Live In Deen: September 2021

Daily Routine of the Most Influential Leader in History – Muhammad (PBUH)

The Supreme Court in the USA displays a rendition of Prophet Mohamed (peace and blessings upon him) holding a Quran.

While we do not create statues and artistic renditions of prophets, this act acknowledges the fact that he (PBUH) is considered to be one of the most influential leaders in history, even by non-Muslims. His life was recorded in hadith and is practiced when we strive to do acts of sunnah, but how well do you really understand his day to day life and how it can improve yours?

I see many successful professionals, students and youth who are reading self-help books or looking to the daily life of Fortune 500 CEO’s to understand productivity. This is great, but why not also look at one of the most influential and revered leaders in history? Yes, we can learn how to lead a productive day the Prophet’s (PBUH).

Morning Routine

It is almost fajr, still dark outside and the Prophet Mohamed (PBUH) is either awake in voluntary prayers or taking a nap after spending much of the night in prayer. Upon getting up, he used a Miswak (like a toothbrush but natural made from a stick) and would engage in more voluntary prayers, making duaa and spending time with his wife. Once the call to prayer was heard, he would go to the mosque to lead prayers.

After completing fajr he often spent time with his congregation having a small discussion. This would continue until the sunrise. Upon leaving the mosque he would return home and spend time with family until he decided to go back to the mosque, pray more and people knew they could go to him for counseling at this time.

Any of you who have read self-help books or worked with productivity coaches know that morning routine is very important; you are setting the tone for your day.

The morning routine of the Prophet (PBUH) encompassed voluntary worship, praying in congregation, interacting with other believers and time with family.

His initial actions in the morning showcase priorities, faith and family.

Think about your own morning routine and compare. Do you take time for voluntary prayers, Quran and family or do you press snooze so many times that you end up rushing (including rushing prayer) and don’t have time to make duaa or dhikr?

Additionally, you should be waking up with a sense of gratitude in the morning which will impact you psychologically more than you realize.

“Whoever among you wakes up physically healthy, feeling safe and secure within himself, with food for the day, it is as if he acquired the whole world.[Sunan Ibn Majah]

A good starting point is to stop grabbing your phone and checking social media/email immediately upon waking. Instead, go ahead and grab your phone but open up a Quran app and read the verse of the day. I personally use Muslim Pro and it has a new verse everyday conveniently ready for you. Sit with your family and interact, don’t just rush out the door to school or work.

Early Daytime Hours

Although some days varied, we have an idea of the typical activities the Prophet (PBUH) engaged in. After spending time with his family and returning to the mosque, he would see people from near and far lands, new reverts and discuss any questions people had. We can think of it like an open door policy of the Prophet (PBUH).

We are still in the time-frame of early morning to dhuhr, during those early hours after receiving people and speaking with them he would leave the mosque again. Sometimes he would visit family such as his daughter Fatima and he often walked through the market areas. Then he returns home and helps his wife with housework, sewing shoes, cooking or milking a sheep. Then he takes a nap until Dhuhr.

Let us recap, it is not even Dhuhr yet but already he has accomplished praying in congregation, voluntary acts of worship, time with family, counseling people in need, housework and a nap. Many of us might not accomplish all of this before Maghrib let alone before Dhuhr.

You might be wondering how you could accomplish this level of productivity. For one, remove distractions. If you cannot stop checking Facebook and it drains away your time, set a time limit on your Iphone for social media or set your phone to mute except for calls from important people. Identify your distractions and time suckers then reduce them.

Afternoon Hours

Upon completion of dhuhr prayer the Prophet (PBUH) might discuss another inspirational topic with his congregation. Then once again he leaves and goes back home check on his family, do more voluntary prayers and he often went out with the sahaba (companions) to handle any concerns within the city like a leader must do.

It was not unusual for him to return to the mosque until Asr and then once again returns home.

Evening Hours

Upon hearing the call to prayer for Maghrib he would go to the mosque to lead the congregation then go home. No discussion was held because this is dinner time. While at home he would eat in a gracious way with his wife as to make her feel happy. Such as feeding her from his own hands, drinking from the same spot in a cup and never complaining even if he didn’t like the food.

Sometimes companions came over and they all ate together and had discussions about religion and society. Don’t forget he ate with his right hand and used his fingers.

Now it is time for Isha at the mosque. It was very rare that they had any type of discussion after Isha; the people would go home and rest. Upon returning home, the Prophet (PBUH) would pray more optional prayers and spend more time with family.

He would enter his humble bed sharing the bed with his wife while sleeping on his right side. During later hours he would wake up to recite Quran and prepare for evening prayers. His evening prayers were said to be lengthy and beyond what most of us could do. For witr he often woke his wife up to pray with him. Before the night ends he would take another nap until Fajr.

“And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds”[Quran 21:107]

Summary

After examining this typical day in the life of the Prophet (PBUH) we see a few trends. Worship, family and service to society. His day revolved around acts of worship, quality time and conversation with family and connecting to the society around him.

He was focused on what matters the most, heart. He was connected to the heart of his family, heart of the city and the Quran was an inseparable part of his heart.

This leads me to asking you as well as myself, are your priorities straight? Do you wake with God-consciousness, gratitude and intentions to be with family in acts of worship or do you wake up and focus on due dates, responsibilities and bills. Perhaps one of the biggest lessons I can deduce from this is to focus on what is important and sideline the rest.

Practical Action Plan

1. Now that you have a base understanding of the Prophet’s (PBUH) daily life, you can put this into action.

2. Make duaa and have intention to improve your productivity in accordance with sunnah.

3. Begin your day with sincere prayer and any other acts of worship that you can successfully focus on.

4. Identify your distractions/time suckers and minimize them. You have to take action and remove them; don’t just rely on your willpower.

5. Make time for family and say alhamdulillah for having them. Try to connect with them and discuss spirituality.

6. Be courteous to your neighbors and remember how well the Prophet (PBUH) treated his neighbors and anyone within the city, even if they were not Muslim. Service the people around you as he did daily.

7. Don’t miss out on your evening opportunities. Try to engage in evening worship, it does not need to be big. Set your alarm 30 minutes before Fajr so you can pray witr and recite Quran before you pray fajr. This will start your day out in worship and center your thoughts.

Final Thoughts

We live in a fast paced world that is pushing for success and productivity, but all too often we are burning ourselves out focusing on the wrong things. You can be highly successful and productive without being miserable if you take pointers from the daily life of the Prophet (PBUH) and try to employ them into your daily habits.

his doesn’t mean you have to try and emulate his life 100%, but if you embody the concept of focusing on worship, family and service then you are on the right track to success, inshallah.

First published: November 2018

The post Daily Routine of the Most Influential Leader in History – Muhammad (PBUH) appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/family-life/youth-4-the-future/daily-routine-influential-leader-history-muhammad-pbuh/

Revive Hope After Your Sinful Past

Often, when we want to start a new page in our life, we tie such a wish to some favorable circumstances in the unknown future, a turnabout in our career, or a special date or event.

Never Give Up - The Power of Hope in the Quran

This postponement is accompanied by the belief that power will come to us at that time to invigorate us after a period of indolence and reawaken hope after despair.

But this is merely an illusion; renewal of life springs, above all, from within the self.

When life is faced with purpose and insight, there is little danger of succumbing to one’s surrounding circumstances, no matter how bitter they may be.

Rather than being swept along by their currents, one would benefit from them, retaining one’s real self in the face of them; just as flower seeds buried under heaps of earth cleave their way up to the light where they release their refreshing fragrance.

They transform the soil and muddy water into joyful colors and pleasant scents; we can do the same if we take control of our time and preserve our freedom of action while confronting adverse conditions. We are able to fulfill much without waiting for external help.

Don’t Postpone Your Life-Renewing Plan

By harnessing hidden internal powers, buried faculties, and limited or trifling opportunities, man can build himself anew.

Don’t Let Your Past Haunt You – Seek His Forgiveness

There is no time to linger. Help is given to those who are walking their way towards the truth; but the power of running or climbing will not be showered on those who are crippled with inaction. That is impossible.

Do not hinge the building of your life on some chance that may or may not break forth from the unknown. This will not bring you anything good.

The present days you have in your hands, the soul within you, and the smiling or frowning circumstances around you are the foundations from which your future emerges. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

Allah spreads out His Hand at night to accept the repentance of those who sinned during the day; and He spreads out His Hand by day to accept the repentance of those who sinned during the night. (Muslim)

Every postponement of a life-renewing plan through which you get yourself on the right track only prolongs the dark period you want to deliver yourself from, and keeps you defeated and powerless in front of temptations and carelessness. It can even drag you down a steeper slope, and here lies the calamity.

“The day and night are two mounts. Ride them well to the hereafter. Beware of procrastination (of repentance), for death comes suddenly. Do not be deluded by the Forbearance of Allah; Paradise and Hellfire are closer to you than your shoelace.” (Ibn Ady)

Then Prophet Muhammad recited:

Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it. (Quran 99: 7-8)

It is important to rearrange your life from time to time, to look critically into its different corners to dig out the defects and failures, and create a short and long-term scheme to eliminate them.

Every few days, you look into the chaos of your desk drawer and tidy up the scattered scraps, messy books, and useless papers. You put everything in its proper place and throw the meaningless things into the trash.

The rooms of your house become messy by the end of the day, and so busy hands go up and down, here and there, to clean the dirty furniture, dump any waste into the bin, and restore everything to order and beauty.

Does our life not deserve such an effort?

Does it not deserve to have its affairs examined from time to time to see if there are any problems that need solving; or any sins weighing it down that need purifying?

It deserves to have its profits and losses considered after every stage forged through this life journey; and to be restored to equilibrium and stability whenever it is shaken by crises or conflicts.

Revive Hope

More than any other creature, humans need to delve deeply within and explore themselves in order to protect their private and public lives from disease and disunion. Their moral and mental structure rarely remains intact and concrete with sharp collisions against desires and temptations.

If left to destructive forces, morality and sensibility will inevitably be ruined; like the spilled beads of a necklace whose string has broken.

…one whose heart We have made heedless of Our Remembrance, one who follows his own lusts and whose affair (deeds) has become broken up. (18: 28)

Hence, continuous work is necessary to organize and accurately monitor oneself.

Before every new morning, God exhorts people to renew their lives with the break of dawn, having rested their bodies after a day’s labor and upon rising from their beds to face a new day.

At that decisive time they can think over their stumbles, falls, and sins; at that peaceful time every one of us can renew his life and rebuild himself anew with the shining rays of light, hope, and new beginnings, guided by the “Voice of Truth” calling out everywhere to restore the wandering and revive the weary.

Prophet Muhammad said:

Our Lord (Blessed and Exalted is He) descends every night to the nearest heaven (to our world), when only the last third of the night remains, and says, ‘Is there any seeker of My Favor that I may give to him? Is there any supplicant that I may answer him? Is there any asker of forgiveness that I may forgive him?’ This continues until the break of dawn. (Al-Bukhari)

And:

The nearest a slave can be to his Lord is during the middle of the night. (At-Tirmidhi)

If you can be among those who remember God during that special time of closeness to Him, be among them. It is the time when night goes and morning comes; and out of the debris of the near or distant past you can rise to build your future.

Do not be discouraged by your countless sins. Even if they are as much as the ocean foam, God will not mind forgiving them all for you as long as you turn to Him repentantly and hurry your steps for His Mercy and Pardon. Past ingratitude should be no barrier to sincere repentance.

Say: “O My servants who have transgressed against themselves (by sinning), do not despair of Allah’s Mercy. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He Who is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And return in repentance to your Lord and submit to Him. (39: 53-4)

In a sacred hadith (Revelation from God in the Prophet’s words):

Allah says: “O son of Adam, as long as you call upon Me and put your hope in Me; I will forgive whatever you have done, and I will not mind.

O son of Adam, even if your sins were to reach the clouds of the sky; then you were to seek My Forgiveness, I would forgive you, and I will not mind.

O son of Adam, if you were to come to me with an earth-full of sins, and you were to meet Me not associating anything with Me, I will come to you with an earth-full of forgiveness.” (At-Tirmidhi)

These and similar Words of God revive hope to a deadened will and stir up a dull and somewhat ashamed person with a determination to resume walking towards God and renew life after a bad, passive past.

