Episode 328: Lecture 5 M2025: Building a relationship with God part 2
Loving and Living the Quran
[Muharram 2025 Series: Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025] In this episode, we continue our exploration of ways to strengthen our relationship with God and focus especially on developing Khasiya or Awe in our hearts. We end the discussion by exploring 5 ways we can experience Awe in our everyday lives For questions and or comments related to this content, please email [email protected] Please visit for more resources on practical spirituality. Please...
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Episode 327: Lecture 4 M2025: Building a relationship with God part 1
Loving and Living the Quran
[Muharram 2025 Series: Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025] After completing our discussion on distractions on the path towards God, we start our discussion on building our relationship with Allah by looking at His proper name For questions and or comments related to this content, please email [email protected] Please visit for more resources on practical spirituality. Please consider subscribing and leaving a rating & review on Apple Podcasts and Facebook/IG...
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Episode 326: Lecture 3 M2025: Distractions on the path towards God
Loving and Living the Quran
[Muharram 2025 Series: Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025] After reflecting on what we can do to build personal resilience, we begin the topic of building our relationship with Allah swt as this is the foundation for Istiqamah. Many of us report feeling disconnected from Allah swt these days. In this lecture, we uncover some of the things in modern life which make it so hard for us to connect to Him. For questions and or comments related to this content, please email...
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Episode 325: Lecture 2 M2025: Building personal resilience
Loving and Living the Quran
[Muharram 2025 Series: Holding On to Faith When the World Falls Apart Lessons in Resilience and Resistance from Imam Hussain [as] and Bibi Zainab[as] M1447/2025] In order to have the stance of istiqamah, standing strong, we need to have resilience. In this episode, we explore the meaning of resilience, talk about the purpose of trials in our lives and discuss the secrets of resilient people who are able to withstand the challenges of life and are in fact, stronger because of them For questions and or comments related to this content, please email [email protected]...
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Episode 324: Lecture 1 M2025: Introduction & Verse Theme – Understanding Istiqamah
Loving and Living the Quran
In this episode, we reflect on the verse from Sura Fussilat where Allah swt says: [41:30] (As for) those who say: Our Lord is Allah, then continue in the right way, the angels descend upon them, saying: Fear not, nor be grieved, and receive good news of the garden which you were promised. We start exploring the need for idea of resistance as stance towards injustice. We also explore the meaning of Imam Hussain [as] mission and the idea that the mission of Azadari cannot be different than the mission of Imam Hussain [as]. We start exploring the meaning of Istiqamat For...
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Episode 323: Voices of Truth: What Isa (as) Said from the Cradle” Surah Maryam – Part 3
Loving and Living the Quran
📌 Episode Summary: This episode continues the narrative of Surah Maryam with the miraculous moment when the newborn Isa (as) speaks from the cradle to defend his mother and declare his prophetic mission. You unpack the meaning and significance of each part of his speech—from affirming his identity as Abdullah (servant of Allah), to describing his mission of prayer, charity, and respect for his mother. From there, the discussion expands into the theological disputes surrounding Isa (as), clarifying the Islamic stance on his nature and role. The Qur’an rebuts both the Jewish rejection of...
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Episode 321: Faith Under Fire: Lessons from the First Hijrah” Surah Maryam – Part 1
Loving and Living the Quran
📌 Episode Summary: In this opening episode of the Surah Maryam series, we dive into the historical and spiritual backdrop of Chapter 19 of the Qur’an. You begin by highlighting the virtues of Surah Maryam—its poetic rhythm, spiritual benefits, and relevance for those struggling with anxiety or hardship. The main focus is on the profound story of the first Muslim migration to Abyssinia. Through the lens of this pivotal moment, we explore how Surah Maryam served as a spiritual defense and a tool for bridge-building across faiths. The podcast revisits the powerful exchange between Hazrat...
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Episode 322: The Strength of a Silent Woman: Maryam’s Trial and Triumph” Surah Maryam – Part 2
Loving and Living the Quran
📌 Episode Summary: In this powerful and emotionally resonant episode, you delve into the heart of Surah Maryam—the miraculous conception and birth of Prophet Isa (Jesus) through Maryam (as), a paragon of purity, courage, and spiritual strength. Beginning with the backstory from Surah Al-Imran, we learn about Maryam’s early life, her mother’s intention to dedicate her unborn child to God, and the miraculous signs surrounding her upbringing under the care of Prophet Zakariya. The episode then explores Maryam’s spiritual retreat, her encounter with Jibra’il (Gabriel), and the divine...
info_outline![Keep Allah central in your life [2:185] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/35881965?height=50&width=50)
Keep Allah central in your life [2:185]
Loving and Living the Quran
"…and so that you complete the number and glorify Allah for having guided you, and that you may give thanks." — Surah Al-Baqara (2:185) 🌙 Episode Summary As we approach the end of Ramadan, we reflect on what it means to truly keep Allah at the center of our lives. Ramadan has been a time of spiritual focus, self-discipline, and connection to the Divine. Now, as we prepare to celebrate Eid, we are reminded to exalt Allah’s greatness and express gratitude for His guidance. This is not the end—but a launchpad for the rest of the year. 💡 Key Themes Allahu Akbar as a...
info_outline![Count Your Blessings [14:34] show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/35881900?height=50&width=50)
Count Your Blessings [14:34]
Loving and Living the Quran
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 They Are...
info_outlineIn this episode, we continue our exploration of developing a deep connection with Allah by focusing on khashyah (خشية)—awe of Allah. Often mistranslated as fear, khashyah is a reverence that comes from knowledge, reflection, and love rather than anxiety over punishment.
We begin by reflecting on Surah Az-Zumar (39:23), where Allah describes how the hearts of those who truly fear Him soften upon hearing His words. Unlike khauf (fear), khashyah transforms the soul, bringing both awe and serenity.
We also delve into the psychological benefits of awe, drawing from modern research that highlights its profound impact on well-being. Experiencing awe enhances humility, expands our perception of time, increases compassion, reduces stress, and strengthens our social bonds—paralleling the transformative effects of deep spiritual connection in Islam.
Inspired by Imam Ali’s (as) description of the God-conscious in Nahjul Balagha, we explore practical ways to cultivate khashyah in our daily lives—through Quranic reflection, nature, dhikr, and gaining knowledge of Allah’s creation.
By embracing awe, we deepen our relationship with Allah and experience both the vastness of His greatness and the tranquility that comes from knowing Him.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Khashyah is reverence and awe of Allah based on knowledge and reflection, not fear of punishment.
✅ The Quran has a profound emotional and physiological impact on those who develop khashyah.
✅ Science confirms that awe benefits mental well-being, increasing humility, generosity, and social connection.
✅ Practical ways to cultivate khashyah include engaging with the Quran, reflecting on nature, and practicing dhikr.
Reflection Questions:
- When was the last time you experienced a moment of true awe?
- How can you cultivate more khashyah in your daily life?
Resources Mentioned:
📖 Surah Az-Zumar (39:23) – The impact of awe on the believer’s heart
📖 Surah Fatir (35:28) – How knowledge leads to khashyah
📖 Nahjul Balagha – Imam Ali’s description of those who are God-conscious
🔬 Research from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley on the psychology of awe
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