POINTS ON HOW TO IMPROVE LIFE
1. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey
is all about.
2. Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest
your energy in the positive present moment.
3. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does.
4. Don't waste your precious energy and time on gossip.
5. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
6. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind people of their mistakes
of the past. That will ruin their present happiness.
7. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
8. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
9. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn.
Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away
but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
10. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
11. Each day give something good to others.
13. Forgive everyone for everything -- hoping to be forgiven by Allah.
14. What other people think of you is none of your business,
just do the right things.
15. Put Allah first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.
16. The best is yet to come -- Paradise!-- strive for it.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. If you know Allah you will always be happy. So, know Him and be happy.
19. The hardship of obedience disappears and its reward remains.
20. The pleasure of sins disappears and its punishment remains.
Friday, November 04, 2011
Monday, October 31, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 320
1. He who walks on the mystic path, has no longing after fine palaces and fair gardens; in his heart is nothing but the pain of yearning love of God.
2. Though you build lofty palaces as high as the heavens, yet in the end you will come to be buried under the earth.
3. Be not unmindful of Eternity and set not your heart upon the transient goods of this world.
4. Be patient in the midst of the trials and tribulations of this life and when things go well give thanks to God Most High.
5. He who truly knows God by contemplation, realizes that Eternal life means passing away from the personal self -- without this knowledge man has no real existence.
6. Seek for Reality within your own heart, for Reality, in truth, is hidden within you.
7. Cast aside the veil from existence and nonexistence, and you will see forthwith the true meaning of God's purpose.
8. O Lord! How glorious is the manifestation of Your Light! You are the Sought and the Seeker. [Above quotes by Khwaja Fariduddin Attar]
2. Though you build lofty palaces as high as the heavens, yet in the end you will come to be buried under the earth.
3. Be not unmindful of Eternity and set not your heart upon the transient goods of this world.
4. Be patient in the midst of the trials and tribulations of this life and when things go well give thanks to God Most High.
5. He who truly knows God by contemplation, realizes that Eternal life means passing away from the personal self -- without this knowledge man has no real existence.
6. Seek for Reality within your own heart, for Reality, in truth, is hidden within you.
7. Cast aside the veil from existence and nonexistence, and you will see forthwith the true meaning of God's purpose.
8. O Lord! How glorious is the manifestation of Your Light! You are the Sought and the Seeker. [Above quotes by Khwaja Fariduddin Attar]
Friday, October 28, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1290
Ayahs of the day:
And be wary of a day when no soul can compensate for another soul, and no compromise will be accepted from it, and no intercession will avail it, and they will not be helped. [2: 123]
Hadith of the day:
If you were to rely on Allah as He should be relied on, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds. They go out in the morning hungry and return in the evening full. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
Devotion to one's religious duty (taqwa) is the foundation of all that is good, it is a source of worldly benefit, a source of wisdom and all kinds of knowledge, of purity of heart and of many secrets. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the day:
In fact, the guile of Satan is ever feeble (4: 76). It is like a cobweb appearing before you -- it cannot prevent you from going forward, and you do not have to attach any great importance to it. Satan only suggests or whispers, gilds sinful acts and presents them in falsely ornamented wrappers. Believers must never accept his invitations.
When Satan resorts to whispering, we should realize that he is using his weakest strategy and ignore him. If we pay attention to these whisperings, we may be defeated. Believers who listen to Satan weaken their ability to resist both him and their carnal selves. In the end such believers are defeated. Believers who want to avoid this trap should remain far away from sins, all of which Satan tries to make attractive. Heedlessness and neglect of worship are invitations to Satan's "arrows". Remembering the All-Merciful, thinking about noble or sacred phenomena, and living a religious life protect us from Satan's attacks. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Morality, reason, judgment, and enthusiasm are the qualities of a leader and the foundations for success. Nothing so conclusive proves a man's ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.
And be wary of a day when no soul can compensate for another soul, and no compromise will be accepted from it, and no intercession will avail it, and they will not be helped. [2: 123]
Hadith of the day:
If you were to rely on Allah as He should be relied on, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds. They go out in the morning hungry and return in the evening full. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
Devotion to one's religious duty (taqwa) is the foundation of all that is good, it is a source of worldly benefit, a source of wisdom and all kinds of knowledge, of purity of heart and of many secrets. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the day:
In fact, the guile of Satan is ever feeble (4: 76). It is like a cobweb appearing before you -- it cannot prevent you from going forward, and you do not have to attach any great importance to it. Satan only suggests or whispers, gilds sinful acts and presents them in falsely ornamented wrappers. Believers must never accept his invitations.
When Satan resorts to whispering, we should realize that he is using his weakest strategy and ignore him. If we pay attention to these whisperings, we may be defeated. Believers who listen to Satan weaken their ability to resist both him and their carnal selves. In the end such believers are defeated. Believers who want to avoid this trap should remain far away from sins, all of which Satan tries to make attractive. Heedlessness and neglect of worship are invitations to Satan's "arrows". Remembering the All-Merciful, thinking about noble or sacred phenomena, and living a religious life protect us from Satan's attacks. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Morality, reason, judgment, and enthusiasm are the qualities of a leader and the foundations for success. Nothing so conclusive proves a man's ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Zaki's Interview
An Interview with Zaki Hasan, Professor of Communication and Media Studies:
http://www.islamintheageofnewmedia.com/blog/59/zaki-hasan-interview/
http://www.islamintheageofnewmedia.com/blog/59/zaki-hasan-interview/
Monday, October 24, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 319
1. When you get up in the morning, start your day with the glorification of the Most Glorious.
2. Aspirant of worldly indulgence is like a person who drinks salt water of the sea -- the more he drinks, the more his thirst increases.
3. To overcome appetitive desire, is the quality of the angels and to be overpowered by them is the traits of animals.
4. The best device to get vigilant awareness in prayer is to keep in view the meanings of what you recite.
5. Heart can never be radiant by Divine light unless ego and carnal desire, by undergoing austerities and mortification, become subservient to Shariah.
6. The servants desire of worldly gains is more disastrous than the tricks of Satan.
7. To revile the calamities and turmoil of the world is equal to assail God with bitter abuse.
8. Be moderate in worship of Him, shun heaviness but be consistent.
9. Attain that knowledge which creates awareness of your inmost being.
10. To earn lawful livelihood for the dependents is the task of abdal, to bring them up teaching good manners and best conduct is the greater jihad. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
2. Aspirant of worldly indulgence is like a person who drinks salt water of the sea -- the more he drinks, the more his thirst increases.
3. To overcome appetitive desire, is the quality of the angels and to be overpowered by them is the traits of animals.
4. The best device to get vigilant awareness in prayer is to keep in view the meanings of what you recite.
5. Heart can never be radiant by Divine light unless ego and carnal desire, by undergoing austerities and mortification, become subservient to Shariah.
6. The servants desire of worldly gains is more disastrous than the tricks of Satan.
7. To revile the calamities and turmoil of the world is equal to assail God with bitter abuse.
8. Be moderate in worship of Him, shun heaviness but be consistent.
9. Attain that knowledge which creates awareness of your inmost being.
10. To earn lawful livelihood for the dependents is the task of abdal, to bring them up teaching good manners and best conduct is the greater jihad. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
Friday, October 21, 2011
The Masjid invites you....
A few days after Ramadan, many masjids were seen to cry.
Someone asked one, why?
You ask me why I am so grieved?
It's because I have been deceived.
I ask, Oh Muslim, where have you gone, where are you?
Was the past month a dream? It doesn't seem real or true.
Oh my beloved, was it all a dream, was it all a show?
That is why my tears do flow.
Why don't you visit me, why have you not returned?
From the past month is this what you learned?
My soul is empty without you and also my heart
How can you feel at ease being so far apart?
You are the one, whom the Lord chose for his own remembrance,
So why should I not lament at your absence?
Why do I no longer hold any charm?
From where else will you attain inner peace or calm?
I call you every day but you do not respond
Day by day weakens our bond!
I call you in the day and I call you at night.
What's happened? For sure something's not right
Don't you recognize me anymore? Don't you hear my voice?
Is it deliberate or do you really have no choice?
When will you light me up again? Will I have to wait another year?
Going by past experience, that is what I fear.
*****
Someone asked one, why?
You ask me why I am so grieved?
It's because I have been deceived.
I ask, Oh Muslim, where have you gone, where are you?
Was the past month a dream? It doesn't seem real or true.
Oh my beloved, was it all a dream, was it all a show?
That is why my tears do flow.
Why don't you visit me, why have you not returned?
From the past month is this what you learned?
