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Nadir Keval

10 Tips For A Better Ramadan
10 Tips For A Better Ramadan 1920 1200 Nadir Keval

Every Ramadan, we set goals and resolutions, and just like New Year resolutions, these are quickly forgotten. The first week of Ramadan has now passed and this is the perfect opportunity to reevaluate and determine where we are and where we can go with our faith, character, and lifestyle. This Ramadan, use these tips (in no particular order) to get yourself back in check. Work hard at making these a reality, and insha Allah, you’ll see positive differences and changes in your relationship with yourself and with Allah. May Allah make these steps beneficial for all of us, and guide us towards that which is best for us to continue with throughout our lives here and in the Hereafter. Ameen.

1. Get out of bed and your bedroom as quickly as possible

Every morning, at least for me, it’s a challenge to get myself out of bed and get to work. I love what I do in my life, and aspire to do so much more every day, but the truth is, sleep is a luxury I would love to indulge in more. Still, with the bed and bedroom come temptations that just aren’t beneficial. For example, laziness becomes something that is so easily attainable, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t work a 9-5, like me, or if you’re a student with classes later in the day. At the time of the Prophet (SAW), they spent so much of their time during Ramadan in worship, hard work towards feeding their families, and more, to the point that many went days, weeks, or sometimes even the entire month with only a few hours of sleep per night. They are examples for us, to show us that they too were human and capable of keeping up. So, get out of bed, get dressed, and get started with your day. It’ll keep you disciplined, on point and focused, and will give you a better night’s sleep when you head to bed every night. For one month, make sacrifices and put your faith before your sleep. You’ve done it for your job, to study for exams, to take care of your kids, and sometimes even to hang out with your friends. Reducing your sleep hours during this one month won’t hurt, especially if you’re using it towards worship. (Remember, I’m not a doctor though, so this may not work for everyone. But, before you write this step off, ask yourself what your intention and reason is behind cutting down sleep.)

2. Eat clean and smart

Oh, the horrifying things Muslims do to themselves when Iftar and Suhoor come around. May Allah guide and forgive us. When you’re eating, it should be for the sake of nourishment and not gluttony. Eat to live. Don’t live to eat. This Ramadan, stick to the natural basics, and avoid anything from a wrapper. Also, avoid sugars and caffeine. Sugar because it won’t keep you nourished for the day, and caffeine because studies have shown that it leads to dehydration. Stick to proteins, fiber-rich foods, fruit, vegetables, nuts, water, and milk. And finally, remember to eat in moderation. The food isn’t going anywhere. Eat small portions, eat clean and nutritious, and eat only at Iftar and Suhoor times. Avoid eating full meals between the two times. If you feel very hungry, drink lots of water and munch on things like fruits, veggies, and nuts.

3. Stay active, but listen to your body

One of the most common things I hear before Ramadan, from others and myself is, “I’m going to work out a lot this Ramadan and just shred the fat away.” I’m going to be straight with you here: no, you’re not. It’s definitely possible for you to shred fat during Ramadan, but that won’t come through aggressive and excessive workouts. It will come through nutrition and workout consistency. Before you start doing your three 2-hour workouts every day (which can be harmful and counter-productive unless planned out with proper knowledge and application of the human body, its needs, and your own unique body’s chemistry), take it one step at a time, and pace yourself. As you get comfortable with one thing, add the next. Most importantly though, listen to your body. Don’t over exert yourself. If you need to rest, rest.

Remember, Ramadan is a time to train your body, mind, and spirit for the year to come, so don’t jump in completely without preparation and by taking on everything at once. Be patient and wise, and take small steps towards your goals.

