Hallo m'luvs,

Before we get into this weeks newsletter, I'd like to request a pat on the back please.

Y'all it is currently 5:57am and I am putting together this newsletter for y'all because - *COnSISteNCy 🤪* (and for those of y'all who know me well - yes, I haven't slept)

p.s

please fill out our super short survey: https://forms.gle/uzHxhkrzN3svGrSz8. It's completely anonymous.

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As a reflexive person, I'm painfully aware of the distance between reality and my ideal self. For context, I lean heavily on the benevolence and mercy of God, because without it - whelp 🥴. I also have an unkind habit of negative self-talk (which alhamdullilah, I've come a long way with).

In short, your girl has flaws, and those flaws have me feeling contradictory.

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I want to be that head down, deen on fleek girl, whose faith is her anchor and motivation to overcome - but any small inconvenience and I'm stressed and begging God for rain and AC.

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​Please, how are we even supposed to survive this heat AND the rising cost of living? My bro said I couldn't keep the fan running because the cost of electricity has shot up, and I just wanted to throw a terrible two's tantrum.​
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This brings me to the point of today's newsletter. I think we're so used to hearing stories of hardships, steadfastness and resolve that we've developed a suffering equals worth mindset.
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It's always after 'hardship comes ease' and never just...ease. I for one am a big fan of ease without the hardship, kind of like how I prefer my burger with no red onions. If it's there ima eat it, but I'd rather not y'know? The same way I tell the chef "no onions", I ask Allah not to send stress my way; I'm a soft life babe.
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A part of me, however, has always felt that my inability to handle (read: dislike of) hardships is a mark of my faith. While I understand that it is perfectly OK to want good things and want the best in life, I also recognise that this world is temporary and a means of attaining Jannah. Therefore, I sometimes carry a lot of guilt around my impatience, dislike of suffering and desire for comfort.

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That was until earlier today when I came across this verse in the Qur'an:

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قَالَ رَبِّ ٱغْفِرْ لِى وَهَبْ لِى مُلْكًۭا لَّا يَنۢبَغِى لِأَحَدٍۢ مِّنۢ بَعْدِىٓ ۖ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ ٱلْوَهَّابُ ٣٥
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He said, "My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower." (Q38:35)
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هَـٰذَا عَطَآؤُنَا فَٱمْنُنْ أَوْ أَمْسِكْ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍۢ ٣٩
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[We said], "This is Our gift, so grant or withhold without account." (Q38:39)

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وَإِنَّ لَهُۥ عِندَنَا لَزُلْفَىٰ وَحُسْنَ مَـَٔابٍۢ ٤٠
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And indeed, for him is nearness to Us and a good place of return. (Q38:40)
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These verses tell the story of Solomon (AS). Following a test bestowed on him, Solomon (AS) requested a kingdom like no other and was given it. The best part for me is that not only does he get his perfectly unique and fantastic kingdom, which he can do whatever with. His status in the sight of Allah also does not decrease. He will still be granted a position near him and a good place of return (Jannah).
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My takeaway from this? Up your du'a! If we're going to have trials, difficulties, 40-degree heatwaves then we should be asking for what we want, no holding back. There's no rule that says the size of your ease has to be in relation to the depth of your suffering. And there's nothing that says you must suffer before you can taste sweetness.
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So whether you feel you deserve it or not, raise your hands and ask for what you want, because as everybody's wise aunt, nan or cat has once said "closed mouths don't get fed".

Ask for your kingdom.

p.s:

It's now 7:48am and this (👇) is how dedicated I am to this discipline and consistency lifestyle.

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