Is Saying “Sadaqa Allahu Al-Azeem” After Reciting the Quran Bidah?

 

Saying “Sadaqa Allahu Al-Azeem after reciting the Quran

“Saying “Sadaqa Allahu Al-Azeem” after reciting the Quran or when listening to it is not a blameworthy bidah due to the following reasons:

1- There is no evidence to forbid it.

2- It is a kind of dhikr (remembrance of Allah) which  we should say it.

4- The Quran has reference to these words:3- Some scholars have spoken of the virtue of uttering this expression and considered it one of the ethics of recitation. They even maintain that saying it in prayer does not break it.

{Say: Allah has spoken the truth (Sadaqa Allahu), therefore follow the religion of Ibrahim, the upright one; and he was not one of the polytheists.} (Aal Imran 3:95)

{And when the believers saw the allies, they said: This is what Allah and His Messenger promised us, and Allah and His Messenger spoke the truth (wa sadaqa Allahu wa rasulluh); and it only increased them in faith and submission.} (Al-Ahzab 33: 22) 

Testifying to the truth of all what Allah says

Imam Al-Qurtubi prefaced his Tafsir by quoting Al-Hakim At-Tirmidhi as saying that among the ethics of reciting the Quran is for one to say, upon finishing the recitation, “True are the words of Almighty Allah” or a similar expression of the same meanings, testifying to the truth of all what Allah says (in the Quran), and bearing witness that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has conveyed this message to mankind. An example of this is to say, “Almighty Allah has spoken the truth and His honorable Messenger has conveyed it.” And then to confirm it by saying, “You have spoken the truth, O our Lord; You sent it (i.e., the message) to Your Messengers, and we testify that this is true. O Allah, make us of those who testify to the truth, and then the reciter is supposed to make duaa with whatever he (or she) wishes.

We read in Fiqh Al-Madhahib Al-Arbaah: 

“If one says in prayer words like ‘Sadaqa Allahu Al-Azeem’ when the reciter finishes his reading, this does not break the prayer if one intends to just glorify Allah, the Almighty, or make mention of Him. The Shafi`is maintain that prayer is not invalidated at all by saying these words.”

Having said this, I wonder how some people dare consider ‘Sadaqa Allahu Al-Azeem’ after reciting the Quran as bid ah. We should be very careful when giving any Islamic rulings, as Allah says in the Quran: {And, for what your tongues describe, do not utter the lie, (saying) this is lawful and this is unlawful, in order to forge a lie against Allah; surely those who forge the lie against Allah shall not prosper.} (An-Nahl 16:116)

Almighty Allah knows best.

Editor’s note: This fatwa is from Ask the Scholar’s archive and was originally published at an earlier date.

-aboutislam.net

6 Simple Tricks to Instantly Boost Your Confidence

 

Increasing your confidence is something you can work on little by little, as they say “taking baby steps.” Sometimes you need an instant boost of confidence, such as before a presentation or sporting event, going into various social situations, and for interviews.

They also say, “fake it until you make it” – so even if you aren’t the most confident person, these simple tricks will help you pretend you are confident when you need it.

1 – Take a power pose

Right before the moment you need confidence strike a “power pose” or “victory stance” as it is called by Amy Joy Cuddy, an American social psychologist. Cuddy suggests that for two minutes right before your big moment you find a private or quiet place to:

• Hold this victory stance for two minutes, breathing deeply and telling yourself positive affirmations. If you aren’t in a place you feel comfortable to hold the “V” then put your hands on your hips.
• Stand up straight
• Push your shoulders back
• Widen your feet to a little more than hip distance 
• Hold your head straight and high
• Raise your arms overhead in a “V” shape

2 – Keep it straight

Once you are in the exact moment you need your confidence, keep your posture straight. Also uncross your arms, make eye contact and smile. Smiling isn’t just for your audience, it sends your brain the message that everything is great and will naturally boost your confidence.

Go ahead and pretend you are very confident about what you are doing in that moment and your audience will be eager to work with you some more.

3 – Have a “resourceful” mindset

A “resourceful state of mind” is beyond positive thinking. It’s what Paul McKenna, Ph.D. and author of I Can Make You Confident, calls aligning your thoughts, feelings, and physiology into a confidence boost before doing something important.

McKenna discovered that before doing something involving risk or uncertainty, confident people put themselves into a resourceful state of mind. They produce mental images of their pending success that include: excitement, enthusiasm, determination, compassion and even playfulness.

