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Madinat al-Muslimeen Islamic Message Board
| Loving oneself ..... |
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| timbuktu |
| 10/11/04 at 12:02:48 |
| [slm] sis UmmWafi's post to sis azizah about Trust has several gems in it, that need a lot of thought. Here I have questions about one point in that post. I have wondered about this "loving oneself bit". Someone was shocked when I told her a year ago that I don't feel love for myself. On the contrary, I used to feel a little upset by some shortcomings, and now I just think I am passive about them. She told me whoever doesn't love oneself cannot love Allah (swt). Since that love is the most desireable, I promised her I will try to love myself. But the truth is, I haven't succeeded. I didn't understand it then, and I don't understand it now. UmmWafi also says that we must love ourselves. But why? how? What is there to love: hands, feet, face, brains, feelings, soul, ....? how does one get to one's soul? what is there to look at? Is it something deep lesser mortals like me aren't equipped to understand? please, will sis UmmWafi and others explain. |
| Re: Loving oneself ..... |
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| lala |
| 10/12/04 at 23:35:24 |
| [slm] Well its obviously not that clear to get to ones' soul. The saying, 'to thine own self be true'..has a lot in it. To love onesself you must try and get to know yourself. And by knowing yourself, you are being honest with yourself about your shortcomings, bad qualities, good qualities...etc. But I think we all need to love who we innately are. If you try and look into your soul--look into a mirror and peer into your own eyes...try to feel who you are to yourself...sit in silence without light in a room and just think feel....listen. Love what Allah subhana watala has created ..love yourself . And I'm not talking about conceit but rather just have that little respect for who you are. When we truly love someone we hope for the best for them...and work hard to provide all that is good for them. Same should be for ourselves. To work hard for the pleasure of Allah subhana wa tala. If we truly care for our souls and bodies we will treat each of those things with our best care.. we'll pray more,read more Quran, eat better food, exercise, shower :) .... What's the ultimate goal? get that straight ...all the signs are pointing us in that direction! wasalaam... |
| 10/12/04 at 23:36:03 |
| lala |
| Re: Loving oneself ..... |
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| Caraj |
| 10/13/04 at 00:32:27 |
| Here is what I have found, my life is at times full of negativity. It is very hard to love oneself when one is surrounded by negativity. I like what I say, how I feel, what I believe in, where I live, what I do for work. My family is always on my case about something cause I am not living as they see normal. It is hard to love myself when others seem to put me down. But I try to remember who created me :-) Who gave me my ideas, my brain, my heart and my tallents. This is what helps me to love myself. I mean Bro Timbuktu look who made you Bro, look who gave you your life, your soul, your heart and your brain. I mean do you think the Almighty makes junk??? I don't think so ;) Oh and one can be upset by their shortcomings, but use the upset just briefly to acess what you wish to change in your life (short comings) to please and honor Allah (not others) If we are to love for Allahs Sake, should we not include ourselves in this? Can't we serve him better if we are feeling good about ourselves in out hearts and minds??? |
| 10/13/04 at 01:37:31 |
| Caraj |
| Re: Loving oneself ..... |
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| Asia |
| 10/13/04 at 05:22:06 |
| Mashaallah, A lot of the topics are SO benefitting and really spur one into thinking. If you have ever wanted to study psychology it'll tell you that the first step one needs to take in order to be able to help another person is to accept them as they are. That is exactly what one does when they love someone. Same concept lies with yourself. I learnt to love myself a few years back. By that I do not mean pamper myself etc >.> no, not at all. I learnt to look at myself as a team ( of body and spirit). I can only be bothered to be the best I am and push myself to my limits if I cared about me. If you love yourse;f you'll love to do well, both in life matters and that of the Akhira. And like the sisers above me have mentioned, it's knowing eXACtly who you are .. your faults, positive aspects, negatives, things you need to brush up on etc etc. In a way that NO one can tell you something that you do not already know. |
| Re: Loving oneself ..... |
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| timbuktu |
| 10/14/04 at 10:13:24 |
| [slm] Thanks for the responses, here as well as in the messages. I think I am beginning to get the idea now, and where I have gone wrong :) Maybe it isn’t too late. Thanks again, there is much here to ponder over. |
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