Make life
positive
Life is a blessing from Allah and how we utilize it allows us
to live our lives in an enjoyable manner.
As humans we often define life by the materialist thoughts and objects
that we possess, whether it is getting the latest iPhone, dining at a five star restaurant or getting the most
expensive and fashionable dress. These things are not wrong but when we base
the very essence of our happiness on them is when we lose the true blessings
and meanings of life. Everyone wants to be happy and have a happy life but the
path we take as individuals gives each of us different results, some find what
they please and others perish like a dessert man in search of water but
perishes before he can find any. Life is complex and by looking at the simplest
and basic of things which are oftenly looked down upon such as how we treat
those around us or how to handle a bad day or even how to keep a smile may
allow one to be able to attain a calm heart and mind. This book will hopefully intends
to address some of these simple things step by step in detail to ensure that
you, dear reader may find what you are looking for at its end.
Your Connection with Allah
As people we tend to care about are
relationships with our family, friends, colleges at work, the boss etc. but how
many of us think about our relationship with the one who created us and those
we care about so much. Our relationship with Allah decides the state of calmness
of our hearts and minds. Physically we live by our hearts, our hearts need
exercise, rest and the right amount of good food, spiritually we also live by
our hearts. Our hearts need a strong connection with the one who created it
just as Allah said himself, ‘verily with the remembrance of Allah will the
hearts find tranquility’ (Surah Ra’d verse 29).
By saying Alhamdulillah when we wake
up in the morning, or by mentioning Allah’s name before and after eating or
praying on time as ‘it is the sweetest time of the day since we are talking to
the one who loves us the most’, will enable us to make Allah part of our
everyday lives.
We will begin to find tranquility in
our hearts and minds along with freeing them from the chains of stress and anxiety.
Unfortunately, in today’s society we have become accustomed to consumption and
believe that religion is secondary or even unnecessary. This is due to the fact
that once we desire we develop attachment and once this is formed we consider
God and religion as a secondary factor as the presumed idea is that they stand
in the way. Consequently, we become entrenched emptiness as we have only
fulfilled external desires, some of these disastrously have a negative impact
on our external stability as some of these desires are not right for our
wellbeing. Our hearts become void and loneliness starts to develop and we
become fragile, each insignificant thing becomes a major issue, we cannot
handle the slightest of problems and we despair in the face of a challenge.
Treat others well
Every day as the sun comes up for the
rest of our lives we will always be interacting with people and the way we act
with those around us in society defines our level of manners and morals. It is
very often that we demand respect but how many of us give others the respect
that they rightfully deserve, by developing a personality filled with morals
and etiquette's one will be able to earn the respect that they acquire without
depriving others of theirs. The prophet (s.a.w) said ‘The believers with
complete faith are those with the best of manners’. To do this we must acknowledge that others are
just like us who want the same rights we do, and the first step is by watching
what we say. Islam teaches us,’ Before you speak let your words pass through
three gates, at the first gate ask yourself is it true, at the second gate ask,
is it necessary and at the third gate ask, is it kind’. Saying kind words and
showing respect allows others to acknowledge you, yes once in a while you will
deal with people who you think don’t deserve respect but if your good morals
can’t change them your bad one’s most definitely won’t. Saying sorry, please or
even thank you does not make you a weak person but rather makes you wise as it
increases your intelligence and makes your heart open and softer. And remember,
if your words are kind your actions will follow.
Be content
Whether it’s a day that went wrong or
that phone you’ve been waiting for is out of stock its always one way for all
of us, we tend to scream, curse or become devastated but these things can never
be compared to the blessings that surrounds us every day. We often look at
materialistic things to an extent that they make us forget the true favors of Allah around us such good health, wealth, a loving family etc. the favors of
Allah is so many that it can never be counted as Allah stated himself. Often we see people who may have more money, a bigger house or name than us and we
begin to compete with these people, however rare of us look at those around us
who don’t have the everyday commodities that we possess, this is why the
prophet (s.a.w) said,’ Don’t look to those above you. Look to those below you,
as it more likely remind you of the favors Allah has bestowed on you’. Looking
at those less fortunate than us allows us to reflect and contemplate on the
blessings around us and to be thankful for them each day as the sun rises and
sets.
Smile
How often do we smile, is it when
something pleases us or because your day actually went as planned today , how
many of us smile for its rewards and to give those around us a smile also.
Smiling makes the face shine with light and sends a warm message of peace to
the one who sees, that is why it was declared
a charity by the prophet (s.a.w). A warm smile however is not complete without
calm and cheerful words said after it, it gives your smile a stronger meaning
and purpose. One thing is for sure, none of us know when we are going die so
why not say a good word to those we hold so dear to us, saying a good word and
telling them how much they mean to you enables us to know that no matter what
happens to us we have left these people with a good thought about us. Always
remember that death is in the hands of Allah we do not know our time will come
so always leave people in a good state because you may not get a second chance
to smile and say a good word.
With these pieces of advises I hope
that they make us have a better understanding of what life really is, life may
be complex and we may have challenges that seem to push to a corner but if we
look with our hearts and minds before our eyes we will find that life is not
what it may seem to be and only then we will be able to enjoy our every day
lives.
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