1. He who walks on the mystic path, has no longing after fine palaces and fair gardens; in his heart is nothing but the pain of yearning love of God.
2. Though you build lofty palaces as high as the heavens, yet in the end you will come to be buried under the earth.
3. Be not unmindful of Eternity and set not your heart upon the transient goods of this world.
4. Be patient in the midst of the trials and tribulations of this life and when things go well give thanks to God Most High.
5. He who truly knows God by contemplation, realizes that Eternal life means passing away from the personal self -- without this knowledge man has no real existence.
6. Seek for Reality within your own heart, for Reality, in truth, is hidden within you.
7. Cast aside the veil from existence and nonexistence, and you will see forthwith the true meaning of God's purpose.
8. O Lord! How glorious is the manifestation of Your Light! You are the Sought and the Seeker. [Above quotes by Khwaja Fariduddin Attar]
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1290
Ayahs of the day:
And be wary of a day when no soul can compensate for another soul, and no compromise will be accepted from it, and no intercession will avail it, and they will not be helped. [2: 123]
Hadith of the day:
If you were to rely on Allah as He should be relied on, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds. They go out in the morning hungry and return in the evening full. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
Devotion to one's religious duty (taqwa) is the foundation of all that is good, it is a source of worldly benefit, a source of wisdom and all kinds of knowledge, of purity of heart and of many secrets. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the day:
In fact, the guile of Satan is ever feeble (4: 76). It is like a cobweb appearing before you -- it cannot prevent you from going forward, and you do not have to attach any great importance to it. Satan only suggests or whispers, gilds sinful acts and presents them in falsely ornamented wrappers. Believers must never accept his invitations.
When Satan resorts to whispering, we should realize that he is using his weakest strategy and ignore him. If we pay attention to these whisperings, we may be defeated. Believers who listen to Satan weaken their ability to resist both him and their carnal selves. In the end such believers are defeated. Believers who want to avoid this trap should remain far away from sins, all of which Satan tries to make attractive. Heedlessness and neglect of worship are invitations to Satan's "arrows". Remembering the All-Merciful, thinking about noble or sacred phenomena, and living a religious life protect us from Satan's attacks. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Morality, reason, judgment, and enthusiasm are the qualities of a leader and the foundations for success. Nothing so conclusive proves a man's ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.
And be wary of a day when no soul can compensate for another soul, and no compromise will be accepted from it, and no intercession will avail it, and they will not be helped. [2: 123]
Hadith of the day:
If you were to rely on Allah as He should be relied on, He would provide for you as He provides for the birds. They go out in the morning hungry and return in the evening full. [Tirmidhi]
Wise quote of the day:
Devotion to one's religious duty (taqwa) is the foundation of all that is good, it is a source of worldly benefit, a source of wisdom and all kinds of knowledge, of purity of heart and of many secrets. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the day:
In fact, the guile of Satan is ever feeble (4: 76). It is like a cobweb appearing before you -- it cannot prevent you from going forward, and you do not have to attach any great importance to it. Satan only suggests or whispers, gilds sinful acts and presents them in falsely ornamented wrappers. Believers must never accept his invitations.
When Satan resorts to whispering, we should realize that he is using his weakest strategy and ignore him. If we pay attention to these whisperings, we may be defeated. Believers who listen to Satan weaken their ability to resist both him and their carnal selves. In the end such believers are defeated. Believers who want to avoid this trap should remain far away from sins, all of which Satan tries to make attractive. Heedlessness and neglect of worship are invitations to Satan's "arrows". Remembering the All-Merciful, thinking about noble or sacred phenomena, and living a religious life protect us from Satan's attacks. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
Morality, reason, judgment, and enthusiasm are the qualities of a leader and the foundations for success. Nothing so conclusive proves a man's ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Zaki's Interview
An Interview with Zaki Hasan, Professor of Communication and Media Studies:
http://www.islamintheageofnewmedia.com/blog/59/zaki-hasan-interview/
http://www.islamintheageofnewmedia.com/blog/59/zaki-hasan-interview/
Monday, October 24, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 319
1. When you get up in the morning, start your day with the glorification of the Most Glorious.
2. Aspirant of worldly indulgence is like a person who drinks salt water of the sea -- the more he drinks, the more his thirst increases.
3. To overcome appetitive desire, is the quality of the angels and to be overpowered by them is the traits of animals.
4. The best device to get vigilant awareness in prayer is to keep in view the meanings of what you recite.
5. Heart can never be radiant by Divine light unless ego and carnal desire, by undergoing austerities and mortification, become subservient to Shariah.
