About The True Reality

Our goal is to inspire all truth seekers to seek personal development through reading the Holy Qur'an and learning about Allah Almighty.

Table of contents

1) Delusions of self-empowerment disguised as positive affirmations.  
2) Self-glorification is a charm of the Evil One.  
3) Why believers prefer supplication over affirmation.  
- Allah wants us to turn to Him for our needs
- Are supplications always answered?  

4) Qur'anic Affirmations 

Download:  11 Qur'anic Affirmations here.

1) Affirmations disguised as delusions of self-empowerment. 

When I was in university, I noticed that the mention of God and Divine concepts were openly frowned upon (at least where I’m from in Toronto), and throughout the past 16 years the persistent omission of God’s name in public spaces has made space for SELF-glorification and praise.

Trending New Age affirmations are full of vain, self-centered declarations that many people think will manifest the goals, dreams, or experiences they desire in this world. Even the definition of “Affirmation” by Wikipedia demonstrates the false sense of sovereign power people think they possess:

“Affirmations in New Thought and New Age terminology refer to the practice of positive thinking and self-empowerment—fostering a belief that a positive mental attitude supported by affirmations will achieve success in anything."

- Wikipedia

The problem with false self-glorifying affirmations is that although some may momentarily make you feel better, the good feelings don’t last. They still leave people feeling empty and insecure deep inside their hearts. Some of us even go through cycles of ups and downs, where we feel like we keep taking one step forward and two steps back.

Just consider the rising number of suicides and mental health crises around the world. The After Skool channel on Youtube did a video defining this apparent "Mass Psychosis" as:

“An epidemic of madness that occurs when a large portion of society loses touch with reality and descends into delusions.”

- After Skool on Youtube - Mass Psychosis.

That's interesting.

It is delusional to think we humans are self-sufficient, and as a result we are experiencing a distorted perception of Reality in the absence of remembering Allah.

Consider these verses from Qur'an where Allah talks to us about assuming we are self-sufficient and have sovereign powers. In Surah 96 Iqraa - Read, Allah says:

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

1. Read! In the name of your Lord and Cherisher Who created.
2. He created man from a clot of congealed blood:
3. Read! And your Lord is Most Bountiful,
4. Who taught (to write) with the pen,
5. Taught man what he did not know.
6. But man (mankind) exceeds all bounds,
7. Because he thinks he is self-sufficient.  
8. Surely to your Lord is the return.

Surah 67, Mulk - Dominion

23: Say: He it is Who brought you into being and made for you the ears and the eyes and the hearts: little is the thanks you give. 

In many cases, it's not what is said that is the problem. It's what is NOT said that is the problem. In most self-glorifying affirmations, there is no acknowledgment or gratitude to Allah Almighty. The role that Allah plays in our lives is forgotten.

And that is exactly what the Evil One wants.

2) Self-glorification is a charm of the Evil One.

On a massive level, Satan’s charm suggests a belief system that leaves the name of Allah (The One God) out of our consideration and replaces Allah with Self and I.

On an individual level, we should be watchful of the charms of Satan and how he comes to us. His whispers lead the "Self" (ego or nafs) to misguidance, deceptions and haughtiness.

"He (Satan) tricks us into admiring our own actions, past worship, opinions, and insights". - Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq Lantern of the Path.

Basically, the Satan is a grand illusionist who exacerbates the diseases within the hearts of man.

In the Qur’an, Allah speaks of diseases of the heart that afflict mankind when he thinks he's self-sufficient. When men and women forget Allah, they eventually stray off the Straight Path into worshiping his/her own ego.

This disease makes mankind inclined to prefer evil, hatred, and injustice over love, justice, mercy, loyalty, goodness and truth.

You may have noticed this trend too and felt bothered by it, and that's a good thing. Those of us blessed with Understanding know that Allah alone is The Source of Laughter and The Giver of Tears, The Giver of Shapes and Forms and Circumstances.

3) Believers prefer supplication over affirmation

In order to reject Satan's charms over us, we have to oppose the inclination toward self-obsession by acknowledging our need for Allah, by frequently turning to Him in supplication, and by constantly being watchful of our actions.  

Supplication is a form of prayer that we say to ask Allah for something. When we sit before Allah to supplicate to Him, we should renounce all people and reject all other objects of worship including ourselves. No true believer ever thinks he/she no longer needs Allah or Allah's forgiveness for our mistakes and imperfections. This is why supplication to Allah is part of the lifestyle of a Muslim.    

Imam Ja’far As-Sadiq reminds us to supplicate to Allah and say:  

"Dear Lord, I seek refuge in You from myself and the Satan who adds sin to my sin, and unto You do I turn repentant". 
-  Lantern of the Path.  

Allah wants us to turn to Him for all of our needs.  

Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:

2:45. And seek assistance through patience and prayer, and most surely it is a hard thing except for the humble ones.

2:153. O you who believe! seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient.

Through supplication Allah has invited us to seek His assistance, and we should consider that invitation an honor!  

In Quran, notice how Allah rewards Prophet David for always turning to Him :    

Surah 38 - Saad (The Arabic Letter).    

17. And remember Our Servant David, the man of strength : For he ever turned to Us.
20. We strengthened his kingdom, and gave him Wisdom and sound judgment in speech and decision.
30. To David We gave Solomon (for a son) - How excellent in Our service! Ever did he turn to Us!    

In return for our sincere supplications we find independence from people, the answers to our prayers, guidance, peace of mind, and tranquility of heart, for Allah alone is sufficient as a Helper.

In this way, supplication provides more holistic  and longer-lasting healing compared to vain and shallow "positive affirmations".  

Alhamdulillah! (All praise be to God).    

Are supplications always answered?   

In his book The Lantern of the Path, Imam Ja'far as-Sadiq, The Truthful, relates to us a quote from his great great great grandfather Prophet Muhammad:  

“Whoever relies on The One Almighty God and only Him in his life and sincerely in his heart, God will give him whatever he asks for. 

Out of His Beneficence God will hasten to give you what you asked for, or He will store up something better for you, or He will avert from you an affliction which would have destroyed you.”  

In the words of Imam Ali, the 4th Caliph and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad:  

"Allah has handed over the keys of prosperity to you. Not only has He given permission to ask for His mercy and favors, but also has promised to listen to your prayers."  

4) Qur'anic Affirmations 

So, over to you. What do you think about affirmation vs. supplication? Is there a place for both in your life?

We've prepared 11 Affirmations from the Holy Qur’an that call upon Allah to help your circumstances.

We hope you experience eternal health, healing, and success!

Download the Qur'anic Affirmations here. 

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