I received the following message from a sister who wishes to remain anonymous. She has agreed to share her question, since it may be something others may be struggling with.

“Sister, I have a problem. I cannot enjoy salah. I try to but I can’t. Every time I have to get up and pray, I feel like it’s such a burden and I’m doing it only because I have to, not because I want to. I want to feel like I want to pray. I’m jealous of people who look like they’re enjoying it. Can you tell me what I can do to solve this problem? I feel like my heart is no longer pure.”

Imagine your eyes a video camera, recording all that you see. Your lips a voice recorder recording all that you say. Imagine this “movie” being played wide screen on Judgment Day. But I now ask you, why imagine if that’s the case?

You may claim to be a Muslim, you may claim to be a believer; but is that truly enough? As humans, we always seek “more”. Whether it is in education, status, or wealth, we always want “more”. But why is it any different when it comes to religion? Why are we satisfied with the level we’re at with no desire to improve? Why do we compare ourselves to those we think are lower than us in iman, and convince ourselves that we’re good enough? Why don’t we seek –or want to seek– “more”?