Don't Be Sad

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How much in need we are of a smile, a friendly face, easy-going manners, and a gentle, generous soul. The Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam said:

“Verily, Allah has revealed to me that you should be humble, so that none of you should transgress upon another, and none of you should be arrogant and proud to another.”

Smile - Pause to reflect

Do not be sad: when you experienced sadness yesterday, you were neither benefited nor consoled. Your son failed, and you became depressed, yet did this depression change the fact that he failed? Your father passed away, and you became downhearted, yet did this bring him back to life? You lost your business, and you became saddened. Did this change your situation by transforming losses into profits?

Do not be sad: You became despondent due to a calamity, and by doing so, created additional calamities. You became depressed because of poverty and this only increased the bitterness of your situation. You became gloomy because of what your enemies said to you, and by doing so, you unwittingly helped them in their attack upon you. You became sullen because you expected a particular misfortune, and yet it never came to pass.

Do not be sad: Truly a large mansion will not protect you from the effects of depression; and neither will a beautiful wife, abundant wealth, a high position, or brilliant children.

Do not be sad: Sadness causes you to imagine poison when you are really looking at pure water, to see a cactus when you are looking at a rose, to see a barren desert when you are looking at a lush garden, and to feel that you are in an unbearable prison when you are living on a vast and expansive earth.

Do not be sad: You have two eyes, two ears, lips, two hands, two legs, a tongue, a heart, peace, safety and a healthy body.

“Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both [jinn and men] deny?” Surah Ar-Rahman – Ayah 13.

Do not he sad: You have the true Religion to live by, a house to live in, bread to eat, water to drink, clothes to wear, a wife to find comfort in; why then the melancholy?​
 
The Blessings Of Pain



Pain is not always a negative force and it is not something that you should always hate. At times a person benefits when he feels pain.

You might remember, that at times when you felt a lot of pain, you sincerely supplicated and remembered Allah. When he is studying, the student often feels the pangs of heavy burden, sometimes perhaps the burden of monotony, yet he eventually leaves this stage of life as a scholar. He felt burdened with pain at the beginning but he shined at the end. The aches and pangs of passion, the poverty and the scorn of others, the frustration and anger at injustices - these all cause the poet to write flowing and captivating verses. This is because he himself feels pain in his heart, his nerves, and in his blood, and as a result, he is able to infuse the same emotions into the hearts of others. How many painful experiences does the writer undergo, experiences that inspire brilliant works, works that posterity continues to enjoy and learn from.

The student who lives the life of comfort and repose and who is not stung by hardships, or who has never been befallen by calamity will be an unproductive, lazy, and lethargic person.

Indeed, the poet who knows no pain and who has never tasted bitter disappointment will invariably produce heaps upon heaps of cheap words - absolute humdrum. This is because his words pour forth from his tongue and not from his feelings or emotion, and though he may comprehend what he has written, his heart and body have not lived the experience.

More worthy and relevant to the aforementioned examples are the lives of the early believers, who lived during the period of revelation and who took part in the most important religious revolution that mankind has seen. Indeed, they had greater faith, nobler hearts, more truthful tongues, and deeper knowledge: they had all of these because they lived through the pain and suffering that are necessarily concomitant to great revolutions. They felt the pains of hunger, of poverty, of rejection, of abuse, of banishment from home and country; of abandonment of all pleasures, of the pains of wounds and of death and torture. They were in truth chosen ones, the elite of mankind. They were models of purity, nobleness, and sacrifice.

“That is because they suffer neither thirst nor fatigue, nor hunger in the Cause of Allah, nor they take any step to raise the anger of disbelievers nor inflict any injury upon an enemy, but is written to their credit as a deed of righteousness. Surely, Allah wastes not the reward of the doers of good.” Surah At-Taubah – Ayah 120.

In the history of the world there are those that have produced their greatest works because of the pain or the suffering they experienced. Al-Mutanabi, when afflicted with a severe fever, wrote some of his best poetry. An-Naabighah was threatened with death by An-Nu’maan ibn Mundhir, contributed the classic poem with the opening couplet:

“Verily, you are the sun, while other kings are the stars: when the sun rises, no star in the sky is visible.”

