Soul of Islam Radio

In this episode, I explore the vital distinction between pain and suffering through the lens of Islamic spirituality, journaling, and self-awareness. Drawing from personal reflections and teachings, I share how pain is a natural and unavoidable part of life—but suffering often comes from our resistance, our ego, and the stories we construct around that pain. As I reflect on writings from my own journal, I touch on the wisdom of the Qur’an, the sacredness of writing, and insights from classical teachers like Rumi (qs), who remind us that our wounds are often the entry points for divine light.

I discuss the spiritual path as one of surrender—surrendering the ego, the mind, and the false narratives that keep us trapped. True freedom and inner peace begin with accepting pain without resisting it and recognizing that suffering is not imposed from outside, but generated from within. The way forward lies in patience, presence, and persistence. This isn’t a quick fix, but a lifelong practice of returning, of softening, and of deepening in trust and faith. Through writing, contemplation, and spiritual discipline, we create space for wisdom and guidance to flow—transforming our experience of hardship and reconnecting with the Divine.

00:00 | The Sacred Value of Contemplation
Reflecting on the importance of contemplation and the prophetic tradition valuing one hour of reflection over years of worship.

01:15 | The Divine Command to Read and Write
Discussing the first Quranic revelation and the significance of learning and journaling in Islamic practice.

03:08 | Writing as a Spiritual Practice
How the act of writing becomes a sacred tool for receiving divine inspiration and clarity.

06:22 | Introducing the Theme of Suffering
Exploring the difference between pain and suffering through personal journaling and spiritual insight.

08:24 | Pain Is Inevitable, Suffering Is Optional
Understanding that resistance to pain creates suffering, while surrender leads to peace.

10:08 | The Ego and the Story of ‘Me’
Identifying the ego and personal narratives as the root of suffering.

11:53 | Beyond Judgment: Rumi’s Field
Exploring the wisdom of Rumi (qs) and the spiritual field beyond right and wrong.

12:42 | The Path of Surrender and Presence
Describing the journey of spiritual awakening through letting go and transcending the self.

14:07 | Persistence as the Greatest Miracle
Why spiritual growth is slow and steady, and why consistency matters more than perfection.

14:48 | The Choice to Suffer or Surrender
Reiterating that suffering is a choice—and surrender, patience, and trust are the remedy.

In this inspiring episode of Soul of Islam Radio, I reconnect with Sister Fatimah Linda Howard—a former attorney, author, and spiritual guide—whose journey of transformation is a testament to the power of intention, faith, and inspired action. After the loss of her brother, her primary resource on faith and religion, Sister Fatima realized it was time to deepen her own spiritual path. That decision led her to study Islamic Meditation, eventually moving to Morocco, learning to read the Qur’an from scratch, and visiting the great masjids of the world—all sparked by the simple advice to “just begin.”

We talk about her new book, From Vision to Divine Provision, where she reclaims the concept of manifestation from a purely New Age framework and roots it in Islamic teachings. Fatima shares how visualization, du’a, belief, trust, action, and gratitude create a sacred framework for living a purpose-driven life. She emphasizes that it’s not about asking the universe—it’s about asking Allah with clarity, sincerity, and humility.

We also explore how unchecked ego can block divine blessings, how feelings shape our lived experience, and why meditation is essential—not optional—for modern Muslims seeking inner peace and divine alignment. Sister Fatimah offers not only wisdom, but a roadmap for Muslims looking to live with more presence, purpose, and peace.

About Fatimah Linda Howard

Fatimah Linda Howard is an author, speaker, and spiritual consultant with a professional background in law and healthcare compliance. After a transformative personal journey that began with the loss of her brother, Fatimah deepened her commitment to spiritual growth and education, integrating her years of experience in meditation with a grounded Islamic perspective. Her work centers on helping individuals and communities align with divine purpose through intentional living, sacred manifestation, and inner stillness.

She is the author of From Vision to Divine Provision: The Islamic Art of Sacred Manifestation, a guide that reframes manifestation within a God-centered framework rooted in Islamic tradition. Fatimah leads retreats, workshops, and community gatherings, and shares her message across social media platforms under the handle @withlindahoward. Her approach combines spiritual depth with practical tools, making sacred living accessible for Muslims navigating modern life.

You can learn more about her at her websites, With Linda Howard and Vision to Divine Provision.

00:00 | Reconnecting with Sister Fatimah
Fatima introduces herself and shares how the death of her brother sparked a spiritual awakening.

02:45 | The Power of “Just Begin”
A pivotal moment of advice that inspired a cascade of action in Fatimah’s life.

04:16 | Living the Vision
Fatimah reflects on achieving major life goals through intention and persistence.

06:53 | Walking Toward Allah
Fatimah shares a powerful experience living across from a historic masjid in Morocco.

10:01 | Why Meditation Matters for Muslims
Fatimah discusses the role of Islamic meditation in clarity, connection, and intention.

13:47 | Ego as a Barrier to Blessings
Exploring how unchecked ego can block divine abundance and misdirect success.

16:16 | The Book’s Origin Story
Fatimah explains how a vision board and community gatherings led to her book.

20:12 | An Islamic Perspective on Manifestation
She unpacks the spiritual difference between asking the universe and asking Allah.

23:10 | The Emotional Power of Environment
Fatimah discusses how physical spaces impact spiritual and emotional well-being.

29:00 | Regulating Emotions Through Faith
She shares lessons from her mother and how emotional discipline affects life quality.

34:45 | Staying Calm in Chaos
Fatimah explains how meditation helped her stay grounded during high-stress careers.

39:04 | Book Framework & Structure
She breaks down the book into three parts: foundation, framework, and life’s challenges.

44:27 | Law of Attraction vs. Sacred Manifestation
Fatimah critiques the Law of Attraction through a God-centered lens.

