Take charge of your life [13:11]

Over the past few days, we have explored how our relationship with Allah serves as the foundation for true wellbeing. We’ve reflected on how connecting with Him provides us with meaning, stability, and inner peace, even in the face of life’s challenges.

Now, we turn to the practices for wellbeing from the Quran. So let us explore Quranic practices that cultivate wellbeing—not just in moments of worship, but in the way we think, act, and engage with the world around us.

Today, lets reflect on one of the most fundamental lessons the Quran teaches about wellbeing, which is that change begins within. We often wait for circumstances to improve, for people to change, or for life to become easier. But true growth starts when we stop waiting and take charge of what is within our control.

In verse 11 of Chapter 13 of the Holy Quran, Sura Ar Ra’d, Allah [swt] says:

إِنَّ اللّهَ لاَ يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّى يُغَيِّرُواْ مَا بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ

Surely Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change their own condition

This verse reminds us that transformation starts from within. If we want stronger relationships, deeper faith, a better career or a more peaceful heart, the first step is to take action within our circle of control. 

When life presents us with challenging situations or when challenging people are in our lives, we often spend [waste] so much time in waiting for circumstances or other people around us to change.

When faced with a challenge, it is [soooo] easy to feel powerless. And when we feel powerless, we are more likely to complain and less likely to act. In doing so, we grow stronger roots for our problems and ensure that any solution is hidden behind the complaining.

But the reality is that every situation has two parts:

What is outside our control—other people’s behavior, the past, unforeseen difficulties, most situations which we have no control over [this is the majority of circumstances we face] AND

What is within our control—this is ONLY our actions, our mindset and our choices.

 One of the guaranteed ways to be miserable is to focus all our energy on situations and things which are outside our control. Doing this makes sure that we have no bandwidth or energy left to work on things that we have control over.

Here’s the thing, no matter how difficult the situation is, we always have some options. Sometimes all options seem equally unpleasant and so we tell ourselves "we have no choice". The truth is even when faced with unpleasant options, we do have some choice and agency in the matter. Accepting and acting upon this choice results in two things:

1. We feel empowered when we act from agency and choice AND

2. It brings us under the condition of this verse which will attract the help of Allah.

 When facing difficulties, instead of dwelling on what others should do, let us ask ourselves:

What part of this situation is in my control?

What are my options here?
What actions can I take right now to improve my wellbeing?

How can I be a friend to myself here?

What can I stop doing to make the situation worse?
Which choices will bring me closer to Allah and inner peace?

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Wishing you a day full of spiritual fulfillment, positivity, purpose and peace.