Why Delay

Why delay in doing anything when you can do it now. Do the hard work now, and chill out enjoy yourself afterwards: rather than thinking I’ll do it later. Because then it will always be niggling in your mind. oh I need to do this.. oh I need to do this, you won’t enjoy your time until you actually have done it. Classic example is your prayers (salaat/namaz) do them, get them out of the way; then you can rest in sakoon, rather than saying I’ll do it in a bit. Most likely you’ll forget anyway

Enjoy life, live with a smile and a laugh

Life is not all hard work and struggling, and suffering; yes certain parts are like that. But as a whole just remember what was meant to happen will happen, and what was not meant to happen will not happen. Good or bad that comes your way say Alhamdullilah either way, and carry on. “Don’t be sad, be happy!”

Sabr/ Patience

For everything in life you need sabr. Don’t rush head long into something, only to find out that it was a mistake. Nice and easy. Think before you make the plunge or open your mouth, and with that you will be happy

Remember Allah i.e. do zikr

From the moment you get out of bed, say bismillah (and any dua’s you know) to the time you close your eyes at night by reciting ayat ul-Kursi, your tongue should be loudly and quietly in your mind doing zikr of Allah. Slowly you will feel good within yourself, and receive a great reward in the hereafter. Even when you bang your head against something say Subhanallah, or when you trap your finger in the door say Subhanallah. Make it a habit, and with time you’ll be saying zikr all of the time. One of the best zikr’s to say is Subhanallah-wabi-hamdi-hi.

Dua to say after your Prayers

Oh Allah you are the Most Gracious, Most Merciful, The Mighty, The Majestic. Thee alone we worship, and thee alone we ask for help. All the most beautiful names and attributes belong to you Ya Allah. Oh Allah forgive me my sins and of my family. Forgive the sins of my parents, and of my grandparents, my uncles, and aunts, of all of my family, and friends. Oh Allah everything that you have done for me, and my family, I thank you very, very much. On behalf of my family and me, we seek refuge from you, from helplessness, laziness, cowardice, feebleness in old age, from afflictions of life, and death, and from afflictions of punishment in the grave. Any shirk my family, and me we may have committed, intentionally or unintentionally, major or minor shirk, Oh Allah please, please forgive us. On behalf of my family and me, we seek refuge from you from the whispers of the evil one, and from the whispers of the evil ones that surround us. Make me, and my family of those who patiently persevere, of those who are steadfast. You are the Light, the Just, the Bountiful, the Mighty, the Majestic, the One. You are the forgiver of sins; Ya Allah forgive the sins of my family and me. You are the Most Gracious, Most Merciful; bestow your grace and mercy upon me, and my family. Rabbana atayna fidunnya hasana tuwa fil aafiratay hasana tuwa kina azaa bannaar.

Two types of people

There are two types of people in this world. Followers and leaders. Always be a leader. Do the right thing, do your own thing, and don’t follow the blind idiots.

Stick to the Sunnah

If you mess up everything in life just make sure you remember one thing. There is only ONE god, Allah, no sons of god, no partners, no associates; and stick with the sahih Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) which you will find in the sahih hadeeths of Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nisai, tirmidhi, Muwatta. Whatever is in them, take it and follow it; and whatever other things are not in there, DO NOT follow them as part of your religion.

Read the religious books that are on the true path from the truthful scholars, because the more you read, the more you will learn, and the better person you will become.

Whilst praying

Pray with kushoo (attention and concentration) and make your body relaxed. Straighten your feet, and don’t fijit around (you should be concentrating!) Ideally you should be praying as if you were standing right in front of God, with full sincerity.

Superstition

What superstition! Allah has got your back.

Walking under ladders, no problem.

Chose a number 1-20? Number 13 please!

Don’t fall for that hocus-pocus.

To defend yourself from the evil eye or if you do ever get scared of “ghosts” then say the 4 Kuls, that’s what they’re there for, it is sure protection, and nothing can harm you then.

Going to the graveyard

Should remember the dead because one day you too will die.

Don’t dishonour the dead by walking on the graves. Give them salaam and say ‘has the word of Allah come true? We too will be joining you soon.’

