Nearness to You

by Nur Fadhilah Wahid

What is the purpose of heartbreak? How can God love me when my sins are so vast? What am I truly seeking in this world?

Nearness to You is a collection of short essays exploring what it means to journey to God in this life. Written as reflections on the author's travels meeting the seekers of God, these essays are meant to be make readers pause and think about their own journeys, their relationship with the One who has created them, and the path that lies ahead.

Genres: Islam, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Religion, Inspirational, Faith

144 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[siso.sofy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The moment I pick the book from the bookstore shelves and I open directly to page 27. “Truly” is a beautiful piece. I can’t seem to put it down until I finished the book. Alhamdulillah.

If you need to find something to read especially for the new year, this is a great start. The book that helps you to reflect and remind you again and again how beautiful our life is when we have Allah in our life.

The principal of let go and let god echoes throughout the book, and in some chapters it makes me cry.

Thank you sister fadhilah for this beautiful book. I share the chapter “paths to God” to a few of my friends; it is a reminder that we need. Thank you.

[Emmy Hermina Nathasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful book. Reflections shared by the author pierce through the heart and the soul. Warm and delicious longing birth and beckon our lost, lonely, gentle soul towards God. I don’t usually read this type of book, I always think that I don’t need them. But I’m glad I pick this up; albeit by accident. Sometimes we don’t know what we need. Allah knows best.

[Aiza Idris (biblio_mom) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In every muslim's heart, I believe there's always a sense of wanting to be the best version of themselves, religiously. Sometimes, listening to stories about personal hijrahs isn't enough. So this author allows us to see through her lenses the path she had walked on and will continue to walk on in hope to be a better muslim who seeks closeness to Allah. I

Its a compilation of her reflections and contemplations during her travels to meet the seekers of God. Pictures are included. Life is a journey from Allah to Allah, So let us make it for Allah. If you ever felt distant, He's always there. A step from you towards Him, is a few steps from Him towards you. And reading this could be that first step of a meaningful spritual journey.

[Hadi Muss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly special. Written beautifully in anecdotes of stories from experiences on getting to be a better servant of Allah swt and a better person towards us as a mere human. I read her first book (Light Upon Light) years ago, and love it dearly and used to reread it every Ramadhan. When IMAN announced the paperback version recently I bought this book instantly.

The reflections shared are heartfelt, sincere and a few of my favourites are titled Focus (pg: 80) and Renew Intention (pg:185) which gave me a pause moment to reflect and check, among many other precious pages. Plus, the beautiful colored photographs just make the reading experience pleasant and enjoyable.

This is definitely one of a 'comfort book', to be read again and again slowly; reminded me of a few other books that I love which one of them is If You Hear Hoofbeats Think of a Zebra by Shems Friedlander. I recommend this book to everyone (anyone) who want a light yet meaningful book.

[Tengku Khadijah · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, thank you to the amazing person who gifted me this book as a giveaway! May the rewards and benefits flow continuously. 🌟

This book is like a mirror for self-reflection. As I read it, my heart was deeply touched. 💖 There are so many reminders for us to improve ourselves. Everything that happens in life carries a lesson.

"𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑯𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒂𝒅, 𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏."

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞: Reflection, Religion

𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧: "You can't change the taqdir, but you can change the way you see it."

[Fey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"And so, finally, when the soul finds itself seated in the company of true beauty—happiness and contentment that trascends the physical world—it sheds tears of gratitude and ultimately, relief, for being guided back to Belief."

I start to read this one yesterday and I finish reading it today. To be honest, it's been a while since the last time I read any Islamic books. I have many thoughts to share with you guys, but I don't know how to. So let's just summarize it.

