Spiritual Health and Purification of the Soul

[Cordoba]

Contemplate and be thankful!
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Remember the favours of Allah upon you and how they surround you from above and below - indeed, from every direction.

*[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]And if you would count the graces of Allah, never could you be able to count them.*[/FONT] (Qur'an 14: 34)

Enumerating The Blessings Of Allah, And Giving The Necessary Thanks For Them

 

[Cordoba]

Leave the future alone until it comes..!!​

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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Be not hasty and rushed for things that have yet to come to pass. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do you think it is wise to pick fruits before they become ripe? [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Tomorrow is non-existent, having no reality today, so why should you busy yourself with it? [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Why should you have apprehensions about future disasters? Why should you be engrossed by their thoughts, especially since you do not know whether you will even see tomorrow?

[/FONT]The important thing to know is that tomorrow is from the world of the unseen, a bridge that we do not cross until it comes.

(Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad")

 

[Cordoba]

How to deal with bitter criticism..!!​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]You will always have to face criticism, which in its onslaught is like an interminable war: it shows no sign of ending. As long as you shine, give, produce, and have an effect upon others, then disapproval and condemnation will be your lot in life. Until you escape from people by finding a tunnel in the ground or a ladder leading to the sky, they will not desist from censuring you, from finding fault in your character. For that reason, as long as you are from the denizens of earth, expect to be hurt, to be insulted, and to be criticised.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]And here is something you should contemplate: a person who is sitting on the ground does not fall, and people do not kick a dead dog. Therefore their anger toward you can be attributed to you surpassing them in righteousness, knowledge, manners, or wealth. In their eyes you are a transgressor whose wrongs cannot be atoned for – unless you abandon your talents and strip yourself of all praiseworthy qualities, so that you become stupid, worthless, and to them, innocuous. This result is exactly what they want for you.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]So remain firm and patient when facing their insults and criticism. If you are wounded by their words and let them have an influence over you, you will have realised their hopes for them. Instead, forgive them by showing them the most beautiful of manners. Turn away from them and do not feel distressed by their schemes. Their disapproval of you only increases you in worth and merit.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Verily, you will not be able to silence them, but you will be able to bury their criticisms by turning away from them and dismissing what they have to say.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If you desire to be accepted by all and loved by all, you desire the unattainable.[/FONT]

(Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad")

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not expect gratitude from anyone..!![/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Allah, the Almighty, created His slaves so that they may worship and remember Him, and He provided sustenance for them so that they may be grateful to Him. Nevertheless, many have worshipped other than Him and the masses are thankful not to Him, but to others, because the characteristic of ingratitude is widespread among human beings. So do not be dismayed when you find that others forget your favours or disregard your kind acts. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]So be at peace if you are requited with ungratefulness for the good you have done. Rejoice in your knowledge that you will be rewarded from the One WHo has unlimited treasures at His disposal.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]This is not to say that you should refrain from performing acts of kindness towards others: the point is that you should be mentally prepared for ingratitude.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Perform acts of charity seeking Allah's pleasure, because with this attitude you will assuredly be successful. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Hence do not be in a state of agitation if you give someone a pen as a gift and he uses it to satirise you, or if you give someone a walking stick to lean upon and he strikes you with it. [/FONT]

(Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad")

 

[Cordoba]

Doing good to others gives comfort to the heart..!!
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The first person who benefits from an act of charity is the benefactory himself, by seeing changes in himself and in his manners, by finding peace, by watching a smile form on the lips of another person.

If you find yourself to be in dfficulty or distress, show kindness to others, and you will be the first to find solace and comfort. Give to the needy, defend the oppressed, help those in distress, and visit the sick: you will find that happiness surrounds you from all directions.

An act of charity is like perfume - it benefits the user, the seller, and the buyer. Furthermore, the psychological benefits that one receives from helping others are indeed great. If you suffer from depression, an act of charity will have a more potent effect on your sickness than will the best available medicine.[/FONT]

(Source: Book titled"Don't be Sad")

 

[Cordoba]

Repel Boredom with work..!!​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Those who have nothing to do with their lives are the same people who spend most of their time spreading rumours and falsehood, mainly because their minds are devoid of beneficial thoughts

When you find yourself to be idle, prepare for depression and despair, because idleness allows your mind to wander in the past, the present, and the future, with all of their difficulties. Therefore, my sincere advice to you is to perform fruitful acts instead of being idle, for idleness is a slow and veiled for of suicide.