4. Put your faith first

When you start your day, start it with faith. Work towards getting the faith-related things you had planned for the day done first, so as to avoid procrastination. It’s far too easy to get caught up in your daily activities and to forget the things you had set out to do differently this Ramadan. So, if you are hoping to finish reading the Quran during this month, make some time in the morning before work, school, or anything else, and read a few pages or even a chapter or two. Make it a point to pray as soon as the time for each Salah comes in, and take out some time out of your day to listen or watch a lecture online or at your local Masjid.  The point is, indulge in your faith and make it the root of your life, and you will find yourself cleansed of stress, strife, and mental clutter. (I actually just wrote an article about this: The Seed Of All Success)

5. Make a goal list

It’s really easy to fall of course when we make a mental list of our tasks and don’t write things down. It may seem possible at first, but eventually, things pile up and you forget one or two things here or there, and the next thing you know, you’ve missed something major and fallen off track. Write down your goals for the month. If you already had done so before Ramadan began, take this as an opportunity to revise and renew those goals. This first week was the trial run – your beta phase. Reflect on the last week, think about what you’ve done, what you can do to become better, write down tasks to make it more clear, and then take action and make your goals a reality.

6. Keep a journal

This can do wonders for you when you’re working towards growth in any aspect of life. Keep a journal for each separate goal – one for working out, your career, your Deen, etc. This is a great approach to keeping yourself on track and building motivation to maintaining your goals and aspirations.

7. Give back

One of the best ways to cleanse your mind and soul, and to feel good about yourself is to help others and give back to the community. This is a great way to bring to light one of the main reasons behind why we fast: to understand and recognize that we have so much to be grateful for in our lives. When you are more aware of how privileged we are with all of the things Allah has blessed us with, we are less greedy, more calm and collected, and more patient in dealing with the struggles of life, along with the many other benefits of helping others. And personally, I also believe that giving back is one of the best ways to increase your success and gain more out of what you aspire towards.

8. Learn something new daily

Seeking knowledge is an integral part of Islamic teachings, and it would be unwise to not take advantage of this month as a time to secure a routine or habit of making an effort to learn more on a daily basis. Take out some time every day to watch or listen to a new lecture on Islam or any other beneficial topic, go to your local Masjid, have discussions with your fellow Muslim friends about different topics in Islam, read the Tafseer of the Quran, study Islamic history books, etc. Just do something to learn about your Deen and about other things that will benefit you in this life and in the Next.

9. Take time to meditate

It actually bothers me when people say that Salah is enough meditation for Muslims. It’s one of many ways we can meditate and find a center point. Take up yoga, go for a walk, go fishing, do something that is calming and takes you away from the stresses of every day life. Your faith is one thing, and taking care of your mental clarity and calm is another. They may overlap, but they are two very different things.

10. Stay close to positive friends

“You are the company you keep.” This is amongst the few phrases that holds true in every circumstance. Who and what you keep company with influences and impacts your own character, habits, and interests. Keeping yourself surrounded by those who are beneficial towards your growth as a person and as a Muslim is key to finding success in this life and the Next. It gives us the support, base of knowledge and structure, and all else we could gain from being around positive influences. Alhamdulillah, my best friend has always been by my side and it has helped immensely in shaping my character and faith.

11. BONUS: Look sharp

This is one of those things where my opinion takes lead and forces itself on to my tasks, making me go against the rules and add another tip to this list. Keep a strong image through your character, looking good while maintaining the halal and Sunnah, and staying clean and fresh are key components of what makes Islam and Muslims so amazing. Here’s the truth: because Islam is a way of life, Muslims represent it at every turn. While we are open to flaws and mistakes due to us being human, we are still capable of doing our best to look our best, holding character in our personalities and sense of style. So, take a second, read up on style, check out fashion houses and their artistic appeal, and create your own personal style (while sticking to the Sunnah as much as possible – constantly trying to grow in faith).