There are many such examples who prospered and became legends because of the sufferings they experienced. Therefore, do not become excessively anxious when you think of pain, and do not fear suffering. It might well be that through pain and suffering you become stronger. And furthermore, for you to live with a burning and passionate heart that has been stung is purer and nobler than to live the dispassionate existence of a cold heart and a short-sighted outlook.

“But Allah was averse to their being sent forth, so He made them lag behind, and it was said (to them), ‘Sit you among those who sit (at home).’” Surah At-Taubah – Ayah 46.

The words of a passionate sermon can reach the innermost depths of the heart and penetrate the deepest regions of the soul, usually because the one who gives such sermons has himself experienced pain and suffering.

“He knew what was in their hearts, and He sent down As-Sakeenah (calmness and tranquillity) upon them, and He rewarded them with a near victory.” Surah Al-Fath – Ayah 18.

I have read many books of poetry, yet most are passionless, without life or soul. This is because their authors never endured hardship, and because they were composed among surroundings of comfort. Thus the works of such authors were cold, like blocks of ice.

I have read books filled with sermons that do not shake a hair on the body of the listener and that lack an atom’s weight of impact. The orator is not speaking with feeling and sentiment, or in other words, pain and suffering.

“They say with their mouths, that which is not in their hearts.” Surah Al-Imran – Ayah 167.

If you wish to affect and influence others, whether it be with your speech or with your poetry, or even with your actions, you must first feel the passion inside of you. You must be moved yourself by the meanings of what you are trying to convey. Then, you will come to realize that you have an influence upon others.

“But when We send down water (rain) on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells and puts forth every lovely kind (of growth).” Surah Al-Hajj – Ayah 5. ​
 
The Blessing Of Knowledge



“And Allah taught you that which you knew not. And Ever-Great is the Grace of Allah unto you [O’ Muhammad].” Surah An-Nisa – Ayah 113.

Ignorance kills one’s conscience and soul.

“I admonish you, lest you be one of the ignorant.” Surah Hud – Ayah 46.

Knowledge is a light that leads to wisdom. It is life for the soul and fuel for the character.

“Is he who was dead [without Faith by ignorance and disbelief] and We gave him life [by knowledge and Faith] and set for him a light [of Belief] whereby he can walk amongst men, like him who is in the darkness [of disbelief, polytheism and hypocrisy] from which he can never come out?” Surah An’am – Ayah 122.

Happiness and high-spiritedness come with enlightenment, because through knowledge, one may fulfil his goals and discover what was previously hidden from him. The soul, by its very nature, longs for the acquisition of new knowledge to stimulate the mind.

Ignorance is boredom and grief, because the ignorant person leads a life that never offers something new, something that is mind-provoking. Yesterday is like today which, in turn, is like tomorrow. If you desire happiness, then seek out knowledge and enlightenment, and you will find that anxiety, depression, and grief will leave you.

“And say: My Lord! Increase me in knowledge” Surah Ta-Ha – Ayah 114.

“Read In the Name of your Lord, Who has created [all that exists].” Surah Al-Alaq – Ayah 1.

The Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam said:

“Whoever Allah wishes for him good, He gives his an understanding of the Religion.”

Therefore if someone is ignorant and has no knowledge, let them not be proud of either their wealth or their status in society: their life is lacking in meaning, their achievements are woefully incomplete.

“Shall he then who knows that what has been revealed unto you [O Muhammad] from your Lord is the truth be like him who is blind?” Surah Ar’rad - Ayah19.

Az-Zamakhshari, the well-known commentator of the Qur’an, said in the couplet form:

“The sleepless nights I spend in learning the sciences, is more beloved to me than the company or caresses of the enchanting woman. My rapturous exhilaration when understanding a difficult concept, is more delicious to me than the most exotic drink. More delightful to me than the sound of a woman’s hand on the drum, are my hands on my papers in order to remove dust. O’ who tries to attain my level by wishful thinking, how much difference there is between the one who finds the pain of climbing to be too much and between the one who climbs and reaches the summit. Do I toil through the night, while you sleep through it, yet you hope to surpass me?”

How noble is enlightenment! And through it, how happy the soul!

