Beyond the Illusion

Growing up, my dad always told us that "hate" is a strong word. We used the line in a joking manner, but as I entered adulthood, I began to grasp both the power and the fragility of using it as a means of expression. We often throw it around as if it’s a simple, valid way to communicate, yet in reality, there is no justification for it. I began to notice that when we allow it to exist freely in our lives, we unknowingly give it space to grow. The more we reinforce it, the more we become responsible for carrying its weight—a burden that ultimately hinders our ability to find peace.

The cruelest thing about this sensitive topic is not just its presence but how we deceive ourselves into justifying it. We wield it in ways that distort its true nature, using it as a weapon rather than seeking a solution. Instead of resolving conflict, we fuel it. Instead of finding clarity, we cloud our judgment. We tell ourselves that our hate is warranted, but in doing so, we block the path to overcoming it.

When we nurture or validate our negative actions, we're actually rejecting peace. Before we throw anything away, we must first validate the reasoning behind it. Just as we are taught to hate the sin but not the sinner, we must separate our emotions from the people and situations that trigger them. More importantly, we must stop ourselves from feeling responsible for proving an accusation if we lack the accountability to participate in the solution.

The Framework of Faith

As Muslims, our foundation is built upon the six articles of faith, which serve as the guiding principles that shape our sincerity in upholding the five pillars of Islam. Each article of faith affirms the sole proprietor of believing in Allah alone, directing us in our journey through life with the ultimate goal of peace—both within ourselves and in our interactions with others.

The prefrontal cortex, the part of our brain responsible for reasoning and emotional regulation, it plays a crucial role in shaping our responses. If we begin to experience negative emotions such as having malice intent or feel jealousy, then we risk the disruption of the balance necessary for learning and understanding to mature. This imbalance leads to impulsive and self-absorbed behaviors that hinder the brain’s natural development. Instead of responding with thoughtfulness, a person consumed by negativity reacts in a way that centers around themselves, failing to recognize the true significance of their participation and response.

When someone holds onto resentment, it gradually fosters narcissistic tendencies. This happens because they become fixated on surface-level perceptions, looking for validation and familiarity–overlooking the deeper understanding that comes from genuine connection and reflection. They start to believe that what they see is all there is, dismissing the depth of experiences and emotions that bring true insight into life. Resorting to the need to control outcomes that serve their needs.

When we approach the Quran with an open heart, we not only absorb its wisdom, but we also learn how to safeguard our hearts from closing. If we truly pay attention, we will recognize that the Quran serves as a defense against the narcissistic tendencies that emerge when our intentions counteract the peace we're inherently fighting for. It reminds us that peace is not just an abstract ideal but a lived instruction—one that, if ignored, leaves us struggling to control the outcomes of our actions.

The Quran’s presence in our lives is not simply because it is owned; it exists to remind us of the soul Allah has entrusted to us in this life. Its guidance is not just a set of laws but a roadmap to returning our soul to Him in the purest form possible when the inevitable moment of our departure arrives. By following its wisdom, we are not just reading—we are actively preparing our hearts, our character, and our deeds for the ultimate reunion with our Creator.

To Decide or Knot

In today’s world, our understanding of livelihood is often distorted. We are bombarded with distractions, conditioned expectations, and misleading narratives that shape what we perceive as "right." These influences can push us into a survival mode where we make decisions reactively, rather than reflectively. In this state, our vision is clouded. We become fixated on what the surface presents rather than what is truly unfolding beneath it.

Decisions are an essential part of life. It shapes our paths, influences our relationships, and determines the direction of our spiritual and personal growth. While there is often pressure to always make the “right” decision, the real challenge is not perfection—it is setting better intentions. Intentions that align with truth, wisdom, and sincerity rather than fear, pressure, or fleeting emotions.

Modern decisions are filled with documentation, reports, and long interpretations—all seemingly designed to guide us toward an answer. But the real task is not just in reading and processing information; it is in questioning why this information is presented in the first place. Why is it framed in a particular way? Why are certain details inconsistent, while others remain perfectly aligned? What is the hidden intention behind the way the information is structured?

The truth is, decisions should never be made solely based on what the eye perceives. Looks can be deceiving. That is why justice is an essential part of true decision-making—because it requires us to go beyond face value and seek what is fair, balanced, and rooted in truth. It calls on us to use the depth of our knowledge to uncover the probable cause of matters, reminding us that true understanding requires time and effort—surface-level judgment is never enough.

Ultimately, allowing any negative tendency to dictate our actions distorts our perception of reality and weakens our ability to think critically in order to regulate emotions. In the context of hate, it becomes an invisible force urging us to misjudge, while all of our life resources and the core of our soul inherently seek peace. When we step back, we realize that what we are truly searching for is understanding. That understanding is what straightens our overall well-being. And in that understanding, we create space for growth, resolution, and ultimately, peace.

It is an act of faith—about sincerely seeking clarity and trusting that Allah, the Best of Planners, will grant us the ability to see beyond what is presented—to what truly matters.

"Allah puts forth a similitude: a (slave) man belonging to many partners (like those who worship others along with Allah) disputing with one another, and a (slave) man belonging entirely to one master, (like those who worship Allah Alone). Are those two equal in comparison? All the praises and thanks be to Allah! But most of them know not." 39:29

"And indeed We have put forth for men, in this Quran every kind of similitude in order that they may remember."

"Verily, We have sent down to you (O Muhammad SAW) the Book (this Quran) for mankind in truth. So whosoever accepts the guidance, it is only for his ownself, and whosoever goes astray, he goes astray only for his (own) loss. And you (O Muhammad SAW) are not a Wakil (trustee or disposer of affairs, or keeper) over them."

"So, the evil results of that which they earned overtook them. And those who did wrong of these [people to whom you (Muhammad SAW) have been sent], will also be overtaken by the evil results (torment) for that which they earned, and they will never be able to escape."

"Do they not know that Allah enlarges the provision for whom He wills, and straitens it (for whom He wills). Verily, in this are signs for the folk who believe!"

"And Allah will deliver those who are the Muttaqun (pious - see V.2:2) to their places of success (Paradise). Evil shall touch them not, nor shall they grieve." 39:61