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 To know Him is to Love Him (ALLAH)
By: Abdullah Rostam- Noor Mosque -Birmingham
In God we trust
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
To know Him is to Love Him (ALLAH)
By: Abdullah Rostam- Noor Mosque -Birmingham
In God we trust
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
As Human beings we only have a limited perspective of the world around us. Our awareness is limited by our senses to our immediate area and time. Because we are unaware of the wider world and the complexities of the “bigger picture” and lack understanding and wisdom
We are happy and appreciative when something happens which we think will be beneficial for us. Likewise we are sad when something occurs which we think is harmful. Yet because our awareness and knowledge of the world is severely limited we do not understand what is truly good or bad for us. It may be that something we think is good for us is actually bad or vice versa. It may be that something which appears bad in the short term will actually turn out good in the long run.
Allah points out mankind’s ignorance to us in the Holy Qur’an when He says that we, mankind, might not like something although it is actually good for us.
An example: Children might not like eating vegetables, but vegetables are good for health. The experience of eat vegetables may be unpleasant but the children later enjoy the strength and good health eating the vegetables has bought.
Allah however, knows, understands and is aware of everything. His wisdom is complete and He knows absolutely what is good or bad.
God is not only all-knowing and wise, He is also compassionate, merciful and loving. He wants only what is best for us, what is beneficial to us and which will give us lasting and real happiness.
Everything that happens to us occurs because of Gods will. Nothing ever occurs which He does not will or ordain. Often God wills something for us which we do not like, which we think is harmful or bad, something we don’t understand, something causing us pain: making us upset and unhappy.
Contrary to our ignorance these bad things may actually be good for us. Perhaps a lesser evil is saving us from a great one. Or maybe our troubles are an opportunity for growth development. They could be a small punishment to encourage us not to sin again, or a test of our faith.
Always remember that God is in control. Everything that happens is in accordance with His will. There is no luck or chance, no random events. Also remember that Allah is compassionate and loving. He wills only what is best for you, even though you do not know it. Therefore as you remember Allah, his power and His love, also trust in Him. Whatever is happening, even though it may cause you pain and upset, is for your own good and what is best for you.
Don’t worry, trust Allah’s love, and be happy.
Let God’s Presence Make You Happy
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
Life is full of ups and downs. There are moments of happiness and sadness. From time to time we all feel sad, and get bored, and depressed. We can feel as if the whole world is against us; we never get what we want; our plans never work out. We have only bad luck and life is not fair. We think that there is no-one for us, nobody cares, no-one loves us and we are totally alone.
At these times it is a good idea to have our friends around us. Actually, having friends around us and being surrounded by those who love us is always beneficial at any time. But in difficulties and times of crisis, their help can be essential. A friends help doesn’t have to be practical or material, often just having a friend present with you can make a big difference. Simply knowing that you have a friend as well as enjoying their company can raise your spirits. Just being with friends is often enough to make someone happy.
Allah is not only merciful and compassionate, He is the most merciful and the most compassionate. He is also the most loving and He wants only what is best for you. You can trust Him and have faith in Him completely. Moreover Allah wants you, He created you for Himself, that you might know Him, love Him and be with Him. Through His knowledge and power He is always with you, He never leaves you. He is close by. How close? According to the Holy Qur’an He is nearer to you than your jugular vein. And where is your jugular vein? It’s inside you! That’s how close God is to you. Even though you may not be aware of it He is with you always.
Considering all of this it is easy to conclude that God is the ‘best friend’ we have, ever had or will ever have. How many of our friends can we say are always with us, always love us, always want what is best with us, can always be trusted and are totally compassionate, merciful and loving by nature. The prophet Mohammed (PBUH), said that Allah was his “Khalil” meaning “best friend and companion”
At all times, but especially when feeling sad or depressed, remember God and His love for you. Remember He is your best friend. He is with always you, He loves you and He wants you for Himself. When feeling lonely remember He is there, when feeling unloved remember He loves you, when feeling uncared for remember He cares. Develop your relationship with God. Let the companionship of God raise your spirits and cheer you up. Let God be your ‘best friend’ and constant companion. You can only benefit from such a relationship with God.
