Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem

There is a verse in the Qur’an that I return to again and again, especially in moments of heaviness, and this is the verse which I've decided to start my first Patreon membership prompts on:

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:28)

It is such a simple sentence, but it carries oceans of meaning. Our hearts are constantly searching - for comfort, for belonging, for ease. We try to find it in achievement, in people, in distractions, even in art. Sometimes these things bring us relief for a moment, but it rarely lasts. And then this verse reminds me: the only true rest is found when I remember Allah.

When I paint, I notice how different it feels if I begin with Bismillah, or if I keep Allah’s name quietly moving through my heart as I work. The colours flow more gently, my hand feels lighter, and my inner critic softens.

Even on the days when my brush feels heavy, remembrance transforms the space around me. It is as though my canvas, my breath, and my heart are held in a greater rhythm - one that isn’t about striving, but about returning.

I think of how dhikr doesn’t always need to be loud or elaborate. Sometimes it’s as soft as a whisper in your chest. Sometimes it’s the pause you take before speaking. Sometimes it’s the gratitude that wells up when light falls across your floor in the morning. Every act of remembering is like placing the heart back into the hands of the One who created it.

And in that return, the heart sighs with relief. It rests.

✨ Reflection for you: What does “rest” feel like to you? Can you recall a moment when remembering Allah softened the weight of your heart - maybe during prayer, or while reciting Qur’an, or even in an unexpected moment of daily life?

May this verse become a lantern for us both - reminding us, whenever we feel restless or unsettled, where true peace can be found.

Join me on Patreon, where I share Affirmations, Journaling Prompts, and calligraphy templates all as printable resources. We will meet once a month, LIVE via Zoom to explore a new verse each month together. 

You can join from as little as $3/month. I can't wait to see you there xx

This is the link to join - Sakina Patreon