Patience – The Hallmark Of A Mu’min

This world is an abode of deep trial, despair and sadness. During these times a Mu’min seek comfort, solace and guidance in the words of ALLAH in the beautiful Qur’aan Sharief. ALLAH reminds us that we will be tried and tested in life, and calls upon us, HIS servants to bear these trials with “patient perseverance and prayer.” Indeed, ALLAH reminds us that many people before us have suffered and had their faith tested; so too will we be tried and tested in this life. Afflictions are however a blessing — for our Beloved ALLAH showers mercy through trials and tries some with blessings.

There are many beautiful verses enshrined in the Qur’aan Sharief to remind a Mu’min to be patient and to have Tawwakul (reliance) in ALLAH in the time of trials:

“Seek ALLAH’S help with patient perseverance and prayer: It is indeed hard, except for those who are humble.”
[Qur’aan 2:45]

“O you who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer, for ALLAH is with those who patiently persevere.”
[Qur’aan 2:153]

“Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives, and the fruits of your toil, but give Glad Tidings to those who patiently persevere. Those who say, when afflicted with calamity: “To ALLAH we belong, and to HIM is our return.” They are those on whom descend blessings from ALLAH, and Mercy, and they are the ones who receive guidance.”
[Qur’aan 2:155,156,157]

“O you who believe, persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other, and fear ALLAH that you may prosper.”
[Qur’aan 3:200]

“And be steadfast in patience, for surely ALLAH will not suffer the reward of the righteous to perish.”
[Qur’aan 11:115]

“Patiently, then, persevere: for the Promise of ALLAH is true: and ask forgiveness for your fault, and celebrate the Praises of your Lord in the evening and in the morning.”
[Qur’aan 40:55]

“And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint, none but persons of the greatest good fortune.”
[Qur’aan 41:35]

“Surely man is in loss, except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual enjoining of Truth and of patience and constancy.”
[Qur’aan 103:1-2]

Beloved Reader! When we encounter sudden hardship, we should not let our emotions get the better of us. Drown your sorrows in the ocean of ALLAH’S Mercy, through waves of prayer and patience. Acknowledge that all these things are part of our test for which we have been put on the earth and know that our success lies in how well we react to and handle, such situations helps a Mu’min endure these hardships without panicking, complaining or being frustrated. We should place our complete trust in ALLAH TA’ALA, and have the certainty in heart and mind, that at the end of our pain and suffering, ALLAH’S Love and Mercy will embrace us. Subhaan-ALLAH!

Beautiful words by Mufti Muhammad ibn Aadam to ponder upon:

“If our connection with ALLAH is strong, we are able to overcome any trial and adversity that is thrown our way. The passing of a loved one, poverty and financial difficulties, or losing the love of your life, we will be content with ALLAH’S Decree. The pious servants of ALLAH are so immersed in HIS love that they do not allow any hardship to overcome them. The greatest trial to have been experienced by anyone in this Ummah was what the Sahabah endured upon the departure of our beloved Messenger (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) from this world, yet they did not allow it to overcome them. Many female Companions lost husbands and sons in battles, but they remained strong, for their solace was in ALLAH. So let’s build our love and connection with ALLAH. If we do, no matter what the adversity, it may affect us momentarily but we will remain in a inner state of peace and tranquility, In’Shaa’ALLAH! As Imam Ibn Ata’illah so beautifully said,

“Let the pain of tests be diminished through your consciousness that HE is the One testing you.” [Al-Hikam]

Patience is a greater and honourable position in the sight of our Beloved ALLAH TA’ALA and an essential quality of a Mu’min. It puts you in the right flow of life, and in touch with the full truth of what is unfolding. It implies forbearance, perseverance, determination, fortitude, constancy and steadfastness. This enables right understanding, decision-making, and action; hence success, enjoyment, and fulfillment in life. Patience is beautiful — sketching the personality of those who truly have Taqwa, ALLAH TA’ALA mentioned:

“And those who practice Sabr in hardships, physical afflictions and during the war.”
[Al-Baqarah 2:177]

Our Beloved Messenger (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam), was talking to some poor Muslims from Ansaar whom He had given whatever He had, said:

“Whoever practices Patience, ALLAH gives him Patience. And no one can be given anything better or more far-reaching (comprehensive) than Patience.” [Bukhari and Muslim Sharief]

