1. The only way to have a friend is to be one.
2. Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
3. It's not what we look at matters, it's what we see that matters.
4. Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those we hold well.
5. The purpose of life is a life of purpose.
6. Life is like a coin, we can spend it any way we wish, but we can only spend it once.
7. It is not the length of life, but the depth of life that matters.
8. The great use of life is to spend it for something that will out last it.
9. Life is not a sum of what we are but what we yearn to be.
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Friday, May 20, 2016
What's a secret....
Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “When a man says something, then glances left or right, his words are a confidence to be kept.” [Hasan hadith. Tirmidhi]
Children make their friends swear to keep their secrets. It is considered necessary to say the words “I promise I won’t tell anyone.” However, this is completely unnecessary for Muslims. A Muslim is bound to keep a secret without swearing or promising to do so. When a person glances furtively left and right, or speaks in whispers, these are indications that the person doesn’t wish others to know what he/she is saying. When a Muslim senses this then they automatically become bound by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) to protect the other’s privacy and keep to themselves what they are being told, as it constitutes a “secret”.
Imam Nahlawi says: “Telling a secret means to inform others of a remark, action, or state which one learns of from someone who wants it to remain hidden, whether it be good or bad. This is hurting him, and hurting others is unlawful.”
“Whenever people meet, it is obligatory to keep secret any act that occurs, any word spoken, or any state attributable to someone, when these concern something one would normally wish to remain confidential.” [al-Durar al-Mubaha fi al-Hazr al-Ibaha, quoted in “Reliance of the Traveller” by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri] The secret may only be divulged if concealing it hurts the Allah-given rights of another. It may then only be divulged to the concerned party.
People get to know their in-laws in ways not known to others. To divulge their weaknesses to others is to harm them and reveal their secrets. Husbands and wives need to be particularly careful regarding what they say to others about their spouse. This is one of the most sensitive and important relationships that needs to be protected zealously.
Children are often sensitive about what is said about them. They get upset when parents tell others the amusing or not so amusing things their children say or do. If the child doesn’t want to be talked about then this too is a secret that should be kept. [Daily Hadith]
Children make their friends swear to keep their secrets. It is considered necessary to say the words “I promise I won’t tell anyone.” However, this is completely unnecessary for Muslims. A Muslim is bound to keep a secret without swearing or promising to do so. When a person glances furtively left and right, or speaks in whispers, these are indications that the person doesn’t wish others to know what he/she is saying. When a Muslim senses this then they automatically become bound by Allah (subhana wa ta’ala) to protect the other’s privacy and keep to themselves what they are being told, as it constitutes a “secret”.
Imam Nahlawi says: “Telling a secret means to inform others of a remark, action, or state which one learns of from someone who wants it to remain hidden, whether it be good or bad. This is hurting him, and hurting others is unlawful.”
“Whenever people meet, it is obligatory to keep secret any act that occurs, any word spoken, or any state attributable to someone, when these concern something one would normally wish to remain confidential.” [al-Durar al-Mubaha fi al-Hazr al-Ibaha, quoted in “Reliance of the Traveller” by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri] The secret may only be divulged if concealing it hurts the Allah-given rights of another. It may then only be divulged to the concerned party.
People get to know their in-laws in ways not known to others. To divulge their weaknesses to others is to harm them and reveal their secrets. Husbands and wives need to be particularly careful regarding what they say to others about their spouse. This is one of the most sensitive and important relationships that needs to be protected zealously.
Children are often sensitive about what is said about them. They get upset when parents tell others the amusing or not so amusing things their children say or do. If the child doesn’t want to be talked about then this too is a secret that should be kept. [Daily Hadith]
Monday, May 16, 2016
lesson of the day 1399
Ayahs of the day:
Are they waiting for anything but for the angels to come to them, or your Lord to come to them, or some of the signs of your Lord to come to them? The day some of the signs of your Lord come, no one will profit from faith in them if he didn't believe in them before, or accomplish good through faith in them. Say, "Wait and see, for we are waiting." [6: 158]
Hadith of the day:
A person's feet will not move away on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about his life and how he spent it, about his knowledge and how he acted upon it, and his wealth and how he earned and spent it,and about his body and how he used it. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
Repentance is not simply a matter of stopping one's sins but it is also to refrain, in the most beautiful manner from sinning and to amend for one's deeds in the best way possible. [Al Raghib al Isfahani]
Guidance of the day:
Vigilance means feeling God's permanent nearness to the servant, His encompassing him, being with him, aware of him, and gazing at him. The prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said: "Excellence is to worship God as if you saw Him, for if you see Him not, He sees you."
Thus vigilance belongs to the station of excellence and he who realizes it achieves awe of God -- shyness lest God sees him where He has forbidden him or misses him where He has enjoined him to be, distracted from His service, forgetful of His remembrance or of proper conduct toward Him. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
Peace and justice are the two sides of the same coin. Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding. It isn't enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it and work at it. Peace begins with a smile. If we have no peace it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other. Peace is not absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition, benevolence, confidence and justice.
