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Spiritual Health and Purification of the Soul

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Concept of Repentance[/FONT]

Repentance (Tawbah ) means that one feels regret and filled with remorse for his or her sins, turns to Allah with the intention to obey Him. According to truth-seeking scholars, repentance signifies a sincere effort to no longer oppose the Divine Essence in one’s feelings, thoughts, intentions, and acts, and to comply sincerely with His commands and prohibitions.

Stages of Repentance

1. Feeling sincere remorse and regret.

2. Being frightened whenever one remembers past sins.

3. Trying to eradicate injustice and support justice and right.

4. Reviewing one’s responsibilities and performing obligations previously neglected.

5. Reforming oneself by removing spiritual defects caused by deviation and error

6. Regretting and lamenting the times when one did not mention or remember Allah, or thank Him and reflect on His works. Such people are always apprehensive and alert so that their thoughts and feelings are not tainted by things that intervene between themselves and Allah. (This last quality is particular to people distinguished by their nearness to Allah.)

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1158658486175&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Characteristics of Believers [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"It is to be full of modesty, and to be harmless too. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]To be full of goodness and not to be corrupt. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]For the tongue to be truthful, for the words to be little and to be plentiful in good action. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]To have little slip-ups and not to be excessive. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]To be good to one's relatives, building closeness between them. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]To be dignified and grateful. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]To be full of contentment if Allaah restricted some provision. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]To be forbearing and friendly to his brothers. To be compassionate and chaste. Not to curse, swear, insult, backbite, nor to gossip. Not to be hasty, envious, hateful, arrogant nor vain. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Not to lean towards worldliness, nor to extend long hopes and wishes. Not to sleep too much nor to be absent-minded, nor to show-off nor be hypocritical. Not to be selfish, but to be soft and cheerful, not servile. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Loving for the sake of Allaah, being pleased for His sake and being angry only for His sake. His provision is taqwaa (reverential fear of Allaah). His worries are what will happen to him in the Afterlife. His friends remind him. His beloved is His Protector and Master. His struggle is for the Afterlife."[/FONT]

http://www.masnet.org/spirit.asp?id=62
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Avoid the Four Poisons of the Heart[/FONT]

In order to reach a higher level of spirituality, avoid these 4 poisons that make the heart unwell:

1- Unnecessary Talking

2- Unrestrained Glances

3- Too Much Food

4- Keeping Bad Company

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21MjB1OsNMc

(5 minutes)
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Inner Tranquility in Today's Modern World[/FONT]

There is something really special about people who fear Allah and obey His commands. You'll notice it in the look in their eyes, their hope for the future, their resilience, and their steadfastness. It is an uncommon trait in today's world. We could call it inner tranquility.

In today's world, people are taught from childhood to be consumers and that success is graded according to a person's wealth and position. The emphasis is on upgrading yourself without considering your relations with others or how your self-development will affect those around you. Mankind has largely forgotten how to give. But Muslims who fear Allah are conscious that everything they have is simply a loan from the Creator; something to be answered for; something to be disposed of properly. They know that if they want to get anything in this life, first they have to give. ...

Muslims know that the individual is simply a part of a greater body of mankind, all interrelated and interdependent; and that if one part tries to stretch out of its boundaries or clashes with another part, the whole is affected.

This mutual dependence was explained by the Prophet (peace be upon him) in a hadith:

"The solidarity of Muslims in their mutual love, mercy, and sympathy, is that of a body: If an organ aches, the whole body sympathizes with it with sleeplessness and fever" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Realizing that their effect on others will ultimately bounce back onto them, Muslims seek to be merciful to others, hoping to receive mercy in return.

[Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allah should forgive you?](An-Nur 24:22)

Given the nature of the causes and effects that operate in life, it seems ridiculous that individuals would seek a duel with destiny daring to say that they are more important than their counterparts in life.

That is, after all, what we human beings are: simply counterparts in life. We all affect others and are affected by them. Hence, Islam calls on us to be kind and merciful, to overlook faults, to forgive, and to advise, advise, advise, calling people continually to the truth — to the essential good nature that mankind is built upon, to the path of peace.

