I need help with my faith

[SFatima]

InshAllah you WILL! Dont doubt your faith for even a moment! it is us who fail our faith, not the faith itself! I know you CAN, just energize yourself, drink some date milkshake or pudding, or coffee! Jump up and down, join a gym!

do you have the azzaan software in your computer? how do you know the prayer timings?

 

[Just_A_Girl13]

do you have the azzaan software in your computer? how do you know the prayer timings?

There's a pretty good Firefox add-on for this. I'll try to find out what it's called for you....

Apparently the old me is more fun and the new me is boring.

That's funny. One of my good friends said the same thing to me a few weeks ago. Insha'Allah he will notice that even though you are supposedly "boring" you are also a better person now, and Allah (s.w.t.) will guide him.

 

[Who Am I?]

InshAllah you WILL! Dont doubt your faith for even a moment! it is us who fail our faith, not the faith itself! I know you CAN, just energize yourself, drink some date milkshake or pudding, or coffee! Jump up and down, join a gym!

do you have the azzaan software in your computer? how do you know the prayer timings?

I know what you're talking about, and no, I don't have that yet. I know there is a phone application for it too.

That's funny. One of my good friends said the same thing to me a few weeks ago. Insha'Allah he will notice that even though you are supposedly "boring" you are also a better person now, and Allah (s.w.t.) will guide him.

I was just thinking a little while ago about how to approach this with my family. I was thinking of asking them if they've noticed any positive changes in my life and going from there.

 

[SFatima]

Ok i think one can get the azan software from islamfinder.org or com, just try Listening to azaan also makes the satan run away and clear your doubts, Infact It is so refreshing, I cant survive without it, and life seems so boring without an azaan if you're in a non-muslim country : ).

One is to listen to azan in silence and reply to it in silence in their hearts too ( just repeat the wordings).

Which Quran are you using for translation? and which surah are you remembering, if you are, or if you aren't, do listen to just one sura a day atleast, even a small one, but just listen to the arabic of it. It makes our day better. : )

( P.s : I really don't get what is so interesting about partying, getting drunk , and then doing all the bad things, destroying one's dignity and then laughing over it( laughing over the demise of sanity, sensibility, conscience and faith), seriously people need to re-define their values or their sense of morality if this is what they call fun; a repetitive, extremely predictable cycle of intoxication, addictive drugs and dis-respecting the females, as if they themselves will never have daughters, and as if they wont even cringe at the thought if other men abused their daughters the same way. You don't even have to refer to religion to talk about this insanity, it is self deprecating and in-human enough, for any sensible man to be even suggesting such sort of fun to anybody, they can get a life : P Just tell them what goes around, comes around, if you abuse/mis-use 'easy women' today , people will mis-use/abuse your daughters/sisters, some other day. I'm amazed at how women can even like being looked at as just objects of pleasure in a western society and debate about oppression of the east, they serve nothing but the function of sex slaves themselves and they call it freedom, whatever : P )

( excuse the tone, I'm just a bit annoyed too with this mentality, so sorry about the rant )

 

[SFatima]

I have to share this with somebody because it's been on my mind since it happened and it is bothering me a bit.

This guy is a Christian and he's a good guy, but sometimes he gets on my nerves with his personal crusades. I let him talk for a while but then told him I had to go. I didn't sleep a whole lot last night because I was thinking about all of this and it's in my head now. When I did sleep, I had a dream about telling my family and them flipping out. It woke me up and I couldn't get back to sleep. I even missed a couple of prayers last night because I was worried about it.

I don't know where to go from here. I prayed before I went to sleep that Allah will show me a sign, but I feel like I'm missing something...

One more thing, Bad dreams are from shaitan, so if you're Incase wondering that you had a bad dream and it might affect you, please stop thinking that. In order to avoid a bad dream, one must sleep with the name of Allah swt the recommended zikar is Ayatal kursi, but if you haven't learnt it yet, I would say kalima shahada would be good as long as you're learning the other small sura's as well( preceded by Auzubillah and BismillAh) repeat it several times as this should be your last thought before going to sleep, you'll sleep instantly ( well i do, I got bunny sleep instant sweet dreams )

Second, when you have a bad dream, and you suddenly wake up, that is a good thing, because that is time for you to remember Allah swt ,and time for the bad dream to end that is why Allah swt wakes us up. Right after waking up, say "A'oo zubillahay himi nashaitaan nirrajeem" 3 times and do the spit action on your left, it makes the satan run away, he sits near our left ear and whispers his weirdness into them which translate into a dream if we havent read the protective suras before going to sleep.