This year is a very hard year to me than the previous year. I thought I'm going to be okay, but who am I to plan everything go smoothly, right? So, I got through in countless terrible things. Example: heartbroken, my mental health illness which I've suffered since 2019. Day by day, my heart broke and my mental health worsen. Hence, I started to wonder whether all of these things happen to me because Allah hates me? Because I am not a good servant? Because I keep making promise and still, I break it repeatedly? My inside then... feel empty. I feel lost, I feel like I am the worst person ever alive in this life. What is the reason of me being alive if I am like this? I don't know and I need help.

Until yesterday, my heart tickled to pick up this book and read. So, I read and read even though I still feel embarrass with my God.

The hijrah journey and the reflections the author has written in this book really touch my heart. Tears keep welling in my eyes until I don't realize that I have been crying.

Furthermore, there's one quote that hit me really hard. It was...

"So why give up on Him and give up on yourself, when He has never, not once, failed to call for you?" Reading this quote hit me so hard as my tears strained to my cheeks.

I don't know what to say anymore here. But one thing for sure. Thank you so much to the author for writing such a heartfelt book ever. Thank you for trying to change me. May Allah bless you in both dunya and akhiraa'.

Rate: 5🌟

Sincerely yours,
Feyssa, your fellow Muslimah.

[Najwa in her debut era · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the idea of this book, it was a compilation of the author's experience in finding God's love and becoming the best version of herself.

It was a light reading, just okay for me who wants to let my heart learn something new with someone's journey. Some of the stories were related to me but some were a piece of new knowledge for me. The best part of this book is the author is someone who had been in the 'darkest part' in life that we can ever imagine. It shows how eager the author to learn, learn and learn about our religion which is Islam.

Don't get me wrong, but listening, reading, and seeing others' experiences in life that changed their life to be better people (hijrah) are different from us who had given the opportunity to be raised and educated by a religious family, friends, and circle from early ages. We have just never been there, and may Allah never lead us to experience it.

But I could not agree with some parts of this book, felt like the author is guilt-tripping me (I guess this is my problem haha). I find that the author wants us to have gratitude, I get it but are we not all humans? Can we not feel exhausted and sad at the same time? I hope the authors teach us the reader more to embrace our feelings and of course do not exaggerate.

Then again, maybe I just not there to understand this quote:

And so, finally, when the soul find itself seated in the company of true beauty - happiness and contentment that transcends the physical world - it sheds tears of gratitude and ultimately , relief, for being guided back to belief

It was beautifully written, and one of my favourite phrases in this book. May Allah guide our soul to be the one who finds the true beauty.

[ika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had help me to reflect and remind me again and again of how beautiful life is when we have God in our life. I pick this up by accident when I went to the bookstore and I am grateful I did.

Written beautifully in anecdotes of stories from the author’s experiences and reflections during her travels to meet the seekers of God. The reflections are heartfelt, sincere and they will warm your heart as well as make you reflect and feel the longing towards God. The writing is casual and easy to understand yet filled with many valuable life lessons. I love her gentle reminder about Islam and the eloquent way of her writing has soothed me. Plus, the beautiful coloured photographs made the reading experience more enjoyable.

[Sharmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this so much. Definitely one of my favorites. The words are just so soothing to the heart, inviting contemplation and reflection to this wandering soul. I can see myself grabbing this one time and time again, just to lift my spirit and to remind myself what it feels like to be near to the One and Only.

[Fatini Zulkifli · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light book to read to unwind during travelling. I liked the presentation - the photos carefully selected by the author adding personal touch and gave her narration more alive. The author tried her best to share her thoughts and knowledge on self-discovery and Godliness thag she obtained from people surrounding her.

[Farah Nadiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buku ini saya menang dari giveaway Kak Emmy. Memang lama teringin nak beli dan alhamdulillah Allah bagi percuma terus pada saya melaluinya.

Menangis saya baca. Hampir setiap cerita memang menyentuh jiwa saya. Terutamanya yang di mana si penulis dalam keadaan haus, dan ada seorang hamba Allah belikan beliau air. Rasa seperti sama pula dengan kisah saya dapat buku ini.

