Week 1 - SEEK out benefit


On the authority of Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah, sal
Allahu alayhi wa salla, said: "Seek out that which benefits you,
seek help only from Allah and never say you can't do it.

"If any adversity comes to you, do not say: 'If I had
only acted in such-and-such a way, it would have been
such-and-such;' but instead, say: 'Allah has decreed (it)
and what He willed, He has done,' for verily, (the word) (if)
opens the way for the work of Satan." - Saheeh Muslim

[Lessons from this hadith] If there is something that will
benefit you, make every effort and go after it! Seek it out.
There is no failure, only lessons.







week 2: We all need LOVE



Allah's Messenger, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said:
"If Allah loves someone He calls (angel) Jibreel and says: I
love so-and-so, so you love him. Jibreel loves him, and calls
the other angels in Heaven to love that person. They love him,
then his love will be made upon earth, and he becomes loved.

"And if Allah hates someone He calls Gabriel and says: I hate
so-and-so and you hate him. Jibreel hates him and calls the
angels in Heaven and says: Allah hates so-and-so, so you all
hate him. They all hate him, and his hatred is made upon earth
and he becomes hated." - Muslim

[Lessons from this hadith] People do things for the sake of
seeking out love from other humans. All the love you need is
found in obeying Allah. Do actions sincerely to win Allah's
love, and love will be yours!





week 3: be OUTSTANDING


The Messenger of Allah, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said,
"Allah has commanded that everything (one does) they should do
it with excellence (ihsan). When you sacrifice, sacrifice well.
Sharpen your knife and make it easy for the animal to be
slaughtered." - Muslim

[Lessons from this hadith] Don't just aim to be 'good', be
outstanding! This is what is required of a Muslim, in everything
they do!

week 4: Placing your TRUST in Allah

One day Allah's Messenger, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, noticed a
Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it. He asked the
Bedouin, "Why don't you tie down your camel?"
The Bedouin answered, "I placed my trust in Allah."
At that, the Prophet, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said, "Tie
your camel and place your trust in Allah" - Tirmidhi

[Lessons from this hadith] Placing trust in Allah means doing
everything that is necessary for success! <--that's a big one!


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week 5: the bountiful doors of asking FORGIVENESS

Qur'an, from the story of Nuh with his people:
"Next I appealed to them publicly; then I broadcast it to them
and confided with them privately, proclaiming: 'Seek forgiveness
from your Lord; He is so Forgiving. He causes the sky to send
torrents down upon you and He supplies you with wealth and
children, and grants you gardens and even grants you rivers."

- Surah Nuh 78: 9-12

[Lessons from these verses] Whatever you are seeking in life,
knock on the doors of forgiveness and they will both open.



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week 6: The way out

From the Qur'an

{Allah will grant a way out for anyone who heeds Him, and
provide for him in a manner he could have never anticipated.
Allah is enough for anyone who relies on Him; Allah will
accomplish His purpose. Allah has granted everything in due
proportion.}

~ Surat Talaq 65/2-3

[Lessons from these verses] Do the right thing, do what you know
is pleasing to Allah, and success will be yours

week 7: Focus on what is in YOUR control.

From the Qur'an
{That is a nation which has already passed away: there awaits it
whatever it has earned, while you will have what you have
earned. You will not be questioned about what they have been doing.}
~ Surat Al-Baqarah 2/141

[Lessons from this verse] We spend and waste oh-so-much time on
the faults of others, yet on the enormous day we will not be
asked about them. We will be asked about how we spent OUR
lives. Focus on what is in YOUR control today.






week 8: You don't know PAIN

From the Qur'an
{It may be that you detest something which is good for you; and
it may be you love something even though it is bad for you.
Allah knows, and you do not know.}
~ Surat AlBaqarah 2/216

[Lessons from this verse] Pain doesn't feel good when it
happens, but Allah knows that it may be the best thing for us at
that moment. And sometimes we may be praying so hard for stuff,
and Allah knows how bad it is for us. Allah knows and we do not.
Trust in Allah.









week 9: TRUST in the promise of Allah

From the Qur'an
{So she watched out for him from a distance while they did not
notice. We kept him from nursing at first, and so (his
sister) said: "Shall I lead you to a family who will look after
him for you? They will take good care of him."

Thus We returned him to his mother so that he might comfort her
and she would not feel sad, and so that she would know that
Allah's promise is true, even though most of them do not realize
it.}
~ Surat AlQasas 28/12-13

[Lessons from these verses] Allah promised to protect and return
baby Musa, alayhis salam, ... and He fulfilled His promise.
When Allah promises us something, it will happen. What has Allah
promised you, and is there any doubt in your Creator
fulfilling it?

week 10: Call on Allah in the GOOD times

From the Qur'an:
39:8 When some trouble touches man, he cries to his Lord,
turning to Him in repentance: but when He bestows a favour
upon him as from Himself, (man) forgets what he cried and
prayed for before, and sets up partners to Allah, thus
misleading others from Allah's Path. Say, "Enjoy your blasphemy
for a little while: verily you are (one) of the Companions of
the Fire!" 39:8

[Lessons from this verse] We normally reserve turning in
repentance to when troubled times come upon us. No, we are
equally commanded to turn in repentance when the mercy of
Allah is showered upon us, because that is the time so many
people attribute that mercy to other then Allah.




week 11: Just FORGIVE people

From the Qur'an
{It is part of the Mercy of Allah that you deal gently
with them. Were you severe or harsh-hearted, they would have
went away from you: so pass over (their faults), and
ask for (Allah's) forgiveness for them; and consult them in the
affairs (of the moment). Then, when you have taken a decision, place
your trust in Allah. For Allah loves those who place their trust
(in Him).} 3:159

[Lessons from this verse] It is not the snake bite that kills,
it's the venom that flows through the blood. The antidote is
forgiving people. Don't let anger rent space in your mind and
heart. Forgive and pass over people's faults.

week 12: Bake a HUMBLE pie


From the Qur'an



{And give glad tidings to the humble. Those whose hearts, when
Allah is mentioned, are filled with fear, who show patient
perseverance over their afflictions, keep up regular prayer, and
spend (in charity) out of what We have bestowed upon them.} 22:35



[Lessons from this verse] There are four ingredients to humility
for the sake of Allah.


1. A heart conscious of Allah;

2. Having patience during afflictions;

3. Regular in Salah; and

4. Giving charity.



Are you missing an ingredient? Go add it today!






week 13: I'm SAD, what can I SAY?


Hadith


Asmaa' bint Omays, radi Allahu 'anha, said: Allah's Messenger,
sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, told me, "Shall I not teach you
words to say whenever you are aflicted with something? Say:
'Allahu Rabbi (Allah is my Lord), Laa Shareeka lah (He has no
partner).'" - Abu Dawood



[Lessons from this hadith] The entire universe is the creation
of Allah. When you find yourself aflicted by something, follow
this advice of what to say and notice what happens. Allahu
rabbi, laa shareeka lah!

week 14: It's all under CONTROL

Qur'an:

Say: "Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed
for us: He is our protector": and in Allah must Believers place
their trust.

Surat At-Tawbah 9:51


[Lessons from this Verse] Whatever tests you are going through
today, Allah knows it. He is your protector. Turn to Allah in
submission and worship, placing your trust in Him, and watch
what happens!





week 15: Life is never ALL ups


Qur'an:

2:153 O ye who believe! seek help with patient perseverance and
prayer; for Allah is with those who patiently persevere.
Surat Al-Baqarah 2:153


[Lessons from this Verse] Life has both ups and downs. If you
are in a down turn, Allah gives you two tools by which you can
stay strong: being patient and focusing on your Salah. The
reward: Allah will be with you!

week 16: Gotta Luv'em


Hadith:

Narrated Al-Bara: I heard the Prophet - Sal Allahu alayhi wa
sallam - saying, "None loves the Ansar but a believer, and none
hates them but a hypocrite. So Allah will love him who loves
them, and He will hate him who hates them." - Saheeh AlBukhari


[Lessons from this Hadith] Make a special effort today to read
stories of the Ansar. Read about their sacrifice for the Deen.
And in this journey, you will win the love of Allah for
yourself!


* The Ansaar are the companions of the Messenger of Allah - Muhammad
(peace be upon him) who originally lived in Medinah/Yathrib and accepted
islaam.





week 17: What have you FORGOTTEN?



