Spiritual Health and Purification of the Soul

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The Power of Expressing Gratitude

[FONT=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]Gratitude has recently become a focus in psychological research.
There is a positive psychological effect in feeling thankful that results in appreciating life as it is. We must learn to be aware of and to appreciate the good things in this world to prevent taking them for granted. Being aware of the fact that it is Allah only who has helped us in our life will make us appreciate His blessings more. There is a link between practicing gratitude and feeling happy. Allah tells us in the Quran that we shall be rewarded for showing gratitude:

3:145 "...If any Do desire a reward in this life, We shall give it To him; and if any Do desire a reward in the Hereafter, We shall Give it to him. And swiftly shall We reward those that (serve us with) gratitude".

When our attitudes change and we become thankful for every small or big things in life we will see the world in a different way. It is not the negative events in ones life that usually makes one unhappy, it is rather the negative reaction to these events that makes one unhappy. The state of being unhappy is created by ourselves. This statement can also be learned from an interpretation of the following verse:

4:79 "....Whatever good, (Oh man!) happens to thee is from Allah, but whatever evil happens to thee, is from thy (own) soul..."

Whining and dwelling upon negative events wont do us any good. The simple act of regularly practicing gratitude will make an improvement in the well-being of a person and lead to a sense of happiness in life. Reflect on your own life. Look back at all the difficult moments in your life and you will soon come to realize the many blessings that Allah has showered upon you...

IslamiCity.com - The Power of Expressing Gratitude[/FONT]

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Contemplate Allah's Nearness to You
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There are many ways we can understand God’s nearness to us, and all of these increase our God-consciousness and strengthen our faith. One of these is that He is near to those who beseech Him and beg of Him...
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So many people who live only for the world never have the experience of such comfort and joy. They know only the physical pleasures of food, drink, and indulging their lusts. Yet, the most complete pleasure is that of nearness to God, which comes only through keeping His remembrance alive in our hearts and minds. We should teach our hearts to be more attached to God than to anything in creation. We should certainly feel close to our loved ones and friends. This is something natural and right.[/FONT]
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However, we should always remain aware of our relationship with God, which is beyond all of our worldly attachments. This is what brings true peace and happiness to every other aspect of our lives.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God is with us when we remember Him, praise Him, and glorify His name. He is with us in His care and in the blessings that He showers upon us. Prophet Muhammad informed us that God says:[/FONT]
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"I am with someone when he remembers Me." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)[/FONT]
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When we are conscious of God’s nearness to us, we become acutely aware of His divinity, which in turn enhances our worship. We begin to worship God as though we see Him, and though we do not see Him. We see Him not with our eyes, nor do we hear Him with our ears, but we do so with our hearts and minds through the intensity of our awareness of Him...
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Contemplate Allah

 

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In Search of Inner Peace

Now if you think about this concept of God being the source of peace, what that means is that there is no other way to get peace except by seeking this source. Allah tells us in the Qur’an:

{And Allah summons to the abode of peace, and leads whom He will to a straight path.} (Yunus 10: 25)

Allah tells us that He is calling us to the home of Salam (peace). If you think for a second about this metaphor. Imagine that someone is in the middle of a desert and they are desperate for water and there is only one source of water in that desert. Now think about what would happen if you are far away from that source of water. If you are far from that source of water, are you ever going to quench your thirst? And if you far from that source of water, are you ever going to be able to give water to others?

The only way you can quench that thirst is by being near to that source. So by being nearer than I am to that source of water, the more that I can quench my thirst, and the more that I can give to others. But if we are not close to the source of water we can never quench our thirst.

Similarly, if we are not near God, who is the source of peace, we can never ever attain peace. And the nearer I am to that source, the more I will have of it. So the nearer I am to the source of water the more water I will have, and the nearer I am to the source of peace the more peace that I will have...

Yasmin Mogahed on Controlling Our Inner Self (P.1) - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Toward a Closer Relation with God

Peace and Tranquility in a Modern World

For those who find the peace and tranquility of faith, over and above the continuous disturbances in life, he or she is deemed victorious. And whoever gives in to temptation, or feels defeated by the worldly desires and negativities, spirals into the depths of the dunya (worldly life), forgetting the importance of keeping sights on the Hereafter.

Find Peace and Tranquility with a Positive Mindset...

No matter how difficult things become, no matter how strong the adversity is, no matter how big the temptation is, remember that no one went through a harder trial than Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and his companions. Yet they persevered and helped spread Islam and it is because of them (through Allah’s permission) that you too are amongst the Muslim followers.

Keep a positive mindset when facing difficulties. Not only will this keep us reminded of Allah and the Quran and how Allah promises double ease with each hardship, but how we mould our thoughts affects us in every way possible...

http://www.onislam.net/english/read...peace-and-tranquillity-in-a-modern-world.html

 

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In Search for Inner Peace:

What Is Beautiful Patience? (Part 1)

A person who loves finds it much easier to be patient and to persevere. This is because he sees everything as coming from God, and if it comes from God, there must be a reason for it.