To Be Happy
To Be Happy 4000 1160 Nadir Keval

I believe that when we are born, we are all blessed with a natural disposition towards the pursuit of happiness. It is only due to the environments we are raised in that we end up losing that desire for it. Sure, many of us spend a good portion of our lives striving towards having a stable and secure income, the perfect spouse, that ideal family, enjoyment of all types of foods, and a body that would make Greek mythology seem reflective of the average physique. Is all of that possible? Of course it is, but it takes immense amounts of hard work, ambition, self-esteem, patience, and faith – things very few of us are willing to apply to our lives.

What we acquire in life, and how successful we are is often judged based on our bank balances, the size of our houses, the brands of our clothes, and the price tag of our cars. Notice how it’s all related to money? We have become slaves to the things we have created – paper with ink on it, which we claim to be of value because of some sort of signature on it that makes it unique. Money is the largest and longest running ad campaign in human history. We have been convinced and conditioned to make something so worthless into something considered priceless at times. How’s that? Consider being in a situation where law requires you to pay for anything you eat, and that the clerk selling you food must take money from you in order to make the transaction and avoid penalties.  Add to this the fact that you have not eaten for days and have no money with which to purchase food. Other than doing something that could result in you being punished by law, in some cases, to the point of death, you really have no choice but to move forward without nourishment. That mere dollar or two would thus become priceless to you because it is a matter of life and death. This example may seem a little farfetched, but sadly, it’s a truth to thousands of people around the world who live in impoverished places and have nothing to eat or drink. (We must put forth our utmost effort to help those in need, be it as close as home or in places where their basic necessities have become luxuries. I have chosen not to speak further on the importance of helping others in this article, as it takes away from the core of what I am trying to get across. I will, however, speak on the topic in the near future, as it is something I am very passionate and concerned with.)

Yet, look at those people, and you will find that they live out their lives, though often shortened by their unfortunate conditions, with happiness, contentment, and a sincere sense of peace in their hearts. They no longer have attachments to material gains, but rather, attach themselves to faith, family, and hope. We, however, live privileged lives. While others around the world are in conditions where their bare necessities are turned to luxuries, we are living with major luxuries being considered necessities – “Oh, you can’t do much unless you have a cell phone,” “I’m not going to buy those shoes! I want those [insert major brand name here]!” “But what am I supposed to do all day if the TV is out??” We are spoiled. We are pathetic.

Take a look at your life, and ask yourself how much of your time you spend being active? Is your faith the core of your lifestyle? Do you eat to nourish yourself, or to deal with emotions or addictions? Why are you still at your current job? Are you pursuing a passion in at least one component of your life? Ultimately, are you happy? Questions like these are ones that we must ask ourselves often to keep ourselves in check.

For years, I worried about the intangible things, like wealth, careers, food, etc. When I changed my mindset towards focusing around my faith, I found peace. That doesn’t in any way suggest that I don’t have struggles or issues of my own to deal with on a daily basis. That doesn’t mean that I am perfect and completely practice what I’ve written about here, without flaws or errors. What it means is that I no longer felt an attachment to things that I knew would pass. It also means that I am more satisfied and content with my life, and am more open and flexible when it comes to change. I used to think that things had to be done a certain way, and that without pursuing things in that same path, I would be guaranteeing myself a sense of failure and loss. But now, I live with fluidity and flexibility, and am able to adjust to situations with much more ease. I have my affections and attachments, but if they are lost from my life, I no longer feel the need to mope around or be depressed about it, Alhamdulillah.

Life is filled with expectations and norms, but that does not necessarily mean that it’s what best for you. Hold your own goals, work hard, and commit to your dreams and ambitions, but practice fluidity and flexibility through attachment to faith in order to transition smoothly through the turbulence of life. Find a passion, and make an effort to pursue what makes you happiest. Forget the rules of anything but morality and faith, and focus on pursuing happiness as a child without fear and full of imagination. And always, ALWAYS remember to give back and help others, because that is the fastest route to happiness and gaining more true success.