6. The servants desire of worldly gains is more disastrous than the tricks of Satan.
7. To revile the calamities and turmoil of the world is equal to assail God with bitter abuse.
8. Be moderate in worship of Him, shun heaviness but be consistent.
9. Attain that knowledge which creates awareness of your inmost being.
10. To earn lawful livelihood for the dependents is the task of abdal, to bring them up teaching good manners and best conduct is the greater jihad. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
2. Aspirant of worldly indulgence is like a person who drinks salt water of the sea -- the more he drinks, the more his thirst increases.
3. To overcome appetitive desire, is the quality of the angels and to be overpowered by them is the traits of animals.
4. The best device to get vigilant awareness in prayer is to keep in view the meanings of what you recite.
5. Heart can never be radiant by Divine light unless ego and carnal desire, by undergoing austerities and mortification, become subservient to Shariah.
6. The servants desire of worldly gains is more disastrous than the tricks of Satan.
7. To revile the calamities and turmoil of the world is equal to assail God with bitter abuse.
8. Be moderate in worship of Him, shun heaviness but be consistent.
9. Attain that knowledge which creates awareness of your inmost being.
10. To earn lawful livelihood for the dependents is the task of abdal, to bring them up teaching good manners and best conduct is the greater jihad. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
Friday, October 21, 2011
The Masjid invites you....
A few days after Ramadan, many masjids were seen to cry.
Someone asked one, why?
You ask me why I am so grieved?
It's because I have been deceived.
I ask, Oh Muslim, where have you gone, where are you?
Was the past month a dream? It doesn't seem real or true.
Oh my beloved, was it all a dream, was it all a show?
That is why my tears do flow.
Why don't you visit me, why have you not returned?
From the past month is this what you learned?
My soul is empty without you and also my heart
How can you feel at ease being so far apart?
You are the one, whom the Lord chose for his own remembrance,
So why should I not lament at your absence?
Why do I no longer hold any charm?
From where else will you attain inner peace or calm?
I call you every day but you do not respond
Day by day weakens our bond!
I call you in the day and I call you at night.
What's happened? For sure something's not right
Don't you recognize me anymore? Don't you hear my voice?
Is it deliberate or do you really have no choice?
When will you light me up again? Will I have to wait another year?
Going by past experience, that is what I fear.
*****
Someone asked one, why?
You ask me why I am so grieved?
It's because I have been deceived.
I ask, Oh Muslim, where have you gone, where are you?
Was the past month a dream? It doesn't seem real or true.
Oh my beloved, was it all a dream, was it all a show?
That is why my tears do flow.
Why don't you visit me, why have you not returned?
From the past month is this what you learned?
My soul is empty without you and also my heart
How can you feel at ease being so far apart?
You are the one, whom the Lord chose for his own remembrance,
So why should I not lament at your absence?
Why do I no longer hold any charm?
From where else will you attain inner peace or calm?
I call you every day but you do not respond
Day by day weakens our bond!
I call you in the day and I call you at night.
What's happened? For sure something's not right
Don't you recognize me anymore? Don't you hear my voice?
Is it deliberate or do you really have no choice?
When will you light me up again? Will I have to wait another year?
Going by past experience, that is what I fear.
*****
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1289
Ayahs of the day:
Those to whom We have given the Book read it as it really is to be read; they believe in it. And if any repudiate it, then they are the losers. [2: 121]
Hadith of the day:
Allah does not look at your bodies nor your forms, but He looks at your hearts and your actions. [Bukhari & Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Good character consists in three traits -- avoiding that which is forbidden; seeking that which is permitted; and being generous towards others. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
Satan does everything he can to seduce us. We are very complex beings, for God manifests all of His names on us in this world of testing. We are sent here to be trained so that we can serve as a mirror to God and earn eternal happiness.
In order to do this, we must train and develop all of our God-given feelings, faculties, and potentials. If some of these are not trained (e.g., intellect, anger, greed, obstinacy, and lust) and directed to lofty goals, but abused and used for disagreeable purposes, we will place our present and future life in danger. This is also true if we do not restrict our natural desires and animal instincts by satisfying them in acceptable ways. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
There are no secrets to success -- it is result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failures. Try, try, try, and keep trying is the rule that must be followed to become an expert in anything. Luck is when opportunities and preparation meet.
