1. There's only one thing more contagious than the measles; and that's a good example.
2. The reason many people don't climb the ladder of success is that they are waiting for
the elevator.
3. The human soul is not made for jealousy and revenge.
4. "Today is my only day" is one of the most important statements in the dictionary of
happiness, for those who desire to live life in its fullest splendor and brilliance.
5. If you desire to be accepted by all and loved by all, you desire the unattainable --
desire to be accepted by God.
6. This is the way of the noble: they face difficulties with firm resolution, and they
wrestle hardship to the ground.
7. Do not be preoccupied with matters that are insignificant. If you follow this advice,
you will find that most of your worries will have left you.
8. The heart should be filled with tenderness, virtue, benevolence, and a genuine love
for spreading goodness to all those that are connected to it.
9. If you seek happiness, then seek out knowledge and enlightenment, and you will
find anxiety, depression, and grief will leave you.
10. Live every day as if it were the last day of your life -- with this frame of mind and
outlook toward life, you have no reason to allow sadness or anger to steal the little time you have.
Sunday, February 19, 2017
Sunday, February 12, 2017
Lesson of the day 1409
Ayah of the Day:
And whoever accepts guidance only accepts guidance for the good of his own soul; but if anyone strays, then say, "I am only a warner. [27: 92]
Hadith of the Day:
Good news for those who are sincere! They are the lamps enlightening the path to truth. They uncover the darkness of all who cause mischief. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Among mankind the best protector of his heart is the one who is most in possession of his tongue. [Dhun nun al Misri]
Guidance of the Day:
You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called "life." Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or hate them. The meaning of life is different for every individual. Each person has his or her own purpose and distinct path, unique and separate from anyone else's. As you travel your life path, you will be presented with numerous lessons that you will need to learn in order to fulfill that purpose. The lessons you are presented with are specific for you; learning these lessons is the key to discovering and fulfilling the meaning and relevance of your own life.
You will be presented with lessons in every circumstance that surfaces in your life. When you experience pain, you learn a lesson. When you feel joy, you learn a different lesson. For every action or event, there is an accompanying lesson that must be learned. There really is no way to avoid the lessons you are presented with, nor is there any chance that you will be able to skirt around the learning process. [If Life is a Game, These are the Rules by Cherie Carter-Scott]
Food for Thought:
Scoff not at the natural defects of any which are not in their power to amend. It is cruel to beat a cripple with his own crutches! Mockery is the weapon of those who have no other. Ridicule is the first and last argument of fools. It is the language of the devil. Jests that give pains are no jests.
And whoever accepts guidance only accepts guidance for the good of his own soul; but if anyone strays, then say, "I am only a warner. [27: 92]
Hadith of the Day:
Good news for those who are sincere! They are the lamps enlightening the path to truth. They uncover the darkness of all who cause mischief. [Bayhaqi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Among mankind the best protector of his heart is the one who is most in possession of his tongue. [Dhun nun al Misri]
Guidance of the Day:
You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called "life." Each day in this school you will have the opportunity to learn lessons. You may like the lessons or hate them. The meaning of life is different for every individual. Each person has his or her own purpose and distinct path, unique and separate from anyone else's. As you travel your life path, you will be presented with numerous lessons that you will need to learn in order to fulfill that purpose. The lessons you are presented with are specific for you; learning these lessons is the key to discovering and fulfilling the meaning and relevance of your own life.
You will be presented with lessons in every circumstance that surfaces in your life. When you experience pain, you learn a lesson. When you feel joy, you learn a different lesson. For every action or event, there is an accompanying lesson that must be learned. There really is no way to avoid the lessons you are presented with, nor is there any chance that you will be able to skirt around the learning process. [If Life is a Game, These are the Rules by Cherie Carter-Scott]
Food for Thought:
Scoff not at the natural defects of any which are not in their power to amend. It is cruel to beat a cripple with his own crutches! Mockery is the weapon of those who have no other. Ridicule is the first and last argument of fools. It is the language of the devil. Jests that give pains are no jests.
Saturday, February 04, 2017
I have learnt that....
By changing our thinking,
We change our beliefs;
When we change our beliefs,
We change our expectations;
When we change our expectations,
We change our attitude;
When we change our attitude,
We change our behavior;
When we change our behavior,
We change our performance;
When we change our performance,
We change our life;
Life is like a book of three pages -- first page is 'birth', last page is 'death',
center page is 'empty', it is up to us how we fill our page.
We change our beliefs;
When we change our beliefs,
We change our expectations;
When we change our expectations,
We change our attitude;
When we change our attitude,
We change our behavior;
When we change our behavior,
We change our performance;
When we change our performance,
We change our life;
Life is like a book of three pages -- first page is 'birth', last page is 'death',
center page is 'empty', it is up to us how we fill our page.
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Facts about Anger....
"The strong is not the one who is physically powerful, but indeed, the one who controls himself when angry." [Bukhari]
1. He who angers you controls you.
2. If a small thing has the power to make you angry, does that not indicate something about your size.
3. Anger is a momentary madness, it is only one letter short of danger.
4. Anger begins with folly, and ends with regret -- how much more grievous are the consequences of
anger than the causes of it.
5. Consider how much more you suffer from your anger and grief, than from those things for which
you are angry and grieved.
6. Speak when you are angry -- and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.
7. For every minute you remain angry you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.
8. No man can think when his fists are clenched.
9. Anger is a killing thing -- it kills the angry man, for each rage leaves him less than he had been before it,
it takes something from him.
10. Holding to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing at someone else -- imagine what
it will do to the person's hand who is holding it.
11. Whenever you are angry, be assured that it is not only a present evil, but that you have increased a habit.
12. Anger blows out the lamp of mind -- thus an angry man is again angry with himself when he returns to reason.
13. When a man is wrong and won't admit it, he always gets angry.
14. Anger and intolerance are the twin enemies of correct understanding.
15. Anyone can become angry -- that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the
right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way -- is something we all need to practice.
