Spiritual Health and Purification of the Soul

[Cordoba]

Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind;

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet;

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them;

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true;

To think only the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best;

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own;

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future;

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile;

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others;

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear; and too happy to permit the presence of trouble;

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds;

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

C.D. Larson [/FONT]

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]Think Positive[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]If you want to get somewhere, you have to know where you want to go and how to get there. Then never, never, never give up.

The secret of life isn't what happens to you, but what you do with what happens to you.

Help other people to cope with their problems and your own will be easier to cope with.

Never use the word impossible seriously again. Toss it into the verbal wastebasket.

Self-trust is the first secret of success. So believe in and trust yourself.

Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven't half the strength you think they have.

Joy increases as you give it, and diminishes as you try to keep it for yourself. In giving it, you will accumulate a deposit of joy greater than you ever believed possible.

How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself - so always think positively.

Go at life with abandon; give it all you've got. And life will give all it has to you.

Norman Vincent Peale[/FONT]

 

[Cordoba]

Each day I learn more

Each day I learn more
Than I teach;


I learn that half knowledge of
Another's life
Leads to false judgement;


I learn that there is surprising kinship
In human nature;


I learn that it's a wise father who
Knows his own son;


I learn that what we expect we get;

I learn there's more good than evil in
This world;


That age is a question of spirit;


That youth is the best of life
No matter how numerous the years;


I learn how much there is to learn.

-- by Virginia Church

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]The Spiritual Goal of Islam[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]What is the spiritual goal of Islam? That is, what is that spiritual target which Islam sets before man? [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]The answer in the words of the Qur’an is: ‘A soul at rest’ (89:27). Thus the spiritual goal of Islam is to attain this state of peace in the soul.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]According to the Qur’an this is the ultimate stage in a man’s spiritual development. When he reaches this stage of progress, he qualifies himself to be ushered into Paradise, the perfect and eternal world of the Hereafter. The Qur’an addresses such soul in these words: ‘O serene soul! Return to your Lord joyful, and pleasing in His sight. Join My servants and enter My paradise’ (89:27-30).[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]In this world man has to lead his life in circumstances in which he experiences various kinds of situations: there are times of gain and times of loss; times of happiness and times of grief. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]Sometimes he receives good treatment at the hands of others, at other times his fate is quite otherwise.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]The ideal human being of the Qur’an is one who undergoes all these experiences without losing his integrity. Under no circumstances is his inner peace disturbed. However, untoward the occasion, he can maintain his natural balance. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]Success does not make him proud. Power does not make him haughty. No bad treatment by others drives him to seek vengeance in anger. At all events, he remains serene. It is such a man who is called ‘a peaceful soul’ in the Qur’an. And it is this man who, according to the Qur’an, has achieved the highest spiritual state.[/FONT]

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]What deed is better than giving gold and silver? [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]According to the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), it is dhikr, which means remembrance of Allah (God).[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]Islam does not require anyone to torture himself in order to reach a high stage of spirituality. Nor does he have to shun everything of this world. [/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]Rather, one can be close to Allah (God) by frequently remembering Him with his lips and heart, even as he is busy with his daily tasks.[/FONT]

http://www.islamonline.net/english/introducingislam/Worship/Heart/article03.shtml

 

[Cordoba]

The Human Spirit

The spirit is the ruh, that underlying essence of the human individual which survives death.


It is hard to comprehend rationally, being in part of Divine inspiration, as the Quran says:

"And they ask you about the spirit; say, the spirit is of the command of my Lord. And you have been given of knowledge only a little." [17:85.]

​

According to the early Islamic psychologists, the ruh is a non-material reality which pervades the entire human body, but is centred on the heart, the qalb. It represents that part of man which is not of this world, and which connects him with his Creator, and which, if he is fortunate, enables him to see God in the next world.

When we are born, this ruh is intact and pure. As we are initiated into the distractions of the world, however, it is covered over with the 'rust' (ran) of which the Quran speaks. This rust is made up of two things: sin and distraction.

When, through the process of self-discipline, these are banished, so that the worshipper is preserved from sin and is focussing entirely on the immediate presence and reality of God, the rust is dissolved, and the ruh once again is free. The heart is sound; and salvation, and closeness to God, are achieved.

