Ayah of the Day:
What is this life of the world but play and sport? The home of the Hereafter------that is life, if only they knew. [29: 64]
Hadith of the Day:
All people pass a test in their life. The test of my people is what they do with the goods of this world. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
A servant is never free of either blunders or shortcomings or lassitude. Therefore never be neglectful of repentance, and never turn away from the act of returning to God the Exalted, and never neglect acts that bring you closer to God the Exalted. [Ahmad al Zarruq]
Guidance of the Day:
Our essential purpose is to become the-best-version-of-ourselves. Once we discover this and place this purpose at the center of our lives, everything begins to make sense. Until we discover our essential purpose, nothing makes sense, and we wander around aimlessly, slowly being numbed into lives of quiet desperation. It is the quest to improve ourselves, to be all we are capable of being, to test our limits, and to grow steadily toward the-best- version-of-ourselves that brings meaning to our lives.
There is purpose and meaning to life. You were born to become the-best-version-of- yourself. To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life. Our yearning for happiness is intimately linked to our essential purpose. The activities that help us become-the-best-version-of-ourselves also fill our lives with sustainable happiness. Embrace this one solitary truth------you were born to become the-best-version-of-yourself-----and it will change your life more than anything you have ever learned. [Kelly, The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
To change your world, you must change yourself.
To blame and complain will only make matters worse.
Whatever you care about, is your responsibility.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 840
Ayah of the Day:
And if you asked them who rains water from the sky, enlivening the earth thereby after it has died, they would surely say, "God." Say, "Praise be to God." But most of them don't understand. [29: 63]
Hadith of the Day:
The generous person is close to God, heaven, and humanity, and far away from Hell, while the miser is kept far from God, heaven, and humanity, and is in Hell. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Make a frequent practice of remembering death and what lies beyond it, and the narrow bridge and what lies beyond it. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the Day:
What happens in our lives is almost always a result of those things we habitually think and those things we habitually do. Life is the fruit of discipline, or lack of it. We are our habits. Every disciplined effort has its own multiple reward. Life is the gathering of truth. Any truth we discover must not be allowed to remain isolated in one area of our lives, and certainly must not be allowed to remain merely in our minds. Rather, any truth life reveals to us must filter into every aspect of our lives, like blood to the cells of the body. Life is one. Truth should be lived.
What we do in the span of our lives may bring us financial rewards, status, power, and unimaginable possessions, but lasting happiness and fulfillment are not the by-products of doing and having. The truth is a startling contrast to the present culture's credo. Who you become is infinitely more important than what you do or what you have. The meaning and purpose of life is for you to become the-best-version-of-yourself. [Kelly, The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
The possibilities you see in others, are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.
The world around you is a reflection, a mirror showing you the person you are.
And if you asked them who rains water from the sky, enlivening the earth thereby after it has died, they would surely say, "God." Say, "Praise be to God." But most of them don't understand. [29: 63]
Hadith of the Day:
The generous person is close to God, heaven, and humanity, and far away from Hell, while the miser is kept far from God, heaven, and humanity, and is in Hell. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Make a frequent practice of remembering death and what lies beyond it, and the narrow bridge and what lies beyond it. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the Day:
What happens in our lives is almost always a result of those things we habitually think and those things we habitually do. Life is the fruit of discipline, or lack of it. We are our habits. Every disciplined effort has its own multiple reward. Life is the gathering of truth. Any truth we discover must not be allowed to remain isolated in one area of our lives, and certainly must not be allowed to remain merely in our minds. Rather, any truth life reveals to us must filter into every aspect of our lives, like blood to the cells of the body. Life is one. Truth should be lived.
What we do in the span of our lives may bring us financial rewards, status, power, and unimaginable possessions, but lasting happiness and fulfillment are not the by-products of doing and having. The truth is a startling contrast to the present culture's credo. Who you become is infinitely more important than what you do or what you have. The meaning and purpose of life is for you to become the-best-version-of-yourself. [Kelly, The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
The possibilities you see in others, are possible for you as well.
The beauty you see around you, is your beauty.
The world around you is a reflection, a mirror showing you the person you are.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 839
Ayah of the Day :
God expands the provision of anyone at will, and regulates it too; for God knows everything. [29: 62]
Hadith of the Day:
Avarice is a tree whose roots are in Hell. The miser is tied to one of its branches and will not be saved until he is pulled into Hellfire. [Dar-i Kutni]
Wise Quote of the Day:
It is not for us to question Allah's plan, which is full of wisdom and mercy for all. Our duty is to stand firm and unswerving, to obey, and in steadfast courage to persevere, to retrieve our mistakes, not in grief and despair, but in firm hope in Allah. [Abdullah Yusuf Ali]
Guidance of the Day:
Nothing changes a person's life more than the discovery of one solitary truth: There is meaning and purpose to life. More specifically: There is meaning and purpose to your life. As we grow wiser, we realize that life is too short to learn all of its lessons from personal experience, and we discover that other people, places, and times are all too willing to pass on the hard-earned wisdom of their experience.
Without a clear sense of the purpose and meaning of our lives, the emptiness is overwhelming. We try to fill the void with pleasure and possessions, but the emptiness is unaffected by such trivialities. There are moments of pleasure, but they are brief in a long succession of twenty-four-hour days. [Kelly, The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
The good you find in others, is in you too.
The faults you find in others, are your faults as well.
After all, to recognize something you must know it.
God expands the provision of anyone at will, and regulates it too; for God knows everything. [29: 62]
Hadith of the Day:
Avarice is a tree whose roots are in Hell. The miser is tied to one of its branches and will not be saved until he is pulled into Hellfire. [Dar-i Kutni]
Wise Quote of the Day:
It is not for us to question Allah's plan, which is full of wisdom and mercy for all. Our duty is to stand firm and unswerving, to obey, and in steadfast courage to persevere, to retrieve our mistakes, not in grief and despair, but in firm hope in Allah. [Abdullah Yusuf Ali]
Guidance of the Day:
Nothing changes a person's life more than the discovery of one solitary truth: There is meaning and purpose to life. More specifically: There is meaning and purpose to your life. As we grow wiser, we realize that life is too short to learn all of its lessons from personal experience, and we discover that other people, places, and times are all too willing to pass on the hard-earned wisdom of their experience.
Without a clear sense of the purpose and meaning of our lives, the emptiness is overwhelming. We try to fill the void with pleasure and possessions, but the emptiness is unaffected by such trivialities. There are moments of pleasure, but they are brief in a long succession of twenty-four-hour days. [Kelly, The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
The good you find in others, is in you too.
The faults you find in others, are your faults as well.
After all, to recognize something you must know it.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 838
Ayah of the Day:
And if you asked them who created the heavens and the earth and made the sun and moon work, they would surely say God------how then are they deceived? [29: 61]
Hadith of the Day:
Generosity is a tree whose roots are in Paradise. The generous person is held at one of its branches and he stays there until he is pulled into Paradise. [Dar-i Kutni]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The reality of thankfulness is to obey Allah with all your limbs, in private and in public. [Ibn Abbas radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Commitment is the logical and natural response that follows from an understanding of our purpose. Everything in our lives is either pursued or rejected according to whether or not it will help us, and others, fulfill what we perceive as purpose. Someone who makes money his goal in life accepts or rejects everything according to whether or not it will help him achieve that goal.
Someone who makes pleasure the goal of his life accepts or rejects everything according to whether or not it will help him achieve his goal. In the absence of a genuine understanding of the meaning and purpose of our lives, we substitute it with shallow and superficial meaning. The human person cannot live without meaning and purpose. Why is depression so dramatically on the rise? I cannot imagine anything more depressing than not having any sense of the meaning and purpose of your own life. [The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
As you make your bed, so you must lie in it. Life is what we make it. Always has been. Always will be. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.
And if you asked them who created the heavens and the earth and made the sun and moon work, they would surely say God------how then are they deceived? [29: 61]
Hadith of the Day:
Generosity is a tree whose roots are in Paradise. The generous person is held at one of its branches and he stays there until he is pulled into Paradise. [Dar-i Kutni]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The reality of thankfulness is to obey Allah with all your limbs, in private and in public. [Ibn Abbas radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Commitment is the logical and natural response that follows from an understanding of our purpose. Everything in our lives is either pursued or rejected according to whether or not it will help us, and others, fulfill what we perceive as purpose. Someone who makes money his goal in life accepts or rejects everything according to whether or not it will help him achieve that goal.
Someone who makes pleasure the goal of his life accepts or rejects everything according to whether or not it will help him achieve his goal. In the absence of a genuine understanding of the meaning and purpose of our lives, we substitute it with shallow and superficial meaning. The human person cannot live without meaning and purpose. Why is depression so dramatically on the rise? I cannot imagine anything more depressing than not having any sense of the meaning and purpose of your own life. [The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
As you make your bed, so you must lie in it. Life is what we make it. Always has been. Always will be. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 837
Ayah of the Day:
How many animals don't carry their provisions! God provides for them, and for you too, being the all-hearing, the all-knowing. [29: 60]
Hadith of the Day:
The fear of God should be in your hearts. If you dare to hurt your Muslim brother, that is sufficient to earn you God's curse. It is forbidden by God to harm the property, the honor, or the physical being of another Muslim. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Those who truly know God worship Him with all their resolve; they concede to His ubiquitous bounty and obey all His commandments with the utmost fervor. As their adoration grows so does their obedience. [Al-Hujwiri]
Guidance of the Day:
If you don't know what you want from life, everything will appear either an obstacle or as a burden. But one of the great lessons of history is that the world gets out of the way for people who know what they want or where they are going. Be assured, if you don't know where you are going, you are lost.
A great purposelessness has descended upon modern civilizations. People at large have lost any sense of the meaning and purpose of life; and without an understanding of our own purpose, there can be no true commitment. Whether that commitment is to marriage, family, study, work, God, relationships, or the simple resolutions of our lives, it will be almost impossible to fulfill with a clear and practical understanding of our purpose. Commitment and purpose go hand in hand. [Kelly, The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
Experience is yesterday's answer to today's problems. Our wisdom usually comes from our experience, and our experience largely from our foolishness. One reason experience is such a good teacher is that it doesn't allow any dropouts.
How many animals don't carry their provisions! God provides for them, and for you too, being the all-hearing, the all-knowing. [29: 60]
Hadith of the Day:
The fear of God should be in your hearts. If you dare to hurt your Muslim brother, that is sufficient to earn you God's curse. It is forbidden by God to harm the property, the honor, or the physical being of another Muslim. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Those who truly know God worship Him with all their resolve; they concede to His ubiquitous bounty and obey all His commandments with the utmost fervor. As their adoration grows so does their obedience. [Al-Hujwiri]
Guidance of the Day:
If you don't know what you want from life, everything will appear either an obstacle or as a burden. But one of the great lessons of history is that the world gets out of the way for people who know what they want or where they are going. Be assured, if you don't know where you are going, you are lost.
A great purposelessness has descended upon modern civilizations. People at large have lost any sense of the meaning and purpose of life; and without an understanding of our own purpose, there can be no true commitment. Whether that commitment is to marriage, family, study, work, God, relationships, or the simple resolutions of our lives, it will be almost impossible to fulfill with a clear and practical understanding of our purpose. Commitment and purpose go hand in hand. [Kelly, The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
Experience is yesterday's answer to today's problems. Our wisdom usually comes from our experience, and our experience largely from our foolishness. One reason experience is such a good teacher is that it doesn't allow any dropouts.
Monday, May 14, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 836
Ayahs of the Day:
And for those who believed and did good deeds, We will prepare for them lofty dwellings in the garden, with streams running below them, wherein they will abide, a perfect reward for the workers, those who have been constant and who trust in their Lord. [29: 58,59]
Hadith of the Day:
Knowledge is acquired by learning. Forbearance is acquired by suffering the impudence of others without reacting. Whoever makes an effort to obtain that which is good, God gives him good. Whoever is able to stand controversy is saved from suffering. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Through love all that is bitter will be sweet.
Through love all that is copper will be gold.
Through love all that dregs will turn to purest wine.
Through love all pain will turn to medicine.
Through love the dead will all become alive.
Through love the king will turn into a slave. [Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
Intellectually, when you take ten or fifteen minutes a day to read a good book, what happens? Your vision of yourself expands; your vision of the world expands. You become more focused, more alert, and more vibrant. Clarity replaces confusion. You feel more fully alive, and you are happier.
Finally, spiritually, when you take a few moments each day to step into the classroom of silence and reconnect with yourself and with your God, what happens? The gentle voice within grows stronger, and you develop a deeper sense of peace, purpose, and direction. You are healthier, you are happier, and you have a richer experience of life.
Physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually, we know the things that infuse our lives with passion and enthusiasm. We know the things that make us happy. We just don't do them. It doesn't make sense, does it? On the other hand, we all want to be happy. On the other hand, we all know the things that make us happy? But we don't do those things. Why? Simple. We are too busy. Too busy doing what? Too busy trying to be happy. This is the paradox of happiness that has bewitched our age. [Kelly, The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
Whether you are sixteen or sixty, the rest of your life is ahead of you. You cannot change one moment of your past, but you can change your whole future. Now is your time.
And for those who believed and did good deeds, We will prepare for them lofty dwellings in the garden, with streams running below them, wherein they will abide, a perfect reward for the workers, those who have been constant and who trust in their Lord. [29: 58,59]
Hadith of the Day:
Knowledge is acquired by learning. Forbearance is acquired by suffering the impudence of others without reacting. Whoever makes an effort to obtain that which is good, God gives him good. Whoever is able to stand controversy is saved from suffering. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Through love all that is bitter will be sweet.
Through love all that is copper will be gold.
Through love all that dregs will turn to purest wine.
Through love all pain will turn to medicine.
Through love the dead will all become alive.
Through love the king will turn into a slave. [Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
Intellectually, when you take ten or fifteen minutes a day to read a good book, what happens? Your vision of yourself expands; your vision of the world expands. You become more focused, more alert, and more vibrant. Clarity replaces confusion. You feel more fully alive, and you are happier.
Finally, spiritually, when you take a few moments each day to step into the classroom of silence and reconnect with yourself and with your God, what happens? The gentle voice within grows stronger, and you develop a deeper sense of peace, purpose, and direction. You are healthier, you are happier, and you have a richer experience of life.
Physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually, we know the things that infuse our lives with passion and enthusiasm. We know the things that make us happy. We just don't do them. It doesn't make sense, does it? On the other hand, we all want to be happy. On the other hand, we all know the things that make us happy? But we don't do those things. Why? Simple. We are too busy. Too busy doing what? Too busy trying to be happy. This is the paradox of happiness that has bewitched our age. [Kelly, The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
Whether you are sixteen or sixty, the rest of your life is ahead of you. You cannot change one moment of your past, but you can change your whole future. Now is your time.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 835
Ayahs of the Day:
O servants of Mine who believe, My earth is wide indeed; so let it be Me that you serve. Everything will experience death; then you will be returned to Us. [29: 56,57]
Hadith of the Day:
The one who is deprived of compassion and gentle manners is deprived of all good. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Bury your existence in the earth of obscurity, for whatever sprouts forth, without having first been buried, flowers imperfectly. [Ibn Ataillah]
Guidance of the Day:
There are four aspects to the human person: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.
Physically, when you exercise regularly, sleep regularly, eat the right sorts of foods, and balance your diet, how do you feel? You feel fantastic. You feel more fully alive. You are healthier, happier, and you have a richer, more abundant experience of life.
Emotionally, when you give focus and priority to your relationships, what happens? You switch the focus off yourself and onto others. As you do, your ability to love increases........and as your ability to love increases, your ability to be loved increases. You become more aware of yourself, develop a more balanced view of life, and experience a deeper sense of fulfillment. You are healthier. You are happier. [Kelly, The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
Man's ways lead to a hopeless end, Allah's way leads to an endless hope. A lot of kneeling will keep you in a good standing. He who kneels before Allah can stand before anyone.
O servants of Mine who believe, My earth is wide indeed; so let it be Me that you serve. Everything will experience death; then you will be returned to Us. [29: 56,57]
Hadith of the Day:
The one who is deprived of compassion and gentle manners is deprived of all good. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Bury your existence in the earth of obscurity, for whatever sprouts forth, without having first been buried, flowers imperfectly. [Ibn Ataillah]
Guidance of the Day:
There are four aspects to the human person: physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual.
