Soul of Islam Radio

I came across the book Saved by the Light by Dannion Brinkley years ago, and it left a lasting impression on me. In this episode, I reflect on the profound lessons from his near-death experience (NDE), where after being struck by lightning, he underwent a deeply detailed life review. What makes this account so remarkable is how closely it aligns with spiritual principles we know through Islam—especially the notion of accountability after death, the weight of our intentions, and the unseen consequences of our actions.



In this episode, I share a few brief excerpts from the book and explore themes like respect for parents, the moral impact of harming others, the ripple effect of our behavior, and how even seemingly small actions carry immense spiritual weight. One of the most sobering parts is how Dannion relived the pain he caused others—from animals to entire communities impacted by his involvement in war and arms trading. His life review serves as a mirror, reminding us of the responsibility we hold not just for our actions, but for their impact on others and even the Earth itself.



Through this lens, we are reminded of how faith calls us to repentance, reflection, and righteousness. The Prophet ﷺ said that even an atom’s worth of good or evil will be accounted for. Dannion Brinkley’s story becomes for believers a blessing—not only for his transformation, but as a wake-up call for us.



May Allah Almighty guide us to be better, to cause less harm, and to live lives of and in the light.



Ameen.



00:00 | Introduction to Saved by the LightI introduce the book and its relevance to both spiritual seekers and believers.



00:52 | What Is a Near-Death Experience (NDE)?An overview of clinical death and the common features of NDEs.



01:46 | Struck by Lightning: Dannion Brinkley’s NDEDetails of Brinkley’s dramatic death and revival after being hit by lightning.



02:30 | Life Review Begins: Facing the SelfBrinkley confronts the harsh truth of his past behaviors and selfishness.



04:12 | Feeling the Pain of OthersDuring his life review, he experiences the emotions of those he hurt.



05:40 | The Weight of Hurting ParentsReflections on parental respect and the deep pain caused by disobedience.



08:07 | Kindness to Animals MattersBrinkley relives a moment of cruelty to his dog and learns its spiritual cost.



10:58 | Karma, the Earth, and IntentionEvery action has consequences—even toward animals and the planet.



12:27 | The Cost of Killing and WarBrinkley relives deaths from his military service and their far-reaching impact.



14:49 | The Horror of Collateral DamageA hotel bombing reveals the devastating consequences of collective guilt.



18:06 | The Business of WarWeapons transfers and the military-industrial complex are shown in stark moral light.



22:20 | “Who You Are Is the Difference God Makes”A powerful spiritual message from the being of light.



23:50 | The Meaning of True TransformationUnderstanding that Allah’s light in our hearts makes us who we are.



25:32 | Reflection and the Path to PurityEvil creates spiritual density, and only reflection and repentance can lighten the soul.



27:48 | The Power of Self-AwarenessTrue piety is not external—it’s in recognizing our own flaws and striving to change.



28:38 | The Small Things That Matter MostLove, kindness, and sincerity in everyday actions are what truly count.



30:10 | Final Thoughts and InvitationI share closing reflections and invite listeners to learn more about this profound book.

I've been reflecting on a powerful book I recently started reading—Dajjal: The Antichrist by Ahmed Thompson. Though written decades ago, its insights feel incredibly timely. In this short episode, I share some key passages and offer reflections on the growing influence of the Dajjalic, materialist system—what the author calls a system disconnected from spirit and anchored in illusion.



One theme that stood out to me is Thompson’s critique of modern psychiatry. He argues that the dominant, secular approach focuses too much on the mind—on intellect and surface symptoms—while ignoring the true seat of healing: the heart. From an Islamic perspective, healing starts at the spiritual level, and the Prophet ﷺ consistently made dua for the heart, not the intellect. Thompson invites us to return to a heart-centered approach, where stillness, remembrance of God, and spiritual purification are the foundation for real wellness.



We also touched on the illusion of the self—how modern psychology often reinforces the ego, while the traditional path aims to transcend it. True healing, in this view, comes not from treating symptoms with more imbalance, but from dismantling the false self and reconnecting with the Divine. This requires purification of the heart, remembrance of Allah, and companionship with people of spirit.



Ultimately, the Prophet's ﷺ way is presented not only as a moral guide but as a path to deep psychological and spiritual sanity. I hope this episode serves as a gentle reminder that the forms of religion must always be in service of the spirit.



00:00 | Introduction to the BookIntroducing Dajjal: The Antichrist by Ahmed Thompson and its relevance today.



