One of the most beloved actions to Allah ﷻ is to be of service to His creation.In this episode, we will cover:• Serving the elderly• The importance of service• Serving with humilityBy SoulFood FM

Modesty beautifies and dignifies us. Without it, we become dehumanized and humiliated.In this episode, we will cover: • The danger of unrestrained desires• The beauty of modesty• Preserving the purity of the FitraBy SoulFood FM

One of the greatest tragedies that affects people is the loss of virtue that comes with being cut off from divine guidance.In this episode, we will cover: • What makes a civilization?• The culture of irreverence• The healing nature of virtueBy SoulFood FM

In a world of pseudo-spirituality and "augmented" reality, we have to differentiate between true spiritual experiences and counterfeits. In this episode, we will cover:• Miracles of delusion• The Prophet Muhammad's miracles ﷺ• UprightnessBy SoulFood FM

In commemoration of the Isrāʾ & Miʿrāj, we're re-releasing the episode on the Prophet's wondrous journey ﷺ———Part 2 of the Night Journey & Heavenly AscentAfter the Night Journey to Jerusalem, the Prophet ﷺ begins his ascent through the seven levels of Paradise to the Lote Tree––and then is given a vision of his Lord the Blessed and Exalted.In this …

In commemoration of the Isrāʾ & Miʿrāj, we're re-releasing the episode on the Prophet's wondrous journey ﷺ.———The greatest spiritual journey occurred on the night when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was taken to Jerusalem, then ascended to Paradise.In this episode, we cover:• Purity of the Prophet’s Heart ﷺ• Blessed places• Manifestations of the Unseen• Th…

Understanding the level of authority and divine protection given to the Prophets and Messengers helps us develop our certitude.In this episode, we will cover: Infallibility of the Prophets • The Prophet's Heart ﷺ • Spiritual Perfection.Additional resource: اللهم صلِّ على سيدنا محمدٍ وآله وصحبه وسلم | Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Sayyidinā Muḥammadin wa āli…

Prophets are the key-holders to the spiritual realm and are granted a superior wisdom given to them by Allah.In this episode, we will cover:• The rank of prophets• True wisdom• Understanding the SunnaAdditional resource: اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ حُبَّكَ وَحُبَّ مَنْ يُحِبُّكَ ، وَحُبَّ عَمَلٍ يُقَرِّبُ إِلَى حُبِّكَِTransliteration: Allāhumma i…

Faith helps us see past the superficiality of this worldly life and recognize divine truths. When your faith is strengthened and nurtured, it becomes certitude.In this episode, we will cover:• The strong believer• Being heart-blind• Ways to strengthen your imānBy SoulFood FM

In light of the tragedies taking place in the world, we decided to share an episode from Season 5 on tribulations. We ask for the restoration of peace and justice for all those facing oppression in the world.---In the face of tribulations one experiences in this world, patience is the best response.In this episode, we will cover:• Difficulties on t…

Faith is connected to the Unseen realm, and the purer your soul becomes, the more attuned to it you become.In this episode, we will cover:• How Prophets connect us to the Unseen• Guardian Angels• Witnessing the Unseen at deathRecommended Prophetic invocation for leaving the home:In Arabic:بِسْمِ اللَّهِ، تَوَكَّلْتُ عَلَى اللَّهِ، لَا حَوْلَ وَلَا …

We live in confusing times. Falsehood masquerades as truth and it seems like ugliness and indecency are widespread. We have lost touch with our Creator, which has made us lose touch with our own humanity.It is precisely in times such as these that we need to nurture Prophetic Beauty within our souls. We need to recognize truth in order to navigate …

The spiritual retreat (i'tikaf) helps you find stillness and allows your heart to become more present with Allah ﷻ.In this episode, we will cover:• Spiritual refuge• The Prophet’s heart ﷺ• Always standing at Allah’s door ﷻBy SoulFood FM

Every action of the Prophetic Way (Sunna) is filled with blessings, and brings light to the heart. In this episode, we will cover:• The blessings of Suhur• Hastening to break one’s fast• Rewards for feeding a fasting personBy SoulFood FM

The blessed days throughout the year are gentle forms of encouragement that help us keep to the path of worship and obedience.In this episode, we will cover:• The wisdom in fasting 6 days of Shawwal• Blessings of the Day of ‘Arafa• Fasting the White DaysBy SoulFood FM

Ramadan teaches us to see beyond the special times of worship and to seek the Most High ﷻ.In this episode, we will cover:• The Night Prayer• Devotion without arrogance• Laylat ul-QadrBy SoulFood FM