This article is a translated excerpt from Sheikh Muhammad Al-Ghazali’s book: “Renew Your Life”. It is translated and adapted by Haya Muhammad Eid & edited by Emily Katharine Richardson.

The post Revive Hope After Your Sinful Past appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/spirituality/renew-your-life/

How Not to Block Your Dua

We ask ourselves why aren’t our duas answered sometimes. Are we blocking them? This is how not to block your dua!

Dua is a Gracious Gift of God – Use it Wisely

The post How Not to Block Your Dua appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/not-block-dua/

10 Sunnah Acts For Friday

Friday is the best day of the week in Islam. Here are 10 Sunnah acts for Friday that we must try to take care of.

The post 10 Sunnah Acts For Friday appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/10-sunnah-acts-friday/

Muslim Parents Happy to Send Kids Back to School for In-Person Learning

Getting kids back to school in person this year was a blessing for many parents weary of and worried about the impact of remote learning thrust upon them last year as COVID spread across the United States.

Two American Muslims recently recounted their experiences of their children returning to face-to-face schooling and, in some cases, if some would head back while others continued to learn from home.

Mona Assal talked about the change the return to school brought to her five children, three of whom are under 12 and attend public school; the older two live in dorms at their university.

All of her children are on campus this year, but the three youngest returned to in-person learning last spring. All wear masks when indoors on campus, as is required by their schools.

“My kids are happy to be back and it’s been a fairly easy adjustment, Alhamdullilah,” she told AboutIslam.net.

In Assal’s opinion, the shift was necessary. She said her children’s experience with virtual learning was fraught with challenges and stress for all, particularly for her then-Kindergartener, who struggled to learn in front of an iPad for several hours a day and required constant parental guidance. A second child suffers from an auditory processing disorder, making remote learning “literally impossible,” she said.

“She was miserable and stressed every single day and didn’t have the visual cues that children like her need to learn,” Assal said.

“(The situation with her then Kindergartener) left me extremely frustrated and exhausted because I had four other kids who also needed help managing all the different computer programs, passwords, scheduling, etc. for their school work. It was chaotic every day.”

Continue Reading…

The post Muslim Parents Happy to Send Kids Back to School for In-Person Learning appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/n-america/muslim-parents-happy-to-send-kids-back-to-school-for-in-person-learning/

‘Allah Did Not Leave Us Behind’: Conf. on Disability & Islam Concludes

For the second year in a row, service providers, academics, Islamic scholars, and disability advocates came together on September 25 for the second major online conference on disability and Islam, joining efforts for a day of learning, sharing and networking.

“Allah did not leave us behind – He is giving everyone the chance to fulfil Amanah towards us,” Sa’diyya Nesar, Hong Kong based disability advocate told audience of the 2nd Annual Global Conference on Disability and Islam held online on Saturday, Iqra.ca reported.

“All humans – whether disabled or not – belong to Allah and return to Him,” Nesar added in her keynote address to the conference titled, ‘The Right to Belong and Heal – Amanah towards People with Disabilities.’”

“Our right to belong can never be taken away from us. A lack of belonging in one gathering does not mean we do not belong in any gathering.”

Nesar is a disability advocate, TEDx speaker, poet and author of ‘Strength from Within.’

‘Nothing About Us Without Us’

Held under the theme ‘Nothing About Us Without Us,’ the multi-disciplinary conference attracted audience from across the world.

It was organized by DEEN Support Services, a Canadian charity founded by Muslims with disabilities to advance community inclusion by making available culturally and spiritually relevant services for concerned families and individuals.

Keynote speakers included Rabia Khedr, Omer Zaman, Fatima Ahmad, Jahirul Islam, Sheikh Imran Ally, and others.

Read Also: Is My Disability My Fault?

The conference organizers spoke about the need for acceptance of persons with disabilities and inclusion in the community.

“It is essential that Muslim leadership recognize that Muslims with disabilities are present in their communities and there is a social and spiritual obligation on them to ensure that Muslims with disabilities are fairly and equitably included in all aspects of the community. This Conference embodies the principle of, ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’,” said the CEO of DEEN Support Services, Rabia Khedr.

“The Conference is for people of all faiths, especially those who interact with Muslims with disabilities. We want to cultivate a broader cultural understanding and mutual respect concerning the inclusion of people with disabilities through strategic partnerships and collaborations with both Muslims, people of other faiths and non-faith affiliations,” added Rafia Haniff-Cleofas Conference Coordinator.

“I hope that you will gain a better understanding of the issues and challenges faced by Muslims with disabilities in the community, to take an active role in addressing these issues and ensuring full inclusion for all,” Haniff-Cleofas told the attendees.

Allah orders us to never look down, label, or ridicule others – such as people with disabilities – because “perhaps they may be better than them”. (49:11)

According to Islam, integrating disabled people into the society is crucial in regards to their emotional and mental well-being.

The post ‘Allah Did Not Leave Us Behind’: Conf. on Disability & Islam Concludes appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/muslim-issues/n-america/allah-did-not-leave-us-behind-conf-on-disability-islam-concludes/

Gratitude – The Way to Happiness

Did you know that March 20^th was International Happiness Day?

In the second decade of the 21^st century, in 2012 to be exact, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously passed a resolution declaring that the conscious pursuit of happiness is a fundamental human goal.

Part of the rhetoric surrounding this day included a High Level meeting on Happiness and Well Being. In this meeting the following religious figures, Jesus, Abraham, Moses and the Prophet Muhammad, were mentioned as among those who theorized about the purpose and meaning of life as well as the definition of happiness.[1]

In this series of articles we are referring to Prophet Muhammad as a “man for all seasons”. A man for all seasons is one who very successful in several different areas.

Because of Prophet Muhammad’s success in life and his knowledge over a wide variety of topics he is a perfect guide for those of us who desire happiness and success in this life and the next.

We know that Prophet Muhammad’s wife Aisha described his character as the Quran^[2], meaning that his behavior was the words of Quran in action.

Imam An Nawawi said that this meant that he acted in accordance with it (Quran), adhering to its limits, following its etiquette, paying heed to its lessons and parables, pondering its meanings and reciting it properly.