The tranquil heart is the one that will show mercy and continue to do so under adverse conditions because the tranquil heart is essentially built upon mercy. ...

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1165993914148&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Tranquility and Inner Peace[/FONT]

This tranquil heart fluctuates and at times is stronger than at others, but the desire to achieve tranquility, which is found in closeness to Allah, is the ever-present aim of the Muslim.

Is there a person on earth who doesn't wish for tranquility? Isn't that what people are seeking when they take alcohol and drugs? Don't people think that if they can forget the cares of the world they'll be happy? Isn't tranquility the basis of happiness, which mankind strives to attain? How many people are happy — truly, inwardly, completely happy; at peace; tranquil?

Strangely, Muslims find this tranquility without trying to escape from life and blot out its complexities and hardship. Ironically, Muslims who fear Allah achieve tranquility through living their life, not escaping from it; through confronting problems and dealing with them, not through deflecting fault onto others; through seeking out their weaknesses and turning them into strengths, not through maintaining a high level of self-righteousness and apathy.

Life is to be lived, people are to be dealt with properly and justly, responsibilities are to be fulfilled, struggles are to be undertaken, and trusts are to be deposited. That doesn't mean that peace of mind will vanish; indeed, such are the requirements to achieve peace of mind.

The time will come when a life well lived and a problem well solved will speak on behalf of those who ended their life with dignity despite hardship, with wisdom despite surrounding chaos, with mercy despite prevailing oppression, and with success despite being considered a failure.

[But ah! thou soul at peace! Return unto thy Lord, content in His good pleasure! Enter thou among My bondmen! Enter thou My Garden!] (Al-Fajr 89:27-30)

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1165993914148&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout
 

EtuMalku

Abn Iblis ابن إبليس
Why is that guy allowed to flood this fine forum with endless propaganda and sermonizing? Shall I too cut & paste 3 days worth of reading concerning my beliefs?
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
Thank you sister

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Steps to be Closer to God[/FONT]

- Put Allah first in your life

- If someone says something mean to you, just shrug it off and dismiss it in a friendly, laidback manner, and pray that Allah shall forgive them.

- When you get angry, remember Allah, and how short and worthless life is to waste in being Angry.

- Remember that you can never have too many friends, but you can have few quality friends that help you fulfill the purpose of your creation (i.e. live for Allah).

- When you're happy, try to share your happiness with others. Thank Allah for that, and pray its continuation.

- When something bad or embarrassing happens to you, just think that it could always be worse, remember the reward of patience, and thank Allah that it's not worse than it is.

- Do something extra of goodness once in a while, like feeding a poor person, or caressing an orphan's head.

- Spend some time thinking of Allah's amazing creation.

- Find the righteous ways to express yourself, and if you think that what you are about to say shall cause no benefit, maintain silence (this is tough!!).

- Every now and then, give yourself a break. Play sports, give time to your family, friends, but always remember Allah and watch that He is watching you.

- Pray for blessing to come to those being lost, and pray to Allah to guide them to the right path.

- Smile to everyone, for your smile makes a big difference to him or her and you are rewarded.

- Forgive, forget and smile.

Source: 25 Steps to Being Closer to Allah:
http://community.livejournal.com/islam/432186.html
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Inner Balance[/FONT]

It is good to unwind

It is good to take some time to reflect on life, to take delight in it and seek balance in the good things life has to offer.

Sometimes this means we have to take a couple of steps back and look at things from a slightly different angle. ...

There is nothing wrong with breaking your monotonous daily routine and trying out something different in order to inspire you, revitalize your way of thinking, and return your mind to a relaxed and balanced state, one that puts you in greater emotional harmony with your surroundings and with other people.

You need to be able to read the signs your body gives you and understand its needs. You need to know the warning signs that you have reached your limit. ...