16. The best remedy for anger is delay.
Also repeating after ever salah seven times"Ya Subbooh, Ya Quddoos, Ya Ghafoor, Ya Wadood", will help us
control our anger, inshaAllah.
Sunday, January 08, 2017
Lesson of the day 1408
Ayahs of the Day:
To Allah belong all things in the heavens and on earth. Verily We directed the People of the Book before you, and you (O Muslims) to fear Allah. But if you deny Him, to Allah belong all things in the heavens and on earth, and Allah is free of all wants, worthy of all praise. To Allah belong all things in the heavens and on earth, and enough is Allah to carry through all affairs. [4: 131,132]
Hadith of the Day:
You should not be envious of anyone save: One he upon whom Allah bestows the (knowledge of) Quran and he studies and practices it through the day and night; and the other whom Allah gives wealth and he spends it in the cause of Allah, throughout the night and day. [Bukhari & Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
A person's fear of Allah is equal to his knowledge of Him and his renouncing of this world is equal to his desire of the Hereafter. [Ibrahim al As'ath]
Guidance of the Day:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The quest of knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim man and Muslim woman." But it is not obligatory for every Muslim to seek all (aspects) of learning, but only that in keeping one's standing. It is said that the most meritorious knowledge is that in keeping with one's standing, and the most meritorious action is to maintain one's standing (soundly).
It is necessary for the Muslim to strive for as much knowledge as he may need in his standing whatever this may be. Since one must perform prayers, he must know enough about the prayer ritual that will help him acquit himself of his obligation. Knowledge of his (other) religious obligations is likewise incumbent upon him, for whatever leads to the fulfillment of a duty is itself a duty and what leads to the establishment of an obligation is an obligation. This applies to fasting; paying zakat if one possesses wealth; and the pilgrimage when one is under obligation to perform it. It also applies to trading goods if one is engaged in commerce. [Instruction of the student--The method of learning by Imam Al-Zarnuji]
Food for Thought:
Forgiveness ought to be like a canceled note, torn into two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one." I forgive but I cannot forget", is only one way of saying, "I will not forgive."
To Allah belong all things in the heavens and on earth. Verily We directed the People of the Book before you, and you (O Muslims) to fear Allah. But if you deny Him, to Allah belong all things in the heavens and on earth, and Allah is free of all wants, worthy of all praise. To Allah belong all things in the heavens and on earth, and enough is Allah to carry through all affairs. [4: 131,132]
Hadith of the Day:
You should not be envious of anyone save: One he upon whom Allah bestows the (knowledge of) Quran and he studies and practices it through the day and night; and the other whom Allah gives wealth and he spends it in the cause of Allah, throughout the night and day. [Bukhari & Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
A person's fear of Allah is equal to his knowledge of Him and his renouncing of this world is equal to his desire of the Hereafter. [Ibrahim al As'ath]
Guidance of the Day:
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "The quest of knowledge is incumbent upon every Muslim man and Muslim woman." But it is not obligatory for every Muslim to seek all (aspects) of learning, but only that in keeping one's standing. It is said that the most meritorious knowledge is that in keeping with one's standing, and the most meritorious action is to maintain one's standing (soundly).
It is necessary for the Muslim to strive for as much knowledge as he may need in his standing whatever this may be. Since one must perform prayers, he must know enough about the prayer ritual that will help him acquit himself of his obligation. Knowledge of his (other) religious obligations is likewise incumbent upon him, for whatever leads to the fulfillment of a duty is itself a duty and what leads to the establishment of an obligation is an obligation. This applies to fasting; paying zakat if one possesses wealth; and the pilgrimage when one is under obligation to perform it. It also applies to trading goods if one is engaged in commerce. [Instruction of the student--The method of learning by Imam Al-Zarnuji]
Food for Thought:
Forgiveness ought to be like a canceled note, torn into two, and burned up, so that it never can be shown against one." I forgive but I cannot forget", is only one way of saying, "I will not forgive."
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Pearls of Wisdom 401
1. Other people may complicate our lives, but life without them would be
unbearably desolate.
2. We shouldn't just do what we feel like doing; instead we need to do
what the Lord asks of us.
3. Who is wealthy? He who is content with what he has.
4. The fear of God may indeed be the beginning of wisdom and the corner
stone of proper living.
5. When we have learned how to live, life itself is a reward.
6. It is only when we are no longer afraid to die that we can say that we
are truly alive.
7. It is a sign of maturity when we stop asking -- what does life have in
store for me? And start asking -- what am I doing with my life?
8. There is no way to prevent dying. But the cure for the fear of death is to
make sure that we have lived according to the commandments of the Lord Almighty.
9. Having an impact on another person, shaping his or her life in some small
but vital way, is one of the most enduring satisfactions we will know.
10. Life, if you will, is a work of art, and if we paid loving attention to its details,
we will be able to take pride in the finished product.
unbearably desolate.
2. We shouldn't just do what we feel like doing; instead we need to do
what the Lord asks of us.
3. Who is wealthy? He who is content with what he has.
4. The fear of God may indeed be the beginning of wisdom and the corner
stone of proper living.
5. When we have learned how to live, life itself is a reward.
6. It is only when we are no longer afraid to die that we can say that we
are truly alive.
7. It is a sign of maturity when we stop asking -- what does life have in
store for me? And start asking -- what am I doing with my life?
8. There is no way to prevent dying. But the cure for the fear of death is to
make sure that we have lived according to the commandments of the Lord Almighty.
9. Having an impact on another person, shaping his or her life in some small
but vital way, is one of the most enduring satisfactions we will know.
10. Life, if you will, is a work of art, and if we paid loving attention to its details,
we will be able to take pride in the finished product.
Saturday, December 24, 2016
Reflections: Chasing the feeling of love....
