Spiritual Health and Purification of the Soul

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Cast off Anxiety – Pause to Reflect..!![/FONT]​

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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not be sad, for that which has been preordained has already been decided upon and will take place though you may not like it. The pens have dried, the scrolls have been rolled up, and every affair is firmly established. Therefore your sadness will not change your reality in the least.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not be sad, because, with your sadness, you desire for time’s suspension: for the sun to stop in its place, for the hands of the clock to stand still, for the steps of your feet to move backwards, and for the river to flow back to its source.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not be sad, because sadness is like a hurricane that violently tosses the waves, changing the atmosphere and destroying the blooming flowers of the luxuriant garden.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not be sad, because the one who is sad is like a person who pours water into a bucket that has a hole in it. He is like a writer who uses his finger to write on water.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not be sad, because the true span of life is measured by the number of days in which you are content. Do not then spend your days in grief, do not waste your nights in sorrow, and do not be extravagant in squandering your time; for truly, Allah loves not those who are extravagant and wasteful.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not be sad, for in truth, your Lord forgives sins and accepts repentance.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]When you read the following verse, does not your heart feel peaceful, are not your worries driven away, and does not happiness permeate your whole being?[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]*Say: “O’ my slaves who have transgressed against themselves [by committing evil deeds and sins]! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.* (Qur’an 39: 53)[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]He addressed them with, ‘O’ my slaves’, to tame their hearts and souls. He specifically mentioned those who transgress, since they are more disposed than others to perpetrate evil deeds on a continual basis. How much greater then will be the Mercy of Allah for others! Thus He forbade them from despairing and from losing hope of attaining forgiveness. And He informed them that He forgives all sins of the one who repents, whether they are big or small, important or unimportant.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif](Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad")[/FONT]

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Stay Away from the Following Four[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]1- Complaining and being angry with what Allah has decreed[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]2- Committing sins without repenting afterwards[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]3- Hating people for the blessings Allah has bestowed upon them[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]4- Turning away from the remembrance of Allah[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

Patience of Believers

For a believer, the scope of patience is not limited to enduring difficulties and problems with calmness.

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]In the light of the verse,[You who believe, be steadfast; be supreme in steadfastness…] (Aal `Imran 3:200), throughout his life, he shows an undeviating commitment to meticulously fulfilling all the commands of the Qur’an, to avoiding what is unlawful, to displaying moral perfection in every situation, without becoming daunted or losing heart[/FONT]

Patience of Believers

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The noblest human being[/FONT]

Some salient features of the Messenger of Allah's character were contentment, optimism, and a generous heart.

He was a bearer of glad tidings. He forbade people from extremes of austerity and asceticism, because these lead to repelling people from the truth. Hopelessness and failure were not in his dictionary.

A smile was always on his face, and his heart was content.

Furthermore, his commands were easy to follow, for his mission was to alleviate hardship and to remove the shackles of falsehood that hold people down.

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

 

[Cordoba]

Take Your Precautions

In all facets of life, one should take precautions and study the possible outcomes of every action, because by being careful, one will have no cause for future self-recrimination.

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If the results of one's endeavors are good, one should thank and praise Allah. If the results of one's endeavors are not good, one should say, "Allah has made His decree and whatever He pleases, He does."[/FONT]

(Source: Book titled Don't be Sad)

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Basics for Tranquility and Inner Peace[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]1- The length of your life has already been decided upon, for everything takes place according to preordainment and decree. So there is no need to feel anxious in that regard[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]2- The decision of how much sustenance any one of us receives is with Allah alone: no one else owns that sustenance or has the power to take it from you[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]3- The past is gone and has taken with it its woes and miseries. It cannot return even if the whole of mankind worked as one unit to bring it back[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]4- The future is from the unseen world and has not yet arrived. It brings with it matters, showing no regard to your permission or feelings, so do not call it forth until it actually arrives[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]5- Doing good to others brings happiness both to the heart and the soul. A good deed provides greater benefits to the benefactor - in terms of blessings and recompense and peace - then it does to the receiver[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]6- Among the noble qualities of the believer is that he doesn't concern himself with spurious criticism. No one has been saved from curses and criticism, not even Allah, the Lord of all that exists, Who is Perfect and Exalted[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Read More but with Understanding and Contemplation[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]To be blessed with a large store of knowledge, a mind that contemplates, a good understanding, and an intellect that delves beneath the surface for reasons and motives ... these are all factors that contribute to giving one peace of mind[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not Let Calamity Shake You[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]A few principles to remember:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]- Relief comes after hardships. This is a consistent pattern in the life of man, as consistent as the coming of morning after darkness[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]- Hardship is more beneficial to the soul of man than are comfort and ease[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]- The one who brings good and drives away evil is Allah. Know that whatever happens to you was decreed for you, and whatever you have missed out was never meant for you[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Purification of the Soul: The Path Towards Inner Peace[/FONT]

"Successful are those who purify it (i.e. their soul), and the losers will be those who corrupt it."

A commentary by Zahid Pervez on Surah ash-Shams (The Sun) Chapter 69, Verse 30-34 of the Quran

The method laid down by Islam for spiritual development is through:

1. Acts of worship

a) reading the Quran, b) remembrance of God, c) night vigilance (qiyam al-layl), and d) spending resources, time, wealth, etc. in the way of God, with an emphasis on their inner dimensions.

In other words, how the soul, heart and mind should be engaged in acts of worship and in developing a feeling of God-consciousness.

2. Personal efforts for inner change and improvement through

a) self-discipline, b) a regular check on intentions and motives, c) regular self analysis, d) creating a sense of time and time management, and e) attempting to obtain feedback from others.

The aim of these exercises is to eradicate inner evils such as
1. arrogance and a superiority complex, 2. selfishness, 3. hate, 4. greed and love of material things, 5. anger for wrong purposes, 6. pretence and show, 7. stubbornness, 8. low-spiritedness and lack of perseverance, 9. fear, and 10. the pursuit of vain desires.

At the same time, a person must endeavour to cultivate inner virtues such as

1. faith, 2. sincerity, 3. piety, 4. hubleness, 5. gratitude, 6. a sense of purpose and mission in life, 7. remembrance and love of God, His Prophets and believers, 8. concern for the Hereafter, 9. softness of heart, 10. control of the ego, and 11. a burning desire to realise the vision of Islam

http://www.islamfortoday.com/pervez01.htm​

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Your Value is Determined by your Principles and Character[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Your principles and character determine your value[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Poverty has never stood immovable in the way of distinction and the achievement of higher aims[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Dawn Prayer: The key to spiritual and material success for Muslims
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[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]By Michael Young[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Our Fajr Double Advantagehttp://www.islamfortoday.com/fajr.htm
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[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Whether You Have a Little or a Lot, Learn to be Thankful[/FONT]

The person who is not thankful for warm bread will not be grateful if he suddenly becomes blessed with luxury food items, because an ingrate sees a little and a lot to be the same thing ...

Everyday we see people of this sort, people who are mentally distressed, empty on the inside, and bitter towards their Lord because He did not give them more. They feel this despite their good state of wealth

Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad"

Be Thankful and say Al-Hamdulel-Allah!

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Knowledge is the Key to Serenity and Ease[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Knowledge and an easy-going nature are like two inseparable companions: if the first is present, the other can be counted upon to accompany it.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If you study the lives of Islam's greatest scholars, you will find that they led simple lives and that they were easy to deal with. They understood the purpose of life and knew which issues are paramount and which were less important.[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If One Has Inner Beauty, He Will Discover Beauty in the Universe[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]To be truly happy, one should enjoy the beauty and splendor of life, an enjoyment that is limited only by the boundaries set forth by Islam[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Allah has created for us beautiful gardens because He is beautiful and He loves beauty, and in order for us to study His signs that are present in His wonderful creation[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Extreme self-denial and rigid austerity have clouded and distorted for some the wonders of life (that is not the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him)[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Satisfaction is Richness and Safety[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Whoever fills his heart with satisfaction regarding the Divine Decree, Allah fills his heart with richness, safety and comfort.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]And whoever becomes dissatisfied, then his heart will be filled with the opposite, and his heart will be preoccupied with matters that clash with happines and success[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]A Just Decree[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Allah's ruling is binding upon His slave: it will come to pass and it is a just ruling, as mentioned in the hadith:[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"Your decree concerning me will be carried out, and You are Just with me in Your Ruling."[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Allah, the Most High, has forbidden Himself from being unjust with His slaves. Indeed it is people themselves who do wrong and are unjust[/FONT]

(Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad")
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]This belief in Allah's Decree is enough to bring inner peace[/FONT]

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Key to Happiness[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If you know Allah and worship Him, you will have found happiness and peace, even if you are living in a hut made of mud.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]But if you deviate from the true path, your life will truly be wretched, even if you are living a life of luxury and comfort in a large mansion. If this latter case applies to you, then you do not have with you the key to happiness[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif](Source: Book titled "Don't be Sad")[/FONT]

Search for inner peace and real happiness, not what is artificial

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Importance of Taqwa (Fearing God)[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Taqwaa is said to be that spiritual state wherein a person, believing firmly in the Omnipotence of Almighty Allaah and His Omnipresence, has an acute urge to distinguish between virtue and vice, and a burning desire to adopt the good and to eschew the evil in order to protect himself from the displeasure of Almighty Allaah.[/FONT]

http://www.islamweb.net/ver2/archive/article.php?lang=E&id=88953

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Performing Virtuous Deeds is the Crown on the Head of a Happy Life[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]To attain happiness and peace, you must be from those who hasten to do virtuous and beautiful deeds.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The prophet, peace be upon him, said "Strive towards that which benefits you and seek help from Allah" ...[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Verily, happiness is not achieved by sleeping much, by seeking comfort, or by being averse to doing good deeds.[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not Challenge Your Lord[/FONT]

By being contented, one is saved from being like those who challenge their Lord in His decres and rulings.

To understand this, one needs only look at the case of Iblees (the Devil). He argued and disputed with His Lord because he was displeased with His decree and ruling (of bowing to Adam)

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

Being content with Allah's decree is the way to inner peace