Being inactive means being negligent of one's duties. Idleness is an expert thief and your mind is its victim.

Therefore get up now and say a prayer or read a book; praise your Lord, study, write, organise your library, fix something in your house, or benefit others so that you can put an end to your inactivity. I say this only because I sincerely wish for your betterment.

Destroy boredom by working. When you apply this simple percept alone, you will have travelled at least fifty percent of the way towards happiness. Look at farmers, carpenters, and the bread-maker, and observe how, when they are working, they recite words as melodious as the singing of birds, because they are content. Afterwards observe yourself and how you toss and turn on your bed while wiping away your tears, always miserable, always torturing yourself.[/FONT]
(Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad")

 

[Cordoba]

Verily, with Hardship, there is relief..!!​

*Verily, with hardship, there is relief.* (Qur'an 94: 6)

Eating follows hunger, drinking follows thirst, sleep comes after restlessness, and health takes the place of sickness. The lost will find their way, the one in difficulty will find relief, and the day will follow the night.

Inform the night of a coming morning, the light of which will permeate the mountains and valleys. Give to the afflicted tidings of a sudden relief that will reach them with the speed of light or with the blinking of an eye.

If you see that the desert extends for miles and miles, then know that beyond that distance are green meadows with plentiful shade. If you see the rope tighten and tighten, know that it will snap.

Tears are followed by a smile, fear is replaced by comfort, and anxiety is overthrown by serenity. When the fire was set for him, Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham) (may peace be upon him) did not feel its heat because of the help he received from his Lord.

*We (Allah) said: 'O' fire! Be you coolness and safety for Ibraheem!* (Qur'an 21: 69)

The sea would not drown Prophet Moses (may peace by upon him), because he uttered in a confident, strong, and truthful manner:

*'Nay, verily! With me is my Lord, He will guide me'.* (Qur'an 26: 62)

The Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him told Abu Bakr in the cave that Allah was with them - then peace and tranquility descended upon them.

Those that are slaves of the moment see only misery and wretchedness. This is because they look only at the wall and door of the room, whereas they should look beyond such barriers as are set before them.

Therefore do not be in despair: it is impossible for things to remain the same. The days and years rotate, the future is unseen, and every day Allah has matters to bring forth. You know it not, but it may be that Allah will afterwards bring some new things to pass. And verily, with hardship there is relief.

(Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad)

 

[Cordoba]

Trusting Allah as a Way of Life
By Abdul Malik Mujahid

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Sometimes we think that something is good for us while actually it is bad for us. And sometimes we feel that something is bad for us while actually it is the other way around. So the limit of human knowledge explains the limits of not only our control, but our responsibility as well. That is why we do our part and leave the results to God.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Adopting the belief and practice of tawakkul has three benefits for us. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]First, knowing that our responsibility for what happens is limited is very comforting. ...[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The second consequence of tawakkul is that it invites us to connect to a powerful Ally Who is no one but the Lord Himself. The more we rely on Him, the greater the chances that we will try to please Him by following the guidance He has given us, which in turn will lead to goodness in this world and success in the hereafter.
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The third consequence of tawakkul is what Olajuwon learned by observing himself. By fully trusting in Allah and relying on Him, we are not depressed by what we have lost and we are not intoxicated by our success (Al-Hadid 57:22–23). We know that all things are in Allah's hands, and that makes us not only humbler but more submissive to God, thus better believers.[/FONT]
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http://www.islamonline.net/English/NewHijriYear/1427/GrieveNot/Articles/12.shtml
http://www.islamonline.net/English/NewHijriYear/1427/GrieveNot/Articles/12.shtml

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Convert a Lemon into a Sweet Drink[/FONT]

An intelligent and skilful person transforms losses into profits; whereas, the unskilled person aggravates his own predicament, often making two disasters out of one.