Are they waiting for anything but for the angels to come to them, or your Lord to come to them, or some of the signs of your Lord to come to them? The day some of the signs of your Lord come, no one will profit from faith in them if he didn't believe in them before, or accomplish good through faith in them. Say, "Wait and see, for we are waiting." [6: 158]
Hadith of the day:
A person's feet will not move away on the Day of Judgment until he is asked about his life and how he spent it, about his knowledge and how he acted upon it, and his wealth and how he earned and spent it,and about his body and how he used it. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
Repentance is not simply a matter of stopping one's sins but it is also to refrain, in the most beautiful manner from sinning and to amend for one's deeds in the best way possible. [Al Raghib al Isfahani]
Guidance of the day:
Vigilance means feeling God's permanent nearness to the servant, His encompassing him, being with him, aware of him, and gazing at him. The prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said: "Excellence is to worship God as if you saw Him, for if you see Him not, He sees you."
Thus vigilance belongs to the station of excellence and he who realizes it achieves awe of God -- shyness lest God sees him where He has forbidden him or misses him where He has enjoined him to be, distracted from His service, forgetful of His remembrance or of proper conduct toward Him. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
Peace and justice are the two sides of the same coin. Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding. It isn't enough to talk about peace, one must believe in it and work at it. Peace begins with a smile. If we have no peace it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other. Peace is not absence of war, it is a virtue, a state of mind, a disposition, benevolence, confidence and justice.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Pearls of Wisdom 393
1. "I can forgive but I cannot forget," is only one way of saying, "I will not forgive."
2. Forgiveness aught to be like a canceled note, torn into two, and burned up,
so that it never can be shown against one.
3. The glory of Islam is to conquer by forgiveness.
4. Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does change the future.
5. Life is an adventure in forgiveness. We are never so strong as when we forgive.
6. He who cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself,
for every man has the need to be forgiven.
7. As long as we don't forgive, who and whatever will occupy rent free space in our mind.
8. To err is human, to forgive is divine.
9. We need to forgive all who have offended us, not for them but for ourself.
2. Forgiveness aught to be like a canceled note, torn into two, and burned up,
so that it never can be shown against one.
3. The glory of Islam is to conquer by forgiveness.
4. Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does change the future.
5. Life is an adventure in forgiveness. We are never so strong as when we forgive.
6. He who cannot forgive others, breaks the bridge over which he must pass himself,
for every man has the need to be forgiven.
7. As long as we don't forgive, who and whatever will occupy rent free space in our mind.
8. To err is human, to forgive is divine.
9. We need to forgive all who have offended us, not for them but for ourself.
Sunday, May 08, 2016
Preparing for Ramadan al Kareem....
Cleansing of the heart
May Allah Almighty grant us success, and make this upcoming Ramadan the best for our hearts and spirituality, ameen.
http://www.halaltube.com/ismail-ibn-musa-menk-forgive-and-cleanse-the-heart
May Allah Almighty grant us success, and make this upcoming Ramadan the best for our hearts and spirituality, ameen.
http://www.halaltube.com/ismail-ibn-musa-menk-forgive-and-cleanse-the-heart
Friday, May 06, 2016
Lesson of the day 1398
Ayahs of the day:
This is my path, which is straight; so follow it. And do not pursue paths that would separate you from this path. That God has commanded you, so you may be conscientious. [6: 153]
Hadith of the day:
Do not say any word -- you will have to apologize for tomorrow. [Ibn Majah]
Wise quote of the day:
What you love to have with in the Hereafter you should advance today, and what you hate to have with you, you should abandon it today. [Salman ibn Dinar]
Guidance of the day:
Beginning of veracity is to avoid lying in all speech, following which veracity should have a share in all works, intentions, states, and stations. Veracity here means steadfastness in all these and performing them in the best and most cautious manner, doing one's best, being serious and resolute to the extreme, both outwardly and inwardly.
The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said; "Veracity leads to benevolence and benevolence leads to the Garden. A servant is veracious and perseveres in veracity until he is recorded with God as truly veracious. Lying leads to corruption and corruption leads to Fire. A servant will lie and persevere in lying until he is recorded with God as a liar." [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
It's what we do with life counts. Life is not a sum of what we are but what we yearn to be. It is not the length of life, but the depth of life. The great use of life is to spend it for something that will out last it. All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. Life is like a coin -- you can spent it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once. The purpose of life is a life of purpose -- to strive to earn the pleasure of the Creator.
