1. You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.
2. All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.
3. Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail.
4. Peace can never be attained through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.
5. In matters of style swim with the current; in matters of principles, stand like a rock.
6. It is our lives not our words through which our religion must be read.
7..Never spend your money before you have earned it.
8. Nothing gives a person more leisure time than being punctual.
9. To understand life, look backward; to live it, look forward.
10. The ultimate measure of character is found not in comfort but in challenge.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1043
Ayahs of the Day:
Hearken to your Lord before there comes a day from God that cannot be avoided; you will have no refuge on that day, and you will have no way of denial. So if they turn away, We have not sent you as a guard over them: your obligation is communication. Whenever We let man taste mercy from Us, he rejoices in it, but when ill befalls him because of what he himself has brought about, then man is a faithless ingrate indeed. [42: 47,48]
Hadith of the Day:
Your Lord is Magnificent and Generous, and is ashamed to turn away the hands of His servant when he raises them to Him. [Ahmad & Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
A heart open to good nature is like a very broad space to bury one's anger and rage. [Fethullah Gulen]
Guidance of the Day:
The aim of meditation practice is to learn to be able to meditate all the time--------not just when sitting with eyes closed, but right in the mainstream of life: in the family, in the office, and at the supermarket. God is to be found in silence, but He is also knowable while taking kids to school, negotiating for a higher salary, and cleaning the bathtub. The idea is to remember who we are------wherever we are.
Out best opportunities to practice the presence of God are in the situations in which we don't think He is. Real learning consists of remaining calm, peaceful, and aware of God in situations which once made us nervous, upset, or afraid. Through practice, we learn to remember our inner peace----meditate-----in the midst of a "threatening" situation. This is exactly the awareness that we came into the world to develop: to know, through experience, that we need not lose our peace in any situation, and that when we find God within our own heart, we find Him everywhere. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Keep me, O Lord, from all pettiness.
Let me be large at thought and word and deed.
Let me leave off self-seeking and have done with fault-finding.
Hearken to your Lord before there comes a day from God that cannot be avoided; you will have no refuge on that day, and you will have no way of denial. So if they turn away, We have not sent you as a guard over them: your obligation is communication. Whenever We let man taste mercy from Us, he rejoices in it, but when ill befalls him because of what he himself has brought about, then man is a faithless ingrate indeed. [42: 47,48]
Hadith of the Day:
Your Lord is Magnificent and Generous, and is ashamed to turn away the hands of His servant when he raises them to Him. [Ahmad & Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
A heart open to good nature is like a very broad space to bury one's anger and rage. [Fethullah Gulen]
Guidance of the Day:
The aim of meditation practice is to learn to be able to meditate all the time--------not just when sitting with eyes closed, but right in the mainstream of life: in the family, in the office, and at the supermarket. God is to be found in silence, but He is also knowable while taking kids to school, negotiating for a higher salary, and cleaning the bathtub. The idea is to remember who we are------wherever we are.
Out best opportunities to practice the presence of God are in the situations in which we don't think He is. Real learning consists of remaining calm, peaceful, and aware of God in situations which once made us nervous, upset, or afraid. Through practice, we learn to remember our inner peace----meditate-----in the midst of a "threatening" situation. This is exactly the awareness that we came into the world to develop: to know, through experience, that we need not lose our peace in any situation, and that when we find God within our own heart, we find Him everywhere. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Keep me, O Lord, from all pettiness.
Let me be large at thought and word and deed.
Let me leave off self-seeking and have done with fault-finding.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....81
1. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.
2. We need to live according to what the Almighty commands and not by what the majority demands.
3. No great man lives in vain. The history of the world is but the biography of great men. Don't just live, try to live for something great.
4. Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.
5. Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.
6. Not what we have, but what we do is our kingdom.
7. Of all acts of man repentance is the most divine. The greatest of all faults is to be conscious of none.
8. Knowledge when applied makes one wise.
9. Can anything be so elegant as to have few wants, and to serve them one's self?
10. To believe in something and not to live it is dishonest.
2. We need to live according to what the Almighty commands and not by what the majority demands.
3. No great man lives in vain. The history of the world is but the biography of great men. Don't just live, try to live for something great.
4. Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.
5. Enthusiasm is the mother of effort, and without it nothing great was ever achieved.
6. Not what we have, but what we do is our kingdom.
7. Of all acts of man repentance is the most divine. The greatest of all faults is to be conscious of none.
8. Knowledge when applied makes one wise.
9. Can anything be so elegant as to have few wants, and to serve them one's self?
10. To believe in something and not to live it is dishonest.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1042
Ayahs of the Day:
While the requital for an affliction is a like affliction, yet whoever forgives and reconciles has a reward due from God; for God does not love oppressors. But there is a cause against those who defend after being oppressed. There is cause against those who oppress people and wreak injustice in the land, without right; for them there is a painful penalty. Yes if anyone is patient and forgives, that would truly be an act of bold will. [40 to 43]
Hadith of the Day:
Do not laugh much for laughing too much deadens the heart. [Timidhi & Ahmad]
Wise Quote of the Day:
You possess only whatever will not be lost in a shipwreck. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the Day:
The awareness of God is useless unless it is put into action in the affairs of daily life. Life is about harmonizing our human relationships, conducting business with integrity, and loving. Meditation, prayer, and spiritual discipline are worthwhile only if our overall life gets better. If it doesn't, we are not praying or meditating properly. There must be consistency between meditation and action. To love God in prayer and then to criticize our neighbor is not consistent.
To the enlightened, or God-realized person, all of life is an opportunity to see God and to put God into action. There are no ups and downs, no comings and goings. We do not need to go off to a cave and renounce the world as a recluse, although there may be a time for retreating to do inner work. We do not need to sit for hours in lotus position. Before embarking on important undertakings, sit quietly, calm your senses and thoughts, and meditate deeply. You will then be guided by the Great Creative Power. After that you should utilize all necessary material means to achieve your goal. Pray as if it all depends on God, but work as if it all depends on you. Pray with your feet moving. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
One should seek for others the happiness one desires for one's self. What you would not wish done to yourself do not do unto others. The law imprinted on the hearts of all men is to love the members of society as themselves. Good actions are the invisible hinges on the doors of heaven.
While the requital for an affliction is a like affliction, yet whoever forgives and reconciles has a reward due from God; for God does not love oppressors. But there is a cause against those who defend after being oppressed. There is cause against those who oppress people and wreak injustice in the land, without right; for them there is a painful penalty. Yes if anyone is patient and forgives, that would truly be an act of bold will. [40 to 43]
Hadith of the Day:
Do not laugh much for laughing too much deadens the heart. [Timidhi & Ahmad]
Wise Quote of the Day:
You possess only whatever will not be lost in a shipwreck. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the Day:
The awareness of God is useless unless it is put into action in the affairs of daily life. Life is about harmonizing our human relationships, conducting business with integrity, and loving. Meditation, prayer, and spiritual discipline are worthwhile only if our overall life gets better. If it doesn't, we are not praying or meditating properly. There must be consistency between meditation and action. To love God in prayer and then to criticize our neighbor is not consistent.
To the enlightened, or God-realized person, all of life is an opportunity to see God and to put God into action. There are no ups and downs, no comings and goings. We do not need to go off to a cave and renounce the world as a recluse, although there may be a time for retreating to do inner work. We do not need to sit for hours in lotus position. Before embarking on important undertakings, sit quietly, calm your senses and thoughts, and meditate deeply. You will then be guided by the Great Creative Power. After that you should utilize all necessary material means to achieve your goal. Pray as if it all depends on God, but work as if it all depends on you. Pray with your feet moving. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
One should seek for others the happiness one desires for one's self. What you would not wish done to yourself do not do unto others. The law imprinted on the hearts of all men is to love the members of society as themselves. Good actions are the invisible hinges on the doors of heaven.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....80
1. Words that enlighten the soul are precious than jewels.
2. Faith is not something to grasp, it is something to grow into.
3. Only he can take great resolves who has indomitable faith in God and has fear of God.
4. Prayer is a confession of one's own unworthiness and weakness; properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action.
5. Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
6. The main purpose of life is to live rightly, think rightly, and act rightly.
7. It is better to suffer a wrong than to do it.
8. To keep your secret is wisdom, but to expect others to keep it is folly.
9. Write it on your heart that everyday is the best day in the year----------and make the most of it.
10. Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.
2. Faith is not something to grasp, it is something to grow into.
3. Only he can take great resolves who has indomitable faith in God and has fear of God.
4. Prayer is a confession of one's own unworthiness and weakness; properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action.
5. Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.
6. The main purpose of life is to live rightly, think rightly, and act rightly.
7. It is better to suffer a wrong than to do it.
8. To keep your secret is wisdom, but to expect others to keep it is folly.
9. Write it on your heart that everyday is the best day in the year----------and make the most of it.
10. Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.
Friday, August 15, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1041
Ayahs of the Day:
Whatever you are given is but provision for life in this world; what is with God is better, and more lasting, for those who believe and trust in their Lord. And those who avoid major sins and abominations and who forgive when they are angered; and those who hearken to their Lord, and practice regular prayer, and conduct their business by mutual consultation, and give of what We have provided them; and those who defend themselves when oppression afflicts them. [42: 36 to 39]
Hadith of the Day:
Be happy with what Allah has given you and you will be the richest of the people. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
One who adorns himself with the ephemeral is misled. [Shaykh Abu Madyan]
Guidance of the Day:
Grace is given you in the hour of trial. Those who understand the opportunity in adversity have discovered a secret that greatly hastens your homeward journey. Go further, in your understanding of life's hardships, until you find the jewel. Be not hasty to judge or flee from that which troubles you.
The situation has been given to you for your education. Would you flee from a lesson in a class that you requested for your improvement? Accept what is given in the spirit that it is offered, and your learning shall proceed well. You attract to you the events, persons, and experiences required for your growth. Blame not God, the world, or your brother for your predicament. These circumstances are for your betterment. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
God has two dwellings: one is Heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart. Every man is received in Heaven who receives heaven in himself while in the world, and he is excluded who does not. Entrance into Heaven is not at the hour of death, but at the moment of conversion.
Whatever you are given is but provision for life in this world; what is with God is better, and more lasting, for those who believe and trust in their Lord. And those who avoid major sins and abominations and who forgive when they are angered; and those who hearken to their Lord, and practice regular prayer, and conduct their business by mutual consultation, and give of what We have provided them; and those who defend themselves when oppression afflicts them. [42: 36 to 39]
Hadith of the Day:
Be happy with what Allah has given you and you will be the richest of the people. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
One who adorns himself with the ephemeral is misled. [Shaykh Abu Madyan]
Guidance of the Day:
Grace is given you in the hour of trial. Those who understand the opportunity in adversity have discovered a secret that greatly hastens your homeward journey. Go further, in your understanding of life's hardships, until you find the jewel. Be not hasty to judge or flee from that which troubles you.
The situation has been given to you for your education. Would you flee from a lesson in a class that you requested for your improvement? Accept what is given in the spirit that it is offered, and your learning shall proceed well. You attract to you the events, persons, and experiences required for your growth. Blame not God, the world, or your brother for your predicament. These circumstances are for your betterment. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
God has two dwellings: one is Heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart. Every man is received in Heaven who receives heaven in himself while in the world, and he is excluded who does not. Entrance into Heaven is not at the hour of death, but at the moment of conversion.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....79
1. Those who say religion has nothing to do with politics do not know what religion is.
2. It is unwise to be too sure of one's wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.
3. Let everyone try to find that as a result of daily prayer he adds something new to his life, something with which nothing can be compared.