Sesiapa yang sedang dalam kesenduan dan kesedihan yang amat, boleh cuba baca buku ini sebab ia ringkas dan isinya padat. Setiap kisah mengajak kita mencari diri dengan mencari Tuhan yang Esa. ❤️

[Atikah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Honestly, it's like reading ig/blog posts. Can relate to much of it, but if you are looking for more...this book isn't it.
It's a compilation of author's reflection along her journey of finding God.

[Noral · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many good words and stories we learned from this book. The author has written a book of spreading positive vibes sharing stories of nearness to Him. Saya sarankan buku ini untuk semua baca...

[Sue Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Fatimah Wahidah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reflection compilation from the author mainly about how to take a step closer to Allah.

[Safa Safwan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Be patient in waiting for time to pass and His Decree to unfold. Be patient in waiting for the uncontrollable variables to each fall into place. Be patient with the self and its tendency to think the worse of each situation. Because His plans are way better than ours. Because this life is all just a test of our faith, our trust, and our reliance on the One who manages all of our affairs."– Nearness To You (page 197)

This book has been a great accompany since my first day of Ramadan. Reading the snippets from one page to another as if the author is talking live and close to.my ears and heart. May Allah bless you sister Fadhilah Wahid.

[Lyana A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every page makes you reflect and ponder. I had to slow down just so i could process the meaning. One of my fav is on rezeki titled “He gifts whom He wills”

[Syah H · Rating 4 out of 5]

“We do not become by reading, we become by being....to be a better believer, believe.”

[Nurulnaziefa_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

So what words have you chosen to speak to yourself today.? - Nearness to You.

[Nurul Tasneem · Rating 5 out of 5]

My all time favourite book!!

[Listiorini Ajeng Purvashti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Untuk teman-teman yang sedang merasa jauh dari Allah, buku ini bakal menjadi motivasi diri untuk selalu berusaha mendekatkan diri lagi dengan Allah. Di sini tidak ada pembahasan yang seperti menggurui atau menceramahi. Di dalamnya berisi essai essai pendek yang ditulis oleh penulis sesuai dengan pengalaman hidupnya.

la bercerita tentang perjalanannya sebagai musafir dan seorang muslimah yang menuntut ilmu. Dia menelisik dan memperhatikan setiap kejadian di perjalanannya untuk diambil hikmahnya dalam perspektif agama Islam.

Yang aku suka dari buku ini, hampir semua penutup essai-nya diisi dengan doa. Penulis selalu menuliskan berupa panjatan doa untuk para pembaca dan semua orang. Bahkan, aku jarang menemukan pembahasan yang bernada negatif, jadi bisa dibilang essai-essai ini diisi oleh positivity yang membuat pembacanya lebih sering untuk berprasangka baik, terutama ke Allah.

Untuk isinya juga, essai ini beberapa kali diselipkan hadits serta ayat-ayat Al-Qur'an yang sesuai dengan setiap pembahasan di essai-nya. Dan, yang paling menarik di sini menurutku adalah kalimat motivasi yang sangat heartwarming, comforting, dan bikin aku jadi lebih banyak berpikir tentang kehidupan dan agama Islam.

Agar pembaca enggak bosen dengan tulisan atau huruf-huruf, penulis dengan cerdas menyisipkan berbagai gambar berupa foto-foto yang disesuaikan dengan pembahasan essai-nya. Di akhir, tentu saja ada glosarium dan rujukan hadits serta ayat-ayat Al- Qur'an yang dibahas dalam buku.

Tapi yang paling menarik, menurutku penulis dengan cerdas mengakhirinya dengan surat Al-fatihah. Oh iya, bahasa Inggris di buku ini cenderung simpel dan mudah dipahami, jadi cocok untuk kamu yang baru mau belajar bahasa Inggris.