A person who loves wants the Beloved to see him in the best of states, and so he manifests the best of patience.

A person who loves has a good opinion of the Beloved, and understands that in everything is good.

And a person who loves has a strong relationship with the Beloved, and so turns to Him for help.The inward state of patience helps a person deal with misfortune, persist in opposing evil and continue to do good despite the odds...

What Is Beautiful Patience? (Part 1) - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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The Missing Peace: Your Quest for Trust in Allah (Tawakkul)

Tawakkul, or full trust and reliance on Allah, is the missing piece of our lives that leads to the missing peace in our hearts.

For every person depressed about the present, worried about the future, or in denial about the past - we discuss how this trait is the only way to find serenity in life once more.

[youtube]T1kygypZtQY[/youtube]
The Missing Peace: Your Quest for Trust in Allah (Tawakkul) - YouTube

 

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The Spiritual Highway and the Remembrance of God

There are certain things in life that bring peace to the heart and calmness to the soul for all people.

Beauty in nature is one of them.

When we go to the mountains or near the ocean and we have time to enjoy nature and reflect, for some reason all people feel better, and that includes believers and non-believers.

The question here is: what is the secret behind this feeling of peace?

And the answer: we enjoy natural beauty as it brings us closer to God (whether we are aware of it or not); it reminds us of the Creator of this amazing beauty we see around us.

This point is a key issue for maintaining a high level of spirituality, whether living in a busy town or in the calm beautiful countryside: God's remembrance.

So How do We Get on the Spiritual Highway?

For a believer, the first step is to remember God, and to know that all what we do that would bring us near to God will increase us in faith and spirituality.

And vice versa, all what we do that displeases God will make us unhappy and make us lose our spirituality and inner peace ...

So remember God as often as you can to remain on the spiritual highway

(to be continued In-Shaa-Allah) ...

 

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Body and Soul

One thing we often tend to forget is that human beings are not only made of a body, but they also have a soul, and that it is the soul which makes people feel happy or unhappy, much more than the physical body.

When fasting in the month of Ramadan, most Muslims find they are “lighter” and this is due to a state of liberation from the chains of the demands of the physical body for food and drink. By starving the body with fasting we actually liberate our souls, and this leads to inner peace and contentment.

To increase in spirituality, a believer needs to give more attention therefore to his/her soul, doing what makes the soul become more refined and enlightened, and avoiding what makes it lose its light.

All what pulls you down to earth, like eating too much or sleeping too much, ... etc. makes the soul lose its light, and all what lifts you up to a higher level of faith and spirituality makes the soul more enlightened

So ascend and don't descend in spirituality if you are searching for inner peace

(to be continued In-Shaa-Allah) ...

 

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The Love of God
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[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If a believer makes an effort to come closer to God it is to earn His love and mercy.

[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Being closer to God is what brings real inner peace and tranquility.[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]

If a believer really loves God then they will do all what they can to please God, and for this purpose it is important to understand what does God love, and what does He dislike.[/FONT]
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The Quran and authentic Hadith can give us a wealth of information in this area, and a good starting point is to follow Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is what he advised us to do, and to avoid what he commanded us to avoid.[/FONT]
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(to be continued In-Shaa-Allah) ...

 

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Purification of the Soul (Tazkiyah)

Tazkiyah in Islam is a life-long process which starts from an early age with children being taught good manners, and continues till the last days of life on this earth.

It is a must, and an important per-requisite to attain inner peace, as it involves very important issues like:

- Controlling one's anger

- Avoiding envy and similar negative feelings

- Avoiding all types of injustices to oneself and to others ...

Prophet Abraham, as he was building the Ka'bah, made a supplication for the people of Makkah, who were later to include the descendents of his son Ismail, that God sends them a prophet that would recite to them God's words, and would teach them the Book and wisdom, and purify them (tazkiyah).

In the Qur'an, God corrects this supplication by placing tazkiyah before teaching them the Book.

Being pure from insides leads to contentment, and it is important to give it a high priority if one is searching for inner peace.

 

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Finding Contentment: An Emotional Choice[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God stands by those who are patient – and how close is He?

Nearer than our own jugular vein. If God is that close, always with us, always within us, we need not feel sad, nor do we need to feel depressed or feel fear. God always has a special place in our hearts, if we open up to Him. This is the true sense of resignation.[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]

This Too Shall Pass[/FONT]
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Lastly, you can’t go through any Muslim-penned book without being reminded of this temporary abode. We are mere travelers that go through the motions.
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]We don’t get to choose the motions most of the time, but we get to make choices as to how to react to them and how to respond to them thereafter. We are given opportunities to learn and better ourselves, and all this really is temporary.[/FONT]
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Prophet Muhammad said:[/FONT]
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"Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a wayfarer."

