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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Ya Allah! Grant us Istiqamah... |
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| Nafees |
| 02/19/04 at 18:16:06 |
| [slm] Hmmm...Let's see, how can I start this... Well do you ever get that feeling that you've hit a brick wall and can't seem to garner the energy, motivation, drive, etc to back up and try again? Well that's sort of what I've been feeling these past few months and unfortunately it's gotten to the point that praying has become a challenge. I'm not sure what has happened or when the light bulb blew out but it really really stinks down here. Subhanallah, for some reason I have always had trouble with being steadfast in a lot of things in my life and I can't seem to get myself out of that. And then I just beat myself up about it on the inside and everyone wonders why I'm so depressed. In retrospect I suppose I would qualify as a manic depressive in terms of my Din and relationship with Allah. I have experienced such evanescent highs, and elations the likes of which money could not even purchase, and then I just free-fall like a sorry boulder off a cliff. What can one do during these low periods and how does one prevent them? Does anyone have any personal advice on disciplining this nafs? Unfortunately we live a significant distance away from the masjid so going on a regular basis is quite difficult. Even if I could nothing goes on there besides you're usual chand raat and mina bazaar . I have thought about seeking out a teacher since email and internet have become common place now for correspondence but don't know the first thing about who and how to initiate such a process? If anyone has some advice or even relates to this sorry nafs please do share. [wlm]. |
| Re: Ya Allah! Grant us Istiqamah... |
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| timbuktu |
| 02/19/04 at 19:31:17 |
| [slm] From what I know, most of us go through highs and lows of eemaan. There is a Hadith to that effect, too. I mostly go through lows, though :( again from what I have read, irrespective of how high or low one feels, one should continue to offer prayers, and feel thankful that Allah has provided this opportunity. Think of these lows also as a test. We are not required to always be in high eemaan. The obligations of being a muslim are to be met. If we do it out of love, that is good. If not, it will still be accepted, insha`Allah. Don't make the mistake of thinking that since your heart is not in 3ibadah, there is no use in offering it. In fact, maybe Allah (swt) rewards us more for still meeting our obligations although our hearts are not in it. It is a struggle against one's nafs, isn't it. Then, do try to get up in the last third of night. If not possible, a little before fajr. do at least one sajda. recall your sins and shortcomings, recall Allah's blessings, and try to feel sorry for yourself. think that this could well be the last moment of your life, and you will be evaluated on what you have done so far, and particularly of times when you have failed to be a good 3abd. Think of anything that will make you cry. and then cry, silently, with tears only. in prayers, reflect the meanings of what you are saying or doing. again reflect that this could well be your last salat, and so you must do it extra well. May Allah (swt) give us the highest eemaan possible. aameen |
| 02/19/04 at 19:46:44 |
| timbuktu |
| Re: Ya Allah! Grant us Istiqamah... |
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| onemuslimgirl |
| 02/19/04 at 19:34:34 |
| asalaam alakum, the first step in helping yourself recover is admitting that you have a problem. So congrats, you have taken the first step. Now the next thing is to sit down with yourself and ask yourself where do I want to go? What is my goal? Yes, everyone's goal is Jannah inshAllah, but what are the things you need to do in order to achieve it inshAllah? 1. Prayer: I want to be able to pray five times a day on time. ok, obviously this is not something you can achieve in one day, so lets break it down. * week 1: I will pray 5 out of my 5 prayers * week 2: I will pray 5 out of my 5 prayers * week 3: I will pray 1 out of my 5 prayers on time * week 4: I will pray 2 out of my 5 prayers on time * week 5: I will pray 3 out of my 5 prayers on time * week 6: I will pray 4 out of my 5 prayers on time * week 7: I will pray 5 out of my 5 prayers on time see, inshAllah in less than 2 months you will have achieved your goal. now make a chart and everyday you achieved your goal, give yourself a check or put a sticker or something to show you did it! Then reward yourself at the end of the week. inshAllah you will get rewarded by Allah for praying, but also reward yourself materialistically. See what you like, ie; a new outfit, a meal out, etc. Than after those 7 weeks, start a new goal : ie, reading Quran. Start with just 5 minutes a day, an work up to whatever time you desire. If you like, we can do this as a Madina group project. I have done this on other boards with other goals, but maybe we can do something like that here. Hope this helps inshAllah. And please feel free to post here as everyone mashAllah is very helpful. |
| 02/19/04 at 19:37:47 |
| onemuslimgirl |
| Re: Ya Allah! Grant us Istiqamah... |
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| onemuslimgirl |
| 02/19/04 at 19:39:49 |
| one more thing inshAllah. instead of feeling depressed that your masjid does not offer anything, go out there and plan stuff!!!! If you need help, just mail me and I know some people who thrive on planning activites and would like to help inshAllah. |
| Re: Ya Allah! Grant us Istiqamah... |
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| jannah |
| 02/20/04 at 03:48:44 |
| slm, sr nafees (my cousin's name:)) just wanted to suggest some things for motivation. the best thing i think, is to be around other muslims and to be in a muslim environment on a regular basis.. like weekly MSA meetings, halaqas that kind of thing. It really helps keep your iman and knowledge up and keep you motivated to do things. i notice when i'm not around muslims for awhile i really become negative. as our imam says... we all need "a regular diet of ilm". so it's important to get that through a teacher, a class, books... or an excellent new genre that is very recent: CDs and tapes.. tapes are perfect because you can play them in your car, your dorm room.. when ur walking somewhere... and there are alot of interesting great sets out there... these are the one's I'd recommend: 1. Lives of the Prophets series - Anwar al Awlaki 2. Life of the prophet Muhammad - Hamza Yusuf 3. Mothers of the Believers - Suhaib Webb 4. Purification of the Soul - Hamza Yusuf 5. Gender Equity - Abdullah Adhami there's alot more but these are great to start with... |
| 02/20/04 at 03:55:26 |
| jannah |
| Re: Ya Allah! Grant us Istiqamah... |
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| al-ajnabia |
| 02/20/04 at 12:48:11 |
| [slm] If you are basically alone (far from masjid, not much going on there anyway), The crying idea of Timbuktu's is good. I have to cry till I choke on my snot about once a week or so, sometimes more or less often. The only draw back is really red eyes and wandering around in public looking deranged, so if you can learn to pick days when you dont have to go out right away that is best. If you arent connecting with the words of the duas you very well can make up your own and this is a good thing to do while crying. If you live near a good library go perusing. Go find answers to your own questions. I'm at a loss for words today but the these are the basic points I thought might help, Salaam, |
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