Saad (US - Islam - 27)
Faith is the one thing that has given me an identity more than anything else. As a child growing up in white suburban America, I was always lost with who I was and where I belonged. I was too American for some, and too ethnic for others. It wasn’t till college where I realized that my faith was a guiding mechanism that helped me navigate through my identity crisis, by inviting me into a world of like minded individuals who could help me grow as a person. These individuals helped me learn more about myself by introducing me to my faith in a new light. I always had faith in my life, but the true spirituality only blossomed in me once I was able to explore Islam through having deep conversations with those who were more wise or had a stronger Iman than me at the time. This Iman informed me who I was, and has since served as a guiding principle helping me navigate the often rocky waters that is life.
Anonymous
I think the one word that encompasses how my perception of faith has grown over time is “love.” There’s a concept in Islam of Husn udh-dhann billah which translates to having a good opinion of Allah (swt). Once this mindset of understanding that Allah (swt) loves you was established, I understood that every micro second in my life was a blessing from Him. I understood that even if something seemed like a trial in the moment - it is a gift from Him. Alhamdulillah. This perspective shift allowed me to take the lessons from the difficult times, focus on the goodness in my own heart, and turn towards the immense blessings that Allah (swt) has blessed me with. Because He says that “if you are thankful for what you have, then I will increase you” - Quran.