In a letter of condolence dictated for Mu’adh Ibn Jabal on the death of his son, the Messenger (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said,

“May ALLAH increase your reward and bestow you patience, and enable us and you to be thankful to HIM. Our lives, our wealth and our families are blissful gifts that are trusts temporarily entrusted. ALLAH gave you the opportunity to enjoy (your son gifted to you in trust) with happiness and pleasure, and then HE took it from you in return for a big reward. May HE bestow upon you blessings, mercy and guidance, if you restrain yourself in expectation for HIS reward. So, be patient and do not let wailing destroy your reward, to be sorry afterwards. Remember wailing neither brings back the dead, nor removes the grief. What had to happen has happened.” [At-Tabaraani Sharief]

Gentle and discerning reader!
In the midst of every calamity lies ALLAH’S blessing… whenever you are faced with hardships in your life, just close those beautiful eyes, take a deep breath and say: “O ALLAH! I know its YOUR Plan and I put my complete trust in YOU!” Laa Hawlaa Wa Laa Quwata Illa Billah. And, say Al-Hamdulillah for your trials, and make Du’a that HE blesses those who are struggling with a hardship with greater Imaan, Patience and Barakah!” ALLAH says, “Innallaha Ma’As Thaabirin – ALLAH is with that person who makes Sabr.” When ALLAH is with a person what more can a person want after that? Subhaan-ALLAH!

The reward promised to those who practice Patience is equally outstanding:

The people who practice Patience will be entered into the beautiful, everlasting Jannah and Angels of ALLAH will welcome them with: “Peace be upon you for that you preserved in Patience now how excellent is the final Home.”
[Ar-Ra’d 13:24]

“And HE will reward them for their Patience in the form of Jannah and silk, reclining on raised thrones wherein they will not see sun or cold.”
[Ad-Dahr 76:12-13]

“Those who practice Patience will be rewarded their recompense without measure.”
[Zumar 39:10]

They will be rewarded not according to their average, but according to the best of their performance: “We will certainly bestow, on those who Patiently persevere, their reward according to the best of their actions.”
[An-Nahl 16:96]

Al-Hamdulillah! Such beautiful ‘gifts’ awaits those who practice patience. So there is no question of us complaining in times of trial and adversity, we should exercise patience. On that Patience ALLAH will bless us with so many Ne’mats (bounties), we will truly be victorious. Keep these beautiful reminders in mind. Hence, it is incumbent upon Mu’mineen to enjoin each other this Patience. Without it, (according to Surah Al-Asr) loss is not insured, salvation is not promised and success is not assured.

“Acquire patience and endurance, because their relation with true faith is that of a head to a body; a body is of no use without a head, similarly true faith can be of no use without attributes of resignation, endurance and patience.” [Ali ibn Abi Thalib]

O ALLAH! Make us from those who have patience upon hardships and those who are thankful upon YOUR blessings. Aameen!!!

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~The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the ♥~

How Are We Preparing For The Aakhirah?

All Praise belong to ALLAH TA’ALA. HE Who does not slumber but is Ever Awake, Ever Aware. Aware of the condition of HIS servants; Aware of our needs and yearnings; aware of our desires and dreams. All Praise belong to ALLAH TA’ALA, Who has blessed us with the greatest guide and mentor Muhammad (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam), in order to inspire us towards the Ultimate Dream, the Ultimate
Reality… Everlasting Paradise.

Al-Hamdulillah! Islam is a complete way of life and has left no aspect of life without guidance and direction. And the beauty of it we are crowned with the priceless gift of Imaan, Subhaan-ALLAH! It is incumbent upon every Muslim to worship ALLAH TA’ALA and to follow the Sunnah of HIS beloved Messenger (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam). Yet how few of us acquire that ability in this day and age, when everything has to be bigger and better. By competing with each other in worldly possessions, trying to dress the best, having the best houses… Whatever it is the list is un-ending. But if these are your aims, then I suggest that you think again. Let us follow the Saaliheen and make our lives in the Aakhirah better, while we are still in this world.

“Temptations of this world are many, men and women are weak but are probably not of sound mental judgment, who in their right senses would want to succumb to a measly pleasure of this temporary abode, when superseding pleasure beyond their wildest imaginations awaits them for all eternity?”