This is my path, which is straight; so follow it. And do not pursue paths that would separate you from this path. That God has commanded you, so you may be conscientious. [6: 153]
Hadith of the day:
Do not say any word -- you will have to apologize for tomorrow. [Ibn Majah]
Wise quote of the day:
What you love to have with in the Hereafter you should advance today, and what you hate to have with you, you should abandon it today. [Salman ibn Dinar]
Guidance of the day:
Beginning of veracity is to avoid lying in all speech, following which veracity should have a share in all works, intentions, states, and stations. Veracity here means steadfastness in all these and performing them in the best and most cautious manner, doing one's best, being serious and resolute to the extreme, both outwardly and inwardly.
The Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) said; "Veracity leads to benevolence and benevolence leads to the Garden. A servant is veracious and perseveres in veracity until he is recorded with God as truly veracious. Lying leads to corruption and corruption leads to Fire. A servant will lie and persevere in lying until he is recorded with God as a liar." [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
It's what we do with life counts. Life is not a sum of what we are but what we yearn to be. It is not the length of life, but the depth of life. The great use of life is to spend it for something that will out last it. All the art of living lies in a fine mingling of letting go and holding on. Life is like a coin -- you can spent it anyway you wish, but you can only spend it once. The purpose of life is a life of purpose -- to strive to earn the pleasure of the Creator.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Pearls of Wisdom 392
1. By forgiving the person who hurt us, we strengthen our souls.
2. Generosity goes hand in hand with compassion. If we have no compassion we cannot have generosity.
3. All adversity is really an opportunity for our souls to grow; all adversity is really a form of growing pain.
4. A truly wise person will have the wisdom to know what he can do, accept what he can't do, and have the generosity of spirit to extend himself in ways that can make a difference.
5. To hold a grudge against anyone is like carrying the devil on our shoulders.
6. Two things, at minimum, are needed -- an ability to appreciate the positives in our life, and a commitment to action to do good.
7. Peace of mind has nothing to do with the external world; it has only to do with our connection with God.
8. The fact that we are praying and meditating is not as important as how much good we bring back from our prayer and meditation.
9. Often it is the lowest points in life that we learn the most. Those low moments are the magical moments. They are the beginning stages of our journey to our Lord.
10. We came here because the earth is abundant and alive -- a rich, rich field of lessons for us to learn. Let's get educated for our own souls.
2. Generosity goes hand in hand with compassion. If we have no compassion we cannot have generosity.
3. All adversity is really an opportunity for our souls to grow; all adversity is really a form of growing pain.
4. A truly wise person will have the wisdom to know what he can do, accept what he can't do, and have the generosity of spirit to extend himself in ways that can make a difference.
5. To hold a grudge against anyone is like carrying the devil on our shoulders.
6. Two things, at minimum, are needed -- an ability to appreciate the positives in our life, and a commitment to action to do good.
7. Peace of mind has nothing to do with the external world; it has only to do with our connection with God.
8. The fact that we are praying and meditating is not as important as how much good we bring back from our prayer and meditation.
9. Often it is the lowest points in life that we learn the most. Those low moments are the magical moments. They are the beginning stages of our journey to our Lord.
10. We came here because the earth is abundant and alive -- a rich, rich field of lessons for us to learn. Let's get educated for our own souls.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
A head start for the Blessed Month....
Rajab: Sow The Seeds
Imam Zaid Shakir
Rajab al-Hanbali said "Rajab is the key to the months of goodness and blessings that follow it". Abu Bakr b. al-Warraq al-Balkhi said: “Rajab is the month to sow the seeds; Sha’ban is the month to irrigate the crop; and Ramadan is the month to reap the harvest.” It has similarly been related from him: “Rajab is like the wind; Sha’ban is like the water-laden clouds; and Ramadan is like the rain.” Someone else mentioned: “The year in its entirety is like a tree: during Rajab its buds sprout; during Sha’ban it sends forth its branches; during Ramadan its fruit ripens; and the believers are the farmhands who harvest that fruit.”
It is opportune for anyone who has darkened the scroll of their deeds with sins to cleanse it with repentance during this month. Likewise, anyone who has squandered his lifetime without taking advantage of the opportunities to benefit his soul should take advantage of what remains of his life—starting with this month.
A poet said:
So cleanse your darkened hearts within Rajab;
with deeds that spare the soul Hellfire’s wrath.
One of the sacred months has come along;
no one who calls on God will be forlorn.
Heaven is for the one’s who cleanse their hearts
with lewd indecent deeds they’ll have no part.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to do righteous deeds during this month is a source of great gain. While filling each moment of the month worshiping God is a bounteous virtue. End quote from Ibn Rajab.
Let us all take advantage of the weeks that come before the blessed month of Ramadan. If we begin to fast voluntarily now, the fatigue and discomfort that sometimes accompanies the beginning of our obligatory fast will be behind us and we will enter the month with great spiritual momentum.
Similarly, if we begin increasing our reading of the Qur’an now we will find it easy to read an even greater amount during the month of Ramadan, a month when we celebrate the revelation of our blessed scripture. An athlete who enters a race with a running start achieves a far faster time than one who starts the race from a stationary position. Let us take advantage of these days to get a running start into Ramadan.