Do not wear yourself down and do not take on more than you can handle. Your body has rights over you, and so does your inner self. A human perspective is better for our bodily well-being than angelic aspirations. Such a perspective is more stable and less in need of compromise down the road.

You should keep an open mind and be ready for the unexpected. Be prepared for the demands of you might have to face. The best kind of success is where you are able to see what you achieve as being the best there is in life. This gives you an inner safeguard from the unforeseen obstacles that might get in your way.

We do not have to be running to get ahead at every moment or struggling to take in everything that life throws at you. Sometimes, a little spontaneity can provide us with invaluable insights. A certain freeness of spirit is needed for life to go easy.

If we really think about it, we will see that fretting over all possibilities to the point of confusion actually makes it more difficult for us to distinguish what is correct from what is in error.

You need to to keep the faith that life is but an interesting conundrum, and you should strengthen your resolve with the knowledge that whatever bad might befall us, something good will rise out of it as long as you are patient, are ready to keep a level head, and move forward.

http://islamtoday.com/showme_weekly_2006.cfm?cat_id=30&sub_cat_id=1779
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Do Not Expect Gratitude From Anyone [/FONT]

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. This is not to say that you should refrain from performing acts of kindness toward others; the point is that you should be mentally prepared for ingratitude.

Perform acts of charity seeking solely Allah's pleasure, because with this attitude you will assuredly be successful

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1203757437224&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout

 

EtuMalku

Abn Iblis ابن إبليس
So be it:

[SIZE=+2]THE PURPOSE OF LIFE[/SIZE]
The Sufi Message of Hazrat Inayat Khan
[SIZE=+1]Chapter 0ne[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]The first thing that a seeker after truth must realize, is the purpose of life. No sooner does a soul begin to feel sober from the intoxication of life, than the first thing it asks itself is, 'What is the purpose of my life?' Each soul has its own purpose, but in the end all purposes resolve into one purpose, and it is that purpose which is sought by the mystlc. For all souls, by the right and the wrong path, either sooner or later, will arrive at that purpose, a purpose which must be accomplished, a purpose for which the whole creation has been intended; but the difference between the seeking soul and the soul who blindly works towards that purpose is like that between the material and the maker of it. The clay works towards the purpose of forming a vessel and so does the potter; but it is the potter's joy and privilege to feel the happiness of the accomplishment of the purpose, not the clay's; and so it is with the beings who are unconsciously striving towards that purpose and the souls who are consciously striving towards it, both in the end corning towards the same accomplishment; the difference is in the consciousness.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1] The first step on the spiritual path is when a soul realizes its outer purpose in life. For it is not every soul in the world which even realizes its outer mission in life. And the soul who does not realize it, may go on, perhaps, for its whole life and may not realize it even to the end of its life, but the one who cares to realize it, must sooner or later realize it. For the answer to his question is continually being heard in his own heart. As Sa'di says, 'Every soul is created for a certain purpose and the light of that purpose has been kindled in that soul.' If there is already a flame lit even before the person was born on earth, it remains for the person to find out for himself the purpose of his life, although everything outside himself also points to that purpose.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1] One may ask,' What is the best way for a person to understand his life's purpose?' If one follows the bent of one's own mind, if one follows the track to which one is attracted, if one follows one's inner inclination, which is not satisfied with anything else, one feels, 'There is something waiting for me (which one does not know at the time), which will bring me satisfaction.' Besides, if one is intuitive and mystical, it is easier still, because then one is continually told what is the purpose of one's life. For nature has such a perfection of wisdom. One sees that the insects are given the sense to make their little houses and to protect themselves and to make a store of their food. The bees, who have the gift of making honey, are taught how to make honey. So nature has taught every soul to seek its purpose. It has made every soul for that purpose, and it is continually calling that soul to see that purpose. If the soul does not hear the call and sleeps, it is not the fault of nature, which is continually calling. Therefore, if I were to say in a few words how to find one's purpose, I would say: by waking from sleep.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1] One might ask, 'Would the outer purpose lead to the inner purpose of life?' Certainly it would. Everything a person does, spiritual or material, is only a stepping-stone for him to arrive at the inner purpose, if he can only take it to be so. If he is mistaken, the mistake is in himself; he is working towards the inner purpose just the same. For all is created to work as one scheme, and therefore each individual is acting towards the accomplishment of the divine purpose. If there is a difference, the difference is of that particular individual.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1] There are five aspects which give one the tendency towards the accomplishment of the inner purpose: desire to live, desire to know, desire for power, desire for happiness and desire for peace. These five things work consciously or unconsciously in the profound depth of every soul. Working within one, they prompt one either to do right or to do wrong, and yet these five aspects belong to the one purpose in the accomplishment of which the purpose of the whole creation is fulfilled. When the desire to live brings one in touch with one's real life, a life which is not subject to death, then the purpose of that desire is accomplished; when one has been able to perceive fully the knowledge of one's own being, in which is to be found divine knowledge and the mystery of the whole manifestation, then the purpose of knowledge is attained; when one is able to get in touch with the Almighty Power, then the desire for power is achieved; when one has been able to find one's happiness in one's own heart, independent of all things outside, the purpose of the desire for happiness is fulfilled; when one is able to rise above all conditions and influences which disturb the peace of the soul and has found one's peace in the midst of the crowd and away from the world, in him the desire for peace is satisfied. It is not in one or the other of these five desires that there is the accomplishment of the purpose; it is in the fulfillment of these five desires that one purpose is accomplished, the purpose for which every soul was born on earth.[/SIZE]
 

