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How to Break the Cycle of Sin

If we don’t take the time to realize why we commit sins, we may never be able to prevent them. There are many different kinds of mistakes, and pinpointing them makes a world of difference.

Disease Types

The first kind of mistake is that of ignorance. In these mistakes, we do not realize the dangers of disobeying the Creator. In times like these, we should take the advice from those who came before us when they said,
“Don’t ever look at the smallness of the sin you are committing, rather realize the magnitude of the One you are sinning against.”

Another type of sin is that which is done to simply follow one’s desire. We know that the action we are doing is wrong, and we know that we are sinning against the Almighty; yet we still do it out of weakness in controlling our own desires. It is in these matters that we need to gain self-control and self-restraint...

How to Break the Cycle of Sin - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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True Richness (Part 1)

in reality most of the money that a person owns will eventually end up in the hands of his or her inheritors, and only that part which was spent for the sake of God will actually benefit one in the Hereafter. God emphasizes this point in the Quran teaching us that:

“Wealth and children are the adornments of the life of this world. But the permanent righteous deeds are better in your Lord’s Sight (to attain) rewards, and better in respect of hope.” (Al-Kahf, 18:46)

Righteousness

So money and children can be a comfort and a pleasure of this life, but righteous deeds are what will remain permanently-not one’s family or wealth. It is these righteous deeds which will bring a person God’s Pleasure, and through which a person can hope for an ever-lasting reward in the Hereafter...

http://www.onislam.net/english/read...ing-in-faith/453879-true-richness-part-1.html

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Post-Ramadan Reflections [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Ramadan's Soft Landing [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]It's now two weeks since the end of Ramadan, the best month of the year.[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The gates of Heaven were then wide open, and the gates of Hell were locked, the devils were chained and the worship of God was made easier for a whole month: reading the Quran, praying and doing good deeds...[/FONT]
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For most people, the level of spirituality which was very high in Ramadan has probably dropped a bit, a problem which needs to be monitored and taken seriously.[/FONT]
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The important question to think about now is how to have a soft landing during this month of Shawwal, that would keep us going steady the rest of the year till next Ramadan.[/FONT]
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The Fruits of Fasting [/FONT]
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One of the important fruits of Ramadan for most Muslims is an increase in the level of God-consciousness, or taqwa, as fasting is a secret which only God knows. He monitors our actions and deeds, and only He knows our intentions and thoughts. Fasting in Ramadan helped us remember that, and keeping this inner feeling alive in Shawwal and the rest of the year is one important aspect of Ramadan's soft landing. To help us do that, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, directed us to fast six days in Shawwal...
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Ramadan's Soft Landing - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Satan's Gateways to the Heart[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The heart is like a fort and Satan the advancing enemy, who is intent on infiltrating and occupying it.[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Hence, only by guarding the gates, entrances and vulnerable positions, will it be impenetrable.[/FONT]
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Yet, a person who is unacquainted with the structure of the fortress, particularly its access points, cannot adequately defend it.[/FONT]
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By the same token, the obligation of guarding the heart from the whispers of Satan cannot be fulfilled and he cannot be warded off, unless a person knows the gates to the heart that Satan may take.[/FONT]
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These gateways are, generally, personal characteristics, of which there are many but, here, we will only refer to the ones that are so wide so as to accommodate all the numerous soldiers of Satan:[/FONT]
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- Anger and desire: Anger is the ghoul of the psyche; when it weakens the guards of one's mind, Satan's soldiers immediately seize the opportunity to attack. Furthermore, when a person becomes enraged, Satan toys with him in the same way children play with a ball.[/FONT]
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- Envy and greed: No matter how careful man is, his covetousness makes him deaf and dumb. The light of insight reveals the gates of Satan; when envy and greediness mask this light, man becomes at risk. Hence, Satan seizes that opportunity and adorns for an acquisitive person whatever leads to his or her desires, even if it is heinous and evil...
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http://www.onislam.net/english/read...aith/453891-satans-gateways-to-the-heart.html

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]First Chapter of the Quran: Unlike Any Other[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, told us that this chapter in the Quran is unlike any other. Nothing like it was revealed in any previous scripture. When one recites this chapter sincerely they would be professing their belief as a true Muslim.