00:53 | System of the AntichristExploring the emergence of a materialist, Dajjalic system warned about in prophetic traditions.



02:28 | Critique of Modern PsychiatryDiscussing how the modern medical model neglects the heart and focuses solely on the mind.



04:09 | Heart-Centered HealingThompson emphasizes spiritual healing through remembrance and the Quran.



05:52 | The Illusory Self and EgoAddressing the false self in modern psychology and the Islamic path of transcending the ego.



08:32 | Purification Through DhikrDescribing the role of dhikr in purifying the heart and returning to the essence of Islam.



10:20 | Beyond Conditioned ThinkingTrue knowledge comes when the mind is still and unshackled from societal programming.



11:20 | Following the Prophetic WayThe Prophet’s ﷺ life as a model for inner peace and deep sanity.



13:04 | The Spirit Over the FormConcluding with the importance of cultivating spirituality over mere religious form.

I recently had the immense blessing of performing Umrah in the sacred city of Mecca. Seeing the Kaaba again was deeply moving—a spiritual vortex unlike anything else. It's more than just a ritual; it's a moment that demands presence. I chose not to take photos or videos during my experience so I could be fully in the moment, and I truly believe that presence is what made the experience transformative.



So many of us approach acts of worship as checklists—recite this, do that—and in doing so, we sometimes lose the heart of what we’re meant to experience. Even if we don’t know every supplication or every step by heart, what matters most is sincerity, rootedness, and presence. Worship should flow from the heart, not just the mind.



While being there, I couldn’t help but reflect on the state of the Ummah. Spiritually, we still hold faith, but the depth, excellence, and presence we once embodied as a people have faded. I was reminded of the prophetic warning that we would become like foam on the sea—numerous but lacking substance. The early Muslims achieved so much with little wealth because they had immense faith. Today, we have wealth but are spiritually impoverished.



This journey reminded me that real strength lies in faith, not in material power. Asceticism, humility, and sincere devotion are what give us power in the sight of Allah. We need to return to these roots—not just as individuals but as a community—by seeking sincere companionship, cultivating character, and reclaiming the prophetic path of excellence. May Allah guide us back to truth, to beauty, and to our higher purpose.



00:00 | Arrival in MeccaReflections on the spiritual weight of seeing the Kaaba and performing Umrah.



00:47 | History of the KaabaA reminder of the Kaaba’s deep roots—from Adam to Ibrahim to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.



01:36 | The Importance of PresenceWhy avoiding phones and cameras can deepen the spiritual experience.



02:26 | Worship Beyond ChecklistsEncouragement to approach worship from the heart rather than through rote actions.



04:06 | The Role of the KaabaRe-centering life around divine purpose and the symbolism of the Kaaba.



05:00 | Traveling for AllahThe value of spiritual travel and prioritizing journeys that nurture the soul.



06:31 | The Condition of the UmmahObservations on the current state of Muslim nations and the need for inner development.



08:06 | Form vs. SubstanceA call to return to sincere faith and spiritual excellence beyond superficial forms.



09:43 | Legacy of the Islamic WorldHistorical insights into the excellence once embodied by Muslim civilizations.



10:43 | Returning to ExcellenceHow true revival begins with spiritual mentoring and noble character.



11:26 | Signs of DisconnectEveryday observations, from worship etiquette to health habits, as reflections of our condition.



12:47 | True Source of PowerWhy material wealth alone won’t bring strength to the Ummah—faith and sincerity are key.



13:31 | Desert Power & FaithA final reminder of the power found in simplicity, faith, and truthfulness.

The message in this episode might sound counterintuitive at first—but it’s one of the most important reminders I can share. Rather than another guide on how to improve your life, I wanted to explore the opposite: how to ruin it. And the answer is both painfully simple and tragically common—ingratitude. We often chase blessings, pray for success, and work hard to get what we want. Yet once it comes, we forget the Source and we take for granted our fortune. We stop seeing the grace that surrounds us and begin to focus on what’s missing.



Ingratitude isn't just a bad habit; it's a path to loss. The moment we open the door to complaint and criticism, we invite negativity, and it begins to expand. We lose sight of the blessings, however abundant, because the ego by nature craves what's absent rather than appreciating what's present. This world is not paradise. It is a place of tests and purification. Yet through gratitude, we align ourselves with faith and with the will of Allah Almighty. As the Qur'an promises: “If you are grateful, I will increase you.” The inverse is just as true—ungratefulness leads to loss.



