When Life Brings You to Your Knees

This article was written to inspire you to take the first step toward transforming your life from the inside out. Secure your spot in the Unpack Your Heart workshop today, and begin your journey to a healthier, more fulfilled heart.

Let’s be honest with ourselves for a moment. What’s the state of your heart when life brings you to your knees? When you’re tested with loss, when the one person you hoped would support you feels like a stranger, or when your struggles seem to outweigh your strength? What happens to your heart in these moments? Do you crumble? Do you close off? Or do you push through, hoping that somehow things will change?

It’s not easy. Life has a way of testing us when we least expect it—when we’re exhausted, worn out, and already feeling stretched thin. Maybe you’ve felt this after a long day with your children, their constant needs pulling at your heart, or maybe it’s when the silence of loneliness creeps in after a disagreement with your spouse. Maybe you’re juggling so much that it feels like your cup is empty, and still, you’re being asked to pour from it.

Filling Your Cup

The truth is, even when we feel broken or burdened, we still want to give. We want to love, to help, to be there for those around us. But how can we pour love into others when our own cup feels dry?

Allah tells us in the Qur’an:

إِنَّ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنَ خُلِقَ هَلُوعًا
“Indeed, humankind was created impatient.”
(Al-Ma’arij, 70:19)

It’s part of our nature to be impatient when faced with hardship. We want quick fixes and immediate answers. But the wisdom of the heart, the wisdom of those who are conscious of Allah, lies in patience. It lies in knowing when to pour out and when to refill.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) taught us that the heart is like the king of the body—if it’s healthy, the rest of us thrives; but if it’s corrupted, the whole body suffers (Bukhari and Muslim). So how do we tend to our hearts when life weighs us down? How do we keep our cups full in the face of life’s endless demands?

The Secret Recipe of the Mutaqeen

The Mutaqeen (those who are conscious of Allah) have a secret recipe for filling their cups, especially when life feels overwhelming. Allah describes their qualities in Surah Ath-Thariyat (51:15-23), painting a picture of individuals who have mastered the art of nourishing their souls, even in the midst of trials.

They slept little at night, filling their cup with the sweetness of tahajjud, a time to be alone with Allah and reconnect with their innermost self. In the stillness of the night, they found strength and clarity, pouring their worries into their du’as and finding peace in the remembrance of Allah:

كَانُوا۟ قَلِيلًۭا مِّنَ ٱلَّيْلِ مَا يَهْجَعُونَ
“They used to sleep but little of the night.”
(Adh-Dhariyat, 51:17)

They made istighfar at dawn, taking moments to be honest with themselves, to throw out what did not serve them—resentment, envy, guilt—and seek Allah’s forgiveness. This was their way of setting boundaries with their own hearts, clearing away the emotional clutter so they could refill their cups with what truly mattered:

وَبِٱلْأَسْحَـٰرِ هُمْ يَسْتَغْفِرُونَ
“And in the hours before dawn they would ask forgiveness.”
(Adh-Dhariyat, 51:18)

And they gave from their wealth, filling other people’s cups with kindness, generosity, and love. Even when they might have felt drained, they knew that giving for the sake of Allah would return to them in ways they couldn’t even imagine. By uplifting others, they uplifted their own hearts, transforming their burdens into blessings:

وَفِىٓ أَمْوَٰلِهِمْ حَقٌّۭ لِّلسَّآئِلِ وَٱلْمَحْرُومِ
“And from their wealth was a known right for the beggar and the deprived.”
(Adh-Dhariyat, 51:19)

In Search of Real Love

Love—true, sincere love—comes from a heart that knows how to let go of envy and bitterness. A heart that knows how to heal itself through trust in Allah and reliance on His plan. Yet, sometimes, even as we love others, envy sneaks in. It whispers that we’re not enough, that what someone else has is what we deserve.

But the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) warned us, “Beware of envy, for it consumes good deeds like fire consumes wood.” (Abu Dawood) Envy eats away at the peace in our hearts. It distorts our love, turning it into resentment. So, how do we release these swords of envy? How do we purify our hearts and make space for the kind of love that truly nourishes us?

The Qur’an gives us a powerful blueprint:

خُلِقَ ٱلْإِنسَـٰنُ مِنْ عَجَلٍۢ ۚ سَأُو۟رِيكُمْ ءَايَـٰتِى فَلَا تَسْتَعْجِلُونِ
“Humankind is made of haste. I will soon show you My signs, so do not ask Me to hasten them.”
(Al-Anbiya, 21:37)

It’s a reminder that Allah’s plan unfolds in His time, not ours. Love that’s rooted in faith takes time to grow. It’s nurtured with patience, with trust in Allah, and with the understanding that everything we experience has a purpose, even when we can’t immediately see it.

Dropping the Swords of Envy

One of the most difficult emotions to face is envy. It creeps in quietly, often masked by frustration or sadness, and tells us that we deserve more or better. But envy only depletes our hearts, leaving us feeling bitter and disconnected from Allah’s plan for us. As we let go of envy, we make space for love to flourish. We drop the swords that harm us, and we plant seeds of contentment and gratitude.

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “No one is truly a believer until they love for their brother what they love for themselves.” It’s not just about loving others—it’s about freeing your heart from the chains of comparison and scarcity. It’s about trusting that Allah has given you exactly what you need, and that what is written for you will never miss you.

Trusting Allah’s Plan in the Midst of Pain

Sometimes, in the midst of life’s hardest moments, we feel like we’re shaking the palm tree, as Maryam (peace be upon her) did during childbirth, asking Allah for strength even when we feel too weak to stand. But just as Allah helped her, He helps us too, in ways we may not expect.

In Surah Maryam, we learn that Maryam, alone and in pain, was commanded by Allah to shake the palm tree. She was exhausted, grieving, and isolated, yet Allah gave her the strength to act. He provided sustenance when it seemed impossible, a reminder that even in our hardest moments, Allah’s mercy is near.

فَنَادَىٰهَا مِن تَحْتِهَآ أَلَّا تَحْزَنِى قَدْ جَعَلَ رَبُّكِ تَحْتَكِ سَرِيًّۭا
“Then a voice called out to her from below her, “Do not grieve! Your Lord has provided a stream at your feet.”
(Maryam, 19:24)

When life brings you to your knees, find your strength in sujood. In your own moments of struggle, Allah is asking you to keep showing up, even when it feels impossible. Your efforts matter. Your heart matters.

Join Us!

If you’re ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and spiritual growth, don’t miss out on our upcoming sessions. Each one is an opportunity to examine your heart, sow the seeds of love, and let go of what no longer serves you.

Secure your spot in our Unpack Your Heart Workshop today, and start transforming your life from the inside out. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/UnpackHeart

It’s time to confront the state of your heart, transform it, and come back stronger from life’s challenges. We can’t wait to see you there!

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