EtuMalku

Abn Iblis ابن إبليس
[SIZE=+1]Chapter Two[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]The desire to live is not only seen among human beings but it is also seen continually working through the most insignificant little creatures creeping on earth and living in the ground. When one sees how even the smallest insect wishes to avoid any pursuit after it and how it seeks shelter against any attempt made to touch it, fearing that its life may be taken away from it, that shows that even the smallest creature in the world, in whom man cannot find a trace of mind, has a desire to live. It is this desire that, developing in the lower creation in many and varied aspects, shows in fear, in the tendency to seek shelter, in the intelligent way of looking round as the hare does in the fields, as the deer that is continually careful to protect itself from other animals. This desire developed in man shows still greater phenomena of intelligence. War and peace are brought about with the desire of living; the cause behind war is the desire to live; the cause of peace is also the desire to live. There is not one normal soul living on earth who has not the desire to live. Yes, a person most distressed, in a mood of unhappiness, will say at the moment, 'I would rather not live; I seek death'. But it is not the normal condition. One may say, 'Why is death not a desirable thing, since it is only a getting rid of the dense body?' But can we not turn the dense body into a light body? Even matter can turn into spirit. If the divine blood begins to circulate through the veins of a person, this body is no longer a heavy body; it becomes as light as vapor. It is heavy when the weight of the earth has fallen upon it, but when the weight of the earth is taken away from it, it is lighter than the air.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1] 'But', one may say, 'is not death an increase of life?' It is another phase of life. The body is a complete instrument; why should we not make the best of it? Why must one hasten death, if one can be here and do something worth while? Sometimes one longs for death because one does not know what one is to do here; one is not yet acquainted with the purpose of life; it is that which makes one long for death. Every moment in life has its mission; every moment in life is an opportunity. Why should this opportunity be lost? Why not use every moment of one's life towards the accomplishment of that purpose for which we are here? It is the question of bestirring ourselves to make the best use of every moment of life. That itself will give such a happiness to a person that he will not wish to go. Even if the angels of death came and were dragging him towards death, he will say, 'Let me stay here a while longer; let me finish something which I would like to finish.'[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1] That must be the attitude. When a person is in his normal condition of mind, his one desire, his innermost desire, is to live. What does it show? It shows that man has acquired all other desires after coming on earth, but this desire to live he has brought with him on earth. Only that, by not understanding the meaning of this desire, its nature and character, its secret, he submits to its being broken by what is called death, by mortality.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1] If the desire to live is his innermost desire, if it is a divine substance in him, then there is the answer to this desire also; there is a possibility of the fulfillment of this desire. But when one does not dive deep into the secrets of life, without the knowledge of life and death one becomes subject to disappointment, and that disappointment is death. One may say, 'If the desire to live is natural, would it not be better to live and prolong the youthfulness of body; and how can that be done?' There are three aspects the Hindus have personified, as Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheish (Shiva), the Creator-God, the Sustainer-God, and the Destroyer God. In retaining youth there comes the conflict between the two Gods, the Creator-God and the Destroyer-God, because the Destroyer-God is destroying, the Creator-God is creating. If the Creator-God in you is stronger, then he will win a victory over the Destroyer-God. Nevertheless, there is nothing which is void of beauty in this world. If the soul has received the divine blessing, it will enjoy every aspect of life.[/SIZE]
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Reviving the Individual [/FONT]

