Sunday, November 30, 2008

USAH BERDUKA, HINAAN HANYA DUGAAN

Sering kali hinaan, kritikan, cercaan menjadi kita merasa marah, kecewa, malu, murung, sedih dan mencabar kewibawaan kita. Wahai sesama insan, usahlah berduka. Ingatlah, ini semuanya dugaan Allah S.W.T. yang perlu dihadapi dengan sabar dan tenang.

Kesabaran anda menangani cercaan dan hasad dengki memberi gambaran bahawa anda mempunyai darjat dan harga diri yang tinggi. Usahlah membalas cercaan yang mengguris hati. Malah,balaslah dengan kelembutan yang akan menjadikan anda lebih mulia. Mendiamkan kritikan akan membuat mereka mengalah dan memaafkannya, anda akan mendapat pahala,insyaAllah.

Mereka yang mengkritik itu, sebahagianya tidak sedar apa yang mereka utarakan. Sebahagian lagi tidak faham apa dan mengapa mereka mencerca. Selebihnya, mereka akan melupakan cercaan mereka. Oleh itu, usah berduka, mungkin terdapat hikmah disebalik cercaan itu. Kaji kritikan itu secara objektif . Jika ada kebenaran walau sedikit pun, maka terimalah kritikan itu dengan hati yang terbuka dan perbaikilah diri dan hasil kerja anda. Mudah-mudahan anda akan terus berjaya dimasa hadapan.

Kepada pengkritik pula, biarlah mengkritik secara berhemah. Janganlah suka mencemuh, merendah-rendahkan dan mendedahkan keaipan orang lain. Allah telah berfirman yang bermaksud:

" Wahai orang yang beriman, janganlah sesuatu puak (dari kaum lelaki) mencemuh dan merendah-rendahkan puak lelaki yang lain, (kerana) harus puak yang dicemuhkan itu lebih baik daripada mereka; dan janganlah pula sesuatu puak dari kaum perempuan mencemuh dan merendah-rendahkan puak perempuan yang lain,(kerana) harus puak yang dicemuhkan itu lebih baik daripada mereka;dan janganlah setengah kamu menyatakan keaipan setengahnya yang lain; dan janganlah pula kamu panggil memanggil antara satu dengan yang lain dengan gelaran yang buruk. (larangan-larangan yang tersebut menyebabkan orang yang melakukannya menjadi fasik) Maka amatlah buruknya sebutan nama fasik (kepada seseorang) sesudah ia beriman. Dan (ingatlah) , sesiapa yang tidak bertaubat (daripada perbuatan fasiknya) maka merekalah orang-orang yang zalim." (Al-Hujurat: 11)

"Kecelakaan besar bagi tiap-tiap pencaci, pengeji" (Al-Humazah: 1)



Renungilah:

Cercaan, kritikan saban membawa hiba
Itu semua kan ujian Pencipta
Menduga kesabaran, keimanan jua
Usahlah berduka
Hadapi dengan hati terbuka
Muhasabah diri

Tambahbaik hasil kerja
InsyaAllah terus berjaya
Bagi pecaci pula
Usah mencerca
Mengatakan keaipan orang
Kelak menjadi fasik celaka
Ayuh bertaubat
Semoga mendapat Rahmat

Thursday, November 20, 2008

WANITA UMNO DIUJI ALLAH SWT

Sejak kebelakangan ini, isu Wanita UMNO hangat diperkatakan di merata tempat termasuk di akhbar-akhbar. Berbagai -bagai pihak memberi komen sehinggakan menggambarkan Wanita UMNO kini bercelaru dan tenggelam punca. Beginilah keadaannya badan yang diharapkan menyokong UMNO dalam menerajui Barisan Nasional dan memerintah negara.

Kalaulah Wanita UMNO diibaratkan keretapi, perjalanannya ke distinasi yang dituju bergantung kepada kepala keretapi itu sendiri. Kalau kepalanya atau pemimpinnya berhati mulia, ikhlas, mementing kebajikan dan kemajuan ahli-ahli, dan semata-mata mencari keredhaan Allah S.W.T., maka, insyAllah Wanita UMNO akan terus teguh, bersatu dan berjaya. Jika tidak, pertikaian akan berlarutan dan menjejas keutuhan dan kewibawaan badan ini.

