Mind

“Allah SWT says: ‘I am as My servant thinks of Me.”
— (Sahih Bukhari, Book 97, Hadith 38)

In the previous chapter, we explored the Body as the foundation of our life journey—our vehicle that needs proper care and fuel to keep us moving forward. Without a healthy, well-maintained body, the journey becomes difficult, if not impossible. But the Body doesn’t operate on its own; it needs direction, focus, and awareness of the road ahead. This is where the Mind comes in— the entire dashboard of our life journey. The Mind gives us clarity, processes the map, controls the speed, and monitors the vital signs that guide our actions. It allows us to make decisions, adjust course, and stay alert to challenges along the way. In this chapter, we’ll dive into how mastering the Mind—our internal dashboard—helps us navigate through life’s obstacles with precision, balance, and control.

Witnessing
As you know that Islam is built on 5 core pillars. The first one is to say and acknowledge that there is no god except Allah, and Muhammad (PBUH) is His Messenger. Have you ever wondered why saying these words out loud is the first step? It comes before we start daily prayers – salah, fasting, giving – zakat or going to hajj – pilgrimage?

This part of Islam was something I totally misunderstood for years. I promise to get back to you on this before this chapter is over. But as usual, we will start with a story.

Looking backward
As the late Steve Jobs used to say that you can connect the dots only looking backward not forward. What he meant was that you can’t understand many things in your life why they happened, how they happened or when they happened. Only after many years some of them may make sense to you.

I was raised in a single parent family by my mom alone with my younger sister. My dad was never a part of our lives. It was hard. Especially, in a country like Uzbekistan because men are the breadwinners. I could have complained. I could have cursed my father, life itself and everything in it. Yet, I got the notion that I got to figure out things in life on my own.

Poverty and hunger were my good old friends. I could have stolen and justify. Yet I had the thought that education and knowledge were my way out of that world. So I studied hard. Somehow I believed that it will all work out.

When I was 14, I started a Turkish boarding school. I learnt English there. Among other things, I also learnt how to be independent. I was taught by passionate teachers. I was surrounded by students who were eager to learn. My classmates became lifelong friends.

Then I applied and was accepted at one of the best universities in Uzbekistan. It was not as I expected so I dropped out. Yet I got more life long friends there as well.

I also had an American Dream like everyone in my circle. But it never worked out for me to go to the USA. Instead, I got a chance to go to Denmark. I took the only chance I had. It was not all rainbows. I had to start with cleaning toilents and delivering newspapers at 5 am in the morning. I guess the patient needed it. It took me 17 years before I can move to Canada, not USA still.

You Plan vs God Plans
So why am I telling you this story? I planned some things for myself. God planned other things for me. I could have been stubborn and didn’t budge. But it would not get me where I am today.

Each turning point in my life required a shift in my mindset and how I see the world. It will be the same for you.

Victim to Victor.
Resentful to Resourceful.
Regretful to Grategul.
Step Backward to Step Forward.
Moving Onwards. Moving Upwards.

You plan. God plans. God is the best of planners. It is often misquoted to convince you that planning is useless. It is actually the opposite. You plan – do your best effort. Then God plans something for you even better.

You do your part – harakah – your effort. God grants you barakah – abundance, guidance as long as you are travelling towards Him.

Does Allah need my belief in Him?
The short answer is no. When I was young, I was told to believe in God, but I also heard contradictory messages like, “God doesn’t need anything from you.” This left me confused. Why should I do anything, such as pray, if God already has everything?

For a while, I thought simply believing in one God was enough. But I was still being told to pray and do other things. I resisted because I thought it was enough just to believe.

Belief Beyond Words
As I grew older, I realized belief isn’t just about thinking there’s one God. It’s about what that belief drives you to do. Satan not only believes in God; but he knows God exists because he was there during the creation of Adam. Despite this, Satan’s belief didn’t save him because he refused to act in accordance with God’s will. The difference between simply knowing and truly believing lies in action and obedience.

Expanding The Concept of God

Have you seen those who have taken their own desires as their god? Allah left them to stray knowingly, sealed their hearing and hearts, and placed a cover on their sight. Who then can guide them after Allah? Will you not then be mindful?
— (Quran, 45:23)

Above verse is one of the most scariest verses for me in the Quran. Why? God, as described in this verse, is not limited to a deity we worship in rituals. The verse that states some people take their desires as their gods struck me deeply. This taught me that anything—money, power, desires—can become a ‘god’ if it takes the central place in your life. When we declare, “There is no god but Allah,” we are saying that nothing else will take the center of our lives except Allah.

Who Is Your God?