And if you're too wide awake to go to sleep, just offer 2 rakah salah asking for forgiveness and protection, and you'll feel so relieved. In fact we can read the 2 rakah salah ( salah e Haajat, prayer for some need) anytime anywhere when we fee like, it eases our anxiety, helps us perform better and is formally asking for help to Allah swt, He never rejects that! and compensates in good measure even if you feel that immediately the prayer had little effect SubhanALlah, one can pray it before exams, before going to talk to an important person, before a job interview, before wanting to get married , to ask for the kind of wife they want, for children, for anything ( even to soften the hearts of one's parents (hint , hint* )

That done, we never mention the bad dream to anyone It is in Islam to not to mention a bad dream to ANYONE, even your own mother, BUT ask Allah swt for protection from bad dreams, and also pray to keep you safe from any adverse effects of the dreams ( which may come into your mind in the form of doubts and negative thoughts about people). But since you did not know it is ok for now, but none later.

Thirdly, when you have a good dream, it is only allowed to tell it to a person who you really trust a lot and who will have no intentions of harming you, like your mother or a wife. But they say unless the dream materializes, it is safe to not tell and keep praying for it to become true if it is in your best interest.

InshAllah you wont have bad dreams if you follow this advice. I read from a blog of this wiccan lady (witch,magic practising lady) that she had started having really disturbing dreams ( as magic is carried out with the help of shaitan and Djinns, and once you try to contact them, they don't leave you and drive you crazy till you're a completely mad/satan worshipping person) so hence she could not sleep too for many nights was starting to get really scared.

She somehow came across Islam, as the solution for this, and just to try, she read the Aoo zubbillah, bismillAh or kalima, any one of these before she went to sleep, and SubhanAllah she did not have any bad dream after that and slept peacefully. Thats when she realized that she was in touch with the dark powers for too long and they had disturbed the peace of her mind, she thus continued reading about Islam and then converted to Islam. I'll share her blog link if anyone wants to read her story. Dont know, she might even be here

( do excuse me if i have quoted her story without permission, but it is far more interesting than that)

 

[SFatima]

And also, Ayatl-Kursi is in chapter 2 of the Quran. verse no. 255 (Sura baqara, the cow) Sharing a link for its recitation and translation. (you can also listen to it daily before you go to sleep, like keep it in the ipod or pc or in something?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVMUofvyA68

Meaning:

Allah! There is no god but He - the Living, The Self-subsisting, Eternal.
No slumber can seize Him Nor Sleep.
His are all things In the heavens and on earth.
Who is there can intercede In His presence except As he permitteth?
He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures As) Before or After or Behind them.
Nor shall they compass Aught of his knowledge Except as He willeth.
His throne doth extend Over the heavens And on earth, and He feeleth No fatigue in guarding And preserving them, For He is the Most High. The Supreme (in glory). Al-Baqarah 2: 255

The benefits and virtues of this Ayah are numerous and here are some of them:

• A Guarantee of Paradise inshallah!
• It was narrated that Abu Umamah said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Whoever recites Ayat Al-Kursi immediately after each prescribed Prayer, there will be nothing standing between him and his entering Paradise except death.” (Reported by An-Nasa’i and Ibn Hibban.)
• In it the Most Great Name of Allah (ismullahi al-’atham) is mentioned.
• It protects one’s self, property and home from the shayatin (devils) and brings one relief from difficulties.
• The believer who recites it following an obligatory salah is under the Care and Protection of Allah until the commencement of the next prayer.
• It is the only place in the Quran where the Kursi (Footstool of Allah) is mentioned
• It brings an abundance of blessings when recited and blown upon food and drink
Here are some hadith about the great benefits and virtues of Ayat ul Kursi:

>>Hadhrat Ali (ra) says that the chief of the Ayats of the Qur'aan Kareem is Ayatul Kursi.

>>Hadhrat Ibn Masood (ra) says that " Allaah, the Lofty did not create any thing in the skies or on earth, in Jannat or Jahannam, loftier than Ayatul Kursi. "

>>Hadhrat Ibn Masood (ra) says that no space in the sky or on the earth is loftier than Ayatul Kursi.