A great reward

If you knew what the reward was for doing two things, if you had to crawl on all fours, then you would do it. That is to give adhaan, and to stand in the front row in masjid during prayers.

Don’t be scared or embarrassed to walk through to the front of the rows, who cares. Just think of the massive reward you will get, the silly people sitting at the back will not. Same for the adhaan, no need to be embarrassed about what people will think about your voice, just think of the reward you will be getting. In quiet times maybe in the car, or in your room; just practise saying the adhaan, and as time goes along you’ll get better, and more confident at it.

Respect people

Be the first to give salaam, and listen as if you really mean it. Care about people’s feelings, and how you may unintentionally upset them. If you do something wrong, then be the first to apologise.

Prepare for Jummah

Jummah is the best day of the week; therefore make it the best day. Get up in the morning fresh, and happy; if you’re not then make yourself happy! Cut your nails the night before, do ghusl upon getting up, put on your best clothes, the best atar (nice smell) and work when you have to. But when its time for Jummah prayers (and other prayers too) then you leave everything, no matter how important you may consider it to be, no matter how much money you may lose out on; why? Because it is Jummah!! Trust me you will feel a lot better off afterwards.

Sleeping

Always say ayat-ul-Kursi before going to sleep that is protection from bad dreams, and nightmares. Sleep on your right side.

Brushing your teeth

Brush your teeth at least twice a day, morning, and at night.  And remember to count 15 (slowly in your mind) in all directions (front of teeth, either side, inside lower and upper). You only get one set of teeth in your lifetime, so look after them so you can smile with confidence, and not be thinking: oh no I can’t smile because my teeth are all yellow!

Exercise

Should always exercise, and look after yourself. If you enjoy your sports like football, swimming then do them. Cycle, jog, lift weights, do anything to keep your body in shape, and healthy. A healthy body will keep away major illnesses in later life. One simple guide is that if you stand straight, and look down, you should be able to see your feet; if not then move your bottom into the gym.

Eating

Eat with your right hand, start by saying Bismillah, and end by saying Alhamdulillah. Don’t over indulge so that you can’t walk afterwards.

If you are going to eat something, and your friend or whoever is around you who have not anything to eat, then it is good manners to offer that person first before you start munching away.

Putting your shoes on

Put on your right shoe first, then the left. Opposite when you are taking them off; left one off first, then the right.

Which leg first?

When entering the mosque or the house, enter with the right leg first, and when leaving it’s the left leg first.

Its opposite when going to the toilet, left leg first when entering, and lead with the right leg first when leaving.

Do your 5 daily prayers

Prayers are farz (compulsory) on you, you have to do them, you have no say in the matter (like all things farz). If you do find them “hard” to do, then at least do the farz bit, and with time as you get used to them start doing the others Sunnah parts.

Getting up for Fajr

Alarm goes off 4 or 5 O’clock in the morning, you’re in deep sleep, it is very hard sometimes to get up and perform your Fajr prayers. What I always say to myself is “ As-salaah tu heirum minannorm,” it is what is said in the Fajr azaan, and it means prayer is better than sleep. Having said that you should realise the big reward you will be getting, and getting up will not be a problem.

If you get angry

It is always best to be in control of your emotions at all times. If you get angry then change your surroundings, because that takes you out of that particular environment e.g., if you are standing then sit down, if you are sitting then stand up or lay down, or if you are inside the house then go out for a while; all this is for you to cool down.

Judging between 2 parties

Never listen to one person, and then make a judgment on the case, always listen to both sides of the argument. Only then can you make a judgment that is not biased.

Don’t be a mug

Whether it be friends or work, if someone ridicules, lays down rules or you find yourself in a position where you are doing all of the donkeywork, and you feel like a mug; then change it. If someone has the balls to say something to you, then you should have the balls to say something back. Equal opportunities as I always say.

Don’t be jealous

There is no room in our lives of jealousy. We can’t daydream about becoming millionaires, having massive mansions or beautiful children with no imperfections. It becomes a disease, and hatred slowly creeps in. Only be envious of people who are better than you in imaan; who do goods things, who help the poor, and the needy, who pray more etc. It is these people who you should be jealous of, and not the other worldly people.