My soul is empty without you and also my heart
How can you feel at ease being so far apart?
You are the one, whom the Lord chose for his own remembrance,
So why should I not lament at your absence?
Why do I no longer hold any charm?
From where else will you attain inner peace or calm?
I call you every day but you do not respond
Day by day weakens our bond!
I call you in the day and I call you at night.
What's happened? For sure something's not right
Don't you recognize me anymore? Don't you hear my voice?
Is it deliberate or do you really have no choice?
When will you light me up again? Will I have to wait another year?
Going by past experience, that is what I fear.
*****
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1289
Ayahs of the day:
Those to whom We have given the Book read it as it really is to be read; they believe in it. And if any repudiate it, then they are the losers. [2: 121]
Hadith of the day:
Allah does not look at your bodies nor your forms, but He looks at your hearts and your actions. [Bukhari & Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Good character consists in three traits -- avoiding that which is forbidden; seeking that which is permitted; and being generous towards others. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
Satan does everything he can to seduce us. We are very complex beings, for God manifests all of His names on us in this world of testing. We are sent here to be trained so that we can serve as a mirror to God and earn eternal happiness.
In order to do this, we must train and develop all of our God-given feelings, faculties, and potentials. If some of these are not trained (e.g., intellect, anger, greed, obstinacy, and lust) and directed to lofty goals, but abused and used for disagreeable purposes, we will place our present and future life in danger. This is also true if we do not restrict our natural desires and animal instincts by satisfying them in acceptable ways. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
There are no secrets to success -- it is result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failures. Try, try, try, and keep trying is the rule that must be followed to become an expert in anything. Luck is when opportunities and preparation meet.
Those to whom We have given the Book read it as it really is to be read; they believe in it. And if any repudiate it, then they are the losers. [2: 121]
Hadith of the day:
Allah does not look at your bodies nor your forms, but He looks at your hearts and your actions. [Bukhari & Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Good character consists in three traits -- avoiding that which is forbidden; seeking that which is permitted; and being generous towards others. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
Satan does everything he can to seduce us. We are very complex beings, for God manifests all of His names on us in this world of testing. We are sent here to be trained so that we can serve as a mirror to God and earn eternal happiness.
In order to do this, we must train and develop all of our God-given feelings, faculties, and potentials. If some of these are not trained (e.g., intellect, anger, greed, obstinacy, and lust) and directed to lofty goals, but abused and used for disagreeable purposes, we will place our present and future life in danger. This is also true if we do not restrict our natural desires and animal instincts by satisfying them in acceptable ways. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
There are no secrets to success -- it is result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failures. Try, try, try, and keep trying is the rule that must be followed to become an expert in anything. Luck is when opportunities and preparation meet.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 318
1. It cannot be denied that where Beauty is perceived, it is natural to love it and if it is certain that God is Beauty, He must be loved by the one to whom His Beauty and His Majesty is revealed.
2. God has created His creatures in darkness and then He shed upon them His light -- it is by the help of this light that the search for truth must be carried out.
3. Human nature in fact testifies that it is subject to the will of God and governed in accordance with His laws.
4. To believe in the Prophet is to admit that there is above intelligence a sphere in which are revealed to the inner vision truths beyond the grasp of intelligence.
5. The highest faculty in man is reason which fits him for the contemplation of God.
6. The real light is He in whose hand lies creation and its destinies.
7. It is the mark of saint ship to show compassion to all God's servants, to be kind towards them and to fight for them and with them against the forces of evil.
8. It is incumbent on a man to dive deep into the sea of love; if the wave of love lands him on the shore of favor, he has attained the highest achievement.
9. It is difficult to save from wickedness unless lustful glance is protected.
10. It is better to disclose good deeds of others and connive their evil acts. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
2. God has created His creatures in darkness and then He shed upon them His light -- it is by the help of this light that the search for truth must be carried out.
3. Human nature in fact testifies that it is subject to the will of God and governed in accordance with His laws.
4. To believe in the Prophet is to admit that there is above intelligence a sphere in which are revealed to the inner vision truths beyond the grasp of intelligence.
5. The highest faculty in man is reason which fits him for the contemplation of God.
6. The real light is He in whose hand lies creation and its destinies.
7. It is the mark of saint ship to show compassion to all God's servants, to be kind towards them and to fight for them and with them against the forces of evil.
8. It is incumbent on a man to dive deep into the sea of love; if the wave of love lands him on the shore of favor, he has attained the highest achievement.
9. It is difficult to save from wickedness unless lustful glance is protected.
10. It is better to disclose good deeds of others and connive their evil acts. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
Monday, October 10, 2011
Friends who bring us closer to Allah should be sought....
Not everyone suits to be your friend
Friends have a large influence on our lives. Islam has emphasized on choosing companions who are upright and noble. The Prophet (peace be upon him said), “Man is on his friend’s religion. Therefore, man should see with whom he is making friends.” (Abu Dawood, no.4815).
Friendship that leads one to Allah’s disobedience is not worth it. Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi mentions in his book Mukhtasar Minhaj Al-Qasidin (pg. 126-132) some valuable points on this topic:
Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend. You must verify that this potential friend has the neccessary characteristics that make friendship with him something to be desired. The one you seek to befriend must have five characteristics:
• He must be intelligent, as there is no good in befriending an idiot, as he will only harm you when he wants to benefit you. By intelligent, we mean one who understands things as they are, either on his own, or if they are explained to him.
• He must have good manners, and this is a must. One who is simply intelligent might be overcome by anger or desire, and obey his desire. Thus, there would be no benefit in befriending him.
• He must not be a fasiq, the one who openly disobeys Allah, as such a person would not fear Allah, and whoever does not fear Allah cannot be trusted.
• He must not be an innovator, as his over-indulgence innovation is feared from befriending him.
• He should not be too eager in seeking the dunya. Which means that he is not willing to sacrifice his hereafter for it.
Friends have a large influence on our lives. Islam has emphasized on choosing companions who are upright and noble. The Prophet (peace be upon him said), “Man is on his friend’s religion. Therefore, man should see with whom he is making friends.” (Abu Dawood, no.4815).
Friendship that leads one to Allah’s disobedience is not worth it. Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi mentions in his book Mukhtasar Minhaj Al-Qasidin (pg. 126-132) some valuable points on this topic:
Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend. You must verify that this potential friend has the neccessary characteristics that make friendship with him something to be desired. The one you seek to befriend must have five characteristics:
• He must be intelligent, as there is no good in befriending an idiot, as he will only harm you when he wants to benefit you. By intelligent, we mean one who understands things as they are, either on his own, or if they are explained to him.
• He must have good manners, and this is a must. One who is simply intelligent might be overcome by anger or desire, and obey his desire. Thus, there would be no benefit in befriending him.
• He must not be a fasiq, the one who openly disobeys Allah, as such a person would not fear Allah, and whoever does not fear Allah cannot be trusted.
• He must not be an innovator, as his over-indulgence innovation is feared from befriending him.
• He should not be too eager in seeking the dunya. Which means that he is not willing to sacrifice his hereafter for it.
Friday, October 07, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1288
Ayahs of the day:
To God belongs the East and the West; and wheresoever you turn, there is the presence of God. For God is omnipresent and omniscient. [2: 115]
Hadith of the day:
Anyone who shows the way to something good has the same reward as the person who does it. [Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Give priority to the Hereafter over this world, because you will then gain both of them together. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the day:
God revealed religion out of His mercy, because we need it and cannot be truly human without it. Only those who have passed through the trials of religious experience are worthy of eternal happiness and will be distinguished in the Hereafter.
True religion is the assemblage of Divine Revelations and Divine Laws by which we can know bliss in this world and the next. Our peace and happiness depend upon leading a religious life, for only through religion can the Law be observed in all the inner and outer spheres of our existence. Only religion makes it possible for us to deserve Paradise and the vision of God. Such achievements are beyond the power of every human-made civilization, regardless of how advanced they are. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
So little done; so much to do. Time is the scarcest resource and unless it is managed, nothing else can be managed. Don't simply retire from something, have something to retire to.
To God belongs the East and the West; and wheresoever you turn, there is the presence of God. For God is omnipresent and omniscient. [2: 115]
Hadith of the day:
Anyone who shows the way to something good has the same reward as the person who does it. [Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Give priority to the Hereafter over this world, because you will then gain both of them together. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the day:
God revealed religion out of His mercy, because we need it and cannot be truly human without it. Only those who have passed through the trials of religious experience are worthy of eternal happiness and will be distinguished in the Hereafter.