Fasting is unique in that Allah the Exalted said in a Hadith Qudsi, "Fasting is for Me, and I will give its reward."In this episode, we will cover:• Benefits of fasting• Resembling the Angels• How Allah honors the fasting personBy SoulFood FM

Shaykh Abu Bakr bin Salim (may Allah have mercy on him) said, "Whoever is not thankful for small things will not be thankful for great things."In this episode, we will cover:• The blessings of gratitude• Being thankful for even the small things• Always witnessing the GiverBy SoulFood FM

Feedings others, especially when done with love for Allah, has an immense impact on the heart and is a means for people's souls to connect at a deep level. In this episode, we will cover:• The first teaching in Madina• Feeding people with love• Giving water to drinkBy SoulFood FM

Money has the power to bring out the best and the worst in us—which is why being generous brings light to the heart.In this episode, we will cover:• The great virtue of generosity• The Prophet’s generosity ﷺ• Finding the balanceBy SoulFood FM

A sign of a healthy Muslim community is that there is a culture of looking out for one another and giving loans to those in need.In this episode, we will cover:• The benefit of giving a loan• Seeking a livelihood to take care of others• The rewards for forgiving a debtBy SoulFood FM

When you are giving out of love, you have to give of what you love. And Allah says in the Quran, “You will never achieve righteousness until you donate some of what you cherish.” [3:92] In this episode, we will cover:• Blessings of giving charity• Giving away what you love• Secretly givingBy SoulFood FM

So much of our lives are spent gaining the skills needed to become employed. But before we begin seeking a livelihood, we should first strive to acquire contentment.In this episode, we will cover:• Acquiring contentment and practicing restraint• Recognizing the true treasure• Working to be independent…

Zakat is one of the pillars of practicing Islam. Without even one of the pillars, the foundation collapses.In this episode, we will cover:• The importance of Zakat• Allah’s promise of increase• Giving Zakat out of loveResources:• Zakat: A Comprehensive Reader: https://tinyurl.com/4a3ybyb3By SoulFood FM

The Angels sit at the entrance of the mosque on Friday, writing down the names of those who attend. In this episode, we will cover:• The blessings of Jumu‘a• The time when prayers are answered• Other Friday devotionsBy SoulFood FM

There are many times in our lives when we come to a crossroad. The Prayer for Guidance (Salat al-Istikhara) is a powerful means to be granted direction and clarity.In this episode, we will cover:• What type of people to seek counsel from• The Prayer for Guidance• How to respond to the signsResources:• How to perform the Prayer for Guidance: https:/…

Imam al-Shaʿrani says, "The delay of prayers being answered is most often due to sins." In this episode, we will cover:• How to have your prayers answered• Having no entitlement with Allah• The Prayer of NeedResources:• How to Perform the Prayer of Need: https://tinyurl.com/3zwzztd8By SoulFood FM

The Prophet ﷺ taught us to regularly ask Allah ﷻ for forgiveness. This helps us stay humble and recognize that we are imperfect. In this episode, we will cover:• The virtue of repentance • Never giving up on the spiritual path• The Prayer of Repentance (Salat al-Tawba)Resource:• The Prayer of Repentance (to be said after praying 2 rak'as of an extr…

One of the special Prayers we should add to our spiritual toolkit is the Prayer of Glorification, which the Prophet ﷺ said is so valuable that we should pray it at least once in our life.In this episode, we will cover:• How the various acts of devotion are like medicine• The virtues of Salat al-Tasbih• The way to perform Salat al-TasbihResources:• …

Each period of the day has unique blessings, and engaging in the acts of devotion associated with that time bring out those blessings.In this episode, we will cover:• Prayer fills our life with blessings• How Imam al-Junayd would open his shop• Benefits of the Duha PrayerBy SoulFood FM

One of the ways to prepare the heart to yearn for the Night Prayer (Qiyam al-Layl) is by freeing it from love of the world.In this episode, we will cover:• Spiritual and physical relief• Untying the devil’s knots• The believer’s honorBy SoulFood FM

Each and every Sunna of the Prophet ﷺ contains immense benefits. One of these Sunnas that impacts us at a deeper level is the wudu.In this episode, we will cover:• Wudu as the believer’s shield• Sleeping in a state of purity• Connection to the Unseen realmBy SoulFood FM

The way to seek Allah's love is through extra acts of devotion.In this episode, we will cover:• Attaining Allah’s love• Praying extra Prayers• The Witr PrayerBy SoulFood FM

You want to attain a state of presence in the Prayer that stays with you outside of the Prayer. What are ways to maintain that Presence?In this episode, we will cover:• Preparing the heart for Prayer• Presence of heart is the essence of the Prayer• Being still to attain presenceBy SoulFood FM

