The Contentment of the Heart, is paradise on Earth.

By Khawlah bint Yahya~ United Kingdom

“And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring.”

 Q30 v131

Being happy doesn’t mean that everything is perfect, someone once said; It means you’ve decided to look beyond the imperfections. That’s right; being content is a choice you can make— one of the best choices you will ever make.

In this week’s Jumuah Special you’ll find five reasons to be happy even if things aren’t perfect now!

In this week’s central ayah Allah ‘azza wajal speaks truly life-changing and stress-reducing words to you: And do not extend your eyes toward that by which We have given enjoyment to [some] categories of them, [its being but] the splendor of worldly life by which We test them. And the provision of your Lord is better and more enduring. [Quran, 20:131]

The Greatest Door to Allah (swt)

Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said:Contentment is the greatest door that one enters to Allah, it is the source of tranquility for the worshiper and paradise on earth. Whoever does not enter it will not enter the Paradise in the Hereafter. Being content with the decree of Allah— ridaa in Arabic— is one of the greatest productivity boosters!

Your life isn’t meant to be perfect

Let’s face it, for many of us being happy with what we have is easier said than done. Your life probably doesn’t always look exactly like you want it to, and guess what? It won’t. Ever. That’s why you have this world and you have Paradise. Allah ‘azza wajal says: Verily We have created man in toil [i.e. in tiredness, hardships, afflictions and difficulties][Quran, 90:4]  If you realize from deep within that this world, its people, its possessions, its situations, its emotions are not meant to be perfect, an enormous freedom will come to your soul.  And don’t be tricked, being content co-exists with being ambitious as a believer, the key is to never let your desire for more spoil the present!

5 inspiring reasons to be content

1.       Be happy with what you have; it’s healthy!
Christopher Peterson,  Ph.D of the University of Michigan studied optimism’s link to health for over 20 years and showed that optimistic people have a stronger immune system than their negative counterparts.

2.      Appreciate details for consistent, long-term happiness.
Instead of feeling super sad each time something goes wrong, you can be disappointed but at the same time determined to make the best of it. Learn to appreciate the little things. Think about the small things you enjoy, for example looking out of the window to the trees or taking a walk with a beloved friend, and focus on these things right now. That way, no matter what happens, after dua to Allah, you have a variety of simple joys to help you through.

3.      Stop yourself and think: this might be gone tomorrow!
When you feel exhausted because of your children, hurt because of an argument with your spouse, frustrated because your job is not how you want it to be, stop and think for a moment; what if it were all gone tomorrow? Those moments you could be playing with your children and watching them grow, sitting with your spouse and talking or being healthy enough to be able to work? Realizing nothing is guaranteed helps a lot toward being content and even enjoying what you have today.

4. Look around— what’s in front of you that you can enjoy?
Being able to appreciate what’s in front of you has nothing to do what you actually have. Being content is not about counting your blessings; it is a state of being and a skill to cultivate in yourself by knowing who you are and more importantly who your Lord is.  Enjoying the present moment is a habit that takes practice. Practice wanting what you have by thinking: it is Allah who decided to give me this. Trust in Him and His choice for you.

5. The effect of your contentment on others.
Being content is a choice you make moment-to-moment. For many of us it’s a hard choice to make and it requires self-control, practice, and letting go. But the results are amazing. Being content is the sweetness of your life, and there’s another beautiful thing about you being content: other people willnotice if you make that choice. And insha’Allah you will motivate them to do the same and gain the same benefits you gained!

Homework

Memorize, feel, and apply this beautiful supplication the Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallamused to make:
There is no Muslim servant who says in the morning and the evening three times:

I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion and with Muhammad as my Prophet, except that it will be a right upon Allah to please him on the Day of Judgment. 

May Allah ‘azza wajal bless our souls with contentment with His actions, ameen!

Praying you will benefit,

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Biography of Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) is an American former heavyweight
champion boxer and one of the greatest sporting figures of the
20th century. An Olympic gold medalist and the first fighter to
capture the heavyweight title three times, Ali won 56 times in his
21-year professional career. Ali’s outspokenness on issues of race,
religion and politics made him a controversial figure during his
career, and the heavyweight’s quips and taunts were as quick as
his fists. Born Cassius Clay Jr., Ali changed his name in 1964 after
joining the Nation of Islam. Citing his religious beliefs, he refused
military induction and was stripped of his heavyweight
championship and banned from boxing for three years during
the prime of his career. Parkinson’s syndrome severely impaired
Ali’s motor skills and speech, but he remained active as a
humanitarian and goodwill ambassador.
May Allah forgive him his short comings and grant him Aljannah, Amin....