4. In the matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place.
5. It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.
6. Not being faultless ourselves, we shouldn't presume to probe into the faults of others.
7. If cooperation is a duty, then non-cooperation also under certain conditons is equally a duty.
8. As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world--------as in being able to remake ourselves.
9. Confession of errors is like a broom which sweeps away the dirt and leaves the surface brighter and clearer.
10. Constant development is the law of life. Be the change that you want to see in the world.
2. It is unwise to be too sure of one's wisdom. It is healthy to be reminded that the strongest might weaken and the wisest might err.
3. Let everyone try to find that as a result of daily prayer he adds something new to his life, something with which nothing can be compared.
4. In the matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place.
5. It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.
6. Not being faultless ourselves, we shouldn't presume to probe into the faults of others.
7. If cooperation is a duty, then non-cooperation also under certain conditons is equally a duty.
8. As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world--------as in being able to remake ourselves.
9. Confession of errors is like a broom which sweeps away the dirt and leaves the surface brighter and clearer.
10. Constant development is the law of life. Be the change that you want to see in the world.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1040
Ayahs of the Day:
And among the signs of God are the ships running on the sea, like mountains: God could still the wind at will, and they would become immobile on the surface; surely there are signs in that for everyone with patience and gratitude. Or God could ruin them for what they have earned, and yet pardons much. And let those who dispute Our signs know there is no escape for them. [42: 32 to 35]
Hadith of the Day:
Protect yourself from the forbidden acts and you will be the most worshipping of the people. [Tirmidhi & Ahmad]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The sign of the righteous person, whose heart contains the fear and love of Allah, is being distant from what the Lord forbids and intent on what the Lord commands. [Imam Birgivi]
Guidance of the Day:
We must evaluate our experiences in a totally new way; We must refuse to see our sorrows, hurts, and conflicts only at the surface level. We must look deeper. There is no wasted time or purposeless experience. We must take the challenges that now face us and re-work them in our minds until we see them in a positive light. Until they come into that light, they are begging for our awareness, and as soon as we give it to them, they become golden.
This process of development is one of revising your understanding. It is you who must bring your understanding of your experiences into clarity. Holding your life in the Light shall bring you the peace for which you yearn. You must master the art of perspective. A slight shift in perspective is all that is necessary to see the wholeness of your training. Were you to see all of your experiences in the Love that they are given, you would cherish every moment of your life, for every moment is one of great opportunity. Be grateful. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess. We receive but what we give. The happy life is a life of continual generosity in which we go out to meet and acclaim the world.
And among the signs of God are the ships running on the sea, like mountains: God could still the wind at will, and they would become immobile on the surface; surely there are signs in that for everyone with patience and gratitude. Or God could ruin them for what they have earned, and yet pardons much. And let those who dispute Our signs know there is no escape for them. [42: 32 to 35]
Hadith of the Day:
Protect yourself from the forbidden acts and you will be the most worshipping of the people. [Tirmidhi & Ahmad]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The sign of the righteous person, whose heart contains the fear and love of Allah, is being distant from what the Lord forbids and intent on what the Lord commands. [Imam Birgivi]
Guidance of the Day:
We must evaluate our experiences in a totally new way; We must refuse to see our sorrows, hurts, and conflicts only at the surface level. We must look deeper. There is no wasted time or purposeless experience. We must take the challenges that now face us and re-work them in our minds until we see them in a positive light. Until they come into that light, they are begging for our awareness, and as soon as we give it to them, they become golden.
This process of development is one of revising your understanding. It is you who must bring your understanding of your experiences into clarity. Holding your life in the Light shall bring you the peace for which you yearn. You must master the art of perspective. A slight shift in perspective is all that is necessary to see the wholeness of your training. Were you to see all of your experiences in the Love that they are given, you would cherish every moment of your life, for every moment is one of great opportunity. Be grateful. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still possess. We receive but what we give. The happy life is a life of continual generosity in which we go out to meet and acclaim the world.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....78
1. To understand is to pardon. Ask yourself "Will this matter a year from now." The weak can never forgive, forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
2. That man is rich whose pleasures are the cheapest.
3. The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.
4. Conscience is the inner voice that warns us that Someone is looking.
5. Errors no matter how popular, carry the seeds of their own destruction.
6. Be careless in your dress if you will, but keep a tidy soul.
7. Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
8. Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.
