The Illuminated Heart Podcast

Do you identify as an empath and have found yourself repeatedly being wounded by people? Navigating relationships is one of the biggest challenges for the empath. Not because there's something wrong with you, but because there are truths you haven't understood about yourself and your interaction with people. The world isn't designed for someone with a sensitive heart like yours.   In this episode I discuss the challenges empaths face in dealing with people, including naivety, disappointment in others, codependency, the tendency to over-give, and the importance of embracing sensitivity as a strength. I talk about the need for boundaries and self-awareness to protect your emotional well-being while encouraging empaths to recognize their unique light in a world that often lacks empathy.   These are the truths that I've had to learn through disappointment, heartbreak and pain in 33yrs and which I hope will empower you today.    #empath #emotionalintelligence #relationships #selfawareness #personalgrowth #sensitivity #boundaries #kindness #selfcare #emotionalhealth

In this authentic and raw conversation, I am joined by my dear friend Ruwaida Dohry as we explore the journey of rebuilding yourself after trauma. We discuss the importance of a strong spiritual foundation in the healing journey, turning to Allah (SWT), practical steps for holistic healing and the role of community support. Ruwaida shares her personal experiences and insights on how to navigate the challenges of trauma, emphasizing the significance of self-care, patience, and the power of positive thinking. We touch on the topic of post-traumatic growth and how our deep connection to Allah (SWT) facilitated us to get there. If you're struggling in your own healing journey, tune in for an empowering message of hope and encouragement. Remember, you are not alone and with Allah (SWT) by your side, you will heal and thrive.  You can connect with Ruwaida on Instagram @alifewithin #traumahealing #posttraumaticgrowth #spiritualgrowth #islamiccoaching #mentalhealth #selfcare #personaldevelopment #muslimwomenempowerment

"The morning and evening adhkār play the role of a shield; the thicker it is, the more its owner is protected. Rather, its strength can reach to such an extent that the arrow shot at it will bounce back to affect the one who shot it." (Ibn al-Qayyim) I hope this recording helps you learn the adhkaar and make it part of your daily routine.    The benefits of reciting the morning and evening adhkaar are many. It is a form of worship to Allah. It is a protection for us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It protects us from hidden and apparent evils from jinn and mankind, magic, adversity, and temptations. It alleviates anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts, evil eye and unlocks blocked blessings.  Remembrance of Allah is the tool that purifies the heart. It is a practice that increases closeness to Allah. It brings peace and barakah to your day. It is a form of duaa, asking Allah for protection, forgiveness, and blessings. It is a practice of gratitude, thanking Allah for another day and all His blessings. Reciting specific adkhaar is form of expiation of sins, protection from the Hell-fire and earning Paradise.  It builds our spiritual strength, conviction (Tawheed) and imaan.  Its important to learn the meaning behind these verses so that you can connect your heart to what you are uttering and be able to engage in adhkaar with sincerity. You can download this excellent adhkaar book that contains the meanings and more virtues of adhkaar. Daily adhkaar book by Life with Allah 

"The morning and evening adhkār play the role of a shield; the thicker it is, the more its owner is protected. Rather, its strength can reach to such an extent that the arrow shot at it will bounce back to affect the one who shot it." (Ibn al-Qayyim) I hope this recording helps you learn the adhkaar and make it part of your daily routine.    The benefits of reciting the morning and evening adhkaar are many. It is a form of worship to Allah. It is a protection for us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It protects us from hidden and apparent evils from jinn and mankind, magic, adversity, and temptations. It alleviates anxiety, depression, obsessive thoughts, evil eye and unlocks blocked blessings.  Remembrance of Allah is the tool that purifies the heart. It is a practice that increases closeness to Allah. It brings peace and barakah to your day. It is a form of duaa, asking Allah for protection, forgiveness, and blessings. It is a practice of gratitude, thanking Allah for another day and all His blessings. Reciting specific adkhaar is form of expiation of sins, protection from the Hell-fire and earning Paradise.  It builds our spiritual strength, conviction (Tawheed) and imaan.  Its important to learn the meaning behind these verses so that you can connect your heart to what you are uttering and be able to engage in adhkaar with sincerity. You can download this excellent adhkaar book that contains the meanings and more virtues of adhkaar. Daily adhkaar book by Life with Allah 