Kepimpinan merupakan amanah yang mesti dilaksanakan dengan adil,ikhsan dan bijaksana supaya sesuatu organisasi itu terus bersatu padu dan maju. Janganlah kepimpinan ini dikhianati sepertimana firman Allah S.W.T.:

"Wahai orang-orang yang beriman! Janganlah kamu mengkhianati (amanah) Allah dan RasulNya dan (janganlah) kamu mengkhianati amanah-amanah kamu, sedang kamu mengetahui (salahnya)." (Al-Anfal:27)

Marilah kita sama-sama bertenang dan jangan lah bersedih dan berduka. Ini semuanya ujian Allah untuk memeriksa siapa yang bertambah iman dan takwa kepadaNya.Sama-samalah kita berdoa agar Wanita UMNO akan lulus dalam ujian Allah ini dan terus membawa pembaharuan kepada ahli-ahli kearah kecemerlangan. Untuk ini , kita berdoa semoga YB Tan Sri Rafidah diberi kesejahteraan, petunjuk dan hidayah dalam membuat keputusan bagi mengakhiri kemelut Wanita UMNO masa kini, Amin.

USAH SESALI PERISTIWA LALU

Dalam melayari bahtera hidup ini, kadang kala peristiwa menyayat hati sering menghantui kita. kegagalan dalam bercinta, terkandas dalam peperiksaan, kehilangan orang yang tercinta, adalah sebahagian contoh yang menghilangkan semangat, menggaburkan azam dan harapan, merasa keperitan jiwa yang tidak terhingga. Setiap kali kita mengenangkannya, sudah pasti kita akan mengalirkan air mata, merasa sayu dan hilang punca.

Bersabarlah dan marilah kita merenung sejenak dan menganalisa fakta ini: perisitiwa yang berlalu tetap berlalu. Yang hilang tetap hilang. Yang gagal tetap gagal. Usahlah kita menghabiskan masa kita yang bernilai ini menyesali sunnah kehidupan. Ini semuanya ujian Allah S.W.T. Marilah kita guna masa kini untuk kita meredhakan apa yang berlaku dan bermuhasabah diri. Kuatkan azam, atur strategi berasakan kekuatan yang kita miliki untuk berjaya dan berbahagia dimasa hadapan.

Allah S.W.T. telah berfirman:
"Tidak ada suatu pun kesusahan (atau musibah) yang menimpa (seseorang) melainkan dengan izin Allah. Sesiapa yang beriman kepada Allah, Allah akan memberi hidayah kepada hatinya (lalu menerima apa yang telah berlaku itu dengan tenang dan sabar). (Ingatlah) Allah Maha Mengetahui akan tiap-tiap sesuatu." (Al Taghabun:11)

Renungilah:
Usah sesali peristiwa lalu
Usah risau masa akan datang
Gunakan sepenuhnya masa kini
untuk mencari keredhaan Ilahi.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

MUTTAQEEN WILL GO TO PARADISE

Taqwa has been mentioned in the Qur'an 251 times in many surahs. This large number of verses related to Taqwa is an indication of the importance of the subject and the dimension that the concept of Taqwa is involved.

To appreciate the significance of the concept of taqwa, I will summarize some of the verses in the Qur'an. The first verse to be quoted from the Qur'an summarizes the meaning of taqwa. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow):
"Alif. Lam. Mim. This is the book wherein there is no doubt; a guidance unto those who ward off (evil): who believe in the unseen, and establish worship, and spend of that we have bestowed upon them: and who believe in that which is revealed unto thee (Muhammad) and that which was revealed before thee, and are certain of the Hereafter." (2 : 1-4)

Some more meanings for the word taqwa are to be mentioned here. Allah says in the Qur'an in Surah Al-'Imran (The family of Imran):
"And vie one with another for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth prepared for those who ward off (evil); those who spend (of that which Allah has given them) in ease and in adversity, those who control their wrath and are forgiving toward mankind; Allah loves the good; and those who, when they do an evil thing or wrong themselves, remember Allah and implore forgiveness for their sins - who forgives sins save Allah only? And will not knowingly repeat (the wrong) they did." (3 : 133-135)

Some more meanings for the word taqwa may be mentioned here directly from Qur'an. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah ( The Cow):
"It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the East and the West; but righteous is he who believes in Allah and the last Day and the angels and the Scriptures and the Prophets; and gives his wealth for the love of Him, to kinsfolk and to the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and those who ask, and to set slaves free; and observes proper worship and pays the poor-due. And those who keep their treaty when they make one, and the patient in tribulation and adversity and time of stress. Such are they who are sincere. Such are the God-fearing." (2 : 177)

