Ahlam401

Yes, I learned how to name threads from Editor

Essalamu3laykum,

I thought it would be beneficial to have a thread with advice on various topics --whatever you think is an important reminder, or whatever you feel is overlooked by many Muslims today.

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Ahlam401

On Taqwa and Character

There are many times in which a Muslim might receive compliments from their fellow Muslims such as “It is hard to find good Muslims like you”, “You are so pious”, “I wish I could be more like you”, “We need more Muslims like you”, and so forth. When getting these compliments, one might feel happy or proud because someone has noticed their good character and it has impressed them to such an extent that they feel that they should mention it. It is easy for humans to take these praises to heart, making them feel like they are doing something good in this world or that they have achieved something great. But there lies a danger in these feelings.

When one receives such compliments, instead of letting it boost their ego, one should hold themselves accountable. The bottom line is that what people know about us is what we let them know about us, or what they see and hear about us. So next time we get a compliment, we should think of this: “If the one who is praising me knew what I do in private and in my spare time, when I am hidden away from the people, would they still feel the same way about me? Would I even want them to know or mind them knowing how I behave in private?”



I think it is important to consider this, because in reality, our character is not determined by whatever front is put up for people. It is determined by how we act when no one is watching, when our actions are hidden from people. Some examples are, crying out of khushoo’ when no one is watching, praying tahajjud, giving sadaqah in secret, etc. It can also apply to things that are hidden from most people; such as the way we treat our parents, siblings, or spouse when at home.

It is a major problem if people think so highly of you, but inside, you are not anywhere near what they think or not at that level. We should beware that this is never the case because this means that we are “acting” to some extent when we are in front of others when we should be more fearful of what Allah (swt) thinks of us...not other people.

We should always strive to be the type of people who are not only loved and respected by people for their righteous character and good deeds, but are also loved by Allah (swt) because they are even better than what others perceive of them.

So the next time if we ever happen to get a compliment, it should cause us to become fearful and repent to Allah (swt) for our sins and ask Him to protect us from hypocrisy.

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Umm Layth

wa 3laykum as salaamu wa ra7matullaahi wa barakaatuh,

Jazaaki Allaahu khairan...

At the Texas Da3wah conference, Yasir Fazaqa was speaking in a lecture called 'The Prophetic Art of Criticism...' and in it he spoke about the following hadeeth [focusing on the underlined part]

From Abu Hurairah (radiyallaahu 'anhu) who said that Allaah's Messenger (salallaahu 'alaihi wa'sallam) said:

The believer is a mirror for the believer, and the believer is the brother of the believer. He safeguards his property for him and defends him from behind


I do not have my notes right now but insha'Allaah in the morning I will edit it and add whatever I missed.

So he said, regarding "The Believer is a mirror for the Believer..."

1) The mirror only reveals the truth - That is, it does not lie to you.
2) The Mirror is fair - it does not show you more, nor does it show you less.
3) The Mirror is silent and not noisy - It shows you your image in a good way not in a bad way.
4) The Mirror shows you details - You don't even need to ask for them, they are already there present for you to look @.
5) The Mirror image leaves when you leave - That is it shows you your image for the amount of time required and no more then that. It keeps what you left between you and behind there is left no trace of the image.

That mirror shows you whether you need your hair fixed, your nose blown, your eyelash removed from your eye and so on...

He really made wonderful points apart from this as well such as the question that he made us all ponder over... "What is your intent behind correcting your brother?" He made sure to engrave that in our minds before leaving and how we should ask ourselves such anytime before we correct/remind/reprehend a Muslim. Really was a wonderful reminder to attend full of wonderful gems, masha'Allaah.

more to come, insha'Allaah

fatimahye

i've thought for a while we need something like this (which i felt was more a reaction to the dear ibrahim thing - which is humorous but not always serious)

but then the whole section is for "sincere advice" i guess (which is why that thread was moved out)

but i hope the thread catches on- like every time people come across some good advice that moved them or they feel people need to be reminded of things then they can add it here

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Editor

Jazakillahu khair for starting this thread .

My advice to myself first before the rest of us Muslims is that...

Our commitment to Islam has to live in reality. It has to be in touch with its current context and know what it's dealing with. I find that too often, Muslims give up on their efforts too easily because they are unable to bear or face the truth of the world they're actually living in. When really, such a confrontation should have begun even before they embark on any effort (big or small)... If they truly wish for progress.

The laws of this deen and the guidance that it gives are so much more vast than we assume it to be. We often, in our own minds, limit them to such strict, rigid circumstances that we often fall into failure... and despair.

So take a good look around us. Find, collect and study the information that we need to actually do something. Research and planning is crucial. Learn from history and yet avoid fantasies that entices you of it. For it is when your hopes and expectations are built upon another person's, another time's specific success(es), that failure of one part destroys the whole of it.

Of course we have to strive hard and make a firm goal, but make them general goals based upon Allah's Promise. That will keep you going in the long run, insha Allah.

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Sadiqah

JazakiAllah khair for the reminder.
This is a quote that came to mind as i read your post:


"Do not give advice only on condition that it is followed. Otherwise you are a tyrant, not an adviser; you are demanding obedience, you are not allowing religious feeling and brotherly spirit their due. Neither reason nor friendship gives you the right to insist. It is rather the right that a ruler has over his subjects or a master over his slaves."

- Ibn Hazm

daniel aljughaifi

"This is the book, whereof there is no doubt, a guidance for those who are al muttaqun"

If we open up the Quran this is what we read.

What I notice is that we as muslims seem to read the Quran like it is a book of storys to "oooh" and "aahhh" at. That is nice that we seem in a state of awe, but where is the state of action?

This state of action can come when we relize that the Quran was revealed to you and me.

Yeah I said it...The Quran was revealed to you. You who is reading this at the very moment. Why not? Do you think it is not Allah's will that you are a muslim? If Allah(swt) made you a muslim then He(swt) gave the Quran to you as a ___________.
Answer it for your self, is it a guidance for you or a warning?

We as muslims have this sad way of thinking when we read the Quran. We seem to read the Quran like so:

"Oh mashaAllah Allah is speaking of Jannah(He is speaking about where I will go)."
"Oh mashaAllah, Allah is speaking about narr(where the kuffar are going"

Do we ever read the Quran thinking that we might be the munaffiqs that Allah mentioned when He(swt) said:

"And of mankind are those who say; we believe in Allah and the last day, but infact they believe not. They think to decieve Allah and those who believe while infact they only decieve themsefs and precieve not. In there hearts is a deseas and Allah has increased there deseas, A painful torment is theres cause they used to tell lies..."

Is our Islam a big claim that we wear when we go out? Where is our action? Where is our Islam(submission)?

It is like I said: This book was revealed for you! You who is reading this at this very moment. If you don't think that it was revealed to you then prove it and we can talk...

(just a thought I recently had and Allah(swt) knows best)

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