>>Hadhrat Ali bin Kaab (ra) remarks that the Prophet (saw) asked him," Which is the most high ranking Aayat in the Qur'aan Kareem?" He said, " Allaah and His Rasul know best". Rasulallah repeated this statement very often. Hadhrat Ali (ra) stated, "Ayatul Kursi". Nabi (saw) said:"Oh Abul Munzar (family name of Abi bin Kaab). May you be blessed by this knowledge. I swear by that Being in whose Hands and Control is my life, that this Ayat has one tongue and two lips. It is by the threshold of Allaah's Arsh, Mentioning His purity".

It is reported from Hadhrat Askee Baqri that the Prophet (saw) came to the abode of the Muhajreen when one person asked, "In the Qur'aan Kareem which is the most lofty Ayat?" The Prophet (saw) repeated "Ayatul Kursi".

>>Hadhrat Hassan reports "Marfoonaan"," I have been given Ayatul Kursi. The Prophet (saw) said," Surah Fateha, Ayatul Kursi and the two Ayats of Al-Imraan (Shaheedal Allaah - 18th Ayat), and "Qul Allaahumma Malekal mulk til Bi Ghairi Hisaab (Ayat 26/7) are attached to the Arsh(sky) and say, "Oh our Rabb, You are sending us onto earth to disobedient ones!!! Allaah says ," I have given you such status, whosoever from amongst my servants recites you after every Salaat, his resting place will be Jannah. And I will make his abode in Jannatul Quddoos and fulfill 70 needs of his daily needs, the least of which is forgiving him and saving him from all enemies of evils."

SubhanAllah, may we all be blessed ,ameen : )

 

[Who Am I?]

I admit, sometimes I get lonely and sometimes I miss my old life, or at least the companionship that I used to have. I don't really have anyone that I associate with now, so I'm well and truly on my own except for these forums. This is my only link to brothers and sisters right now. I go to masjid sometimes, but it is on the other side of town and I don't have a lot of money to burn gas driving back and forth.

Thanks for all the links and information though. I'll check them out a little at a time and slowly digest the information. I had to take a break for a while because I was getting burnt out on trying to learn too many things at once.

I may go to masjid tonight. I haven't been there in almost 2 weeks.

 

[SFatima]

No problem, just take it easy. Dont burden yourself with too much knowledge in a short span of time. And so sorry, we're pouring out so much on you :embarrass ( just wanted to facilitate, but you're right, one learns more by meeting people in person than they do online) One can only handle so much at a time, you will be coming across our posts, but it is totally upto your comfort level to decide when to do what, please do not feel pushed, at all! Also I think none of your muslim brotherhood wanted to make you feel lonely, it is quite natural to feel that way in a new environment.

May you get a nice house near the masjid and and a huge supporting and loving muslim community around you soon InshAllah and Aameen ( gosh i can understand how lonely it is being lonely, one should never be lonely, one can keep a cat, or some talking parrot : P)

Stay Blessed.

 

[Who Am I?]

No problem, just take it easy. Dont burden yourself with too much knowledge in a short span of time. And so sorry, we're pouring out so much on you :embarrass ( just wanted to facilitate, but you're right, one learns more by meeting people in person than they do online) One can only handle so much at a time, you will be coming across our posts, but it is totally upto your comfort level to decide when to do what, please do not feel pushed, at all! Also I think none of your muslim brotherhood wanted to make you feel lonely, it is quite natural to feel that way in a new environment.

May you get a nice house near the masjid and and a huge supporting and loving muslim community around you soon InshAllah and Aameen ( gosh i can understand how lonely it is being lonely, one should never be lonely, one can keep a cat, or some talking parrot : P)

Stay Blessed.

No, don't worry about it, sister. Everywhere I go, there you are. You and Sister Flame and a few of the brothers here have become my Voices of Reason in this forum. ;D

It's funny though. I was talking a few weeks one Friday at masjid and some of the brothers mentioned moving back to that side of town. At least I would be closer to the masjid and to the Muslim community.

Something to think about, anyway...

