Arabic Phrase:

Meaning & Usage:
This statement means: Opposition for the sake of objection is a type of illness.

It is used when someone criticizes a statement or opinion for the sake of criticizing to show his ability. It is an indication of a hidden disease inside the heart.

How to gain Khushu in Salat

By Dr. Mamdouh N. Mohamed Associate Professor at the American Open University

What is Khushuu’?

Khushuu‟ during Salaat is misunderstood by some people as crying and weeping. Rather, it is the presence of the heart during an act of „ibadah. When a person‟s heart is fully occupied of what he says or hears, he is in a true state of khushuu‟. The concept of Khushuu‟ in Salaat is very essential.

1- It is a vital factor in making a person successful in this life and in later life. “Indeed, the believers, who have khushuu‟ in their Salaat, are the winners.”

2-It is a contributing factor for the acceptance of Salaat.

3- It is a way to gain more rewards from the Almighty Allah; the more the khushuu‟ a person has, the more rewards he gets.

4- Without Khushuu‟ the heart cannot easily be purified.

Ways to Gain Khushuu

A. Pre-Salaat

1- A Muslim should know his Lord very well. Knowing whom one worships makes a person a better worshipper. Having clear and authentic knowledge about Allah increases His love in our hearts. Consequently, faith also increases.

2- Avoiding major and minor sins is very helpful in gaining Khushuu‟, as the heart becomes more receptive to the words of Allah during and after Salaat.

3- Reciting the Qur‟an frequently and consistently softens the hearts and prepares it for Khushuu‟. Hard hearts do not gain Khushuu‟.

4- Minimize attachment to worldly matters. Gearing one‟s intentions towards the Afterlife helps against the temptations of life.

5- Avoid excessive laughter and useless arguments as they harden the heart and lead to heedlessness.

6- Stop working as soon as you hear the Azaan. When you listen attentively to the call of Salaat repeat after the muˆz-zin then offer the relevant supplication. This prepares you for a smooth transition from the business with worldly matters to the business with Salaat.

7- Performing wuduuˆ immediately after hearing the Azaan prepares you for the pending Salsat. Wuduuˆ also works as a buffer zone before engaging in Salaat.

8- Going to the mosque early for praying and continuing mention of Allah drives Satan away and help gain concentration.

9- The waiting time for the congregational Salaat helps create a buffer zone between the state of mind before Salaat and the state of during Salaat.

B. During Salaat

1- The Iqaamah itself is a final signal to the mind to be well prepared for

performing the actual Salaat. Remember what the messenger of Allah said to Bilal (ra) “Let us enjoy the comfort of the Salaat.”

2- When you stand facing the Qiblah remember the following:

a. It might be the last Salaat in your life. There is no guarantee to live longer to catch the next Salaat.

b. You are standing between the hands of Allah, the Lord of the worlds. How can you be busy with something else?

c. The angel of death is chasing you.

3- Do not forget to make isti‟azah. It wards off Satan‟s whispers.

4- Keep your eyes focused on the place of sujuud. This helps you gain more concentration.

5- When reciting the Fatiha, try to recall the response of Allah to you after every ayah you say. (When you say: ”al-hamdu lillahi rab-bil „alamin) Allah responds: “My servant praised me.” etc. This feeling of speaking to Allah puts you in the right mood of khushuu‟.

6- Beautifying the recitation of the Qur‟an has a positive impact on the heart.

7- Recite the Qur‟an slowly and reflect upon its meaning deeply.

8- It is recommended to change the suras that your recite from time to

time to avoid the mechanic-like state of repetition.

9- Alternate between the various authentic sunan such as proclaiming a different opening supplication in every Salaat.

10- Undoubtedly, understanding Arabic helps you focus on the intended meaning.

11- Interact with the recited aayahs;

a. if you hear an ayah about Allah, glorify Him by saying “Subhaana Allah”;

b. If you hear an ayah about Hellfire, say “a‟uuthu billaahi mina-n-naar”.

c. If you hear a command to make istighfaar, do it.

d. If you hear an ayah that requests tasbiih, make tasbiih.

12- These forms of interactions are very helpful in keeping you focused.

13- When you prostrate, remember that this position brings you closer to Allah. Seize the opportunity to make sincere du‟aaˆ. Invest these moments in making sincere supplications.

C- Post-Salaat

e. When you make tasliim, make istighfaar to Allah as you might have made during Salaat.

f. When you praise Allah, thank Him from the bottom of your heart that you have experienced the beauty of Salaat in your heart. Getting used to this habit prepares your for the next Salaat, as you will always be eager to focus in your prayer.

g. One perfection leads to another perfection. If some one perfects his Salaat once, he would be self-motivated to continue on the same level.

May Allah fill our hearts with khushuu‟ – Aameen.

Ibrahim was very happy to see sheik Nabeel open the door to his room. We can only see his happiness from his expression as he is unable to speak

Notice the breathing instrument around Ibrahim’s neck.. he is unable to even breath normally.

Thus sheik Nabeel and Ibrahim started talking about da’wa on the internet and the striving it requires.
They also exchanged some stories

You probably heard about the death of the electric car.

Now, San Francisco is about to revive the electric car by requiring that new structures be wired for car chargers. More info here.

Please support the people of Haiti! In authentic Hadith the Prophet Sallalahu Alahe wasalam said a prostitute women was forgiving by Allah and granted paradise because she gave a thirsty dog water to drink! what about our fellow human beings? May Allah guide the people of Haiti to Islam, here is the link to donate… We will make sure the money reaches the people of Haiti and not the pockets of men Insha Allah.

www.muslimglobalrelief.com

The following is mentioned by Seth Godin about complaining using a positive language.

“In this economy, I’m lucky to have this job, and it’s almost perfect. It would be even better if…”

or

“I love owning this device, it lets me manage my life and contacts, and the one thing that would make it even better is…”

It’s important to leave out the word “but.”

The fascinating thing about this approach is that not only does it make you happier when you say it, it increases the chance that the person you’re complaining to will actually do something to help you.

Dealing with Anger

Channeling Emotions

Dealing with Peer Pressure

Check out Stronger Than Ever: Emotional Strength Program

Recently, LivingHalal coaches have participated in Stronger Than Ever: Emotional Strength Training.

One topic the training covered was dealing with emotions (anger/regret), which the following story presents in a touching way.

USED vs. LOVED

While a man was polishing his new car,
his 4 yr old son picked up a stone
and scratched lines on the side of the car.

In anger, the man took the child’s hand
and hit it many times not realizing
he was using a wrench.

At the hospital, the child lost all his fingers
due to multiple fractures.

When the child saw his father…..
with painful eyes he asked, ‘Dad when will my fingers grow back?’
The man was so hurt and speechless;
he went back to his car and kicked it a lot of times.

Devastated by his own actions….. .
sitting in front of that car he looked at the scratches;
the child had written ‘LOVE YOU DAD’.

Anger and Love have no limits;
choose the latter to have a beautiful, lovely
life & remember this:
Things are to be used and people are to be loved.
The problem in today’s world is
that people are used while things are loved.

Let’s try always to keep this thought in mind:
Things are to be used,
People are to be loved.

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character;
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

I’m glad a sweet person forwarded this to me as a reminder…
I hope you have a good day no matter what problems you may face
it’s the only day you’ll have before it’s over.

Check out Stronger Than Ever: Emotional Strength Program

According to Makkah, 10th of Muharram for 1431 is on December 27th, 2009.

So please remember to fast on Sunday the 27th and the following day Monday the 28th (instead of fasting Saturday the day before, because there is an opinion based on a narration that fasting on Saturday is not allowed except for obligatory fasts, and Allah knows best).

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