Spiritual Health and Purification of the Soul

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The Benefits of Remembering the Hereafter

There are many benefits in remembering God, as this remembrance brings peace to the heart of a believer

When remembering Allah (SWT), a believer looks forward to the day when he or she will meet God in the Hereafter. This meeting will be the most important meeting ever, as a believer who loves God looks forward to seeing Him, and this can only be possible in the Hereafter.

Looking forward to meeting God makes a believer motivated to prepare for that day. This preparation means increasing good deeds that please God and asking Him for forgiveness for sins committed.

This on-going process of self-improvement makes a believer increase in taqwa (God-consciousness) and this leads to an increase in inner peace

If you are really searching for peace, remember your meeting with God in the Hereafter, and prepare for that day.

 

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The Benefits of Reflection on God's Universe

One of the main advantages we have as human beings is the advanced intellect God has bestowed upon us.

We are capable of thinking at an abstract level, and through formulating theories and proving them in a scientific way verifying their validity

God invites us to use our intellect to reflect and to think deeply on this amazing universe He has created. In doing so, just by looking up to the stars and observing their motion, we get a sense of the greatness of the Creator.

This leads to realizing how small we are in comparison, and when we reach that point we become humble, and arrogance disappears from the heart.

All these transformations in the spiritual heart bring us closer to God, till we finally submit to Him and find peace

If you are really searching for peace, reflect on this amazing universe, submit to the Creator, and say Subhan Allah

 

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Patience and Its Spiritual Benefits

By nature, most human beings are impatient.

They want everything to happen the way they planned, and want to gain all the benefits they want from life immediately, without delay.

It would be nice to have all what we dream for, but the reality of life says that this is not possible. Some things we plan for happen, while other things don't turn out the way we want.

We have two options when the outcome does not match our expectations: either accept what God has decreed and trust that He knows what is best for us, or become angry and impatient.

Which is the best option?

The answer comes from God, who tells us that patience is an important virtue, and He informs us that He loves those who are patient.

If you are really searching for peace, be patient. Rome was not built in one day.

 

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The Spiritual Benefits of Reading The Qur'an

Reading the Qur'an has many benefits, including the increase in knowledge and understanding of God's final Guidance and Religion

But beyond that there are also many spiritual benefits

One day, one of the companions of the Prophet was reading Surat Al-Kahf (Chapter 18 of the Qur'an), when suddenly his two horses started jumping. The details are mentioned in this hadith:

"A man was reciting Surah Al-Kahf and his horse was tied with two ropes beside him. A cloud came down and spread over that man, and it kept on coming closer and closer to him till his horse started jumping (as if afraid of something). When it was morning, the man came to the Prophet, and told him of that experience. The Prophet said,

“That was As-Sakina (tranquility) which descended because of (the recitation of) the Qur’an.” (Al-Bukhari)

So reading the Qur'an brings tranquility, as angels descend to the source of recitation, which brings peace to the heart

The other benefit it gives the reader is an inspiration to patience, hope and developing a stronger faith when reading the stories of past nations and how God supported His prophets and those who believed in Him, and that after each hardship there is ease.

If you are really searching for peace, read the Qur'an and grow in faith and serenity.

 

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The Spiritual Benefits of Fasting

Fasting from dawn to sunset has many benefits for believers, including social and health benefits

But the real benefits on an individual level are the spiritual benefits.

God created human beings of two main components: body and soul.

The body ties a person to earth, whereas the soul ties a believer to God.

The more attention a person gives to the body through eating and intimate relations, the weaker the soul and vice versa.

This is why fasting is good for the soul, as in some way it "liberates" the soul and makes it closer to God.

If you want to recharge your spiritual batteries, fasting is one of the best ways to bring peace to your heart, mind and soul.

If you are really searching for peace, don't forget to fast

 

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The Spiritual Benefits of Giving to Charity

It is part of human nature for people to love wealth, to love money, and to want it always to increase with time

But in the process of soul purification, God commands the rich to give part of their wealth (2.5%) to the poor in Zakah (obligatory charity), and in sadaqah (voluntary charity above Zakah)

The spiritual benefit of giving to the poor is a reminder that we are not here on earth to maximize our worldly possessions, but we are here on transit for 60, 80 or 100 years, and that our final destination is the Hereafter.