The Seed Of All Success
The Seed Of All Success 2560 1600 Nadir Keval

Find the right seed, take care of it, and you will see your dreams begin to blossom. – Nadir Keval

This mindset towards success is what helps me to continue moving forward in accomplishing my goals, despite the several setbacks that come my way. Throughout the years, I have tried time and time again to experiment and find the right seed in order to see results I sought, but it wasn’t until I recognized that seed to be faith that I actually saw and felt success.

Just as a seed sprouts the roots of a tree, which then grows to have its own branches, such does the impact of faith have on your life when you make it the seed of your success. Take into consideration the different aspects of your life, be it your career, your family, your health, your education, and any and everything else that makes you who you are. All of these components of your life can be connected directly to your faith, and if this is done, your intentions change, and thus, your focus becomes more clear and you are more determined to make your dreams a successful reality.

Let’s consider some of the different components of our lives:

  • Career – Build a career to fulfill your rights upon yourself by fulfilling your dreams and vision. Use it as a source through which you can provide for your family. To give yourself your rights and to provide for your family is an obligation upon almost every Muslim, and so, with this as your root purpose, you will gain reward in this life and the Next for all of the work and effort you put in towards your career.
  • Family – Taking care of your family, and building a safe haven of happiness and support is of immense importance if one wants to fulfill their obligation and responsibility towards their family, and if futures are hoped to be established successfully. This is a responsibility and obligation that Allah has placed upon all Muslims, and so, through giving our families their rights, we are able to gain Allah’s Support and Reward in this life and the Next.
  • Health – Our bodies are gifts from Allah, and just as we are responsible for providing ourselves with the mental and spiritual needs of life, we must also take care of ourselves with the right kinds and amounts of nourishment and fuel for our bodies, and with the right training and exercise to condition our bodies to be at the top of their potential. Take the responsibility of giving your body, mind, and spirit the rights it deserves and you will see that with this new mindset, you’ll be stronger, wiser, and more disciplined in the different experiences of life.
  • Education – We know that knowledge is power. But very few of us act on this, and aspire towards gaining this power that is so readily available to us, especially in the world we live in today. So, make a change and start acting on gaining an education, be it from getting a university or college degree, from reading books and self-teaching, through living life to the fullest and learning through experience and apprenticeship, or ideally, a combination of all three. Do this with the intention of fulfilling the command from Allah to gain knowledge, and through recognition of the fact that Islam is a religion for the people of understanding, as it is mentioned time and time again throughout the Quran. With this mindset, you will find joy and passion in seeking knowledge, and it will be a venue through which you will become more worldly and aware of how to face the daily challenges we all experience. And once again, you will gain the rewards of this life and the Hereafter through changing your intentions behind gaining an education and knowledge for the sake of Allah.

See how easy it is to look at it with faith as the seed of success? Though the examples I’ve mentioned above are reflective of the Islamic faith, it can be related to almost any faith. I chose to use Islam as an example because it is the faith I follow, and thus, the examples are relative to my own life. These examples act as the roots through which the tree of success is grown. Through that, you will find branches and flowers/fruits expand and become greater parts of what make you who you are. And just as God brings back to life the flowers and trees that die every year due to the harshness of the weather they experience, He brings back to life and rejuvenates the inspirations that sparked your aspirations in the first place. With God as the source of your seed’s nourishment and fuel, the possibilities of how successful you can be are endless.

Take a moment and reflect on the different components of your life that make it what it is. Look at what you work towards, what you aspire for, and what you stand for. Reshape your intentions in all aspects to reflect your faith, and watch how everything becomes more focused, clear, and “pure”. Live your life with your faith as the seed of every action, and experience rewards and success in this life and the Next. What more could we ask for, really? I pray that we all find that focus, clarity, and purity.