Those to whom We have given the Book read it as it really is to be read; they believe in it. And if any repudiate it, then they are the losers. [2: 121]
Hadith of the day:
Allah does not look at your bodies nor your forms, but He looks at your hearts and your actions. [Bukhari & Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Good character consists in three traits -- avoiding that which is forbidden; seeking that which is permitted; and being generous towards others. [Imam Ghazali]
Guidance of the day:
Satan does everything he can to seduce us. We are very complex beings, for God manifests all of His names on us in this world of testing. We are sent here to be trained so that we can serve as a mirror to God and earn eternal happiness.
In order to do this, we must train and develop all of our God-given feelings, faculties, and potentials. If some of these are not trained (e.g., intellect, anger, greed, obstinacy, and lust) and directed to lofty goals, but abused and used for disagreeable purposes, we will place our present and future life in danger. This is also true if we do not restrict our natural desires and animal instincts by satisfying them in acceptable ways. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
There are no secrets to success -- it is result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failures. Try, try, try, and keep trying is the rule that must be followed to become an expert in anything. Luck is when opportunities and preparation meet.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 318
1. It cannot be denied that where Beauty is perceived, it is natural to love it and if it is certain that God is Beauty, He must be loved by the one to whom His Beauty and His Majesty is revealed.
2. God has created His creatures in darkness and then He shed upon them His light -- it is by the help of this light that the search for truth must be carried out.
3. Human nature in fact testifies that it is subject to the will of God and governed in accordance with His laws.
4. To believe in the Prophet is to admit that there is above intelligence a sphere in which are revealed to the inner vision truths beyond the grasp of intelligence.
5. The highest faculty in man is reason which fits him for the contemplation of God.
6. The real light is He in whose hand lies creation and its destinies.
7. It is the mark of saint ship to show compassion to all God's servants, to be kind towards them and to fight for them and with them against the forces of evil.
8. It is incumbent on a man to dive deep into the sea of love; if the wave of love lands him on the shore of favor, he has attained the highest achievement.
9. It is difficult to save from wickedness unless lustful glance is protected.
10. It is better to disclose good deeds of others and connive their evil acts. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
2. God has created His creatures in darkness and then He shed upon them His light -- it is by the help of this light that the search for truth must be carried out.
3. Human nature in fact testifies that it is subject to the will of God and governed in accordance with His laws.
4. To believe in the Prophet is to admit that there is above intelligence a sphere in which are revealed to the inner vision truths beyond the grasp of intelligence.
5. The highest faculty in man is reason which fits him for the contemplation of God.
6. The real light is He in whose hand lies creation and its destinies.
7. It is the mark of saint ship to show compassion to all God's servants, to be kind towards them and to fight for them and with them against the forces of evil.
8. It is incumbent on a man to dive deep into the sea of love; if the wave of love lands him on the shore of favor, he has attained the highest achievement.
9. It is difficult to save from wickedness unless lustful glance is protected.
10. It is better to disclose good deeds of others and connive their evil acts. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
Monday, October 10, 2011
Friends who bring us closer to Allah should be sought....
Not everyone suits to be your friend
Friends have a large influence on our lives. Islam has emphasized on choosing companions who are upright and noble. The Prophet (peace be upon him said), “Man is on his friend’s religion. Therefore, man should see with whom he is making friends.” (Abu Dawood, no.4815).
Friendship that leads one to Allah’s disobedience is not worth it. Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi mentions in his book Mukhtasar Minhaj Al-Qasidin (pg. 126-132) some valuable points on this topic:
Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend. You must verify that this potential friend has the neccessary characteristics that make friendship with him something to be desired. The one you seek to befriend must have five characteristics:
• He must be intelligent, as there is no good in befriending an idiot, as he will only harm you when he wants to benefit you. By intelligent, we mean one who understands things as they are, either on his own, or if they are explained to him.
• He must have good manners, and this is a must. One who is simply intelligent might be overcome by anger or desire, and obey his desire. Thus, there would be no benefit in befriending him.
• He must not be a fasiq, the one who openly disobeys Allah, as such a person would not fear Allah, and whoever does not fear Allah cannot be trusted.
• He must not be an innovator, as his over-indulgence innovation is feared from befriending him.
• He should not be too eager in seeking the dunya. Which means that he is not willing to sacrifice his hereafter for it.
Friends have a large influence on our lives. Islam has emphasized on choosing companions who are upright and noble. The Prophet (peace be upon him said), “Man is on his friend’s religion. Therefore, man should see with whom he is making friends.” (Abu Dawood, no.4815).
