Start With the Self.

[Maripat]

A bit long article but that is just as well. After reading first few paragraphs this sinner feels that the topic deserves a thread of its own. The title could be how to behave gracefully in case of a difference of opinion.

[Julaybib]

A bit long article but that is just as well. After reading first few paragraphs this sinner feels that the topic deserves a thread of its own. The title could be how to behave gracefully in case of a difference of opinion.

Good idea how about starting the thread?

[Julaybib]

extracted from the lecture of maulana Tariq Jameel (DB)

"When I was studying at government college Lahore,there was a student called Naimuddin ,who used too preach to us and many a time I threw him out of my room. At that time I did not understand the value of what he was talking about, not even single word of what he said made any sense to me.

But one day I saw him praying Salaah and it had a massive impact on my heart. Many ulemah during that time used to visit my father but I had never seen anyone pray in the manner, or with the humility and emotion that I saw Naimuddin praying it seemed like he was going die any moment (due to his emotional state), that was the first time that the work of those involved in Tabligh Jamaat had impact on me, and seeing him in salaah I felt ashamed that I had humiliated and thrown him out of my room.

Another time it was again his salaah that made an impact!

Me and my friends and I were sitting in my room we heard the Adhan for Asar non of us got up to pray but on the other side of the building I watched Naimuddin who had a broken leg, and no crutches, as he slowly and excruciatingly dragged himself down two flights of stairs, and then using the wall to help balance himself, he hopped along on one Leg and headed towards the masjid to offer his Salaah.Seeing Naimuddins devotion for Salaah helped transform me.

Hazrat Ali murtaza (Ra) said if you wish to speak to Allah perform salaah and if you want Allah to speak to you then recite the Quran."

[Maripat]

Good idea how about starting the thread?

As you wish Akhi, IA.

PS: Here.

[Julaybib]

As you wish Akhi, IA.

PS: Here.

Jazak'Allah Khair

[Julaybib]

During the time of winter Shaykh Saleem al Ashkabadi, would purchase a large stock of beautifully patterned woolen shawls that he would give as a gift too esteemed guests and Scholars who happend to visit him.

So during this particular winter, on a bitter cold day, Shaykh Saleem headed to the Bazaar. And accompanying him was his favourite and most senior disciple Maulana Imran.

As they were walking Maulana Imran suggested a number of shops located close by that sold woolen shawls; he said; "Hazrat the prices are reasonable and the quality of the shawls is excellent I can personally vouch for that". But Shaykh Saleem al Ashkabadi insisted on purchasing the Shawls from Haji Bilals store, which lay on the other side of the city, and a good hours walk away.

As they walked along the freezing wind made Maulana Imrans body tremble and as he began to feel the harsh and bitter effects of the cold he felt quite resentful.

" We could have purchased those shawls from one of the local shops and have been back home sitting by the fire with a bowl of soup in our hands; but no Shaykh has to purchase his shawls from Haji Bilals store;" he silently complained to himself.

After placing the order for the Shawls and as they were returning home. Shaykh Saleem detecting Maulana Imrans displeasure cheerfully chirped; " Perhaps you think I have lost my mind, trudging along for an hour in the bitter cold too Haji Bilals store when there where shops close at hand that sold shawls of equal price and
quality?" Before Maulana Imran could reply Shaykh Saleem Ashkabadi continued; " Let me tell you of an incident that took place many years ago when I was a young student, It was winter time and I had come to the bazaar to purchase a shawl, Haji Bilal handed me a beautiful green shawl and carried on serving other customers, I had alot on mind and daydreaming about other things I wondered of forgeting too pay.'

Haji Bilal realising I had not payed sent someone after me, totally embarassed I returned to the stor, by then a large crowd had developed, I felt totally ashamed of what had just occured. Haji Bilal was a pious soul and seeing how upset I was he apologised; " My son, I have caused you embarassment please forgive me for making you feel humiliated in front of all these people, you had many other things on your mind and I know you were not deliberately trying to avoid paying, please accept this Shawl as a gift from me he put it into my hands I insisted that I wanted to pay but Haji Bilal would not hear of it . Haji Bilal followed the sunnah and treated me with honour respect and dignity when most other shopkeepers in his position would have accused me of stealing and humiliated me.