Instead of saying, “I think I can, I think I can,” they visualize their train charging up the mountain, the crowd cheering for them, while they tell themselves “When I get to the top of the mountain, I will enjoy the rush down the other side!” Whatever this resource is that you are seeking, fully imagine it being yours.

4 – Recognize your accomplishments

This first or big step may be making you nervous right now, but how about all those other steps that worked out well for you? Remember something you’ve done that you are proud of. Relive those great moments, revel in that success a bit and let it carry you into this moment you can also have success in.

5 – Be prepared

This one takes more than a moment’s notice, but not much more. The further ahead you research and plan the better equipped you will be. But you can always do some quick research on your phone to get an idea of what you are stepping into.

For instance, if you are going on a job interview or similar, be sure to -at the very least- read the about page on the organization’s website. The more you know, the more confident you will be.

6 – Know yourself

With a little more time on your hands, take a skills assessment test so that you can better know your strengths and weaknesses. Knowing what you already do well is a great confidence boost. Recognizing what you don’t know isn’t a downer, but rather you can then make plans to learn those skills that you want.

It’s more likely that you err on the side of needing more self confidence, so be sure to grow yours little by little doing regular exercises to increase it. 

First published: September 2019

- aboutislam.net

What are the Rewards of Reading Surat Al-Kahf?

 

Reading Surat Al Kahf indeed has many virtues and there are several hadiths on it. 

What are The Rewards of Reading Surat Al Kahf?

Among the hadiths mentioned about the virtues of Surat Al Kahf is what Abu Darda’ reported from Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:

“If anyone learns by heart the first ten verses of the Surah al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal.” [Sahih Muslim] 

(You can read this interesting and valuable presentation on how Surat Al Kahf relates to the trial of the Dajjal). Of course, the trial of the Dajjal is among the biggest trials believers would face, and knowing that Surat Al Kahf provides this protection must make it of extremely high value to the believers. 

Additionally, in another hadith, Al-Bara’ ibn ‘Azib reported that a man was reciting Surat al-Kahf and in his barn was an animal which became unsettled. As he looked, there was a mist or a cloud overshadowing him. He mentioned that to the Prophet and he said,

“Continue reciting, for it was calm which descended with the Quran, or for the Quran.” [Sahih Al Bukari & Muslim]

The Light of Surat Al-Kahf

Regarding your questions, it was mentioned in the hadith from Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri that the Prophet said,

“Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday will have a light between this Friday and the next.”

In another narration, the Prophet said,

“Whoever reads Surat al-Kahf as it was revealed, there will be a light for him on the Day of Resurrection.” [al-Sunan al-Kubrá 5856. Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani]

You are asking: what if someone starts reciting Surat Al Kahf from Fajr or morning of Friday and is unable to complete it before maghrib and therefore completes it after maghrib before 12:00am, will he/she get the virtues of reciting the surah? Will he/she get the light?

There is no problem. The person should continue reading and finishing the Surah. Allah Almighty says “

And it is He who has made the night and the day in succession for whoever desires to remember or desires gratitude.” (Quran 25: 62) 

And this verse tells us that Allah has appointed for us the day and night as means to continue the remembrance of Allah. Like the recitation of the Quran, and the acts of worship and gratitude we need to make.

So if you started with the right intention to get the reward and please Allah and come close to Him. As well as remember Him by reading His Book which is the best form of remembrance. Then most definitely Allah Almighty will preserve your reward for you and increase you from His Bounties. 

Some words of advice

We have from after the Maghrib of Thursday until the Maghrib of Friday to read, and alhamduliAllah this is a vast time for us to engage in the remembrance of Allah and read Surat Al Kahf. Having said that, as an advice, if you do know that it takes you a long time to read it or that you might not be able to finish it if you start from the Fajr of Friday. Then, you can start reading from the Maghrib of the night before, i.e. from the Maghrib of Thursday.

Regarding your other question on describing the light in the hadith. The scholars have mentioned two possibilities for that: either this is a metaphorical light. Meaning it’s the light of guidance and prevention from falling into big sins that decrease one’s light of faith…etc. So it is a guiding light towards the straight path and away from sins.

Or, an actual light, meaning, the person will have light and brightness in their face here and in the hereafter. They’ll have light from under their feet guiding their path on the Day of Judgement.

