Breaking News: The Sun Has Risen from the West

Every once in a while, I imagine myself reading this headline.

And I ask myself — what would I do?
How would I react?
How would my family react?

Somehow, my mind goes completely blank.

I can only imagine the panic, the fear, the confusion… and the deep regret of knowing that I most certainly did not do my best in this world.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, let me explain through a Hadith:

Basically, the sun rising from the west is one of the major signs of the Day of Judgment, and after that, no repentance (tawbah) will be accepted.

A major deal — really.

But what I’m really here to tell you is this: it hasn’t happened yet.
Allah has given us another chance — though not necessarily more time.

What I want you to do, once and for all, is to find your role in the Khilāfah.

An Islamic state?

When you start learning tafsīr, you’ll come across certain “keys” your teachers talk about — keys that unlock the surahs (chapters) of the Qur’an.

These “keys” reveal the main message or essence of each surah.

And when you begin learning tafsīr, you’ll most likely start with the mother of all surahs, the beginning, the heart of every prayer — the one you recite at least 25 times a day:

Sūrah al-Fātiḥah – Umm al-Kitāb (The Mother of the Book).

Sūrah al-Fātiḥah holds unimaginable lessons and wisdom. My teacher once explained:

The Meccan period — the birthplace of the Prophet ﷺ and the final revelation to mankind — was filled with hardship and persecution.

All because the Prophet ﷺ focused on one truth the Quraysh refused to accept: Tawḥīd (the Oneness of Allah).

So before the migration to Madinah (Hijrah), the Prophet ﷺ focused on faith-building — instilling belief, trust, patience, and resilience in his companions.

Each Sahābi had a strength of faith and endurance that’s hard to find today. One companion’s resilience could outweigh that of many of us combined.

But after the Hijrah — when the Prophet ﷺ had instilled this unshakable faith in them — and they escaped persecution to build a new life in Madinah, that’s where the real test began.

That’s where the Khilāfah was born.
And that’s where the key of Sūrah al-Baqarah comes in.

At this point, please read Sūrah al-Baqarah from Ayah 30 if you truly want to understand what I’m talking about.

From this verse onward, the topic shifts — it begins to speak about how Adam (عليه السلام) was sent as a Khalīfah(vicegerent) on earth:

With this, Allah describes the purpose of mankind on this earth — in one story, in one surah, in one verse.

The main themes of this passage are:

1. Knowledge

2. Language

3. Responsibility

These are beautifully illustrated through the conversation Allah shares with the angels about the Khilāfah on earth.

Khilāfah linguistically means succession — someone who comes after another.

From a religious perspective, it describes the role of Adam (عليه السلام): to ensure that mankind takes care of the trust (the earth), builds upon it according to Allah’s guidance, and upholds justice.

But humans were also given free will — the potential to cause injustice and corruption.
That’s what the angels were concerned about.

And honestly, looking at the world today — they had a point.

The earth is burning because of us.
Injustice is spreading — because of us.

And somehow, everyone seems to have let go of their responsibility and role in this divine trust.

Yet still, Allah said in th very same ayah:

Your Uniqueness Is Your Test

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through creating content this past year, it’s this:
Everyone is unique.

And I mean that sincerely — not in a cliché way.

You are not her.
She is not you.

You are not him.
He is not you.

Allah created you for a reason.

He gave you your family for a reason.

He gave you your struggles for a reason.

He gave you your strengths — for a reason.

There are things Allah allows us to understand, and many we cannot.

Part of our test on earth is to trust Allah — fully and completely.

But what we do know is that when Allah said,

“I will place a Khalīfah on earth,”

He didn’t just mean Adam (عليه السلام).

He meant you and me.

What Will You Do With That Trust?

What will you change on this earth?

What will your story be on the Day of Judgment?

How will you fill your book?

I’m not talking about becoming a millionaire.

I’m not talking about fame or recognition.

I’m talking about impact.

My teacher once asked us in class:

The silence that followed was heavy.

Even through the screen, you could feel the shock and shame on every face — including mine.

Imagine being called the Khalīfah of Allah and spending your life scrolling on your phone — while holding the potential to change the world and enter Jannah.

Who even sold us the lie of having time?

The lie of being of no worth if we don’t drive a certain car or own a certain amount of money?

The lie of being special just for the sake of being someone?

We aren’t special because of our achievements - we are honored because Allah said so:

Finding Your Role as Khalīfah

My goal with this newsletter is to help you find your purpose — to help you change something on this earth, to truly be the Khalīfah Allah describes in the Qur’an.

Start small.
Keep it simple.

Ask yourself:

• What is my strength?

• What is my weakness?

Start with your strength:

• What can you build with it?

• Who can you help with it?

• How can you improve it?

• Who can you learn from?

It could be anything.

Both Abu Bakr and Umar (رضي الله عنهما) were Caliphs.

Both are promised Jannah.

Both were strong in character, faith, and deeds.

Yet, they were completely different — each used his strengths for the Ummah in his own way.

And so can we.

And What About Your Weaknesses?

Work on them.

• Tame them.

• Learn how to manage them.

We have reached a point where we demonise weakness so much so that failure is not an option.

But humans were created weak and it is Allah that wants ease for us [Surah An-Nissa (4), 28].

Let me give you a simple example.

I used to hate house chores — especially washing the dishes.

Before we moved, we didn’t have a dishwasher, so by the end of the day, a family of four could easily fill the sink after just one meal.

It doesn’t sound too bad — until you add studies, work, and Deen responsibilities on top of it.

Sometimes, it took me up to three hours.

That was one of my weaknesses.

So I worked on it.

1. I learned that helping my mother with house chores is better than even extra Qur’an recitation — because it’s an act of service and reward (ask your sheikh).

2. I realized that by changing my intention, every action can become an act of worship — if it’s halal.

3. I made it productive by listening to beneficial lectures while cleaning.

Soon, what used to take me hours was done in less than half the time.

I had a clean kitchen, my mother’s smile, and blessings (barakah) that I still miss today (we have a dishwasher now, lol).

Small Acts, Big Rewards

For strengths, it’s simple:

I can teach kids.

Combine that with the intention to strengthen young Muslims and ease my family’s burdens — and boom, mission accomplished.

Shayṭān will whisper: You think you will enter jannah by wising the dishes?

But remember — he’s the biggest deceiver.

And Allah loves consistent deeds, even if they’re small. (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6465)

Remember the woman who was granted Jannah for giving water to a thirsty dog, and the man who killed 100 people but was forgiven because of sincere repentance. (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2766)

Islam was never about being grand or dramatic.

It was always about being sincere.

And if sincerity means washing dishes, cooking for your family, or doing your work with excellence — then I genuinely pray that Allah grants you Jannah for it.

Never underestimate the weight of a good deed with Allah.

Because in the end — intention is everything.

Simple reminder that Ramadan is only 100 days away and that we should start preparing.

Keep repeating the dua “Allahuma balighna Ramadan” and start working on yourself from now on.

Until then, Ill leave you

في امان الله _{(in the protection of Allah)}

❦ Dunja ❦