This isn’t just about attitude; it’s about spiritual reality. Gratitude is faith in action. It's how we choose paradise over suffering, peace over conflict. And if we truly want better results—not just materially, but spiritually—this is where it starts. Choose to be grateful. Choose to see. Choose to rise.



00:00 | Why Gratitude MattersI introduce the topic by flipping the usual approach—focusing on how to ruin your life, not just how to improve it.



00:52 | The Fastest Path to FailureI explain how ingratitude is the quickest way to lose the blessings we've been given.



02:29 | The Ego’s Role in IngratitudeDiscussion on how the ego blinds us to the good in our lives and turns our focus toward lack.



03:55 | Faith Is Built on GratitudeA reminder that gratitude is foundational to faith, and ungratefulness leads to spiritual decline.



05:36 | The Danger of ComplainingOnce we begin to complain, we set off a chain reaction that darkens our perspective and invites more negativity.



06:23 | What You Focus On ExpandsI share how our brain reinforces what we choose to focus on, creating and attracting more of it in our experience.



07:08 | Gratitude as a Spiritual StrategyChoosing to be grateful is a conscious spiritual act that leads to peace, abundance, and divine favor.



08:03 | Complaining Is Resisting God’s WillWhen we complain, we are unknowingly opposing what Allah has ordained for us.



08:55 | Gratitude vs. Ingratitude: The OutcomesClear contrast between the life paths that gratitude and ingratitude lead us toward—paradise or hell.



09:54 | Faith-Based Coaching for Deeper GrowthI introduce my approach to spiritual coaching, rooted in healing and faith rather than surface-level fixes.



10:34 | Final Summary and PrayerA closing reflection and reminder: choose gratitude now so you don’t have to learn through loss.

After just returning from a transformative journey that took me from Afghanistan to Istanbul and then back home to Southern California, I wanted to share some reflections on what real spiritual progress looks like. My time in Istanbul coincided with the 10th of Muharram, Yawm al-Ashura—a blessed and significant day—and gave me the opportunity to visit the resting place of Grandshaykh Sultan Shaykh Nazim (qs). That short stay reminded me of the true purpose of travel—not just leisure, but seeking knowledge, truth, and illuminating companionship.



In our tradition, we are reminded not only to believe but to “be with the truthful ones.” This companionship isn’t passive—it’s immersive. Spending time with a real shaykh (guide, mentor, leader or coach) is like being in a spiritual boot camp. The focus is on action, not words. True guidance doesn’t just fill the head with knowledge but ignites transformation in the heart. It’s prayer, dhikr, night vigils, and presence. It’s learning not by listening, but by witnessing and doing.



So much of modern religious life has become intellectualized, centered on academic learning. But the prophetic way is based on companionship—being in the presence of those who live the reality of faith. Even a few days with a genuine spiritual guide can awaken something lasting within us, something that carries forward long after we part ways. While online content and recordings can inspire, nothing compares to the full presence of a living wali of Allah.



This is how our religion has been preserved: through unbroken chains of living transmission. If we want to draw closer to the Divine, we must seek out these people, these doorways, and be in their company. It may not always be convenient, but if the intention is sincere and we begin to move, Allah will guide our steps. Transformation happens in motion.



May we all be granted the ability to walk that path.



Ameen.



Chapters



00:00 | Returning HomeI reflect on arriving back in Southern California and preparing to share more content from recent travels.



01:17 | Istanbul and Yawm al-AshuraA brief stay in Istanbul aligned with the sacred 10th of Muharram, a powerful spiritual moment.



02:14 | Purposeful TravelTravel should serve spiritual growth, not just leisure, by connecting us to truth and sincere people.



03:04 | The Role of a ShaykhA real Shaykh is a living model of faith who guides through example more than words.



04:32 | Spiritual Boot CampBeing with a Shaykh involves deep spiritual practice and transformation beyond lectures.



05:26 | Facing the Divine InwardlyTrue orientation to Allah involves inward calibration of the heart, not just outward forms.



06:18 | Companionship and TransmissionTransformation comes from being with hearts aligned with the Divine, passed down through living transmission.



07:08 | The Power of PresenceNothing replaces the full presence of a wali; even brief time spent with one changes us permanently.



08:45 | Seek and Be GuidedEncouragement to seek out true spiritual guides; guidance unfolds when we move with sincere intention.