{"_id":"676c9583744ca1ad0327726b","title":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"What advice do you have to help us prioritize learning Islam and Quran?\\n\"}]}","question":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"This feels like a stupid question to ask, but I have a lot of fear surrounding how I live as a Muslimah. I work from home and my work is not so excessive. On most days, I have much free time. But I can’t make myself do something useful with that time. I don’t read my Quran as often as I should given how much time I have. I don’t do my Islamic studies regularly, so I spend more time revisiting old content.\\n\\nI’d rather spend my time seeing my friends, cooking, doing hobbies or going to the gym. I wouldn’t say my life is without struggle, but Alhamdullilah there’s always room to grow yet I’m in a really good spot.\\n\\nWhen I think about all of this, I get really scared. I start wondering if I have become one of those people we are warned about - those who neglect religious responsibility until things get hard. Do you have any advice that can help push me to prioritize learning Islam and Quran? Or any examples of people during the Prophet ﷺ time that experienced something similar?\\n\"}]}","answer":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"It's not a stupid question at all; in fact, it’s a sign of sincerity and a desire to improve, which is a blessing in itself. Many people struggle with finding the right balance between worldly activities and spiritual growth, so you are not alone in this.\\n\\nThe fear and concern you feel is actually positive—it’s your heart reminding you to stay connected to your faith. Islam teaches us to strive for balance in life, fulfilling our worldly responsibilities while also nurturing our spiritual selves. One way to approach this is by setting small, achievable goals for your Quran reading and Islamic studies. For example, commit to reading a few verses each day or taking one class per week. Over time, these small steps will lead to significant progress.\\n\\nStart by identifying the key areas of your life that you want to focus on—such as your spiritual growth, work, health, and relationships. Then, allocate specific time slots for each of these areas throughout your day or week. For example, you might decide to read Quran in the morning, study Islamic topics after one of the prayers, and reserve evenings for socializing or pursuing hobbies. This approach helps ensure that you’re consistently making progress in all areas of your life without feeling overwhelmed.\\n\\nIt’s also important to stay focused on the task at hand by eliminating distractions until you’ve completed it. Avoid checking social media or responding to text messages until your task is finished. Ideally, set aside a specific time during the day for these activities rather than doing them at any random time throughout the day.\\n\\nHaving a schedule also allows you to be more intentional with your time, reducing the likelihood of wasting it on less meaningful activities. It can also provide a sense of accomplishment as you see yourself achieving the goals you’ve set. Remember, the key is to be realistic and flexible—life can be unpredictable, so it’s important to adapt your schedule as needed while keeping your priorities in mind.\\n\\nReflecting on your intentions before any activity can also help. Whether you’re spending time with friends or working out, doing so with the intention of seeking Allah's pleasure—like maintaining good health to serve Him better or nurturing relationships to strengthen community ties—can make your daily actions more meaningful.\\n\\nAdditionally, consider finding an accountability partner—a friend or mentor who can help you stay consistent with your Quran reading and studies. Finally, ask Allah to put barakah (blessing) in your time. Sometimes, our struggles with productivity stem from not feeling that barakah, and a sincere dua asking Allah for help can make a significant difference.\\n\\nEven during the time of the Prophet ﷺ, some companions struggled with various aspects of their faith, but they were encouraged to keep striving. The Prophet ﷺ reminded them that consistency, even in small actions, is beloved to Allah. He said, \"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"“The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are few” (Sahih Bukhari).\"},{\"insert\":\"\\n\\nRemember, the journey of faith is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s okay to have periods where you feel less motivated, but the key is to keep striving and seeking Allah’s help. The fact that you are concerned about your spiritual state is a sign of your faith, so be kind to yourself. Take it one step at a time, and trust that Allah sees your efforts and intentions. May Allah bless you with steadfastness, make your journey of faith easy and rewarding, and grant you the best in this life and the next.\\n\"}]}","tags":[{"_id":"668d9ff00b76658b4c2329a9","tag":"Contemporary Life: Jobs and Career","count":120},{"_id":"668d9fed0b76658b4c232951","tag":"Knowledge: Other","count":48},{"_id":"668d9fe30b76658b4c232823","tag":"Worship: Remembrance","count":40},{"_id":"668d9fe50b76658b4c232851","tag":"Contemporary Life: Knowledge","count":33},{"_id":"668d9fe50b76658b4c232854","tag":"Knowledge: Resources","count":32},{"_id":"67685ae2bc817803e25898dc","tag":"Free Time","count":2}],"createdOn":"2024-12-25T23:30:11.013Z"}