9. A man is but the product of his thoughts--------Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.
10. There is a sufficience in the world for man's needs, but not for man's greed.
2. That man is rich whose pleasures are the cheapest.
3. The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it.
4. Conscience is the inner voice that warns us that Someone is looking.
5. Errors no matter how popular, carry the seeds of their own destruction.
6. Be careless in your dress if you will, but keep a tidy soul.
7. Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
8. Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.You can't depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.
9. A man is but the product of his thoughts--------Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.
10. There is a sufficience in the world for man's needs, but not for man's greed.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1039
Ayahs of the Day:
And whatever misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned; and God pardons much. And you are not the ones to interfere on earth; and you have no protector and no savior but God. [42: 30,31]
Hadith of the Day:
The faith of a person will not be straight and sound until his heart is straight and sound, and his heart will not be sound and straight until his tongue is made straight and sound. [Ahmad]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The sign of commitment (tafweed) to God is the lack of distress when distasteful things befall. [Shaykh Abul Hasan Shadhili]
Guidance of the Day:
Sharpening of skills is the real value of competition. Many have lost sight of the purpose of healthy competition, which helps us to draw forth inner strength and encourages us to transcend our ideas of personal limitation. The real competition, however, is within the person, and not between people. We must each compete with-----strive to conquer----our notions of how much we can do.
When pushed to our limit, we usually find that we can do more than we thought we could. Our opponents in sports are actually performing a loving favor: they are working with us to support us in overcoming our weakness. In essence competition is cooperation. Looking at adversity in this way, we really can love our enemies. They serve us hard shots until we learn God's way of returning them. So mastered, we move on to a more formidable challenger until there are none that can defeat us. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls, and looks like work. We must look for the opportunity in every difficulty instead of being paralyzed at the thought of the difficulty in every opportunity. Times of stress and difficulty are seasons of opportunity when the seeds of progress are sown.
And whatever misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned; and God pardons much. And you are not the ones to interfere on earth; and you have no protector and no savior but God. [42: 30,31]
Hadith of the Day:
The faith of a person will not be straight and sound until his heart is straight and sound, and his heart will not be sound and straight until his tongue is made straight and sound. [Ahmad]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The sign of commitment (tafweed) to God is the lack of distress when distasteful things befall. [Shaykh Abul Hasan Shadhili]
Guidance of the Day:
Sharpening of skills is the real value of competition. Many have lost sight of the purpose of healthy competition, which helps us to draw forth inner strength and encourages us to transcend our ideas of personal limitation. The real competition, however, is within the person, and not between people. We must each compete with-----strive to conquer----our notions of how much we can do.
When pushed to our limit, we usually find that we can do more than we thought we could. Our opponents in sports are actually performing a loving favor: they are working with us to support us in overcoming our weakness. In essence competition is cooperation. Looking at adversity in this way, we really can love our enemies. They serve us hard shots until we learn God's way of returning them. So mastered, we move on to a more formidable challenger until there are none that can defeat us. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls, and looks like work. We must look for the opportunity in every difficulty instead of being paralyzed at the thought of the difficulty in every opportunity. Times of stress and difficulty are seasons of opportunity when the seeds of progress are sown.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....77
1. Success does not consist in never making mistakes, but in never making the same one a second time.
2. The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react.
3. The best of a person's breeding is how they behave in a quarrel.
4. We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future---------our Akhira.
4. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
5. It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is-----------what are we busy about?
6. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.
7. Keep on doing good for goodness is the only investment that never fails.
8. When death comes it is never our tenderness we repent from, but from our severity.
9. When it comes to life the critical thing is whether we take things for granted or take them with gratitude.
10. Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.
2. The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react.
3. The best of a person's breeding is how they behave in a quarrel.
4. We are made wise not by the recollection of our past, but by the responsibility for our future---------our Akhira.
4. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
5. It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is-----------what are we busy about?
6. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives.