With tears in her eyes, an elderly woman’s gaze falls upon the majestic Ka’ba for the first time. Taken by surprise at its unique splendor, she immediately stops and stares upwards in awe at the grandness of the Ka’ba. Her eyes quickly trace the patterns of fine gold thread intricately weaved into its black robe. In her moment of reflection, she silently watches beating hearts encircle its structure in total unison, clusters of individual souls who meet together for the same purpose – to beseech their Creator with their endless needs. Tongues chant what hearts speak and feet move forward motivated by pure hope. Overwhelmed by her new found treasure, she utters in a low whisper, “It’s beautiful.” After living many decades of hardship and heartbreak, she finally found a focal point for perpetual love.
Surely, it is during these intimate moments with the Divine that souls discover the true meaning of life and they are fueled to change, give back to others, and grow. When human hearts are sincerely tied to their Creator, they are deeply inspired to be the love that they crave to feel and to manifest the love that they long to show. The centuries sought ‘fountain of life’ that grants people eternal fulfilment, empowerment, and clarity isn’t an imaginary fairytale, but it is a reality that is only found when a person cultivates a strong relationship with Allah Most High. Indeed, the quality of a person’s life is often measured by the quality of their personal connection with their Creator.
When we first married our husbands, maybe we thought differently; we felt like we hit the jackpot, and that ‘feeling’ of being in love compelled us to behave differently and to perform with great potential. The ‘high’ encouraged us to act in noble ways or to say loving words without much thought or effort. Yet, for almost everyone on the face of this planet, that fantasy wave eventually crashes, and our hearts are stranded upon the lonely shore of real life once again.
However, in this beached moment, we still have a choice of where we will direct our marooned hearts. Undoubtedly, when we convince ourselves that we’re missing something, we will inevitably start searching for what will make us feel that ‘feeling’ once more. Some may get divorced and decide to look for the ‘feeling’ elsewhere. Some may stay in their marriages but devote their attention to their children, hoping to gain the ‘feeling’ through them. Some may hang onto their spouses, riding a rollercoaster of the ‘feeling’ on and off their time together. Whatever the option may be, when we chase the ‘feeling’ of love, our hearts will ultimately settle in the same place that we desperately try to avoid being in: the rock-bottom feeling of emptiness.
Instead of chasing the temporary, we must seek what is permanent and everlasting. Namely, we need to revive our marriages with a higher purpose – to make our marriages worship with Allah and not based on a bunch of feelings.
Allah says: Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (3:31)
The only way to truly make a Muslim marriage survive and transform into an everlasting bond is to focus our hearts on following the way of the Prophet ﷺ. How did he ﷺ act within times of disappointment? How did he ﷺ respond when challenged? How did he ﷺconsistently treat those in his household?
If our love batteries are dead, then we need to recharge them, but our power source must be the Divine.
Those who are enthused to act, speak, and live for Allah’s sake will always find something different in their marriages, and the love felt between each other’s hearts easily intensify and solidify inshaAllah. So don’t gauge the quality of your relationship by the strength of the ‘feeling’ because feelings come and go. Rather, base your marriage on something permanently substantial. Ask yourself if the way that you are in your marriage is pleasing to Allah Most High. Let this guiding principle be what regulates your love meter because Allah will place His blessing in it inshaAllah. Whenever you see it is at a low, find your focal point, turn to the Ka’ba, and reconnect with the Divine.
© TayyibaatWives, 2016.
Surely, it is during these intimate moments with the Divine that souls discover the true meaning of life and they are fueled to change, give back to others, and grow. When human hearts are sincerely tied to their Creator, they are deeply inspired to be the love that they crave to feel and to manifest the love that they long to show. The centuries sought ‘fountain of life’ that grants people eternal fulfilment, empowerment, and clarity isn’t an imaginary fairytale, but it is a reality that is only found when a person cultivates a strong relationship with Allah Most High. Indeed, the quality of a person’s life is often measured by the quality of their personal connection with their Creator.
When we first married our husbands, maybe we thought differently; we felt like we hit the jackpot, and that ‘feeling’ of being in love compelled us to behave differently and to perform with great potential. The ‘high’ encouraged us to act in noble ways or to say loving words without much thought or effort. Yet, for almost everyone on the face of this planet, that fantasy wave eventually crashes, and our hearts are stranded upon the lonely shore of real life once again.
However, in this beached moment, we still have a choice of where we will direct our marooned hearts. Undoubtedly, when we convince ourselves that we’re missing something, we will inevitably start searching for what will make us feel that ‘feeling’ once more. Some may get divorced and decide to look for the ‘feeling’ elsewhere. Some may stay in their marriages but devote their attention to their children, hoping to gain the ‘feeling’ through them. Some may hang onto their spouses, riding a rollercoaster of the ‘feeling’ on and off their time together. Whatever the option may be, when we chase the ‘feeling’ of love, our hearts will ultimately settle in the same place that we desperately try to avoid being in: the rock-bottom feeling of emptiness.
Instead of chasing the temporary, we must seek what is permanent and everlasting. Namely, we need to revive our marriages with a higher purpose – to make our marriages worship with Allah and not based on a bunch of feelings.
Allah says: Say, [O Muhammad], “If you should love Allah, then follow me, [so] Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (3:31)
The only way to truly make a Muslim marriage survive and transform into an everlasting bond is to focus our hearts on following the way of the Prophet ﷺ. How did he ﷺ act within times of disappointment? How did he ﷺ respond when challenged? How did he ﷺconsistently treat those in his household?
If our love batteries are dead, then we need to recharge them, but our power source must be the Divine.
Those who are enthused to act, speak, and live for Allah’s sake will always find something different in their marriages, and the love felt between each other’s hearts easily intensify and solidify inshaAllah. So don’t gauge the quality of your relationship by the strength of the ‘feeling’ because feelings come and go. Rather, base your marriage on something permanently substantial. Ask yourself if the way that you are in your marriage is pleasing to Allah Most High. Let this guiding principle be what regulates your love meter because Allah will place His blessing in it inshaAllah. Whenever you see it is at a low, find your focal point, turn to the Ka’ba, and reconnect with the Divine.