(by Sheikh Abdul Hakim Murad - Cambridge)

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]God's Love and Mercy[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Always keep in mind that Allah loves to forgive the sinner who repents. And He is The All-Merciful, The Ever-Merciful. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Some people despair of Allah’s forgiveness, even after they’ve done all they need to do to repent—stop, regret, repay and resolve. But that is only the devil’s way of keeping them away from Allah, of keeping them away from repenting. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]If you truly regret the wrong you did and make a sincere effort to stop, if you repay others their rights, if you firmly resolve not to sin again and change your ways so that you’re not tempted to repeat your sin, you should fully expect Allah to forgive you.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]And on Judgment Day you will be happier than if you had kept the $10 billion.[/FONT]

http://www.islamonline.net/english/introducingislam/Worship/Heart/article01.shtml

 

[Cordoba]

Lift Me Up Away From Here!​

If we leave our spirituality, we might feel that something is wrong — a sense of unease. It is at that point that we will decide one of two things: either to continue as we were and ignore the signs sent by Allah, or to turn to our spiritual life. The latter would entail turning to Allah and seeking the real meaning of life and the meaning of our existence, ...

Such feelings do not usually occur when we are busy in everyday activities because we have taught ourselves to switch off our spirituality. The ideal would be for us to learn how to perceive spiritually. With this perception, we would be able to perceive the meaning and significance of everything we do in life, while at the same time we are busy in humdrum activities.

Could it be that people get depressed, frustrated, and even angry because they have taught and conditioned themselves to focus on the mundane life? They believe that everyday life is separated from the spiritual, insightful current of life that flows through every living thing.
They either ignore, overlook, or fail to see the connection. And thus, we live and die in mundane trivialities when at our fingertips is the means of escape, refreshment, and the ability to put ourselves and our lives into proper focus.

http://www.islamonline.net/English/In_Depth/volunteers/2006/02/15.shtml​

 

[Cordoba]

What the Seeker Needs

• Look upon the whole creation, and above all, mankind, with good will accepting, approving, forgiving, serving, and loving. Make that your nature in your dealings with the world.
  
• Listen to your conscience.
  
• Cleanse your heart. In that heart keep up prayers for your faithful brothers. Help and serve, as much as you can.

http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Articles/tazkiyah/extraction_from_what_seekers_need.htm

 

[Cordoba]

What the Seeker Needs (2)

• [FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]Find the right friend, who will be a support for you, a good traveling companion on the path of truth.[/FONT]
• [FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]Look for the perfect teacher who will lead you on the straight path. In your search for a guide, be sincere, because sincerity distinguishes the true seeker. It is certain that if you cling to sincerity and truthfulness, the Lord will manifest His attribute of the Ultimate Guide upon you and will guide you to a perfect teacher. [/FONT]
• [FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]To advance in this path you have to be light, light in worldly goods, light in your concerns about this world.[/FONT]

http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Articles/tazkiyah/extraction_from_what_seekers_need.htm

 

[Cordoba]

The Love of Allah

Some people forget that only Allah can make people happy, treat them with respect, offer them good sustenance and blessings, create pleasing views for them, grant them a new lease on life every morning, protect them from all dangers, cure them when they are ill, ease their pain and suffering through medicine, and that He owns everything that exists.

Therefore, as all of the blessings and goodness that people experience come only from Allah, they should direct all of their love, respect, sense of obligation, loyalty, and thanks to Him. While thanking others for their help, we should never forget that our Lord has inspired them to show us mercy and help us. Allah informs us that:
To Allah belongs the kingdom of the heavens and Earth. He gives life and causes to die. You have no protector or helper besides Allah. (9:116)

The Qur’an also relates Prophet Ibrahim’s (as) supplication to Allah, which highlights His mercy upon humanity:

“He Who created me and guides me, Who gives me food and drink. When I am ill, He heals me. He will cause my death and then give me life.” (26:78-82)

http://www.harunyahya.com/books/faith/love/love_of_02.php

All the best.

 

[Cordoba]

To be Forgiving

Believers, who are very patient and forgiving, will not become angry and end their friendships just because of some minor mistakes and misgivings.

Instead, they will give the other person another chance, remind them of the truth, and help them change their behavior.

Instead of feeling anger and animosity toward their friends in public, they attempt to fix their mistakes and misgivings by giving examples from the Qur’an. In sincere love, feelings of great understanding and tolerance reign supreme. Every situation will be resolved with love, understanding, and in peace.

http://www.harunyahya.com/books/faith/love/love_of_07.php

 

[Cordoba]

"God does not judge you according to your bodies and appearances, but He looks into your hearts and observes your deeds."

