As salaam alaikum Reader,

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I pray this message finds you well this sacred month.

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I have a challenge to you - follow.

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Here's what I mean by that... in a world where everyone is taught that leadership is what is valuable, and leaders are the movers and shakers, and in order to be valuable you need to be a leader, I want to challenge you to go against that grain, and instead aim to be a follower.

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I've bee reading a fascinating book about the life of Prophet Joshua (peace be upon him) called Following Moses by Karima Sperling. One of the things that has really hit me is the honor, nobility, and value in being a follower.

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When we have a guide, or guidance, and we submit wholeheartedly to it as followers, we give space for amazing transformation to occur. When we decide to trust in Allah and then trust in the decision we have made as a result of that trust, we can also choose to surrender in peace and let the process do with us as it must.

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When Prophet Musa (pbuh) went on the mountain for forty days, Joshua (pbuh) waited for him at the foot. Musa (pbuh) had instructed him that he would be on top of the mountain for 30 days, but when that time came and went Joshua (pbuh) did not move. He stayed at the bottom of the mountain those additional ten days because his committment was to following and assisting the beloved Prophet of God.

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It was Joshua (pbuh) who later led the children of Isra'il to settle in the Holy Land, and later in his life he had many miraculous events ovvur at his hand. It is Joshua (pbuh) - also known as Yashua in Hebrew, that Prophet Jesus was named after so many years later.

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The ability to follow is perhaps one of the most important tools in mastering the self. Whether it is as an apprentice in a skill at the work place, or a person in service to their guide in the self development space, we should not underestimate the power and rapid transformation that can take place when we acknowledge our limitation and take hold on the hands of those sent to help and guide us. To this end I think it is no accident that even for the beloved of God, his highest spiritual station is that of abd (servant). To hear and obey and recieve from that space is a powerful blessing.

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May Allah guide us on the path to Him and give us wisdom and access and a clean heart to follow his guidance and the one that guides to Him (peace and blessings be upon him).

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Wa salaam alaikum

Makeda

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Also...

Ramadan is coming soon insha'Allah, and my Ramadan journals & planners are available at plan-barakah.com Grab yours in Shab'an to get a head start on planning the blessed month to come. May Allah bless us all to witness Ramadan

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The Muhsinah Himma Circle has begun Alhamdulillah. There is still time to register at thepathtopresence.com under the programs tab. There is also an option to subscribe to the recordings for the year without the group coaching component, email if you are interested.
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Individual Spiritual Development Coaching is also avaiable for a limited time, a few slots are available on weekday mornings, e-mail if you want one.

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Hamd & Shukr Islamic Gratitude planners are designed as 12 month, undated and curated to help you plan, and more importantly live, a life of presence and intentional purpose. Complete with the 99 beautiful names of God, daily gratitude tracker, Du’a-intention setting prompts, and reminders from the Islamic tradition. Planners come in rose and black and are available to purchase here. ​

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