“Is he who is on a clear proof from his Lord, like those for whom their evil deeds that they do are beautified for them, while they follow their own lusts [evil desires].” Surah Muhammad – Ayah 14. ​
 
The Art Of Happiness



Among the greatest of blessings is to have a calm, stable, and happy heart. For in happiness the mind is clear, enabling one to be a productive person. It has been said that happiness is an art that needs to be learnt. And if you learn it, you will be blessed in this life. But how does one learn it? A basic principle of achieving happiness is having an ability to endure and to cope with any situation. Therefore you should neither be swayed nor governed by difficult circumstances, nor should you be annoyed by insignificant trifles. Based on the purity of the heart and its ability to endure, a person will shine. When you train yourself to be patient and forbearing, then hardship and calamity will be easy for you to bear.

The opposite of being content is being short-sighted, being concerned for no one but one’s own self and forgetting about the world and all that is in it. Allah described his enemies as follows:

“Thinking about themselves [as how to save their own selves, ignoring the others and the Prophet]...” Surah Al-Imran – Ayah 154.

It is as if such people see themselves as being the whole universe, or at least at the centre of it. They think not of others, nor do they live for anyone but themselves. It is incumbent upon you and I to take time out to be preoccupied with more than just ourselves, and to sometimes distance ourselves from our own problems in order to forget our wounds and hurts. By doing this we gain two things: we make ourselves happy, and we bring joy to others.

Basic to the art of happiness is to bridle our thoughts and to restrain them, not allowing them to wander, stray, escape, or go wild. For if you were to leave your thoughts to wander as they wish, then they will run wild and control you. They will open the catalogue of your past woes. They will remind you of the history of your misfortunes, beginning from the day that your mother gave you birth. If your thoughts are left to roam, then they will bring to you images of past difficulties and images of a future that is frightening. These thoughts will shake your very being and will cause your feelings to flare. Therefore bridle them, and restrain them by directing them to the concentrated application of the kind of serious thought that begets fruitful and beneficial work.

“And put your trust in the Ever-Living One Who dies not.” Surah Al-Furqan – Ayah 58.

Also among the principles of the art of happiness is to value life on this earth according to its true merit and worth. This life is frivolous and does not warrant anything from you except that you turn away from it. This life is filled with calamities, aches, and wounds. If that is the description of this life, then how can one be unduly affected by its minor calamities, and how can one grieve over such material things as have passed by? The best moments of life are tainted, its future promises are mere mirages, the successful ones in it are envied, the one who is blessed is constantly threatened, and lovers are struck down by some unexpected misfortune.

There is a hadith:

“Verily, knowledge is only acquired by the practice of learning, and tolerance is acquired by the practice of tolerating.”

If one were to reflect and attempt to apply the meaning of this hadith to the topic under discussion, then he could go one step further and say that happiness is acquired by assuming it. It is acquired by constantly smiling, by hunting for the reasons that make one happy, and even by forcing it onto one’s self; however awkward that may seem. One does all of these things until happiness becomes second nature.

The truth of the matter is that you cannot remove from yourself all remnants of grief. And the reason for this is that life is created as a test:

“Verily, We have created man in toil.” Surah Al-Balad – Ayah 4.

“That He might try you, which of you is the best in deeds.” Surah Hud – Ayah 7.

But the message that I wish to convey to you is that you should, as much as possible, reduce the amount and intensity of your grief. As for being completely free from grief; this is for the inhabitants of Paradise in the Hereafter. This is why the dwellers of Paradise shall say:

“All the praises and thanks be to Allah, Who has removed from us [all] grief.” Surah Fatir – Ayah 34.

This is considered to be a proof that grief was not removed from them except in Paradise.

So when a person knows the nature of this world and its qualities, he will find it to be dry, deceitful, and unworthy; he will come to understand that this is its nature and its description. One of Arab poets said:

“You have taken an oath not to betray us in our pacts, and it is as if you have vowed that in the end, you shall deceive us.”

If the description of this world is as I have described it, then it is worthy of the intelligent person not to help it in its onslaught, not to surrender to depression and anxiety. What we should do is fight and defend ourselves from all feelings that may spoil our lives, a war that we must wage with all the strength that we have been endowed with.

“And make ready against them all you can of power; including steeds of war to threaten the enemy of Allah and your enemy...” Surah Al-Anfal – Ayah 60.

“But they never lost heart for that which did befall them in Allah’s Way, nor did they weaken nor degrade themselves.” Surah Al-Imran – Ayah 146.

