Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| deenb-4dunya |
| 01/15/02 at 21:47:59 |
| We all suffer from a weak state of eeman every once in a while... what do *YOU* do to boost your eeman in these moments of weakness??? Deen |
| Re: EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| Rashid |
| 01/15/02 at 22:04:00 |
| [slm] What I do is keep good company...if you are surrounded by an Islamic environment, it becomes harder to lose your imaan and go astray. For me, not being around my friends for too long is a cause for concern. [wlm] |
| Re: EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| ABD |
| 01/16/02 at 02:06:12 |
| [slm] Yeah I know what you're talking about. I'll try to be focused and Alhamdulillah it works, but sometimes there are those tiny inclinations that pull you down. Sometimes I read Qur'an to help me get back up, I try to read some spiritual books or just general topic books, or if I'm doing s/thing and some bad thoughts come to my head, I take control and make dhikr. It really helps to make dhikr. If we keep our tongues busy with dhikr then we won't have time to indulge in backbiting or overtalking. Also what helps is to try to concentrate more in salah. If our mind is more focused and our heart is in khushoo', that helps raise our Iman and become more concious of Allah (SWT). Moments of weakness is different for a lot of ppl. For some it's overeating, oversleeping, overtalking, stuff like that, while for others it's thinking of bad things, being angry, greedy, selfish, envy, and different things for diff ppl. I think that in those moments of weaknesses, we should try to remember that we are in front of Allah (SWT) and we should be fearful of Him, b/c he sees whatever we do. Well, just my two cents..... May Allah (SWT) help all of us strengthen our Iman, help us stay on the straight path and keep us from deviating from the truth. May He help our brothers and sisters in Afghanistan, Palestine, Somalia and whereever Muslims are in need of help. May He grant us all Jannah and grant us to be with Rasulullah [saw]. Ameen. I pray for all of you and ask that you pray for me. Jaza Kumullahu Khayran. [wlm] Betul |
| Re: EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| deenb-4dunya |
| 01/17/02 at 18:25:27 |
| Jazaakum Allahu Khayran...good suggestions.... Anyone else have any EEMAN BOOSTERS??? |
| Re: EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| Ruqayyah |
| 01/18/02 at 00:17:42 |
| [slm] Listen to my wonderful brothers and sisters on the web radio!!! http://www.wrpi.org/wrpi.ram mashallah i'm listening to it right now, it's exactly what i needed :) jazakallah khair everyone! [wlm] Ruqayyah |
| Re: EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| gift |
| 01/18/02 at 04:09:20 |
| [slm] what works for me also is dhikr or i like to go into a quiet room and pray some nawafil aloud (hence i like to go into a room where there is no one else) [wlm] |
| Re: EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| se7en |
| 01/20/02 at 01:01:57 |
| as salaamu alaykum, - Find a beautiful place to immerse yourself in nature and stay there for a *long* time. Don't bring a notebook, headphones, misbah, nothing. Just sit. Usually what happens is, you sit there for like twenty minutes, then start to get fidgety. But stay there longer. Force yourself to think about things. What will start to happen is something really incredible. You'll start to actually think. :) To hear the discourse of your nafs, away from all the distractions that usually mute it out. You'll start to reflect deeply upon things in your life, about your eman, your actions, and you'll start to come to conclusions, realizations, and eventually resolutions. This *really* works for me, especially after fajr, maghrib or at night. - Listen to some *beautiful* recitation of Qur'an, and follow along with the meaning. The recitors who really get me are al-Ifaasi and ash-Shaatri. - Think about death. Not just what it would be like when you die, but mentally go through the entire process of dying and resurrection. Your body being washed. Being shrouded. Being laid in your grave. Hearing the footsteps of those you love walking away. The life of the barzakh, being questioned. Resurrection. Accountability. The seerat. Go through *all* of it until you reach your ultimate destination. - Visit a graveyard or someone who is dying. - Find your "soul food". A book, a speaker, a person, that really helps nourish your malaiki nafs and polish your heart. deenB, for you I'd add, review your notes from the retreat ;) Let me share with you something I learned in class just the other day. It really affected me; it wasn't the first time I've listened to these things, but I think it was the first time I heard them :) My teacher described the qalb, the spiritual heart, like a mirror through which all of reality, all of knowledge, is perceived. If a mirror is dirty, or it has defects, what happens to everything it reflects? This is the way it is with our quloob. If they are distorted in some way, everything we perceive, any knowledge we receive, is distorted. And just like a mirror, if our hearts are polished, clean, pure - that which it reflects will be seen in their true form. He also likened our hearts to water. When a pool of water is agitated or murky, one is unable to see through it clearly. Such is the nature of our hearts - if they are agitated, murky with doubt or sin, we will not be able to perceive things clearly. But if they are in a state of khashaa - stillness, we then can perceive things in their correct form. This is why we say, "Allahumma a'innee audhubika min qalban la yakhshaa" - Oh Allah, I seek refuge in You from a qalb that is not yakhshaa (in this state of stillness and focus) This is why we need to work on our selves - not just increasing our knowledge, or doing good deeds - but also seriously *purifying* our selves, purifying our hearts from disease, and ornamenting them with beautiful qualities that Allah loves. Man.. unfortunately, I'm not able to describe these things in the eloquent way they were taught to me, but I hope you get the jist. :) These are really incredibly beautiful examples, if you think about them. wAllahu a'lam. wasalaamu alaykum wa rahmatAllah. |
| Re: EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| deenb-4dunya |
| 01/20/02 at 16:10:40 |
| Jazaki Allahu Khayran Se7en:) Very helpful information... some of it sounds like I've heard it b4;)I guess sometimes you just need things to be repeated again ang again and again.... Keep the sugegstions coming Se7en..that is if you think of anything else Anyone Else? |
| Re: EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| AbdulJalil |
| 01/20/02 at 23:36:59 |
| assaalamu alaikum here is a very good program for dhikr,while on your computer. it could even be used while you let the computer run. Brothers and sisters,please distribute it to as many people as you can,Inshallah http://ca.geocities.com/islamemz/Thaker.html Concentration is important! |
| Re: EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| Anik |
| 01/21/02 at 02:12:45 |
| aslaamu alaikum, I usually read some news on Palestinians and become incensed into remembering the muslim identity and how Allah SWT will help those people Insha'Allah... I might read a good deed or hadith of Prophet SAW what else... when I am down, I often get into the company of GOOD SPEAKERS who are muslim, so they can talk me up back, or those SILENT, PIOUS types who just inspire me. Then again, who can rule out coming here? :) Sometimes a drive holds the answer to wherever. My asalamu alaikum. abdullah,. |
| Re: EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| Anonymous |
| 01/28/02 at 21:09:07 |
| Bismillah Rahman Rahim, Wa salatuhu wa salam ala’a Rasul Karim, Dear brother or sister you asked about some points on Iman boosters. Here are some things which have helped some of us. This is a Dua to be read after fajr, and possibly after Maghreb or Isha’, and at the end of it there are some pointers. [color=darkgreen] Al-Fatiha (1:1-7) Bismillah i’r Rahman i’r Rahim Alhamdu Lillahi Rabbi’l ‘aalameen Ar-Rahman i’r Rahim Maaliki Yawm-i’d Deen Iyyaaka na’budu wa Iyyaaka nasta’een Ihdina’s-Siraat a’l-mustaqeem Siraat al-ladheena an‘amta ‘alayhim ghayri’l maghdubi ‘alayhim wa la’d-daalleen Aameen. (Recite once) [/color][color=green] "The Opening" In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All praise be to Allah, Lord of the worlds. The Beneficent, the Merciful. Owner of the Day of Judgement. You only do we worship, and You only do we beg for help. Guide us on the straight path. The path of those whom You have favoured; not (the path) of those who earn Your anger nor of those who go astray. [/color] [color=darkgreen] (2:255) Allahu laa ilaaha illaa Huwa’l Hayyu’l Qayyum laa ta’khudhuhu sinatun wa laa nawm Lahu maa fi’s-samaawaati wa maa fi’l ard man dhalladhee yashfa‘u ‘Indahu illaa bi-Idhnih Ya‘lamu maa bayna aydeehim wa maa khalfahum wa laa yuheetuna bi-shay-in min ‘Ilmihi illaa bimaa shaa-a wasi‘a Kursiyyuhu’s-samaawaati wa’l ard wa laa Ya’uduhu hifzuhumaa wa Huwa’l ‘Aliyyu’l ‘Azeem (Recite once) [/color][color=green] Allah! No one is worthy of worship but He, the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting by Whom all subsist; slumber overtakes Him not, nor sleep; whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth is His; who is he that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, and they encompass nothing of His Knowledge, except what He wills; His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and He is never weary of preserving them both; and He is the Most High, the Supreme. [/color][color=darkgreen] (2: 285-286) Aamana’r Rasulu bimaa unzila ilayhi min Rabbihi wa’l mu’minun kullun aamana Billahi wa Malaaikatihi wa Kutubihi wa Rusulih laa nufarriqu bayna ahadin min Rusulih wa qaalu sami‘naa wa ata‘naa Gufraanaka Rabbanaa wa Ilayka’l maseer Laa Yukallifullahu nafsan illaa wus‘ahaa lahaa maa kasabat wa ‘alayhaa maktasabat Rabbanaa laa tuaakhidhnaa in-naseenaa aw akhta’naa Rabbanaa wa laa tahmil ‘alaynaa isran kamaa hamaltahu ‘alal-ladheena min qablinaa Rabbanaa wa laa tuhammilnaa maa laa taaqata lanaa bih wa‘fu ‘annaa wa’ghfir lanaa wa’rhamnaa Anta Mawlaanaa fa’nsurnaa ‘ala’l qawmi’l kaafireen (Recite once) [/color][color=green] The (Prophetic) Messenger believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and (so did) the believers; they all believed in Allah and His Angels and His Books and His (Prophetic) Messengers; (they said) we make no distinction between any of His (Prophetic) Messengers; and they said: we hear and we obey, (Grant us) Your forgiveness Our Lord, and to You is the eventual return. Allah does not place on any soul a burden but to the extent of its capacity; for it is (the benefit of) what it has earned, and against it (the evil of) what it has wrought: Our Lord! Do not punish us if we forget or make a mistake, Our Lord! Do not lay on us such a burden as You did lay on those before us; Our Lord! Do not impose upon us that which we have not the strength to bear; and pardon us and grant us forgiveness and have mercy on us, You are our Protector, so help us against the unbelieving people. [/color][color=darkgreen] Laa ilaaha Illallahu Wahdahu laa sharika lahu Lahu’l Mulku wa Lahu’l Hamdu Yuhyee wa Yumeetu wa Huwa ‘alaa kulli shay-in Qadeer (3 times) [/color][color=green] No one is worthy of worship except Allah, He is One, He has no partner, His is the Kingdom and His is the praise He gives life and He causes death and He is Powerful over all things. [/color][color=darkgreen] Sub’haanAllahi wa’l Hamdu