LESSON OF THE DAY 38

Ayahs of the Day
And those who, having done something to be ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly bring Allah to mind, and ask for forgiveness for their sins, and who can forgive sins except Allah? And are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in (the wrong) they have done. For such the reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and gardens with rivers flowing underneath, an eternal dwelling; How excellent is a recompense for those who work (and strive)! [3: 135, 136]

Hadith of the Day
One who desires chastity, Allah makes him chaste; One who wants contentment, Allah makes him contented; and the person who aspires for steadfastness, Allah bestows steadfastness upon him. No one has been awarded a bounty better than patience and submission. [Bukhari & Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day
A person who discourses on religion without knowing that he will be questioned by God on what he says, knows the value of neither religion nor his own mind. [Imam abu Hanifah]

Guidance of the Day
The phrase sirat almustaqim,the straight or upright path, is repeated many times by the Muslim worshipper. The word mustaqim suggests balance. If one deviates from this balanced path, he does so in one of two ways: deficiency in fulfilling one's obligations and excessiveness therein.

Balance is not just a merciful device for adherents, but the shortest distance between a person and his or her spiritual objectives. The Quran itself calls the believers a "middle nation," which commentators say includes moderation, which leads to a consistency of worship and conduct that one can carry on throughout his or her life.

With Islam, the final message sent to earth, a balance is struck suitable for the complex societies that have spread across the face of the earth, a balance between ghadab (wrath & stern justice) and rahma (mercy.) To take the straight way, one must have both, the law and the spirit of the law. The law consists of rules, and the spirit of the law is mercy. [Purification of the heart]

Food for Thought
Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you will land among the stars. Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.