One of the wise 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.
He mentioned later that hardship before comfort is analogous to hunger before food: food comes at a time when it has its greatest effect on the taste buds.
Plato said:
“Hardship is as beneficial to the soul as it is unwelcome in one’s life. Comfort is as harmful to the soul as it is welcome in life.”
When someone begins to understand his purpose in life, he will know that he is being tested either to gain reward from Allah (GOD) or to gain atonement for his sins.
After reading a book written by At-Tanooki, I derived three conclusions:
1. Relief comes after hardship. This is a consistent pattern in the life of man, as consistent as the coming of morning after darkness.
2. Hardship is more beneficial to the soul of man than are comfort and ease.
3. The One who brings good and drives away evil is Allah (GOD). Know that whatever happens to you was decreed for you, and whatever you have missed out was never meant for you.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Do not grieve, This world is not worth your grief
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:
“If this world were worth the wing of a mosquito to Allah (GOD), He would not have given the disbeliever (even) a drink of water.”
This world is not even worth the wing of a mosquito! If this is the worth of this world, why do we grieve over it?
“If this world were worth the wing of a mosquito to Allah (GOD), He would not have given the disbeliever (even) a drink of water.”
This world is not even worth the wing of a mosquito! If this is the worth of this world, why do we grieve over it?
Pause to reflect
There is none worthy of worship except Allah (GOD). This means that none truly deserves, or has the right to be worshipped, except Allah (GOD), the Almighty, All-High, since He alone possesses those perfect qualities that are associated with omnipotence, divinity, and godhood.
The spirit and secret of this monotheistic phrase is to single out Allah (GOD) for love, fear, hope, veneration, and glorification. It also includes our depending upon Allah (GOD) and our repenting to Him. So our love is pure for none except Him, and everyone other than Him is only loved as a by, product of our love for Him, or as a means of increasing our love for Him.
Therefore we must fear Allah (GOD) Alone, and we must depend upon Him Alone, in Him Alone do we place our hopes; and of Him Alone are we in awe. We take an oath by His name only, we repent to Him Alone, and all obedience is for Him. In times of hardship, we may invoke none but Him and we may seek refuge in none save in Him. Also, we prostrate to Him only, and when we slaughter an animal, we do it, mentioning His name only.
All of the above can be summarized in one phrase: None has the right to be worshipped except Allah (GOD). This phrase is comprehensive of all forms of worship.
The spirit and secret of this monotheistic phrase is to single out Allah (GOD) for love, fear, hope, veneration, and glorification. It also includes our depending upon Allah (GOD) and our repenting to Him. So our love is pure for none except Him, and everyone other than Him is only loved as a by, product of our love for Him, or as a means of increasing our love for Him.
Therefore we must fear Allah (GOD) Alone, and we must depend upon Him Alone, in Him Alone do we place our hopes; and of Him Alone are we in awe. We take an oath by His name only, we repent to Him Alone, and all obedience is for Him. In times of hardship, we may invoke none but Him and we may seek refuge in none save in Him. Also, we prostrate to Him only, and when we slaughter an animal, we do it, mentioning His name only.
All of the above can be summarized in one phrase: None has the right to be worshipped except Allah (GOD). This phrase is comprehensive of all forms of worship.
Despair not, Handicaps do not prevent success
An interview was published in one of the daily newspapers, with a blind man. He studied books of literature through the eyes of others. He would listen as others read to him books of history and commentaries on the classics. He used to have one of his friends read to him until 3 o’clock in the morning. Today, he is considered to be a reference book in literature and history.
One of the wise, wrote:
“Be patient with oppressors and wrongdoers for only five minutes. After a short time, the whip will fall, the shackles will break, the prisoner will be released, and the clouds will dissipate; upon you, then, is only to be patient and to wait.”
A poet wrote:
“How many calamities cause one to lose patience?
But from them, the exit is with Allah (GOD).”
I once met with the Mufti of Albania. He told me of how the ruling communists imprisoned him with hard labor for twenty years. While serving his sentence in prison, he was constantly subjected to torture, darkness, and hunger. He would secretly perform the five daily prayers in a corner of the washroom, for fear of being caught. Through all of this he was patient and anticipated his reward with Allah (GOD), until finally relief came.
Consider Nelson Mandela, the one-time President of South Africa, who for twenty-seven years endured imprisonment. He sought freedom for his people and he struggled to break off the shackles of tyranny and oppression. He was steadfast and firm, and he almost appeared to be seeking out death. As a result, he reached his goal and achieved his worldly glory.
One of the wise, wrote:
“Be patient with oppressors and wrongdoers for only five minutes. After a short time, the whip will fall, the shackles will break, the prisoner will be released, and the clouds will dissipate; upon you, then, is only to be patient and to wait.”
A poet wrote:
“How many calamities cause one to lose patience?
But from them, the exit is with Allah (GOD).”
I once met with the Mufti of Albania. He told me of how the ruling communists imprisoned him with hard labor for twenty years. While serving his sentence in prison, he was constantly subjected to torture, darkness, and hunger. He would secretly perform the five daily prayers in a corner of the washroom, for fear of being caught. Through all of this he was patient and anticipated his reward with Allah (GOD), until finally relief came.
Consider Nelson Mandela, the one-time President of South Africa, who for twenty-seven years endured imprisonment. He sought freedom for his people and he struggled to break off the shackles of tyranny and oppression. He was steadfast and firm, and he almost appeared to be seeking out death. As a result, he reached his goal and achieved his worldly glory.
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