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Count Your Blessings [14:34]

Loving and Living the Quran

Release Date: 03/29/2025

Episode 360: The Harder Turning [42:40] show art Episode 360: The Harder Turning [42:40]

Loving and Living the Quran

Allah says: “The recompense of evil is an evil like it. But whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is with Allah.” (42:40) This verse recognizes something important: when someone harms us, we have the right to respond proportionally. Justice is permitted. But the verse then points to something higher. Whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, their reward is with Allah. Over the past few days we have been talking about tawbah — returning to Allah and repairing our relationship with Him. Today’s verse shifts the focus to another dimension of repentance: repairing our...

info_outline Episode 359: Recognizing Al-Tawwāb [2:37] show art Episode 359: Recognizing Al-Tawwāb [2:37]

Loving and Living the Quran

Allah says: “Then Adam received words from his Lord, so He turned to him mercifully. Surely He is al-Tawwāb, the Merciful.” (2:37) The first time the Qur’an introduces the Divine name al-Tawwāb appears in the story of Adam (as). After being tempted by Iblis and leaving the Garden, Adam experienced the weight of what had happened. In that moment of remorse, he turned back to Allah. But the Qur’an highlights something remarkable: Adam’s turning did not begin with him alone. Allah taught him the words of return — the kalimāt through which he repented. This reveals something...

info_outline Episode 358: Tawwab as an Identity [2:222] show art Episode 358: Tawwab as an Identity [2:222]

Loving and Living the Quran

Allah says: “Surely Allah loves those who turn to Him repeatedly, and He loves those who purify themselves.” (2:222) The Qur’an does not simply praise those who repent once. It praises al-tawwābīn — those who return again and again. The word tawwāb in Arabic implies repetition and continuity. It describes a person for whom returning to Allah is not a rare emergency response after a major mistake, but a regular spiritual rhythm. Repentance becomes a disposition. The people Allah loves are not those who never drift. They are those who do not stay away for long. Imam Khomeini reflects...

info_outline Episode 357: You Will Find Him [4:110] show art Episode 357: You Will Find Him [4:110]

Loving and Living the Quran

Allah says: “Whoever does evil or wrongs his own soul and then seeks forgiveness from Allah will find Allah Forgiving, Merciful.” (4:110) This verse contains a powerful promise. It acknowledges two kinds of wrongdoing: harm toward others and harm toward one’s own soul through sin. Yet the verse does not end with condemnation. It ends with an invitation. If such a person turns and seeks forgiveness, the Qur’an says: “he will find Allah.” The verb used is yajid — he will find. It is immediate and certain. To find something implies it was already there. The verse suggests that Allah...

info_outline Episode 356: The Roadmap to Return [66:8] show art Episode 356: The Roadmap to Return [66:8]

Loving and Living the Quran

Allah says: “O you who believe! Turn to Allah in sincere repentance (tawbatan nasūḥā). Perhaps your Lord will remove from you your evil and admit you into gardens beneath which rivers flow.” (66:8) This verse addresses believers — people already in relationship with Allah. Tawbah is not only for those far away. It is part of the ongoing life of faith. The Qur’an emphasizes the quality of repentance: tawbatan nasūḥā — sincere, wholehearted repentance. Scholars explain the word nasūḥā in several ways: A repentance done purely for Allah’s sake. A repentance that...

info_outline Episode 355 : Do Not Despair [39:53] show art Episode 355 : Do Not Despair [39:53]

Loving and Living the Quran

Allah says: “Say: O My servants who have transgressed against their own souls, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Surely Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, He is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (39:53) This verse is often described by scholars as one of the most hope-giving verses in the Qur’an. Notice how Allah addresses the very people who feel most distant: “O My servants.” Even in the moment of transgression, the relationship is not severed. The belonging remains. The Qur’an describes sin as “transgressing against your own soul.” It frames wrongdoing not primarily as...

info_outline Episode 354: The Cost of Drifting [83:14] show art Episode 354: The Cost of Drifting [83:14]

Loving and Living the Quran

Allah says: “No! Rather, what they used to do has become like rust upon their hearts.” (83:14) Over the past reflections, we have explored the inner landscape of the soul — the fitrah, the states of the nafs, the pull of desire, and the voice of conscience. Recently we reflected on how communities help protect that conscience through mutual guardianship. Today we ask a difficult question: what happens when the soul drifts and does not return? The Qur’an uses the word rān, often translated as rust or a covering over the heart. Classical scholars explain that the human soul begins pure...

