1. By forgiving the person who hurt us, we strengthen our souls.
2. Generosity goes hand in hand with compassion. If we have no compassion we cannot have generosity.
3. All adversity is really an opportunity for our souls to grow; all adversity is really a form of growing pain.
4. A truly wise person will have the wisdom to know what he can do, accept what he can't do, and have the generosity of spirit to extend himself in ways that can make a difference.
5. To hold a grudge against anyone is like carrying the devil on our shoulders.
6. Two things, at minimum, are needed -- an ability to appreciate the positives in our life, and a commitment to action to do good.
7. Peace of mind has nothing to do with the external world; it has only to do with our connection with God.
8. The fact that we are praying and meditating is not as important as how much good we bring back from our prayer and meditation.
9. Often it is the lowest points in life that we learn the most. Those low moments are the magical moments. They are the beginning stages of our journey to our Lord.
10. We came here because the earth is abundant and alive -- a rich, rich field of lessons for us to learn. Let's get educated for our own souls.
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Thursday, April 21, 2016
A head start for the Blessed Month....
Rajab: Sow The Seeds
Imam Zaid Shakir
Rajab al-Hanbali said "Rajab is the key to the months of goodness and blessings that follow it". Abu Bakr b. al-Warraq al-Balkhi said: “Rajab is the month to sow the seeds; Sha’ban is the month to irrigate the crop; and Ramadan is the month to reap the harvest.” It has similarly been related from him: “Rajab is like the wind; Sha’ban is like the water-laden clouds; and Ramadan is like the rain.” Someone else mentioned: “The year in its entirety is like a tree: during Rajab its buds sprout; during Sha’ban it sends forth its branches; during Ramadan its fruit ripens; and the believers are the farmhands who harvest that fruit.”
It is opportune for anyone who has darkened the scroll of their deeds with sins to cleanse it with repentance during this month. Likewise, anyone who has squandered his lifetime without taking advantage of the opportunities to benefit his soul should take advantage of what remains of his life—starting with this month.
A poet said:
So cleanse your darkened hearts within Rajab;
with deeds that spare the soul Hellfire’s wrath.
One of the sacred months has come along;
no one who calls on God will be forlorn.
Heaven is for the one’s who cleanse their hearts
with lewd indecent deeds they’ll have no part.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to do righteous deeds during this month is a source of great gain. While filling each moment of the month worshiping God is a bounteous virtue. End quote from Ibn Rajab.
Let us all take advantage of the weeks that come before the blessed month of Ramadan. If we begin to fast voluntarily now, the fatigue and discomfort that sometimes accompanies the beginning of our obligatory fast will be behind us and we will enter the month with great spiritual momentum.
Similarly, if we begin increasing our reading of the Qur’an now we will find it easy to read an even greater amount during the month of Ramadan, a month when we celebrate the revelation of our blessed scripture. An athlete who enters a race with a running start achieves a far faster time than one who starts the race from a stationary position. Let us take advantage of these days to get a running start into Ramadan.
Imam Zaid Shakir
Rajab al-Hanbali said "Rajab is the key to the months of goodness and blessings that follow it". Abu Bakr b. al-Warraq al-Balkhi said: “Rajab is the month to sow the seeds; Sha’ban is the month to irrigate the crop; and Ramadan is the month to reap the harvest.” It has similarly been related from him: “Rajab is like the wind; Sha’ban is like the water-laden clouds; and Ramadan is like the rain.” Someone else mentioned: “The year in its entirety is like a tree: during Rajab its buds sprout; during Sha’ban it sends forth its branches; during Ramadan its fruit ripens; and the believers are the farmhands who harvest that fruit.”
It is opportune for anyone who has darkened the scroll of their deeds with sins to cleanse it with repentance during this month. Likewise, anyone who has squandered his lifetime without taking advantage of the opportunities to benefit his soul should take advantage of what remains of his life—starting with this month.
A poet said:
So cleanse your darkened hearts within Rajab;
with deeds that spare the soul Hellfire’s wrath.
One of the sacred months has come along;
no one who calls on God will be forlorn.
Heaven is for the one’s who cleanse their hearts
with lewd indecent deeds they’ll have no part.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to do righteous deeds during this month is a source of great gain. While filling each moment of the month worshiping God is a bounteous virtue. End quote from Ibn Rajab.
Let us all take advantage of the weeks that come before the blessed month of Ramadan. If we begin to fast voluntarily now, the fatigue and discomfort that sometimes accompanies the beginning of our obligatory fast will be behind us and we will enter the month with great spiritual momentum.
Similarly, if we begin increasing our reading of the Qur’an now we will find it easy to read an even greater amount during the month of Ramadan, a month when we celebrate the revelation of our blessed scripture. An athlete who enters a race with a running start achieves a far faster time than one who starts the race from a stationary position. Let us take advantage of these days to get a running start into Ramadan.
