Spiritual Health and Purification of the Soul

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Don't be Angry [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Prophet, peace be upon him, advised one of his companions saying "Don't be Angry"[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]He repeated this three times. And when a man became angry in his presence, the Prophet ordered him to seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Anger is one of the factors that cause depression and sadness.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The following are some of the ways of controlling your anger:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]1- Combat feelings of anger as if anger itself is your enemy[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]2- Make ablution. Since anger is an ember of the fire, it can be extinguished by water[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]3- If you are standing, sit: and if you are sitting, lie down[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]4- When you are angry remain silent[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]5- Remind yourself of the rewards of those who repress their anger and of those who forgive[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not Cling to other than Allah[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If Allah, the Exalted, is the One who brings to life, causes death, and if He alone provides for all creation, why fear people or be distressed by their actions?[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Much grief and anxiety is caused by our attachment to people - in seeking to please them, and feeling wounded by their disparaging treatment.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If your love for Allah is true, then all else is insignificant[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Doing Those Things That Bring You Peace[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Imam Ibn al-Qayyim enumerated some of the factors that bring about tranquility[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]1- Islamic Monotheism, or worshipping Allah exclusively without associating any partners with him (in worship), and without associating any partners with Him in all qualities that belong to Him alone.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]2- Useful knowledge, because the most happy, easy-going, and contented kind of person is the scholar[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]3- Good deeds. A good deed brings light both to the heart and to the face. Good deeds result in being blessed in one's sustenance, and the hearts of people are naturally attracted to the doer of good.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]4- Bravery, for the courageous person is firm and strong and fears Allah alone. Difficulties and hardship neither shake nor disturb him.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]5- Avoiding sins. Sinning ruins one's peace of mind and makes one feel lonely and in the dark[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]6- Not being extravagant in that which is lawful. In other words, one should be moderate in speaking, sleeping and mixing with people, and likewise one should be abstemious in one's eating habits[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Asking Allah for Forgiveness Opens Locked Doors[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]One way to find inner peace is to constantly seek forgiveness from Allah. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Even a sin can be a blessing if it causes the believer to turn to his Lord in repentance[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Ten Gems for a Good and Noble Life[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]1- Wake up in the last third of the night to beg forgiveness from Allah[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]2- At least once in a while, seclude yourself from people in order to contemplate[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]3- Stay in the company of the righteous[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]4- Remember Allah often[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]5- Pray two units of prayer with sincerity and devotion[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]6- Recite the Qur'an with understanding and reflection[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]7- Fast on a hot, dry day[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]8- Give charity secretly[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]9- Provide relief and aid to the afflicted [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]10- Be as abstenious as possible from this fleeing world[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Secret of Guidance[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Contentment and happiness are blessings that are given only to those who follow the straight path.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Muhammad, peace be upon him, left us on one end of this path, and at the other end of it are the gardens of Paradise[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]By happiness we mean this: when one adheres to the straight path, though he may be affected with hardships along the way, he is confident of a happy ending and a future abode in Paradise. ...[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Whoever is guided to the path of faith and belief in this life will safely cross the path of the Hereafter - the speed at which he crosses will be proportional to the level of his faith. And know that if one is blessed with being guided to the straight path, his worries and anxieties will quickly vanish[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]What Brings About Happiness?[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]1- Good deeds[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]2- A pious wife[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]3- A spacious house[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]4- Sustenance that is derived and earned through honest means[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]5- Good manners and a spirit of fellowship with people[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]6- Being debt-free and not being a profligate spender[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Pause to Reflect[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]There is none worthy of worship except Allah.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]This means that none truly deserves, or has the right to be worshipped, except Allah, the Almighty, All-High, since He alone possesses those perfect qualities that are associated with omnipotence, divinity and godhood[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The spirit and secret of this monotheistic phrase is to single out Allah for love, fear, hope, veneration, and glorification. It also includes our depending upon Allah and our repenting to Him. So our love is pure for none except Him, and everything other than Him is only loved as a by-product of our love for Him, or as a means for increasing our love for Him.[/FONT]

Therefore we must fear Allah Alone and depend upon Him Alone, in Him Alone do we place our hopes, and of Him Alone are we in awe. We take an oath by His name only, we repent to Him Alone; and all obedience is for Him.

In times of hardship we invoke none but Him, and we seek refuge in none save in Him.

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


The above principles eventually lead to inner peace and removing worries and anxiety, as we are certain that He is the source of all good, and to Him Alone we ask for help.