Lillahi wa laa ilaaha Illallahu Wallahu Akbar (3 times) [/color][color=green] Glory be to Allah and all praise is for Allah and no one is worthy of worship except Allah and Allah is Most Great. [/color][color=darkgreen] Sub’haanAllahi wa bi-Hamdihi Sub’haanAllahi’l ‘Azeem (3 times) [/color][color=green] Glory to Allah with His (Own) praise; Glory to Allah, the Exalted. [/color][color=darkgreen] Rabbana’ghfir lanaa wa tub ‘alaynaa Innaka Anta’t Tawwaab u’r Rahim (3 times) [/color][color=green] Our Lord, forgive us and relent towards us; truly, You are the Forgiver, the Merciful. [/color][color=darkgreen] Allahumma Salli ‘alaa Muhammad-in Allahumma Salli ‘alayhi wa Sallim (3 times) [/color][color=green] O Allah! Bestow blessings on Sayyidina Muhammad O Allah! Bestow blessings on him and peace. [/color][color=darkgreen] A‘udhu bi-Kalimaatillahi’t-taammaati min sharri maa khalaq (3 times) [/color][color=green] I take refuge in the complete words of Allah from the evil in what He has created. [/color][color=darkgreen] Bismillahilladhee laa yadurru ma‘a Ismihi shay’un fi’l ardi wa laa fi’s-samaai wa Huwa’s Sami ‘ul ‘Aleem (3 times) [/color][color=green] In the name of Allah Who causes no harm to come together with His name from anything whatsoever in earth or in heaven, for He is the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. [/color][color=darkgreen] Radeenaa Billahi Rabban wa bi’l Islami deenan wa bi Muhammad-in Nabiyyaa (3 times) [/color][color=green] We are content with Allah as Lord, and with Islam as religion, and with Muhammad as Prophet. [/color][color=darkgreen] Bismillahi wa’l Hamdu Lillahi wa’l khayru wa’sh-sharru bi-Masheeatillah (3 times) [/color][color=green] In the name of Allah, and all praise is for Allah, and the good and the evil are by the Will of Allah. [/color][color=darkgreen] Aamannaa Bi’llahi wa’l Yawmi’l Aakhir Tubnaa Ilallahi baatinan wa zaahiraa (3 times) [/color][color=green] We believe in Allah and the Last Day (of Judgement) We repent to Allah secretly and openly. [/color][color=darkgreen] Yaa Rabbanaa wa‘fu ‘annaa Wa’mhulladhee kaana minnaa (3 times) [/color][color=green] Our Lord! Pardon us and wipe out whatever (sins) we may have committed [/color][color=darkgreen] Yaa Dha’l Jalaali wa’l Ikraam amitnaa ‘alaa deeni’l Islam (7 times) [/color][color=green] O The Possessor of Majesty and Honour, cause us to die in the religion of Islam. [/color][color=darkgreen] Yaa Qawiyyu Yaa Mateen ikfi sharraz-zaalimeen (3 times) [/color][color=green] O the Most Mighty, O the Authoritative One, protect us from the evil of the unjust. [/color][color=darkgreen] Aslahallahu umura’l Muslimeen Sarafallahu sharra’l mu’dheen (3 times) [/color][color=green] May Allah improve the affairs of the Muslims May Allah turn away the evil of the harmful. [/color][color=darkgreen] Yaa ‘Aliyyu Yaa Kabeeru Yaa ‘Aleemu Yaa Qadeer Yaa Samee‘u Yaa Baseeru Yaa Lateefu Yaa Khabeer (3 times) [/color][color=green] O the Most High, O the Most Great, O the All-Knowing, O the Powerful One, O the All-Hearing, O the All-Seeing, O the Gentle, O the All-Aware. [/color][color=darkgreen] Yaa Faarija’l hammi Yaa Kaashifa’l ghammi Yaa man li-‘abdihi Yaghfiru wa Yarham (3 times) [/color][color=green] O the Dispeller of anxiety, O the Remover of grief, O the One Who to His servant is Forgiving and Merciful. [/color][color=darkgreen] Astaghfirullaha Rabba’l baraaya Astaghfirullaha min al khataaya (4 times) [/color][color=green] I seek forgiveness of Allah, the Lord of all creation. I seek forgiveness of Allah for all mistakes. [/color][color=darkgreen] Laa ilaaha Illallah (50 times, or 100 times, or up to 1000 times) [/color][color=green] No one is worthy of worship except Allah. [/color][color=darkgreen] Muhammad u’r Rasulullah (once) [/color][color=green] Muhammad is the (Prophetic) Messenger of Allah. [/color][color=darkgreen] Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam wa sharraf wa karram wa majjad wa ‘azzam wa Radiya ‘an Ahli Baytihi’l Mutahhareen wa As’haabihi’l Muhtadeen wa’t Taabi‘eena lahum bi-ihsaanin ilaa Yawm i’d-Deen (once) [/color][color=green] May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him and his descendants; and may He honour, ennoble, glorify and exalt him, and may He be pleased with his purified Household, and with his rightly guided companions, and with those who followed them with excellence till the Day of Judgement. [/color][color=darkgreen] (112:1-4) Bismillah i’r Rahman i’r Rahim Qul Huwallahu Ahad Allah-u’s-Samad lam yalid wa lam yulad wa lam yakun Lahu kufuwan ahad (3 times) [/color][color=green] In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Say: He, Allah, is One. Allah, the Eternally Besought. He begets not, nor is He begotten and there is none like Him. [/color][color=darkgreen] (113:1-5) Bismillah i’r Rahman i’r Rahim Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabbi’l falaq min sharri maa khalaq wa min sharri ghaasiqin idhaa waqab wa min sharri’n-naffaathaati fi’luqad wa min sharri haasidin idhaa hasad (once) [/color][color=green] In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Say: I take refuge with the Lord of the daybreak, from the evil of what He has created, and from the evil of the darkness when it gathers, and from the evil of those who blow on knots (practicing witchcraft), and from the evil of the envious when he envies. [/color][color=darkgreen] (114:1-6) Bismillah i’r Rahman i’r Rahim Qul a‘udhu bi-Rabb-i’n-naas Malik-i’n-naas Ilaah-i’n-naas min sharri’l waswaasi’l khannaas alladhee yuwaswisu fee sudur-i’n-naas min al jinnnati wa’n-naas [/color][color=green] In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Say: I take refuge in the Lord of mankind, the King of mankind, the God of mankind; from the evil of the (devilish) whisperings of one who slinks away; who whispers into