(Al-Bukhari)[/FONT]
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Getting too grounded in our emotional turmoil is not healthy for it gives us a grievous sense of attachment to problems that will pass, and hanging on to them will only prolong our agony. Believe that each challenge will pass and we will get out of it as better Muslims, we remain steadfast in our patience and faith...

[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]http://onislam.net/english/reading-islam/living-islam/growing-in-faith/459622-building-the-sense-of-rida-an-emotional-choice.html[/FONT]

 

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Renew Your Life

Before every new morning, God exhorts people to renew their lives with the break of dawn, having rested their bodies after a day’s labor and upon rising from their beds to face a new day.

At that decisive time they can think over their stumbles, falls, and sins; at that peaceful time every one of us can renew his life and rebuild himself anew with the shining rays of light, hope, and new beginnings, guided by the “Voice of Truth” calling out everywhere to restore the wandering and revive the weary.

Prophet Muhammad said:

"Our Lord (Blessed and Exalted is He) descends every night to the nearest heaven (to our world), when only the last third of the night remains, and says, ‘Is there any seeker of My Favor that I may give to him? Is there any supplicant that I may answer him? Is there any asker of forgiveness that I may forgive him?’ This continues until the break of dawn." (Al-Bukhari)

And

"The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is during the middle of the night." (At-Tirmidhi)

If you can be among those who remember God during that special time of closeness to Him, be among them. It is the time when night goes and morning comes, and out of the debris of the near or distant past you can rise to build your future...

Renew Your Life - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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The Power of Remembrance

There is a feeling that comes to the heart, a feeling of unrest.

No matter what is done that feeling of unrest doesn’t leave.

Sometimes we try and numb it with entertainment or by distracting ourselves, but again it returns. And it is after this constant return of this feeling of unrest that we may finally remember the ayah (verse), “Verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest!” (Qur’an 13:28) There are many verses and traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that show us the extreme importance of dhikr (remembrance of Allah) in our lives.

One interesting hadith (narration) is that of a man who came to the Prophet who felt that the rules had become too much for him. He felt a burden on his shoulders, unsure if he was to be able to fulfill his roles and obligations to his Lord. He came with a concern to the Prophet and asked:

“O Messenger of Allah, the laws of Islam have become many for us, so give us a means of access which is comprehensive to which we can cling.”

Notice, he wants something to cling to, something to hold on to so that he doesn’t slip away. What then did the Prophet respond?

“Let not your tongue cease to be moist with the remembrance of Allah, The Glorious, The Magnificent.” ...

Take a moment right now to make a commitment to yourself to add more dhikr to your daily routine. It doesn’t have to be something big, take it easy and take baby steps, but make a commitment that you won’t leave. Remember, Allah (swt) loves those deeds which are consistent even if they are small. Not only that, but when you take one step towards Allah He takes ten steps towards you.

The Power of Remembrance/

 

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The True Rebirth

Repentance like this brings a complete rebirth and becomes a separator between two different eras in one’s life, the same as dawn is between darkness and light.

It is not a transient return after which one relapses into former chaos and negligence, nor is it an unsuccessful attempt that lacks true will, endurance, and perseverance.

The victorious return that pleases God is that in which man triumphs over weakness and laziness, crushes under his feet the germs of sins and vileness, breaks free from the chains of desires and ingratitude, and lifts himself up to higher levels of faith, righteousness, knowledge, and guidance.

The True Rebirth - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Live Within the Limits of Your Day

This understanding of life, which is living in the present instead of dwelling on the past or projecting into the future, instills great courage in a believer.

As the poor, righteous man, Abou Hazim, who challenged kings said: “Between kings and me is one day. They no longer feel the delights of yesterday, and they and I both fear tomorrow. It is only today. What can it be?”Al-Hassan Al-Basri added: “The world is three days: Yesterday, with all that was in it, has gone. Tomorrow, you may never see it. As for today, it is yours, so work on it.”

Past pleasures departed with yesterday. Nothing of it can be retained. Tomorrow is hidden and is equally apprehended by the high and low. There remains only the present day, within whose limits live wise people who, by living in the present from a position of free will, self-motivation, and discernment of the current day’s goals, become a king. So where lies the superiority or privilege of worldly kings over others?

Yet living in the present does not mean ignoring the future and not preparing oneself for it. Dale Carnegie said: “By all means take thought for the tomorrow, yes, careful thought and planning and preparation. But have no anxiety.”

Thinking of and planning for tomorrow is sagacity and broad vision. Prophet Muhammad advised people to:

"Take benefit of five before five: Your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death." (Mustadrak Al-Hakim)

This clarifies the difference between heeding the future and being overwhelmed by it; preparing oneself for it and becoming immersed in it; having eagerness to make use of today and anxious anticipation of tomorrow...

