Do not let calamity shake you

Posted on May 11th, 2013 · Filed under International News

Ahmad ibn Yusuf wrote that man positively knows that ease comes after difficulty, just as the light of day comes after the dark of night. In spite of this knowledge, the weaker part of his nature takes over when calamity strikes. A person who goes through trials should take steps to remedy his situation or else hopelessness takes control of him. Contemplating the patience of those who were tested in the past is a means of strengthening one’s determination. Read more ›

Do not lose

Posted on May 6th, 2013 · Filed under International News

Allah answers the prayer of the disbeliever who is in distress; so how much more can the Muslim expect who doesn’t associate partners with Him? Mahatma Gandhi, perhaps second in popularity in India only to the Buddha, was on the verge of slipping were it not for his dependence on the strength of prayer. And how do I know this? Because, he himself said, “If I didn’t pray, I would have gone mad a long time ago. This was the effect of prayer, and Gandhi was not even a Muslim. Unquestionably, his falsehood was great, but what kept him going was that he was on a path.

And when they embark on a ship, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him only, but when He brings them safely to land, behold, they give a share of their worship to others. (Qur’an 29: 65)

Is not He [better than your gods] who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him… (Qur’an 27: 62)

(And they think that they are encircled therein, they invoke Allah, making their Faith pure for Him Alone, saying: `If You [Allah] deliver us from this, we shall truly be of the grateful. (Qur’an 10: 22)

Despite a thorough search through the biographies of Muslim scholars, Muslim historians, and Muslim writers as a group, I have failed to find a single one of them who fell prey to anxiety, confusion, and mental illnesses. The reason is that they lived in peace and serenity, and that they lived uncomplicated lives that were free from all forms of affectation.

But those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and believe in that which is sent down to Muhammad, for it is the truth from their Lord, He will expiate from them their sins, and will make good their state. (Qur’an 47: 2)

Contemplate the following statement of Ibn Hazim:

“There is only one day separating kings and me. As for yesterday, their taste of it has vanished, and both they and I equally fear what tomorrow will bring. Thus there is only today. And what will today bring?”

The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:

“O’ Allah, I ask you for goodness today: in its blessings, success, light, and guidance.”

O’ you who believe! Take your precautions… (Qur’an 4: 71)

And let him be careful and let no man know of you. (Qur’an 18: 19)

And they said nothing but: `Our Lord! Forgive us our sins and our transgressions [in keeping our duties to you], establish our feet firmly, and give us victory over the disbelieving folk. (Qur’an 3: 147)

Good manners

Posted on May 6th, 2013 · Filed under International News

Good manners lead to prosperity, while bad ones lead to misery.

In a hadith, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said: “Through good manners, one reaches the status of the person who not only fasts, but who also stands late in the night to pray. “He (bpuh) also said: Read more ›

Do not be crushed by what is insignificant

Posted on April 15th, 2013 · Filed under International News

Many are those that are distressed not by pressing matters of great import, but by minor trifles.

Observe the Hypocrites and how weak they are in their resolution. The Qur’an relates to us some of their sayings: Those who stayed away [from Tabuk expedition] rejoiced in their staying behind the Messenger of Allah; they hated to strive and fight with their properties and their lives in the Cause of Allah, and they said: March not forth in the heat’.  (Qur’an 9: 81) Read more ›

The art of happiness

Posted on April 3rd, 2013 · Filed under International News

Among the greatest of blessings is to have a calm, stable, and happy heart. For in happiness the mind is clear, enabling one to be a productive person. It has been said that happiness is an art that needs to be learned. And if you learn it, you will be blessed in this life. But how does one learn it? A basic principle of achieving happiness is having an ability to endure and to cope with any situation. Therefore you should neither be swayed nor governed by difficult circumstances, nor should you be annoyed by insignificant trifles. Based on the purity of the heart and its ability to endure, a person will shine. When you train yourself to be patient and forbearing, then hardship and calamity will be easy for you to bear.

The opposite of being content is being shortsighted, being concerned for no one but one’s own self and forgetting about the world and all that is in it. Allah described his enemies as follows:

Thinking about themselves [as how to save their ownselves, ignoring the others and the Prophet] (Qur’an 3. 154) Read more ›

Smile

Posted on March 26th, 2013 · Filed under International News

Laughing moderately can act as a cure or as therapy for depression and sadness. It has a strong influence on keeping the soul light and the heart clear. Abu Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I make it a practice to laugh in order to give rest and comfort to my heart. And the noblest of people, Muhammad (bpuh), would laugh, sometimes until his molars became visible.” Read more ›