From the above three different verses, one may be able to conclude the following meanings for the word Taqwa:
1.Belief in: Allah; the Unseen; the Revelation to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh); the Revelations before Prophet Muhammad (pbuh); the Day of Judgment; the Angels, and the prophets of Allah to mankind.
2.Performance of regular prayers.
3.Paying Zakat.
4.Spending money in the way of Allah while at ease or in adversity for the love of Allah; and giving money to the kinsfolk, the orphans, the needy, the wayfarers, those who ask, and those in slavery to be set free.
5.Controlling one's wrath.
6.Forgiveness to others.
7.Fulfilling one's own commitments.
8.If one commits a mistake, he/she should ask forgiveness from Allah.
9.A person should not knowingly repeat the wrong deeds of he/she did before.
10.To have patience in tribulation, in adversity or at time of stress.

One may ask for the types of rewards that the muttaqeen will receive from Allah Almighty. Since taqwa includes beliefs, practices and good deeds in one's own life, the rewards from Allah are plenty. Among the many worldly and heavenly rewards are the following.
1.Love of Allah to the muttaqeen. In this regard Allah says in Surah Al-'Imran:
"Nay, but (the chosen of Allah is) he who fulfils his pledge and wards off (evil); for lo! Allah loves those who ward off (evil)." (3 : 76)
2.Allah is with the muttaqeen. In this regard Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (The Cow):
". . . observe your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is with those who ward off (evil)."(2 : 194)
You may also read (9:37) and (9:124).
3.Allah is the supporter, the Friend and the Helper to the muttaqeen. In Surah Al-Jathiyah (The Crouching) Allah says:
". . . and Allah is the Friend of those who ward off (evil)." (45 : 19)
4.Leaders are to be among the muttaqeen. In this regard, Allah says in Surah Al-Furqan:
". . . and make us patterns for (all) those who ward off (evil)." (25 : 74)
5.The muttaqeen during the Day of Judgment will continue to be friends to one another, while others will be foes to one another. In this regard, Allah says in Surah Az-Zukhruff (about al-muttaqeen:
"Friends on the Day will be foes one to another, save those who kept their duty (to Allah)." (43 : 67)
6.In the Day of Judgment, the muttaqeen are not to fear or grieve. In this regard, Allah says in Surah Az-Zukhruff about al-muttaqeen:
"O my worshippers! For you there is no fear this Day, nor is it you who grieve." (43 : 68)
7.The muttaqeen will go to paradise with all the good life they are to enjoy there. There are many verses in the Qur'an about this reward. Allah says in Surah Al-Hijr:
"Lo! Those who ward off (evil) are among gardens and water springs (And it is said unto them): Enter them in peace, secure." (15 : 45-46)

You may also read (51:15); (52:17); (54:54); (68:34); (77:41); (78:31).

We have seen from the above presentation that we should heed Allah, fear Him, love Him, seek refuge in Him, praise Him and call upon Him. We should request Him to guide us, to make us good worshippers, to keep us on the straight path, and to make us of the muttaqeen. If we live as muttaqeen, we will, indeed, be among the best creatures of Allah, and among the best worshippers of Allah.

I request you kindly to look into the concept of taqwa, and to practice the total meaning of taqwa in your private life as well as in your public life. If you do so, you will be loved by Allah; you will enter paradise and you will have the best of what is in paradise. Ameen.

Let us ask Almighty Allah forgiveness.

Unknown Author
Article Source: Jannah org.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

SABR IN PLENTIFULNESS AND CALAMITY

SABR
-an essential element in fulfilling our ubudiyyah to Allah (swt)
- Rasulullah (saws) said: Sabr is a source of light
- In the Quran it says: [And practice sabr, for you are under Our gaze] One of the early ulamah used to carry a parchment with this ayah on it in his pocket, and he looked at it constantly.
- Sabr is human; animals know nothing more than their basic needs and instincts, all they can do is react; humans have been endowed with reason which balances instinct. We go from wanting food as baby, play as a child, zinnah in adolescence, until we reach puberty and are endowed with some reason.. but reason is not enough, it is not alone sufficient as guidance, the 'aql (intellect) needs 'naql (revealation) "Descartes said I think therefore I am, Ghazali before him said I will therefore I am, I say: I perform sabr, therefore I am human" This deen is the completeness of our maturity and our humanity.

