Spiritual Health and Purification of the Soul

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Erasing Worldly Fears[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]One of the perpetual fear people have regarding the future is growing old. As they grow old, they experience changes in their bodies; wrinkles appear on their faces, their hair begins to fall out and starts turning white, and their sensory organs gradually lose their sensitivity. Each one of these effects of old age terrifies those who are unaware of the morality of religion. In case of a serious illness, they wonder if their children will care for them. They also think fearfully about how they will face death one day. Another major concern of elderly people is the loneliness they live in after their spouses have passed away. They think about how they will manage to live in the absence of their partners.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]These are simply the unavoidable fears and troubles one suffers in the absence of faith. For believers, however, the situation is otherwise. They have none of these fears. They believe there is goodness in everything, since whatever happens, it occurs under the control of Almighty Allah. They expect no more than Allah's guidance and pleasure, for they consider Him alone as their real protector and helper. Besides, they are aware of the fact that they have nothing to fear in this world. They have only to submit themselves to their Lord and always seek His approval. This attitude of the believers is related in the following verse:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]([FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Say: "Nothing can happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our Master. It is in Allah that the believers should put their trust."[/FONT]) [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif](At-Tawbah 9:51)[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If people sincerely live by the principles of Islam, many troubles and sufferings will naturally vanish and everyone will lead a happy and peaceful life.[/FONT]

Erasing Worldly Fears - IslamOnline.net - Living Sharia'h

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Faith and Trust in Allah [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]We must have strong and deep faith and trust in Allah. Allah knows everything and He is with us wherever we are. He has power and might. He is wise and merciful. We should trust in Allah in all situations, whether happy or sad, whether successful or confronted with difficulties and problems.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]I was (once) behind the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) when he said to me, “Boy, I teach you (a few) words: Remember Allah, and He will protect you. Remember Allah (observing His commands and avoiding His prohibitions), and you will find Him close to you. When you have to ask for something, ask of Allah. When you seek help, seek Allah’s help. Believe firmly that if all the creation desires to benefit you in anything, they can never benefit you, but that which Allah has decreed for you. If they all unite to harm you, they will not be able to harm you in anything, but that which Allah has decreed for you.” (At-Tirmidhi)[/FONT]
​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]These are important words. They are part of our faith as Muslims. We believe in one God. We are the people of tawheed (monotheism). Tawheed affects our lives, our personalities, and our behavior. It gives us the following:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]1. Dignity and Self-Esteem ....[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]2. Modesty and Humbleness .....[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]3. Morality, Tolerance and Open-Mindedness .....[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]4. Ultimate Peace and Contentment[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The belief in tawheed purges the mind of jealousy, envy, and greed, and keeps away the temptation of resorting to base and unfair means for achieving success. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The believer has faith that everything is in the hand of Allah. Honor, power, reputation, authority, and everything are under His control and He gives to whomever He wills. The duty of the human being is to struggle, to do good, and to trust in Allah[/FONT]

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1158658517690&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]There Is Good in Every Event [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Every event that happens to the Muslim has a sort or another of goodness in it....[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Aware of this secret, believers seek goodness and beauty in every event. No seemingly adverse incident, hardship, or mischief ails or worries them. They maintain their composure, whether the experience is insignificant or a serious ordeal. Sincere Muslims even see goodness and Divine purpose in the loss of all their hard earned possessions. They express gratitude to Allah for the gift of life. They have faith that Allah may have protected them from committing an evil act or against too much attachment for possessions.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Accordingly, believers give their most inner thanks to Him because no loss in this world equals the loss in the hereafter. Loss in the hereafter means eternal and intolerable punishment (unless Allah wills otherwise). Those who keep themselves occupied with the remembrance of the hereafter view every event as goodness and beauty leading to the hereafter. .......[/FONT]

There Is Good in Every Event - IslamOnline.net - Living Sharia'h

 

[Cordoba]

