Rooted: Episode 1 — The Return

Rooted: Episode 1 — The Return

In this first episode, we talk about returning. Not the perfect kind of return, but the real one, the kind where you feel distant and still choose to come back anyway. We reflect on what it means to drift from Allah, from yourself, and from the things that once kept you grounded, and how Islam never closes the door on you, no matter how long you’ve been away. Through Surah Az-Zumar (39:53) and a powerful reminder from the Prophet ﷺ about Allah’s joy when His servant returns, this episode is about mercy, hope, and starting again without shame. If you’ve been feeling spiritually distant, this is your reminder that coming back doesn’t require you to be perfect. It only requires you to start.

Consistency After Ramadan

After Ramadan ends, the real question begins: what will we carry forward? Allah reminds us in the Qur'an, “And worship your Lord until there comes to you certainty (death)” (15:99), showing that our عبادات are not limited to a single month, but are meant to continue throughout our lives. In this episode, we reflect on the importance of consistency in our deeds. The Prophet ﷺ, Prophet Muhammad, said: “The most beloved deeds to Allah are those that are consistent, even if they are small” (Bukhari & Muslim). This serves as a reminder that what matters most after Ramadan is not perfection, but استمرار—continuity. The episode also highlights the reward and significance of fasting six days in Shawwal. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted the entire year” (Muslim). A simple yet powerful opportunity to extend the روح of Ramadan beyond the month itself. Allah also says: “Indeed, those who have said, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ and then remained steadfast—the angels will descend upon them…” (41:30). True success is not in how we start, but in how we remain firm. This episode is a reminder to hold on whether it is your salah, your Qur’an, or your fasting and to let Ramadan be the beginning of something consistent, not something temporary.

Call Upon Allah While You Still Can

Abu Huraira reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, ascended the pulpit and he said, “Amin, amin, amin.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, you ascended the pulpit and said amin, amin, amin.” The Prophet said, “Verily, Gabriel came to me and he said: Whoever reaches the month of Ramadan and he is not forgiven, then he will enter Hellfire and Allah will cast him far away, so say amin. I said amin. Whoever sees his parents in their old age, one or both of them, and he does not honor them and he dies, then he will enter Hellfire and Allah will cast him far away, so say amin. I said amin. Whoever has your name mentioned in his presence and he does not send blessings upon you and he dies, then he will enter Hellfire and Allah will cast him far away, so say amin. I said amin.” Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Ḥibbān 907 Grade: Hasan (fair) according to Al-Arna’ut I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: Allah the Almighty said: O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and ask of Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds of the sky and were you then to ask forgiveness of Me, I would forgive you. O son of Adam, were you to come to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and were you then to face Me, ascribing no partner to Me, I would bring you forgiveness nearly as great as it. It was related by at-Tirmidhi (also by Ahmad ibn Hanbal). Its chain of authorities is sound. عَنْ أَنَسٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ ، قَالَ : سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَ سَلَّمَ ، يَقُولُ : قَالَ اللهُ تَعَالَى : يَا ابْنَ ادَمَ ، إِنَّكَ مَا دَعَوْتََنِي وَرَجَوْتَنِي ، غَفَرْتُ لَكَ عَلَى مَا كَانَ مِنْكَ وَلَا أُبالِي . يا ابْنَ ادَمَ :لَوْ بَلَغَتْ ذُنُوبُكَ عَنانَ السَّماءِ ثُم َّ اسْتَغْفَرْتَني ، غَفَرْتُ لَكَ . يَا ابْنَ ادَمَ : إِنَّكَ لَوْ أَتَيْتَنِي بِقُرَابِ الأَرْضِ خَطَايا ثُمَّ لَقِيتَني لَا تُشْرِكُ بِي شَيْأً ، لَأَتيْتُكَ بِقُرَابِها مَغْفِرَةً رواهُ الترمذي (وكذلك أحمد) وسنده حسن Reference  : Hadith 34, 40 Hadith Qudsi

Don’t assume you’re better

In this episode, we reflect on the powerful words of Al-Hasan al-Basri, who said: “Humility is that you leave your home and you do not meet any Muslim except that you see them as better than yourself.” We talk about what real humility actually looks like, how quiet feelings of superiority can creep in without us noticing, and why assuming goodness in others protects our hearts and sincerity.

Prepare for Ramadan

If you haven’t started preparing yet, this is your reminder that it’s not too late. Please watch this video on YouTube https://youtu.be/8U4-N8G2eaQ