Friendship that leads one to Allah’s disobedience is not worth it. Ibn Qudamah Al-Maqdisi mentions in his book Mukhtasar Minhaj Al-Qasidin (pg. 126-132) some valuable points on this topic:
Know that not everyone is suitable to be your friend. You must verify that this potential friend has the neccessary characteristics that make friendship with him something to be desired. The one you seek to befriend must have five characteristics:
• He must be intelligent, as there is no good in befriending an idiot, as he will only harm you when he wants to benefit you. By intelligent, we mean one who understands things as they are, either on his own, or if they are explained to him.
• He must have good manners, and this is a must. One who is simply intelligent might be overcome by anger or desire, and obey his desire. Thus, there would be no benefit in befriending him.
• He must not be a fasiq, the one who openly disobeys Allah, as such a person would not fear Allah, and whoever does not fear Allah cannot be trusted.
• He must not be an innovator, as his over-indulgence innovation is feared from befriending him.
• He should not be too eager in seeking the dunya. Which means that he is not willing to sacrifice his hereafter for it.
Friday, October 07, 2011
LESSON OF THE DAY 1288
Ayahs of the day:
To God belongs the East and the West; and wheresoever you turn, there is the presence of God. For God is omnipresent and omniscient. [2: 115]
Hadith of the day:
Anyone who shows the way to something good has the same reward as the person who does it. [Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Give priority to the Hereafter over this world, because you will then gain both of them together. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the day:
God revealed religion out of His mercy, because we need it and cannot be truly human without it. Only those who have passed through the trials of religious experience are worthy of eternal happiness and will be distinguished in the Hereafter.
True religion is the assemblage of Divine Revelations and Divine Laws by which we can know bliss in this world and the next. Our peace and happiness depend upon leading a religious life, for only through religion can the Law be observed in all the inner and outer spheres of our existence. Only religion makes it possible for us to deserve Paradise and the vision of God. Such achievements are beyond the power of every human-made civilization, regardless of how advanced they are. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
So little done; so much to do. Time is the scarcest resource and unless it is managed, nothing else can be managed. Don't simply retire from something, have something to retire to.
To God belongs the East and the West; and wheresoever you turn, there is the presence of God. For God is omnipresent and omniscient. [2: 115]
Hadith of the day:
Anyone who shows the way to something good has the same reward as the person who does it. [Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
Give priority to the Hereafter over this world, because you will then gain both of them together. [Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani]
Guidance of the day:
God revealed religion out of His mercy, because we need it and cannot be truly human without it. Only those who have passed through the trials of religious experience are worthy of eternal happiness and will be distinguished in the Hereafter.
True religion is the assemblage of Divine Revelations and Divine Laws by which we can know bliss in this world and the next. Our peace and happiness depend upon leading a religious life, for only through religion can the Law be observed in all the inner and outer spheres of our existence. Only religion makes it possible for us to deserve Paradise and the vision of God. Such achievements are beyond the power of every human-made civilization, regardless of how advanced they are. [M. Fethullah Gulen]
Food for thought:
So little done; so much to do. Time is the scarcest resource and unless it is managed, nothing else can be managed. Don't simply retire from something, have something to retire to.
Monday, October 03, 2011
Pearls of wisdom 317
1. To be a believer means to abide continuously in God and to live at peace with men.
2. The right attitude toward fellow-men is that you should not lay burdens upon them but rather burden yourself for them.
3. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
4. Faith is not made perfect unless one desires for others what he desires for himself.
5. God alone should be the object of love and worship for the believer.
6. A believer's heart is free from defilement and from distraction, because of his love for his Lord.
7. A believer does not rely upon anything, save Him who he worships.
8. The means of cleansing the heart of all but Him is dhikr and concentration of every thought upon Him.
9. Love for God means soul's contemplation of Divine Attributes.
10. God grants the vision of His Divine Qualities to His friends (auliya) and hence His lovers love Him because He wants that He should be loved. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
2. The right attitude toward fellow-men is that you should not lay burdens upon them but rather burden yourself for them.
3. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
4. Faith is not made perfect unless one desires for others what he desires for himself.
5. God alone should be the object of love and worship for the believer.
6. A believer's heart is free from defilement and from distraction, because of his love for his Lord.
7. A believer does not rely upon anything, save Him who he worships.
8. The means of cleansing the heart of all but Him is dhikr and concentration of every thought upon Him.
9. Love for God means soul's contemplation of Divine Attributes.
10. God grants the vision of His Divine Qualities to His friends (auliya) and hence His lovers love Him because He wants that He should be loved. [Above quotes by Imam Ghazali]
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