An Eid gift -- An inspiring award winning essay by a thirteen year old.....

                                                          Malcolm X

“We declare our right on this earth to be a human being, to be respected as a human being, to be given the rights of a human being in this society, on this earth, in this day, which we intend to bring into existence by any means necessary.” —Malcolm X

Malcolm X, or El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, is one inspirational leader that I greatly admire, specifically because of the virtuous qualities and character traits he embodied. Of these in particular: his sincerity, passion, and ability to inspire. I believe that by modeling myself on these these principles, I can become a better person.

Malcolm X was sincere, and he showed this through his fearlessness and dedication. Malcolm’s social situation was perilous, as many white supremacist groups — often offshoots of the KKK and often not — doubtlessly had him high up on their target lists. Towards the end of his life, the Nation of Islam (NOI) also condemned him and made attempts on his life, once bombing his house and eventually succeeding in assassinating him shortly before his fortieth birthday.

Yet, despite his precarious situation, he was still prepared to speak out against the atrocities and injustices of the time. Considering that all leaders face some sort of opposition, whether small or big, I find that sincerity is the key to success. I learn from this that one should never allow threats to disrupt one’s cause. Always carry forth with the truth despite what anyone says or does. To be a leader, one must be sincere and steadfast.

His sincerity also shines forth in his ability to give up things he valued in pursuit of his goals and in his search for truth. The first major instance being when he gave up his lavish crime-based lifestyle to join the NOI. The second was when he left the NOI. He found two reasons to leave it: he realized that Elijah Muhammad, founder of the Nation of Islam, did not abide by his own laws, and he made the Pilgrimage to Mecca where he said he found "blonde-haired, blued-eyed men I could call my brothers." The latter was starkly contrary to the Nation of Islam’s creed.

He then embraced Islam as taught to us by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him), and returned from Mecca, this time with a message for all races. In this second instance, he made an additional enemy, the NOI, who proved to be the most dangerous. His capacity to readily jettison what he valued, in search of truth and higher principles, was an indelible mark of his sincerity. I understand from this that it is important not to get caught up in small things. One must always have the bigger picture in view. If one finds truth, one should not be caught up in one’s previous ways of thinking, or ways of doing things. To be a leader, one must embrace the truth whenever one finds it.

Malcolm was uneducated. After he was told by his favorite teacher that his dream of becoming a lawyer was “no realistic goal for a negro,” he dropped out of school. He was only fifteen years old at the time, and he soon adopted a life of crime. He moved to Boston where he became wealthy off of its underground market. He was eventually charged with theft and jailed.

It was in jail that he committed to reforming himself and making up for what he had missed in school. He read many of the books in the prison libraries, including the dictionary from beginning to end. It was during this time that his brother, Reginald, introduced him to the Nation of Islam. This accelerated self-education later became one of his most valuable assets in his numerous and spectacular debates.

Despite what his teacher had said, Malcolm X became one of the finest “lawyers” in history. I find his speeches and debates deeply inspirational, awe-inspiring, and a testament to his tenacity. Also, I find that his passion and fervor for his mission allowed him to accomplish and learn at an amazing pace.

Malcolm X underwent many trials — tests of his beliefs, tests of his determination and courage, tests of overcoming his ego — but he persevered and emerged triumphant over them. It is a testament to an underlying theme in one of my favorite books, The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho: “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

Malcolm X is a name that is known throughout the world. He did not hold to the ideas that benefited his ego, rather he held to the principles in which he found truth. After making the Hajj, he readily jettisoned the idea that all white men were devils, based on the racial harmony he saw in Mecca. He found that race was unimportant, and that all that truly mattered was what a person held in his heart.

When he renounced the Nation of Islam, he became even more at risk, and could have lost much of the power he had gained as its spokesman. He said, "Power in defense of freedom is greater than power in behalf of tyranny and oppression, because power, real power, comes from our conviction which produces action, uncompromising action," and truly did he remain powerful.

His ability to recognize truth when he saw it and his ability to prevent his ego from hindering him in its pursuit are virtues seldom found in leaders today. He fought against one of the most brutal atrocities in history. He once said, "I am not educated, nor am I an expert in any particular field... but I am sincere and my sincerity is my credential," and, indeed, his sincerity led him to be great. It is my hope and prayer that, God willing, I am able to cultivate in myself the sincerity and dedication Malcolm X so readily embodied.

Malik

Lesson of the day 1335

Ayahs of the day:
If God helps you, there is no one who can overcome you; and if God abandons you, who is there that can help you after that? So let the believers trust in God. [3: 160]

Hadith of the day:
Among the portents of the Hour are that knowledge will be taken away, ignorance will prevail, alcohol will be drunk and zina will become widespread. [Bukhari]

Wise quote of the day:
Seek to keep the company of those who illumine one's inward and outward states with the light of their intimacy with the Divine. [Shaykh Abul Abbas]

Guidance of the day:
The likeness of the ignorant person who neglects seeking obligatory knowledge is that of a slave to whom his master sends a letter, commanding him to do certain things and  refrain from other things. The slave while able to read the letter, neglects to even look at it, let alone what it contains. And the likeness of the scholar who neglects to put into practice what he knows is that of another slave who reads his master's letter, learns what it contains, then obeys none of the commands nor refrain from any of the prohibitions he finds in the letter.

Is there any worse neglect than that of these two slaves with their master? Can they find justification before him? Is anyone more deserving of severe punishment for his impudence and disrespect for his master than they? Beware of being one of those two inauspicious men -- the ignorant who does not learn, or the learned who does not act upon his knowledge. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage -- they strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.  The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict. No man who is occupied in doing a very difficult thing, and doing it very well, ever loses his self-respect. Undertake something that is difficult; it will do you good. Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.

This Ramadan -- let us resolve to bring the true jihad in our lives......

1. Jihad is the struggle to remove all those things from one's life that incur Allah's displeasure, and to replace them with those things that will gain His acceptance.

2. Jihad is the struggle against one's inner self and it's bestial inclinations. It is this struggle, in fact, which the Prophet of Islam (Allah's blessings and peace upon him) dubbed "the greater jihad."

3. Jihad is the struggles against the villains in our hearts which include: arrogance, avarice, pettiness, selfishness, jealousy, greed, self-delusions, and vain passions.

4. Jihad is the struggle to replace the villains in our hearts with goodly traits, such as mercy, honor, humbleness, generosity, gentleness, dignity, love, and other qualities that are aptly described as "heavenly."

5. Jihad is the struggle to fulfill the rights and responsibilities of one's family as well as those who are close, such as neighbors and relatives, to make sure that one does not harm them either with his hand or tongue.

6. Jihad is the struggle to forgive the wrongs of others, to overlook their misgivings, and hide their faults.

7. Jihad is the struggle to help the needy, the orphan, the widow, and the homeless by sacrificing our wealth.

8. Jihad is to show love and gentleness to our young ones, and respect and dignity to our elders.

9. Jihad is to protect the honor and property of every single member of society, whether man or woman.

10. Jihad is the struggle to speak out against injustice, to help the victims of oppressions, to ensure that everyone is given just measure, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or religion.

11. Jihad is to submit our will to Our Creator, thereby achieving peace and unity with the rest of the cosmos in celebrating His Majesty and Glory.

12. Jihad is ultimately that struggle in which we are willing to give our lives in the name of Allah so that these ideals will endure and bring peace and justice to countless others, thus truly bringing the harmony of the heavens down the earth.

Pearls of Wisdom 334

1. Once a person said to a dervish, "All I ask for is a small dwelling in Paradise."
 The dervish replied, "If you displayed the same contentment with what you already have in this world, you would have found ultimate bliss."

2. Do not strut proudly on account of your good deeds. Do not let pride waylay you. When you deem yourself holier than others, know that you have fallen into grave error because in your pride you believed yourself equal to God.

3. In separation from God you have become arrogant; pay heed before His scourge strikes you down. Do not exult because of your good fortune. Over and again God admonishes you with the examples of the transgressors before you. If you really want to enjoy the limitless bounty of Allah, surrender yourselves before His will and endure all afflictions with fortitude.

4. O my people prove the sincerity of your respect for the Qur'an by putting its teachings into practice, not by arguing about it.

5. Whenever hearts abound in knowledge, they draw nearer to their Lord (Almighty and Glorious), whenever a heart contains love of this world, it is screened from Allah.

6. Obedient service to Allah (Almighty and Glorious) is performed by the heart, not the outer mold.

7. 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 many secrets.

8. The heart is enlivened only when it receives the seed of the affirmation of oneness from a living heart. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jillani]

Interview With Believuh Group

Dear All,

Assalamu alaikum wa rahamtullahi wa barakatuhu,

may our beloved Almighty Allah continue to shower us with the special Ramadan blessings -- by accepting our ibadahs and answering all our duas, ameen.

Please follow this link to read an interview I conducted recently with Believuh Group about myself and my background. Insha-Allah, I hope you'll find it beneficial and worthwhile.

Ramadan Resolutions.....

Whoever wants to know what Allah has prepared for him, should look to what he has prepared for Allah.

What a beautiful, simple formula to calculate our future with!  We can match our life against the Qur'an and the Sunnah to know who we are, and to look at what we have set aside for Allah (Subhana wa Ta’ala), and to know what Allah the Almighty and Majestic has prepared for us.

It is imperative that we take our soul to account and treat its deficiencies. Umar (radi Allahu anhu) said, "Take account of yourselves before you are taken to account, weigh your deeds before they are weighed."

Hasan al Basri (rahimahu Allah) said "A believer will always be critical of himself in his food, his drink and his speech. A sinner will not criticize himself." He also said "A believer is a guardian over himself: he takes account of himself for Allah. Those who take account of themselves in this world will be audited lightly in the Hereafter. Those who take this issue lightly will find their auditing very difficult."

When a Muslim takes account of his actions, he is able to realize the right of Allah (Subhana wa Ta’ala) over him. Ibn al-Qayyim said, "A benefit of understanding Allah's right over the servant is that it breeds condemnation of oneself and delivers one from showing off and vanity. It also opens the door of humbleness in front of Allah and closes the doors of conceit. It allows one to realize that salvation is only through Allah's grace and mercy."

It is Allah's right that He should be obeyed and not disobeyed; that He should be remembered and not forgotten; and that He should be shown gratitude and not shown ingratitude. Whoever thinks over these things will know with certainty that he cannot fulfill these conditions and, thus, has to resort to Allah's mercy. Such a person will be convinced that he cannot rely on his actions, lest he be destroyed.

We think about our rights over Allah and not about His rights over us. This is how we are detached from Allah and deprived of the desire to meet Him. This is the epitome of our ignorance of our Lord and of ourselves.

If we can make our Ramadan resolution this year to follow all the above mentioned advice -- this will be the best possible Ramadan so far, inshaAllah.

Three things of life once gone never come back -- time, words, and opportunity. Let us also make the resolution to not waste them.

With Allah's help nothing is difficult, without His help nothing is easy!

Lesson of the day 1334

Ayahs of the day:
And if you are killed for the sake of God, or die, surely forgiveness from God and mercy are better than what others amass. And if you die, or are killed, it is to God that you are gathered. [3: 157,158]

Hadith of the day:
Charity does not decrease wealth. No one forgives, but Allah increases him in honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah but Allah raises him in status. [Muslim]

Wise quote of the day:
What anxiety is there for the one who is detached from the world; and what need for excuses is there for the one who remains silent? [Mansur Ammar]

Guidance of the day:
The amount of knowledge that is obligatory upon all Muslims is not much. The seeker of knowledge does not have to endure hardship, because it is so easy, and because God Exalted is He -- will help and render things even easier for him should his intention be upright. An immense reward will be his.

The Prophet -- may God's blessings and peace be upon him -- said, "He who takes a path leading to acquiring knowledge, God will ease his path to the Garden, and also -- the angels lay down their wings for the seeker of knowledge." There is no excuse for an ignorant person to neglect acquiring knowledge nor an excuse for a scholar to neglect what he knows. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
Defeat is not the worst of failure -- not to have tried is the true failure. Defeat is a school in which truth always grows strong. Those who are prepared to die for any cause are seldom defeated. Defeat is nothing but education, nothing but the first step to something better.

Ramadan Mubarak!!!

A Ramadan Checklist
1. Ask Allah to enable you to reach Ramadan and to get the most out of it as the Salaf used to do.

2. Intend to fast every day with Iman and pure intention seeking the reward from Allah alone.
The Prophet peace be upon him said, "Whoever fasts in Ramadan with Iman and seeking reward (from Allah) his past sins will be forgiven". (Bukhari)

3. Read the whole Qur'an at least once as the Prophet peace be upon him did.
4. Have Suhoor as the Prophet peace be upon him said, "Have Suhoor because it is blessed".

5. Make Du'a during the fast because the Prophet peace be upon him said that three people's supplication is not rejected one of them is the fasting person.
Ask for the good of this life and the next for yourself, your family and Muslims in general.

6. Make Dua before opening the fast. The Prophet peace be upon him said, "The fasting person has a supplication that is answered when he opens his fast".

7. Give Sadaqah and be good to people. The Prophet peace be upon him was the most generous of people and he was most generous in Ramadan.

8. Avoid anything that diminishes the fast such as, lying, backbiting, cheating, getting angry. The Prophet peace be upon him said "Whoever does not give up false statements (i.e. telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving his food and drink." [Bukhari]

9. Do not eat too much after Iftar.

10. Ask for forgiveness since this is the month Allah frees people from the fire.

11. Pray At-Tarawih with Khushoo. If you pray in the Masjid complete the Salah with the Imam. If you pray at home prolong the Salah as long as you can.
The Prophet peace be upon him said, "Whoever prays during Ramadan with Iman and seeking reward (from Allah) his past sins will be forgiven".

12. Feed the poor, provide them with their Iftar. 
The Prophet peace be upon him said, "Whoever gives Iftar to someone fasting he will have the same reward without decreasing the reward of the person fasting".

13. Try harder the last ten nights especially the odd nights. The Prophet would strive in Ramadan more than he would in any other month and more so in the last ten days.

14. Say this Dua in the nights that Laitul-Qadr is likely to fall on: Allhumma innaka afuwun tuhibbul-afwa fa'fu anni (O Allah you are Forgiving and love forgiveness so forgive me).

15. Ask Allah to accept all your good actions during this month.

Pearls of Wisdom 333

1. Do not deem yourself prudent, for as long as you are attached to the world, you have neither prudence nor sense. Turn to God and seek forgiveness if you wish to prevail.

2.Listen to your heart and not your ego. Your ego prompts you to boast of vain assertions to obtain the glory of this world. Turn away from vanity and seek Him in the recesses of your heart and soul. Show patience in adversity and be content in His will that you may attain proximity to God.

3. Observe how the life of this world deceives those around you. It lures into traps of vanity, wealth, and fame, and exalts them above others. This splendor blinds them, and they are lost forever in illusion. But then in one instant, life deals the blow of death, and all is gone, and with the Beguiler it stands laughing at their sad end. So overcome your egos that you may be saved from the snares that devoured kings and paupers alike.

4. Liberate yourself from the fetters of the ego and surrender yourself before God. Let the Lord be your shepherd, allow Him to attend to all your cares, and do not allow temptations to entice you. Aspirations of this world are the cause of all concern. Aspire to God and obtain freedom.

5. Forgive us, our Lord. Overlook our transgressions and remit from us our evil deeds. Condemn us not for our corruption; save us from public scorn. O Merciful, You Yourself decreed, "I alone and no other accept repentance of My servants and remit from them their evil deeds." So absolve us of our sins, O Benevolent Lord.

6. Sovereigns and slaves, oppressors and mediators, hypocrites and truthful, this world is passing, but the hereafter infinite. Strive therefore for the Lord alone. Attain to piety and purify your hearts. Save yourselves; do not be held back from divine mercy.

7.The path of adoration may render the body weak and fill the heart with sorrow, but all sorrow departs the instant He touches the heart, awakening it to an abounding freedom. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jillani]

Three lasting good deeds.....

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (contineous charity); knowledge which is beneficial; or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (the deceased).” [Sahih Muslim]

“His deeds come to an end” means that he/she is not able to perform any deeds any more and therefore does not receive reward for actions anymore. But there are three categories of actions for which he/she can receive reward even after death.

First -- Sadaqah Jariyah: This is any good deed done from which people continue to benefit despite the demise of the person who originated it. For example, the establishment of a madrassa or masjid from which people are rightly guided will be sadaqah jariya for the person who established it. Having a well dug or a shade or fruit tree planted will also accrue good deeds for a person, as long as the well or tree benefits people.

Second, “knowledge which is beneficial” means knowledge imparted verbally or by any other means through which people become better Muslims. As long as people benefit from this knowledge, the teacher will receive reward for it.

A third source of reward is having virtuous descendants. Dedicating oneself to bringing up good Muslim children and then making dua for them to be among the righteous is the best source of sadaqa jariya, so that after a person's death they continue to pray for him or her. The prayer of righteous children in favor of parents is very useful.

Needless to say all such deeds have to be done with ikhlas (sincerity) in seeking the pleasure of Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). Only when they are done to earn Allah’s pleasure will they be rewarded by Him. If they are done for fame, monetary gain, or any other worldly benefit, then the outcome one achieves in this world is all that they will get for it.