So what is sabr?
The steadfastness of the religious call over the call to passion- if the deen overcomes the nafs, this is sabr
Sabr is an UPHILL BATTLE- when we're going downhill we're losing energy, when we're going uphill we're gaining potential energy. In sabr, we are gaining "spiritual potential energy".

There are 2 kinds of sabr (or two ways we can perform sabr):
1) when something we desire happens to us, something we like, we exhibit sabr in controlling our selves, not going into excess, not transgressing the bounds set down for us by Allah(swt)
Abdur Rahmad ibn Auf said: We were tried by hard times and we showed sabr, but when we were tried in ease and excess, we failed.
Hadeeth: I do not fear for you poverty; I fear for you plentifulness of dunyaa, and it will destroy you as it had destroyed nations before you.
Quran: O you who believe, do not let your families and your wealth draw you away from the dhikr of Allah; and whosoever does that is indeed the loser.
2) Sabr in what we dislike. In 3 areas of life:
a.) sabru ala ta'aat: in obeying Allah (swt). sabr against our nafs who dislikes it, whether in spirituality or mundane, sabr before, during and after the act of obedience.
b.) sabru anil ma'asee: to show sabr against disobedience to Allah (swt). We are attracted to do injustice to others thinking we are doing justice to ourselves. We live in an environment that is dangerously attractive, we need to have patience, constancy, steadfastness = sabr.
c.) sabr andil ma'asid: to show sabr in times of calamity, adveristy, pain, whether physical or emotional. Everything that is in the capacity of an individual to change, he should- but have sabr in what you cannot. Not reciprocating harm is sabr.
Hadeeth: whenever a museebah (hardship) befalls you (and you show sabr) Allah (swt) atones for you some of your sins
Hadeeth: Allah (swt) atones some of our sins not only by physical endurance but by emotional ones as well
Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqas (ra) asked the Prophet (saws) "Ya Rasulullah, who amongst people are the most tried (subject to hardships)?" Rasulullah (saws) said: The Anbiyyah (messengers of Allah) and after them the Salihoon (righteous) and then in accordance to your eman, taqwaah etc, there will be more hardships, not less. Every mu'min will be tried by difficulties in accordance (proportion) to their deen. If in this person's deen is solidity (their deen is deeply rooted) the balaa' will increase, to purify, cleanse, strenghten, elevate the person. And if in the deen in this person there is riqaa (weakness, thinness), then that persons balaa will be weakened, until the person walks on the earth cleansed of sins until they meet Allah.

What are the adaab of sabr?
1- once the calamity befalls us, we must show sabr immediately without delay.
A woman was in the cemetary, crying, mourning her love, when Rasulullah (saws) said to her "show sabr". She said, not knowing who he was "thats easy for you to say, you have not lost a loved one". When the companions told her who he was, she asked for forgiveness and rasulullah (saws) said: Sabr is to be shown at the beginning of hardship.
2- al-itirjaa': to say immediately, sincerely, from the heart: "Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhee raji'uun" -Verily from Allah we come and to Him we return
3- the tongue and the senses do not act violently - use them correctly, don't get caught up in the pain of the moment
4- Hussnul sabr- sabrun jameel- the highest level, the most beautiful sabr

Sabr can be categorized into 3 levels
1- Tarkus sabraa: the lowest level- when one does not complain but inside dislikes what's happening to them
2- Ar-ridhaa-bil-beelah: no complaint, to show satisfaction with the balaa (hardship), because they have yaqeen (certainty) that Allah only does to the 'abd what is best for them
3- Ash-shukr-alal-beelah: to have ridhaa (satisfaction) and to be grateful to Allah for the hardship because that person has yaqeen that this is to elevate his spiritual status- looks at the consequence, not the immediate event we are taught sabrun jameel in the story of yaqub and yusuf (as)
Ali (ra) said: Of the realization of the Majesty of Allah, and of knowledge of the right Allah (swt) has on His creation, is that when one is befallen with a calamity, one does not complain, does not even mention what has befallen him.
An 'abd should feel ashamed to describe the pain, we are complaining about the Creator to the creation?
ibn Qays (a tabi') said: I lost my eyesite 40 years ago, I have never told anyone.
an ulumah (didn't get the name): "Whosoever complains about a calamity that has befallen him to other than Allah, such an individual would never find the sweetness of ta'aa (obedience to Allah (swt)) in the heart"

