Morals, Codes, and Moods

The Quran isn’t just meant to be held, read, or quoted; it’s designed to reflect deeply in our lives. Learning to understand it, to truly connect with Allah, wasn’t something that happened to me overnight. It took building faith, cultivating trust, and going through tests that Allah placed at the center of it all.

We often assume that wearing hijab, making wudu, praying, and keeping the Quran near us is enough to say we’ve “made it” as good Muslims. But Allah’s message throughout the Quran is far richer and more protective than that. He warns us that if something can be reduced to appearances, then society will surely play with it — because society thrives on superficial impressions passed from one person to the next. That’s the very thing Allah shows us: how easily these surface impressions block sincerity.

It’s like when an organization wants to recruit someone; their assessment isn’t always direct or honest — it’s broadly deceitful, testing from hidden angles. Similarly, shaytan doesn’t just try to recruit us individually; he tries everyone around us too — the people whose opinions, presence, and judgments could shake us. Allah’s wisdom shows us that sometimes being portrayed as a sinner — even when we’re sincerely trying to follow His guidance — is part of a test that extends beyond us, because He foresees the intrusions and pressures that might surround us. And the closer Allah brings us to truth, the more He places protection around us, even if it looks, from the outside, like isolation or loss.

I’ve always loved family deeply — the good, the messy, and everything in between. I loved hosting, gathering everyone together; it reflected how much I cherished them and our home. But deep inside, I sensed that if we all had true sincerity toward each other, maybe we wouldn’t have gathered as often — because sincerity doesn’t always require public displays.

Allah gave me strong intuition about my surroundings, but it never made me arrogant to use what I know against anyone. Instead, it humbled me and made me want to help diffuse those unnecessary notions, even when I was left feeling inadequate. I went through through the direct or indirect approachs to clear those depictions, but often found myself a victim of gaslighting and emotional abuse. My teenage reputation as a “hot head” stuck with people who also saw how hard I worked to heal the younger, more reactive part of me. I refuse to be a prisoner of a past that was narrated and distorted by the very people who perpetrated against me. And I sure am not going to be a prisoner of their dreams, their wishes, or their inability to place faith and trust in Allah — more than they are intimidated by my evident determination to follow His guidance.

What I offered through hospitality slowly became a convenience for others — almost a right. It felt as though everyone was written into my marriage contract. And when Allah guided me further, bringing uncomfortable truths to light, some felt threatened — as though I was trying to use religion to run away from my marriage or from everything I cared about. They imagined I was sacrificing my life and children because Allah was supposedly “shaming” me.

But here’s the contradiction: they deny Allah is guiding me, yet still react according to their belief. They work hard to suppress what Allah is planting in their hearts, contradicting what they know deep down. They mock prayer, seeing it as weakness, not realizing that if I want quality time with family, I must also desire quality time with Allah — because He alone decides the quality of that time. And Allah knew the struggles, interruptions and suppressions I was under trying to sincerely care for my family. 

Allah repeatedly asks us to strive in His cause — and that word, cause, matters. My love and generosity toward family were never about seeking perks or praise; they were signs from Allah — because. And that “because” is enough.

Shaytan tries to corrupt even those raised in knowledge and ranks, by offering control to whoever is immature enough to take it: people who seek to intrude, interrupt, invalidate, and disturb peace. Among the jinn, he sends the afrit — who quietly tempt people to act without realizing what they’re doing: mocking wudu, dismissing prayer, or feeling irritated at someone simply following Allah’s command. Shaytan doesn’t want us to make wudu, because even that simple act invites angels and prepares us for prayer.

So while some might judge me harshly, accusing me of being ungrateful or reckless with the blessings I had, the reality is that if my life had truly been about living large with an ugly reputation, I would be ranked low in many ways — and I would’ve stayed spiritually small. And the main reason the gossip reel doesn’t stop is because I would naturally remove myself from conversations that didn’t seek solutions. That alone troubled the very minds that needed gossip to feel secure, because it sparked their suspicion: why would I choose to stay away from temptation?

In the end, it’s not the surface acts or what others see that defines faith — it’s sincerity, intention, and striving, even when we’re misunderstood. Trust the Only One Who knows the truth, because His tests aren’t there to shame us, but to refine and protect us. And through it all, the Quran isn’t a trophy to hold; it’s a living guide, mirroring our struggles and leading us closer to Him — because.

32:10-11
"And they say: "When we are dead and become lost in the earth, shall we indeed be recreated anew?" Nay, but they deny the Meeting with their Lord!

Say (to them): "The angel of death, who is set over you, will take your souls. Then you shall be brought to your Lord."

Surah Al-Hijr (15:36–45):
He (Iblis) said: "O my Lord! Give me then respite till the Day they (the dead) will be resurrected."
Allah said: "Verily! You are of those allowed respite, till the Day of the time appointed."
Iblis said: "O my Lord! Because You misled me, I shall indeed adorn the path of error for them (mankind) on the earth, and I shall mislead them all, except Your chosen, (guided) slaves among them."
(Allah) said: "This is the Way which will lead straight to Me."
"Certainly, you shall have no authority over My slaves, except those who follow you of the deviators."
And surely, Hell is the promised place for them all.
It (Hell) has seven gates, for each of those gates is a (special) class (of sinners) assigned.
Truly! The Muttaqun (pious), will be amidst Gardens and water-springs.
(It will be said to them): "Enter therein (Paradise), in peace and security."

 
Surah Hud (11:116):
If only there had been among the generations before you, persons having wisdom, prohibiting (others) from Al-Fasad (disbelief, polytheism, and all kinds of crimes and sins) in the earth, except a few of those whom We saved from among them. Those who did wrong pursued the enjoyment of good things of (this worldly) life, and were Mujrimun (criminals, disbelievers in Allah, polytheists, sinners).

 
Surah Al-Hajj (22:67–68):
For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow; so let them not dispute with you on this matter, but invite them to your Lord. Verily! You (O Muhammad ﷺ) indeed are on the Right Guidance.
And if they argue with you, say: "Allah knows best of what you do."

 
Surah Ar-Rum (30:15–19):
Then, as for those who believed (in the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism), and did righteous good deeds, they shall be made happy in a luxurious life (in Paradise).
But as for those who disbelieved, and belied Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), and the Meeting of the Hereafter, such shall be brought forth to the torment.
So glorify Allah, when you come up to the evening (i.e. offer the Maghrib prayer), and when you enter the morning (i.e. offer the Fajr prayer).
And in the afternoon (i.e. offer the Zuhr and ‘Asr prayers), and when the day begins to decline (i.e. offer the ‘Asr prayer).
It is He Who brings out the living from the dead, and brings out the dead from the living. And He revives the earth after its death. And thus shall you be brought out (resurrected).
And among His Signs is this, that He created you from dust, and then, behold you are human beings scattered (far and wide).

 
Surah Al-Ankabut (29:69):
As for those who strive hard in Us (Our Cause), We will surely guide them to Our Paths (i.e. Allah’s Religion – Islamic Monotheism). And verily, Allah is with the Muhsinun (good-doers).

 "Verily, We are about to destroy the people of this (Lut's) town; truly, its people are Zalimun (polytheists, disbelievers, sinners, etc.).

And indeed We have left thereof an evident Ayah (a lesson and a warning, etc.) for a folk who understand.

 
And (We destroyed also) Qarun (Korah), Fir'aun (Pharaoh), and Haman. And indeed Musa (Moses) came to them with clear proofs, but they were arrogant in the land, yet they could not outstrip Us (escape Our punishment).

So We punished each (of them) for his sins; of them were some on whom We sent Hasib (a violent wind with shower of stones), and of them were some who were overtaken by As-Saihah (torment – awful cry, etc.), and of them were some whom We caused the earth to swallow, and of them were some whom We drowned. It was not Allah Who wronged them, but they wronged themselves."

Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:23–62):
And indeed We sent Nuh (Noah) to his people, and he said: "O my people! Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. Will you not fear (Him)?"
But the chiefs of those who disbelieved among his people said: "He is no more than a human being like you, he seeks to make himself superior to you. Had Allah willed, surely He could have sent down angels. Never did we hear such a thing among our fathers of old."
"He is only a man in whom is madness, so wait for him a while."
(Nuh) said: "O my Lord! Help me because they deny me."
So We inspired him (saying): "Construct the ship under Our Eyes and under Our Revelation, then, when Our Command comes and the oven gushes forth water, take aboard of each kind two, and your family, except him against whom the Word has already gone forth. And address Me not on behalf of those who did wrong. Verily, they are to be drowned."
And when you have embarked on the ship, you and whoever is with you, then say: "All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has saved us from the people who are Zalimun (polytheists and wrong-doers)."
And say: "My Lord! Cause me to land at a blessed landing place, for You are the Best of those who bring to land."
Verily, in this there are indeed signs (proofs, evidences, lessons, etc.), and surely, We are ever putting (men) to the test.
Then after them, We created another generation.
And We sent to them a Messenger from among themselves (saying): "Worship Allah! You have no other Ilah (God) but Him. Will you not then fear (Him)?"
And the chiefs of his people who disbelieved and denied the Meeting in the Hereafter, and whom We had given the luxuries and comforts of this worldly life, said: "He is only a human being like you, he eats of that which you eat, and drinks of that which you drink."
"If you were to obey a human being like yourselves, then verily you indeed would be losers."
"Does he promise you that when you have died and have become dust and bones, you shall be brought out (of the graves)?"
"Far, very far is that which you are promised!"
"There is nothing but our life of this world! We die and we live! And we are not going to be resurrected!"
"He is only a man who has invented a lie against Allah, and we are not going to believe in him."
He said: "O my Lord! Help me because they deny me."
Allah said: "In a little while, they are sure to be regretful."
So the Sayhah (torment – awful cry, etc.) overtook them in truth, and We made them as rubbish of dead plants. So away with the people who do wrong!
Then after them, We created other generations.
No nation can advance its term, nor delay it.
Then We sent Our Messengers in succession. Every time there came to a nation their Messenger, they denied him. So We made them follow one another (to destruction), and We made them as Ahadith (the true stories for mankind to learn a lesson). So away with a people who believe not!
Then We sent Musa (Moses) and his brother Harun (Aaron), with Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) and a manifest authority,
To Fir’aun (Pharaoh) and his chiefs, but they behaved insolently and they were people self-exalting (by disobeying their Lord).
They said: "Shall we believe in two men like ourselves, and their people are slaves to us?"
So they denied them both and became of those who were destroyed.
And indeed We gave Musa (Moses) the Scripture, that they may be guided.
And We made the son of Maryam (Mary) and his mother as a sign, and We gave them refuge on high ground, a place of rest, security and flowing streams.
O (you) Messengers! Eat of the Tayyibat (all kinds of Halal foods), and do righteous deeds. Verily! I am Well-Acquainted with what you do.
And verily! This your religion (of Islamic Monotheism) is one religion, and I am your Lord, so keep your duty to Me.
But they have broken their religion among them into sects, each group rejoicing in its belief.
So leave them in their error for a time.
Do they think that in wealth and children with which We enlarge them
We hasten unto them with good things. Nay, but they perceive not.
Verily! Those who live in awe for fear of their Lord;
And those who believe in the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of their Lord,
And those who join not anyone (in worship) as partners with their Lord;
And those who give that (their charity) which they give with their hearts full of fear, because they are sure to return to their Lord
It is these who race for the good deeds, and they are foremost in them.
And We tax not any person except according to his capacity, and with Us is a Record which speaks the truth; and they will not be wronged.