Spiritual Health and Purification of the Soul

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Contentment is the Antidote to Anxiety [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Psychologists trace the best part of worries and anxieties we sustain to lack of contentment. Triggers of this contentment deficiency syndrome are infinite-one may not always get what he wants, and even if he gets it, he still might not feel the satisfaction he anticipates. ........[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Now,[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif] what should a Muslim do in the face of all this? [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Prophet, peace be upon him, said, [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"Do not allow worldly concerns to tyrannize over you, for whoever makes this life his major concern, Allah will increase him in worries and place poverty before his eyes; and whoever makes the Hereafter his utmost concern, Allah will set his affairs aright for him and plant content in his heart. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]And whoever turns to Allah wholeheartedly, Allah will turn the hearts of His servants toward him (with love and compassion)." (Baihaqi) [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]This Prophetic directive is meant to impart tranquility in one's heart and to root out from it covetousness and desire for things material. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Also, the recommended list of worry's antidotes include consenting and submitting to Allah's will and decrees, showing patience in the face of ordeals, hoping for Allah's reward, and believing firmly that His aid and relief is near. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Grumblers cannot taste happiness because they are caught in the clutches of despair. But those whose faith is solid bask in the light of certainty and hope. They trust in Allah and are always relaxed, because they know that: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"No misfortune can happen on earth or in your souls but is recorded in a decree before we bring it into existence: that is truly easy for God: In order that you may not despair over matters that pass you by nor exult over favours bestowed upon you. For God loves not any vainglorious boaster." [57:22-23] [/FONT]

http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=JM0708-3344

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Gratitude: The Secret of Inner Peace[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]At the essence of Islam is the teaching that those seeking inner peace must develop patience and trust in God in every situation. According to Islamic belief, one reason God allows people to undergo difficulties and trials is to test them to see who will remain grateful to Him. As a result, those who remain thankful, even in the face of great hardship, enter into a state of intimacy with their Lord. They attain an inner peace that protects them from the storms of the outside world.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Most of us can easily list many blessings for which we are thankful. We also tend to find it easy to list the difficulties in our lives. We often think that if God would just fix our problems for us, then we would be completely content. Our challenge is to learn gratitude and content with God’s bounties, even in adversity. Gratitude to God does not arise from the removal of external stressors. Rather, it is an internal state of the heart. This state is consciously achieved by continuous struggle and effort as we reflect on the blessings and mercy of God and strive to block out the whispers of negativism and discontent that keep our souls in a state of ungratefulness.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]This concept of gratitude is very important because being grateful to God is essential to one’s well-being in life. A heart filled with thankfulness has no room for self-pity or despair. With the proper understanding that praise and thankfulness is due to God in every circumstance, souls find contentment and hearts find peace[/FONT]

http://english.islammessage.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?articleId=827

 

[Cordoba]

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

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

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]In order to live in peace and harmony, in order not to be deceived with worldly entertainment, and not to be distracted with what others may have and in order to be content and satisfied with what you have: our Prophet peace be upon him advised us to look at those who are lower than us. [/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]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Unique Gift of Life [/FONT]

Your life is a very precious gift from Almighty Allah.

Count back to one year before your first birthday, and then try to imagine your state — your state of nothingness. You simply cannot. You may be able to contain and grasp "things," not "nothing." You were born, and you came to life, not because you wanted to, but because you became. Through a decision by an authority higher than you, and through a process that you did not participate in, you came to occupy a place in existence

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1260258181053&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Bygones Are Bygones...Today Is All You Have[/FONT]

The greatest expectation and the ultimate hope of all people in this world is to lead a happy easy life. Indeed, seeking happiness has occupied most of the philosophers' and thinkers' minds but, actually, very few are those who have reached this happiness and achieved comfort in life. Therefore, this is a good recipe for leading a happy life, enjoying contentment and peace of mind.

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]The Past is Gone Forever[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]By brooding over the past and its tragedies, one practices a form of insanity; a kind of sickness that destroys our resolve to live for the present moment. Those who have a firm will have thrown away and forgotten occurrences of the past, which will never happen again.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]Episodes of the past are bygone, sadness cannot retrieve them, melancholy cannot put things right, and depression will never bring the past back to life. This is because the past is non-existent, let bygones be bygones. ...........[/FONT]

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica]Bygones Are Bygones...Today Is All You Have - IslamOnline.net - Living Sharia'h[/FONT]

