APPRECIATE THE BEAUTY OF THE UNIVERSE
By studying and appreciating the wonders of Allah’s creation, you will find peace. Allah, the Exalted, says:
(We cause to grow wonderful gardens full of beauty and delight.) (Qur’an 27: 60)
(Say: ‘Behold all that is in the heavens and the earth.) (Quran 10: 101)
(Our Lord is He Who gave to each thing its form and nature, then guided it aright.) (Qur’an 20: 50)
Learn from the bright sun, shining stars, rivers, streams, mountains, trees, fruits, air, and water.
(So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators.) (Qur’an 23: 14)
A poet said:
“ln everything there is a sign, Indicating that He is One.”
Ilyaa Abu Maadi said:
“O’ complainer, who has no cause to grumble, Imagine how you would be if you became ill, Do you see the thorn and the roses yet remain blind? Or the dewdrops: did you miss them? He who himself is void of beauty, Sees nothing beautiful in nature.”
(Do they not look at the camels, how they are created?) (Quran 88: 17)
Einstein said that whoever looks reflectively at the Universe knows that the One who created it perfectly is All-Wise and is not playing with dice.
(The One Who made everything, He has created good.) (Quran 32: 7)
(We created them not except with truth [i.e. to examine and test those who are obedient and those who are disobedient and then reward the obedient ones and punish the disobedient ones)…) (Qur’an 44: 39)
(Did you think that we had created you in play [without any ` purpose].)
(Quran 23: 115)
The meaning of these verses is that everything is planned and measured according to divine wisdom. And whoever studies the creation knows that there is One All-Powerful God Who sustains and manages everything and that the notion that everything happens by coincidence is false.
(The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses [exactly] calculated with measured out stages for each [for reckoning, etc. ].) (Qur’an 55: 5)
(It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day They all float, each in an orbit.) (Qur’an 36: 40)
AVARICE IS OF NO AVAIL
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:
“No soul dies until it takes its full portion of Provision and until it reaches its appointed time of death.”
Therefore why the ambition and why the covetousness?
(Everything with Him is in [due] proportion.) (Qur’an I3: 8)
(And the Command of Allah is a decree determined.) (Qur’an 33: 38)
Bearing hardship atones for sins
The Messenger of Allah (bpuh) said:
“Worry, anxiety, pain, fatigue, sickness or even a thorn that pricks him — when a believer is afflicted with any of these, Allah grants him pardon for some of his sins (through or because of those afflictions).”
This reward is for the one who is patient, who seeks his reward with Allah, who repents to Him, and who knows that all his dealings are solely with Allah, the Most Gracious.
Al-Mutanabbi wrote:
“Don’t receive what time brings except with indifference, As long as your soul is a companion for your body, Whatever you are happy with is fleeting, And sadness revives not lost loved ones.”
(In order that you may not be sad over matters that you fail to get, nor rejoice because of that which has been given to you) (Qur’an 57: 23)
ALLAH [ALONE] IS SUFFICIENT FOR US, AND HE IS THE BEST DISPOSER OF AFFAIRS (FOR US]
Prophet Ibraheem (Abraham) (may peace be upon him) said this phrase when he was thrown into the fire and it became cool and peaceful for him. The Prophet (bpuh) said it at the battle of Uhud and Allah made him victorious. When Ibraheem was placed where the fire was to be set, the angel Jibreel came to him and asked, “Do you need anything from me?” lbraheem confidently responded, “From you, no. But from Allah, yes!”
Prophet Moosa (Moses) (may peace be upon him) saw the sea in front of him and the enemy behind him, and he said:
(‘Nay verily! with me is my Lord, He will guide me.) (Qur’an 26: 62)
It is mentioned in some narrations that when the Prophet (bpuh) was hiding in the cave, a pigeon came by the will of Allah and made its nest at the entrance, and a spider built its house at the mouth of the cave. The disbelievers said, “This is a sign that the cave had not been disturbed,” and they said, “Muhammad has not entered here.”
Protection from the Lord of all that exists reaches those who have faith in Him and faith in His being All-Powerful and Most Merciful. Shawqi said:
“If this protection is directed at you, Sleep, since everything that happens is peace.”
(For verily you are under Our Eyes….) (Qur’an 52: 48)
(Allah is the Best to guard, and He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy.) (Qur’an 12: 64)
THE INGREDIENTS OF HAPPINESS
ln a hadith related by Tirmidhi, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever spends the night safely in his place of sleep, while he is physically healthy and has sufficient sustenance for his day, it is as if he achieved the world in its entirety.”
The meaning of this is that if one has enough food and a safe place to sleep, then he has achieved the best of the good things in this world. And many are those who are at this level in life but are thankless nonetheless. Allah, the Almighty, said to His Messenger (bpuh):
(…I have completed my favor upon you…) (Qur’an 5: 3)
After reading this verse, you should ask yourself this question: what blessing was complete for the Prophet (bpuh)? Was it material wealth? Was it the possession of castles, mansions, gold, or silver? Lt is none of these blessings that Allah is referring to, since the Prophet (bpuh) was not wealthy.
The Prophet (bpuh) would sleep in a room made of mud. His roof was made of branches from palm trees. Extreme hunger often forced him to tie two stones around his stomach, in order to alleviate the pangs of hunger. His mattress was the branch of a date-palm tree, which would give him pains in his sides. He had to leave his armor with a Jew as collateral for thirty measures of wheat, until he would be able to pay him back. He would go three days straight without finding so much as a rotten date to eat.
(And indeed the Hereafter is better for you than the present [life of this world]. And verily your Lord will give you [all i.e. good] so that you shall be well-pleased.) (Quran 93: 4-5)
THE FATIGUE AND STRESS THAT COME WITH AN IMPORTANT POSITION
People who have important positions are taxed heavily. Their responsibilities take away from their health and peace. Very few people remain unaffected and unharmed from the stresses that are related to having strenuous and demanding jobs.
“Don’t seek to be the Ameer (leader or governor).”
(‘My power and arguments [to defend myself have gone horn me!) (Quran 69: 29)
Imagine that the world came to you with everything. Where will it all go in the end? Without a doubt, all of it will perish.
(And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will abide forever)
(Quran 55: 27)
A wise man warned his son:
“Do not seek to be the head, for the head is constantly aching. “
In other words, do not always aspire to be the leader or the one in charge. Bitter criticisms, curses, and tough problems are the lot of the leader. A poet justly said:
“Half of the people are enemies of The governor, so very few, only if he is just.”
AND COME TO THE PRAYER
(And seek help in patience and the prayer) (Quran 2: 45)
Whenever the Prophet (bpuh) was in a difficult situation, he would hasten to prayer. He would say to Bilal (may Allah be pleased with him) (whose responsibility it was to say the call to prayer),
“O’ Bilal, Give us comfort with it.”
When you feel stressed, in difficulty, or when you find yourself to be the victim of deception, hurry to the Mosque and pray.
Especially on important occasions, the Prophet (bpuh) would find peace in prayer, such as in the battle of Badr and Al-Ahzaab. Ibn Hajar, who wrote the most important commentary on Saheeh al- Bukhari, was once trapped in a castle that was surrounded by robbers. And when he stood up for prayer, Allah saved him.
Ibn Asaakir and Ibn al-Qayyim both related the story of a thief who accosted a righteous man, who was on his way to Sham (i.e. the present-day area of Syria and surrounding areas). The thief intended to kill him, but before he came close, the man asked for a respite of a few minutes, so that he could say a prayer. He stood, began his prayer, and remembered Allah’s saying:
(ls not He [better than your gods] Who responds to the distressed one, when he calls Him.) (Qur’an 27: 62)
He repeated this verse three times. An angel descended from the sky with a spear and killed the transgressor. The angel said, “I am the angel of the One Who answers the distressed ones when they supplicate.”
(And enjoin the prayer on your family and be patient in offering them [i.e. the prayers].) (Qur’an 20: 132)
(Verily, the prayer prevents from Al-Fahiisha [ i. e. great sins of every kind, unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.] and Al-Munkar [i.e. disbelief polytheism, and every kind of evil wicked deed, etc. ].) (Qur’an 29: 45)
(Verily, the prayer is enjoined on the believers affixed hours)
(Qur’an 4: 103)
Sending prayers upon the Prophet (bpuh) also helps to remove hardship:
(O’ you who believe! Send your Salaat [Graces, Honor; Blessings, and Mercy] on him [Muhammad] and [you should] greet [salute] him with the Islamic way of greeting [salutation i.e. As-Salaam ‘Alaykum].) (Quran 33: 56)
Ubaee ibn Ka’ab (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Messenger of Allah (bpuh),
“How much of my prayer should I dedicate to sending Salaat upon you?” He said, “As much as you please.”
Ubaee said, “one-fourth?” He said, “As much as you please, and if you increase, it is better. ” He asked, “Two-thirds?” The Prophet answered, “As much as you please, and if you increase, it is better.” He then said, ‘l will make it all for you.” The Prophet answered, “Then you will be forgiven, and your worries will be taken care of. “
The last line of the previous hadith proves that sending prayers ` and greetings on the Prophet (bpuh) removes worries.
“O’ Allah, send prayers (i.e. praise and exalt him in the highest of gatherings, that of the closest angels to Allah) upon Muhammad and the followers of Muhammad, just as you sent prayers upon Ibraheem and upon the followers of Ibraheem. Verily, you are full of praise and majesty. O’ Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, just as you sent blessings upon lbraheem and upon the family of Ibraheem. Verily, you are full of praise and majesty.”
CHARITY BRINGS PEACE TO THE GIVER
Among the factors that contribute to one’s happiness are performing acts of kindness to others and giving charity.
)Spend of that with which We have provided for you…) (Quran 2: 254)
(The men and the women who give Sadaqaat [i.e. Zakah, and alms, etc].) (Quran 33: 35)
(And the likeness of those who spend their wealth seeking Allah s Pleasure while they in their own selves are sure and certain that Allah will reward them [for their spending in His Cause], is the likeness of a garden on a height: heavy rain falls on it and it doubles its yield of harvest. And if it does not receive heavy rain, light rain suffices it) (Qur’an 2: 265)
(And let not your hand be tied [like a miser] to your neck…)
(Quran 17: 29)
Miserly people are deplorable in their manners and are always ill at ease. They are stingy in sharing the favors of Allah. lf the miser only knew that he would achieve happiness by spending money on those who are poor, then he would surely race to give charity.
(lf you lend to Allah a goodly loan [i.e. spend in Allah s Cause] he will double it for you, and will forgive you.) (Quran 64: 17)
(And whosoever is saved from his own covetousness, such are they who will be the successful.)
(Quran 59: 9)
(And those who spend out of what we have provided for them [i.e. give Zakah, spend on themselves, their parents, their children, their wives, etc. and also give charity to the poor and also in Allah s Cause—- Jihad, etc].) (Quran 2: 3)
A man said to his wife:
“lf you have prepared a meal, invite A voracious eater, for l cannot bear to eat by myself.”
Then he said to her, proclaiming his philosophy:
“Name a generous person who died from being generous, Or a miserly one who lived forever, and I will desist.”
DON’T BE ANGRY
(And if an evil whisper comes to you from Satan then seek refuge with Allah. Verily, He is All-Hearer; All-Knower? (Quran 7: 200)
The Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) advised one of his Companions, saying,
“Don’t be angry…”
— He repeated this three times. And when a man became angry in his presence, the Prophet ordered him to seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan.
(‘And I seek refuge with You, My Lord! Lest they may attend [or come near] me.) (Quran 23: 98)
(Verily those who are Al-Muttaqoon [the pious], when an evil thought comes to them from Satan, they remember [Allah], and [indeed] they then see [aright].( (Quran 7: 201)
Anger is one of the factors that cause depression and sadness.
The following are some of the ways of controlling your anger:
Combat feelings of anger as if anger itself is your enemy.
(And those who repress anger and who pardon men; verily Allah loves the good-doers.) (Quran 3: 134)
(And when they are angry they forgive.) (Quran 42: 37)
(And when the anger of Moses was appeased, he took up the Tablets….)
(Quran 7:I54)
Make ablution. Since anger is an ember of the fire, it can be extinguished by water.
If you are standing, sit; and if you are sitting, lie down.
When you are angry, remain silent.
Remind yourself of the rewards of those who repress their anger and of those who forgive.
SUPPLICATIONS OF THE MORNING
If you say the supplications listed in this section on a daily basis, they will help to bring you happiness, protect you from the devils of mankind and jinn, and protect you for the remainder of your day, until the coming evening.
“We have reached the evening and at this very time unto Allah belongs all sovereignty and praise is for Allah. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, without partner To Him belongs all sovereignty and praise and He is over all things omnipotent. My Lord, I ask you for the good of this night and the good of what follows it and 1 take refuge in You from the evil of this night and the evil of what follows it. My Lord, I take refuge in You from laziness and senility. My Lord, I take refuge in you from the torment of the Fire and punishment in the grave.
“O’ Allah, by Your leave we have reached the morning and by Your leave we have reached the evening, by Your leave we live and die, and unto You is our resurrection. “
“O’ Allah, verily I have reached the morning and call on You, the bearers of Your throne, Your angels, and all of Your creation to witness that You are Allah — none has the right to be worshipped except You alone, without partner ~ and that Muhammad is Your Servant and Messenger: “
“I take refuge in Allah s perfect words from the evil He has created. “
(Three times)
“O’ Allah, Knower of the unseen and the seen, Creator of the heavens and the Earth, Lord and Sovereign of all things, I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except You. I take refuge in You from the evil of my soul and from the evil and shirk (to associate partners with Allah in worship) of the devil, and from committing wrong against my soul or bringing the same upon another Muslim.”
“How perfect is Allah, and I praise Him by the number of His creation and His pleasure, and by the weight of His throne and the ink of His words.”
“None has the right to be worshipped except Allah alone, without partner To Him belongs all sovereignty and praise, and He is over all things omnipotent.”
“We rise upon the fitrah (i.e. the religion of [slam, the way of Prophet Ibraheem), and the word of pure faith, and upon the religion of our Prophet Muhammad and the religion of our forefather Ibraheern, who was a Muslim of true faith and was not of those who associate partners with Allah.”
PAUSE TO REFLECT
Those who have knowledge about Allah agree that when you get to the point of losing all hope, it means that Allah has entrusted to you your own affairs. And when you have trust and hope in Allah, it means that Allah has guided you to goodness.
Allah’s slaves are always swaying from the first state to the second. During the period of a single hour, one can have his share of both. So he obeys Allah and pleases Him, he remembers Him and thanks Him آ» and he is only able to do these through His help. Shortly afterwards, though, he disobeys Allah, goes against His commands, earns His anger, and is generally in a state of forgetfulness —- all because Allah has left him to himself. Therefore Allah’s slave is always oscillating between His divine care and between being forsaken.
Whenever one of Allah’s slaves witnesses this phenomenon — that of changing from one state to the other —- he should appreciate the dubious nature of his situation and his extreme need of being guided by Allah in every breath he breathes and in every moment he lives. His faith and belief are in Allah’s hand. If Allah were to leave him alone for even the blinking of an eye, his faith would plunge to the ground. You should therefore realize that the One who is protecting your faith is the One Who is preventing the sky from falling to the earth.
Source: Islam Basics By Aaidh ibn Abdullah Al-Qarnee
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