Loving and Living the Quran

"…and so that you complete the number and glorify Allah for having guided you, and that you may give thanks." — Surah Al-Baqara (2:185) 🌙 Episode Summary As we approach the end of Ramadan, we refle...

Count Your Blessings Verse Reflection: “And if you count Allah's favors, you will not be able to number them.” — Surah Ibrahim (14:34) 🌟 Episode Summary In this episode, we reflect on the Qur’anic r...

Pay It Forward Qur’anic Verse: “…And do good to others as Allah has done good to you.” – Surah Al-Qasas (28:77) 🌟 Episode Summary This reflection centers around the Quranic command to use our blessi...

"And I swear by the self-accusing soul." – Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:2) 🧭 Episode Summary: In this reflection, we explore the concept of Nafs al-Lawwama—the self-accusing soul—as a divine gift that keeps...

“Repel (evil) with what is best, then the one between whom and you was enmity will become like a close friend.” — Surah Fussilat (41:34) 🧭 Episode Summary: Conflict is inevitable, but how we respond...

“Let not hatred of a people incite you not to act equitably; act equitably, that is nearer to piety.” — Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:8) 🧭 Episode Summary: In today’s episode, we reflect on the Quran’s powerf...

🧭 Episode Summary: “O you who believe! Let not one people deride another; it may be that they are better than they.” Surah Al-Hujurat (49:11) In today’s reflection, we explore the serious spiritual a...

In this episode, we explore a subtle but powerful relationship principle from the Quran: how our interpretations of others’ behavior shape our emotional well-being and relationships. Suspicion and neg...

  “And do not quarrel, for then you will lose heart and your power will depart.” [Surah Al-Anfal 8:46] Conflict is natural in any relationship, team, or community—but how we handle those differences...

In this episode, we explore Surah Al-Hujurat (49:10) which calls us to a higher standard of community: “The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that y...

Episode Summary: Our relationships—whether in family, friendships, marriage, or community—are central to our well-being. Research confirms that healthy relationships lead to lower stress, greater happ...

Yesterday, we reflected on how forgetting Allah leads us to forget our true selves. Today, we take that discussion further by reminding ourselves of our inherent nobility and purpose. In Surah Al-Isra...

Episode Summary: Yesterday, we explored how what we consume affects our soul. Today, we take that conversation deeper by reflecting on Surah Al-Hashr (59:19): “And be not like those who forgot Allah,...

Yesterday, we reflected on the importance of eating what is tayyib (pure, wholesome). Today, we expand on this idea by exploring all forms of consumption—not just what we eat, but what we read, watch,...

Episode Summary: Food is one of the greatest blessings from Allah, yet in today’s world of ultra-processed foods and commercial farming, we must ask: Are we truly eating in a way that nourishes our bo...

Episode Summary: We often seek comfort and avoid discomfort, but what if the things we resist are actually the key to our well-being? In Surah Al-Baqarah (2:216), Allah (SWT) reminds us: “It may be t...

Fasting is challenging—so how do we reconcile the difficulty of Ramadan with Allah’s promise in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185): “Allah desires ease for you, and He does not desire for you difficulty…” In ...

In our previous episode, we reflected on how trials are an inevitable part of life. But once we accept that hardships will come, the next important question is: How do we respond to them? In today’s e...

Life is full of challenges, and yet, when we face difficulties, we often feel caught off guard. In today’s episode, we reflect on Surah Al-Ankabut (29:2-3), where Allah reminds us that simply professi...

When life doesn’t go as planned, our natural instinct is often to look outward—to blame someone or something else for our pain or problems. But what if blame is actually holding us back from healing, ...

In today’s episode, we explore a powerful truth from the Quran about wellbeing: that real change begins from within. While we often wait for external circumstances to shift, the Quran teaches us to fo...

Today's reflection is adapted from the introduction to the book Calling on the Merciful, which features excerpts from the supplications taught by the Beloveds of Allah [swt]. Episode Summary: In this ...

In this episode, we reflect on the profound message of Surah Taghabun, verse 11: وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ “… and whoever believes in Allah, He guides ar...

As we continue to deepen our relationship with the Divine, today’s episode explores one of the most profound promises Allah (SWT) makes in the Quran: “Whoever puts their trust in Allah, He is suffici...

In this episode, we explore the third essential aspect of developing our relationship with Allah: submission to Him. If we truly recognize and reciprocate Allah’s love and have awe of His greatness, s...

