LESSON OF THE DAY 1156

Ayah of the Day:
Our Lord, don't make us a test for those who scoff; and forgive us, our Lord, for You are the epitome of power and wisdom. [60: 5]

Hadith of the Day:
Every sin of a martyr is forgiven except debt. [Muslim]

Wise Quote of the Day:
Do not lose hope in adversity and complain that God singled you out for punishment, remitting others guilty of worse sins. Your present state could very well be His intent to elevate your spiritual station; or He could just be testing your faith. Everyday that you persevere, you grow closer to perfection. Thus your present despair may be beginning of an infinite blessing. [shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]

Guidance of the Day:
Intentions do not affect sins, just as purification does not affect that which is, by it very nature, impure. A man who goes along with another who is slandering a Muslim, then pretends that he only wanted to humor him, is himself a slanderer. A malicious intention attached to a good deed spoils it and renders it malicious; likewise when one performs good deeds for the sake of wealth and prestige. Strive always to intend that your obedience be solely for the sake of God, and that whatever licit things you may use are only to help you obey Him.

Know that many intentions can attach to a single act, and that each of them will attract its full reward. An example of this in devotional activities is when someone reads the Qur'an intending to commune with God, but also to extract from it different kinds of knowledge, to profit those who listen or just happen to hear, or any other good intention. And an example in licit matters is to eat with the intention of obeying the command of your Lord in His saying (Exalted is He!): O you who believe! Eat of the good things with which We have provided you, and give thanks to God. (2: 172) Intend by doing so to acquire strength for devotion, and to put yourself in a situation where you must thank your Lord. You can apply these two examples in an analogous fashion to all other devotional and licit activities. [Al-Haddad, The Book of Assistance]


Food for Thought:
Maturity is the ability to control anger, and settle differences without violence or destruction. Maturity is patience, the willingness to give up immediate pleasure in favor of the long-term gain. Maturity is perseverance, sweating out a project despite setbacks. Maturity is the capacity to face unpleasantness and disappointment without becoming bitter.