Your Future is in the Hands of the Best Planner.

Motivational speaker and author of several self-help books, Denis Waitley has said, "Losers live in the past. Winners learn from the past and enjoy working in the present towards the future."  We can develop a positive attitude towards our future by refusing to dwell on past hardships, realising that they cannot be changed, and knowing that stressing oneself over them is useless as well as foolish. We must train ourselves to shun depressing thoughts and reject feelings of fear and anxiety over what might happen in the future.

All future events and circumstances, whether good, pleasant, evil or difficult are impossible to predict and are totally under the control of The Almighty and All-Wise; none of the slaves of Allah The Almighty have any control over them. All we can do is to strive hard to achieve virtuousness and prevent harm from befalling us.

A believer should rely on Allah The Almighty for favours and wellbeing and be content with his lot in life. This makes the heart tranquil, improves his general circumstances and removes anxiety and grief.

A beneficial way of dealing with anxiety about the future is to use the supplication of the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ), in which he used to say: “O Allah! make my religion easy for me by virtue of which all my affairs are protected, set right for me my world in which I live, make good for me my Hereafter which is the resort to which I must return, make my life a means of increase in achieving all types of good, and make death a relief for me from every evil.” [Muslim].

Also, his saying,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ): “O Allah! I hope for Your mercy, so do not leave me to myself even for (as short a time as) the blinking of an eye and rectify for me all my affairs. Nothing is worthy of being worshipped except You alone.”[Abu Daawood]

If one repeatedly utters these supplications with a sincere and attentive heart, while simultaneously striving to improve his future, Allah The Almighty will certainly respond to the supplications and grant success.

On the other hand, being emotionally prepared for hardships reduces the harms that result from sudden afflictions. Being in a state of preparedness also reduces anxiety, since the anxiety will be replaced by enthusiasm to get the very best out of the situation in a manner that minimises harm as far as possible. The best way to handle a situation that causes fear, sickness, poverty, or loss of cherished items, is to stay calm and then prepare to face the worst of it, because expecting hardship and acquainting oneself with it reduces its impact, especially if at the same time one keeps himself busy by striving to prevent it as much as possible.

Of course, this is only in addition to completely relying on and putting one's trust in Allah The Almighty. Complete reliance on Allah The Almighty is the primary source of strength that helps one face afflictions and helps to gain the reward from Allah The Almighty for his perseverance.

One of the most effective cures for the diseases of the heart (whether physical or emotional) is having a strong, resilient heart that is free from anxiety and imaginary illusions brought on by evil thoughts. This is because when a person succumbs to his imagination, his heart begins reacting to it. Therefore, if one is unduly worried about sickness, anger, harm, evil and the loss of loved ones, this will affect the heart and make a person more anxious and fearful, and result in physical and emotional diseases of the heart. These thoughts may even lead to a person having a nervous breakdown, which has serious health repercussions.

Hospitals are filled with people who suffer from delusions and morbid imaginations; even strong-hearted people have been affected by this, let alone the weak-hearted, and this has led many of those who have been affected by this to do countless foolish and ridiculous things. However, the one who is safe from all this is the one whom Allah The Almighty has granted the ability to struggle against his desires and engage in beneficial acts which strengthen his heart and expel anxiety and grief. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {“And whosoever puts his trust in Allah, then He will suffice him.”}[Quran, 65: 3], meaning He will suffice him in all that concerns him, in worldly matters as well as those of the Hereafter.

The Trade of Sincere Muslims.

There is no doubt that the reward of Allah The Almighty is better and more lasting than any worldly benefit. Allah, the Exalted, Says (what means): {But what is with Allah is better and more lasting for those who have believed and upon their Lord rely.} [Quran 42: 36]

Indeed, one's good deeds are generously rewarded by Allah The Almighty; He Says (what means): {And whatever good you put forward for yourselves – you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward.} [Quran 73:20]

Herein lies the great importance of seeking the reward of Allah The Almighty. What exactly do we mean by that?

There are various types and meanings of hoping for the reward of Allah The Almighty, including:

Seeking the reward of Allah The Almighty when carrying out acts of obedience for His sake

If one recalls the great meaning of hoping for the reward of Allah The Almighty while performing acts of obedience, this would ward off ill thoughts such as indulging in ostentation, seeking reputation and fame or the praise and attention of people, and other manifestations of grave diseases of the heart that render deeds worthless or reduce their rewards. Such a Muslim has restricted his main concern; conversely, the Muslim whose sole aim is to attain the satisfaction of Allah The Exalted with these deeds and hopes for His reward will be rewarded generously. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and hoping for reward from Allah The Exalted will have his past sins forgiven for him."

Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: "Whoever follows the funeral procession of a Muslim out of faith and hoping to attain the reward of Allah and remains with it till the funeral prayer is offered and the burial ceremonies are over, will return with a reward of two Qirats; each of which is like the size of (the Mount) Uhud." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

In addition, the Muslim man is rewarded for providing for his family (although it is obligatory for the man to provide for his family, he will be rewarded for it as if he was offering this money for charity, if his intention is seeking the reward of Allah The Exalted). The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: "When the Muslim spends something on his family seeking a reward for it from Allah, it is counted for him as charity." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Do you see how many rewards one can gain by offering one's acts of obedience seeking the reward of Allah The Almighty?

Among the meanings of seeking the reward of Allah The Almighty is hoping for His reward when afflicted with calamites and hardship

Allah The Almighty has praised such pious people who endure calamites and hardship, seeking the reward of Allah The Exalted and has promised them His mercy, guidance and abundant rewards. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {Who, when disaster strikes them, say, "Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return." * Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.} [Quran 2:156-157]

Undeniably, people, whether believers or disbelievers, are afflicted by many calamites and adversities in this life; yet the believers endure them hoping for the reward of Allah The Almighty. Indeed, both believers and disbelievers suffer from losing loved ones and relatives, yet there is a great difference between the believers and disbelievers in this regard, i.e. the believers hope for the reward of Allah The Exalted by enduring such misfortunes and hardships patiently.

Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {And do not weaken in pursuit of the enemy. If you should be suffering, so are they suffering as you are suffering, but you expect from Allah that which they expect not. And Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.} [Quran 3:104]

Regarding the compensation of those who endure calamites and hardships, hoping for the reward of Allah The Almighty, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: "Allah The Exalted does not have a reward other than Paradise for the believing slave who remains patient for His sake when losing his dearest person from among the inhabitants of the world."

Furthermore, Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, said that she heard the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) saying: "There is no Muslim who is stricken with a calamity and says what Allah has enjoined, ‘Verily to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. O Allah, reward me for my affliction and compensate me with what is better’, but Allah will compensate him with something better.”

Umm Salamah, may Allah be pleased with her, added that when Abu Salamah, may Allah be pleased with him, died, she said, “Who among the Muslims is better than Abu Salamah, the first household to migrate to join the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention )?” When she uttered these very words, Allah The Almighty compensated her with marrying the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ). [Muslim]

Moreover, our righteous predecessors used to question all their deeds and intentions, renewing their good and sincere intentions and advising each other to endure calamites in the hope of reward from Allah The Almighty.

Al-Faarooq ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allah be pleased with him, used to say, "O people, carry out your righteous deeds seeking the reward from Allah The Exalted, for whoever does so will be rewarded for his good deeds and for his seeking the reward of Allah The Exalted."

In addition, when the Banu Al-Haarith ibn ‘Aamir wanted to kill Khubayb ibn ‘Adiyy, may Allah be pleased with him, he did not care about his fate at their hands. Before his death, he said, "Why should I fear death when it will eventually seize me, and when what I truly fear is to become fuel for Hell fire? Hence, as long as I die as a believer in the cause of Allah, it does not matter to me how it happens."

So, offer your acts of worship and obedience for the sake of Allah The Almighty seeking reward from Him, and endure calamities and hardships, hoping for His reward; indeed, Allah The Almighty will compensate you for that with inner tranquilly, serenity, and strength, Aim high and multiply your rewards. 

Allah The Almighty Loves Deliberation - I

Dear brothers and sisters, if you think about the negative results of many of our deeds, you would find that rashness and lack of deliberation are the main reasons behind losing what we want.