© TayyibaatWives, 2016.
Saturday, December 17, 2016
Lesson of the day 1407
Ayahs of the Day:
Who can be better than one who submits his whole self to Allah, does good, and follows the
way of Abraham the upright in faith? Allah (Himself) chose Abraham for a friend. To Allah
belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth. It is Allah that encompasses all things.
[4: 125,126]
Hadith of the Day:
Charity does not diminish the wealth; Allah enhances the honor of one who forgives, and
one who humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah exalts him in rank. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
When you find yourself slipping, remember Allah and the Last Day. If you died this very
moment, is this a state you would want to die in? [Shaykh Faraz Rabbani]
Guidance of the Day:
The treatment for miserliness is realizing that those who achieve wealth usually do so only
after exhausting themselves over long periods of time, working for it day and night. Meanwhile
life passes on, and the time runs out. The culture of wanting more for the sake of more can
literally occupy a person for life.
Reflect long and hard on the fact that just as people climb the heights of affluence and start to
achieve what they have worn themselves out for, then death assails them without invitation.
When death takes us and moves us on, our wealth stays behind for others to wrangle over
and spend.
One must also realize the level of disdain shown to misers. Nobody likes a miser. Even misers
loathe each other. Realizing the hatred people have for misers is enough to turn one away
from their disease. [Purification of the Heart]
Food for Thought:
The best thing to give your enemy is forgiveness, to an opponent tolerance, to a friend your heart,
to your child good example, to your father deference, to your mother a conduct that will make her
proud of you, to yourself respect and to all men charity.
Who can be better than one who submits his whole self to Allah, does good, and follows the
way of Abraham the upright in faith? Allah (Himself) chose Abraham for a friend. To Allah
belongs whatsoever is in the heavens and the earth. It is Allah that encompasses all things.
[4: 125,126]
Hadith of the Day:
Charity does not diminish the wealth; Allah enhances the honor of one who forgives, and
one who humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah exalts him in rank. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
When you find yourself slipping, remember Allah and the Last Day. If you died this very
moment, is this a state you would want to die in? [Shaykh Faraz Rabbani]
Guidance of the Day:
The treatment for miserliness is realizing that those who achieve wealth usually do so only
after exhausting themselves over long periods of time, working for it day and night. Meanwhile
life passes on, and the time runs out. The culture of wanting more for the sake of more can
literally occupy a person for life.
Reflect long and hard on the fact that just as people climb the heights of affluence and start to
achieve what they have worn themselves out for, then death assails them without invitation.
When death takes us and moves us on, our wealth stays behind for others to wrangle over
and spend.
One must also realize the level of disdain shown to misers. Nobody likes a miser. Even misers
loathe each other. Realizing the hatred people have for misers is enough to turn one away
from their disease. [Purification of the Heart]
Food for Thought:
The best thing to give your enemy is forgiveness, to an opponent tolerance, to a friend your heart,
to your child good example, to your father deference, to your mother a conduct that will make her
proud of you, to yourself respect and to all men charity.
Saturday, December 03, 2016
Social Media...
Seeking attention on social media
The main goal of social media sharing is to gain the attention of the people while boasting and taking pride in halal and haram activities that are posted. Here are some matters through which people attract attention on social media:
1. Marital life
We may be living with the person in the same house, but it has become a trend (or an essential!) to post birthday wishes, anniversary wishes or grand declarations of love on networking sites. Gestures of love that should be personal and special between the husband and wife are uploaded for the whole world to see. This is as unpleasant as living in a house with glass walls all around, with all private on-goings made public for all to witness.
Quick tip: Instead of posting a romantic status, say these words to your spouse directly and watch how the love between you two grows.
2. Luxuries and food
It has become normal to see posts such as “I just checked into this swanky hotel!” and “here I’m with my brand new phone/laptop/car.” This gives validation to the individual as we show the whole world the material things that Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) blessed us with.
Quick tip: Instead of posting a picture of your latest gadget, make du’a to Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) that it will benefit you in this world and the Hereafter.
3. Beauty
“Looking awesome, bro!” “Hey, you look beautiful!” These comments are like drugs for some and they just cannot live without them. They get into the habit of dressing up and posting pictures with deep quotes and then, chase those posts all day long to see how many likes and comments they get. In an age of advanced photo-editing, men and women are desperate to attain an unrealistic body image, with constant selfies to try and build up their self-worth.
Quick tip: Next time you want to post a selfie, post a picture of beautiful scenery or nature instead and ponder over Allah’s subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) creation, so that we learn to detach from our ego. Believe that Allah is ‘Al-Musawwir’ (The Fashioner), Who fashioned you in the best shape – you do not need to display and get approval of from the world.
4. Agonies
It is not just the happy moments, people also go on to share their agonies and painful moments with the whole world, be it a failed love story, a broken marriage or an ailment they may be suffering from.
Quick tip: In order to be successful, we are required to be patient during trials. Complaining to people contributes to being ungrateful towards the Lord and hence, should be avoided. We also end up exposing our weaknesses to friends and foes. So expose your problems only to Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He)and seek His help.
5. Religious duties
The sad reality is that the attention seeking behavior has crossed the boundaries and infiltrated our religious duties as well. More of worshippers are found busy filming themselves in Haramain rather than concentrating on worshipping Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He).
Quick tip: Keep your ibadah a secret!
Click to read more: http://productivemuslim.com/like-o-maniac/#ixzz4RnxZlWNi
The main goal of social media sharing is to gain the attention of the people while boasting and taking pride in halal and haram activities that are posted. Here are some matters through which people attract attention on social media:
1. Marital life
We may be living with the person in the same house, but it has become a trend (or an essential!) to post birthday wishes, anniversary wishes or grand declarations of love on networking sites. Gestures of love that should be personal and special between the husband and wife are uploaded for the whole world to see. This is as unpleasant as living in a house with glass walls all around, with all private on-goings made public for all to witness.