Lesson of the day 1333

Ayahs of the day:
Believers, if you obeyed those who scoff, they would turn you back on your heels; and you would turn back losers. But God is your Protector; and God is the best of helpers. [3: 149,150]

Hadith of the day:
The best of the deeds in Islam are -- feeding others and giving the greeting of salam to those who you know and those whom you do not know. [ Bukhari]

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

Guidance of the day:
The kind of ignorance that is unconditionally blameworthy is ignorance of that which God has made obligatory to know. So beware -- from this ignorance. Leave the shadows of your ignorance for the lights of knowledge. It is not obligatory upon you to acquire much knowledge, but only the amount that you cannot do without.

You must also teach your wife, children,  and anyone else you are responsible for. If you are incapable of teaching them, you should enjoin upon them to go to the scholars from whom they can learn the obligatory amount of knowledge. Otherwise both you and they will have burdened yourselves with wrongdoing. This applies to those of them who have reached the age of legal responsibility. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al_Haddad]

Food for thought:
It does not take much strength to do things, but it requires great strength to decide on what to do. When possible make the decisions now, even if action is in the future. A renewed decision usually is better than one reached at the last moment. The block of granite which is an obstacle in the pathway of the weak becomes a stepping-stone in the pathway of the strong.

Is Our Ship Afloat....

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “By Allah, I am not afraid that you will be poor, but I fear that worldly wealth will be bestowed upon you as it was bestowed upon those who lived before you. So you will compete among yourselves for it, as they competed for it, and it will destroy you as it destroyed them." [Bukhari]

Wealth is like water and human beings are like ships. Ships reach their destinations by using water to cover distances. However, if water goes inside the ship, then it causes the ship to sink. Similarly, if we use wealth to earn Allah’s pleasure and bring us closer to Jannah, there is nothing like it. But if the love of wealth enters our hearts, that is when  it destroys us.

After we begin to love wealth then we compete with each other for it. Jealousy and ill-will enter our lives. After that it ceases to matter how the wealth is earned -- by halal means or haram, and preparing for the Hereafter is a forgotten thing, the wealth is not used to to earn Jannat. Thus, the destruction follows.

The attitude and approach toward life must be proper. We should not sacrifice the Hereafter which is permanent and real,  for this worldly life which is transitory and illusionary. As Hasan al-Basri so rightly and eloquently stated, "What is this world but a dream that a sleeper sees -- he delights in it for a few moments, and then wakes up to face reality."

The “reality” is the accountability in the Hereafter. Along these same lines, the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) advised us that we should have an indifference towards the abode of delusions. Indeed, disconnecting one’s heart from the life of this world, as Imam Ghazali has pointed out, is not fully achieved unless one also possesses a balanced character and a sound and upright heart.

Another prophetic tradition reminds us, “Good character and morals transform errors as water melts ice, while bad character alters good deeds as vinegar cuts honey.” Therefore, when we err, we shouldn't’ lose sight of the fact that every mistake is an opportunity and a signal that it is time to grow in our relationship with Allah. And as we turn to Him walking, He turns to us rushing. May Allah help us experience this spiritual awakening and enable us to beautify our hearts and lives with His Divine Light, ameen.

Pearls of Wisdom 332

1. Worship is like a work of art mastered only by the sincere, the learned scholars who practice what they know, who live and walk among people like everyone else, but in their hearts they seek freedom in the serenity of the wilderness. Because of this yearning they continue to grow until their spirits soar and become united with the numinous. About such God says, "Indeed they are finest of human beings, cherished in Us."

2. A person once asked the Prophet Muhammad to pray for him. So the Prophet implored, "O Allah, kindle within his heart the light of faith, and afford him with the courage to avert earthly wiles and submit himself before Your will." When a person turns away from the world, he adheres to God, and God lavishes incredible bounty on him.

3. Until the conviction in God is completely embedded in your heart, focus your attention on worldly responsibilities. When faith reaches fruition, turn toward Him in complete surrender, knowing that He it is who bestows all bounty, and He it is who takes away all.

4. Persevere, have faith in His benevolence. Through afflictions God only tests your faith; He is completely aware of your condition. Have patience and wait for the divine decree. Do not become like the foolish laborer who is removed from the king's palace for demanding his wages ahead of time.

5. Do not become the candle that gives light to others but itself remains in darkness. Do not follow the desires of your lower self. Should the Lord wish, He Himself will pick you out and prompt you to be a source of guidance.  He Himself shall endow you with the inner strength to endure the changes of fortune and will instill within you infinite wisdom. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]

After the Parents' death....

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Good behavior towards parents by which one can be courteous to them after their demise are to pray salat-ul-janaza upon them, make dua of forgiveness for them, fulfill their religious bequests, maintain relationship with those relatives linked through them and honor their friends. [Abu Daud] “Charity on their behalf after their death (also) earns reward for them.” [Muslim]

Often we realize the value of something only after it is gone. Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) in His Infinite Grace has provided for us a means to make amends even as late as after the person has already died. This hadith tells us how we can be dutiful to our parents after their death, thereby accruing rewards for both them and ourselves.

These ways are:

1. Praying salat-ul-janaza for them.
2. Praying to Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) to forgive them.
3. If they had decided to do some religious good e.g. Hajj or nafl fasts or charitable           work, then fulfilling it on their behalf.
4. Being kind to those relatives who are linked to us through them.
5. Honoring their friends.
6. Giving charity on their behalf.

Instead of wailing over our parents, if we truly love them then we should do as many good deeds as we possibly can. This is because we are sadaqa jaariya for our parents and they are rewarded for our righteous actions.

Lesson of the day 1332

Ayahs of the day:
Did you think you would enter the garden without God finding out who among you struggled, and who were steadfast? [3: 142]

Hadith of the day:
There is no cause for envy except in two cases -- a man to whom Allah gives wealth and enables him to spend it appropriately (in ways dictated by Islam), and a man to whom Allah gives wisdom and he rules in accordance with it and teaches it. [Bukhari]

Wise quote of the day:
If the belief is truly in the heart, the deeds will not delay in following it whatsoever. The complete recognition of Allah and proper love cannot be in the heart if it does not have an over riding effect on the outward deeds. [Ibn Taymiyyah]

Guidance of the day:
Ignorance (about the knowledge of deen) is the origin of all evils and afflictions in both this world and the next. Were all the enemies of an ignorant man to join hands to harm him, they would be unable to cause him as much harm as he causes himself.

A poet says:
His foes never harm the ignorant
As much as the ignorant harms himself

And another has said:
Ignorance is the death before death
For their bodies are tombs before their tombs. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
A mortgage casts a shadow on the sunniest field. Do not accustom yourself to consider debt only as an inconvenience; you will find it a calamity. A man in debt is so far a slave. Debt is the slavery of the free. Conclusion -- never spend your money before you have it.

Should the Muslim abandon an action due to the fear of Riya?

Leaving an action out of fear of falling into 'riya‘ is one of the biggest mistakes and ways of falling into the trap of Shaytaan.

If the intent and motive for an action is correct and righteous and if it is in agreement with what has been legislated then the action should never be abandoned due to the presence of the danger of  riya‘.

Rather it is obligatory upon the Muslim to strive against this threat and danger.

 This is achieved by making his heart cling to modesty in front of Allah and fear of Him,

 and changing the praise and admiration of creation-
for His praise and admiration.

Fudayl ibn Ayyad (radiallaahu ‘anhu) said:-

 ‘Doing an action for the sake of people is shirk and leaving an action for the sake of people is riya’.


Ikhlas is when Allah saves us from
them both.

Pearls of Wisdom 331

1. If you persevere in adversity and depend on God, then know that He will remove your afflictions and bestow vast blessings upon you. For in His Book God promises, "Those who depend upon Allah, Allah bestows His bounty upon them and provides for them from means unknown." Therefore follow the road of patience and rejoice in His infinite bounty.

2. Do not lose hope in Allah, for He is the Creator. He will create another way for you. Do not flee from your trials; patience in adversity is the foundation  of all virtue, of compassion and sainthood. Patience is the foundation, and without a sound foundation you cannot build a monument.

3. Have faith in God the Omnipotent, the Eternal, the First and the Last, who grants life and determines death, He bestows bounty, and only He can restore crushed hopes. Have faith, do not lose hope, wait patiently. He indeed will create a way to deliver you from your hardship.

4. In the treasure house of blessings there is also a store of afflictions. But most lack patience and begin to lament their misfortune before all and sundry, hoping to receive succor. Do they not know that none has the power to help or harm, be they friends or enemies? In their lack of faith such persons deem mortals equal to God. Do they forget that faith in the transient will only hamper deliverance?

5. Whenever you are tempted by this world, picture a derelict covered with filth whose noxious odor is intolerable. Reviled you will shut your senses to the offensive sight. In the like manner stay away from abomination of sin that may deface your purity. The Lord shall bless you with much bounty; therefore let not the cares of this world drive your peace away. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]

Perfect Practical Advice....