To earn God's love and mercy, believers are commanded to be merciful and caring for the poor and those who need help. This is one of the best ways to come closer to God, and to increase in faith and peace.

When you think or others and help those you can, your soul becomes liberated from its selfishness and from being ego-centered, and from being too attached to this worldly life.

If you are really searching for peace, give to the poor and the needy

 

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The Spiritual Benefits of Being Thankful

Being thankful for what we have is a very important spiritual element that leads the heart to find peace.

It is part of human nature of always wanting more wealth, more money, more fame, more career success, ... etc.

But all these are worldly matters which are by nature transitory, they don't last.

When a person dies, can they take their wealth to the Hereafter?

The clear answer is no, so don't get too attached to these worldly matters, and be grateful for what you have, and thank God for all what you have.

If you are really searching for inner peace, be grateful and thankful.

 

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The Spiritual Benefits of Helping Others

Sometimes, human beings think that they are strong, independent and not in need of others

This usually happens when we are young, healthy and have money.

But this is an illusion, as after strength comes weakness, after health comes illness and after richness comes poverty.

When we help those in need for help, either for health or power or wealth, we are in fact thanking God for these blessings, and remembering that one day we may be in their position, and will need help from others.

This reminder makes us always attached to God, and makes us humble, and never become arrogant with what we have, which leads to inner peace.

If you are really searching for peace, help other people and thank God.

 

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The Spiritual Benefits of Keeping Calm

When faced with problems or hardships, it's easy to lose one's temper

But is that the right thing to do?

The clear answer is no, as when one is angry, the decisions taken in the state of anger are normally not wise decisions

Why?

Because at that time, one is looking to the problem from one angle only, which is the focus of attention and concern.

When taking time to reflect and calm down, other angles of the problem will eventually come to mind, and without being angry a calmer and wiser decision will emerge, after consulting other wise friends.

Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, advised his companions not to get angry, as it also makes one lose their state of inner peace

If you are really searching for peace, keep calm and don't get angry

 

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Keep in Touch With Nature

Life in big cities can be a bit sad, as it keeps us away from being in direct contact with nature.

Big buildings and closed shopping malls make us miss the beauty of God's creation, as we often can't see the stars at night, and reflect on this beautiful universe.

Do your best to escape from the trap of big city, if you are away from nature. Go to the mountains and the countryside, and enjoy the natural beauty of our planet earth.

The beauty of nature will be a reminder of the Creator, and when you praise Him following this reminder, saying Subhan Allah, peace will enter your heart.

If you are really searching for peace, keep in contact with nature as often as you can and praise God.

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Don't Worry About the Future

Worry keeps one awake at night, and makes a person lose the peace of mind

Don't worry about what will happen tomorrow and trust in God.
He will give you a solution to the problem you are worried about

Take life one day at a time, keep calm and always be positive

If you are really searching for peace, don't worry about tomorrow

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Don't Be Depressed By The News

After watching the news, one often feels that this world is falling apart

With all the atrocities and injustices taking place in the East and in the West, it is easy to develop an inner feeling that "there is no hope".

This is one of the tricks of Satan, of closing the doors of hope in a better tomorrow, and making people depressed.

Faith is all about having hope, of being positive and of never feeling despair.

Keep the hope in a better tomorrow, remain positive and never despair, if you are really searching for peace.

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Trust in Allah

Sometimes when faced with problems or hardships, we often don't understand the wisdom behind such trials

Is God punishing us with these trials for something we did?

Is God displeased?

Or is there a wisdom we can't see?

For many years I could not understand why God sends trials to people of faith, and the stronger the faith the stronger the trials, especially the case with all of God's prophets.

But now I understand that when a believer goes through a hardship, he or she finds that it is only God who can help them out of the hardship, and this makes them come closer to Allah (SWT) through prayers and invocations.