Physically, when you exercise regularly, sleep regularly, eat the right sorts of foods, and balance your diet, how do you feel? You feel fantastic. You feel more fully alive. You are healthier, happier, and you have a richer, more abundant experience of life.
Emotionally, when you give focus and priority to your relationships, what happens? You switch the focus off yourself and onto others. As you do, your ability to love increases........and as your ability to love increases, your ability to be loved increases. You become more aware of yourself, develop a more balanced view of life, and experience a deeper sense of fulfillment. You are healthier. You are happier. [Kelly, The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
Man's ways lead to a hopeless end, Allah's way leads to an endless hope. A lot of kneeling will keep you in a good standing. He who kneels before Allah can stand before anyone.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 834
Ayah of the Day:
Say, "God is sufficient as a witness between me and you, knowing everything in the heavens and the earth. As for those who believe in what is false and disbelieve in God, they are the losers." [29: 52]
Hadith of the Day:
To be compassionate and gentle is one of God's blessings. To be coarse and stupid is one of God's curses. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Do good to the people for the sake of God or for the peace of your own soul that you may always see what is pure and save your heart from the darkness of hate. [Jalaluddin Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
Most people spend their lives arguing for their weaknesses, complaining about their lot in life, or blaming other people for their weaknesses and their lot in life. You may argue that you are forced to live in a certain city or drive a certain car, but it is not true. And if it is, it is true only temporarily and because of a choice you have made in the past. We choose, and in doing so, we design our lives.
Some may say that we do not choose our circumstances. You would be surprised. We have much power over the circumstances of our lives than most men and women would ever admit. And even if circumstances are thrust upon us, we choose how we respond to those circumstances. The day we accept that we have chosen to choose our choices is the day we cast off the shackles of victimhood and are set free to pursue the lives we were born to live. Learn to master the moment of decision and you will live a life uncommon. [Kelly, The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
Actions express priorities. Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well. Goodness is the only investment that never fails.
Say, "God is sufficient as a witness between me and you, knowing everything in the heavens and the earth. As for those who believe in what is false and disbelieve in God, they are the losers." [29: 52]
Hadith of the Day:
To be compassionate and gentle is one of God's blessings. To be coarse and stupid is one of God's curses. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Do good to the people for the sake of God or for the peace of your own soul that you may always see what is pure and save your heart from the darkness of hate. [Jalaluddin Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
Most people spend their lives arguing for their weaknesses, complaining about their lot in life, or blaming other people for their weaknesses and their lot in life. You may argue that you are forced to live in a certain city or drive a certain car, but it is not true. And if it is, it is true only temporarily and because of a choice you have made in the past. We choose, and in doing so, we design our lives.
Some may say that we do not choose our circumstances. You would be surprised. We have much power over the circumstances of our lives than most men and women would ever admit. And even if circumstances are thrust upon us, we choose how we respond to those circumstances. The day we accept that we have chosen to choose our choices is the day we cast off the shackles of victimhood and are set free to pursue the lives we were born to live. Learn to master the moment of decision and you will live a life uncommon. [Kelly, The Rhythm of Life]
Food for Thought:
Actions express priorities. Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well. Goodness is the only investment that never fails.
Friday, May 11, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 833
Ayah of the Day:
Isn't it enough for them that We have revealed the Book to you, which you recite to them? Surely in that is mercy and a reminder for people who believe. [29: 51]
Hadith of the Day:
Wherever there is gentleness, there is beauty. Wherever gentleness has disappeared there is shame. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Wasted is the scholar who is not asked about what he knows, as is the wealth which is not used in good, as is the knowledge which is not acted upon. [Othman radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Everything is a choice. This is life's greatest truth and its hardest lesson. It is a great truth because it reminds us of our power. Not power over others, but the often untapped power to be ourselves and to live the life we have imagined. It is a hard lesson, because it causes us to realize that we have chosen the life we are living right now. It is also liberating, because we can now begin to choose what we will find when we look at our life in the tomorrows that lie unlived before us.
Life is choices. You have chosen to live this day. You have chosen to believe certain ideas. You have chosen the people you call friends. You have chosen to live in a certain city. You choose the food you eat, the clothes you wear, and the thoughts you think. You choose to be calm or restless, you choose to feel appreciative or grateful. Love is a choice. Anger is a choice. Fear is a choice. Courage is a choice. You choose. Sometimes we choose the-best-version-of-ourselves, and sometimes we choose a-second-rate-version-of-ourselves. Everything is a choice, and our choices echo throughout our lives......and into history.......and on and on into eternity. [The Rhythm of Life by Mathew Kelly]
Food for Thought:
Worry never climbed a hill, worry never paid a bill. Worry is the darkroom in which the negatives can develop. There is no greater security than knowing that we are in the presence of Allah, who controls all things.
Isn't it enough for them that We have revealed the Book to you, which you recite to them? Surely in that is mercy and a reminder for people who believe. [29: 51]
Hadith of the Day:
Wherever there is gentleness, there is beauty. Wherever gentleness has disappeared there is shame. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Wasted is the scholar who is not asked about what he knows, as is the wealth which is not used in good, as is the knowledge which is not acted upon. [Othman radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Everything is a choice. This is life's greatest truth and its hardest lesson. It is a great truth because it reminds us of our power. Not power over others, but the often untapped power to be ourselves and to live the life we have imagined. It is a hard lesson, because it causes us to realize that we have chosen the life we are living right now. It is also liberating, because we can now begin to choose what we will find when we look at our life in the tomorrows that lie unlived before us.
Life is choices. You have chosen to live this day. You have chosen to believe certain ideas. You have chosen the people you call friends. You have chosen to live in a certain city. You choose the food you eat, the clothes you wear, and the thoughts you think. You choose to be calm or restless, you choose to feel appreciative or grateful. Love is a choice. Anger is a choice. Fear is a choice. Courage is a choice. You choose. Sometimes we choose the-best-version-of-ourselves, and sometimes we choose a-second-rate-version-of-ourselves. Everything is a choice, and our choices echo throughout our lives......and into history.......and on and on into eternity. [The Rhythm of Life by Mathew Kelly]
Food for Thought:
Worry never climbed a hill, worry never paid a bill. Worry is the darkroom in which the negatives can develop. There is no greater security than knowing that we are in the presence of Allah, who controls all things.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 832
Ayah of the Day:
For thus have We revealed the Book to you, so those to whom We have given the scripture believe in it too; and no one rejects Our signs except the ungrateful. [29: 47]
Hadith of the Day:
The one who is humble, who cares for all of God's creatures, and who serves them with gentleness and dignity is safe from Hellfire. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Supreme knowledge is fear of Allah, cheerful acceptance of the decree of Allah, and love for Allah. [shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the Day:
You can look back on the incidents in your past and see clearly the lessons you have learned, resisted, and are still repeating. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift, that is why we call it the present." It is more challenging to look at present situation and see exactly what your lessons are. Looking into the future is the most difficult. Wishing that you had already graduated from the school of life does not accelerate your progress or make the lessons any easier. Examining the situation for the real lesson is the scavenger hunt.
Remind yourself that you are here to learn lessons. Be present with your process. Pay attention to what you are experiencing. Be diligent with actions which enable you to "get" the lessons presented to you. Ask for answers and you shall receive them. Listen with an open heart. Explore all options. See your judgment as a mirror. View each crisis as an opportunity. Remember, there are no mistakes, only lessons. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is the knowledge of our own experience. Great victories come, not through ease, but by fighting valiantly and meeting hardships bravely. While troubles will come, they are always temporary-----nothing lasts forever. Remember, "This too will pass."
For thus have We revealed the Book to you, so those to whom We have given the scripture believe in it too; and no one rejects Our signs except the ungrateful. [29: 47]
Hadith of the Day:
The one who is humble, who cares for all of God's creatures, and who serves them with gentleness and dignity is safe from Hellfire. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Supreme knowledge is fear of Allah, cheerful acceptance of the decree of Allah, and love for Allah. [shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the Day:
You can look back on the incidents in your past and see clearly the lessons you have learned, resisted, and are still repeating. "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift, that is why we call it the present." It is more challenging to look at present situation and see exactly what your lessons are. Looking into the future is the most difficult. Wishing that you had already graduated from the school of life does not accelerate your progress or make the lessons any easier. Examining the situation for the real lesson is the scavenger hunt.
Remind yourself that you are here to learn lessons. Be present with your process. Pay attention to what you are experiencing. Be diligent with actions which enable you to "get" the lessons presented to you. Ask for answers and you shall receive them. Listen with an open heart. Explore all options. See your judgment as a mirror. View each crisis as an opportunity. Remember, there are no mistakes, only lessons. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is the knowledge of our own experience. Great victories come, not through ease, but by fighting valiantly and meeting hardships bravely. While troubles will come, they are always temporary-----nothing lasts forever. Remember, "This too will pass."
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 831
Ayah of the Day:
And do not contest the people of scripture, unless with what is better, except those of them who have been unjust: say, "We believe in what was revealed to us, and what was revealed to you; for our God and your God is one, to Whom we submit. [29: 46]
Hadith of the Day:
God certainly loves the one who is well-behaved, well-bred, well-mannered, honest, and gentle, who does not expect anything from any one and is not envious of others. He certainly does not love those who use foul language and are constantly asking and expecting favors from others. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Our honesty and upright conduct are not mere matters of policy or convenience: all our life in this world must be lived as in the presence of Allah the Most High. [Abdullah Yusuf Ali]
Guidance of the Day:
Your time on this earth is brief. Time passes and things change. You have options and choices in which to make your wishes, dreams, and goals become reality. When you ask yourself, "Why am I here?" or "Why is this happening to me?" or "What is the lesson?" If you hear a defensive reaction using the words "never" or "always" in your response, you haven't yet learned the lesson. Next, go a little deeper and ask, "What is there for me to learn from this experience?"
Each time you view your circumstances as possessing value, regardless of the apparent confusion or hardship, you grow. Your personal evolution will depend on how readily you embrace your lessons and integrate them into your life. Remember, the only consequence for resisting lessons, is that they will keep repeating themselves until you learn them. When you have learned a lesson, you will always be tested. When the lesson is learned, the test will be easily passed, and you then move on to more complex and challenging ones. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been a reward for what he gave. It is a grand mistake to think of being great without goodness, it is certain that there was never a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.
And do not contest the people of scripture, unless with what is better, except those of them who have been unjust: say, "We believe in what was revealed to us, and what was revealed to you; for our God and your God is one, to Whom we submit. [29: 46]
Hadith of the Day:
God certainly loves the one who is well-behaved, well-bred, well-mannered, honest, and gentle, who does not expect anything from any one and is not envious of others. He certainly does not love those who use foul language and are constantly asking and expecting favors from others. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Our honesty and upright conduct are not mere matters of policy or convenience: all our life in this world must be lived as in the presence of Allah the Most High. [Abdullah Yusuf Ali]
Guidance of the Day:
Your time on this earth is brief. Time passes and things change. You have options and choices in which to make your wishes, dreams, and goals become reality. When you ask yourself, "Why am I here?" or "Why is this happening to me?" or "What is the lesson?" If you hear a defensive reaction using the words "never" or "always" in your response, you haven't yet learned the lesson. Next, go a little deeper and ask, "What is there for me to learn from this experience?"
Each time you view your circumstances as possessing value, regardless of the apparent confusion or hardship, you grow. Your personal evolution will depend on how readily you embrace your lessons and integrate them into your life. Remember, the only consequence for resisting lessons, is that they will keep repeating themselves until you learn them. When you have learned a lesson, you will always be tested. When the lesson is learned, the test will be easily passed, and you then move on to more complex and challenging ones. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been a reward for what he gave. It is a grand mistake to think of being great without goodness, it is certain that there was never a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 830
Ayah of the Day:
Recite what has been revealed to you from the Book, and pray regularly; for prayer restrains from that which is abominable and disavowed. And remembrance of God is even greater. And God knows what you do. [29: 45]
Hadith of the Day:
A person who is not trustworthy does not have faith. The religion of the one does not keep his word is not true religion. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If you persevere in adversity and depend on God, then know that He will remove your afflictions and bestow vast blessings upon you. Therefore follow the road of patience and rejoice in His infinite bounty. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the Day:
What we call results are beginnings. The lesson of limitlessness will keep you traveling along your path. It is sense that there are no boundaries to what you can become or do. You learn it when you know that your evolution is never-ending and your potential for growth reaches to infinity. However, boundaries exist only in your mind. When you are able to transcend them, you learn the lesson of limitlessness. We could do anything we set our minds to, no matter how impossible it might seen or how strong the opposition. The reason there is no end to the levels you can reach is because you already have infinite potential within you. Your challenge in this lifetime is simply to uncover that potential by peeling back the layers and remembering this essential truth: there is nothing you cannot do, be or have. All is within your reach.
Each lesson you learn in your lifetime will open doorways to your own sense of limitlessness. There is no limit to your compassion or patience, nor to your willingness, commitment, tolerance, or any other pocket of understanding you reach into. You have infinite permission to love, to grow, and to re-remember all the wisdom within you. What is important is that you believe that you can do it and that you give yourself every opportunity to succeed. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
If you are faced with a challenge,
refuse to be panic-stricken.
Life has not ended for you.
Life flows on. Declare for yourself:
I accept the responsibility of this situation,
but not its permanence.
Recite what has been revealed to you from the Book, and pray regularly; for prayer restrains from that which is abominable and disavowed. And remembrance of God is even greater. And God knows what you do. [29: 45]
Hadith of the Day:
A person who is not trustworthy does not have faith. The religion of the one does not keep his word is not true religion. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If you persevere in adversity and depend on God, then know that He will remove your afflictions and bestow vast blessings upon you. Therefore follow the road of patience and rejoice in His infinite bounty. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the Day:
What we call results are beginnings. The lesson of limitlessness will keep you traveling along your path. It is sense that there are no boundaries to what you can become or do. You learn it when you know that your evolution is never-ending and your potential for growth reaches to infinity. However, boundaries exist only in your mind. When you are able to transcend them, you learn the lesson of limitlessness. We could do anything we set our minds to, no matter how impossible it might seen or how strong the opposition. The reason there is no end to the levels you can reach is because you already have infinite potential within you. Your challenge in this lifetime is simply to uncover that potential by peeling back the layers and remembering this essential truth: there is nothing you cannot do, be or have. All is within your reach.
Each lesson you learn in your lifetime will open doorways to your own sense of limitlessness. There is no limit to your compassion or patience, nor to your willingness, commitment, tolerance, or any other pocket of understanding you reach into. You have infinite permission to love, to grow, and to re-remember all the wisdom within you. What is important is that you believe that you can do it and that you give yourself every opportunity to succeed. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
If you are faced with a challenge,
refuse to be panic-stricken.
Life has not ended for you.
Life flows on. Declare for yourself:
I accept the responsibility of this situation,
but not its permanence.
Monday, May 07, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 829
Ayah of the Day:
The pattern of those who take to patrons other than God is like the spider who builds a nest: for the flimsiest of houses is surely the spider's nest. If only they knew! God knows whatever else they pray to, for God is almighty, the supreme wise. But while We give people these examples, no one understands them except those who know. [29: 41]
Hadith of the Day:
Anger comes from Satan and Satan is from fire. Fire can only be put out by water. So Whenever one of you is stricken by anger, make an ablution. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If in spite of intense supplication, there is a delay in the timing of the Gift, let that not be the cause for your despairing. For He has guaranteed you a response in what He chooses for you, not in what you choose for yourself, and at the time He desires, not the time you desire. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
Guidance of the Day:
We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us. The ultimate destination of your life path is wisdom. Wisdom is the highest and deepest degree of knowledge, insight, and understanding. It provides you with the broadest perspective on life, its purpose, and the lessons you learn throughout your lifetime. When you find your wisdom, you are living in the light.