1. We should try to be like the bee, which lands on fragrant flowers and fresh branches.

2. Time is too precious, we can't waste it trying to seek out people's faults/defects and mistakes.

3. If Allah is on our side -- through our obedience to Him, then who do we have to fear?

4. If Allah is not on our side -- because of our disobedience to Him, what hope do we have?

5. The fire of envy consumes the body, and excessive jealousy is like a raging fire.

6. If we do not prepare today -- in this world, then we will not be able to do anything tomorrow -- in the next world.

7. We should try our best to withdraw peacefully from places where idle arguments are going on.

8. We should try our best to make our morals and attitude even more beautiful than a garden.

9. When we do acts of kindness that is when we will be the happiest of people.

10. We should leave people to their Creator, leave the envier  to death and forget about any enemy.

11. We should always remember -- pleasure of haram actions is followed by regret, loss and punishment.

Lesson of the day 1331

Ayahs of the day:
And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord, and to a garden broad as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the conscientious, those who spend in good times and bad, and those who restrain their anger, and those who forgive people; and God loves those who do good. [3: 132,133]

Hadith of the day:
Whoever among you wakes up in the morning and is safe in his home, in good health and has enough provision for the day, it is as if he has all the good things of this world. [Tirmidhi]

Wise quote of the day:
The righteous deeds are performed by the righteous and wicked. However, only the truthful ones avoid the sinful deeds. [Sahl Ibn Abdullah al Tustari]

Guidance of the day:
It is incumbent upon every Muslim man and woman to seek knowledge. No Muslim is to be excused from this. The knowledge in question is that without which faith and religion cannot be sound. In sum it is the knowledge of God, His Messenger, the Last Day, what is obligatory, and what is forbidden.

The Messenger of God -- may God's blessings and peace be upon him -- said, Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim; and Seek knowledge, even if in China. China being an extremely distant region to which very few  people go because it is so remote. If a Muslim is required to seek knowledge even in such remote place, how will it not be required when he lives among scholars and will not incur much expense nor suffer much hardship seeking it? [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
Defeat is nothing but education, nothing but the first step to something better. Defeat is not the worst of failures -- not to have tried is the true failure. He who is prepared to die for any cause is seldom defeated. He who is accustomed to defeat, yet persists, will someday succeed. He who is accustomed to success, and becomes indifferent, will someday fail. Defeat is a school in which truth always grows strong.

Closeness to Allah -- solution to our problems

My favorite lil spot is the little area on my prayer rug where I place my face and hands before Allah and I can say anything I want to Him

I can ask Him for anything
And even if it's just a whisper He can hear the screams inside
And even if it's just one tear He know there's an ocean deep inside
It is my time with Allah when no one can interfere

It is my time alone with my Creator and when the rest of the world disappears
It doesn't matter how many times I do this a day...
I still feel as if it's the last time i could do it that day

I want Him to know how much I love Him
How much I need Him
How much I want to please Him
Be with Him
And how much I want to be better for Him

All it takes is a few minutes on my lil prayer rug to feel close to Allah
All it takes is a quick reminder that one day I'll be in front of Allah
For me to humble myself before Him and ask Him for forgiveness
Ask for guidance and for His sweetness
For i can do all things with Him on my side

I can overcome all the heartbreak and pain that's inside
Just as long as Allah hears my cry
And carries me through this life

It is on that lil space where my face and hands land on my prayer rug that I feel most at ease
It is that lil space that fills me most with peace
Where I can just hand it all over to Allah and trust in Him to get me through
Where I can cry and cry and know Allah will take care of me when i don't know what to do

When I prostrate before Allah it's just me and Him
Just my heart talking sincerely to Him
No one else knows what i'm saying or what i'm feeling; just Him

It is my place to get away from this world even for just a few minutes and turn towards my Creator
My Sustainer
My Everything....My Rabb, and know that if I just whisper He can hear and see all that's inside
And everytime I ask and cry, He takes a lil piece of my heart and mends it back together inside.

It's that lil space that gives me all these things
My favorite spot is that lil space on my prayer rug where I place my hands and face
It is in that lil space...where it's just me and Allah...in my lil space.

Pearls of Wisdom 330

1. 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. They even sacrifice fine victuals confident in the faith that they shall be blessed with better in the hereafter. Even God cherishes them because of their conviction and devotion.

2. Once the ego is overcome peace follows. "Only God and no living creature has the power to control destinies." With that conviction entrust all your cares to the Lord and follow the path of the Truth, conforming to the divine edicts, until you attain union with Him and become as pure as Adam before whom all creatures prostrated.

3. God bestows good fortune on whom He will. Then why do you feel jealous and wish that another be dispossessed of all his property? Do you know in your wrath you deem yourselves equal to God? Behold, you will be depraved, because envy corrodes faith and leads to the ultimate fall. Bear in mind Joseph, who despite his brothers' loathsome schemes, remained the illustrious. And who but the brothers were disgraced. Take heed, time and again our Lord warns us against the ills of envy.

4. 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, for adversity is the threshold to freedom. Those who cannot persevere are held back from the doors of Mercy.

5. When you purify your hearts just as you purify your raiment, union with God will follow. You cannot become a sufi by merely wearing coarse woolen shirts and and following strict rituals, pretending to be pious while inside your hearts you bear malice and avarice. A real Sufi has attained a state of perfection on the inside. If you sincerely seek union with God, then seek Him inside your hearts and leave the world alone. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]

Alexander the great.....

                                             Alexander the great's last words
                                                    "Ice melts when heated"
                                                    "Eyes melt when hated"

Alexander, after conquering many kingdoms, was returning home. On the way, he fell ill and it took him to his death bed.

With death staring him in his face, Alexander realized how his conquests, his great army, his sharp sword and all his wealth were of no consequence.

He now longed to reach home to see his mother's face and bid her his last adieu. But, he had to accept the fact that his sinking health would not permit him to reach his distant homeland. So, the mighty conqueror lay prostrate and pale, helplessly waiting to breathe his last.

He called his trusted generals and said, "I will depart from this world soon and I have three wishes, please carry out them out without fail."
With tears flowing down their cheeks, the generals agreed to abide by their king's last wishes.

"My first desire is that", said Alexander, "My physicians alone must carry my coffin."
After a pause, he continued, "Secondly, I desire that when my coffin is being carried to the grave, the path leading to the graveyard be strewn with gold, silver and precious stones which I have collected in my treasury".

The king felt exhausted after saying this. He took a minute's rest and continued. "My third and last wish is that both my hands be kept dangling out of my coffin."

The people who had gathered there wondered at the king's strange wishes. But no one dared bring the question to their lips. Alexander's favorite general kissed his hand and pressed them to his heart. "Oh! our king, we assure you that your wishes will all be fulfilled. But tell us why do you make such strange wishes?"

At this, Alexander took a deep breath and said: "I would like the world  to know of the three lessons I have just learned."

"I want my physicians to carry my coffin because people should realize that no doctor can really cure any body. They are powerless and cannot save a person from the clutches of death. So let not people take life for granted.

The second wish of strewing gold, silver and other riches on the way  to the graveyard is to tell People that not even a fraction of gold will come with me. I spent all my life earning riches but cannot take anything with me. Let people realize that it is a sheer waste of time to chase wealth.

And about my third wish of having my hands dangling out of the coffin, I wish people to know that I came empty into this world and  empty handed I go out of this world".

With these words, the king closed his eyes. Soon he let death conquer him and breathed his last..!!

LESSONS WE CAN LEARN
Our good health is in our own hands, we should look after it.
Wealth is only meaningful if we can enjoy while we are still alive and kicking.
What we do for ourselves dies with us but what we do for others, lives on.
It is called our "Legacy."

Lesson of the day 1330

Ayahs of the day:
Believers, do not consume usurious interest, multiplied and compounded; and be conscious of God, that you may thrive. And be wary of the fire that is prepared for the scoffers. [3: 130,131]

Hadith of the day:
Richness is not having a great deal of wealth; rather richness is richness of the soul. [Bukhari]

Wise quote of the day:
The worshippers of Allah do not worship in anyway better than avoiding what Allah has forbidden. [Hasan al Basri]

Guidance of the day:
Using destiny as an argument when legal injunctions are in question is forbidden and blameworthy -- beware of this. But when hardship strikes it is beneficial. For the servant afflicted of misfortune, to remember God's promises of high degrees and good things and of forgiveness of sins is a good thing that is of benefit for most Muslims, and easy for them to understand. Promises and threats concerning the hereafter are easy for everyone to understand; these are of widespread benefit, both when one is engaged in acts of obedience, or when one is committing a sin, or when one is afflicted with hardship.

The Qur'an is full of promises and threats, and exhortations containing reminders of both. Understand this and reflect on it, you will thus be wisely guided. Rely on God, for He likes those who rely on Him. There is neither power nor ability save by God, the High, the Formidable. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
To speak kindly does not hurt the tongue. Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. It is the cheapest of the pleasures; costs nothing but conveys much. It pleases him who gives and him who receives, and thus, like mercy, it is twice blessed. The small courtesies sweeten life; the greater ennoble it. We must be as courteous to people as we are to a picture, which we are willing to give the advantage of a good light.

