Post by arsoomro on May 23, 2011 14:55:55 GMT 9
Assalamualaikum
Alhamdulillah, Allah has given us all the answers in the Qur`aan. It
is upto us to read it, understand it, memorize it, hold on to it and
most importantly remember to act upon all that we have learnt. I added
verses from the Qur`aan for each point below to serve as reminders for
myself and others...
10 Principles for Peaceful Life…
قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُبِينٌ [٥:١٥]
يَهْدِي بِهِ اللَّهُ مَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضْوَانَهُ سُبُلَ السَّلَامِ
وَيُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ بِإِذْنِهِ
وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ [٥:١٦]
There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book. By which
Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and
brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and
guides them to a straight path. [5:15-16]
1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked.
وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ
وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا [١٧:٣٦]
And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the
hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be
questioned. (Isra:17)
Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others'
affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our
way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do
not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the
right direction, i.e. our direction. This thinking denies the
existence of individuality and consequently undermines the
Intelligence and Creativity that is only attributed to God. God has
created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think
or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do
because Allah has made each one of us different, with different
personalities. Be patient with one another, and mind your own business
and you will keep your peace.
2. Forgive And Forget:
وَإِنْ تَعْفُوا وَتَصْفَحُوا وَتَغْفِرُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ
رَحِيمٌ [٦٤:١٤]
But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is
Forgiving and Merciful.
This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind, but also challenging
to acheive. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the
person who insult us or harm us. We nurture grievances resulting in
loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure.
We further aggravate stress in ourselves by remembering, and reminding
ourselves of the very persons that caused us harm. Get over this bad
habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive, forget,
and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.
3. Do Not Crave For Recognition:
ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ [٢٢:٧٣]
[Those who seek from other than Allah…..] Weak are the pursuer and pursued.
قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ مَالِكَ الْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِي الْمُلْكَ مَنْ تَشَاءُ
وَتَنْزِعُ الْمُلْكَ مِمَّنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُذِلُّ
مَنْ تَشَاءُ ۖ بِيَدِكَ الْخَيْرُ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ
قَدِيرٌ [٣:٢٦]
Say, "O Allah , Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom
You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor
whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all]
good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.
This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody
without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in
power, but no sooner than you are powerless; they will forget your
achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to
kill yourself in striving for their recognition? Do your duties
ethically and sincerely, and only seek the pleasure of Allah through
salah and ibaadah.
4. Do Not Be Jealous:
وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوْا مَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهِ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ
ۚ لِلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِمَّا اكْتَسَبُوا ۖ وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيبٌ
مِمَّا اكْتَسَبْنَ ۚ وَاسْأَلُوا اللَّهَ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ
كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا [٤:٣٢]
And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed
others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is
a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of his bounty. Indeed
Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing
We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind.
You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but
sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business
several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbour
whose business is only a one year old. There are several examples like
these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember, a
person's life is shaped by their destiny, which becomes their reality.
If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. And
if you are destined to be poor, then no matter what you do, you will
only be what you are destined to be. Nothing will be gained by
blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you
anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.
5. Change Yourself:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا
بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ [١٣:١١
Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they
change what is in themselves
If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are
you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As
you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you,
will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.
6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured:
لَتُبْلَوُنَّ فِي أَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنْفُسِكُمْ وَلَتَسْمَعُنَّ مِنَ
الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ
أَشْرَكُوا أَذًى كَثِيرًا ۚ وَإِنْ تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوا فَإِنَّ
ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ [٣:١٨٦]
You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves. And
you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before
you and from those who associate others with Allah much abuse. But if
you are patient and fear Allah - indeed, that is of the matters
[worthy] of determination.
Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and
accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or
change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn
to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in
terms of patience, inner strength and will power.
7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:
(102:3) كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ (102:2)حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ
الْمَقَابِرَ (102:1)أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ
Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you. Until you visit the
graveyards. No! You are going to know
(94:7) وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَارْغَبْ (94:8)فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَانْصَبْ
So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship].
And to your Lord direct [your] longing.
We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of.
This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. Why take on
additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace
of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material
engagements and spend time in prayer, and introspection. It will
prevent you from thinking of matters that upset you. An uncluttered
mind is a peaceful mind.
8. Make Regular Dhikr:
وَاذْكُرْ رَبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ
مِنَ الْقَوْلِ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ وَلَا تَكُنْ مِنَ
الْغَافِلِينَ [٧:٢٠٥]
And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear
without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings.
And do not be among the heedless.
وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَنْ ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنْكًا
وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَىٰ [٢٠:١٢٤]
And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a
depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection
blind."
