The seven secrets of Success!

And the Quran Says:

By the time!
Lo! Man is in a state of loss;
save those who have faith and do righteous deeds, and counsel each other to hold on to truth and counsel each other to be steadfast.
Surah Asr 103 : 1 - 3

Br Sadiq Pasha sent me this photo with an inspiring message. Jaza kallah, Sadiq!

Read : A poem on success and perseverence.

What is Zuhd..???

Ibn Taymiyyah said: Zuhd is to leave alone those things which will not benefit you in the next life.
Sufyaan Ath-Thawri said: Zuhd is to have limited amount of expectations: it does not mean eating poor or inadequate foods as many think or wearing a cheap gown or cloak.
Ibn Ja’laal said: Zuhd is to know that life is a temporary one that will pass away; it should not be magnified in ones heart, nor should much focus be placed on it. Rather one should turn away from it; it is said Zuhd means to refrain from this world, without showing off.
Al Ju’nayd said: Zuhd means to free the heart from always wanting
Ahmad Ibn Hanbal said: Zuhd is not to have too many expectations.
Ibn Mubaarak said: It is having trust in Allaah and being content in times of poverty.
Abdulwaahid Ibn Zaid said: Zuhd can be practised by a person even if he only possesses one dinaar or dirham.
Ad-Daa’rani said: Zuhd means to leave those things that distract you from Allaah the exalted and high.
Hassan Al-Basri said: Zuhd is not that you make the permissible (things) impermissible or by wasting ones money. But, rather Zuhd is that you acknowledge that what Allaah the exalted has (destined for you) is better than what you have.
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Madaarij As-Saalikeen by Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah

An Intelligent Muslim

The intelligent person is the one who constantly performs self-assessment on his deeds, and ensures that all his actions are geared for his life after death. On the other hand, a careless person is one who follows his wanton desires, but at the same time wishes all good rewards from Allah.
-Muhammad (saw), narrated by Imam Tirmidhi

The hadith mentions the two traits of an intelligent Muslim. First, he always does self-accounting on his past deeds.

Second, he ensures that all his actions are not only for this life, but for his life in the Hereafter.

Umar (R.A) in The 100

"It may occasion some surprise that Umar - a figure virtually unknown in the West- has been ranked higher than such famous men as Charlemagne and Julius Caesar. However, the conquests made by the Arabs under Umar, taking into account both their size and their duration, are substantially more important than those of either Caesar or Charlemagne.”
- Michael Hart in The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History

Do you waste food!!!!

View this movie at cultureunplugged.com

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace of Allah be upon Him) Said:"Shall I tell you the very worst among you? Those who eat alone, and whip the slaves, and give to nobody. "

Obedience At Its Best

"When he (Isma'il) grew enough to work with him, he (Ibrahim) said, "My son, I see in a dream that I am sacrificing you. What do you think?" He said, "O my father, do what you are commanded to do. You will find me, GOD willing, patient."(Al-Saffat, 37:102)

This event is the example of Islam in its highest essence. The affection of the father was severely tested, when Abraham was called to sacrifice his son, and not stand by and watch others sacrifice his son. He had to subdue his own sense of affection, mercy, love, and any loving attachment-sentiments which reside in every father towards his only and beloved child.

On the other hand, Ismael's love for himself was also challenged. The faith of both was challenged. And this dared them to respond to the subjection of one's affections for one's own child (Abraham), and the killing of one's feelings towards himself (Ismael). They both succeeded in this.

Is it possible to emulate this submission and obedience?

A Balanced Life

He [Nuh (a.s.] said. “O my people, Indeed I am to you a clear warner, [saying], ‘Worship Allah, fear Him and obey me’…” [Nuh: 3]

The heart is the focal point of a human body. And it is in the heart where Taqwa resides, which is displayed through good actions.

The Prophet ﷺ said, “At-Taqwa Haahunaa [Taqwa is here]” pointing towards the heart. Similarly, if we imagine a balance, Taqwa would be its central part. And the two sides would be the practical manifestation of Taqwa - Worship of Allah and Obedience of the Messenger. Both these aspects go hand in hand and develop in a person the quality of Allah consciousness - Taqwa. It also brings about balance in a person’s life. Therefore, it is necessary for a person who opts for this quality to worship Allah the way He taught His servants in the Qur’an and Sunnah, and to follow the way of the Messenger ﷺin the true sense.

with thanks - Fruit of Knowledge