Four Types of People
Bismillah Ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
With regard to religious practice and prayer there are four different types of people: 1) Non-believers; 2) Fair-weather Friends; 3) Businessmen and 4) True Friends or Saints.
Non-believers do not believe in God and never praise Him.
Fair-Weather Friends Praise God when life is good and full of happiness. They thank God for his Grace and bounty but as soon as things go bad their praise ends! They become too busy worrying to praise God and even begin to question Him. Saying: "Why me?" "How can a loving God let this happen?"
They might even curse him or give up believing in Him. Saying:
"Damn you!"
"There is no God."
Businessmen are normally too busy enjoying life to spend time praising God, but
whenever things go wrong or there is suffering they pray and ask God for help. They may ask for His forgiveness, but more often than not they try to make a deal with Him. Saying:
"If you do this I'll try to be better"
"I'll fast for a week"
"I'll donate money to charity" etc. etc
True Friends or Saints, on the other hand, are continuous in their praise of God. They praise God constantly, no matter what life brings their way, good or bad. Aware that God is merciful and compassionate, they trust in His judgement and surrender themselves to His will.
Learn to trust God, He is Merciful (al-Rahman) and Loving (al-Wadud), and He has a plan for you. Therefore, no matter what comes along your way be consistent in your praise of God. Find the peace that comes from a stable relationship with God.
One God
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
The most fundamental belief in Islam is "monotheism." Which is the belief that there is just one God. Islamic monotheism is summarised by the Arabic phrase:
LA ILAHA IL ALLAH
which when translated into English means "No god but God." This Arabic phrase is repeated / chanted daily by men and women through-out the Muslim world. Often they will count their repetitions using a set of Muslim rosary beads. Sufi Muslims use the phrase as a mantra which they meditate with. However, some people mistakenly take this as an attack on other religions and different concepts of God such as Buddha, Krsna or Christ. But this is not what the phrase is really about.
In the phrase "No god but God," the god (with a small g) is all those things in our lives that we attach importance to such as: health; success; money; a good job; big house; nice clothes; happy family; security etc. etc. Most people chase after these things with all the energy they have, they think about them endlessly and they worry about them when they don’t have them. These things are central to their lives and the pursuit of them is fanatical, like a religion.
For the true believer in God the obsession with such things is pure Idolatry. A believer in God should make God (with a big G) the most important thing in their life. God is the only thing which really matters. Therefore when a true believer recites the Arabic phrase "la ilaha il allah" he/she is actually saying:
There is nothing to be wanted but God.
There is nothing to be loved but God.
There is nothing to pursue but God.
There is nothing to be valued but God.
There is nothing to be worshiped but God.
There is nothing that interests me but God.
There is nothing but God.
Make God the most important thing in your life. Make Allah central to your life and everything that you say, do and think. Let God dominate your life. Live in order to please Him and hold nothing dearer to you than your relationship with Him. If it helps use the Arabic phrase "la ilaha il allah" as a tool. Use it to keep yourself focused on God and whenever you become distracted let it remind you to turn back to Allah. Keep these words not only on the edge of your tongue but also in your mind and heart, as much as you possibly can.
Presence of God
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
Sometimes people say to each other "God be with You" as a way of blessing. People forget that actually God is always with us. There is never a time or place where God is not right there with us. The problem is that we are not normally aware of Him and ignore Him.
God Himself is not actually located here with us, after all He is transcendent, above the highest heavens, but He is present through His Knowledge (of all things), His awareness (of all things) and his Power (over all things).
Allah is with us in every moment giving us His compassion, His mercy, His love and many other things beside. And yet people choose to ignore Him. They forget about Him and live in ignorance of Him. Such people are truly the losers for they are turning a blind eye to the most amazing thing there is... GOD ALMIGHTY. Unaware of him they are also unaware of His love and compassion. They fail to find strength in His solace. They are lonely without His companionship and they feel vulnerable without having Him as their refuge.
Always remember God, never forget Him and never forget that He is present with you.
Pray often and when you pray feel as if you are actually talking to someone, that someone is really listening to you. Don't just say the words. Likewise when you say His name(s), feel as if you are calling out to him, searching and reaching out for Him. Don't just say the words.
