Building tawakkul through psychology and neuroscience

Tawakkul is often taken to mean waiting and hoping. This session looks at what it is made of and how the brain learns it: choose with agency, add love to that choice, act from taqwa, and focus on your part while Allah takes care of the rest.
We use the psychology and neuroscience of choice, attachment and learned control, alongside verses from the Qur'an, to turn tawakkul into a practice. We also look at why it has to be practised again and again, even after you feel you have reached it.
Who is hosting
This is a mixed group, hosted together by Bilal and Sana. Brothers and sisters are both welcome, and we've set it up so that everyone feels comfortable walking in.
Bilal is a psychologically and neuroscientifically informed coach, integrating that research with the Qur'an and Islam.
What the session looks like
Bilal opens with a short introduction to Muslim Psychology and the work we do
An emotion check exercise, takes about 90 seconds
The topic, introduced and unpacked
A quiet journalling activity, just for you. Nobody reads it
A discussion round, in pairs and then across the room
Open Q&A with Bilal, ask anything
The same emotion check exercise again, so you can see what shifted
A warm close
What to bring
We'll hand you the emotion check sheet on the day. Bring a pen for that and the journalling activity. Please don't take notes during the session. We'd love you to be fully present and part of it. Notes from the session are shared afterwards in our WhatsApp community, so you won't miss anything: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K240DgENyLxJZmA9gTQ9EV
Please note
These sessions are not a source of religious rulings. Bilal is not a mufti or an alim. What we share is grounded in psychology and neuroscience research, brought alongside Islamic reflection. For matters of fiqh or religious verdicts, please refer to a qualified scholar.
Before you book
Only 20 spots. First come, first served.
We meet in the John Lewis cafe at Westfield Stratford on Saturdays, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Please buy a drink or something small while you're there. It supports the space that lets us gather.
There's no pressure to speak or share. Come as you are.
Refunds
We do not offer refunds. If you let us know at least 7 days before the session, we will offer you a free place at a future one.
Join our WhatsApp community group to stay in the loop: https://chat.whatsapp.com/K240DgENyLxJZmA9gTQ9EV