1. It is never too late to be what you might have become------A journey of thousand miles starts with a single step. All glory comes from daring to begin.
2. The people who go astray are those who focus on the physical and neglect the spiritual.
3. Mercy and kindness is twice blessed; They bless him who gives and him that takes.
4. As a person grows wiser, they talk less and say more.
5. Keep an open mind, but don't keep it too open or people will throw a lot of rubbish into it.
6. Do not just value the things you have in you life. Learn to value who you have in your life.
7. Try not to just become a man of success, but rather a man of value.
8. Not everything that counts can be counted; and not everything that can be counted, counts.
9. Speech is priceless if you speak with knowledge. Weigh it in the scales of the heart before it comes from the mouth.
10. If we listen closely to the words of the wise, and we act on them, perhaps we ourselves will one day be counted among their ranks. Then, our words will serve to guide others.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1059
Ayahs of the Day:
It is God who has subjected the sea to you, that ships may sail on it by the order of God, and that you may seek of the bounty of God, and that you may be grateful. And God has subjected to you what is in the heavens and what is on earth, all from God; surely there are signs in that for people who reflect. [45: 12,13]
Hadith of the Day:
The best among people is the believer who strives his utmost in Allah's cause with his life and wealth. [Bukhari]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The cure of every ill depends on realizing that one is sick. Knowing our ills requires that we inspect ourselves, our actions, and our relations with others. [Imam Birgivi]
Guidance of the Day:
To make a decision is to put the Will of God directly into action. Many of the problems in our lives are not a result of wrong choices, but of lack of making a choice. If we want to accelerate our personal evolution to higher consciousness, we must begin to make clear choices and to act on them. Vagueness is not a quality of character that brings success or peace. It is a form of sloth or inertia. When we act with precision and efficiency, we are living up to our selfhood as intelligent beings.
Spiritual masters practice decision and precision on every level. If our lives do not reflect clarity, then we are not meditating correctly. If we decide with surety and resolution, we get what we decide for. If on the other hand, we flounder in indecision and procrastination, we lose power. Because time is precious, we cannot afford to vacillate in our decisions. If we really want to create movement in our lives, we must be willing to take a sure step in one direction. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Sin is not hurtful because it is forbidden,
but it is forbidden because it is hurtful. Nor
is a duty beneficial because it is commanded,
but it is commanded because it is beneficial.
It is God who has subjected the sea to you, that ships may sail on it by the order of God, and that you may seek of the bounty of God, and that you may be grateful. And God has subjected to you what is in the heavens and what is on earth, all from God; surely there are signs in that for people who reflect. [45: 12,13]
Hadith of the Day:
The best among people is the believer who strives his utmost in Allah's cause with his life and wealth. [Bukhari]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The cure of every ill depends on realizing that one is sick. Knowing our ills requires that we inspect ourselves, our actions, and our relations with others. [Imam Birgivi]
Guidance of the Day:
To make a decision is to put the Will of God directly into action. Many of the problems in our lives are not a result of wrong choices, but of lack of making a choice. If we want to accelerate our personal evolution to higher consciousness, we must begin to make clear choices and to act on them. Vagueness is not a quality of character that brings success or peace. It is a form of sloth or inertia. When we act with precision and efficiency, we are living up to our selfhood as intelligent beings.
Spiritual masters practice decision and precision on every level. If our lives do not reflect clarity, then we are not meditating correctly. If we decide with surety and resolution, we get what we decide for. If on the other hand, we flounder in indecision and procrastination, we lose power. Because time is precious, we cannot afford to vacillate in our decisions. If we really want to create movement in our lives, we must be willing to take a sure step in one direction. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Sin is not hurtful because it is forbidden,
but it is forbidden because it is hurtful. Nor
is a duty beneficial because it is commanded,
but it is commanded because it is beneficial.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....97
1. The most important thing you wear is the expression on your face.
2. The only people you should try to get even with are those who have helped you.
3. Nothing is enough for the person to whom enough is too little.
4. Learn from the mistakes of others, because you can't make them all.
5. To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.
6. Look backward with gratitude and forward with confidence.
7. Responsibility is the thing that people dread the most, yet it is the only thing in the world that develops us.
8. Don't be concerned with who's right; but what's right.
9. Little said is soonest mended.10. Do today what others won't, so you can live tomorrow like others can't.
2. The only people you should try to get even with are those who have helped you.
3. Nothing is enough for the person to whom enough is too little.
4. Learn from the mistakes of others, because you can't make them all.
5. To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.
6. Look backward with gratitude and forward with confidence.
7. Responsibility is the thing that people dread the most, yet it is the only thing in the world that develops us.
8. Don't be concerned with who's right; but what's right.
9. Little said is soonest mended.10. Do today what others won't, so you can live tomorrow like others can't.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1058
Ayahs of the Day:
And in the alternation of the night and day, and the provision God sends down from the sky, by which God enlivens the earth after its death, and in the shifting of the winds, are signs for intelligent people. Those are the signs of God, which We recite to you in truth; so in what tale will they believe, other than God and the signs of God? [45: 5,6]
Hadith of the Day:
The prayer is the best matter. Whoever can increase (his prayer) should do so. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
One who wastes his 'time' is ignorant, while one who is neglectful of it is heedless. [Shaykh Abu Madyan]
Guidance of the Day:
As we grow, our ability to distinguish between what is right for us and what is wrong becomes finer and finer. Eventually we see that God is in everything, and there is nothing too small----or too big----to be unworthy of His Guidance. No act is too worldly for God, and no fork in the road is beyond our ability to make a correct choice.
Spiritual mastery begins on earth. Before we can enjoy Heavenly Bliss, we must conquer the marketplace. And that is precisely why we are here----to learn the difference between what is "right on" and what is right off. The mastery of discrimination is accomplished in traffic, at the staff meeting, and in giving the kids lunch. Since there are no traffic jams, board meetings, or luncheons in Heaven, here is our opportunity to master such challenges and gain control over our lives. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
True success is overcoming the fear of being unsuccessful. Half the things that people do not succeed in are through fear of making the attempt. We should not let our fears hold us back from pursuing our hopes.
And in the alternation of the night and day, and the provision God sends down from the sky, by which God enlivens the earth after its death, and in the shifting of the winds, are signs for intelligent people. Those are the signs of God, which We recite to you in truth; so in what tale will they believe, other than God and the signs of God? [45: 5,6]
Hadith of the Day:
The prayer is the best matter. Whoever can increase (his prayer) should do so. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
One who wastes his 'time' is ignorant, while one who is neglectful of it is heedless. [Shaykh Abu Madyan]
Guidance of the Day:
As we grow, our ability to distinguish between what is right for us and what is wrong becomes finer and finer. Eventually we see that God is in everything, and there is nothing too small----or too big----to be unworthy of His Guidance. No act is too worldly for God, and no fork in the road is beyond our ability to make a correct choice.
Spiritual mastery begins on earth. Before we can enjoy Heavenly Bliss, we must conquer the marketplace. And that is precisely why we are here----to learn the difference between what is "right on" and what is right off. The mastery of discrimination is accomplished in traffic, at the staff meeting, and in giving the kids lunch. Since there are no traffic jams, board meetings, or luncheons in Heaven, here is our opportunity to master such challenges and gain control over our lives. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
True success is overcoming the fear of being unsuccessful. Half the things that people do not succeed in are through fear of making the attempt. We should not let our fears hold us back from pursuing our hopes.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....96
1. Character is what defines a human being, not the outward form. [Shaykh al Jonayd]
2. One of the clearest signs of pure slave hood is an utter lack of complaining even while patiently enduring adversity. [Shaykh al Jonayd]
3. O son of Adam! You are but a bundle of days. As each day passes away, a portion of you vanishes away! [Hasan al Basri]
4. Modesty is a gift which is granted through guarding oneself from sins. [Shaykh al Jonayd]
5. Sincerity is realized through slaughtering one's ego by deeming one's greatest works as unworthy. [Shaykh al Jonayd]
6. Wisdom is the fruit of following the Sunnah, and chaos is the fruit of following one's ego. [Shaykh Othman al Jabri]
7. Only those who fear the Hereafter will find comfort in the Hereafter. [Shaykh Othman al Jabri]
8. The best sin is the one which results in sincere repentance and the worst act of worship is the one which leads to conceit. [Ibn Ataillah]
9. Adherence to the Sunnah, increase in one's worship and obedience to the Sacred law are all signs of intimacy with the Divine. [Ibrahim bin Dawud warqa]
10. The likeness of this world is that of a river, one of its shores being the Hereafter, and the boat for crossing over is built from Taqwa. [Abu Ayub bin Ishaq]
2. One of the clearest signs of pure slave hood is an utter lack of complaining even while patiently enduring adversity. [Shaykh al Jonayd]
3. O son of Adam! You are but a bundle of days. As each day passes away, a portion of you vanishes away! [Hasan al Basri]
4. Modesty is a gift which is granted through guarding oneself from sins. [Shaykh al Jonayd]
5. Sincerity is realized through slaughtering one's ego by deeming one's greatest works as unworthy. [Shaykh al Jonayd]
6. Wisdom is the fruit of following the Sunnah, and chaos is the fruit of following one's ego. [Shaykh Othman al Jabri]
7. Only those who fear the Hereafter will find comfort in the Hereafter. [Shaykh Othman al Jabri]
8. The best sin is the one which results in sincere repentance and the worst act of worship is the one which leads to conceit. [Ibn Ataillah]
9. Adherence to the Sunnah, increase in one's worship and obedience to the Sacred law are all signs of intimacy with the Divine. [Ibrahim bin Dawud warqa]
10. The likeness of this world is that of a river, one of its shores being the Hereafter, and the boat for crossing over is built from Taqwa. [Abu Ayub bin Ishaq]
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1057
Ayahs of the Day:
Revelation of the Book from God, the Mighty, the Wise: In the heavens and the earth are signs for believers; and in your constitution, and animals God propagates, are signs for a people who are sure. [45: 2,3,4]
Hadith of the Day:
The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is that during the depths of the night. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Believers know that when they leave aside anxious concern for themselves in deference to God, they enjoy the wholesome care that comes from God. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
Guidance of the Day:
Real spiritual mastery boils down to knowing when to say "Yes" and when to say "No." We can make it all the way to God on just these two words and nothing more. The test is when to use them. Being good or spiritual does not mean that we must always say "Yes" to everything. Sometimes it is spiritual to say "Yes" and sometimes it is spiritual to say "No." We have to decide which situations require which answers.
Love everyone, serve everyone, and remember God-----------It means responding uniquely to each request, according to the clearest intuition that you can feel. As we advance along the spiritual path, however, the tests and lessons become more subtle, and we have to dig deeper to find within ourself a more sensitive guide for correct action. The path is a razor's edge path, and if we are not careful we can give our trust to the wrong people. So the only answer is to develop a keen sense of discrimination, to know who to be open to, and when. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Answers to prayer often come in unexpected ways. We pray, for instance, for a certain virtue; but God seldom delivers virtues all wrapped in a package and ready to use. Rather He puts us in situations where by His help we can develop those virtues. The best answers to prayer may be the vision and strength to meet a circumstance or to assume a responsibility.
Revelation of the Book from God, the Mighty, the Wise: In the heavens and the earth are signs for believers; and in your constitution, and animals God propagates, are signs for a people who are sure. [45: 2,3,4]
Hadith of the Day:
The best prayer after the obligatory prayer is that during the depths of the night. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Believers know that when they leave aside anxious concern for themselves in deference to God, they enjoy the wholesome care that comes from God. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
Guidance of the Day:
Real spiritual mastery boils down to knowing when to say "Yes" and when to say "No." We can make it all the way to God on just these two words and nothing more. The test is when to use them. Being good or spiritual does not mean that we must always say "Yes" to everything. Sometimes it is spiritual to say "Yes" and sometimes it is spiritual to say "No." We have to decide which situations require which answers.
Love everyone, serve everyone, and remember God-----------It means responding uniquely to each request, according to the clearest intuition that you can feel. As we advance along the spiritual path, however, the tests and lessons become more subtle, and we have to dig deeper to find within ourself a more sensitive guide for correct action. The path is a razor's edge path, and if we are not careful we can give our trust to the wrong people. So the only answer is to develop a keen sense of discrimination, to know who to be open to, and when. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Answers to prayer often come in unexpected ways. We pray, for instance, for a certain virtue; but God seldom delivers virtues all wrapped in a package and ready to use. Rather He puts us in situations where by His help we can develop those virtues. The best answers to prayer may be the vision and strength to meet a circumstance or to assume a responsibility.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....95
1. The past is valuable to us as a guiding post, but dangerous if used as a hitching post.
2. Think before you speak. Even a fish wouldn't get into trouble if it kept its mouth shut.
3. There is no present like the time, every second and minute is so valuable that the entire world cannot replace it. One will realize this at the time of death.
4. Some carve out the future while others just whittle away time. Value your leisure time before you are occupied. Value life before death. Begin work now!
5. Don't refuse to accept criticism, get all the help you can. Persistence and obstinacy are evil. There is honor in admitting one's faults and correcting them.
6. People do not become great by doing great things, they do great things because they are great.
7. Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing well those you do hold.
8. We learn and grow and are transformed not so much by what we do but why and how we do it.
9. Fools think that they need no advice, but the wise listen to others.
10. Strange thing how trouble acts different on folks; it's like hot weather-------sours milk but sweetens apples.
2. Think before you speak. Even a fish wouldn't get into trouble if it kept its mouth shut.
3. There is no present like the time, every second and minute is so valuable that the entire world cannot replace it. One will realize this at the time of death.
4. Some carve out the future while others just whittle away time. Value your leisure time before you are occupied. Value life before death. Begin work now!
5. Don't refuse to accept criticism, get all the help you can. Persistence and obstinacy are evil. There is honor in admitting one's faults and correcting them.
6. People do not become great by doing great things, they do great things because they are great.
7. Life consists not in holding good cards, but in playing well those you do hold.
8. We learn and grow and are transformed not so much by what we do but why and how we do it.
9. Fools think that they need no advice, but the wise listen to others.
10. Strange thing how trouble acts different on folks; it's like hot weather-------sours milk but sweetens apples.
Friday, October 17, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1056
Ayahs of the Day:
And We did not create the heavens and the earth and everything in between in jest; We created them thoroughly soundly, but most of them do not know. The day of judgment is the appointed time for everyone: the day on which no partner can avail a partner anything, and they will not be helped, except those on whom God has mercy; as God is the epitome of power and forgiveness. [44: 38 to 42]
Hadith of the Day:
Certainly, the late night prayer is an act that takes one closer to Allah, keeps one away from sins, expiates for evil deeds and repels disease from the body. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Get zeal in respect of the spirit, for your destination is the grave, and the people of the graves expect you at any moment to meet up with them. Beware, beware lest you meet up with them without provision! [Imam al-Ghazali]
Guidance of the Day:
If we know how to look at life correctly, all of our experiences are our teachers. We must cease to see life as a random play of circumstances and begin to understand that the earth is a school, and all events the lessons. Constantly ask, "What can I learn from this experience? Why was it given to me? How can I use it to further my growth?" If you think in this way, all experiences will bring you closer to understanding yourself and the Truth.
Never surrender your soul to another person, but always align it with God. You may accept the guidance and instruction of one whom you feel is genuine, but let that decision be dictated by your Godly intuition. If you would be a teacher, you must be unremitting in your dedication to Truth. You must found your life upon actions, and not upon words. If you hearken unto these strict requirements, your life will be under continual guidance. There is a hierarchy of education of which you are a part. This hierarchy has as its only purpose the uplifting of souls and the salvation of the world. Blessed are you who would share in this noble work. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Every oak tree started out as a couple of nuts who stood their ground. When we live with determination, we will spring forth and find the light. Let us remember the message of spring and the seed of life contained in each of us. When confronted with obstacles, let the wisdom guide you to light. Remember, under the bitter snow is a seed which in the spring will become a rose.
And We did not create the heavens and the earth and everything in between in jest; We created them thoroughly soundly, but most of them do not know. The day of judgment is the appointed time for everyone: the day on which no partner can avail a partner anything, and they will not be helped, except those on whom God has mercy; as God is the epitome of power and forgiveness. [44: 38 to 42]
Hadith of the Day:
Certainly, the late night prayer is an act that takes one closer to Allah, keeps one away from sins, expiates for evil deeds and repels disease from the body. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Get zeal in respect of the spirit, for your destination is the grave, and the people of the graves expect you at any moment to meet up with them. Beware, beware lest you meet up with them without provision! [Imam al-Ghazali]
Guidance of the Day:
If we know how to look at life correctly, all of our experiences are our teachers. We must cease to see life as a random play of circumstances and begin to understand that the earth is a school, and all events the lessons. Constantly ask, "What can I learn from this experience? Why was it given to me? How can I use it to further my growth?" If you think in this way, all experiences will bring you closer to understanding yourself and the Truth.
Never surrender your soul to another person, but always align it with God. You may accept the guidance and instruction of one whom you feel is genuine, but let that decision be dictated by your Godly intuition. If you would be a teacher, you must be unremitting in your dedication to Truth. You must found your life upon actions, and not upon words. If you hearken unto these strict requirements, your life will be under continual guidance. There is a hierarchy of education of which you are a part. This hierarchy has as its only purpose the uplifting of souls and the salvation of the world. Blessed are you who would share in this noble work. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Every oak tree started out as a couple of nuts who stood their ground. When we live with determination, we will spring forth and find the light. Let us remember the message of spring and the seed of life contained in each of us. When confronted with obstacles, let the wisdom guide you to light. Remember, under the bitter snow is a seed which in the spring will become a rose.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....94
1. The difference between the impossible and possible lies in a person's determination.
2. Quarrels would never last long, if there were not faults on both sides.
3. When one wastes time, his heart becomes complacent and lazy.
4. Deceive someone today and you will regret it tomorrow.
5. The roots of happiness grow deepest in the soil of service.
6. Watch the company you keep------If you always live with those who are lame, before you know it you yourself will learn to limp.
7. Those who do not stand for something, shall fall for anything.
8. A conceited person never gets anywhere because he thinks he is already there.
9. Conscience is an inner voice which warns us Somebody is looking.
10. The greatest homage we can pay to truth is to use it.
2. Quarrels would never last long, if there were not faults on both sides.
3. When one wastes time, his heart becomes complacent and lazy.
4. Deceive someone today and you will regret it tomorrow.
5. The roots of happiness grow deepest in the soil of service.
6. Watch the company you keep------If you always live with those who are lame, before you know it you yourself will learn to limp.
7. Those who do not stand for something, shall fall for anything.
8. A conceited person never gets anywhere because he thinks he is already there.
9. Conscience is an inner voice which warns us Somebody is looking.
10. The greatest homage we can pay to truth is to use it.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1055
Ayahs of the Day:
By the clear Book: We have revealed it in a blessed night, for We have been actively warning: in it is distinguished every wise command as a decree from Us: for We have been sending messages, as a mercy from your Lord, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, Lord of the skies and the earth and all that is between them, if you know for sure. There is no God but the One, Who gives life and causes death, your Lord and Lord of your ancestors. [44: 2 to 8]
Hadith of the Day:
You should perform the late night prayer for verily it was the custom of the pious people before you. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Knowing the good and evil in the heart is an obligation from which no one is exempt, so whoever does not know the good and evil in his heart is ruined. [Ibn Mas'ud radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Do not worry about finding your teacher. If you are sincere and really want God, your teacher will find you. We cannot plan how we are going to find a teacher. All you need to do is to make the most of whatever knowledge you already have, and sometimes in the strangest and most unlikely way you will be connected with one who can guide you.
Be not anxious about how the teacher will come to you. Simply ask the Lord for guidance, do the best you can with what you know, be open to possibilities, and the teacher will be given. And you will be with the teacher for precisely the right amount of time in precisely the right way for your particular evolution. It is a wonderful and fascinating Plan-------much bigger than we would expect or can understand. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Great souls care only for what is great. Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force; that thoughts rule the world. Nothing can make a man truly great but being truly good. Goodness is not tied to greatness, but greatness to goodness.
Once the ego is overcome peace follows. (Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani)
By the clear Book: We have revealed it in a blessed night, for We have been actively warning: in it is distinguished every wise command as a decree from Us: for We have been sending messages, as a mercy from your Lord, the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing, Lord of the skies and the earth and all that is between them, if you know for sure. There is no God but the One, Who gives life and causes death, your Lord and Lord of your ancestors. [44: 2 to 8]
Hadith of the Day:
You should perform the late night prayer for verily it was the custom of the pious people before you. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Knowing the good and evil in the heart is an obligation from which no one is exempt, so whoever does not know the good and evil in his heart is ruined. [Ibn Mas'ud radi Allah anhu]
Guidance of the Day:
Do not worry about finding your teacher. If you are sincere and really want God, your teacher will find you. We cannot plan how we are going to find a teacher. All you need to do is to make the most of whatever knowledge you already have, and sometimes in the strangest and most unlikely way you will be connected with one who can guide you.
Be not anxious about how the teacher will come to you. Simply ask the Lord for guidance, do the best you can with what you know, be open to possibilities, and the teacher will be given. And you will be with the teacher for precisely the right amount of time in precisely the right way for your particular evolution. It is a wonderful and fascinating Plan-------much bigger than we would expect or can understand. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Great souls care only for what is great. Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force; that thoughts rule the world. Nothing can make a man truly great but being truly good. Goodness is not tied to greatness, but greatness to goodness.
Once the ego is overcome peace follows. (Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani)
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....93
1. Faith is not a pill you take, but a muscle you use.
2. The test of good manners is to be able to put up pleasantly with bad ones.
3. Common sense is seeing thing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done.
4. He who forgets the language of gratitude can never be on speaking terms with happiness.
5. Friends of Allah are those who are generous, they do not have grudges in their hearts and they have good opinions of the slaves of Allah.
6. The one who seeks faults in others is faulty himself.
7. Being ignorant is not so much as a shame, as being unwilling to learn,
8. The greatest remedy for anger is delay.
9. The person of few words doesn't have to recall so many.
10. A wise person changes his mind, a fool never does.
2. The test of good manners is to be able to put up pleasantly with bad ones.
3. Common sense is seeing thing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done.
4. He who forgets the language of gratitude can never be on speaking terms with happiness.
5. Friends of Allah are those who are generous, they do not have grudges in their hearts and they have good opinions of the slaves of Allah.
6. The one who seeks faults in others is faulty himself.
7. Being ignorant is not so much as a shame, as being unwilling to learn,
8. The greatest remedy for anger is delay.
9. The person of few words doesn't have to recall so many.
10. A wise person changes his mind, a fool never does.
Monday, October 13, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1054
Ayahs of the Day:
He alone is God in heaven and God on earth; He is Wise, Aware. Blessed is He Who holds control over heaven and earth, and anything in between them. He has knowledge of the hour and to Him will you be returned. [43: 84,85]
Hadith of the Day:
Do not belittle any good deed, even if it is just greeting your brother with a smiling face. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Real knowledge of what is good implies in dwelling in it, and real knowledge of evil implies departure from it. [Shaykh Abul Hasan al Shadhili]
Guidance of the Day:
It is a very positive sign that we seek guidance, for it indicates that we have a sense of a worthwhile path that we would like to follow, and that it is important to us to make the correct choice. To realize that guidance is available to us from a source within ourself is the most magnificent awakening of all.
All life contains within it the gift of guidance and instruction. As you learn to look into the elements of creation in the correct way, all of the lessons of the universe make themselves known to you. Your only need is to look into things simply. The humor of life is the reaching out that you do. The wisdom that you seek is but an aspect of your own nature. There is no secret to wisdom or guidance. It is as obvious as the new morning. You have not seen it fully because you have complicated it with your concepts. Your heart is your surest source of direction. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Do not wait for ideal circumstances, nor the best opportunities; they will never come. Conditions are never just right. People who delay action until all factors are favorable do nothing. Nothing at all will be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome. The soul of dispatch is decision.
He alone is God in heaven and God on earth; He is Wise, Aware. Blessed is He Who holds control over heaven and earth, and anything in between them. He has knowledge of the hour and to Him will you be returned. [43: 84,85]
Hadith of the Day:
Do not belittle any good deed, even if it is just greeting your brother with a smiling face. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Real knowledge of what is good implies in dwelling in it, and real knowledge of evil implies departure from it. [Shaykh Abul Hasan al Shadhili]
Guidance of the Day:
It is a very positive sign that we seek guidance, for it indicates that we have a sense of a worthwhile path that we would like to follow, and that it is important to us to make the correct choice. To realize that guidance is available to us from a source within ourself is the most magnificent awakening of all.
All life contains within it the gift of guidance and instruction. As you learn to look into the elements of creation in the correct way, all of the lessons of the universe make themselves known to you. Your only need is to look into things simply. The humor of life is the reaching out that you do. The wisdom that you seek is but an aspect of your own nature. There is no secret to wisdom or guidance. It is as obvious as the new morning. You have not seen it fully because you have complicated it with your concepts. Your heart is your surest source of direction. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Do not wait for ideal circumstances, nor the best opportunities; they will never come. Conditions are never just right. People who delay action until all factors are favorable do nothing. Nothing at all will be attempted if all possible objections must first be overcome. The soul of dispatch is decision.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....92
1. Taking control of the desires is the way to defeat Satan.
2. Never belittle any talk that involves absent people even if there is no harm in it due to the possibility of harm entering into it.
3. Should you resolve to do something then do it immediately before the resolve wanes and also you do not know whether you will be among the living or the dead tomorrow, so you must act now.
4. Treat others just as you would want to be treated and fulfill that which is due to them.
5. If you desire to live such that your religion is safe and your portion is full and your honor is sound, guard your tongue and never mention another's faults remembering that you yourself have faults and others have tongues.
6. Live treating others well and avoid aggression, and should others aggress against you leave them but in the best way.
7. Do good for the remainder of your life and you will be forgiven for what you did in the past. However, if you do evil in what remains of your life, you will be held responsible for what you did in the past and in the future.
8. The standard for happiness for a believer is whether the work he has done will help him achieve his overall goal of pleasing Allah and attaining Allah's forgiveness and mercy.
