What are you doing....

Abu-Hurairah (RadiAllahu Anhu) narrated Allah's Messenger Salallahu alaihi wassalam said, "Indeed Allah does not look at your appearance and your wealth, but he looks at your hearts and your deeds."--Muslim--

Have all the money you want, look as good as you want, But if you are not doing anything sincerely for Allah...none of it matters.

What are you doing and who are you doing it for?

--Sada--

Gratitude

To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kind that will stand behind the action. Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course. Everything originates in a will for the good, which is directed at you. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude. -- Albert Schweitzer --

Gratitude is the simplest yet most neglected expression in our lives today. We bury ourselves in situations that go against our will and desires to the extent that we forget about the blessings we have at hand. We have all repeatedly heard the saying, "Be grateful for what you have." But are we truly grateful for what we have? What is our instant reaction when we are struck by a calamity? Do we portray our happiness towards the decree of Allah by saying, "Alhumdulillah 'ala kulli haal" (Praise be to Allah in all situations) or do we despair, "Why me?" When we lose something dear to us do we think maybe there was benefit in it for me? "It may well be that you hate a thing while it is good for you, and it may well be that you love a thing while it is bad for you: and Allah knows, whereas you do not know." [2:216]. So we must show gratitude to Allah by being content with His decisions.

Likewise what is our reaction when we attain something we desire? Do we rejoice and praise ourselves? Or do we sincerely say "Alhumdulillah," for He is the One, the All Mighty, who granted us this opportunity? How many times a day do we think, 'I have accomplished such and such due to the bounty of Allah' or how many times do we think, 'I have accomplished this because of my own efforts and doings'? If we remember that all that we do is nothing but tawfeeq from Allah then our attitudes towards our lives will be much different. We will find ourselves humble, content and not complaining -- maybe even smiling.

Allah has given us so much to be grateful for, yet we have said "thank you" to our friends more than we have to Allah. How grateful are we to Allah for the eyes that we have been blessed with so we can see all that we see? What about the ears that we hear with? "It is He Who has created you (and made you grow), and made for you the faculties of hearing, seeing, feeling and understanding: little thanks it is you give."[67:23] What about the knowledge that we are attaining by using the three senses mentioned in the verse? Are we showing gratitude by putting it into action and teaching it to others? In Surah Nahl, Allah speaks about Ibrahim ('alayhis salaam) being guided to the right path due to his gratitude. "Abraham was indeed a model, devoutly obedient to Allah, (and) true in Faith, and he joined not gods with Allah. He showed his gratitude for the favors of Allah, who chose him, and guided him to a Straight Way. And We gave him Good in this world, and he will be, in the Hereafter, in the ranks of the Righteous." [16:120-122]. There is nothing but goodness in being grateful and the least we get out of praising Allah is the calmness of our own hearts.

So how many days have passed by since you have sincerely thanked Allah for your health, your home, for a good night's sleep, for the provision that He has given you? Be grateful for all that you have good or bad. Be grateful for the lack of excessive luxury because if you had it you may not be as close to Allah the way you are now. We enjoy more bounties in this part of the world then people anywhere else. The Prophet (salAllahu 'alayhi wasallam) advised us to look at those who are less fortunate than us concerning the provision of the Dunya. Also show the utmost gratitude that Allah has guided you. "And remember! Your Lord caused to be declared: If you are grateful, I will add more (favors) unto you; but if you show ingratitude, truly My punishment is terrible indeed."[14:7]

How can we be consistent in showing gratitude?

To start, have a gratitude journal. Every night write five things you are grateful for and do not repeat the same ones for the next three days. And truly say 'Alhamdulillah' from your heart for each and every blessing you write. "If you would count up the favors of Allah, never would you be able to number them: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."[16:18]

May Allah make us among the grateful and the rightly guided ones. Ameen

Narrated AbuBakrah:

When anything came to the Prophet (salAllahu 'alayhi wasallam) which caused pleasure (or by which he was made glad), he prostrated himself in gratitude to Allah. [Saheeh Muslim]

--Sada--

Basic recap from Surah Baqarah Ayah 28 and 29

"How can you disbelieve in Allah seeing that you were dead and He gave you life Then He will give you death, then again will bring you to life (on the Day of Resurrection) and then unto Him you will return."- Basically HOW can we deny Allah's existence and disbelieve in Him after we were nothing and HE was the One to bring us into existence? It makes no sense. And then He will be the One to take that away and give us death. Our main focus in life ~~> I'm headed towards that direction, and there's no way that I can escape from it, so how can I prepare for it? The first death (state of lifelessness) refers to before man was ever given life, and the 2nd life is the one we are headed towards- when Allah will resurrect each and everyone of us on the Day of Judgment when each will be payed his full. In the end of the Ayah is a warning of the ReTuRn - again this is our main focus and purpose in life. We're ultimately going to have to return to Him, so we need to pack the best provisions in preparation for that meeting.

