Simply Sukoon

I had the pleasure of speaking to Irtiza Hassan of about Mental Health in the Muslim community. We spoke about a few different topics such as the difference between counselor & therapist, why there are stigmas against Muslims going to therapy, when someone should go to see a therapist, and how Islam and Mental Health are interconnected.

To hear the podcast check out the link below.

https://muslimmatters.org/2023/09/26/podcast-man-2-man-fatherhood-mental-health/

InshaAllah our next session will be on August 20! We’ll continue our discussion on Children around the Prophet (s) and how we can learn more from him (s) about fatherhood.

Inviting all dads and dads to be and we look forward to seeing you there InshaAllah!

I remember taking this picture on a vacation where I was running from pain. This vacation was my crutch and I used it to avoid the toils and worries I had at home.

Travel and vacations can be great for breaking up the routine of life and for a moment to relax. But if they’re used to avoid difficult aspects of life, they may cause more harm in the long run. Give vacations their proper place, but remember to deal properly with the darker moments in your life.

As Texas keeps heating up, I remind myself of cooler times. Alhamdulillah for the fact that this heat will change, this season will change, and we will, InshaAllah, have better weather to look forward to.

Similarly, change will happen in our lives as well. Without minimizing one’s experience or comparing, the mantra “This too shall pass” can be a great reminder about the ebb and flow of this life and how both good and bad times will not last. Focusing on what we can control during these times can help with the inevitability of change.

I remember taking this picture during Ramadan 2015. It’s so interesting to me how taraweeh was happening indoors during this time while a storm raged on outside. Peace, sukoon, tranquility, and spirituality indoors while harsh by thunderstorms and lightning let their presence be known outside.

We have the storms in our lives as well. It is possible to focus inwards in search of peace and happiness when our world is a rage of thunder and lightning. Happiness and gratitude in the midst of difficulty and pain. Have you had moments like this? How have you found your peace in these bittersweet storms?

Whether it’s the start of a new day, or the end of an old one, self-reflection can be a powerful tool that helps you learn from the past and navigate how to go forth into your future.

Our capacity to grow, transform, and learn is incredible. And a means of healing from our past and bettering our future InshaAllah.

May Allah accept our good deeds and forgive us our shortcomings. Hoping your Eid today is an incredible and memorable experience. Ameen!

Ever felt your mood completely shift when you’re traveling? Smiles are wider, you feel more relaxed, and you may be able to let go of every day worries and stresses. Travel and a change in scenery can be incredibly beneficial for your mental health.

Summer is in full swing and this is the time many people travel. Where are you headed to find your own sukoon?

I think there’s something special about water that brings a level of comfort to us. It speaks to us on a human level, where just being around these blue spaces (areas with water accessible to people) can provide a level of comfort. Whether its sitting in a pool, dangling your legs in the water, or enjoying a nice, cool breezy on a sandy beach, being around these blue spaces can have a positive impact on your mental health.

As Houston heats up, where are the blue spaces that you hope to frequent? Hopefully, it’ll provide some relief from the heat while also giving us a moment to just turn off an relax in the cool, blue, cold of water.

I remember this picture from Pakistan and thought it was both poetic and beautiful how something new, alive was coming from something old and dead.

Forgiving others...and yourself, can be incredibly hard. It pushes you to let go, but its end result can be like new life. A renewal in relationships, in the way you view yourself, and in how you deal with others. Yes, forgiveness is a privilege and not all things should be forgiven.

I wonder, though, that when it comes to ourselves...what growth can come when we allow for mercy, forgiveness, and grace for our past mistakes?

I remember taking this picture in the northern forests of Pakistan. After an especially tough year, the power of this trip was in how incredibly rejuvenating it was for me and my health Alhamdulillah.

I read a study that said spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature (15-20mins/day) is associated with good health and well being. Just going out in nature and being in it can be beneficial for your mental health.

When is the last time you enjoyed being outdoors? And how long has it been since then?

Serenity is defined as “the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled.” I’ve found that there are places, times, beliefs, and people that can be a source of serenity.

Regardless of where I am in the world, I’ve found moments of serenity, of calm, peace, and being untroubled while I am in the masaajid. Something about unburdening your troubles and the sukoon of spirituality.

Where have you found your serenity? And if you’ve found it somewhere, do you visit often?