If you look at how you pray five times a day, you will have a barometer in your hand to find how much you love Allah.

Once you are praying to Him, you are in front of Him, you are near to Him, you are talking to Him, you are responding to Him in gratitude, you are asking for His forgiveness. Prayer is not just a ritual in which you go through certain postures. The soul has to surrender itself exclusively to Allah and love Him. This love is like a seed that, as it grows, envelops the entire personality. This will make us the sort of person Islam needs today.

The next question is how to nurse and cultivate this seed of faith?

The most important nourishment for it is the Qur'an. We know that the first workers for Islam got their training from the Qur'an. It was their guide, their light, their leader. It is a treasure house of soul-stirring inspiration and wisdom. We should spend much effort in trying to understand the Qur'an. But we must know that the real test of benefiting from the Qur'an lies in translating those divine words and ideas into action in our own daily life.

The Qur'an says that when people really listen to it, their faith will increase. The eyes of those who truly listen to the Qur'an, allowing their hearts to be affected, will well up with tears that trickle down their cheeks. ...

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1171897358703&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Close Relation Between Faith and Hope[/FONT]

Faith and hope are closely related; a true believer is the most hopeful and the most optimistic person among people, and the farthest one from pessimism, complaining, and dissatisfaction.

This is because true faith indicates the belief in the power of Allah that controls this universe. Faith also indicates the belief in the infinite might, the boundless mercy, and the unlimited bounty. Allah is Mighty and Merciful. ...

A true believer leads a hopeful, happy, and optimistic life. He trusts and seeks refuge with his Lord, Allah, the Beneficent and the Most Merciful, the Exalted in Might and the Wise, the Oft-Forgiving and the Ever-Affectionate, the Owner of the Throne and the Glorious, Who does what He wills. The believer, therefore, looks at life cheerfully, and faces its challenges smiling, not frowning or with a gloomy face

http://www.islamonline.net/English/Ramadan/1425/HopeSpringsEternal/Keeping%20Hope%20Alive/03.shtml
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Basis of Inner Peace, or Peace of the Heart[/FONT]

Denial of the Creator takes away peace, and the light of reason and intellect from the heart of a person and fills it with doubt.

This is the worst disease of the heart, which causes every imaginable spiritual malady

There is no point of being sad when faced with hardships, nor being over-joyful when scoring a worldly gain

Our earthly life is very short, so much so that it has been compared with a short nap which one traveler might take under the shadow of a tree while traveling on the road and then goes on his way

Faith in God and trust in Him are the real sources of inner peace
Without the light of faith, inner peace is difficult to achieve
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Look Up, Face Life, Smile [/FONT]

Every one of us is tested through various things. It could come in the form of financial crisis, losing a loved one, accident, disability, illness, discrimination, dysfunctional family, physical appearance, weak personality, or failures. The list is endless.

So what do we do when faced with them?

