15 Comments
User's avatar
Isa Khan's avatar

Zahra, this was such a grounding read. The way you connected everything you did really made me pause and reflect on the perspective with which I look at the world, which most of your essays do. Grateful for that.

Also appreciate how you write with both clarity and heart, and how you effortlessly manage to blend Islamic philosophy into story-telling like prose. There is a real distinct lyrical quality to how you write that makes it so enjoyable. It's refreshing and mirrors the beauty you speak of. Definitely saving this one to come back to.

Zahra Hassan's avatar

So kind of you Isa, thank you so much! I really appreciate it :)

Farah's avatar

Zahra pls 😭 this was so beautiful I don’t even know what to say. I literally paused halfway through like…wait, why am I crying over a paragraph about rugs?? lol. So gorgeous I'm gonna frame it!

Zahra Hassan's avatar

you’re soooo sweet thank you honey!! 🤍🤍

Sarah Khan's avatar

You are beautiful inside and out and this is a true reflection of that 🩷

Zahra Hassan's avatar

thank you so much sweet Sarah, Allah bless you! ❤️

Literary Collective Conscious's avatar

This was such an inspiring read. Beauty is important and a tenent of spirituality and they go hand in hand. I also think it's a great reminder of self care, when we put in the effort to wear nice clothes, decorate our homes, smell nice...it is another way of saying to ourselves, I exist and I matter. Thank you for writing! ❤️

Zahra Hassan's avatar

Thank you for your sweet comment! Absolutely true, the self-care component is also a crucial point, and yet another way of honoring the divine within and outside of us 🤍

Sandeep Kumar Verma's avatar

I quote “..worship isn’t just in our prayers or prostrations, but in the way we lay a rug, speak a word, or set a table with care?”

Prayer or prostrations are the lowest forms of worship because it can be done by anyone. It is a generalised form fit for all. The way we lay a rug, or set a table with care are highest forms of prayers because the contentment we feel can be felt in all other acts too! And ‘jikr’ is nothing but feeling contentment all through the day! Totality during performing the act brings contentment.

The Witness Ledger's avatar

This was lovely. Thank you for taking the time to craft such a beautiful piece.

Zahra Hassan's avatar

thank you so much for reading and for your kind words Alanah!

Benish Hassan's avatar

Zahra Jaan, Thank you so much for making my day with your another soul searching piece with the sweet and precious pearls of wisdom, beauty and spirituality!

Reference to your mother’s words and acknowledgement of her life’s journey that made a positive impact on your beautiful soul was very heartwarming to read. May Allah bless you in everything you do! And more power to your pen!

Keep growing❤️

Zahra Hassan's avatar

thanks for reading and for the inspiration ❤️❤️❤️

Fatima Mehdi's avatar

This was beautiful to read 🌷🤍

Zahra Hassan's avatar

thank you so much dear!! 🤍