Imam Zaid Shakir
Rajab al-Hanbali said "Rajab is the key to the months of goodness and blessings that follow it". Abu Bakr b. al-Warraq al-Balkhi said: “Rajab is the month to sow the seeds; Sha’ban is the month to irrigate the crop; and Ramadan is the month to reap the harvest.” It has similarly been related from him: “Rajab is like the wind; Sha’ban is like the water-laden clouds; and Ramadan is like the rain.” Someone else mentioned: “The year in its entirety is like a tree: during Rajab its buds sprout; during Sha’ban it sends forth its branches; during Ramadan its fruit ripens; and the believers are the farmhands who harvest that fruit.”
It is opportune for anyone who has darkened the scroll of their deeds with sins to cleanse it with repentance during this month. Likewise, anyone who has squandered his lifetime without taking advantage of the opportunities to benefit his soul should take advantage of what remains of his life—starting with this month.
A poet said:
So cleanse your darkened hearts within Rajab;
with deeds that spare the soul Hellfire’s wrath.
One of the sacred months has come along;
no one who calls on God will be forlorn.
Heaven is for the one’s who cleanse their hearts
with lewd indecent deeds they’ll have no part.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to do righteous deeds during this month is a source of great gain. While filling each moment of the month worshiping God is a bounteous virtue. End quote from Ibn Rajab.
Let us all take advantage of the weeks that come before the blessed month of Ramadan. If we begin to fast voluntarily now, the fatigue and discomfort that sometimes accompanies the beginning of our obligatory fast will be behind us and we will enter the month with great spiritual momentum.
Similarly, if we begin increasing our reading of the Qur’an now we will find it easy to read an even greater amount during the month of Ramadan, a month when we celebrate the revelation of our blessed scripture. An athlete who enters a race with a running start achieves a far faster time than one who starts the race from a stationary position. Let us take advantage of these days to get a running start into Ramadan.
Friday, April 15, 2016
Lesson of the day 1397
Ayahs of the day:
And do not approach the property of the orphan, except with what is better, until he comes to age. And give full weight and measure, with justice. We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity. So when you speak, be fair, even if it concerns a close relative. And fulfill the covenant of God; that God has commanded you, so you may be mindful. [6: 152]
Hadith of the day:
Do not insult the dead, for they have moved onto what they sent forth. [Bukhari]
Wise quote of the day:
I looked at all my friends, and I did not find a better friend than safe guarding my tongue.
I thought about all the garments, but did not find a better garment than piety.
I thought about all types of wealth but did not find a better wealth than contentment in little.
I thought of all types of good deeds but did not find a better deed than offering good advice.
I looked at all types of sustenance, but did not find a better sustenance than patience. [Omar radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the day:
Make numerous good intentions for each activity; whether devotional or merely permissible, you will thus receive, by the grace of God, a full reward for these intentions. Those activities you are incapable of, intend to perform when able to. Say with sincerity, resolution, and good intention, "Had I been able to, I would have done them." You will thus obtain recompense similar to that of he who has actually done them.
Sincerity is to have no purpose other than to draw nearer to God. No other purpose should exist, such as showing off, seeking approval of others, or desiring what can be obtained from them. Sincerity is that one's movements and standstills, private or public, should be for God, unadulterated by anything else, whether ego, passion or this world. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Life belongs to the living and he who lives must be prepared for changes. The world hates change, but it is the only thing that has brought progress. Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken. If there is something we wish to change in a child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves.
And do not approach the property of the orphan, except with what is better, until he comes to age. And give full weight and measure, with justice. We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity. So when you speak, be fair, even if it concerns a close relative. And fulfill the covenant of God; that God has commanded you, so you may be mindful. [6: 152]
Hadith of the day:
Do not insult the dead, for they have moved onto what they sent forth. [Bukhari]
Wise quote of the day:
I looked at all my friends, and I did not find a better friend than safe guarding my tongue.
I thought about all the garments, but did not find a better garment than piety.
I thought about all types of wealth but did not find a better wealth than contentment in little.
I thought of all types of good deeds but did not find a better deed than offering good advice.
I looked at all types of sustenance, but did not find a better sustenance than patience. [Omar radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the day:
Make numerous good intentions for each activity; whether devotional or merely permissible, you will thus receive, by the grace of God, a full reward for these intentions. Those activities you are incapable of, intend to perform when able to. Say with sincerity, resolution, and good intention, "Had I been able to, I would have done them." You will thus obtain recompense similar to that of he who has actually done them.