Friday, April 15, 2016
Lesson of the day 1397
Ayahs of the day:
And do not approach the property of the orphan, except with what is better, until he comes to age. And give full weight and measure, with justice. We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity. So when you speak, be fair, even if it concerns a close relative. And fulfill the covenant of God; that God has commanded you, so you may be mindful. [6: 152]
Hadith of the day:
Do not insult the dead, for they have moved onto what they sent forth. [Bukhari]
Wise quote of the day:
I looked at all my friends, and I did not find a better friend than safe guarding my tongue.
I thought about all the garments, but did not find a better garment than piety.
I thought about all types of wealth but did not find a better wealth than contentment in little.
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]
Guidance of the day:
Make numerous good intentions for each activity; whether devotional or merely permissible, you will thus receive, by the grace of God, a full reward for these intentions. Those activities you are incapable of, intend to perform when able to. Say with sincerity, resolution, and good intention, "Had I been able to, I would have done them." You will thus obtain recompense similar to that of he who has actually done them.
Sincerity is to have no purpose other than to draw nearer to God. No other purpose should exist, such as showing off, seeking approval of others, or desiring what can be obtained from them. Sincerity is that one's movements and standstills, private or public, should be for God, unadulterated by anything else, whether ego, passion or this world. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Life belongs to the living and he who lives must be prepared for changes. The world hates change, but it is the only thing that has brought progress. Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken. If there is something we wish to change in a child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves.
And do not approach the property of the orphan, except with what is better, until he comes to age. And give full weight and measure, with justice. We do not burden any soul beyond its capacity. So when you speak, be fair, even if it concerns a close relative. And fulfill the covenant of God; that God has commanded you, so you may be mindful. [6: 152]
Hadith of the day:
Do not insult the dead, for they have moved onto what they sent forth. [Bukhari]
Wise quote of the day:
I looked at all my friends, and I did not find a better friend than safe guarding my tongue.
I thought about all the garments, but did not find a better garment than piety.
I thought about all types of wealth but did not find a better wealth than contentment in little.
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]
Guidance of the day:
Make numerous good intentions for each activity; whether devotional or merely permissible, you will thus receive, by the grace of God, a full reward for these intentions. Those activities you are incapable of, intend to perform when able to. Say with sincerity, resolution, and good intention, "Had I been able to, I would have done them." You will thus obtain recompense similar to that of he who has actually done them.
Sincerity is to have no purpose other than to draw nearer to God. No other purpose should exist, such as showing off, seeking approval of others, or desiring what can be obtained from them. Sincerity is that one's movements and standstills, private or public, should be for God, unadulterated by anything else, whether ego, passion or this world. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
You must be the change you wish to see in the world. Life belongs to the living and he who lives must be prepared for changes. The world hates change, but it is the only thing that has brought progress. Without change something sleeps inside us, and seldom awakens. The sleeper must awaken. If there is something we wish to change in a child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves.
Friday, April 08, 2016
Pearls of Wisdom 391
1. By forgiving the person who hurt us, we strengthen our souls.
2. Generosity goes hand in hand with compassion. If we have no compassion we cannot have generosity.
3. All adversity is really an opportunity for our souls to grow; all adversity is really a form of growing pain.
4. A truly wise person will have the wisdom to know what he can do, accept what he can't do, and have the generosity of spirit to extend himself in ways that can make a difference.
5. To hold a grudge against anyone is like carrying the devil on our shoulders.
6. Two things, at minimum, are needed -- an ability to appreciate the positives in our life, and a commitment to action to do good.
7. Peace of mind has nothing to do with the external world; it has only to do with our connection with God.
8. The fact that we are praying and meditating is not as important as how much good we bring back from our prayer and meditation.
9. Often it is the lowest points in life that we learn the most. Those low moments are the magical moments. They are the beginning stages of our journey to our Lord.
10. We came here because the earth is abundant and alive -- a rich, rich field of lessons for us to learn. Let's get educated for our own souls.
2. Generosity goes hand in hand with compassion. If we have no compassion we cannot have generosity.
3. All adversity is really an opportunity for our souls to grow; all adversity is really a form of growing pain.
4. A truly wise person will have the wisdom to know what he can do, accept what he can't do, and have the generosity of spirit to extend himself in ways that can make a difference.
5. To hold a grudge against anyone is like carrying the devil on our shoulders.
6. Two things, at minimum, are needed -- an ability to appreciate the positives in our life, and a commitment to action to do good.
7. Peace of mind has nothing to do with the external world; it has only to do with our connection with God.
8. The fact that we are praying and meditating is not as important as how much good we bring back from our prayer and meditation.
9. Often it is the lowest points in life that we learn the most. Those low moments are the magical moments. They are the beginning stages of our journey to our Lord.