Dhikr, the rememberance of Allah, calms the mind and gets rid of
disturbing thoughts. Try it yourself. If you do tasbih, dhikr,
whenever you are free, your mind will be at peace during the day. Your
mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before.You may think that
this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will
increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better
results in less time.
9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant:
وَلِكُلٍّ وِجْهَةٌ هُوَ مُوَلِّيهَا ۖ فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ ۚ
أَيْنَ مَا تَكُونُوا يَأْتِ بِكُمُ اللَّهُ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ
عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ [٢:١٤٨]
For each is a direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that
is] good. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you forth [for
judgement] all together. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ
تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذَا هُمْ مُبْصِرُونَ [٧:٢٠١]
Indeed, those who fear Allah - when an impulse touches them from
Satan, they remember [Him] and at once they have insight.
An empty mind is the devil's workshop. Keep your mind occupied in
something positive, something worthwhile and negative thoughts will
not plague your mind. Actively follow a hobby, something that holds
your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of
mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always
earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and
achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in
healthy reading or in du’a
10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret:
فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ
الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ [٣:١٥٩]
And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves
those who rely [upon Him].
Do not waste time in protracted wondering, " Should I or shouldn't
I?" You can never plan enough because you can never fully anticipate
all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to
be done now. It does not matter if you fail the first time, so long as
you don't leave it for tomorrow. You can learn from your mistakes and
succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing.
DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen. Why cry over
spilt milk?
Think Positive
Alhamdulillah, Allah has given us all the answers in the Qur`aan. It
is upto us to read it, understand it, memorize it, hold on to it and
most importantly remember to act upon all that we have learnt. I added
verses from the Qur`aan for each point below to serve as reminders for
myself and others...
10 Principles for Peaceful Life…
قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُبِينٌ [٥:١٥]
يَهْدِي بِهِ اللَّهُ مَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضْوَانَهُ سُبُلَ السَّلَامِ
وَيُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ بِإِذْنِهِ
وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَىٰ صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ [٥:١٦]
There has come to you from Allah a light and a clear Book. By which
Allah guides those who pursue His pleasure to the ways of peace and
brings them out from darknesses into the light, by His permission, and
guides them to a straight path. [5:15-16]
1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked.
وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ
وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا [١٧:٣٦]
And do not pursue that of which you have no knowledge. Indeed, the
hearing, the sight and the heart - about all those [one] will be
questioned. (Isra:17)
Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others'
affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our
way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do
not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the
right direction, i.e. our direction. This thinking denies the
existence of individuality and consequently undermines the
Intelligence and Creativity that is only attributed to God. God has
created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think
or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do
because Allah has made each one of us different, with different
personalities. Be patient with one another, and mind your own business
and you will keep your peace.
2. Forgive And Forget:
وَإِنْ تَعْفُوا وَتَصْفَحُوا وَتَغْفِرُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ
رَحِيمٌ [٦٤:١٤]
But if you pardon and overlook and forgive - then indeed, Allah is
Forgiving and Merciful.
This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind, but also challenging
to acheive. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the
person who insult us or harm us. We nurture grievances resulting in
loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure.
We further aggravate stress in ourselves by remembering, and reminding
ourselves of the very persons that caused us harm. Get over this bad
habit. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive, forget,
and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.
3. Do Not Crave For Recognition:
ضَعُفَ الطَّالِبُ وَالْمَطْلُوبُ [٢٢:٧٣]
[Those who seek from other than Allah…..] Weak are the pursuer and pursued.
قُلِ اللَّهُمَّ مَالِكَ الْمُلْكِ تُؤْتِي الْمُلْكَ مَنْ تَشَاءُ
وَتَنْزِعُ الْمُلْكَ مِمَّنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُعِزُّ مَنْ تَشَاءُ وَتُذِلُّ
مَنْ تَشَاءُ ۖ بِيَدِكَ الْخَيْرُ ۖ إِنَّكَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ
قَدِيرٌ [٣:٢٦]
Say, "O Allah , Owner of Sovereignty, You give sovereignty to whom
You will and You take sovereignty away from whom You will. You honor
whom You will and You humble whom You will. In Your hand is [all]
good. Indeed, You are over all things competent.
This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody
without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in
power, but no sooner than you are powerless; they will forget your
achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to
kill yourself in striving for their recognition? Do your duties
ethically and sincerely, and only seek the pleasure of Allah through
salah and ibaadah.
4. Do Not Be Jealous:
وَلَا تَتَمَنَّوْا مَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهِ بَعْضَكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ
ۚ لِلرِّجَالِ نَصِيبٌ مِمَّا اكْتَسَبُوا ۖ وَلِلنِّسَاءِ نَصِيبٌ
مِمَّا اكْتَسَبْنَ ۚ وَاسْأَلُوا اللَّهَ مِنْ فَضْلِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ
كَانَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمًا [٤:٣٢]
And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed
others. For men is a share of what they have earned, and for women is
a share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of his bounty. Indeed
Allah is ever, of all things, Knowing
We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind.
You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but
sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business
several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbour
whose business is only a one year old. There are several examples like
these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? No. Remember, a
person's life is shaped by their destiny, which becomes their reality.
If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. And
if you are destined to be poor, then no matter what you do, you will
only be what you are destined to be. Nothing will be gained by
blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you
anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.
5. Change Yourself:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتَّىٰ يُغَيِّرُوا مَا
بِأَنْفُسِهِمْ [١٣:١١
Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they
change what is in themselves
If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are
you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As
you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you,
will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.
6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured:
لَتُبْلَوُنَّ فِي أَمْوَالِكُمْ وَأَنْفُسِكُمْ وَلَتَسْمَعُنَّ مِنَ
الَّذِينَ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ وَمِنَ الَّذِينَ
أَشْرَكُوا أَذًى كَثِيرًا ۚ وَإِنْ تَصْبِرُوا وَتَتَّقُوا فَإِنَّ
ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ عَزْمِ الْأُمُورِ [٣:١٨٦]
You will surely be tested in your possessions and in yourselves. And
you will surely hear from those who were given the Scripture before
you and from those who associate others with Allah much abuse. But if
you are patient and fear Allah - indeed, that is of the matters
[worthy] of determination.
Every day we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and
accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or
change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn
to endure them cheerfully. Believe in yourself and you will gain in
terms of patience, inner strength and will power.
7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew:
(102:3) كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ (102:2)حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ
الْمَقَابِرَ (102:1)أَلْهَاكُمُ التَّكَاثُرُ
Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you. Until you visit the
graveyards. No! You are going to know
(94:7) وَإِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ فَارْغَبْ (94:8)فَإِذَا فَرَغْتَ فَانْصَبْ
So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship].
And to your Lord direct [your] longing.
We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of.
This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. Why take on
additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace
of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material
engagements and spend time in prayer, and introspection. It will
prevent you from thinking of matters that upset you. An uncluttered
mind is a peaceful mind.
8. Make Regular Dhikr:
وَاذْكُرْ رَبَّكَ فِي نَفْسِكَ تَضَرُّعًا وَخِيفَةً وَدُونَ الْجَهْرِ
مِنَ الْقَوْلِ بِالْغُدُوِّ وَالْآصَالِ وَلَا تَكُنْ مِنَ
الْغَافِلِينَ [٧:٢٠٥]
And remember your Lord within yourself in humility and in fear
without being apparent in speech - in the mornings and the evenings.
And do not be among the heedless.
وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَنْ ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنْكًا
وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَىٰ [٢٠:١٢٤]
And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a
depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection
blind."
Dhikr, the rememberance of Allah, calms the mind and gets rid of
disturbing thoughts. Try it yourself. If you do tasbih, dhikr,
whenever you are free, your mind will be at peace during the day. Your
mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before.You may think that
this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will
increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better
results in less time.
9. Never Leave The Mind Vacant:
وَلِكُلٍّ وِجْهَةٌ هُوَ مُوَلِّيهَا ۖ فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ ۚ
أَيْنَ مَا تَكُونُوا يَأْتِ بِكُمُ اللَّهُ جَمِيعًا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ
عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ [٢:١٤٨]
For each is a direction toward which it faces. So race to [all that
is] good. Wherever you may be, Allah will bring you forth [for
judgement] all together. Indeed, Allah is over all things competent.
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ اتَّقَوْا إِذَا مَسَّهُمْ طَائِفٌ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ
تَذَكَّرُوا فَإِذَا هُمْ مُبْصِرُونَ [٧:٢٠١]
Indeed, those who fear Allah - when an impulse touches them from
Satan, they remember [Him] and at once they have insight.
An empty mind is the devil's workshop. Keep your mind occupied in
something positive, something worthwhile and negative thoughts will
not plague your mind. Actively follow a hobby, something that holds
your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of
mind. Your hobby, like social work or religious work, may not always
earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and
achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in
healthy reading or in du’a
10. Do Not Procrastinate And Never Regret:
فَإِذَا عَزَمْتَ فَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ
الْمُتَوَكِّلِينَ [٣:١٥٩]
And when you have decided, then rely upon Allah. Indeed, Allah loves
those who rely [upon Him].
Do not waste time in protracted wondering, " Should I or shouldn't
I?" You can never plan enough because you can never fully anticipate
all future happenings. Value your time and do the things that need to
be done now. It does not matter if you fail the first time, so long as
you don't leave it for tomorrow. You can learn from your mistakes and
succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing.
DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen. Why cry over
spilt milk?
Think Positive