Sincerity is to have no purpose other than to draw nearer to God. No other purpose should exist, such as showing off, seeking approval of others, or desiring what can be obtained from them. Sincerity is that one's movements and standstills, private or public, should be for God, unadulterated by anything else, whether ego, passion or this world. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Life belongs to the living and he who lives must be prepared for changes. The world hates change, but it is the only thing that has brought progress. Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken. If there is something we wish to change in a child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves.
Friday, April 08, 2016
Pearls of Wisdom 391
1. By forgiving the person who hurt us, we strengthen our souls.
2. Generosity goes hand in hand with compassion. If we have no compassion we cannot have generosity.
3. All adversity is really an opportunity for our souls to grow; all adversity is really a form of growing pain.
4. A truly wise person will have the wisdom to know what he can do, accept what he can't do, and have the generosity of spirit to extend himself in ways that can make a difference.
5. To hold a grudge against anyone is like carrying the devil on our shoulders.
6. Two things, at minimum, are needed -- an ability to appreciate the positives in our life, and a commitment to action to do good.
7. Peace of mind has nothing to do with the external world; it has only to do with our connection with God.
8. The fact that we are praying and meditating is not as important as how much good we bring back from our prayer and meditation.
9. Often it is the lowest points in life that we learn the most. Those low moments are the magical moments. They are the beginning stages of our journey to our Lord.
10. We came here because the earth is abundant and alive -- a rich, rich field of lessons for us to learn. Let's get educated for our own souls.
2. Generosity goes hand in hand with compassion. If we have no compassion we cannot have generosity.
3. All adversity is really an opportunity for our souls to grow; all adversity is really a form of growing pain.
4. A truly wise person will have the wisdom to know what he can do, accept what he can't do, and have the generosity of spirit to extend himself in ways that can make a difference.
5. To hold a grudge against anyone is like carrying the devil on our shoulders.
6. Two things, at minimum, are needed -- an ability to appreciate the positives in our life, and a commitment to action to do good.
7. Peace of mind has nothing to do with the external world; it has only to do with our connection with God.
8. The fact that we are praying and meditating is not as important as how much good we bring back from our prayer and meditation.
9. Often it is the lowest points in life that we learn the most. Those low moments are the magical moments. They are the beginning stages of our journey to our Lord.
10. We came here because the earth is abundant and alive -- a rich, rich field of lessons for us to learn. Let's get educated for our own souls.
Sunday, April 03, 2016
It's not about the weight....
A Psychologist walked
around a room while
teaching Stress Management to an
audience.
As she raised a
glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked
the "Half empty or Half full" question.
Instead, with a
smile on her face, she inquired:
"How heavy is this glass of water?"
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied,
"The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long I hold it.
If I hold it for a
minute,
it's not a problem.
If I hold it for an hour,
I'll have an ache in my arm.
If I hold it for a day,
my arm will feel numb and paralyzed.
In each case,
the weight of the glass
doesn't change,
But
The longer I hold it,
the heavier it becomes.
She continued,
"The Stresses and Worries in Life ,
are like that Glass of Water...
Think about them for
a while and nothing
happens.
Think about them
a bit longer and they begin to hurt.
And
If you think
about them all day long,
you will feel paralysed –
incapable of doing
anything."
Remember to put the Glass Down!
around a room while
teaching Stress Management to an
audience.
As she raised a
glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked
the "Half empty or Half full" question.
Instead, with a
smile on her face, she inquired:
"How heavy is this glass of water?"
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied,
"The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long I hold it.
If I hold it for a
minute,
it's not a problem.
If I hold it for an hour,
I'll have an ache in my arm.
If I hold it for a day,
my arm will feel numb and paralyzed.
In each case,
the weight of the glass
doesn't change,
But
The longer I hold it,
the heavier it becomes.
She continued,
"The Stresses and Worries in Life ,
are like that Glass of Water...
Think about them for
a while and nothing
happens.
Think about them
a bit longer and they begin to hurt.
And
If you think
about them all day long,
you will feel paralysed –
incapable of doing
anything."
Remember to put the Glass Down!
Friday, April 01, 2016
Lesson of the day 1396
Ayahs of the day:
Come, and I will declare what your Lord has forbidden you. You should not associate anything with God; you should be good to your parents, and not kill your children on account of poverty -- We provide for you and for them. And do not approach indecencies, whether outward or inward. And do not kill a person -- who God has made sacred -- except by justice. Thus has God commanded you, that you may understand. [6: 151]
Hadith of the day:
Whoever believes in Allah and the last day should say the good or remain silent. [Bukhari & Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
If men wish to draw near to God, they must seek Him in the hearts of the men. They should speak well of all men, whether present or absent, and if they themselves seek in a light to guide others, like the sun, they must show the same face to all. [Abu Sa'id bin Abil Khair]
Guidance of the day:
Good intention and sincerity are among the greatest and most important of saving things. Intention is the act of the heart and because the heart is superior to the members, therefore its acts are superior to theirs; and because the intention is itself profitable, whereas without intention the works of the members are valueless.
