#010 What’s Wrong With Me

\In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the concept of the internal alarm system that exists within each of us.

It’s connected to our natural disposition known as the Fitrah. 

This guiding system is like an indicator, alerting us when we veer off course and prompting us to look inward for answers.

What You’ll Learn in this Podcast:

1. How to understand your internal alarm system. 
2. Empowering yourself through belief.
3. How to view the ‘something’s wrong with me’ feeling differently

Mentioned on the Podcast: (Click on Links)

• Nafs Coaching School
• Mind Health & Relationship training (Free Training & Newsletter)

The Fitrah – Your Internal Alarm System

Allah (swt) tells in Surah Al-Hujuraat, verse 7:

وَلَٰكِنَّ اللَّهَ حَبَّبَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْإِيمَانَ وَزَيَّنَهُ فِي قُلُوبِكُمْ وَكَرَّهَ إِلَيْكُمُ الْكُفْرَ وَالْفُسُوقَ وَالْعِصْيَانَ ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ هُمُ الرَّاشِدُونَ

“But Allah has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided.”

Believe it or not, this is actually the internal guidance system. This is the thing that sets off when you’re not expecting it and it’s telling you to wake up, take stock of your situation.

It’s this internal guidance system that wakes up the Emaan, that belief that we have inside of our hearts.

It alerts us when we’re straying from our aligned path, urging us to look inward and reflect. 

I spent many years being tormented by this internal alarm bell, this internal desire to be a perfect believer, a perfectionist.

But Subhanallah, no matter what I’ve tried, what I came to realise was that Emaan fluctuates. When I immersed myself in things that strengthen my Emaan, taking good actions, and things that are pleasing to Allah (swt), I felt the strength of Emaan.

You feel empowered. This Emaan, this belief, this thought that’s anchored in your heart. It is empowering you and makes you feel great.

However, when I feel like I’m not doing that which is in congruence or in alignment with that Eman, then I feel weaker.

It’s in those moments that the internal alarm bell goes off, warning us that we need to do something, we need a change in direction, to regain and realign ourselves so that connection and closeness to Allah doesn’t weaken.

However, the mistake we sometimes make is misreading that alarm bell as a cracked mirror, reflecting that you’re not good enough. 

This inner alarm is actually a signal for positive change and it’s important to recognise that.

So, our focus shouldn’t be on our “broken” selves or our weaknesses. Our focus should be on strengthening our belief and aligning our actions with it.

In this verse of Surah  Al-Hujuraat, Allah (swt), Al-Wadud; The Ever-loving is telling us that Emaan; Belief; is deeply entrenched and anchored in our hearts. 

Beautified in your heart.

That Emaan is like an alarm bell, when you’re going against it, it sends a warning sound. However, when you’re in alignment with it, you’re loving the experience. 

When you go against it, the alarm signals you to address what needs to be addressed. It’s not signalling that there is something wrong with you.

The greatest, the most effective thing we can address is that connection with Ar-Rahman because that’s exactly what we need. 

When our beliefs and actions are in sync, we can overcome any negativity or self-doubt, and we able to connect on a deep level with our Creator, Allah (swt).

We’re all human, and there will be things about yourself that you’re not going to particularly like. However, if you focus solely on those things incessantly,  then you’re not going to enjoy life. 

On the other hand, if you focus on what empowers you, you’re going to love and enjoy life.

Belief is an empowering thing that Allah blessed us with. 

That’s why it’s imperative that we break free from toxic thoughts. 

What we should be doing more of is redirecting our attention towards our strengths and cultivating a positive, empowered mindset.

The greatest strength that you have is the strength of Belief because that’s what gets you through life.

Belief empowers you to become as confident as you need to be. 

Belief is the connection that gives you everything you need.

Allah says, If you love being that believer, then you’re going to taste the sweetness of faith, the courage that it gives you, and the hope that it plants in your heart.