As positive, faithful Muslims, we need to condition our minds to:

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]1- Accept that difficulties are part of this life as they are Allah's tests for us and realize that there is no such thing as a worry-free, ideal life.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]2- Respond to hurdles with active patience and believe that Allah is able to take away all hurdles.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]3- Believe with conviction that there is no such thing as pure bad in what Allah has put us through.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]4- Search for that elusive sliver of goodness and wisdom even in the darkest of situations.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]5- Supplicate to Allah before taking any steps to tackle problems.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]6- Seek not to please the world. You'll fail! Aim to please Allah and that will suffice.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]7- Not despair. You can always start again. Remember that Allah forgives all sins except polytheism.[/FONT]​


 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Contentment and Inner Peace[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]By looking at the situations of those who have a lesser wage/salary, less position, less property or less wealth, we should be grateful to Allah for all the blessings we have in life. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]To avoid anxiety and to avoid worries and uneasiness, one has to be content and satisfied with what he has. To fulfil your needs, desires and your worldly requirements, one has to look at the situation of those who are less fortunate[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Once it was said: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]“Contentment is a treasure that will never be depleted.” [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Therefore, may we be content and satisfied with the little we may have. Do your best; strive hard and leave the results in the hands of Allah.[/FONT]
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
The Spiritual Path of Islam

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Spiritual development should not take the form of a man turning away from this workshop and retreating into a corner. Rather, man should live and work in it, and give the best account of himself that he can. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]It is in the nature of an examination for him; every aspect and sphere of life is, as it were, a question paper: the home, the family, the neighborhood, the society, the market-place, the office, the factory, the school, the law courts, the police station, the parliament, the peace conference and the battlefield, all represent question papers which man has been called upon to answer. If he leaves most of the answer-book blank, he is bound to fail the examination. Success and development are only possible if man devotes his whole life to this examination and attempts to answer all the question papers he can.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Islam rejects and condemns the ascetic view of life, and proposes a set of methods and processes for the spiritual development of man, not outside this world but inside it. the real place for the growth of the spirit is in the midst of life and not in solitary places of spiritual hibernation[/FONT]

http://www.islam101.com/sociology/spiritualPath.htm
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
The Remembrance of Allah and Reading The Qur'an

The remembrance of Allah for the heart is like water for fish

As the body needs food for life, the heart needs to remember Allah for inner peace and tranquility

Allah (SWT) says in Chapter 2, Verse 152:

"And remember me, I will remember you"

Each time a believer remembers Allah, Allah remembers him

The Qur'an is also a cure for the heart.

Allah (SWT) says:

"O mankind, there has come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers" (11:57)

why is The Qur'an a healing for the heart?

The diseases of the heart are divided in 2 main groups: doubts (shubuhat) and desires (shahawat)

The Qur'an cures both types of diseases, with clear verses and guidance which shows the path of Truth, and wisdom and guidance that reminds the reader of the Hereafter

Ibn Mas'oud said: He who loves the Qur'an loves Allah and His messenger

And 'Uthman ibn 'Affan said: "If your hearts are purified, you would never have enough from (listening and reading) the words of your Lord"

(Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured) (13:28)

Remembering Allah and reading The Qur'an cure the heart, make it more sound and give it inner peace
 

Cordoba

Well-Known Member
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Reliance on Allah & The Path to Paradise

Self-confidence is borne from the believer's intimate knowledge and understanding that Allah is ever ready to assist those who strive and struggle in His way.

Self-confidence comes from depending upon Allah and knowing that He is there to help [/FONT]
you, protect you and shower His mercies upon you ...

Self-confidence also emanates from knowing that Allah in His infinite mercy has equipped you with all that you require to undertake the tasks set before you. It is not characteristic of the One that is Most Just and Most Merciful to prepare you for a task without equipping you with the necessary tools.

Self-confidence is thus borne of total reliance and trust in Allah. It is knowing that at every step of your journey, Allah is there assisting you. If you constantly hold yourself back believing that you are weak and incapable and blame your incompetence on minor inadequacies, then you are bound to fail. ...


Likewise, having hope is central to your efforts and your success. You must sincerely hope and believe that everything you do to earn the pleasure of Allah will lead you to fulfillment ...

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