If you’re feeling lonely, you’re not alone. #Loneliness is a common problem many people are dealing with and this is due to multiple factors that have changed our human interactions. We are more disconnected than ever and this is having a negative effect on our mental health. In this episode, I talk about the different types of loneliness, the difference between loneliness vs solitude and tips on how to overcome loneliness. I discuss statistics on how social interactions and human touch has a profound impact on our well-being and guide you to explore where your own loneliness is stemming from. If you’re struggling with loneliness and want to learn how to turn that into solitude, where you find joy in your own company, book a coaching session to get my support at www.ahlamriyashy.co.uk. Feel free to message me on Instagram with any feedback, questions and enquires.   #Loneliness #Muslimah #MuslimMentalHealth

Join me in this episode as I read out a poem by Cassie Phillips called "Let them". "Let them" is all about allowing people to be as they are and freeing yourself from the need of controlling how they behave or think. This poem is a powerful and empowering reminder for empaths and codependents who care too much and too often get wounded and stuck at the actions of others.  Letting go isn't easy, but in order we live more peaceful lives, we have to learn how to care less and let people be as they are. The more time and energy we spend focusing on others and their behaviours, the less time and energy we get to spend on ourselves.  So, listen to this empowering reminder and.... let them.   

In this episode, I delve into the journey of healing after experiencing trauma. I share six practical tips, covering the importance of seeking professional help, the role of a support system in the healing process and doing the inner work. Whether you're personally affected or supporting someone who is, this episode provides valuable tools and compassionate guidance to navigate the path toward post-traumatic growth and reclaiming your life. Tune in for an empowering discussion on finding strength and resilience after trauma.    For details about private coaching with me, send me a message on Instagram. 

What is #selfcare and why is it so important? In this episode I talk about the different categories of self-care, how they contribute to our well-being and I emphasise on how spiritual self-care is fundamental in helping us cope with life stresses. Self-care isn't selfish. It is a necessity. And I hope to encourage you to make it a priority. I also share vulnerability about my own journey and why self-care is so important for me.    Everyone's self-care will look different, depending on who you are, what your needs are, what you're going through, how much time you have and what you can afford. Take a moment to write a list of things that you enjoy, that fill your cup, recharge you and bring you wellness, peace and joy. Commit to doing those things on a regular basis and see how it changes your life. 

This is what you need to hear if you are seeking inspiration, motivation and empowerment for the new year! As the new year approaches, many people start thinking about what goals they'd like to achieve in the next year. In this episode I guide you to deeply reflect on the life you want to create for yourself and how to create those goals. I talk about the journey towards self-actualisation - living within your greatest potential - and it's application within an Islamic spiritual perspective.  You are truly capable of creating the life that you want. And it all starts with the relationship you have with yourself. Make 2024 the year you break free from limiting beliefs that hold you back from creating your best life!   Wishing you all a blessed year full of growth, confidence, mental resilience, inner peace, joy and contentment! Ameen 

After a long break I finally gained the inspiration to create again. In this episode I share vulnerability about my own journey, releasing my need to be perfectly crafted, and I invite you to be vulnerable in safe spaces to embrace your own journey.  After a conversation with a friend, I was inspired to speak about faith and its power in being an effective coping mechanism in dealing with hardships. Nothing gives us more comfort, strength and hope like faith in Allah. The Palestinians are a shining example of this. I enjoyed speaking from the inspiration of my heart and I hope you enjoyed listening to this as much as I did.  If you've enjoyed listening to my podcast, please leave me a review on your listening platform. It would really mean a lot. Thank you  

In this short yet impactful episode, I talk about how being a victim keeps us stuck as we focus on the pain and actions of others. This is specifically for victims of abuse, yet it is relatable to everyone as we are all victims of something. Being a victim keeps us in a powerless state. We forget that we can shift our focus and energy on ourselves and CHOOSE to not stay a victim. I also talk about how this journey is unique to each individual and that acknowledging you are a victim is also essential to your healing journey.    What are your thoughts? 

