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

"From my life's experience I've come to know that when a person depends on something other than Allāh, that thing becomes a cause of misfortune and trial for him. Had he truly depended on Allāh Almighty, he would've gotten what he sought in a far more beautiful way..."

[Al-Rāzī]

What a wonderful thing it is to know Allah!

أن تعرفه ثم لا تحبه
But how can one know Him and not love Him?

وأن تسمع داعيه ثم تتأخر عن الإجابة
How can one hear the caller but fail to respond?

وأن تعرف قدر الربح في معاملته ثم تعامل غيره؟
How can one know the profit that is gained in dealing with Him but still prefer others

‏وأن تعرف قدر غضبه ثم تتعرض له، وأن تذوق ألم الوحشة في معصيته ثم لا تطلب الأنس بطاعته؟
How can one taste the bitterness of disobeying Him, but still abstain from seeking the pleasure of obeying Him

‏وأن تذوق عصرة القلب عند الخوض في غير حديثه والحديث عنه ثم لا تشتاق إلى انشراح الصدر يذكره ومناجاته؟
How can one feel the severity of engaging in trivial speech, but fail to open your heart with His remembrance

‏وأن تذوق العذاب عند تعلّق القلب بغيره ولا تهرب منه إلى نعيم الإقبال عليه والإنابة إليه؟
How can one be tortured by being attached to others but not rush toward the bliss of turning to him in repentance

وأعجب من هذا: علمك أنك لا بدّ لك منه، وأنك أحوج شيء إليه، وأنت عنه معرض، وفيما يبعدك عنه راغب!
Perhaps it is most surprising to know that while you are in need of Him, you are still reluctant to move toward Him because you seek others

[‏من كتاب الفوائد لابن القيم الجوزية]

The signs of repentance.

(Imām al-Ḏahabī, Siyar Aʿlām al-Nubalāʾ 9/315)

Marry a woman for her religion. The more she fears Allāh ﷻ, the better she is as a wife.

It is better for you to have a wife who reminds you of Allāh ﷻ and the akhirah, rather than a wife who constantly reminds you about the dunya.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“If 3 things are found in a person, he will taste the sweetness of faith;

1) Allāh ﷻ + his messenger is beloved to him more than anything

2)He loves + hates for the sake of Allāh ﷻ

3) Falling into a huge fire is more beloved to him than committing Shirk”

[النسائي]

Our external reality is hugely influenced by our internal thoughts, ideas, skills and habits 🌿✨

Thus, if there is anything at all you want to change with your life, it might help to start by looking within.

Abū Bakr As-Siddīq رضي الله عنه stated:

"Whoever wants to marry a woman let him look at her father and brother, for she will surely come to him with (the personality of) one of them."

[Al-Ishrāf fī Manāzil Al-Asrāf (277)]

Imām Ibn Al-Qayyim رحمه الله stated:

"The repentant youth is the beloved (servant) of Allāh."

[الداء و الدواء (٢١١)]

When seeking ʿilm: do it with ikhlas, do not take shortcuts, do not show off, make full effort to practise upon what you learn, avoid delving into controversies, scholarly disputes, sectarianism, etc. Be steadfast, grow in your knowledge, and beautify your character and speech.

@THadithDisciple

When I was young, I always used to think after you get married, you live happily ever after with the love of your life. But growing up, I started to realise marriage can be a test for some, your love can be a test, children can be a test, not having children can also be a test. And it’s important in all these situations that you keep your faith in Allāh ﷻ, that you trust in His Plans for you and you have hope that with hardship there will always be ease because Allāh ﷻ promised you that. Not once, but twice. And His promises are always true.

- Anon

‏مجالسة الصالحين تحولك من ستة إلى ستة:
Sitting with the righteous changes six to six:

من الشك إلى اليقين
From doubt to certainty

من الرياء إلى الإخلاص
From showing off to sincerity

من الغفلة إلى الذكر
From loss to remembrance

‏من الرغبة في الدنيا إلى الرغبة في الآخرة
From striving in the dunya to striving for the akhirah

من الكبر إلى التواضع
From arrogance to humility

ومن سوء النية الى نصيحة
And from ill intentions to sincere advise