Ramadan 2013 – Reflections and Changes
Ramadan 2013 – Reflections and Changes 1920 1047 Nadir Keval

Ramadan last year was…different. To be honest, I don’t think there’s any other way to describe it. There was so much going on in my life, and it was all stuff that was overwhelming, stressful, and confusing. Looking back, it wasn’t a time of much clarity for me. I went through a dark time, and was quite unhappy, making it very difficult for me to focus on my faith. Through the help and support of friends, I was able to push myself towards moving forward from the things that ailed me, and found myself in a new place, where I recognized that I had the ability to achieve anything. It was as though life had thrown me to the wind, and instead of being blown away, I was left standing while the wind cleansed my life of the clutter and negativity. Alhamdulillah.

Throughout this last year, I have grown greatly, Alhamdulillah. I have been able to refine the things that I was always so passionate about, and through this process, I have found a new level of peace and clarity within my personal faith. I knew that there was a need for me to grow closer to God, and so I began working on my relationship with Him. It was difficult, and it made what would usually be considered easy and simple become overwhelmingly difficult.

Without going into details of my personal sins, I will share some of the points I grew to recognize as being the key aspects of what helped me find peace and happiness:

  • Be optimistic: It’s so easy to be pessimistic about things, and to expect the worst. It’s so easy to think that everything is just not going to work out, and expect people to always be out to get you, or to make it seem like there’s no point in trying harder to become better. What’s difficult is to be at peace with life, no matter what comes your way. That comes through being optimistic and recognizing that everything that happens in life is part of His Plan. Sure, it’s more difficult, but once you learn to trust Allah, this becomes the secret ingredient to happiness in life. I’ll be writing a separate article about this topic later this week, so be sure to stay tuned for that!
  • Seek progression, not perfection: Many of us get down on ourselves when we find that we’re struggling with living up to the expectations of trying to be perfect in what we do. Well, at least, that’s something I went through. Upon realizing that I shouldn’t worry about the results, and instead should just focus on trying to be the best I could be as possible, life became much more peaceful.
  • Understand that you’re human: We all make mistakes, and beating ourselves up about it won’t do us any good. Instead, recognize that you’re human and part of being human is going through ups and downs in almost every aspect of life. What matters is the next thing in this list…
  • Never give up: Life is a series of tests and struggles, in which we focus on trying to accomplish goals in order to survive and thrive. The problem with this can sometimes be that things don’t always go our way. When this happens, it’s of utmost importance that we refuse to give up and continuously strive towards accomplishing our goals. Roll with the punches, and make the most of what life brings your way, but be patient and relentless in making your dreams a reality.

This Ramadan, let’s take in all we can from the lessons we learned over the past year, set some new goals, and try to make some changes. As a method of following through with this initiative, I’m challenging all of you to do things this Ramadan that are your own personal ways of making a change, be it through praying more, reading Quran more often, going out and volunteering somewhere, helping someone, giving Da’wah, etc. During the month, take pictures, record videos, write blog posts, etc. and hashtag them with #nkmakeachange. Let’s inspire each other to build on helping people as much as we can, and share our experiences. Make the most of this Ramadan, insha Allah! I pray that Allah helps and guides all of us towards making positive changes during this month, and that He gives us the strength, discipline, passion, and commitment to carry on with our changes after Ramadan as well. Ameen!

The Roller Coaster Of Life (Video)
The Roller Coaster Of Life (Video) 1274 714 Nadir Keval

Life itself is a roller coaster. The lower the roller coaster, the steeper and slower the climb to thrill and excitement. But, once you get to that pivotal point, the ride down is incredible and breath-taking! Sure, it may be short-lived, but once again, the lower it goes, the more it’ll pay off once you work your way back up to the top. Be patient. Work hard. It’ll be worth it. – Nadir Keval

Hey guys! After a long-time hiatus, I’m back with a new video! I’m going to be posting videos more often, so please be sure to subscribe and to like my videos. And if you can, write a comment below and share this video with your friends. Apologies for my first video back to be one where I look incredibly tired, but this video was actually shot at around midnight, after a day of working and a 10km trek. I hope the message I’m trying to get across touches your heart, and that you feel inclined to continue watching and sharing my videos!

