The pinnacle of faith is the spiritual state of Ihsaan.
A state whereby you get to perceive Who ALLAH truly is. It is in this spiritual state that you gain a
deeper understanding What ALLAH expects of you, in terms His commands and your obedience.
Armed with this knowledge, you should fervently strive towards pleasing ALLAH, and earnestly
endeavor to abstain from those things which displease ALLAH. The honor which the state of Ihsaan
brings is that you begin to perceive the Divine Presence of ALLAH in everything around you. You get
to acknowledge the fact that ALLAH is the sole Creator and Sustainer of everything, both visible and
invisible, perceivable and imperceptible. It is only He who can bring solace to your troubled heart,
wherever you may be. Whether you be in solitude, or even in a crowd, the Omnipresence of ALLAH
becomes an almost tangible reality. In the spiritual state of Ihsaan, ALLAH is always with you, no
matter Where you find yourself. Be it in a bustling city, a rural town, or even in the challenging
environment of a sprawling “location” (informal settlement).
After over thirty years of bringing Imaan and seeking for the state of Ihsaan, my spiritual journey has
brought me to the point of wanting to serve ALLAH’S Deen from within an informal settlement. It is
within this humble surrounding that I hope to forge a closer bond with ALLAH, in the service of not
only Muslims but humanity at large. It is a decision not free of apprehension, given the challenges
which lay ahead, but with the help of ALLAH, within every difficulty there is opportunity. Ease which
follows is the promise of ALLAH, as stressed upon in the Holy Qur’an (94:5).
Given my “track record” with ALLAH, ALLAH always has my back, to the extent that in spite of my
shortcomings, I often consider myself to be ALLAH’S favorite. ALLAH always comes through for me in
all my ambitious endeavors, albeit through support of generous benefactors who believe in my
vision of serving Islam in various ways. Their unfettered kindness continues to help me bring some
relief to the needy, as well pursue the path of producing Islamic publications.
Relocating to an informal settlement is not a standard which I hold everyone to. For me it is a
decision with a purpose. Where ALLAH can be found rests upon the capacity of the individual, with
speedy spiritual progression requiring some level of personal sacrifice, of course.
ALLAH could be found in the palaces of Sulaimaan (Alayhi Salaam), as well as within the intense heat
of the fire embracing Ibrahim (Alayhi Salaam). In his search for ALLAH, Hadhrat Salmaan Farsi
(RadhiyALLAHU Anhu) experienced the humiliation of captivity, twice. The honored Muaadhin of our
Nabi (SalaLLAHU Alayhi Wa Sallam), Hadhrat Bilaal (RadhiyALLAHU Anhu) under duress of torture on
the scorching sands of Makkah, tenaciously clung to the declaration of the Oneness of ALLAH.
Where you seek for, and find ALLAH is entirely up to you.
The big question is When?
“HAS not the time come for the hearts of the Believers to be humbled at the Remembrance of ALLAH,
and what has come down of the truth” {Holy Qur’an / 57:16}
As for the Question How ?
The journey towards ALLAH is a journey of the individual. How you embark on it is entirely up to you.
However. A word of advice. A good starting point be to increase and be constant in the Thikr
(Remembrance) of ALLAH. In-sha-ALLAH.
I.C.A.N. ( 11 Rajab 1447 / 01 January 2026)