the breasts of mankind, from among the jinnn and mankind. [/color][color=darkgreen] (Recite Surah al-Fatiha) Al-Fatiha Ilaa arwaahi kaaffati ‘ibaadillahi’s-saaliheen wa’l waalidaini wa jamee‘il mu’mineena wa’l mu’minaat wa’l muslimeena wa’l muslimaat Annallaha Yaghfiru lahum wa Yarhamuhum wa yanfa’unaa bi-asraarihim wa barakaatihim wa ilaa Hadrati’n Nabiyyi Muhammad-in Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam [/color][color=green] Al-Fatiha To the souls of all the pious servants of Allah and both the parents, and all the believing men and believing women and the Muslim men and Muslim women; that may Allah forgive them and have mercy on them and make us benefit from their spiritual mysteries and their blessings; and to the Holy Presence of Prophet Muhammad, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him and his descendants. [/color][color=darkgreen] Allahumma innaa nas’aluka ridaaka wa’l janna wa na‘udhu bika min sakhatika wa’n-naar (3 times) [/color][color=green] O Allah, we ask of You for Your Good Pleasure and for Paradise, and we seek Your Protection from Your displeasure and from hell-fire. [/color] Try, as much as you can, to wake up before fajr even by 10 minutes and pray two rakat, then pray your fajr. Once your fajr salat is completed, try not to go to bed but make duas as much as you can, and here is a dua which has been handed down to us from the previous generations. Read this dua at the beginning of the day and the end. Once you are done, then supplicate for your parents, family, loved ones, your friends and Ummah, and last supplicate for your self. Focus your duas on khayr, on thing which will increase you in goodness, iman, taqwa, ihsan, yaqiin, khushu’. Always start your duas by Praising Allah by His Attributes, then Sending Peace and Blessings to our Noble Prophet (sa), then make your supplications. If you have time after the dua, then try to read some Quran, as much as you can, depending on your ability and your schedule. Before you leave your home, make sure you have wuduh and try to keep it. If you lose it, then try to renew it and go on like that all day long. Also, at the time you're leaving home, make a dua that Allah blesses the good of that day and protects you from it’s evil and traps. Make the intention to try to memorize even one aya per day. Everyday try to learn even one new aya, and repeat it as much as you can till it sinks in. For other people what works is either a book or your walkman with some tapes of Quran, or lectures on things dealing with the matter of the hearts. If you are living in the US or Canada I know some of the tapes of some of the masheyk and Imams are really good, but that is really a personal judgment. It could be Iman Siraj with a lecture you've heard before, but listen to it, for in many instances you’ll grasp another meaning or dimensions to something. Like a diamond it has many facets, depending on the angle and the light through which you view it. On your way to school or work, listen to tapes if you can, or read something. Always focus your thoughts on Din. Whenever something is pulling you out of it, try to go back to that line of thinking. If for some reasons you can’t either read nor listen to something, then keep on making dua, or tasbih, for the blessings you're given for that are some you are aware of, and some you're not. While you are at work or school, do what you have to do but deep down keep on remembering Allah (swt). In your free or spare time, breaks etc try to mingle with Muslims if you can. If you can’t, then keep mingling to a minimum, or mingle but steer the conversation towards din. Use tact and diplomacy as much as you can. If thing go off on a tangent, like many a times the usual topic is getting “blasted”, this or that, then move on. Keep in mind that if you don’t do dawah to them, they’ll do dawah to you, and our dawah leads to Jannah and theirs leads to Hell. If you have some muslims at school then mingle with them, try to steer your conversations into one aspect of din or another, but if the conversations are taking a tangent towards un-Islamic issues, try to bring it back on track. If it fails, keep at it, for in a bunch of brothers some of them will want to go on that track. Also, try to limit argumentation for many a times we spend so much time arguing, and either we don’t get any thing out of it because we were so hyper, or we were just not listening, or the whole point of it was to mark a point and not to benefit from it, like bashing people over the head. Remember that in any relation with another human being one of the most important things is your approach, your approach can make someone’s day or ruin it. Keep your expectations contained for you won’t be successful at every shoot, but as you try you’ll learn more and improve your ability in it. However keep in mind that there is always a bad apple somewhere, and if worst comes to worst stand up and leave. For even that can be a statement. In many instances try just to listen, be passive. Learn to listen for you’ll learn more in it then arguing sometimes, and if you are asked why you don’t participate, or you look out of it, if they are muslims tell them why, if you feel uncomfortable with it then say that you are on some kind of medication for sometime, you have a little something in the chest till you get better. When the time of salat comes, try to do your salat on time, if you can get a jam’a that’s even better. If you are in school, and know some brothers, tell each other to meet at a particular place and time and find a place to pray jama’a. If you can make a bit more time then the necessary time for salat do so, try to pray sunnah before your salat try to make your sujud(prostrations) long, make some supplication in them. The reason is among other things the sunnah prayer will put