Deliberation means not being hasty in seeking anything and acting purposefully to gain it. Consider how Allah The Almighty disapproves of haste. Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.} [Quran 46:6]

The Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, praised the delegation of ‘Abd Al-Qays from the Hajar region for their deliberation and tolerance, as he said to Ashajj ‘Abd Al-Qays: “You have two characteristics that Allah and His Messenger like: forbearance and deliberation.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Those who are deliberate enjoy the love of Allah The Almighty and the praise of the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ). This is because the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ), attributed deliberation to Allah The Almighty and attributed hastiness to Satan. The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ), said: “Deliberation is from Allah and hastiness is from the devil. Allah is the one who pardons His slaves most and the thing that Allah likes most is praising Him.” [Abu Ya‘la: Narrators of Saheeh Hadeeth]  

Fadhaalah bin ‘Ubayd, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated, “Once, while we were sitting with the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) a man entered the mosque and performed prayer and invoked Allah The Almighty without praising Him and without asking Him to confer His blessing on the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ). The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said to him: ‘You have been hasty in your supplication.’

The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ), taught his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, to first praise Allah The Exalted duly, as He deserves, then ask Him to send His blessings upon him (the Prophet, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and to grant him peace, then to supplicate Him. Then the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ), heard a man praying and praising Allah The Almighty and asking Him to send peace and blessings upon the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ), so, he, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: ‘Invoke Allah and He will answer your invocation and give you what you ask Him for.” [An-Nasaa’i], [Al-Albaani: in As-Saheehah]

How good is patience and deliberation, as it brings good qualities that reassure a person and enable him to avoid any harm that might afflict someone who is hasty. Patience and deliberation brings peace of mind during the night and inner peace during the day. Abu Haatim said, “The hasty person cannot be caught, while the patient, deliberate one cannot be preceded.  The silent person can never regret, while the one who speaks can is never be safe of from making mistakes. The hasty person usually speaks before he is sure; answers before he understands and praises before he tries.”

Dear honorable brothers and sisters, how much will the merchant lose if he buys merchandise that he does not know? How much will the spouses regret, if they get married without careful consideration or consultation? How great is the regret of the husband if he hastens to divorce his wife without talking to her politely or submitting the issue to two wise arbitrators? How much will the student regret if he is hasty during an exam and does not think carefully about his answer? How much will the friend feel sorry when accusing his friend without having any proof of this accusation? Will the judge be just if he is hasty with his sentence?

Great was the wisdom of the Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ), which Allah The Almighty granted him. ‘Ali, may Allah be pleased with him, said, The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) sent me to Yemen as a judge so I asked him, ‘Will you send me as a judge and I am still young and do not know about judging?’ The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) replied: ‘Allah will guide your heart and fix your tongue (on the truth). When two parties come to you, you must not say your judgment unless you listen to each one of them as this would make the issue clearer to you.’ ‘Ali said, ‘Since then I became a good judge or was never in doubt regarding any judgment.’” [Abu Daawood and Ahmad] [Ahmad Shaakir: Saheeh] 

The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ), disapproved of those who are hasty with their invocations and considered haste one of the reasons that render an invocation unaccepted. The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ), said: “The supplication of any of you is answered unless he is hasty with it and says, ‘I invoked my Lord, but He did not answer my invocation.’” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] 

Deliberation is part of the personality of a confident person, as a deliberate person is usually more likely to evaluate his status and position. He is characteristically self-confident, decisive and not hesitant, as he does not accept failure. He is aware of what he intends to do and scrutinizes it well by studying (its implications) and consulting others until he decides to do it, while relying on Allah The Almighty. If he makes a mistake, he quickly repents without blaming himself or despairing of the mercy of Allah The Almighty. The Prophet,  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ), said: “Good morals, deliberation and moderation are one part of the twenty-four parts of Prophethood.” [At-Tirmithi: Hasan]

Our Duty Towards Islam

First: Being proud of this religion. Allah The Exalted Says (what means): {So do not weaken and do not grieve, and you will be superior if you are [true] believers.} [Quran 3: 139]

The era of hiding and feeling ashamed for belonging to Islam has ended and the era of frankness and declaration has started. It is painful and harmful that people who lived in the quagmire of vice and committed the utmost of prohibited sins have started to embrace the religion of Allah The Almighty, whereas we observe that some Muslims want to bring misery to their nation and expose it to suffering.

Second: Seeking sound knowledge of the Sharee‘ah (Islamic legislation). Having a clear and enlightening argument is the best means to boost one's morale. With Sharee‘ah knowledge, one discovers misguidance and deviation.

Third: Reviewing Western and Eastern writings about their own societies and what both of them call to now after they had tasted the bitterness of misery due to abandoning religion and giving a free hand to their desires.