When I asked this question when I was soul searching about 10 years ago, I found out that my “gods” were my career, money, my desires, etc. Because these were my focus day and night. Then I might have remembered God here and there. I knew then that I had to make a change in my life and priorities if I want to claim that I bear witness that there is nothing or no one worthy of worship except Allah SWT. So I pass on the same question to you. Who is your God?

Moving from Thought to Action
Now you know the true meaning of testament of the faith in Islam, at the most basic level, belief in God starts with acknowledging Him with our tongues. But this belief must move into our hearts, becoming something we truly hold dear – Iman. Finally, it must manifest in our actions. The highest form of belief in Islam is Ihsan, where we act with excellence and beauty, fully aware that we are doing everything for Allah.

Arrogance, Confidence & Doubt
There are three key attitudes: arrogance, confidence, and doubt.

Arrogance, as we learn from Satan’s story, is thinking you’re better than everyone else.

Doubt is thinking you’re not good enough.

Confidence is the balanced middle path—knowing you’re good enough but not better than others. Confidence, grounded in humility, allows you to act with purpose and sincerity towards Allah SWT.

A Story of Confidence and Trust in God
I remember an event at an Islamic conference where a talented friend of mine was anxious before going on stage. I whispered to his ears, “Who brought you here? Who got you this far? Do you think the One who got you here will leave you now?”

This very moment this very reminder also made me realize that it’s not our own power that gets us through life’s challenges, but Allah’s help and guidance. Life is not happening to us. It happening for us. Once we understand this, everything begins to change.

One of the main takeaways from this chapter is the following. You see people who are arrogant and who thing they are self-sufficient. It leads them further and further away from Allah SWT. May Allah guide them. May Allah never let us be in that state.

Then you have people who live their lives in doubt, disbelief and waste. May Allah guide them as well. May Allah never let us be in that state either.

Sweet spot is the middle path: Confidence. You may have heard a hundred times that you have to be confident and believe in yourself. Maybe you still don’t. I am not going to repeat it. If you don’t believe in yourself, maybe you are right. Sometimes I don’t believe in myself either. Surprised? Let me explain.

Instead of believing in yourself, believe in Allah. What do I mean?

Even Angels Ask
When Allah SWT created Adam AS, even angels questioned why He would create a being capable of bloodshed. Allah’s response was that He knows what they do not. Then Allah SWT teaches our father the name of things which symbolises the capacity of knowledge. This story reminds us of our unique gift as humans—knowledge.

Unlike angels, who can not sin, humans have free will. They can choose to follow God’s guide or not. Yet those who submit willingly to God’s will are superior even than angels. This was the meaning of Allah SWT ordering angels including Iblis to prostrate to Adam AS.

The Invitation
God doesn’t force anyone to believe in Him because He wants us to come to Him willingly. Life is like an invitation from a king to His palace; it’s up to us whether we accept or not. God wants us to fulfill our potential, but we must first recognize this invitation and take action.

The Gift of Life and Sincerity of Action
We only live once, and sooner or later, we all return to God. Understanding this, we should aim to live in a way that pleases Him. Our actions, even if unnoticed by others, are always seen by Allah. The sincere intention to please Him is what counts the most, and when we act with sincerity, Allah draws nearer to us.

Belief is not just a declaration; it is a journey from the tongue to the heart and finally to the hands, manifesting in action. We must move beyond asking the wrong questions that paralyze us and instead ask, “How can I live in a way that pleases my Creator?” When we act with this in mind, Allah’s promise is that He will guide us and be by our side.

Three Types of Relationships: Mind, Heart, & Soul

As we move forward, I want to explore three types of relationships: the one that relates to our mind, the one that involves our heart, and the one that touches our soul.

Mind: Self-Talk and Inner Dialogue

When it comes to the mind, it’s about self-talk. This is where confidence, doubt, and arrogance play out. We constantly engage in an inner dialogue, hearing thoughts that shape our actions and beliefs. The self-talk we entertain influences whether we see ourselves as capable or defeated. Later, we will explore how this dynamic changes when it comes to the heart and the emotions we experience with others, such as love, jealousy, and envy. For now, let’s deep dive into inner dialogue.

“Anytime you think you can, or you can’t–you’re right.”
― Henry Ford

Relationship with Yourself – Self Talk
One of the most important relationships you have is the one with yourself. What do you say to yourself daily? Positive self-talk can fuel confidence and help you move toward your goals. Negative self-talk can destroy that confidence. Be kind to yourself in your internal dialogue, and remember that Allah has given you the ability to succeed, provided you keep Him at the center of your plans.

Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset
You’ve probably heard of the terms growth mindset and fixed mindset. A growth mindset believes that abilities can develop and grow, while a fixed mindset assumes that nothing will change. But in Islam, we take this concept to a higher level. Even while you are reading this, you might hear thoughts like, “Who is this person? Who are they to think big? Why not just live a small life?” Or, “I’ve tried to change, but my problems are too big.” These are limiting beliefs.

God Is Greater
My late teacher used to say, “Don’t tell Allah how big your problems are, tell your problems how big Allah is.” This shift in mindset changes everything. Instead of seeing obstacles as insurmountable, we recognize that nothing is too big for Allah.

The Power of Belief and Mindset
Between where you are now and where you want to be, the biggest obstacle is your mindset. You need to be clear about what you want in life and approach it with a positive, confident mindset. If you believe your dreams are too big or unattainable, you will never take action. Without hope, there is no progress. This is why it’s crucial to question your mindset. Do you have a limiting mindset, or do you embrace a mindset of growth and possibility?

Mind Taqwa
Taqwa—God-consciousness—doesn’t only reside in the heart; it lives in the mind too. When we are conscious of Allah in our thoughts, we make better decisions. We prioritize what truly matters, and we stay focused on our greater purpose. Having taqwa in the mind means filtering out distractions and aligning every thought with what pleases Allah.

For over 20 years, I haven’t watched TV news or read newspapers, and some people ask me how I stay informed. The truth is, if something important happens, people will tell me. I avoid mainstream media because it thrives on fear, and I don’t want to live in a state of constant fear.

Just like the story of creation where only one perspective was considered, many people focus on the negative. But the reality is that there are both good and bad people in the world. Focusing on goodness allows for a positive mindset, which is why I prefer to fill my mind with uplifting content.

Food for Thought
Just like the body needs food for nourishment, the mind needs the right kind of information and input to thrive. What are you feeding your mind? Are you engaging in knowledge that enriches your life and strengthens your faith? Or are you allowing negative, destructive content to occupy your thoughts?

Garbage In, Garbage Out
There’s a saying in the tech world: Garbage in, garbage out. The same applies to the mind. If you fill your mind with useless or harmful information, that’s what you’ll get out of it. On the other hand, if you fill it with beneficial knowledge, positivity, and wisdom, that’s what will reflect in your actions.

With this foundation, our mindset becomes deeply rooted in faith, and we begin to navigate life with a clear, focused purpose.

Awareness
Awareness is the key to mastering the mind. The more aware you are of your thoughts, the better control you have over them. Awareness helps you differentiate between the useful and the harmful thoughts that pass through your mind. This is the essence of muraqabah—watchfulness over your thoughts and actions, knowing that Allah is always watching you as well.

Tafakkur
Tafakkur, or reflection, is one of the most powerful methods to engage the mind. It involves contemplating the signs of Allah, His creation, and our purpose in life. By making tafakkur a daily practice, we sharpen our mind’s ability to think deeply and focus on the right things.

Tawakkul
Jim Kwik, a well-known expert on brain performance, talks extensively about the power of mindset. The way we think shapes our reality. If you believe you can, you will. If you believe you can’t, you won’t. This simple truth is at the core of personal and spiritual growth. In Islam, our mindset is grounded in tawakkul—relying on Allah, trusting His plan, and doing our best with what we’ve been given.

Questions for Reflection:

But what are your goals for your mindset? Imagine your mindset was a 10 out of 10—what would that look like? What are the barriers stopping you from getting there? These are the questions we need to ask ourselves.

1. What are your goals for your mindset? What would your life look like if your mindset were at its full potential?

2. What beliefs do you hold about your mindset? Do you have limiting beliefs, or do you hold uplifting and empowering beliefs?

3. What motivates you to achieve your mindset goals? Why do you want to change your mindset?

4. How will you reach these goals? What actions will you take to develop a growth mindset?

Goals:
On a scale of 1 to 10, how you evaluate your Mindset?
What are your Mind goals to achieve 10?

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Mindset:
What are your beliefs about your Mind?
What is holding you back to achieve 10 out of 10?
How do you talk to yourself? Are your internal conversations encouraging or discouraging?
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Motivation:
Why does it matter to achieve these goals?
What happens if you do? What happens if you don’t?

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Methods:
What is your plan to achieve your Mind goals?
What simple steps can you take today?

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Dua
O Allah, grant us clarity of mind and purity of thought. Help us control our inner dialogue, so we speak kindly to ourselves and maintain confidence in You. Guide our minds to be aware of Your presence and help us fill our thoughts with wisdom, knowledge, and faith. Remove the barriers of disbelief from our minds and hearts and replace them with positivity, an abundant mindset, and, most importantly, good thoughts about You. Guide us on this path and help us stay focused on our ultimate goal: pleasing You.Ameen.