In a world brimming with constant noise and endless distractions, it’s easy to feel pulled in countless different directions. It’s no wonder so many of us struggle to find a deeper sense of purpose that is truly grounded in our faith. We grapple with anxiety about the future, feel held back by past mistakes, and wonder how to navigate the complex challenges of modern life as committed Muslims.

In this exclusive conversation from the OnePath Podcast, we sit down with Shaykh Mikaeel Ahmed Smith, a faculty member at Qalam Institute, author of “With the Heart in Mind,” and a student of Clinical Mental Health Counselling. Shaykh Mikaeel combines deep Islamic knowledge with psychological insight to offer a roadmap for resilience, self-discovery, and spiritual growth.

Drawing from his own incredible journey from an aspiring pastor to a devoted student of Islam, he shares profound wisdom on everything from managing OCD and anxiety to discovering the unique calling Allah has for each of us.

The Unlikely Path to Presence: How Physicality Strengthens Faith

Before diving into the depths of the human psyche, Shaykh Mikaeel shares a simple yet powerful habit: exercise. More than just physical health, he sees activities like Jiu-Jitsu as a critical tool for mental and spiritual well-being.

“When you’re on the mat… you’re not thinking about other stuff. You’re just in that moment,” he explains. “So many of our anxieties and pressures are about what may happen in the future or the past. If we practice presence and just live in this moment Allah gave us, we find peace.”

Physical disciplines force you to be present. Whether it’s lifting weights, running, or grappling, you are focused on your breath and your next move, not your worries. This practice of being “in the moment” is a form of mindfulness that can quiet the noise of anxiety.

Key Benefits of Mindful Physical Activity:

  • Recenter Your Intention: It’s an opportunity to renew your intention to care for the body Allah gave you.
  • Let Go of Intrusive Thoughts: The focus required provides an escape from the mental clutter of daily life.
  • Practice Presence: It trains your mind to stay in the here and now, a key skill for managing anxiety and deepening your connection in prayer.

Finding Your Purpose: What Is Your Unique Calling from Allah?

A common struggle, especially for young Muslims, is the search for a deeper purpose. We often hear the verse that we were created to worship Allah (`ibadah`), but what does that look like in our daily lives?

Shaykh Mikaeel challenges the narrow view that `ibadah` is limited to formal acts of worship. “If we look at the companions of the Prophet (ﷺ), we find that they all found their own way of channelling that `ibadah`,” he notes. “It’s about what strengths you have and using those in the path of God.”

He presents two powerful examples:

Hassan ibn Thabit (RA): The poet of the Prophet (ﷺ). He wasn’t a great fighter, but his path to Allah was through his mastery of words, which he used to defend and praise the Prophet.

Khalid ibn al-Walid (RA): A strategic military mastermind. His path was on the battlefield, not in writing poetry.

“With the age of social media, we’re seeing everybody else’s calling, and we’re like, ‘Maybe I’m supposed to do that.’ Maybe you’re supposed to find yours.” – Shaykh Mikaeel Ahmed Smith

Shaykh Mikaeel introduces the concept of vocation—not to be confused with invocation (our supplication to Allah). Vocation, he explains, is Allah’s call to you. To hear it, you need solitude and reflection, just as the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) sought solitude in the cave of Hira.

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Actionable Steps: How to Discover Your Calling

1.  Embrace Solitude: Disconnect from the noise. Spend quiet time in reflection, dhikr, and contemplation to hear your inner voice.

2.  Identify Your Strengths: What are you naturally good at? What skills do you possess? Ask yourself, “How can I use this talent to benefit others and please Allah?”

3.  Explore Your Passions: What are you genuinely interested in? Your passions are often clues to where you can make the most meaningful contribution.

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Navigating the Inner World: An Islamic Approach to OCD and Anxiety

As someone pursuing a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counselling, Shaykh Mikaeel is passionate about addressing the emotional and psychological struggles within the Muslim community. He identifies two prevalent issues: OCD and anxiety.

Understanding Religious OCD (Waswas)

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, particularly religious scrupulosity (`waswas`), is a major challenge for many. It often manifests in constant doubts about `wudu` (ablution), `salah` (prayer), and intentions.

Shaykh Mikaeel offers a groundbreaking mindset shift:

Focus on the Sunnah, not on “Purity.”

“If the objective is to be clean, there’s always a thought like, ‘Did water get here? Am I clean?'” he explains. “But if the objective is no longer cleanliness, but just following the Sunnah, the entire framework changes.”

He uses two brilliant examples from classical Fiqh:

The Well Water Example: If an impurity falls into a village well, the Sunnah dictates a method to purify it. Logically, the well should never become pure because new water is constantly mixing with residual impurity. But the scholars say, “It doesn’t matter. The Prophet (ﷺ) said it’s clean, so it’s clean.” The objective is obedience to the Sunnah.