Persevere in good sincere intentions, and never perform any act of obedience without intending it to be for God's sake, to draw nearer to Him, attain to His good pleasure, and obtain the recompense promised by God. Never initiate a permissible activity, even eating, drinking, or sleeping without intending it to be of help in obeying God and to give you strength in worshipping Him. The deprived is he who is deprived of good intentions. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the after glow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end -- it is not a day when you lounge around doing nothing, it is when you had everything to do and you have done it.
Come, and I will declare what your Lord has forbidden you. You should not associate anything with God; you should be good to your parents, and not kill your children on account of poverty -- We provide for you and for them. And do not approach indecencies, whether outward or inward. And do not kill a person -- who God has made sacred -- except by justice. Thus has God commanded you, that you may understand. [6: 151]
Hadith of the day:
Whoever believes in Allah and the last day should say the good or remain silent. [Bukhari & Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
If men wish to draw near to God, they must seek Him in the hearts of the men. They should speak well of all men, whether present or absent, and if they themselves seek in a light to guide others, like the sun, they must show the same face to all. [Abu Sa'id bin Abil Khair]
Guidance of the day:
Good intention and sincerity are among the greatest and most important of saving things. Intention is the act of the heart and because the heart is superior to the members, therefore its acts are superior to theirs; and because the intention is itself profitable, whereas without intention the works of the members are valueless.
Persevere in good sincere intentions, and never perform any act of obedience without intending it to be for God's sake, to draw nearer to Him, attain to His good pleasure, and obtain the recompense promised by God. Never initiate a permissible activity, even eating, drinking, or sleeping without intending it to be of help in obeying God and to give you strength in worshipping Him. The deprived is he who is deprived of good intentions. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the after glow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end -- it is not a day when you lounge around doing nothing, it is when you had everything to do and you have done it.
Friday, March 25, 2016
Pearls of Wisdom 390
1. Never do people know the force that is in them until some mighty affliction or grief has humanized the soul.
2. The time people spend in trying to impress others could be spend in doing the things by which others would be impressed.
3. Any person worth their salt will stick up for what they believe in, but it takes a slightly bigger person to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that they are in error.
4. Think of your own faults the first part of the night when you are awake, and the faults of others the latter part of the night when you are asleep.
5. Religion is an examination, a test, which distinguishes elevated spirits from base ones.
6. Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be.
7. You can tell more about a person by what they say about others than you can by what others say about them.
8. This world is a moment; fill it with obedience -- this life is only one opportunity.
9. To exist is to change; to change is to mature; to mature is to create oneself endlessly.
10. If you heed Satan and your self, you will fall to the lowest of the low. But if you heed Truth and the Quran, you will rise to the highest of the high and become the most excellent pattern of the universe.
2. The time people spend in trying to impress others could be spend in doing the things by which others would be impressed.
3. Any person worth their salt will stick up for what they believe in, but it takes a slightly bigger person to acknowledge instantly and without reservation that they are in error.
4. Think of your own faults the first part of the night when you are awake, and the faults of others the latter part of the night when you are asleep.
5. Religion is an examination, a test, which distinguishes elevated spirits from base ones.
6. Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be.
7. You can tell more about a person by what they say about others than you can by what others say about them.
8. This world is a moment; fill it with obedience -- this life is only one opportunity.
9. To exist is to change; to change is to mature; to mature is to create oneself endlessly.
10. If you heed Satan and your self, you will fall to the lowest of the low. But if you heed Truth and the Quran, you will rise to the highest of the high and become the most excellent pattern of the universe.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
As you will be....
Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “As you will be, so will be those who shall be put in command over you.” [Baihaqi]
This is true on all levels. Regarding corrupt leaders this is true.
This is also true for marriage. Every person has the power of bringing out the best in their partner. Just try the time-tested formula of becoming the way you want them to be. What happens mostly is that instead of earning respect we expect respect or instead of giving love, we demand love.
Allah (Subhana wa ta’ala) only helps those who help themselves. Do not sit around and complain. Make an effort to become a better person yourself and bestow your partner with whatever you need, in order to witness the enchantment of getting all the things that you long for.
Daily Hadith
This is true on all levels. Regarding corrupt leaders this is true.
This is also true for marriage. Every person has the power of bringing out the best in their partner. Just try the time-tested formula of becoming the way you want them to be. What happens mostly is that instead of earning respect we expect respect or instead of giving love, we demand love.
Allah (Subhana wa ta’ala) only helps those who help themselves. Do not sit around and complain. Make an effort to become a better person yourself and bestow your partner with whatever you need, in order to witness the enchantment of getting all the things that you long for.
