Lesson of the Day 1387

Ayahs of the day: 
And God it is who made the stars for you, that you may be guided by them in the darknesses of land and sea. We have made the signs clear to people who discern. [6: 97]

Hadith of the day: 
A friend cannot be considered a friend until he is tested on three occasions -- in time of need, behind your back, and after your death. [Ali radi Allah anhu]

Wise quote of the day: 
Fear of God is knowledge enough, to be pleased with one's knowledge is ignorance enough. [Abdul Hakim Murad]

Guidance of the day: 
Among saving things are hope in God and fear of Him. Both are noble stations which God has attributed to His Prophets, Messengers, and those among the virtuous believers who followed them with excellence. Hope and fear are like the wings of the bird, or the pans of the scales. Fear is a rebuke that restrains people from sins and contraventions, while hope is a leader that leads the servant to acts of obedience and conformity. He who is not rebuked by his fear from disobeying God nor led by his hope to obey Him, both his hope and fear are but ineffective ruminations of the soul that are of no consequence, for they have failed to lead to their intended goal and benefit. Let the believer beware of both extremes -- feeling secure from God's ruses on the one hand, or despairing of His mercy on the other. For a person to feel secure from God's ruse is to have so much hope and so little fear of Him as to think it highly unlikely that He will chastise and torment him. As for the despair, it is to have so much fear and so little hope in God as to feel it highly unlikely to be shown mercy and forgiven. Both are major sins, so beware of them. Remain between fear and hope. Do not deceive yourself concerning your Lord and do not be too bold with Him, for your Lord is swift in chastisement, but He is also Forgiving and Compassionate. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought: 
The common people give thanks for being fed and clothed, while the elite give thanks for meanings that enter their hearts. Thankfulness of the eyes is that you conceal a fault you see in your companion, and thankfulness of the ears is that you conceal a fault that you hear about him. Thankfulness is delighting in praising Him for giving what you do not deserve. Purity does not lie in rituals, nor can human nature be changed by effort. Those who love God and remain conscious only of their Beloved attain purity. [Al Hujwiri]