you in that tranquil mood you need when you’ll pray your obligatory salat. Sometimes in your salat your mind will become unfocused, if you can, say “La haula wala kuwata illah billah” especially in sujud it might help you refocus, also think of it as your last salat that you have been granted on this earth. Let it bring about that state of khushu’. Once you are finished with you salat, unless you have to rush, take some time and make supplications, keep on begging Allah to strengthen your iman, to increase it for you, and purify your heart, make dua for your loved ones, your community and your Ummah. If you prayed in a masjid, before you leave make a dua for those who build that masjid and those who are responsible for the upkeep of the masjid. Also make dua for the brothers who were with you there, for those who are still making dua when you leave, for maybe the brother has just got married and they are expecting but there is complications or maybe this or that, make dua for him, it’s just a minute of you time, but maybe it can make a difference somewhere. Keep your day as such with always your tongue moist with His Dhikr and dua, force yourself for a couple of day or more. You have to understand that its new habits you are about to take on and you’ll have to shun some of the old ones, and there’ll be ups and downs, lapses at times, but try to be constant. It’s like jogging in a way. At the beginning, it’s easy, but as you jog it’s get tough till you get your “second breath”, then you can keep on going for a long time. It wont be easy, but if you are sincere and try hard to persist, before long you’ll see results, concrete results. Also when ever you see a muslim on the street try to give salams, and if you see a sister especially with a hijab, then brother you have to make dua for her, for she’s a flag bearer for your din and the very least you can do is a sincere dua for her. Do that till you get at home, if you have to do some sports, go do your stuff, but try to limit other avenues, I mean going here and there to waste some time. When you are home, try to limit the time your spend watching TV and if you can avoid it for some time it’s even better. I mean all the things which you do for fun, i.e.: playing computers games, spending a considerable amount of time on line, everything you deem as consuming your time try to limit. Remember the most precious thing is your life is time, become aware of that, engrave it in your mind, that your time is precious. I know it might sound a bit much but instead of playing Quake, try to get a copy of the Sirah (Biography) of the Prophet (saw) and read it, for if you learn what that community went through you’ll see thing differently and work even harder. Try to avoid anything which will make you agitated in one way or another, the mutual bugging between family members for example, don’t feel shy to express your love to your beloved ones, a nice word, a smile, a dua for them. You know, lets say you get home, cold, tired and hungry, and you find a hot meal of your favorite food on the table, you know what I mean that special butter chicken or chapatti (parata) with some fried veggies, or potatoes or Pasta or Fried Rice, then hug your Umi, and tell her “Mom you know something .. I love you”. In some cases she’ll tell you to clean up your room afterwards but still hug her, or if you go out later and you have some cash on you get her a little something, her favorite chocolate or kulfi or whatever and tell her. For maybe your family member had one of those days, when all goes wrong, and that nice word or kind gesture will have a big impact for them. Same thing goes for the old man, I don’t mean you go get him a Pankaj Judas or Muhamed Rafi or Umm Kulthum tape, n,o but a gesture of some sort, for remember brothers and sister you have you parents and families, so many aren’t as fortunate as you are. Try to control argumentation. That’s a big big one dear. Try to make excuses for the your brothers and especially your sisters for they are emotional sometimes. Instead of getting all hyper, say it in a gentle and sincere voice, May Allah forgive you little one, come here, nope I wont hurt you, just want to hug you but please don’t do it again, for you hurt my feelings. But one thing really important is preparing to end your day. If you usually go to bed around 11pm, then shower put some atar and go to your room at 10. Make some time to meet your Beloved One, make some quality time, where everything will be put off and you can get on your prayer mat and read some Quran, read that awrad another time. Once that is done put off your light, leave a dim light and try to pray. That is, if you haven’t prayed your isha, do it and then pray your sunnah. If you have already prayed, then pray your witr even if it’s just 3 rakats, but on the last rakat, make your sujud long, supplicate and keep on making duas. Be grateful for the extra day you have been given to live, be grateful for the countless bounties, supplicate for your parents, siblings, your extended families, your friends, the people you heard that are in trouble. Pray for your Ummah, the widows, orphans, sick, the less fortunate, for the ulema and masheyk’, and for yourself. Conclude your dua with Salams for the Prophet(saw), his family and companions. Then go to bed. If you can, try to get prayer beads, so while in bed make a dua so that you'll be blessed to wake up for fajr. Then try to reflect on you day, what was right and wrong, and where you can improve. Then let your fingers move on the beads and say Astaghfirullah or al hamdulilah, subhn’Allah, or Allah Akbar as much as you can till you fall asleep. Remember the secret to wake up fresh for fajr is 3 things, eat a light supper, make some Quality time for ibada before you go to bed, and try to sleep early. If you can’t