Fourth: Directing our efforts with sincerity and determination to bring up our children. It was narrated that the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ), said: "Each one of you is a guardian and is responsible for those under his guardianship." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]  

A sound upbringing is a shield for children against floundering in invalid behavior that the society is replete with, and it is their protection against the misleading thoughts that are spread in it.

Fifth: Knowing the secularists through their writings and sayings, warning people against their deception and misguidance, clarifying the extent of their danger on the Ummah (Muslim nation) and its religion and mentioning their experiments in Muslim countries which they may implement in any other country which has not yet been exposed to their secularism.

Sixth: Common people should gather around scholars, seekers of knowledge and callers to Allah The Almighty and adopt their opinions and attitudes. They should distance themselves from the excitement and improvised situations that the righteous youths are dragged to so that whoever wishes to fish may fish in troubled waters. 

Suggestions

First: Girls' curricula should be based on a scientific Islamic view. We have spent a long time during which we did not manage to create educational curricula befitting that sex. Equality in curricula between men and women is a fault; this was mentioned earlier.

Second: Creating curricula in the Islamic culture that clarify the woman's rights in Islam, her duties and position as well as the deteriorated status of the woman in the East and West and refuting the malicious allegations of those who advocate emancipation. In the past, we were not in need of such measures and we feared the spread of such allegations. Now, however, we have been invaded by these allegations in our very homes. It is also incorrect to delay these curricula until the university stage.

Third: Woman's work must be addressed through comprehensive and wide-scoped studies prepared by experts and knowledgeable people in the fields of education from among those who are proud of their religion and acquainted with the Sharee'ah of their Lord.

Fourth: It is time, or rather it is overdue, for the project of a girls’ university to see the light; a project which puts an educational plan befitting this sex and steers us clear of contradicting opinions in the society through its universities. It is better for the Ummah to entrust responsibility in these universities to sincere highly-qualified persons from among men and women, and thereby the Ummah will distance itself from the evils of those who are evil.

Reason and subjective conditions to establish this kind of university is indisputable.

Fifth: Woman's work is not a pure administrative task; rather, it is related to her personality and role in society as well as how suitable a certain kind of work is for her. Therefore, this matter must be studied within the framework of Sharee‘ah as well as the Ummah's interest.

·        What is the Ummah's need to graduate female hostesses/attendants, when the danger of their potential work is known in advance?

·        What is the Ummah's need to graduate groups of females who are specialized in drama and theatrical arts? 

·        What is the Ummah's need to graduate a large number of females in some specializations, such as decoration, agriculture and secretarial work?

I am not saying that the woman cannot understand these specializations or be good at them; rather, I mean that these are not the only criteria.

Sixth: The so-called feminine departments in some governmental administrations must be reconsidered. Is there any benefit in their existence? Are they governed by the Sharee‘ah regulations?

Seventh: To stop applying the credit hour system in educating girls as this negatively influences the woman. It is not necessary that everything which is applied to men is also applied to women.

Eighth: The woman’s employment system must be fairly addressed. It is not fair that the woman leaves her home at 6:30 am and returns at 3 pm. It is also not fair that she remains more than twelve hours in the school during the exams. What is the problem if the woman works only half the working hours specified for the man and receive half of his wages? In this way, we will have the capacity to employ twice the number of available workers or even more.  

What is the problem if there are long holidays for the woman after delivery in order to look after her newborn? Meanwhile, she should be rewarded for this as she is undertaking the most serious task in life.

What is the problem if there are economic criteria for woman's work? There are many houses where both the man and the woman work while there are other houses where neither men nor women work!

All these points and many others could be subject to dialogue and discussion, provided that we get rid of the complex of equality between man and woman in the employment system. This is also contingent on getting rid of the inferiority complex as well as regaining the feeling of our distinction relative to other peoples of the world.  

Motivation Boosters - II

In a previous article, we mentioned some motivation boosters; following are some more:

1. Seeking perfection and rising above inadequacy

The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: “Allah likes what is noble and dislikes what is petty” , meaning every act that is bad and inferior. The Quran urges us to strive for excellence, as that act differentiates between good and bad, those who are knowledgeable and those who are not, those who fight and those who abstain, and between pioneers and loiterers.