True religion is the assemblage of Divine Revelations and Divine Laws by which we can know bliss in this world and the next. Our peace and happiness depend upon leading a religious life, for only through religion can the Law be observed in all the inner and outer spheres of our existence. Only religion makes it possible for us to deserve Paradise and the vision of God. Such achievements are beyond the power of every human-made civilization, regardless of how advanced they are. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
So little done; so much to do. Time is the scarcest resource and unless it is managed, nothing else can be managed. Don't simply retire from something, have something to retire to.
Monday, October 03, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 317
1. To be a believer means to abide continuously in God and to live at peace with men.
2. The right attitude toward fellow-men is that you should not lay burdens upon them but rather burden yourself for them.
3. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
4. Faith is not made perfect unless one desires for others what he desires for himself.
5. God alone should be the object of love and worship for the believer.
6. A believer's heart is free from defilement and from distraction, because of his love for his Lord.
7. A believer does not rely upon anything, save Him who he worships.
8. The means of cleansing the heart of all but Him is dhikr and concentration of every thought upon Him.
9. Love for God means soul's contemplation of Divine Attributes.
10. God grants the vision of His Divine Qualities to His friends (auliya) and hence His lovers love Him because He wants that He should be loved. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
2. The right attitude toward fellow-men is that you should not lay burdens upon them but rather burden yourself for them.
3. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
4. Faith is not made perfect unless one desires for others what he desires for himself.
5. God alone should be the object of love and worship for the believer.
6. A believer's heart is free from defilement and from distraction, because of his love for his Lord.
7. A believer does not rely upon anything, save Him who he worships.
8. The means of cleansing the heart of all but Him is dhikr and concentration of every thought upon Him.
9. Love for God means soul's contemplation of Divine Attributes.
10. God grants the vision of His Divine Qualities to His friends (auliya) and hence His lovers love Him because He wants that He should be loved. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
Friday, September 30, 2011
You will reap what you plant....
If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap success.
If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy.
If you plant patience, you will reap improvements.
If you plant faith, you will reap miracles.
If you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness.
If you plant pride, you will reap destruction.
If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.
If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.
If you plant greed, you will reap loss.
If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.
If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.
If you plant sin, you will reap guilt.
If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.
If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.
If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.
If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.
If you plant forgiveness, you will reap success.
If you plant openness, you will reap intimacy.
If you plant patience, you will reap improvements.
If you plant faith, you will reap miracles.
If you plant dishonesty, you will reap distrust.
If you plant selfishness, you will reap loneliness.
If you plant pride, you will reap destruction.
If you plant envy, you will reap trouble.
If you plant laziness, you will reap stagnation.
If you plant bitterness, you will reap isolation.
If you plant greed, you will reap loss.
If you plant gossip, you will reap enemies.
If you plant worries, you will reap wrinkles.
If you plant sin, you will reap guilt.
Monday, September 26, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1287
Ayahs of the day:
Surely anyone who surrenders his being to God and is a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord and there will be no fear upon them, and they will not sorrow. [2: 112]
Hadith of the day:
Abandon anything that gives you doubt for what gives you no doubt. Truthfulness is peace of mind and lying is doubt. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
If men wish to draw near to God, they must seek Him in the hearts of men. They should speak well of all men, whether present or absent, and if they themselves seek in a light to guide others, like the sun, they must show the same face to all. [Shaykh Abu Sa'id bin Abil Khair]
Guidance of the day:
While we cannot resemble the Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) physically, we can -- and should -- try to resemble him in our behavior and actions. Doing so is our way of promising God that we will do good deeds, that He may protect us from Hell.
Islam teaches that virtue also consists in avoiding sins. Pursuing virtue, whether by observance or avoidance, prayer and remembrance, or establishing the Revealed Law and justice, are essential elements of Islam's unity. Such unity is integral, for one part cannot be separated from another.
While even the wisest philosophers have gone astray, the most ordinary Muslims have been able to lead upright lives because they follow the clear way of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him). Muslims who seek God's approval and take the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) as their guide can lead a most fruitful life, one in harmony with their deepest nature as responsive and responsible creatures of God. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the after glow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. Shoot for moon -- even if you miss you will land among the stars.
Surely anyone who surrenders his being to God and is a doer of good will have his reward with his Lord and there will be no fear upon them, and they will not sorrow. [2: 112]
Hadith of the day:
Abandon anything that gives you doubt for what gives you no doubt. Truthfulness is peace of mind and lying is doubt. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
If men wish to draw near to God, they must seek Him in the hearts of men. They should speak well of all men, whether present or absent, and if they themselves seek in a light to guide others, like the sun, they must show the same face to all. [Shaykh Abu Sa'id bin Abil Khair]
Guidance of the day:
While we cannot resemble the Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) physically, we can -- and should -- try to resemble him in our behavior and actions. Doing so is our way of promising God that we will do good deeds, that He may protect us from Hell.
Islam teaches that virtue also consists in avoiding sins. Pursuing virtue, whether by observance or avoidance, prayer and remembrance, or establishing the Revealed Law and justice, are essential elements of Islam's unity. Such unity is integral, for one part cannot be separated from another.
While even the wisest philosophers have gone astray, the most ordinary Muslims have been able to lead upright lives because they follow the clear way of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him). Muslims who seek God's approval and take the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) as their guide can lead a most fruitful life, one in harmony with their deepest nature as responsive and responsible creatures of God. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the after glow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. Shoot for moon -- even if you miss you will land among the stars.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 316
1. When a man is satisfied with God's decrees, it is a sign that God is satisfied with him.
2. Eternal life is gained by spiritual sacrifice and by renunciation of self-interest in fulfilling God's commandments.
3. Mortification stands in the same relation to contemplation as Divine blessing to obedience.
4. There is no contemplation without mortification.
5. When you have obtained the knowledge of the lower soul, you recognize that it can be controlled by discipline.
6. When a person resigns himself to God, God protects him.
7. God has caused the prophetic evidences to remain down to the present day and has made the saints the means whereby it is manifested.
8. God is not finite that the imagination should be able to define Him or that the intellect should comprehend His nature.
9. The true object of pilgrimage is not to visit the kaaba, but to obtain contemplation in God. [Above quotes by Shaykh Ali ibn Uthman Hujwiri]
2. Eternal life is gained by spiritual sacrifice and by renunciation of self-interest in fulfilling God's commandments.
3. Mortification stands in the same relation to contemplation as Divine blessing to obedience.
4. There is no contemplation without mortification.
5. When you have obtained the knowledge of the lower soul, you recognize that it can be controlled by discipline.
6. When a person resigns himself to God, God protects him.
7. God has caused the prophetic evidences to remain down to the present day and has made the saints the means whereby it is manifested.
8. God is not finite that the imagination should be able to define Him or that the intellect should comprehend His nature.
9. The true object of pilgrimage is not to visit the kaaba, but to obtain contemplation in God. [Above quotes by Shaykh Ali ibn Uthman Hujwiri]
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The soul is a grinding stone & never left idle
It is well known that man has not been given to power to kill his thoughts nor the strength to severe them.
They invade him just as his breathing invades his body.
However the strength of Imân and intellect helps him to accept his best thoughts , to be pleased with them, to experience peace and tranquility from them.
It also helps him to repulse his most evil thoughts and dislike and recoil from them.
Allâh created the soul similar to a grinding stone that goes round and round – one that does not stop;and always in need of something to grind.If seeds are placetherein it will grind them.If stones are placed therein it will still grind them.So the thoughts that revolve in the soul are like a seed that is placed in a grinding stone.That grinding stone is never left idle.
Something or the other has to be placed inside it. From amongst the people are those whose grinding stone grinds seeds which comes out as flour – which he and others derive benefit from.
But most of them grind soil, stones, straw and so forth – when the time of making the dough and baking comes; he sees the reality of what he ground.
Source:-[Ibn al Qayyim رحمه الله , al-Fawaa’id p31 & 173-174]
They invade him just as his breathing invades his body.
However the strength of Imân and intellect helps him to accept his best thoughts , to be pleased with them, to experience peace and tranquility from them.
It also helps him to repulse his most evil thoughts and dislike and recoil from them.
Allâh created the soul similar to a grinding stone that goes round and round – one that does not stop;and always in need of something to grind.If seeds are placetherein it will grind them.If stones are placed therein it will still grind them.So the thoughts that revolve in the soul are like a seed that is placed in a grinding stone.That grinding stone is never left idle.
Something or the other has to be placed inside it. From amongst the people are those whose grinding stone grinds seeds which comes out as flour – which he and others derive benefit from.
But most of them grind soil, stones, straw and so forth – when the time of making the dough and baking comes; he sees the reality of what he ground.