How to Achieve Happiness

Nowadays, many people from famous neuroscientists to happiness gurus, think they can teach us how to achieve happiness. And their methods and evidence may well be correct but a very long time ago Prophet Muhammad was teaching us how to be happy.

Powerful Strategies for Developing Gratitude

Those of us who have emulated Prophet Muhammad’s actions, or taken his advice, know that this, combined with following God’s commandments is the way to achieve sustainable happiness.

Perfect happiness will only exist in everlasting paradise for it is only there that we can be free from the trials and tribulations associated with being human. We can however seek happiness in this world and Islam tells us how.

Scientific evidence tells us what Islam has been telling us for quite some time. According to the findings of 21^st century neuro-science one of the easiest and quickest way to be happy is to practice gratitude.

Gratitude

The feeling of gratitude activates the brain stem region that produces dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, or chemical, responsible for transferring signals between nerve cells in the brain. There is evidence to suggest that too little dopamine can cause depression, insomnia, mood swings, and lack of motivation, among other undesirable effects.

Gratitude boosts the production of dopamine, and increasing dopamine elicits feelings pleasure. It also plays a role in other areas such as memory, movement and motivation. Dopamine makes us feel good and plays a role in initiating action. Increased dopamine makes you want to repeat the action that caused the increase.

Being grateful, releasing dopamine causes a memory loop and you are more likely to do the action over and over. Being grateful can have a profound effect on health and happiness.

A Chinese study that looked at the amount of gratitude people show in their daily lives and found that higher levels of gratitude were associated with better sleep, and with lower levels of anxiety and depression[3].

National Institutes of Health researchers examined blood flow in various brain regions while subjects summoned up feelings of gratitude.[4] They found that subjects who showed more gratitude had higher levels of activity in the hypothalamus.

The hypothalamus controls a huge array of essential bodily functions, including eating, drinking and sleeping and it has a huge influence on your metabolism and stress levels.

Tips for Developing an Attitude of Gratitude

From this evidence it can be seen that improvements in gratitude could have wide-ranging effects, from increased exercise and improved sleep to decreased depression and fewer aches and pains. All these things contribute to a higher level of happiness and contentment.

Islam on Gratitude and Happiness

Let us see what Islam says about gratitude and happiness. One of God’s commandments involves remembering Him and being grateful to Him. And one of the best ways to worship Him is to do so in the manner that he describes. God says:

… remember Me; I will remember you. And thank Me, and never be ungrateful. (Quran 2:152)

And He goes on to say:

… if you are grateful I will give you more of my blessings… (Quran 14:7)

If we look back at what we just read and understood we see that being grateful releases dopamine, dopamine sets up a loop, we find more things to be grateful for because it makes us feel good.

This is the perfection of God the Creator. He tells us how we can be happy and wires our brain in order for us to create the happiness by obeying Him.

Prophet Muhammad made it clear that expressing our gratitude to God not only involves thanking Him but also thanking others. He said that the one who does not thank the people does not thank God.[5]

He also said:

When someone does you a favor, then reciprocate and if you cannot find anything with which to return the favor then pray for him until you feel you have reciprocated enough.[6]

In a third narration Prophet Muhammad said that whoever says Jazakallhu khairun, (may God reward you with good) to the one who has done him a favor has done enough to thank him.[7]

Prophet Muhammad was able to take God’s commandments and weave them into the fabric of the society that he built.

The inbuilt gratitude in Islam paves a way to happiness and contentment in this life and the next.

________________

[1] https://ift.tt/2vA2RK0

[2] Saheeh Muslim

[3] Ng et. al. , 2012 quoted in https://ift.tt/3ilxrfw

[4] The Neural Basis of Human Social Values: Evidence from Functional MRI

Roland Zahn, Jorge Moll, Mirella Paiva, Griselda Garrido, Frank Krueger, Edward D. Huey, and Jordan Grafman

[5] Imam Ahmad, At Tirmidhi

[6] Abu Dawud

[7] At Tirmidhi

(From Discovering Islam’s archive)

The post Gratitude – The Way to Happiness appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/about-muhammad/gratitude-way-happiness/

Revisiting the Story of Mary as a New Muslim

When I first encountered Islam, like many from a Christian background I was drawn to the story of Mary the mother of Jesus (PBUH), known to Muslims as Mariam.

Alongside Asiya, the wife of the Egyptian Pharaoh, Mary is considered one of the most important women in history. The Prophet Muhammad Himself (PBUH) even cited her as having reached “perfection” in faith.

I remember thinking: “How can a religion that denies the divinity of Jesus Christ hold his mother in such high regard?” This was one of the elements of the Quran and the Islamic faith that drew me to question.

Eventually, a new perspective and love for the Virgin Mary helped me see Islam as the true faith and become the Muslim that I am today.

Many devout Christians throughout history have found their way to Islam through a new vision of Mary. How the Quran presents her in comparison with the narrative of the Gospels is, therefore, the focus of this article.

Continuity with Previous Scriptures

The goal of the Quranic story of Mary is not to tell every detail of the story from scratch, nor is God ignorant of the Gospel narrative. Indeed, this is how the entire Quran works. At the very beginning of Chapter 2 (Surat al-Baqarah), you are told that the Quran is for those:

…who believe in what has been revealed to you, and what was revealed before you; and of the Hereafter they are certain. (Quran 2:4)

The refrain of continuity is repeated at the beginning of the next Chapter (Al Imran); and it can be found in numerous places throughout the Quran.

The entire chapter that contains the story of Mary (Surat Mariam) is based on the idea of the recollection of previous revelations, with God commanding the believers to “recall” (adhkur) Zechariah, Mary, Abraham, Moses, Ishmael, and Idris.

All of these figures (except Mary) are Prophets of the Biblical tradition. The Quran is not denying any of them, rather confirming what was revealed before: that there have been previous Prophets; and the person in front of you now (Muhammad) is from that same tradition.

Shifting the Focus from Prophet to Mother

The most interesting aspect of the story of Mary in the Quran is that, unlike its Biblical counterpart, the focus of the narrative is Mary herself and not Jesus. The Prophet Jesus (PBUH) only appears at the very end of the Quranic story, speaking miraculously as an infant to inform the people around Mary that his birth is legitimate and that he is a Prophet.