[Annissa Larasati · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alhamdulillah, akhirnya beres juga baca cover to cover. Bukan karena bukunya tebal atau berat. Justru, karena saya sangat menikmati ketika membacanya. Jadi disesap perlahan, layaknya menikmati secangkir teh panas yang nikmat sekali.

Buku ini buku yang paling ditunggu di awal tahun kemarin. Membacanya membuat saya mengingat masa-masa labil di kala muda dulu, suka bikin tulisan refleksi dari kejadian sehari-hari kayak Kak Fadh ini. Meski tentu jauh beda kualitas dan pemahamannya ya 🙃

Buku ini juga dilengkapi dengan foto-foto hasil jepretan Kak Fadh (sepertinya), yang mana lagi-lagi mengingatkan ke masa bertahun lalu. Gaya fotonya mirip-mirip dengan saya dulu. Ga heran ya, buku ini mudah sekali 'beresonansi' dengan saya. Karena banyak sekali persamaan yang saya rasakan. Saya seperti melihat diri saya dahulu, dan hal-hal yang sudah lama tak di lakukan 🫶🏼

Maka, membacanya sangat dinikmati dengan perlahan, tak bisa di teguk sekali hap. Perlu menyesap setiap kata demi katanya, membuka lembaran demi lembaran, memandangi gambar demi gambar yang membuat angan melayang entah kemana. Juga, memberi ruang dan waktu untuk merenung dan mengobrol dengan jiwa. Sebuah momen refleksi diri. Huhu. Sungguh rindu masa-masa kayak gini 🥲

Akhirnya, setelah hampir dua bulan di awal tahun kemarin mencari 'teman' yang membuat nyaman dan ngajak mikir lebih dalam, ketemu juga. Surely, one of my best read in 2023 🤎

[Aina Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Subhanallah this book is so so beautiful. Already in love with this book from the first page reading it ✨💖

I remember picking this book and started reading it on 2 am ish, and I couldn’t stop. As I know sleep is important, I suppressed my eagerness to continue my reading and sleep. The next morning, I quickly continue reading it and ahhhhhhhhh so so gooddddd. I am hooked.

Each chapters gives insight to me. It’s like giving new perspectives upon life, and soothe the heart. I really admire author’s writings. It’s casual yet filled with many valuable life lessons to reflect on my own.

To be honest, this book can be finished in one sitting but since it is so good, I just don’t want to finish it! So many key takeaways taken from this book. I had post it notes patched on almost every topics as a self reflection notes and reminders.

Overall, I would say this is
📌 A book that can be read repeatedly.
📌 A book that inshallah can reinvigorate the heart.
📌 A book that gives you servanthood insights on perceiving this dunya.
📌 A book that drives you to chase His blessings dunya akhirah.
📌 A book that made you realize, how the heart is always yearning for His love.

I love this book so much and would really suggest anyone who wants a book with soothing messages for self pondering, this could be a good pick ✨

[KakEllereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading her masterpiece, I immediately falls in love with her book. Parts of this book is so relatable to my own hijrah journey.

The book is published by Iman Publications (my favourite publisher 😆). Its a hardcover book with 238 pages. Bought it from Iman Shoppee at RM 40.50 after discount (the original price is RM 45.00).

🌹Each chapter is written in short essays and are based on the writer experiences.
🌹I love the way the writer educates reader about deen through simple language usage and day to day example.
🌹The writing is easy to understand and yes each chapter nourish the soul.
🌹The book also consists beautiful and meaningful pictures on places that the writer visited.
🌹The writer also emphasised on the importance of our beliefs to Allah swt and our beloved Prophet Nabi Muhammad saw.
🌹I learned about Hidayah, Taufeeq and Qobul in the Acceptance chapter. Now I know that this three are very important in our hijrah journey.
🌹I rated this book 5🌟 and highly recommend this book to those looking for a boost in their hijrah journey.

