah for the Messenger of Allah who taught us how to be patient with this great hardship and to use it as an opportunity to increase our own reward.

As believers, we know that this dunya is a life of difficulty. Knowing that doesn't always give us the consolation and push needed to get through our trials and difficulties. What does help give us that push and reassurance? The Promise of Allah and the advice of His Messenger, peace be upon him.

In this episode we hear from sister Victoria, who embraced Islam at the tender age of 15 years old. Her interest in history and world religious pushed her into researching about Islam, but it was her pleasant interactions with Muslim school friends that ultimately guided her to embrace Islam.

After asking God for guidance, Sister Faraah found herself walking into a local Islamic centre in her community, and was welcomed with a warm embrace and openness. After realizing this was a place her and her children were always welcome, she continued attending sessions of Islamic knowledge to strengthen her faith.

Starting off an extremely important and personal season of "Our Sisters Who Have Embraced Islam" is Umm Ahmad. Her journey to Islam over 30 years ago was at the pinnacle of drug use, high prison sentences, and the spread of AIDS within her African American community. In an effort to find true meaning in life, she started her search for the truth, and ultimately had her interested in Islam piqued through what she read in the Bible.