How to attain sabr?
The cure to any disease of the heart (arrogance, anger, lack of hayaa)
1- ILM: brings desire and want to change, use the ilm the teacher conveys to you! brings about hazm- energy, resolve to change
2- AMAL: take it into everyday life, in your actions Qat'al asbaab- severing the ways and avenues to bad deeds. example: lowering the gaze for zinnah. for every haraam avenue, there is a halaal alternative.
No pain, no gain- condition your nafs and your qalb, or they will condition you
Work hard on uprooting the weeds of passion, disobedience and sin. Sow the seeds in your heart of the will to change and sincerity. Let the rain be the mercy and forgiveness of Allah purifying the land, our hearts.
The best door from which we can enter the majesty of Allah, is humility.
1- Always be conscious in our hearts and minds of Allah's nimaah
2- Always be conscious of our weaknesses, the sins we have committed. Have faqar- the opposite of pride, self-reliance, self-interest..
Qur'an: "InnaAllah ma'as sabireen: Verily Allah is WITH those who have sabr."
Ya Allah, make us of those who have sabr, and grant us Your mercy and Your forgiveness.
Ameen.

Article Source: Jannah Org.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

JAYAKAN UJIAN ALLAH S.W.T

Sebagai Khalifah Allah S.W.T., manusia telah dianugerah kesempurnaan, keindahan dan kelebihan mengatasi makhluk lain dan diamanahkan untuk merealisasikan titah perintah Allah S.W.T. dan meninggalkan segala laranganNya. Dalam melaksanakan misi ini, manusia akan menghadapi pelbagai ujian untuk menduga keimanan, ketakwaan dan amalannya. Mereka yang berjaya menempuh segala UJIAN Allah S.W.T. akan diberi ganjaran kebahagiaan di surga. Menekala mereka yang gagal akan sengsara di neraka.

Ujian Allah itu terbahagi kepada dua kategori iaitu rahmat atau kebaikan dan bencana atau keburukan.

1. Rahmat atau Kebaikan
Rahmat adalah anugerah Allah S.W.T yang mengandungi unsur-unsur kebaikan seperti status atau darjat yang mulia dari segi harta, pangkat, anak, keluarga, kesihatan, ketenteraman, umur yang panjang, rezeki yang bertambah dan sebagainya.

Adakah dengan rahmat ini manusia akan bersyukur, bertambah keimanan, ketakwaan da beramal soleh. Atau sebaliknya menjadi angkuh, takabur dan melakukan kezaliman dan kemungkaran?

2. Bencana atau Keburukan
Bencana adalah ujian Allah S.W.T. yang berupa mala petaka dan kesusahan seperti gempa bumi, kemarau panjang, banjir, wabak, kecacatan, kemiskinan, kegagalan, kekecewaan, sakit dan sebagainya.

Dengan ujian ini adakah manusia yang beriman bertambah kuat imannya, ketakwannya dan kesabarannya? Kepada yang kufur pula, adakah mereka sedar dan insaf diatas kekufuran mereka dan menjadi beriman, bertakwa dan beramal soleh?

Allah S.W.T. telah berfirman:

" Dan sesungguhnya akan kami berikan cubaan kepadamu dengan sedikit ketakutan, kelaparan, kekurangan harta, jiwa dan buah-buahan.Dan berikanlah berita gembira kepada orang-orang yang sabar". (Al Baqarah 155)

Usahlah Berduka ketika menikmati rahmat dan mengalami bencanaNya. Yakinlah bahawa semuanya ini adalah UJIAN Allah s.w.t. yang harus ditempuhi dengan redha dan sabar. Semoga kesabaran itu akan mejadikan kita lebih beriman, bertakwa dan beramal soleh. Ini bermakna kita berjaya ujian dan menghampiri visi kita iaitu kebahagiaan di dunia dan di akhirat.

Monday, November 3, 2008

SHUKR FOR THE NI'MAH OF ALLAH S.W.T

SHUKR
thankfulness, gratitude. The twin of Sabr.

-As there is sabr in times of ni'mah, there is shukr as well.
- Quran: Nay, indeed it is Allah should you show ubudiyyah to, and show to Him gratitude.
- Quran: O you who believe, use of that which is good of what We have provided for you, and be grateful to Allah if you are truly ibaad.
- Quran: And if you show gratefulness, I will give you more.
- Quran: (shaytan says after being granted respite by Allah) I will come to them, from in front of them and from behind them, from their right and their left, and You will find most of them ungrateful.

- Hadeeth: O Mu'adh, I love you. Let me teach you something.. ( the duah at end of salah) Allahumma a'innee ala dhikrikah, wa shukrukah, wa hussni ibadatik.. ( Ya Allah help me to remember You, to show shukr to You, and to make the most beautiful of ibdadah)
- Rasulullah (saws) used to stand up nights in qiyamul-layl every night to the extent his feet swelled. Aisha (ra) asked him, why do you do this when Allah has already forgiven you everything before and everything after? He (saws) said: Then shall I not be a grateful 'abd (servant)?
("and we're too busy for this! Rasulullah saws was a busy man, wasn't he? Didn't he have important things to do? Yet He made qiyamul layl every night. But of course, we have school, or work, and we can't be tired for that. What are our priorities? Being strong and energetic in front of your boss, or being content and pleasing in front of Allah?)
- the more one has, the more one should fear, be scared and humble: Will I be able to show enough shukr for all that I have?

Shukr is to be shown in three ways:
(1): Shukru bil qalb: shukr of the heart. achieved by harboring and intending good for all of Allah's creation. (khayr meaning something pleasing to Allah swt)
(2): Shukru bil leesan: shukr of the tongue. celebrate with the tongue the praises of Allah (swt), Alhamdulillah = showing the world I am pleased with my Lord. Quran: As to the ni'mah of your Lord, celebrate it.
(3): Shukr bil jawaarih: shukr of the external senses. (amal, actions) everytime Allah gives us a ni'mah, we must use that ni'mah the way it was intended to be used by our Creator- and thus used in the way of His obedience, and not in the way of His disobedience.

- kuffr an- na'mah: rejection of Allah's ni'mah "There are divine words written on the pages of every ni'mah. But those words are not deciphered by everyone."
ex. Using the tongue in a harmful way is kuffran of ni'matul leesan ex. Using the eyes to look at things that are haraam is kuffran of the ni'mah of the eyes. ex. dressing inappropriately is kufrran of the ni'mah of our body ex. Using the intellect for the wrong type of knowledge, is kuffran as well.
Any ilm that does not bring us closer to Allah, is wrong. Rasulullah (saws) sought refuge in Allah from information that was not beneficial.

- Quran: If you were to count the ni'mah of Allah, you would not be able to ennumerate them. Verily Man is an ungrateful creature.

- How do we know what Allah wants us to do with this ni'mah? Ulamah says there are two ways: 1) a. What sharh' (Islamic law) teaches of the ni'mah or action b. seek help from the people of ilm (ijtihaad)
2) ali'tibaar- cotemplation, using the faculties we have been endowed with, with of course ilm and wisdom.
- Why does the universe exist in relation to us? (In relationship to itself, it exists to fulfill ubudiyyah to Allah, as is everything that has been created by Allah) No usul to Allah can exist without mahabba (love for Him), and you will not have hubb for Allah if you are not consistent in reflection of Allah (His attributes) and how they relate to the signs of Allah in His creation and bounties. Universe is made to reflect on the ni'im of Allah to gain hub for Allah (in relation to us).
Shukr + Sabr + Tawbaah = ingredients for happiness
-showing sabr in the ni'mah of Allah is shukr (by not transgressing the bounds set down by Allah)
some duah mentioned:
- In response to 'how are you?': "I celebrate the praises of my Lord to you and the rest of creation. Surely with my Lord I am pleased."
- In mornings and evenings: "Ya Allah whatever bounty has been my share and the bounty of the rest of creation has been from You and You alone; and I celebrate Your praise."
-For morning: "Ya Allah I woke up this morning having You, and the angels who carry Your throne, and all angels, and all of Your creation, witness that You are the One and Only God, and Muhammad is your messenger."

