Najwa Awad, LCSWC, PMHC

04/10/2025

Contrary to what we're constantly told, we don’t need to move mountains to change the world. Just being a warm, kind-hearted human being can leave a lasting impact. How freeing it is to know that in Allah’s eyes, it’s not our "status" but our righteousness that is most important. “Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.” (Qur’an 49:13)

Original quote author unknown

04/03/2025

There were a few spontaneous dua'as that surprised me this year in the last ten nights. To me, they were an indication of something within me that I hadn’t realized I wanted—a moment of clarity about where I might want to go in the future.

Did you have any dua'as like that this year? If so, take a moment to write them down before they fade into the background of daily life. Reflect on them, and start thinking about how you can make some of these latent desires a reality.

03/27/2025

02/28/2025

The feeling of Ramadan doesn’t hit me every year until I hear these ayahs and hadith. One important thing to note is how intentionality plays a crucial role in attaining these rewards.

Ramadan mubarak, and may Allah accept from all of us!

02/14/2025

He reported God’s messenger as saying, "The magnitude of the reward goes along with the magnitude of the affliction...." [Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah]

01/31/2025

Quote author unknown.

A comfort zone can provide a necessary reprieve from hardship or a temporary place to rest, but staying in it too long leads to stagnation and a loss of purpose. While comfort soothes, true perseverance, growth, and transformation come from stepping beyond it. The only comfort zone we should seek permanently is in Jannah—all the comfort zones of this dunya are merely pit stops.

01/24/2025

This is the time of year—1-2 months before Ramadan—when Shaytan begins sowing seeds of enmity between people. I believe this happens for a few reasons:

1. Since Shaytan will be locked away during Ramadan, this is his opportunity to set the stage in advance, knowing his influence will be decreased during the holy month.

2. It takes time for negativity to take root. If Shaytan stirs up conflict right before Ramadan, people may already be in the spirit of the season, making his efforts less effective.

Insight is the best defense. When you’re aware of this pattern, it’s easier to recognize and resist the trap. A clear sign of Shaytan's influence is when the conflict feels out of character for you or the other person.

By staying mindful of this dynamic, we can avoid unnecessary conflict and approach Ramadan with a greater sense of focus inshaAllah.

01/17/2025

Supplication of the one who is in distress.

There is another similar narration:

The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said to Fatimah: “What could prevent you from listening to the advice I give you? You should say when morning comes and when evening comes: Ya Hayyu ya Qayyum, bi rahmatika astaghith, aslih li shani kullahu, wa la takilni ila nafsi tarfat ‘ayn (O Ever-Living, O Self-Sustaining and All-Sustaining, by Your mercy I seek help; rectify all my affairs and do not leave me in charge of my affairs even for the blink of an eye).” (Narrated by an-Nasai in as-Sunan al-Kubra (6/147) )

01/10/2025

A good reminder about the usefulness of both big steps and small steps in change and long-term growth. More than anything, it highlights the importance of consistency and recognizing that the smaller steps of the journey are often just as important as the big ones.

01/03/2025

Healing from waswasah (obsessive whispers or doubts) requires a firm understanding that Islamic rulings may not apply to you in the same way they apply to others. For individuals who do not experience waswasah, actions like saying "I'll do it just in case" may not be problematic. In fact, sometimes it’s better to err on the side of caution when doubtful about performing an act of worship properly. However, for those who struggle with waswasah, this mindset becomes a trap. The compulsion to repeat actions over and over creates a cycle that worsens the condition.

"I'll redo my wudu a 5th time just in case I missed a spot."

"I don’t want to do sujood as-sahuw for every salah, but I always feel like I’ve made a mistake, so it's better, just in case."

It’s crucial to recognize that well-meaning shuyookh, unaware of your specific struggles, might suggest "just in case" actions, which may not be helpful for someone with waswasah. If you seek a fatwa (Islamic ruling), it’s important to inform the scholar about your condition so they can offer guidance tailored to waswasah.

The bigger point here is that the phrase "I'll do it just in case" often becomes a constant companion for those with waswasah and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). To begin healing, this phrase needs to be eliminated from your vocabulary. Whenever it arises in your mind, recognize it as a critical moment where you have the opportunity to challenge the unhealthy way of thinking that underpins your waswasah. Healing comes from doing the opposite of repeating actions and by sitting with discomfort and resisting the urge to act out of doubt. Deeply understanding that "just in case" doesn’t apply to you will help you do that.

As we enter this new year, make a commitment to yourself: ban the phrase "I'll do it just in case" from your thoughts. Every time it appears, use it as an opportunity to practice self-restraint. With consistent effort, you will begin to notice positive changes, and your path to healing will become easier, inshaAllah.

12/27/2024

This question is a powerful exercise in self-awareness, offering a fresh perspective on blind spots we might otherwise overlook. It’s not about what others think but about stepping outside our patterns to reflect on areas we may neglect for growth. Often, we focus on lofty personal goals while overlooking foundational habits such as nurturing relationships, speaking kindly to ourselves, or addressing unhealthy routines.

Answering this question honestly can help us make small, intentional shifts that lead to profound transformations in our lives.

12/06/2024

Oftentimes, the biggest person we have to set boundaries with is ourselves. Heed the cues from your body when you’ve pushed too far, and remember: just because you can doesn’t mean you should.