Outside of formal prayer also talk to God, tell him your thoughts, your fears, your desire. Open your heart to Him and develop a relationship with Allah. Spend time with Allah, if you don’t fell like talking or reciting formal prayer, just sit quietly aware that God is present there with you. Simply sit with God, just being with Him, ready to learn should He inspire your heart.
Never allow yourself to feel alone as Allah is always there. You are never alone.
Develop and perfect as much as you can the remembrance and awareness of Allah.
Suffering Can Help Us Find God
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
In times of great difficulty and suffering some people question the existence of God or His good nature and compassion. In recent times this has happened after the terrorist attacks and after the Asian Tsunami. Many people wonder how a loving and compassionate God can allow such tings to happen.
This is not a new question. The "problem of Suffering" has long been a topic of debate amongst religious scholars and philosophers. I would like to offer you my own contribution on this "problem" and hope that I might strengthen your faith in God, Inshallah (God-willing)
Allah has said in His holy scriptures that His creation is not sport or play. He did not create the universe for no good reason. Creation was not a careless or reakless act. Nor is it an experiment which God just observes with indifference. God did not create us for fun and most certainly God did not create us to torment us.
Rather God created us for Himself. He created us in order to know Him. The purpose of creation, the reason why Allah created us, and the meaning of our lives is come to know and love God.
But even God Almighty, as powerful as He is, cannot force us to sincerely love him. True love can never be forced and can only be freely given. No-one can force another to sincerely love them, people can be forced to fear and they can be forced to fake love, but they can never be forced to genuinely love.
(Something dictators should remember - instead of forcing people to put up photographs of themselves all over the place!)
Allah in His infinite wisdom does not force us to love Him. Instead He hides Himself and presents us with choices. We can choose to have a relationship with Him or we can choose worldly life and the material things that come with it: Money, success, health, power, friends and possessions. We are not forced to love God rather we are given the option and chance to lose ourselves in this life. We can value worldly things, ascribe them with importance, value them and love them, while completely ignoring God. This choice is our free will.
The choice however is an illusion because God is creator of all of these things. They all come from God, without God they wouldn't exist. God is the only real, everything-else, the whole of creation, is an illusion.
There is really only one choice to make, the sensible choice. That is to choose Allah. To help us make that right choice God helps us by conditioning the material world which a special characteristic: Imperfection. The world is not a perfect place is it full of problem and difficulties which range from illness, old-age, death, natural disasters, war, famine, drought and the effects of bad people.
When People are faced with such problems and experience suffering their hearts become dissatisfied and they begin to look for something-else. This a natural feeling - if something is not good we look for something better - that’s common sense.
Through-out history when people have been faced with over-whelming problems or natural disasters their minds and hearts have always turned to religion, God and the hope of something better.
It is a fact that in the UK after 9/11, sales of the Bible and Qur'an increased as did attendance at church. People began to think about religion and God more. The same thing happened after the Asian Tsunami. People again turned to religion in their difficulty and looked to God for both answers and hope. Previously, many people used to call the islands of the Indian ocean 'Paradise' and 'heaven on earth.' The Tsunami taught them that Paradise is not be be found here and if anyone wants to go to paradise saving up money for a two-week holiday is not the way to go about it.
God created an imperfect world and allows suffering to be experienced in it so that Humans do not become content with this life but rather search for something better, something perfect. This search ultimately leads to Allah.
Remember that nothing is this world is perfect or permanent. Nothing here can give you happiness or security. Place your hope in God. Give Allah your love and devotion. Remember that your place is with God, to be united with Him in love. This world is neither your home or resting place. This world cannot offer you refuge. Let Allah be your refuge. Let Allah be the object of your hopes, your love, your devotion and your aspirations.
Let Allah be everything to you.
In the Search for Perfection Turn to Allah
Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
At various times in our lives we feel depressed, let down and disappointed. If allowed to grow these feelings can become extreme and turn into anger and depression. These feelings can themselves add to our problems and create a cycle where we go from feeling bad to worse.
Feelings such as disappointment and anger arise because our desires have gone unfulfilled. We haven't got what we wanted or achieved what we set out to do. Maybe our plans haven't worked out or something hasn't lived up to our expectations.