Source:-[Ibn al Qayyim رحمه الله , al-Fawaa’id p31 & 173-174]
Friday, September 16, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1286
Ayahs of the day:
And pray regularly, and give alms; whatever you send forth for your souls, you will find it with God; for God sees whatever you do. [2: 110]
Hadith of the day:
Part of the excellence of a person's Islam is in leaving alone what does not concern him. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
You must fill up your time with acts of worship so that no period of time elapses whether by night or by day, without being used in some act of goodness. [Imam al Haddad]
Guidance of the day:
The vigor and stability of our faith depends upon worship and good deeds. Muslims who neglect the religious obligations may end up doing little more than speaking well of certain ancestors who lived a disciplined, religious life. Faith not nourished by worship and good deeds eventually dies.
Praying five times a day strengthens our faith and renews our covenant with God. As long as we worship with an alert and conscious intent, we receive assurance from God and thereby strengthen our will and ability to fulfill our obligations. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Holding to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing at someone else -- you are the one who gets burned. For every minute you remain angry you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind. If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size.
And pray regularly, and give alms; whatever you send forth for your souls, you will find it with God; for God sees whatever you do. [2: 110]
Hadith of the day:
Part of the excellence of a person's Islam is in leaving alone what does not concern him. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
You must fill up your time with acts of worship so that no period of time elapses whether by night or by day, without being used in some act of goodness. [Imam al Haddad]
Guidance of the day:
The vigor and stability of our faith depends upon worship and good deeds. Muslims who neglect the religious obligations may end up doing little more than speaking well of certain ancestors who lived a disciplined, religious life. Faith not nourished by worship and good deeds eventually dies.
Praying five times a day strengthens our faith and renews our covenant with God. As long as we worship with an alert and conscious intent, we receive assurance from God and thereby strengthen our will and ability to fulfill our obligations. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Holding to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing at someone else -- you are the one who gets burned. For every minute you remain angry you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind. If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 315
1. Knowledge is a Divine attribute and action is a human attribute.
2. Ordinary people seek indulgences to keep themselves within the pale of the sacred law, but the elect practice self-mortification to feel the fruit thereof in their hearts.
3. God preserves His saints in all circumstances from the guiles of Satan.
4. Learning is not learning unless it is practiced.
5. The heart is the seat of the knowledge of God and is more venerable than the Kaaba.
6. Men are ever looking to the Kaaba, but God is ever looking to the heart.
7. The friends of God behold in every gift and benefit the Giver and the Benefactor.
8. When you are reconciled to God in affliction, you see only the Author of affliction, and the affliction itself does not come.
9. If you are not reconciled to God when affliction comes, your heart is filled with anguish.
10. When a man sees God's choice and abandons his own choice, he is delivered from all sorrow. [Above quotes by Shaykh Ali ibn Uthman Hujwiri]
2. Ordinary people seek indulgences to keep themselves within the pale of the sacred law, but the elect practice self-mortification to feel the fruit thereof in their hearts.
3. God preserves His saints in all circumstances from the guiles of Satan.
4. Learning is not learning unless it is practiced.
5. The heart is the seat of the knowledge of God and is more venerable than the Kaaba.
6. Men are ever looking to the Kaaba, but God is ever looking to the heart.
7. The friends of God behold in every gift and benefit the Giver and the Benefactor.
8. When you are reconciled to God in affliction, you see only the Author of affliction, and the affliction itself does not come.
9. If you are not reconciled to God when affliction comes, your heart is filled with anguish.
10. When a man sees God's choice and abandons his own choice, he is delivered from all sorrow. [Above quotes by Shaykh Ali ibn Uthman Hujwiri]
Friday, September 09, 2011
Words of wisdom....
1. Whoever puts their trust in Allah, Allah will never disappoint them.
2. Allah's help always comes so long as one has patience and perseveres.
3. The love and dedication that parents have for their children is extra special.
4. We need to appreciate our parents while they are still with us.
5. Practicing Islam is not an obstacle to our material progress, in fact it aids our progress.
6. Never give up hope despite the odds.
7. If we work for Allah, Allah will work for us.
"Don't tell Allah how big your problems are...
tell your problems how big your Allah is"
Keep Smiling
2. Allah's help always comes so long as one has patience and perseveres.
3. The love and dedication that parents have for their children is extra special.
4. We need to appreciate our parents while they are still with us.
5. Practicing Islam is not an obstacle to our material progress, in fact it aids our progress.
6. Never give up hope despite the odds.
7. If we work for Allah, Allah will work for us.
"Don't tell Allah how big your problems are...
tell your problems how big your Allah is"
Keep Smiling
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1285
Ayahs of the day:
Is it that you believe in some of the Book, yet disbelieve in some of it? What is the reward for those who do that, other than disgrace in life in the world? On the day of resurrection, they will be returned to the most intense torment, for God is not heedless of what they do. [2: 85]
Hadith of the day:
No child can repay his father unless he finds him enslaved and then buys him and sets him free. [Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
In an expansive character lie the treasures of provision. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
To find and deserve guidance, you must strive for it sincerely and search for the ways leading to it. Those whom God has blessed with guidance should set good examples and call others to it through all lawful (Islamic) means. The one who leads another to guidance receives the same reward as the new believer, without any decrease in his or her own reward.
Those who lead others to guidance should not remind them of this by saying such things as: "If I hadn't been a means to your guidance, you never would have been guided." This is a grave sin and shows ingratitude to God, for only God guides and causes one to lead another to guidance.
As for those who found guidance, they should think: "Seeing my need and helplessness, God, my Master, used one of His servants to lead me toward guidance. All praise be to Him." Nevertheless, the one led to guidance should be thankful to the person so used by God. After all, since God is the Creator of us and whatever we do, He also creates the means to enable guidance and misguidance. But this does not negate or diminish our free will when it comes to guidance or misguidance. [[M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
He who angers you conquers you. No man can think when his fists are clenched. Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.
Is it that you believe in some of the Book, yet disbelieve in some of it? What is the reward for those who do that, other than disgrace in life in the world? On the day of resurrection, they will be returned to the most intense torment, for God is not heedless of what they do. [2: 85]
Hadith of the day:
No child can repay his father unless he finds him enslaved and then buys him and sets him free. [Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
In an expansive character lie the treasures of provision. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
To find and deserve guidance, you must strive for it sincerely and search for the ways leading to it. Those whom God has blessed with guidance should set good examples and call others to it through all lawful (Islamic) means. The one who leads another to guidance receives the same reward as the new believer, without any decrease in his or her own reward.
Those who lead others to guidance should not remind them of this by saying such things as: "If I hadn't been a means to your guidance, you never would have been guided." This is a grave sin and shows ingratitude to God, for only God guides and causes one to lead another to guidance.
As for those who found guidance, they should think: "Seeing my need and helplessness, God, my Master, used one of His servants to lead me toward guidance. All praise be to Him." Nevertheless, the one led to guidance should be thankful to the person so used by God. After all, since God is the Creator of us and whatever we do, He also creates the means to enable guidance and misguidance. But this does not negate or diminish our free will when it comes to guidance or misguidance. [[M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
He who angers you conquers you. No man can think when his fists are clenched. Speak when you are angry and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.
Friday, September 02, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 314
1. Every good and evil that happens to man is decreed by God.
2. Implore God to deliver you from the wickedness of your soul.
3. Whoever refrains his soul from lust, verily Paradise shall be his abode.
4. God alone can help a man to do good deeds.
5. Knowledge without action is not knowledge.
6. The Divine knowledge penetrates what is hidden and comprehends what is manifest.
7. It behooves the believer to contemplate God in every act, knowing that God sees him and all that he does.
8. Whoever bows his head with humility, like a servant, God will exalt his state in both worlds.
9. Knowledge and action cannot be divorced in any way, just as the light of the sun cannot be separated from the sun itself.
10. Anyone who pretends to know God without lowliness and fear, is an ignorant fool. [Above quotes by Shaykh Ali ibn Uthman Hujwiri]
Monday, August 29, 2011
Eid Mubarak!!!
Remember Allah Most High always gives us:
Enough happiness to keep us sweet.
Enough trials to keep us strong.
Enough sorrow to keep us human.
Enough hope to keep us happy.
Enough failure to keep us humble.
Enough success to keep us eager.
Enough friends to give us comfort.
Enough enthusiasm to make us look forward.
Enough wealth to meet our needs.
Enough determination to make our each day a better day than the last.
What we need to do is -- to stop complaining and fill our hearts with gratitude.
Allah Most High has guaranteed "If your are grateful, I will grant you increase;" [14: 7]
Enough happiness to keep us sweet.