Cleanliness

Look after your hygiene for heavens sake. Daily showers, and wudhoo will maintain that. The use of attar (scented oil) will not do any harm (my favourite is Eternity).

Once a week cut your nails, and at least once every 40 days shave under your arms, and your private parts.

Regular change of clothing helps, and just because its your favourite t-shirt doesn’t mean to say that you have to keep it on for 6 weeks!

Children

Children are a gift from Allah, so enjoy your gift.

Doing a number one

When you go into the toilet to do a number one (pish-pish) always do so sitting down, so you don’t splash your clothing or self. It is part of keeping clean; and when cleaning your private parts with water, use the left hand.

Good jobs you use the right hand, and dirty jobs you use the left hand.

Lastly

The story of Prophet Luqman when he talked to his children on his death bed applies from me to you. Follow that and I will be happy with you.

The Qur’ân contains ten precious advices Luqmân offered his son. Following is the list of this advice offered to Muslim parents, that they may communicate them to their children, family and members of society that they may implement them. If this valuable advise is followed and implemented then we will all be on the straight Path leading to Paradise. Luqmân himself summed up in a few words the way to succeed in this life and on the Day of Judgement.

1. Luqmân warns his son against the greatest injustice man can do. Allâh said that Luqmân said:

Luqmân calls his son: “My Son”. To do so catches his son’s attention so that he may listen carefully to his father . Then he calls his son’s attention to Tawhid. ” Shirk,” Luqmân said:” Is a great injustice indeed “.

Therefore, the one who associates others with Allâh in worship does injustice to Allâh, the owner and Creator of the universe. A great injustice is also done to the Mushrik by his own sellf as he subjects himself to Allâh’s anger and eternal punishment in Hell.

2. Luqmân reminds his son of the rights of his parents on him,

He describes hardships mothers face bearing children.

Luqmân mentions the total dependence of infants on their mothers for two years. Thank Allâh, and then your parents . In not, then the final destination is to Allâh.

Luqmân tells his son that if the parents are Mushrikîn, then do not follow their way: Allâh’s right comes first by far. Even so. for as long as the live, treat your Mushrik parents with kindness.

3. Luqmân then describes some of Allâh’s Might.

Allâh’s Knowledge is so perfect that the existence of anything, big or small, is acknowledged and controlled by Him. Luqmân tries to impress his son reminding him of Allâh’s absolute control over His kingdom. Such might and power must not be challenged or ignored by anyone.

4. A great advice to Luqman’s son is to establish regular prayer, on time and with the best possible performance,

Prayer is the direct connection between a Muslim and his Creator. Parents must take great care to teach and call upon their children to establish prayer.

5. Luqmân advises his son to “enjoin (people) for good, and forbid from evil.” [31:17]

If every Muslim observe this duty , then evil and mischief will have no place in Muslim society.

6. After the useful advice he offered his son, Luqmân recommended patience in implementing them, and in all matters of life,

Patience is a righteous act ordered, and rewarded by Allâh.

7. Arrogance is an attribute of Allâh alone and not for man.

The Creator and Owner of the universe is the only One who deserves to be Arrogant. Allâh threatens arrogant people with punishment in Hellfire. Luqmân said:

8. To be moderate is a great attitude anyone can possess,

Allâh does not like that man is arrogant and proud of themselves.

9. To be moderate in walking and talking is also one of Luqman’s advises to his son, “And be moderate (or show no insolence) in walking.” [31:19]

Islâm offers a code of conduct in every aspect of life. Even the way Muslims walk and talk are regulated. Islam offers guidelines in this regard that will produce the best behavior and generate respect.

10. Luqmân reminds his son that being harsh while talking will liken his voice to the braying of a donkey. Shouting does not win hearts, rather , it will offend and alienate people,

Luqmân shows great wisdom in his advice to his son. If Muslims parents take his example, and have their children implement these advises, then by Allâh’s permission our Ummah will be successful.