"He it is Who created for you all that is on earth. Then He Istawa ila the heaven and made them seven heavens, and He is the Knower of everything."- In this Ayah, basically Allah is mentioning another proof of His existence that we can witness (after mentioning us as a proof)- and that is in the creation of the Heavens and the Earth. His ability- He started the creation by creating the Earth (laying the foundation- the base) and then He made the Heaven into seven heavens (building on top of the base). ImPoRtAnT: Everything that was created is for mans use- it was created for us: the rain, sky, cattle, ground, abundant fruits- all of this was made for us and to benefit us.

Just something on the side which I found very beautiful: Ibn Ata said, "Allah has created the universe for you so that it should serve you and you should serve Allah and a wise man should thus know that he will certainly get what has been created for him and should not in worrying about it forget the being for whom he himself has been created."

Allah ends the Ayah by basically reminding us that His knowledge encompasses all of creation.

--Mariam Raza--

I learned that the prophet would do anything, Allah asked him to. He would forgive anyone when Allah told him to. He would protect people when he knew he should.
He was very cool :)

-Alia Seedat

If Allah (SWT) helps you no one can ever come in your way. However, if he is not with you there is no one who can help you in a difficult times. Every believer should put their complete trust in Allah (SWT). For them is their victory.

-Sana Afzal

1). A believer needs to be firm and resolute their decisions.

2). Allah (SWT) will be on your side if you put your trust and tawakul in Him.

3). Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was lenient, patiend and forgiving to his Ummah.

-Zardana Popal

Today I learned that by following the hypocrites, you will only achieve TEMPORARY pleasures. They will be gone. However, the pleasures of heaven last forever and the believers will abide in it forever for staying patient and calm.

-Sarah Afzal

Death

Death can come at anytime, so wake up and have the trust in Allah, no on wants to be resting in Jahannam (Hell)

-Juveria Thastahir

Intention

"Every action is based on intention"
Your intention should be the pleasure of Allah

-Hani

Prophet SAW as a mercy for mankind

Rasool SAW was extremely merciful to his companions, regardless of what they did. Rather, we are the opposite, but we need to train our soul to fight off the ego and arrogance "forgive and forget" and be leniant with the people so that they come closer to Islam rather than running away from it.

Sahar

Verily, Allâh is not ashamed to set forth a parable even of a mosquito or so much more when it is bigger (or less when it is smaller) than it. And as for those who believe, they know that it is the Truth from their Lord, but as for those who disbelieve, they say: "What did Allâh intend by this parable?" By it He misleads many, and many He guides thereby. And He misleads thereby only those who are Al-Fâsiqûn (the rebellious, disobedient to Allâh). Baqarah:26

Assalamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh;

How did I come to the conclusion that this is the truth from my Lord?

I came to the conclusion that this is the truth from my Lord b/c as a Believer, I believe in these parables- whether they involve large matters or small matters, b/c I know that they are the truth from Allah, and Allah guides the Believers by means of these parables. By means of these parables, Allah guides many from among those of conviction and faith,and adds guidance to their guidance- why? B/c they know and firmly believe in what they know to be true- meaning the parables that Allah sets forth. THIS is the guidance that Allah grants them when He says: "wa yahdi bihi kathira".

Mariam Raza

Friends

"A man depends on the religion of his friend"

So make friends wisely, because maybe the company you hang out with may just lead you to paradise... =]
Rabia Osman

Role model

The companions of Muhammad (S) and their faith... by listening to their actions it makes ME want to do something, it makes me want to follow them. They heard a verse and gave the most so we today can find it easy to give a little.
Sheeza Ejaz

Unite!!

