Death is the end of us all: the oppressor and the oppressed, the mighty and the feeble, the rich and the poor. Your death is no novelty. Nations before have gone and nations after will perish.
Ibn Batoota is an arab explorer related that in the north, there is a graveyard with one thousand kings buried in it. At the entrance of this graveyard is a sign that reads:
“The Kings: ask the dirt about them, and about the great leaders, they are all bones now.”
A cause for wonder is the forgetfulness of man and how he remains heedless of death, the menace of which hangs over him day and night. Man deludes himself into thinking that he is immortal on this earth.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Depression leads to misery
According to a newspaper reported that in 1990 two million people suffered from depression around the world. Depression is a sickness that has quietly wreaked havoc on humankind. It does not distinguish between people from the west or east, or between the rich and poor. It is a malady that attacks all kinds of people and may in certain cases lead to suicide.
Depression does not recognize or stand in awe of wealth, nobility, or power. However, it does stay aloof from the believer. Some statistics indicate that 200 million people are now suffering from depression.
The findings of a recent study showed that at least one out of every ten people has at one time or another suffered from this dangerous sickness. The danger is not restricted to adults; even the young are now susceptible to depression. Even the fetus in the womb is at risk, for a depressed mother can turn to abortion as a means of escaping from her problems.
Depression does not recognize or stand in awe of wealth, nobility, or power. However, it does stay aloof from the believer. Some statistics indicate that 200 million people are now suffering from depression.
The findings of a recent study showed that at least one out of every ten people has at one time or another suffered from this dangerous sickness. The danger is not restricted to adults; even the young are now susceptible to depression. Even the fetus in the womb is at risk, for a depressed mother can turn to abortion as a means of escaping from her problems.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Depression may lead to suicide
Reports were leaked that former President Ronald Reagan fell victim to a state of severe depression. His situation was attributed to his being over seventy years of age while still having to face tremendously stressful problems and to his having undergone periodic operations.
Many famous people, suffer from depression. It has been said that Napoleon Bonaparte, while still in exile, died in a state of depression.
Not too long ago, a German woman killed three of her children. It later became clear that her reason for doing this horrible act stemmed from her state of depression. Since she loved her children a great deal, she feared that they would have to go through the pain and hardship that she had undergone in her life. Thus, she decided to “give them comfort” and “to save each one of them” from the difficulties and vicissitudes of life. After murdering them, she took her own life.
The numbers issued by the World Health Organization indicate the severity of the situation. In 1973 it reported that three percent of the world’s population was afflicted with depression. The figures increased dramatically and in 1978 the figure was up to five percent. What might come as a surprise to some is that some studies have shown that one out of every four Americans suffers from depression. During the conference of Mental Disorders that was held in Chicago in 1981, the chairman of the conference announced that one hundred million people in the world suffer from depression. What might come as a surprise to some is that most of them were from developed countries. Other studies have even proclaimed a number of two hundred million.
It is said that, “The intelligent person is not he who is able to increase his profits, but he who transforms his losses into profits.”
things that are over and finished with should not be dwelt upon, since doing so leads only to anxiety, worry, and wastage of time.
When having no work to do, one can fill his time with many useful activities. These are some such activities doing good deeds, helping others, visiting the sick, visiting the graveyard (to remember and reflect on one’s final destination), participating in charitable work, doing physical exercise, visiting loved ones, organizing one’s affairs, and lending aid to the old, the poor, and the weak.
A poet said:
“A generous deed is singular in its sweet taste And in its beautiful appearance.”
Look through any history book and you will find among its pages stories of pain, privation, and misery.
Another poet said:
“Read History as it is filled with morals,
A Nation will sink if it knows nothing of its annals.”
An old scholar said :
“Let the days bring what they may, And be contented when a decree has come to pass, When the execution of it comes in a land of some nation, Neither earth nor sky can prevent it.”
How many times have we feared death and then nothing came of it? How many times have we felt the end near, yet we then returned stronger than before? How many times have we found ourselves in difficulties, yet after the passing of a short time were allowed to taste the sweetness of ease and relief ?
Or how many times have we been sick only to be restored to health ?
When one knows with certainty that Allah (GOD) controls everything, how then can he feel any fear of anyone other than Him? And when one fears Allah (GOD), how can he fear others alongside Him.
Another old scholar said that, with the phrase, “There is neither might nor power except with Allah (GOD),” heavy things are carried, obstacles are overcome, and honor is achieved. So remember this phrase constantly, since it is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise and a pillar of happiness and contentment.
Many famous people, suffer from depression. It has been said that Napoleon Bonaparte, while still in exile, died in a state of depression.