Wisdom is not a state to be achieved, but rather a state to be recalled. You arrived on this planet fully equipped with the boundless wisdom inherent in all humans; you only need to access that place within you that connects you to the infinite divine source in order to remember it. Wisdom is not intelligence. It has nothing to do with the level of your IQ or how well you did in school. Rather, wisdom is the highest level of emotional, spiritual, and mental evolution, at which you value intuition as much as information, willingness as much as ability, and inspiration as much as knowledge. It is where you synergize your deepest understanding with your everyday actions. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are. In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.
The pattern of those who take to patrons other than God is like the spider who builds a nest: for the flimsiest of houses is surely the spider's nest. If only they knew! God knows whatever else they pray to, for God is almighty, the supreme wise. But while We give people these examples, no one understands them except those who know. [29: 41]
Hadith of the Day:
Anger comes from Satan and Satan is from fire. Fire can only be put out by water. So Whenever one of you is stricken by anger, make an ablution. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If in spite of intense supplication, there is a delay in the timing of the Gift, let that not be the cause for your despairing. For He has guaranteed you a response in what He chooses for you, not in what you choose for yourself, and at the time He desires, not the time you desire. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
Guidance of the Day:
We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us. The ultimate destination of your life path is wisdom. Wisdom is the highest and deepest degree of knowledge, insight, and understanding. It provides you with the broadest perspective on life, its purpose, and the lessons you learn throughout your lifetime. When you find your wisdom, you are living in the light.
Wisdom is not a state to be achieved, but rather a state to be recalled. You arrived on this planet fully equipped with the boundless wisdom inherent in all humans; you only need to access that place within you that connects you to the infinite divine source in order to remember it. Wisdom is not intelligence. It has nothing to do with the level of your IQ or how well you did in school. Rather, wisdom is the highest level of emotional, spiritual, and mental evolution, at which you value intuition as much as information, willingness as much as ability, and inspiration as much as knowledge. It is where you synergize your deepest understanding with your everyday actions. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are. In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 828
Ayah of the Day:
The pattern of those who take to patrons other than God is like the spider who builds a nest: for the flimsiest of houses is surely the spider's nest. If only they knew! God knows whatever else they pray to, for God is almighty, the supreme wise. But while We give people these examples, no one understands them except those who know. [29: 41]
Hadith of the Day:
Anger comes from Satan and Satan is from fire. Fire can only be put out by water. So Whenever one of you is stricken by anger, make an ablution. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If in spite of intense supplication, there is a delay in the timing of the Gift, let that not be the cause for your despairing. For He has guaranteed you a response in what He chooses for you, not in what you choose for yourself, and at the time He desires, not the time you desire. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
Guidance of the Day:
We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us. The ultimate destination of your life path is wisdom. Wisdom is the highest and deepest degree of knowledge, insight, and understanding. It provides you with the broadest perspective on life, its purpose, and the lessons you learn throughout your lifetime. When you find your wisdom, you are living in the light.
Wisdom is not a state to be achieved, but rather a state to be recalled. You arrived on this planet fully equipped with the boundless wisdom inherent in all humans; you only need to access that place within you that connects you to the infinite divine source in order to remember it. Wisdom is not intelligence. It has nothing to do with the level of your IQ or how well you did in school. Rather, wisdom is the highest level of emotional, spiritual, and mental evolution, at which you value intuition as much as information, willingness as much as ability, and inspiration as much as knowledge. It is where you synergize your deepest understanding with your everyday actions. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are. In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.
The pattern of those who take to patrons other than God is like the spider who builds a nest: for the flimsiest of houses is surely the spider's nest. If only they knew! God knows whatever else they pray to, for God is almighty, the supreme wise. But while We give people these examples, no one understands them except those who know. [29: 41]
Hadith of the Day:
Anger comes from Satan and Satan is from fire. Fire can only be put out by water. So Whenever one of you is stricken by anger, make an ablution. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If in spite of intense supplication, there is a delay in the timing of the Gift, let that not be the cause for your despairing. For He has guaranteed you a response in what He chooses for you, not in what you choose for yourself, and at the time He desires, not the time you desire. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
Guidance of the Day:
We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us. The ultimate destination of your life path is wisdom. Wisdom is the highest and deepest degree of knowledge, insight, and understanding. It provides you with the broadest perspective on life, its purpose, and the lessons you learn throughout your lifetime. When you find your wisdom, you are living in the light.
Wisdom is not a state to be achieved, but rather a state to be recalled. You arrived on this planet fully equipped with the boundless wisdom inherent in all humans; you only need to access that place within you that connects you to the infinite divine source in order to remember it. Wisdom is not intelligence. It has nothing to do with the level of your IQ or how well you did in school. Rather, wisdom is the highest level of emotional, spiritual, and mental evolution, at which you value intuition as much as information, willingness as much as ability, and inspiration as much as knowledge. It is where you synergize your deepest understanding with your everyday actions. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are. In the case of good books, the point is not how many of them you can get through, but rather how many can get through to you.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 827
Ayah of the Day:
We punished each one for his sins. Among them were those against whom We sent a storm, and among them were those whom the blast overcame, and among them were those whom We made the earth swallow, and among them were those whom We drowned. Yet God was not trying to oppress them; rather, they had wronged their own selves. [29: 40]
Hadith of the Day:
There is nothing a servant may swallow that is considered as praiseworthy as the swallowing of anger. [Ibn Maja]
Wise Quote of the Day:
A people who have left the struggle in Allah's way have shackled themselves in the dark caverns of disgrace and utter loss. [Abu Bakr radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Life is either daring adventure or nothing at all. Your life has the potential to be a wondrous journey, filled with exciting moments and astonishing experiences. Adventure is the result of your willingness to live life with a spirit of enthusiasm. It takes you beyond your comfort level. They expand your horizons and take you into new and exciting worlds. When you experience the aliveness of experimenting with new options and taking risks, you learn the value of adventure in your life.
Since what you make of your life is up to you, you can either create a life filled with miraculous adventures or stay huddled and safe, never experiencing the joyful rush of journeying outside your world with boldness. A life devoid of adventure may be secure, but it is one that lacks texture and color. If you never ventured forth, you can never expand and grow. Think about the adventures you have had in your lifetime. Those moments in which you took a leap of faith and expanded beyond your comfort zone are precious gifts, as they can remind you of the joy that is available to you when you embrace life with exuberance. These moments can be turning points in your personal history and inspire you to create new realities for yourself whenever you choose.
Imagine yourself at ninety years old, looking back on your life. What do you want to see? You only regret that which you don't do. Do you want to look back at a life filled with regrets or a life filled with magical moments inspired by adventure? [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
You gain strength, experience and confidence by every experience where you really stop to look fear in the face--------you must do the thing you cannot do. It takes courage. When you believe you can-------you can!
We punished each one for his sins. Among them were those against whom We sent a storm, and among them were those whom the blast overcame, and among them were those whom We made the earth swallow, and among them were those whom We drowned. Yet God was not trying to oppress them; rather, they had wronged their own selves. [29: 40]
Hadith of the Day:
There is nothing a servant may swallow that is considered as praiseworthy as the swallowing of anger. [Ibn Maja]
Wise Quote of the Day:
A people who have left the struggle in Allah's way have shackled themselves in the dark caverns of disgrace and utter loss. [Abu Bakr radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Life is either daring adventure or nothing at all. Your life has the potential to be a wondrous journey, filled with exciting moments and astonishing experiences. Adventure is the result of your willingness to live life with a spirit of enthusiasm. It takes you beyond your comfort level. They expand your horizons and take you into new and exciting worlds. When you experience the aliveness of experimenting with new options and taking risks, you learn the value of adventure in your life.
Since what you make of your life is up to you, you can either create a life filled with miraculous adventures or stay huddled and safe, never experiencing the joyful rush of journeying outside your world with boldness. A life devoid of adventure may be secure, but it is one that lacks texture and color. If you never ventured forth, you can never expand and grow. Think about the adventures you have had in your lifetime. Those moments in which you took a leap of faith and expanded beyond your comfort zone are precious gifts, as they can remind you of the joy that is available to you when you embrace life with exuberance. These moments can be turning points in your personal history and inspire you to create new realities for yourself whenever you choose.
Imagine yourself at ninety years old, looking back on your life. What do you want to see? You only regret that which you don't do. Do you want to look back at a life filled with regrets or a life filled with magical moments inspired by adventure? [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
You gain strength, experience and confidence by every experience where you really stop to look fear in the face--------you must do the thing you cannot do. It takes courage. When you believe you can-------you can!
Friday, May 04, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 826
Ayahs of the Day:
And God punishes whomever God will, and God grants mercy to whomever God will; and to God you will be received. And you won't cause frustration on earth or heavens; and you have no protector and no savior besides God. [29: 21,22]
Hadith of the Day:
Allah Most High abandons the punishment due to anyone who can abandon his own anger. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Laughter always follows tears. Blessed are those who understand. Life blossoms wherever water flows. Where tears are shed divine mercy is shown. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
There isn't a person anywhere who isn't capable of doing more than he thinks he can do.
Within each of us lies a power center, and we learn to call upon this power as we set out to design our lives according to our will. Power is a natural state of being----it is a force to which we are all entitled and to which we all have unlimited access. Your power is what propels you forward day after day, what sustains you in dark moments, what gives you the ability to do whatever you feel driven to do. It glows within you like a light, beamed outward into the world as needed.
There may be times, however, when you have difficulty seeing that light within you. You may experience "power leaks" that rob you of your ability to manifest reality. In those times you need to identify what is robbing you of your power and patch the leaks. Power leaks come in many forms: intimidation, discouragement and disappointment, setbacks, rejection, or loss, just to name a few. The best way to patch these leaks is to look back at your earlier successes as a way to remind yourself of what you are capable of. You may need to patch leaks in your power many times throughout your life, but once you groove an easy path back to the power source within you and live from within it, you will never again question the idea that what you make of your life is entirely up to you. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Nothing builds self esteem and self confidence like accomplishment. It's not what we have, but what we do is our kingdom. Nothing stops the man who desires to achieve. Every obstacle is simply a course to develop his achievement muscle. It's a strengthening of his power of accomplishment.
And God punishes whomever God will, and God grants mercy to whomever God will; and to God you will be received. And you won't cause frustration on earth or heavens; and you have no protector and no savior besides God. [29: 21,22]
Hadith of the Day:
Allah Most High abandons the punishment due to anyone who can abandon his own anger. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Laughter always follows tears. Blessed are those who understand. Life blossoms wherever water flows. Where tears are shed divine mercy is shown. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
There isn't a person anywhere who isn't capable of doing more than he thinks he can do.
Within each of us lies a power center, and we learn to call upon this power as we set out to design our lives according to our will. Power is a natural state of being----it is a force to which we are all entitled and to which we all have unlimited access. Your power is what propels you forward day after day, what sustains you in dark moments, what gives you the ability to do whatever you feel driven to do. It glows within you like a light, beamed outward into the world as needed.
There may be times, however, when you have difficulty seeing that light within you. You may experience "power leaks" that rob you of your ability to manifest reality. In those times you need to identify what is robbing you of your power and patch the leaks. Power leaks come in many forms: intimidation, discouragement and disappointment, setbacks, rejection, or loss, just to name a few. The best way to patch these leaks is to look back at your earlier successes as a way to remind yourself of what you are capable of. You may need to patch leaks in your power many times throughout your life, but once you groove an easy path back to the power source within you and live from within it, you will never again question the idea that what you make of your life is entirely up to you. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Nothing builds self esteem and self confidence like accomplishment. It's not what we have, but what we do is our kingdom. Nothing stops the man who desires to achieve. Every obstacle is simply a course to develop his achievement muscle. It's a strengthening of his power of accomplishment.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 825
Ayahs of the Day:
Don't they see how God initiates the creation, then renews it? Indeed, that is easy for God. Say, "Travel the earth and see how God originated the creation; and God will produce the final genesis. For God has power over all things. [29: 19,20]
Hadith of the Day:
Anger subverts religious feeling as bitter substances spoil honey. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Satan is terrified of the shadow of the one who conquers the passions of the world. [Malik bin Dinar]
Guidance of the Day:
Courage is the price life exacts for granting peace. Courage is finding the inner strength and bravery required when confronting danger, difficulty, or opposition. Courage is the energy current behind all great actions and the spark that ignites the initial baby steps of growth. It resides deep within each of us, ready to be accessed in those moments when you need to forge ahead or break through insurmountable barriers. It is the intangible force that propels you forward on your journey.
It takes courage to embrace the idea that what you make of your life is up to you and to actually do what you need to do. You can learn how to access your courage by digging down deep inside and tapping into whatever spiritual connection sustains you. Courage is learned in the moment that you take a leap of faith and take action. Fears, real or imagined, only impede you. Banish them so that you may learn the lesson of courage and create the life you desire. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Death is a friendly but invisible companion, reminding us to live our lives and not just exist. Whatever prepares us for death enhances our lives. Awareness of our mortality will facilitate important shifts in our priorities and values. Living the present moment fully will be the best preparation for what the future holds.
Don't they see how God initiates the creation, then renews it? Indeed, that is easy for God. Say, "Travel the earth and see how God originated the creation; and God will produce the final genesis. For God has power over all things. [29: 19,20]
Hadith of the Day:
Anger subverts religious feeling as bitter substances spoil honey. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Satan is terrified of the shadow of the one who conquers the passions of the world. [Malik bin Dinar]
Guidance of the Day:
Courage is the price life exacts for granting peace. Courage is finding the inner strength and bravery required when confronting danger, difficulty, or opposition. Courage is the energy current behind all great actions and the spark that ignites the initial baby steps of growth. It resides deep within each of us, ready to be accessed in those moments when you need to forge ahead or break through insurmountable barriers. It is the intangible force that propels you forward on your journey.
It takes courage to embrace the idea that what you make of your life is up to you and to actually do what you need to do. You can learn how to access your courage by digging down deep inside and tapping into whatever spiritual connection sustains you. Courage is learned in the moment that you take a leap of faith and take action. Fears, real or imagined, only impede you. Banish them so that you may learn the lesson of courage and create the life you desire. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Death is a friendly but invisible companion, reminding us to live our lives and not just exist. Whatever prepares us for death enhances our lives. Awareness of our mortality will facilitate important shifts in our priorities and values. Living the present moment fully will be the best preparation for what the future holds.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 824
Ayah of the Day:
There are some people who say, "We believe in God," yet when they are harassed on God's account, they construe the strife of men as the castigation of God. And if help came from your Lord, they would say, "We were actually with you?" But is God not best acquainted with what is in the hearts of beings? [29: 10]
Hadith of the Day:
The best of my people are those whose strength of religion is like steel. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
God gave us the Prophet because He loved what we might become. [Abdul Hakeem Murad]
Guidance of the Day:
Learn to let go. That is the key to happiness. Release is simply the act of letting go. In every situation, you can either take responsibility and attempt to cause things to happen, or you can let go. Neither option is better or worse. Every situation is different, and only you will know what is the right thing to do in each case. There are times when you will need to take responsibility for the progression of a relationship, and times you will need to just let go and walk away. You learn the lesson of release when you begin to choose it as a conscious act rather than as a passive means to hide from responsibility.
Another emotion that often lurks in people's minds is anger. This anger can fester in their unconscious minds, blocking the flow of their natural power to create their lives. They focus so intently on their negative feelings that they are blind to the power of forgiveness and release. Sometimes negative memories can clutter your mind and take up the space needed in order to imagine and create a life based on what you want. It is unfortunate that "bad" things happen, but clinging to the psychic debris left behind can do even more damage than the actual event. People are able to overcome and release even the most heinous of experiences if they are willing. The human heart is remarkably resilient, and you will need to trust yours in order to release the memories that stagnate you. You can learn to release it through awareness and willingness. Once you become aware of what stands in your way and become willing to release it, you are ready to manifest the life you were meant to be. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Religion primarily came to bring prosperity and happiness to people. Your value is determined by your faith and character. Trust in Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
There are some people who say, "We believe in God," yet when they are harassed on God's account, they construe the strife of men as the castigation of God. And if help came from your Lord, they would say, "We were actually with you?" But is God not best acquainted with what is in the hearts of beings? [29: 10]
Hadith of the Day:
The best of my people are those whose strength of religion is like steel. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
God gave us the Prophet because He loved what we might become. [Abdul Hakeem Murad]
Guidance of the Day:
Learn to let go. That is the key to happiness. Release is simply the act of letting go. In every situation, you can either take responsibility and attempt to cause things to happen, or you can let go. Neither option is better or worse. Every situation is different, and only you will know what is the right thing to do in each case. There are times when you will need to take responsibility for the progression of a relationship, and times you will need to just let go and walk away. You learn the lesson of release when you begin to choose it as a conscious act rather than as a passive means to hide from responsibility.
