Spiritual Health and Purification of the Soul

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fear God and You Will Find Peace

In most Friday speeches, the Imam starts his speech with a reminder for Muslims to fear God, and to have taqwa, or God-Consciousness

But is the fear of God an objective or a means to an end?

According to Muslim scholars, the fear of God is a means to prevent a Muslim from disobeying God, and to remind him/her that God sees our actions and that He knows what we are doing.

One of the early Muslim scholars gave the analogy of a believer in his path towards God to be like a bird, one wing is fear, the other wing is hope and the head of the bird is the love of God.

So the fear of God will make you more conscious of Him, and will therefore bring you closer to Him, which will lead you to peace in this world and peace in the Hereafter.

If you are really searching for peace, fear God and beware not to do what He dislikes.

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Be Very Grateful for the Blessings You Have

When a believer feels a blessing coming from God, the heart overflows with gratitude, and the love of God multiplies

When you get that feeling, hang on to it and don't let it go.

This feeling of deep gratitude leads to inner peace and tranquility

Reciprocate by increasing good deeds, especially deeds that benefit others

Thank God, and continue on His Path with a stronger faith and with more peace

If you are really searching for peace, thank Him.

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Fear God and You Will Find Peace

In most Friday speeches, the Imam starts his speech with a reminder for Muslims to fear God, and to have taqwa, or God-Consciousness

But is the fear of God an objective or a means to an end?

According to Muslim scholars, the fear of God is a means to prevent a Muslim from disobeying God, and to remind him/her that God sees our actions and that He knows what we are doing.

One of the early Muslim scholars gave the analogy of a believer in his path towards God to be like a bird, one wing is fear, the other wing is hope and the head of the bird is the love of God.

So the fear of God will make you more conscious of Him, and will therefore bring you closer to Him, which will lead you to peace in this world and peace in the Hereafter.

If you are really searching for peace, fear God and beware not to do what He dislikes.

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Jazakallah khair for such a wonderful reminder.

Ramadan Kareem!

 

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Ramadan Kareem, and welcome to the forum

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]How Islam Deals with Sadness and Worry[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]- Gathering material possessions can do nothing to mend broken hearts, and shattered souls ...

- [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The latest entertainment center does not wipe our tears or soothe our furrowed brow[/FONT]
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- The religion of Islam is all about making and keeping a connection with God. This is how Islam deals with sadness and worry...

- [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]There are three key points that will allow the believer to free himself from the shackles of 21st century life. They are patience, gratitude, and trust in God...[/FONT]

How Islam Deals with Sadness and Worry (Part 1) - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]How Islam Deals with Sadness and Worry (Part 2)[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Patience: An Important Virtue
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Human beings are frail.

Our tears fall, our hearts break and the pain is sometimes almost unbearable.

Even the prophets, whose connection to God was unbreakable, felt their hearts constrict in fear or pain. They too turned their faces to God and begged for relief.

However, their complaints were surrounded with pure patience and pure acceptance of whatever fate God had decreed...[/FONT]

How Islam Deals with Sadness and Worry (Part 2) - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Think Long Term

Sometimes we go through events in life which seem to be negative, but in reality they are positive for us on the long run.

Our knowledge is limited, and what seems like something negative today may turn out to be very positive later on.

Allah (SWT) says in the Qur'an:
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif](But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not) (2:216)

This is very true: Allah knows while we know not.

A believer should therefore always trust God, and know that He wants what is good for us, whether we understand it right now, or we don't understand it.
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]If you are really searching for peace, be patient, and don't be angry when something unexpected happens - Think long term!

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]How Islam Deals with Sadness and Worry (Part 3)[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Being Grateful to God for His Countless Blessings

[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]At times sadness and worry threaten to take over our lives. [/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]These emotions can become so consuming that we forget our primary purpose in life, which is to worship God. [/FONT]
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When pleasing God is at the centre of all our thoughts, actions and deeds, then sadness and worry can have no place in our lives...[/FONT]
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Another way of overcoming sadness and worry is by being grateful to God for His countless blessings.
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God explains in the Quran, that true worshippers are those who are grateful and give thanks...[/FONT]

How Islam Deals with Sadness and Worry (Part 3) - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]How Islam Deals with Sadness and Worry (Part 4)
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]And in God Alone Let Believers Put Their Trust

[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Life is filled with triumphs and tribulations. Sometimes it is a roller coaster ride. One day our faith is high and sweet, the next it has plummeted and we feel sad and worried.[/FONT]
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The way to even out our journey is to trust that God knows what is best for us. Even when seemingly bad things happen, there is a purpose and wisdom behind them. Sometimes the purpose is known only to God, sometimes it is obvious.[/FONT]
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Consequently, when we realize that there is no power or strength except from God, we can begin to relax...[/FONT]

How Islam Deals with Sadness and Worry (Part 4) - Growing in Faith - Reading Islam - OnIslam.net

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Finding Inner Peace, by Nouman Ali Khan

People constantly look for something to make them happy (more money, a new car, a bigger house).

They forget that the only way of attaining peace is through the remembrance of Allah

[/FONT][youtube]jlCq9_2TkC4[/youtube]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlCq9_2TkC4

(6 minutes)

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Finding & Keeping Inner Peace at the End of Ramadan[/FONT]
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Few hours left for Ramadan, as it comes to an end for this year

For people in the northern hemisphere, it's been a hot Ramadan for most Muslims, with long fasting hours

The other side of the world, it's been winter with short fasting days (only 9 hours this year in Argentina).