Not too long ago, a German woman killed three of her children. It later became clear that her reason for doing this horrible act stemmed from her state of depression. Since she loved her children a great deal, she feared that they would have to go through the pain and hardship that she had undergone in her life. Thus, she decided to “give them comfort” and “to save each one of them” from the difficulties and vicissitudes of life. After murdering them, she took her own life.
The numbers issued by the World Health Organization indicate the severity of the situation. In 1973 it reported that three percent of the world’s population was afflicted with depression. The figures increased dramatically and in 1978 the figure was up to five percent. What might come as a surprise to some is that some studies have shown that one out of every four Americans suffers from depression. During the conference of Mental Disorders that was held in Chicago in 1981, the chairman of the conference announced that one hundred million people in the world suffer from depression. What might come as a surprise to some is that most of them were from developed countries. Other studies have even proclaimed a number of two hundred million.
It is said that, “The intelligent person is not he who is able to increase his profits, but he who transforms his losses into profits.”
things that are over and finished with should not be dwelt upon, since doing so leads only to anxiety, worry, and wastage of time.
When having no work to do, one can fill his time with many useful activities. These are some such activities doing good deeds, helping others, visiting the sick, visiting the graveyard (to remember and reflect on one’s final destination), participating in charitable work, doing physical exercise, visiting loved ones, organizing one’s affairs, and lending aid to the old, the poor, and the weak.
A poet said:
“A generous deed is singular in its sweet taste And in its beautiful appearance.”
Look through any history book and you will find among its pages stories of pain, privation, and misery.
Another poet said:
“Read History as it is filled with morals,
A Nation will sink if it knows nothing of its annals.”
An old scholar said :
“Let the days bring what they may, And be contented when a decree has come to pass, When the execution of it comes in a land of some nation, Neither earth nor sky can prevent it.”
How many times have we feared death and then nothing came of it? How many times have we felt the end near, yet we then returned stronger than before? How many times have we found ourselves in difficulties, yet after the passing of a short time were allowed to taste the sweetness of ease and relief ?
Or how many times have we been sick only to be restored to health ?
When one knows with certainty that Allah (GOD) controls everything, how then can he feel any fear of anyone other than Him? And when one fears Allah (GOD), how can he fear others alongside Him.
Another old scholar said that, with the phrase, “There is neither might nor power except with Allah (GOD),” heavy things are carried, obstacles are overcome, and honor is achieved. So remember this phrase constantly, since it is a treasure from the treasures of Paradise and a pillar of happiness and contentment.
Asking Allah (GOD) for forgiveness opens locked doors
An old scholar said :
“When I am confused in my understanding of an issue in religion, I forthwith beseech Allah (GOD) to forgive me one thousand times, maybe a little more or maybe a little less. Then Allah opens what was closed for me and I come to understand.”
One way of finding inner peace is to constantly seek forgiveness from Allah (GOD). Even a sin can be a blessing if it causes the believer to turn to his Lord in repentance.
I always feel wonder when reflecting on some famous historical figures. Even though they faced hardships, it seems as if to them their hardships were as gentle as drops of water. One of these is Qays ibn ‘Aasim al-Manqari, famous among the Arabs for his patience, was once narrating a story to some of his companions, when a man came and told Qays, “Your son has been murdered. The son of so and so was the culprit.” Qays didn’t cut his story short, but instead continued relating it in a calm demeanor until he finished. Then he said, “Wash my son, shroud him, and allow me to pray over him!”
“When I am confused in my understanding of an issue in religion, I forthwith beseech Allah (GOD) to forgive me one thousand times, maybe a little more or maybe a little less. Then Allah opens what was closed for me and I come to understand.”
One way of finding inner peace is to constantly seek forgiveness from Allah (GOD). Even a sin can be a blessing if it causes the believer to turn to his Lord in repentance.
I always feel wonder when reflecting on some famous historical figures. Even though they faced hardships, it seems as if to them their hardships were as gentle as drops of water. One of these is Qays ibn ‘Aasim al-Manqari, famous among the Arabs for his patience, was once narrating a story to some of his companions, when a man came and told Qays, “Your son has been murdered. The son of so and so was the culprit.” Qays didn’t cut his story short, but instead continued relating it in a calm demeanor until he finished. Then he said, “Wash my son, shroud him, and allow me to pray over him!”
People should depend on you and not you on them
The noble hearted one works for people and does not allow them to serve him. Therefore he doesn’t embark on a project that will require him to rely upon others.
In helping others, people have a limit or point, up to which they are willing to strive and sacrifice for others. And this limit is seldom exceeded.
In helping others, people have a limit or point, up to which they are willing to strive and sacrifice for others. And this limit is seldom exceeded.
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