Bad habits
Full of feelings and questions. Top Story - August 2025.
Who is my mother? And what has she become? Sometimes it feels like a completely different person stands before me—heartless, distant, cruel. What turned her into this? Money? Time? Boredom? Or something much deeper that I’ll never understand?
By Anna about a year ago in Confessions
From Jealousy to Gratitude. AI-Generated.
For years, I was at war — not with the world, but with my own heart. On the outside, I lived a quiet life. I greeted others with a smile, said “MashaAllah” when someone shared good news, and nodded during reminders about being thankful. But inside, I was burning with silent jealousy — not because I hated others, but because I couldn't understand why their lives were moving forward while mine remained still. I didn’t envy wealth or fame. What hurt was watching people around me receive the very things I made dua for — a peaceful marriage, stable income, health, ease, barakah. My best friend got married to someone she loved. My cousin received a scholarship abroad. My neighbor opened her second business. And me? I felt left behind, like I was in a room full of doors — each one opening for someone else while I sat quietly, waiting for mine to unlock. Every unanswered dua felt like a rejection. Every scroll through social media reminded me of how much I didn't have. I tried to stay silent. I didn’t want to be ungrateful. But my heart grew heavy. Sometimes I would cry after making dua, not because I had no hope — but because I feared Allah was displeased with me. That perhaps, I wasn’t worthy of His favors. Then, one day, something small — yet powerful — changed everything. At a family gathering, my young niece came running to me with a wide smile. She handed me a poorly drawn flower on a crumpled piece of paper and said, “I made this for you, Khala!” It was uneven, childlike, and simple — but it was hers, and it was from love. I smiled, hugged her tightly, and thanked her again and again. Her eyes lit up, and she skipped away happily. That night, I sat alone thinking: I accepted her small gift with so much joy — not because it was perfect, but because of the love behind it. And then it struck me — What if Allah accepts our duas the same way? Not because they are eloquent or perfectly timed, but because they come from sincerity. And just like I didn’t compare her flower to professional art, maybe Allah doesn’t compare our journey to someone else’s. That single moment opened my heart. That night, I prayed two rak’ahs of Salat-ul-Tawbah, with real tears. I asked Allah to cleanse my heart from the jealousy that was eating away at my peace. I made dua for my friends’ happiness. I thanked Allah for things I had been ignoring — clean water, a roof, a healthy body, the ability to pray. I started keeping a small gratitude notebook. Every night before bed, I wrote five things I was thankful for — even if they seemed small: My mother’s warm chai. The fact that I could walk without pain. A quiet, undisturbed fajr. A friend who checked in. The sweetness of a ripe mango. At first, it felt like I was just going through the motions. But within a week, I noticed something: my heart was lighter. The tightness in my chest, that invisible burden, started to lift. I was beginning to see beauty even in stillness. Jealousy had narrowed my vision, but gratitude widened it. And then something else happened — Allah opened a door. I was offered a small opportunity to work from home doing something I loved — nothing glamorous, but enough to bring peace and purpose. I realized it wasn’t just a job — it was an answer. Not to what I had asked, but to how I had changed. It wasn’t that shukr brought me success — it brought me sukoon. And in that sukoon, I found the strength to do more, to try harder, to love deeper, and to trust fully. 🌿 What I Learned Jealousy is like a shadow. You may not see it clearly, but it follows you, weighs on you, and makes even blessings look dull. Shukr is like light. It doesn't just brighten your path — it shows you that the path itself is a gift. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: > “Look at those below you, and do not look at those above you, for this is more likely to keep you from belittling the blessings Allah has bestowed upon you.” (Sahih Muslim) And in the Qur’an, Allah promises: > "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you." (Surah Ibrahim 14:7) I had spent so much time asking why them, that I forgot to say Alhamdulillah for me. But Allah, in His mercy, didn’t punish me for that. He guided me through it — softly, gently, beautifully. Today, I still make dua for things I desire — but I no longer carry jealousy in my hands. I carry trust. I no longer compete silently in my heart. I rest in the belief that whatever is meant for me will come — in Allah’s time, not mine. And until then, I will say: Alhamdulillah. Always.
By Kaleem Ullahabout a year ago in Confessions
Not Him. Not Now
The first time Clara saw the man outside her window, she froze. It wasn’t just that he looked like someone she had buried six years ago—it was the fact that he looked exactly the same. Same deep-set eyes. Same black coat. Same crooked smile that never quite reached his eyes.
By Muhammmad Zain Ul Hassanabout a year ago in Confessions
Don’t Forget to Check on the Strong Ones
They say I’m the strong one. The dependable one. The one you call when you need to cry, need a ride, need advice, need anything. I’ve worn that label like armor for as long as I can remember. “You’re so resilient,” they tell me. “You always seem to have it all together.” And I smile. Nod. Offer reassurance.
By Nadeem Shah about a year ago in Confessions
The red flags I ignored cost me everything.
I thought I was in love. It started like every whirlwind romance. He was charming, attentive, and said all the right things. On our second date, he brought me my favorite coffee order without asking. On our third, he kissed me like he already knew the shape of my heart.
By Echoes of Lifeabout a year ago in Confessions
Extreme Heat Sweeps Across the U.S.: Millions Under Threat”
A powerful heat wave is sweeping across much of the United States, especially in the Midwest, the Southeast, and up along the East Coast. This heat wave is being driven by a heat dome, a weather pattern that traps hot air in one place for many days. With temperatures often soaring over 100 °F (38 °C) and humidity adding to the heat, this situation is putting millions of people at serious risk.
By Junaid Shahid about a year ago in Confessions
I Accidentally Used Algospeak in a Job Interview—Here’s What Happened
I Accidentally Used Algospeak in a Job Interview—Here’s What Happened We all carry little pieces of the internet with us—memes, slang, trends, and yes, Algospeak. It’s the coded language we use online to dodge algorithm censorship. You’ve probably seen it: “unalive” instead of “dead,” “spicy eggplant” instead of adult content, or “segsy” instead of—well, you get it.
By Kevinabout a year ago in Confessions
Do You Unintentionally Hurt Others?
Right now, I’ve just returned from a friend’s gathering. Sitting in my dedicated office chair, I light a stick of agarwood incense. The calming scent relaxes me as I gaze out the window at the island’s late twilight. My room is dimly lit — dull and sluggish, much like my current mood. I lean back in my chair, and waves of thoughts surge in like the tide.
By Cher Cheabout a year ago in Confessions
The Cost of Being “The Strong One”
By Nadeem Shah “You’re so strong.” “You’ve got this.” “I don’t know how you do it all.” At first, those words feel like praise. Like you're doing something right. You’re dependable. Unshakeable. The go-to person when things fall apart. You become the listener, the fixer, the shoulder everyone cries on.
By Nadeem Shah about a year ago in Confessions
How I Turned My Anxiety into a Superpower—And Built a Life I Love
Introduction: The Day I Froze I was standing in line at a coffee shop when it hit me—my heart began pounding, my vision blurred, and I felt like the walls were closing in. I walked out, leaving my drink and dignity behind. That moment, though humiliating, changed everything.This is not just a story of survival. It’s a blueprint. A step-by-step guide born from lived experience—about how I transformed my worst mental enemy (anxiety) into my greatest personal asset.
By noor ul aminabout a year ago in Confessions