Such feelings are part of normal everyday life and experiencing them is part of Human suffering. People always experience these unpleasant feelings they are an integral part of the Human world.
However, such emotional suffering is mostly brought upon us by ourselves.
Disappointment, anger, unsatisfaction and feelings of being let down are the result of people having unrealistic expectations and desires. These unrealistic expectations and desires are themselves in turn caused by our ignorance of life, the world and people.
We expect and desire the world around us to be different from how it really is. Our thoughts are often different form the reality of how things really are.
We desire and expect things to always be good. Things should always be useful and beneficial, they should never break down, wear out or get old. People should always be clever, reliable and honest. People should never get sick, old or die! Other people should share our opinions, thoughts and desires. Nothing should cause us physical pain and nothing that we want should ever be absent!!!!!!!
However, in complete contrast to such expectations the world around us is in fact imperfect. All things are subject to change, decay and destruction. People do not have the same opinions, thoughts and desires as us. People are not always good and can let us down. Objects can break and their usefulness is limited. Nothing can make us completely happy all of the time. Nothing in the world is perfect.
It is because of our ignorance of this natural imperfection that we develop unrealistic expectations and desires, which when left unfulfilled result in emotional suffering. Through-out our lives we are search for what is true, right, good and perfect which, once we have found it, will always make us happy. This yearning for perfection and happiness has been placed in our hearts by Allah.
This search goes on but we are unable to find anything, at least not in this world. The truth is that there is only ony thing which is perfect, which can fulfill our hearts desires and give us lasting happiness, and that is Allah.
Indeed Allah has placed this yearning in our hearts so that we will become unsatisfied with world and begin searching for Him.
Do not allow emotional suffering to arise. Remember that everything is this world is imperfect. There is no need to be angry or upset because someone let you down or because some plan didn't work out. This is the way the world is and it is your unrealistic desires and expectations that are letting you down.
Turn away from this world, the things and people in it. Here lies only disappointment and unsatisfaction. In your search for happiness, goodness, truth and perfection turn to God, and God alone. Only He will never let you down, only He can be totally trusted, only He will always be there, only He can be relied on, only He is totally good and only He is perfect. Be content with Allah and find peace and happiness with Him.
Poems
Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
Life is no joke and we should not jest,
It's a series of choices that make up a test.
This things in this life that we say, think and do,
Determine in the next life where we go to.
So with each passing moment till the end of our days,
let us choose what is right and give God our Praise.
*** * *** * *** * *** * *** * *** * *** * *** * ***
The world is a mess that just keeps on churning,
but deep inside mans heart there is a yearning.
To search out and find what is perfect and best:
You'll find what you seek in God, forget the rest.
Arrogance is the Station of Satan
Bismaillah ir-Rahman ir-rahim
According to Islam and the Holy Qur'an back at the beginning of time Allah created the angels and Spirits (Jinn in Arabic) before he created mankind. The Holy Qur'an tells us that when God created man the angels protested. They complained about mans wickedness and pointed out that he would spread mischief and sin across the Earth. They also pointed out that they were loyal and obedient to God whereas man wouldn't be.
Allah rejected these protests telling the angels that He knew something about man that they didn't. Allah then asked the Angels and Jinn to prostrate to Adam, the first man and father of mankind. The angels and some of the Jinn did so but one Jinn, named Iblis, refused. Insisting that he was superior to man, as he was a spirit made of fire as opposed to man who was made of clay. He thought man should bow to him. Because of this Iblis, and the Jinn who followed him, earned Gods wrath and became cursed.
How could this have happened? How could Iblis become Shaitan and become cursed to doom in Hell-Fire?
Shaitan probably felt that his protest was correct. After all he is indeed a spirit made of fire and therefore superior to clay-based man, plus man is a wicked and mischievous creature.
But Shaitan missed the point of the exercise. The prostration of the angels and jinn to man was not an admission of mans superiority and their inferiority, but rather an act of obedience to God who had asked them to bow to man. The bowing was a demonstration of their love of Allah by showing their willingness to obey His will and please Him.
Shaitan’s sin was disobedience of Allah caused by his own arrogance.
