"Then which of your Lord's favors will you deny?" [Quran 55:13]
While we may not tend to think of it immediately when we hear this verse, our very life is a favor from Allah. It is Allah who gave you all the of the qualities that make you, you. This is the ethos behind our Self Love journal.
Many of us see the words "self love" and immediately think of selfishness, self-centeredness, or taking care of ourselves to the detriment of those around us. In our culture the prevalent idea is that we have to earn our rest, our boundaries, our self love.
However, when done right, self love isn’t selfish. It’s gratitude in action.
For us as Muslimahs, self love means honoring the body, mind, and soul that Allah entrusted us with.
When we care for ourselves with compassion it is not out of pride, but with remembrance. We are celebrating the life, time, and gifts Allah has given us within the bounds of what Allah has decreed for us.
And tending to our spirit and relationship with Allah is such an important part of our self care.
When you just aren’t sure where to start and feel like your days are too busy to really slow down and connect, even two minutes of action driven by intention and made for the sake of Allah can help you feel more grounded and connected to Him.
Try the following self-care menus, tailored to exactly how much time you have,
2 Minutes
- Make wudu, taking a little extra time to think about the meaning behind each action and make dua when you are done.
- Recite the 4 Quls and try to reflect on some of the verses you understand.
- Recite Ayatul Kursi
5 Minutes
- Pray 2 rakat nafl. Breathe and ground yourself in the prayer.
- Sit down in a quiet place for dhikr: 33x SubhanAllah, 33x Alhamdulillah, 33x Allahu Akbar
- Make dua from the heart. Whatever thoughts and emotions are running through your mind, use them to call out to Allah and let Him in.
10 Minutes
- Read Surah Mulk in Arabic or English. Try to spend some time in reflection on its meaning.
- Write out a page or daily spread in your Dua Journal. Check out of the world for just 10 minutes to focus solely on your reflections.
- Donate to a charity or cause with sincere intention.
15 Minutes
- Read one chapter of an Islamic or inspirational book. Make sure you have time for a quick reflection on how it can apply to your life.
- Read Surah Yaseen in Arabic or English.
- Pray tahajjud at night while everyone else is asleep.