When I take the time to sit down and read ayahs from the Quran with translation, I fall completely in love with Allah (S) all over again. How could we not?

Here are some of my personal favorite verses from the Quran that reminded me to keep my faith in Allah (S) strong, even when I felt severe hopelessness, Alhamdullilah. Many of us increase our Quran reading and study its verses more diligently during Ramadan, but the Quran’s lessons and verses are applicable to us year-round. I’ve categorized some of my favorite verses into five practices you can engage in everyday to keep your faith strong beyond the month of Ramadan, Insha’Allah.

وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بَالِغُ أَمْرِهِ قَدْ جَعَلَ اللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدْرً

And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allah - then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allah will accomplish His purpose. Allah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent. (Quran.com) [Surah Al Talaq – The Divorce, 65:3]

(By the way, I highly recommend quran.com for easy reading, translation and just a great overall user experience. Makes following the Quran so easy Masha'Allah!)

We may have personally experienced being at such a low point in our lives that we didn’t know who to turn to to make things better. We may have felt complete hopelessness. But SubhanAllah, look how profound it is that Allah (S) chose to say these words of comfort in this specific surah, where many may read it who are going through a difficult time, or in this case, a divorce. Allah (S) sent down these blessed words to comfort us at our lowest point. The first step is to always have tawakkul (faith in Allah (S) and His plan).

فَإِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ يُسْرًا

For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease [i.e., relief]. [Surah Al Sharh – The Relief, 94:5]

Anytime you are experiencing stress and difficulty in your life, remember that Allah (S) promised us a light at the end of the tunnel, Insha’Allah.. This goes back to having tawakkul.

إِنَّ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٌ تَجْرِي مِن تَحْتِهَا الْأَنْهَارُ ذَلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْكَبِيرُ

“Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds will have gardens beneath which rivers flow. That is the great attainment.” [Surah Al-Buruj – The Great Stars, 85:11]

There is a hadith that says, "I have prepared for My righteous slaves (such excellent things) as no eye has ever seen, nor an ear has ever heard nor a human heart can ever think of.'” [Bukhari] Think about it: Someone as incredible as Allah (S), who has created the heavens, the earth and everything in between, can only reward us with something equally and further magnificent. Knowing this alone is enough to keep us motivated to continue to stay on the right path and stay behind the guidance of Allah (S) and His messenger (saw).

وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ وَلَئِن كَفَرْتُمْ إِنَّ عَذَابِي لَشَدِيدٌ

“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]; but if you deny, indeed, My punishment is severe.’” [Surah Ibrahim – Abraham, 14:7]

Reading and memorizing this ayah is one thing, but acting on it and putting it into practice in your everyday life is what makes it count.

I have a challenge for you. Make a list of five things you are grateful for today. Think about every little thing from your home to your family to your loved ones to your food, health or even the weather outside. Then think about all the people around the world who don’t have access to that food, or are sick, or living in an area with regular monsoons, hurricanes, dust storms, etc. You’ll realize how much we take for granted.

Every day, make a list of three more things you are grateful for. Continue doing this post-Ramadan. Your list will go on and on. Say Alhamdullilah for those blessings in every prayer and throughout the day as you remember them. May He always increase you in whatever it is you are grateful for, Insha’Allah.

وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ

“And not equal are the good deed and the bad. Repel [evil] by that [deed] which is better; and thereupon, the one whom between you and him is enmity [will become] as though he was a devoted friend.” [Surah Al-Fussilat – Explained in Detail, 41:34]

In a world that has been at war for centuries, this is such a beautiful reminder that not every bad deed or act should be returned with an equal or worse deed. Allah (S) asks us to be kind to those who are bad to us. It makes me remember the story of the Prophet Muhammad’s (saw) neighbor, who would put animal intestines and feces in front of his door everyday until one day, she stopped. Regardless of all that she had done to him, he was worried about her when she didn’t stop by that day, went to check on her and saw she was sick. His kind actions towards her made her convert, SubhanAllah.

For anyone reading this right now, try to make a goal for yourself to respond to poor actions with good deeds beyond the month of Ramadan, Insha’Allah. I know it’s easier said than done, believe me. But try to focus on the bigger picture, our akhirah (hereafter), Insha’Allah. None of these worldly issues will matter to us or for us once we’ve passed. Start focusing on earning your reward for your akhirah.

I pray that this article was beneficial for all of you, and a reminder for all of us, always, Insha’Allah.

Ramadan Mubarak.