Daily Hadith
Saturday, March 12, 2016
Lesson of the day 1395
Ayahs of the day:
What you have been promised is coming, for sure; and you cannot thwart it. Say, "O my people, work according to your ability; I myself am working. Then you will know who will end up home in paradise. It is certain that those who do wrong will not succeed. [6: 134,135]
Hadith of the day:
Allah does not look at your bodies nor your forms, but He looks at your hearts (intentions) and your actions. [Bukhari & Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Do not dispute with anyone in any matter as much as possible. For in argument lies much harm and its evil is greater than its benefit. [Imam al Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
Contentment with God the Exalted is a noble state. He who is contented with God is he who is satisfied with His decrees. When He decrees for him that which runs against his desires and displeases him, such as injury to self or property, or hardship, difficulty, or affliction, he must accept it with contentment, neither being angry with God's decree, nor panicky, nor impatient, for God the Exalted has the right to do as He pleases in His kingdom and none may either dispute or object to His sovereignty.
Let the servant beware of "if only", "why"?, or "how"? Let him know that God the Exalted is wise and fair in all His acts and decisions, that He never decrees something for His believing servant, even if detestable to the latter, without there being good in it, for it will be good choice and have good consequences. Let him think well of his Lord, be contented with His decrees, return to Him with humility and neediness,stand before Him submissive and subdued, thank and praise Him in profusion, whether in times of ease or hardship, difficulty or affluence. All praise belongs to God, Lord of the worlds. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
He who angers you conquers you. If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size. For every minute you remain angry you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind. Holding to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing at someone else, while you are the one who gets burned.
What you have been promised is coming, for sure; and you cannot thwart it. Say, "O my people, work according to your ability; I myself am working. Then you will know who will end up home in paradise. It is certain that those who do wrong will not succeed. [6: 134,135]
Hadith of the day:
Allah does not look at your bodies nor your forms, but He looks at your hearts (intentions) and your actions. [Bukhari & Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Do not dispute with anyone in any matter as much as possible. For in argument lies much harm and its evil is greater than its benefit. [Imam al Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
Contentment with God the Exalted is a noble state. He who is contented with God is he who is satisfied with His decrees. When He decrees for him that which runs against his desires and displeases him, such as injury to self or property, or hardship, difficulty, or affliction, he must accept it with contentment, neither being angry with God's decree, nor panicky, nor impatient, for God the Exalted has the right to do as He pleases in His kingdom and none may either dispute or object to His sovereignty.
Let the servant beware of "if only", "why"?, or "how"? Let him know that God the Exalted is wise and fair in all His acts and decisions, that He never decrees something for His believing servant, even if detestable to the latter, without there being good in it, for it will be good choice and have good consequences. Let him think well of his Lord, be contented with His decrees, return to Him with humility and neediness,stand before Him submissive and subdued, thank and praise Him in profusion, whether in times of ease or hardship, difficulty or affluence. All praise belongs to God, Lord of the worlds. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
He who angers you conquers you. If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size. For every minute you remain angry you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind. Holding to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing at someone else, while you are the one who gets burned.
Monday, March 07, 2016
Pearls of Wisdom 389
1. Keeping the company of the bad people will lead to the bad opinion of good people.
2. It is the virtuous and the seeker of virtue who finds the company of virtuous.
3. Contentment is a treasure of good living and ease in life, while greed is a mine of loss and abasement.
4. We must, like a painter, take time to stand back from our work, to be still, and thus see what's what -- true repose is standing back to survey the activities that fill our days.
5. Silence is one great art of conversation. According to the rule, "a fool should be answered with silence".
6. Every thing in this life has a purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.
7. If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.
8. We "meet" God when we pray, when we are helpful and kind, when we overcome nasty habits, addictions, and pettiness in our lives.
9. Each time we choose to help others, our soul grows and flourishes.
10. Each day we are faced with opportunities to help others, to forgive them, to have compassion for them, to be tolerant of them. Do we seize these opportunities, or do we let them slip by?
2. It is the virtuous and the seeker of virtue who finds the company of virtuous.
3. Contentment is a treasure of good living and ease in life, while greed is a mine of loss and abasement.
4. We must, like a painter, take time to stand back from our work, to be still, and thus see what's what -- true repose is standing back to survey the activities that fill our days.
5. Silence is one great art of conversation. According to the rule, "a fool should be answered with silence".
6. Every thing in this life has a purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.
7. If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.
8. We "meet" God when we pray, when we are helpful and kind, when we overcome nasty habits, addictions, and pettiness in our lives.
9. Each time we choose to help others, our soul grows and flourishes.
10. Each day we are faced with opportunities to help others, to forgive them, to have compassion for them, to be tolerant of them. Do we seize these opportunities, or do we let them slip by?