[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]“All praise is to God”[/FONT]
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When you state that all praise is due to God alone, you are in fact acknowledging that only He has all the attributes of perfection and that only He is the bestower of all the bounties that any of His creation enjoys. And since gratefulness is the essence of worship, you are also acknowledging that He is the only one who deserves to be worshiped...
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First Chapter of the Quran: Unlike Any Other - Prayer - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Allah Has Power Over Everything

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Allah, the Creator of everything, is the sole possessor of all beings.[/FONT]
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It is Allah Who heaps up the heavy clouds, heats and brightens the Earth, varies the direction of the winds, holds birds suspended up in the sky, splits the seed, makes a man's heart beat, ordains photosynthesis in plants, and keeps planets in their separate orbits.[/FONT]
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People generally surmise that such phenomena occur according to "the laws of physics," "gravity," "aerodynamics," or other physical factors; however, there is one significant truth these people ignore: all such physical laws were created by Allah, the only possessor of power in the universe.[/FONT]
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Allah rules all the systems at any moment in the universe, regardless of whether we are aware of them, or if we are asleep, sitting, walking. Each of the myriad of processes in the universe, all essential to our existence, is under Allah's control. Even our ability to just take a small step forward depends on Allah's creation in countless minute details, including Earth's force of gravity, the structure of the human skeleton, the nervous system and muscular system, the brain, the heart, and even the rotation speed of the Earth.[/FONT]
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Planed and Decreed[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]

Attributing the existence of the world and of the entire universe to sheer coincidence is complete delusion. The exquisite order of the Earth and the universe completely contradicts the possibility of formation through coincidence, and is, rather, a clear sign of Allah's infinite might....

[/FONT] Allah Has Power Over Everything - Allah - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Seven Under the Shade of Allah[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]On the Day of Resurrection, all people that ever lived will be gathered before God to await His judgment for all they have done or said during their lives.[/FONT]
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During this time, the sun will come very close to the people (as close as one mile according to some narrations).[/FONT]
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People will want to get away from the heat of the sun but there will be no shade or shelter to go to and they will start sweating in proportion to their sins. The more sins a person has the more he or she will sweat.[/FONT]
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During this traumatic time, however, the seven groups of people who are mentioned in the following hadith (Prophetic narration) will be completely immune to the sun’s heat and they will be in complete comfort.[/FONT]
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These people will be in such comfort because they will be enjoying the only shade available on that day and that is the shade of God. They will enjoy such an honor because of their piety and obedience to God while they were in this life.[/FONT]
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The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:[/FONT]
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“There are seven whom Allah will shade in His Shade on the Day when there is no shade except His Shade: a just ruler; a youth who grew up in the worship of Allah; a man whose heart is attached to the mosques; two men who love each other for Allah's sake, meeting for that and parting upon that; a man who is called by a woman of beauty and position [for illegal intercourse], but he says: 'I fear Allah'; a man who gives in charity and hides it, such that his left hand does not know what his right hand gives in charity; and a man who remembered Allah in private and so his eyes shed tears.” (Al-Bukhari & Muslim)[/FONT]
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[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In this beautiful narration, the Prophet spoke about small acts of worship which result in such a huge reward: shade on the Day when there will be no shade except His Shade, i.e., the Shade of His Throne...[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
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The Seven Under the Shade of Allah (Part 1) - He Said - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Allah's Infinite Greatness and Power[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]So expansive is Allah's knowledge that what for us is "infinite" is in His sight already ended, every event that has taken place since the creation of time, until deep into eternity, was predetermined and ended in Allah's Sight:[/FONT]
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“We have created all things in due measure. Our command is only one word, like the blinking of an eye. We destroyed those of your kind in the past, but is there any that remembers? Everything they did is in the Books. Everything is recorded, big or small.” (Al-Qamar, 54: 49-53)[/FONT]
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Grateful[/FONT]
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Man must seek to appreciate the extent of Allah's knowledge, and reflect to comprehend His greatness.[/FONT]
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Billions of people have appeared on Earth since time immemorial. Therefore, Allah created billions of pairs of eyes, billions of different fingerprints, billions of different eye tissues, billions of different types of humans... If He so willed, He could also create billions more: [/FONT]
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"...He adds to Creation in any way He wills. Allah has power over all things." (Fatir, 35: 1)[/FONT]
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Allah also possesses the power to create many other things beyond our limited imagination. The entire extent of the treasures Allah has bestowed in this world for His servants is all within His Sight. He sends down to us only that which He wills, all within a measure predetermined...
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Allah's Infinite Greatness and Power - Allah - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Post-Ramadan Reflections