The Prayer is like a delegation standing before Allah, and those in the first row are its most honored members.In this episode, we will cover:• The first row of Prayer• The importance of straightening the rows• When to hold backBy SoulFood FM

When you love someone, you remember them often. This is why the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ would remember Allah ﷻ all the time—because he loved Him so completely.In this episode, we will cover:• The importance of remembrance (Dhikr)• Remembering Allah ﷻ after the Prayers• A duʿa given with loveResources:• Saying 'Subhān Allah' 33 times, then 'Al-hamdu lill…

To benefit spiritually, we need times of stillness and serenity. One of the best times to do that is after Fajr Prayer until sunrise.In this episode, we will cover:• Spiritual stillness• Sitting in Allah's presence• Getting the reward for Hajj and 'Umra dailyResources:• Wird al-Latif (pdf): https://muwasala.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/al-Wird-al…

The spiritual life of our homes is a reflection of the spiritual life of our own hearts. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Truly, a house within which Allah is remembered shines for the inhabitants of the heavens just as the stars shine for the inhabitants of the earth.”In this episode, we will cover:• Why the congregati…

When praying in congregation, the other worshippers' presence of heart helps your Prayer become accepted. The collective state of the congregation compensates for an individual's shortcomings in the Prayer.In this episode, we will cover:• Praying at the beginning of the time• The Merit of the Congregation• Praying Fajr and ‘Isha in Congregation…

Prayer without presence of heart is like a body without a soul—it's dead. How do we begin to truly appreciate the Prayer so that it impacts us at a deeper level?In this episode, we will cover:• The centrality of the Prayer (Salah)• How the Prayer purifies us spiritually• The beauty of SujūdBy SoulFood FM

In commemoration of the Isra' & Mi'raj, we're re-releasing the episode on the Prophet's wondrous journey ﷺ.———The greatest spiritual journey occurred on the night when the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was taken to Jerusalem, then ascended to Paradise.In this episode, we cover:• Purity of the Prophet’s Heart ﷺ• Blessed places• Manifestations of the Unseen• Th…

“O Allah assist us through knowing You, allow us to taste Your love, and resurrect us with Your Prophets."In this episode, we will cover:• Turning to Allah at beginnings and ends• Shaykh Abu Bakr Bin Salim's Duʿa • Thank youBy SoulFood FM

“Know that the world is the field to cultivate for the Hereafter. Have determination and strive for the Day of Resurrection."In this episode, we will cover:• Sowing your seeds• Focusing on what matters• Good companyBy SoulFood FM

"There is no moving creature on earth whose provision is not guaranteed by Allah. And He knows where it lives and where it is laid to rest. All is ˹written˺ in a perfect Record." [Quran 11:6]In this episode, we will cover:• The Divine guarantee • Trusting in Allah• How planning blinds one's inner-sight…

Refocusing this week on purpose in living. Are we sleeping through life? Are we operating through fear? Why are we drawn to Science Fiction and Horror? Join us as we continue to ask the questions that help us to wake up and live life a little more fully. Peace, Mary & Malone Note: Stranger Things Season 3 on Netflix Email: mandmcountingthestars@gma…

We are talking big topics this week, folks!! The PGA, diet, exercise and Tilamook ice cream. You don't want to miss it! Have a great week, Mary & Malone Email: mandmcountingthestars@gmail.com Facebook: Arts and Wellness of Edenton Instagram: @marysloangilliam Sound Cloud: Malone Gilliam Support the show…

What if a "need to be certain" is actually holding us back?? Join us as we discuss how certitude is affecting our lives in many areas, including our faith, education and culture. Enjoy counting your stars this week! Peace, Mary & Malone Podcast Noted: A Contemplative Look at the Bible, JesusExclusiveSavior interviews Richard Rohr Email: mandmcounti…

In one of the previous scriptures, it is reported that Allah said, “He has lied who claims to love Me but when night falls, he sleeps and leaves Me. Does not every lover love to be alone with their Beloved?”In this episode, we will cover:• Virtues of Qiyam al-Layl• The splendor of Night Prayer• Festival of Holiness…

Ma‘rūf al-Karkhī (may Allah be well pleased with him) said, ‘Mentioning the smallest quality of one of the Awliya (elect servants of Allah) brings down mercy.’In this episode, we will cover:• Sitting with the righteous• Having the right heroes• Respecting the AwliyaBy SoulFood FM

Let's chat about where our identity comes from, the development of virtues and why "story" is so important. Have a meaningful week, friends! Peace, Mary & Malone Notes: Medici Streaming on Netflix. A political family drama set in Florence in the early 15th century. R.T. Mullins The Reluctant Theologian Podcast Contact & Links for Mary & Malone: Ema…