 

[Abz2000]

thanks for the post sister, it's as if i feel heart speaking as i read your comment,
i went through excatly the same thing where i struggled my utmost and when bad things happened to me i got angry at God and almost lost hope ( And those who believe and work righteous deeds,- them shall We admit to the company of the Righteous.10. Then there are among men such as say, "We believe in Allah.; but when they suffer affliction in (the cause of) Allah, they treat men's oppression as if it were the Wrath of Allah.
And if help comes (to thee) from thy Lord, they are sure to say, "We have (always) been with you!" Does not Allah know best all that is in the hearts of all creation?

this made me think straight a bit more and realize that our bad situations are not due to Gods constant dissatisfaction but due to hard hearts of people who have gone astray from the guidance He gave - i remember the Arabic saying - we complain about the time we are living in, however the time has remained constant, but it is we who are living in it........................ so where is the problem? you think.

i had totally fizzled out and stopped praying, started hanging with idiots again, but now i would feel something different, i would find myself thinking differently from them, i would feel like i'm being stupid doing nothing but hear them brag about silliness with each other, and would now wonder how they could just all link up and spend all day every day at a park corner or at the stairs of an estate, or in a friends garage, smoking and selling stuff that doesn't allow you to think properly! the purpose of life just wasn't there.

Allah will indeed admit those who believed and did good deeds into Gardens beneath which rivers flow; and the disbelievers enjoy, and they eat like the cattle eat, and their destination is in the fire.
47:12

i knew i was onto something - and having lived under Islam for a good few months made me see a different world, and a different way of thinking, i knew it was the right way but struggled to follow it, i slowly came round to doing what's compulsory and anything extra when i feel like doing it and not like i'm forcing myself to, now i do my normal things and pray and read, and spend ages researching and finding out the situation of Muslims around the world, and know that despite our situation i would not exchange it for any other group of people no matter how rich or powerful they were - (and Muslims would be the strongest group if we interacted more).
i am also able to do more for others as a person than i did just praying all day at home,
i still make mistakes, but quickly feel regret for anything badly wrong and say it after prayer.
and i feel i have developed my own character rather than an empty shell which builds it's character based on actors in sitcoms and movies and the whims of others around me.

regarding the other sister's comment about making sure there's no element of pleasing others - i'd say that's impossible if you know others are observing your good deed, and you'll feel good in front of others and not ashamed for your good deed if you have any decency, (there are people who feel good in front of others and brag about their evil deeds, what's wrong with making a good deed feel positive to yourself and to others?) though your intentions should be good and should ultimately be to please almighty God.

some people come to the right path just because they do good deeds to please good people around them and then feel the benefit of that good deed,
do you not remember the story of the man who came to the prophet?

Once a man came to the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.) and said, "Oh prophet of Allah, I have many bad habits. Which one of them should I give up first?" The prophet said, "Give up telling lies first and always speak the truth." The man
promised to do so and went home. At night the man was about to go out to steal. Before setting out, he thought
for a moment about the promise he made with the prophet. "If tomorrow the prophet asks me where have I been, what shall I say? Shall I say that I went out stealing? No, I cannot say that. But nor can I lie. If I tell the truth,
everyone will start hating me and call me a thief. I would be punished for stealing."

So the man decided not to steal that night, and gave up this bad habit. Next day, he felt like drinking wine, when he was about to do so, he said to himself, "What shall I say to the prophet if he asks me what did I do during the
day? I cannot tell a lie, and if I speak the truth people will hate me, because a Muslim is not allowed to drink wine." And so he gave up the idea of drinking wine.

In this way, whenever the man thought of doing something bad, he remembered his promise to tell the truth at all times. One by one, he gave up all his bad habits and became a good Muslim and a very good person.

from this story we can learn many lessons two of the prominent are:
1. the benefit of speaking truth
2. something less noticed - the man was worried that if he did do the evil deed and tell the truth (keeping his promise to the prophet (pbuh) - good people would dislike him for it.
so his fear of the displeasure of decent people made him stop his bad deeds and this slowly became normal until it was normal for him and he became a good believer.

but as i said in my other post - pleasing ignorant people and everyone else makes you lose your character and turn into a football which people themselves laugh at.
mob rule (democracy in the power hungry leaders' sense) is not an Islamic principle - Islam has an un-altering constitution and is a republic in the sense of the term (we can't make sodomy or incest legal tomorrow if the majority votes for it).
when two wolves and a sheep vote over what's for dinner the outcome is a forgone conclusion.

so i tend to agree that people pleasing is silly if it's for something wrong or if that's the ultimate goal, yet can be good if it is to please decent people and leads to good.