Carrying the Torch of Ramadan Forward

while we find ourselves again vulnerable to the very same struggles that plagued us before Ramadan, let us not forget the very purpose of our efforts during that blessed month. Let us not allow the fruits of Ramadan to be lost. And let us not miss out on the very purpose of our fasting...

How?

1. Guard your prayers. During Ramadan, many of us make sure to pray every prayer on time — often at the masjid. Continue to guard your prayers, because surely they will guard you:

“Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do” (Al-Ankabout, 29:45).

2. Remember Allah by staying close to the Qur’an. During Ramadan, many of us spend our nights and days reading Qur’an. Remembering Allah by staying close to the Qur’an everyday will protect you from Satan and keep your heart polished. Allah’s Messenger said:

“There is a polish for everything that takes away rust; and the polish for the heart is the remembrance of Allah” (Bukhari).

The Prophet, peace be upon him, has also said:

“Read the Qur’an, for verily it will come on the Day of Judgment as an intercessor for its companions” (Muslim).

3. Think more and talk less. The Prophet, peace be upon him, said:

“Sometimes a person says a thing which pleases Allah, and in return Allah raises his status; and sometimes a person says something which displeases Allah, and it takes him to hell” (Bukhari).

Imam Ibrahim Al-Nakh'i, a pious predecessor, once said: “Whoever reflects will find that the noblest and most dignified person of every gathering is the one who is most silent, because silence beautifies the scholar and conceals the faults of the ignorant.”

4. Repent often. Many of us seek forgiveness from Allah during Ramadan, but abandon this practice once Ramadan is over. Keep in mind that the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, used to repent to Allah a hundred times every single day. Repenting often keeps our hearts clean and always connected to Allah...

Carrying the Torch of Ramadan Forward - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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The Seven Under the Shade of Allah (Part 2)

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The first three groups of people who will be under the Shade of God were detailed in Part 1 [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]4. Two Men Who Love Each Other For Allah's Sake, Meeting for That and Parting upon That:[/FONT]
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God says: [/FONT]
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{The believers are nothing else than brothers, so make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy.}[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] (Al-Hujurat 49:10)[/FONT]
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Having mutual love for the sake of God is one of the great doors leading to the good of the Hereafter and a cause of tasting the sweetness of faith in this world...[/FONT]
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5. A Man Who Is Called (Seduced) by a Woman of Beauty and Position But He Says: 'I Fear Allah':[/FONT]
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God says:[/FONT]
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{And come not near to the adultery. Verily, it is a shameful (deed) and an evil way (that leads one to Hell).} (Al-Isra’ 17: 32)...[/FONT]
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6. A Man Who Gives In Charity And Hides It, Such That His Left Hand Does Not Know What His Right Hand Gives in Charity:[/FONT]
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This describes the type of person who goes to great lengths to protect himself from ostentation and showing off in worship...[/FONT]
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7. A Man Who Remembered Allah In Private And So His Eyes Shed Tears:[/FONT]
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Prophet Muhammad informed us:[/FONT]
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“If you knew what I knew, you would laugh little and weep much.” (Al-Bukhari)[/FONT]
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Crying is not a sissy thing to do! The Prophet, who was the best of all creation, would weep, as would all of his Companions. Tears are a genuine expression of fear of God's punishment and of our sincere love and awe of Him...[/FONT]

http://www.onislam.net/english/read...he-seven-under-the-shade-of-allah-part-2.html