This world is just an illusion with all it’s trappings. We can be ensnared by all the glitter and glamour that it holds. But when we remember our Creator, we adjust our way of thinking and realize that this world and all it holds is but temporary. We as Mu’mins should ask ourselves how are we preparing for the Aakhirah? Gentle and discerning reader! ALLAH TA’ALA has given us the freedom of choice. Choose the correct Imaan and Aqeedah, and, by ALLAH TA’ALA you shall never regret. The following are beautiful examples of our beloved Messenger (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) and His Companions and their ways of preparing for the Aakhirah.

Ibn Umar (RadhiAllahu Anhu) narrates that on one occasion, Messenger (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) took him by the shoulder and spoke to him. He (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, “Be in this world as a stranger or as a pilgrim passing by”. He (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) also said, “At night, do not anticipate the day and during the day, do not await for the night. Use your good health before you fall sick and take full advantage of your life before death overtakes you”.
[Bukhari]

This Hadith teaches us how to restrict our expectations of this world in a perfect way; and it also cautions us against thinking that this world is the end of the journey. We should guard ourselves against any feelings of ease in this world and always embrace the idea of our journey to the Aakhirah. We must always occupy ourselves in the preparations of this journey. This was a message which was brought by all the previous Messengers of ALLAH TA’ALA to their people.

ALLAH TA’ALA mentions a verse in the Qur’aan Sharief in which Musa (Alaihis Salaam) said to his nation, “O my people, Indeed this worldly life is but a swift and passing enjoyment. And definitely the life in the Hereafter is the Everlasting Abode”. [Qur’aan 40: 39]

Ali Ibn Abi Thalib is reported to have said, “People spend their entire lives being concerned with this world, which is departing; while they neglect to prepare for the next life which is approaching”.

Umar Bin Abdul Aziz (RadhiAllahu Anhu) said during a lecture of his,“This world is not for your settlement, ALLAH TA’ALA has decreed that it and it’s inhabitants be annihilated. So excel in your preparation for the journey by acquiring the most efficient means of transport. Take with you the necessary provisions. And remember always that the best of provisions is Taqwa (consciousness of ALLAH TA’ALA)”. This is how our pious predecessors lived their lives in order to be successful in the Aakhirah.

Beloved reader! Be concerned about your Aakhirah. Do something constructive today, and you shall never regret tomorrow. Do not procrastinate, for procrastination is the thief of time. Do not leave anything for tomorrow, for tomorrow never comes. Do remember that today is the tomorrow of yesterday.

Therefore, beloved reader, do something right here, right now. Make a start right now and In’Shaa’ALLAH, you shall never regret. Whatever good you do on ALLAH’S earth today you shall see it tomorrow in the Aakhirah. ALLAH, Most High, tells us in the Qur’aan Sharief, “Thus the person who does an atoms worth of good (today) shall see it (tomorrow in the Aakhirah), and the one who does an atoms worth of evil (today) shall see it (in the Aakhirah tomorrow)”. [Qur’aan 99:7-8]

Beloved Reader! Let us thread this path that shall lead to our Beloved ALLAH’S Love and Jannah. For by ALLAH TA’ALA, I love you to have Jannah just as I love it for myself.

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~The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the ♥~

Ten Ways To Develop Daughter’s Self-Confidence

[1] Draw up simple guidelines to follow by explaining her the beautiful teachings of Qur’aan Sharief and Sunnah. This will direct her in obeying ALLAH in which HE has made permissible and keep away from that which HE has forbidden.

[2] Bring to her awareness of noble attributes and good manners, and instill in her a dislike for bad manners, deeds and words, and the need to steer clear trivial matters.

[3] Occupy her with some tasks that she is able to do. If she makes a mistake you should praise her for her initiative and encourage her.

[4] Praise her for the acts of worship that she does, such as reading her five daily Salaah, reciting and memorizing the Qur’aan Sharief, doing well in her studies, having a good attitude.

[5] Teach her the virtues of fasting, for when she stands firm in the face of hunger and thirst when fasting, she will experience the joy of achieving victory over her Naffs (self), which will strengthen her will-power when facing life, which in turn will increase her self-confidence.

[6] Strengthening her confidence in gaining knowledge, by teaching her the love of ALLAH and HIS beautiful Deen (Islam), so that she will grow up having acquired abundant knowledge in childhood, thus it will give her a sense of confidence in the knowledge that she has.