He failed to do what God had requested of him, he displeased Allah and clearly demonstrated and his love of God was limited by his own sense of ego and self-importance.
This story is very relevant for us. Too many people suffer from arrogance. We often feel that we are better than others. Maybe we feel that we are more intelligent, harder working, morally better or followers of the true religion. Other people are stupid, lazy, the deserving poor, morally corrupt, low class, uneducated, uncultured and infidel pagans!
Feelings like this effect the way that we behave towards people. Maybe we don't like to sit next to someone on the bus, perhaps we don't feel sympathy for people in difficulty because we think they have brought the problem onto themselves or that they deserve everything they get. Unfortunately many people these days come to the opinion that they are better than people who do not share their religious opinions. Their religion is the true one and anyone who doesn't share their beliefs are going to be sent to hell by God.
While we may indeed feel that some people are inferior to ourselves and are unworthy we must remember that God has commanded us to be merciful, compassionate, patient, kind and charitable. God Himself is merciful, compassionate, generous, kind, loving and patient. He expects us to be the likewise.
Whenever you feel superior to someone-else and therefore tempted to be uncharitable or unkind remember that God has commanded you to be kind for His sake and be charitable out of your love for Him. Don't make the same mistake as Shaitan and allow your ego and arrogance to override your love and obedience of Allah.
Love leads to Submission
Bismillah ar-rahman-ar-rahim
When a person is in love with someone-else it is natural for that person to want that love to be reciprocated, that is, they want to be loved back. People will do almost anything to gain the love of their loved ones. They will do all kinds of things:
They will buy them presents. Take them out for meals or trips. Spend time with them, time that would otherwise be spent with friends, watching TV or just hanging around. They change their appearance and take up new activities and hobbies that their beloved likes. They will even go as far as to change their behaviour and character into something that their beloved will like or be impressed with. People have be known to change their political views or even their religion for the sake of their relationship with their partner.
Its seems that love has no limit in its power to effect people. Indeed love is the greatest power in the world that has influence over people. The power of love is far greater than the power of fear. If only the tyrants of the world knew this!
As our love of God grows and develops within us so our desire to be loved by God also grows. Of course Allah already loves us, but the extent of that love is effected by us: the better we are, the more God loves us. And as our desire to be loved by Allah grows so does our willingness to accept those actions that Allah most approves of. If we desire Allah to love us we must accept the standard of behaviour that Allah most approves of and loves. By behaving and living in that way which Allah loves most His love for us will also increase. Alternatively, should we behave in a way that He disapproves of, His love will lessen and give way to His wrath. As our love develops further so will our desire to please Him and our willingness to submit to what he decrees for us. A true lover desire only to please his beloved and make him happy. To be the perfect lover of God we must also be his servant and slave, we must become "Abdullah" the "servant of Allah."
Consider Allah’s love for you and your love for God. Let your love of Allah increase and with it your desire that His love for you will likewise increase. Let your love of Allah develop a desire to please Him. Let this inspire you and lead you to behave in those ways that Allah most approves of and likes.
The most beloved of Allah was His prophet, Mohammed, also known as "Habibullah" "Beloved of Allah." Allah approved of and loved the behaviour and actions of his Prophet. Study the practices and traditions of the prophet, called Sunnah, and incorporate as many as you can into your own behaviour and character. Likewise study Islamic morality and rules, called the Sharia, and conform your behaviour to Islamically acceptable norms. Adopt those actions and standards of behaviour that Allah loves most so that Allah may love you also.
Biggest Brother and Morality
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
Some time ago I was told by an amusing story by a certain (older) woman. When she was younger and dating her boyfriend her mother would always remind her to behave, and advised her that should she ever feel tempted to do something naughty(!) she should imagine that her mother is right there with her in the room!
(Of course this story relates to a time long ago when children were respectful and afraid of their parents!)
This technique always worked. The thought of her mother in the room, watching, was always enough to put the woman off doing anything that might be considered naughty.
Everyone is like this. Our behaviour is always different in public than it is in private. We all behave differently when we are being watched. When we think we are being watched we find it difficult to relax as we try to avoid doing anything wrong or shameful in front of others. But when are are alone and behind closed doors and curtains our behaviour is totally different and we indulge in behaviour that would not be acceptable in public.