Enough trials to keep us strong.
Enough sorrow to keep us human.
Enough hope to keep us happy.
Enough failure to keep us humble.
Enough success to keep us eager.
Enough friends to give us comfort.
Enough enthusiasm to make us look forward.
Enough wealth to meet our needs.
Enough determination to make our each day a better day than the last.
What we need to do is -- to stop complaining and fill our hearts with gratitude.
Allah Most High has guaranteed "If your are grateful, I will grant you increase;" [14: 7]
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
The Night of Power!
Allah, Most Wise, says:
"The Night of Power is better than a thousand months." (97:3 Quran)
The Messenger of Allah Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is reported to have said:
"Whosoever stands in "Ibaadah-Worship" on this night, with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
"Seek it (laylatul qadr) in Ramadan in the last ten nights. For verily, it is during the odd nights, 21st 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th or the last night of Ramadhan." (Sahih Hadith Ahmad 5:318)
From traditions we learn that among the signs of this night is that it is a serene, quiet, shining night, neither hot, nor cold but temperate as if a moon is shining clear, and no meteors are shot at the
"Shayateen" on that night; it lasts until the break of the dawn. Another sign is that at morn, the Sun rises without any radiant beams of light, appearing rather like the moon in it's fullness. On that day, Allah prohibits the "Shayateen" from rising up with the Sun.
What to do on this night?
Worship during this night can take on many forms. Here are a few suggestions to help you through Laylatul Qadr:
· Take a vacation for Allah! If possible, for the last 10 days of Ramadan.
· Plan ahead if you are working. Discuss the importance of this night with your friends and family.
· Perform Itikaaf (seclusion in a mosque for worship) –If you cannot stay at your local mosque ask family or friends to help out during your Itikaaf at home. If you cannot spend all 10 days in Itikaaf, then do as many days as you can - even if it is only one day.
· According to the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam whosoever performs "I'tikaaf" for a day thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will spread three trenches between him and the fire of Hell, the width of each trench being greater than the distance between Heaven and the Earth.
· Increase the recitation of the Qur'an [reflect on the meaning of the verses, especially the verses used in Salah. This will help you concentrate.]
· Increase Salah (prayer). Read as many Nawaafil Prayers as possible.
· Make abundant Zikr [i.e remembering Allah, sending salawaat on our belove Prophet (pbuh) and making Istigfaar(seeking forgiveness from Allah]
· Dua (Asking from Allah)- Spend lots of time begging from Allah to fulfil your needs and the needs of the Ummah both in this world and the hereafter. Ramadaan is replete with moments when duas are accepted.
· Aaisha (RadhiAllaho anha) reports: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), should I find myself the "Laylatul Qadr", what shall I pray. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) replied: say, Allaahumma innaka afuwwun tohibbul'afwa fa'fu anna "O Allah, Thou art the One who grants pardon for sins. Thou lovest to pardon, so O pardon me." (Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi)
· Make list of Things you need from Allah-Ask yourself what you really want from Allah. Make a list of each and everything, no matter how small or how big it is, whether it deals with this world or not. Allah loves to hear from us. Once this list is ready then use it in your prayers.
· Make long, sincere and deep Duas.
· One of the best times to do this is during the last part of the night.Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Prophet(pbuh) said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth and proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, and I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything and I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, and I forgive him? (Hadith-Bukhari, Muslim).
· Take regular breaks during the night to avoid getting over-exhausted. Try switching between different forms of worship.
May Allah accept our prayers and allow us to take full benefit of this Mubarak night. Ameen!
"The Night of Power is better than a thousand months." (97:3 Quran)
The Messenger of Allah Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is reported to have said:
"Whosoever stands in "Ibaadah-Worship" on this night, with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
"Seek it (laylatul qadr) in Ramadan in the last ten nights. For verily, it is during the odd nights, 21st 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th or the last night of Ramadhan." (Sahih Hadith Ahmad 5:318)
From traditions we learn that among the signs of this night is that it is a serene, quiet, shining night, neither hot, nor cold but temperate as if a moon is shining clear, and no meteors are shot at the
"Shayateen" on that night; it lasts until the break of the dawn. Another sign is that at morn, the Sun rises without any radiant beams of light, appearing rather like the moon in it's fullness. On that day, Allah prohibits the "Shayateen" from rising up with the Sun.
What to do on this night?
Worship during this night can take on many forms. Here are a few suggestions to help you through Laylatul Qadr:
· Take a vacation for Allah! If possible, for the last 10 days of Ramadan.
· Plan ahead if you are working. Discuss the importance of this night with your friends and family.
· Perform Itikaaf (seclusion in a mosque for worship) –If you cannot stay at your local mosque ask family or friends to help out during your Itikaaf at home. If you cannot spend all 10 days in Itikaaf, then do as many days as you can - even if it is only one day.
· According to the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam whosoever performs "I'tikaaf" for a day thereby seeking the pleasure of Allah, Allah will spread three trenches between him and the fire of Hell, the width of each trench being greater than the distance between Heaven and the Earth.
· Increase the recitation of the Qur'an [reflect on the meaning of the verses, especially the verses used in Salah. This will help you concentrate.]
· Increase Salah (prayer). Read as many Nawaafil Prayers as possible.
· Make abundant Zikr [i.e remembering Allah, sending salawaat on our belove Prophet (pbuh) and making Istigfaar(seeking forgiveness from Allah]
· Dua (Asking from Allah)- Spend lots of time begging from Allah to fulfil your needs and the needs of the Ummah both in this world and the hereafter. Ramadaan is replete with moments when duas are accepted.
· Aaisha (RadhiAllaho anha) reports: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam), should I find myself the "Laylatul Qadr", what shall I pray. The Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) replied: say, Allaahumma innaka afuwwun tohibbul'afwa fa'fu anna "O Allah, Thou art the One who grants pardon for sins. Thou lovest to pardon, so O pardon me." (Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi)
· Make list of Things you need from Allah-Ask yourself what you really want from Allah. Make a list of each and everything, no matter how small or how big it is, whether it deals with this world or not. Allah loves to hear from us. Once this list is ready then use it in your prayers.
· Make long, sincere and deep Duas.
· One of the best times to do this is during the last part of the night.Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, related that the Prophet(pbuh) said: When the last one-third of the night remains, our Lord, the Glorious One descends towards the heaven of the earth and proclaims: Who is that who supplicates for Me, and I grant his supplication? Who is that who begs Me for anything and I grant it to him? And who is that who seeks My forgiveness, and I forgive him? (Hadith-Bukhari, Muslim).
· Take regular breaks during the night to avoid getting over-exhausted. Try switching between different forms of worship.
May Allah accept our prayers and allow us to take full benefit of this Mubarak night. Ameen!
Monday, August 22, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1284
Ayahs of the day:
And beware of a day when no soul can compensate for another soul, for anything; and no intercession will be accepted from one, and no ransom will be taken from one; and they will not be helped. [2: 48]
Hadith of the day:
Be in the world as though a stranger or a passerby. [Bukhari, Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
From the signs of relying in one's works is loss of hope when a downfall occurs. [Ibn Ataillah]
Guidance of the day:
The ego or self (nafs) is created and entrusted to us that we may know and declare the Creator's Existence and Unity. Therefore, we prove God's Existence with our own existence, and show God's Attributes with our own attributes. For example, our deficiencies and imperfections show God's all sufficiency and perfection; our privations show God's wealth and abundance; and our inability, weakness, and poverty show God's power, favor, and benevolence. Our proper response is to know and declare God's Existence throughout creation and to perceive His Light in all lights. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Consider how much more you suffer from your anger and grief, than from those things for which you are angry and grieved. How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it!
And beware of a day when no soul can compensate for another soul, for anything; and no intercession will be accepted from one, and no ransom will be taken from one; and they will not be helped. [2: 48]
Hadith of the day:
Be in the world as though a stranger or a passerby. [Bukhari, Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
From the signs of relying in one's works is loss of hope when a downfall occurs. [Ibn Ataillah]
Guidance of the day:
The ego or self (nafs) is created and entrusted to us that we may know and declare the Creator's Existence and Unity. Therefore, we prove God's Existence with our own existence, and show God's Attributes with our own attributes. For example, our deficiencies and imperfections show God's all sufficiency and perfection; our privations show God's wealth and abundance; and our inability, weakness, and poverty show God's power, favor, and benevolence. Our proper response is to know and declare God's Existence throughout creation and to perceive His Light in all lights. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Consider how much more you suffer from your anger and grief, than from those things for which you are angry and grieved. How much more grievous are the consequences of anger than the causes of it!