Quick tip: Instead of posting a romantic status, say these words to your spouse directly and watch how the love between you two grows.
2. Luxuries and food
It has become normal to see posts such as “I just checked into this swanky hotel!” and “here I’m with my brand new phone/laptop/car.” This gives validation to the individual as we show the whole world the material things that Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) blessed us with.
Quick tip: Instead of posting a picture of your latest gadget, make du’a to Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) that it will benefit you in this world and the Hereafter.
3. Beauty
“Looking awesome, bro!” “Hey, you look beautiful!” These comments are like drugs for some and they just cannot live without them. They get into the habit of dressing up and posting pictures with deep quotes and then, chase those posts all day long to see how many likes and comments they get. In an age of advanced photo-editing, men and women are desperate to attain an unrealistic body image, with constant selfies to try and build up their self-worth.
Quick tip: Next time you want to post a selfie, post a picture of beautiful scenery or nature instead and ponder over Allah’s subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) creation, so that we learn to detach from our ego. Believe that Allah is ‘Al-Musawwir’ (The Fashioner), Who fashioned you in the best shape – you do not need to display and get approval of from the world.
4. Agonies
It is not just the happy moments, people also go on to share their agonies and painful moments with the whole world, be it a failed love story, a broken marriage or an ailment they may be suffering from.
Quick tip: In order to be successful, we are required to be patient during trials. Complaining to people contributes to being ungrateful towards the Lord and hence, should be avoided. We also end up exposing our weaknesses to friends and foes. So expose your problems only to Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He)and seek His help.
5. Religious duties
The sad reality is that the attention seeking behavior has crossed the boundaries and infiltrated our religious duties as well. More of worshippers are found busy filming themselves in Haramain rather than concentrating on worshipping Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He).
Quick tip: Keep your ibadah a secret!
Click to read more: http://productivemuslim.com/like-o-maniac/#ixzz4RnxZlWNi
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Pearls of Wisdom 400
1. There is a big difference between having a good time, and having time to
be good.
2. A credit card adds to your credit; but adds even more to your creditors.
3. A truth told with bad intent, beats all the lies you can invent.
4. Friendship is a living thing that lasts as long as it is nourished with kindness,
sympathy, and understanding.
5. True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in the worth and
choice.
6. Discussion is an exchange of knowledge. Argument is an exchange of ignorance.
7. Tell your child to lie for you, and your child will learn to lie to you.
8. A good leader takes a little more than his share of blame, and a little less than his
share of credit.
9. The pursuit of happiness is the wrong goal. You don't become happy by pursuing
happiness. You become happy by living a life that means something.
10. One human being is no human being. None of us can truly be human in isolation.
The qualities that make us human emerge only in the ways we relate to other people.
be good.
2. A credit card adds to your credit; but adds even more to your creditors.
3. A truth told with bad intent, beats all the lies you can invent.
4. Friendship is a living thing that lasts as long as it is nourished with kindness,
sympathy, and understanding.
5. True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in the worth and
choice.
6. Discussion is an exchange of knowledge. Argument is an exchange of ignorance.
7. Tell your child to lie for you, and your child will learn to lie to you.
8. A good leader takes a little more than his share of blame, and a little less than his
share of credit.
9. The pursuit of happiness is the wrong goal. You don't become happy by pursuing
happiness. You become happy by living a life that means something.
10. One human being is no human being. None of us can truly be human in isolation.
The qualities that make us human emerge only in the ways we relate to other people.
Saturday, November 05, 2016
Remembering death is the key to every good....
Rasul Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said: “Remember often death -- the Ender of Pleasures.” [Nasai]
Those who sleep on velvet, will surely, one day sleep in soil. Kings and paupers alike will have a bed in the earth. Traveler through life, your destination is the grave. What you are traversing is two days journey.
To remember death is like for a student to remember that there will be an exam at the end of the year. The more conscious he is of it, the more he will consistently prepare for it, and the better he will do when the time comes. He who parties away, heedless of his studies, will not fare well, and at the end of the year the exam will bring an end to his pleasures.
It is recommended for everyone to frequently remember death, and to prepare for it by obeying Allah Most High and repenting of his/her sins. A saying in Persian goes, “If childhood is spent in play, youth in mischief, and old age in laziness, when will one worship Allah?”
Those who sleep on velvet, will surely, one day sleep in soil. Kings and paupers alike will have a bed in the earth. Traveler through life, your destination is the grave. What you are traversing is two days journey.
To remember death is like for a student to remember that there will be an exam at the end of the year. The more conscious he is of it, the more he will consistently prepare for it, and the better he will do when the time comes. He who parties away, heedless of his studies, will not fare well, and at the end of the year the exam will bring an end to his pleasures.
It is recommended for everyone to frequently remember death, and to prepare for it by obeying Allah Most High and repenting of his/her sins. A saying in Persian goes, “If childhood is spent in play, youth in mischief, and old age in laziness, when will one worship Allah?”
Sunday, October 30, 2016
Lesson of the day 1406
Ayahs of the Day
Say (O' Mohammad): " If you do love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Say: " Obey Allah and His Messenger"; but if they turn back, Allah loves not those who reject Faith. [3: 31,32 ]
Hadith of the Day
By his good character traits a believer will attain the degree of one who prays during the night and fasts during the day. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day
Whoever remembers death frequently will be rewarded in three ways: he will hasten to repent, he will become content, and he will be active in worship. [Shaykh al Daqaq]
Guidance of the Day
We are warned against desiring death in a hadith, one should desire life in order to repent and make amends of past iniquities. If one did much good, he should want more life to perform more righteous deeds. If one's past has been marred with evil, then there is a new day and opportunity to turn things around.
