Thank you for being here! Follow Eman's work here: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64df57bc3cf2fb90127d7469 Transcription: Welcome to "Derive From the Divine," the podcast where the eternal wisdom of the Quran meets the everyday experiences of the modern Muslim. I'm your host, and I'm thrilled to have you here. Each week, we dive into the teachings of the Quran, extracting concise lessons and reflections to enrich our lives, uplift our souls, and guide us through the complexities of the world today. Together, we'll seek to make Islam, not just a faith that we profess, but a way of life that we practice every single day. What's my mission? Honestly, it's only one, and it's to ignite the love of Allah in the hearts of many, making His words a beacon that inspires, empowers, and transforms our lives—one episode at a time. Join me back here every Friday for a thematic reflection and lesson that will resonate deeply with all of us. So sit back, relax, and let the divine wisdom unfold. The other day, my son and I were talking, and he said, "Mama, I wish we could actually afford the VIP treatment in Disneyland." And it made me think, how many times have we aspired for the elite status? Sifting through our wallets, calculating if we can actually afford these exclusive experiences. We long for recognition, privilege, and special treatment. And yet, we often overlook the most sacred VIP status granted to us by Allah himself. The one that transcends all worldly luxuries. Think about it: five times a day, we proclaim "Al-Rahman" in our Salah. Scholars share that while "Al-Rahman" extends mercy to all creation, "Al-Rahim" is reserved specifically for you and I, the believers. We recite Surah Al-Fatiha 17 times with just the obligatory prayers, affirming our unique position as the VIPs of Allah's creation. But this brings us to the soul-searching question: Are we truly deserving of such status? The short answer, and the honest answer, is probably no. And that's reflected in how we sometimes approach Salah. We say things like "Let's get it out of the way, let's pray quickly so we can move on and do other things," as if it's some burden we carry on our shoulders. It's a complicated feeling, isn't it? On one hand, we're grateful that we're actually worried about missing our Salah, but on the other hand, why are we perceiving it as cumbersome? Imagine treating a worldly VIP membership as a burden. I'm pretty sure that would never happen. But with Salah, sometimes we do. Perhaps it's because we fail to recognize that Salah is not just a duty, but actually a divine privilege, a special door opened only for the spiritual elites. We may never be deserving of Allah's mercy. Let me rephrase that: We are never deserving of Allah's mercy in our imperfect state. But yet, He continually reminds us of our worthiness each time we recite. So our challenge this week is not just to perform Salah but to perceive it as a special VIP pass to connect with the Almighty, the All-Just, the "Ultra Man." And let's strive not to rush through those words but rather savor this extraordinary connection and the spiritual luxury that's ours and ours alone. Until next week, I'll meet you back here. Take care, and Salaam. Hey, before you go, do you mind sharing this short episode with a fellow friend, someone you think might benefit from it, so that you and I can both be rewarded? And if you genuinely think that this podcast is worth five stars, I would appreciate it if you shared your feedback and rated the podcast. And may Allah reward you with the highest Jannah.