To tattle tale is an enormity....

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “He who stirs enmity among people, by quoting their words to each other, will not enter Paradise.” [Bukhari]

Unfortunately, this is a common social evil these days. Rather than mend relations among people, Shaytaan has us excited about carrying tales to each other. “You won’t believe what he did!...Can you imagine what she said?...”

Refuse to listen to what other people have said or done. It is backbiting, just to hear it. If what we are being told about is not true, it is an even bigger sin, both for the person telling it and the person listening to it. If we tell ourselves not to believe everything we hear, our heart will nevertheless be tainted by it. That is why the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) told his companions not to say things about each other to him, since he didn't want to meet them with disquiet in his heart. If Rasul Allah's feelings for people had the possibility of getting soured by hearing tales about them, despite his being rehmat-ul-lil-alameen, then we are certainly not above being corrupted by listening to tales.

The people who carry tales from one person to another, do it in the guise of well wishers. First they sympathize with one party. Then they take what they have gleaned to other people and sow discord, ruining relations between people, by repeating things. A person who behaves in such a manner is being two faced. Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “You find that among the worst people is someone who is two-faced, showing one face to some and another face to others.” [Bukhari]

http://dailyhadith.adaptivesolutionsinc.com

Pearls of Wisdom 329

1. Surrender yourselves before God in the manner of the devout saints; then God will hold you just as dearly as He did the devout who went before you. Therefore follow His commandments and bear every affliction with patience. Adhere consciously for this was the  path chosen by the sages, the path that will lead you to the ultimate freedom.

2. Do not lose hope in adversity and complain that God singled you out for punishment, remitting others guilty of worse sins. Your present state could very well be His intent to elevate your spiritual station; or He could just be testing your faith. Every day that you persevere, you grow closer to perfection. Thus your present despair may be the beginning of an infinite blessing.

3. If you are destined for good fortune you will be blessed; if afflictions have been ordained, no matter where you hide they will seek you out. Submit therefore before the will of God; be grateful in well-being and endure adversity with fortitude that His light may radiate within your being.

4. Do not be confused by ignorance; turn toward and not away from Allah. Have faith in Him and refrain from transgression. For it is Allah and no other creature who can grant or take away life. He is the Infinite and will always reign Supreme. He bestows prosperity, and decrees poverty. Fear Him alone and none other; adhere to Him that you may prevail.

5. Give up deception and take heed. You say you fear Allah; in truth you fear His creatures. Fear neither jinn, nor humans, nor angels. Fear not the beast, nor the scourge of this world, or the hereafter. Fear only the Creator, the Sovereign who created all. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]

Story worth reading....

There was once a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily gradually dwindled down.
...
He discovered that it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all.

He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy should now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.

The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same!"

*********************************
(When we say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one! It won’t matter how many times we say 'I'm sorry', the wound is still there. A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one! We need to learn to control our anger and we need to learn to forgive and Forget!)

Lesson of the day 1329

Ayahs of the day:
And those who remember God and seek forgiveness for their sins if they have done something shameful or wronged themselves -- and who forgives sins but God? -- and those who do not knowingly persist obstinately in what they have done. Their reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens with rivers flowing below them, where they are to abide; and how gracious the reward for workers! [3: 135,136]

Hadith of the day:
The upper hand (the one that gives) is better than the lower (the one that receives). [Bukhari]

Wise quote of the day:
The bounty that comes from Allah to a believer due to his trials is greater than the bounty that comes from Allah during his times of ease.[Ibn Rajab]

Guidance of the day:
He who strives in earnest in good works, then depends on them, is guilty of self-admiration and impudence toward his Lord. He may very well be tried so that he may come to realize his powerlessness and inability to do anything good without God's favor and mercy.

It is now clear that two things are necessary -- the first is to make one's works good, while the second is to depend on God, not on one's works. Effort without God's favor is ineffective, yet effort is indispensable in submission to God's orders. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
True courage is like a kite -- a contrary wind raises it higher. One man with courage makes a majority. The greatest test of courage on earth is to bear defeat without losing heart. "O God, give us the fortitude to endure the things which cannot be changed, and the courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to know one from the other."

Broken hearts -- an opportunity for soul searching....

1. We need to realize that we are created only for Allah Most High. To have our hearts broken is a reminder that it is Allah Alone Who should be our objective in life.

2. Broken hearts is a test of our taqwa (God consciousness) to Allah Most High. Unless we are tested, we will not know if we truly and genuinely dedicate ourselves to Allah Most High, and  if we are accepting His Qada and Qadr (divine decree).

3. Broken hearts bring depth and dimension to our Imaan (faith) and Taqwa, unless our hearts are broken, we won't understand genuinely what it is to have Imaan and Taqwa and Ikhlaas (sincerity).

4. Broken hearts tell us about our own character traits. It may be highly possible that we ourselves do not have good adab (etiquettes), and akhlaq  (good character traits) towards others, such that our own flawed character traits make them flee from us and create the painful situation in our lives.

5. Broken hearts give us an opportunity to look honestly deep inside ourselves and realize our own bad adab and bad akhlaq and transform them into good adab and good akhlaq -- it is neither too early nor too late to fix ourselves.

6. Once we realize our own short comings what we need to do first and foremost is to make frequent dua to Allah Most High to mend our broken hearts and to help us fix our own selves -- "O Allah now that I realize I need to fix myself please help me to become a better person -- O Allah with Your help nothing is difficult, and without Your help nothing is easy".

Pearls of Wisdom 328

1. Abu Bakr al-Siddiq once said, "This world is transitory and our life therein but a moment borrowed, our breaths numbered, yet our indifference reckless."

2. Being observant of God is an act of devotion toward God. Sleep is an act of God drawing us near. That which is conferred upon us by God without our choice is positively superior to that which we send to Him. Sleep therefore is a wonderful gift of God bestowed upon His creatures.

3. Those loved by God are held in contempt by the vulgar, and those who deem themselves virtuous may not be so in the eyes of God. Public ridicule is the very sustenance of the chosen of God. They rejoice in it, just as others rejoice in popularity, for they know that it is a sign  that they are close to Him. As God said, "My chosen are hidden under My cloak. Besides Me, only the elect know who they are."

4. Once Ibrahim bin Adham saw a stone with the inscription, "Turn me over and read!" When he did an inscription appeared: "You do not practice what you know. Why do you seek what you do not know?"

5. God fills the hearts of those who love Him with peace, thus enabling them to endure afflictions with ease. And they also plead, "We shall bear every torment (of this world) with joy, but never shall we be able to endure being separated from You. When Your Magnificence illumines our hearts, all our pain, our sorrows seem meaningless and vanish. [Shaykh Ali al Hujwiri]

A new born's conversation with God....

A baby asked God, "They tell me You are sending me to earth tomorrow,
but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have
to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you.
And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to
understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words
you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will
teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to You?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach
you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see You anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach
you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth
could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave
now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."

M- My
O- Only
M- Mentor

Lesson of the day 1328

Ayahs of the day:
And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord, and to a garden broad as the heavens and the earth, prepared for conscientious, those who spend in good times and bad, and those who restrain anger, and those who forgive people; and God loves those who do good. [3: 133,134]

Hadith of the day:
Richness is not having a great deal of wealth; rather richness is richness of the soul. [Bukhari]

Wise quote of the day:
Do not ask one who flees from your requests, but instead, ask the One Who had commanded you to ask of Him. [Ibn al-Samaak]

Guidance of the day:
The sign of good fortune is that in his lifetime the servant is granted success in performing good works and that they be rendered easy for him. On the other hand, the sign of wretchedness is that they not be rendered easy for him and that, furthermore, he is afflicted with evil works.

Also know that the believer possessed of discernment in religion, well steeped in knowledge and certainty, is he who excels in his works for the sake of God, exerts his utmost, then depends on God and His grace, not on his own works and brilliancy. Thus were the Prophets, the scholars, and the virtuous among the old and the recent generations -- may peace, mercy, and satisfaction be upon them. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
Conversation should be pleasant without scurrility, witty without affectation, free without indecency, learned without conceitedness, novel without falsehood. A good memory and a tongue tied in the middle is a combination which gives immortality to conversation. Not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult is to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

We need to say....

1. Yes to beautiful smile that sends a message of warmth and friendliness to others.

2. Yes to kind words that establish friendship as permitted in Islam and dispel rancor.

3. Yes to acceptable charity that brings happiness to the poor and feeds the hungry.

4. Yes to sitting with the Qur'an, reciting it,  pondering in its meaning and acting upon them, and repenting and seeking forgiveness.

5. Yes to remembering Allah a great deal and praying for forgiveness, persisting in du'a and offering sincere repentance.