Live Within the Limits of Your Day - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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In Search for Inner Peace

What Is Beautiful Patience? (Part 3)

How to be of the Patient

As human beings, we often ask “why”.

Why should we be patient?

And when we know the answer, it is easier for us to commit to the task. It is something that needs constant reminding that this is not for nothing. There is so much good in being patient. God tells us in the Quran:

{…Indeed, the patient will be given their reward without account.} (Az-Zumar 39: 10)

One of the explanations of this verse is that those who were constantly patient enter Paradise without reckoning. This one characteristic can do that, which shows us how powerful it is and how it manifests in the life of a believer. And a part of the building process is knowing that there will be afflictions...Another benefit of patience is that God endows us with more faith. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) tells us:

"Whoever curbs his anger, while being able to act, Allah will fill his heart with certainty of faith." (Al-Bukhari)

Certainty

Reminding ourselves of the benefits requires knowing, and knowing means certainty. So yaqeen (certainty) is the second component, which is the absolute certainty that God’s promise is true...

What Is Beautiful Patience? (Part 3) - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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Loving Allah: Practical Tips

Hereunder I wish to present several effective mediums which tribute to creating love for Allah. To attain this love a few important points need to be adhered to:

1. Allocate a specific time to reflect upon the great blessings and bounties of Allah Ta’ala. Along with this closely study one’s shortcomings and ponder: “If I was to have opposed a world leader in such a manner, what would have been my outcome? How disgraced would I have been in his eyes?” But Allah Ta’ala, despite my rebellious actions has not put a stop to his shower of blessings upon me.

2. Bring in to practice all shar’ee commandments related to one’s external life, despite experiencing an absence of inclination. Experience shows that good deeds posses the quality of creating love for them. Though in the beginning stages there maybe no apparent love, love will gradually be created. Like a magnet has no effect on iron lying at a distance, but no sooner it is brought close, the magnet automatically pulls it to belt. Deeds too have a “magnetic” effect.

3. On a daily basis, set some time aside for zikr (remembrance of Allah Ta’ala), though it maybe for a short while. This zikr should be made in seclusion with a bit of concentration.

4. Join the company of the pious and friends of Allah Ta’ala. Insha Allah through their company the love for the world will soon be reduced. In essence this is the way to recognize the friends of Allah Ta’ala i.e. in their company one finds a decrease in worldly love and an increase in the love for Allah Ta’ala.

Allah willing, if the above mentioned four points are brought in to practice, I can say with assertion that within forty days the love for Allah Ta’ala will definitely be created within the heart

Loving Allah: 5 practical tips - MuslimVillage.com | MuslimVillage.com/

 

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Nothing Will Happen Unless Decreed by Allah

The feeling that nothing whatsoever in this universe can slip from the grasp of God pours peace and tranquility into the heart of the believer.

No matter how troublesome the circumstances are or how dark the situation is, they remain under the Will of God:

{The Will of God prevails, but most of people know not.} (Yusuf 12: 21)

This is the reliance that a Muslim places on his Lord after having done what ought to be done.

The Muslim puts his trust in God, and feels comfortable about what the future will bring after completing the necessary work, planning, and precautions entrusted to him by God...

Nothing Will Happen Unless Decreed by Allah - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]To Be a Real Winner
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Transformation sometimes starts with a fall, and the floor is where humility is found, so prostrate and ask for God’s forgiveness.
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If you seek God to bring you back, He will mend your heart. So feel remorse for the fall, but don’t despair.[/FONT]
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A believer’s strongest love should be to Allah, but as one can’t love someone they don’t know, we need to get to know Allah (SWT), and talk to Him. The polish of repentance makes the heart more beautiful than before, so remove the veil between you and Allah.[/FONT]
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The storm is coming, so be prepared. Death is surely coming, don’t forget that, and nothing can stop it. If the heart is full of the love of Allah, that will speak for you at the time of death. Someone said that the one who dies with the most toys is the winner. But is that really true?[/FONT]
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Of course not.[/FONT]
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To be a real winner, don’t let your heart be attached to the toys of the world.[/FONT]
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So WAKE UP.[/FONT]

Spirituality at Toronto

 

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Steps Towards Inner Peace

Inner peace is the source of all peace.

When a person is at harmony with himself, he is able to live in harmony with others...

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...

Inner Peace and Resignation

We must be at peace with what God decrees for us, though we should seek by way of God’s decree to avoid the harm of God’s decree. It is as Umar had said when he avoided entering a plague-stricken region: “We flee from Allah’s decree towards Allah’s decree.”

A believer is resigned to God’s decree and accepts it fully, so much so that he does not want to hasten what has been delayed nor defer what has been hastened on...

Steps Towards Inner Peace - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net