Rather, the focus is on Mary herself, beginning with her reaction to the Angel Gabriel visiting her in the night. The Quran describes the announcement of Gabriel as:

…giving you the gift (li ahaba laki) of a pure boy;” one whom will be made “a sign to the people and a mercy from God (Quran 19:19, 21).

In the Bible, Gabriel is reported to have said:

Hail, thou that art highly favored, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.” (Luke 1:28, 30 & 32)

Putting these two pronouncements together, it is clear in both narratives that Mary is elevated amongst all other women. She is to give birth to a Prophet (Quran) or the Son of God (Bible).

However, the Quran’s use of the word “gift” strikes an important difference in tone. The Prophet Jesus is not only to be a gift for the world, as in the Bible, but for Mary.

Mary’s position is also not one of servitude to the Son of God. The Quran rather elevates her higher, giving her the “gift” of a son. This is a blessing for her – and a clear acknowledgement of her stature – just as much as it is a blessing and mercy from God for the world.

The Quran further exalts Mary by focusing on her sacrifice in the path of God. In the midst of labor pains with no one else to help her, she calls out to God asking for death. Her answer came from either God or Jesus himself (the Quran only describes the voice as coming from underneath her) and told not to fall into despair. She is given water and the power to shake a tree and find her sustenance (Quran 19:23-26).

Again, the focus here is on Mary. It is her pain, her suffering, and the response given to her, that is the centerpiece of this story. This is similar to the story of the mother of Moses who is also the center of the Quranic narrative (Quran 28:7).

Finally, in the Bible Mary’s husband, Joseph, at one point seeks to quietly divorce her. He is rebuked by God and stays with her, hinting at the societal problems her virgin pregnancy will cause (Matthew 1:18-25).

This is similar to the Quran, however here it is Mary who is accused of infidelity (Quran 19:27-28). In the Quran it is the stigma that will befall Mary, not her husband, that needs to be clarified.

In conclusion, the Quranic view of Mary, the mother of Prophet Jesus (PBUH), elevates her beyond the Biblical narrative.

While reminding Muslims to recall the stories told of the past, the Quran makes an important corrective, shifting the focus of these miraculous Prophets to the mothers that carried them and brought them into the world.

As a Muslim convert, when speaking about the Prophet Jesus it is always important to remember this and affirm the position of all of the mothers of the Prophets (Peace be Upon Them All).

(From Discovering Islam archive)

The post Revisiting the Story of Mary as a New Muslim appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/reading-islam/understanding-islam/revisiting-the-story-of-mary-as-a-new-muslim/

How the Prophet Cared for the Elderly (+Stories)

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), was a pioneer in emphasizing the importance of caring for the elderly irrespective of sex, color, or religion. He himself set a great example in practicing the principles he taught.

This article highlights Islamic teachings related to treating the elderly, and gives glimpses of how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) put them in effect.

A Duty of the Young

Anas ibnMalik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“If a young man honors an elderly on account of his age, Allah appoints someone to honor him in his old age.” (At-Tirmidhi; ranked hasan by Al-Albani)

The Prophet here advises the young of the Muslim society, who will be tomorrow’s elderly, to honor the elderly. Continuous application of this Prophetic advice helps bridge the gap between generations and spreads an atmosphere of love and understanding between the young and the old. Consider here also the generalization in the Prophet’s words: “If a young man honors an elderly;“ the hadith requires honoring the elderly regardless of their color or religion.

In another hadith Muslims are told to be merciful to all people, Muslim and non-Muslim:

Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “By Him in Whosehand my soul is, Allah does not bestow His mercy except on a merciful one.”

They (the Companions) said, “All of us are merciful.”

The Prophet replied, “Not only that each of you has mercy upon the other, but to have mercy also upon all people.” (Abu Ya`la; authenticated by Al-Albani)

A Sign of Reverence for Allah

These 9 Lovely Hadiths Show Prophet’s Care for Children

Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “It is out of reverence to Allah to respect the white-headed (aged) Muslim.” (Abu Dawud; ranked hasan by Al-Albani)

In the hadith above, the Prophet considered respecting the elderly a way to show reverence for the Almighty. He linked reverence for the Creator and His creatures with veneration of the All-Powerful and the weak elderly. The hadith implies all kinds of respect and care for the elderly: Health care, psychological care, social care, economic care, ending illiteracy, providing education, and other forms of care that the international community calls for today.

In one hadith, the Prophet disavows those who do not venerate the elderly and considers them alien to the Muslim society:

He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young ones and esteem to our elderly. (At-Tirmidhi and Ahmad; authenticated by Al-Albani)

The post How the Prophet Cared for the Elderly (+Stories) appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/shariah/prophet-muhammad/a-mercy-for-all/prophet-cared-elderly-stories/

Los afluentes de la fe: la purificación espiritual

La purificación espiritual es una de las bases del Islam y una de las tareas principales con la que fueron enviados los profetas y que nos han transmitido los eruditos.

La fe es un sentimiento vivo

La fe es un sentimiento vivo en el corazón que se manifiesta a través de las palabras y de las acciones.

La razón por la que a veces puede parecer que la fuerza de nuestra creencia dista de ser ideal es porque la fe es algo vivo, que hay que alimentar y mantener vivo. Y hay que hacer un esfuerzo consciente para ello.

La ciencia de la purificación espiritual en el Islam trata sobre cómo hacer este esfuerzo.

Una guía para principiantes sobre meditación islámica

La purificación espiritual

La purificación espiritual, que a menudo encontramos ausente, debería ser una de las tareas principales para todos los musulmanes y sobre la que se fundamenta todo lo demás.

Una de las misiones más importante de los Profetas, la paz sea con ellos, es trasmitir esta ciencia de la purificación espiritual a todos, hombres y mujeres.

Él es Quien ha hecho surgir para los iletrados un Mensajero que es uno de ellos; y que les recita Sus signos, los purifica y les enseña el Libro y la sabiduría, cuando antes estaban en un claro extravío.
Corán, 62:6

Aquí vemos que, ademas de transmitir el mensaje, transmitir sabiduría y aclarar los preceptos, la purificación es una de las tareas principales de los profetas y mensajeros.