If you are afflicted with a misfortune, look on the bright side.
If someone were to hand you a glass full of squeezed lemons, add to it a handful of sugar.

(Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad")

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,Sans-Serif]Enough for you is your home..!![/FONT]

When you isolate yourself from things that divert you from Allah’s obedience, you are giving yourself a dose of medicine, one that doctors of the heart have found to be a most potent cure.

When you seclude yourself from evil and idleness, your brain is stimulated into action.

The results are increases in faith, repentance, and remembrance of Allah, the Most Merciful.

(Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad")

 

[Cordoba]

Faith is Life itself..!!​

The only means of purifying the heart and of removing anxieties and worries from it is to have complete faith in Allah, Lord of all that exists.

In fact, there can be no true meaning to life when one has no faith.


(Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad")

 

[Cordoba]

The one who entrusts Allah (swt) does so in the certainty that what Allah (swt) decrees is best for them, even if it is apparently the opposite of what they believe to be good.

Such a person is content with the decrees of Allah as they know whatever is decreed is best for them, whether the benefit is apparent or not.

The main benefit that I have found by maintaining these concepts is the amount of courage and secrutiy it brings to the decisions we make on a daily basis. Not just in the decisions we make but also in the good and bad situations that we find ourselves - whether they are a result of our own carelessness or circumstances beyond our control. Relying on Allah (swt) in the way outlined can instill an enourmous amount of peace and contentment and courage when needs be. But remember Allah helps whom he wills, so ask him for help often, do your best with patience and certainty and remember the other condition: we must fear Allah (swt) and keep our duty to him.

http://muslimmusilmah.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!7ECB831DF7393A87!119.entry

 

[Cordoba]

Verily, in the Remembrance of Allah do Hearts Find Rest..!!​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]*Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.* (Qur’an 13: 28)[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Truthfulness is beloved by Allah and is purifying soap for the heart. And there is no deed that gives such pleasure to the heart, or has greater reward, than the remembrance of Allah.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]*Therefore remember Me, and I will remember you…* (Qur’an 2: 152)[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Remembrance of Allah is His paradise on earth, and whoever does not enter it will not enter the Paradise of the Hereafter. Remembrance is not only a safe haven from the problems and worries of this world, but it is also the short and easy path to achieving ultimate success. Read the various revealed texts that refer to the remembrance of Allah, and you will appreciate its benefits.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]When you remember Allah, clouds of worry and fear are driven away, and the mountains that make up your problems are blown away.[/FONT]

(Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad")

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Or do they Envy Men for what Allah has given them of His Bounty?[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]*Or do they envy men for what Allah has given them of His Bounty?* (Qur’an 4: 54)[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Jealousy is a disease that wreaks havoc not only on the mind, but also on the body. It is said that there is no repose for the jealous one and that he is an enemy wearing the garb of a friend. In doing justice to the disease of jealousy, one can say that it is a fair one, for it begins with its bearer, killing him first.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]I forbid both you and myself from jealousy, because before we can show mercy to others we must first show it to ourselves. By being jealous of others, we are feeding misery with our flesh and blood and we are giving our sound sleep to others.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The jealous person lights a fire and then jumps into it. Jealousy begets grief, pain, and suffering, thus destroying what was once a calm and virtuous life.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The curse of the jealous one is that he contests fate and contends that his Creator is unjust.[/FONT]

(Source: Book titled "Don't be sad")

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Importance of Reliance on Allah (Tawakul)[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The most valuable quality to aim for is to have trust in Allah (swt), reliance upon him of his sufficiency and keeping a good opinion of him, the latter being that if anyone is anxious regarding their sustenance then he should turn to the shelter of Allah



[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]A hadith which is related by Imam Tirmidi and others states that: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]“He who begins the morning with this world as his greatest concern, Allah (swt) disperses his collected gains and puts its loss in front of him, and only that of the world comes to him which is written for him. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]And he who begins the morning with the Hereafter as his greatest concern, Allah (swt) gathers for him his works and creates richness in his heart due to them, and the world comes to him subserviently”[/FONT]
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[Cordoba]

Impact of Tawakul on Faith

When one adopts the belief and practice of Tawakul, he will be more content and closer to Allah.

