My 15 Timeless Lessons for Strength, Resilience, and Personal Growth Inspired by the Quran
Disclaimer: I am not a religious expert or scholar, just an ordinary person navigating life and finding inspiration in these verses. This list is by no means exhaustive — the Quran is filled with countless beautiful, inspiring, and profound lessons for us all to reflect upon. Hence, I have tried to keep a neutral tone as much as I could.
Life isn’t always easy — far from it. I’ve experienced moments where the ground beneath me seemed to crumble, where I was consumed by uncertainty, and when I wasn’t sure if things would ever improve whilst being riddled with anxiety. In these moments, the wisdom of the Quran helped me stay grounded, find clarity, and keep pushing forward. Four people from four different countries, none of who are Muslims, inspired/encouraged me to write this. So, whether you’re religious or not, I believe these timeless teachings can offer something for everyone.
1. Doing Good and Generosity
“And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.”
— Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow, 2:195)
I remember once, at a particularly low point, a friend told me, “If you’re feeling down, do something kind.” The simple act of doing good — whether it’s helping a stranger or smiling at your neighbour — creates a ripple effect. Giving back has consistently brought light to even my darkest days.
2. Hope During Hardship
“Unquestionably, the help [of Allah] is near.”
— Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow, 2:214)
When I am overwhelmed by challenges, this verse is my lifeline. I tell myself that no matter how hard things get, relief is always just around the corner. Life has a way of testing our limits, but in every tough moment, I’ve found that holding onto the idea that help is near kept me going.
3. Trust in Life’s Uncertainty
“But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you…”
— Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow, 2:216)
This verse came to life for me during a breakup; I was devastated at the time, but in retrospect, that painful ending made room for growth and the discovery of new opportunities. It taught me that sometimes what we dread can be a hidden blessing. Life’s detours often lead to unexpected but rewarding destinations.
4. Endurance and Strength
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear…”
— Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow, 2:286)
Many a times I have felt completely overwhelmed/burned out as if life had handed me more than I could handle. But this verse brought me comfort and reminded me that I had the strength to cope with the situation, even when it didn’t feel like it. Every challenge I’ve faced has proven that I’m stronger than I initially believed, and that realisation has been incredibly empowering.
5. Overcoming Challenges
“So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be victorious...”
— Surah Al-Imran (The Family of Imran, 3:139)
There’s something deeply reassuring about this verse. In times of failure — whether it was a professional setback or a personal disappointment — I’ve found that not giving in to despair made all the difference. Pushing through those difficult times, while easier said than done, always brings a sense of pride and strength in the end.
6. Personal Growth and Responsibility
“Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”
— Surah Ar-Ra’d (The Thunder, 13:11)
This verse became a mantra for me when I realised I was stuck in a rut. I wanted change, but I wasn’t willing to change myself. It hit me hard that if I wanted my circumstances to improve, I had to start with myself — my habits, my mindset, my effort. It was only when I made those internal changes that I saw external growth.
7. Patience and a Positive Outcome
“As for those, there is a (good) end in this world.”
— Surah Ar-Ra’d (The Thunder, 13:22)
When I was working on a long hours during my PhD, there were countless moments where I felt like giving up. I questioned whether the effort would be worth it, whether I’d ever see results. This verse helped me keep perspective: no good effort is wasted, and with patience, success does eventually come. Now, whenever I face a long-term goal, I remind myself that persistence pays off.
8. Gratitude and Abundance
“If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favour]…”
— Surah Ibrahim (Prophet Abraham, 14:7)
There was a time in my life where I constantly focused on what I didn’t have. I was always comparing myself to others. But this verse always challenges my perspective. I started making it a habit to acknowledge and appreciate the things I did have, no matter how small. And oddly enough, the more I expressed gratitude, the more things seemed to fall into place.
9. The Transient Nature of Life
“And what is the worldly life except the enjoyment of delusion?”
— Surah Al-Hadid (The Iron, 57:20)
This verse always brings me back down to earth. When I get caught up in material pursuits — whether it’s stressing over work or longing for that next big purchase — I remember that none of it lasts. The things that truly matter — relationships, love, personal growth — are often intangible. This realisation helps me focus on what’s meaningful rather than getting lost in superficial and materialistic pursuits.
10. Trust and Unexpected Opportunities
“And will provide for him from where he does not expect…”
— Surah At-Talaq (The Divorce, 65:3)
There have been moments when I thought all hope was lost, particularly in my career and financially. But out of nowhere, opportunities would arise — opportunities I couldn’t have planned for or predicted. This verse is a reminder to trust the process because sometimes life surprises you with doors you didn’t even know existed.
11. Hope for the Future
“And you will be given, and you will be satisfied.”
— Surah Ad-Duha (The Morning Light, 93:5)
This verse filled me with hope during one of the toughest periods of my life. When everything felt uncertain, it reassured me that things would eventually fall into place and that the struggles I was going through would lead to satisfaction and peace. And in time, they did.
12. Relief Follows Hardship
“For indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.”
— Surah Ash-Sharh (The Relief, 94:5)
If there’s one verse I cling to when life gets tough, it’s this one. No matter how bad things get, knowing that ease is on the other side of hardship helps me push through. Every challenge I’ve faced has been followed by some form of relief — sometimes in ways I never expected. This verse has been a constant source of comfort.
13. Effort and Success
“And those who strive for Us — We will surely guide them to Our ways…”
— Surah Al-Ankabut (The Spider, 29:69)
This verse reminds me that effort never goes unnoticed. There have been moments when I worked hard for something and felt like no progress was being made. But, in the long run, the effort always leads to growth, even if the results take time to manifest. It’s a reminder that the process is as valuable as the outcome.
14. Humility and Respect
“And do not turn your cheek [in contempt] toward people and do not walk through the earth exultantly…”
— Surah Luqman (The Wise, 31:18)
I’ve found that humility opens more doors than arrogance ever could. This verse reminds me to stay grounded, to treat people with respect, and to approach life with humility. Whenever I’ve let pride get in the way, it’s only led to more problems. Staying humble keeps me connected to others in a meaningful way.
15. The Importance of Time and Integrity
“Indeed, mankind is in loss, except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.”
— Surah Al-Asr (The Time, 103:2–3)
Finally, this verse resonates with me on a deep level. It’s a reminder that time is our most valuable asset, and how we use it defines us. I often think about this when I’m caught up in unimportant tasks. Living with integrity, doing good, and being patient with ourselves and others are what lead to a fulfilling life.