People who recognize the urgency of the human condition and their own impending mortality do not squander their time. They set out positive deeds. It is no coincidence that those very people who do good and hope to do more of it are in fact those who reflect on death and work for the Hereafter the most, so the day of judgment will be a moment of joy and light for them. [Purification of the Heart]
Food for Thought
You end up as you deserve. In the old age you must put up with the face, the friends, the health, and the children you have earned.
Say (O' Mohammad): " If you do love Allah, follow me; Allah will love you and forgive you your sins; for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Say: " Obey Allah and His Messenger"; but if they turn back, Allah loves not those who reject Faith. [3: 31,32 ]
Hadith of the Day
By his good character traits a believer will attain the degree of one who prays during the night and fasts during the day. [Abu Dawud]
Wise Quote of the Day
Whoever remembers death frequently will be rewarded in three ways: he will hasten to repent, he will become content, and he will be active in worship. [Shaykh al Daqaq]
Guidance of the Day
We are warned against desiring death in a hadith, one should desire life in order to repent and make amends of past iniquities. If one did much good, he should want more life to perform more righteous deeds. If one's past has been marred with evil, then there is a new day and opportunity to turn things around.
People who recognize the urgency of the human condition and their own impending mortality do not squander their time. They set out positive deeds. It is no coincidence that those very people who do good and hope to do more of it are in fact those who reflect on death and work for the Hereafter the most, so the day of judgment will be a moment of joy and light for them. [Purification of the Heart]
Food for Thought
You end up as you deserve. In the old age you must put up with the face, the friends, the health, and the children you have earned.
Saturday, October 22, 2016
The ritual washing (wudu) is a prevention against trachoma -- an eye disease
I have recently read a medical article about an eye disease called “Trachoma”, a disease that infects the conjunctiva and retina of the eye. It has different phases, or stages, whereby it develops, beginning with slight agitation and itching and ending in blindness.
However, this is not our concern, for it is a purely medical issue the facts of which have to be sought in books of medical science. What concerns us here is that a female medical specialist wrote an article in a science magazine issued by the Information Office of the UN. In her article, the writer confirms that repeated and regular wash of the body as well as Wudu’ (Ritual Ablution), witnessed in the Muslim communities, are very helpful in the confinement of this disease, Trachoma, which is considered as the main cause of blindness in countries of the third world.
The writer adds that nearly 500,000,000 people, from all countries of the world, suffer from this disease, which is avoidable by adopting the Muslim way of cleanliness that Muslims have to observe before performing their prayers. She also reiterates that the average of the spread of this disease in committed Islamic communities is very low. It even rates to 0 % in those Islamic communities where Muslims are committed to performing Wudu’ (Ritual Ablution) five times a day.
In the light of the above-mentioned facts, it should be believed that such Islamic commandments and practices are all from Allah, All-Mighty, Creator of mankind. Furthermore, it is naïve to think that Allah’s Divine Commands have only one or two benefits. Nay! Their benefits are unlimited!
The above-mentioned foreign writer has nothing to do with the religion of Islam, but while carrying out her research, studies, investigations, and calculations, she found out that the average of the spread of this disease, from which more than 500,000,000 people suffer all over the world, is very low in Muslim communities, which are committed to cultic purity and cleanliness. This is Allah’s Religion! And this is why scholars say: “The relationship between religious commitment and its consequences is a scientific one, and so is the relationship between religious non-commitment and its consequences.”
To wrap up, since man is naturally predisposed to love his existence, safety of his existence, perfection of his existence, and continuity of his existence, he should obey his Lord, Allah, All-Mighty, Most Gracious, and he should follow His Divine Religion. To this effect, Allah, Glory to Him, says,
“And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger has indeed achieved a great achievement.”
[Al-Ahzab; 71]
Translation : Khaled Al- Athmed
Monday, October 10, 2016
Pearls of Wisdom 399
1. Other people may complicate our lives, but life without them would be
unbearably desolate.
2. We shouldn't just do what we feel like doing; instead do what the Lord
asks of us.
3. Who is wealthy? He who is content with what he has.
4. The fear of God may indeed be the beginning of wisdom and the corner
stone of proper living.
5. When we have learned how to live, life itself is a reward.
6. It is only when we are no longer afraid to die that we can say that we are
truly alive.
7. It is a sign of maturity when we stop asking -- what does life have in store
for me? And start asking -- what am I doing with my life?
8. There is no way to prevent dying. But the cure for the fear of death is to
make sure that we have lived according to the commandments of the Lord
Almighty.
9. Having an impact on another person, shaping his or her life in some small
but vital way, is one of the most enduring satisfactions we will know.
10. Life, if you will, is a work of art, and if we paid loving attention to its details,
we will be able to take pride in the finished product.
unbearably desolate.
2. We shouldn't just do what we feel like doing; instead do what the Lord
asks of us.
3. Who is wealthy? He who is content with what he has.
4. The fear of God may indeed be the beginning of wisdom and the corner
stone of proper living.
5. When we have learned how to live, life itself is a reward.
6. It is only when we are no longer afraid to die that we can say that we are
truly alive.
7. It is a sign of maturity when we stop asking -- what does life have in store
for me? And start asking -- what am I doing with my life?
8. There is no way to prevent dying. But the cure for the fear of death is to
make sure that we have lived according to the commandments of the Lord
Almighty.
9. Having an impact on another person, shaping his or her life in some small
but vital way, is one of the most enduring satisfactions we will know.
10. Life, if you will, is a work of art, and if we paid loving attention to its details,
we will be able to take pride in the finished product.
Sunday, October 02, 2016
Time to fix oneself....
I have to live with myself and so I want to be fit for myself to know.
I want to be able as days go by to look myself straight in the eye.
I don't want to stand with the setting sun (time of death) and think
of things I have or haven't done, I want to go with my heart erect.
I want to deserve all men's respect, I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to look at myself and know that I am a bluster, a bluff
and an empty show.
I can never hide myself from me, I see what others may never see.
I know what others may never know.
I can never fool myself and so whatever happens, I want to be self-
respecting and conscience free.
I want to be able as days go by to look myself straight in the eye.
I don't want to stand with the setting sun (time of death) and think
of things I have or haven't done, I want to go with my heart erect.
I want to deserve all men's respect, I want to be able to like myself.
I don't want to look at myself and know that I am a bluster, a bluff
and an empty show.
I can never hide myself from me, I see what others may never see.
I know what others may never know.
I can never fool myself and so whatever happens, I want to be self-
respecting and conscience free.
Monday, September 26, 2016
Lesson of the day 1405
Ayahs of the Day
Say: "Whether you hide what is in your hearts or reveal it, Allah knows it all; He knows what is in the heavens, and what is on the earth. And Allah has power over all things. On the Day when every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done, it will wish there were a great distance between it and its evil. But Allah cautions you (to remember) Himself. And Allah is full of kindness to those that serve Him. [3: 29,30]
Hadith of the Day
Whoever travels a path seeking knowledge (of the deen), Allah eases for them a path to paradise. [Abu Dawud & Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day
The best remembrance of Allah is that which involves both the tongue and the heart. [Ibn Ataillah]
Guidance of the Day
Believers are not anti-worldly in a sense propagated by some Christian theologies. The world is a place made for us to enjoy, but not to the point that we forget our purpose and ultimate destiny.
When a person suffers the passage of time without consistent and serious reflection about the Hereafter, the world takes hold of his heart more and more, which has a way of making the heart hard. Those with hard hearts become corrupt. This dynamic applies to societies as it does to individuals.
Although long hopes can harden hearts, there are exceptions, like a scholarly work from which many people may benefit. It is one of the highest things a person can do. In fact, it is a form of sadaqa jariya (a continuos charity). In cases like this, one is not censured for wanting a long life, because one seeks to strive in ways that serve God, His religion and humanity. [Purification of the Heart]
Food for Thought
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty, anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep the mind young.
Say: "Whether you hide what is in your hearts or reveal it, Allah knows it all; He knows what is in the heavens, and what is on the earth. And Allah has power over all things. On the Day when every soul will be confronted with all the good it has done, it will wish there were a great distance between it and its evil. But Allah cautions you (to remember) Himself. And Allah is full of kindness to those that serve Him. [3: 29,30]
Hadith of the Day
Whoever travels a path seeking knowledge (of the deen), Allah eases for them a path to paradise. [Abu Dawud & Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day
The best remembrance of Allah is that which involves both the tongue and the heart. [Ibn Ataillah]
Guidance of the Day
Believers are not anti-worldly in a sense propagated by some Christian theologies. The world is a place made for us to enjoy, but not to the point that we forget our purpose and ultimate destiny.
When a person suffers the passage of time without consistent and serious reflection about the Hereafter, the world takes hold of his heart more and more, which has a way of making the heart hard. Those with hard hearts become corrupt. This dynamic applies to societies as it does to individuals.
Although long hopes can harden hearts, there are exceptions, like a scholarly work from which many people may benefit. It is one of the highest things a person can do. In fact, it is a form of sadaqa jariya (a continuos charity). In cases like this, one is not censured for wanting a long life, because one seeks to strive in ways that serve God, His religion and humanity. [Purification of the Heart]
Food for Thought
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty, anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep the mind young.
Monday, September 19, 2016
Pearls of Wisdom 398
1. There is a big difference between having a good time, and having time to be good.
2. A credit card adds to your credit; but adds even more to your creditors.
3. A truth told with bad intent, beats all the lies you can invent.
4. Friendship is a living thing that lasts as long as it is nourished with kindness,
sympathy, and understanding.
5. True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in the worth and choice.
6. Discussion is an exchange of knowledge. Argument is an exchange of ignorance.
7. Tell your child to lie for you, and your child will learn to lie to you.
8. A good leader takes a little more than his share of blame, and a little less than his
share of credit.
9. The pursuit of happiness is the wrong goal. You don't become happy by pursuing
happiness. You become happy by living a life that means something.
10. One human being is no human being. None of us can truly be human in isolation.
The qualities that make us human emerge only in the ways we relate to other people.
2. A credit card adds to your credit; but adds even more to your creditors.
3. A truth told with bad intent, beats all the lies you can invent.
4. Friendship is a living thing that lasts as long as it is nourished with kindness,
sympathy, and understanding.
5. True happiness consists not in the multitude of friends, but in the worth and choice.
6. Discussion is an exchange of knowledge. Argument is an exchange of ignorance.
7. Tell your child to lie for you, and your child will learn to lie to you.
8. A good leader takes a little more than his share of blame, and a little less than his
share of credit.
9. The pursuit of happiness is the wrong goal. You don't become happy by pursuing
happiness. You become happy by living a life that means something.
10. One human being is no human being. None of us can truly be human in isolation.
The qualities that make us human emerge only in the ways we relate to other people.
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Eid Mubarak!!!
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 apologize...
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!!!
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 apologize...
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!!!
Thursday, September 01, 2016
The most needed preparation for Hajj....
The One Thing You MUST Leave Behind When Going to Hajj
If there is one thing that separates a Muslim or Muslimah from Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) it is their ego! Whatever journey you are going on, ego always seems to want to travel with you. Here at Productive Muslim, as we reflect on Hajj, I aim to show you why you need to leave this kind of baggage at home.
Hajj is once more upon us and the checklist is out, as you decide what needs to be taken with you on the holiest of pilgrimages. You have gone through the useful Productive Muslim Tips for a Productive Hajj and what every Productive Muslim Should Pack articles. Twice, maybe. Qur’an, check. Travel prayer mat, check. Miswak, check. Ego, check. Uh-oh, that wasn’t supposed to be there! So you unpack everything and re-do your luggage again. Sunglasses, check. Perfume-free soap, check. Ego, check! It is that one piece of baggage we could do without! But it is still there and far from helpful when it comes to avoiding misconduct and arguments as instructed by Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) in the Noble Quran, “And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is [God-consciousness/righteousness]…” [Qur’an: Chapter 2, Verse 197]
So what is Ego?