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The People of the Book in the Quran[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]In the Quran, we are commanded not to make judgments about people just because they belong to a particular race, nation or religion. In every community, there are good people as well as wicked people. The Quran draws attention to this differentiation....

A person who thinks in the light of the verses of the Quran and fears God can in no way feel hostility towards Jews because of their religion or creed.

The moral teachings of the Quran exclude all racism. For this reason, a Muslim who follows the Quran does not practice racism and does not despise people because they belong to a certain race.

It is commanded in the Quran that, so long as they show no hostility to Islam or Muslims, a tolerant and friendly attitude must be maintained toward other religions.

For this reason, a Muslim who follows the Quran should assume a compassionate and friendly manner towards people of different religions, and especially towards the People of the Book...

The People of the Book in the Quran - Comparative Religion - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net[/FONT]

 

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Ibn `Atta’ Words of Wisdom

Perfecting the Beginnings

“A sign of success in the end is to refer to Allah in the beginning.

If there is no sunrise in the beginning, there is no sunrise in the end.”

A servant journeying to Allah, who is passing through difficult tests and heading to horizons of peace and tranquility, always thinks of new good deeds that advance him/her along his/her journey.

This word of wisdom teaches us here another universal law: Perfecting the basis and the start of any new project, almost guarantees the desired outcomes in the end. In Ibn `Ataa’s words, if there is sunrise in the beginning, surely there will be sunrise in the end.

But the question is: how can I make the sun rise and shine at the beginning?

The answer, according to Ibn `Ataa, is by referring to Allah. But, how could one ‘refer to Allah’ in the beginning of any work? ...

Perfecting the Beginnings - Advice - Shari`ah - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Loyalty and Obedience to God[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]One of the main attributes of believers is to maintain their obedience in every situation and under all circumstances...

Obedience is a sure sign of one's faith in God and his total willingness to be a servant to Him. This is surely the only way to man's salvation.
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Loyalty and Obedience to God - Ethics & Values - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Praying for Forgiveness and Repentance

All through their lives, certain people pursue a flawless image for themselves. Their efforts center around one goal: to be perfect and to look perfect. This is a natural consequence of finding it degrading to make a mistake.

The ideal person, they consider, is one who can project an aura of impeccability.

However, this "flawlessness" is an illusionary goal. Neither is it one of the attributes of a believer we find extolled in the Qur'an. We would go so far as to say that such a "believer model" does not exist. For mankind is inherently weak, humble, and helpless before God and can consequently makes mistakes all throughout life.

No doubt, people will always do their best to avoid mistakes and sins, yet, being frail servants of God, they will not succeed in being free of all mistakes...

Praying for Forgiveness and Repentance - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Paradise: Safe and Sound

After enduring the hardships of the dunya (this world) and the horrors of the grave and Last Day, Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala (exalted is He) will bless the believers with something that will make their worries and fears disappear: a safe, secure and everlasting home.

A home where they will never endure or even encounter the emotions of fear, sadness, regret, unhappiness and anxiety. A home where their Lord will welcome them by saying, “O My servants, no fear will there be concerning you this Day, nor will you grieve,” (Qur’an, 43:68).

One of Allah’s greatest blessings, in this life and the next, is safety and security. It is an easily forgotten blessing because we are so accustomed to having a safe home and country. As we saw with recent events in the Middle East and in London, chaos erupts when the blessing of safety is taken away.