6. Yes to raising children in Islam, teaching them the Sunnah and guiding them to that which will benefit them in this world and the next.

7. Yes to modesty and hijab as enjoined by Allah, which is the identity of a Muslima and a means of self-protection.

8. Yes to the love and friendship of those who fear Allah, love Islam and resolve for high values.

9. Yes to honoring one's parents, upholding the ties of kinship, honoring one's neighbors and caring for orphans.

10. Yes to reading useful, informative and beneficial books, and listening to lectures which will give us the understanding of our deen and bring us closer to Allah Most High.

We need to say.....

1. No to wasting time in trivial pursuits, and love of revenge and futile arguments.

2. No to giving priority to money and accumulation of wealth over one's health, happiness, sleep and peace of mind.

3. No to seeking out other people's faults and backbiting about them, while forgetting one's own faults.

4. No to indulging in physical pleasure and giving in to every whim and desire.

5. No to wasting time with shallow people and spending hours in idle pursuits.

6. No to neglecting physical hygiene and cleanliness in the house, and being disorganized.

7. No to haram food, drinks, cigarettes and all foul things.

8. No to thinking of past calamities and dwelling on past mistakes.

9. No to wasting money on haram things, being extravagant with regard to permissible things, and falling short in acts of worship and giving charity.

10. No to forgetting Hereafter and neglecting to strive for it, and to being careless of what will happen in the Hereafter.

Pearls of Wisdom 327

1. A person with knowledge of God strives to fulfill His commandments and follows the conduct of the Prophet. The nearer one is to God, the more eager he is to do His bidding, and the farther he is from God, the more averse he is to follow His Apostle.

2. Knowledge is the spirit that saves the heart from the death of ignorance; it is light that saves it from darkness of iniquity. The hearts of the iniquitous are dead because they are oblivious to God, and the hearts of the heedless are sick because they ignore His commandments.

3. Since man is made of clay, he can never be completely pure. Since clay is basically foul, how can  humans escape their basic nature? Purity does not lie in rituals, nor can human nature be changed by effort. Those who love God and remain conscious only of their Beloved attain purity.

4. The light of love and union with God is like the light of the sun and the moon shining together. The light of the sun and moon is worthless before the light of love. Visual perception can only see the sun and the moon or the skies, but the eye of the heart witnesses the empyrean.

5. When Shibli heard the verse "And remember your Lord when you forget," he declared, "The need for remembrance arises because of forgetfulness. The world has stopped remembering Him." At that a loud shriek escaped his lips, and he fainted. Upon regaining consciousness, he said, "The universe is lost in His praise, except the humans. I wonder at those who hear the dictates of God, yet continue to transgress." [Shaykh Ali al Hujwiri]

Remember the best of creation.....

THE HOLY PROPHET SALLALLAHU ALAYHI WASALLAM

When becoming humiliated, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam) in Ta'if.

When being starved, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)
tying two stones to his stomach in the battle of Khandaq.

When becoming angry, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)'s
control of anger on the martyrdom of his beloved Uncle Hamza.

When losing a tooth, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)'s
tooth in the battle of Uhud.

When bleeding from any part of the body, remember the Prophet
(sallallahu alayhi wasallam)'s body covered in blood on his return from
Ta'if.

When feeling lonely, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)'s
seclusion in Mount Hira

When feeling tired in Salaat, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam)'s blessed feet in Tahajjud.

When being prickled with thorns, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam)'s pain from Abu Lahab's wife.

When being troubled by neighbors, remember the old woman who would
empty rubbish on the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

When losing a child, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)'s
son, Ibrahim.

When beginning a long journey, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam)'s long journey to Madinah.

When going against a Sunnah, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam)'s
 intercession, Ummati, Ummati,Ummati (My Ummah).

When sacrificing an animal, remember the Prophet
(sallallahu alayhi wasallam)'s sacrifice of 63 animals for his
Ummah.

Before shaving your beard, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam)'s face rejecting the two beardless Iranians.

When falling into an argument with your wife, remember the Prophet
(sallallahu alayhi wasallam)'s encounter with Aisha and Hafsa.

When experiencing less food in the house, remember the Prophet
(sallallahu alayhi wasallam)'s days of poverty.

When experiencing poverty, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam)'s advice to Ashaab-e-Suffa (People of Suffa).

When losing a family member, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam)'s departure from this world.

When becoming an orphan, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam)'s age at six.

When sponsoring an orphan, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam)'s sponsor for Zaid ibn Haritha.

When fearing an enemy, remember the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam)'s saying to Abu Bakr in Mount Thour

Whatever situation you may find yourself in, remember your role model,
the best of creation Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wasallam).

Lesson of the day 1327

Ayahs of the day:
Believers, do not consume usurious interest, multiplied and compounded; and be conscious of God, that you may thrive. And be wary of the fire that is prepared for unbelievers. And obey God and the messenger, that you may experience mercy. [3: 130,131,132]

Hadith of the day:
A man will follow the way of his close friends, so let one of you look to whom he takes as a close friend. [Tirmidhi]

Wise quote of the day:
There are four characteristics that if one possesses them, Allah protects him from Satan -- controlling oneself in a state of craving, fearing, desiring (or lusting), and being angry. [Hasan al-Basri]

Guidance of the day:
The true believer is he whose works are good and sincere, and he hopes they will be accepted and rewarded by God's favor. He will also avoid sins, steer away from them, lest he may be afflicted with them, fear to be chastised for those he has already committed, and hopes to be forgiven by God once he has repented and turned to Him. A believer who does not fulfill these conditions is one who is confused and is in great danger. Understand this and impose upon yourself its fulfillment so that -- God willing --you will be saved and will achieve success. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
The secret of contentment is knowing how to enjoy what we have, and to be able  to lose all desire for things beyond our reach. Since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get. If we are content, we have enough to live comfortably. It is good to be contented with what we have, never with what we are.

Hasty in Judgment....

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Oh Ali, if two people come to ask you to judge between them, do not judge in favour of the first until you hear the word of the second in order that you may know how to judge.” [Ahmad, Abu Daud]

Humans are hasty by nature. We are quick to judge. A situation aggravates us and we rush to condemn without bothering to determine all the facts first. In our haste usually only one point of view is considered. This could happen in our households when children get into a fight. This also often happens when we hear things about people. We don’t stay out of things that do not concern us; then we do not bother to hear the other side of the story either. Thirdly, we also get easily influenced with one sided information broadcast at us through the media.

In short, we do exactly what Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) has forbidden, which is to make haste in passing judgment. Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) used to make dua begging Allah, “Enable me to see reality as it really is.”

Pearls of Wisdom 326

1. I never saw anyone as just as the world. As long as you pursue the world it will pursue you, but when you turn away from it and seek God, it will leave you alone and its glamour shall no longer fascinate you.

2. Prayer is an instrument through which novices find their path to God. Thus ablution symbolizes repentance; the Qibla, a spiritual guide; standing in prayer becomes self-mortification; the recitation of the Qur'an, inner meditation; bowing the head, humility; prostration, self knowledge; profession of faith, intimacy; and salutation becomes detachment from the world and bondage of stations.

3. When reason reaches its peak and the souls of His lovers feel helplessness and disabled, they grow restless and stretch their hands in supplication, seeking comfort for their burning souls. When every manner of search within their power has been consumed, the doorway to Him is opened.

4. The miraculous quality of the Qur'an is that one never grows weary of reading or listening to it. The Quresh used to come secretly by night and listen in awe to the Prophet recite. One night Utba bin Rabi'a, an eloquent poet of the time, swooned upon hearing a chapter from the Qur'an. He later swore, "I am positive those are not the words of a mortal."

5. God created the hearts of men to be the homes of His praise, but they have become the homes of lust; nothing but fear and desire  for goodness can purify them. When faith establishes itself within the heart, praise and contentment follow.

6. When a lover of God turns his eyes away from the temptations of this world, he sees the Lord with the eyes of his heart. [Shaykh Ali al Hujwiri]

Insignificant good deeds....

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Save yourselves from the fire of Hell even if it be by giving away a bit of a date, or by uttering a good word." [Sahih Bukhari]

Even a most ordinary good has its weight and value, and the same is true of evil. Even a most ordinary evil will be considered and taken into account; it will not be overlooked. Therefore, no good act however small and insignificant should be left undone, for many such good deeds can collect and be regarded as a major good in the reckoning with Allah (subhana wa ta’ala). Likewise, even a most ordinary evil deed should not be committed, for a large number of such ordinary errors can become serious sins.