In various verses, it favors those who are more esteemed in terms of perfection. For instance, Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

- {Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.} [Quran 39:9], and,

- {Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] - other than the disabled - and the mujaahidoon, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred the mujaahidoon through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to both Allah has promised the best [reward]. But Allah has preferred the mujaahidoon over those who remain [behind] with a great reward.} [Quran 4:95]

Likewise, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) urged his Ummah toward attaining perfection and rising above shortcomings. He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: “The strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than the weak believer and in each one there is goodness. Be eager to [do] what is beneficial and seek the Help of Allah and never be weak.”

Moreover, he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: “The one who does not work hard will not be saved by his honorable lineage.” Thus, whoever desires to be highly motivated should aspire to perfection and overcome trivial matters.

2. Abandoning worldly pleasures

In other words, despising life and being wary of its domination and control over the heart is significant. Once, ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez sought the advice of Al-Hasan  may  Allah  have  mercy  upon  them who wrote to him, saying, “The most important factor in becoming virtuous and guiding others to righteousness is forsaking worldly pleasures. This is achieved by conviction, which, in turn, is attained through contemplation that stems from being heedful. If you think carefully about life, you will find it unworthy of your selling yourself for its sake; and, you will discover that you merit being honored by caring little about this world, for it is only a place of trials and is transitory.”

Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqaas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates: “A man came to the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) and asked him to offer him concise advice. He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said, ‘Give up hope in [possessing] what others have and be cautious of greed, which is ongoing poverty. If you pray, do so as if it were your last prayer; and beware of doing what obliges you to offer apologies.’”

Indeed, the one who renounces worldly pleasures will end up having a taste of the bliss of Paradise and the status of being close to Allah The Almighty.

3. Being concerned with one’s own affairs

Occupying oneself with matters related to others, which have no effect on the individual, is a bad habit that wastes time. And, time is a person's capital, so squandering it without doing anything useful for one’s life or religion is indeed unfavorable. Hence, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: “It is of a man’s goodness in faith that he leaves what does not concern him.”

4. Refraining from wasting one’s time

Again, time is life and the lucky person is the one who makes optimum use of it by capitalizing on its every moment. Those with high motivation invest every second wisely; they are always keen on making the best use of their time, so much so that even personal tragedies do not prevent them from that.

Ibn Al-Atheer  may  Allah  have  mercy  upon  him for example, wrote his great books, like Jaami' Al-‘Usool and An-Nihaayah fi Ghareeb Al-Hadeeth, when he was physically impaired. As-Sarakhsi  may  Allah  have  mercy  upon  him penned his famous treatise Al-Mabsoot, which consists of fifteen volumes, while he was imprisoned. Also, Ibn Al-Qayyim  may  Allah  have  mercy  upon  him wrote Zaad Al-Ma‘aad while he was traveling and Al-Qurtubi  may  Allah  have  mercy  upon  him wrote an explanation of Saheeh Muslim while on board a ship.

5. Striving against vain desires

There are people who exert great efforts for the sake of a whim or worthless desires. However, a highly motivated person expends much energy on behalf of his or her beliefs and propagation of Islam. The worshipper does not rest except in Paradise, which spans an area as wide as the heavens and the earth. The path is easy only for those who know [what they would like to be] their destination. Thus, strive against your own vain desires to win the greatest honor.

It was also said that a man reaches perfection only when he gives precedence to his religion over his desires, and if he instead prioritizes fulfilling his whims, he will be destroyed.

That is why the strictly devout would train themselves to contradict their personal wants, even if they may be lawful, so as to habituate themselves to the concept of abandoning fancies altogether. Hence, whoever strives against his or her vain desires and demonstrates diligence in that will certainly reap what he or she sows; and, indeed acquiring virtues requires great efforts.

6. Refraining from hope in a long life and frequent remembrance of death

The one who indulges in this becomes highly motivated and consequently, increases in good deeds. Maajidah Al-Qurashiyyah  may  Allah  have  mercy  upon  her used to say, “The sunrise and sunset have put an end to my hopes; and I expect death in every single movement that I hear.” Of the careless in this regard, she remarked, “They have prolonged their hopes and thus wasted their time. If only they had thought of death and forgotten about these [fanciful] notions, they would have found work to be easier for them.”

The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) held ‘Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, and advised: “Be in life as if you were a stranger or a wayfarer, and count yourself among the people of the graves.” [Al-Bukhari] He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) would also awake [for worship] after a third of the night had passed; he would then counsel: “O people! Remember Allah; remember [Him]. The blast [of the Horn that will convulse the creation] has [nearly] arrived; there will follow it a subsequent [one]. Death is imminent; death has come.” [Ahmad]

Mutarrif ibn ‘Abdullaah used to say, “Death has spoilt the fortune of the fortunate. Hence, seek prosperity that has no death.”

In conclusion, bear in mind that the most intelligent people are those who remember death frequently and prepare themselves for it.

Motivation Boosters - I

Unquestionably, being highly motivated is one of the favors that Allah The Almighty bestows upon whomever He wills from His slaves. Being the Ever-Wise, He has created people in varying physical and mental capabilities. However, He has made strength of mind attainable through adopting certain actions and means. Here, we shall briefly enumerate some motivation boosters, hoping that Allah The Almighty will grant it to us:

1. Sincerity

Forgetting the creation by taking into consideration only their Creator urges a person to do noble things because one realizes that Allah The Almighty is indeed, of all things, Seeing. Ibn Al-Qayyim  may  Allah  have  mercy  upon  him said, "The righteous intention is like a booster shot for high motivation; when they fuse, one can attain his [or her] sublime objectives."

2. Truthfulness

The person who is honest in his or her determination and actions is a highly motivated person; this quality entitles him or her to enjoy happiness in both worlds. In determination, truthfulness denotes decisiveness without hesitation; and, in actions, it means exerting one’s utmost efforts to achieve a set target. While the first protects an individual from weakness of motivation and will, the second shields him or her from lethargy and slackness.

3. Knowledge

The one who believes that knowledge and ignorance are equal or who is content with his or her status does not have any motivation. There can be no doubt that knowledge boosts a person's drive, removing him or her from the disgrace of ignorance and blind imitation, and purifies his or her intention.

Shaykh Muhammad Ismaa‘eel says in ‘Uluww Al-Himmah, "Knowledge makes one aware of the levels of deeds. Hence, he [or she] avoids excessive indulgence in enjoying permissible things, which detract him [or her] from worship, such as overeating or oversleeping, and observes a balance between, and moderation in, rights and duties, regarding which the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: "Give each [thing or individual] its due right." Furthermore, knowledge makes one aware of Satan’s plots and tactics of confusing him [or her] as a way to prevent him [or her] from doing acts that are greater in reward."

Ibn Al-Qayyim  may  Allah  have  mercy  upon  him said, "The degree of the person who pursues knowledge of the levels of deeds and noble acts, determines the extent of his [or her] knowledge of the increase and decrease in status and faith."

4. Attentiveness

This quality separates a man from the heedless, makes him avoid the deeds of the ignorant, protects him from slackness and boosts his motivation to the extent that he is restless until he comes to inhabit Paradise, whose width is equivalent to the heavens and earth. A person who wants to be ambitious must completely avoid the company of the reckless, which he or she would only come to regret. It was narrated that after the battle of Badr, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) invited Thul-Jawshan Adh-Dhabaabi to Islam, and said: "Do you not want to be one of the early Muslims?" When the man replied in the negative, he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) asked: "What is the reason behind your refusal?" Thul-Jawshan answered, "I saw that your people disbelieved in you, expelled and fought you. If you managed to defeat them, I would believe in you and follow you; otherwise I would not." Later, Thul-Jawshan regretted that he did not convert to Islam when the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) invited him.

5. Decisiveness

Hesitation causes the slave of Allah The Almighty to miss out on many blessings, stunting him or her while others move on. Only a resolute person can attain his or her goal; therefore, do not be uncertain and worried, and destroy yourself with doubts, which only lead to further qualms. Instead, contemplate the verses where Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {And when you have resolved, then rely upon Allah.} [Quran 3:159]

• {And when the matter [of fighting] was determined, if they had been true to Allah, it would have been better for them.} [Quran 47:21]

6. Consciousness of the value and honor of the soul

This does not mean that Man should be arrogant or conceited; rather, he has to understand that as a human being, he is superior to all other creations of Allah The Almighty. Therefore, he should be keen on exalting himself and increasing his worth through righteous deeds, knowledge, persistence and research, and by culturally refining himself, enlightening his mind, and igniting ambition and nobility within his soul.