7. Keep on doing good for goodness is the only investment that never fails.
8. When death comes it is never our tenderness we repent from, but from our severity.
9. When it comes to life the critical thing is whether we take things for granted or take them with gratitude.
10. Aim above morality. Be not simply good, be good for something.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1038
Ayahs of the Day:
If God expanded provisions for mortals, they would surely act unjustly on earth; but God sends down what God wills in a measured way. For God is aware of all mortals and sees them. And it is God who sends down the rain after they have despaired, scattering divine mercy; for God is the Protector, the Praiseworthy. And among the signs of God is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the creatures propagated between them. And God can gather them all at will. [42: 27,28,29]
Hadith of the Day:
Allah has more right than one to be shy before Him than the people do. [Bukhari]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Remembrance (dhikr) is the sign of the thankful believer. In this world the invokers face and heart are covered with beauty and happiness; and in the Hereafter his face is whiter and more luminous than the moon. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
Guidance of the Day:
God takes no joy in seeing His children suffer. We need to change the way we look at, or understand, adversity when it comes. Life takes on a new meaning when we see that it is not "out to get us," and that God is not our enemy, but our best------and only-----friend. Life's trials are the universe's way of lovingly teaching us valuable lessons that we need to learn--------the very reasons we have come to earth.
And so it is with the inner game of life. We want to grow; we want to improve our skills in life. To drift through life without challenges would be useless and boring. We would be like stagnant algae on a motionless lake. If you have mastered any art, sport, or field endeavor, you know the value of challenge, adversity, and discipline. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
The mind is its own place and in itself can make heaven of hell or a hell of heaven. You cannot control anything but your thoughts. So why not let go of trying to control what isn't yours to control to begin with.
If God expanded provisions for mortals, they would surely act unjustly on earth; but God sends down what God wills in a measured way. For God is aware of all mortals and sees them. And it is God who sends down the rain after they have despaired, scattering divine mercy; for God is the Protector, the Praiseworthy. And among the signs of God is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the creatures propagated between them. And God can gather them all at will. [42: 27,28,29]
Hadith of the Day:
Allah has more right than one to be shy before Him than the people do. [Bukhari]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Remembrance (dhikr) is the sign of the thankful believer. In this world the invokers face and heart are covered with beauty and happiness; and in the Hereafter his face is whiter and more luminous than the moon. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
Guidance of the Day:
God takes no joy in seeing His children suffer. We need to change the way we look at, or understand, adversity when it comes. Life takes on a new meaning when we see that it is not "out to get us," and that God is not our enemy, but our best------and only-----friend. Life's trials are the universe's way of lovingly teaching us valuable lessons that we need to learn--------the very reasons we have come to earth.
And so it is with the inner game of life. We want to grow; we want to improve our skills in life. To drift through life without challenges would be useless and boring. We would be like stagnant algae on a motionless lake. If you have mastered any art, sport, or field endeavor, you know the value of challenge, adversity, and discipline. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
The mind is its own place and in itself can make heaven of hell or a hell of heaven. You cannot control anything but your thoughts. So why not let go of trying to control what isn't yours to control to begin with.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....76
1. The one who is content and rejoices in his portion is truly rich.
2. The one who learns from everything and everyone is truly wise.
3. The one who governs his passions is truly powerful.
4. Be charitable in your thoughts, in your speech, and in your actions.
5. You can bear your own faults, why not a fault in others.
6. Your net worth to the world is determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.
7. Beware of false knowledge, it is more dangerous than ignorance.
8. Fashions are the only epidemics, proving that epidemics can be induced by tradesmen.
9. Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated.
10. It is a grand mistake to think of being great without goodness. It is certain that there was never a truly great man that was at the same time truly virtuous.
2. The one who learns from everything and everyone is truly wise.
3. The one who governs his passions is truly powerful.
4. Be charitable in your thoughts, in your speech, and in your actions.
5. You can bear your own faults, why not a fault in others.
6. Your net worth to the world is determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones.
7. Beware of false knowledge, it is more dangerous than ignorance.
8. Fashions are the only epidemics, proving that epidemics can be induced by tradesmen.
9. Hatred is the coward's revenge for being intimidated.
10. It is a grand mistake to think of being great without goodness. It is certain that there was never a truly great man that was at the same time truly virtuous.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1037
Ayahs of the Day:
And it is God who accepts repentance from servants and pardons sins; and God knows whatever you do. And God responds to those who believe and do good deeds, enhancing them from divine bounty. But there is agony for unbelievers. [42: 25,26]
Hadith of the Day:
Lewdness does not appear in anything except that it blemishes it, and modesty does not appear in anything except that it beautifies it. [Ahmad & Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Do not sit idle, for indeed death is seeking you. [Hasan al Basri]
Guidance of the Day:
Adversity is our dear friend. It is the driving force that pushes us out of our comfortable nest and forces us to learn to fly on our own. We can really welcome adversity as a gift. Without it our growth is very slow. With it, we are transformed from fledglings into masters.
Every great person has a history of adversity. No one has ever made a contribution to humanity without first undergoing a certain amount of trials. Adversity can forge an immature soul into a powerhouse of strength. Every one of the saints came to be what they were through conquering challenges. It was not by chance that these great ones faced tremendous adversity------they were, in fact, made great by it. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
There are only two kinds of men: the righteous who believe themselves sinners; the rest, sinners, who believe themselves righteous. Other men's sins are before our eyes; our own behind our backs. We are all sinful. Therefore whatever we blame in another we shall find in our own bosoms.
And it is God who accepts repentance from servants and pardons sins; and God knows whatever you do. And God responds to those who believe and do good deeds, enhancing them from divine bounty. But there is agony for unbelievers. [42: 25,26]
Hadith of the Day:
Lewdness does not appear in anything except that it blemishes it, and modesty does not appear in anything except that it beautifies it. [Ahmad & Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Do not sit idle, for indeed death is seeking you. [Hasan al Basri]
Guidance of the Day:
Adversity is our dear friend. It is the driving force that pushes us out of our comfortable nest and forces us to learn to fly on our own. We can really welcome adversity as a gift. Without it our growth is very slow. With it, we are transformed from fledglings into masters.
Every great person has a history of adversity. No one has ever made a contribution to humanity without first undergoing a certain amount of trials. Adversity can forge an immature soul into a powerhouse of strength. Every one of the saints came to be what they were through conquering challenges. It was not by chance that these great ones faced tremendous adversity------they were, in fact, made great by it. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
There are only two kinds of men: the righteous who believe themselves sinners; the rest, sinners, who believe themselves righteous. Other men's sins are before our eyes; our own behind our backs. We are all sinful. Therefore whatever we blame in another we shall find in our own bosoms.
Pearls of Wisdom....75
1. It is much easier to suppress a first desire than to satisfy those that follow.
2. Leisure is the time for doing something useful.
3. The great end of life is not knowledge but action.
4. Learn to be patient, for whoever is out of patience, is out of possession of their soul.
5. Peace and justice are the two sides of the same coin; if we do not maintain justice, justice will not maintain us.
6. In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior.
7. The doors of wisdom are never shut, the doorstep to the temple of wisdom is the knowledge of our own ignorance.
8. There is a difference between happiness and wisdom, he who thinks himself the happiest man is really so; but he who things himself the wisest is generally the greatest fool.
9. Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
10. Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, who don't have brains enough to be honest.
2. Leisure is the time for doing something useful.
3. The great end of life is not knowledge but action.
4. Learn to be patient, for whoever is out of patience, is out of possession of their soul.
5. Peace and justice are the two sides of the same coin; if we do not maintain justice, justice will not maintain us.
6. In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior.
7. The doors of wisdom are never shut, the doorstep to the temple of wisdom is the knowledge of our own ignorance.
8. There is a difference between happiness and wisdom, he who thinks himself the happiest man is really so; but he who things himself the wisest is generally the greatest fool.
9. Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
10. Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, who don't have brains enough to be honest.
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