Igualmente os hemos enviado un Mensajero que viene de vosotros mismos y que os recita Nuestros signos, os purifica, os enseña el Libro y la Sabiduría y os enseña lo que no sabíais.
Corán, 2:150

Realmente Allah ha concedido una gracia a los creyentes al enviarles un Mensajero salido de ellos mismos que les recita Sus signos, los purifica y les enseña el Libro y la Sabiduría; ya que antes estaban en un extravío evidente.
Corán, 3:164

Los tres versículos pueden parecer idénticos, pero no lo son, puesto que hay matices que los diferencian y que son muy importantes.

En estos tres versículos hay tres mensajes similares pero para gente diferente.

El primer versículo hace referencia a que el Profeta Muhammad ha sido enviado a toda la humanidad. En el segundo, a los árabes. Y en el tercero, a los creyentes.

En los dos primeros versículos Dios llama a los no creyentes a que s e purifiquen de la idolatría y entren en la creencia mientras que en el tercero Dios exhorta a los creyentes a reconocer el favor que es haber sido agraciados con la creencia y con la purificación.

La importancia de la purificación espiritual

Habrá triunfado quien se purifique, recuerde el nombre de su Señor y rece.
Corán, 87:14

Esto no indica la importancia de la purificación espiritual, tanto que es una de las misiones de los profetas y mensajero así como de maestros y eruditos, doctos en la ciencia de purificación del alma, tras ellos.

En los Hadiz encontramos que el corazón es la clave de todo puesto que es el órgano que alberga la fe.

Relató An-Numán Ibn Bashír: He oído al Mensajero de Dios ﷺ diciendo:

Ciertamente, lo lícito es obvio y lo ilícito es obvio, y entre los dos hay asuntos dudosos acerca de los que mucha gente no sabe. Quien se guarda de los asuntos dudosos se purifica en su religión y en su honor, y quien cae en los asuntos dudosos, caerá en lo ilícito. Como el pastor que pasta alrededor de un prado vedado, casi pastando en él.

Por cierto que todo rey tiene su vedado, ciertamente el vedado de Dios es lo ilícito, y ciertamente en el cuerpo hay un pedazo de carne, que si está sano, sanará todo el cuerpo, y si se corrompe, se corromperá todo el cuerpo y, este es el corazón.
Bujari y Muslim

La importancia del corazón es que es quien manda y ordena al resto del cuerpo. Por eso, si el corazón está purificado, si se le alimenta bien, estaremos a salvo de caer en lo ilícito. El corazón es como el gobernante y su nación. Si el gobernante es justo y piadoso, su nación podrá prosperar, pero si por el contrario en corrupto y avaricioso, toda la nación se verá afectado por eso.

El Profeta es el médico del alma

El profeta, que la paz sea con él, que es el médico del alma por excelencia, nos dice en otro Hadiz, como un certero diagnóstico:

En verdad, cuando el siervo comete una falta, aparece una marca negra en su corazón. Si abandona esta falta, busca el perdón y se arrepiente, entonces su corazón se pulirá. Si vuelve a ella, la oscuridad aumentará hasta vencer su corazón. Es la cobertura que Allah ha mencionado: No, más bien una cobertura está sobre sus corazones de lo que se han ganado.
Tirmidhi

El corazón es donde dejan marca todas nuestras acciones, así que si no prevenimos, si no tenemos cuidado, si no guardamos a nuestras corazón de la corrupción y los males espirituales, como asociar algo con Dios, la envidia, le egolatría, etc. podemos acabar con unos corazones putrefactos.

Y por el contrario, si protegemos nuestro corazón y nos esforzamos por las buenas acciones nuestro corazón se limpia y se abren sus para reconocer la verdad.

La purificación espiritual el mayor esfuerzo de la vida

La purificación espiritual es tan importante que es considerada como el mayor esfuerzo de la vida. Dijo el profeta, en un Hadiz que es considerado débil en cuanto a su narración pero correcto en su significado:

Habiendo regresado de una campaña militar con sus compañeros, dijo: “Habéis regresado de la yihad menor a la yihad mayor”. Cuando se le preguntó cuál era la mayor yihad, respondió: “La yihad de una persona contra sus deseos”.
Al-Bayhaqi, Kitab al-Zuhd al-Kabir

Esto es tan importante puesto que es algo que hay que hacer diariamente y este esfuerzo diario mantiene al creyente cerca de Dios.

El Corán, los Hadiz y los grandes sabios nos dicen que es a través de la espiritualidad, a través de la purificación, que hemos de entender el Islam.

La Tazkiyya: la purificación espiritual

La purificación espiritual, también conocida como Tazkiyyah, es la ciencia de la purificación del espíritu y el corazón. Es la ciencia de la medicina del alma. Son muchos los grandes eruditos que se han dedicado a ella y muchos los que después de haber conseguido mocho conocimiento y fama han renunciado a ella y buscado el conocimiento de esta ciencia. Entre los grandes ejemplos de esto tenemos al Imam Suyuti o Abu Hamid Al Gazali, dos de los más grandes eruditos del Islam.

Y hemos de recordar que en esto, como en todo lo demás, el Profeta Muhammad, que la paz sea con él, es nuestro mejor maestro.

The post Los afluentes de la fe: la purificación espiritual appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/es/creencia-y-espiritualidad/los-afluentes-de-la-fe-la-purificacion-espiritual/

10 Traditions Du Prophète Mohammad

10. As-Sadaqah – La Charité:

Le Prophète Mohammad était connu pour faire fréquemment la Sadaqah. Il donnait régulièrement aux pauvres. Il a dit: «Il n’est pas croyant, celui qui est rassasié alors que son voisin a faim.»

9. Le Sourire:

Le Prophète Mohammad était toujours souriant. `Abd-Allah ibn Hârith a rapporté: «Je n’ai jamais rencontré une personne qui souriait autant que le Prophète. Celui-ci considérait le fait de sourire à un frère comme un acte de charité.»

8. L’autoréflexion

Comment Developer Sa Relation Avec Le Coran

Le Prophète faisait beaucoup d’autoréflexion. Il avait l’habitude de se rendre à la grotte de Hirâ’ pour s’isoler et prier.

7. L’hygiène Dentaire:

Le Prophète Mohammad nettoyait toujours ses dents à l’aide du Miswâk (Une baguette en Bois d’Araq servant à frotter les dents).

