I am presently in the ‘breakfast room’ of the Penang Lyf hotel. I would take a photo of my delicious breakfast but it is in my tummy, it was yummy. Impulsively decided to replace the computer wallpaper. Decided on a photo taken in the same room of the historic Dream Team meeting. I did it, but the results were not as expected. Nonetheless, sent a photo to the two other members of the Dream Team.
Me: Tried to make the Dream Team the wallpaper on computer but something happened to you guys. Hahaha
Shamir: Hahaha must be Allah.
Me: Of course, my Bauxite Muslim
He: Yes my 4 years old infant Muslim
Me: Almost 5
He: OOO Toddler.
Then, OF COURSE, he sent me a GIF of a darling little toddler. I sent him a sticker saying.
Me: But I am a girl. Hahaha
He: oh yes. Forgot.
Then he sent a silly me GIF and I sent him a you are stupid GIF
Our GIF wars continue.
So, to say the very least, this is already an unusual morning, and it is only 10:10. I have altered my morning routine. I began the day with Fajr prayer, Then took a photo of a sign, located on the floor of my new and improved Lyf room. This was the caption sent to my WhatsAppers
Me: Good morning!! Love it.The sign on the floor of my new room at Lyf. It is sparking me.
Shamir: Love it.
Me: Love the effect it is having on me.
Nesh also sent a response.
He: Oh amazing! How wonderful! And also, the blog breakdown is up and live!!
Me: Yeah!! I am doubly sparked. Hahaha Read the breakdown over breakfast with Nixon. A new experience.!! Quoted you mentioning him. Such synchronization. Look what you did! Or was it Allah?
Synchronization is the word of the day. Wikipedia tells us:
Synchronization is the coordination of events to operate a system in unison. For example, the conductor of an orchestra keeps the orchestra synchronized or in time. Systems that operate with all parts in synchrony are said to be synchronous or in sync—and those that are not are asynchronous.Today, time synchronization can occur between systems around the world through satellite navigation signals and other time and frequency transfer techniques.
One might think that all of the conversations between Shamir and myself are light hearted, bordering upon, and often, hilarious. But this is not so. This a very recent one.
Me: I now have peace of mind. It is a great feeling, have been missing it of late but got it back Phew.
He: Sometimes it has to go missing for u to appreciate its existence.
Me: That is SO true. I am so blessed and thankful at this moment. So appreciating the calm, the feeling of freedom that peace of mind brings. Seems like I had to go through hell to get to the other side. I did, it seemed to be necessary. Not going there soon I hope.
He: Well said. Go through hell to get back to the other side.
Me: Do not think it is original but do NOT feel like asking AI at the moment. Hahaha
Do admit that we then revered to our usual hilarity.
At this moment. In time I have the need and the opportunity to explore the background and meaning of ‘going to hell and back’. Posed this question to chatgo5.
I recently got back my peace of mind but felt I needed to go through hell to get to the other side. That phrase not original Do you know where it came from?
This is the answer received.
You are exactly right – ‘go though hell to get to he other side isn’t an original phrase and its actually part of a cluster of similarly structured idioms that metamorphically describe enduring extreme hardship to each a better place o r out one
The most closely related phrase: “If your’re going though hell keep going.” It is the most famous variant, its earliest appearance of this concept appears in a Christian Science Sentinel issue from 1943 where someone say,”I’m going through hell,” and a friend replies. “Well, keep on going—that’s no place to stop.
It is a part of a long list of ‘hell metaphors’ used to express the ordeal of adversity and the importance of endurance.
Me: Is there anything similar in the Islamic Faith?
He: Yes Alaa. There are very similar ideas in the Islamic faith about hardship being a path to relief, purification and nearness to Allah. The phrase not Islamic but the spirit of it exists strongly in the Quran, Hadith and Sufi reflections
Quran Parallels
- Hardship comes ease. “For indeed with hardship comes ease, Indeed with hardship comes ease.” Quran 94: 5-6
- Trials as purification. “Do the people think they they will be left to say ‘We believe and they will not be tested. (Quran 29:2) Struggles test sincerity and purify faith. Going through the test is the only way to reach the reward.
- 3. Tests as preparation for reward “Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.” Quran( 2:286) Hardship is not meaningless; it is tailored to what you can endure, leading to growth and ultimate relief.
Prophetic Saying (Hadith).