- Ni'mah is everything we like that happens to us, but there is one real ni'mah, the ni'mah of all ni'mahs: JANNAH Every other ni'mah are means to that end.
- Why is Jannah the only true, real ni'mah? Because of 4 things (all other ni'mah violate one of them):
1) eternal life without death - every other ni'mah is mortal
2) immortality with happiness - every happiness of dunyaa has moments of displeasure, grief, consequences.
3) ni'mah of knowlege - everyone, no matter how knowledgeable, has moments of ignorance, happiness of akhirah is ilm without jahil
4) wealth never tainted by moments of poverty and need.
- There are 4 types of ni'mah:
1) things that happen to us (nafiyyah) that are beneficial in the short term and the long: The pure ni'mah, beneficial in dunyaa and akhirah. ex. ilm in quran and sunnah, hussnul akhlaaq (good conduct).. These lead to pleasure in dunyaa and akhirah.
2) something harmful in both dunyaa and akhirah. ex. nifaaq
3) something beneficial to us now (dunyaa) but harmful to us in akhirah, considered a blessing by the ignorant, a calamity by the believers, a harm in disguise of benefit.
4) something harmful in the immediate future, but in the long run
beneficial

-Before shukr, we need to know how to use Allah's ni'mah in the way He loves, by revealation, shari' ilm, sunnah, quran..
- People lack shukr for mainly two reasons, jahil (ignorance), and ghaffil (heedlesness, carelesness, also a form of jahil).
-kuffrun-na'mah - rejection of Allah's ni'mah. To prevent this: reflect on this world, ilm, amal, isit the hospitals to see Allah's nimah on you, visit the prisons, visit the graveyards.
The dead WISH for two rakah.
-If we are not thankful to Allah for a ni'mah, it will be taken away from us, if taken away, it is rarely returned.

- al-balaa: the opposite of ni'mah, a hardship, something we don't like. For ni'mah we show shukr, for balaa we show sabr. but a balaa to others might be a ni'mah to me. ex. jahil of how when and where we die- in this case it is a good thing because if we knew anxiety would be too much, so its a balaah of which I should show shukr. another ex. not knowing what other creatures are harboring of hate, conspiracies, and intent to harm, we would be concerned with these people everyday. ex. we don't know when duah is accepted on yawmul jummah (therefore we make duah throughout, a good thing) Every balaah should be looked at as a na'mah. It's all relative!
Umar (ra): There are four balaah for which I must be shakir:
1- the calamity is not in my deen. (ex. a criminal breaks into your house and steals your stuff. say alhamdulillah, because you should be thankful that shatan did not enter your heart and steal your eman.)
2- It could have been worse, bigger, and Allah has power over all things.
3- I am pleased with what Allah (swt) wanted to afflict me with. In my heart I am still satisfied, I am not stricken with discontent.
4- Every affliction is atonement for my sins.
"Let us embark together on this journey of knowledge.." (he just _says_ stuff like that, naturally)
- A recipe for disaster: Of the reasons of taking the avenues of destruction in this life and the hereafter: to love life, the heart feels serene and at ease in dunyaa.
- A recipe for success: Of the reasons of happiness in dunyaa and akhirah: the heart is restless and uneasy in dunyaa ( balaa' helps this)
- Then should we pray for balaa'?
NO! Rasulullah (saws) found someone doing that and said "Do not do that, do not do that, do not do that!" Hadeeth: Seek refuge in Allah from 4 things: from the exertion and affront of affliction, that one lives to reach a life of misery, from the harmful decree of affliction, and from the deceptive ways of the clans of the enemy. (ie we seek refuge in Allah from balaah, we do not ask him for it)

- Which is better, shukr or sabr?
We can't say, it is dependant upon what level of shukr or sabr it is. (ex. a man indulges in everything that is halaal, or one who uses that wealth in every way to get closer to Allah, the second is a higher level than the first)
- These are the keys to the treasure of happiness.
- Without these two wings of shukr and sabr, we cannot fly to happiness.
- Shukr is a fruit of being aware and conscious of Allah's bounty.
- Sabr is a fruit of being away of our own weaknesses, ignorance, transgressions, inadequacies and ugliness of the self.
The shortest path to Allah is the path of an 'abd. The thickest of veils between Allah and the 'abd is ad'daawaah (feeling of arrogance, deserving)

Ya Allah, make us of those who listen to the words of admonition and follow the best of them. Ya Allah, forgive us our sins, and grant us Your mercy.
Allahumma inne ala dhikrikah, wa shukrikah, wa hussni ibadaatik.
AMEEN!

Article Source: Jannah Org.