fall asleep try to listen to some Quran or a lecture/lessons from our traditions. Try it for some time. If you can make some time and spend a night at the local masjid on weekends then do so. If you can visit the graveyard and spend sometimes there and let it sink in, by any means do it. Let your soul speak to you and realize the futility of so many things of this dunya. Another issue: Try to as much as you can to start building a collection of books on Islam. I mean the translation of Quran, Hadith (Bukhari, Muslim, Riyadh As Saleheen, Al Muwatta). For the hadith collection try to buy the ones with the Arabic in one side and English on the other. – Books on Sirah, As Shifa’, Muhammed (saw) by Haykal, and the one by Lings, Al Rahiq al Maqtum. I like the Haykal one for some reasons and the Shifa’ for others. If you can, try to read it as much as you can. Read it over and over again; try to visualize what you read, till it sinks in. - The books of Purification, “Purification of the soul” of Ibn Qayim(ra) is a beautiful one. “Inner dimension of Islamic worship” of Al Ghazali (ra). And whatever your interest and means permits. Replace the Tom Clancy and the Ludlum with beneficial knowledge. In regards to tapes. Try as much as you can to start growing a collection of tapes. Some imams and sheikhs have a bigger impact on us then others, some are deeper than others, some are real motivating, others are less. Sometimes you’ll have an inclination to listen to one more than another, just go with it. Remember every time you’ll listen to a lecture you’ll get another meaning to some issues, you’ll get a different perspective on something. Community work: Remember a lone sheep is easy prey for the wolf but a pack of sheeps is hard pray for the wolf. 1-Try to find a couple of brothers in your area who have the same interest as you have, and organize learning sessions. Approach an iman or a knowledgeable brother who can give you some of his time on a weekly basis to learn. But try to find brothers who are serious about it, for many a times, we organize something and the brothers don’t show up, and we inconvenience someone and it can lead to bad feelings. 2- Organize your own learning circles. Lets say a few brothers getting together on Saturday morning for example, and let the most knowledgeable among you teach a topic. And every week try to have a brother presenting a topic or subtopic that you thing is important for you, like a presentation in class type of thing. Do a research on it, work out the presentation, arrange it with the proper quotes of Quran, Hadith, saying of Ulemas on that issue. Try to have it for one hour or two. Then do some sports together. For those who are about to end their teenager years if you can maintain those Saturday halaqas and sport, it’s a sure way to pull in the youngsters. I’ve seen it working in other communities it can work in yours too. At the beginning the youngsters were a bit shy or adamant about it, but soon it started to pull them in, everyone wanted to go play ball or hockey with the brothers, and at the same time they learn something in regards to their din. I’ve seen it working miracles, to the point that those young teenagers were having such a positive impact at home that the parents come on board and started to support those halaqas with money, time and effort. With the condition that no one plays in the team unless he attend the halaqa type of session. If someone is not coming for a couple of weekends, go and see what’s wrong with him, maybe the iman is slacking a bit and need a little push and pull. Build on that brotherhood, so that group will grow together, they’ll spend their time and youth in a positive Islamic environment, they’ll grow spiritualy and also it will prepare them for bigger roles in the future. In the same line, if you have a couple of high schools in one area and you have a big number of brothers and sisters, think of opening a youth center. By that I mean getting a place you can rent like a small office or basement type of thing. The reason behind it is to have like a center where the brothers and sisters who are in school or around college, so instead of going to coffee shops and study or just sit there they can go to the center, where you’ll have books, tapes, videos, tables and chairs for those who want to study, read, a musala to make your prayers, a corner for lunch with a sink, microwave and a fridge. If you can motivate people enough and embark on that idea, look at the potential numbers of those who can be coming to that place. If the number make it, then approach them as ask them if such as place was available would they come or not, try to find out if it’s a feasible idea if it’s workable. And if people are sincere enough about it, then do a little research, what’s the best potential place, the rent, utilities etc.. Then set a business plan, once you have it all tied up, then approach the elders, the people who you know can afford to contribute to keep it up for your community, and ask them if they can pledge some $ on a monthly basis. Also include the brothers and sisters who participate on the weekend halaqas, and don’t underestimate any one for I once knew of a little guy of 10 coming up with his $5 contribution deducted from his pocket money. If it’s starting to get going people will chip in, be it shelves, chairs, and old TV or a microwave etc. Maybe some one has an old Pentium he’s not using much, he can donate it to you guys. As for the tapes and books approach the organizations, the muslims booksellers and present your idea to them with something concrete on hands and ask them if they can offer you some support of any kind or worst case scenario if they can give you books on special discounts. Meanwhile don’t cease to make dua, if things work out insh’Allah then you can work out the timing for the sisters and brothers, maybe even have some classes there with someone coming to teach. |
