From Active Drug Addiction to Recovery: Is It A Possibility?

Authors: Alibor Choudhury & Abul Hussain

The empowering role of faith in the recovery from hard drugs is an under-explored area.  From an experiential approach, the writers explore how drug addicts from Muslim backgrounds have used various aspects of Islamic worship to break away from the vicious cycle of drug addiction.  They discuss the emotional and social realities of drug using experiences and argue for a change in perception towards drug addicts and the inclusion of faith-based training for drug services.            

When we hear of drug related problems, often there is a strong sense of hopelessness, sorrow and some times anger directed towards drug users.  Drug users are rarely thought of in a positive or empathic light.  Even the term ‘drug user’ provokes strong assumptions in our minds.  These assumptions are usually accompanied by horror stories of broken family dynamics, crime and violence.  Social warnings are also transmitted through many public mediums. They inform us that drug users are a menace to society and that they should be kept out of sight.  The media has perhaps been the most influential factor in maintaining this prejudice, while our ignorance has also played a part.  This negative view has often prevented awareness of success stories in which, drug users have helped themselves become free from addiction.  While community drug services may not hold derogatory views of their users, they have not been active in their attempts to acknowledge or counter the stigma.  This has led drug services of different types to come under some degree of criticism.

Despite these setbacks, another side has been emerging; a side where some drug users have broken through.  These drug users have successfully challenged the generally held stereotypical view that psychosocial problems associated with drug use are terminal.  Their inner life experiences; their remarkable stories of recovery, remain valuable sources of information for drug services and an inspiration to many suffering from addiction to drugs.

Life in Active Drug Addiction
Long term drug addicts often live in a very isolated world, cut off from mainstream society.  Their whole life is centered on drugs in one form or another.  At first, using drugs may be for fun or to gain social acceptance.  It then becomes a habit and finally a necessity for survival.  Drugs are relied upon to carry addicts through in life.  The grip of addiction is such that it has the power of placing addicts in a state of complete denial of their problem. Only in desperation does the seeking of help occur.  When others tell addicts that they have a problem, addicts may remain convinced that they themselves are right and the rest of the world is wrong.  They often find themselves forced to manipulate people and control things around them in order to have the drugs at all cost.  When they are alone they are often consumed by feelings of fear and loneliness and the ability to love others is therefore greatly reduced due to the use of drugs. 

Many addicts have, at some point in their lives, attempted to stay clean or use in moderation, but this often fails, causing pain and misery.  This occupation makes them unemployed or non-employable. Helplessness, emptiness and fear can then become an addict’s way of life. This leads to a constant search for an answer - a person, place or object that will make everything all right.  Only too often addicts have distraught emotional pasts or social circumstances.  This results in the need for gratification (or distraction) of some kind.  Gratification is then found in drugs because of their mind-altering properties and as they successfully cover unwanted feelings.  Drugs also have the potential to stimulate feelings of warmth and security, albeit short-term and somewhat false. 

The Transition
Despite the bleak picture, the cycle of addiction can be arrested and recovery is possible.  Once addicts come to realise that they are powerless over their drug addiction and life is unmanageable, they become open to seeking alternative forms of help.  After this surrender, the most difficult part of coming off drugs is perhaps the physical withdrawal.  While this is a traumatic experience even under medical supervision, the psychological consequence of maintaining abstinence thereafter is a completely different ball game.  Given that drugs plays a major part in helping addicts cope with life difficulties, the very abstinence of such a coping mechanism can equally raise feelings of desperation and anxiety.  This change, is described by many as a total loss of coping skills and the sudden unveiling of many emotional difficulties that may have been otherwise buried.  This insecure and lonesome experience causes many addicts to relapse (returning back to drug use), while motivating others to seek alternative ways of gaining help. 

These initial stages of recovery are periods of extreme vulnerability.  Many addicts experience mixed feelings.  They may feel cut off from their previous culture and drug using peers, which now have become potential risks towards relapse.  Feelings of guilt and fear can accompany this desertion of friends.  The environment as a whole can appear quite different and at times, threatening. This experience can make addicts re-experience old feelings that were felt during drug use, and cause a loss of perspective.  While this emotional distancing can lead to confusion and social withdrawal, it is not constant.  Abstinence has its rewards too.  Many also describe feelings of awesome awakening of their senses and a desire for active and meaningful living.  Freedom from drugs is experienced as freedom from enslavement of some kind. This is when addicts become ready to explore new and healthy ways of coping. They begin to look for support in a community that is different and accepting.  Many turn to psychotherapy, support groups, after-care hospital meetings, yoga, Buddhism and others reach out to Islam.           

Life in Recovery
Those who turn to Islam for recovery often have a unique story to tell.  Their personal willingness towards change, together with a new found idea of trust (tawakkul) in God (Allah) becomes the driving force that fuels the recovery process.  The vacuum in the addicts life now starts to fill.  The rebuilding of coping skills and social networks is found in the learning of Islam.  Mosque environments and study circles give addicts a sense of belonging to a group conscious.  This is built upon mutual support and companionship, which enables addicts to replace those insecure feelings of abandonment and guilt with confidence and stability.  Islam offers them an opportunity to get in touch with their inner feelings and regain a meaningful purpose for existence.  It becomes a medium to make a fresh start. 

Here are some of the ways in which Islamic ideas are conceptualised.  Due to the obsessive nature of drug addiction, addicts may have behaved in an inappropriate manner, leaving them feeling guilty, exposed and ostracised.  This can often prevent them from mentally moving on and reintegrating back in society.  This has been helped with verses in Quran such as: “And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks Allah’s Forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (4:110).  Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (on him be peace) also provide a way forward: "Whoever says, 'Subhan Allah wa bihamdihi,' one hundred times a day, will be forgiven all his sins even if they were as much as the foam of the sea” (Bukhari).  This helps addicts regain Allah’s acceptance, which enables them to overcome feelings of guilt and self-victimisation. 

Addicts often assume that their past drug using behaviour is significantly sinful that it will prevent them from doing any acts of good and so hinder the recovery.  This has been supported by the verses: “And as to those who believe and do good deeds, He will pay them fully their rewards; and Allah does not love the unjust” (3:57) and “The good deed and evil deed are not equal. Repel (evil) with what is better..” (41.34). This encourages continued efforts towards self-development (tarbiyya), while working through unwanted experiences of the past. It is important to highlight that the mentioning of sins in the verses are not always negative, as the position of sins can be taken as a motivation towards change.  Nor is asking for forgiveness from Allah a shortcoming.  This understanding can also be a way of gaining encouragement in the seeking of Divine help, while keeping in touch with ones inner thoughts.