Friday, August 19, 2011
Hadith -- Best of both the worlds
Sayyiduna Abu Razin (RadhiAllaho anho) narrates that
Rasul'Allah (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
Should I not guide you
to the fundamentals of Deen
by which you will obtain
the best of this world and the Hereafter?
Make it incumbent upon yourself
to frequent the gatherings of those
who engage in Dhikr.
And when you are alone,
engage your tongue
in the remembrance of Allah
as much as you can.
{Baihaqi, Mishkat}
Rasul'Allah (SallAllahu Alaihi Wasallam) said:
Should I not guide you
to the fundamentals of Deen
by which you will obtain
the best of this world and the Hereafter?
Make it incumbent upon yourself
to frequent the gatherings of those
who engage in Dhikr.
And when you are alone,
engage your tongue
in the remembrance of Allah
as much as you can.
{Baihaqi, Mishkat}
Monday, August 15, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 313
1. Freedom from lower qualities is an essential qualification required for spiritual progress.
2. If you wish that God should dwell in your heart, purify your heart from all save Him for the king will not enter a house filled with stores and furniture. He will only enter a heart which is empty of all save Himself.
3. Take one step out of yourself that you may arrive at God.
4. God bestows purity of self upon him who earnestly desires it and is eternally nourished by Him through His contemplation.
5. Knowledge of the Unity of God (tawhid) is revealed in the illuminated hearts of the saints.
6. The behavior of a true saint of God towards His creation always remains friendly and affectionate.
7. If men wish to draw near to God, they must seek Him in the hearts of men.
8. To bring joy to a single heart is better than to build many shrines for worship.
9. To enslave one soul by kindness is worth more than the setting free of a thousand slaves.
10. The true believer is he who is pleased with all that God does, in order that God may be pleased with all that he does.
11. The true man of God is that who sits in the midst of his fellow men, eats, drinks, sleeps, buys, sells, who gets married, has social dealings and yet is never for one moment forgetful of God. [Above quotes by Abu Sa'id ibn Abil Khayr]
Friday, August 12, 2011
Time -- the coin of your life.
Remember to keep your focus on your ultimate purpose of life -- how you define your life.
Remember to keep your focus on where you are going and what route you are going to take.
Remember each day is one step towards your dream, and each day will define your life – so take each day seriously and plan it out.
Remember you cannot keep the time but you know how to well spend it.
Remember you cannot own the time but you can use it to your benefit.
Remember time is priceless but you are blessed with it – so use it wisely.
Remember when you plan your day, you are removing time wasters out of your schedule and making more time for yourself, your family, your life!
Plan your day so you don’t find yourself as a person who is always rushed through life, or a person who did not finish a project he/she always wanted to complete, did not find time to earn some bonus points on his/her Ibadah.
Plan your day, plan your life!
Plan and you will find yourself more productive and at the end of the day, you will be able to measure your success and feel accomplished, because by planning, you will earn some extra time for yourself, you can measure your success and feel more accomplished by looking at the list of things you have completed and look forward to another productive day, inshaAllah.
Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
Remember to keep your focus on where you are going and what route you are going to take.
Remember each day is one step towards your dream, and each day will define your life – so take each day seriously and plan it out.
Remember you cannot keep the time but you know how to well spend it.
Remember you cannot own the time but you can use it to your benefit.
Remember time is priceless but you are blessed with it – so use it wisely.
Remember when you plan your day, you are removing time wasters out of your schedule and making more time for yourself, your family, your life!
Plan your day so you don’t find yourself as a person who is always rushed through life, or a person who did not finish a project he/she always wanted to complete, did not find time to earn some bonus points on his/her Ibadah.
Plan your day, plan your life!
Plan and you will find yourself more productive and at the end of the day, you will be able to measure your success and feel accomplished, because by planning, you will earn some extra time for yourself, you can measure your success and feel more accomplished by looking at the list of things you have completed and look forward to another productive day, inshaAllah.
Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.
Monday, August 08, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1283
Ayahs of the day:
And seek help by patience and prayer, though that is formidable but for the humble, those who believe they are to meet their Lord, that there is where their destiny leads. [2: 45,46]
Hadith of the day:
Patience is illumination. [Muslim, Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
You must thank God for all that He has favored you with; whatever good you have, whether outward or inward, religious or worldly, but it comes from Him. [Imam al Haddad]
Guidance of the day:
We are in constant need of help, guidance, and counsel. If we pray according to the revealed method, we avoid pitfalls of excess and impropriety, and obtain advantage and blessings beyond our imagination. With every word, gesture, movement, and pattern, we may be opening hidden doors and secret locks to hidden realms and eternal bliss.
Prayer straightens all ways and opens all doors. God hears our recitals and supplications, and angels gather around us when we prostrate with sincerity. As the Creator knows what will cause us to prosper in this world and the next, we should follow what He has revealed and how His Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) practiced it in his daily life. It is we who need to worship God; not God who needs to be worshipped -- He is free of all needs. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
We end up as we deserve -- in old age we must put up with the face, the friends, the health, and the children we have earned. We pay when old for the excesses of youth.
And seek help by patience and prayer, though that is formidable but for the humble, those who believe they are to meet their Lord, that there is where their destiny leads. [2: 45,46]
Hadith of the day:
Patience is illumination. [Muslim, Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
You must thank God for all that He has favored you with; whatever good you have, whether outward or inward, religious or worldly, but it comes from Him. [Imam al Haddad]
Guidance of the day:
We are in constant need of help, guidance, and counsel. If we pray according to the revealed method, we avoid pitfalls of excess and impropriety, and obtain advantage and blessings beyond our imagination. With every word, gesture, movement, and pattern, we may be opening hidden doors and secret locks to hidden realms and eternal bliss.
Prayer straightens all ways and opens all doors. God hears our recitals and supplications, and angels gather around us when we prostrate with sincerity. As the Creator knows what will cause us to prosper in this world and the next, we should follow what He has revealed and how His Messenger (peace and blessings upon him) practiced it in his daily life. It is we who need to worship God; not God who needs to be worshipped -- He is free of all needs. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
We end up as we deserve -- in old age we must put up with the face, the friends, the health, and the children we have earned. We pay when old for the excesses of youth.
Monday, August 01, 2011
Ramadan Mubarak!!!
Ramadan: Save the Changes
Don't Press the "redo" after we "undo" and "save the changes"!!!
During the Mubarak and beautiful month of Ramadhaan many have navigated themeselves to the Deen of Allah and have brought about substantial positive deeni changes. Now is a critical time to click on the left tab- Save those changes!
Nearly everyone in this age of modern technology has at some stage worked with a P.C. We have used it to draft documents, amend these documents, copied and pasted onto documents, used the 'undo' icon, edited documents, just to mention a few of the time saving operations that we find on this device.
After opening a document that we have worked upon previously and made the necessary changes and improvements a little box appears on the screen asking the question: Do you want to save the changes you have made to this document? You are then given the option of selecting the YES tab or the NO tab. Selecting the YES tab will give you the desired results while selecting the NO tab literally takes you back to square one. All the effort made in editing, improving and shaping the document becomes an exercise in futility.
Don't we all find ourselves in a similar predicament when the blessed month of Ramadaan passes us? Just think of your book of deeds like a document on your P.C. During the month of Ramadaan we have done amongst other things the following-
· Increased our Ibaadah and acts of charity;
· Took control of our feelings and emotions;
· Responded with compassion and sensitivity to the needs of other;
· Multiplied our good deeds;
-Repented: we have spent many hours on the Musallah begging for Allah's forgiveness for our sins, errors and transgressions.
The vital question that needs to be asked is :
Do we want to save the changes that we have made in the month of Ramadaan? Are we going to press the YES tab or the No tab?
Pressing the YES tab will leave us with a new, improved version. A version of heightened spirituality, a version of righteousness, a version that is pleasing to our Creator. Pressing the NO tab will take us back to square one; back to our old habits before Ramadaan, back to the life of sin and immorality, back to a life of heedlessness and back to a life subjecting ourselves to the wrath of the Almighty.
How do we improve on this document; the document of our lives, the document of our deeds, the document that we are going to present to Allah the Almighty on the Day of Reckoning? Here are some hints: Copy and Paste from the life of our illustrious master Muhammad Sallallahu alayhi Wasallam.
Use the 'undo' icon by making Taubah immediately after any transgression as the Hadith states "The one who repents from sin is like one who has committed no sin at all"
There may not be a need to do a "spell check" but there is certainly a need to do a "sincerity check" and a "Shari'ah check"? Are we complying?