6. Boire L’eau Lentement:

La science actuelle affirme que boire l’eau d’un coup, pourrait causer des maux de tête ainsi que le déséquilibre. Le Prophète a dit dans ce contexte: «Ne buvez pas d’un seul trait comme le chameau, buvez plutôt en deux et trois gorgées. Mentionnez le nom d’Allah lorsque vous commencez à boire et louez-Le après avoir fini.»

5. Se Réveiller Tôt:

Le Prophète Mohammad se réveillait tôt pour accomplir la prière du matin (Fajr). Être un lève-tôt est scientifiquement lié à une meilleure productivité.

4. Le Jeûne:

C’était une tradition régulière du Prophète Mohammad. Il n’observait pas seulement le jeûne durant le Ramadan, mais il jeûnait régulièrement à divers moments, et en particulier les lundis et les jeudis.

3. Ne Dormez Pas Sur Le Ventre:

«Le Messager d’Allah est sorti dans la nuit pour voir ses invités et m’a vu allongé sur le ventre. Il m’a poussé du pied et a dit: «Ne t’allonge pas de cette manière, car c’est la manière dont s’allongent ceux qu’Allah déteste.” Ya’îch ibn Tihfah Al-Ghifârî.

2. Les dates:

Les dates sont recommandées pour rompre votre jeûne. Elles peuvent aider ainsi à préparer votre système digestif.

1. Prier:

Il y a beaucoup de prières que le Prophète Mohammad a personnellement enjoint de faire. C’est une exigence obligatoire pour les musulmans du monde entier.

(Vous pouvez lire la version anglaise originale de cet article ici)

The post 10 Traditions Du Prophète Mohammad appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/fr/10-traditions-du-prophete-mohammad/

Keeping A Pure Heart

Shaykh Abdul Nasir Jangda discusses keeping a pure heart and how important that is. If we corrupt our hearts then out of our bodies will come bad things. But keep the heart good then out of our bodies come good things. It is very important to keep the heart connected with Allah.

The post Keeping A Pure Heart appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/keeping-pure-heart/

The Sick Heart Versus The Dead Heart

There is a differences between the sick heart versus the dead heart. When you commit a sin it doesn’t feel good. You feel bad.

Is There Any Cure for a Diseased Heart?

The post The Sick Heart Versus The Dead Heart appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/multimedia/videos/sick-heart-versus-dead-heart/

For Desperate Housewives: Tricks for Happiness

Are you a “stay-at-home” mom who finds herself overwhelmed with household responsibilities?

Are you bored of everyday chores that you have to undertake?

Do you feel like trapped in your own house?

If you are a stay-at-home wife or mother, if you feel like you are stuck in a boring daily routine, you have to make urgent changes in your life so that you become an energetic happy individual once again.

Being a housewife does not mean that you have signed up in a lifetime boredom boot camp. However, you shouldn’t wait until you hit the rock bottom to regain your life.

You have to set priorities for yourself. Any typical mom will automatically say: my children come first in my life and this is a fact for all of us.

But let me ask you here: would you be able to take good care of your children if you are in a bad health and mood? Sure you won’t, which means you have to sharpen the saw of your both physical and mental health.

Working on improving a better “You “must become your first priority in order to be able to give your children an improved quality of life.

True Stories

Nada is a typical housewife who used to spend her whole day at home with little social or sport activities. One day She decided to stop feeling sorry about herself; she decided not to wait for her husband to fill in the void in her life.

Nada started taking crochet lessons by learning the basics very well. Afterwards, Nada turned into the internet as she downloaded photos and new ideas for the crochet designs. She set up an online networking community that shares the same interest.

Now Nada have more than 700 Facebook crochet friends; she is starting to sell what she makes by her own hands.

Nada, the crochet learner, explains her craft passion by saying: “Learning how to make those lovely things with crochet gave me another reason to wake up in the morning very happily. Other than preparing snacks and breakfast for my husband and my kid Hana I have had a purpose of my own which is feeling really good for what I make by my hands. Maybe one day I‘ll give crochet lessons to others.”

Mariam, on the other hand, is a stay-at-home mom who has a 7- years- old twin. She says that she had been an athletic all her life till she had babies. Staying at home all the day is driving her crazy.

Mariam says; “The most terrible feeling is that I don’t belong to some community that has the same interests or concerns. Before getting married I belonged to the Basket ball team in the club, but now I may stumble by one of the old team members by chance, catch up the latest gossips then each one of us goes her own way.”

“I go to the Gym once a week, but this is not a goal. I know I have to find for myself a hobby or may find a work, which is somehow hard to find nowadays, but I certainly know that I need help because I am starting to get it out on my children.”

Psychology

“Staying at home is considered to be one of the reasons that cause depression. Anwar Al Atrebi, Professor of psychology and neurology, Faculty of Medicine at Cairo’s Ain Shams University, says that there are a lot of studies on the negative effects of depression that eventually leads to erosion of memory cells which reduces intelligence and concentration.

Al Atrebi says, ” There is a false protocol comprehended in the Egyptian and Arab societies that the well – educated mother should better stay at home to take good care of her family and children without considering the fact that the working mom might be more useful for the family in different aspects.”

“Modern husbands and wives lack the commonsense of “How to deal with your spouse?” Husband and wife react unconsciously on a day –to- day -basis with consistent interference of their folks without giving the proper time to enhance their relationship together.”

Jacob Teitelbaum of the experts’ panel for Dr. OZ’s website (Mehmet Oz is Oprah Winfery’s expert physician), wrote on how to eliminate depression naturally:

From a physical perspective, depression often reflects faulty biochemistry. Begin by asking yourself this simple question: “Do I have many interests?” If the answer is yes, you’re probably not depressed but rather have other physical problems causing how you feel — for which effective treatment is available — and not depression.

If you do not have many interests, you are probably depressed and the treatments below will be very helpful for you.

Happiness has its own biochemistry which can be powerfully balanced and enhanced naturally. Let’s start with the basics:

1- Overall nutritional support is essential. So take a good multivitamin supplement.

2- Begin a walking program. Research has shown that walking briskly each day is as effective as any other antidepressant.