Other verses in the Quran also provide emotional security and spiritual guidance such as: “(Allah says) Remember Me and I shall remember you..” (2:152) and “…I am indeed near to them. I respond to the prayers of my supplicant when he calls upon Me” (2:186).  Along side these are also Bukhari hadith such as: “I am as my servant thinks of Me…and if he draws near to Me a hand’s span, I draw near to him an arm’s length… and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him at speed” and “Two of the qualities which Allah loves are gentleness and self-restraint”.  The following hadith Qudsi (divine hadith) also has significant meaning for those in the early part of recovery: “When Allah decreed the Creation He pledged Himself by writing in His book which is laid down with Him: My mercy prevails over My wrath” (Bukhari).     Intimacy with Allah and endurance in recovery is further strengthened from what Allah says about those who remain grateful of His blessings: “If you give thanks, I will give you more”  (14:7).  This helps with the constant remembrance of Allah’s presence and the need to stay connected with Divinity.  These spiritual principles help addicts find a way to draw nearer to Allah for respite and rehabilitation. This awareness helps them discover a Higher Power that is constant (the Al-Hai), to which they are able to turn to for support and recognition. 

Another important role that Islam plays in recovery is through its social organisation, where a great deal of emphasis is placed upon togetherness (jumm’ah) and regular meetings at places of worship, such as mosques.  This fulfills a number of purposes.  Among these are learning to interact/relate to others as well as exchanging life experiences.  For the addict, this social meeting becomes a stepping-stone towards gaining social acceptance and integration into society.  Along with this, invitation (da’wah) to others to the way of Islam is also an aspect that is promoted.  This encourages people from various parts of society to become actively involved in different branches of Islam in their local community.  This activity often empowers addicts to take on roles and responsibilities.  Essentially, this becomes a way of putting back into the community that which was once taken out.  This engagement helps addicts develop a network of social support and participate in community development initiatives.  Equally, this also inspires them to become organised and learn new life skills, leading to a change in the quality of one’s thinking, feeling and being.  

Addicts are often asked to contribute in this medium because of their life experiences and the ability to empathise with social problems.  They soon start to become valued and are seen as positive example for others to learn from.  Their transformation speaks volumes about the role of Islam and the importance of peer support - the brotherhood (ikhwan).  The need for supportive brotherhood cannot be emphasised enough, as self-will alone cannot carry one through the recovery process.  The role of supportive and tolerant families is also crucial.  They play a pivotal role in the addicts motivation towards the maintenance of change and reinforcement of growth.  Ultimately, having experienced the awakening message of Islam, addicts then start to carry and take the message of hope to others who suffer from addiction to drugs.                              

The Way Forward
Despite our prejudice, we must view all addicts as having the potential to reintegrate into society and live meaningfully. We need to share with them success stories of other recovering addicts, offering choice and different strategies for coping.  We need to feel confident in ourselves first that Islam does work and has a lot to offer in terms of drug rehabilitation.  Drug services are crucial contact points for addicts.  They need to expand on their professional knowledgebase by actively harnessing the experiences of recovering drug addicts in their planning and delivery of services.  Every drugs project can benefit greatly from such support.  This exchange of expertise can assist them become more inclusive in their approach.  Along with this, we need to educate drugs workers in the Islamic concept of sin (ma’siyah) and forgiveness (istighfar).  Awareness on the psychological and spiritual implication of recovery also needs to be incorporated into their training.  This way of working can only deepen understanding and enable a sense of closeness towards real life experiences of this community group.  Just as Islam requires us to have a positive outlook on life, so must we hold firm in our hearts and minds that recovery is, without a doubt, a sure reality! 

We should not also forget that those who have recovered from the afflictions of drug abuse, have done so only by the help of Allah aza wajjal, Who is the Infinitely Good, the Most Merciful.

 
Alibor Choudhury, BA (Hon) Social Policy and Politics.  He is Chair of the Multi Agency Drugs Committee, New Deal for Communities, London, UK 
Abul Hussain, BA (Hon) International Social Work Studies.  He is a Social Worker for a Community Mental Health in East London, UK
© Alibor Choudhury & Abul Hussain
April 2002
United Kingdom  
Contact Abul Hussain at mazemo@mazemo.worldonline.co.uk

The Duality Principle

The term duality as used in our daily life means the harmony of two opposite and complementary parts that integrate into a whole. Symmetry and balance in natural phenomena are bound up with duality.

The Quran describes this phenomenon in the most lucid manner:
"Hallowed is He, Who created pairs in all things, those that grow from the earth and of themselves, and what they know not." (36:36)
"And all things have We created in pairs in order that you may reflect on it." (51:49)

It was believed that only animal life was divided into two genders, masculine and feminine, then this phenomenon of complementarity was found in plants and vegetation. In fact, this reality exists in every creation, animate as well as inanimate.


The Quranic verses that describe the dual nature of all created things, uses the term ‘zawjain’ (complementary pairs) are: 11:40, 13:3, 23:27, 31:10, 36:36, 51:49 and 53:45.

The word 'zawjain' is translated into the English language as 'pairs.'  In scientific literature its meaning is extended to incorporate such concepts as 'duality', 'complementarity', 'opposites', 'inverses' and several other concepts reflecting conjugate and/or reciprocal properties.


In the Tafsir of Ibn Kathir the following pairs of creation are mentioned: the heavens and earth, sun and moon, light and dark, night and day, land and oceans, life and death, heaven and hell. Ibn Kathir elaborates that, "Every aspect of creation has the pair characteristic, extending even to the animals and plants. This is in order that we may reflect and know that Allah, The Creator, is One and there is nothing that can be associated with Him."
 
Many times the duality principle can be identified immediately by the terms used, e.g. action-reaction and inhaling-exhaling. In general, however, terms that are in a dual relationship cannot be identified without knowing the science behind their definitions. For example; chlorophyll-hemoglobin, electron-proton, evaporation-condensation stand in a dual relationship with each other but their descriptive terms do not disclose that relationship.

This “duality principle" characterizes several laws and operations found in almost all areas of study, in scientific disciplines and in the social and behavioral sciences.  

In Mathematics, addition and subtraction, multiplication and division, raising to a power and taking roots are dual operations. Similar principles can be found in Geometry, Algebra and Calculus.


In Physics, action and reaction, attraction and repulsion, positive and negative charges, North and South Pole of a magnet are examples of duality.  Particle and wave theories are also dual and/or complementary principles. Light is both a wave and a particle. Modern day physicists no longer argue about the complementary characteristic of matter and energy, they accept duality. Without the opposites of electrons and protons a physical Universe would not be possible.


In Biology the functions of chlorophyll and hemoglobin, inhaling and exhaling, muscle contraction and extension, birth and death are known to have opposite functions.


In Philosophy and Political Science the concepts of liberalism and conservatism, thesis vs. antithesis are opposites and also fall into the dual category.