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Lesson of the day 1394
Ayahs of the day:
Can one who was dead but whom We revived and gave light whereby to walk among humanity be like one in the darknesses from which there is no emerging? Thus are the doings of the atheists made to seem pleasing to them. [6: 122]
Hadith of the day:
Part of the excellence of a person's Islam is in leaving alone what does not concern him. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
The source of every obedience, vigilance, and virtue is dissatisfaction with one's self. The source of every disobedience, indifference and passion is satisfaction with one's self. [Ibn Ata illah]
Guidance of the day:
Love of God is one of the most noble and elevated stations. He who is sincere in loving God the Exalted is driven thereby to prefer Him above all else, move with determination along the road of His proximity and good pleasure, strive in earnest in His obedience, do his utmost in His service, and forsake everything likely to distract him from His remembrance and proper behavior toward Him.
To love God the Exalted is for the servant to feel inclination in his heart, attachment, and passion for that holiest and loftiest of presences, extreme awareness of its sanctity and transcendence, together with extreme reverence of awe, free from any thoughts of comparability or illusions of limitation, for God is too Exalted. One of the best proofs that one loves God is to follow with excellence the Messenger of God -- may God's blessings and peace be upon him. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
When a noble life has prepared old age, it is not decline that it reveals, but the first days of immortality. We pay when old for the the excesses of youth. We end up as we deserve. In old age we must put up with the face, the friends, the health, and the children we have earned. A comfortable old age is the reward of a well spent youth.
Can one who was dead but whom We revived and gave light whereby to walk among humanity be like one in the darknesses from which there is no emerging? Thus are the doings of the atheists made to seem pleasing to them. [6: 122]
Hadith of the day:
Part of the excellence of a person's Islam is in leaving alone what does not concern him. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
The source of every obedience, vigilance, and virtue is dissatisfaction with one's self. The source of every disobedience, indifference and passion is satisfaction with one's self. [Ibn Ata illah]
Guidance of the day:
Love of God is one of the most noble and elevated stations. He who is sincere in loving God the Exalted is driven thereby to prefer Him above all else, move with determination along the road of His proximity and good pleasure, strive in earnest in His obedience, do his utmost in His service, and forsake everything likely to distract him from His remembrance and proper behavior toward Him.
To love God the Exalted is for the servant to feel inclination in his heart, attachment, and passion for that holiest and loftiest of presences, extreme awareness of its sanctity and transcendence, together with extreme reverence of awe, free from any thoughts of comparability or illusions of limitation, for God is too Exalted. One of the best proofs that one loves God is to follow with excellence the Messenger of God -- may God's blessings and peace be upon him. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
When a noble life has prepared old age, it is not decline that it reveals, but the first days of immortality. We pay when old for the the excesses of youth. We end up as we deserve. In old age we must put up with the face, the friends, the health, and the children we have earned. A comfortable old age is the reward of a well spent youth.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Pearls of Wisdom 388
1. A saint is not one never fails, it is the one who gets up and goes every time he fails.
2. God comforts us, not just to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.
3. It is where one spends their money that shows where their heart lies.
4. It's not the place that makes the person, but the person that makes the place honorable.
5. Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must.
6. Never look down on someone unless you are helping them up.
7. The biggest mistake you can make is to assume to always be right.
8. Worry is like a rocking chair -- gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere.
9. One who wants to leave foot prints in the sands of time must wear work boots.
10. Be like the farmer who faithfully plants in the spring who reaps a harvest in the autumn.
2. God comforts us, not just to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.
3. It is where one spends their money that shows where their heart lies.
4. It's not the place that makes the person, but the person that makes the place honorable.
5. Enjoy when you can, and endure when you must.
6. Never look down on someone unless you are helping them up.
7. The biggest mistake you can make is to assume to always be right.
8. Worry is like a rocking chair -- gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere.
9. One who wants to leave foot prints in the sands of time must wear work boots.
10. Be like the farmer who faithfully plants in the spring who reaps a harvest in the autumn.
Saturday, February 06, 2016
Lessons on the seasons of life....
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. In order to teach he sent them each on a quest,to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the fourth in the fall.
When they all went and came back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said "the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted".
The second son said "it was covered with green buds and full of promise".
The third son disagreed; he said "it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful".
The fourth son disagreed with all of them; he said "it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment".
The father then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the life of the tree. He told them that we cannot judge a tree, or a person, or anything by only one season -- the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
If we give up when it's winter, we will miss the promise of our spring, the beauty of our summer, fulfillment of our fall. We shouldn't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.
We shouldn't judge life by one difficult season. We need to persevere through the difficult patches -- and better times are sure to come sooner or later
When they all went and came back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said "the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted".
The second son said "it was covered with green buds and full of promise".
The third son disagreed; he said "it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful".
The fourth son disagreed with all of them; he said "it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment".
The father then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the life of the tree. He told them that we cannot judge a tree, or a person, or anything by only one season -- the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
If we give up when it's winter, we will miss the promise of our spring, the beauty of our summer, fulfillment of our fall. We shouldn't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.
We shouldn't judge life by one difficult season. We need to persevere through the difficult patches -- and better times are sure to come sooner or later
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