Remembering Allah in Ease and Difficulty

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Many are the times we fall into difficulty in this world not knowing what to do. We feel baffled and torn from within. We do stop time and time again thinking of a way out. However, almost all the time we do it the materialistic way, thinking only of the worldly means and solutions.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]But has any of us tried the costless, yet valuable, solution at times of difficulty? Have we referred the difficulty we face to our Lord while being quite confident that through Him there will be a way out? Allah is the Creator Who created us and knows us far better than we know ourselves. He, the Omniscient, knows what will make our life happy and what will make it sad. He commanded us to refer to Him in simple and complicated situations alike. If we really remember Him when we are happy and high-spirited, He will never let us down in times of difficulty and distress.[/FONT]
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1184649366603&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Road to Spirituality[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The first necessity for progression along the path of spiritual development is a person’s faith. The mind and heart of a person should always be aware that: God alone is his Master, Sovereign and Deity; seeking His pleasure is the aim objective of all his endeavors; and His commands alone are the commands that are to be obeyed. This should be a firm conviction, based not merely on the intellect, but also on acceptance by the will. The stronger and deeper this conviction, the more profound a person’s faith will be.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The second stage is that of obedience, meaning that person gives up his independence and accepts subservience to God. This subservience is called istilam (submission) in the language of the Qur’an. Thus, a person should not only acknowledge God as his or her Lord and Sovereign but should actually submit before Him and fashion his or her entire life in obedience to Him.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The third stage is that of God-consciousness. It consists in a practical manifestation of one’s faith in God in one’s daily life. God-consciousness also means desisting from everything which God has forbidden or has disapproved of; a person must be in a state of readiness to undertake all that God has commanded and to observe the distinctions between lawful and unlawful, right and wrong, and good and bad in life.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The last and the highest stage is that of ihsan. It signifies that a person has attained highest excellence in words, deeds and thoughts, identifying his will with the will of God and harmonizing it, to the best of his knowledge and ability, with the Divine will. He thus begins to like what is liked by the Lord and to dislike what He dislikes. This person should then not only avoid evil, for it displeases his Lord, but should use all his powers to eradicate it from the face of the earth; he should not be content with adorning himself with the good which God wants to flourish but should also strive to attain and propagate it in the world, even at the cost of his life. A person who reaches this stage attains the highest pinnacle of spirituality and is nearest to God[/FONT]

http://english.islammessage.com/articledetails.aspx?articleId=632

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]On God We Rely [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Every person should think and plan as they wish, but they must always remember to rely on God’s help and guidance. They should realize that they only have the faculties of thinking and deliberation God has given them. This should not lead to laziness or disinterestedness. On the contrary, it should give us more strength, confidence, reassurance and resolve. Should events reveal that God’s will has moved in a direction different to what we planned, we should accept this with contentedness and reassurance. We submit to God’s will, because it is beyond our knowledge until God makes it known.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]This is the method Islam instills into the minds of its followers. Hence a Muslim does not feel alone when he plans or thinks of the future. Neither does he show any conceit or arrogance when he succeeds, nor is he overtaken by depression and despair when he fails. In all situations, he remembers God, feeling stronger for relying on Him, expressing gratitude to Him for his success, resigned for whatever God’s will may determine. .........[/FONT]

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1158658469595&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Spiritual and Moral Health of the Heart [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Believers are required to pay special attention to their hearts. We pay attention to the physical health of our hearts; we should also pay attention to the spiritual and moral health of our hearts. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was quoted by Abu Hurairah as saying,[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"Allah does not look at your bodies or possessions, but He looks at your hearts and actions."(Muslim)[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Allah, of course, looks at everything and He knows everything, but the point of the hadith is that the real thing that matters to Allah is not whether you are young or old, tall or short, fat or skinny, white or black, Arab or non-Arab, rich or poor, upper class, middle class, lower class, etc. What matters in the sight of Allah is whether your heart is sincere, truthful, and honest or not and whether your actions are good or not. .......[/FONT]