Dear brother and sister; remember that Allah The Almighty made His angels prostrate to you and placed them at your service. How many of them are there in the heavens who never sleep yet do not attain any exalted degree? On the other hand, Allah The Almighty Himself praises those people who leave their beds to worship Him for a while, when He Says (what means): {Their sides forsake their beds.} [Quran 32:16]

How many angels exist in the sky, who never taste food or drink, but they have no distinction? On the contrary, when a human being abstains from eating and drinking for a while, he or she is praised by Allah The Almighty and His Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) who said: "The breath of the fasting person is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk." The angels pray for us and the bearers of the Throne ask Allah The Almighty to forgive us. Let us then, dear brother and sister, search our souls and bear its value in mind; we will then become highly motivated.

7. Supplication

I chose to mention this factor at the end of the article because it is the widest and nearest gate to all types of blessings; the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: “The most miserly of people is the one who is mean with [offering] greetings; and the most incapable [of them] is the one who is unable of making supplication." The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) also said: "There is nothing [of acts of worship] that is more honorable [in the sight of Allah] than invocation."

Therefore, we have to draw close to our Protector through the door of humility and submission. We must supplicate to Him, saying: "Ilaahi wa Sayyidi wa Mawlaay, anta aslahta as-saaliheen, wa-a‘layta himamahum, faj‘alna minhum, wa alhiqna bihim fee ‘illiyeen (O my Lord, Master and Protector, You have reformed the righteous and boosted their motivation; make us from them and make us join them in the most exalted of ranks).”

Modesty is a Part of Faith

It was related on the authority of Abu Mas'ood Al-Badri that: "The Messenger of Allah said: "One of the admonitions of the previous prophets which has been conveyed to people is that if you have no shame, you can do whatever you wish." [Al-Bukhari] 

Explanation of the Hadeeth:

The saying of the Messenger : "…If you feel no shame, you can do whatever you wish" is in the command form, and can be looked at from two angles, each conveying a distinct meaning:

(1) The first is that it is a form of threat and a challenge thrown down against those who engage in inappropriate behaviour. Such people have no shame in front of Allah and therefore, no matter what course they take, it would not make any real difference. In this case, it would be as if the Hadeeth is stating: "If you do not feel any shame from doing these prohibited acts, then do whatever you wish…" Modesty is the quality that prevents one from immodest behaviour, and the lack of it will only cause one to increase in distancing himself from Allah and make him indifferent to creed or deed.

(2) The second meaning pertains to doing that which is lawful. That is, if the action that one is about to do is not within the category of the unlawful, and we are not ashamed of doing the act in front of Allah or the people, then we are free to do it. However, if we are ashamed to do it, then we should not. The Hadeeth gives a measuring stick by which we can evaluate actions, both privately and publicly. 

Thus, the first explanation relates to a lack of consciousness regarding Allah and the second is regarding the opposite, which is to be conscious of Allah and of His watching over a person and his actions.

The former explanation relates to an unbridled Nafs (base desires and lower self), whereas the latter implies observance of due constraint over it, so that it does not embark on the road to destruction.

Modesty is of two types:

Modesty is either natural or acquired. Natural modesty means that the individual has this quality by nature and does not need to exert any effort to acquire it. Acquired modesty, on the other hand, is attained by those who possess knowledge concerning Allah, being cognisant concerning His Greatness, Proximity and His Inspection of all that they do.

Points Related to Modesty:

1. Modesty is one of the most honourable attributes and is a consistent virtue found in all the various laws sent down to each prophet and messenger.

2. It is one of the most perfect and desirable characteristics to possess and an excellent state to be in.

3. Modesty only brings good to individuals and is an indication of faith.

4. Bashfulness and shame is in direct opposition to indecency and shamelessness.

5. Modesty is an element of faith, and indecency has no relation to it.

6. Modesty adorns one's nature and personality and is indicative of his being Islamically cultured and refined.

7. Indecency, on the other hand, shows that one lacks virtues and is uncouth, dishonourable and uncultured.

8. We are obligated to guard ourselves against indecency and from acting indecently or uncultured, as qualified by Islam.

9. We must never misconstrue bashfulness or shyness with cowardice - Islamically they are far from synonymous.

10. Modesty, as mentioned, is a root virtue. One of the fruits of modesty is chastity.

11. There is no modesty when it comes to teaching the laws of Islam or searching for the truth.