Overcoming Hardships Spiritual Purification Video With the Divine

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: All from Allah

Could getting your dream job be bad for you? Is there a way that losing a loved one could be a blessing in disguise? Each and every event in our life is a test from Allah. This session will explore a world view based on God consciousness, and what we can do to make everything in our life an opportunity to draw nearer to our Lord.

About the author

Maryam Amirebrahimi

Maryam Amirebrahimi

Maryam Amirebrahimi received her master’s in Education from UCLA, where her research focused on the effects of mentorship rooted in Critical Race Theory for urban high school students of color. She holds a bachelor’s in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University, where she served as the President of the Muslim Student Association for two consecutive years. Currently, she is pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in Islamic Studies through Al Azhar University’s distance learning program. Maryam spent a year studying the Arabic language and Qur’an in Cairo, Egypt, and has memorized the Qur’an. She has been presented the Student of the Year award by former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and holds a second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. Maryam frequently travels to work with different communities to address a variety of social issues and writes about topics related to social realities, women’s studies and spiritual connections on www.virtualmosque.com.

21 Comments

  • Assalamu Alaikum – Sister Maryam may Allah swt reward you for your intentions and good work, and I do definitely see the good points you’re trying to get across here. However I believe that the last portion of the title “ugly” doesn’t portray adab with Allah swt. Allah is beautiful and no ugliness comes from Him. The Almighty calls what you refer to as “ugly” as tribulations or “museeba” in the Qur’an, he doesn’t call it ugly despite the fact that it’s quite difficult. May Allah swt help us all overcome our own tribulations and make us steadfast.

    • wa alaykum as salam warahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

      Completely, completely agree. I didn’t come up with the title. I was assigned the lecture.

      Ameen

    • Salaams,

      Knowing Sr. Maryam, I think it’s easy to assume that she obviously didn’t intend to ascribe ugliness to Allah, just that the term ugly can easily be understood to mean things in their apparent form (dhahir) when they first occur to us, I.e. difficulties can seem ugly, whereas the consequences and inner realities make them as you say, beautiful.

      Peace.

      Haq.

  • Such a pleasure to see a young woman make a motivational speech with such confidence.
    I really liked the way she spoke making eye contact with the audience including men.
    We need to provide more outlets for young women to participate in society.
    Wonderful!
    May Allah bless you.
    Thank you.

  • Alhamdulillah! May Allah bless and increase the dear sister. I totally LOVED this talk and LOVED the way in which it was delivered. We surely need more motivated, confident, leading, teaching voices like Sr. Maryams!
    And Sr. Maryam, if you read this, I TOTALLY love Kung Fu Panda too. You’re absolutely right, that movie is all about humanity and doing the right thing with humility and sincerity

  • I am really glad there’s an understanding God out there who will one day love us for our goodness and sincerity. We have to try to be nice and help the world out there as much as we can and do it for the right reasons. The world may not give a care in the least, but we shouldn’t care about the world either. Allah is there with us inshaAllah.

  • Thank you for your words, u seem like u have experience from the way u give advice. That is important. Most people havnt had real experience with stuff and just talk, even scholars. Thank u for ur words. very deep.

  • This is the third talk I’ve watched of yours. I love your energy! If you ever come to Chicago please do a talk with one of the local universities.

  • assalamoalaikum sister, it was agreat inspiring speech, im a young student from india and i am very impressed by the way islam meetings and lectures are takin place.. iwud lyk to invite you in india so as to start it hre as well, coz we hav a english speakin population here but nobody to start the speeches and meetings… wud lyk to consult you regardin dis ,awaitin ur reply….thank you:)

  • assalamualaikum. I’m from Malaysia. its just great to see you delivering such an energetic lecture! will certainly remember SAD: Sincerity. Action. Dua’

  • Alhamdulillah,It’s comforting to listen to a serious topic put in a light-hearted manner. I felt very inspired and motivated after watching your speech subhan’Allaah. May Allaah reward you for your efforts. And Jazaak Allaahukhairan for this video!

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