Qur'an]

Verily, with every difficulty, there is ease. Truly, with every
difficulty there is ease.
Surah Nashr 94, 5-6


[Lessons from this Verse]
Hand in hand with every difficulty comes two types of ease! Are
you finding difficulty today? What blessings have you forgotten
to focus on?

week 18: The solution is in your HANDS

[Qur'an]

And When My servants ask you about Me, I am indeed close: I
listen to the prayer of every praying person when he calls on
Me: So let them also, listen to My call, and believe in Me, so
that they may walk straight.
Surat AlBaqarah 2:186

[Lessons from this Verse]
Allah promises to listen to us when we raise our hands in
supplication. Too often when we are down or just can't get
things done, we suffer in silence, and forget to turn to Allah
in supplication. Not today!








week 19: You smell OUTSTANDING

[Hadith]

Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari, radi Allahu 'anhu, reported that the
Prophet, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said,
"The example of a good companion and a bad one is the bearer of
musk and the worker on the fires. A bearer of musk would give
you some, you might buy some from him, or you might enjoy the
fragrance of his musk. The worker on the fires, on the other
hand, might spoil your clothes with sparks from his bellows, or
you get a bad smell from him." Bukhari and Muslim

[Lessons from this Hadith]

Who are the top 5 people you hang out with? List them. Now look
at their qualities and you'll notice that you are a product of
the sum of them. Do they have the outstanding qualities that you
seek? If not, then it's time to find some bearers of musk that
you can truly smell great from.








week 20: What's for LUNCH?


[Hadith]

Narrated 'Aisha: The family of Muhammad never ate their
fill of wheat bread for three successive days from the time they
migrated to Medina until the death of the Prophet, Sal Allahu
alayhi wa sallam.
~ Saheeh Al-Bukhari

[Lessons from this hadith]

How many times today are we going to fill our stomachs, even
though Rasul Allah, sal Allahu wa sallam, Allah's beloved, did
not fill his for three successive days during this time. Before
we jump at the smallest annoyance and make a mountain out of it,
let us have some shame and remember the true example of our
Prophet's gratitude. Sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

week 21: I have SO MUCH alhamdulillah

[Hadith]
Abu Hurayrah, radi Allahu 'anhu, narrated: the Prophet, sal
Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said, "Being rich does not mean having a
great amount of property. Being wealthly is being content."
- Saheeh Al-Bukhari -

[Lessons from this Hadith]

A fool and his riches soon depart, but we don't call them a fool
until they don't have any money left. Don't get caught in the
trap. Look all around you at what Allah has given you, and from
the bottom of your heart, be pleased and say ALHAMDULILLAH!
There you will find the real treasure!






week 22: my no.1 GOAL IS ...


[Qur'an]

To any that desires the soil of the Hereafter, We will increase
in his soil, and to any that desires the soil of this world, We
grant somewhat thereof, but he has no share or lot in the
Hereafter.
Surat Ash-Shura 42:20

[Lessons from this Verse]

When you ask people what their number one goal in life is,
rarely do you hear the person immediately respond by saying
"Pleasing Allah, Jannat Al-Firdows - the highest level of
Jannah, and being with Rasul Allah, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam,
in the hereafter." But ... isn't that the correct answer? Let's
make it a reality with how we live our lives!





week 23: Don't INSIST on HELLFIRE


[Hadith]

Abu Hurayrah, radi Allahu 'anhu, narrates: I heard Allah's
Messenger saying, "My example and the example of the people is
that of a man who made a fire, and when it lighted what was
around it, moths and other insects started diving into the
fire.

The man tried to prevent them, (from diving in to the fire) but
they overpowered him and rushed into the fire. The Prophet
added: Now, similarly, I take hold of the knots at your (belts)
to prevent you from falling into the Fire, but you insist on
falling into it."

[Lessons from this Hadith]

There are so many things in the Qur'an and Sunnah to protect us
from falling into sin. Let's stop making excuses and just do
it: turn back to Allah and desist from the Haram in our lives now.
No excuses, only results.

week 24: Thank YOU


[Hadith]
Rasul Allah, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said, "Whosoever does
not thank people, has not thanked Allah."

[Lessons from this Hadith]

As you struggle through life to move up, it is not people who
are higher up then you that shall pull you up. Rather, you will
be 'pushed' up by your colleagues. Be genuine and thankful of
everything they do for you. Email someone right now and say
'thanks' and be specific about what you are thanking them for.





week 25: Help and RECEIVE help


[Hadith]

Allah's Messenger, sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said, "Allah is
at the assistance of a person so long as that person is at the
assistance of their brother."

[Lessons from this Hadith]

Do you know someone who is moving this weekend? All the
furniture, tables, suitcases. How much assistance do they need
at a time like this? How would you like it if Allah was at your
assistance right now? We would all love it. So let's find
success by assisting others.