[7] If she has done something wrong, explain her in a gentle manner where she has gone wrong and give her proof that will convince her to avoid mistake in future; you should not belittle or scold her, and certainly not in front of others.

[8] In times of failure never criticize her, for it will destroy her motivation to act or to compete in doing anything and doing it well. Instead, be understanding and give her hope.

[9] Instill a sense of confidence in her by encouraging her skills, talents and personality to develop. Make her feel secure in her identity and show her that she is loved and appreciated. This will have a positive impact on her future relationships and how she interacts with the world.

[10] A Mother’s upbringing produces the best result. Instill in her heart the best qualities, so that she will grow up to be a proud Muslimah, enabling her to do the same with her children, In’Shaa’ALLAH!

A daughter is a day brightener and a heart warmer.
Good daughters make good mothers.

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~The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the ♥~

Don’t Poison Yourself With Bitterness

We tend to think that circumstances causes us to become bitter, but this is not the case. Bitterness is something that happen to us, it is a characteristic we develop. To swallow a daily dose of poison would be unthinkable. Yet this is what you do if you awaken each morning with bitter thoughts that belong to the past. You are poisoning your system.

Bitterness is a killer. But who does it hurt? Only you — for who else suffers that gnawing pain which twists and turns deep in your being? Certainly not the one who has wronged you. He or she probably is not even aware of it. Bitterness depresses the spirits, strifles creativity, lowers the immune system and ruins health, and happiness. And since your are the only one who reaps its adverse consequences, why submit to it?

A bitter person always seems to find a good reason to be bitter: “After all I did, he or she left me…” “My parents favoured my brother — nothing I did could please them…” “That false rumour ruined my chances of promotion…” Valid reasons, maybe. Painful, certainly; even worthy of some human emotion. But it takes only a little — a little time and effort to work through the pain, hurt, disappointment, sadness or anger. You must process your emotions, regain your balance, change your attitude or seek counsel.

“Wonderful in theory,” a bitter person might say. “But I can’t forget.” You can forget; but whether you choose to is another matter. It takes time and effort to re-pattern negative thoughts into the conscious habit of replacing them with positive ones. When we harbor negative emotions towards others or towards ourselves, or when we intentionally create pain for others, we poison our own physical and spiritual systems. By far the strongest poison to the human spirit is the inability to forgive oneself or another person. It disables a person’s emotional resources. The challenge… is to refine our capacity to love others as well as ourselves and to develop the power of forgiveness.

“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hate. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.”

ALLAH knows what’s hidden in the deep recesses of our hearts. Those feelings of pain, anguish, resentment, hatred, bitterness, etc., that we so successfully hide from everyone else, including our closest family members and friends. So why not let it all out. Why not let ALLAH be your “therapist”. Let your prayer mat be your “couch” while you reveal and ask the One who is in control, Who knows you better than you know yourself. From the very depth of ALLAH’S fountain of Mercy, bitterness will be cleansed and you shall blossom amongst the flowers of enjoyment. Subhaan-ALLAH!

Beloved Reader! It is better to live in peace than in bitterness and strife. I’ve known people to go through a lot of trials and hardships and maintain a grateful and gracious spirit throughout. I’ve seen others face similar trials only to become angry and embittered souls. In both the cases the hardship revealed the heart more than it formed the heart. If we are filled with sweetness and something jostles us, then sweetness spills out. If we are filled with bitterness and we get jostled then battery acid goes everywhere. Overcome the obstacles in your path, be determined, courageous and hard-working. Never be faint-hearted. Be resolute, but never bitter… be beautiful inside and thus you shall become an embodiment of love, joy and happiness.

How to deal with bitterness:

• Every time you think of a past negative situation, replace it instantly with a picture of a positive, happy life.

• When you feel resentful, bless and forgive the person who wronged you. And do not stop praying for the best for those you love.

• Raise your hands in supplication, for, Du’a is a weapon of a Believer.

• Busy yourself with things you enjoy so that you have no time to brood. Plan something to look forward to. Give to someone who is worse off than yourself. In other words place every negative thought with a positive one until it becomes a habit.

• Never allow bitterness to take root or you’ll become a twisted, sour human being people will shun.

Bitter thoughts are like weeds. Pluck them out of your heart relentlessly — and in their place will sprout the seeds of joyful new life.

O ALLAH! Reform our character and bless us with cleanliness of the heart. [Aameen]

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~The only lasting beauty is the beauty of the ♥~