In Psychology this challenge of opposites presents itself as the root of all problems, with the human being’s attempt to reconcile between satisfaction and contentment on one hand, and eliminating suffering and pain on the other.  We are placed in this position of continually having to make choices.  “The satisfaction of our needs, and the choices by which we attain that satisfaction, constitute our prime motivation. Together they spur the development of our faculty of reasoning and the understanding of cause and effect…. So Nature, from the outset, drives us towards the development of our discriminatory capabilities through the necessity of having to make choices… This constant flux of attraction and repulsion, of push and pull, is the essential dynamism upon which everything in this existence depends and is balanced.” Haeri


Understanding duality as an axiom makes it possible to view human problems in their fullness from several perspectives. Our study of duality gives a view of the world that is more comprehensive, organized and unified. Co-operation, co-existence and collaboration become the focus and not a ‘me against them’ or ‘better than thou’ stance.


There is nothing wrong with an electron or right with a proton - they simply are.  Similarly there is nothing right with a man or wrong with a woman. Most opposites are relative and observer dependant. An observer who remains mentally and emotionally blocked cannot see balance and symmetry of the whole, nor can he appreciate the necessity of both, hence his insistence on making one better than the other. 
 
Opposites as a function of duality are the basis of the Universe. One cannot exist without the other, nor can we appreciate one without the other.  Would we be capable of understanding pleasure if we did not experience pain?  And the same goes for male & female, happiness & sadness, health & disease, remembering & forgetting, new & old, spirit & body, strength & weakness, success & failure, beauty & ugliness, youth & old age, etc… all expressions of this complementary duality that works toward forming a complex, inter-related and beautifully balanced whole.



No opposite can be known without its opposite.
Having suffered a blow you will know a caress.
Rumi

Uzma Mazhar © 2002
published in www.crescentlife.com

Butterflies in Islam: Why a Little is a Lot

Author: Taufik A. Valiante MD PhD FRCS(C)

"In whatever business thou mayest be and whatever portion thou mayest be reciting from the Qur'an and whatever deed ye (humankind) may be doing We are Witnesses thereof when ye are deeply engrossed therein. Nor is hidden from thy Lord (so much as) the weight of an atom on the earth or in heaven. And not the least and not the greatest of these things but are recorded in a clear Record." (10:61)

To paraphrase, I believe that Allah is telling us that in whatever you are occupied, be it your occupation, when you recite the Qur'an, and in any other work you may be doing, Allah and the angels are a witness to your actions, and even the smallest things that you do are recorded.

For me, the question that arises first after reading this verse is: Why is everything so important, even something that is physically or figuratively less than an atom's weight? Is it to increase our already burdensome lives? Are we not all caught up in the rat-race, working to live, and barely alive enough to work or extend ourselves any further? Is this the burden of Muslims that the other monotheistic religions balk at, suggesting that Islam, unlike other religions, guarantees nothing in the end, that our fate is always in the balance, and that we must always be on guard? On top of all this, it is not just the big things that Allah is aware of, but also the tiniest little things!

Well, the psychology of behavior modification is beyond the scope of this article and beyond my area of expertise, but I feel that if Islam is a prescription for internal and external peace, then change must come about by active application, not benign neglect. We are told in the Qur'an: "Surely Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change their own condition." (13:11)

I suppose that having a slight scientific bent has given me an alternate perspective on the Qur’ânic teaching that Allah records every minute thing. I believe that it is not so much to burden us with having to watch every little thing we do, but to tell us that everything we do has a significant impact on us, our families, our communities, and ultimately society as a whole. Wow! What a burden -- or, what an opportunity! Yes, an opportunity that derives from certain fundamental physical principals that we cannot wiggle our way out of. These principles have been captured in the term "butterfly effect," and derive from concepts fully developed in ‘chaos theory’.

Now I do not profess to be an expert in either theology or mathematics. I am, however, an optimist and the first quoted verse brings me much peace when given a certain physical context. So, what about this "butterfly effect"?

It began with Edward Lorenz, a meteorologist who modeled convection currents on computers. Given the lengthy computations necessary on the large and slow computers of his day (the early 1960s), Lorenz decided to write down the intermediate values in his study and continue his simulation at a later time. As he recorded these values, he took the liberty of rounding some of them off to three decimal places or so. But when he later re-started the computer simulation where it had left off, he realized that as the calculations progressed, the results departed from those of an uninterrupted simulation.

The departure from the expected result was not miniscule, even though the discrepancy in starting values was. Apparently, as time passed, the departure grew exponentially! The effect became known as "sensitivity to initial conditions." Given the fact that Lorenz was modeling weather patterns, it was remarked "if the theory (chaos theory) were correct, one flap of a seagull's wings would be enough to alter the course of the weather forever." Lorenz extended this analogy in the title of his lecture, "Predictability: Does the Flap of a Butterfly's Wings in Brazil set off a Tornado in Texas?" Hence, the "butterfly effect."

There are two major concepts relevant to this piece that arise out of chaos theory and each has something to do with systems governed by a defined set of rules. Systems with defined rules, as for example a system of mathematical equations, are said to be "deterministic." Deterministic systems, even very basic ones, like simple mathematical equations, can show rather complicated behaviors, which have often been described as "seemingly random." But such behavior isn't really random: because it is being generated from a mathematical equation, it just looks very complicated.

Thus, chaos is not really that intuitive sense of disorder we have grown up associating with the word. Rather, it is at times very complicated behavior that emerges from a specific set of rules. Actually it is through rules (or, equations) that the typical behavior of a given system is manifested. If we think of weather, for example, there are a finite amount of weather patterns that can happen, simply because physical rules have to be obeyed; but we are unable to predict which one will occur, or when. We can't expect to get wholly new kinds of weather -- that would be weird and frankly, unnatural. Everything in our physical and spiritual environment follows rules, whether we like it or not, and whether we can explain it or not as we are told in the Qur'an:
"Seek they other than the religion of Allah when unto Him submitteth whosoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly." (3: 83).

As mentioned, the other important concept that arises out of chaos theory is "sensitivity to initial conditions," which means that small changes in variables (i.e. the values of mathematical equations) will create profound changes in that system as it evolves over time. These initial changes, or "perturbations," although tiny can dramatically alter the path a system could take. In chaotic systems, this rate of change can be quantified and is known as the ‘lyapunov exponent’. This rate of change actually represents the distance between two paths, one offset from the other by a small "perturbation." One can imagine that if the paths of a system kept diverging in this exponential fashion, the whole system would explode. Or, if the path of a system kept contracting exponentially, the system would collapse down to a singular point and implode. Chaotic systems that neither blow up, nor implode, must maintain a balance between expansion and contraction. In mathematical terms, these balanced systems contain both positive and negative lyapunov exponents. Is it any wonder that both "the Expander" and "the Constrictor" are among Allah's many attributes? Thus it appears that in Islam, ethereal as well as physical systems exist in a balance of opposing forces. (This can lead also to an in-depth discussion of the concept of "Moderation," which is another topic in and of itself.)