51:04 | Standing Firm in Faith
On owning Islamic language and identity in mixed or non-Muslim settings.

54:03 | Final Reflections
Fatimah closes with a message of gratitude, intention, and divine trust.

Drawing from the wisdom of Sultan al-Awliya Shaykh Muhammad Nazim Adil al-Haqqani (qs), I reflect in this episode on a brief but deeply impactful teaching about our relationship with the world. We explore the contrast between two oceans: the ocean of light and spirit that flows from the Divine Presence, and the ocean of dunya, the material world, which veils us from essential reality. The ego craves the material, the temporary, the apparent—but the soul longs for something subtler, more lasting: truth, light, and connection with Allah Almighty.

The Shaykh reminds us that our over-attachment to the world is the root of much of our suffering. The modern pursuit of endless consumption and accumulation leads to spiritual sickness, yet it never satisfies. It’s like drinking from the ocean—salt water that only makes us thirstier. One of the key metaphors here is: “When a man is thirsty, he imagines he drinks all the rivers and springs, yet one glass is enough.” This one line encapsulates the heart of spiritual minimalism.

Through this lens, we revisit the prophetic path of asceticism—taking only what is necessary, living simply, and remaining unattached to the material world while using it in service to truth and eternity. I also reflect on how even good things like home, family, and wealth only benefit us spiritually when approached with the right intention and non-attachment. It’s not about rejecting the world, but about ensuring it doesn’t root itself in our hearts.

Over and over again, life brings me back to one central truth: the importance of the inward dimension of faith. While so much of our energy goes into the external aspects of religion—rituals, lectures, and outward practices—none of it has lasting value if we ignore the internal work. As Allah says in the Qur’an, “Successful are they who purify themselves.” This isn’t just spiritual poetry—it’s the foundation of a life aligned with faith.

As a faith-based life coach, I work with seekers who are trying to live a holistic, integrated path, blending their spiritual and practical lives. The heart of that path is the purification of the self. While you may experience short term success in the material world while still being trapped by ego, pride, fear, or selfishness, true success and in what matters most requires refinement of character, humility, and surrender.

We live in a world that celebrates the ego. Even religion can be co-opted by it. But real transformation begins when we begin to notice how our lower self shows up in daily life. A powerful practice I recommend is nightly reflection, or muhassiba: take just a few minutes to identify one moment in your day when your ego led the way. Then make tawbah (repentance), and visualize responding differently next time. This simple practice rewires the heart and mind toward presence, humility, and conscious action.

True ascension isn’t about rising above—it’s about lowering ourselves in sincere prostration. It’s in submitting to Allah’s will in each moment that we begin to change. Radical acceptance of Allah’s decree, especially when it’s hard, is the beginning of freedom from the self. Only through surrender does transformation happen.

If you’re ready to take this work deeper, I invite you to join us in Awakening’s Academy and the Islamic Meditation Program, where we practice the real, experiential remembrance of Allah Almighty and cultivate a state of surrendered presence. May we be among those who purify ourselves and succeed, by Allah’s mercy. Ameen.

In this episode, I respond to a thoughtful question from a listener on the concept of “manifestation” and its compatibility with Islamic belief—especially the doctrine of Tawheed, the oneness of Allah. The question gets to the heart of a common dilemma: how do we reconcile the popular idea of manifestation, often tied to the “law of attraction,” with faith that places creative power solely in the hands of the Divine?

I break down why the fear of shirk—associating partners with Allah—often arises in this context, and how, through proper understanding, that fear can be alleviated. Islam doesn’t deny human agency or the idea that our internal states shape our external reality. In fact, the Qur’an confirms that Allah will not change our conditions until we change what is within ourselves. This isn’t co-creation in the New Age sense but rather the process of choosing, through our thoughts, intentions, and states, among the infinite possibilities that Allah has already created.

We also explore how our beliefs must move from the tongue to the heart—from Islam to Iman—and how life reflects not just what we think we believe, but what we truly hold within. Manifestation, then, becomes less about acquiring worldly pleasure and more about aligning ourselves spiritually to receive what Allah Almighty has already willed for us.

I emphasize the importance of cultivating inner peace and surrender through spiritual practice, including meditation, to create a state receptive to divine mercy and provision. True manifestation is rooted in becoming deeply Muslim—in character and state—not just in name. When we surrender fully, we are best positioned to receive the best possible outcomes, not by our own power, but by Allah’s infinite divine grace.

00:00 | Introduction to Soul of Islam Radio
Opening reflections and a listener question on manifestation in Islam.

00:50 | The Question on Manifestation and Tawheed
A listener asks how to reconcile manifestation with Islamic monotheism.

03:12 | Defining Shirk and Co-Creation
Exploring where manifestation could cross into shirk and how to avoid it.

03:59 | The Dunya Focus of Manifestation
Manifestation is often limited to worldly gain—Islamic perspective broadens it.

04:34 | Responsibility, Effort, and Divine Will
Balancing our agency with Allah’s will and the importance of personal effort.

06:03 | The Universe as a Mirror of Belief
How our external reality reflects our internal state and belief.

06:54 | Islam vs Iman and the Role of Faith
The distinction between spoken belief and deep, heartfelt conviction.

08:30 | Infinite Possibilities in Divine Knowledge
We choose from among infinite realities already known to Allah.

10:08 | Surrender as the Path to Divine Gifts
True manifestation happens through spiritual surrender and presence.

11:46 | Fear of Shirk and Clarifying Our Role
Choosing is not creating—reaffirming Allah’s role as sole creator.

12:39 | Life as a Test and the Power of Surrender
Trials deepen surrender; everything good is from Allah’s mercy.

13:25 | Closing Reflections and Du’a
Encouragement for deeper learning and a concluding prayer for guidance.