3- Get more sunshine. Inadequate sunlight is a common cause of depression (called “Seasonal Affective Disorder” or “SAD”), which should be considered if your depression is worse in the winter.

4- Get eight hours of sleep a night.

These are the basics for eliminating the bad feeling of being bored or just losing interest in your daily activities. Move on and try to grasp little happiness.

The post For Desperate Housewives: Tricks for Happiness appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/family-life/husbands-wives/for-desperate-housewives-tricks-for-happiness/

The Heart’s Predicament

It so happens that whatever we like doing, or whatever makes us apparently happy, we tag it as the food for our soul.

A couple of days back, I attended a live video conference of Sheikh Yaser Birjas, who brought up a really good point.

He mentioned in his talk that “man is made from two components: an earthly one (dirt) and a heavenly component (the soul). So both of these need nutrition from their origins.

Our body being an earthly entity needs it from the Earth (fruits and vegetation) and our soul needs it from the Heavens (spirituality from the Divine commandments).

Depriving any one of these from its source nutrition, it weakens and dies.”

This particular reasoning makes a lot of sense.

So anything that takes you off the track is the reason why your heart is not in the right place. It is the reason why you haven’t cried in a long while in your prayers. The reason why nothing moves you. And your spirituality is at standstill. That’s when you know something is broken inside. Your heart is fogged up. Blinded by the mundane.

Even when you try to be passionate about your obligations or wait for an inspiration, you find no drive and no will that lasts long enough to carry you through the day. Your heart has hardened and singing along to another tune.

In physiology, we have a term “rigor mortis” for dead bodies. When a person dies, his muscles stiffen up after a while and his body hardens consequently in whatever position he’s placed in. Similar is the case with the heart. When the soul weakens, the heart hardens and finds itself incapable of staying on the path it should. It begins to wither.

So anything deviant that makes you happy isn’t akin to feeding your soul, it’s feeding the demon inside. Take some time out for some serious soul searching and sort out what you’ve been filling your heart with. Cut the harmful down gradually and think of alternatives to pass your time with.

The Impact of the Quran

The question – what makes a heart responsive to all that’s good?

And no one knows it better than the Maker:

The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Quran) are recited unto them, they increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone). (8: 2)

There is nothing that can soften a heart more than the Quran recited beautifully – composed by the Master Himself – set to a rhythm so divine that it can have your heart racing, if you know what the words mean and even when you don’t.

A friend shared her tarawih experience with me that the recitation of the imam shook her from within even though she understood very little of it, and it made her cry, and the feeling was something very new for her.

So listening to your favorite reciters would help to pull yourself up from whatever death trap you’ve put your heart into. And it would help a great deal more if you try to understand it as well.

Here is why:

Allah has (now) revealed the fairest of statements, a Scripture consistent, (wherein promises of reward are) paired (with threats of punishment), whereat doth creep the flesh of those who fear their Lord, so that their flesh and their hearts soften to Allah’s reminder. Such is Allah’s guidance, wherewith He guides whom He will. And him whom Allah sends astray, for him there is no guide. (39: 23)

Allah Softens Your Heart for Doing These Things

This is how the Lord of the Worlds describes His flawless composition. It can set a heart alight, soften it and mould it to His bidding. So it’s time we revamp our playlist.

Another reason why a heart may harden could be an arrogant demeanor. Something deadly that seeps into the religious circles or self-proclaimed religious people who feel they know enough and shut themselves to more advice, consequently blocking themselves from any good that might have crossed that way.

Knowledge can be venomous if there’s no humility in the bearer. So keeping oneself open to criticism and receptive to knowledge (no matter wherever it comes from), is another way of continuously working on yourself to be better. All seekers should keep this verse in mind:

Is not the time ripe for the hearts of those who believe to submit to Allah’s reminder and to the truth which is revealed, that they become not as those who received the scripture of old but the term was prolonged for them and so their hearts were hardened, and many of them are evil-livers. (57: 16)

Other Tips

Learn from history before it repeats itself. Avoid mistakes of the ancients. Self-righteousness is lethal, among other things that corrupted them.

Do small good deeds. Keep people around you happy. Be charitable. Spread goodness whenever you can manage in a million little ways. Spend some time with the less-privileged and your heart will inevitably soften.

Ibn Abi Dunya narrated from Abu Hurairah that a person complained to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) about the hardness of his heart. The Prophet said to him:

If you want your heart to soften, (affectionately) rub the orphan’s head (with your hand) and feed the needy. (Al-Mundhiri)

And when the night falls, remember God much. Look back at the day and repent for all your mistakes and shortcomings. For sins blacken the soul and a heart with such a burden is a devil’s refuge.

Abu Hurairah narrated that Prophet Muhammad said:

When the believer commits a sin, a black spot appears on his heart. If he repents and gives up that sin and seeks forgiveness, his heart will be polished. But if (the sin) increases, (the black spot) increases. That is the “raan” which Allah mentions in His Book: ‘Nay! But on their hearts is the Raan (covering of sins and evil deeds) which they used to earn’. (At-Tirmidhi)

God Almighty has sent His Book as a “cure for the heart of the believers” as mentioned in the Quran:

O people! There has come to you an admonition from your Lord, and a healing for what is in the breasts, and a guidance, and a mercy for those who believe. (10: 57)

Never part with the Quran or leave it to be forgotten in some dark recesses of your mind. Live it and you’ll truly feel alive. The missing ingredient that we are all craving lies in the remembrance of God. And it is no secret.

And whenever you feel yourself gravitating towards the worldly pleasures, remember death.

Many of the earliest scholars of Islam, including Sa’eed ibn Jubair and Rabi’ ibn Abi Rashid used to say:

“If the remembrance of death leaves our hearts for an hour, our hearts will become rotten.”

Keep supplicating to the Almighty that you may never stray from the Right. The Prophet had taught us a prayer for this as well saying:

Oh turner of hearts, make my heart firm upon Your religion. (At-Tirmidhi)

May we win the many battles we’re fighting against ourselves and conquer our own hearts. Now that is something to see to.

(From Discovering Islam’s archive.)

The post The Heart’s Predicament appeared first on About Islam.

source https://aboutislam.net/spirituality/the-hearts-predicament/