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1189064956719&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Serenity and Peacefulness[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Literally meaning calmness, silence, steadiness, solemnity, familiarity, subsidence of waves and tranquillity, sakina (serenity) is the opposite of flightiness, restlessness, and wavering or indecision. In the language of Sufism, serenity means that a heart gradually comes to rest as a result of experiencing gifts from the Unseen. Such a restful heart always expects breezes to come from the realms beyond, and thus travels around in a state of itmi'nan (peacefulness) in the most complete care and self-possession. This rank is the beginning of the rank of certainty coming from direct observance. The resulting confusion over gifts coming through knowledge with gifts "obtained" through insight clouds the horizon of observing secret truths, which gives rise to wrong conclusions [about the reality of things]. [/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Serenity sometimes comes in the form of perceptible or imperceptible signs; at other times it appears so clearly that even ordinary people can identify it. ....[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]As for peacefulness, it is defined as full satisfaction and the state of being at complete rest without any serious lapse. It is a spiritual state beyond serenity. If serenity is the beginning of being freed from theoretical knowledge and awakened to the truth, peacefulness is the final point or station. ....[/FONT]

http://www.fethullahgulen.org/sufism-1/893-sakina-and-itminan-serenity-and-peacefulness.html

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Character Formation in Islam [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]By prohibiting jealous, backbiting, falsehood, wickedness and all other harmful things Islam arrange the ground steady for emulating divine principles of Islamic character which provide a peaceful living in this world and the hereafter. The major criterion in Islamic living is the eternal words of The Prophet (pbuh) that "Actions rest on motives." [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Good Manners mean the commission of those virtuous deeds by which human perfection is achieved which entitles a human being, in its true senses to be referred to as the best of creation. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The effect of adopting these manners, propounded by Islam is that mankind receives tranquility, peace, harmony, happiness, love, affection, justice, equality and whatever a human being desire for a healthy and peaceful living. .......[/FONT]

http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Articles/ibadah/character_formation_in_islam.html

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Practical Suggestions in Developing Contentment[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]
[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The following are some principles that, if remembered, will help us develop this type of contentment in our own lives.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]
[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]- We should look at the people who have less than us, not those who have more.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]- When purchasing something, we should consider what we need, not how glamorous or prestigious it is.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]
[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]- We should feel empathy for the poor and know that they have rights on our excess money.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]
[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]- We should look at what we already have and be thankful to Allah (SWT).

Many people possess the material goods of the world and are not happy. In fact, they are often the most miserable people. With everything they have, they still feel they want more. This unfilled desire, along with the constant nagging in their heart for more, makes them unhappy. Those who have little but feel no need for more do not experience this nagging in their heart. They can relax and find peace. Indeed, the richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who is content with what he has.[/FONT]

Parenting: Secret of Happiness

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Patience & Purity of Heart [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]As Almighty Allah has enjoined patience, He has also provided some means that lead to it and support it. Whenever Allah ordains something, He grants the necessary help and appoints the way to maintain it. Indeed, Almighty Allah never inflicts a disease unless He provides its remedy, through which recovery is ensured if He wills.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Though difficult for the soul, patience is possible to attain and worthy to strive for. Patience has two aspects: theory and practice. In these, cures of the heart and the body are found. ........[/FONT]

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1256033978147&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Serenity and Peacefulness (Sakina and Itmi'nan )[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Serenity is a Divine confirmation for those believers aware of their helplessness and destitution before God, a means of thankfulness and enthusiasm, as stated in: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif](He it is Who sent down serenity into the hearts of the believers so that they may have more faith added to their faith) (48:4). [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]A believer confirmed with serenity is not shaken by worldly fear, grief, and anxiety, and finds peace, integrity, and harmony between his or her inner world and the outer world. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Such a person is dignified, balanced, confident, assured and solemn, and self-possessed and careful in his or her relations with God Almighty. Egoism, vanity, and pride are abandoned; every spiritual gift received is attributed to God; humility and self-discipline are exhibited while thanking Him; and all dissatisfaction and uneasiness is ascribed to personal weakness and examined in the light of self-criticism. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]As for peacefulness, it is defined as full satisfaction and the state of being at complete rest without any serious lapse. It is a spiritual state beyond serenity. If serenity is the beginning of being freed from theoretical knowledge and awakened to the truth, peacefulness is the final point or station.[/FONT]

http://en.fgulen.com/sufism-1/893-sakina-and-itminan-serenity-and-peacefulness

 

[Cordoba]

On Tawakkul (Resolute Trust and Reliance on Allah)

The truth is, every thing we go through is meant to teach us a lesson, to show us a hidden piece of the puzzle that is called life...

This is actually, believe it or not, an amazing blessing from Allah...

No matter how much you know or think you know, no matter how much you have seen of life, what you have learnt and gone through, Allah (SWT) knows more than you will ever know. So do not think just because you went to college, have had a good career, have had lots of friends, and maybe you know a thing or two about life, you can never have it ALL FIGURED OUT!

Actually, you have only scratched the SURFACE...

So instead of sulking in self pity and pain, let yourself bask in the joyful recognition that you will always be a humble student of life...

My suggested remedy:

1- Turn your "Reda/contentment" volume UP
2- Say "Al hamdu Lillah"... I can never stress this enough...
3- Accept the qada'/destiny of Allah...
4- What you are going through does not mean your judgment is wrong or that you deserve to be hurt, it simply means that Allah (SWT) is Ta'la and A'lIm (The Highest and the All Knowing)
5- Learn the lesson with acceptance and humility
6- Move on with faith and love to all (That one is tricky, isn't it?)

The below Qur'anic verses and attributes of Allah are truly amazing, and might shed some light on what I have, poorly, attempted to say above ........

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1256909728772&pagename=Zone-English-Family%2FFYELayout

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Love & Spiritual Pleasure[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Love is one of the deepest, most intense emotions that a person can experience. It is also one of the most wonderful blessings that Almighty Allah has created for human beings in this world. People take great pleasure in the material and spiritual gifts that Allah has bestowed upon them; they take pleasure in beautiful views, comfortable houses, and fine cooking. But none of these satisfactions can compare with the happiness that love gives.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]In order to experience love to the fullest, certain conditions are necessary. First of all, an individual must be able to see the good qualities in others and appreciate their fine points. .....[/FONT]

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1228489994031&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout

 

[Cordoba]

In order to find inner peace, one must be far away from injustice.

Committing injustice to others distances a believer from God

Injustice: Darkness on the Day of Judgment

Wisdom dictates that everything must be put in its proper place and justice dictates that both scales of the balance must be equal. However, injustice is the antithesis of each of wisdom and justice, and the life of this world is not free from oppressors and the oppressed. Despite this, Almighty Allah loves wisdom and justice and consequently, He aids those who are oppressed. At the same time, He hates injustice and oppression, as He says in the Qur’an,

(Your Lord is not in the least unjust to the servants.) (Fussilat 41:46)

Also, in another verse Almighty Allah says,

(Surely Allah does not do any injustice to men, but men are unjust to themselves.) (Yunus 10:44)​

There are many forms of injustice. Some of them are as follows ....

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1232171552159&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Inner Peace: The World's Dire Need[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Need for Inner Peace:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]We are at a time of great stress and tension. Muslims and non-Muslims both have fears and anxieties. The world situation has not been good for several decades, but since the tragedy of September 11, 2001, there is more distress all over the world. The situation looks very grim and terrible for the whole humanity. Social, economic, political and environmental conditions of the whole world are deteriorating. Injustice, crimes, violence, evil and sins abound everywhere in the world. .......[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]We need inner peace and the whole humanity needs it. Inner peace is always important but it is most needed now. It is the peace of heart and mind. Inner peace makes people steadfast, strong and capable to face the problems. If there is no inner peace people lose courage and strength to face the difficulties. People become sick and develop many other physical, emotional or psychological problems. They would certainly have spiritual problems. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Those who do not have inner peace become irritable, angry, have difficulty to maintain their daily work, good family relations or other commitments and responsibilities. Inner peace on the other hand makes people optimistic, friendly and productive. Inner peace makes people strong to deal with their personal, family, local as well as national and international problems. ......[/FONT]

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar&cid=1119503545394

 

[Cordoba]

Islam and spiritual peacefulness

It has become a custom that people constantly complain regarding their ill fortune and fate and are never satisfied with their life.

We all see life as a restless sea, full of wonders and never stable. However nobody can escape the violent waves on the surface of this deep ocean. ...
The Definite Role of Faith in Spiritual Peace:

A study of the history of human progress has proved that the supports of man's civilization and culture have always rested on the shoulders of those for whom the power of real faith had made enabled them to put up with the heavy burden of hardship and bare the pain whose negative effects were neutralized by the faith present in their strong hearts.

Psychologists asserted that the power of faith is as effective as nothing else. In the cure of psychic diseases and creation of confidence and inner peace. In cases where severe hardships shatter man's personality and divest him of his hope and will power, trust in God produces a profound and undeniable effect in a defeated soul. Failure, adversity, and defeat can never create a storm in the pure hearts of godly men and make them suffer despair and loss of self-assurance and self-respect.

The faith in God, is a medicine for any spiritual ills, it helps regulate psychic urges which are themselves the mainspring of man's spiritual afflictions. The faith in God gives a visage of perfect beauty to life, because when one has the conviction that everything does not come to an end with this life it creates an inner peace and makes him pass through the entire course of life with steadiness, strength, and moderation.

Qualities like greed and avarice, which are one of the reasons for anxiety, are moderated as a result of faith in God. The hope of great rewards and the fear of severe punishments make man refrain from rapacity and avoid unreasonable and uncontrolled passion for material things, glitter and ostentation. Thus, a desirable and serene equilibrium worthy of man's humanity is brought about within his soul ...

http://islamonline.com/news/articles/6/Islam-and-spiritual-peacefulness.html

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Keys to the Life of the Heart[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Ibn al-Qayyim, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said: "The keys to the life of the heart lie in reflecting upon the Qur'aan, being humble before Allaah in secret, and leaving sins." .......[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]And from the ways of giving life to the heart is to leave the sins that kill it, as in the hadeeth, [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"When the servant performs a sin a black spot appears on his heart, and if he seeks forgiveness this black spot is removed, and if he returns to sin the black spot grows until his heart becomes black ....... [/FONT]

http://islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=256

 

[omeryurt]

You can find some different information about sufism from below link;

fethullahgulenconference.org/houston/read.php?p=gulen-and-sufism

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Get Rid of Sorrow [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Allah created you, and He also created sorrow as a reflection of happiness. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Through sorrow we appreciate joy, just like we comprehend coolness through knowing warmth. Sometimes man thinks he can do everything, that he can be perfect. Man fluctuates between underestimating himself and overestimating himself, rarely appreciating his true condition. Wisdom is built from experience, but how many times do we run away from mistakes that are the seeds of wisdom? [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Learn to roll with life’s punches and learn from your Lord about yourself, about life, and about what He wants from you His creature. If you run away from your mistakes, this will simply lead you to make more. Let your heart be attached to the Almighty, Who is the Infallible, the All-Knowing. Then you will know yourself and begin to grow.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If you spend your life blaming yourself for everything that happens, you are guilty of denying the role of destiny in your life; you are also guilty of blaming your Lord for creating certain circumstances! Do we, tiny creatures that we are, possibly comprehend the wisdom of the Creator? Mankind sees through a narrow vision of life: we cannot perceive what others perceive; we cannot see life in its overall beauty. So why do we complain, blame, and feel hopeless?[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Overwhelming sorrow is destructive, and uncontrollable sadness is disastrous. These things are tools in the hands of Satan to control mankind and lead him, unawares, to his destruction. Happiness, on the other hand, is distributed by the angels, so take your share and give it to others—then indeed, it will again be returned to you.[/FONT]

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1158658513170&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout