Ayahs of the Day:
I swear by the setting of the stars---and this is a tremendous oath, if you only knew----that this is a noble Recital, in a well-kept Book which none are to touch but those who are clean, a revelation from the Lord of the universe. So are you glossing over this message? And are you making your living by repudiating it? Then why when a person breathes his last while you are looking on----though We are closer to him than you, even if you do not see-----why then, if you are not under obligation, don't you revive him, if you are truthful? [56: 75 to 87]
Hadith of the Day:
Indeed the (earthly) world is cursed, cursed is everything therein except the remembrance of God and whatever is consistent therewith as well as the scholar and the student (of the sacred law) [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The outward appearance of an angry person is ugly enough, yet his inner appearance is even uglier. [Abdul Khalil Shabrawi]
Guidance of the Day:
Ongoing forgiveness is a good habit to learn, but we may not know how to do so. Primarily, forgiveness takes the willingness to let go and forget for always. We need to be willing to let go of attitudes, opinions, and feelings instead of hanging on being "right." We need to stop being caught up in our own narrow perspective and have compassion. We may never "like" the deed that occurred, but we can learn to accept it.
Taking an honest look will probably reveal incidents or qualities in ourselves or others that we find difficult to accept or forgive. Usually we gloss over and ignore how unforgiving we can be, for lack of forgiveness can become an entrenched habit. Living in a state of forgiveness is rare for most of us, but it can be done. We will always have reactions to people and circumstances, but our power is in how quickly we can let go of these reactions. Learning to forgive ourselves and others ongoingly frees up our lives and relationships. [Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
Is death the last sleep? No, it is the last awakening. If you expect death as a friend, prepare to entertain him; if as an enemy, prepare to overcome him.----Death has no advantage except when he comes as a stranger. Be a good cheer about death, and know this of a truth, that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Pearls of Wisdom....171
1. The night is long, so do not shorten it with (extra) sleep; and the day is bright, so do not obscure it with your sins. [Yahya ibn Mu'adh]
2. God will say to the people of Garden; "Enter the Garden through My mercy; dwell therein perpetually by your good intentions; and take your shares of it by your works. [Hasan al Basri]
3. Deeds without sincerity are like a traveler who carries in his water-jug dirt. The carrying of it burdens him and it brings no benefit. [Ibn al Qayyim]
4. Darkness is not dispelled by fighting it, but rather by spreading the light, when light comes out, darkness recedes. [Mufti Rafi Osmani]
5. The key to change is sincere, true repentance, to realize that the next life is better and everlasting. [Shaykh Faraz Rabbani]
6. The key to change is to take the means to distance oneself from the ways of harm, this requires seeking good company and leaving bad company. [Shaykh Faraz Rabbani]
7. The key to change is to busy oneself with good, wholesome activities and leaving harmful activities, and to keep turning to Allah through worship and yearning. [Shaykh Faraz Rabbani]
8. Stories are a soldier from the soldiers of Allah, with them Allah strengthens the hearts of His friends and chosen ones. [Shaykh al Jonayd]
9. The one who adorns his inward with vigilance and sincerity, God adorns his outward with striving and following the Sunnah. [Al Harith al Muhasibi]
10. There is no helper save God, no guide save the Messenger of God, no provision save taqwa, and no work save patience. [Sahl al Tustari]
2. God will say to the people of Garden; "Enter the Garden through My mercy; dwell therein perpetually by your good intentions; and take your shares of it by your works. [Hasan al Basri]
3. Deeds without sincerity are like a traveler who carries in his water-jug dirt. The carrying of it burdens him and it brings no benefit. [Ibn al Qayyim]
4. Darkness is not dispelled by fighting it, but rather by spreading the light, when light comes out, darkness recedes. [Mufti Rafi Osmani]
5. The key to change is sincere, true repentance, to realize that the next life is better and everlasting. [Shaykh Faraz Rabbani]
6. The key to change is to take the means to distance oneself from the ways of harm, this requires seeking good company and leaving bad company. [Shaykh Faraz Rabbani]
7. The key to change is to busy oneself with good, wholesome activities and leaving harmful activities, and to keep turning to Allah through worship and yearning. [Shaykh Faraz Rabbani]
8. Stories are a soldier from the soldiers of Allah, with them Allah strengthens the hearts of His friends and chosen ones. [Shaykh al Jonayd]
9. The one who adorns his inward with vigilance and sincerity, God adorns his outward with striving and following the Sunnah. [Al Harith al Muhasibi]
10. There is no helper save God, no guide save the Messenger of God, no provision save taqwa, and no work save patience. [Sahl al Tustari]
Friday, June 26, 2009
LESSON OF THE DAY 1132
Ayahs of the Day:
Now do you see the water you drink? Do you make it shower from the clouds, or is it We who cause the showers? If We wish, We would make it bitter; so why don't you give thanks? Now do you see the fire you light? Do you make the tree that fuels it grow, or are We the grower? We have made it a reminder and a convenience for inhabitants of deserts. So celebrate the name of your Lord, the Sublime. [56: 68 to 74]
Hadith of the Day:
Indeed the angels lower there wings before the seeker of (sacred) knowledge. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Real faith is having complete trust in God. It is the belief in the wisdom which comes from the Unseen. Such certainty can only be attained through the knowledge that emerges with Divine help. [Al-Hujwiri]
Guidance of the Day:
Without forgiveness there is no peace. Although learning forgiveness may be awkward, it is worth it. Forgiveness affords us freedom, peace of mind, vitality, enthusiasm for life, and the ability to live and love wholeheartedly. However, because of our automatic self-righteousness and our holding on to grievances, we may need to learn to forgive over and over again. Life would be so much more satisfying if we could accept how imperfect all human beings are and allow for our mistakes, and even for our sometimes terrible mistakes.
Forgiveness demands a deep compassion for all that being human comprises. We pay a very high price, probably daily, for our lack of forgiveness. We may not notice how much our current relationships are colored by old events or people, or how cut off we are from our enthusiasm for life. The price we pay for having all our energies tied up in past grievances shows up in our lack of vitality, poor health, troubled relationships, discouragement, loneliness, and isolation from one another. Seeing the price we pay, is it ever worth it not to forgive? [Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
Those who never retract their opinion love themselves more than they love truth. Only fools and dead men don't change their mind. Fools won't. Dead men can't.
Now do you see the water you drink? Do you make it shower from the clouds, or is it We who cause the showers? If We wish, We would make it bitter; so why don't you give thanks? Now do you see the fire you light? Do you make the tree that fuels it grow, or are We the grower? We have made it a reminder and a convenience for inhabitants of deserts. So celebrate the name of your Lord, the Sublime. [56: 68 to 74]
Hadith of the Day:
Indeed the angels lower there wings before the seeker of (sacred) knowledge. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Real faith is having complete trust in God. It is the belief in the wisdom which comes from the Unseen. Such certainty can only be attained through the knowledge that emerges with Divine help. [Al-Hujwiri]
Guidance of the Day:
Without forgiveness there is no peace. Although learning forgiveness may be awkward, it is worth it. Forgiveness affords us freedom, peace of mind, vitality, enthusiasm for life, and the ability to live and love wholeheartedly. However, because of our automatic self-righteousness and our holding on to grievances, we may need to learn to forgive over and over again. Life would be so much more satisfying if we could accept how imperfect all human beings are and allow for our mistakes, and even for our sometimes terrible mistakes.
Forgiveness demands a deep compassion for all that being human comprises. We pay a very high price, probably daily, for our lack of forgiveness. We may not notice how much our current relationships are colored by old events or people, or how cut off we are from our enthusiasm for life. The price we pay for having all our energies tied up in past grievances shows up in our lack of vitality, poor health, troubled relationships, discouragement, loneliness, and isolation from one another. Seeing the price we pay, is it ever worth it not to forgive? [Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
Those who never retract their opinion love themselves more than they love truth. Only fools and dead men don't change their mind. Fools won't. Dead men can't.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Pearls of Wisdom....170
1. Be joyous only for an increase in knowledge or in good works, for they are your two companions who will accompany you in your grave when your family, wealth, children, and friends stay behind. [Imam al Ghazali]
2. Every attribute that appears in the heart leaves traces on the limbs, and every action of the limbs can leave traces in the heart, so the relationship is reciprocal. [Zafar Othmani]
3. The quality of our supplication (dua) depends upon the purity of our hearts, for it is with our hearts that we connect to God. [Imam Mohammad Magid]
4. If you remember death and prepare for its coming, you will know endless joy when death arrives, whereas if you are complacent and procrastinate, death will come to you at an unforeseen moment and you will know regrets without end. [Imam al Ghazali]
5. Each of your breaths is a priceless jewel, can never be retrieved. Do not be like the deceived fools who are joyous because of an increase in their wealth while their life shortens. [Imama al Haddad]
6. The disobedience that begets humility and broken heartedness is better than the obedience that begets honor and pride. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
7. Whoever truly follow the Prophet (sws) do not have their own choice in matters. Rather, nothing stirs in their hearts except that which Allah and His messenger (sws) love. [Sahl al Tustari]
8. Be with the people in such a way that if you should die, they weep for you; and if you live, they long for you. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
9. If you do not believe that God can take you at this moment and make you one of His saintly believers (awliya), then you are ignorant of His power. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
10. Be not content with the stories of those who went before you----------go forth and create your own story. [Maulana Rumi]
2. Every attribute that appears in the heart leaves traces on the limbs, and every action of the limbs can leave traces in the heart, so the relationship is reciprocal. [Zafar Othmani]
3. The quality of our supplication (dua) depends upon the purity of our hearts, for it is with our hearts that we connect to God. [Imam Mohammad Magid]
4. If you remember death and prepare for its coming, you will know endless joy when death arrives, whereas if you are complacent and procrastinate, death will come to you at an unforeseen moment and you will know regrets without end. [Imam al Ghazali]
5. Each of your breaths is a priceless jewel, can never be retrieved. Do not be like the deceived fools who are joyous because of an increase in their wealth while their life shortens. [Imama al Haddad]
6. The disobedience that begets humility and broken heartedness is better than the obedience that begets honor and pride. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
7. Whoever truly follow the Prophet (sws) do not have their own choice in matters. Rather, nothing stirs in their hearts except that which Allah and His messenger (sws) love. [Sahl al Tustari]
8. Be with the people in such a way that if you should die, they weep for you; and if you live, they long for you. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
9. If you do not believe that God can take you at this moment and make you one of His saintly believers (awliya), then you are ignorant of His power. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
10. Be not content with the stories of those who went before you----------go forth and create your own story. [Maulana Rumi]
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
LESSON OF THE DAY 1131
Ayahs of the Day:
Now do you see the seed you sow? Is it you who are making it grow, or are We the producer of growth? If We wished, We would make it disintegrate to dust, and you would be bewildered; "We are burdened with debt, but we are dispossessed." [ 56: 63 to 67]
Hadith of the Day:
Be keen to pursue that which is beneficial to you, rely upon God for aid, and be not helpless. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The religious traits of character cannot take firm root in the soul until it has grown accustomed to every good habits and renounced every evil one. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the Day:
Never does the human soul appear so strong as when it forgoes revenge, and dares forgive an injury. The willingness to continuously forgive ourselves and others is a key source of aliveness in life, as well as a powerful route to not suffering. Unlike overlooking or condoning, forgiveness implies the need to accept often a shortcut to finishing our unfinished business with one another, to being complete and satisfied. To continually forgive is a beautiful gift-----may be the best gift-----to give ourselves and those around us.
Unfortunately, most of us opt to be "right" rather than to forgive. We bear grudges, hold on to past grievances, and criticize, attitudes which add misery, not joy, to our lives. Our vitality and contentment are limited to the degree that we do not ongoingly forgive. When we hold on to previous hurts, misfortunes, angers, or judgments, our attention and our energies are bound up in the past and today is clouded over; forgiveness allows us to release (or let go) and to complete (or put the past away). [Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
Faith means, not worrying. Faith is courage, it is creative, while despair is always destructive. He who has faith has an inward reservoir of courage, hope, confidence, calmness and assuring trust that all will come out well, even though to the world it may appear to come out most badly.
Now do you see the seed you sow? Is it you who are making it grow, or are We the producer of growth? If We wished, We would make it disintegrate to dust, and you would be bewildered; "We are burdened with debt, but we are dispossessed." [ 56: 63 to 67]
Hadith of the Day:
Be keen to pursue that which is beneficial to you, rely upon God for aid, and be not helpless. [Muslim]
Wise Quote of the Day:
The religious traits of character cannot take firm root in the soul until it has grown accustomed to every good habits and renounced every evil one. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the Day:
Never does the human soul appear so strong as when it forgoes revenge, and dares forgive an injury. The willingness to continuously forgive ourselves and others is a key source of aliveness in life, as well as a powerful route to not suffering. Unlike overlooking or condoning, forgiveness implies the need to accept often a shortcut to finishing our unfinished business with one another, to being complete and satisfied. To continually forgive is a beautiful gift-----may be the best gift-----to give ourselves and those around us.
Unfortunately, most of us opt to be "right" rather than to forgive. We bear grudges, hold on to past grievances, and criticize, attitudes which add misery, not joy, to our lives. Our vitality and contentment are limited to the degree that we do not ongoingly forgive. When we hold on to previous hurts, misfortunes, angers, or judgments, our attention and our energies are bound up in the past and today is clouded over; forgiveness allows us to release (or let go) and to complete (or put the past away). [Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
Faith means, not worrying. Faith is courage, it is creative, while despair is always destructive. He who has faith has an inward reservoir of courage, hope, confidence, calmness and assuring trust that all will come out well, even though to the world it may appear to come out most badly.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Pearls of Wisdom....169
1. Man's fear of Allah is equal to the his knowledge of Him and his renouncing of this world is equal to his desire of the Hereafter. [Irahim al Ash'ath]
2. Whenever Allah gives a blessing to a servant, and then takes it away from him, and the servant patiently endures his loss, then He rewards him with a blessing which is better than the one He took away. [Omar bin Abdul Azeez]
3. It was not the Muslims that had made Islam great, it was Islam that had made the Muslims great. [Muhammad Asad]
4. Whoever desires Paradise proceeds towards goodness, and whoever fears Hell refrains from the impulses of passions. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
5. Whoever believes firmly in death, detests worldly life, and whoever recognizes the worldly life, the trials and tribulations of life become slight for him. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
6. Someone who seeks to travel the path of Allah should begin with a sound repentance from all the sins. [Ibn al Haddad]
7. The heart becomes sick as the body becomes sick, and its remedy is repentance (Tawba). [Ibn al Qayyim al Jawziyyah]
8. The heart becomes rusty, and its clarity is obtained by remembrance (dhikr). [Ibn al Qayyim al Jawziyyah]
9. The heart becomes naked as the body becomes naked, and its beautification is God consciousness (Taqwa). [Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah]
10. The heart becomes hungry and thirsty, and its food and drink are knowledge of the Divine, love of the Divine, dependence, repentance, and servitude. [Ibn al Qayyim al Jawziyyah].
2. Whenever Allah gives a blessing to a servant, and then takes it away from him, and the servant patiently endures his loss, then He rewards him with a blessing which is better than the one He took away. [Omar bin Abdul Azeez]
3. It was not the Muslims that had made Islam great, it was Islam that had made the Muslims great. [Muhammad Asad]
4. Whoever desires Paradise proceeds towards goodness, and whoever fears Hell refrains from the impulses of passions. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
5. Whoever believes firmly in death, detests worldly life, and whoever recognizes the worldly life, the trials and tribulations of life become slight for him. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
6. Someone who seeks to travel the path of Allah should begin with a sound repentance from all the sins. [Ibn al Haddad]
7. The heart becomes sick as the body becomes sick, and its remedy is repentance (Tawba). [Ibn al Qayyim al Jawziyyah]
8. The heart becomes rusty, and its clarity is obtained by remembrance (dhikr). [Ibn al Qayyim al Jawziyyah]
9. The heart becomes naked as the body becomes naked, and its beautification is God consciousness (Taqwa). [Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyyah]
10. The heart becomes hungry and thirsty, and its food and drink are knowledge of the Divine, love of the Divine, dependence, repentance, and servitude. [Ibn al Qayyim al Jawziyyah].
Monday, June 22, 2009
LESSON OF THE DAY 1130
Ayahs of the Day:
We created you, so why not acknowledge the truth: Do you see the seed you emit? Did you create it, or are We the creator? We have ordered death among you, and We will not be preempted in Our changing your images and Our resurrecting you in states you do not know. You already know the first creation, so why not take a lesson? [56: 57 to 62]
Hadith of the Day:
Protect yourselves from the earth for it is your mother and there is no one who does any act, good or evil, except that it will tell about it. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Hidden creatures good and bad always touch the heart. The touch of the angel is inspiration; Satanic touches temptations untold. Tarry with patience until your confusion is resolved and you know whom you rejected and who became the leader of your heart. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
When we embrace fear, fear controls us. That's self-torture! Since we cannot eliminate fear from our lives, we need to have a successful relationship with fear. Most important is that we not let our fears dominate our actions, that we not be stopped by fear. The cure for fear is to push through the activity that frightens us, if we can. For we can discover that we can be afraid and do it anyway.
Pushing through fear can stretch us, expand us, and truly enhance our lives. Many of us have become successful public speakers, even though we were initially afraid to confront an audience. Relationships, job promotions, sports, or daring activities are all the more exciting when we supercede, not erase, our fears. [Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
Don't panic. Problems are made to be solved. Life was made to be lived. Panic, not the task, is the enemy. Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body. Courage is the mastery of fear.
We created you, so why not acknowledge the truth: Do you see the seed you emit? Did you create it, or are We the creator? We have ordered death among you, and We will not be preempted in Our changing your images and Our resurrecting you in states you do not know. You already know the first creation, so why not take a lesson? [56: 57 to 62]
Hadith of the Day:
Protect yourselves from the earth for it is your mother and there is no one who does any act, good or evil, except that it will tell about it. [Tabarani]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Hidden creatures good and bad always touch the heart. The touch of the angel is inspiration; Satanic touches temptations untold. Tarry with patience until your confusion is resolved and you know whom you rejected and who became the leader of your heart. [Mawlana Rumi]
Guidance of the Day:
When we embrace fear, fear controls us. That's self-torture! Since we cannot eliminate fear from our lives, we need to have a successful relationship with fear. Most important is that we not let our fears dominate our actions, that we not be stopped by fear. The cure for fear is to push through the activity that frightens us, if we can. For we can discover that we can be afraid and do it anyway.
Pushing through fear can stretch us, expand us, and truly enhance our lives. Many of us have become successful public speakers, even though we were initially afraid to confront an audience. Relationships, job promotions, sports, or daring activities are all the more exciting when we supercede, not erase, our fears. [Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
Don't panic. Problems are made to be solved. Life was made to be lived. Panic, not the task, is the enemy. Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body. Courage is the mastery of fear.
Interview for the Muslim Examiner
Assalamu alaikum,
This is an article that was posted at the Muslim Examiner website about Lessons of the day, I thought you might be interested in reading, please check it out and check out the rest of the site.
JazakAllah Khair
Iffath
This is an article that was posted at the Muslim Examiner website about Lessons of the day, I thought you might be interested in reading, please check it out and check out the rest of the site.
JazakAllah Khair
Iffath
Friday, June 19, 2009
Pearls of Wisdom....168
1. A person is not a human being while his tendencies include self indulgence, covetousness, temper, and attacking other people. [Imam al Ghazali]
2. The Muslims have got Islam as a legacy, hence they fail to recognize its value. [Marmaduke Pickthall]
3. Islam is not just a religion, Islam is everything. [Yusuf Islam]
4. Sincerity {Ikhlas) is to forget the vision of the creation by constantly looking at the Creator. [Abu Othman]
5. Read and you shall only behold that the most logical of all answers are always right there before your very eyes. [Moez Mas'ud]
6. When you mention the faults of others, remember your own faults. [Ibn Abbas]
7. How many lessons there are! And how little we learn!. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
8. Whoever is ill-tempered disgraces his honor, religion, and generosity. [Ibrahim al Ash'ath]
9. Consider this life as something you have left, consider death as something you have tasted, and consider the Hereafter as a home you have visited. I swear by Allah all of these things will happen. [Ata al Khurrasani]
10. When you find yourself slipping, remember Allah and the Last Day. If you died this very moment, is this a state you would want to die in. [Shaykh Faraz Rabbani]
2. The Muslims have got Islam as a legacy, hence they fail to recognize its value. [Marmaduke Pickthall]
3. Islam is not just a religion, Islam is everything. [Yusuf Islam]
4. Sincerity {Ikhlas) is to forget the vision of the creation by constantly looking at the Creator. [Abu Othman]
5. Read and you shall only behold that the most logical of all answers are always right there before your very eyes. [Moez Mas'ud]
6. When you mention the faults of others, remember your own faults. [Ibn Abbas]
7. How many lessons there are! And how little we learn!. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
8. Whoever is ill-tempered disgraces his honor, religion, and generosity. [Ibrahim al Ash'ath]
9. Consider this life as something you have left, consider death as something you have tasted, and consider the Hereafter as a home you have visited. I swear by Allah all of these things will happen. [Ata al Khurrasani]
10. When you find yourself slipping, remember Allah and the Last Day. If you died this very moment, is this a state you would want to die in. [Shaykh Faraz Rabbani]
Thursday, June 18, 2009
LESSON OF THE DAY 1129
Ayahs of the Day:
When the inevitable comes to pass, there will be none who deny its happening, humbling and exalting, when the earth is shaken with a shock, and the mountains are crushed, into scattered dust, you will be of three kinds: The company of the right side----what is the company of the right side? And the company of the left side-----what is the company of the left side? And those in the forefront will precede: they will be the favorites, in gardens of happiness. [56: 1 to 12]
Hadith of the Day:
A nation that discards Jihad, general calamities and hardships befall them. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
He who does not obey Him does not show Him gratitude. [Shaykh Abu Madyan]
Guidance of the Day:
Because complaining is so common among us, it is a self-torture of which we are usually unaware. So frequent and automatic are our objections to our lives that we do not notice that we are complaining about weather, the political situation, our bodies, each other, and endless other topics. Even though we may tune out or numb ourselves to our own and other people's objections, for many of us life is one big complaint.
Our objection to life may be valid. However, there are more satisfying ways of dealing with life than complaining. An effective alternative to consider is that we stop resisting life and accept things as they are, that we surrender to life. For instance, if the weather is hot, it is hot. No amount of complaining will alter that. If our partner is withdrawn right now, our partner is just withdrawn right now. Accepting, allowing life to be as it is, can afford us great peace of mind and ease of living, both the antidote for and the antithesis of self-torture. [Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
We can trust that when things don't work out the way we want, God has something better planned. Hope is a beacon that will guide us safely through the storm. In order to be realistic we must believe in miracles.
When the inevitable comes to pass, there will be none who deny its happening, humbling and exalting, when the earth is shaken with a shock, and the mountains are crushed, into scattered dust, you will be of three kinds: The company of the right side----what is the company of the right side? And the company of the left side-----what is the company of the left side? And those in the forefront will precede: they will be the favorites, in gardens of happiness. [56: 1 to 12]
Hadith of the Day:
A nation that discards Jihad, general calamities and hardships befall them. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
He who does not obey Him does not show Him gratitude. [Shaykh Abu Madyan]
Guidance of the Day:
Because complaining is so common among us, it is a self-torture of which we are usually unaware. So frequent and automatic are our objections to our lives that we do not notice that we are complaining about weather, the political situation, our bodies, each other, and endless other topics. Even though we may tune out or numb ourselves to our own and other people's objections, for many of us life is one big complaint.
Our objection to life may be valid. However, there are more satisfying ways of dealing with life than complaining. An effective alternative to consider is that we stop resisting life and accept things as they are, that we surrender to life. For instance, if the weather is hot, it is hot. No amount of complaining will alter that. If our partner is withdrawn right now, our partner is just withdrawn right now. Accepting, allowing life to be as it is, can afford us great peace of mind and ease of living, both the antidote for and the antithesis of self-torture. [Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
We can trust that when things don't work out the way we want, God has something better planned. Hope is a beacon that will guide us safely through the storm. In order to be realistic we must believe in miracles.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Pearls of Wisdom....167
1.If those who do not possess knowledge avoid the scholarly discussions, disagreements will end. [Imam al Ghazali]
2. Sky-scraping material achievements are of no value to the true Muslim if they hinder rather than help his spiritual growth. [Abu Muhammad Asad]
3. The primary meaning of the word Jihad is struggle or effort. The revelation is given, but those who follow it have to make it a constant effort, day by day, year after year, to put it into practice in a flawed and tragic world. [Karen Armstrong]
4. Allah's generosity is connected to gratitude, and gratitude is linked to increase in His generosity.
[Ali radi Allah anhu]
5. The generosity of Allah will not stop increasing unless the gratitude of the servant ceases. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
6. Be hard on yourself; easy on others. [Imam al Shafi'i]
7. Love your Lord by serving Him. For lovers are but servants of their Beloved. [A poet]
8. If knowledge had no other merit than to make the ignorant fear and respect you, and the scholars love and honor you, this would be a good enough reason to seek it, let alone its other merits in this world and the next. [Ibn Hizm]
9. Put aside your pride, set down your arrogance, and remember you grave. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
10. The life of this world and the hereafter, in the heart of a Believer are like the two scales of a balance, when one becomes heavier, the other becomes lighter. [Amr ibn Abdullah]
2. Sky-scraping material achievements are of no value to the true Muslim if they hinder rather than help his spiritual growth. [Abu Muhammad Asad]
3. The primary meaning of the word Jihad is struggle or effort. The revelation is given, but those who follow it have to make it a constant effort, day by day, year after year, to put it into practice in a flawed and tragic world. [Karen Armstrong]
4. Allah's generosity is connected to gratitude, and gratitude is linked to increase in His generosity.
[Ali radi Allah anhu]
5. The generosity of Allah will not stop increasing unless the gratitude of the servant ceases. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
6. Be hard on yourself; easy on others. [Imam al Shafi'i]
7. Love your Lord by serving Him. For lovers are but servants of their Beloved. [A poet]
8. If knowledge had no other merit than to make the ignorant fear and respect you, and the scholars love and honor you, this would be a good enough reason to seek it, let alone its other merits in this world and the next. [Ibn Hizm]
9. Put aside your pride, set down your arrogance, and remember you grave. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
10. The life of this world and the hereafter, in the heart of a Believer are like the two scales of a balance, when one becomes heavier, the other becomes lighter. [Amr ibn Abdullah]
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
LESSON OF THE DAY 1128
Ayahs of the Day:
They will recline on carpets lined with silk brocade, and the fruit of the two gardens will be near at hand----then which of the blessings of your Lord will you deny? In them will be women who restrain their glances, who no previous man or sprite has deflowered----then which of the blessings of your Lord will you deny-----like rubies and pearls; then which of the blessings of your Lord will you deny? Is the reward for good anything but good? Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you deny? [55: 54 to 60]
Hadith of the Day:
Pay regular charity out of your property, for truly it is a purifier......... and be kind to your relatives, and acknowledge the rights of the poor, neighbors, and those in need who seek your help. [Fiqh us Sunna]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Lovers of the Truth do not notice people's faults, for their own failings blind them of those of others. They do not curse nor do they wish harm to anyone at all. [Shaykh Muzaffar Ozak]
Guidance of the Day:
We must be willing to forgive and forget, to let go of our pain and go on. This is where many of us are unpracticed, for we habitually carry everything that has happened to us around in an ever-present storage bin called "the story of our life." Nothing keeps pain alive more than remembering it, so learning to forgive and forget is essential. Remember, suffering is perpetuating the pain of the past and carrying it into the future.
We can commit ourselves not to suffer or not to agonize over a disappointment. We can commit to be satisfied with life or to be complete with whatever has occurred, to live effortlessly instead of struggling, to be free of worry or free of the past. This is clearly a potent means for shifting our attitudes or behaviors. Our promises give us power; they release us from the idea that we are victims of anything. The discipline is not in making the promise but in keeping it. We have to be vigilant. We have to remember our promise not to suffer, sometimes every day, no matter what is going on around us. [Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
The greatest of faults is to be conscious of none. Getting to know yourself better takes courage. It is far easier to hide behind a mask than to see yourself as you really are. There are many who think they are perfect and need not change, who think they are the center of the universe, and they have a problem.
They will recline on carpets lined with silk brocade, and the fruit of the two gardens will be near at hand----then which of the blessings of your Lord will you deny? In them will be women who restrain their glances, who no previous man or sprite has deflowered----then which of the blessings of your Lord will you deny-----like rubies and pearls; then which of the blessings of your Lord will you deny? Is the reward for good anything but good? Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you deny? [55: 54 to 60]
Hadith of the Day:
Pay regular charity out of your property, for truly it is a purifier......... and be kind to your relatives, and acknowledge the rights of the poor, neighbors, and those in need who seek your help. [Fiqh us Sunna]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Lovers of the Truth do not notice people's faults, for their own failings blind them of those of others. They do not curse nor do they wish harm to anyone at all. [Shaykh Muzaffar Ozak]
Guidance of the Day:
We must be willing to forgive and forget, to let go of our pain and go on. This is where many of us are unpracticed, for we habitually carry everything that has happened to us around in an ever-present storage bin called "the story of our life." Nothing keeps pain alive more than remembering it, so learning to forgive and forget is essential. Remember, suffering is perpetuating the pain of the past and carrying it into the future.
We can commit ourselves not to suffer or not to agonize over a disappointment. We can commit to be satisfied with life or to be complete with whatever has occurred, to live effortlessly instead of struggling, to be free of worry or free of the past. This is clearly a potent means for shifting our attitudes or behaviors. Our promises give us power; they release us from the idea that we are victims of anything. The discipline is not in making the promise but in keeping it. We have to be vigilant. We have to remember our promise not to suffer, sometimes every day, no matter what is going on around us. [Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
The greatest of faults is to be conscious of none. Getting to know yourself better takes courage. It is far easier to hide behind a mask than to see yourself as you really are. There are many who think they are perfect and need not change, who think they are the center of the universe, and they have a problem.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Pearls of Wisdom....166
1. The spiritual warrior is the one who breaks an idol, and the idol of each person is his ego. [Al Qushayri]
2. Every drop of sweat and every breath we take is life, if not taken for the sake of Allah, will lead to regret and sorrow on the Day of Judgment. [Ibn al Qayyim]
3. The Qur'an guides you to the recognition of your illness and their remedies. Your illness are your sins, and your medicine is seeking Allah's forgiveness. [Qatadah radi Allah anhu]
4. The essence of knowledge is to know what obedience and worship are. [Imam al Ghazali]
5. Be with people in such a way that if you die, they should weep for you, and if you live they should long for you. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
6. Whoever desires to purify his heart then let him prefer Allah to his desires. [Ibn al Qayyim]
7. What you love to have with you in the Hereafter you should advance today, and what you hate to have with you, you should abandon it today. [Salman ibn Dinar]
8. I looked at my friends, and I did not find a better friend than safeguarding my tongue. I thought about all the outfits, but I did not find a better outfit than piety. I thought of all types of wealth but did not find a better wealth than contentment. I thought of all types of good deeds but did not find a better deed than offering good advice. I looked at all types of sustenance, but did not find a better sustenance than patience. [Omar radi Allah anhu]
2. Every drop of sweat and every breath we take is life, if not taken for the sake of Allah, will lead to regret and sorrow on the Day of Judgment. [Ibn al Qayyim]
3. The Qur'an guides you to the recognition of your illness and their remedies. Your illness are your sins, and your medicine is seeking Allah's forgiveness. [Qatadah radi Allah anhu]
4. The essence of knowledge is to know what obedience and worship are. [Imam al Ghazali]
5. Be with people in such a way that if you die, they should weep for you, and if you live they should long for you. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
6. Whoever desires to purify his heart then let him prefer Allah to his desires. [Ibn al Qayyim]
7. What you love to have with you in the Hereafter you should advance today, and what you hate to have with you, you should abandon it today. [Salman ibn Dinar]
8. I looked at my friends, and I did not find a better friend than safeguarding my tongue. I thought about all the outfits, but I did not find a better outfit than piety. I thought of all types of wealth but did not find a better wealth than contentment. I thought of all types of good deeds but did not find a better deed than offering good advice. I looked at all types of sustenance, but did not find a better sustenance than patience. [Omar radi Allah anhu]
Friday, June 12, 2009
LESSON OF THE DAY 1127
Ayahs of the Day:
But for those who fear standing before their Lord there are two gardens-----now which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny----both containing all species-----now which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny-----in both are two springs flowing----now which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny----in both are every fruit, two pairs----now which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny? [55: 46 to53]
Hadith of the Day:
A servant of God will remain standing on the Day of Judgment until he is questioned about his time on earth, and how he spend it; about his knowledge and how he utilized it, about his wealth and from where he acquired it and in what he spent it, and about his body and how he used it. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Entertainment has become the opium of the masses. [Ibrahim Kreps]
Guidance of the Day:
A person who devotes himself to learning God's religion, God Almighty gives him sufficient care and provides for him in unexpected ways. It is essential in the search of knowledge to reduce one's attachment to worldly affairs as much as one can. If you do not keep your soul occupied with good, it will keep you occupied with evil.
It is said that whoever does good to others is rewarded because of his beneficence, while he who does evil, his evil deed suffices him as a punishment. Beware of hostile action, this will cover you with the shame and waste your time. You may protect yourself from every guile of your enemy, but when the enemy plots against you, do not plot against him. [Imam al Zarnuji---------The Method of Learning]
Food for Thought:
The great end of life is not knowledge but action. What it lies in our power to do; it lies in our power not to do. Be at war with your vices, at peace with you neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.
But for those who fear standing before their Lord there are two gardens-----now which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny----both containing all species-----now which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny-----in both are two springs flowing----now which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny----in both are every fruit, two pairs----now which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny? [55: 46 to53]
Hadith of the Day:
A servant of God will remain standing on the Day of Judgment until he is questioned about his time on earth, and how he spend it; about his knowledge and how he utilized it, about his wealth and from where he acquired it and in what he spent it, and about his body and how he used it. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Entertainment has become the opium of the masses. [Ibrahim Kreps]
Guidance of the Day:
A person who devotes himself to learning God's religion, God Almighty gives him sufficient care and provides for him in unexpected ways. It is essential in the search of knowledge to reduce one's attachment to worldly affairs as much as one can. If you do not keep your soul occupied with good, it will keep you occupied with evil.
It is said that whoever does good to others is rewarded because of his beneficence, while he who does evil, his evil deed suffices him as a punishment. Beware of hostile action, this will cover you with the shame and waste your time. You may protect yourself from every guile of your enemy, but when the enemy plots against you, do not plot against him. [Imam al Zarnuji---------The Method of Learning]
Food for Thought:
The great end of life is not knowledge but action. What it lies in our power to do; it lies in our power not to do. Be at war with your vices, at peace with you neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Pearls of Wisdom....165
1. The straight path is the shortest distance between two points. [Abdul Hakim Murad]
2. Without meaning (in life) there is only meanness. [Abdul Hakim Murad]
3. If men wish to draw near to God, they must speak well of all men, whether present or absent. [Abu Sa'id bin Abil Khair]
4. Do not dispute with anyone in any matter as far as possible; for in argument lies much harm and its evil is greater than its benefit. [Imam al Ghazali]
5. Sincere devotion (Ikhlas) also means forgetting to notice one's fellow creature, through paying constant attention to the Creator. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
6. You should reflect on God's complete awareness of you, and His seeing and knowing all about you. [Ibn Alawi al Haddad]
7. Know that hearing and sight are two open doors, whatever enters through them reaches the heart. [Ibn Alawi al Haddad]
8. Whoever turns to God by remembering Him frequently will eventually turn to Him in all his affairs. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
9. Whoever remembers death frequently will benefit in three ways---------he will hasten to repent; he will become content with what is sufficient; and he will become active in worship. [Shaykh al Daqaq]
10. Whoever forgets death will be punished in three ways----------he will delay in repentance; he will no longer be content with what is sufficient; and he will be lazy in worship. [Shaykh al Daqaq]
2. Without meaning (in life) there is only meanness. [Abdul Hakim Murad]
3. If men wish to draw near to God, they must speak well of all men, whether present or absent. [Abu Sa'id bin Abil Khair]
4. Do not dispute with anyone in any matter as far as possible; for in argument lies much harm and its evil is greater than its benefit. [Imam al Ghazali]
5. Sincere devotion (Ikhlas) also means forgetting to notice one's fellow creature, through paying constant attention to the Creator. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
6. You should reflect on God's complete awareness of you, and His seeing and knowing all about you. [Ibn Alawi al Haddad]
7. Know that hearing and sight are two open doors, whatever enters through them reaches the heart. [Ibn Alawi al Haddad]
8. Whoever turns to God by remembering Him frequently will eventually turn to Him in all his affairs. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
9. Whoever remembers death frequently will benefit in three ways---------he will hasten to repent; he will become content with what is sufficient; and he will become active in worship. [Shaykh al Daqaq]
10. Whoever forgets death will be punished in three ways----------he will delay in repentance; he will no longer be content with what is sufficient; and he will be lazy in worship. [Shaykh al Daqaq]
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
LESSON OF THE DAY 1126
Ayahs of the Day:
Now on that day no human and no sprite will be asked about his sin----then which of the powers of your Lord will you deny----the sinners will be known by their marks; and they will be seized by their forelocks and their feet----then which of the powers of your Lord will you deny? This is the hell that sinners deny; they will go round between it and boiling water; then which of the powers of your Lord will you deny? [55: 39 to 45]
Hadith of the Day:
Knowledge from which no benefit is derived is like a treasure out of which nothing is spent in the cause of Allah. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If you devote yourself to God in this world, He will admit you among His chosen servants in the Hereafter. Such devotion, however, demands sacrifice and self-denial, the two instruments that make union with God possible. [Al-Hujwiri]
Guidance of the Day:
Among those things that bring about forgetfulness are wrong doings, harboring worries and anxieties over worldly matters, and being distracted by many occupations and attachments. Worldly anxieties create darkness in the heart, but concern for the Hereafter brings light into the heart. This light becomes apparent through prayer.
Anxiety for worldly affairs impedes one from doing good, while concern for the Hereafter incites one to do good, as does occupying oneself with prayer in a spirit of humility and presence of mind. [Imam al Zarnuji----------The Method of Learning]
Food for Thought:
Lost time is never found again. If time be of all things most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality. Leisure is the time for doing something useful. The mould's of a man's fortune is in his own hands.
Now on that day no human and no sprite will be asked about his sin----then which of the powers of your Lord will you deny----the sinners will be known by their marks; and they will be seized by their forelocks and their feet----then which of the powers of your Lord will you deny? This is the hell that sinners deny; they will go round between it and boiling water; then which of the powers of your Lord will you deny? [55: 39 to 45]
Hadith of the Day:
Knowledge from which no benefit is derived is like a treasure out of which nothing is spent in the cause of Allah. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
If you devote yourself to God in this world, He will admit you among His chosen servants in the Hereafter. Such devotion, however, demands sacrifice and self-denial, the two instruments that make union with God possible. [Al-Hujwiri]
Guidance of the Day:
Among those things that bring about forgetfulness are wrong doings, harboring worries and anxieties over worldly matters, and being distracted by many occupations and attachments. Worldly anxieties create darkness in the heart, but concern for the Hereafter brings light into the heart. This light becomes apparent through prayer.
Anxiety for worldly affairs impedes one from doing good, while concern for the Hereafter incites one to do good, as does occupying oneself with prayer in a spirit of humility and presence of mind. [Imam al Zarnuji----------The Method of Learning]
Food for Thought:
Lost time is never found again. If time be of all things most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality. Leisure is the time for doing something useful. The mould's of a man's fortune is in his own hands.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Pearls of Wisdom....164
1. Anyone who makes the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) his rule in word and deed speaks with wisdom. [Othman al Hariri]
2. When a person conforms himself to the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), God illumines his heart with the light of His intimate knowledge. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
3. Prove the sincerity of your respect for the Qur'an by putting its teachings into practice, not by arguing about it. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
4. Taqwa is the foundation of all that is good, it is a source of wordly benefit, a source of wisdom and all kinds of knowledge, of purity of heart and of many secrets. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
5. Do not dispute anyone in any matter as far as possible. For in argumentation lies much harm and its evil is greater than its benefit. [Imam al Ghazali]
6. The religious traits of character cannot take firm root in the soul until it has grown accustomed to every good habit and renounced every evil one. [Imam al Ghazali]
7. Invocations are a barrier between the slave and the hellfire, if the remembrance is contineous and permanent then the barrier is good and solid, if not, it is fragile and torn. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
8. Until you annihilate your selfish lower self of desires and lusts through strict and sincere striving, your heart will never become illumined with the light of knowledge. [Imam al Ghazali]
9. The outward appearance of an angry person is ugly enough, yet his inner appearance is even uglier. [Abdul Khaliq al Shabrawi]
10. Try to gladden the hearts of believers in every possible way, as long as these ways are not sinful. [Imam al Haddad]
2. When a person conforms himself to the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), God illumines his heart with the light of His intimate knowledge. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
3. Prove the sincerity of your respect for the Qur'an by putting its teachings into practice, not by arguing about it. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
4. Taqwa is the foundation of all that is good, it is a source of wordly benefit, a source of wisdom and all kinds of knowledge, of purity of heart and of many secrets. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
5. Do not dispute anyone in any matter as far as possible. For in argumentation lies much harm and its evil is greater than its benefit. [Imam al Ghazali]
6. The religious traits of character cannot take firm root in the soul until it has grown accustomed to every good habit and renounced every evil one. [Imam al Ghazali]
7. Invocations are a barrier between the slave and the hellfire, if the remembrance is contineous and permanent then the barrier is good and solid, if not, it is fragile and torn. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
8. Until you annihilate your selfish lower self of desires and lusts through strict and sincere striving, your heart will never become illumined with the light of knowledge. [Imam al Ghazali]
9. The outward appearance of an angry person is ugly enough, yet his inner appearance is even uglier. [Abdul Khaliq al Shabrawi]
10. Try to gladden the hearts of believers in every possible way, as long as these ways are not sinful. [Imam al Haddad]
Friday, June 05, 2009
LESSON OF THE DAY 1125
Ayahs of the Day:
O company of sprites and humans: if you can penetrate the ranges of the heavens and the earth, then go ahead. You cannot penetrate without authority. So which of the powers of your Lord do you deny? Flames of fire will be sent on you, and smoke; and you will not be able to defend yourselves; then which of the powers of your Lord will you deny? And when the sky splits apart and becomes rosy as rouge, then which of the powers of your Lord will you deny? [55: 33 to 38]
Hadith of the Day:
Call yourselves to account before you are called to account, and weigh up your deeds before they are weighed for you. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Knowledge and living according to our knowledge lead to a state of awe and fear of Allah, which is a defense against all evil within and without ourselves. [Imam Birgivi]
Guidance of the Day:
It is said that people are divided into the following--------a man, a half a man, and nothing. A man is one who is sound of judgment and also consults others. A half man is one who is sound of judgment but does not seek advice, or seeks advice but is not of sound judgment. One who is nothing is a person who is neither sound in judgment nor one who seeks advice. Seek advice in your affairs from those who are God fearing. No person ever perished from seeking advice. [Imam al Zarnuji------The Method of Learning]
Food for Thought:
There is a difference between happiness and wisdom, he that thinks himself the happiest man is really so; but he that thinks himself the wisest is generally the greatest fool. The doors of wisdom are never shut.
O company of sprites and humans: if you can penetrate the ranges of the heavens and the earth, then go ahead. You cannot penetrate without authority. So which of the powers of your Lord do you deny? Flames of fire will be sent on you, and smoke; and you will not be able to defend yourselves; then which of the powers of your Lord will you deny? And when the sky splits apart and becomes rosy as rouge, then which of the powers of your Lord will you deny? [55: 33 to 38]
Hadith of the Day:
Call yourselves to account before you are called to account, and weigh up your deeds before they are weighed for you. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Knowledge and living according to our knowledge lead to a state of awe and fear of Allah, which is a defense against all evil within and without ourselves. [Imam Birgivi]
Guidance of the Day:
It is said that people are divided into the following--------a man, a half a man, and nothing. A man is one who is sound of judgment and also consults others. A half man is one who is sound of judgment but does not seek advice, or seeks advice but is not of sound judgment. One who is nothing is a person who is neither sound in judgment nor one who seeks advice. Seek advice in your affairs from those who are God fearing. No person ever perished from seeking advice. [Imam al Zarnuji------The Method of Learning]
Food for Thought:
There is a difference between happiness and wisdom, he that thinks himself the happiest man is really so; but he that thinks himself the wisest is generally the greatest fool. The doors of wisdom are never shut.
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Pearls of Wisdom....163
1. When the believers hear the command of their Beloved they rejoice in recognizing the tremendous favor and honor of slavehood, and rush to obey. [Shaykh Faraz Rabbani]
2. The world is an abode of works; there are no rewards in it. The Hereafter is the abode of rewards, there are no works in it. So act in the abode of no rewards for the sake of the abode of no works. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
3. Prove the sincerity of your respect for the Qur'an by putting its teachings into practice, not by arguing about it. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
4. Taqwa is the foundation of all that is good, it is a source of wordly benefit, a source of wisdom and all kinds of knowledge, of purity of heart and of many secrets. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
5. Do not dispute anyone in any matter as far as possible. For in argumentation lies much harm and its evil is greater than its benefit. [Imam al Ghazali]
6. The religious traits of character cannot take firm root in the soul until it has grown accustomed to every good habit and renounced every evil one. [Imam al Ghazali]
7. Invocations are a barrier between the slave and the hellfire, if the remembrance is continuous and permanent then the barrier is good and solid, if not, it is fragile and torn. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
8. Until you annihilate your selfish lower self of desires and lusts through strict and sincere striving, your heart will never become illumined with the light of knowledge. [Imam al Ghazali]
9. The outward appearance of an angry person is ugly enough, yet his inner appearance is even uglier. [Abdul Khaliq la Shabrawi]
10. Try to gladden the hearts of believers in every possible way, as long as these ways are not sinful. [Imam al Haddad]
2. The world is an abode of works; there are no rewards in it. The Hereafter is the abode of rewards, there are no works in it. So act in the abode of no rewards for the sake of the abode of no works. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
3. Prove the sincerity of your respect for the Qur'an by putting its teachings into practice, not by arguing about it. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
4. Taqwa is the foundation of all that is good, it is a source of wordly benefit, a source of wisdom and all kinds of knowledge, of purity of heart and of many secrets. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
5. Do not dispute anyone in any matter as far as possible. For in argumentation lies much harm and its evil is greater than its benefit. [Imam al Ghazali]
6. The religious traits of character cannot take firm root in the soul until it has grown accustomed to every good habit and renounced every evil one. [Imam al Ghazali]
7. Invocations are a barrier between the slave and the hellfire, if the remembrance is continuous and permanent then the barrier is good and solid, if not, it is fragile and torn. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
8. Until you annihilate your selfish lower self of desires and lusts through strict and sincere striving, your heart will never become illumined with the light of knowledge. [Imam al Ghazali]
9. The outward appearance of an angry person is ugly enough, yet his inner appearance is even uglier. [Abdul Khaliq la Shabrawi]
10. Try to gladden the hearts of believers in every possible way, as long as these ways are not sinful. [Imam al Haddad]
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
LESSON OF THE DAY 1124
Ayahs of the Day:
Every being on earth perishes, yet there remains the design of your Lord, sublime and honorable: so which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny? All things in the heavens and the earth ask of the One who's in charge every day------now which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny? We will soon attend to you, you who are heavy-handed------now which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny? [55: 26 to 32]
Hadith of the Day:
The astute is one who passes judgment on himself and works for what is after death, and the fool is one who pursues vain desires and accounts on God the Exalted to realize his wishes. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
No good deed is fruitless: work while yet there is time: for with judgment the door will be closed for repentance. [Abdullah Yusuf Ali]
Guidance of the Day:
Taking responsibility, taking ownership of our lives, is the powerful alternative to being a victim. This means allowing, accepting, and participating in what happens to us, rather than resisting life's events. From the vantage point of ownership, we can look for what we can learn, how we can grow, and how we can ultimately make our lives more rewarding as a result of any experience.
When we are living responsible, we can create value out of our experiences. Then an illness or the breakup of a relationship can be a useful stopping place to reexamine life, to weed out what is unimportant and to nurture that which has meaning to us. An accident could be a time for appreciating what we have and almost lost. A failure could be a chance to generate new goals or to develop more skills. Most important, instead of considering ourselves as victim of an accident or crisis, we could include it as one of the many experiences offered us in a full lifetime. [Judy Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
Is death the last sleep? No, it is the last and final awakening. When death, the great reconciler, has come, it is never our tenderness that we repent of, but our severity. When death comes to a man who has completed his mission. He has nothing to fear, nothing to dread.