Creating Crutches
Creating Crutches 1600 1200 Nadir Keval

Throughout our lives, we get hit with tests and struggles. From physical issues like back pain, to psychological issues like depression. So many things influence our lives, but it’s important to recognize that they impact us only as much as we allow them to. This isn’t to say that these issues are any less important, or that they shouldn’t be addressed. Instead, I believe that it’s important to recognize them, address them, and to move forward (with or without them).

Sometimes, we let these things become a crutch for ourselves. I can speak from experience, in that when I had my car accidents a few years back, my back pain took its toll on me and flipped my life upside down and sideways. I began to blame everything on my back problems. “School didn’t go well because my back hurt. I gained weight because my back hurt. I became depressed because my back hurt. I couldn’t continue with my goals and career because my back hurt.” And the list goes on. Finally, I realized that most of this was just me making excuses. Yes, there was pain. Yes, my spine had apparently shifted to one side. Yes, I had neurological changes because of it. Still, I hesitated to accept there is ALWAYS a way around the things that hold us back. It was just easier to blame it on something else instead of dealing with it.

Sure, sometimes it takes more time and effort to overcome, but the option is always there. The question is, how determined are you to take control of your life? Now, you may be going through something incredibly difficult right now, but ask yourself, how much of the pain you’re feeling is enhanced because you’ve told yourself that you’re incapable of things because of that pain? Almost everyone in the world has some kind of a mental health issue at some point or another during their lives. Some more than others. It’s important to deal with those issues, but to remember that because there is nothing we face in life that we can’t handle and overcome, by the Mercy and Will of Allah, we can’t use these issues as crutches or let them become the cornerstone of our identity.

Just the other day, I was watching some videos about people who practice one of my favourite forms of athleticism, CrossFit. Amongst the incredible athlete profiles I watched, two of them stood out to me most. One was of a young man who had a severe form of bipolar disorder. He and his family struggled greatly with it, because there was so much that was uncertain and unpredictable about him. Still, he continued forward with his training, worked hard at taking control of the situation, and strived to make the most of his condition. His determination and dedication helped him live as normal of a life as he could, and he accepted that he was blessed with a struggle that he was determined to overcome. He pushes beyond expectations and goes after his goals and passions.

The other example was of a 73 year old man. He had been training in different ways for a good 50-60 years, and had always taken care of himself. So, when he was diagnosed with prostrate cancer, he was taken aback, wondering how he could have been hit with something related to his health after spending his entire life taking care of himself. He had his prostrate then removed, and was back to training not too long after. The lesson I learned from his story, outside of the immense motivation and inspiration that radiated from him, was that we don’t know what we will face in life. What is meant to be a part of our lives, good or bad, will be a part of our lives, and there’s nothing we can do to change that. What is destined will be. What makes the difference, HOWEVER, is how we react to these experiences. Many of us would lose hope, and would become angry after spending our lives protecting ourselves from health-related danger, only to one day get hit with something out of the blue. But this man, he decided to take control and to not let it hold him back.

We live a lot of our lives with expectations. We think that nothing bad could ever happen to us, especially if we take all the precautions. Yet, we forget that what is written for us is already decreed and will come to pass. What is up to us is how we deal with it. This is where having control of our minds comes into play. When you are facing something you are afraid of, tell yourself that you are capable of overcoming it, and face it head-on. When something happens that takes an emotional or mental toll on you, grab hold of it before you indulge in those emotions and thoughts, and reflect on what you’re facing and how you can resolve or deal with it in the most beneficial and productive way possible. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t experience your emotions. They are there to be experienced. Instead, what I’m suggesting is to find balance and moderation. It’s like everything else in life, and how too much of anything is bad for you.

We cannot let our emotions dictate our thoughts and actions because they are unstable. To lean on something that is unstable, will most likely or eventually lead to you falling and getting hurt. Moderation and balance are key. If you need to cry, cry. If you are inclined to smile or laugh, smile or laugh. If you are angry, be angry. But, use wisdom, discipline, and balance to deal with it. Avoid letting these emotions and struggles become what define you. Become the master of your life, not its slave.