Tayammum (Dry Ablution): If the goal was physical cleanliness, wiping your face and hands with dust would make no sense. The goal is fulfilling a command of Allah.

This reframe is a powerful tool to break the cycle of `waswas`. Did you perform the actions of `wudu` as taught by the Prophet (ﷺ)? Yes? Then you are done. The goal has been achieved.

Coping with Anxiety

Anxiety is often rooted in fear of the unknown future or regret over the past. The Prophet (ﷺ) taught us a specific dua for this: “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from anxiety and grief (`al-hamm wa’l-hazan`).”

The key to managing anxiety, according to Shaykh Mikaeel, is reframing your thoughts and practicing presence.

Challenge Your Anxious Thoughts: What is the evidence for your fear? What can you control right now?

Trust in Allah’s Plan: Cultivate a deep sense of `tawakkul` (trust in Allah), knowing that He is in control of all affairs.

Return to the Present Moment: When you feel worry creeping in, bring your focus back to the here and now. What can you do in this moment to please Allah?

From Aspiring Pastor to Devoted Muslim: Shaykh Mikaeel’s Journey to Islam

Shaykh Mikaeel’s story is a testament to Allah’s guidance. Growing up, he was deeply spiritual, even telling his mother at age eight, “I want to be a pastor when I grow up.”

However, his teenage years brought a disenchantment with Christianity, alongside questions about the oneness of God. His path led him to the Qur’an, which he described as feeling “familiar, but different.” He knew the stories of the prophets, but the style and flow were captivating.

The turning point was reading The Autobiography of Malcolm X. “For me, he had went through a lot of what I went through,” Shaykh Mikaeel recalls, highlighting the need for relatable role models. After accepting Islam in his heart, life circumstances led him to a masjid where he formally took his Shahada.

Just six months after becoming Muslim, he was memorising the Qur’an. He attributes his success to being in a supportive environment and having a teacher who wisely paced him.

“A lot of converts…run full steam. My teacher would slow me down. He knew that Shaytan loves excessiveness because he knows you’re going to burn out.”

This lesson is crucial for anyone on a spiritual journey: consistency over intensity is the key to sustainable growth.

More Than a Story: Why the Seerah Is a Lifelong Companion

How do we cultivate love for the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) Shaykh Mikaeel’s answer is simple: study his life. He recommends a yearly re-read of the Seerah (prophetic biography).

“You may think, ‘I already know what happened,'” he says. “The Seerah doesn’t change, but you change. Because your life circumstances have changed, different aspects of the Seerah will hit you so differently.”

One of the most touching examples of the Prophet’s character is his emotional intelligence. Shaykh Mikaeel shares the story of the Prophet (ﷺ) seeing a young boy and asking him, “Ya Aba Umayr, ma fa’ala an-nughayr?” (O Abu Umayr, what did the little nightingale do?).

“This man who’s running the state…remembers my pet parrot’s name. Can you imagine the emotional investment and how that boy felt?”

This is the man we strive to follow—a leader who was deeply in tune with the hearts of those around him, no matter how small they were.

Your Mistakes Don’t Define You: A Lesson in Prophetic Compassion

Perhaps one of the most overlooked and needed lessons from the Seerah is the Prophet’s (ﷺ) compassion for people who made mistakes.

“A lot of us are kept captive to mistakes that we have made in the past,” Shaykh Mikaeel emphasises. “You are not your mistakes.”

Even great companions, who are promised Jannah, made significant errors. He mentions Hassan ibn Thabit (RA) and Osama ibn Zayd (RA) with the utmost respect, explaining that the Prophet (ﷺ) corrected their actions but never allowed those mistakes to define their status or stunt their growth.

This is a powerful message of hope. A sin or a mistake can feel like a spiritual dead-end, but in Islam, it can be the very thing that humbles you and brings you closer to Allah.

Important Note: This lesson is for individuals struggling with personal sins between them and Allah. It is not an excuse to tolerate or minimise ongoing harm, abuse, or oppression against others.

Shaykh Mikaeel Ahmed Smith’s insights offer a powerful blend of spiritual wisdom and psychological understanding. His journey and teachings remind us that:

The purpose is personal. Your path to serving Allah is unique to your God-given talents and passions.

Inner peace is achievable. By reframing our thoughts and practising presence, we can manage the burdens of anxiety and OCD.

The Prophet (ﷺ) is our ultimate role model. His life is a source of endless guidance, compassion, and love. Your past does not dictate your future. Allah’s mercy is vast, and your mistakes can be catalysts for growth, not chains that hold you back.

The journey to finding your purpose is a lifelong one. It requires reflection, patience, and a deep trust in Allah’s plan. Let the painter paint His beauty on you.