So what about the stuff we can hardly measure, the things we consider unimportant or trivial in our daily lives? -- a smile, a simple kind gesture, for example? What place do they have in our day-to-day encounters? Furthermore, what about more overt and profound actions, such as helping the needy, the orphaned, the homeless, the hungry, and the underprivileged? It is so easy to say, "What can I do? I am just one person, or "I can't make a difference."

That the small perturbations mentioned above result in exponential returns is iterated mathematically in Sûrah al-Baqarah verse 261, which states that:
“The parable of those who spend their possessions for the sake of Allah is that of a grain out of which grow seven ears, in every ear a hundred grains: for Allah grants manifold increase to whom he wills; and Allah is infinite, all knowing”.

If one were to plot the mathematical progression stated in this verse as three points with co-ordinates (1, 1), (2, 7), and (3,700), any simple curve fitting algorithm would fit this to an exponential in the form of y = y0 + AeBx and yield values of y0 = 1.0, A = 0.00045, and B = 4.75. Regardless of the actual values of the parameters, this progression is well approximated by an exponential. Hence when we invest in the things that are important, as Allah has prescribed, then our small investment (1 grain), results in a huge return (700 grains). An exponential return!

Remember though, this should be extended to all types of investments, be they investments of time, investments of effort, or investments of behavior. A kind word and the veiling of another’s want is better than a charitable deed followed by hurt; and Allah is self sufficient, for-bearing. (al-Baqarah, 263).

Well, if it is not enough that the Qur'an tells you every little thing counts, mathematics says the same thing! Everything does count, and the more we begin to believe and understand this, the less disenfranchised we will feel. We must believe this because it is a reality from which we cannot escape, it is inherent in the fact that we exist as part of a complex social and physical system, governed by rules and equations set down by our singular Creator, Allah. Let's not fool ourselves into thinking that by non-participation we effect no change. The absence of involvement is just as profound a "perturbation" in the universal system as is an active effort to do so.

So when we lament over the problem of the world's disjointed Ummah, we should take a step back and remind ourselves that human-engineered unity is, in and of itself, an unobtainable goal. We cannot just will unity to happen, it is a process. The process begins and ends by rigorously applying ourselves to all that the Qur'an prescribes for us. The unity we so yearn for is the natural endpoint of these efforts, provided we follow the prescriptions set forth. If we think social change will come about merely by ritualistic pursuits, then read Sûrah Al-Maun (Alms):
"Have you considered him who calls the judgment a lie? That is the one who treats the orphan with harshness and does not urge (others) to feed the poor. So woe to the praying ones, who are unmindful of their prayers, who do (good) to be seen, and withhold the necessaries of life". (107:1-7)

So, back to the "little things" in life. It is often said that the most successful among us are those who set themselves small, attainable goals. With consistent application to these attainable goals, life then becomes a series of positive reinforcements and ultimately we make it to the culminating point. Conversely, those who set huge, unrealistic goals are more likely to be destined for failure.

So if we haven't yet obtained the things we hope for as a community or as a society, then we should be looking at our own individual behaviors. It may be that when it was our time to flap our wings and change the weather in Texas, we were sitting in our basement and complaining about our next-door neighbors!
 
About the Author:
Taufik A. Valiante is Assistant Professor in the Division of Neurosurgery at the University of Toronto. He recently completed a neurosurgical fellowship at the University of Washington in Seattle focusing on the surgical treatment of epilepsy. His research interests include the mechanisms underlying seizure generation, and the acquisition of language, and memory.  He can be reached at taufik.valiante@uhn.on.ca 


published in www.crescentlife.com

Five Senses & the Five Pillars of Islâm

Author: Amany Hussnein In a Hadith Qudsi, Allah says that if His servant tries to come closer to Him, by voluntary good actions, He will love him and if He loves Him, He will become the sight by which he sees, the hearing by which he hears and the hand by which he dares and forces and the legs by which he walks, and if the servant seeks His refuge, He will answer and if he asks Him, He will respond. This Hadith is telling us that by using our limited five physical senses to do acts of worship and servanthood, we can be provided with limitless spiritual senses that are originally the senses of Allah's Breath, those who represents His Command on Earth. The five pillars of Islam are God's given spiritual senses. By practicing these five pillars with our physical senses, with sincerity and faith our spiritual senses will evolve into real everlasting senses that can give our resurrected bodies, eternity, happiness and peace. (1) Shahâdah - Witnessing: I bear witness that La ilaha ila Allah, and that Muhammad is Allah's Rasul, messenger and servant. "Shahâdah" is our inner spiritual sense of seeing. Through the ayât (signs) in the Universe, we can witness Allah's ability, compassion, power, might, strength, etc. We can witness Allah's Attributes within everything. If our sense of Shahâdah/seeing of Allah increases, we can sense that He is watching us wherever we are, and we behave accordingly to that Watchful Eye. We can also witness His signs "ayât/clues" within ourselves that serves as guidance to us. To demonstrate this level of seeing, I like to mention this story about al Ghazâlî, the author of "Ihya' Ulûm ad deen/Reviving the Sciences of Religion". After he wrote thousands of pages trying to explain the mystery of Allah, life and the world, he was full of the sense of self-accomplishment. As he was sitting on the board of a river, a bird came and dropped from its beak a water drop that she picked from the river, and put on one of his pages. As the bird repeated this act, Al Ghazâlî realized in it a direct message for him from Allah. He realized that Allah was telling him: that the knowledge that He gave him was only like a drop from the ocean of Divine knowledge. This brought Al Ghazâlî to humbleness. This story illustrates to us how being God-conscious makes us see or witness the ayât of Allah in the Universe. They see Allah beyond everything, and that is the depth and meaning of the Shahâdah: to be always on alert and attentive to Allah's Presence, Message and Guidance. To be able to see with our inner most hearts, as the Qur'an speaks of real seeing and comprehension. This is the depth of the saying of the Hadith Qudsî: "When Allah loves His servant, He becomes the sight by which He sees". (2) Salâh - Prayer: It is obligatory on Muslims to pray five times a day. Prayer is our inner spiritual sense of hearing. It shows that we hear the call of Allah's Wish or Command for us. Then, by reciting the Qur'an we hear the Divine Words, message and Guidance. As our sense of spiritual hearing evolve, we become true slaves and servants of Allah, who submit to His Command. We become the tool, through which Allah answers the prayers of others. We hear humanity cry, and the cry of those in need and we respond as God's representatives. The visions of those true believers are what left after and is part of Prophethood. `Umar Ibn al Khattab could actually internally see the danger of the trap that was facing the Muslim army when he warned them "Ya Sariyatul Aljabal, irj`i irji`i": (O people who are walking by the mountain, return, return). Because there were people among that group whose spiritual sense of seeing was evolved, they could sense his warning and return upon his advise. This is the depth of the saying of the Hadith Qudsî: "When Allah loves His servant, He becomes the hearing by which He hears". (3) Sâwm - Fasting in Ramadan is obligatory upon every healthy, adult Muslim. Fasting is our inner spiritual sense of "Tasting". Through fasting, we taste the suffering and the pain of the hungry, homeless, lost and the poor. We also taste the sense of our spirits that don't eat or drink or get in intimate physical relations, but in a more refined and meaningful ways. We taste the spiritual food. We also taste the "sweetness" of our "faith" as the prophet said: "By Allah, there is a sweetness to Îmân". By resisting our egos and curbing its desires, that gives room to our goodness and beauty to manifest and be tasted by us and by others, we gain the faith in tasting the sweetness of our goodness in the Hereafter. Whenever anyone tries to harm us, we respond: "We are fasting", which means we can be patient in tasting the bitter taste of harm and life's afflictions. In a much deeper level, as that of prophet Muhammad (pbuh), Allah will make us taste the fruits and drinks of Paradise, as it was mentioned in the prophet's saying: "Allah feeds me and provides me with drink (while fasting)". (4) Zakâh - Giving Alms Giving Alms and Charity is our inner and spiritual sense of "touching". By giving food, water, a smile, care, help, respect, etc. we in fact are touching others spiritually with justice, compassion and love. These beautiful qualities are our very sense of touching. We touch the Hand of Allah through given our pledge to Him to give charity, and doing voluntary acts to show our Love to Him. People can touch Allah's Hand through touching the hands of His representatives, like when they gave their pledge to the prophet and the caliphs after him. What an honor that can be! This is the depth of the saying of the Hadith Qudsî: "When Allah loves His servant, He becomes the hand by which he dares (or force) with". When one gives in charity his whole being and life, then it will be Allah's Hands that throws the arrow, and Allah's Hands that make plants grow, through one's prayers and charitable giving. (5) Hajj - Pilgrimage Hajj is our inner spiritual most subtle sense of smell! Our five senses are not complete unless we go in the journey to the House of Allah, even once in our lifetime. When we die we return to Allah, to our Eternal Abode of Grace "Jannah" and so Hajj means we have to die before we die (as the hadith says). We have to detach ourselves from the temporary world, and get attached to the Eternal World, like we do in Hajj. We have to practice the Hajj internally all the time. We have to be in continuous repentance (returning) to the world where the hidden essence of our reality and state will manifest and live. The Rasul (pbuh) told us that after death, a pious God-conscious soul will have a beautiful fragrance, and the soul that denied and/or concealed the Truth will have an offensive odor. This is because every action we do, is restored inside our brain as electromagnetic waves, but also it is restored as chemical changes in the RNA of our cells, as recent scientific studies explains to us. Chemical changes are the cause of producing odors. Some reactions produce beautiful fragrance, but others produce offensive odors. This is done in a very subtle way, that our physical noses cannot sense, but our inner spiritual noses can. After death, the life's energy does not disappear, but it transforms to another subtler types of energy, and the subtle realities of our states will manifest within us, and will remain in us after resurrection for Eternity. Since, Hajj is the death before death, this means that our inner nose should be aware of the subtle odors that comes from our actions, emotions, and thoughts. There are saying of the companions of the prophets, in which they expressed that they were perceiving the fragrance of Paradise, that pushed them further and further to be devoted and give their whole life to Allah, and became martyrs. It is said that prophet Muhammad's fragrance was more beautiful than that of Musk. It is also said that between the prophet's platform, and his grave is a garden from Paradise. A garden with all of its beautiful subtle fragrances. When a person's Hajj is accepted, one returns as he was just given birth by his mother. Newborn babies are known to smell wonderful. Be restoring your original nature, as a spirit from Allah, you can restore your inner spiritual sense of smell and you can enjoy your eternal beautiful fragrance. Our physical five senses are limited and are just low reflections or shadows of our eternal spiritual real five senses. Our spirits have inner eyes, ears, skin, tongue and nose. These organs are the intention and qualities of our behaviors. If we use or depend only on our physical five senses, then we are missing our full potential. This limitation that people put upon themselves will degrade their spiritual experience. After their lives in the bodies end, and the physical senses are lost and buried, their spiritual senses become concealed and they continue to live in the environment their deeds, emotions and thoughts made for them. Because they caused atrophy to their spiritual senses, they will live in regret and suffering. They will say to Allah: "Why did you resurrect me blind and I used to have my sense of seeing in the lower life"", and Allah will reply to them: "So our signs used to come to you, but you chose not to see it". But, if we become aware of our inner spiritual five senses, use and depend on them more and more, then our physical five senses, will follow and become a reflection to more subtle and beautiful limitless senses. Then, when we leave our bodies, we are aware of our subtle spiritual senses, and we can continue to enjoy the sense of witnessing, hearing, touching, tasting and smelling in another formless non matter status. After resurrection, these non matter essences will dwell in our bodies, giving it an everlasting youth, beauty and health, and we will live in the Abode of Grace for Eternity, being able to witness Allah's Beautiful Face, hearing His speech, touching His Hand, tasting His fruits and smelling the essence of His Gardens. Contact Info of Author: NfrTt@aol.com published in www.crescentlife.com

Women of Islam: Sound of Silence

Author: Farhana Hoque "Treat your women well, and be kind to them,"-Mohammad (pbuh). This hadith has been quoted 1400 years ago by the Prophet Mohammad. So why is it that 1400 years later, many Muslims in the Middle East permit the exact opposite? The hijab, or veil, has been turned from a symbol of honor to a symbol of repression for many Muslim women in the Middle East. The following poem is what Hillary Rodham Clinton has quoted from a student in India during a speech she gave on women’s rights at the Rajiv Ghandi Foundation in India: "Too many women In too many countries Speak the same language, Of silence... We seek only to give words to those who cannot speak (too many women in too many countries) I seek only to forget The silence of the grandmother’s Silence." In my opinion, wearing the veil is supposed to be a symbol of a women’s honor upon who she is and a symbol of respect for her faith as well as her beauty. However, I don’t believe that it should be forced upon her. She should have the option to choose what she feels is best for her. The whole purpose of being a Muslim (male or female) is to embrace Islam on their own without having anyone to tell them they have to and without anyone having to force it upon them. In the Qur’an, there are more passages that address issues relating to women (as individuals, in the family, and as members of the community) than all other social issues combined. Also mentioned in the Qur’an, both Adam and Eve were equally guilty for eating from the tree. The female was never singled out or chastised for being a temptress. This marks God’s fairness and equality to both sexes. According to the Qur’an, women are not blamed for the "fall of man." Pregnancy and child birth aren’t seen as punishments for "eating from the forbidden tree." On the other hand, the Qur’an considers them to be grounds for love and respect due to mothers. If one believes in anything other than that, then they aren’t really considered a Muslim, and they are known as Munafi’qun, or a hypocrite, and too many of them exist today in the Middle East. The women’s position in Islam is a very honorable position. The Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) has even said, "Among my followers the best of men are those who are best to their wives." In another narration, he has also said "Then remain in your mother’s service, because Paradise lies beneath her feet." The Prophet would want all men to respect women. If he were to see the state of condition of Muslims today, he would’ve went against anything that did not promote women’s rights. Not only that, but also many other acts that go against Islam and its teachings. Also, when concerning education, it isn’t only a right but also a responsibility of ALL males and females. Mohammad (pbuh) has said "Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every Muslim ("Muslim" referring to both males and females)". Nobody can deny a women’s right to education. Yet in the Middle East they make up lame excuses for women to be kept from going to school. Some say that when she gets married, she will argue with her husband concerning things that may not seem "appropriate" to him. Also that she would be "smart-mouthed" and wouldn’t know how to keep quiet. That’s the problem with many women today in the Middle East, ‘Too many women, in too many countries speak the same language, of Silence.’ I think Muslim sisiters should start to reform. Here are sayings of a woman, Fatima Gailani, who feels the same way. She enrolled at the Muslim College in London in 1991 and is currently studying fiqh, Islamic understanding, which covers all aspects of Muslim life: "Muslim women have made a mistake in thinking that it is not their territory to be educated in Islamic law. Told they cannot be judges, which is not true, or Imams or preachers, educated women turned their energies to medicine, research, etc, never to expertise in Islam. We left it to men and then we mourn and say, ‘Oh, this is injustice, such injustice imposed on us.’ If something that has been given to us by God is taken away in the name of Islam, I will fight it. How else can we safeguard our part of the world, and ensure that no one abuses it? Women have been completely ignored for a very, very long time in our part of the world. And the most unfortunate enemy that women, and men, have in the Islamic world is ignorance: ignorant people facing selfish forces intent on using the religion for political reasons, reasons of power." Fatima says that she would feel the same way if children or men were being similarly oppressed. "I have taken up this struggle not just because I am a woman, but because this is an injustice in the name of my religion. And this misuse of Islam is a major factor in making my religion completely misunderstood by the West, something that need not happen." There are many women who feel the same way Fatima does, but are afraid of speaking up for what they believe in. Being confined and trapped under the laws of Islamic fundamentalists keeps so many women from lifting their veil of silence and being able to have the courage to stand up on their own. As Malcolm X said, "The fate of a nation depends on how it treats it women." This is in the spirit of the Prophet's answer to the Sahabi asking who was most deserving of good treatment and honor: 1) Your mother; 2) your mother; 3) your mother; 4) your father.  The Prophet loved women. How horrified he would be to see the wretched ways that so many of his ummah have been mistreating them. In conclusion, this article is pro women's rights.  All my brothers and sisters are created equal in the face of Allah.  Nobody should deny someone's humanity.  We can not just sit around hoping for change, for change comes with action, which I believe has to start immediately.  Too many women are being silenced, we need to stand up for those who can't, it is our duty to stand up for our religion and its rights. Although I'm only 14, I believe that the youth is where it all starts. We have to set an example for the youth as well as many that are to follow in the generations to come. About the Author: I am a first time author trying to submit an article.  I am 14 years old and I'm from Bangladesh, currently living in Brooklyn, NY in the USA.  My e-mail address is xxbb4evaxx@yahoo.com. Note: Farhana, Keep up the good work and this courageous spirit.  Uzma published in www.crescentlife.com

 

Slave to the World: Masochism

Author: Liam Brian Yost

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

In this present day of technological advances and great freedom, there is still a group of people who remain slaves. There is still a group of people who are hunted and persecuted for standing firm in what they know to be right. Who are these people? These people are you and I…the Muslim Ummah. The worst part about this slavery as opposed to the slavery of early American history is the fact that we have no physical ‘master’ to apply the whip to our flesh. We have no one to drag us away from those we love and make us a stranger in a strange land. The only true oppressor we have is the Dunya. But I’m hesitant to use this word ‘oppressor’. To oppress something is to hold it back in a sense. The American Heritage Dictionary defines Oppression as (1) to burden one harshly, unjustly or tyrannically. (2) To weigh heavily on the mind and spirit.

So, looking at these meanings, it’s safe to rule out these words Oppressor or Oppression to describe this ‘slavery’ the Ummah is being held under. And it’s sad. Only because, if we could use these words to describe our condition, there would be some sense made of it all. But how do you make sense of a slavery that man willingly gives himself to. I’m not speaking of the complete submission that we should be giving to Allah subhana wa’ta’ala…I speak of a submission to what hurts us and those around us and that we enjoy, or think we do. As much as it pains me to say and as much as it may pain you to think of mankind this way, there is only one term I can think of to describe us; to describe mankind. That term is  masochistic. Now Masochism is a term we like to use to describe behaviors associated with the rejects of society. When we think of masochism, we think of these strange people with their sick sex and pain fetishes. We think of dark night clubs with people dressed in strange costumes and doing the unimaginable. We think of this and we cringe at what mankind has become. 

Masochism is defined as (2) The deriving of pleasure from being mistreated in some way. But I pose this question to you who frowns in disgust upon hearing this word and thinking of those associated with it. Are we, the Muslim ummah, any better than those that we speak of when mentioning this term? Think about it. What are the things that the dunya offers us that we love so much? That we have to fight so hard to avoid? Drinking, smoking, gambling, numerous sex partners, lewdness, coveting, lying to get what we want, speaking in a derogatory sense, speaking of our wives/husbands private moments with us with our friends and comparing stories, watching and reading pornography and last but not least… neglecting our studies in Qur’an and Sunnah to watch mindless television programs that fill our heads with ideas and gross morality we would never come up with on our own. We get fed garbage and rather than spitting it out due to it’s putrid state, we ask for seconds and thirds. Is this not a sense of destroying ourselves slowly and getting pleasure while doing so? Some will say “Ahki, this is no comparison”, but it is! You see, knowledge of Qur’an and Sunnah is the one major key to helping build up iman. If we neglect these things, we begin to slip in iman. We begin to miss our salat. We begin to attend the masjid less and less. And eventually, we will be in full submission to the Shaitan’s playground… the dunya. We are not only killing ourselves physically in doing all this, but we are assuring making a permanent place for ourselves in the hell fire and moving ourselves away furthur and furthur from Jannah. And we have the audacity to look down on those who appear lost to us. But tell me what is worse. These people out there in the dunya that sin and transgress out of ignorance? Or those of us that know truth and bargain it for what we call a “good time”. This is something to think of when you see yourself in the mirror day to day.

Many will disagree with me in this. Many, if they heard this in a group setting would sit there looking around at one another, thinking to themselves, “What kind of a Muslim would do such things? What kind of a Muslim could possibly be a slave to this world and it’s so called pleasures?” To those that look around in search of such a person, 9 times out of 10, they need to look no further than themselves. Many have asked me about why doing things like making wudhu before salat is important. When I explain to them that this is a purification of yourself before going in front of Al-Majid (the most Glorious), they say “I don’t think God cares if you have dirt under your nails or how you smell. He loves us no matter what.” Many ignorant Muslims hear this and walk away thinking “maybe this person is right”. Only the Muslim who is slave to dunya and weak in iman would think this way. I personally have seen many Muslims attend salat without having made wudhu beforehand…their odor has said volumes. I’ve seen them show up wearing any old thing to go before their creator. The most sickening part of this is that if these people were to go to a job interview, they would dress to the height of fashion and smell better than they ever have in their lives! So, a man who dishes out cash takes precedence over your creator. You and I have both been guilty of this at one time or another. But as the Prophet (saw) said “The best of you are not those that never sin… the best of you are those that sin and repent.” You see, the dunya is a destroyer. The Prophet (saw) said that the dunya is a prison to the believer. But to the average man looking to fulfill his carnal appetite, the danger is not so apparent. The Shaitan is a master of deceit and the best of liars. Being such, he can take the worst and make it appealing to all the bodies’ senses. If this danger was blatant, there would be no fight; no inner jihad against our carnal natures. If it were so easy to see its putridness, we would avoid it the way we would avoid entering a burning building. If there was a burning building, not only would we not enter, but we would breathe a sigh of relief that we’re not in there and give thanks to out creator for keeping us from harm’s way.  So, if Shaitan wasn’t good at what he does, then he wouldn’t have a chance in leading mankind astray.  As odd as it may sound, credit has to be given where credit is due.

We have to face the fact that we, as people, do not possess the knowledge the shaitan possesses. He is indeed smarter and more powerful than we, and without the guidance of Allah Subhânahû wa' Ta'ala, we would be left helpless to his will.  Again, many will have their faces all distorted at what is being said about the Shaytân and his wisdom in comparison to us believers.
 
But ask yourself…how many times have you put off salat until your favorite show is over? How many times have you continued to eat when you feel your stomach full?  How many times have you told a homeless person “Sorry, I have no money” when he asks of you your help, knowing full well you have a few dollars burning a hole in your pocket? How many times have you stayed in the company of those you know to be untrustworthy? The list could go on and on, but the point I’m trying to make to those that may take offense to my saying the Shaitan is smarter than you or I is this: Each one of those instances I mentioned, while minor to some, are things the Shaitan causes some of us to do. We the Ummah; the ones who are supposed to know better. How does this make us look to the others? We know better, yet we allow ourselves to be fooled over and over. We allow ourselves to be lured. Why do we allow this? Why do we play a game of Russian Roulette when it comes to our salvation? 

Have you ever noticed that people pay more attention to what they take into their bodies and absolutely no attention to the words they spew forth from it? Did you ever notice that when it comes to one’s salvation, most can have anything sold to them? For example: Most times when people seek answers that their Holy books do not give them, most of the time, they’re doing nothing more than seeking verification for the heinous acts they do in everyday life that they know to be wrong. A perfect example of this is Muslims smoking, which I’ve seen much of. Their excuse? Well nothing in the Qur’an and Sunnah says anything about smoking. Smoking is not mentioned specifically, but we’ll touch on that in a little bit. Anyway, the person is looking for answers, so a Buddhist might say something that appeals to them and what they want to do, so they say to themselves “I like the sound of that” and adopt it as their own. Sometimes even going as far as to drop one belief and replace that belief with this new found “knowledge” That is until this newfound knowledge goes against something else they may like to do…then they go on to the next set of values and the next until they find justification for what it is they now wish to do. 

So, you see when dealing with our souls and our salvation.. it’s a big game to most. A bargain hunt if you will. Searching for the best pleasures for as little cost to our souls as possible. But…if someone brought before us, a contract that would either help us gain or lose money. Now we would stop. Now we would sit down and think rationally. When it comes to the soul its “Yeah, I like this! And let me some of that too!” all without a thought. When it comes to us possibly gaining or losing worldly goods, that’s when we sit down, pull out our glasses and read over the fine print like a banker or an auditor. Giving the utmost attention to every little detail and asking question after question. The Ummah is in a sad state. We are just as guilty as those we point fingers at, yet we’re too stupid and blind to see this. We are always looking for an excuse; a scapegoat. Getting back to the smoking as I promised earlier, I notice many Muslims smoking these days. I ask them “Why are you smoking? This is haraam” Dumbfounded that a “convert” would ask such a thing of a so-called born Muslim they give the excuse of  “the Qur’an and Sunnah say nothing of smoking.” My god, does it need to be spelled out for them? Must you tell them every little detail? When on Earth does the common sense kick in?! For those fools that like to make such excuses, I have the following for you, the reader, to give to them. Perhaps you know that all nations of the world - Muslim and Kafir alike- have now started to fight smoking, because they know that it’s very harmful. Islam forbids everything that is harmful, because the Prophet (saw) said: "There should be no harming or reciprocating harm."  Undoubtedly there are foods and drinks which are beneficial and good, and others which are harmful and bad. Allah described our Prophet(saw) in the following terms:

"he allows them as lawful At Tayyibaat (i.e. all good and lawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), and prohibits them as unlawful Al Khabaa'ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods)
[al-A'raaf 7:157]

Is smoking one of the good and lawful things (al-tayyibaat) or one of the evil and unlawful things (al-khabaa'ith)?

Secondly: it was narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: "Allah forbids you to trade gossip, to ask too many questions and to waste money." And Allah forbade wasteful extravagance when He said (interpretation of the meaning):

"and eat and drink but waste not by extravagance, certainly He (Allah) likes not Al Musrifoon (those who waste by extravagance) [al-A'raaf 7:31]

And He described the slaves of the Most Merciful as follows (interpretation of the meaning):

"And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but hold a medium (way) between those (extremes)" [al-Furqaan 25:67]

The whole world now knows that the money spent on smoking is to be considered as money wasted, from which no benefit is gained; indeed, it is money spent on something harmful. One cannot claim ignorance as the box that contain the cigarettes say how harmful they are clear as day. If the money which is spent on smoking worldwide were to be collected, it could have saved entire populations who have died of starvation. Is there anyone more foolish that one who holds a dollar bill and sets fire to it? What is the
difference between him and the one who smokes? Indeed, the smoker is more foolish, because the folly of the one who burns a dollar bill ends there, whilst the one who smokes
burns his money and also harms his body.

Thirdly: how many disasters have been caused by smoking, because of cigarette butts which are thrown away and cause fires? Other disasters have been caused in other ways, as when a house was burned down with its occupants inside, when a man lit his cigarette when there was a gas leak.

Fourthly: how many people are offended by the smell of smokers, especially when you are unfortunate enough to have one of them standing next to you in the mosque? I unfortunately have had the displeasure of dealing with that and trust me it’s not fun. And also, any grotesque smell is easier to bear than the smell of the smoker's mouth when he/she has just woken up. It is amazing how many women and men can put up with the smell of their spouses' mouths! The Prophet (saw) forbade those who had eaten garlic or onions from coming to the mosque so that they would not offend their fellow-worshippers with their smell. The smell of onions and garlic is easier to bear than the smell of the smoker and his mouth. 

So, you see, the Qur’an and Sunnah don’t say anything specifically about smoking, but the believing Muslim should know better and needs to stop making excuses to justify our weaknesses. Not addictions, not obsessions, but WEAKNESS! Addiction and obsession are nice ways to tell people they’re weak. We are all weak when it comes to certain things in this life…otherwise we wouldn’t be human. But it’s our duty to our Creator to see to it that these things are flushed from the body. What things are these? These are the “Two Desires” as Imam Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali likes to call them. These desires are gluttony and sexual desire. And when you think about it…all things haram boil down to the need to satisfy one of these two desires. Our desire for sexual satisfaction or our need for more of anything is what causes us to slip off the straight path on a continuous basis.

This is why in the beginning of our salat in Surah Al-Fatihah we say “Ihdinas siratal mustaqeem” or “show us the straight way”. We need to ask for this constantly due to our gluttonous natures and where those natures can lead us. The so-called pleasure of this world does no more than soil the soul. Sure one may look good on the outside to another person, but the soul is filthy and filled with a need for more. It’s not enough to just say these people are dangerous. It’s not enough to say “Oh, just leave them alone, they’ll destroy themselves eventually.” People who focus on only themselves the way these do, care little about how their actions affect the next person, thus making them a menace to society.  
The Muslim has to begin to take steps towards first making Islam his life. As many scholars have said, Islam is not a religion, but a way to live. It’s been said that the Christian sees the Muslim as an oddity and somewhat outlandish because of the way the women dress and the way the men wear their beards and the such. This is not at all outlandish. This is called living your faith day after day and not just in the church. I personally have seen many be holier than holy in the church and be total rogues outside of it. This is where we and the Christain differ. For most, Christian and otherwise, God comes into play only when they need something materialistic or some kind of comforting in a bad situation. After the material is gotten and the grief is comforted…the person says “God? God who?” These types have always been and have been mentioned in Qur’an numerous times. The sad thing is you’d think after all this time that mankind would have figured out that this is not the way to go. But mankind is guilty of picking and choosing what he wishes to remember, and for him to remember God in his daily life would mean he would have to knock off his precious foolishness he commits on a daily basis. This is just proof positive that the Shaitan has his finger in everything having to do with the dunya. Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to do the wrong thing and how hard it is to do the right? Or how we can tell someone we hate them with ease, but the words “I love you” are the hardest in the world for some to say when they care for someone and wish for them to know. 

The wrong in the dunya is purposefully made easy for us to accept and to “enjoy”. This is our test as believers in the one true God. Unfortunately, we spend more time studying our textbooks in school to prepare us for upcoming exams. On a daily basis we neglect the study of how to save ourselves from eternal torment; the study of how to discipline ourselves in a world of temptation and false promises of quickly gotten gratification. We all should be ashamed of the state we’ve let ourselves get in; this state of a victim mentality; of blaming the next man for what we do and don’t have. This must stop soon or we are all as good as done for.

The Prophet (saw) once said “The wise one is the one who can admit mistakes and makes himself blameworthy”. When we mention the Prophet (saw), we mention him with the utmost respect…as we should. Now, which of you is going to be the first to not only mention him (saw) with respect, but go out into the dunya and bring his name and his mission the respect he and it deserves by living the way he (saw) taught you in the Sunnah? Many will give a show of hands, but that’s as far as it will go for you. To those who mean it and have the intention of trying…may Allah guide and bless you along the straight and narrow path that leads to Jannah. May He turn from you all that is bad and turn towards you all that is good. To those who don’t plan on doing what you say you’re going to do and are just trying to look good in front of your fellow Muslim brethren…I wish you the same insha’Allah.
Asalamu AlaikumWarakbatulah Warbarakatu
May Allah Guide Us All. Ameen.  

published in www.crescentlife.com
Contact Info: Liam Brian Yost     e-mail: lyost1@twcny.rr.com

10 Steps to Success

Author: Azfar Shamim 

There is a wonderful quote from Quaid-e-Azam, "I couldn't wait for success, so I went ahead without it."
I love that!  If you want success, sooner or later you have to take action and go for it!

Too often we try to schedule success. We try to plan it for after we buy a home or get a raise or for that proverbial "someday". Well, life doesn't work that way. The truth is that every day is the perfect day to do the right thing, to pursue your dreams, to take action, to begin.

The question is, "How?" I'm often asked about the details of where to begin and how to take action. No responsible adult wants to make an abrupt and poorly thought-out decision. Here are my Top 10 steps for creating the life you truly want:

1. Start by clarifying the dream.  Dream it big, dream it often, and always in living color! Imagine the problems, the benefits, the skills you'll need and the people you'll meet along the way. Dream often and dream the details.

2. Create a plan. What will your dream cost? How will it work? How long will it take? Who will help you get there? How will you solve the challenges, over-come the obstacles, and become the person you'll need to become to reach your goal?

3. Reach out. We live in an amazing time. You can write, phone, fax or email just about anyone on earth!  Consult with experts. Talk to people who have achieved whatever you want to achieve. Truly successful people are usually delighted to show others the way. Make the calls.

4. Tell others. There is no substitute for talking about your dreams. Saying the words makes them powerful. Talk about where you want to go, what you want to do, and who you will become. And as a benefit, you'll discover people who will help you along the way.

5. Take action!  No matter what your dream, there is a  step you can take today. If you are serious, there is someone you can call or write. There is a book you can read, or some action that will start you on the path. Steven Spielberg snuck into movie lots as a
teenager, just to look around. What action will you take today?

6. Set Deadlines. Set Deadlines for each of your small/big, personal/official, long-term/short-term task AND always try to finish the task by that deadline.

7. Eliminate distractions. This is a tough one, and a favorite excuse of the "almost successful". Successful people eliminate the distractions of life. Combine errands, delegate tasks, hire people to do the things you don't want to do. Simplify your life and never waste time. Turn off TV (and some time also computer).

8. Invest wisely. Successful people understand that their dreams will require an investment of time or money or energy and they are prepared to pay the price. Whatever your dream, it will require some risk, and some investment. Make the investment.

9. Create room for success.  All of us are doing something every moment of every day, and making your dreams come true will require some adjustments. Whether it's adjusting your schedule, your finances, or your use of energy, you'll have to make room for success.

10. Have a mentor/coach. Whether you hire a professional coach or find a local expert, or a Cyber friend. Successful people have coaches. There are very few "self made" successes! We all need someone to believe in us, someone to encourage, challenge and applaud us. Develop a close, working relationship with a coach who can show you the way to your dreams!

Success is no accident. Success is always the result of our best efforts. It's the result of investing time, energy, careful thought, and hard work. It's the result of taking action, getting started, making mistakes, learning from them and trying again. There is simply no better time to start than today. 

published in www.crescentlife.com