STG Episode 15 - What If I Could’ve Changed Things?

"If only things had been different..." "What if I had done something else..." The phrases "what if" and "if only" are often used for regret or to dream of a seemingly better reality...but if you adopt a more fruitful perspective, you can use the phrases to see what you were saved from instead. Regret can be inescapable, but when we wonder "what if" that regret has the potential to turn into something worse. Why does "what if" open the doors to Shaytan, and what are positive ways to use "if only"?

STG Episode 16 - Why Do They Get the Life I Want?

Why do seemingly undeserving people always get everything good in life? Why does everything seem to come harder for you, even though you've worked so hard? And why do other people take credit for your hard work, while you are left in the dust? Sometimes, what you see as someone else being unfairly favored might actually be qadar at work in your favor. So beware of envy and defeat overtaking you, and make an effort to recognize the wisdoms in your life. Because when it comes to Allah's decree, it's not the most materially blessed or loudest mouth that gets far ahead, but the most grateful and perceptive heart.

STG Episode 17 - Why Did I Hurt Them?

What if you were the oppressor where you thought you were being oppressed by someone else? What if you were the aggressor instead of the victim? What if you were the one who wronged someone else? Perspective is often a flash of insight from Allah that helps you grow and realize how you could've been better, and that introspection can be one of the greatest gifts He has bestowed upon you that can change your qadar completely.

STG Episode 18 - How Do I Find Love in Loneliness?

I'm so lonely... The fear of loneliness can be crippling. Worse yet is when you feel lonely in a world full of people and can't see a way out. Could being alone be what's decreed for you in this life? No matter the type of loneliness you are experiencing, the Most Merciful has wisdoms and greater gifts written for those who find closeness with Him.

STG Episode 19 - Why Did They Have to Die?

Every soul must taste death, and every human must experience loss. But how do you deal with that loss, accept the reality of death, and understand a decree that seems to take away what you love so dearly?

STG Episode 20 - Why Is Everything Suddenly Falling Apart?

Change is inevitable. We move through cycles of opposites: of happiness and sadness, of good and bad. But what does it mean when everything is suddenly falling apart? When you face a loss patiently, but are instead faced by regression in a domino effect, the chips of your life falling down rapidly, one after another. What do you do when it feels like even the blessings you were grasping on to are now rapidly being snatched away?

STG Episode 21 - Is Allah Testing or Punishing Me?

Do you worship God on edge? Is your relationship with Him dependent on everything going right in your life? If so, then you're missing out on something important that Allah promised us: He tests those whom He loves. Tests are opportunities to learn life lessons, grow in faith, and earn forgiveness for past sins. So when you experience a hardship in your life, remember that the pain of it will be temporary, but the reward you can earn through it will be eternal.

STG Episode 22 - Can I Escape The Consequences of My Sins?

When your sins pile up, it can be easy to feel despair. But Allah is always waiting to welcome you back to Himself. No matter what you've done, no matter how long it has been, don't let anyone tell you that you cannot find healing in repentance. Remember the verse in Surah az-Zumar: "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins."

STG Episode 23 - Why Is There So Much Suffering in The World?

When these questions fill your mind, be grateful. It means that you have a heart that is not numb to the struggles of your fellow humans. There are many answers to these questions from an Islamic perspective, and each takes time to explore. But as an individual, the most important thing you can do is ask yourself the corresponding questions: When innocent people suffer, what can you do? What is your role? How can the suffering of others snap you out of complacency and into action to alleviate the pain of your brothers and sisters in humanity?

STG Episode 24 - Do Good Deeds Extend My Life?

Your choices shape your legacy and your destiny. A life dedicated to Allah and full of barakah may be enriched and prolonged. On the other hand, the scholars say that sin destroys the blessings of your years and your wealth on Earth. The choice between a fruitful, blessed life and a sinful one is always yours to make.