10. We came here because the earth is abundant and alive -- a rich, rich field of lessons for us to learn. Let's get educated for our own souls.
Sunday, April 03, 2016
It's not about the weight....
A Psychologist walked
around a room while
teaching Stress Management to an
audience.
As she raised a
glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked
the "Half empty or Half full" question.
Instead, with a
smile on her face, she inquired:
"How heavy is this glass of water?"
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied,
"The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long I hold it.
If I hold it for a
minute,
it's not a problem.
If I hold it for an hour,
I'll have an ache in my arm.
If I hold it for a day,
my arm will feel numb and paralyzed.
In each case,
the weight of the glass
doesn't change,
But
The longer I hold it,
the heavier it becomes.
She continued,
"The Stresses and Worries in Life ,
are like that Glass of Water...
Think about them for
a while and nothing
happens.
Think about them
a bit longer and they begin to hurt.
And
If you think
about them all day long,
you will feel paralysed –
incapable of doing
anything."
Remember to put the Glass Down!
around a room while
teaching Stress Management to an
audience.
As she raised a
glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked
the "Half empty or Half full" question.
Instead, with a
smile on her face, she inquired:
"How heavy is this glass of water?"
Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.
She replied,
"The absolute weight doesn't matter.
It depends on how long I hold it.
If I hold it for a
minute,
it's not a problem.
If I hold it for an hour,
I'll have an ache in my arm.
If I hold it for a day,
my arm will feel numb and paralyzed.
In each case,
the weight of the glass
doesn't change,
But
The longer I hold it,
the heavier it becomes.
She continued,
"The Stresses and Worries in Life ,
are like that Glass of Water...
Think about them for
a while and nothing
happens.
Think about them
a bit longer and they begin to hurt.
And
If you think
about them all day long,
you will feel paralysed –
incapable of doing
anything."
Remember to put the Glass Down!
Friday, April 01, 2016
Lesson of the day 1396
Ayahs of the day:
Come, and I will declare what your Lord has forbidden you. You should not associate anything with God; you should be good to your parents, and not kill your children on account of poverty -- We provide for you and for them. And do not approach indecencies, whether outward or inward. And do not kill a person -- who God has made sacred -- except by justice. Thus has God commanded you, that you may understand. [6: 151]
Hadith of the day:
Whoever believes in Allah and the last day should say the good or remain silent. [Bukhari & Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
If men wish to draw near to God, they must seek Him in the hearts of the men. They should speak well of all men, whether present or absent, and if they themselves seek in a light to guide others, like the sun, they must show the same face to all. [Abu Sa'id bin Abil Khair]
Guidance of the day:
Good intention and sincerity are among the greatest and most important of saving things. Intention is the act of the heart and because the heart is superior to the members, therefore its acts are superior to theirs; and because the intention is itself profitable, whereas without intention the works of the members are valueless.
Persevere in good sincere intentions, and never perform any act of obedience without intending it to be for God's sake, to draw nearer to Him, attain to His good pleasure, and obtain the recompense promised by God. Never initiate a permissible activity, even eating, drinking, or sleeping without intending it to be of help in obeying God and to give you strength in worshipping Him. The deprived is he who is deprived of good intentions. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the after glow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end -- it is not a day when you lounge around doing nothing, it is when you had everything to do and you have done it.
Come, and I will declare what your Lord has forbidden you. You should not associate anything with God; you should be good to your parents, and not kill your children on account of poverty -- We provide for you and for them. And do not approach indecencies, whether outward or inward. And do not kill a person -- who God has made sacred -- except by justice. Thus has God commanded you, that you may understand. [6: 151]
Hadith of the day:
Whoever believes in Allah and the last day should say the good or remain silent. [Bukhari & Muslim]
Wise quote of the day:
If men wish to draw near to God, they must seek Him in the hearts of the men. They should speak well of all men, whether present or absent, and if they themselves seek in a light to guide others, like the sun, they must show the same face to all. [Abu Sa'id bin Abil Khair]
Guidance of the day:
Good intention and sincerity are among the greatest and most important of saving things. Intention is the act of the heart and because the heart is superior to the members, therefore its acts are superior to theirs; and because the intention is itself profitable, whereas without intention the works of the members are valueless.
Persevere in good sincere intentions, and never perform any act of obedience without intending it to be for God's sake, to draw nearer to Him, attain to His good pleasure, and obtain the recompense promised by God. Never initiate a permissible activity, even eating, drinking, or sleeping without intending it to be of help in obeying God and to give you strength in worshipping Him. The deprived is he who is deprived of good intentions. [Counsels of Religion by Imam al-Haddad]
Food for thought:
Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the after glow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best. Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end -- it is not a day when you lounge around doing nothing, it is when you had everything to do and you have done it.
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