 

[Cordoba]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Refinement of the Soul (Tazkiyat an-Nafs)[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]“Tazkiyat an-Nafs is the basis for development and improvement of the personality. It is a long, pro-active, and uphill task. It is not an easy esoteric rite or overnight formula. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Misunderstanding of Tazkiyah manifests when people look for quick methods of becoming better. Some may visit graves of the righteous; some may repeat certain supplications for a given number of times. Yet others subject themselves to physical suffering in the hope that this will lead to spiritual purity. All of these are forms of escapism from facing the real challenges of Tazkiyah.

Tazkiyah is by Allah [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Allah purifies whom He wants (4:49). All human effort at Tazkiyah should always be accompanied by supplication for Allah's intervention without which human effort will bear no fruit. On the other hand, it is wrong for a human to make no effort and passively expect Allah to intervene. Humans must play their role before expecting Allah's help.

Human Efforts Toward Tazkiyah


[/FONT][FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]The human can do a lot to refine the soul (Nafs). The Qur'an talks about humans who purified themselves and about human efforts toward refinement (35:18). Humans have been described by the Qur'an as clean (19:19). [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Some human self-refinement, Tazkiyah, involves: correct and firm `Aqidah, fulfillment of acts of worship, avoiding the forbidden, generally being conscious of the Creator, and constant meditation about the creation. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]This is followed by personal development and improvement, which consist of a good character and behavior; assertiveness, and self-confidence. An individual may not succeed alone. [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial,Geneva,Verdana,Sans-Serif]Living in a righteous community surrounded by others is necessary to motivate and encourage refinement. Islam is a practical religion. Achievement of purity is through action. Good behavior, avoiding bad behavior, and being strong and assertive in making correct choices is the practical way to purity. [/FONT]

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503545500&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaE

 

[Cordoba]

Love of Allah (Poem)

The love of the Beloved
must be unconditionally returned. If you claim love
yet oppose the Beloved,
then your love is but a pretence.

True devotion is nothing
but total submission
of body and soul
to One Love.

We have seen humans claim to submit,
yet their loyalties are many.
They put their trust here, and their hope there,
and their love is without consequence.

http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=292

 

[Cordoba]

The Remedy of False Pride

How do we develop humility? As Imam Aal-Ghazali stated, the only way one who is guilty of pride (kibr) can condition himself to be humble is by using both cognitive and practical resources and using them to acquire the habit of humility.​

1. The cognitive steps involve knowing first why you are acting so proudly and then convincing yourself to be against it. For instance, if you are proud because of the wealth you possess, then you should think of what became of those who were wealthy and acted proudly. Think of the terrible fate of Pharaoh, Nimrod, and Qarun. Think of those rich people who never benefited from their riches, rather their riches became a source of doom and gloom for them.​

2. You should also remind yourself of your true status as a creature of Allah. ...

On the other hand, think of the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) who, in spite of being the chosen servant of Allah, was always so humble that he never set himself apart from his people in any way. Thanks to his humility, Allah has exalted his status. As opposed to this, the status of those who acted proudly became diminished in the sight of Allah as well as in the sight of people. People today only remember them with the utmost contempt and derision.​

3. To reinforce this concept further, list as many verses and hadiths as you can find that speak about the terrible punishment or fate awaiting those who are proud.​

Now, we come to the practical tips to counter pride and learn humility. We cannot break any bad habit unless we acquire the opposite habit. So, if you wish to break the habit of pride, you should do what the humble people do, consistently, until humility becomes second nature to you. This will be easy if you use every opportunity to be humble when you meet people. You should be consistent in this behavior until humility is acquired as a habit, just as you acquired the habit of being proud.

http://www.islamonline.net/english/OnthePathofReturn/articles/2005/06/03.shtml​

 

[Cordoba]

Get Rid of Sorrow ​

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]What is the point of sorrow in your life? Are you living your life or just surviving?[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]People may laugh and play, but does that mean they don’t harbor sorrow and regret? If all the world continually grumbled about their problems, the world would be overcome with sorrow and discomfort. In such a climate could mankind survive? Could mankind develop?[/FONT]

