About the author

Shazia Ahmad

Shazia Ahmad

Shazia Ahmad was born and raised in upstate New York. She graduated from the State University of New York (SUNY) Albany with a Bachelors in Psychology and History. During her time in university, Shazia was involved in the Muslim Students’ Association, community and interfaith work, and a local radio show entitled ‘Window on Islam.’ She has studied with Dr. Mokhtar Maghraoui and is a long time contributor to jannah.org and themadina.com. After graduating, Shazia spent two years in Syria, studying briefly at the University of Damascus and then at Abu Nour University where she completed an Arabic Studies program for foreigners (Ad-Dawraat) and a program in Islamic Studies (Ma’had at-Taheeli). She also studied in a number of private classes and attained her ijazah in Qur’anic recitation from the late Sh. Muhiyudin al-Kurdi (rahimahullah). While in Syria, Shazia composed a blog of her experiences entitled Damascus Dreams. She currently resides in Cairo, Egypt with her husband and one-year old son, and is seeking to further her education through private lessons and study. She currently blogs at Cairo Caprices.

16 Comments

  • How does one record or even detect the inward sins of the heart? Thats almost impossible to do surely?!??

    • as salaamu alaykum,

      A person can start by consciously taking stock of the deeds of their limbs and senses, and as they start to reflect more deeply on their choices and actions, they may come to certain realizations about their ‘inward’ sins. One may start to realize that the deeds one committed were, for example, rooted in envy towards another, unjustified anger, attachment to worldly things, etc. When that happens one can start to recognize some of the inner inclinations and spiritual ailments one seems to be prone to, and work on rectifying them through tazkiyat an-nafs.

      In a lot of ways muhasaba helps you get to know yourself; and over time helps you become more aware of what’s going on inside of you until you are conscious of ‘every beat of your heart’ as some of the scholars have said.

      Allah knows best

      salaam,
      Shazia

    • hadith an nawawi 39

      On the authority of Ibn Abbas that the messenger of Allah said:

      “Allah has pardoned for me my people for [their] mistakes and [their] forgetfulness and for what they have done under duress.”
      a fine hadith related by Ibn Majah,Al-Baihqi, and others.

      one dont have to record or detect inward sins because it is already forgiven by Allah . subhanallah . however we must repent everyday as the Prophet Muhammad repent 70 times a day although he is maksum.

      just an opinion . sorry for any mistake . =D

  • Related to that, it’s also good to think – each night before sleeping – of a few things in the day you’re grateful for, ad thank ALlah for them.

  • I read this on my commute to work, and it has helped me get a positive start.
    It’s such a great way to help us and motivate us to say on the right path and not let us fall off track.
    I will remember the sentence “Hold yourself to account before you are judged, and weigh your actions before they are weighed against you.” I may just print it off and put it by my night table or carry it with me to serve as a reminder.
    Thanks again.

    • Salaam,

      I’m so happy to hear that. It’s always a beautiful experience to hear words that strike a chord inside and inspire, so I’m happy I got to be part of that by sharing the words of Umar with you! alhamdulillah 🙂

  • It’s so humbling to see my teacher post something they learned from me. May Allah accept from you Ust. Shazia and increase you, and help us both to implement muhasabah, tahmeed, and istighfaar each night.

    • Shaykha Muslema you are always a source of inspiration and food for thought for me 🙂 Ameen to your duaa, and may Allah bless you, your family and your endeavors always. Ameen.

      salaam,
      shazia

  • I loved the concept of dealing with the nafs like it was another being needing to be tamed! jazaki Allahu khayran for this post!

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