How do I re-direct my life towards God?

Migration to Allah

The spiritual life is a journey, a migration toward Allah (swt). Prophet Ibrahim (as) set the paradigm when he declared, “Indeed I am migrating toward my Lord” (Q 29:26). This journey is not a physical movement but a reorientation of the soul’s focus. Imam Husayn (as), in his own context of monumental injustice, articulated this call, saying, “Let the believer truly desire to meet their Lord.” This is the goal of the journey: to reach Allah (swt), to stand in His presence, and to be united with the righteous. Our every action, our every thought, must be directed towards this ultimate destination.

Defining the Goal

The goal is clearly defined in the Qur’an. Prophet Ibrahim (as) turned his face toward the Originator of the heavens and the earth (Q 6:79). This is the first step, to direct our wajh, our entire being, away from false gods and toward the one true God. Prophet Yusuf (as) echoed this when he prayed to be united with the righteous in the Hereafter (Q 12:101). These are not abstract desires; they are the conscious, deliberate goal of those who understand the purpose of life. As the Imam states in Dua Arafah, “What has the one who lost You found, and what has the one who found You lost?” 

The Path: Pure Belief and Righteous Action

The path to this goal is also clearly laid out: “To Him ascends the good word (al-kalim at-tayyib), and righteous conduct (al-‘amal as-salih) elevates it” (Q 35:10). The journey has two inseparable components. The first is pure belief,Tawheed, belief in the Oneness of Allah (swt). The Qur’an contrasts this with a false belief, which is like an evil tree with no roots, no stability, and no beneficial fruit. Our beliefs are not just abstract concepts; they have profound consequences. For example, if we believe that absolute ownership belongs to Allah (swt), we will view wealth as a trust and a responsibility, leading to a just economic system. If we believe we are our own absolute owners, it leads to exploitation and unchecked materialism.

Actions with Eternal Benefits

The second component is righteous action. The Qur’an warns against actions that are like ashes blown away by the wind, futile pursuits that yield no lasting benefit. Play, diversion, vainglory, and the competition for wealth and children are described as such if they become the primary focus. In contrast, actions like prayer (salat), charity (zakat), and any good deed done for Allah (swt) are investments for the soul. They are actions that, as Imam Husayn (as) prayed, will “join me to You through a service which will cause me to reach You.” These are the actions that ascend to Allah (swt), not as physical entities, but as spiritual realities that bring us closer to Him.

Redirecting Our Lives

The path is not easy. It requires redirecting our life. The Qur’an says, “And each one has a goal toward which he turns; so hasten to good actions” (Q 2:148). This redirection begins with a sincere intention to change. The Holy Qur’an itself is our guide, showing us the straight path. It teaches us to give salat its due time and focus, not to pray like a crow pecking at the ground, but with presence of heart and stability of limbs. It teaches us to give zakat as a means of purification. It teaches us to avoid the comfort zone and to take the steep path of effort and sacrifice, knowing that consistent, even small, actions are beloved to Allah (swt). The journey is long, but the goal is clear: to reach Him. And if we set our direction, take one step at a time, and keep our hearts focused on that final destination, then, with His mercy, we will find that He was with us every step of the way, guiding us toward Himself.

By Shiekh Ali Alsamail