Another emotion that often lurks in people's minds is anger. This anger can fester in their unconscious minds, blocking the flow of their natural power to create their lives. They focus so intently on their negative feelings that they are blind to the power of forgiveness and release. Sometimes negative memories can clutter your mind and take up the space needed in order to imagine and create a life based on what you want. It is unfortunate that "bad" things happen, but clinging to the psychic debris left behind can do even more damage than the actual event. People are able to overcome and release even the most heinous of experiences if they are willing. The human heart is remarkably resilient, and you will need to trust yours in order to release the memories that stagnate you. You can learn to release it through awareness and willingness. Once you become aware of what stands in your way and become willing to release it, you are ready to manifest the life you were meant to be. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Religion primarily came to bring prosperity and happiness to people. Your value is determined by your faith and character. Trust in Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 823
Ayahs of the Day:
We have prescribed for man goodness to his parents; but if they strive to get you to associate with Me what you have no knowledge of, then don't obey them. Your destination is to Me; I will tell you about what you were doing. And those who believe and do good works We will include among the righteous. [29: 8,9]
Hadith of the Day:
It is not lawful for a believer to be angry at another believer for more than three days. When they meet, they should salute each other. If both do, they will share Allah's pleasure. If one does not respond, he will be sinning. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Sometimes in order to help He makes us cry. Happy the eye that shed tears for His sake. Fortunate the heart that burns for His sake. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
We have to accept the responsibility of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime. To take responsibility means you admit your accountability and acknowledge your influence and role in the circumstances in which you find yourself. It means you are answerable for your behavior and you fully accept any consequences created by your actions.
Responsibility is not blame, however, and understanding the difference between the two is crucial to learning this lesson. Blame is associated with fault, whereas responsibility denotes authorship. Blame carries guilt and negative feelings; responsibility brings the relief of not having to dodge the full truth anymore and releases the guilt. Blame implies fault; responsibility implies ownership. Blame is stagnant; responsibility propels you forward and onward to your greater good. Responsibility comes with certain rewards, but it is a lesson that is often hard-earned.
Responsibility is a major lesson of adulthood. If you still haven't learned the lesson of responsibility, it's not too late. Remember, life will provide you with plenty of opportunities to get it right. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Wrong is but falsehood put in practice. Two wrongs do not make a right. It is better to suffer wrong than to do it. The remedy for wrongs is to forget them.
We have prescribed for man goodness to his parents; but if they strive to get you to associate with Me what you have no knowledge of, then don't obey them. Your destination is to Me; I will tell you about what you were doing. And those who believe and do good works We will include among the righteous. [29: 8,9]
Hadith of the Day:
It is not lawful for a believer to be angry at another believer for more than three days. When they meet, they should salute each other. If both do, they will share Allah's pleasure. If one does not respond, he will be sinning. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Sometimes in order to help He makes us cry. Happy the eye that shed tears for His sake. Fortunate the heart that burns for His sake. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
We have to accept the responsibility of every deed, word, and thought throughout our lifetime. To take responsibility means you admit your accountability and acknowledge your influence and role in the circumstances in which you find yourself. It means you are answerable for your behavior and you fully accept any consequences created by your actions.
Responsibility is not blame, however, and understanding the difference between the two is crucial to learning this lesson. Blame is associated with fault, whereas responsibility denotes authorship. Blame carries guilt and negative feelings; responsibility brings the relief of not having to dodge the full truth anymore and releases the guilt. Blame implies fault; responsibility implies ownership. Blame is stagnant; responsibility propels you forward and onward to your greater good. Responsibility comes with certain rewards, but it is a lesson that is often hard-earned.
Responsibility is a major lesson of adulthood. If you still haven't learned the lesson of responsibility, it's not too late. Remember, life will provide you with plenty of opportunities to get it right. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Wrong is but falsehood put in practice. Two wrongs do not make a right. It is better to suffer wrong than to do it. The remedy for wrongs is to forget them.
Monday, April 30, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 822
Ayahs of the Day:
And those who struggle strive only for their own souls; for God is independent of all worlds. And those who believe and do good works, We will pardon their evils, and We will reward them for the best of what they were doing. [29: 6,7]
Hadith of the Day:
Do not rejoice at the misery of your brother. For if you do, Allah will give him well-being, and try you with calamities. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
It is not in the make-up of a noble person to delay in rewarding nor is it that of a generous one to exact revenge. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The world is a match for you, and you are a match for the world. When you fully recognize your challenges, your gifts, and your individual reality, and you accept the life path they represent, the world provides whatever you need to succeed. You, in turn, will discover how you can make your greatest contribution to the world. When you claim authorship of your life story, the world responds, and genius ignites. The challenge is to create and own your own reality. The first moment you are able to do this is an awakening of sorts, since it means the demise of your unconscious life.
When you begin to live your life understanding that what you make of it is up to you, you are able to design it according to your authentic choices and desires. You will learn lessons with this Rule, such as responsibility, release, courage, power, and adventure, that will lead you to the life you were meant to live. These lessons provide you with the essential tools you need in order to take command of your life. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
For anything worth having one must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice. Where quality is the thing sought after, the thing of supreme quality is cheap, whatever the price one has to pay for it.
And those who struggle strive only for their own souls; for God is independent of all worlds. And those who believe and do good works, We will pardon their evils, and We will reward them for the best of what they were doing. [29: 6,7]
Hadith of the Day:
Do not rejoice at the misery of your brother. For if you do, Allah will give him well-being, and try you with calamities. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
It is not in the make-up of a noble person to delay in rewarding nor is it that of a generous one to exact revenge. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The world is a match for you, and you are a match for the world. When you fully recognize your challenges, your gifts, and your individual reality, and you accept the life path they represent, the world provides whatever you need to succeed. You, in turn, will discover how you can make your greatest contribution to the world. When you claim authorship of your life story, the world responds, and genius ignites. The challenge is to create and own your own reality. The first moment you are able to do this is an awakening of sorts, since it means the demise of your unconscious life.
When you begin to live your life understanding that what you make of it is up to you, you are able to design it according to your authentic choices and desires. You will learn lessons with this Rule, such as responsibility, release, courage, power, and adventure, that will lead you to the life you were meant to live. These lessons provide you with the essential tools you need in order to take command of your life. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
For anything worth having one must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice. Where quality is the thing sought after, the thing of supreme quality is cheap, whatever the price one has to pay for it.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 821
Ayahs of the Day:
Do evildoers think they can outrun Me? There judgment is bad! For whoever looks forward to meeting with God, the appointed time of God is sure to arrive; and God is all-hearing, all-knowing. [29: 4,5]
Hadith of the Day:
Allah gives His promise and honor to the one who forgives and the one who behaves humbly for the sake of Allah, and generosity never decreases anyone's riches. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The fearful one is not one who weeps and wipes his eyes; on the contrary he is the one who abandons whatever he fear will bring him punishment. [al-Qushayri]
Guidance of the Day:
Every person creates his or her own reality. Authorship of your life is one of your absolute rights; yet so often people deny that they have the ability to script the life they desire. They often use the excuse that they cannot do what they want to do or get what they desire in life because they lack the resources to do it. They look past the fundamental truth that it is not our external resources that determine our success or failure, but rather our own belief in ourselves and our willingness to create a life according to our highest aspirations.
You can either engage in the blame game, making frequent use of the statement, "I couldn't because......" or you can take control of your life and shape it as you would like. You can either let your circumstances, be they your physical appearance, your financial condition, or your family origins, dictate what happens to you, or you can transcend your perceived limitations and make extraordinary things happen. The "yeah, buts....." do not produce results----they just reinforce the delusion of inability. Argue for your limitations and eventually the universe will agree with you and respond accordingly. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Worry gives a small thing a big shadow. It is not work that kills men; it is worry. The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work. There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever.
Do evildoers think they can outrun Me? There judgment is bad! For whoever looks forward to meeting with God, the appointed time of God is sure to arrive; and God is all-hearing, all-knowing. [29: 4,5]
Hadith of the Day:
Allah gives His promise and honor to the one who forgives and the one who behaves humbly for the sake of Allah, and generosity never decreases anyone's riches. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The fearful one is not one who weeps and wipes his eyes; on the contrary he is the one who abandons whatever he fear will bring him punishment. [al-Qushayri]
Guidance of the Day:
Every person creates his or her own reality. Authorship of your life is one of your absolute rights; yet so often people deny that they have the ability to script the life they desire. They often use the excuse that they cannot do what they want to do or get what they desire in life because they lack the resources to do it. They look past the fundamental truth that it is not our external resources that determine our success or failure, but rather our own belief in ourselves and our willingness to create a life according to our highest aspirations.
You can either engage in the blame game, making frequent use of the statement, "I couldn't because......" or you can take control of your life and shape it as you would like. You can either let your circumstances, be they your physical appearance, your financial condition, or your family origins, dictate what happens to you, or you can transcend your perceived limitations and make extraordinary things happen. The "yeah, buts....." do not produce results----they just reinforce the delusion of inability. Argue for your limitations and eventually the universe will agree with you and respond accordingly. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Worry gives a small thing a big shadow. It is not work that kills men; it is worry. The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work. There is nothing that wastes the body like worry, and one who has any faith in God should be ashamed to worry about anything whatsoever.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 820
Ayahs of the Day:
Do people think they will be left alone as long as they say, "We believe," without their being tried? We did indeed try those before them, and God does know who were truthful, and does indeed know who were false. [29: 2,3]
Hadith of the Day:
When you do receive in abundance from your Lord that which you needed, keep it a secret. For anyone who is thus blessed will suffer the envy of others. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
When temptation claims your reason, know that misfortune is about to strike. Fall down prostrate and begin to pray. With flowing tears implore the Lord that He may deliver you from the throes of doubt. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
The richest person is he who is contented with what he has. One of the most common human fears is scarcity. Many people are afraid of not having enough of whatever it is they need or want, and so they are always striving to get to some point in the future when they finally have enough. They fool themselves into believing that one day they will have everything "all set"-----they will have all the money they need, all the possessions they desire, all the love they crave, all the success they strive for. But is anything ever really enough? Did anyone ever really arrive "there"?
Abundance means that all things are possible and that there is more than enough of everything for everyone, right here and now. As you shift your focus from some point in the future to the present, you are able to fully see the riches and gifts you already have, and thus learn the lesson of abundance. True abundance comes not from amassing, but rather from appreciating. Scarcity consciousness arises as a result of "hole-in-the-soul syndrome." This is when we attempt to fill the gaps in our inner lives with things from the outside world. But like puzzle pieces, you can't fit something in where it does not naturally belong. No amount of external objects, affection, love, or attention can ever fill in an inner void. The void can only be filled by looking within. You already have and are enough; revel in your own interior abundance and you will never need to look elsewhere. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
The wisest man is generally he who thinks himself the least so. It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err. The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook. Nine-tenths of the time wisdom consists in being wise in time.
Do people think they will be left alone as long as they say, "We believe," without their being tried? We did indeed try those before them, and God does know who were truthful, and does indeed know who were false. [29: 2,3]
Hadith of the Day:
When you do receive in abundance from your Lord that which you needed, keep it a secret. For anyone who is thus blessed will suffer the envy of others. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
When temptation claims your reason, know that misfortune is about to strike. Fall down prostrate and begin to pray. With flowing tears implore the Lord that He may deliver you from the throes of doubt. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
The richest person is he who is contented with what he has. One of the most common human fears is scarcity. Many people are afraid of not having enough of whatever it is they need or want, and so they are always striving to get to some point in the future when they finally have enough. They fool themselves into believing that one day they will have everything "all set"-----they will have all the money they need, all the possessions they desire, all the love they crave, all the success they strive for. But is anything ever really enough? Did anyone ever really arrive "there"?
Abundance means that all things are possible and that there is more than enough of everything for everyone, right here and now. As you shift your focus from some point in the future to the present, you are able to fully see the riches and gifts you already have, and thus learn the lesson of abundance. True abundance comes not from amassing, but rather from appreciating. Scarcity consciousness arises as a result of "hole-in-the-soul syndrome." This is when we attempt to fill the gaps in our inner lives with things from the outside world. But like puzzle pieces, you can't fit something in where it does not naturally belong. No amount of external objects, affection, love, or attention can ever fill in an inner void. The void can only be filled by looking within. You already have and are enough; revel in your own interior abundance and you will never need to look elsewhere. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
The wisest man is generally he who thinks himself the least so. It is unwise to be too sure of one's own wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err. The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook. Nine-tenths of the time wisdom consists in being wise in time.
Friday, April 27, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 819
Ayah of the Day:
And call not, besides Allah, to another god. There is no god but He. Everything (that lives) shall die except His face! To Him belongs the Command, and to Him you will be returned. [29:88]
Hadith of the Day:
People are considered to be doing good for each other as long as they are not envious of each other. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Whoever excuses others will be excused by Allah and whoever forgives others will be forgiven by Allah. [Abdullah ibn Mas'ud]
Guidance of the Day:
Perhaps the hardest lesson to learn is not to be attached to the results of your actions. Unattachment is the release of need or expectation associated with a specific outcome. For most people, this is one of the most difficult lessons to learn. We become attached to the way we envision something working out, and struggle to make circumstances bend to our desires. Life, however, often has its own agenda, and we are destined to suffer unless we give up our attachment to things working out exactly as we would like. The key to serenity, however, lies in your ability to hold lightly to the image of yourself reaching that goal. In doing so you will feel peaceful in your situation regardless of the outcome.
Unattachment means you are not bound by your expectations of how things should turn out, and that you are willing to let go. In order to dissolve attachments, imagine the ideal outcome of your situation, and then imagine the worst-case scenario. Doing this brings any hidden fears to light and makes it acceptable for the outcome to go either way. The sense of security comes from within, not from attachment to any person, thing, or idea. It is important to recognize that your desire or intention may show up in a form different from that which you might have expected. Keep your eyes open for gifts from the Almighty, as they sometimes come in unexpected packages. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
People do not lack strength; they lack will. Great souls have wills; feeble ones have only wishes. Will is character in action. Where there's a will, there's a way. He who is firm in will molds the world to himself. Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
And call not, besides Allah, to another god. There is no god but He. Everything (that lives) shall die except His face! To Him belongs the Command, and to Him you will be returned. [29:88]
Hadith of the Day:
People are considered to be doing good for each other as long as they are not envious of each other. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Whoever excuses others will be excused by Allah and whoever forgives others will be forgiven by Allah. [Abdullah ibn Mas'ud]
Guidance of the Day:
Perhaps the hardest lesson to learn is not to be attached to the results of your actions. Unattachment is the release of need or expectation associated with a specific outcome. For most people, this is one of the most difficult lessons to learn. We become attached to the way we envision something working out, and struggle to make circumstances bend to our desires. Life, however, often has its own agenda, and we are destined to suffer unless we give up our attachment to things working out exactly as we would like. The key to serenity, however, lies in your ability to hold lightly to the image of yourself reaching that goal. In doing so you will feel peaceful in your situation regardless of the outcome.