Wherever one is located, for those who were able to fast, there is a sense of satisfaction and contentment after more than four weeks.

There is a sense of peace, a sense of closeness to Allah (SWT)

What is important is to keep this sense of peace throughout the year, and be inspired by our Ramadan experience in having increased in piety taqwa, and having been inspired by the Qur'an we have read and listened to throughout the month

May it be a blessed Eid for all brothers and sister, a time of peace and reflection.

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]A Holiday in Search of Inner Peace

One of the nice things about holidays is having more time to spend with Allah.

Having time to read the Qur'an or a good book that brings one closer to God recharges spiritual energy.

Having time to think, reflect, enjoy the beauty of nature which God created and seeing new places brings peace to the heart.

If you are really searching for peace, have a nice holiday.[/FONT]

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Pray for the Oppressed

If you can't change the injustices you see in your life, the least you can do, as advised by Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, is to change these injustices by your heart

How can you do that?

One way is to pray for those facing oppression and injustice.

In doing so you would be taking positive action for oppression to be lifted and for justice to prevail.

This will bring peace to your heart, as God loves justice and hates injustice.

If you are really searching for peace, don't ignore the injustices you see around you.


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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Multiply Your Good Deeds in the Sacred Months

The three sacred months of Hajj started yesterday

This is a great opportunity to increase good deeds that bring us closer to Allah and increase in peace and spirituality.

Good deeds are rewarded by God throughout the year, but multiplied in these months, so don't miss if you are searching for peace.
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Be Kind and Merciful Towards Others

God loves to see people treating each other with kindness, mercy, justice and generosity.

Good manners are an important part of what it means to be a believer, as these attributes of kindness, justice, generosity and mercy are some of God's attributes, which He commanded us to follow.

If a believer does what God loves, he/she will come closer to Him, and this will bring more peace to the heart and will increase the believer in spirituality and contentment.

If you are really searching for peace, be kind and merciful towards others.

 

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Never Lose Hope

Life without hope is very sad, so never give in to despair.

Have hope in a better future and keep trying.

The Qur'an fills the heart of a believer with hope:

- Hope in God's forgiveness

- Hope in a better future, and that after hardship comes ease

- Hope in God's mercy on the Day of Judgement

- Hope in an eternal happy life in the Hereafter

This hope brings peace to the heart

If you are really searching for peace, always be positive and always have hope.

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] Don't Worry About Your Provision

One of the reasons for anxiety for many people is their income and career.

In today's world where jobs are being cut all over the place, people are worried about tomorrow and what the future will bring.

Worry and anxiety drive away inner peace, so get rid of your worries by trusting in Allah.

In Islam we believe that our provision has been decreed before we were born, and that what God wills will happen.

Our role is to do our best effort, pray and then be content with whatever the future brings, as we have no power to change it.

If you are really searching for peace, don't worry about what you will earn tomorrow. It is guaranteed.

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]God is Our Only Refuge[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]

In time of calamity, more people tend to remember God, turn to Him and pray.

Natural disasters are sometimes a test of faith from God or sometimes a wake-up call, and people often remember God with these events as there is no other refuge.

But also in normal conditions, try to remember that there is indeed no other refuge than God, and that whatever knowledge, wealth, health or power you may have it is all from God.

If He wants, as He gave you all t[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]hese blessings, He can easily take them away from you in no time.[/FONT]

Depending on God each day and remembering that He is the source of all blessings brings peace to the heart.

If you are really searching for peace, don't forget that God is our only refuge.

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Don't Let Your Heart Go Astray

A believer's heart if full with the love of God.

If the believer's heart goes astray by loving this world and being attached to this life, the space left in the heart for the love of God will decrease.

And if the heart is totally attached to the love of this world, there would be no room left for the love of God.

So try to reclaim your heart, if you are really searching for peace, by making more room in your heart for the love of God.

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Don't Worry Too Much About Tomorrow

It is part of human nature to be worried about the future

What will happen at work?

Will I finally get that pay raise? Or will it be declined yet again?

How will the children get married? Will they find a good job? Will they find good spouses?

How about the political situation? Will it get worse?
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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Will my pension be enough for retirement?

[/FONT]All these and other concerns worry most people and take away a lot of their peace of mind.

In order to find inner peace, what we need is take one day at a time.

Yes, by all means, make a good plan for the future, but don't worry too much about what may or may not happen.

If you are really searching for peace, do your best then trust in God and don't worry too much about tomorrow.

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[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Control Time and Don't Let Time Control You

Good time management is important for our peace of mind, and the opposite is true.

When you always feel that you are 'late", whether late in arriving at work, or late in finishing your assignments, ... etc., this puts unnecessary pressure on you.

Reduce this pressure by being ahead: arrive early to work, and submit your work/assignment before the deadline.

Another important thing to achieve the right balance is not to overload yourself with too many things you can't all do properly.

In my opinion, it's best to achieve say 10 things a day with perfection compared to trying to do 20 things without perfection.

If you are really searching for peace, reduce unnecessary pressure with good time management and don't overload yourself with trivial matters.

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