What Mission Did Allah Chose for Me?

My reflections and takeaways from a talk I attended by Dr. Sh. Haifaa Younis entitled Revive Your Heart with Quran

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There are moments when a ayah of the Qur’an reaches in and grips your heart, not just because of its meaning, but because you feel like you were the one it was speaking to all along. This week, I attended a lecture by Dr. Shaykha Haifaa Younis' “Revive Your Heart with the Qur'an,” and I felt like I was seeing Prophet Musa عليه السلام, not just as a Prophet, but as a deeply human being navigating fear, anxiety, and self-doubt... just like many of us.

"My Lord, Expand My Chest..."

Allah swt told Musa عليه السلام to :

ٱذْهَبْ إِلَىٰ فِرْعَوْنَ إِنَّهُۥ طَغَىٰ ٢٤

Go to Pharaoh, for he has truly transgressed ˹all bounds˺.”

Ta-Ha (20:24)

Imagine being told to go to the worst tyrant that will ever exist in all of history. What did Musa عليه السلام do? He didn’t argue with Allah. He didn't say "I can't." Instead, he asked: “My Lord, expand my chest, and ease for me my task.”

Why? Because the task was hard. Because he was anxious. Because he felt the weight of speaking truth to power.

How many times have you been afraid to do something? You know that feeling of anxiety and dread. Your hands get sweaty, your throat closes up.

What do you normally do in those situations?

What did Musa عليه السلام do? He didn't let fear become an excuse.

He didn't deny that it would be difficult, but he believed with his entire being that if Allah is the One calling him to it, then Allah is the only One who can make it easy.

How often do we say, “I can’t do this” or “This is impossible”? But this story reminded me, nothing is impossible for Allah.

Don't say, "I’ll never go to Hajj." Say, "Allah is Generous."

Don’t say, “I can’t change.” Say, “Ya Allah, expand my chest.”

Because the One who selected Musa عليه السلام, despite all the odds stacked against him, is the same One guiding you and me today.

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

"And I have selected you for My service."

When Allah told Musa, “And I have selected you for My service,” Surah Taha 41, it sent chills down my spine.

That statement wasn’t given to any other Prophet in the Qur’an.

What does it mean for Allah to choose someone for Himself?

It made me ask myself, with tears:

What does Allah think of me?

Who am I in the sight of Allah?

What does He want from me?

Since July 8th, 2023, after another one of Dr. Haifaa's talks, I made a dua, I made a promise to Allah swt that I am still struggling to fulfil, and as I sat there remembering the struggles over the last two years since I attended the last talk, I also remembered that Allah swt chose me. He guided me to Islam, He guided me to make that dua and that promise, He has given me tests, and barakah (blessings) I will never be able to count.

But this week reminded me that even the struggle itself might be a sign that He is drawing me nearer. That He is preparing me. Selecting me.

What about you? What is Allah swt preparing you for? What special mission has He selected just for you?

Just like He prepared Musa through pain and displacement, separating him from his mother, raising him in a hostile palace, shaping him with every trial, I realized, that Allah wants more for us than we allow for ourselves.

Photo by Masjid Pogung Dalangan on Unsplash

Allah Answered My Dua

When Dr. Sh. Haifaa Younis’ tour was first announced I was disappointed as Amsterdam was not part of the tour. I made dua to Allah swt and the day before the event a friend in London told me about the talk she attended there and I decided to check if by chance Dr. Sh. Younis would be coming to Amsterdam. And I was blown away when I saw she would be coming and the day after.

Dr. Sh. Younis told the crowd, “Amsterdam wasn't in my plan, but it was in Allah’s. And that’s all I need to know.”

I knew my dua had been answered and I felt that joy of Allah having chosen me to be there. Sometimes life gets so heavy we forget the blessings. In my case I needed a wake up call and the talk was just want my heart needed.

What blessings has Allah swt sent you lately? Share them with me and let’s inspire each other.

The Strength to Ask for Help

One of the most beautiful parts of the session was the reminder that Musa didn't just ask for help from Allah, he asked for support from his brother, Harun (Aaron).

Not out of weakness, but out of wisdom. Out of love, trust, and the recognition that we are not meant to walk alone.

So why do we hold back? Why do we let pride keep us from saying, “Can you be there for me?” Dr. Sh. Haifaa Younis reminded us that, “not asking for help isn’t strength, it’s a quiet form of arrogance.” This scared me and humbled me at the same time. We all need help. And that is why I am asking today for your duas. Because despite writing to you each week, I have my own struggles and I can’t walk alone.

Who do you rely on when you can’t walk alone?

For some time I have been turning to Allah swt first, inspired by Musa عليه السلام but what Dr. Sh. Younis reminded me of is to also seek the help of others by turning to Allah and asking Him to strengthen me with the right help. Start with those closest to me. Let your vulnerability be a door to connection, and healing.

Dr. Sh. Younis also asked the audience a question that hit deep. What Mission Did Allah Put You Here For? The central question of this week’s session was simple… but life-altering:

What mission did Allah place you on this earth for? It is that special something that only you can do. You don’t need to fit into the mold society created for you. You just need to be the person Allah made you to be. The one with your name. Your circumstances. Your story. Even your struggles.

She spoke about the women who do not have children and instead of bemoaning the fact, remember that gives you more space and time to serve Him. You may be single, married, divorced, exhausted, or uncertain… But wherever you are, there is a mission tailored for you. And it begins with sincerity. With showing up. With saying:

“My Lord, expand my chest.” Surah Taha 25

As Musa headed to face Pharaoh Allah swt reminds Musa even in calling to the truth, to speak with gentleness. Gentle Words. Firm Heart. That’s another powerful reminder in a world that confuses harshness with strength. Our dignity, our dress, our speech, it all matters. And when the world shouts, we whisper back truth with calm clarity. We don’t need to be loud to be heard. We need to be sincere.

Because sincerity echoes in hearts long after sound fades.

Final Thoughts

I’ll leave you with this line from Dr. Haifaa that pierced my heart:

“Don’t get tired. Don’t get bored. Don’t give up being the Muslim woman Allah wants you to be.”

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about purpose. It’s not about becoming someone else, it’s about finally being who Allah already sees in you.

May we be among those whom Allah selects. May we serve our mission with humility and joy. May our every breath be in service of the One who shaped us. And may we revive our hearts every single day with our best companion the Book of Allah, the Quran ameen.

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلْكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَيْبَ ۛ فِيهِ ۛ هُدًۭى لِّلْمُتَّقِينَ ٢

This is the Book! There is no doubt about it[1]—a guide for those mindful ˹of Allah˺,[2]

The Cow (2:2)

Much love,

Nour Cauveren

P.S. Here is the link to the remaining lecture dates in Europe, if you can go, don’t hesitate and remember it is an invitation from Allah swt!

Click here for tour dates

We all need to fall in love with the Quran and here is an inspiring talk: