Spiritual Health and Purification of the Soul

[Cordoba]

Being Sincere with Allah

Only God knows our intentions, and He only accepts the deeds we do which are sincere, for His sake only
Being sincere with Allah is therefore the key for acceptance and coming closer to Him

With sincerity, a believer increases in faith and inner peace

 

[Cordoba]

Hope in a Better Tomorrow

Having hope is very important, as life without hope would be very sad

A believer always trusts Allah and believes that, despite all problems we face in life, tomorrow will be better and the future will be much more positive In-Shaa-Allah

In this world, young people must maintain hope in a better job, getting married and finding peace. The same applies to the next generations who feel they are moving closer to Allah, and that when this life ends they will be close to Him in the hereafter, by His Mercy

Allah informs us that after hardships there will be ease, and we believe that, no matter how difficult the current situation may be, and this belief brings peace to the heart

 

[Cordoba]

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

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[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that smiling to your brother is (a form of) charity[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The power of a smile is that it sends a positive, optimistic and cheerful sign to others[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]A smile is surprisingly contagious among all people. It is the kind of language everyone understands. It has the power of making people feel special and appreciated, as it spreads positive energy all around the place[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]So smile and be optimistic[/FONT]
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[Cordoba]

Look at the Bright Side of Life, Even in Hardships

Often we go through phases in life when matters seem complicated, but with each hardship there is ease

One can go through times with a shortage of money for example, but you will find that such a test has its other positive side, as it makes one economize and become more careful in spending.

Also one tends to pray more when going through difficult times asking God's help, and this brings one closer to Allah, increases faith and leads to more inner peace

So always remember to look at the positive side

Tomorrow will be a better day In-Shaa-Allah

 

[Cordoba]

Clearing Outstanding Debts

One of the main reasons for stress and anxiety in the modern world of today is personal debt

When one is in debt, one's mind worries about how this debt will be repaid, when, and what if ...?

Going into debt is strongly discouraged if one is searching for peace of mind, and repaying outstanding debts is one of the key for inner peace

So do your best not to get into debt, and if you do have debts try and get rid of them as soon as possible

You will feel much more at peace as worries decrease

 

[Cordoba]

Be Humble as Humility is a Sign of Virtue

Humility makes people pleased with God's judgments, and steadfast in the face of reproofs and insults from others. Those who know their place and do not put on airs have truly secured and defended themselves against other people's contempt.

Humility is a sign of virtue and maturity, while haughtiness and self-conceit indicate an imperfect, lowly spirit. ...

Humble people attain high (spiritual) ranks in the institutions of spiritual training. They benefit fully from a good education, whether religious or scientific, and prove useful to their communities. Those whose vainglory and pride do not allow them to benefit from the discipline of these institutions, or to be taught by others, have lost their way.

http://www.onislam.net/english/reading-islam/living-islam/growing-in-faith/448659-humility-a-sign-of-virtue-.html

Being pleased with God's judgments is an important key for reaching inner peace

A humble believer accepts hardships when they come with patience and prayers, the same as he/she accepts good times.

Strangely enough you will find that some of the poor believers who are humble are also very content, and they have an enormous level of inner peace

Accepting destiny and what the future brings with clamness and no anxiety gives this feeling of peace, knowing with certainity that as long as we are on the Straight Path, Allah only decrees what is best for us

 

[Cordoba]

Listening to the Birds Sing

Early morning before sunrise, and late afternoon before sunset, you can hear birds praising God

A beautiful "natural" orchestra takes place, and one feels like the whole universe is praising Allah

In the Qur'an, God tells us to remember Him and praise Him during these two special times of the day, as darkness slowly turns into light, and later in the day light turns into darkness

Two special moments which bring peace to the heart, as we remember our Creator, the Creator of this amazing universe

Subhan Allah (All Praise is to Allah)

 

[Cordoba]

Freedom

Freedom is another very important key for finding inner peace

When one is free, nobody can force you to do what you don't want to do

That is why God commands us not to "enslave" ourselves to the pleasures of this world. He commanded us not to take intoxicants in order to remain free and never become addicted to alcohol or drugs. The same goes for gambling, as we see all the time people's lives which are ruined because of gambling.

One of the worst "chains" in life is debt, and again in order to remain free don't get into debt

Some people are enslaved to their careers, and because of this they have no time as they are always at work or with customers: another form of modern enslavement

Getting away from all these "chains" makes a person free to think, read, learn, contemplate about the bigger issues in life, about our relation with our Creator, and for a believer this freedom brings peace and tranquility

May Allah increase us all in peace

Ameen

 

[Cordoba]

Keep Good Company who Remind you of God

"Tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you who you are"

This wise quote is very true if you think of it

Close friends have a big impact on us, as shared ideas, conversations and activities are either a path for happiness in this world and the hereafter or the opposite

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said that (A man follows the religion of his close friend, so each of you should be very careful about whom he takes as a close friend).

This hadith gives very important advice which we need to remember, as close friends who encourage us in our journey to Allah to remain on the Straight Path, and who remind us when we forget and help us out when we need help, are a precious treasure.

A very close friend of this type would become like a brother, and brotherhood/sisterhood in Islam is a great thing to have, as they help us increase in faith and increase in inner peace.

 

[Cordoba]

Seek Useful Knowledge

Happiness and a high spirit come with enlightment, and through knowledge it is possible to fulfill this goal.

By nature, humans have an inquisitive mind. We want to understand the environment which surrounds us and understand this amazing universe

By doing so, and by seeking knowledge and learning something new each day, believers grow in faith which brings them closer to God, and in doing so they grow in inner peace

 

[Cordoba]

Remember this Hadith

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said:

"Whoever spends his night safely in his home, with a healthy body and enough provision for his day, it is as if he has gained the world in its entirety"

Every time I read or listen to this hadith and think of its words for a few moments, a feeling of peace enters the heart. There are many people around the world who are deprived of shelter, food, security and health, and we should be thankful for what we have.

What else does one really need from this world other than these three basics: security, health and provision?

Thinking of what may or may not happen next year, or even next month, and worrying about it is not a wise position for a believer to take. Why?

First of all we don't know for sure whether we will be around next year. So why worry about something which may not be valid?

Second: A believer knows that God is The Provider. He will provide next year (if we are still here) as He has provided this year. Provision may be more or may be less, but at the end we trust that God will provide.

Third: As for good health, that is something beyond us. We thank God for the health He has bestowed on us, and we ask Him to cure us if we are not well. After a certain age however, we know that it is normal for our general health condition to gradually decline till we reach old age. That is life: all creatures start young, grow in age then get old. We can't reverse the clock and we accept it as part of our journey in this life. So the best approach is to take this phase in life wisely without complaint, if we want to be content

Being content is an important key for inner peace, and we should thank God for what we have

Al-Hamdulel-Allah

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If you sin, repent immediately[/FONT]
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[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]No one is sinless, and all people make mistakes, some intentional other not intentional[/FONT]
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God loves those who repent if they sin[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]A quick return to God's path after sinning is very important, as delaying repentance makes it more difficult[/FONT]

And this example will illustrate this point:

When you finish a meal, if you immediately rins the plates, they will be much easier to wash compared to say leaving them till the following day

Same here, repenting straight after a sin makes the return to God's path much easier, and this makes the level of faith and closeness to God remain stable, which leads to a believer not losing his/her inner peace

 

[Cordoba]

To Achive Tranquility: Clear Doubts by Seeking Knowledge

In the early stage of learning Islam, a Muslim may have issues which are difficult to understand about Islam, or maybe some doubts.

The key to clear such doubts and answer such questions is to seek knowledge

Satan has two main doors to a believer's heart: either through doubts or through unlawful desires. Once a believer is able to close these two doors (through marriage and through knowledge), then the path towards inner peace becomes much easier

Tranquility means having a heart that is at peace and that has a sound trust in Allah. Tranquility is a state of calm enjoyed by believers who have been saved of doubt.

So seek knowledge and learn from a Muslim scholar you trust as that is the path towards inner peace, and the path towards Heaven

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Find a Good Teacher on your Path Seeking Knowledge[/FONT] [FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]

Learning Islam takes time, dedication and a lot of effort[/FONT]
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It is not a religion you can learn on your own simply through reading books [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Though reading good books that explain Islam is important, a student of Islam needs personal guidance, as he/she progresses and goes from one stage to the next. The best guidance and advise to get is from a good teacher.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Without knowledge, it is easy for Satan, man's worst enemy, to misguide a believer, but with sound knowledge it becomes very difficult. Knowledge helps a believer in his journey towards God, and even if he stumbles, he can get up again quickly as He knows that God is Merciful and that He forgives all sins when we sincerely repent, and he also knows the tricks of Satan and knows how to defend himself from these tricks.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]That is why in Islam a scholar with sound knowledge who applies this knowledge and teaches it to others is better than 1,000 worshipper without knowledge[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Sound knowledge and applying it in practice leads to an increase in faith and inner peace in this world, and leads to God's Pleasure and Paradise in the hereafter

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[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The First Step to Paradise[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The first step in self development is to concentrate single-mindedly on paradise. Indeed, the one who is unsure of his destiny in life, torn between this world and the next, like one standing with his feet in two separate boats, will be thrown off balance. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Many of the difficulties that we face are due to this lack of commitment and inability to focus on the real and ultimate goal. If you can keep your focus on paradise, then everything else will be possible.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Beginning a New Journey[/FONT]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The selection of the ultimate goal of paradise must be made consciously and may involve an absolute break with the past. To choose this new goal as the ultimate goal in one's life is in fact to choose a new life, to begin a new journey...[/FONT]

The First Step to Paradise - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

[Cordoba]

Don't Go to Extremes

Going to extremes in our relation with others is not the right path to follow. No one is an angel, and people have positives aspects in their personality as well as negative aspects. So do your best to look at the bright side, and forgive shortcomings, as we are all human

For a believer, going to extremes in acts of worship is also not encouraged in Islam. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, encouraged Muslims to be moderate in worship, and discouraged them from going to extremes, like staying up all night in prayers or fasting non-stop

It is important to understand that God does not benefit from our worship, but it is we who benefit. As such, it is important to keep a sustainable balance in prayers and other acts of worship, so that we don't get to a level of saturation which discourages us to continue on God's Path with love and positive motivation

Recreation and leisure time is very important, as the human soul often gets "bored" if life is only all about work and study. So take some time off with your friends and family, and go to places you enjoy, in the countryside or the mountains, and enjoy the beauty of nature which God has created for us

When you do that, you will find more room in your heart for God, and you will become more happy and content as you increase in peace

 

[Cordoba]

If you Feel Discontent: Remember those who are Less Fortunate

One of the problems most human beings have is comparing themselves to those who have more: either more wealth, more power, more strength, ... etc, and this leads many to a feeling of discontent, and in some cases jealousy or envy

The immediate remedy and cure for discontent is to remember those who are less fortunate. You may have less income than your colleague at work, but on the other hand you have good health, or you have a caring family and he doesn't, ...

Remember those who are in pain due to a serious condition. Would you like to be wealthy as they are but go through the pains they suffer from each day?

Or would it be best to thank God for the many blessings you have?

Always compare yourself to those who have less not those who have more, and you will feel content, and this will lead to inner peace In-Shaa-Allah

 

[Cordoba]

Don't Worry about Sustenance (Rizq)

God provides for the fish in the oceans, the birds and all other creatures and animals, do you think He would forget you?

Your sustenance is guaranteed to reach you each day at the right time and the right amount, so don't worry about it. Do your best and ask Allah, then trust Him and thank Him for His many blessings

God loves those who are thankful and content, and He increases believers when they thank Him

By removing this anxiety about the future, a feeling of relief enters the heart which leads to inner peace.

Try to be at peace with yourself and don't worry about the future

 

[Cordoba]

Peace of Mind on Worldly Matters

Peace of mind needs a number of ingredients, including a clear conscience - including not having done injustice to others - so that at night one can sleep well

Another important factor is not to be in debt, as debt is usually something we worry about

There are other matters which may prevent us from having a peaceful mind (health problems, exams, problems at work, ... etc), and all these factors may be related to being too attached to this world, and loving this worldly life too much. Moderation and balance in all matters is important for living a happy life, and happiness does not necessary mean having a lot of money

It is part of human nature to love having more wealth, and each year a person increases in wealth they long for more wealth, out of their love for this worldly life, and that is the "wrong" approach for someone looking for inner peace

If you are searching for inner peace, don't become too attached to the material side of life. Instead, tro to become attached to The Creator of this amazing universe, to whom one day we shall all return. That is what really counts, as 80 or 90 years here can't be compared to an eternal happy life in the hereafter

So do your best at work, at studies and other worldly matters, but don't let your heart worry about the outcome. What God has decreed for you will happen, and your job is only to do your best, then accept the outcome God has chosen for you.

That is the path leading to a mind at peace, and an important key for finding inner peace

 

[Cordoba]

Life has its Ups & Downs: Be Wise & Patient

Nothings lasts for ever, as we all go through different phases of change in life.

From childhood to youth, then to maturity, followed by old age ... this is a process no one can stop

Some years we are well-off, other years less well-off, as money comes and goes, also something beyond our control (who expected the world financial crisis to be so devastating?)

Good health is followed by illness, then recovery, then once again illnes ... Even if you're the best doctor on earth, you can't change this cycle

So if we know for sure that life has its ups and downs, a wise person should adapt, be patient and live these different cycles in a philosophical way. Having poor health is not the end of the world, with patience and treatment it can be cured. The same goes for money which comes and goes ...

The main thing is to benefit from each phase we go through, even the hard times, by reflecting on the reality of life and "waking up" to remember that life itself is only a transition we go through, and that the material aspects of life are "temporary", as they change so often.

What really counts is our spiritual condition and our relation with God. If that is on a positive curve nothing else matters, as through spiritual growth we find peace.

Everything else comes and goes, and what remains is the inner peace of being closer to God