What Western thinkers refer to as “ego” we -in Islamic terms- refer to as an-nafs-ul-‘ammarah, mixed with a reasonable dose of kibr (arrogance or superiority over others; pride). Now, I am not saying that we Muslims purposefully strut around with our ego on the high street or on the plane to Mecca, but if there is one thing that separates a Muslim or Muslimah from God it is their ego. So, in other words, it is better to acknowledge the existence of ego, especially if you are anything like me, fervently denying that you have a problem, especially when compared to a whole host of Muslims and non-Muslims you could name!
I mean who hasn’t ever got angry, felt a little jealous, annoyed even, when someone else got promoted, got that bigger house, better school or university grades, or seemingly nicer husband? It is perfectly human to complain about such things, right? Well, there are somethings that I shouldn’t have to do, right? This has nothing to do with ego, right? Wrong! And if that’s what you have been saying since your friend or spouse emailed you this article to read, wave to your ego for me because he or she is sitting on your lap, which means you came face to face and lost the battle… again!
No wonder the fight against ego is the greatest struggle (Jihad al-Akbar) that a Muslim can endure. It is also why Hajj is a pillar of our faith and a testament to Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) which demonstrates that we prefer Him over our egos.
Flattening an Inflated Ego with Every Hajj Step
In Hajj, we Muslims set out to enhance our Taqwa, to return to a purified state at one with our Creator, more aware of His Divine Nature and Presence. We are reminded on this pilgrimage of the trials of the great men and women of Islam who sacrificed their sense of self for a profound belief in God.
For evidence of this, take the re-enactment of Hajar’s exhausting and repeated run through the two hills, Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, in search for water for her baby Ismail, barefoot and alone in the desert. It is in performing the Sa’ee that we can come to appreciate how that it was only in the shedding of her ego that Hajar found her courage and faith, which led to the appearance of the Zamzam well. We are further reminded of ego’s power, human fragility and sinfulness when we shave or cut a lock of our hair on the final day of Hajj, following the completion of ramī al-jamarāt(the Stoning of the Devil).
Ego, like our hair, will grow back. To stop both from becoming unruly and tangled, they need a frequent trim and a daily brush or comb. Hajj is the ultimate conditioner. If applied right, it will make ego more manageable. It won’t, however, remove it completely. For that you need Tazkiah, specifically tazkiyatul -nafs or “purification of the self”.
Productive Muslim
If there is one thing that separates a Muslim or Muslimah from Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) it is their ego! Whatever journey you are going on, ego always seems to want to travel with you. Here at Productive Muslim, as we reflect on Hajj, I aim to show you why you need to leave this kind of baggage at home.
Hajj is once more upon us and the checklist is out, as you decide what needs to be taken with you on the holiest of pilgrimages. You have gone through the useful Productive Muslim Tips for a Productive Hajj and what every Productive Muslim Should Pack articles. Twice, maybe. Qur’an, check. Travel prayer mat, check. Miswak, check. Ego, check. Uh-oh, that wasn’t supposed to be there! So you unpack everything and re-do your luggage again. Sunglasses, check. Perfume-free soap, check. Ego, check! It is that one piece of baggage we could do without! But it is still there and far from helpful when it comes to avoiding misconduct and arguments as instructed by Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) in the Noble Quran, “And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is [God-consciousness/righteousness]…” [Qur’an: Chapter 2, Verse 197]
So what is Ego?
What Western thinkers refer to as “ego” we -in Islamic terms- refer to as an-nafs-ul-‘ammarah, mixed with a reasonable dose of kibr (arrogance or superiority over others; pride). Now, I am not saying that we Muslims purposefully strut around with our ego on the high street or on the plane to Mecca, but if there is one thing that separates a Muslim or Muslimah from God it is their ego. So, in other words, it is better to acknowledge the existence of ego, especially if you are anything like me, fervently denying that you have a problem, especially when compared to a whole host of Muslims and non-Muslims you could name!
I mean who hasn’t ever got angry, felt a little jealous, annoyed even, when someone else got promoted, got that bigger house, better school or university grades, or seemingly nicer husband? It is perfectly human to complain about such things, right? Well, there are somethings that I shouldn’t have to do, right? This has nothing to do with ego, right? Wrong! And if that’s what you have been saying since your friend or spouse emailed you this article to read, wave to your ego for me because he or she is sitting on your lap, which means you came face to face and lost the battle… again!
No wonder the fight against ego is the greatest struggle (Jihad al-Akbar) that a Muslim can endure. It is also why Hajj is a pillar of our faith and a testament to Allah subḥānahu wa ta'āla (glorified and exalted be He) which demonstrates that we prefer Him over our egos.
Flattening an Inflated Ego with Every Hajj Step
In Hajj, we Muslims set out to enhance our Taqwa, to return to a purified state at one with our Creator, more aware of His Divine Nature and Presence. We are reminded on this pilgrimage of the trials of the great men and women of Islam who sacrificed their sense of self for a profound belief in God.
For evidence of this, take the re-enactment of Hajar’s exhausting and repeated run through the two hills, Al-Safa and Al-Marwah, in search for water for her baby Ismail, barefoot and alone in the desert. It is in performing the Sa’ee that we can come to appreciate how that it was only in the shedding of her ego that Hajar found her courage and faith, which led to the appearance of the Zamzam well. We are further reminded of ego’s power, human fragility and sinfulness when we shave or cut a lock of our hair on the final day of Hajj, following the completion of ramī al-jamarāt(the Stoning of the Devil).
Ego, like our hair, will grow back. To stop both from becoming unruly and tangled, they need a frequent trim and a daily brush or comb. Hajj is the ultimate conditioner. If applied right, it will make ego more manageable. It won’t, however, remove it completely. For that you need Tazkiah, specifically tazkiyatul -nafs or “purification of the self”.
Productive Muslim
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