Good Character (Taken from shaykh.org)

Beauty is only for a few days...

Good character is everlasting.

Beauty captures the eyes...

Good character captures the heart.

How Much Does A Prayer Weigh?

Only Allah knows how much a prayer weighs. In the Holy Qur'an Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala says: Allah is gracious and kind to his slaves. He gives provisions to whom he wills. And He is the All-Strong, the All-Mighty (42:19). In another verse it states: And He answers those who believe and do righteous good deeds, and gives them increase of His Bounty... (42:26). To the prayers of the righteous, Allah Subhanahu was Ta'ala listens, and He gives them His Bounty. Every time they do a little good, they are increased in their goodness. Every right impulse or aspiration is strengthened and leads to progressive advancement with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. The source of all gifts is Allah 'Azza wa Jall. His Bounty is inexhaustible and He gives to all but He does not give to all in the same measure. Out of the fullness of His knowledge and wisdom, He can judge best what is best for any of His creatures. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala gives sustenance to whom He pleases i.e. provisions for all needs, physical, moral and spiritual etc., but His provisions are according to His wise Will and Plan and not according to people's extravagant demands. He can provide for all in any amount, because He has complete Power and can carry out His Will.

Combat the Nafs

by Abu Abdullah Ibne Ismail (Taken from shaykh.org)

“To rectify one’s inner self one needs to hold fast to dawam-e-ta’at. Dawam-e-ta’at means to continually obey Allah in all situations, regardless of whether or not the nafs wishes to.
This is what mujahadah is; to strive to and combat the nafs when it does not wish to obey the command of Allah. This resistance from the nafs maybe in the form of committing a sin, or it may be in the form of leaving an act of worship. In either case one must combat his nafs and do as he needs to.
If one does not adopt this method then it will not be possible for him to rectify himself.”

Two Days

Two Days (Taken from Qisas.com)

There are two days in every week we should never worry about, two days that should be kept free from fear and apprehension.
One is yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its aches and pains, its faults and blunders. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control.
All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed, nor erase a single word we’ve said. Yesterday is gone.
The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow, with its impossible adversaries, its burden, its hopeful promise and unknown performance. Tomorrow is beyond our control.
Tomorrow’s sun will rise either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds …but it will rise … and until it does. We have no stake in tomorrow, for it is as yet unborn.
This leaves only one day: TODAY! Anyone can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when we add the burdens of yesterday and tomorrow that we break down.
It is not the experience of today that drives people mad.
It is the remorse of bitterness for something that happened yesterday, and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.
Make TODAY the best day it can be, and live one day at a time!