info_outline Episode 353: Before the Door Closes [63:10] show art Episode 353: Before the Door Closes [63:10]

Loving and Living the Quran

Allah says: “Spend from what We have provided you before death comes to one of you and he says: ‘My Lord, if only You would delay me for a short time so that I could give charity and be among the righteous.’ But Allah never delays a soul when its appointed time comes.” (63:10–11) These verses place us at a powerful moment: the threshold of death. In that instant, everything becomes clear. The time we had. The opportunities we postponed. The relationships we delayed repairing. The good we intended but never acted on. The person cries out: “If only I had a little more time.” But...

info_outline Episode 352: Receiving the gift of correction with grace [39:18] show art Episode 352: Receiving the gift of correction with grace [39:18]

Loving and Living the Quran

Allah praises: “Those who listen to the word and follow the best of it — they are the ones Allah has guided, and they are people of understanding.” (39:18) We often focus on the courage required to give advice. But receiving correction may be harder. The believer is described as a mirror to another believer. A mirror does not flatter — it reflects. Honest reflection is a gift. As we grow older or more established, we often receive less honest feedback. People hesitate. Pride grows subtle. Imam Ali (as) said: “The most beloved of your brothers is the one who points out your flaws to...

info_outline Episode 351: Giving the Gift of Correction [16:125] show art Episode 351: Giving the Gift of Correction [16:125]

Loving and Living the Quran

Allah says: “Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and argue with them in the best manner…” (16:125) Encouraging good builds the village. Forbidding wrong protects it. But wisdom is what keeps it from fracturing. The problem is often not what we say — but how we say it. The Qur’an outlines three principles: Hikmah (wisdom) — knowing timing, context, and capacity. Maw‘idhah hasanah (beautiful exhortation) — strong advice delivered with gentleness and dignity. The best manner of dialogue — even in disagreement. Before correcting someone, we...

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Count Your Blessings
Verse Reflection:
“And if you count Allah's favors, you will not be able to number them.” — Surah Ibrahim (14:34)

🌟 Episode Summary

In this episode, we reflect on the Qur’anic reminder that Allah’s blessings are infinite—too many to count. From the seen to the unseen, the obvious to the hidden, His favors surround us constantly. True gratitude lies not just in counting our blessings but in recognizing them, reflecting on them deeply, and allowing that awareness to nurture our faith and wellbeing.

🧠 Why We Can’t Count His Blessings

  1. They Are Everywhere – Blessings like sunshine, air, and functioning limbs fade into the background until they’re threatened or lost.

  2. They Are Too Numerous – From the stars in the sky to the cells in our body, Allah’s gifts are immeasurable.

  3. Many Are Hidden – We’re often unaware of blessings until a shift in perspective or time reveals them. Some are disguised as challenges that end up guiding us closer to Him.

💭 The Wisdom of the Ahlul Bayt (as)

  • Imam Zaynul Abidin (as): “The most thankful is the one who is conscious of their inability to thank.”

  • Imam Hussain (as) in Dua Arafah: “Even if all creation tried to count Your blessings, they could not.”

💡 Spiritual and Psychological Benefits of Gratitude

  • Strengthens connection to Allah – Gratitude is an act of worship and love.

  • Balances perspective during hardships – Even in darkness, light exists.

  • Improves relationships – Grateful people are easier to be around.

  • Builds emotional resilience – Helps us cope with life’s ups and downs.

  • Leads to happiness – Shifts our focus to what we have instead of what we lack.

  • Rewires the brain – Gratitude creates positive thought patterns and emotional regulation.

☕ A Practical Tip: Teacup Gratitude

Instead of rushing through your morning tea or coffee, pause and turn it into a moment of mindfulness:

  • Feel the warmth of the cup.

  • Breathe in the aroma.

  • Think of the many people and processes that made it possible—from farmers and transporters to your ability to hold the cup.
    This transforms a routine moment into a spiritual and emotional reset.

🛠️ Practicing Deep Gratitude

  • Don’t just list blessings—explore them. Choose one and reflect on its depth.

  • Let gratitude become a daily spiritual practice that anchors your day.

  • Remember: Gratitude isn’t about ignoring problems—it’s about seeing blessings alongside them.

❤️ A Thank You to You

To every listener and reader: you are a blessing. Your support, presence, and encouragement mean more than words can express. May we grow in gratitude together and become among those whose hearts are filled with praise for the One who grants it all.

All praise is due to Allah—for He taught us how to thank Him.
— Sahifa Sajjadiyya, Dua 37