[Alya Azmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first I was a bit sceptical about this book; I mean if this book is another book with the content same as The Art of Letting God/Call Upon Him/You Are Loved then I think I already got the message from those three books, plus generally the book is about the author’s reflection on her journey to seek God, but nevermind maybe I’ll give it a shot lah since it’s quite hype on social medias too.

Baca punya baca rasa nak snap every page uolls, seriously. You know how different MasyaAllah people’s (see I started using her words too) view on everything, so bila baca buku ni rasa betapa indahnya, bestnya kalau kita dapat sampai ke tahap mereka juga - dalam masa yang sama pasang niat untuk jadi orang yang kenal Allah dengan lebih dalam.

Her perspective towards this life is very different at least to mine, diorang punya macam God-based macam tu.

Really, this book should be on the top of your list of book to buy. InsyaAllah with the right niat, akan berguna untuk diri masing-masing.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌷I heaved a sigh of relief as i was moving from 1 chapter to another because somehow i felt the burden had been lifted off my shoulder

🌷I wept a couple of time for so many reasons as i read between the lines...

🌷Sometimes my heart pounded with excitement as i felt the breeze of encouragement infiltrated Inside me

🌷There was 1 time i’d to deal with the bitter truth . Though it felt unsettling in the beginning but i choose to be wise by admitting & pray for a better change

🌷But most of times, I felt inspired, i felt hope, i felt understood, & i wasn’t alone..

🌷And all of times i felt the sense of ‘Nearness’ to our creator, to HIS Mercy & Blessings ❤️

🌷So thank you for all the feelings i’ve felt throughout the book ❤️

“May Allah SWT gift us sincere, firm, faith, true love and the ability to better our servitude with each passing day, Amin” (excerpt from my fav chapter)

[tyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was afraid to start this one because I have so little knowledge abot hadith and any other Books. Something I like from this book is that this one doesn't need as much of that. Fadhilah just sharing her experience as wayfarer to do hijrah, from the most humble things until the most wonderfull things. This book reminds me of sin and laxity but give a motivation at the same time. This book makes me feels human. We have a lackness, sin and laxity but also we always keep trying to be a better person, InshAllah.
Just like its title, "Nearness to You", Fadhilah take us to realize that we are nothing without Him Subhanahu wa ta'ala. So that it would be great when we always try to be near to Him.
🩶

[Maryam Othman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It such a solace to have a book like this. Every time i pick up this book, there must be new things to reflect on myself and to realise the fact that it is it.

Having to realise the fact that we are muslim, the need to rely on Him alone. Whatever the situation it is, Allah must be the first that we keep in our heart and our soul. This eventually keeps me going with a firm step. With Fear of him and Hope in him.

The journey of sis fadhilah to Tareem also makes me dream about someday, i wanted to get to learn in other country with other culture. To learn anything. Just to feel it on my own. May this dream will come true someday. Amiin ya Rabb.

[Fatin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love how the author wrote this book, very beautifully written. Bila baca tu akan rasa macam kita sama-sama dalam perjalanan hijrah beliau, relatable. I used to read this book sebelum tido, sambil buat self reflection. I didn't really baca this book untuk habiskan terus but it is kind of my pick-up book, i love to receive her messages daily as an inspiration. It's a powerful feeling when I can reconstruct my life the way that I hope He will be happy with I do. This book is very good for a beginner who are trying to read islamic self-help book or a person who is trying to change from his old life to a better one. I really love this book compared to her first one, Light Upon Light.

[Amal Jamal · Rating 4 out of 5]

٠ I like the fact that Fadhilah Wahid is so contemplative about her surrounding; she mostly focuses on lessons learnt based on her daily interactions with friends & ustadha/ustadh while relating those instances with ways that we can draw closer to God.

٠ Each chapter is accompanied by a photo.

٠ The chapters aren’t organised according to themes — which would be a lot more convenient for me if they are otherwise. (Tapi faham je they’re not sorted in such way because the chapters are extracted from her Instagram captions.)