Haji Bilal passed away over thirty years ago, today his grandson runs the store.
But I have been returning to this store every winter for over fourty years, Haji Bilal gave me a free shawl along with it he purchased my heart. So my dear Imran remember that when you treat others with dignity and respect in accordance with the sunnah of Rasool e Akram it will bring you honour in both this dhuniyah and akhirah.

Written by Julaybib.

Something to ponder.

It is narrated that one evening Imam al Bukhari arrived at the door of a man in a distraught state and he started apologising profusely, the individual was baffled and quite taken aback that the Imam of the time someone who is a beloved of Allah and his Messenger is standing at his door and apologising. " Astagfirullah Allah forgive me for causing you to come to my door Imam". Finally it was uncovered as to what the Imam was apologising for ,during a gathering this man had been speaking seriously and Imam Bukharis thoughts wondered of to some other incident and re-calling that incident the Imam had smiled. Later on it occured to the Imam that perhaps this man might have thought that I was smiling at him and mocking him, and I might have hurt his feelings and caused him embarrasment in front of others in the gathering, for this reason he had come to apologise. Upon seeing the humility and the level of consideration shown by the Imam towards him the man also became emotional.

It is also narrated that if one of our Pious predecessors received a small favour from someone even if it was as simple as someone pouring water into bowl for them to drink.Their level of gratitude was such that they repaid that favour.

These where the men and women who built this Ummah. And as for us we mock, ridicule, speak abrasively and in a condescending manner towards others even on this very forum. Whilst spending hours discussing and arguing over the state of the ummah.

Neither the Ummah nor its state will change until we change over own states and rectify ourselves. We should be grateful to Allah for his level of forebearance towards us considering our condition and heedlessness. Nor am I pointing fingers towards anyone else for this is the condition of this sinner.

May Allah the almighty guide us all,especially a hypocrite and sinner like me Ameen.

[Julaybib]

By Hafsa Taher

http://successmuslim.com/2010/10/01/...aying-on-time/

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told Bilal, “Call for the prayers, it will comfort us.” (Imam Ahmad in Al Musnad)

“Gimme five minutes”, “I just need to finish this task/project/report/ book/movie/ video before I go and pray”

Heard those? Or said them to yourself? If Yes, then you or someone you know might be suffering from – what I call “IWPI5M” disorder (I Will Pray In Five Minutes!). Procrastinating and neglecting Salah is quite common among Muslims, especially among the youth. Here are few simple tips to help you get back on track.

1. Intention: Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Of course, we all “plan” to pray on time. It’s almost like default. But here’s what I’m referring – to explicitly make the intention, aloud, a couple of times a day. Most importantly in the morning, after you wake up, and after each prayer – for the next one.

Intentions can come as a Positive Will Power Statement: “Inshah Allah, I will pray all my Salah today on time.”

Or it can come in terms of Positive affirmations (in Present tense): “I am happily and excitedly praying all five prayers on time”. Saying the intention in present tense does magic to your mind. Even better, write them down.

2. Set an Alarm: No, I’m not referring to the alarm that we set for Fajr. I am talking about setting one for every Salah. If you have a Prayer Time software on your Computer/Laptop/Phone/PDA – set an alarm. Best is the Adhan sound. If not, just a regular “buzzz” on a mobile phone would do. [I prefer adhan as it is THE "call to prayer", and when you hear the words "come to Salah, come to Success" you won't be able to distract yourself with other stuff].

Here’s a COOL GEM : When you hear the alarm, go IMMEDIATELY. No snoozing, no more procrastinating.

3. Dua: Salah is your connection to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). So beg Allah to honor you with Salah. Ask yourself: Is this just a “wish”? Do I need it? Badly? Make dua like you “want” it - badly. Remember, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is not just your end, but your means as well. Ask Allah to help you “connect” with Him. He is the only One who can guide you, assist you and make it easy for you.

The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to make a du’a: اللّهُمَّ إنِّي أعُوذُبِكَ مِن العَجزِ وَ الكَسلٍ – O Allah, I seek refuge in you from incapability and laziness.

4. Dhikr: I remember asking my Quran teacher about laziness to pray Salah. She said – laziness is from Shaitan. Recite “La hawla wa la quwata..” all day. It keeps Shaitan away from you, and brings Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) close to you. Throughout the day, seek refuge from Shaitan by reciting “auo’dhu billah” and ask Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) for forgiveness by reciting “istaghfaar”.

A Cool GEM : Start every task with “Bismilla”: This is a very powerful technique. When you start a task in the name of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala), you are having a blessing on your task. And at the time of the prayer, you will automatically feel yourself to go and pray. Try this out. It works like a charm!

5. Schedule: Schedule your day around your Salah, not the other way round. Whether it’s outlook, PDA, Phone, Gmail calendar, or Taskinator – whatever you use, mark your Salah times in first. This way, you know you got to complete the report before the Salah, or schedule it after the Salah.

6. Wear the reminder: I recently came across this website: acomplaintfreeworld.org- the idea is to wear a reminder, literally. It could be something you wear or a sticker on your hand. (I often hear from my elders about tying a knot on their head scarf as a visual reminder to do something… well, it’s another story that they sometimes forgot what it meant to remind them ) The visual reminder works really well, because you see the reminder every time. You can’t miss it. Every time you look at it, you are reminded that you need to go and pray now.

7. Associating immense pleasure with praying on time and massive pain on not praying on time: Anthony Robbins refers to “Pain and Pleasure” technique in motivation and decision-making.

“Understanding this principle is like unlocking the secrets to human behavior, and will allow you to take complete control over your own life and also help others to regain control over theirs. To change a behavior, we just need to associate more pain with doing the behavior and more pleasure with changing the behavior. Once that is done, without question or exception, your behavior will change. Your desire to avoid pain and gain pleasure is even stronger than any chemical addiction you may have” [Years to Success]

Associating pleasure with praying on time : Make a list of “Why” – i.e, the pros of praying on time. Self confidence, clearer mind (due to “spiritual retreat” that Salah offer), boost in Productivity, assistance from Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala), keeping us away from Shaitan, purifying and cleansing from our sins, etc

Pleasure with Salah:

a) Those Who Pray Shall Have Nothing to Fear on the Day of Judgment
“Truly, those who believe and do righteous deeds, and perform Salah, and give Zakah, they will have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” (2:277)

b) Prayer Protects Against Evils “Recite that which has been revealed to you of the Book, and perform Salah. Verily, Salah prevents from lewdness and evils. And indeed, the remembrance of Allah (by you) is greatest. And Allah knows what you do.” (29:45)

c) “Successful indeed are the believers. Those who perform their Salah with all solemnity and full submissiveness” – Chapter 23, verse 1-2 of the Quran.

d) Salah Is the Sign of a Believer. “The believers, men and women, are protecting friends of one another; they enjoin good and forbid evil, and they establish Salah, and give Zakah, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah will have His Mercy on them, and surely, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.” (Surah Tawba 9: 71)

Associating pain with neglecting Salah: Recite and ponder on the verses mentioning those who neglect their salah, the punishment and the consequences.

a) Previous Nations Were Corrupted when Salah Was Left
“Then, there came after them a generation who gave up Salah and followed lusts; so they will be thrown in Hell.” (19: 59)

b) Hypocrites Are Lazy in Salah “Verily, the hypocrites seek to deceive Allah, but it is He who deceives them; When they stand up for Salah, they stand with laziness, only to be seen by men; and they do not remember Allah but a little.” (4:142)

8. Pray together: If you are on Campus/Residence, gather the Sisters (or Brothers – if you are a brother!) and pray together. Trust me, friends who remind you in goodness, are the truest of your friends. Subhanallah, years later, you’ll still have a special bond with them. For brothers – nothing beats praying Salah in congregation at the Masjid. Have a group of friends that remind each other to pray – and pray together.

(Associate pleasure with praying in congregation: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Salat in congregation is twenty-seven times more meritorious than a Salat performed individually.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].)

9. Be in the state of Wudu. Sometimes you delay your Salah because you need to perform Wudu. Solution: Be in the state of wudu all the time. This way, whenever it is time your salah – you are prepared. No more excuses. [I won’t go into mentioning the other advantages of being in the state of wudu. One of them is productivity. Enough said! )

If you are beginning your journey for Life Success – your work, studies, marriage, dream job, or working on any of your dream you have in your life – begin that journey by making “Perfecting Salah” – one of your main life goals, and revolve your life around “Salah”.

Indeed this is the path to true Life Success and within days, you will begin to make a difference – in your life and the life of those around you.

May He accept.
Hafsa Taher

[Muj4h1d4]

Excellent advice, one which many members on this forum should take, including myself.

[Hafizamir]

Mash Allah very nice posting.....

[Julaybib]

The following is an inspirational story I came across on another forum whilst searching for the benefits of Istighfar, May Allah reward the person who originally wrote it and posted it as a reminder for Ramadhan.

The Power Of Istighfar

During his old age, while Imam Ahmed was travelling he stopped by a town. After the prayers, he wanted to stay for the night in the masjid yard because he didn’t know anyone in the town. Owing to his humility, he hadn’t introduced himself to anyone thinking that if he did, he would be welcomed by many people.

Failing to recognize Ahmed Ibn Hanbal, the caretaker of the mosque refused to let him stay in the mosque. Imam Ahmed tried numerous times, but the guard did not accept his requests. Frustrated, Imam Ahmed resolved to spend the night in the masjid yard. The guard became furious. As Imam Ahmed was quite old, the caretaker had to drag him out of the mosque. On seeing this, a baker from a nearby place felt pity for this man (Imam Ahmed) and offered to be the host to him for the night. During his stay with the baker, Imam Ahmed observed that the baker would constantly recite Istighfar (seek forgiveness from Allah). Imam Ahmed asked the baker if the constant practice of saying Istighfar had any effect on him.

The baker responded, "By Allah! No duaa (supplication to God) I made except that it was answered but one."

"And what is that?" asked Imam Ahmed.

"To be able to see the famed Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal!" Replied the baker.

On this, Imam Ahmed Ibn Hanbal said that Allah had not only listened to his dua but had dragged him (Imam Ibn Hanbalonto his (the baker’s) doorsteps. [Summarized from Al Jumuah magazine, vol 19, issue 7]


This story is a reminder of the power of saying Istighfar (seeking forgiveness) frequently. Let’s remember that the prophet used to say Istighfar frequently during the day. Tafseer Al-Qurtubi states:

A man complained to Al-Hasan about a drought, and he said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

Another man complained to him of poverty and he said to him: “Pray to Allah to forgive you.”

Another man said to him: “Pray to Allah to bless me with a child.” He said: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

Another complained to him that his garden was dry. He said to him: “Pray to Allah for forgiveness.”

He was asked about it and he said: “This is not my personal opinion, for Allah says in Surah Nooh (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Ask forgiveness from your Lord, verily, He is Oft Forgiving; He will send rain to you in abundance. And give you increase in wealth and children, and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers.” Tafseer Al-Qurtubi (18/301-302)

One of the narrators of a Hadith was asked about the manner in which forgiveness is to be sought, to which he answered: "The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) used to say: ‘Astaghfirullah! Astaghfirullah! (I beseech Allah for forgiveness, I beseech Allah for forgiveness)’.

[Sahih Muslim].

Aim to seek and gain Allaah's forgiveness during this Ramadhan.