Hold firmly to the rope of Allah (the Quran and the Sunnah)
Hani Karim

To achieve success we need to be united. To enjoin that which is good and Forbid from that which is evil we need each other. And in order for us to unite we need to encourage not discourage.
Zardana.

It's the lack of unity which has made us weak as an Ummah. So what will unite us? easy... Quran and Sunnah.
Rabia Osman

Spend to Attain Piety

By no means shall you attain Al-Birr (piety, righteousness - here it means Allâh's Reward, i.e. Paradise), unless you spend (in Allâh's Cause) of that which you love; and whatever of good you spend, Allâh knows it well.

Growing up spoiled i never shared what was mine. But now that i'm growing up i realized that everytime i share for Allah (even if it is a piece of cheesecake) I feel good. Like seriously...REALLY GOOD.
Share for Allah because everytime you share (quietly0 Allah watches it and knows it..He's always there. So try your best because your best...might just lead you to the mercy of Allah...paradise.
Rabia Osman.

Five something that you dearly love fot he sake of Allah because in return Allah will reward you greatly. Most importantly you will attain piety. Giving something as little as one dollar to help build a masjid will give you reward for every person who performs Salah in that Masjid.
Sana Afzal

Spending a thing loved on a even a beloved will help us attain righteousness and will also increase our love for the Lord and His love for us.
Aysha Feroz

By spending in the way of Allah you get closer to Allah. If you love something dearly, try to sacrifice it because Allah will give you something much better in return. it can be anything, food clothes jewelry or a seat on the bus to an elderly or disabled person. Even offering help is spending out o your time. This way you will increase your piety and move up in ranks in front of Allah.
Sarah Afzal

Spending brings us closer to Allah! Giving up something for Him shows sacrifice and also takes away greediness on top of that it increases up in our faith and brings us one step closer to piety (righteousness)
Sheeza Ejaz

Giving and spending in the way of Allah is emphasized much in the Quran. We should spend or give something to prove our love of Allah to Him. When we give we become closer to Him and we also attain righteousness which becomes a means of His mercy. At the time of the Prophet (S) his companoins gave up thier homes for Allah cause they knew there was a better home waiting for them in the next world... we can give anything (in good condition) we like it really depends on our intention. You can even give your seat on the bus and share a type of food you love :).
Zaree Ahmedzay

Give up what you love for the sake of Allah and He will know what struggle you went through and He will give you your share in Paradise. And remember the key if for Allah otherwise all your efforts have gone to waste.
Juvaria Thasthaniv.

Repent!!!

REPENT! For the doors of repentance are open 'til you see the angel of death.

-Salma Shirzad

We can't go around doing everything we feel like. There are limits set for us. We must do what we have been ordered to do. To please Allah ... Pleasing Allah is our first priority. Then WE will be pleased in the hereafter.


Zaree Ahmedzay

Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) used to ask for forgiveness 70-100 times a day. I will try my best to start repenting (asking for forgiveness) from Allah [Inshallah].

-Lalo Ahmedzay

"Every sincere person invites to Allah"

-Aysha Feroz

Our prophet Muhammad S.A.W used to ask for forgiveness 70-100 times a day. That was the man who was guaranteed Paradise. Then what are WE compared to him . . .


-Sheeza Ejaz

Struggle

"The person who struggles to recite the Qur'an recieves more rewards than the one who reads it fluently"

Hani Karim

"Yet of all things, man is most argumentative"

Al-Qur'an 18:54

This is so true! Of all creatures we are the ones to ask the most questions, to have the most complaints. Now I realize why Allah kept repeating the stubbornness of Bani Israel, they would always complain and question the commands. Whereas, the birds, bees and even the trees do what Allah has commanded them. The birds chirp Allah's names constantly, the bees are always humming Allah's name. The rivers flow in search of Allah and here we are sitting complaining "I hate to pray, waste of time, I have to do this etc." Salah was brought down to us as a gift, we take it as a burden =[


RABiA

Free Will

When the sun does down and the stars come out, at the end of the road, REMEMBER THIS LIFE IS A TEST OF ALLAH, and free-will can accomplish anything GOOD and BAD .

Fatema R.

Don't delay

And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord; and a Garden (Paradise), the extensiveness of which is (as) the heavens and the earth, it is prepared for those who are righteous. [3:133]