The Good, the Bad & the Ugly: My Dad Was a Western at Heart

I’d like to share a train of thought that’s alive right now for someone like me—someone proclaiming a message from Allah while also navigating challenges in a family matter. I’m an all-inclusive person, and Allah has entrusted me to convey an all-inclusive message—one that strikes at the heart of reality itself.  I am not trying to sell a trip to Mexico, nor am I trying to offend anyone’s lifestyle. It’s not meant to inconvenience anyone, but for anyone truly in tune with reality, this message is strong enough to harken to.

Because Allah is real. The guidance is real. And anyone with my unique lifetime of experiences and understanding of how I was able to manifest this connection would know: there’s just no way to ignore the signs Allah kept giving me along the way—no matter how desperate people might think I am. This is an ultimate truth I’m openly sharing after living it, not before. And in fact, Allah Himself set this all up accordingly, but only because I was receptive to the tests He was giving me, even in those years when I didn’t fully realize that everything is a test—and every moment, a result of that.

I also grew up with a father who had zero tolerance for BS, didn’t believe in partnership, and owned everything he did. My dad never sugar coated anything in life—he was true to the T in our last name, Taher, meaning “pure.” I learned a lot of reality checks because of his temperament, and even though I was a spunky teen always trying to push back against his rules, the commitment he held to stay true—that his words meant something—always stood strong. He knew that cheap wants and desires should never overpower our basic instincts. His quality of life wasn’t about quantity, and because of his true character, he naturally attracted good outcomes.

Through him, I learned a lot about the real needs a man has—and I see now how easily that regard is misunderstood, especially by women who might think I’m being fake or manipulative just because I speak respectfully and can channel a regulated environment that has boundaries with men. They assume it must be flirtation, but it isn’t. It’s about honoring what’s real, what’s true, and what Allah asks of us—because reality itself demands that we do. In the end, I’m just being judged because I was my dad and uncles’ barista when they’d play cards around the table for hours on end.

Surah Ar-Rum
43. So set you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) your face towards the straight religion (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, worship none but Allah Alone) before a Day comes, which there is no turning back from Allah (i.e. when Allah orders the sun to rise from the west then the repentance will be of no avail). On that Day mankind shall be divided (i.e. those who obeyed Allah and those who disobeyed Him).

44. Whosoever disbelieves, will suffer from his disbelief, and whosoever does righteous good deeds, then such will prepare a good place (Paradise) for themselves (and will be saved by their good deeds from the Hell-fire).

45. That He may reward those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, out of His Bounty. Verily, He likes not the disbelievers.

46. And among His Signs is this, that He sends the winds as glad tidings, giving you a taste of His Mercy (i.e. rain), and that the ships may sail (thereby) by His Command, and that you may seek of His Bounty, in order that you may be thankful.

47. And indeed We did send before you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) Messengers to their own peoples. They came to them with clear proofs, then, We took vengeance on those who committed crimes (disbelieved, denied, rejected, opposed, etc.), and (as for) the believers it was incumbent upon Us to help (them).

48. Allah is He Who sends the winds, so they raise clouds, and spread them along the sky as He wills, and then break them into fragments, until you see rain drops come forth from their midst! And when He makes them fall on whom of His slaves as He wills, lo! they rejoice!

49. And verily before that (rain) - just before it was sent down upon them - they were in despair!

50. Look then at the effects (results) of Allah's Mercy, - how He revives the earth after its death. Verily! That (Allah) Who revived the earth after its death shall indeed raise the dead (on the Day of Resurrection), and He is Able to do all things.

51. And if We send a wind, and they see (their tilth) turn yellow, behold, they then would become ungrateful (disbelievers).

52. So verily, you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) cannot make the dead to hear (i.e. the disbelievers), nor can you make the deaf to hear the call, when they flee, turning their backs.

53. Nor can you lead the blind out of their error, you can only make to hear those who believe in Our Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.), and who have submitted (as Muslims).

54. Allah is He Who created you in (a state of) weakness, then gave you strength after weakness, then after strength gave (you) weakness and grey hair. He creates what He wills. And it is He Who is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful (i.e. Able to do all things).

55. And on the Day when the Hour will be established, the Mujrimûn (criminals, disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) will swear that they stayed not but an hour – thus were they ever deluded (away from the truth).

56. And those who have been bestowed with knowledge and faith will say: “Indeed you have stayed according to the Decree of Allah, until the Day of Resurrection, but you knew not.”

57. So on that Day no excuse of theirs will avail the Zâlimûn (polytheists, wrong-doers, disbelievers), nor will they be allowed (then) to return to seek (Allah's Pleasure) by repentance.

58. And indeed We have set forth for mankind, in this Qur’ân every kind of parable. But if you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) bring to them any sign or proof, the disbelievers are sure to say (to the believers): “You follow nothing but falsehood and magic.”

Surah Luqman

1. Alif-Lâm-Mîm.

2. These are Verses of the Wise Book (the Qur’ân).

3. A guidance and a mercy for the Muhsinûn (good-doers).

4. Those who perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât) and give Zakât and they have faith in the Hereafter with certainty.

5. Such are on guidance from their Lord, and such are the successful.

6. And of mankind is he who purchases idle talks (i.e. music, singing, etc.) to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah without knowledge, and takes it (the Path of Allah) by way of mockery. For such there will be a humiliating torment (in the Hell-fire).

7. And when Our Verses (of the Qur’ân) are recited to such a one, he turns away in pride, as if he heard them not — as if there were deafness in his ear. So announce to him a painful torment.

8. Verily, those who believe (in the Oneness of Allah - Islâmic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, for them are Gardens of delight (Paradise).

9. To abide therein. It is a Promise of Allah in truth. And He is the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.

10. He has created the heavens without any pillars that you see, and has set on the earth firm mountains lest it should shake with you; and He has scattered therein moving (living) creatures of all kinds. And We send down water (rain) from the sky, and We cause (plants) of every goodly kind to grow therein.

11. This is the creation of Allah. So show Me that which those (whom you worship) besides Him have created. Nay, the Zâlimûn (polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.) are in plain error.

12. And indeed We bestowed upon Luqmân Al-Hikmah (wisdom and religious understanding) saying: "Give thanks to Allah." And whoever gives thanks, he gives thanks for (the good of) his own self. And whoever is unthankful, then verily, Allah is All-Rich (Free of all wants), Worthy of all praise.

13. And (remember) when Luqmân said to his son when he was advising him: "O my son! Join not in worship others with Allah. Verily! Joining others in worship with Allah is a great Zulm (wrong) indeed.

14. And We have enjoined on man (to be dutiful and good) to his parents. His mother bore him in weakness and hardship upon weakness and hardship, and his weaning is in two years – give thanks to Me and to your parents. Unto Me is the final destination.

15. But if they (both) strive with you to make you join in worship with Me others of which you have no knowledge, then obey them not, but behave with them in the world kindly, and follow the path of him who turns to Me in repentance and in obedience. Then to Me will be your return, and I shall tell you what you used to do.

16. "O my son! If it be (anything) equal to the weight of a grain of mustard seed, and though it be in a rock, or in the heavens or in the earth, Allah will bring it forth. Verily, Allah is Subtle (in bringing out that grain), Well-Aware (of its place).

17. "O my son! Perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), enjoin (on people) Al-Ma’rûf (Islamic Monotheism and all that is good), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief in the Oneness of Allah, polytheism and all that is evil and bad), and bear with patience whatever befalls you. Verily! These are some of the important commandments (ordered by Allah with no exemption).

18. "And turn not your face away from men with pride, nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, Allah likes not any arrogant boaster.

19. "And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the braying of the asses (donkeys)."

20. See you not (O men) that Allah has subjected for you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth, and has completed and perfected His Graces upon you, (both) apparent (i.e. Islamic Monotheism, and the lawful pleasures of this world, including health, good looks, etc.) and hidden [i.e. one’s Faith in Allah (of Islamic Monotheism) knowledge, wisdom, guidance for doing righteous deeds, and also the pleasures and delights of the Hereafter in Paradise]? Yet of mankind is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge or guidance or a Book giving light!

21. And when it is said to them: "Follow that which Allah has sent down," they say: "Nay, we shall follow that which we found our fathers (following)." (Would they do that!) even though Shaitân (Satan) invites them to the torment of the Fire.

22. And whosoever submits his face (himself) to Allah [i.e. follows Allah's Religion of Islamic Monotheism] and he is a Muhsin (good-doer), then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold [Lâ ilâha illallâh (none has the right to be worshipped but Allah)]. And to Allah return all matters for decision.

23. And whoever disbelieves, let not his disbelief grieve you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم). To Us is their return, and We shall inform them what they have done. Verily, Allah is the All-Knower of what is in the breasts (of men).

24. We let them enjoy for a little while, then in the end We shall oblige them to (enter) a severe torment.

25. And if you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) ask them: "Who has created the heavens and the earth," they will certainly say: "Allah." Say: "All the praises and thanks be to Allah!" But most of them know not.

26. To Allah belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth. Verily, Allah, He is Al-Ghani (Rich, Free of all wants), Worthy of all praise.

27. And if all the trees on the earth were pens and the sea (were ink), with seven seas behind it to add to its (supply), yet the Words of Allah would not be exhausted. Verily, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

28. The creation of you all and the resurrection of you all are only as (the creation and resurrection of) a single person. Verily, Allah is All-Hearer, All-Seer.

29. See you not (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) that Allah merges the night into the day (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the night is added to the hours of the day), and merges the day into the night (i.e. the decrease in the hours of the day is added to the hours of the night), and has subjected the sun and the moon, each running its course for an appointed term; and that Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

30. That is because Allah, He is the Truth, and that which they invoke besides Him is Al-Bâtil (falsehood, Satan and all other false deities), and that Allah, He is the Most High, the Most Great.

31. See you not that the ships sail through the sea by Allah's Grace? that He may show you of His Signs? Verily, in this are signs for every patient, grateful (person).

32. And when a wave covers them like shades (i.e. like clouds or the mountains of sea-water), they invoke Allah, making their invocations for Him only (i.e. sincerely and truly in their hearts) but when He brings them safely to land, there are among them those that stop in between (believing and disbelieving). But none denies Our Signs except every perfidious ingrate.

33. O mankind! Be afraid of your Lord (by keeping your duty to Him and avoiding all evil), and fear a Day when no father can avail aught for his son, nor a son avail aught for his father. Verily, the Promise of Allah is true, let not then this (worldly) present life deceive you, nor let the chief deceiver (Satan) deceive you about Allah.

34. Verily Allah, with Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs. No person knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no person knows in what land he will die. Verily, Allah is All-Knower, All-Aware (of all things).