 

[Cordoba]

Do not let calamity shake you

Plato said:

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"Hardship is as beneficial to the soul as it is unwelcome in one's life. Comfort is as harmful to the soul as it is welcome in life."[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]When someone begins to understand his purpose in life, he will know that he is being tested either to gain reward from Allah or to gain atonnement for his sins.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]After reading a book by Al-Tanooki, I derived three conclusions:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]1- Relief comes after hardship. 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]2- Hardship is more beneficial to the soul of man than are comfort and ease[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]3- The One who brings good and drives away eveil is Allah. Know that whatever happens to you was decreed for you, and whatever you have missed was never meant for you[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Contentment Repels Sadness[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Upon you is a sacred duty to surrender yourself to what is preordained for you. If you fulfill this duty, you will be successful in the long run[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Your only escape is to believe in preordainment, since whatever has been decreed must inevitably take place. No subterfuge or artifice can protect you from it.[/FONT]

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

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Doing one's best and accepting Allah's decree is an important key to tranquility and inner peace.[/FONT]

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Strive to Help Others[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Aristotle said:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"The ideal person is he who takes pleasure in serving others, ..."[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]In a hadith, the prophet peace be upon him said: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"The Upper Hand is better than the Lower Hand"[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Upper Hand refers to the giving hand, and the lower one refers to the receiving hand[/FONT]

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

Helping others for the sake of Allah is an important source of inner peace

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Don't Grieve Over Trivialities for the Entire World is Trivial[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not grieve when you are shown overt enmity, for if you forgive and forget you will have achieved nobility in this world and honor in the next[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Allah said in The Qur'an:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif](But whoever forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah) (42:40)[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Ponder These Points ... and Don't Be Sad[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not be sad, because sadness causes you to regret the past, to have misgivings concerning the future, and to make you waste away the present[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not be sad because it causes the heart to contract, the face to frown, the spirit to weaken and hope to vanish[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not be sad because by being sad you are complaining against the divine decree and showing vexation for what is written for you[/FONT]

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

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Remember that God is The Most Merciful and that after hardship comes ease[/FONT]

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Yesterday will Never Return[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Search for happiness inside of you, and not around you or outside you[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The prolific English poet, Milton, said:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"Verily, the mind on its own is capable of transforming paradise into hell and hell into paradise."[/FONT]

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

Look on the bright side of life, be positive and don't be sad about yesterday as it will never return and you can't change what happened in the past. God forgives all sins when we repent, and what you can change for the better is what you do today

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Gentleness Averts Confrontations[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]A Japanese teacher said to his pupils:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"To bow is to be like the willow, and to not return force is to be like the oak tree"[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]In the Hadith, the prophet (peace be upon him) said:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"The believer is like the green plant; the wind blows it to the left and to the right."[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The wise person is like water, for water does not crash into a rock, trying to pass through it. Instead, it comes to it from the left and from the right ...[/FONT]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]When Your Thoughts Wonder[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Thomas Edison said: "There is no subterfuge that one may resort to in order to flee from his thoughts."[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]One can confirm the accuracy of this statement from experience, for even when reading or writing one is constantly diverted by inappropriate thoughts. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]One of the best means of controlling such thoughts is to work at something that is at once interesting and useful[/FONT]

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


When the mind is too active, it can lead to worries and sleepless nights.

The best thing to do to find the peace of mind is as suggested above to do something useful and interesting, and one of the best things to do in that case is the read The Qur'an, as it brings peace and serenity to the reader

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Hold a Good Opinion of Your Lord[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Willian James said:[/FONT]

"God forgives us our sins but our nervous systems do not."
Ibn al-Wazeer wrote in his book:

"Verily, to be hopeful of Allah's mercy opens the doors of optimism for one of His slaves, making him more avid in worship, and inspiring him to be more enthusiastic in performing voluntary acts of worship and racing to perform good deeds."

This is true, especially because some people are not moved to do good deeds except when they recall Allah's mercy, forgiveness, and generosity.

As a consequence of reflecting on these qualities, they seek closeness to Allah through diligently performing good deeds.

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do not Despair when you Face a Difficult Situation[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If you find yourself in a tough situation, do the following:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]1- Ask yourself what is the worst that can happen[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]2- Prepare yourself to cope and deal with that worst-case scenario[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]3- If something bad does occur, meet it with calm nerves in order to deal with the situation better[/FONT]

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


The other main point to remember is that after a hardship there will be certainly be ease, no doubt about it

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Fundamentals of Happiness: Verses for Reflections[/FONT]

The following quotes from the Qur'an bring peace to the soul and should be remembered for regular reflection

Allah says in The Qur'an:

- [FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif](And never give up hope of Allah's Mercy) [/FONT]
(12:87)

- [FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif](Surely Allah's Mercy is [ever] near unto the good-doers) [/FONT]
(7:56)

- [FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif](It may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know)[/FONT]
(2:216)

- [FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif](and My Mercy embraces all things) [/FONT]
(7:156)

- [FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif](Be not sad [or afraid], surely Allah is with you)[/FONT]
(9:40)

- [FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif](Remember when you thought help from your Lord and He answered you)[/FONT]
(8:9)

- [FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif](And He it is Who sends down rain after they have despaired, and spreads abroad His Mercy)[/FONT]
(42:28)

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Appreciate that, compared to others, your trial is light[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If you know that your trial is not in your religion, but is in worldly matters, then be content[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Know that no trick or artifice can be used to undo what has already taken place[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Appreciate that what is good for you or not good for you belongs only with Allah[/FONT]

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