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Nothing is more beautiful than having trust in Allah[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Remind yourself everytime you leave home when you open your door to say (Tawakaltu ala Allah): I have put my trust in You Allah[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]This is something which the heart does and one of the many results is that it will certainly strengthen you level of Faith[/FONT]

 

[Cordoba]

Contentment (Rida)

The concept of being content is a very important asset in our daily life.

If one is content, he will live in peace, harmony and happiness.

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]These qualities can't be purchased or acquired through wealth or fame. If a person is not content, he will inevitably drive himself crazy. He will do his best to satisfy his needs, but never ever will he be happy or satisfied. He will never have peace of mind and he may continue to live in anxiety. [/FONT]

http://www.inter-islam.org/Lifestyle/contentment.htm

 

[Cordoba]

Accept Life as it is..!!​

The pleasures of life are short-lived, and more often than not, they are followed by sorrow. Life means responsibility, a journey wherein change is constant and difficulties are relentless in their onslaught.

You will not find a father, a wife, or a friend who is free from problems. Allah has willed for this world to be filled with two opposites: good and evil, righteousness and corruption, happiness and misery. Thus goodness, uprightness, and happiness are for Paradise; evil, corruption and misery are for the Fire. The Prophet peace be upon him said:

“This world is cursed along with all that is in it, except for these: the remembrance of Allah, what follows it (i.e. good deeds and whatever Allah loves), the scholar, and the student.”

So live according to your reality without always envisioning the ideal life, one that is free from worry and toil. Accept life as it is and adapt accordingly to all circumstances. You will not find in this world such things as the flawless companion or the perfect situation, because flawlessness and perfection are qualities that are foreign to this life. It is necessary for us to make amends; to take what is easy and leave what is difficult; and very frequently, to overlook the faults and mistakes of others.

(From a book titled "Don't be Sad")

 

[Cordoba]

Find Consolation by Remembering the Afflicted..!!​

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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Look around you, to the right and to the left. Do you not see the afflicted and the unfortunate? In every house there is mourning and upon every cheek run tears.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]How many tribulations and how many people persevere with patience? You are not alone in your troubles, which are few compared to those of others. How many sick people remain bedridden for years while suffering from unspeakable pain?[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]How many men and women have lost their dear children in the prime of youth?[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]How many people are troubled or tormented?[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Find consolation with those that are worse off than you; know that this life is like a prison for the believer, an abode of grief and sadness. In the morning castles are bustling with inhabitants; then in an instant, disaster occurs, and they are empty and desolate. Life can be peaceful, the body in good health, wealth abundant, and children healthy; and yet only in a matter of days, poverty, death, separation, and sickness can all take their place.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]You should realise that you are in good shape relative to them, and that you have merely been pricked by tiny difficulties. so praise Allah for His kindness, be thankful for what He has left for you, seek recompense from Him for what He has taken, and seek consolation with those that are afflicted.[/FONT]

(Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad")

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Allah [Alone] is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of Affairs [for us]..!![/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]*Allah [Alone] is sufficient for us, and He is the best Disposer of affairs [for us].* (Qur’an 3: 173)[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]By leaving your affairs to Allah, be depending upon Him, by trusting in His promise, by being pleased with His decree, by thinking favourably of Him, and by waiting patiently for His help, you reap some of the greater fruits of faith and display the more prominent characteristics of the believer. When you incorporate these qualities into your character, you will be at peace concerning the future, because you will depend on your Lord for everything. As a result, you will find care, help, protection, and victory.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]No person by himself is capable of fighting against the current of misfortune, nor can he fend off the blows of disaster when they strike. This is because man was created weak and fragile. However, when in times of difficulty, the believer places his dependency and trust with his Lord; he knows that all difficulties can be overcome.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]*And put your trust in Allah if you are believers indeed.* (Qur’an 5: 23)[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]O’ you who wish to be sincere to yourselves: depend upon the All-Mighty, the All-Rich to save you from calamity and disaster. Live your lives according to this percept: Allah Alone is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of our affairs. If you have meagre means, if you are deep in debt, or if you are in any kind of worldly difficulty, call out: “Allah Alone is sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of our affairs.”[/FONT]

(Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad")