Mar 16, 2008

25 ways to polish the heart

Assalamualaikum,
Insha'Allah you are all in the best of states.

Al Bayhaqi relates from ibn Umar (radiallahu 'anhu) that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "For everything there is a polish, and the polish for the hearts is the dhikr (remembrance) of Allah. There is nothing more potent in saving a person from the punishment of Allah than the dhikr of Allah." It was said: Not even Jihad in the path of Allah. So he replied: "Not even if you were to continue striking with your sword until it breaks." There is no doubt that hearts becomes rusty just as copper and silver coins become rusty. The polish for [this rust] is the dhikr of Allah. This is because [dhikr] is like a polish [which polishes the heart] like a shiny mirror. When dhikr is left, the rust returns. But when dhikr resumes, then the heart is [again] polished.The following is a list of 25 things a person can do to increase their Iman and their Ihsan:

1. Start off each day with waking supplications, thanking Allah for waking up in good shape.

2. Put Allah (swt) and then Prophet Mohammad (saw) before anything else in your life.

3. Broaden your horizons-learn 5 new verses from the Qur’an, travel to pray the Fajr in the mosque to brighten your day, take up a booklet having morning supplications and learn them.

4. Pray salat Al-duha (after sunrise).

5. If someone says something mean to you, just shrug it off and dismiss it in a friendly, laidback manner, and pray that Allah shall forgive him or her. They will probably get the message that they're not triggering your anger and they will stop.

6. When you get angry, remember Allah, and how short and worthless life is to waste in being angry.

7. Remember that you can never have too many friends, but you can have few quality friends that help you fulfil the purpose of your creation (i.e. living for the sake of Allah.)

8. When you're happy, try to share your happiness with others. Thank Allah for what has made you happy and pray for its continuation.

9. When something bad or embarrassing happens to you, just think that it could always be worse, remember the reward of patience, and thank Allah that it's not worse than it is.

10. Do something extra good once in a while, like donating to the poor or donating to the local masjid.

11. Never stop believing that you can win Allah's love. With Allah’s love, we can win the love of Allah's slaves.

12. Spend some time thinking about Allah's amazing creation.

13. Always love those who love Allah unconditionally. This way you will ensure that you live for Him, love for Him, and hate for Him (those who are enemies of Him).

14. Find the righteous ways to express yourself, and if you think that what you are about to say shall cause no benefit, maintain silence (this is tough but keep in mind that with patience comes reward.)

15. Every now and then, give yourself a break. Play sports, give time to your family, friends, but always remember Allah and remember that He is always watching you.

16. Pray for blessings to come to your enemies, and pray Allah to guide them to the right path.

17. Show love to your parents and always obey them (except orders that are against Islam, which they’ll never do) especially your mother as Jannah is under the feet of your mother.

18. Smile to everyone, to all brothers and sisters, for your smile makes a big difference to them and you are rewarded.

19. Forgive, forget and smile.

20. Tears are not for women only... tears are for all human beings with feelings remaining in them. Don't restrain your tears when remembering Allah.

21. When people criticize your actions and effort, revise your actions and see if they please Allah or not. If they do, then ignore their criticism and remember how the Prophets and the Sahaba were criticized, made fun of and even physically harmed. They met all of this with patience so we too must have patience.

22. Read the Qur’an daily. To make it easier, keep a schedule for completing it every so often. Observe the ayahs, try to understand and transform them into action.

23. Don't let popularity go to your head, for it never lasts and you may lose from it more than gain.

24. Never look down on anybody, for they may be better than you in Allah's eyes.

25. After praying the salat-ul-Isha and before going to bed ask yourself whether you gained or lost points (rewards, deeds) during the day. Make repentance for the things you have done wrong and think of ways to improve yourself in the following day.

May Allah (SWT) grant us Jannat-ul-Firdaws. Ameen.

Keep me in your prayers,
ma'asalaam =)

source:
mutmainaa

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