Poem: Poetry I Cannot Write
Poem: Poetry I Cannot Write 1024 768 Nadir Keval

She is the poetry I cannot write.
My pencil refuses to touch the paper.
My thoughts begin to wander in fear,
That I may think too deeply,
And become engulfed in her.

She is the poetry I cannot write.
Her description is too sweet for my lips to hold.
She is, without doubt, the perfect imperfection.
As she is designed in ways that can only make her as unique as she.

She is the poetry I cannot write.
I lower my head out of respect,
As I am still not worthy to lay eyes on her.
Till then, I will prepare to be ready, and God will help me.

She is the poetry I cannot write.
I try my best, but my imagination can only do so much.
And now, I sit in patience,
until the day comes that I am inspired.

Copyright © Nadir Keval

To Spark My Drive
To Spark My Drive 1440 1280 Nadir Keval

There are a few things that I use in my every day speech and thought in order to keep myself grounded, driven, and focused. I felt that sharing this on my blog would be a great way to make it more real for myself, and maybe to spark the same drive in others. I’m also often asked what keeps me so driven and ambitious despite facing so many obstacles, responsibilities, and struggles. I haven’t always realized that these were key parts of what kept me going, but upon recognizing them, putting them into words, and engraving them into my mind, I’ve become far more focused in implementing them and reaching my goals.

So, here they are:

“Allahumma Asta’aan” (“From Allah we seek assistance”)

This is something I picked up from having spent a lot of time with my close friend and sheikh, Abdurrahmann Murad. He has a habit of saying it, and it wasn’t until someone I met for the first time said, “You must be a close friend of Sheikh Abdurrahmann’s.” I laughed and asked, “What makes you say that?” He responded, “Because the person known for saying Allahumma Asta’aan in our community here in Vancouver is Sheikh Abdurrahman.” That made me feel good, not only because I learned that I was learning about my faith and implementing it without even knowing it, but also because this thing that I had learned was incredibly beneficial to moving forward.

It’s often very easy to get overwhelmed and thus discouraged from moving forward when something feels like it is more difficult than we can handle. Reminding yourself that we seek assistance from Allah, you are humbled and reminded that you are capable of so much more when you place your trust and reliance on Allah. You work hard towards becoming the best you can be, but keep yourself from becoming arrogant through humbling yourself with the remembrance of Allah. In addition to this, this statement acts as a reminder that you are never alone, which is something we can all use sometimes.

“Go big or go home”

It wasn’t until quite recently that my best friend made me realize that this statement has been something I’ve lived by, for the most part, throughout most of my life. With taking an unconventional approach towards pursuing my career goals, by taking bold (according to my best friend) steps towards getting what I want, and not being afraid to fail, and so much more, “Go big or go home,” is definitely a big part of what makes me who I am. I have a tendency to want to do any and everything that I’m afraid of, or that I’m told I’m not able to do.

This mentality is one that I think will help people in really going all the way in trying to become the best they can be, and in trying to accomplish as much as humanly possible in the various aspects of life. This is a great thing to hold tightly to in life, because it gets you excited and ambitious towards doing more and becoming better.

“Not too worried about it”

This is something a friend of a friend says often, and though I’ve never met him, these words have really helped me alot. It’s kind of crazy how he had such an impact on my life despite having never met me. I’m hoping to do the same for others with what I do for others through all of my pursuits, Insha Allah.

We live so much of our lives wasting time and energy worrying about what may be or what may come. Instead, with this mindset of reminding yourself to often say things like, “I’m not too worried about it,” you’re able to simply do your best and move forward with life. What’s meant to happen will happen regardless of what you want, and what ends up happening will always be what’s best for you, even if you don’t like it, because Allah is there helping you through your life.

These are just some of the things I do and think of in order to keep myself moving. Drive and ambition are key components of reaching success, regardless of how you define success in your life. Whether you’re trying to become an artist, a doctor, an at-home parent, a sibling, anything, you must have ambition and must be driven towards being the best you can be, if you are sincerely intent on becoming successful in whatever path you choose. I hope my personal reminders benefit you in some way, and would love to hear feedback from all of you so that I can work towards becoming better. Leave a comment below!

To Love and To Be Loved
To Love and To Be Loved 1280 800 Nadir Keval

For most of my life, I lived with the mindset that in order for me to truly fall in love, I would have to be someone that others would want to love. I would have to build myself around the needs of another someone, and adjust my identity to accommodate hers. This was something that resonated in both the pursuit of marriage and the other relationships I held, including family and friends. If I were unhappy, I felt that it was because I wasn’t good enough. If the relationship was sour or went sour, it was because of my failures and no one else’s. Despite my efforts to be the best I could be in every way, and hearing praise and compliments from strangers that had only known me for a mere moment, I would constantly feel this sense of being insufficient in being worthy of anyone’s love. Sure, people have told me they loved me, or have said that they’d go to the ends of the Earth for me, but none have added action to their words. They claim love, but hesitate to hug me or to go out of their way for me for even the smallest of things. They claim to go to the ends of the Earth for me, but hide behind, “I’m really busy right now,” when I show any signs of human struggle and need. Even after all these years, and having learned that this isn’t the way to live and love, my heart has been engraved with the pen of guilt, saying, “You’re still not good enough. It’s still your fault. YOU are the one that failed THEM.” It will take time, effort, and most importantly faith to fill those engravings and make my heart whole again.

This has been a mindset that held me prisoner for most of my life. I didn’t think I was worthy of happiness because I was flawed. I felt that my not accomplishing things as was socially expected of me was a reflection of me being stupid and destined for nothing but the worst of lives. I felt like I was dead before I had even had a chance to live.

In the last few years, however, I have been at battle. I have been the David fighting the Goliath within me. I have been the social outcast with a drive to become an inspiration to those feeling low. I have been the man who makes a living from being happy, not just to be happy. And all of this has been open to ridicule and discouragement by those I once considered my loved ones, but who are now simply ones I love for the sake of Him and my heart.

In the process of these battles, I have and will place my greatest and most important loves first: God, the Prophet (SAW), and myself. Please and Love God, and others who matter will be pleased with you. Love the Prophet (SAW), and you will please God, will change and inspire lives, and will live a life of spiritual peace. Love myself, and I will be loving the Prophet (SAW), and will be pleasing God, and thus, will be happy because my heart will be pursuing serenity and peace through living for the sake of happiness in this life and the Next. This is the only way I now understand to be the path towards happiness, success, and freedom. When we allow the judgments, opinions, and statements of others to influence us, we become their puppets. And if they’re words or actions are hurtful or destructive, they will eat away at us until we are no more, unless we make a change and live for God and our own selves.

Fortunately, I have less than a handful of people I get love back from, but I still hold my reservations on their love. They know who they are because I make sure to let them know of it often, through direct words and actions, Alhamdulillah.

I no longer expect love from others, because I don’t want to live with disappoint. So now, I just work hard at loving. There’s a high chance I won’t get loved back. There’s a high chance I will push people away by the sincerity of my love, considering how rare it is for people to be sincere today. There’s a high chance I will never find someone who could love me back the same way I love them, because they fear they won’t be able to live up to it – though if they knew my story and my purpose, they would understand that I simply ask that they try their best (for THEIR OWN sake, and not just mine). But all of that will be worth it, because I will be doing what I love: loving people.

And who knows, maybe one day, if not in this life then for sure in the Next, Allah will bless me with a return on that love. Until then, and even afterwards, I won’t depend on the love of the creation – instead, I will live off of His Love.

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