Our behaviour is further effected by the status of the person who is with us. If an important person such as the Queen of England or the President of the United States is present with us we would certainly behave differently and be on best behaviour...you certainly couldn't walk around in your underwear in front of the Queen!!!
The issue here is that we are never alone. At every moment of everyday, in every place we have a companion who is aware of everything that we are doing and thinking. And that companion is the most important person in the Universe... Allah. Although He is compassionate and forgiving He is also the supreme judge and can sentence us to eternal damnation should our behaviour be bad enough.
As we develop our remembrance of God and our awareness of Him we should also develop Humility. We are never alone and are always being watched by the most important person there is, we should behave accordingly, in a way that is suitable in His presence. We should not behave in a shameful way which we would later regret or be embarrassed about. Remember that you will one day stand before Him in judgement and you will have to account for all of your actions.
Be aware of Gods presence. Never forget that Allah exists and is aware of everything you say, do and think. Out of your respect and love for Him behave in a way that is appropriate and which will please Him
To know Him is to Love Him
Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
As Human beings we can never fully understand God. He is simply too great for our intellect, He is beyond our comprehension! Human being can never know God as He truly is. Only God can really know God. But although we can never fully know Him we can learn a little something about Him and so develop a limited knowledge of Him.
We can gain knowledge of God from the Holy scriptures that God has revealed to Humanity, that is, the Holy Qur'an. We can learn from what the Holy Prophets have taught us about God. Their teachings are contained in the sayings / quotes, called Hadiths in Arabic. We can learn about God from our own experiences with Him, these will develop as our relationship with Him develops. We can also learn about Allah from the world around us, because the world is full of His signs. These are things that point to His existence and reveal to us His attributes.
As we learn more about Allah and our knowledge of Him develops we will, God willing, begin to understand that He has many wonderful attributes and He is: Compassionate (al-rahman), Merciful (al-rahim), Kind, Forgiving, Patient (al-sabur), loving (al-wadud), generous (al-karim), beautiful, majestic, strong etc. etc. Allah has many wonderful attributes. He is indeed wonderful, brilliant, amazing and awesome.
Considering this, as their knowledge of God increases so the devotee of God becomes more awe-struck, impressed, amazed and inspired. As they begin to understand the wonderful brilliance of Allah they cannot but fall in love with Him. How could anyone not love something so amazing, so beautiful, so positive.
Study the holy scriptures and teachings of the prophets, saints and great religious teacher. Obverse the signs of Allah greatness in the world around you and develop your own relationship with God. Learn about God as much as you can and develop your knowledge and understanding of Allah to the fullest extent possible now. As you observes His greatness, beauty and compassion develop your own feelings for love for him. Fall in love with Him. You will not need to force yourself and fake such feelings. Allah truly is amazing and lovely, as you know more about him you wont be able to do anything but fall in love with Him.
Impermanence and Loss
Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
Through-out our lives we lose things that are dear to us. These loses can be anything ranging from small material objects up to the most beloved people in our lives. Loss, separation and parting are very much part of human life.
? We may lose an object by misplacing it or forgetting where we have put it.
? We might lose an object because it has been be stolen or taken away by someone-else.
? We might lose possession of something we previously had because it has broken or stopped working.
? We may lose something because we move to another place or because we have out-grown it.
? We may lose something because we are not longer interested in it and give it up. We are losing it because our interests and desire have changed.
Similarly we can lose people from our lives.
? People can move apart.
? Friend’s interests and desires can change and so they no longer have anything in common.
? Friendships change and ultimately end.
? Even families and marriages break up and separate.
? People who were our friends change and become indifferent to us, maybe even transforming into our enemy.
? People ultimately die and leave us behind.
Loss not only applies to objects and people, it also applies to the situations we find ourselves in.
? We lose our health in times of sickness.
? We lose our youth, which is replaced by old age.
? We may lose our jobs.
? We may lose our wealth and face economic crisis. This can lead to further loses:
? We may lose our homes, our cars and our life styles.
In times of loss like these we can often become overwhelmed with negative emotional feelings:
? Sadness.
? Depression.
? Regret.
? Remorse.