In this episode, we continue our exploration of developing a deep connection with Allah by focusing on khashyah (خشية)—awe of Allah. Often mistranslated as fear, khashyah is a reverence that comes fro...

Episode Summary: In our journey toward fostering well-being, we must recognize and nourish our innate need for connection with the Divine. Over the next three days, we will explore three key aspects o...

Rest Your Heart in His Remembrance [13:28] Episode Summary: In our constant search for peace and happiness, we often turn to material success, relationships, achievements, and self-care. However, true...

"Know Your Fitrah" [30:30] Episode Summary: What brings us true well-being, peace, and happiness? The answer lies in understanding our fitrah—our innate nature as created by Allah. In this episode, we...

In this episode, we explore the paradox of modern wellbeing—why, despite the global pursuit of happiness and self-care, mental health struggles like anxiety and depression continue to rise. We compare...

As salāmu alaykum and welcome back to Loving and Living the Qur'an. In this episode, we explore how to navigate life's difficulties with grace and resilience, a theme we focused on during Muharram thi...

As-salāmu alaykum and welcome back to Loving and Living the Qur'an. In this episode, we dive deep into our Muharram reflections on "Finding Peace in an Imperfect World." Join us as we explore the chal...

As-salāmu alaykum! Welcome back to Loving and Living the Qur'an. In today’s episode, we dive deep into our ongoing series, "Finding Peace in an Imperfect World." We'll explore how gratitude can be a p...

As-salāmu alaykum! Welcome to another episode of Loving and Living the Qur'an. In today’s episode, we dive into our fifth lecture from the Muharram series, focusing on "Finding Peace in an Imperfect W...

As-salāmu alaykum! Welcome back to Loving and Living the Quran. In this episode, we dive into our series on "Finding Peace in an Imperfect World," recorded during our Muharram sessions. Today, we’re e...

As salāmu alaykum and welcome back to Loving and Living the Quran! In today’s episode, we’re diving into the third part of our Muharram series, exploring "Finding Peace in an Imperfect World: Balancin...

In this episode of 'Loving and Living the Qur'an,' recorded from live sessions held in Muharram 2024, the focus is on finding peace amidst worldly distractions by balancing acceptance, action, and hop...

Welcome to Loving and Living the Quran, a podcast dedicated to practical spirituality for modern Muslims. In this series, we reflect on finding peace in an imperfect world, recorded live during the Mu...

Today’s reflection is from Chapter 23, Sura Muminum where the Holy Quran says: "It is they who hasten to every good work and these who are foremost in them." [23:61]   In this verse and a couple of ve...

As We Wrap Up The Blessed Month Of Ramadan, We May Be Feeling A Mix Of Emotions: A Tinge Of Sadness At The Ending Of The Month Of Blessings, Mercy And Forgiveness, A Sense Of Relief That We Were Able ...

Yesterday we reflected on a truth about this life from the Quran: that life is full of challenges. Today, let us look at a promise of Allah [swt] that gives us confidence that we have what it takes to...

  Today’s reflection is from Sura Balad where Allah [swt] says: Certainly We have created man to be in distress. [90:4]   In this verse, Allah [swt] uses the word kabad for distress. Scholars explain ...

In Verse 39 of Sura Najm, Allah says: And that man shall have nothing but what he strives for. (Holy Quran 53:39) For today’s verse, I could not find a better title than the Urdu phrase: Harkat mein b...

Today’s reflection is verse 9 from Chapter 62, Sura Juma, when Allah [swt] addresses the believers and says:   O you who believe! when the call is made for prayer on Friday, then hasten to the remembr...

Continuing with this verse from Sura Ale Imran:  So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded fr...

Continuing with this verse from Sura Ale Imran:  So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded fr...

For the next couple of days, we will inshallah explore the following verse from Sura Ale Imran:  So by mercy from Allah, [O Muhammad], you were lenient with them. And if you had been rude [in speech] ...

Here is today's reflection from the Quran: In Sura Maida, the Quran whilst talking about whom to take as a Wali, says: Your Wali is only Allah, His Apsotle, and the faithful of those who keep up praye...

Sura Maidah verse two says: O, You who believe . . . help one another in goodness and piety. [5:2] Cooperating with others in goodness is one of the basic principles for a society build on spiritual a...

The verses we have been considering the last few days lay out the qualities of His special servants or the Ibad ur Rahman, some of which are the following:   They are those who: Are humble in their de...