So when you go through a problem, trust that God is on your side. He wants what is best for you, and not to make your life difficult. On the long run, these trials and hardships make the faith stronger and purifies the soul from its attachment to worldly matters and to other than God.

If you are really searching for peace, trust Allah and be patient

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Stay Focused on Your Journey to Allah

Don't be distracted by events here and there

One of the important keys for inner peace is to stay focused and remember that life is a transition. It is not the final destination.

The events which you go through that take you away from God's Path are harmful distractions, so do your best to avoid them.

When you remember that you are on a journey, this helps in clearing away obstacles and distractions.

A transit passenger has to continue his trip, so keep going and don't stop.

If you are really searching for peace, stay focused and be patient

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Trust that God Has a Plan for You

Submitting to the will of God is one of the beautiful traits of believers.

A strong faith in God leads to a strong belief in that God wants what is best for us, though at times we may not immediately understand the wisdom of events taking place around us.

With doing one's best as far as planing is concerned followed by hard work, patience is very important, as the expected results may take time.

So if you see a delay in the results you are expecting from God, trust that He has a plan for you and be patient in order to find peace.

If you are really searching for peace, trust in God[/FONT]

 

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Be Sincere in Your Love of God

A sincere heart is one that is only attached to Allah

I was watching yesterday a documentary on one of the sincere callers to Islam who had a great impact in inviting people to Islam and in bringing many Muslims back to the Path of God.

His life was one of total dedication to Allah, despite the persecution, and his heart was only attached to God.

He did not want anything from this world. He was offered fortunes and high positions from those who wanted him to be "on their side", but he refused.

His only mission in life was to please God, and to call people to God's Path.

He always used to ask Allah that he dies while praying, and after a life of knowledge and dedication, on his last day, as he was praying at home on a Friday morning before going to the Friday prayers, he prostrated in his prayer, and that was the last thing he did in this life.

Allah (SWT) knows the sincere hearts, and He brings close to Him those who are sincere.

If you are really searching for peace, always be sincere.

 

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Never Lose Hope in a Better Tomorrow

Having a positive attitude in life is very important for keeping a state of inner peace

And an important approach for being positive in life is to look at the full half of the cup, rather than the empty half.

Look at what you have, and remember your many blessings, not what you don't have.

This way, one sees more beauty in life, and by looking at the positive side of events that take place we can remain with the hope and trust that each problem has a solution, and a believer knows that God can change situations to the best by saying "Be".

Do your best, keep close to God, and ask Him for His guidance and help, and He will show you the right way

If you are really searching for peace, trust in God and be certain that tomorrow will be a better day, In-Shaa-Allah

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Eat Less to Free Your Soul

Over-eating is a serious problem which has a negative impact on one's level of spirituality

One of the Muslim scholars wrote in his book that to get closer to Allah, eat less and you will sleep less and this will make you able to wake up at night to pray, it will be easier

He also advised Muslims to speak less and avoid mixing with people who gossip and are involved in idle talk, as by avoiding them one would have less bad deeds in his record, and this will also benefit his spirituality

This is one of the reasons why fasting (optional & obligatory) is recommended

If you are really searching for peace, eat less and wake up at night to pray and to be closed to Allah

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Never Lose Hope in God's Mercy & Forgiveness

The doors of Allah (SWT) are wide open, 24/7

At any time a believer does something wrong, he or she should never lose hope

God forgives when we repent, and He wants us to repent and always have hope

This concept is very important for us to continue on our journey on the Path to Allah

Never lose hope, and always ask God, if you are really searching for peace and salvation

 

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Find Peace in Remembering the Hereafter

This world is a test, it is a place for doing good deeds that please God.

It is not a place for reward

The reward will be for believers who receive God's Mercy on the Day of Judgment

Watching a video today of the natural beauty in this world made me reflect on how the beauty of Heaven will be like

In this world we run, we are busy and we face many challenges, but this thought brings peace to the heart and helps continuing the journey to Allah

If you are really searching for peace, take a moment to reflect on Heaven and its peace