| Re: EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| Seeker |
| 01/29/02 at 00:29:15 |
| [slm] anon can you say experience! subhanallah, I'm going to print out most of this and tape it in my notebook! It seems like some serious mujaahida went down here and from it came some knowlege that will last me a life time insha'allah eeman boosters? a few things I do aside from all the other good things people have suggested are- -to first acknowlege and wake up to the fact that my iman is at a low point at that particular time. It takes a lot to just realize that you're not moving towards Allah like you should. A big thing for me when I move backwards in my stuggle is realizing that Allah is punishing me for something. Allah punishes his servants by moving them away from him and by putting a veil over our hearts. one thing that has helped me is repentence for sins I've committed knowingly and unknowingly, and also du'a begging Allah for strength from Him so that I may begin to move closer. The first time I really hit the floor I had to make goals for myself because I found it too overwhelming to just do everything at once. Because you're at a low point, it's going to take more energy to move upwards. I found it very hard to focus on things I should be doing because of the "static" in my brain. For this probelm, tv does *not* help. It only hides you away from the your real situation is. (Se7en khalwa tip for being alone helps tremendoulsy) Tv, I realized, is shaytan direct way into your heart and thoughts. It's so easy to give in, therefore so hard to struggle against (for me). You'll find that when you get to be alone, all your thoughts seem to hit you at once..kinda like an after shock where even though you're alone, you're mind is pulsing inside..and like Se7en said, just takes time for things to quiet down. I also realized that I needed to watch my tounge a whole lot more closely around people. For most people, controling and silencing the tounge is one of the biggest struggles for controling the jawaarih, or senses. The only help for this is (like most people said) dhikr. I made a schedual for myself one nigth cause I got fed up with feeling so spiritually dead. When I kept to it, I felt really productive which was a big thing for me.. -Qur'an everyday, even if a little. In any situation, Qur'an will pull you out. It's our true form of guidance in this world and the way in which Allah speaks to us individaully. When you read Qur'an really struggle with first, knowing what went on when the surah was revealed (for example al-Muzzammil, and al-Muddaththir. If you know the history, you really connect with the surah), and write a reflection on what you got out of the surah and your reactions. (this will help you to implement what you learned). Qur'an and will also give you hope and Nur in the midst of darkness insha'allah. -read at least one chapter of an islamic book, like most people mentioned. (Purification of the Soul: excellent book) -learn one new du'a every two days. Thos little adhkaar books help. (I say every two days because it helps to register what you learned, and also writing these du'as in a small notebook that you can look in from time to time help to really implement them.) -review one surah every two nights -* memorize (if you don't already know them) one of Allah's 99 names every night. (Al-Ghazali's book on the Ninety Nine Beautiful names of Allah is masha'allah an excellent book) In knowing these, you learn all that is good is with Allah (swt). For me, this was just to start off. As a procrastinator, I get overwhelmed with a lot easily.. ;) oh yes, reading article from the main page of jannah's page? dude, that is one way to totally get back on track. So like others have said, reviewing notes (i can't wait for the retreat!!), seeking company of others that will remind you of Allah, taking a walk, getting out..help a whole lot. I hope this helps! [wlm] |
| Re: EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| *sofia* |
| 01/29/02 at 23:40:33 |
| Assalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullah Whoa, masha'Allah, a lot of good stuff up in this thread. I’m kinda regretting not reading this thread earlier! [quote]Like a diamond it has many facets, depending on the angle and the light through which you view it.[/quote] Subhan’Allah, I was just thinking that about the Qur’aan. It’s amazing how one can read a verse, then literally 5 minutes later, read the same verse and get something new from it. Shaikh Munajjad’s article on “Curing Weak Faith” starts with: “…the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Faith wears out in the heart of any one of you just as clothes wear out, so ask Allaah to renew the faith in your hearts." (reported by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer and its isnaad is saheeh.) “ Kinda long, but please read the rest at: http://www.as-sahwah.com/Sahar/Weakness%20of%20Eemaan%20Cures%20Thursday%20March%202nd%202000.phtml Two things to aid us in renewing faith: * A du'aa from Surat al-Imran (3:8) to make our hearts firm: “Rabbanaa la tuzigh quloobanaa ba'ada idh hadaytanaa wa hablanaa min ladunka rahmatan innaka antal wahhaab" which means: "Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us mercy from You. Truly You are the Bestower." * One of the Rasul’s (saws) oft repeated adhkaar was: "Ya muqalib al-quloob, thabbit quloobuna ‘ala deenik" which means: "O Turner of the hearts, make our hearts firm on your religion". Not much else to add to this thread (may Allah reward all of you - wow), but just wanted to emphasize some already well thought out points: * In addition to reading the Qur’aan (preferably with tafseer notes), memorizing some ayaat and practicing