[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]But what if man were to look at himself inwardly, just like looking into a mirror—reflecting his sorrow with that of man’s history from the beginning of time. Consider the short years you spend in this life and look again at how short is the time of sorrow compared with that of happiness and contentment. What you need to do is get rid of the sorrow in your heart; cast it away and start finding ways to make you happy. Strength comes with the ability to feel content in the midst of trouble, frustration, and turmoil. But where does that innate happiness come from?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]Allah created you, and He also created sorrow as a reflection of happiness. Through sorrow we appreciate joy, just like we comprehend coolness through knowing warmth. Sometimes man thinks he can do everything, that he can be perfect. Man fluctuates between underestimating himself and overestimating himself, rarely appreciating his true condition. Wisdom is built from experience, but how many times do we run away from mistakes that are the seeds of wisdom? Learn to roll with life’s punches and learn from your Lord about yourself, about life, and about what He wants from you His creature. If you run away from your mistakes, this will simply lead you to make more. Let your heart be attached to the Almighty, Who is the Infallible, the All-Knowing. Then you will know yourself and begin to grow.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]If you spend your life blaming yourself for everything that happens, you are guilty of denying the role of destiny in your life; you are also guilty of blaming your Lord for creating certain circumstances! Do we, tiny creatures that we are, possibly comprehend the wisdom of the Creator? Mankind sees through a narrow vision of life: we cannot perceive what others perceive; we cannot see life in its overall beauty. So why do we complain, blame, and feel hopeless?[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]Overwhelming sorrow is destructive, and uncontrollable sadness is disastrous. These things are tools in the hands of Satan to control mankind and lead him, unawares, to his destruction. Happiness, on the other hand, is distributed by the angels, so take your share and give it to others—then indeed, it will again be returned to you.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]Excessive weeping over a problem or sorrow is a sign of dissatisfaction with your Lord. It is natural for mankind to experience a variety of emotions and, indeed, this is what makes him unique; but the wallow in these emotions will destroy us. Allah the Almighty has called on us to rein in these emotions and make them follow a positive and beautiful channel. And at times of grief, it is the ultimate test to wade through negativity and hopelessness and squeeze the following words out of your mouth: “From Allah we come and to Him we shall return.” At that moment of submission your soul will be set free from the sadness that threatens to swallow you up.[/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman,Times,Serif]Truly in the remembrance of the Lord do the hearts find rest.[/FONT]​

http://www.islamonline.net/english/OnthePathofReturn/articles/2005/03/02.shtml

 

[Cordoba]

Don't be Sad

Read it and don’t be sad!​

If you are stricken by poverty, others are chained in debt.

If you don’t have shoes, others have no feet.

If you feel pain now, others have been aching for years.
If your son dies, other have lost many.​

If you have sinned, then repent.​

If you have committed a mistake, correct it.

The doors of repentance are ever open!
The fountain of forgiveness is every rich!
So, don’t be sad!​

Let all bygones be bygones!​

What is predestined for you, you shall see it!

Being sad will not change anything!
So don’t be sad!​

Sadness spoils your life!​

Destroys your happiness!

And turns it into wretchedness!
So don’t be sad!​

Supplication is your shield!​

Prayer is your beacon!

Prostration is your means!​

So don’t be sad!​

See how vast is the earth!​

How nice are the gardens and forests!

How bright are the stars!
All are happy, but you are sad!
So, don’t be sad!​

You have sweet water to drink!​

Fresh air to breathe!

Feet to walk with!
You sleep safely in your bed!
So, why be sad?​

Every cloud has a silver lining!​

After long nights, come the bright sun!

Life will soon give you a smile!
So be ready to get it!​

And don’t be sad!​

Real life is that spent in happiness!

So cross out you sad days from your age!
Peace of mind is the real treasure!
Sorrow avails not!
So don’t be sad!​

http://www.islamonline.net/English/OnthePathofReturn/Articles/12-2004/13.shtml
​

 

[Cordoba]

