A Scholarly Effect

“An Alim (religious scholar) is not he who is affected by the environment around him, but in fact he that affects the environment around him”.

Taken from (http://shaykh.wordpress.com/2007/06/20/a-scholarly-effect/)

Success is best attained through silence.

مَنْ صَمَتَ نَجَا

'One who remained silenced achieves success' (Tirmidhi)

The message given in this hadith is short yet vital; silence leads to success. The reason behind this is apparent as people often engage in useless conversations and talk. At times these talks involve such content that result in sin or revealing matters that would be best kept secret.

Silence can save a person from back-biting, falsehood, lying and other diseases of the tongue.

Instead of wasting time talking and possibly receiving sins, we should keep our tongues moist with the remembrance of our Lord the Almighty.

One day Abu Jahl came to the Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم and said, "You have the most ugly face in Bani Hashim." Abu Jahl as we all know was a chief from the Quraysh tribe who showed the most hatred towards Islam.
The Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم said, "You speak the truth."
Soon afterwards, Sayyiduna 'Umar (RA) came in and remarked, "O Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم of Allah, your face shines like the brilliant sun." The Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم replied, "You speak the truth."
A companion of the Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم who was sitting nearby asked, "How can it be possible that both the opposite remarks are true?"
The Prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم replied, "I am like a clean shining mirror. Everyone sees his own face in me"

(Was found at http://www.muftisays.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=907)

Seeking Knowledge

When it has been said that the angels spread out their wings in the path of the one seeking sacred knowledge, then just imagine what Allah has in store for such a person. [Abu Ali Daqaq]

May Allah help us all on the path of knowledge and may Allah make it easy for us aswell.

Intentions...

Intention is the measure for rendering actions true, so that, where intention is sound, action is sound, and where it is corrupt, then action is corrupt.- Imam an-Nawawi

Advices

"Decrease in one's speech brings wisdom, decrease in one's food brings health, decrease in one's sleep brings worship, and decrease in one's meeting with common folk brings safety. [Umar radi Allah anhu]"

An Interesting Point

There is a prevalent misconception among Muslim communities these days. The attitude that less practising Muslims have adopted in order to justify their wrong is that they look for faults in those who are more practising than themselves. If a man who resembles a non-Muslim from head to toe goes to the cinema, it is normal and accpetable; infact he is even seen as cool. But if a man with a beard does the same, he will be talked about. If a girl immitating the West in every way, listens to music, it is cool and acceptable. But if a woman who veils herself does the same, it is hypocritical. However we must understand, that each sin has its own place. Doing one sin, does not mean it is fine to do another. Every person who recites the Kalimah, takes a covenant with Allaah, that he/she will live a life entirely in accordance with Sharee'ah and Sunnah. Each time he/she engages in an act that is contrary to this, he/she is being hypocritical and breaking this pledge. People often seem to think that once a woman veils herself she is declaring her piety, and thus should be living the life of a saint. However they do not realise that the necessity of observing the commandments of Allaah is equal under any circumstances; whether or not the person is donning the veil. Infact, sometimes, the more righteous a person is, the higher the possibility of him/her being forgiven quickly. Because the closer you are to Allaah, the deeper your regret will be upon commiting a sin. Whereas one more sin will not make any difference to a person who is accustomed to always sinning.

(Taken from Muftisays, http://www.muftisays.com/qa.php?viewpage=viewQA&question=3585)

The Two Horses

In the life of a muslim there are Two Horses that a person should ride in
his life:

1) The Horse of Sabr
2) The Horse of Shukr

When a muslim is inflicted with any harm or trials he should immediatley
ride the Horse of Sabr by keeping patient.
When a muslim is relieved from any harm or trials he should immediatley
ride the Horse of Shukr by praising Allah.


(Taken from Molana Muhammed Patel of Masjid-E-Umer, Dars of Quran)

Something to think about...

Hazrat Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (rahimahullah) said: True intelligence is that person should remain ever suspicious about his own self rather than of others. One should never be contented with one’s spiritual state at any moment in time. One should always be in doubt about oneself. This is why the Arifeen say: Always have good opinion of others and always be suspicious of yourself.

Virtues of Zikr (taken from Faza'il-e-A'maal shekih Zakariyya)

The sacred name of almighty Allah carries the blessings, sweetness, thrill and peace of mind that is invariably experienced by one who has practiced and remained absorbed in the rememberence of Allah for a considerable time. This zikr of Allah brings joy to the heart and peace of mind.

Alimighty Allah has said himself:

"Lo! the zikr of Allah provides satisfaction for the hearts" (surah: 13, verse: 28)

Today there is a wave of discontentment in the whole world. Despite people owning the best of houses, cars and having money which reaches the mountain level (i.e. holywood stars) they lack peace of mind and that bit of satisfaction in the heart. Why is this?
This is because people have forgotten their creator, their maker, their one and only lord Allah whos blessings and favours are on us all the time.

I will InshaAllah finish on this quran verse:

"O ye who believe! Remember Allah with much rememberance. And glorify him morning and evening." (Surah: 33 verse: 41)

So we must aim to remember our lord everyday whether it is by reciting Quran, uttering tasbeeh or even just remembering and fearing Allah in out hearts. Only then we will find that bit of happiness and satisfaction in our mind and hearts.