Unattachment means you are not bound by your expectations of how things should turn out, and that you are willing to let go. In order to dissolve attachments, imagine the ideal outcome of your situation, and then imagine the worst-case scenario. Doing this brings any hidden fears to light and makes it acceptable for the outcome to go either way. The sense of security comes from within, not from attachment to any person, thing, or idea. It is important to recognize that your desire or intention may show up in a form different from that which you might have expected. Keep your eyes open for gifts from the Almighty, as they sometimes come in unexpected packages. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
People do not lack strength; they lack will. Great souls have wills; feeble ones have only wishes. Will is character in action. Where there's a will, there's a way. He who is firm in will molds the world to himself. Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 818
Ayah of the Day:
And don't let anything obstruct you from the signs of God after they have been revealed to you; and pray to your Lord, and don't be an idolater. [28: 87]
Hadith of the Day:
Unless your faith is perfect, you will not be able to enter Paradise. And as long as you do not love each other for Allah's sake, your faith is not perfect. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
One who has affection for Almighty God must sacrifice himself for the sake of his Beloved. Such is the symbol of affection. Love and affection for God, is to expel and erase from the heart everything unwanted and unloved by God. [Shaykh Muzaffer Ozak]
Guidance of the Day:
To be grateful means you are thankful for and appreciate of what you have and where you are right now. Gratitude fills your heart with the joyful feeling of being blessed with many gifts and allows you to fully appreciate everything that arises on your path. As you strive to keep your focus on the present moment, you can experience full wonder of "here". Gratitude is a lesson that needs to be reinforced often. It is too easy to overlook the gifts you have when you focus on those that you hope to obtain, and you diminish the value of where you currently are on your path if you do not pause often to appreciate it.
There are many ways to cultivate gratitude: Imagine what your life would be like if you lost all that you had, this will most surely remind you of how much you do appreciate it. Make a list of all that you are grateful for, so that you can stay conscious daily of your blessings. Or spend a few minutes before you go to sleep giving thanks for all that you have. Spend time offering assistance to those who are less fortunate than you, so that you may gain perspective. Look for the gift in each challenging incident.
However you choose to learn gratitude is irrelevant. What really matters is that you create a space in your consciousness for appreciation for all that you have right now, so that you may live joyously in your present moment. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
The gratification of wealth is not found in mere possession or in lavish expenditure, but in its wise application. Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community. He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.
And don't let anything obstruct you from the signs of God after they have been revealed to you; and pray to your Lord, and don't be an idolater. [28: 87]
Hadith of the Day:
Unless your faith is perfect, you will not be able to enter Paradise. And as long as you do not love each other for Allah's sake, your faith is not perfect. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
One who has affection for Almighty God must sacrifice himself for the sake of his Beloved. Such is the symbol of affection. Love and affection for God, is to expel and erase from the heart everything unwanted and unloved by God. [Shaykh Muzaffer Ozak]
Guidance of the Day:
To be grateful means you are thankful for and appreciate of what you have and where you are right now. Gratitude fills your heart with the joyful feeling of being blessed with many gifts and allows you to fully appreciate everything that arises on your path. As you strive to keep your focus on the present moment, you can experience full wonder of "here". Gratitude is a lesson that needs to be reinforced often. It is too easy to overlook the gifts you have when you focus on those that you hope to obtain, and you diminish the value of where you currently are on your path if you do not pause often to appreciate it.
There are many ways to cultivate gratitude: Imagine what your life would be like if you lost all that you had, this will most surely remind you of how much you do appreciate it. Make a list of all that you are grateful for, so that you can stay conscious daily of your blessings. Or spend a few minutes before you go to sleep giving thanks for all that you have. Spend time offering assistance to those who are less fortunate than you, so that you may gain perspective. Look for the gift in each challenging incident.
However you choose to learn gratitude is irrelevant. What really matters is that you create a space in your consciousness for appreciation for all that you have right now, so that you may live joyously in your present moment. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
The gratification of wealth is not found in mere possession or in lavish expenditure, but in its wise application. Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community. He is richest who is content with the least, for content is the wealth of nature.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 817
Ayah of the Day:
Whoever brings about good gets what is even better. As for those who bring about ill, evildoers are not requited but for what they did. [28: 84]
Hadith of the Day:
Beware of envy, because it burns to ashes all of one's good deeds. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Do not be ruled by lust; seek freedom by following the righteous. Mere claims of piety will not earn you inner freedom. Remain patient in adversity to attain peace. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the Day:
Life is a year round school from which you never actually graduate, so it is the learning process itself that brings true value to existence. Embrace your role as a perpetual student of life. This means giving in to the idea that you actually don't know everything that you need to, and you never will. It also means that you need to convince your ego that being a student does not make you inferior. In fact, being a student opens up worlds of possibilities that are invisible to those who are unwilling to accept this role.
In order to rise to the challenge of embracing your role as perpetual student, you need to learn the lessons of surrender, commitment, humility, and flexibility. Without these important lessons, you will never be able to open your mind, heart, and spirit wide enough to allow yourself to take in all that life has to teach you. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality, nothing will do, and with them everything will. Short as life is, we make it still shorter by the careless waste of time. A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life.
Whoever brings about good gets what is even better. As for those who bring about ill, evildoers are not requited but for what they did. [28: 84]
Hadith of the Day:
Beware of envy, because it burns to ashes all of one's good deeds. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Do not be ruled by lust; seek freedom by following the righteous. Mere claims of piety will not earn you inner freedom. Remain patient in adversity to attain peace. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the Day:
Life is a year round school from which you never actually graduate, so it is the learning process itself that brings true value to existence. Embrace your role as a perpetual student of life. This means giving in to the idea that you actually don't know everything that you need to, and you never will. It also means that you need to convince your ego that being a student does not make you inferior. In fact, being a student opens up worlds of possibilities that are invisible to those who are unwilling to accept this role.
In order to rise to the challenge of embracing your role as perpetual student, you need to learn the lessons of surrender, commitment, humility, and flexibility. Without these important lessons, you will never be able to open your mind, heart, and spirit wide enough to allow yourself to take in all that life has to teach you. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality, nothing will do, and with them everything will. Short as life is, we make it still shorter by the careless waste of time. A man who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 816
Ayah of the Day:
That home of the hereafter We will give to those who do not desire exaltation on earth, or immorality. And the result is for the conscientious. [28: 83]
Hadith of the Day:
When someone is humble toward fellow Muslims, Allah raises that person's state. When someone tries to belittle fellow Muslims and claims to be better than they, Allah lowers that person below the others. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
There is nothing more beneficial to a Muslim's heart than to mix with the righteous and to watch their actions, while nothing is more harmful to the heart than mixing with the sinners and watching their actions. [Ahmad ibn Harb]
Guidance of the Day:
Change is rarely easy, and you need to exercise gentleness and patience with yourself as you work your way through this process. Growth can be slow, painstaking process and patience will provide you with the stamina you need to become the person you want to be. If you absolutely hate getting stuck in the traffic, chances are you need a little work in the area of patience. And, chances are, you will probably get stuck in more traffic jams than someone who has no issue with patience-----and not simply because the universe has a sense of humor. You will just notice the traffic more than someone who has no issues with it. Remember, a lesson will be repeated until learned. It just takes a little patience.
There is no part of life that does not contain lessons. If you are alive, there are lessons to be learned. Striving to get all the details of life under control is impossible, because life will present new lessons daily. You never actually finish all your lessons, for as long as you are alive, there are lessons to learn. Regardless of your age, or station in life, or success level, you will never be exempt from the lessons you need to learn in order to continue growing. Your journey on earth is constantly unfolding, and while your wisdom grows and your capacity to deal with challenges expands, new lessons will present themselves. In fact, as the depth of your wisdom increases, your capacities expand proportionately, allowing you to take on and solve with greater ease more advanced challenges. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Vengeance has no foresight. Revenge is the abject pleasure of an abject mind. The best manner of avenging ourselves is by not resembling him who has injured us.
That home of the hereafter We will give to those who do not desire exaltation on earth, or immorality. And the result is for the conscientious. [28: 83]
Hadith of the Day:
When someone is humble toward fellow Muslims, Allah raises that person's state. When someone tries to belittle fellow Muslims and claims to be better than they, Allah lowers that person below the others. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
There is nothing more beneficial to a Muslim's heart than to mix with the righteous and to watch their actions, while nothing is more harmful to the heart than mixing with the sinners and watching their actions. [Ahmad ibn Harb]
Guidance of the Day:
Change is rarely easy, and you need to exercise gentleness and patience with yourself as you work your way through this process. Growth can be slow, painstaking process and patience will provide you with the stamina you need to become the person you want to be. If you absolutely hate getting stuck in the traffic, chances are you need a little work in the area of patience. And, chances are, you will probably get stuck in more traffic jams than someone who has no issue with patience-----and not simply because the universe has a sense of humor. You will just notice the traffic more than someone who has no issues with it. Remember, a lesson will be repeated until learned. It just takes a little patience.
There is no part of life that does not contain lessons. If you are alive, there are lessons to be learned. Striving to get all the details of life under control is impossible, because life will present new lessons daily. You never actually finish all your lessons, for as long as you are alive, there are lessons to learn. Regardless of your age, or station in life, or success level, you will never be exempt from the lessons you need to learn in order to continue growing. Your journey on earth is constantly unfolding, and while your wisdom grows and your capacity to deal with challenges expands, new lessons will present themselves. In fact, as the depth of your wisdom increases, your capacities expand proportionately, allowing you to take on and solve with greater ease more advanced challenges. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Vengeance has no foresight. Revenge is the abject pleasure of an abject mind. The best manner of avenging ourselves is by not resembling him who has injured us.
Monday, April 23, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 815
Ayah of the Day:
From divine mercy God has made for you the night and the day, for you to rest therein, and for you to seek of God's bounty; and that you may be grateful. [28: 73]
Hadith of the Day:
Whoever humbles himself for Allah's sake, Allah raises to the highest levels. Whoever is arrogant against Allah, Allah reduces to the lowest of the low. [Ibn Hibban]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Do not be ruled by the lust; seek freedom by following the righteous. Mere claims of piety will not earn you inner freedom. Remain patient in adversity to attain peace, for adversity is the threshold to freedom. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
Life doesn't require that we be the best-----only that we try our best. The real secret to being able to change is the willingness to do so. If you are to make any progress at all in excavating yourself from the cycles that entrap you, you must first identify the patterns that keep you stuck. Then you can begin to release the old behavior. If you truly want to change, you will choose to do it, and make a commitment to the process of it.
Be patient. You will know when it's time for you to wake up and move ahead. Patience is the display of tolerance while awaiting an outcome. You are presented with the lesson of patience the moment you try to create a change within yourself. You expect immediate results and are often disappointed when your first few attempts to follow through fall short. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Though:
Little things affect little minds. It is the little bits of things that fret and worry us; we can dodge an elephant, but we can't dodge a fly. There is nothing too little for so little a creature as man. It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery and as much happiness as possible.
From divine mercy God has made for you the night and the day, for you to rest therein, and for you to seek of God's bounty; and that you may be grateful. [28: 73]
Hadith of the Day:
Whoever humbles himself for Allah's sake, Allah raises to the highest levels. Whoever is arrogant against Allah, Allah reduces to the lowest of the low. [Ibn Hibban]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Do not be ruled by the lust; seek freedom by following the righteous. Mere claims of piety will not earn you inner freedom. Remain patient in adversity to attain peace, for adversity is the threshold to freedom. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
Life doesn't require that we be the best-----only that we try our best. The real secret to being able to change is the willingness to do so. If you are to make any progress at all in excavating yourself from the cycles that entrap you, you must first identify the patterns that keep you stuck. Then you can begin to release the old behavior. If you truly want to change, you will choose to do it, and make a commitment to the process of it.
Be patient. You will know when it's time for you to wake up and move ahead. Patience is the display of tolerance while awaiting an outcome. You are presented with the lesson of patience the moment you try to create a change within yourself. You expect immediate results and are often disappointed when your first few attempts to follow through fall short. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Though:
Little things affect little minds. It is the little bits of things that fret and worry us; we can dodge an elephant, but we can't dodge a fly. There is nothing too little for so little a creature as man. It is by studying little things that we attain the great art of having as little misery and as much happiness as possible.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 814
Ayah of the Day:
Say, "Do you see if God made the day last for you until the day of resurrection, what deity other than God would give you night in which to rest? Won't you then observe?" [28: 72]
Hadith of the Day:
I bring good tidings to the one who holds back his anger, and to the one who does not say what is not to be said, and to the knower who acts upon his knowledge. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Whoever reckons his words to be among his works (for which he will be requited), his words are few except in what concerns him. [Fudhayl bin Iyad]
Guidance of the Day:
Have you ever noticed that lessons tend to repeat themselves? Lessons will be repeated to you in various forms until you have learned them. Awareness is the process of becoming fully conscious. Cultivating awareness is a lifelong process. Every moment presents you with an opportunity to remain awake or to slip into unconscious behavior. The opportunity to learn the lesson of awareness is presented each time you feel a sense of discontent in your life.
Simply noticing your behavior can bring you to awareness. When you observe your actions as an objective spectator, you remove the filter of self-judgment and allow yourself to see the patterns that you are repeating. As you watch yourself in a variety of situations and notice similar actions and reactions, you bring to light the common thread attached to the necessary lesson. Since lessons are repeated until learned, and since you cannot learn lessons until you become aware of them, it makes sense that you will need to cultivate awareness if you are to ever progress from where you are right now on your path. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Time is the wisest of all counselors. Time and tide wait for no man. Lost time is never found again. Do you love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of. As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.
Say, "Do you see if God made the day last for you until the day of resurrection, what deity other than God would give you night in which to rest? Won't you then observe?" [28: 72]
Hadith of the Day:
I bring good tidings to the one who holds back his anger, and to the one who does not say what is not to be said, and to the knower who acts upon his knowledge. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Whoever reckons his words to be among his works (for which he will be requited), his words are few except in what concerns him. [Fudhayl bin Iyad]
Guidance of the Day:
Have you ever noticed that lessons tend to repeat themselves? Lessons will be repeated to you in various forms until you have learned them. Awareness is the process of becoming fully conscious. Cultivating awareness is a lifelong process. Every moment presents you with an opportunity to remain awake or to slip into unconscious behavior. The opportunity to learn the lesson of awareness is presented each time you feel a sense of discontent in your life.
Simply noticing your behavior can bring you to awareness. When you observe your actions as an objective spectator, you remove the filter of self-judgment and allow yourself to see the patterns that you are repeating. As you watch yourself in a variety of situations and notice similar actions and reactions, you bring to light the common thread attached to the necessary lesson. Since lessons are repeated until learned, and since you cannot learn lessons until you become aware of them, it makes sense that you will need to cultivate awareness if you are to ever progress from where you are right now on your path. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Time is the wisest of all counselors. Time and tide wait for no man. Lost time is never found again. Do you love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of. As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.
Friday, April 20, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 813
Ayah of the Day:
Say, "Do you see if God made the night fall over you perpetually until the day of resurrection, what deity other than God could bring you light? Will you not listen, then?" [28: 71]
Hadith of the Day:
I bring good tidings to the one who cleanses his heart and to the one whose inner beauty shines in his face. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
God calls Himself "Baseer" (observant), so that the knowledge that He is watching you may keep you from sinning. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
When your external actions reflect your internal code, you are in alignment with your morality. This is how an individual gains integrity. Integrity is important because without it you are living with a sense of division within yourself; you feel incomplete and conflicted. You will know when you are not acting in alignment with your moral code, because your conscience will remind you of the difference between what is ethically right and how you actually behaved.
You will most likely experience feelings of guilt or remorse that will serve as a clue to you that the lesson of ethics needs to be learned. Whether or not you are discovered and punished for wrong behavior does not matter. You will instinctually know that you behaved wrongly. You may have only yourself to answer to, but isn't your conscience a powerful teacher, if you listen to it? There are no mistakes, no coincidences. All events are blessings given to us to learn from. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Associate reverently, as much as you can, with your loftiest thoughts. Great thoughts reduced to practice become great acts. You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.
Say, "Do you see if God made the night fall over you perpetually until the day of resurrection, what deity other than God could bring you light? Will you not listen, then?" [28: 71]
Hadith of the Day:
I bring good tidings to the one who cleanses his heart and to the one whose inner beauty shines in his face. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
God calls Himself "Baseer" (observant), so that the knowledge that He is watching you may keep you from sinning. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
When your external actions reflect your internal code, you are in alignment with your morality. This is how an individual gains integrity. Integrity is important because without it you are living with a sense of division within yourself; you feel incomplete and conflicted. You will know when you are not acting in alignment with your moral code, because your conscience will remind you of the difference between what is ethically right and how you actually behaved.
You will most likely experience feelings of guilt or remorse that will serve as a clue to you that the lesson of ethics needs to be learned. Whether or not you are discovered and punished for wrong behavior does not matter. You will instinctually know that you behaved wrongly. You may have only yourself to answer to, but isn't your conscience a powerful teacher, if you listen to it? There are no mistakes, no coincidences. All events are blessings given to us to learn from. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Associate reverently, as much as you can, with your loftiest thoughts. Great thoughts reduced to practice become great acts. You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 812
Ayah of the Day:
And your Lord is God: there is no other deity. To God belongs all praise, first and last; to God you will be returned. [28: 70]
Hadith of the Day:
I bring good tidings to the one who is compassionate to those in need and to the one who gains his livelihood lawfully with his own hands. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
A sign of the heart's death is the absence of sadness over the acts of obedience that you have neglected and the abandonment of regret over the mistakes that you have made. [Ibn Ataillah]
Guidance of the Day:
It may make you feel superior and righteous when you can look down your nose and hold a grudge toward someone who has wronged you. However, harboring resentments consumes a lot of energy. Why waste valuable energy on prolonged anger and guilt, when you could use that energy for far greater things? When you let go of resentment, guilt, and anger, you become revitalized and create space in your soul for growth. Remember, your conscience is not your enemy; it is there to remind you stay on track and stick to your values. Just notice the feeling it is sending you, learn the lesson, and move on.
The most difficult kind of forgiveness is the advanced forgiveness of another. Everyone has been morally wronged or severely hurt by another person at some time in his or her life to such a degree that forgiveness seems impossible. However, harboring a resentment and revenge fantasies only keeps you trapped in victimhood. It is only through forgiveness that you can erase wrongdoing and clean the slate. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
A sympathetic heart is like a spring of pure water bursting forth from the mountain side. The hearts of the people are attached to the one who possesses a gentle nature. What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other.
And your Lord is God: there is no other deity. To God belongs all praise, first and last; to God you will be returned. [28: 70]
Hadith of the Day:
I bring good tidings to the one who is compassionate to those in need and to the one who gains his livelihood lawfully with his own hands. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
A sign of the heart's death is the absence of sadness over the acts of obedience that you have neglected and the abandonment of regret over the mistakes that you have made. [Ibn Ataillah]
Guidance of the Day:
It may make you feel superior and righteous when you can look down your nose and hold a grudge toward someone who has wronged you. However, harboring resentments consumes a lot of energy. Why waste valuable energy on prolonged anger and guilt, when you could use that energy for far greater things? When you let go of resentment, guilt, and anger, you become revitalized and create space in your soul for growth. Remember, your conscience is not your enemy; it is there to remind you stay on track and stick to your values. Just notice the feeling it is sending you, learn the lesson, and move on.
The most difficult kind of forgiveness is the advanced forgiveness of another. Everyone has been morally wronged or severely hurt by another person at some time in his or her life to such a degree that forgiveness seems impossible. However, harboring a resentment and revenge fantasies only keeps you trapped in victimhood. It is only through forgiveness that you can erase wrongdoing and clean the slate. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
A sympathetic heart is like a spring of pure water bursting forth from the mountain side. The hearts of the people are attached to the one who possesses a gentle nature. What do we live for, if not to make life less difficult for each other.
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 811
Ayahs of the Day:
Your Lord creates and selects at will; they have no choice. Glory to God, who is exalted beyond any association they make. And your Lord knows best what their hearts conceal, and what they reveal. [28: 68,69]
Hadith of the Day:
I bring good tidings to the generous one who spends freely for Allah's sake from what he possesses, and who keeps the company of wise and knowledgeable. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If you wish to shine like the daylight, burn up the night of self-importance. Dissolve the self like copper in the elixir; dissolve in Him who fosters all existence. But you are bound by the discord of "I" and "We." The cause of your ruin is this sad dualism. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
Judgments are not always negative. Your judgments are what keep you from walking around like an open membrane, open and exposed to whatever information you come in contact with. At times, your judgments serve to help you decide what beliefs and thoughts you choose to let in from the outside world and help you discern what is true for you. Without your sense of judgment, you would be bombarded with hundreds of conflicting ideas over which you would have no power to discriminate.
At other times, however, your judgments can limit you and prevent you from being compassionate when and where that is needed. When your judgments become more overpowering than your ability to practice empathy, you separate yourself from your own human essence. You put yourself into a box of self-righteousness and seal yourself off from your innate need to connect with other people. You may feel superior to those you are judging, but you may also feel the chill of loneliness imposed by your isolation. The only antidote to rigid judgment is compassion. The secret to learning to open your heart is the willingness to connect to your essence and the essence of the person you are judging. From these, the magic of compassion opens limitless doors to human connection. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well. Great men are they who see that the spiritual is stronger than any material force. The strength of a man consists in finding out the way God wants them to go, and going that way.
Your Lord creates and selects at will; they have no choice. Glory to God, who is exalted beyond any association they make. And your Lord knows best what their hearts conceal, and what they reveal. [28: 68,69]
Hadith of the Day:
I bring good tidings to the generous one who spends freely for Allah's sake from what he possesses, and who keeps the company of wise and knowledgeable. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If you wish to shine like the daylight, burn up the night of self-importance. Dissolve the self like copper in the elixir; dissolve in Him who fosters all existence. But you are bound by the discord of "I" and "We." The cause of your ruin is this sad dualism. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
Judgments are not always negative. Your judgments are what keep you from walking around like an open membrane, open and exposed to whatever information you come in contact with. At times, your judgments serve to help you decide what beliefs and thoughts you choose to let in from the outside world and help you discern what is true for you. Without your sense of judgment, you would be bombarded with hundreds of conflicting ideas over which you would have no power to discriminate.
At other times, however, your judgments can limit you and prevent you from being compassionate when and where that is needed. When your judgments become more overpowering than your ability to practice empathy, you separate yourself from your own human essence. You put yourself into a box of self-righteousness and seal yourself off from your innate need to connect with other people. You may feel superior to those you are judging, but you may also feel the chill of loneliness imposed by your isolation. The only antidote to rigid judgment is compassion. The secret to learning to open your heart is the willingness to connect to your essence and the essence of the person you are judging. From these, the magic of compassion opens limitless doors to human connection. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well. Great men are they who see that the spiritual is stronger than any material force. The strength of a man consists in finding out the way God wants them to go, and going that way.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 810
Ayah of the Day:
In the case of those who repented, believed, and did right, it may be that they will be among the happy ones. [28: 67]
Hadith of the Day:
Allah Most High ordered us to be humble. None among you shall belittle any other, nor are you permitted to insult them. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Modernity: A way of drowning in nothingness. Modernity has not healed our pain, it has only dried our tears. {Abdul Hakeem Murad]
Guidance of the Day:
The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter. Compassion is the act of opening your heart. To live in a state of compassion means you approach the world with your emotional barriers lowered and your ability to connect with others intact. Compassion is the emotional glue that keeps you rooted in the universality of the human experience, as it connects you to your essence of those around you.
The key to learning the lesson of compassion is realizing that you are in control of the erection or destruction of those barriers that create distance between you and others. You can choose to dissolve those barriers when you want to connect with the heart of another human being. You can also choose to limit others' access to your heart when you need to, by forming judgments that separate you from that which you are judging. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Slander is the revenge of a coward, and dissimulation of his defense. To murder character is as truly a crime as to murder the body: the tongue of the slanderer is brother to the dagger of the assassin. The worthiest people are the most injured by slander, as is the best fruit which the birds have been pecking at.
In the case of those who repented, believed, and did right, it may be that they will be among the happy ones. [28: 67]
Hadith of the Day:
Allah Most High ordered us to be humble. None among you shall belittle any other, nor are you permitted to insult them. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Modernity: A way of drowning in nothingness. Modernity has not healed our pain, it has only dried our tears. {Abdul Hakeem Murad]
Guidance of the Day:
The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter. Compassion is the act of opening your heart. To live in a state of compassion means you approach the world with your emotional barriers lowered and your ability to connect with others intact. Compassion is the emotional glue that keeps you rooted in the universality of the human experience, as it connects you to your essence of those around you.
The key to learning the lesson of compassion is realizing that you are in control of the erection or destruction of those barriers that create distance between you and others. You can choose to dissolve those barriers when you want to connect with the heart of another human being. You can also choose to limit others' access to your heart when you need to, by forming judgments that separate you from that which you are judging. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Slander is the revenge of a coward, and dissimulation of his defense. To murder character is as truly a crime as to murder the body: the tongue of the slanderer is brother to the dagger of the assassin. The worthiest people are the most injured by slander, as is the best fruit which the birds have been pecking at.
Monday, April 16, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 809
Ayah of the Day:
Is one to whom We have made a fair promise and who is going to realize it like one to whom We have provided the goods of the world then will be among those summoned on the day of resurrection? [28: 61]
Hadith of the Day:
I bring good tidings to the one who is humble while mindful of the honor of being created a human being. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The modesty of the tongue is its silence. The tongue is like a wild beast. If you do not tie it up, it will injure you. [al Qushayri]
Guidance of the Day:
Rather than viewing your own mistakes as failures and others' mistakes as slights, you can view them as opportunities to learn. Every calamity is a spur and a valuable hint. Every situation in which you do not live up to your own expectations is an opportunity to learn something important about your own thoughts and behaviors. Every situation in which you feel "wronged" by another person is a chance to learn something about your reactions. Whether it is your own wrongdoing or someone else's, a mistake is simply an opportunity to evolve further along your spiritual path.
When you consider the hardships of life-----the disappointments, hurts, losses, illnesses, all the tragedies you may suffer------and shift your perception to see them as opportunities for learning and growth, you become empowered. You can take charge of your life and rise to its challenges, instead of feeling defeated, victimized, or cast adrift. While it is not always easy for us to view our situations from macro-perspective, it is essential in order to find the good in what appears to be unfortunate circumstances. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Sin is not harmful because it is forbidden, but it is forbidden because it is hurtful. Every sin is the result of collaboration. Man-like it is to fall into sin; fiendlike it is to dwell therein. He that falls into sin is a man; that grieves at it, is a saint; that boasts of it, is a devil. Confess your sins to the Lord, and you will be forgiven; confess them to men, and you will be laughed at.
Is one to whom We have made a fair promise and who is going to realize it like one to whom We have provided the goods of the world then will be among those summoned on the day of resurrection? [28: 61]
Hadith of the Day:
I bring good tidings to the one who is humble while mindful of the honor of being created a human being. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The modesty of the tongue is its silence. The tongue is like a wild beast. If you do not tie it up, it will injure you. [al Qushayri]
Guidance of the Day:
Rather than viewing your own mistakes as failures and others' mistakes as slights, you can view them as opportunities to learn. Every calamity is a spur and a valuable hint. Every situation in which you do not live up to your own expectations is an opportunity to learn something important about your own thoughts and behaviors. Every situation in which you feel "wronged" by another person is a chance to learn something about your reactions. Whether it is your own wrongdoing or someone else's, a mistake is simply an opportunity to evolve further along your spiritual path.
When you consider the hardships of life-----the disappointments, hurts, losses, illnesses, all the tragedies you may suffer------and shift your perception to see them as opportunities for learning and growth, you become empowered. You can take charge of your life and rise to its challenges, instead of feeling defeated, victimized, or cast adrift. While it is not always easy for us to view our situations from macro-perspective, it is essential in order to find the good in what appears to be unfortunate circumstances. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Sin is not harmful because it is forbidden, but it is forbidden because it is hurtful. Every sin is the result of collaboration. Man-like it is to fall into sin; fiendlike it is to dwell therein. He that falls into sin is a man; that grieves at it, is a saint; that boasts of it, is a devil. Confess your sins to the Lord, and you will be forgiven; confess them to men, and you will be laughed at.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 808
Ayah of the Day:
And whatever thing you are given is but the stuff of the world, and its adornment; while what is with God is better and more lasting. Don't you understand? [28: 60]
Hadith of the Day:
Three things are devastating: to believe in the good of avarice, to cater to one's lust, and to be an egoist. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
For which is He more to be praised; for His blessings, or for His forbearance in the face of our refusal to give thanks for them. [Abdul Hakeem Murad]
Guidance of the Day:
Human growth is a process of experimentation, trial, and error, ultimately leading to wisdom. Each time you choose to trust yourself and take action, you can never quite be certain how the situation will turn out. Sometimes you are victorious, and sometimes you become disillusioned. The failed experiments, however, are no less valuable than the experiments that ultimately prove successful; in fact, you usually learn more from your perceived "failures" than you do from your perceived "success."
Most people feel great disappointment and anger when their plans in which they have invested a great deal of energy, time, and money fall through. The first reaction for most of us is to feel that we have failed. While it is easy enough to jump to this depressing conclusion, it will impede your ability to progress with your life lessons. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Self-sacrifice is the real miracle out of which all the reported miracles grow. Self-sacrifice is never entirely unselfish, for the giver never fails to receive. For anything worth having one must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice-----no paper currency, no promises to pay, but the gold of real service.
And whatever thing you are given is but the stuff of the world, and its adornment; while what is with God is better and more lasting. Don't you understand? [28: 60]
Hadith of the Day:
Three things are devastating: to believe in the good of avarice, to cater to one's lust, and to be an egoist. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
For which is He more to be praised; for His blessings, or for His forbearance in the face of our refusal to give thanks for them. [Abdul Hakeem Murad]
Guidance of the Day:
Human growth is a process of experimentation, trial, and error, ultimately leading to wisdom. Each time you choose to trust yourself and take action, you can never quite be certain how the situation will turn out. Sometimes you are victorious, and sometimes you become disillusioned. The failed experiments, however, are no less valuable than the experiments that ultimately prove successful; in fact, you usually learn more from your perceived "failures" than you do from your perceived "success."
Most people feel great disappointment and anger when their plans in which they have invested a great deal of energy, time, and money fall through. The first reaction for most of us is to feel that we have failed. While it is easy enough to jump to this depressing conclusion, it will impede your ability to progress with your life lessons. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Self-sacrifice is the real miracle out of which all the reported miracles grow. Self-sacrifice is never entirely unselfish, for the giver never fails to receive. For anything worth having one must pay the price; and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice-----no paper currency, no promises to pay, but the gold of real service.
Friday, April 13, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 807
Ayah of the Day:
But your Lord would not destroy a population without having sent a messenger to its people reciting Our signs to them. And We would not destroy a population unless its people were doing wrong. [28: 59]
Hadith of the Day:
Whoever claims to be wise is surely ignorant. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
God fills the heart of those who love Him with peace, thus enabling them to endure afflictions with ease. [al-Hujwiri]
Guidance of the Day:
Grace is one of those intangible qualities that is difficult to describe but easy to recognize. Those who possess grace seem to walk effortlessly through life. They give the illusion of glowing from within and that glow is apparent to everyone around them. To live in a state of grace means to be fully in tune with your spiritual nature and a higher power that sustains you. Grace comes when you are able to move from your lower self, where your ego dictates the path that "should be" rightfully yours, to your higher self, where you are able to transcend your ego and expand into your greater good. It comes when you shift from a "me" -centered reality to an understanding of the bigger picture. Grace comes when you understand and accept that the universe always creates circumstances that lead every person to his or her own true path, and that everything happens for a reason as part of a divine plan.
Grace can be achieved by remembering each and everyday that the lessons you are presented with are special gifts uniquely for you, and that learning these lessons is what will bring you to a state of grace. By anchoring yourself in the belief that you will be given whatever is right for you, regardless of how far off it may be from your perceived personal agenda. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
The man who lives by himself and for himself is likely to be corrupted by the company he keeps. He who lives only to benefit himself confers on the world a benefit when he dies.
But your Lord would not destroy a population without having sent a messenger to its people reciting Our signs to them. And We would not destroy a population unless its people were doing wrong. [28: 59]
Hadith of the Day:
Whoever claims to be wise is surely ignorant. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
God fills the heart of those who love Him with peace, thus enabling them to endure afflictions with ease. [al-Hujwiri]
Guidance of the Day:
Grace is one of those intangible qualities that is difficult to describe but easy to recognize. Those who possess grace seem to walk effortlessly through life. They give the illusion of glowing from within and that glow is apparent to everyone around them. To live in a state of grace means to be fully in tune with your spiritual nature and a higher power that sustains you. Grace comes when you are able to move from your lower self, where your ego dictates the path that "should be" rightfully yours, to your higher self, where you are able to transcend your ego and expand into your greater good. It comes when you shift from a "me" -centered reality to an understanding of the bigger picture. Grace comes when you understand and accept that the universe always creates circumstances that lead every person to his or her own true path, and that everything happens for a reason as part of a divine plan.
Grace can be achieved by remembering each and everyday that the lessons you are presented with are special gifts uniquely for you, and that learning these lessons is what will bring you to a state of grace. By anchoring yourself in the belief that you will be given whatever is right for you, regardless of how far off it may be from your perceived personal agenda. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
The man who lives by himself and for himself is likely to be corrupted by the company he keeps. He who lives only to benefit himself confers on the world a benefit when he dies.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 806
Ayah of the Day:
And how many populations We destroyed were wanton and reckless in their way of life; their habitats were not occupied after them, except for a few-----We were the inheritors. [28: 58]
Hadith of the Day:
There will come a time when many among the devout will be ignorant, and many among the people of knowledge will be sinners. [Hakim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Go not near the places of wickedness and indecency, for they are the epicenters of Allah's wrath, and punishment. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
If you want to truly live from your authentic self, you must be open to learning all the lessons you are given so that you may grow into the person you want to become. In every moment, you are choosing to align yourself with your own true path or to veer away from it. There are no neutral actions. Even the smallest gesture has a direction to it, leading you closer to your path or farther away from it, whether you realize it or not. Every choice carries weight. Though used synonymously, choice and decision are not the same thing. Decisions are made in your mind, whereas choices are made in your gut. Decisions come from the rational, reasonable weighing of circumstances; whereas choices come from your essence and an attunement with your higher self.
Our sense of fairness is the expectation of equity------the assumption that all things are equal and that justice will always prevail. Life is not, in fact, fair, and you may indeed have a more difficult life path than others around you, deserved or not. Everyone's circumstances are unique, and everyone needs to handle his or her own circumstances differently. As you work toward aligning yourself with your own individual truth, you will be required to move out of the complaining phrase of "it's not fair," if you want to move toward serenity. Focusing on the unfairness of circumstances keeps you comparing yourself with other rather than appreciating your own special uniqueness. You miss out on learning your individual lessons by distracting yourself with feelings of bitterness and resentment. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
The improvement of our way of life is more important than the spreading of it. If we make it satisfactory enough, it will spread automatically. There is no use whatever trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he be willing to climb himself.
And how many populations We destroyed were wanton and reckless in their way of life; their habitats were not occupied after them, except for a few-----We were the inheritors. [28: 58]
Hadith of the Day:
There will come a time when many among the devout will be ignorant, and many among the people of knowledge will be sinners. [Hakim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Go not near the places of wickedness and indecency, for they are the epicenters of Allah's wrath, and punishment. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
If you want to truly live from your authentic self, you must be open to learning all the lessons you are given so that you may grow into the person you want to become. In every moment, you are choosing to align yourself with your own true path or to veer away from it. There are no neutral actions. Even the smallest gesture has a direction to it, leading you closer to your path or farther away from it, whether you realize it or not. Every choice carries weight. Though used synonymously, choice and decision are not the same thing. Decisions are made in your mind, whereas choices are made in your gut. Decisions come from the rational, reasonable weighing of circumstances; whereas choices come from your essence and an attunement with your higher self.
Our sense of fairness is the expectation of equity------the assumption that all things are equal and that justice will always prevail. Life is not, in fact, fair, and you may indeed have a more difficult life path than others around you, deserved or not. Everyone's circumstances are unique, and everyone needs to handle his or her own circumstances differently. As you work toward aligning yourself with your own individual truth, you will be required to move out of the complaining phrase of "it's not fair," if you want to move toward serenity. Focusing on the unfairness of circumstances keeps you comparing yourself with other rather than appreciating your own special uniqueness. You miss out on learning your individual lessons by distracting yourself with feelings of bitterness and resentment. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
The improvement of our way of life is more important than the spreading of it. If we make it satisfactory enough, it will spread automatically. There is no use whatever trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he be willing to climb himself.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 805
Ayah of the Day:
You will not be able to guide everyone you love, but God guides whomever God will. And God knows better who is receptive to guidance. [28: 56]
Hadith of the Day:
A wise man is not wise until he acts upon what he knows. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Fools exult in life while the pious prepare for the journey ahead. A major portion of their wealth is spent in God's way, and they themselves suffice with the bare minimum, striving toward the Hereafter. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the Day:
It is easy to spot those lessons that you perceive as opportunities, because they are attractive. Getting a big promotion at work does present certain lessons, such as responsibility and willingness. Becoming a parent for the first time teaches the lessons of patience and discipline. These lessons are easily recognized because they come wrapped up in attractive packages. Being open to their lessons isn't hard.
More difficult to recognize are the lessons that make it seem as though you are getting a raw deal from life. These lessons come wrapped in less attractive packages and tend to cause most people to quickly put on their resistance lenses. When you are not open to seeing your lessons, losing your job looks like a catastrophe rather than an opportunity to learn the lessons of forgiveness or flexibility. Experiencing heartbreak can look like a crisis, rather than a hint to learn the lessons of kindness or unattachment. Becoming a parent for the first time to a child who is disabled can appear to be punishment, rather than a chance to learn about healing or support. While the less attractive lessons may not be fun, they can actually be the biggest gifts you receive. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
It is by presence of mind in untried emergencies that the native metal of man is tested. The best time for you to hold your tongue is the time when you feel you must say something or bust. Such power there is in clear-eyed self-restraint. Prudent, cautious self-control is wisdom's root.
You will not be able to guide everyone you love, but God guides whomever God will. And God knows better who is receptive to guidance. [28: 56]
Hadith of the Day:
A wise man is not wise until he acts upon what he knows. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Fools exult in life while the pious prepare for the journey ahead. A major portion of their wealth is spent in God's way, and they themselves suffice with the bare minimum, striving toward the Hereafter. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the Day:
It is easy to spot those lessons that you perceive as opportunities, because they are attractive. Getting a big promotion at work does present certain lessons, such as responsibility and willingness. Becoming a parent for the first time teaches the lessons of patience and discipline. These lessons are easily recognized because they come wrapped up in attractive packages. Being open to their lessons isn't hard.
More difficult to recognize are the lessons that make it seem as though you are getting a raw deal from life. These lessons come wrapped in less attractive packages and tend to cause most people to quickly put on their resistance lenses. When you are not open to seeing your lessons, losing your job looks like a catastrophe rather than an opportunity to learn the lessons of forgiveness or flexibility. Experiencing heartbreak can look like a crisis, rather than a hint to learn the lessons of kindness or unattachment. Becoming a parent for the first time to a child who is disabled can appear to be punishment, rather than a chance to learn about healing or support. While the less attractive lessons may not be fun, they can actually be the biggest gifts you receive. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
It is by presence of mind in untried emergencies that the native metal of man is tested. The best time for you to hold your tongue is the time when you feel you must say something or bust. Such power there is in clear-eyed self-restraint. Prudent, cautious self-control is wisdom's root.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 804
Ayahs of the Day:
They will be given their reward twice, for being patient, and for averting evil by good, and for giving of what We have provided them. And when they hear vain talk, they turn away from it and say, "Our deeds to us, your deeds to you. Peace be upon you! We do not seek the ignorant." [28: 54,55]
Hadith of the Day:
The ones who suffer most punishment in Hell are the learned whose teaching did not do anyone any good. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Man was created with only one tongue but two eyes and two ears. This is so he would listen and watch more than he speaks. [al Qushayri]
Guidance of the Day:
Openness means being receptive. Life will present you with innumerable lessons, none of which will be useful to you unless you recognize them and are open to their inherent value. These lessons will show up every day of your life, and as difficult as some of them may be you need to change your perception and come to see them as gifts, or guides along your path toward living as your authentic self. When you accept the lessons that life brings you, no matter how unpleasant or challenging they may be, you take the crucial first step toward finding your true self and your purpose. You begin to cultivate the essential attitude of openness.
Each person's lessons are always self-evident; it is just a matter of what lenses the person is wearing at the time. If they are wearing the lenses of resistance, they may become angry or bitter and this stubbornness will prevent their personal growth. If they are wearing the lenses of openness and clear discernment, they will gain a deeper understanding of what different life situations can teach them. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Sarcasm is the language of the devil. It is "leave a sting within a brother's heart." A graceful taunt is worth a thousand insults. Sarcasm is jealousy in bold disguise.
They will be given their reward twice, for being patient, and for averting evil by good, and for giving of what We have provided them. And when they hear vain talk, they turn away from it and say, "Our deeds to us, your deeds to you. Peace be upon you! We do not seek the ignorant." [28: 54,55]
Hadith of the Day:
The ones who suffer most punishment in Hell are the learned whose teaching did not do anyone any good. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Man was created with only one tongue but two eyes and two ears. This is so he would listen and watch more than he speaks. [al Qushayri]
Guidance of the Day:
Openness means being receptive. Life will present you with innumerable lessons, none of which will be useful to you unless you recognize them and are open to their inherent value. These lessons will show up every day of your life, and as difficult as some of them may be you need to change your perception and come to see them as gifts, or guides along your path toward living as your authentic self. When you accept the lessons that life brings you, no matter how unpleasant or challenging they may be, you take the crucial first step toward finding your true self and your purpose. You begin to cultivate the essential attitude of openness.
Each person's lessons are always self-evident; it is just a matter of what lenses the person is wearing at the time. If they are wearing the lenses of resistance, they may become angry or bitter and this stubbornness will prevent their personal growth. If they are wearing the lenses of openness and clear discernment, they will gain a deeper understanding of what different life situations can teach them. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Sarcasm is the language of the devil. It is "leave a sting within a brother's heart." A graceful taunt is worth a thousand insults. Sarcasm is jealousy in bold disguise.
Monday, April 09, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 803
Ayah of the Day:
Those to whom We sent the Book before this, they believe in it. And when it is recited to them, they say, "We believe in it, for it is the truth from our Lord; indeed, we had already acquiesced before this." [28: 52,53]
Hadith of the Day:
The one who has pride in his heart, even as little as a mustard seed, will not enter Paradise. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The key to successful repentance is not merely resolving to leave the sin, but to figure out what is leading to the sin, and to take the positive means to stay away from the causes of the sin. [Shaykh Faraz Rabbani]
Guidance of the Day:
You need to remember that you will only be faced with lessons that you are capable of learning and are specific to your own growth. If you are able to rise to this challenge, you can unravel the mystery of your purpose and actually live it. You cease being victim of fate or circumstances and become empowered-----life no longer just "happens to you."
When you are working toward fulfilling your true purpose you discover astonishing gifts within yourself that you may have never known you have. This process may not be easy, but the rewards are well worth the struggle. As you strive to discover and learn about yourself, you will most likely encounter the basic lessons of openness, choice, fairness, and grace. Look at these lessons as tools to help you discover your own unique purpose. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices. In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich. One half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it. They never fail who die in a great cause.
Those to whom We sent the Book before this, they believe in it. And when it is recited to them, they say, "We believe in it, for it is the truth from our Lord; indeed, we had already acquiesced before this." [28: 52,53]
Hadith of the Day:
The one who has pride in his heart, even as little as a mustard seed, will not enter Paradise. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The key to successful repentance is not merely resolving to leave the sin, but to figure out what is leading to the sin, and to take the positive means to stay away from the causes of the sin. [Shaykh Faraz Rabbani]
Guidance of the Day:
You need to remember that you will only be faced with lessons that you are capable of learning and are specific to your own growth. If you are able to rise to this challenge, you can unravel the mystery of your purpose and actually live it. You cease being victim of fate or circumstances and become empowered-----life no longer just "happens to you."
When you are working toward fulfilling your true purpose you discover astonishing gifts within yourself that you may have never known you have. This process may not be easy, but the rewards are well worth the struggle. As you strive to discover and learn about yourself, you will most likely encounter the basic lessons of openness, choice, fairness, and grace. Look at these lessons as tools to help you discover your own unique purpose. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
Good manners are made up of petty sacrifices. In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich. One half of knowing what you want is knowing what you must give up before you get it. They never fail who die in a great cause.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 802
Ayah of the Day:
And say, "Praise be to God, who will show signs of the divine that you will recognize; and your Lord is not heedless of what you do." [27: 93]
Hadith of the Day:
Arrogance is to deny reality and to consider others beneath oneself. {Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Knowledge without action is madness and action without knowledge is void. Know that the knowledge which does not remove you from sins today and does not convert you to obedience, will not remove you tomorrow from Hell-fire. [Imam al Ghazali]
Guidance of the Day:
As you travel through your lifetime, you may encounter challenging lessons that others don't have to face, while others spend years struggling with challenges that you don't need to deal with. You may never know why you are blessed with a wonderful marriage, while your friends suffer through bitter arguments and painful divorces, just as you cannot be sure why you struggle financially while your peers enjoy abundance. The only thing you can count on for certain is that you will be presented with all the lessons that you specifically need to learn; whether you choose to learn them or not is entirely up to you.
The challenge is to align yourself with your own unique path by learning your individual lessons. This is one of the most difficult challenges you will be faced with in your lifetime, as sometimes your path will lead you into a life that is radically different from others. Don't compare your path to those of the people around you and focus on the disparity between their lessons and yours. You need to remember that you will only be faced with lessons that you are capable of learning and are specific to your own growth. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
No man has a right to do what he pleases, except when he pleases to do right. Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. You can tell when you are on the right road-------it's all uphill.
And say, "Praise be to God, who will show signs of the divine that you will recognize; and your Lord is not heedless of what you do." [27: 93]
Hadith of the Day:
Arrogance is to deny reality and to consider others beneath oneself. {Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Knowledge without action is madness and action without knowledge is void. Know that the knowledge which does not remove you from sins today and does not convert you to obedience, will not remove you tomorrow from Hell-fire. [Imam al Ghazali]
Guidance of the Day:
As you travel through your lifetime, you may encounter challenging lessons that others don't have to face, while others spend years struggling with challenges that you don't need to deal with. You may never know why you are blessed with a wonderful marriage, while your friends suffer through bitter arguments and painful divorces, just as you cannot be sure why you struggle financially while your peers enjoy abundance. The only thing you can count on for certain is that you will be presented with all the lessons that you specifically need to learn; whether you choose to learn them or not is entirely up to you.
The challenge is to align yourself with your own unique path by learning your individual lessons. This is one of the most difficult challenges you will be faced with in your lifetime, as sometimes your path will lead you into a life that is radically different from others. Don't compare your path to those of the people around you and focus on the disparity between their lessons and yours. You need to remember that you will only be faced with lessons that you are capable of learning and are specific to your own growth. [Scott, If Life is a Game, These are the Rules]
Food for Thought:
No man has a right to do what he pleases, except when he pleases to do right. Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest. You can tell when you are on the right road-------it's all uphill.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 801
Ayah of the Day:
And whoever accepts guidance only accepts guidance for the good of his own soul; but if anyone strays, then say, "I am only a warner. [27: 92]
Hadith of the Day:
Good news for those who are sincere! They are the lamps enlightening the path to truth. They uncover the darkness of all who cause mischief. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Among mankind the best protector of his heart is the one who is most in possession of his tongue. [Dhun nun al Misri]
Guidance of the Day:
You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called "life." Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or hate them. The meaning of life is different for every individual. Each person has his or her own purpose and distinct path, unique and separate from anyone else's. As you travel your life path, you will be presented with numerous lessons that you will need to learn in order to fulfill that purpose. The lessons you are presented with are specific for you; learning these lessons is the key to discovering and fulfilling the meaning and relevance of your own life.
You will be presented with lessons in every circumstance that surfaces in your life. When you experience pain, you learn a lesson. When you feel joy, you learn a different lesson. For every action or event, there is an accompanying lesson that must be learned. There really is no way to avoid the lessons you are presented with, nor is there any chance that you will be able to skirt around the learning process. [If Life is a Game, These are the Rules by Cherie Carter-Scott]
Food for Thought:
Scoff not at the natural defects of any which are not in their power to amend. It is cruel to beat a cripple with his own crutches! Mockery is the weapon of those who have no other. Ridicule is the first and last argument of fools. It is the language of the devil. Jests that give pains are no jests.
And whoever accepts guidance only accepts guidance for the good of his own soul; but if anyone strays, then say, "I am only a warner. [27: 92]
Hadith of the Day:
Good news for those who are sincere! They are the lamps enlightening the path to truth. They uncover the darkness of all who cause mischief. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Among mankind the best protector of his heart is the one who is most in possession of his tongue. [Dhun nun al Misri]
Guidance of the Day:
You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called "life." Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or hate them. The meaning of life is different for every individual. Each person has his or her own purpose and distinct path, unique and separate from anyone else's. As you travel your life path, you will be presented with numerous lessons that you will need to learn in order to fulfill that purpose. The lessons you are presented with are specific for you; learning these lessons is the key to discovering and fulfilling the meaning and relevance of your own life.
You will be presented with lessons in every circumstance that surfaces in your life. When you experience pain, you learn a lesson. When you feel joy, you learn a different lesson. For every action or event, there is an accompanying lesson that must be learned. There really is no way to avoid the lessons you are presented with, nor is there any chance that you will be able to skirt around the learning process. [If Life is a Game, These are the Rules by Cherie Carter-Scott]
Food for Thought:
Scoff not at the natural defects of any which are not in their power to amend. It is cruel to beat a cripple with his own crutches! Mockery is the weapon of those who have no other. Ridicule is the first and last argument of fools. It is the language of the devil. Jests that give pains are no jests.
Friday, April 06, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 800
Ayahs of the Day:
Whoever does good deserves good from it; and they will be safe from fear on that day. And whoever does evil will be toppled into the fire: are you requited for anything but what you have done? [27: 89,90]
Hadith of the Day:
Be sincere toward Allah in your faith. Even if your achievements are few, if they are sincere, that is sufficient for you. [Hakim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Submit before the will of God; be grateful in well-being and endure adversity with fortitude that His light may radiate within your being. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the Day:
Commitment: To be peaceful and joyful, there is but one commitment to make. It is to live life, one second at a time, as if it is an eternal moment. It is to make the decision, regardless of the behavior we observe, no matter where we are, nor whom we are with. To be a vehicle of God's perfect love, to be totally accepting and defenseless, to give all of ourselves away in love, to give total, maximal, and unconditional love to everyone, excluding no one. It is to make the commitment with every thought, with every breath, with every heartbeat.
To be helpful to those in need, who are crying out for help and are suffering because of lack of love. It is to make the decision to have the fire of compassion in our hearts, to love the universe and all that is in it with tender loving care. It is to make the decision to trust and accept God's boundless love for ourselves, and thereby, become a messenger of God's love. It is to demonstrate and teach only love for that is what we are. [Out of Darkness into the Light]
Food for Thought:
No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave. The effects of our actions may be postponed but they are never lost. There is an inevitable reward for good deeds and an inescapable punishment for bad. Meditate upon this truth, and seek always to earn good wages from Destiny.
Whoever does good deserves good from it; and they will be safe from fear on that day. And whoever does evil will be toppled into the fire: are you requited for anything but what you have done? [27: 89,90]
Hadith of the Day:
Be sincere toward Allah in your faith. Even if your achievements are few, if they are sincere, that is sufficient for you. [Hakim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Submit before the will of God; be grateful in well-being and endure adversity with fortitude that His light may radiate within your being. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the Day:
Commitment: To be peaceful and joyful, there is but one commitment to make. It is to live life, one second at a time, as if it is an eternal moment. It is to make the decision, regardless of the behavior we observe, no matter where we are, nor whom we are with. To be a vehicle of God's perfect love, to be totally accepting and defenseless, to give all of ourselves away in love, to give total, maximal, and unconditional love to everyone, excluding no one. It is to make the commitment with every thought, with every breath, with every heartbeat.
To be helpful to those in need, who are crying out for help and are suffering because of lack of love. It is to make the decision to have the fire of compassion in our hearts, to love the universe and all that is in it with tender loving care. It is to make the decision to trust and accept God's boundless love for ourselves, and thereby, become a messenger of God's love. It is to demonstrate and teach only love for that is what we are. [Out of Darkness into the Light]
Food for Thought:
No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave. The effects of our actions may be postponed but they are never lost. There is an inevitable reward for good deeds and an inescapable punishment for bad. Meditate upon this truth, and seek always to earn good wages from Destiny.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 799
Ayah of the Day:
You see the mountains and think them fixed, yet they pass away as the clouds pass, a design of God, who has arranged everything: indeed, God knows whatever you do. [27: 88]
Hadith of the Day:
A good deed hidden from the view of others is better than one performed in public. But a good action undertaken by a well-known person whom others will follow is still better. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Slay your lowly desires with the sword of knowledge (ilm), and your anger with the sword of forbearance (hilm). [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
To be honest is to demonstrate a total lack of any deception. It is to omit nothing because of our own fears of being attacked or rejected. To be honest we must be totally free of guilt and fear, to recognize that either we are honest-----or we are not, and there is no in-between.
To be honest is to experience the perfect harmony of having only loving thoughts, loving words, and loving deeds. It is to take full responsibility for our own behavior and to blame no one for anything. To be honest is to be perfectly free and unafraid to be exactly what we are. [Out of Darkness into the Light]
Food for Thought:
Courage is the foundation of all our virtues. Courage is the first of the human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all the others. Without courage, all other virtues lose their meaning. Courage is the ladder on which all other virtues mount.
You see the mountains and think them fixed, yet they pass away as the clouds pass, a design of God, who has arranged everything: indeed, God knows whatever you do. [27: 88]
Hadith of the Day:
A good deed hidden from the view of others is better than one performed in public. But a good action undertaken by a well-known person whom others will follow is still better. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Slay your lowly desires with the sword of knowledge (ilm), and your anger with the sword of forbearance (hilm). [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
To be honest is to demonstrate a total lack of any deception. It is to omit nothing because of our own fears of being attacked or rejected. To be honest we must be totally free of guilt and fear, to recognize that either we are honest-----or we are not, and there is no in-between.
To be honest is to experience the perfect harmony of having only loving thoughts, loving words, and loving deeds. It is to take full responsibility for our own behavior and to blame no one for anything. To be honest is to be perfectly free and unafraid to be exactly what we are. [Out of Darkness into the Light]
Food for Thought:
Courage is the foundation of all our virtues. Courage is the first of the human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all the others. Without courage, all other virtues lose their meaning. Courage is the ladder on which all other virtues mount.
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 798
Ayah of the Day:
And the day the trumpet is blown, everyone in the skies and on earth will be terrified, except whoever God wills; and everyone will come to God humbled. [27: 87]
Hadith of the Day:
Prevent yourself from doing things for which you will later be sorry. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Speak little with men and much with God; perhaps your heart will behold Him. [Mu'adh bin Jabl]
Guidance of the Day:
The movement of one grain of sand, some believe, can effect the entire world. So too, the simple willingness to make love the foundation of our lives can begin to bring more love into our heart and, subsequently, into our world. The shortest distance between two points is an intention. Often a simple change of our intentions can create the beginning of a whole new life. Love truly does originate from within. We alone have the opportunity as well as the responsibility to create the love we desire in our lives.
It is comforting to be reminded that we already possess the most essential aspects of love in our heart. Accessing this love is most often a process of letting go of those obstacles that block love's expression. If we let go of those personal "speed bumps" along our journey, and truly let love in, moment by moment, we are well along our path to having the love we desire. However, our intentions must be coupled with action. We wouldn't expect our bodies to get stronger and healthier without stretching and exercising. In the same way, by integrating intention with action, we must exercise our souls and minds and hearts to bring love into our lives.
Don't forget that loving is a process that must be attended to if it is to grow and thrive. It is just when you feel you have reached your goal, life offers you next lesson-------yet another opportunity to live even more from your heart. The ultimate test of even the most enlightened people is when they go home and spend their weekend with their parents! The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched......but are felt in the heart. [Handbook for the Heart]
Food for Thought:
The reward of a thing well done is to have done it. Not in rewards, but in the strength to strive, the blessings lie. Let the motive be in the deed and not in the event. Blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds, and though a late, a sure reward succeeds.
And the day the trumpet is blown, everyone in the skies and on earth will be terrified, except whoever God wills; and everyone will come to God humbled. [27: 87]
Hadith of the Day:
Prevent yourself from doing things for which you will later be sorry. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Speak little with men and much with God; perhaps your heart will behold Him. [Mu'adh bin Jabl]
Guidance of the Day:
The movement of one grain of sand, some believe, can effect the entire world. So too, the simple willingness to make love the foundation of our lives can begin to bring more love into our heart and, subsequently, into our world. The shortest distance between two points is an intention. Often a simple change of our intentions can create the beginning of a whole new life. Love truly does originate from within. We alone have the opportunity as well as the responsibility to create the love we desire in our lives.
It is comforting to be reminded that we already possess the most essential aspects of love in our heart. Accessing this love is most often a process of letting go of those obstacles that block love's expression. If we let go of those personal "speed bumps" along our journey, and truly let love in, moment by moment, we are well along our path to having the love we desire. However, our intentions must be coupled with action. We wouldn't expect our bodies to get stronger and healthier without stretching and exercising. In the same way, by integrating intention with action, we must exercise our souls and minds and hearts to bring love into our lives.
Don't forget that loving is a process that must be attended to if it is to grow and thrive. It is just when you feel you have reached your goal, life offers you next lesson-------yet another opportunity to live even more from your heart. The ultimate test of even the most enlightened people is when they go home and spend their weekend with their parents! The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen, nor touched......but are felt in the heart. [Handbook for the Heart]
Food for Thought:
The reward of a thing well done is to have done it. Not in rewards, but in the strength to strive, the blessings lie. Let the motive be in the deed and not in the event. Blessings ever wait on virtuous deeds, and though a late, a sure reward succeeds.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 797
Ayah of the Day:
Don't they see that We made the night for them to rest therein, and the day for visibility? Surely in that are signs for a people who believe. [27: 86]
Hadith of the Day:
Make each of your prayers as if it will be your last prayer. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If you devote yourself to God in this world, He will admit you among His chosen servants in the Hereafter. Such devotion, however, demands sacrifice and self-denial, the two instruments that make union with God possible. [Al-Hujwiri]
Guidance of the Day:
If we want a life filled with love, we can't wait for the world and all the people in it to conform to our wishes. Actually it is the other way around. The love we want begins with us. As we make loving choices and fill our life with love, we start to notice that the people around us are also more loving. Then we receive the love we need. It's a circle of love that begins with us. As we consciously consider the love in our lives, reflecting on love and loving choices, our lives can't help but filled with love. Love becomes a habit. If our attention is on what's wrong, that's what we notice. If our attention is on what's precious, that too is what we see. It's not always easy, but it is pretty simple.
In our own little way, each of us affects the world with every choice we make. Either we are part of the problem or we are part of the solution. We either bring more love into the world or we get in the way. Each choice that we make along the way becomes an important step on the path of love. When being a source of love is our top priority, life becomes a magnificent, love-filled journey to be treasured. [Handbook for the Heart]
Food for Thought:
Responsibility educates. Responsibility is the thing people dread most of all. Yet it is the one thing in the world that develops us, gives us manhood or womanhood fibre. The only way to get rid of responsibilities is to discharge them. It is the price of greatness.
Don't they see that We made the night for them to rest therein, and the day for visibility? Surely in that are signs for a people who believe. [27: 86]
Hadith of the Day:
Make each of your prayers as if it will be your last prayer. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If you devote yourself to God in this world, He will admit you among His chosen servants in the Hereafter. Such devotion, however, demands sacrifice and self-denial, the two instruments that make union with God possible. [Al-Hujwiri]
Guidance of the Day:
If we want a life filled with love, we can't wait for the world and all the people in it to conform to our wishes. Actually it is the other way around. The love we want begins with us. As we make loving choices and fill our life with love, we start to notice that the people around us are also more loving. Then we receive the love we need. It's a circle of love that begins with us. As we consciously consider the love in our lives, reflecting on love and loving choices, our lives can't help but filled with love. Love becomes a habit. If our attention is on what's wrong, that's what we notice. If our attention is on what's precious, that too is what we see. It's not always easy, but it is pretty simple.
In our own little way, each of us affects the world with every choice we make. Either we are part of the problem or we are part of the solution. We either bring more love into the world or we get in the way. Each choice that we make along the way becomes an important step on the path of love. When being a source of love is our top priority, life becomes a magnificent, love-filled journey to be treasured. [Handbook for the Heart]
Food for Thought:
Responsibility educates. Responsibility is the thing people dread most of all. Yet it is the one thing in the world that develops us, gives us manhood or womanhood fibre. The only way to get rid of responsibilities is to discharge them. It is the price of greatness.
Monday, April 02, 2007
LESSON OF THE DAY 796
Ayahs of the Day:
You cannot cause the dead to hear, and you cannot make the deaf hear the call when they turn back; and you are not a guide for the blind out of their wanderings; the only ones you can make hear are those who believe in Our signs and who have submitted. [27: 80,81]
Hadith of the Day:
Stop wanting and hoping for the things that are in the possession of others. Wanting what others have is certainly the worst of poverty. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
We should not do what we like; but we should like what we should do. [Abdul Hakeem Murad]
Guidance of the Day:
Love begins in our own hearts. It is a choice. In a very real sense, to fill our lives with love, we need to see love as its own reward. Giving and receiving must be seen as two sides of the same coin, different aspects of the same energy. Truly, it feels just as good to respond with love as it does to receive love. It is more important to be love than it is to get love. When we are love as opposed to demanding love-------we will notice how peaceful we feel and how quickly the immediate situation resolves itself. It's in these moments that we can feel most proud of ourselves, contented and grateful for the gift of love. Responding with love is a powerful medicine.
When we do face difficult times, we need to remember that circumstances don't make a person, they reveal him or her. If someone criticizes us and we fight back, all this says about us is that we are people who need to fight. Yes, once in a while we do need to fight. But if we want our life to be filled with love, it has to start with us. After all, love comes from within each of us and is directed outward. Likewise, if we judge someone, our judgment doesn't really say anything about the person we are judging. It merely describes us as those who need to judge. [Handbook for the Heart]
Food for Thought:
Resolve to perform what you should; perform without fail what you resolve. It is always during a passing state of mind that we make lasting resolutions. Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.
You cannot cause the dead to hear, and you cannot make the deaf hear the call when they turn back; and you are not a guide for the blind out of their wanderings; the only ones you can make hear are those who believe in Our signs and who have submitted. [27: 80,81]
Hadith of the Day:
Stop wanting and hoping for the things that are in the possession of others. Wanting what others have is certainly the worst of poverty. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
We should not do what we like; but we should like what we should do. [Abdul Hakeem Murad]
Guidance of the Day:
Love begins in our own hearts. It is a choice. In a very real sense, to fill our lives with love, we need to see love as its own reward. Giving and receiving must be seen as two sides of the same coin, different aspects of the same energy. Truly, it feels just as good to respond with love as it does to receive love. It is more important to be love than it is to get love. When we are love as opposed to demanding love-------we will notice how peaceful we feel and how quickly the immediate situation resolves itself. It's in these moments that we can feel most proud of ourselves, contented and grateful for the gift of love. Responding with love is a powerful medicine.
When we do face difficult times, we need to remember that circumstances don't make a person, they reveal him or her. If someone criticizes us and we fight back, all this says about us is that we are people who need to fight. Yes, once in a while we do need to fight. But if we want our life to be filled with love, it has to start with us. After all, love comes from within each of us and is directed outward. Likewise, if we judge someone, our judgment doesn't really say anything about the person we are judging. It merely describes us as those who need to judge. [Handbook for the Heart]
Food for Thought:
Resolve to perform what you should; perform without fail what you resolve. It is always during a passing state of mind that we make lasting resolutions. Good resolutions are simply checks that men draw on a bank where they have no account.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)