This blessing is even greater in the hereafter, when people will not have a safe haven or someone to protect them. That is why Allah (swt) highlights the quality of safety in Paradise by saying, “Indeed, the righteous will be in a secure place [al-maqam al-ameen],” (Qur’an, 44:51)...

Paradise will be completely free of any harm in any form...

Paradise: Safe and Sound

 

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The Place of Prophet Ibrahim in God's Religions

Faith, sacrifice, commitment and patience… These are just some of the qualities that characterize Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him), or Abraham as he is called in English.

So it should come as no surprise that Prophet Abraham is revered not just in Islam, but in Christianity and Judaism as well.

Prophet Ibrahim is also a great personality to discuss in dialogues between Muslims, Jews and Christians...

The Place of Prophet Ibrahim in God's Religions - Comparative Religion - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Reflection: Key to God[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Reflection is the heart’s lamp, the soul’s food, the spirit of knowledge, and the essence and light of the Islamic way of life.[/FONT]
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Reflection is the light in the heart that allows the believer to discern what is good and evil, beneficial and harmful, beautiful and ugly.[/FONT]
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Again, it is through reflection that the universe becomes a book to study, and the verses of the Qur’an disclose their deeper meanings and secrets more clearly. Without reflection, the heart is darkened, the spirit is exasperated, and Islam is lived at such a superficial level that it is devoid of meaning and profundity.[/FONT]
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Thought-Provoking[/FONT]
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Reflection is a vital step in becoming aware of what is going on around us and of being able to draw conclusions from these events. It is a golden key that opens the door of experience, the seedbed where the trees of truth are planted, and the opening of the heart’s eye...[/FONT]
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[/FONT]Reflection: Key to God - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Straight Path
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God's Guidance [/FONT]
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The mission of the prophets was to convey the true message from their Lord and not their own minds or intellect.
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Among those who receive their message, some are guided, and some are not. This is when we delve into the core of the matter: it is the individual’s heart that is either open to guidance or not. Allah does not impose the belief in Him upon the heart of mankind—although the knowledge of His Oneness is imprinted in the heart of ALL mankind, but Satan, and his host, would do their best to stray mankind from the right path and thus forget the Creator and His message.[/FONT]
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Thus, one who follows his desires and turns away from the true guidance, slowly marks his heart with stains of disbelief which over time covers his entire heart and turns him against Allah - even though he may have fully heard the message of the messengers and the call to believe in the one God...
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The Straight Path - Allah - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Salvation in Islam (Part 1)

Islam teaches us that salvation is attainable through the worship of God alone. A person must believe in God and follow His commandments.

This is the same message taught by all the Prophets including Moses and Jesus; there is only One worthy of worship, One God, alone without partners, sons, or daughters. Salvation and thus eternal happiness can be achieved by sincere worship.

In addition to this, Islam teaches us that human beings are born without sin and are naturally inclined to worship God alone (without any intermediaries). To retain this state of sinlessness, humankind must only follow God’s commandments and strive to live a righteous life.

If one falls into sin, all that is required is sincere repentance followed by seeking God’s forgiveness. When a person sins, he or she pushes themselves away from the mercy of God, however sincere repentance brings a person back to God...


http://www.onislam.net/english/read...destiny/454469-salvation-in-islam-part-1.html

 

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Toward Understanding Islam:

Salvation in Islam (Part 2):

Worship and Obey God

It’s All about Oneness

Tawheed is an Arabic word that means oneness, and when we talk about Tawheed in relation to God it means realizing and affirming God’s oneness. It is the belief that God is One, without partner or associate. There is no god worthy of worship but Allah, and this is the foundation of Islam.

To profess such a belief along with the belief that Muhammad is His messenger is what makes a person Muslim. To believe in Tawheed with certainty is what guarantees salvation...

Salvation in Islam (Part 2): Worship and Obey God - Fate & Destiny - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net