9. Everyone who claims to love Allah but does not comply with what Allah has ordered, his claim (to love Allah) is false, and everyone who loves but does not fear Allah has been deceived.
10. Sins bring death to the heart; Abandoning sins is the life of the hearts.
2. Never belittle any talk that involves absent people even if there is no harm in it due to the possibility of harm entering into it.
3. Should you resolve to do something then do it immediately before the resolve wanes and also you do not know whether you will be among the living or the dead tomorrow, so you must act now.
4. Treat others just as you would want to be treated and fulfill that which is due to them.
5. If you desire to live such that your religion is safe and your portion is full and your honor is sound, guard your tongue and never mention another's faults remembering that you yourself have faults and others have tongues.
6. Live treating others well and avoid aggression, and should others aggress against you leave them but in the best way.
7. Do good for the remainder of your life and you will be forgiven for what you did in the past. However, if you do evil in what remains of your life, you will be held responsible for what you did in the past and in the future.
8. The standard for happiness for a believer is whether the work he has done will help him achieve his overall goal of pleasing Allah and attaining Allah's forgiveness and mercy.
9. Everyone who claims to love Allah but does not comply with what Allah has ordered, his claim (to love Allah) is false, and everyone who loves but does not fear Allah has been deceived.
10. Sins bring death to the heart; Abandoning sins is the life of the hearts.
Thursday, October 09, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1053
Ayahs of the Day:
O My devoted servants! You have nothing to fear that day, and you will not sorrow, having believed in Our signs and acquiesced. Enter the garden, you and your wives, delighted: Dishes and goblets of gold will be passed around to them containing whatever souls desire and eyes find pleasing. And you shall abide there forever, for this is the garden of which you will be made the heirs because of what you used to do. There is much fruit therein for you to eat of it. [43: 68 to 73]
Hadith of the Day:
Keep your evil away from the people and that will be a charitable act from yourself upon yourself. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Just as God Most High made it customary to send winds as an announcement preceding the mercifulness of His cascading rain, so too did He make it customary to send the winds of invocation as an announcement preceding His lofty mercifulness. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
Guidance of the Day:
Nothing is too small to be undeserving of God's help. When we allow ourselves to be open to all avenues of God's guidance, we find Him everywhere. We may consider all people to be our teachers----some teach us what to do and some teach us what not to do-----not so much by their words, but by their actions. Surely this is God's way of guiding us. We can see God's lessons in action in the "little" experiences of everyday life, and He is continually etching His Truth, in the form of love, in our heart.
In order to make ourselves available to receive guidance, we must keep the mind clear and the emotions quiet. We should not ask the still, small voice to have to compete with chattering thoughts and turbulent feelings. When we worry, aggravate ourselves, or get upset, we block the path of our own perfect guidance, which is ready and willing to help us just as soon as we make space for it. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Lord, Save us from hotheads that would lead us to act foolishly, and from cold feet that would keep us from acting at all. Let us be not frightened by the problems that confront us, but rather give You thanks that You have matched us with this hour. May we resolve, God helping us, to be part of the solution, and not part of the problem.
O My devoted servants! You have nothing to fear that day, and you will not sorrow, having believed in Our signs and acquiesced. Enter the garden, you and your wives, delighted: Dishes and goblets of gold will be passed around to them containing whatever souls desire and eyes find pleasing. And you shall abide there forever, for this is the garden of which you will be made the heirs because of what you used to do. There is much fruit therein for you to eat of it. [43: 68 to 73]
Hadith of the Day:
Keep your evil away from the people and that will be a charitable act from yourself upon yourself. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Just as God Most High made it customary to send winds as an announcement preceding the mercifulness of His cascading rain, so too did He make it customary to send the winds of invocation as an announcement preceding His lofty mercifulness. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
Guidance of the Day:
Nothing is too small to be undeserving of God's help. When we allow ourselves to be open to all avenues of God's guidance, we find Him everywhere. We may consider all people to be our teachers----some teach us what to do and some teach us what not to do-----not so much by their words, but by their actions. Surely this is God's way of guiding us. We can see God's lessons in action in the "little" experiences of everyday life, and He is continually etching His Truth, in the form of love, in our heart.
In order to make ourselves available to receive guidance, we must keep the mind clear and the emotions quiet. We should not ask the still, small voice to have to compete with chattering thoughts and turbulent feelings. When we worry, aggravate ourselves, or get upset, we block the path of our own perfect guidance, which is ready and willing to help us just as soon as we make space for it. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
Lord, Save us from hotheads that would lead us to act foolishly, and from cold feet that would keep us from acting at all. Let us be not frightened by the problems that confront us, but rather give You thanks that You have matched us with this hour. May we resolve, God helping us, to be part of the solution, and not part of the problem.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....91
1. The main reason people get angry is because they are filled with themselves, their egos get in the way.
2. One can control anger by recognizing that nothing takes place without God's leave; there is no power or might except God.
3. If your actions hold you back, your lineage will not speed you up.
4. To speak about death is to speak about the urgency to live a faithful and wholesome life before death over takes.
5. The often remembrance of death gives one energy to achieve good deeds, and engenders seeking repentance right away when one slips or errs.
6. Laughter and amusement at the expense of the dignity of others is wholly inappropriate.
7. Never mock any creature of God, for it might be beloved to He who created it.
8. Those who mock people in this life shall be mocked in the Hereafter, for it is a Divine law that God recompenses people with the like of what they have done.
9. It is easy to say something that brings ruins upon its speaker. Learning how to control the tongue is an enormous discipline.
10. Time is a gift that God has given us, and what we do with it is the most important challenge. Once we realize we are accountable for our time, then every minute becomes vital.
2. One can control anger by recognizing that nothing takes place without God's leave; there is no power or might except God.
3. If your actions hold you back, your lineage will not speed you up.
4. To speak about death is to speak about the urgency to live a faithful and wholesome life before death over takes.
5. The often remembrance of death gives one energy to achieve good deeds, and engenders seeking repentance right away when one slips or errs.
6. Laughter and amusement at the expense of the dignity of others is wholly inappropriate.
7. Never mock any creature of God, for it might be beloved to He who created it.
8. Those who mock people in this life shall be mocked in the Hereafter, for it is a Divine law that God recompenses people with the like of what they have done.
9. It is easy to say something that brings ruins upon its speaker. Learning how to control the tongue is an enormous discipline.
10. Time is a gift that God has given us, and what we do with it is the most important challenge. Once we realize we are accountable for our time, then every minute becomes vital.
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1052
Ayahs of the Day:
Are they waiting for aught but the end of time, lest it come upon them suddenly, without their noticing? On that day, friends will be enemies to one another, except the conscientious. [43: 66,67]
Hadith of the Day:
Fasting is a shield from the Hell fire like one of your shields, shielding you while fighting. [Ahmad]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The sensual ego is blind and deaf to God. When patience and intellect go, your ego incites evil. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
Guidance is always available. We need only to ask, listen, and accept. The wisest counselor is your very self. No teacher, therapist, or psychic could ever know more about your path than God will tell you directly. The answers to our questions are waiting within us to be retrieved like precious pearls at the ocean floor. We do not need to seek any further than our own heart.We never really know in what way guidance will come; we just need to know that it will.
Our conscience is the most helpful and loving friend that we have in this life. The still, small voice will always tell us right from wrong. It is dedicated only to our happiness, and no matter what errors we have made, it will continue to guide us, even telling us how to undo the errors that we made in not having hearkened to its original gentle bidding. There is a great resource of inner knowledge that is released within us when we open ourselves to it. Such is the nature of Divine Guide. It happily offers its help to us through any channel that we find comfortable. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
You don't start living until you accept your mortality. As long as you think you have an unlimited time ahead, you don't worry about what you are doing. You act as if you'll have time for everything, but actually, you may find you've missed out on the most important things. There is an old saying about carrying death on your shoulder to remind you to live in the moment.
Are they waiting for aught but the end of time, lest it come upon them suddenly, without their noticing? On that day, friends will be enemies to one another, except the conscientious. [43: 66,67]
Hadith of the Day:
Fasting is a shield from the Hell fire like one of your shields, shielding you while fighting. [Ahmad]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The sensual ego is blind and deaf to God. When patience and intellect go, your ego incites evil. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
Guidance is always available. We need only to ask, listen, and accept. The wisest counselor is your very self. No teacher, therapist, or psychic could ever know more about your path than God will tell you directly. The answers to our questions are waiting within us to be retrieved like precious pearls at the ocean floor. We do not need to seek any further than our own heart.We never really know in what way guidance will come; we just need to know that it will.
Our conscience is the most helpful and loving friend that we have in this life. The still, small voice will always tell us right from wrong. It is dedicated only to our happiness, and no matter what errors we have made, it will continue to guide us, even telling us how to undo the errors that we made in not having hearkened to its original gentle bidding. There is a great resource of inner knowledge that is released within us when we open ourselves to it. Such is the nature of Divine Guide. It happily offers its help to us through any channel that we find comfortable. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
You don't start living until you accept your mortality. As long as you think you have an unlimited time ahead, you don't worry about what you are doing. You act as if you'll have time for everything, but actually, you may find you've missed out on the most important things. There is an old saying about carrying death on your shoulder to remind you to live in the moment.
Monday, October 06, 2008
Pearls of Wisdom....90
1. Pleasure may be derived from sin, while happiness arises from the struggle to overcome sin.
2. A worthy character is acquired the way we acquire anything worthwhile, by diligent effort.
3. Traits of good character are-------humility, responsibility, diligence, patience, moral courage, honesty, and chastity.
4. Each of us has within us the seeds of fine character if we believe in ourselves and work to that end.
5. Traits of good character cannot be achieved without daily prayer. The goal is too high and the forces of evil too strong to gain success without guidance of God.
6. Be content with fewer things, content to use them over and over-------you cannot lose by doing what is right.
7. Inner happiness must be earned by building the character traits. A mark of true character is to smile through adversity.
8. Relationships are not a fifty-fifty proposition but a willingness to give ninety-percent. In giving whole heartedly you receive rich compensation.
9. Be a person worthy of love, turn to God for help, if you put your trust in God and ask for strength, success is assured.
10. Be great in act, as you have been in thought.
2. A worthy character is acquired the way we acquire anything worthwhile, by diligent effort.
3. Traits of good character are-------humility, responsibility, diligence, patience, moral courage, honesty, and chastity.
4. Each of us has within us the seeds of fine character if we believe in ourselves and work to that end.
5. Traits of good character cannot be achieved without daily prayer. The goal is too high and the forces of evil too strong to gain success without guidance of God.
6. Be content with fewer things, content to use them over and over-------you cannot lose by doing what is right.
7. Inner happiness must be earned by building the character traits. A mark of true character is to smile through adversity.
8. Relationships are not a fifty-fifty proposition but a willingness to give ninety-percent. In giving whole heartedly you receive rich compensation.
9. Be a person worthy of love, turn to God for help, if you put your trust in God and ask for strength, success is assured.
10. Be great in act, as you have been in thought.
Friday, October 03, 2008
LESSON OF THE DAY 1051
Ayahs of the Day:
Whoever shuns remembrance of the Benevolent One, We send him a devil to be his companion. And they block them from the path, yet they think they are guided, until when one of them comes to Us, he says (to his devil), "If only there were a distance between us, as far as the ends of the earth," for it is a wretched companion. And it will not profit you that day, you having done wrong, that you are partners in the punishment. [43: 36 to 39]
Hadith of the Day:
Hurry to perform Hajj, that is, the obligatory one, none of you knows what may happen to him. [Ahmad]
Wise Quote of the Day:
All humans are dead except those who have knowledge, and all those who have knowledge are asleep except those who act according to their knowledge, and all those who act are deceived except those who are sincere, and those who are sincere are always in a state of worry. [Imam Shafi'i]
Guidance of the Day:
As you give ascent to God, your old treasures wither like the leaves of autumn. Fear not, for what is God's shall most certainly be returned to you in great abundance, and what is no longer yours shall bear you no further need or pleasure.
When you are willing to confess that your love for God is greater than that for the world, a helping hand of brilliant light is extended to you. The new life that awaits you is one of splendor and richness. You have consciously renounced your dark dungeon of self. You have released yourself from the prison of self involvement and accepted your freedom. You have assented to your divinity, a happy reunion of all that is beautiful, lovely, and true. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
He lives long that lives well; and time misspent is not lived, but lost. A useless life is only an early death. We are in this life as it were in another man's house. . . . In heaven is our home, in the world is our Inn: Do not so entertain yourself in the Inn of this world for a day as to have your mind withdrawn from longing after your heavenly home.
Whoever shuns remembrance of the Benevolent One, We send him a devil to be his companion. And they block them from the path, yet they think they are guided, until when one of them comes to Us, he says (to his devil), "If only there were a distance between us, as far as the ends of the earth," for it is a wretched companion. And it will not profit you that day, you having done wrong, that you are partners in the punishment. [43: 36 to 39]
Hadith of the Day:
Hurry to perform Hajj, that is, the obligatory one, none of you knows what may happen to him. [Ahmad]
Wise Quote of the Day:
All humans are dead except those who have knowledge, and all those who have knowledge are asleep except those who act according to their knowledge, and all those who act are deceived except those who are sincere, and those who are sincere are always in a state of worry. [Imam Shafi'i]
Guidance of the Day:
As you give ascent to God, your old treasures wither like the leaves of autumn. Fear not, for what is God's shall most certainly be returned to you in great abundance, and what is no longer yours shall bear you no further need or pleasure.
When you are willing to confess that your love for God is greater than that for the world, a helping hand of brilliant light is extended to you. The new life that awaits you is one of splendor and richness. You have consciously renounced your dark dungeon of self. You have released yourself from the prison of self involvement and accepted your freedom. You have assented to your divinity, a happy reunion of all that is beautiful, lovely, and true. [Cohen, The Dragon Doesn't Live Here Anymore]
Food for Thought:
He lives long that lives well; and time misspent is not lived, but lost. A useless life is only an early death. We are in this life as it were in another man's house. . . . In heaven is our home, in the world is our Inn: Do not so entertain yourself in the Inn of this world for a day as to have your mind withdrawn from longing after your heavenly home.
Pearls of Wisdom....89
1. Our knowledge is wasted by not acting upon it.
2. Our actions are wasted by committing them without sincerity.
3. Our wealth is wasted by spending on that which will not bring us reward,
4. Our hearts are wasted for being empty of the love of Allah Most High, and empty of longing to go to Him, and empty of peace and contentment.
5. Our bodies are wasted for not being used mainly for Ibadah and service of Allah Most High.
6. Our love is wasted for being directed towards something or someone and not towards Allah Most High.
7. Our dhikr (remembrance of Allah Most High) is wasted for it does not affect our hearts and our lives.
8. Our time is wasted for not being used properly--------to compensate for that which has passed, by doing what is righteous to make up for the past deeds.
9. Our intellect is wasted for being used for things that are not beneficial, instead of in contemplation or reflection.
10. Our service is wasted for being at the service of someone who will not bring us close to Allah Most High. [Ibn Qayyim al Jawziya]
2. Our actions are wasted by committing them without sincerity.
3. Our wealth is wasted by spending on that which will not bring us reward,
4. Our hearts are wasted for being empty of the love of Allah Most High, and empty of longing to go to Him, and empty of peace and contentment.
5. Our bodies are wasted for not being used mainly for Ibadah and service of Allah Most High.
6. Our love is wasted for being directed towards something or someone and not towards Allah Most High.
7. Our dhikr (remembrance of Allah Most High) is wasted for it does not affect our hearts and our lives.
8. Our time is wasted for not being used properly--------to compensate for that which has passed, by doing what is righteous to make up for the past deeds.
9. Our intellect is wasted for being used for things that are not beneficial, instead of in contemplation or reflection.
10. Our service is wasted for being at the service of someone who will not bring us close to Allah Most High. [Ibn Qayyim al Jawziya]
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