How To Master Your Nafs – Part 1

Quran For Busy People

Part 1 – The Nafs And The Mind

The human being has 4 enemies, according to the Islamic tradition: your ‘nafs’ (lower self), your desires (hawa), shaytan (satan), and the ‘dunya’ (this temporary material world). In this article, I’m going to define the ‘nafs’ as it has traditionally been defined, in the Quran and Sunnah. Then I’m going to share with you how this relates to your mind and emotions. Then, I’ll give you some techniques you can use to literally ‘master’ your nafs, or at the very least, prove to you that you can.

Much has been written about the nafs by Muslim scholars throughout the ages, and much has been discovered more recently in Western psychology, and by leaders of the ‘human potential’ movement. This series of articles intends to bridge that gap, and set you up with a new understanding that will literally empower you to ‘master…

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AMay Allah make us from amongst the people of Qur’an, ameen.

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As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

I’m always amazed at the statement of al-Hasan al-Basri where he says that the hafidh of the Qur’an is not just preserving the Qur’an through his hifdh. No, rather the Qur’an is what is preserving him/her.

The more we surround ourselves with the Qur’an and busy ourselves in its recital and memorisation, the more Allah preserves us and protects us through it.

When we think about how, at times, thousands of Angels descended with just one Surah (e.g. Al-An’am) or one verse, it is no surprise then to know that Angels surround, protect, and walk alongside the huffadh of Qur’an who spend their days in the company of this Book. It is no surprise if – due to their continuous recital – they find their life blossoming, their affairs being taken care of, their illnesses being removed, their heart being settled in peace, things working out…

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As-salamu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullah

I saw this poem pinned up on the wall of a masjid as I passed through a town. Very wise words indeed…

 

Be Cautious Of…

“Be cautious of humiliating an honourable person
Or embarrassing an intelligent one.
Be cautious of ennobling a despicable person
Or joking with a foolish one

Or indeed living with an immoral being…

I have truly tasted all pleasures in life
But I did not find anything sweeter than wellbeing.
And I have tasted all burdens in life
But I did not find anything bitter than being in need of people
And I have carried both iron and stone
But I did not find anything more burdensome than debt

You should know that life is but two days;
A day in your favour and a day against you

So if it is in your favour, do not become proud
And if…

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BE SO CLOSE TO THE QURAN

Be so close to the Quran is so very beautifully explained. Jazak Allahu khaire.
Be so close to the Quran that you realize that One Day you would be standing in front of your creator and have lived your life almost as close to His Will.

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As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

Over the past year, I had been keeping a ‘Be so close to the Qur’an’series on my Facebook Page: |~| Fajr Blog |~|, and I thought to collate it all here for those who don’t visit the page. It’s an ongoing series, but here is the first collection:

Be so close to the Qur’an that with every turn of its page, your heart also turns. You undergo a change of character; and come out better. You come closer to Allah and you understand your religion more.

Be so close to the Qur’an that not only do you consider it to be your companion in life, but it also considers *you* to be its companion both here and on Yawm al-Qiyamah (Day of Resurrection).

Be so close to the Qur’an that whenever you open to read it, it draws you in deeply and takes you…

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Masha Allah….What Powerful proofs.

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As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

هو دين رب العالمين وشرعه *** وهو القديم وسيد الأديان

“It is the religion and the way of the Lord of the Worlds
He is the Ever-Existing, Master of all creeds

هو دين آدم والملائك قبله *** هو دين نوح صاحب الطوفان

It is the religion of Adam and the Angels before him
It is the religion of Nuh, companion of the hurricane

وله دعا هود النبي وصالح *** وهما لدين الله معتقدان

Prophet Hud called to it as did Salih
And in the religion of Allah did they both believe

وبه أتى لوط وصاحب مدين *** فكلاهما في الدين مجتهدان

It is what Lut came with as well the companion of Madyan
And for this faith did they both struggle

هو دين إبراهيم وابنيه معا *** وبه نجا من نفحة النيران

It is the religion of Ibrahim as well as his two sons
And by…

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As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

A beautiful story… please read and see what lessons can be drawn from it.

“Ibn ‘Umar (radhi’Allahu `anhu) reports that the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) once sent out an army unit which included a man called Hudayr. It was a year of difficulty and food was in short supply, so the Prophet (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) gave each person provisions (for the journey) but he forgot to provide for Hudayr.

Hudayr was patient and went out with the last group, seeking reward and expecting good from Allah, saying “‘La ilaha illa’Allah’ (There is none worthy of worship except Allah), ‘Allahu Akbar’ (Allah is the Greatest), ‘Al-Hamdulillah’ (Praise be to Allah), ‘Subhan’Allah’(Glory be to Allah), and ‘La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah’ (There is no might or power except with Allah).” And he would say, “This is the best of provisions, O Lord.”

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SubahanAllah…These are such beautiful words of advice. Thank you for Sharing and may Allah Bless you with the Highest Ranks in Jannah.

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As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

The latest book that has blown me away is Shaykh Sa’id ‘Abd al-‘Adhim’s amazing compilation: ‘al-Atqiya’ al-Akhfiya’. I was casually reading through some of its chapters this evening when I came across some quotes which I thought to share (now and in the near future insha’Allah). Below are a couple of quotes from two great personalities in our history:

The advice of Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Ali (rahimahullah) to his son:

“O my son, accept my advice and commit my statement to memory, for if you do so, you shall live in happiness and die in a praiseworthy state. O my son, whoever is content with what Allah has portioned out for him, will be rich, and whoever looks to what lies in the hands of others, will die impoverished, and whoever is not pleased with what Allah has portioned out for him, ends…

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Subhan’Allah May Allah grant us husn al-dhann (good opinion of others).

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As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

I read somewhere that one of the Tabi’in once said to his companion,

“My heart no longer leans towards so-and-so.” His friend then replied, “Me neither, but what do you know, perhaps Allah has blotted out our hearts so we no longer have love for the righteous people.”

Subhan’Allah… husn al-dhann (good opinion of others).

Sometimes, a person will mistakenly begin to look down upon another and harbour bad thoughts and feelings against them. But they don’t realise that perhaps this is a righteous person and one favoured by Allah and the reality is that it is their heart which has become blotted and has thus turned away from the Salihin.

This is a very thought-provoking statement as it shows the importance of husn al-dhann, looking at things positively and in a reflective manner, and not raising one’s self above another in any way.

May Allah…

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As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

A nice reminder I received from a friend (may Allah reward you). Thought it’d be beneficial to share it with others.

Five Reasons why Allah uses problems

The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you – depending on how you respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how Allah wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.

Here are five ways Allah wants to use the problems in your life:

1. Allah uses problems to DIRECT you.
Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? “Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways.”

2. Allah…

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AWere it not for you, O Muhammad, I would not have created the universe! »dd your thoughts here… (optional)

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As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

I was reading Imam al-Shafi’i’s book of poetry and came across some thought-provoking entries…

بقَدْرِ الكدِّ تُكتَسَبُ المَعَالي *** ومَنْ طَلبَ العُلا سَهِرَ اللّيالي
ومَنْ رامَ العُلى مِن غَيرِ كَدٍّ *** أضَاعَ العُمرَ في طَلَبِ المُحَالِ
تَرُومُ العِزَّ ثم تَنامُ لَيلاً *** يَغُوصُ البَحْرَ مَن طَلَبَ اللآلي
Loftiness is attained in accordance to one’s struggles
And whoever seeks nobility, remains vigilant by night
Whoever wishes to achieve, without due effort
Will waste their life in seeking the impossible
You search for glory and yet you sleep at night
It is only the seeker of pearls who dives deep into the sea.

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قالوا : سكت و قد خوصمت، قلت لهم: *** ان الجواب لباب الشر مفتاح
الصمت عن جاهل أو أحمق شرف *** و فيه أيضا لصون العرض إصلاح
أما ترى الاسد تُخشى و هي صامتة ؟! *** والكلب يخسى لعمري و هو نباح
They said…

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