it in our nafl prayers, we should also try to understand what we read, whether in the Qur’aan, our du’aa or adhkaar. As I’m sure most realize, knowing even some words in Qur’aanic Arabic puts a whole different dimension into it. Make a sincere effort to learn at least one new word from the Qur’aan a day or week. The Rasul (saws) told us to try to memorize Allah’s 99 names with meaning, to try to emulate (not that we ever could in His capacity) Allah’s Perfect Attributes. Carrying a pocket Qur’aan and a book of du’aa (like “Fortification of the Muslim”, they don’t call these pocket-size for nothing!) helps when you’re away from home and have time. Even while driving/walking/etc, you can get a lot of dhikr in after you’ve memorized some, so take advantage of your time. * As already mentioned, we have a lot more at our disposal every year, walhamdulillah, in terms of books, magazines, audio/video lectures, etc. Please take advantage of this, firstly, for your own benefit. Secondly, to support our brothers in sisters or anyone else who are making a sincere effort to provide the truth for us. Like any business, they need support in order to maintain and even increase their collections/influence, insha’Allah. Subscribe to Time or Vogue magazine? Forget that! Subscribe to Al-Talib or Al-Jumu’ah or Azizah or Islamic Horizons or WRMEA, etc. Listen to the radio while driving or doing housework? Forget that, listen to some recitations from the Qur’aan or nasheeds or lectures. Use Colgate toothpaste? Forget that, use Unique (ok, I know I'm pushing it, but it's halaal). * Regarding the tongue (or our fingers), boy. We have a lot to work on here (I don’t mean anyone personally, I point at myself first). The Rasul (saws) used to teach his followers the benefits of saying a kind word or spreading peace, but he also taught the repercussions of having an untamed tongue. Abu Bakr (rA) used to keep small stones in his mouth to keep him from speaking. Omar (rA) found him one day pulling on his tongue and said something like, “Woe to you, what are you doing?” He replied, “This has brought me to dangerous places.” If we only knew how our words and actions at times result in pain and misunderstanding amongst our brothers and sisters and those who we should be doing da’wah to, let alone the punishment we may get for it, we may rarely ever speak again! The Prophet (saws) taught us to speak good or keep silent. There are accounts of one of our pious predecessors who spoke s-o-o-o s-l-o-w-l-y (to the point of annoying those around him). Why? Because he was mentally trying to take inventory of every word he said so as not to say something that would count against him in this life or in the next, subhan’Allah. Controlling the tongue is a process, but from it emanates good, may Allah help us. At least in American culture (which I can speak for, no pun intended), it is sometimes seen as a sign of aptitude if you converse a lot (not just converse easily and effectively). Complete opposite in some Islamic cultures, where silence (intermittent with prudent words) conveys depth. [Funny how this is probably my longest post ever...] * Be with good company, be with good company, be with good company. If you're saying, "I don't have to worry, I'm not that influenced by my friends anyway", please go back to "Go". If you remember Allah (swt) more alone than with your current friends, you shouldn't spend too much quality time with them except to do da'wah. If you remember Allah more with them than without, than you have a lot to learn from them. * Don't watch television, if you can help it. Cut the "umbilical cord", hehe. * When asked for advice by a man who said he was having problems getting up for qiyaam, Hasan al-Basri answered: “Your sins are restricting you.” One lesson is making tahajjud prayers, but the bigger lesson is making taubah more often. As already mentioned, sometimes we have to get rid of bad habits/sins or evil in our hearts before we can fill our hearts with something better. Especially right after realization of doing a sin, ask Allah for forgiveness. For past sins or those you do not remember, make istaghfaar before going to bed every night. The Prophet (saws) used to ask for forgiveness at least 100x/day. Allah is not restricted in His Mercy or Forgiveness (or any other aspect), and He reminds us in the Qur'aan that He does not change our condition, until we try to change it ourselves. The Prophet said "The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is: 'Allahumma ‘anta Rabbi la ilaha illa ‘anta, Anta Khalaqtani wa ‘ana ‘abduka, wa ‘ana 'ala ahdika wa wa'dika mastata'tu, A'udhu bika min sharri ma sana'tu, abu'u laka bini'matika 'alaiya, wa abu’u laka bidhanbi fa-ghfirli innahu laa yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa ‘anta" which means “O Allah, You are my Lord, there is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant, and I try my best to keep my covenant (faith) with You and to live in the hope of Your promise. I seek refuge in You from evil done by me. I acknowledge Your favors upon me and I acknowledge my sins. So forgive me, for none forgives sins but You.” The Prophet added. "If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise." Bukhaari, narrated by Shaddad bin ‘Aus. Allahu'alim. |
| Re: EeMaN BoOsTErs!!!!! |
|---|
| deenb-4dunya |
| 02/02/02 at 21:20:37 |
| Jazak (i) Allahu Khayr Br/Sr Anonymous for the jems and jewels you supplied us with---> this post has really gone a long way... come on ppl...I know their are a whole lot more suggestions out there!!!! :??? |
Individual posts do not necessarily reflect the views of Jannah.org, Islam, or all Muslims. All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners. Comments are owned by the poster and may not be used without consent of the author.The rest © Jannah.Org |