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) encouraged us to do good deeds, even if they appeared to be very small. He (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Do not look upon any good work as insignificant, even if it be emptying a bucket into the vessel of one asking for water, or receiving a brother of yours with a pleasant face." In an advice to women he said: "O Muslim women, no woman should look upon sending a gift to her neighbor as mean, even if it be the hoof of a goat." [Sahih Bukhari]

Lesson of the day 1326

Ayahs of the day:
You are the best community evolved for humankind; you enjoin what is fair, and forbid the repugnant; and you believe in God.....[3: 110]

Hadith of the day:
Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him honor his guest. [Bukhari]

Wise quote of the day:
There is no hajj nor guarding the enemy lines and no jihad which is more difficult than restraining the tongue. [Fudhail ibn Iyaadh]

Guidance of the day:
Make hast, postpone not, for procrastination is an evil, since human beings are liable to suffer from various problems and become occupied with numerous things.

The stronger one's faith and the better one's works -- the greater one's fear will be; and the weaker one's faith and the worse one's works -- the less one's fear will be and the more likely one is to feel secure and deceive oneself. Observe this in yourself and in others, you will see how evident it is. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
Between two evils, choose neither; between two goods, choose both. Life often presents us with a choice of evils rather than of goods. He who chooses the beginning of a road chooses the place it leads to. It is the means that determine the end. Life is all about choices -- we cannot escape the consequences of wrong choices.

Death -- Tuhfa tul Momin -- Gift for the Believer

1. The greatest dignity to be found in death is the dignity of the life that preceded it.\

2. Good health doesn't guarantee anything, the wisest thing to do is to live everyday as though it will be our last.

3. There is always a dignity that proceeds from the life well-lived by preparing for the next world, and from the acceptance of one's own death.

4. Death makes more precious each hour of those we have been given, it demands that life must be useful and rewarding.

5. It is not in the last weeks or days that we compose the message that will be remembered, but in all the decades that preceded them.

6. The uniqueness of each of us extends even to the way we die -- unique circumstances of death will be granted to someone with a unique personality.

7. The race of men is like the race of leaves. As one generation flourishes, another decays.

8. Death is easiest for those who during their lives have given it most thought -- as though always to be prepared for its imminence.

9. It is possible to die resigned and reconciled, patiently and tranquilly, having experienced life more fully because of the constant awareness that life may soon come to an end.

10. The utility of living consists not in the length of days, but in the use of time, a man may have lived long, and yet lived but little.

11. Death has ten thousand several doors for men to take their exit, every life is different from any that has gone before it and so is every death.

12. When death comes to man who has completed his mission -- he has nothing to fear nothing to dread.10. The utility of living consists not in the leng days, but in the use

A freindly reminder....

7 key ingredients to finding peace, contentment, and barakah in our lives:

1. Being punctual with all 5 payers -- it is the first thing we will be questioned about on the day of judgment.

2. Reciting a portion (quarter juz to a juz) every day with understanding and implementing its commands and prohibitions in our lives.

3. Always being grateful -- no matter what the circumstance is.

4. Being mindful of the needy and the poor, visiting the sick.

5. Realizing our sins, repenting for them and making a conscientious effort not to repeat them.

6. Always treating parents and relatives with respect and being tolerant towards them.

7. Reciting Surah Yasin in the morning and Surah Waqiyah in the evening.

"The deeds most beloved to Allah Most High are those done regularly, even if they are small " [Bukhari]

Purity does not lie in rituals, nor can human nature be changed by effort. Those who love God and remain conscious only of their Beloved attain purity. [Al Hujwiri]

Life is too short -- best possible advice....

The Foundation for Eliminating Disputes

Disputes, in whatever manner they appear, should be resolved immediately.  Human life being what it is, there is no guarantee as to who will be carried into the grave first.  At the occasion of death, friends, enemies, all gather to mourn anyway.  It is best that one’s heart be cleansed of all grudges regarding all Muslims.  Soothe another’s angry heart and see how tranquil life becomes.  The weightiness in one’s own heart is removed.
Always act towards mending relationships.  As a result, one will attain barakah in one’s time and provision.

Admission

The primary act which ends a dispute is admitting one’s fault.  If it is your fault then admit it and take account of your faults.  It is essential to recognize the excesses one has taken to transgress upon others.  Ultimately, the greatest reality of life is recognition of one’s faults.  The secret of all forms of betterment in life lies in this recognition, because man always errs.  If he does not recognize his faults, then there is no other course for his betterment.  Recognition is the door to all successes, but seldom it is that man is willing to subject himself to it.  When such an occasion arises, it becomes a matter of ego.  Instead of admitting his fault, he attempts to cover it up.  The result is that this fault of his continues to grow unchecked.

Making Excuses and Reconciling

Regardless of whose fault it is, when a dispute occurs, you will always share its blame to a certain extent.  This being the case, you should rise to the occasion and apologize for that which is of your own doing.  Consequently, the one with whom your are disputing will soften his attitude towards you.  You should always have a positive attitude towards others.  Keep a goodly opinion regarding others.  A misunderstanding should be clarified by discussing it as soon as possible.
Establish an attitude of selflessness and sacrifice.  Save yourself from stubbornness and obstinacy.  Suppress your anger.  Adopt a manner which always seeks reconciliation.  Pray for your friends, family, and those with whom you have disputes.

Shaytan struggles tirelessly to create disputes between Muslims.  Truly the greatest weapon he wields to destroy this Ummah is to make Muslims fight each other over any excuse.  Remember that non-Muslims   CANNOT    overcome Muslims under any circumstance.  Thus, we are made to fight each other.

Leave behind obedience and slavery to Shaytan!  Attain firmness in the virtues of admitting one’s faults, asking forgiveness, and forgiving!

Above and beyond this, strive to make peace between two Muslims, for this is a tremendous act of worship indeed!

By Muhammad Bashir Jumah
(An excerpt from his work in Urdu,  The Journey to Success on the Road of Life)

Time -- the most precious thing we have.

1. We need to live mindful of how brief our life is -- there is but a step between us and death.

2. Most of us spend our lives as if we had another one in the bank -- the highest value of time is found in the stewardship of time.

3. The most important thing in our lives is what we are doing now -- wasted time means wasted lives.

4. Know the true value of time -- no idleness, no laziness, no procrastination, never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

5. Time is a very precious gift of God -- so precious that it's given to us moment by moment.

6. As every thread of gold is valuable, so is every moment of time -- spend it wisely.

7. Dollars cannot buy yesterday, lost time is never found -- time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.

8. Time is the substance of life -- when anyone asks you to give your time, they are really asking for a chunk of your life.

9. Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of -- one man gets only a week's value out of a year while another man gets a full year's value out of a week.

10. Have a time and place for everything, and do everything in its time and  place, and you will not only accomplish more, but have far more leisure than those who are always hurrying.

11. The one who dares to waste one hour of life has not discovered the value of life.

Lesson of the day 1325

Ayahs of the day:
And let there be a people among you who invite to good and enjoin what is fair, and forbid what is repugnant; it is they who thrive. [3: 104]

Hadith of the day:
Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him uphold ties of kinship. [Bukhari]

Wise quote of the day:
Unless there is consciousness in the heart, no amount of effort or ritual can change one as a person. [Ali al-Hujwiri]

Guidance of the day:
It is said that in the hereafter each human being is shown the hours of his days and nights in the form of closets, each day and night make of twenty four closets. Those hours which were occupied with service to God will be seen to be filled with light, those which were occupied with disobedience will be filled with darkness, while those where neither obedience nor disobedience took place will be empty.

When he will look at the empty closets he will become filled with regrets for not having filled them with light by acts of obedience. But when he will look at those which are filled with darkness, at that moment were it possible for him to die of regret and grief he would have died, but there is no death in the hereafter.

He who has acted in obedience to God will constantly be joyous and satisfied, his joy and happiness increasing as days go by. But he who has disobeyed God will be distressed and aggrieved; his distress and grief increasing endlessly. So choose for yourself -- may God have mercy on you -- since you are still in the place of choice, that  which will benefit and elevate you, for once you die you loose all your choice. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer up somebody else. So of cheerfulness, and or  good temper, the more it is spent, the more it remains. The cheerful live longest in years, and afterwards in our regards. Cheerfulness is the off-shoot of goodness. Cheer up! The worst is yet to come!

Insight of the day....

People are often unreasonable and self-centered -- forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives -- be kind anyway.

If you are honest, people may cheat you -- be honest anyway.

If you find happiness, people may be jealous -- be happy anyway.

The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow --do good anyway.

Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough -- give your best anyway.

 In the end, it is between you and God -- it was never between you and them anyway.


Mother Teresa

Pearls of Wisdom 325

1. Two groups of people seek proximity of God, those who revere Him publicly and are held in high regard by the sacred law, and those who do not display their devotion. Secure in the knowledge that God alone bestows all that is good or bad in this world, they choose Him as their companion and are delivered of want. The former because of their own need remain veiled from divine guidance, while latter transcend through selflessness.

2. Speech is a great blessing conferred on man by God, thereby distinguishing him from all other creatures. But speech like wine intoxicates the mind. Thus the Prophet said: "He who keeps silent shall be saved." For in silence are concealed many spiritual blessings and in speech many evils.

