The Mahdi Times February Issue | Page 33

T H Fear Him who made Imam Sajjad (a.s) quiver with fear before he addressed Him in Salah. 28. Do something constructive during your Journey that has a goal. 29. Read this: http://www.al-islam.org/ topical.php?sid ... 07&cat=187 30. When battling pride, look at yourself from the Eyes of Allah (swt) and remember all that brought you here. Know that All Praise is to Allah (swt). He is the All-Merciful, and were it not for Him, not one of anyone would be pure. 31. Read Qur'an, Tafsir of Quran, Nahaj-ul-Balagha and Sahifa e Sajjadiya if you can. You could say repeatedly the Duas of the Prophets (pbuta) that are in the Qur'an. [e.g: "My Lord, Forgive me and Grant me a Kingdom that does not Befit anyone except me, Indeed thou are All-Munificient." Hazrat Sulaiman (a.s). You could do those Duas.] Recite the 4 Quls as much as possible. 32. Be dutiful to your Lord inwards and outwards. Refrain from useless talks. If things get too hard (and they are going to get real tough), then seek a Believing friend to share your trial with, but Complain of your Grief and Anguish only to Allah (swt). I am available, brother Insha'Allah. And you will be appointed teachers in your Journey Insha'Allah. Do not be stagnant. Keep moving in your knowledge, faith, spirituality and righteous deeds. Be like flowing water. 33. Do long Sajdas. You will be risen along with the Prophet (s.a.w) in the Hereafter Insha'Allah and Shaitan gets annoyed Insha'Allah. Fall into Sajda repeatedly. 34. Isolate yourself from evil company as much as possible. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w) says: "A good friend is better than solitude, but solitude is better than mingling with bad people" (Biharul Anwar, Vol.XV, p.52) Imam Sadiq (a.s) has narrated from his father Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s) who said his father Ali ibn Hussain (a.s) stated: "O' my son! Beware of five E S T R A I G H T P (groups) and do not seek companionship with them, do not speak with them, and do not make friends with them on (the) way." Then, Imam Baqir (a.s) asked his father who they were and might he introduce them to him. He responded: "Beware of and do not associate with the one who tells lies. He is as a mirage which makes near for you what is far, and makes far to you what is near." "Beware of and do not associate with an immoral person, because he will sell you at the price of a morsel or less than that." "Beware of and do not associate with a miser because he will deprive you of his wealth when you are seriously in need of it." "Beware of and do not associate with a fool, because he wants to be of avail to you but he harms you." "Beware of and do not associate with the one who disregards his kinfolks, because I found him (such a person) cursed in the Book Allah, Almighty and Glorious, in three occurrences." They are: (Sura AI-Baqarah, No.2, verse 27; Sura ArRa'd, No.13, verse 25; and Sura Muhammad, No.47, verse 22). Al-Kafi, vol. 2, p. 641 35. Pray for your brothers and sisters in earnest and establish a communication with Allah (swt) as much as possible. Know who He is. The Qur'an is a fantastic way to learn this and Nahaj-ul-Balagha by Imam Ali (a.s), which is honored even by non-Muslims. Reflect for the Sake of Allah (swt). Be who you think Allah (swt) would want you to be. Do justice, wherever you may be. 36. Do not give in to carnal desires. 37. An awesome way of gaining the Pleasure of Allah (swt): Is your mother still alive, bro..? If she is Insha'Allah, make her happy. If your father is as well, make him happy. But only in ways which would not displease Allah (swt), and only to Please Allah (swt). A T H 38. Kill your ego completely. Identify it, reject it, and eradicate it Qurbatan Illallah. Do not give any margin for it. No excuses for it. Recognize that your ego is different from you. You were born pure. Your ego latched onto you later on. When you want something evil, it is from your ego, Allah (swt) did not put two hearts in you. You must be entirely submissive to Allah (swt), and not let your ego get the better of you in any way at all, whatsoever. That is against the word of Allah (swt). Overcome it, by Allah (swt), it is your enemy. 39. Know that you are too weak to eradicate your ego, to fight your desire, to control your anger or to stay pious and all the other good acts. Therefore, tell Allah (swt) that you leave it to Him to do this all for you. And then work so hard that Allah (swt) Grants you your request of eradicating your viciousness and installing your virtuousness so that He gets a pure Servant. All Praise is Due to Him, if we attempt the 40 Day Journey a million times it will still be His Grace that is Infinite and His Mercy that is Infinite and can not be thanked enough by anyone in the heavens and the earth. 40. Read the Spiritual Guide, (in the Library section) if you can. Read the benefits of reciting particular Surahs (check in Noble ' Section) and then recite them. Put Surah Noor on a paper under your pillow before you sleep to keep evil dreams away. Maybe you could read "Then I was Guided" by Allama Tijani for a firmer belief in your sect of Shia'ism