There may be files and folders that we want to keep while there could be some others we would not even want others to know exist. Many of us begged Allah to "delete" our sins and dark deeds .We cried before Allah, shed tears of remorse and vowed not to commit those sins in future. Going back to the sins that we have asked Allah's forgiveness for would be like making a visit to the "recycle bin".
What about viruses? P.C. users are also very wary about e-mails they receive and the sites that they visit, fearing the admission of a virus that may pollute their system and cause it to malfunction.The environment and people who we associate with could adversely infect us!Why do we then subject our minds and thoughts to immoral sites and dens of vice which would pollute our moral system and cause us to malfunction? What anti-virus software have we installed to ward off the variety of Fitnahs that confront us everyday?
We need to install the right version of the anti-viruses. There is indeed only One version. Without delay install every Commad of Allah and the Sunnah of Rasulullah ( Salallaho alaihe wassallam) onto our hardrives(lives). This will allow us to repel the attemps by shaytaan and other evil forces to infect our PC's(souls).
It s Now time to Run the Programs...
Begin By:
Connecting ourselves to the right network. When we need an I.T solution we ago to I.T specialist. We also in our lives need to consult with Ulama and pious people so that we are connected to the right network!
Delete ALL harmulful programs Permanetly! Lets Repent over our past evil deeds and make a firm niyyah (intention) NEVER to Redo those evil deeds
Ensure that the service provider provides the installation guide for the following programs to be run on your PC:
Program 1:
Dawah (Inviting ourselves, families,communities and humanity towards Allah and help Allah's Deen by striving for it)
Program 2:
Ta'alim (Learning and teaching Deen)
Program 3:
Ibaadah-Worship ( Salaah, Haj, Umrah, Quran, Zikr, Dua and all other forms of Ibadaat)
Program 4:
Khidmah- Acts of Charity ( All acts Charity including Zakaah especially helping the Ummah in whatever possible way)
Now lets connect ourselves to Deen of Islam and the Amaal (good actions) that takes place in our Musjids...as no one knows when his or her PC will crash (when we will die)! By performing Good Deeds we will have Permanently Backed Up our records in Jannah(Paradise). Be carefull not to engage ourselves in Evil lest we Back-Up our evil deeds in Jahannam (Hell)
Fortunate is the person who has "saved the changes". Extremely unfortunate is the person who has made no changes as he /she has nothing to save.!
IMPORTANT: As we dont know the time when our PC will shut down ...Make those Changes Now and more importnat.........Save it!
** *** ***
Friday, July 29, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 313
1. When trouble and suffering come upon you, accept them and do not complain.
2. Seek a simple and humble life and be happy and content with it.
3. The eyes that shine with the light of Allah will give light to the eyes that look upon them.
4. Beware of your states, count each breath and every moment of time allotted to you -- let it not go to waste.
5. Listen and be respectful and humble in the presence of those who remember and call upon Allah.
6. In generosity and benevolence, follow the example of the holy Prophet (sws).
7. Accept the Truth from those who preach it -- to be humble is to accept the Truth.
8. Expel all self-approval and pride from your being and envy is a dreadful thing that you should flee from.
9. Be more occupied with your inner state than with your outer state -- for the inner state is what Allah looks at.
10. Show respect to the devout, show kindness to the sinful, do not cause discomfort to anyone; let your outer self be the same as your inner self. [Above quotes by Abu Abdul Rahman al Sulami]
Friday, July 22, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1282
Ayahs of the Day:
This is the Book, without doubt, in it guidance for the conscientious, those who believe in the unseen, who practice regular prayer, and who give of what We have provided them; and those who believe in what was revealed to you, and what was revealed before you, and who are certain of the Hereafter. [2: 2,3,4]
Hadith of the Day:
Worldly things are sweet and seemingly, whoever takes them with permission will find them blessed, while whoever takes them with avidness shall not find any blessings in them and will be like those who eat and yet are not satiated. [Bukhari & muslim]
Wise quote of the Day:
When the inward is good the outward is also inevitably so, for the outward follows the inward, whether for good or evil. [Imam Abdullah Ibn Alawi al Haddad]
Guidance of the Day:
The Arabic word ilah is the counterpart of the English word god. Both mean the thing or entity being worshiped. The persian khuda, the Latin deus, and the Turkishi tanri have similar meaning and connotations.
God, with a capital G, is not an exact equivalent of the term Allah. Rather, it is closer to the Islamic conception of ilah. In Arabic, Allah is the essential personal name of God and comprises all His Beautiful Names (asma' al-husan). When Allah is said, the One, the Supreme Being, the Creator, the Owner, the Sustainer, the All-Powerful, the All-Knowing, the All-Encompassing, whose Names and Attributes are manifested in creation, comes to mind. This term also refers to His Absolute Oneness as well as Having no defect or partner.
As Allah is a proper name peculiar to the One Supreme Being, we say la ilaha illa Allah (there is no god but Allah). By saying this, we first deny all non-deities and then affirm the One known by the name Allah. In other words, only Allah is Allah, and only He is worthy of worship. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
To resist the frigidity of old age, one must combine the body, the mind and the heart, and to keep these in parallel vigor one must exercise, study, and love. A comfortable old age is the reward of a well-spent youth, instead of its bringing sad melancholy prospects of decay, it would give us hope of eternal youth in a better world.
Monday, July 18, 2011
If you have to complain then try to be the best of those who complain....
The ignorant one complains about Allāh to the people!
This is the height of ignorance in complaining and in whom the complaint is about.
For if a person were to truly know his Lord, he would never complain of Him.
If he truly knew people, he would never complain to them …
The gnostic complains only to Allāh,
and the most knowledgeable of the gnostics are those who complain to Allāh about themselves, not others …
So there are three levels:-
# 1/-The most contemptible of them is to complain to people about Allāh;
#2/ The loftiest of them is to complain to Allāh about oneself;
#3/ The middle level is to complain to Allāh about others.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 312
1. Bring joy into the lives of believers and meet their needs, respond cruelty with kindness.
2. Love each other and meet each other for Allah's sake.
3. Remember that you are a servant of Allah -- humble yourself and do not regard yourself and your actions as significant.
4. Repent ceaselessly, with the strongest will not to return to the sin -- for only then is the repentance acceptable.
5. By loving the ones whom Allah loves, you attract His love for yourself.
6. Retain the fear of Allah both inwardly and outwardly.
7. Fast-- for hunger is a protection against the Devil.
8. The effect of remembrance of Allah (dhikr) inwardly is acceptance (rida) with the Divine decree, and outwardly is humility (khushu) and piety (taqwa).
9. Education of the heart is through safeguarding the limbs and sense organs.
10. Forgive -- even though you may have the power to retaliate; instead of seeking the faults of others, look for your own faults. [Above quotes by Abu Abdul Rahman al Sulami]
Monday, July 11, 2011
What is it that's hard to break?
Diamonds are hard to find but not hard to Break.
What is the hardest thing to break then?
The answer is: HABIT!
If you break the H, you still have A BIT.
If you break the A, you still have BIT.
If you break the B, you still have IT!
Hey, after you break the T in IT, there is still the 'I'.
Hey, after you break the T in IT, there is still the 'I'.
And that "I" is the root cause of all the problems that you/me/all are facing.
Isn't it right? Do You endorse? Do You agree?
Now you know why "HABIT" is so hard to break.
Moral of the story:
We have to respect each other's opinion and views too.
We just need to listen others actively and their point of view
KEEP SMILING -- not because of something but despite everything.
Friday, July 08, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1281
Ayahs of the Day:
Say, "I take refuge with the Lord of humankind, the ruler of humankind, the God of humankind, from the ill of flighty suggestion that whispers in the people's hearts from the demonic and human sources." [114: 1 to 6]
Hadith of the Day:
Take advantage of five before (another) five -- your life before your death, your health before illness, your free time before your preoccupation, your youth before your old age, and your wealth before poverty (i.e. preparing for the Hereafter). [Ahmad & Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Renew your wudu whenever you break it, for wudu is the weapon of the believer, and when the weapon is in evidence, the enemy does not approach. [Abdullah ibn Alawi al Haddad]
Guidance of the Day:
To hope for the Hereafter but do nothing for it in terms of conduct and morality is false hope. A perennial teaching of revealed religion since the creation of Adam is that entry into Paradise is a matter of God's mercy and that this mercy is attained by combining faith and sincere deeds for the sake of God. Unfortunately, on the Day of Judgment many Muslims will find themselves in Hell because of false hopes. All they have to show for their religiosity is the mere declaration of faith, a testimony unconfirmed by deeds, especially the rites of worship and charitable acts towards others.
The Quran states that there are people who desire to continue in their wrongdoing throughout the entirety of their lives. The scholars have said that although people may be aware of ultimate accountability, they put off repentance as if they are guaranteed a long life. This is an ethic exemplified by the saying, "Sow your wild oats," which advocates getting all the lewdness and sin out of life when one is young, and then later calming down and getting serious about religion.
Besides being simply wrong, another terrible flaw in this ethic is that people die at all ages and never get the chance to repent and make amends. Moreover, what kind of repentance is this when people intentionally indulge in sin banking on the possibility that later on in life -- after all the energy and drive diminishes -- they will turn in penitence to God? We know that God loves those who spend their youth obedient to Him and His commandments. [Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, Purification of the Heart]
Food for Thought:
Some die without having really lived, while others continue to live, in spite of the fact that they have died. Be of good cheer about death, and know this of a truth, that no evil can happen to a good man, either in this life or after death. A faithful life in this world is the best preparation for the next. This world is the land of dying; the next is the land of living.
Monday, July 04, 2011
Raising Moral Children
Nothing is difficult with Allah's help and nothing is easy without His help.
1. Commit to Raising A Moral Child
How important is it for you to raise a moral child? It's a crucial question to ask, because research finds that parents who feel strongly about their kids turning out morally usually succeed because they committed themselves to that effort. If you really want to raise a moral child, then make a personal commitment to raise one.
2. Be a Strong Moral Example
Parents are their children's first and most powerful moral teachers, so make sure the moral behaviors your kids are picking up from you are ones that you want them to copy. Try to make your life a living example of good moral behavior for your child to see. Each day ask yourself: "If my child had only my behavior to watch, what example would he/she catch?" The answer is often quite telling.
3. Know Your Beliefs And Share Them
Before you can raise a moral child, you must be clear about what you believe in. Take time to think through your values then share them regularly with your child explaining why you feel the way you do. After all, your child will be hearing endless messages that counter your beliefs, so it's essential that he/she hears about your moral standards. TV shows, movies, newspapers, and literature are filled with moral issues, so use them as opportunities to discuss your beliefs with your child.
4. Use Teachable Moments
The best teaching moments aren't ones that are planned—they happen unexpectedly. Look for moral issues to talk about as they come up. Take advantage of those moments because they help your child develop solid moral beliefs that will help guide his behavior the rest of his life.
5. Use Discipline as a Moral Lesson
Effective discipline ensures that the child not only recognizes why her behavior was wrong but also knows what to do to make it right next time. Using the right kind of questions helps kids expand their ability to take another person's perspective and understand the consequences of their behavior. So help your child reflect: "Was that the right thing to do? What should I do next time?" That way your child learns from his mistakes and grows morally. Remember your ultimate goal is to wean your child from your guidance so he or she acts right on his or her own.
6. Expect Moral Behavior
Studies are very clear: kids who act morally have parents who expect them to do so. It sets a standard for your child's conduct and also lets her know in no uncertain terms what you value. Post your moral standards at home then consistently reinforce them until your child internalizes them so they become his or her rules, too.
7. Reflect on the Behaviors' Effects
Researchers tell us one of the best moral-building practices is to point out the impact of the child's behavior on the other person. Doing so enhances a child's moral growth: ("See, you made her cry") or highlight the victim's feeling ("Now he feels bad"). The trick is to help the child really imagine what it would be like to be in the victim's place so he or she will be more sensitive to how his or her behavior impacts others.
8. Reinforce Moral Behaviors
One of the simplest ways to help kids learn new behaviors is to reinforce them as they happen. So purposely catch your child acting morally and acknowledge his or her good behavior by describing what he or she did right and why you appreciate it.
9. Prioritize Morals Daily
Kids don't learn how to be moral from reading about it in textbooks but from doing good deeds. Encourage your child to lend a hand to make a difference in his world, and always help him or her recognize the positive effect the gesture had on the recipient. The real goal is for kids to become less and less dependent on adult guidance by incorporating moral principles into their daily lives and making them their own. That can happen only if parents emphasize the importance of the virtues over and over and their kids repeatedly practice those moral behaviors.
10. Incorporate the Golden Rule
Teach your child the Golden Rule that has guided many civilizations for centuries, "Treat others as you want to be treated." Remind him or her to ask himself before acting, Would I want someone to treat me like that? It helps him or her think about his behavior and its consequences on others. Make the rule become your family's over-arching moral principal
1. Commit to Raising A Moral Child
How important is it for you to raise a moral child? It's a crucial question to ask, because research finds that parents who feel strongly about their kids turning out morally usually succeed because they committed themselves to that effort. If you really want to raise a moral child, then make a personal commitment to raise one.
2. Be a Strong Moral Example
Parents are their children's first and most powerful moral teachers, so make sure the moral behaviors your kids are picking up from you are ones that you want them to copy. Try to make your life a living example of good moral behavior for your child to see. Each day ask yourself: "If my child had only my behavior to watch, what example would he/she catch?" The answer is often quite telling.
3. Know Your Beliefs And Share Them
Before you can raise a moral child, you must be clear about what you believe in. Take time to think through your values then share them regularly with your child explaining why you feel the way you do. After all, your child will be hearing endless messages that counter your beliefs, so it's essential that he/she hears about your moral standards. TV shows, movies, newspapers, and literature are filled with moral issues, so use them as opportunities to discuss your beliefs with your child.
4. Use Teachable Moments
The best teaching moments aren't ones that are planned—they happen unexpectedly. Look for moral issues to talk about as they come up. Take advantage of those moments because they help your child develop solid moral beliefs that will help guide his behavior the rest of his life.
5. Use Discipline as a Moral Lesson
Effective discipline ensures that the child not only recognizes why her behavior was wrong but also knows what to do to make it right next time. Using the right kind of questions helps kids expand their ability to take another person's perspective and understand the consequences of their behavior. So help your child reflect: "Was that the right thing to do? What should I do next time?" That way your child learns from his mistakes and grows morally. Remember your ultimate goal is to wean your child from your guidance so he or she acts right on his or her own.
6. Expect Moral Behavior
Studies are very clear: kids who act morally have parents who expect them to do so. It sets a standard for your child's conduct and also lets her know in no uncertain terms what you value. Post your moral standards at home then consistently reinforce them until your child internalizes them so they become his or her rules, too.
7. Reflect on the Behaviors' Effects
Researchers tell us one of the best moral-building practices is to point out the impact of the child's behavior on the other person. Doing so enhances a child's moral growth: ("See, you made her cry") or highlight the victim's feeling ("Now he feels bad"). The trick is to help the child really imagine what it would be like to be in the victim's place so he or she will be more sensitive to how his or her behavior impacts others.
8. Reinforce Moral Behaviors
One of the simplest ways to help kids learn new behaviors is to reinforce them as they happen. So purposely catch your child acting morally and acknowledge his or her good behavior by describing what he or she did right and why you appreciate it.
9. Prioritize Morals Daily
Kids don't learn how to be moral from reading about it in textbooks but from doing good deeds. Encourage your child to lend a hand to make a difference in his world, and always help him or her recognize the positive effect the gesture had on the recipient. The real goal is for kids to become less and less dependent on adult guidance by incorporating moral principles into their daily lives and making them their own. That can happen only if parents emphasize the importance of the virtues over and over and their kids repeatedly practice those moral behaviors.
10. Incorporate the Golden Rule
Teach your child the Golden Rule that has guided many civilizations for centuries, "Treat others as you want to be treated." Remind him or her to ask himself before acting, Would I want someone to treat me like that? It helps him or her think about his behavior and its consequences on others. Make the rule become your family's over-arching moral principal
Friday, July 01, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 311
1. There is nothing more noble than servitude, nor is there a more perfect title for the believer than 'slave'.
2. Just as 'Lordship' is eternal quality of God, so is 'servitude' a quality of man that stays with Him as long as he lives.
3. Shame means abandoning all pretensions before God.
4. Sincerity is guarding oneself from the opinions of men and truthfulness is cleansing oneself of awareness of self.
5. The sincere one is not hypocritical, and the truthful one is not conceited.
6. Truthfulness is that you be with people just as you perceive yourself to be or that you perceive yourself to be just as you are.
7. God will beautify the inner faculties with contemplation for one who adorns his outer being with striving.
8. Whoever refrains from speaking the truth is a mute devil.
9. It is best that a person be given enough wealth to sustain him and then he maintains himself within those limits.
10. The one who humbles himself before a rich person on account of his wealth loses two thirds of his religion. [Above quotes by Shaykh Abu ad Daqqaq]
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