A pause to reflect: Do not be sad. If you are poor, then someone else is immersed in debt. If you do not own your own means of transportation, then someone else has been deprived of his legs. If you have reason to complain concerning the pains of sickness, then someone else has been bedridden for years. And if you have lost a child, then someone else has lost many children, for instance, in a single car accident.

Do not be sad. You are a Muslim who believes in Allah, His Messengers, His angels, the Hereafter, and in Preordainment - the good and the bad of it. While you are blessed with this faith, which is the greatest of blessings, others disbelieve in Allah, discredit the Messengers, differ among themselves concerning the Book, deny the Hereafter, and deviate in their understanding of Preordainment and Predestination.

Do not be sad, because if you are, you disturb your soul and heart, and you prevent yourself from sleeping.

One of the Arab poets said:

“How often is the young man overcome with despair when afflicted, and with Allah is the way out. The situation becomes unbearable, and when its rope tightens, it snaps, and throughout, he never thought that he would be saved,”
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Controlling One's Emotions



Emotions and sentiments flare up for two reasons: (1) joy and (2) affliction. In a hadith, the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam said:

“Verily, I have been prohibited from emitting two foolish and wicked sounds, one that is emitted when something favourable happens, and the other that is expressed when calamity strikes”

“In order that you may not he sad over matters that you fail to get, nor rejoice because of that which has been given to you.” Surah An-Hadid – Ayah 23.

For this reason, the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam said:

“Verily, true patience is that which is displayed during the initial shock.”

Therefore, when one contains his emotions upon both the joyful and the calamitous occasion, he is likely to achieve peace and tranquillity, happiness and comfort, and the taste of victory over his own self. Allah described man as being exultant and boastful, irritable, discontented when evil touches him, and niggardly when good touches him. The exceptions, Allah informs us, are those who remain constant in prayer. For they are on a middle path in times of both joy and sorrow. They are thankful during times of ease and are patient during times of hardship.

Unbridled emotions can greatly wear a person out, causing pain and loss of sleep. When such a person becomes angry, he flares up, threatens others, loses all self-control, and surpasses the boundaries of justice and balance. Meanwhile, if he becomes happy, he is in a state of rapture and wildness. In his intoxication of joy, he forgets himself and surpasses the bounds of modesty. When he renounces and relinquishes the company of others, he disparages them, forgetting their virtues while stamping out their good qualities. On the other hand, if he loves others, he spares no pains in according them all forms of veneration and honour, portraying them as the pinnacles of perfection. The Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam said:

“Love the one who is beloved to you in due moderation, for perhaps the day will come when you will abhor him. And hate the one whom you detest in due moderation, for perhaps the day will arrive when you will come to love him.”

And in another hadith, the Prophet Muhammad Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam said:

“And I ask you (O’ Allah) to make me just, both while being in a state of anger and while being in a state of joy.”

So when a person curbs his emotions, when he controls his mind, and when to each matter he gives according to the weight of its importance, he will have taken a step toward wisdom and true understanding.

“Indeed We have sent Our Messengers with clear proofs, and revealed with them the Scripture and the Balance [justice] that mankind may keep up justice.” Surah Al-Hadid – Ayah 25.

Indeed, Islam came as much with balance in morals, manners, and dealings as it did with its straightforward, holy, and a truthful way of life.

“Thus We have made you a just [the best] nation.” Surah Al-Baqarah – Ayah 143.

Being just is an end that is called for in both our manners and in matters of jurisprudence. In fact, Islam is founded on truth and justice - truthfulness in all that we are told through revelation, and justice in rulings, sayings, actions, and manners.

“And the Word of your Lord has been fulfilled in truth and in justice.” Surah Al An’am – Ayah 115.​
 
The Bliss Of The Companions



Our Prophet, Muhammad Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam came to all people with a heavenly message. He was not driven by worldly ambition, he had no treasure from which to spend, no splendid gardens from which to eat, and no castle in which to live. Despite all this, his loving followers pledged allegiance to him and remained steadfast, enduring a hard life full of difficulties. They were few and weak, always in fear of being uprooted by those surrounding them, and yet they loved him wholly and completely.

They were besieged in the mountain pass, and during that time, they had little or no food. Their reputations were attacked, their own relatives waged war against them, and yet their love for him was perfect.