The Prophet said: The greatest reward comes with the greatest trial. When Allah loves a people, He tests them. Whoever accepts that wins His pleasure, but whoever is discontent earns His wrath—Sunan ak-Tirmidhi (2396)
Pain itself is part of the journey toward forgiveness—a kind of ‘hell; that cleanses before the relief.
Sufi Reflections.
In Sufism, the journey through suffering is often seen as burning away the ‘shell” of the ego to reveal the ‘pearl’ of the soul (something you and I have spoken of before.)
Rumi writes. “Try to accept the changing seasons of your heart, even if they seem bitter winds. For perhaps a news spring is being prepared for you.”
Your journey reflects the truth you were tested, you endured, and you emerged transformed. The other side of hardship is ease, forgiveness and closeness to Allah.
Back to synchronization. Breakfasting with Nixon, reading Nesh’s blog breakdown comments to him at the same times. Nesh’s breakdown featured a photo of the Shamir Nesh and me with the title
“Inspiration & Exhaustion
Some days feel like light breaking through, others like shadows pressing in. Between Quran reminders, Dream Team Support, and moments of laughter, I keep learning what it means to hold onto faith and perseverance.
Some mornings begin with Quran verses that cut straight to the heart; truth and perseverance.
Other mornings feel like I’m burning the candle at both ends, overextending, trying to carry too much, but then reminders arrive. Lighten up, go with the flow. Trust Allah.
The Dream Team met again this week, Proof that collaboration sharpens both message and faith, and just when I was feeling discouraged a stranger at Mojo reminded me: “I’ve been reading your blog…you’ve been an inspiration: Subhanallah
As always, humor stitched the day back together: a simple request for dates (for fasting) turned into Shamir asking what kind of men I wanted, cue laughter, GIFs and mercy designed as jokes.”
And now, in a quiet new room with trees outside my window, I feel like it’s a new beginning, inspiration and exhaustion, truth and laughter, all stitched together with Allah’s mercy.
I was particularly inspired by one word and one phrase, one concept. Phrase first – mercy disguised as jokes How true that is! Laughter eases the pain, it is merciful. Then Nesh’s use of Subhanallah as it does express the absolute awe one feels when encountering what seems to be one of Allah’s miracles. The concept: Disparate things: inspiration, exhaustion, truth, laughter can only come together, be stitched together with Allah’s mercy.
I did swipe to read more of Nesh’s words.
“Quran 103 stopped me in my tracks. “Surely humanity is in grave loss, except for those who have faith, do good , and urge each other to truth and perseverance.” This wasn’t just a verse. It was a reminder that I cannot walk alone, truth and patience must be nurtured in a community Without it I drift. With it I feel anchored. “
So very true – I was feeling so adrift seemingly surrounded by liars – but then gathered together a community of those who I could trust.
Then Nesh summarized the basic truths again. “Truth is sacred in Islam. Lies, falsehood and denial eat away at the soul”
Observing one steeped in lies and falsehood is frightening; they have no soul, no heart. Denial not as insidious, as Nesh explains: “It protects the ego, but it blocks growth, an also leaves deniers imprisoned. That I unfortunately see.
(Insidious: proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects)
Nesh again showed the famed photo. Summarizing the meeting. “We, laughed, planned, even disagreed. But that’s what makes it powerful. I may get discouraged, but together we refine the message, sharpen the focus, and push forward. Three heads really are better than one.”
Another swipe brought me to The Unexpected Inspiration— explained by Nesh so beautifully. “To know words touched someone I didn’t even realize was listening brought gratitude straight to my heart. “
Then stupid GIFs exchanged by Shamir and Alexis I am not sure if we bring out the best or the worst in one another. I once posed the question. Shamir’s answer said it all.
He: Both
I gaze out my double paned windows, fascinated and somewhat obsessed by clouds. I randomly found this Quran verse
“Do you not see that God gently drives the clouds. Then joins them together, piling them into masses, from which you see raindrops come forth? And He send down from the sky mountains ‘of clouds’ loaded with hail, pouring it on whoever He wills and averting from whoever He wills. The flash of the clouds lightning nearly takes away eyesight. God alternates the day and night. Surely this is a lesson for people of insight. Quran: 24: 43
You shall see photos of the sign sent to my WhatsAppers, and clouds taken from my window. Also two winning GiFs from the GIF war to end all GIF wars. This was parting comment.
Me: I think this is an all time record for the number of GIFs exchanged by two stupid people in one day.
He: HAHAHA
Me: 15
He: Possible
Me: Probable I counted.
That’s me. Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.