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Save Yourself

DAILY  DIGEST ....Shabban 1437AH.... May, 2016).

Q(6 verse 66)
O you who believe! save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones; over it are angels stern and strong, they do not disobey Allah in what He commands them, and do as they are commanded.

Usamah bin Zaid (May Allah be pleased with
him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "I stood
at the gate of Jannah, and (I saw) that the
majority of those who entered it are the poor,
and the wealthy were kept confined. The inmates
of the Fire had been ordered to (enter) the Fire
(Hell), and I stood at the gate of Hell and saw
that the majority of its inmates are women". [Al-
Bukhari and Muslim].

Money is the root to all problems. The more money we have, the more things we tend to account for in the hereafter. So, also, we r in a decayed world where females av become unavoidable temptation for men. All these and many more r very observable even in our immediate environment. Let's pray to Allah in assisting us train our children especially the female ones. May Allah safeguard us from the torment of hell... Ameen

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What you need to know about Salah

1. Salah is an act of worship: It is not a custom. It is not a ritual. It is very special. It has no equal. It has no alternative. There are no excuses, even when you are ill, on a journey or even in a war.

2. Salah is the second and most important pillar of Islam.

3. Salah is a practical sign of obedience to the commands of Allah. It is the practical proof of our faith in Allah and Islam.

4. Salah is the only distinction between a Mo’min and a non-Mo’min.

5. Salah reminds you of Allah (SWT), when you get up in the morning, it reminds you three more times when you are busy during the day, and once again before you go to bed.

6. Salah is a direct contact or link between the worshipper and Allah with no earthly intermediaries. It is the Me’raaj of a Mo’min.

7. Salah builds a strong defense against evils which exist around us. It is said in the Holy Qur’an that, surely, Salah keeps you away from indecency and evil. This is why the prayer is described as “remembrance” to Allah (SWT).

8. Salah wipes out our sins: Prophet Muhammad (SAAWS) once asked his companions “Tell me if there was a river at the door step of one of you in which you washed 5 times a day would any of your dirt remain?” When he received the reply that none of it would remain he then said “That is like the 5 times Salah, with which Allah (SWT) wipes out sin.

10. Salah was the last will of the Prophet (SAAWS). As his soul departed he said with his last breaths: As-Salah, As-Salah.

11. Salah is the first thing that a person is judged by on the Day of Judgement. If it was good, the rest of all his/her deeds will be good. But if it was poor, the rest of all his/her deeds will be poor.

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Actions During Prayer

Today's Beautiful Hadith is about Actions during Praying
 
‘Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "The saying 'Sub Han Allah' is for men and clapping is for women." (If something happens in the prayer, the men can invite the attention of the Imam by saying "Sub Han Allah". And women, by clapping their hands) (Bukhari Vol. 2, Book 22, Hadith 295)

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Dua Before Sleeping

Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) intended to go to sleep, he would place his right hand under his (right) cheek and supplicate: "Allahumma qini 'adhabaka yauma tab'athu 'ibadaka (O Allah! Guard me against Your punishment on the Day when You will resurrect Your slaves).

[At-Tirmidhi].In a narration in Abu Dawud, Hafsah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: Before going to sleep the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) would recite this Du'a three times.

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Lets occupy ourselves with good things

Your soul; if you don't occupy it with good things, it will occupy you with bad things".

This is a logical social fact. When non Muslim countries prevent true independent scholars & preachers upon the sunnah from addressing the Muslims, this causes a vacuum.

This vacuum is then filled with deviants such as Shia or Sufis. However, this doesn't fill the emptiness in youth's souls.

This is why we have radicals and fanatics. They fill the vacuum with hot air which results in more darkness and deviancy. Only the sunnah can quench the thirst of truth seekers who had lost their way in the deserts of terrorism.

Fill this vacuum up with true and pure sunnah before it swallows everything that was good in your lives and communities.

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