3. Knowledge is of  three kinds: from God, with God, of God. Knowledge of God is disclosed to all prophets and saints; it is a divine guidance and cannot be acquired. Knowledge from God is the sacred law made obligatory upon us. Knowledge with God is the knowledge of the paths and stations and the development of saints.

4. This world is an abode of troubles; the world hereafter of terrors. Humans are in the midst of troubles and terrors  until they reach the final abode of Paradise or Hell. Happy is the soul that has detached itself from troubles and terrors and has attached itself to God alone.

5. True repentance entails constant regret of your sins. Without remorse, good deeds, be they abounding, could be eclipsed by pride that follows piety. Remorse  for a sin is superior to good works. Never forget your transgressions to save yourself from conceit.

6. There are two kinds of speeches and two kinds of silences. Speech is either truth or a falsification, and silence which is either fruition or heedlessness. If one speaks the truth, his words are better than his silence, but he who invents falsifications, his silence is better than his speech. [Shaykh Ali al Hujwiri]

Lesson of the day 1324

Ayahs of the day:
O believer, be conscious of God with due reverence, and do not die without your having surrendered to God. [3: 102]

Hadith of the day:
No person conceals (the faults of) another in this world but Allah will conceal him (his faults) on the Day of Resurrection. [Muslim]

Wise quote of the day:
Reckon your self before you are reckoned and weigh your self before you are weighed. [Omar radi Allah anhu]

Guidance of the day:
Good works are only possible in this world and are inconceivable elsewhere. The hereafter is a place of reward, not of action. Ask God's help and be patient, strive earnestly, hasten to good works before there comes a time when you are incapable of performing them, make the best you can of your time before the end overtakes you unaware!

You are prone to ailments, a target for the arrows of death. Your capital, with which you can buy perpetual happiness from God, is but your lifetime. Beware of spending your moments,days, hours, and breaths in that which is of no benefit, devoid of good, for your regrets will be prolonged and your grief after death immense, once you realize with certainty how much you have missed. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
Every charitable act is a stepping stone towards heaven. If we do not have any charity in our heart, we have the worst kind of heart trouble. What we frankly give, forever is our own. Prayer carries us half way to God, fasting brings us to the door of His palace, and the alms-giving procures us admission. One must be poor to know the luxury of giving. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Momin dies Working....

The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "The Momin dies with his sweat on his brow (i.e. with labor and hard work)." [Tirmidhi, Nasai]

A Momin's work is never done. If a conscientious student is sitting for a three hour exam and gets done in two and a half hours, he/she will go over their work making sure that they did not miss anything or make any mistakes. Moreover, if an exam has been designed for three hours, it is meant to take around three hours to finish.

Our lifespan should likewise be fully utilized to make sure we have not left anything undone that we could have earned Jannat with. This is the only chance we get; there will be no exams after this, only results. Therefore, we have to give this one exam our best shot.

If somebody is sitting around with nothing to do, it means that they have not understood the purpose of life, what Allah (subhana wa ta'ala) gave it to us for! There is no time to waste, no moment to lose. As long as we are alive we can keep earning thawaab. A Momin, therefore, keeps working to please Allah t(subhana wa ta'ala) before death overtakes him, and his exam paper is taken away from him.

The online version of Daily Hadith is available.

Pearls of Wisdom 324

1. Practice what you have learned, for theory without practice is like a spirit without a body. One who is content with learning alone is not learned, for the truly learned seek more than mere words. Divine guidance entails self-mortification, without which contemplation is unattainable.

2. Fear and hope are two pillars of faith. By practicing either one of them a person will not fall into error, because both fear and hope lead to union. Those who fear devote themselves to God through fear of separation from Him, and those who hope worship in hope of realizing the ultimate union.

3. When Moses conversed with God, he asked, "Lord, where shall I seek You?"
    God answered, "Among the brokenhearted."
    Moses continued, "But, Lord, no heart could be more despairing than mine."
    And God replied, "Then I am where you are."

4. The lower soul dissuades from conforming to faith. The more the self is subdued, the easier it becomes to glorify God. When the ego is annihilated, worship becomes sustenance, just as it sustains the angels.

5. Those who believe everything to be created by God see Him in everything.They find comfort in regarding the Creator and not His creation. All problems stem form the illusion that created things hold the ultimate power. Turn to Him, therefore, if your seek deliverance.

6. Angels were created without lust and evil, the worst obstacles of humankind. Those who despite their evil nature remain pious excel angels in rank. Enthused by their purity angels denounced the human race, so God chose three angels to go to the earth and reform its inhabitants. One angel, espying the corruption, begged God to let him return. The other two, in their earthly form, gave in to lust and fell from grace. Thus God revealed to the other angels the superiority of the devout. [Shaykh Ali al Hujwiri]

Lesson of the day 1323

Ayahs of the day:
You will not attain righteousness until you give of what you care for; and whatever you give, surely God knows it. [3: 92]

Hadith of the day:
The Muslim is the brother of his fellow Muslim. He does not wrong him, let him down or despise him. [Muslim]

Wise quote of the day:
Three things destroy a person -- persisting in sin with false hopes of repentance; delaying repentance with the delusion of long life; and despairing of His mercy. [Shaqeeq al Balkhi]

Guidance of the day:
A long life in the service of God is to be desired, the longer the life is in the service of God, the more good works are accumulated, and the higher the degree. On the other hand, a long life in disobedience is a calamity and an evil, for the bad deeds will abound and sins will multiply.

Should someone claim that he wishes to live long in this world that he may increase the good deeds that will draw him nearer to God Almighty -- then if he is careful not to neglect them, eager to pursue them and to avoid those worldly things which may distract him from them, he is probably truthful in his claim.

 But if he is lazy in pursuing good works and given to postponing them, he is a liar who will keep producing false excuses that will avail him nothing, for he who wishes to live for a certain purpose is expected to be most careful never to miss any of it or allow himself to be prevented from fulfilling it. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]

Food for thought:
Every man is not the architect of his own fortune; but every man is the architect of his own character. A man never discloses his own character as clearly as when he describes another's. Character is not made in crises -- it is only exhibited.

Beautiful Dua...

O اللَّه , help me to say words of truth in the face of the mighty....
And to refrain from speaking ill in order to gain the applause of the weak...
And do not let me accuse my adversaries of treachery because their opinions oppose mine...

O اللَّه , should You give me wealth, do not take away my happiness...
And should You give me might, do not take away my wisdom....
And should You give me success do not take away my humility...
And should You give me modesty do not take away my sense of dignity...

O اللَّه, teach me to love others as I love myself...
And teach me to judge myself as I judge others...
And teach me that forgiveness is one of the greatest steps towards strength...

O اللَّه , do not curse me with arrogance should I be successful...
And neither with despair and hopelessness should I fail...

O اللَّه, remind me always that failure is the trial that precedes success....
Should You take away my wealth, do let me keep my hopefulness...
And should I fail, do let me keep the power of determination...
And should You take away the blessing of good health do let me keep the blessing of faith...

O اللَّه , should I have harmed others give the courage to apologise...
And should others harm me, do bless me with the courage to forgive...
And should I forget You Ya اللَّه  I beg that You should not exclude me from Your compassion and clemency...

For You are The Greatest, The Vanquisher, The All Powerful on all things!!!

Pearls of Wisdom 323

1. Real faith is having complete trust in God. "It is the belief in the wisdom which comes from the unseen." Such certainty can only be attained through the knowledge that emerges with divine help.

2. 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.

3. We cannot do away with our daily nourishment, but let us not wallow in gluttony.

4. God fills the hearts of those who love Him with peace, thus enabling them to endure afflictions with ease. And they also plead, "We shall bear torment (of this world) with joy, but never shall we be able to endure being separated from You. When Your magnificence illumines our hearts, all our pain, our sorrows seem meaningless and vanish."

4. Do not seek sustenance from people. God is the real Provider. If He wills a certain person to be the means of your livelihood, do not consider that person to be in control of your destiny. Have faith and be certain in the knowledge that your daily bread does not depend upon any mortal, but upon God who created all.

5. "I realized what was hidden within me and conversed with You in secret. Though we were united, we still were apart. Though awe hid You from my searching eyes, ecstasy brought You close to my innermost being."

6. 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, since they are aware that this world is a madhouse and its inhabitants madmen wearing shackles of lust and chains of sin. [Shaykh Ali al Hujwiri]

A SHORT MORAL STORY.....

There was a King who had 1 Eye and 1 leg..

He asked all the painters to draw a beautiful portrait of him. But none of them could -- how could they paint him beautifully with the defects in one eye and one leg.

Eventually one of them agreed and drew a classic picture of the King.

It was a fantastic picture and surprised everyone..

He painted the King AIMING for a HUNT. Targeting with ONE Eye Closed and One Leg Bent ...

MORAL : Why cant we all paint pictures like this for others. Hiding their weaknesses and highlighting their strength