Filling the Spiritual Void
By Shariffa Carlo

[SIZE=-1]I want us all to look deep inside today. I want us to think about the activities and preoccupations that fill our lives. I want us all to think about the major preoccupation. Is it our family? Our school? Our social-life? What is taking up the largest chunk of our lives?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]I firmly believe that all of us have some vacuum inside us that, like all other vacuums, calls for air. But this vacuum is not like a natural vacuum, it is a spiritual one. It needs to breathe the air of commitment. Look to your life and that of those around you. You will find that we have all adopted some "religion" which we believe in and work for in order to accomplish some final aim - a form of paradise.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]In this pursuit, we are easy-going, relaxed or even fanatical. But all of us have one aspect of our lives that we are "fanatical" about. There is one major area that takes our time, our energy and our emotions.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1][/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Look to the hard-core sports fan. He spends his life supporting specific teams, financially, physically and emotionally. He attends every game, either in person or vicariously over the TV. He buys the memorabilia. He is devastated when they lose, and he reaches Paradise when they win... Sounds strange. We need to just change the way we look at it. This person is completely preoccupied with sports because his life lacks something else. This is how he has chosen to fill that spiritual vacuum.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]We can do this with our families, our friends even our studies.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]How many of us believe that if we spend years studying every night, get accepted to the best college, work hard to please our professors, get the best grades and graduate, we will be practically guaranteed an easy life. Money, status and respect will all be ours for the price of a few well invested years? We can make this into a religion in itself with study rituals and sincere belief in the Paradise that follows which fuels us on those long nights awake, studying.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Now, I am not saying that we can't enjoy sports or our families or our studies... That would be ludicrous. I am saying that when we go to fill that spiritual void inside, we need to be careful about how we fill it. That void is the natural fitrah - that desire to find our Creator and worship Him. It is the desire to know why we are here, and what we are supposed to do with our lives.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]The only way to fill that void is by finding and worshipping Allah. The other day, I heard a brother say, "No matter what; we must always remember: Islam does not need us. We need Islam." How true. Islam does not need us. Allah does not need us. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Allah is the self-sufficient:[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Allah says,[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Kind speech and forgiveness is better than charity followed by injury; and Allah is Self-sufficient, Forbearing. 2:263[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]And[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]O you who believe! Spend (benevolently) of the good things that you earn and or what We have brought forth for you out of the earth, and do not aim at what is bad that you may spend (in alms) of it, while you would not take it yourselves unless you have its price lowered, and know that Allah is Self-sufficient, Praiseworthy. 2:267[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]And[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Allah is He besides Whom there is no god, the Ever-living, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist; slumber does not overtake Him nor sleep; whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His; who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they cannot comprehend anything out of His knowledge except what He pleases, His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them both tires Him not, and He is the Most High, the Great. 2:255[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Notice how in these Ayats, Allah is telling us that what we do will have no effect on Him. These are acts for our benefit, He does not need them. This is accomplished by the fact that He calls Himself by this great name, Self-sufficient , after telling us of doing good deeds. In the last verse, ayat al Kursi, Allah lets us Know without doubt, that He has no needs.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Allah does not need us. We need Him. Keeping this in mind will help us in filling that great void.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]We have been told in a hadith Qudsi:[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]...O My servants, even if the first amongst you, the last amongst you, even if the whole of the human race, and that of the Jinns, become (equally) God-conscious like the heart of a single person amongst you, nothing will add to My Power. O My servants, even if the first amongst you, the last amongst you, the whole human race, and that of the Jinns too become in unison the most wicked (all beating) like the heart of a single person, it will cause no loss of My Power. O My servants, even if the first amongst you, the last amongst you, the whole human race, and that of Jinns also, all stand in one place and you ask Me and I confer upon every person what he asks for, it will not in any way cause any loss to Me (even less) than that which is caused to the ocean by dipping a needle in it.... Sahih Muslim: Book 31, Number 6246.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]We can neither add to Allah nor take from Him, no matter how much we call upon Him nor how much he confers upon us. We must simply use what we know of Him and rely upon Him to gain our objective. He will provide us with what we need to reach Jannah, but we can never lose sight of the fact that it is us who need Him. We are the ones with a spiritual vacuum that can only be filled by worshipping the great Master, Allah.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-1]Source: http://www.themodernreligion.com/index2.html[/SIZE]


​

 

[Cordoba]

Don't let Peer Pressure Dominate your Life ​

What will the people say? Will they approve of it? Will they laugh at it? It seems that such concerns influence our actions --especially our public conduct-- more than anything else.

Social pressure is a powerful force. It works by appealing to our desire not to be insulted, ridiculed, or criticized.

In a righteous society it could also be a force for good, as some people will avoid a bad name more than they would a bad action. But in the real world out there it mostly turns into an evil force, pressuring people into doing things they know are wrong or keeping them from doing what they know are right.

http://www.themodernreligion.com/basic/charac/essay_peer.htm