Some of them were dragged over the hot sands of the desert, some were imprisoned, and others were subject to inventive and innovative ways of punishment - all of which the disbelievers inflicted upon them. Having to endure all of that, they still loved him unreservedly with heart and soul.

They were deprived of home, country, family, and wealth. They were driven out from the playing fields of their childhood and from the homes in which they were raised. Despite all of this suffering, they loved him unequivocally.

The believers faced trials because of his message. The very ground under them was shaken violently, and yet their love for him continued to grow. The best among their youth constantly had swords hanging menacingly over their heads. Their men moved forward lightly across the battlefield, advancing to death as if they were upon an excursion or a holiday, for the simple reason that they loved him unconditionally.

One of them was charged with the duty of carrying his message to a king in a foreign land and that person knew that it was a mission from which he would not return. Yet he went and fulfilled his duty. One of them was sent on a mission, knowing that it would be the cause of his death, and he went happily, for he loved the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam with unmitigated love.

But why did they love him, and why were they so happy with his message and content with his example? Why did they forget the pain, the suffering, and the hardship that resulted from following him?

To put it simple, he epitomized benevolence and righteousness. They perceived in him all the signs of truth and purity. He was a symbol for those who sought out higher things. With his tenderness he cooled the rancour in hearts of people, with words of truth he soothed their chests, and with his message he filled their souls with peace.

He poured happiness into their hearts, until the pain that they endured from being at his side was made to feel insignificant. And he poured into their souls a belief that made them forget every injury, every harm, and every adversity.

He polished their insides with his guidance and he illuminated their eyes with his brilliance. He removed from them the burdens of ignorance, the depravities of idolatry, and the evil consequences of polytheism. He extinguished the fires of malice and animosity from their souls and he poured the water of faith into their hearts. Thus, their minds and bodies became relaxed and their hearts found peace.

They tasted the beauty of life with him and they knew delight in his company. They found happiness at his side, safety and salvation in following him, and inner-richness in emulating him:

“And We have sent you [O’ Muhammad] not but as a mercy for all that exists.” Surah Al-Anbiya – Ayah 107.

“And verily, you [O’ Muhammad] are indeed guiding [mankind] to the straight path.” Surah Ash-Shura – Ayah 52.

“And He brings them out of darkness [by Allah’s will] unto light…” Surah Al-Ma’idah – Ayah 16.
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Repel Boredom From Your Life



The person who lives a life of repetition and routine will almost inevitably become a victim of boredom, especially since the human being by his very nature tires from a lack of change. For this reason Allah gave us variety in times and places, in food and drink - diversity in the many forms of creation: night and day, valley and mountain, white and black, hot and cold, shade and sun, sweet and sour. Allah mentioned this diversity in His book:

“There comes forth from their bellies, a drink of varying colour.” Surah An-Nahl – Ayah 69.

“...And date-palms, growing out two or three from a single stem root, or otherwise…” Surah Ar-Ra’d – Ayah 4.

“And crops of different shape and taste [its fruits and its seeds] and olives, and pomegranates, similar [in kind] and different [in taste].” Surah Al-An’am – Ayah 141.

“And among the mountains are streaks white and red, of varying colours…” Surah Fatir – Ayah 27.

“And so are the days [good and not so good], We give to men by turns.” Surah Al-Imran Ayah 140.

Al-Ma’moon would alternate between reading, standing, sitting, or lying, and he said:

“The soul is ever so prone to boredom.”

“Those who remember Allah [always, and in prayers] standing, sitting and lying down on their sides...” Surah Al-Imran – Ayah 191.

Were you to contemplate the different kinds of worship, you would find wonder at its variety and diversity. There are deeds of the heart, of the tongue, of the limbs, and of wealth, by spending it for a good cause. The prayer, alms-giving, fasting, pilgrimages to Makkah, fighting in the way of Allah - these are only some examples of worship. The prayer involves standing, bowing, prostrating, and sitting. If you desire relaxation, vitality, and continued productivity, then bring diversity into your work, your reading, and your daily life. In terms of reading, for example, read a broad range of topics: the Qur’an, its explanation, the biography of the Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam and his Companions, hadith, Islamic jurisprudence, history, literature, books of general knowledge, and so forth. Distribute your time between worship and between enjoying what is lawful, from visiting friends, entertaining guests, playing sports, or going on excursions: you will find yourself to be a lively and bright person, because the soul delights in variety and things that are new. ​
 
Cast Off Anxiety



Do not be sad, for your Lord says:

“Have We not opened your breast for you [O Muhammad]?” Surah Ash-Sharh – Ayah 1.

The message of this verse embraces all those who carry with them the truth, who see the light, and who tread the path of guidance.

“Is he whose breast Allah has opened to Islam, so that he is in light from His Lord [as he who is non-Muslim]? So, woe to those whose hearts are hardened against remembrance of Allah.” Surah Az-Zumar - Ayah 22.

Therefore there is a truth that causes the heart to he opened and a falsehood that causes it to harden.

“And whosoever Allah wills to guide, He opens his breast to Islam.” Surah An’am – Ayah 125.

So the acceptance of and adherence to this religion is a goal that cannot be achieved except by the one who is blessed.

“Be not sad [or afraid], surely Allah is with us.” Surah At-Taubah – Ayah 40.

This is spoken by all those that have faith in Allah’s Care, Guardianship, and Mercy.

“Those [i.e. believers] unto whom the people [hypocrites] said, ‘Verily, the people [pagans] have gathered against you [a great army], therefore, fear them.’ But it [only] increased them in Faith, and they said: ‘Allah [is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs [for us].” Surah Ali-Imran – Ayah 173.

His being Sufficient for us rids us of dependence upon others and His Guardianship protects us.

“O’ Prophet [Muhammad] Allah is Sufficient for you and for the believers who follow you.” Surah Al-Anfal – Ayah 64.

And everyone who follows this path will achieve this great blessing.

“And put your trust in the Ever-Living One Who dies not…” Surah Al-Furqan – Ayah 58.

All beside Him are dead and not alive, fleeting and not permanent, weak and not mighty.

“And endure you patiently [O’ Muhammad], your patience is not but from Allah. And grieve not over them [polytheists and pagans, etc.], and be not distressed because of what they plot. Truly, Allah is with those who fear Him [keep their duty unto Him] and those who are good doers.” Surah An-Nahl – Ayah 127-128.”

Allah being with them in this verse means a special blessing for his obedient worshippers, in terms of protection, care, support, and guardianship. This is in proportion to the level of their faith, actions, and efforts.

“So do not become weak [against your enemy], nor be sad, and you will be superior [in victory] if you are indeed [true] believers.” Surah Al-Imran – Ayah 139.

You will superior in the worship of Allah and in your ranking with Him.

“They will do you no harm, barring a trifling annoyance and if they fight against you, they will show you their backs, and they will not be helped.” Surah Al-Imran – Ayah 111.

Don’t be sad: live today as if it were the last day of your life. With this frame of mind and outlook towards life, there is no reason to allow for sadness or anger to steal the little time you have. The Prophet Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam said:

“When the morning comes upon you, then do not expect to see the evening, and when you see the night, then do not expect to see the morning.”

In other words, live with heart, body, and soul for today only, without dwelling upon the past and without being anxious about the future.

An Arab poet said:

“The past is lost forever and that which is hoped for is from the unseen. So, all that you have is the present hour.”

Being preoccupied with the past and dragging past woes into the present - these are the signs of an unstable and unsound mind.

A Chinese proverb says:

“Do not cross the bridge until you reach it.”

In other words, be anxious over events only when they arrive. One of the pious predecessors said:

“O’ the son of Adam, verily, you have only three days: Yesterday and it has forsaken you; tomorrow and it has yet to arrive; and today, so fear Allah and obey Him in it.”

How can one truly live who carries with him the concerns of the past, the present, and the future? How can one find peace, while constantly recollecting that which has already occurred? One plays it back in his mind, feels its pain, yet benefits nothing from the process.

The meaning of, ‘when the morning comes, do not expect to see the evening, and when the evening comes, do not expect to see the morning,’ is that we should not have lofty or long-term hopes for this world. Expect death and do your best in doing good deeds. Do not let your concerns and ambitions surpass the limit of that day in which you live, a code that will allow you to concentrate and spend all of your energies on being productive each day. Use time efficiently and concentrate all of your efforts on achieving something today, by improving your manners, taking care of your health, and improving your relations with others.

Cast off anxiety – A pause to reflect:

Do not be sad, because that which has been preordained has already been decided upon and will take place though you may not like it. The pens are dried, the scrolls have been rolled up, and every affair is firmly established. Therefore your sadness will not change your reality in the least.

Do not be sad, because, with your sadness, you desire for time’s suspension: for the sun to stop in its place, for the hands of the clock to stand still, for the steps of your feet to move backwards, and for the river to flow back to its source.

Do not be sad, because sadness is like a hurricane that violently tosses the waves, changing the atmosphere and destroying the blooming flowers of the luxuriant garden.

Do not be sad, because the one who is sad is like a person who pours water into a bucket that has a hole in it. He is like a writer who uses his finger to write on water.

Do not be sad, because the true span of life is measured by the number of days that you are content in. Do not then spend your days in grief, do not waste your nights in sorrow, and do not be extravagant in squandering your time; for truly, Allah loves not those who are extravagant and wasteful.
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Your Lord Forgives Sins



The complete title for this section is “Do not be sad, for in truth, your Lord forgives sins and accepts repentance.”

When you read the following verse, does not your heart feel calm, are not your worries driven away, and does not happiness permeate your whole being?

“Say: O’ My slaves who have transgressed against themselves [by committing evil deeds and sins!] Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Surah Az-Zumar – Ayah 53.

He Allah, addressed them with ‘O’ my slaves,’ to tame their hearts and souls. He specifically mentioned those who transgress, since they are more disposed to perpetrating sins and evil deeds. How much greater then will be the Mercy of Allah for others! Thus He forbade them from despairing and from losing hope of attaining forgiveness. And He informed them that He forgives all sins of the one who repents, whether they are big or small, important or unimportant.

Do you not then rejoice upon reading the following verses?

“And those who, when they have committed Fahishah [illegal sexual intercourse etc.] or wronged themselves with evil, remember Allah and ask forgiveness for their sins - and none can forgive sins but Allah. And do not persist in what [wrong] they have done, while they know.” Surah Al-Imran – Ayah 135.

“And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah’s Forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” Surah An-Nisa – Ayah 110.

“If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden to do, We shall remit from you your [small] sins, and admit you to a Noble Entrance [i.e. Paradise].” Surah An-Nisa – Ayah 31.

If they [hypocrites] when they had been unjust to themselves, had come to you [Muhammad] and begged Allah’s forgiveness, and the Messenger had begged forgiveness for them: indeed, they would have found Allah All-Forgiving [One Who accepts repentance], Most Merciful.” Surah An-Nisa – Ayah 64.

“And verily, I am indeed Forgiving to him who repents, believes and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them, [till his death].” Surah Ta-Ha – Ayah 82.
​
 
Alhamdulillah i've got the book at home and Mashallah its a great read

Jazakallah for sharing
 
Thank you for posting this. I greatly appreciate it. I suffer continually from depression and anxiety, and sometimes I wonder why. I have a good family and am doing successfully economically. I guess sometimes I feel very lonely and feel as if I have no one to talk to. And I have had some minor problems like neglection by family and friends, but still they are not major enough for me to feel constantly depressed. And, sometimes I wonder if I'm being selfish? any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
^ Sorry to hear that. I'm sorry I can't give a good reply to you...but just keep making Du'a to Allaah (SWT) InshaAllah. :)

And JazakAllaah Khayr for this thread...
 
..sometimes you can't help it but be sad...

Jazaak Allahu Khayr for the beneficial reminders...

WaSsalaamuAlaykum
 
Salams,

I just recently bought this book, and am currently reading it, i have to say it is a reallllllly reallllllly gud book :D
I wud deffinatly recommend it to everone :)

Jazahka Allah loving this book.
Click to expand...

^ Me too :D :D

w'salam
 
Hello, dear Muslim friends. I am a new member of this forum and i am very glad to meet everybody here. My name is helen and I am a 22 girl from USA.
I like reading books, singing,swimming,and also read some articles when i am free. I heard from one of my friends that there are quite many Muslim blogs at www.muslimonly.com, I have read some articles there too. Now i have know more about Muslims.
If you are interested to check one of my blogs too, you can visit : http://www.MuslimFriends.com/blog/helenstam
 

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