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Patience Preserves the Health of Hearts and Bodies[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]by Ibn Al Qayyim[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Ibn al-Qayyim said in The Prophetic medicine regarding patience, Patience is half of faith; for this is a quality composed of patience and gratitude (shukr). As one of the ancestors (salaf) has said: Faith is in two halves: one half patience, one half gratitude. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]And the Most High said: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Indeed in that there are signs for each one who is patiently persevering and truly grateful [Surah Ibrahim: 5].[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Patience in relation to faith is like the head in relation to the body. It is of three types:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]- patience concerning the obligations (fard) laid down by Allah, that one should not neglect them;[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]- patience in abstaining from actions forbidden by Him, that one should not commit them;[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]- patience concerning His judgments (qada') and decrees (qadar), that one should not resent them.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Whoever perfectly fulfills these three degrees has perfected patience. For the pleasure of this world and the next, their blessings, and victory and conquest can only be reached over the bridge of patience, just as no-one reaches Paradise except by crossing over the Path. 'Umar b. al-Khattab said: We attained the best of life through patience.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If you reflect on the degrees of perfection acquired in the world, you will see that they are all dependent on patience. And if you reflect on imperfection, which one is blamed for possessing, you will see it all stemming from lack of patience. Thus courage and purity, goodness and love of others, all this is the patience of an hour.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Most sicknesses of the body and heart arise simply from lack of patience. And there is naught like patience for preserving the health of hearts, bodies and spirits. For it is the great remedy, the mighty tiryaq, even if it were to contain only the company of Allah[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"for Allah is with the patient" [Surah Al-Baqarah:153] , and His affection for them for indeed [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"Allah loves those who are patient"[Surah Al-Imran:146] ,[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]and His giving victory to His people 'for victory comes with patience'; and that it is a good for the people of patience, [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"And if you show patience, that is indeed the best course for those who are patient" [Surah An-Nahl: 126],[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]and that it is the cause of prosperity, [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"O you who believe! Persevere in patience, vie in perseverance, be ever vigilant, and fear Allah, that perchance you may prosper" [Surah Al-Imran:200] .[/FONT]

Source: Healthy Muslim
http://www.irfi.org/articles3/articles_4801_4900/patience%20preserves%20the%20health%20of%20hearts%20and%20bodieshtml.htm

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Inner peace in Islam[/FONT]

Inner peace requires that a person’s relationship with himself is clear, and that his goals and objectives are understood and at harmony with his inner being. Indeed, after knowledge of the Lord, the most important thing for a person to have knowledge of is knowledge of his self and how to perfect it and purify it. He needs to be sensitive to his own gifts and talents, aware of his weaknesses and strengths. Would he describe himself as patient or hasty, forthright or timid, tenacious or easily bored? A person needs to know the truth about himself so he can go make good progress in a direction where he can best capitalize on his strengths and potential.

This does not mean that a person must explore the nature of his existence and of the human soul. Such knowledge is outside of our grasp except for what is revealed to us in the sacred texts. Allah says: “They ask you about the soul. Say: The soul is from the affair of my Lord, and you have not been given of knowledge save a little.” [Qur’an, 17: 85]

At the same time, it is quite possible for a person to become acquainted with the dimensions of his personality, his latent talents, and his true nature. He can then use this knowledge to help him toward what is good and to safeguard him from misfortune. ..........

http://www.info2islam.com/

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Lost Spiritual Pleasure [/FONT]​

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. ​

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. The more open an individual's mind and conscience, the stronger his or her ability to love. However, such ability can only be attained through faith in and fear from Allah. Therefore, a person is able to experience love according to the measure of his or her faith and piety; to that extent, the individual will take pleasure in it.

Read more: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1228489994031&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout#ixzz0cSrTdAwZ​

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Attaining Inner Tranquility in a Tumultuous Atmosphere[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Q: It is the duty of citizens to live in peace and tranquility. Peace and tranquility are really objectives of Islamic legislation. I wonder: How to achieve such objectives in the midst of the widespread temptations and corruption on all tracks?[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]A: "Sustenance and tranquility are one of the main Blessings of Allah upon Muslims. Referring to this, Allah Almighty says: “… So let them worship the Lord of this House. Who hath fed them against hunger and hath made them safe from fear.” (Quraysh: 3-4) [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Thus, both sustenance and tranquility are necessary to keep both man’s body and spirit upright. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Indeed, achieving man’s physical, psychological and spiritual tranquility is not only restricted to saving his life from being terminated but it goes far to encompass peace of mind with aim to attain complete internal and external tranquility and calmness. .......[/FONT]

Read more: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503545724#ixzz0ckVMER6G

 

[Cordoba]

Promises and Hopes


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Satan makes false promises to humans and gives them sweet dreams in order to mislead them. Allah says, [/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"He promises them and stirs up desires in them, and Satan promises them only to beguile." (an-Nisaa, 120). ......[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]He also promises the wealthy among the unbelievers more wealth and possessions in the life after this one. One of them said, [/FONT]


[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"I think not that the Hour will ever come, and if indeed I am brought back unto my Lord I surely shall find better than this as a resort." (al-Kahf 36). Allah destroyed his [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]garden in this life and he realized that he had been deceived. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The human becomes busy with sweet dreams concerning which there is no possibility of fulfilment in this life. Therefore, he does not take part in the beneficial and fruitful deeds. Instead, he becomes pleased with dreaming and hoping, and he does nothing[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]http://islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=326[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]One of the secrets of inner peace is no to be mislead by worldly promises. Faith in that our provision is from Allah, and that He has given us many blessings for which we should be grateful is very important for contentment and peace. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]By remembering those who are worse off, or those going through severe difficulty, like the people of Haiti after the recent earthquake, makes a believer thank God for what they have .....[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]This world is a mere transition, it is not an eternal life[/FONT]

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Lifting the Curtain of Familiarity [/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Familiarity is like a veil that prevents many people from seeing the flawless details, miracles and beauty in their lives and realizing that these are the results of Almighty Allah’s matchless knowledge and creative power. ....[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Regarding the World as a Blessing
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]A person who commits this error may be very impressed the very first time he encounters a proof of creation. This may prompt him - albeit for a short while - to reflect more deeply and investigate what he observes. Later, however, he will start to lose his initial excitement and sensitivity to this marvelous beauty. Too often, what he sees again and again soon becomes familiar. As time passes, this once-dazzling sight can even start to seem ordinary and monotonous. In the same way, he comes to regard many situations he has witnessed throughout his life as mundane and ordinary, considering them as nothing remarkable—indeed, inevitable. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Yet, every sight that people behold during their lives and every event they witness is especially created by Almighty Allah and offers lessons of enormous wisdom. Almighty Allah has surrounded mankind with countless forms of beauty ...[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Every Moment Is a Blessing[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Another reason for wonders growing familiar is that, due to His infinite compassion for His servants, Almighty Allah creates blessings constantly, at every moment and with the same perfection. Some heedless individuals ignore the fact that Allah, the Compassionate, bestows upon them countless blessings that allow them to survive and that He protects them with the matchless systems He has designed. ... [/FONT]
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Read more: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1245845991232&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout#ixzz0dJZwvzrz​

 

[Cordoba]

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

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

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]In order to live in peace and harmony, in order not to be deceived with worldly entertainment, and not to be distracted with what others may have and in order to be content and satisfied with what you have: our Prophet peace be upon him advised us to look at those who are lower than us. [/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]

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

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Contentment in Islam: Secret of true Happiness[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]As we all pass through life looking at people and materialistic things around us, we often tend to look at people above us and desire to be like them. But Islam advises us to look at those below us and feel contempt at what Allah (SWT) has provided us. Listed below would be some practical suggestions on achieving this contentment and repelling the greed of want of more.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Note: [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Contentment[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif] is the neuro-physiological experience of satisfaction and being at ease in one's situation. It is said that a man complained about his old shoes until he saw a man who had no feet.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"Contentment is not the fulfillment of what you want, but the realization of how much you already have."[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Greed[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif] for More: A Fact of Human Nature[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Contentment is one of the most important prerequisites for [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]happiness[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif] in life, and, unfortunately, many of us don't have it. We have a good car that meets our needs, but we always want a nicer, more expensive one - a Mercedes or a Jaguar perhaps. We have a nice house, but we always want a bigger, fancier, more expensive one. More jewelry, fancier clothes, a boat. The list goes on. We always think about more rather than saying, "Alhamdulillah," for what we already have. ........[/FONT]

http://www.ezsoftech.com/stories/contentment.asp

 

[Cordoba]

What is inner peace?
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The topic of inner peace addresses a universal need. There is nobody on this planet that does not desire inner peace. It is not a desire that is new to our time. Rather, it is something that everybody has been searching for throughout the ages, regardless of color, creed, religion, race, nationality, age, sex, wealth, ability or technological advancement.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]People have taken a variety of different paths in trying to achieve inner peace, some through accumulating material possessions and wealth, others through drugs; some through music, others through meditation; some through their husbands and wives, others through their careers and some through their children’s achievements or technological advancement and modernization. And the list goes on.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]So the reality is that all of these have not brought inner peace and tranquility. Rather in spite of the comforts that modernization has brought us, we are further away from inner peace than our ancestors were.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Inner peace is for the most part of our lives very elusive; we never seem to get our hands on it.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Many of us mistake personal pleasures for inner peace; we achieve elements of pleasure from a variety of things, be it wealth, sexual relations or other than that. But these do not last, they come and go. Yes we have personal pleasures from time to time and we are pleased with various things from time to time, but this is not inner peace.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]True inner peace is a sense of stability and contentment which carries us through all the trials and difficulties of life.[/FONT]

http://www.discoverislam.ca/

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Filling the Spiritual Vacuum[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]I firmly believe that everyone has a vacuum deep inside that, like all other vacuums, calls for air. [/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]This vacuum, however, is of a different type and so it needs to breathe a different type of air. This vacuum is spiritual. If we have a look at the people around us, we will most probably find that many have adopted some ’religion’ of their own. They believe in that religion and work hard to accomplish an ultimate goal: a form of paradise. Each of them has a particular aspect of their lives regarding which they assume a fanatical attitude. There is one major area that takes their time, their energy and their emotions. ...[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]It is Needed[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Indeed, Almighty Allah does not need anyone or anything. He is the Self-Sufficient. Belief in Him and the good deeds done for Him are intended for our own benefit. Being obedient and close to Almighty Allah gives a person a sense of tranquility and inner peace and, ultimately, takes him to Paradise where he will dwell eternally. Without such closeness and hope, the person will feel a deep spiritual hole inside himself that cannot be filled by any worldly activity or endeavor. Living with such a vacuum is truly disturbing. That is because man is innately weak. He can obtain spiritual strength by maintaining a strong link with the One Who brought him into being and is closer to him than his jugular vein. ​

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[/FONT]Read more: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1243825319989&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout#ixzz0eLoLkGKL

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Believers' Hopeful State [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Qur'an states that hopefulness is an important characteristic of believers and, at the same, an indication of their faith. People place their hope in Allah according to their degree of faith and will cherish a deep longing to obtain His mercy and infinite bounties because He has promised believers the most beautiful things in this world and in the hereafter. People will hope to secure these according to their degree of trust in Allah, their closeness to Him, and their submission and sincerity. [/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Knowing that everything happens according to His will, believers do not fall into despair or become hopeless or pessimistic. And, because believers know that Allah will accept their prayers, they do not doubt, even for a second, that a seemingly terrible event is simply a part of their test and that eventually it will work out for the best.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Everything that happens comes about through Allah's command of "Be." At every second, every object and scene that appears before us is created through Allah's will. Nothing is left to its own devices because everything is created for the destiny that Allah has determined for it.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Believers who are aware of this do not lose hope in Allah's mercy or help, even when facing the most negative situations or the most distressing events. Those who are patient in hardship, do not lose hope, and never compromise Allah's laws have been given glad tidings in both this world and the hereafter.[/FONT]​

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Qur'an portrays believers as being in a constant spiritual state of hopefulness toward Allah. Sincere believers will know and appreciate our Lord as the Qur'an describes Him and, as a result, will realize the mercy and favors that He has bestowed upon them[/FONT]​

Read more: http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1158658473780&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah%2FLSELayout#ixzz0eaqmV9a7​

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Healthy, Dead & Sick Heart[/FONT]
By: Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Just as the heart may be described in terms of being alive or dead, it may also be regarded as belonging to one of the following three types:[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Healthy Heart [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]On the Day of Resurrection, only those who come to God with a healthy heart will be saved. God says: [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]"The Day on which neither wealth nor sons will be of any use, except for whoever brings to God a sound heart." [Quran [/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]26:88-89[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]] [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]In defining the healthy heart, the following has been said: "It is a heart cleansed from any passion that challenges what God commands, or disputes what He forbids. It is free from any impulses which contradict His good. As a result, it is safeguarded against the worship of anything other than Him, and seeks the judgment of no other except that of His Messenger

. Its services are exclusively reserved for God, willingly and lovingly, with total reliance, relating all matters to Him, in fear, hope, and sincere dedication. When it loves, its love is in the way of God. If it detests, it detests in the light of what He detests. When it gives, it gives for God. If it withholds , it withholds for God ...[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Dead Heart [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]This is the opposite of the healthy heart. ...[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The Sick Heart[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]This is a heart with life in it as well as illness. ...[/FONT]

http://www.islamicity.com/articles/Articles.asp?ref=IC1002-4072

 

[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]Purification of the Heart[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]A talk by Sheikh Hamza Yusuf on purification of the heart[/FONT]

[youtube]wxcaqDXYmLc[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxcaqDXYmLc&feature=related

(Part 1 - 7 minutes)

A pure and sound heart, which is free from defects and spiritual blemishes, leads to inner peace

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Accepting Destiny[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]We have so many problems, so many obstacles that they are like illnesses. If we try to deal with them one by one we will never get through them. We need to identify them, put them in some general categories and tackle them as a group as opposed to trying to tackle each individual obstacle and problem.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]To do this we have to first of all remove obstacles that are beyond our control. We have to be able to distinguish which obstacles are within our control and which ones are beyond our control. While we perceive the ones that are beyond our control as obstacles the reality is that they are not. They are the things that God has destined for us in our lives, they are not really obstacles, but we have misinterpreted them as being obstacles ...[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][URL="http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/634/"]http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/634/[/URL][/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Understanding and accepting this principle is an important key for inner peace[/FONT]