What I Couldn't Say in Tonight's Video About Surat al-'Asr

As-salaamu alaykum,

If you’re reading this, you’re one of the first people to sign up for the Extended Edition. Thank you for trusting me with your inbox, and I ask Allah that He make this content worth your precious time.

The content in this email will make more sense if you have had a chance to see tonight’s video, which can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/c70X47It3SM

In that video, I shared the story of that teen in my ER—the one who asked if I ever feel like I’m just performing.

What I didn’t share is what happened next.

After I finished their stitches, after I wrote their discharge papers, after their parents came to take them home… I stood in that empty trauma bay and asked myself the same question.

Do I ever feel like I’m performing?

And honestly? The answer was uncomfortable.

The Angle (What Video Couldn't Cover): The Paradox of Islamic Identity

Here’s what I’ve been thinking about since filming tonight's episode:

We’re told “just be yourself.” But Islam also gives us a model to follow—the Prophet ﷺ.

So, which is it? Be yourself? Or be like him?

And this is where most Muslims get confused. Because it sounds contradictory.

But Surat Al-’Asr actually resolves this paradox in a beautiful way.

Remember the four components?

Notice what’s NOT on that list: Imitation.

The Quran doesn't say “be exactly like someone else in every respect.” It gives you principles to embody in your own way.

Think about the Sahaba (companions of the Prophet ﷺ). They all followed the same Prophet. But were they all the same person?

Abu Bakr was gentle and emotional. He cried often. ‘Umar was intense and direct. He scared people sometimes. ‘Uthman was shy and generous. He barely spoke in public. ‘Ali was intellectual and brave. He loved poetry and debate.

Four completely different personalities. All following the same Islam. In fact, there’s a really cool hadith that expresses these differences, or facets, of the Companions and demonstrates the proof of diversity within unity:

It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “The most merciful of my Ummah towards my Ummah is Abu Bakr; the one who adheres most sternly to the religion of Allah is ‘Umar; the most sincere of them in shyness and modesty is ‘Uthman; the best judge is ‘Ali bin Abu Talib; the best in reciting the Book of Allah is Ubayy bin Ka’b; the most knowledgeable of what is lawful and unlawful is Mu’adh bin Jabal; and the most knowledgeable of the rules of inheritance (Fara’id) is Zaid bin Thabit. And every nation has a trustworthy guardian, and the trustworthy guardian of this Ummah is Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Jarrah.” (Ibn Majah – authentic)

Your identity isn’t about erasing your personality to fit a mold. It’s about letting your real personality express itself through Islamic principles.

Umar’s justice looked different than Abu Bakr’s justice. But both were just.

Your Islam will look different than your parent’s Islam. Your Islam will look different than your friend’s Islam. Your Islam might even look different than mine.

And that’s not just okay—it’s by design.

The Practical Tool (Email-Exclusive):

TONIGHT'S JOURNALING PROMPT:

(Save this—we’re building on it for 30 nights)

Part 1: Who do people think you are? Write down the 3-5 main “identities" you perform:

Part 2: What’s one thing nobody knows about you? Something true about you that you don’t show because it doesn’t fit the performance. Be honest. This is between you and Allah.

Part 3: If you had no fear of judgment, what would you do differently? Not “what bad thing would you do.” But what GOOD thing? What act of worship? What talent? What interest?

These three questions will become clearer each night. Trust the process.

The Resource List (Email-Exclusive):

IF YOU WANT TO GO EVEN DEEPER:

📖 Read: “Reclaim Your Heart” by Yasmin Mogahed - Chapter 2 is specifically about identity

🧠 Reflect: Why did Allah swear by TIME specifically in this surah? What does that tell you about the nature of identity formation?

📝 Advanced: If you know Arabic, look up the word “insaan” (human). Its root meaning is “one who forgets.” We’re literally named after our tendency to lose ourselves. Al-’Asr is the reminder.

The Personal Sign-Off:

Tomorrow, insha Allah, we’re talking about Imposter Syndrome—that feeling that you’re not “Muslim enough” or “good enough” or just… enough PERIOD

I’m going to tell you about the time Prophet Musa (AS) stood in front of the burning bush, speaking with Allah, and said “Please, send someone else. I’m not good enough.”

And what Allah said back.

Until then: You’re not lost. You’re not fake. You’re just under construction.

And Al-’Asr is the blueprint.

Dr. Ali

P.S. - Hit reply and tell me: Which of the four components (believe, act, encourage truth, encourage patience) feels hardest for you right now? What part of this email, or the video, really hit home for you? I read every response insha Allah, and your answers help me shape future content.

At the nd of the day, I know that growing up in today’s world is not easy. I hope that you will give me the chance to make it a little easier for you. I am deeply grateful for the people who were there for me and kept me from ruining my life, and I hope that I can do the same thing for at least a few people out there, by Allah’s permission and mercy. Thank you for reading and may Allah accept your fasting ….