We know that there is darkness on the Day of Judgement. So, having light under one’s feet guiding their way is a major blessing and means of security. 

And Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

The Overflowing Cup…3 Tips to Overcome Pessimism

 

Our life is a continued series of challenges and efforts to overcome pessimism with optimism.

We all face our share of pains; how can we navigate through hard times with our faith and morale intact?

In this short video, sister Roohi Taher, gives us three tips to live an optimistic life.

Learn how the Prophets (peace and blessings be upon them) overcame the challenges they faced. - aboutislam.net

Will God Forgive Me No Matter What?

 

Islam is the religion of forgiveness. No matter how many sins a person may have committed, he or she never becomes unforgivable.

God is the Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful and Quran stresses these attributes more than 70 times.

And to God belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth.  He forgives whom He wills, and punishes whom He wills.  And God is oft Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Quran 3:129)

There is however, one sin that God will not forgive and that is the sin of ascribing partners or associates to God. A Muslim believes that God is one, without partners, offspring, or associates. He is the only one worthy of worship.

Say (O Muhammad), He is Allah, (the) One.  Allah-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks).  He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him. (Quran 112)

Verily, God forgives not that partners should be set up with Him (in worship), but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He wills. (Quran 4:48)

The Unforgivable Sin

It may seem strange to say that God is the Most Merciful, and stress that Islam is the religion of forgiveness while also saying that there is one unforgivable sin.

This is not a strange or unreliable concept when you understand that this grave sin is only unforgivable if a person dies without repenting to God.

At any time, up until a sinful person draws his last breath he or she may turn sincerely to God and ask for forgiveness, knowing that God truly is the Most Merciful Oft Forgiving. Sincere repentance assures God’s forgiveness.

Say to those who have disbelieved, if they cease (from disbelief), their past will be forgiven. (Quran 8:38)

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

God will accept His slave’s repentance so long as the death rattle has not yet reached his throat. (At-Tirmidhi, 3537)

Prophet Muhammad also said:

If a person embraces Islam sincerely, then Allah shall forgive all his past sins, and after that starts the settlement of accounts, the reward of his good deeds will be ten times to seven hundred times for each good deed and one evil deed will be recorded as it is unless Allah forgives it. (Al-Bukhari, 41)

Wiping Sins with Islam

Often when a person is contemplating accepting Islam they are confused by or even ashamed of the many sins they may have committed over their lifetime. Some people wonder how they can ever be good, moral people when in the shadows lurk their sins and crimes.

Accepting Islam and pronouncing the words known as the Shahadah or testimony of faith, (I testify “La ilah illa Allah, Muhammad rasoolu Allah.”), wipes a person’s slate clean. He or she becomes like a new-born baby, completely free from sin.

It is a new beginning, where one’s past sins can no longer hold a person captive. There is no need to be haunted by past sins. Every new Muslim becomes unburdened and free to live a life based on the fundamental belief that God is One.

When a person is no longer held back by the fear that their past sins or lifestyle prevents them from leading a good life, the path to accepting Islam often becomes easier.

Knowing that God can forgive anyone, of anything, is certainly a comforting prospect. Nevertheless, understanding the importance of not worshiping anything or anybody other than God is paramount because it is the basis of Islam.

God did not create humankind except that they should worship Him alone and knowing how to keep that worship pure and unadulterated is imperative.

However, the details will often be learned after a person has recognized the sublime truth of the way of life that is Islam.

And follow the best of that which is sent down to you from your Lord (i.e. this Quran, do what it orders you to do and keep away from what it forbids), before the torment comes on you suddenly while you perceive not!”  Lest a person should say: “Alas, my grief that I was undutiful to God (i.e. I have not done what God has ordered me to do), and I was indeed among those who mocked. (Quran 39:55-6)

Islam is a Gift

Once a person has accepted the truth of Islam, thus accepting that there is no god but God alone, there is time for him to learn about his religion.

There is time for him to understand the inspirational beauty and ease of Islam, and to learn about all the prophets and messengers of Islam including the last prophet, Muhammad.

If God should decree that a person’s life would end soon after accepting Islam, it could be seen as a sign of the mercy of God; for a person as pure as a new-born baby would be destined for eternal paradise; by the mercy of God, and His infinite wisdom.

When a person is contemplating accepting Islam, many of the barriers that he or she perceives are nothing more than illusions and tricks from Satan.

It is clear that once a person has been chosen by God, Satan will do his upmost to lead that person astray and bombard them with small whispers and doubts.

Islam is a gift, and just like any other gift it must be accepted, and opened before the true worth of its contents can be revealed.

It is a way of life that makes eternal bliss in the hereafter an achievable dream.

There is no god but God, the One the Only, the First and the Last.

Knowing Him is the key to success and accepting Islam is the first step on a journey to the Hereafter.

(Source: The Religion of Islam)

(From Discovering Islam archive)

About Aisha Stacey

Aisha Stacey is the mother of three adult children. She embraced Islam in 2002 and spent the next five years in Doha, Qatar studying Islam and working at the Fanar Cultural Centre. In 2006 Aisha returned to university for a second time and completed at Bachelor of Arts and a Graduate Certificate in Writing. Aisha is also a published writer in both internet and print media and in 2009 -10 she was the Queensland editor at a national Australian Islamic newspaper ~ Crescent Times.

-aboutislam.net

Let Go with Heart – The Power of Tawakkul

 

He was devastated. His only source of nourishment had disappeared.

Suddenly, the world grew cold, and only strangers surrounded him.

It was all he knew, and now it was gone.

The newborn child screamed. He thought his life was over.

What the child did not realize was that there was someone taking care of him. There was a plan for him. And in place of everything that had been taken away, his Protector would provide something better.

The nourishment he had once received only through blood would soon come through his mother’s milk. And the lifeless walls of the womb — once thought to be his only protection — would soon be replaced by the comfort of his family’s arms.

But yet, to the newborn child, it would seem he had lost everything.

Tawakkul & Trust in Allah

Many of us find ourselves like this child. There are times when we feel we have lost everything, or things look broken and nothing like we wished they would be. At times we even feel as though we’ve been abandoned and nothing is working out the way we planned.

Tawakkul is having full faith that Allah will take care of you — even when things look impossible. It is standing in front of the Red Sea — as Prophet Musa did — with an army behind you, and yet not even flinching, knowing that Allah will get you through. It is having full faith that when Allah takes away the umbilical cord, He will replace it with milk.But just like that newborn child, things are often not what they seem, and tawakkul (putting one’s trust in Allah) is realizing that our Protector has a plan for us. Tawakkul is having complete trust that Allah’s plan is the best plan.

There can be no faith without tawakkul; and if there is true faith, tawakkul must always follow. Allah says in the Quran:

For Believers are those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a tremor in their hearts, and when they hear His signs rehearsed, find their faith strengthened, and put (all) their trust in their Lord. (8:2)

If one truly understands the reality and the power of Allah, one will realize that it is in fact an infirmity of the human mind to not rely on Allah. Nothing in the entire universe happens except by the permission of Allah. Not even a leaf falls from a tree without His leave.

Blessed be He in Whose hands is Dominion; and He over all things hath Power. (67:1)

So how could we not but put our entire trust in Him?

Allah tells the believers in the Quran:

Say: “Nothing will happen to us except what Allah has decreed for us: He is our protector”; and on Allah let the Believers put their trust. (9:51)

The Quran explains that:

And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if any one puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. (65:3)

And the reality is that there is nothing and nowhere else that will be sufficient.

Whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. (2:256)

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

If you trust Allah with the right kind of tawakkul, He will provide you sustenance as He provides for the birds: They go out in the morning with empty stomachs and come back in the evening with full stomachs. (At-Tirmithi, 2344)

Hoping and Striving and Letting Go

And just as He does for the birds and the newborn child, Allah provides for us from places we could never imagine.

At first she was terrified. She called out to her husband, who now turned to leave.

“Will you leave us here to die?”

There was no reply. She called after him again. Still there was no reply. Suddenly she called out again:

“Were you commanded by your Lord to bring us here?”

“Yes,” replied Prophet Ibrahim.

It was then that her fear disappeared. Although she suddenly found herself alone in the middle of a desert with her young baby and no sign of water, she knew with full certainty that Allah would never leave her side. Her faith was strong…

But soon after Prophet Ibrahim left, her child, Ismail, began to cry from thirst. And although Hajar had complete tawakkul on Allah, she did not remain sitting, waiting for the water to fall down from the sky.

The reliance on Allah filled Hajar’s heart, but with her limbs she strove with everything she had. She began to run quickly between the mountains of As-Safa and Al-Marwah, looking for any sign of water for her son.

Each time Hajar came to the top of the mountain and found nothing, she did not despair. Her will was unshaken, and she continued to strive. In fact, Hajar strove so hard that her effort was commemorated in the Hajj ritual of Sa’i, which literally means “to strive.”

Many people confuse tawakkul with resignation and the cessation of striving. But by no means does having tawakkul mean ceasing to struggle. The story of Hajar serves as one of the most beautiful examples of this lesson that Prophet Muhammad taught us. One day Prophet Muhammad noticed a Bedouin leaving his camel without tying it and he asked the Bedouin:

Why don’t you tie down your camel?

The Bedouin answered:

“I put my trust in Allah.”

The Prophet then said:

Tie your camel first, then put your trust in Allah. (At-Tirmidhi, 2517)

Tawakkul is not an act of the limbs; it is an act of the heart. And so while the limbs are striving hard, the heart is completely reliant on Allah. This means that whatever the outcome of the limbs’ striving may be, the heart will be completely satisfied, knowing that the outcome is the flawless decision of Allah.

But in order to reach this level, one must hold on to hope, strive with the limbs, and let go with the heart.

(From Discovering Islam’s archive)

About Yasmin Mogahed

Yasmin Mogahed received her B.S. Degree in Psychology and her Masters in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After completing her graduate work, she taught Islamic Studies and served as a youth coordinator. She also worked as a writing instructor at Cardinal Stritch University and a staff columnist for the Islam section of InFocus News. Currently she’s an instructor for  AlMaghrib Institute, a writer for the Huffington Post, an international speaker, and author, where she focuses most of her work on spiritual and personal development. Yasmin recently released her new book, Reclaim Your Heart, which is now available worldwide. Visit her website, yasminmogahed.com , where you can find a collection of her articles, poetry, and lectures. 

-aboutislam.net

These Practices Will Grant You Contentment & Happiness

 

The pursuit of happiness – we all hear of it. But what does this really mean for a Muslim?

More contemporary ideas suggest to do away with this pursuit, and be happy with the journey as we travel by it, living by the day, finding contentment in the route paved with good intentions. But why can’t it be both?

The pursuit of happiness indicates that happiness is somewhat a destination – a goal that is yet to be achieved, and often times, it sounds like one of monetary in nature.

Prophet Muhammad was a content being, although he knew more of the problems of humanity as compared to anyone else. And of course, he – of all people – had his sights on the eternal happiness of Paradise.

Muslims are told that in this world, though a place of obstacles and challenges, should also eat, drink, and enjoy – without transgressing limits.

So what does a Muslim today make of the concept of happiness? And how can this constant state of contentment and tranquility be achieved?

Here are a few ideas.

Practice the Law of Attraction

What could this possibly mean?

Contemporary thought denotes that if a person is constantly imbued in positive thoughts, he or she will attract positivity in his or her life through the cyclical nature of the Universe – what goes around, comes around; positive thoughts beget positive results.

Obviously, for Muslims, the Universe does not “cater” for us, but this does not mean the Law of Attraction cannot apply. Rather, Allah tells us in a Hadith Qudsi to have good hopes in Him.

Positive hope in Allah is a reflection of our relationship with Him. If we constantly have meek and dull hopes and expectations of Allah, it is a telling sign that we have forgotten that He calls Himself Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful.

This doesn’t mean that everything we ask for will fall into our lap. Not at all. In fact, the etiquette of the ‘Muslim’ Law of Attraction involves a few things (amongst others):Even more so, Allah even asks us to ask of Him – through du’a, through remembrance, through prayer. So having a positive mindset and attitude towards Allah will bring about returns in leap and bounds.

With Du’a Comes Plenty of Effort

It is not enough to make du’a and expect ‘wishes’ to come true. A du’a is not the same as a wish. A du’a is a sincere call to Allah’s Greatness, for His help and His help alone. As Allah has told us that He will burden his slave with more than he or she can bear, it also serves as a reminder that Allah has given us the tools to get through these hardships.

Whether it is looking for a new job, asking a friend for a consult through a personal problem, or looking for assistance with a challenging child; the tools are all around us, and we too have innate wisdom to deal with them. A quiet du’a will put matters into perspective and help endorse the goals that we set out to achieve.

Having plenty of gratitude:

Allah tells us in the Quran that He will increase those who are in the constant state of gratitude. Those who are grateful recognize even the most seemingly minute blessings, such eggs on toasts for breakfast. They also recognize the blessings that are often forgotten, like efficient lungs, and the ten fingers and toes.

They even recognize blessings that come in the form of trials, like missing out on a job promotion or catching the flu. This type of gratitude is all in the form of well-knowing that Allah has a plan greater beyond one’s understanding and imagination.

• The acknowledgement of trials and sadness:

As an elaboration to the point before, those who practice the Law of Attraction, do not belittle the trials in this world, but acknowledge them as part of their journey towards Jannah. Without trials, desperation, hardship, blood, and tears, it would make it difficult for someone to put positivity in perspective.

Imagine pretending that difficulties do not exist, we would be skipping around in this world without a plan to better ourselves as our own desires and temptations would get the better of us, consume us, and lead us to believe that there is nothing better than living an immortal life in this world.

• Understanding that everything in the dunya is temporary:

Only those who are constantly reminded (on their accord) of the temporariness of the dunya, will truly be able to appreciate the benefits of the “Law of Attraction.”  

However, the grand reminder that Justice prevails on the Day of Judgment: and all accounts will be balanced out to the point that those who have been transgressed or oppressed will be compensated to the point that they will wish to return to the dunya for further oppression, and Jannah will be rewarded to those who withstood trials and difficulty with patience and good hopes, will keep a believer’s heart content, even throughout hardship. When du’as are not answered immediately, or are sometimes answered in a different manner, it is easy to become disheartened and start harboring the feelings of abandonment, especially when some hardships become extremely taxing.

Practice the Law of Abundance

Truly happy people are those who love to give. In fact, if you look at those who are stingy and swim around in miserliness, you will see the complete opposite – they ace loneliness, constant despair, worry, and often remain in a warped mindset of negativity. In fact, they will also constantly view others with a negative lens.

The Law of Abundance denotes to keep giving without fear of “losing out.” This goes perfectly with our deen as we are constantly reminded to help remove the hardship of another person, to wish for our brothers or sisters the same as we would like for ourselves, to give in charity with the right hand, so much so, that our left hand is left unaware!

The list goes on. But the more we give, the more we receive, as long as we give for the sake of pleasing Allah. This is also an important reflection of the gratitude that we have, because giving indicates that we are confident that Allah will increase us in our own wealth.

(From Discovering Islam’s archive)

About Maria Zain

Maria Zain AboutIslam.net author who passed away in December 2014.

-aboutislam.net

Seeking Goodness of Nature

 

“It is Allah who made for you the earth a place of settlement and the sky a ceiling and formed you and perfected your forms and provided you with good things. That is Allah, your Lord; then blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds” (Surat Ghafir 40:64).

Many fail to give nature the respect it deserves; a consequence of a great loss of morality during a time when people fail to respect their fellow humans, let alone trees, animals and plants.

Appreciating nature as a sign of God’s creation brings us closer to Him. The structure of mountains, the growth of trees, the changes of seasons, the singing of birds at sunrise: this is nature’s beauty.

We should hold onto Islam’s teachings of respecting nature, as Allah created each and every aspect of this earth. Who are we, as mere creations, to view the rest of the earth as nothing of importance?

Nature reminds us of Allah and His many mercies, awakening our souls and feeding our spirits. Accordingly, we should ensure that we do our part to maintain it.

The plants grow from the rain that the clouds drop. Oceans provide the water that forms parts of the clouds. Plants provide food and shelter to animals and humans. Humans breathe the oxygen released by green plants and trees.

The cycle of nature is an intricate design fulfilling many overlapping needs. We can’t live without these natural processes, even with all the world’s technology. You cannot beat nature.

Nature affects our health, both physically and psychologically. While a person who is suffering from a mental health problem should always seek appropriate medical help, the natural outdoors can play a role in overcoming some struggles.

Simply taking a walk outdoors can have a beneficial impact on your physical health. It also allows your mind to rest, refocus and recuperate.

Enjoy ‘Green Blue Mood’

It is thought this is due to areas of the brain associated with balance and emotional stability being highly active when we look at natural landscapes. Those who live in rural areas are far less likely to suffer from anxiety and depression than those spending their days in busy cities.

Studies have shown that spending time outdoors can help swap feelings of loneliness, sadness and anxiousness with those of calmness and tranquility. Spending time in or seeing scenes of nature brings about positive feelings.

Positive moods allow our brain to function better and allow us to be more productive and efficient in our daily work and studies.

Looking at things from nature, such as animals, lakes or trees, can improve our attention span. Research into children with attention deficit disorder demonstrated increases in their attention span while spending some time outdoors. When our mind is in a calmer state, our memory also improves.

This has been particularly true for people with depression; taking a walk in a natural rather than an urban area has been shown to enhance cognition.

Better Bodies

Low levels of vitamin D can cause a depressed mood and tiredness. It can also lead to chronic problems within the joints and skin. In turn, these health issues can lead to depression and self-esteem problems.

Many of the processes in our bodies require vitamin D. Lack of exposure to the sun leads to low levels of this hormone in the body, which can be improved by spending even a small amount of time outside.

Natural light allows our bodies to recognize day from night. Spending too much time indoors with artificial lighting alters our body’s natural rhythm and disturbs our sleeping patterns.

Early morning exposure to natural sunlight has been shown to help sync the cycle back into its real rhythm. Sleep is essential for physical and mental health, so ensuring enough exposure to natural light is a key to good health.

This post would be incomplete without a mention of exercise! Regular walks outdoors can protect your heart, improve your immune system and keep you active.

This article is from our archive, originally published at an earlier date, and now republished for its importance.

- aboutislam.net

Ever Thought About Why You Live?

 

The most important questions in life are those that deal with the meaning and purpose of man’s existence.

The Quran explains that the human being has been placed on this earth to utilize his enormous potential to conduct himself in a manner which will fulfill his purpose in life.

{It is He who has created death and life that He may test which of you is best in deed.} (Al-Mulk 67: 2)

The Quran further explains that man’s role on earth is to live as his Creator desires him to live; in surrender and worship to Him alone.

This is not because Allah in any way needs his worship. Rather, it is because man needs to worship only his Creator and none else so that his own nature is not perverted and corrupted, and so that he does not live in opposition to his intrinsic character. Only by so living will his earthly life be set on the right path and prosper, bringing him peace and happiness.

{I have not created jinn and men except to serve Me. I desire of them no provision; neither do I desire that they should feed Me. Surely Allah is the All-provider; the Possessor of Strength.} (Adh-Dhariyat 51: 56-58)

Man, with no ‘mentionable’ history before birth, has been given the faculties of hearing and seeing, (Ad-Dahr 76: 2) two eyes and a tongue, and a pair of lips, (Al-Balad 90: 8-9) as well as the capacity to reason and discern between right and wrong in using his freedom of will.

Free will and accountability

Given freedom of will, judgment is inevitable. The human being must give an account of his conduct and must face the consequences of how he lives his life.

Obviously, to be judged fairly, this judgment must be made only after his earthly life has come to an end, and only by the One who gave this life, who knows everything, and who is All-powerful and All-just.

Only then can he be judged fairly, and duly rewarded and punished, for everything -from his innermost thoughts to the consequences of his conduct that extend far and wide, and beyond his life for generations to come.

{What! did you think that We created you in mere idle play, and that you would not be returned to Us? But, high exalted is Allah, the King; the True! There is no god but He, the Lord of the Noble Throne.} (Al-Mu’minun 23: 115-116)

A person’s ultimate destiny, therefore, lies in the Life to Come, in the Akhirah. Everyone will be judged there by due process of justice, fairly and equitably, mercifully and kindly. No one will be wronged or dealt with unjustly even by an atom’s weight.

{Surely Allah shall not wrong [even] as much as an atom’s weight.}(An-Nisa’ 4: 40)

{You are being recompensed only for what you had done before.} (At-Tahrim 66: 7)

{The parable of the Paradise promised to those who are conscious of Allah [is that of a Garden] through which running waters flow: its fruits will be everlasting, and [so will be] its shade. Such will be the destiny of those who remain conscious of Allah – just as the destiny of those who deny the truth will be the fire.} (Ar-Ra`d 13: 35)

Thus, everything in our lives is being recorded. Even the smallest of incidents will be replayed before our eyes on the Day of Judgment. That Judgment will be final and one from which there will be no escape. Paradise will be the reward for excellence in doing good, while Hell-fire will be the penalty for those who were ungrateful and indulged in evil:

The delights and pleasures of the Hereafter, as well as, the penalty for those who condemn themselves to darkness and the wrath of Allah are described in such great detail in the Quran that almost one quarter of it is related to the Akhirah. This is what the Prophet came to convey and this is what instills meaning and purpose to our lives. - aboutislam.net