Every being on earth perishes, yet there remains the design of your Lord, sublime and honorable: so which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny? All things in the heavens and the earth ask of the One who's in charge every day------now which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny? We will soon attend to you, you who are heavy-handed------now which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny? [55: 26 to 32]
Hadith of the Day:
The astute is one who passes judgment on himself and works for what is after death, and the fool is one who pursues vain desires and accounts on God the Exalted to realize his wishes. [Tirmidhi]
Wise Quote of the Day:
No good deed is fruitless: work while yet there is time: for with judgment the door will be closed for repentance. [Abdullah Yusuf Ali]
Guidance of the Day:
Taking responsibility, taking ownership of our lives, is the powerful alternative to being a victim. This means allowing, accepting, and participating in what happens to us, rather than resisting life's events. From the vantage point of ownership, we can look for what we can learn, how we can grow, and how we can ultimately make our lives more rewarding as a result of any experience.
When we are living responsible, we can create value out of our experiences. Then an illness or the breakup of a relationship can be a useful stopping place to reexamine life, to weed out what is unimportant and to nurture that which has meaning to us. An accident could be a time for appreciating what we have and almost lost. A failure could be a chance to generate new goals or to develop more skills. Most important, instead of considering ourselves as victim of an accident or crisis, we could include it as one of the many experiences offered us in a full lifetime. [Judy Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
Is death the last sleep? No, it is the last and final awakening. When death, the great reconciler, has come, it is never our tenderness that we repent of, but our severity. When death comes to a man who has completed his mission. He has nothing to fear, nothing to dread.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Pearls of Wisdom....162
1. Worship has four characteristics: the fulfillment of pledges, observing the limits of the law, contentment with one's actual condition, and patience in the midst of loses. [Ibn Abbad]
2. Worship is a quality inherent in the servant, which prompts him to obey the Divine Commands, avoid what is forbidden, and be resigned to the Divine decrees. [Ibn Abbad]
3. You must understand that God more than substitutes for every transient thing. Indeed the one who finds God wants nothing else; but the one who loses Him possesses nothing. [Ibn Abbad]
4. Contentment is the widest door to God, the garden of this world, and the resting place for God's servants. [Ibn Abbad]
5. A person who renounces something for his Lord will be more than compensated with strong faith and the rewards of obedience to the Lord of the Universe. [Ibn Abbad]
6. Anyone who makes the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him) his rule in word and deed speaks with wisdom. [Othman al Hariri]
7. When one conforms himself to the examples of the Prophet (peace be upon him), God illumines his heart with the light of intimate knowledge. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
8. Learn from those who know more than you do and teach those who know less than you do. [Ibn Mas'ud radi Allah anhu]
9. Lead men to God and none other than Him; for anyone who leads you to this world has deceived you, and anyone who leads you to work alone makes you weary, and anyone who leads you to God has befriended you. [Ibn Abbad]
10. Wisdom is the lost property of the Believer, so take wisdom wherever you find it, even from a disbeliever. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
2. Worship is a quality inherent in the servant, which prompts him to obey the Divine Commands, avoid what is forbidden, and be resigned to the Divine decrees. [Ibn Abbad]
3. You must understand that God more than substitutes for every transient thing. Indeed the one who finds God wants nothing else; but the one who loses Him possesses nothing. [Ibn Abbad]
4. Contentment is the widest door to God, the garden of this world, and the resting place for God's servants. [Ibn Abbad]
5. A person who renounces something for his Lord will be more than compensated with strong faith and the rewards of obedience to the Lord of the Universe. [Ibn Abbad]
6. Anyone who makes the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him) his rule in word and deed speaks with wisdom. [Othman al Hariri]
7. When one conforms himself to the examples of the Prophet (peace be upon him), God illumines his heart with the light of intimate knowledge. [Ibn Ata'Allah]
8. Learn from those who know more than you do and teach those who know less than you do. [Ibn Mas'ud radi Allah anhu]
9. Lead men to God and none other than Him; for anyone who leads you to this world has deceived you, and anyone who leads you to work alone makes you weary, and anyone who leads you to God has befriended you. [Ibn Abbad]
10. Wisdom is the lost property of the Believer, so take wisdom wherever you find it, even from a disbeliever. [Ali radi Allah anhu]
Monday, June 01, 2009
LESSON OF THE DAY 1123
Ayahs of the Day:
Lord of the two Easts and Lord of the two Wests-----which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny-----having loosed the two bodies of water to meet without overflowing a barrier between them----so which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny------from them come pearls and coral-----so which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny------Owner of the ships under sail over the sea, like mountains-----which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny? [55: 17 to 25]
Hadith of the Day:
Work for God in proportion to your need for Him, and work for the Fire in proportion to your ability to endure it. [Kanz ul ammal]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Do not dispute anyone in any matter as far as possible. For in argumentation lies much harm and its evil is greater than its benefit. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the Day:
There is a way out. We can confront hurt and let it go. We can live full and intimate lives, allowing that we might be hurt occasionally. All it would take is for us to be able to say "Ouch!" or "That hurt!" to one another at appropriate moments, to express the pain and let it go. We do not have to suppress our feelings, for we can let them go more quickly. We cannot overcome the fact of hurt in life, and we can overcome our difficulties in coping with hurt-----if we are willing.
Knowing now that we have a choice about how we approach hurt and suffering, we will look next at what it takes to make such a choice. At this point we may feel stirred up or confused, for the idea that we have any choice over hurt and suffering may challenge lifelong beliefs. Many of us have inadvertently lived as victims of our circumstances and our feelings for most of our lives. We do not have to be victims any longer. [Judy Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
It is man's duty to fight, but God to give success. Chance never helps those who do not help themselves. Go and wake up your luck. I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it. Luck is what you have left over after you give 100 percent.
Lord of the two Easts and Lord of the two Wests-----which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny-----having loosed the two bodies of water to meet without overflowing a barrier between them----so which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny------from them come pearls and coral-----so which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny------Owner of the ships under sail over the sea, like mountains-----which of the blessings of your Lord do you deny? [55: 17 to 25]
Hadith of the Day:
Work for God in proportion to your need for Him, and work for the Fire in proportion to your ability to endure it. [Kanz ul ammal]
Wise Quote of the Day:
Do not dispute anyone in any matter as far as possible. For in argumentation lies much harm and its evil is greater than its benefit. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the Day:
There is a way out. We can confront hurt and let it go. We can live full and intimate lives, allowing that we might be hurt occasionally. All it would take is for us to be able to say "Ouch!" or "That hurt!" to one another at appropriate moments, to express the pain and let it go. We do not have to suppress our feelings, for we can let them go more quickly. We cannot overcome the fact of hurt in life, and we can overcome our difficulties in coping with hurt-----if we are willing.
Knowing now that we have a choice about how we approach hurt and suffering, we will look next at what it takes to make such a choice. At this point we may feel stirred up or confused, for the idea that we have any choice over hurt and suffering may challenge lifelong beliefs. Many of us have inadvertently lived as victims of our circumstances and our feelings for most of our lives. We do not have to be victims any longer. [Judy Tatelbaum, You Don't Have to Suffer]
Food for Thought:
It is man's duty to fight, but God to give success. Chance never helps those who do not help themselves. Go and wake up your luck. I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it. Luck is what you have left over after you give 100 percent.
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