The married contemplates divorce, the unmarried yearns marriage, the young wants to grow up quickly, the old wants youth to return, the poor wants to become rich, the rich wants peace, the unknown craves fame, the popular wants privacy... “Indeed, man is very ungrateful” (22:66).

[Muftī Muḥammad Ibn Adam al-Kawthari]

Hasan Al-Basri رحمه الله said:

“People are not pleased with their creator although He provides for them; so how can they be pleased with another creation like themselves?”

(Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah v. 9, p. 318)

It is reported that Hasan Al-Basrī رحمه الله said:

“Verily, Allāh lets [a person] enjoy a blessing for as long as He wills. But when He is no longer thanked for it, He turns it into a punishment.”

[Ibn Abī Al-Dunyā | Kitāb Al-Shukr: Article 17]

Nothing was an accident. The truth is that every challenging event you’ve experienced, each toxic person that you’ve encountered and all the trials you’ve endured have been perfect preparation to help you find the version of you that goes to Paradise.

Asim Khan

 اذا تكرر الذنب فكرر التوبة
If a sin repeats then repeat the repentance
قيل للحسن:

It was said to Al-Hasan

الا يستحي احدنا من ربه يستغفر من ذنوبه ثم يعود ثم يستغفر ثم يعود؟

Is not one of us embarrassed from our Lord, to ask for forgiveness from his sins then return to sin then ask for forgiveness then return?

فقال: ود الشيطان لو ظفر منكم بهذه

The shaytan would love if he obtained this from you
فلا تملوا من الاستفار

So do not become tired of asking for forgiveness

In Surah Baqarah Allāh ﷻ says:

{ولا تلقوا بايديكم الى التهلكة}
And do not let your own hands throw you in to destruction (by withholding)

‎قال البراء: هو الرجل يذنب الذنب فيقول لا يغفره الله لي

Al-Bara’ said: It is the man who commits sins then a says: Allah will not forgive it for me.

سبيل النجاة من شؤم المعصية
‎[رواه البيهقي في شعب الايمان ٧٠٩٣]

“Whenever Allāh ﷻ gives a blessing to a servant, and then takes it back from him, and the servant patiently endures his loss, then He rewards him with a blessing which is better than the one which He took back.”

صبرا أيها المُبتلى
Patience, oh you have been afflicted

فلو علمت ما لك عند الله لضحكت من شدة الفرح
For if you knew what was for you with Allah you would have laughed from the intensity of happiness.

[Umar bin Abdul Aziz, The Purification of the soul]

For the one whom Allah has favoured with the Qur’an

Abdullāh bin Mas'ūd رضي الله عنه said:

"Whoever wants to know that he loves Allāh and His Messenger then let him look at (himself). If he loves the Qurān then he loves Allāh and His Messenger ﷺ."

[Az-Zuhd of Ibn Al-Mubārak and Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabīr of At-Tabarānī/Good Chain]

Imām Ibn Al-Qayyim رحمه الله stated:

"The people have not been commanded to abandon the Dunyā, for they do not have the ability to do so. However, the people have been commanded to abandon sins."

[Al-Fawāid 247]

Every pain has a purpose. Every fall has a reason. The Almighty wouldn’t have allowed it to happen. Remember, life is a process. Each part of it is necessary to reach your next milestone. Short cuts won’t work. So embrace whatever He has planned and you’ll rise again!

Abud-Dardā رضي الله عنه said:

"Pray two Raka'h during the darkness of the night (to be a means of light) for the darkness of the grave."

[Jāmi' Al-'Ulūm wal-Hikam 264]

‏الصدقة تدفع ميتة السوء وتذهب البلاء وتطفئ الخطيئة
Charity protects against a bad death, eliminates calamity, and extinguishes sin

Be humble, despite possessing wealth.

Forgive, despite possessing the ability to avenge oneself.

Assist people without reminding them of your favour.

Exercise patience at the time of anger.

—Aḥnaf ibn Qais (raḥimahullāh)

[Admonition of the Neglectful p.135]

Al-Hāfith Ibn Rajab رحمه الله stated:

"Everything that hurts the soul and is difficult upon it is an expiation for the sins (that one has committed)."

[Majmū' Al-Fatāwā V.4 Pg.17]

As we reach the end of another year, you might find yourself focusing on all that is left undone - and that can be overwhelming!

Take a moment and reflect on what you've achieved during 2021. You might find you've actually accomplished more than you realize!

‏تالله ما كانت الأيام إلا مناماً،
By Allah! This worldly life is like a dream

فاستيقظوا وقد حصلوا على الظفر
After waking up, success may be one's destiny

[‏من الفوائد لابن القيم رحمه الله]

The Messenger of Allāh ﷺ said:

"Indeed after you is a time of patience in which there is a reward of fifty martyrs from amongst you for the one who holds fast (to Islām)."

[Sahīh Al-Jām'i #2234]

“Be indifferent towards this world, and Allah will love you. Be indifferent to what is in people’s hands, and they will love you."

ازهد في الدنيا يحبك الله وازهد فيما في ايدي الناس يحبوك

Every day is a new challenge. Every day we are faced with a different difficulty. Every day we are reminded how nāqiṣ (deficit) we are. A lesson of humility.

Mawlānā Huzaifah Saleh