What is a Muslim narcissist? How can someone appear to be religious yet be abusive to others and commit such serious sins? What is it about them that makes them this way? These are the questions we will be exploring in this episode. I am joined by the author of the book "The Muslim Narcissist, Dr Mona Alyedreessy. She gives us detailed insight into the anatomy of the Muslim narcissist from an Islamic perspective. This is an episode you can't miss!  For more information on her book and her work: https://www.themuslimnarcissist.com Dr Mona also has a podcast on Youtube where she shares a wealth of detailed information and guidance on the topic of narcissism. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsSIdknpG3WZK377Gcb_Vfg If you've enjoyed this episode or any of my episodes, please leave me your review! Your feedback means alot! Thank you

In this episode I'm joined by my very first guest, my dear friend Azra Jamal! She is a personal development coach and the author of the book "To My Darling Self". We discuss the topic of self-love, what that means for us and how it is actually a responsibility for the Muslim woman to cultivate self-love for herself. Join us in the discussion and share with us, what is self-love to you?  If you've enjoyed this episode or others in my podcast, I would love for you to leave me a review! It helps the podcast reach more people so we can make a greater impact. Thank you! 

How we speak to ourselves impacts our experiences, mental well-being and the quality of our lives. Many of us grew up in environments that lead us to develop a harsh critical inner voice, but we don't have to live the rest of our lives that way. We can choose to rewire it and develop self-compassion instead, which promotes peace, happiness and health.    In this episode I share with you 3 key steps in rewiring your inner voice from self-criticism to self-compassion.   If you're struggling and need guidance on how to have self-compassion towards yourself, I would love to help you. Send me a message on my Instagram page @TheIlluminatedHeart.   #SelfLove #Selfcompassion

Within this episode we learn about the Decree of Allah and I talk about the important lesson of how accepting Divine Decree helps us deal with grief and releases pain.

In this episode I uncover the tafseer (translation) of the first 15 aayahs of Surah Al-Hadid. We explore the names and attributes of Allah, how we can apply them in our lives and get a better understanding about the light that is within us and how it will guide us on The Day of Judgement. 

This Quran recitation will follow a 2 part series based on the translation of this surah. I have selected this chapter as it beautifully educates us about Allah and His Beautiful Attributes. Knowing Allah for me is the source of healing, enlightenment and true richness. Once you know who Allah is, your heart and mind finds peace in only Him. He becomes your Source of everything. My intention of this recitation is for you to find healing in these beautiful words of Allah, to inspire you to recite this chapter for yourself too and study its translation along with me. For the best impact, use headphones and relax in a quiet room. 

What comes to your mind when you hear the word "primer"? And what is the relationship between a primer and preparing for Ramadhan? In this episode I share a funny analogy that links these two together. I also discuss the importance of priming our hearts for Ramadhan in order to experience a spiritually impactful  month. 

In this episode, I address the growing issue of #MuslimMen suffering in silence. Muslim men struggling with their #mentalhealth as well as the hidden reality of #MaleAbuseVictims. This is an issue that needs to be addressed.    Muslim Counsellor and Psychotherapist Network (MCAPN): www.mcapn.co.uk Inspirited Minds: www.inspiritedminds.org.uk Muslim Youth Helpline:  www.myh.org.uk Sakoon Counselling: www.sakoon.co.uk

Studies have shown that practicing gratitude has many amazing benefits on our psychological well-being, physical well-being, our relationships, and our careers. In this episode I share with you those benefits, I draw parallels between the grateful and ungrateful, I discuss what Allah (SWT) teaches us about gratitude and even how it links with the law of attraction! This is an episode you don't want to miss!