? Worry.
? Mourning.
At times of loss it is important to remember God. Through the remembrance of God such negative emotional feelings can actually be avoided. Wisdom, which is simply our awareness and understanding of God, can free us from the misery of negative emotional feelings and instead help us feel happy and content.
Always bear the following in mind:
? Remember that Allah exists and is real.
? Remember that God has power over all things and that everything that happens is according to His will and plan.
? Remember that Allah is the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate, the Most Loving and the Most Generous.
? Remember that God loves you. He only wants what is good, right and best for you. He wants you to be happy and live in peace. He did not create you to torment you.
? Remember that whatever God does, He does out of His love and concern for us. Even when He denies us things and takes other things away, He does this out of love.
In the Holy Qur’an Allah says that whatever He takes away He replaces with something equal or even something better.
? Remember that whatever you have lost Allah can replace or give you something better instead. Allah will not leave you without something you need.
? Allah’s wisdom is greater than ours. What we lost, although we are upset about it, may have actually been bad for us. Remember that God may have taken it away to prevent harm coming to us.
God loves us very much, so much that He actually created us just for Himself. He created us so that we will come to know Him.
All of Allah creations have a time limit. Created they are eventually destroyed, united they are inevitably separated from each other. Only Allah endures and lasts forever. Only God is eternal. Allah has made His creation impermanent so that Humanity will not find contentment within creation but will rather be spurred on to look for that one thing which is eternal and which can bring permanent happiness: Himself.
? When you lose objects and people, and when your situation changes remember that the only permanent thing in the Universe is God.
? Remember that Allah, and Allah alone, will always be with you. He will never leave you.
? Remember that you can never lose God, He will always be with you.
? Remember that God will always love you and will never change His feelings about you.
? Remember that God can be a source of love and contentment for you.
In a changing and unstable world where man loses much and is caused much distress find a place of permanence where your heart will always be content. That place is Allah, being with Allah, in a loving relationship with Him. With Allah as your refuge and your beloved you will have found something wonderful that you can never lose.
Summary
Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim
Much has been said. But too much said is too much to remember. What is needed is a summary. A boiling down of everything into a few simply points that are easy to remember and easy to put into practice. I therefore offer you the following:
Points to Remember
o God exists.
o God is Merciful, Compassionate, Loving, Patient and Generous.
o God created Humanity to know Him. He created Humanity for Himself.
o God created you because of His love, and He now sustains, maintains and provides for you because of His love.
o We can not perceive God directly in this world. But we can see images that reflect Allah’s qualities in the world.
• The beauty we see around us is a partial image and reflection of Gods own beauty.
• The strength we see around us is a partial image and reflection of Gods own strength.
• The love we see around us is a partial image and reflection of Gods own love.
o Although Allah is transcendental and beyond His creation He is present everywhere through-out it by His awareness, knowledge and power.
o Everything in the world is impermanent. Nothing lasts forever. Everything changes.
o Allah, however, is permanent, enduring and eternal.
o Nothing in the world is perfect, nothing in the world will be able you give you complete satisfaction.
o Allah, however, is perfect and Allah can both completely satisfy us and give us infinite bliss.
o All things come from Allah and in the end must return to Allah.
Points to Practice
A major part of the practice is simply remembrance.
o Remember Allah.
o Remember that Allah is Merciful, Compassionate and Loving. He loves you.
o Remember that through His knowledge and power He is with you where ever you are.
o Remember that Allah only wants what is right, good and best for you and everyone-else.
o Remember that only Allah is eternal, permanent and perfect.
o Remember that Allah and only Allah can truly satisfy your heart, give you a sense of contentment and lasting happiness.
Other exercises to develop are:
o Develop you relationship with Allah.
o Praise Him, talk to Him, let Him inspire your heart, spend time with Him.
o Love Allah and Allah alone, abandon everything-else in His favour.
o Let Allah be your only god. ie the thing which you worship.
o Trust His judgement and surrender to His will.
o Find contentment and happiness in God and your relationship with Him.
Let God be everything for you.
Let your entire life be an expression of:
LA ILAHA IL ALLAH (No god but God)
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بۆچوونهکانی ئهم بابهته له فێد