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The Degree of Steadfastness 

Allah says in the Qur'an:

In the case of those who say "Our Lord is Allah", and further, stand straight and steadfast, the angels descend on them (from time to time): "Fear ye not!" (they suggest) "Nor grieve! but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss), the which ye were promised! "We are your protectors in this life and in the Hereafter: therein shall ye have all that your souls shall desire; therein shall ye have all that ye ask for! (41:30-31)

Verily those who say "Our Lord is Allah" and remain firm (on that Path)― on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. (46:13)

Allah will establish in strength those who believe, with the Word that stands firm, in this world and in the Hereafter; but Allah will leave to stray those who do wrong: Allah doeth what He willeth. (14:27)

A man came to the Prophet (saw) and said: "Advice me," and He (saw) said, "Say I believe in Allah, and remain steadfast." (Agreed)

Umm Salamah narrates that the Prophet (saw) said, "O Controller of the hearts! Make my heart steadfast upon Your religion." (Tirmidhi)

Means of Steadfastness

1. Adhering to the commands of Allah and doing good deeds.
2. Turning towards the Qur'an - Reciting.
3. Studying the stories of the Prophets and His companions.
4. Remembrance of Allah.
5. Calling others to Allah.
6. Befriending the righteous, make friends who will guide us.
7. Fearing death, hell-fire and barzakh.
8. Supplication
   a.    Morning and evening Du'as.
   b.    do as much dhikr as possible.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their portion is Gardens, beneath which rivers flow... " (2:25)

"But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, We shall soon admit to Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath,― their eternal home: therein shall they have spouses pure and holy: We shall admit them to shades, cool and ever deepening." (4:57)

Gateways to Jannah

1. Firm belief in Allah.
2. Fear of Allah.
3. Prompt in the prayers.
4. Kindness to parents.
5. Turning away from vain talk.
6. Guarding the chastity.
7. Faithful to the trust.
8. Fasting.
9. Love for the sake of Allah.
10. Dhikr.
11. Dawah.
12. Enjoining good and forbidding evil.
13. Reciting and learning the Qur'an.
14. Maintaining good ties with kinship.
15. Visiting the sick.
16. Charity.
17. Keeping good ties with the family.
18. Good moral characters.
19. Patience.
20. Suppressing Anger.

Virtues of Steadfastness

The Believers must (eventually) win through. Those who humble themselves in their prayers; Who avoid vain talk; Who are active in deeds of charity; Who abstain from sex, Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess― for (in their case) they are free from blame, But those whose desires exceed those limits are transgressors―Those who faithfully observe their Trusts and their covenants; And who (strictly) guard their prayers. Those will be the heirs. Who will inherit Paradise: they will dwell therein (forever).(23:1-11)

Abu Umamah (ra) narrates that the Prophet (saw) said, " I guarantee a house in Jannah for one who gives up arguing, even if he is in the right; and I guarantee a house in the middle of Jannah for one who abandons lying even when joking for the sake of fun; and I guarantee a house in the highest part of Jannah for the one who has good manners." (Abu Dawod)

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The End of Journey 

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honor will remain forever." (55:26-27)

"Verily, you (O Muhammad SAW) will die and verily, they (too) will die." (39: 30)

"Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you even if you are in fortresses built up strong and high!" And if some good reaches them, they say, "This is from Allâh," but if some evil befalls them, they say, "This is from you (O Muhammad SAW)." Say: "All things are from Allâh," so what is wrong with these people that they fail to understand any word? (4:78)

Abu Huraira (ra) narrates that the Prophet (saw) said, "The life span of my followers is between sixty and seventy. Very few of them do exceed this age." (Tirmidhi)

The Prophet (saw) said: "Always remember the destroyer of pleasure." (Tirmidhi)

Causes of the Punishment of the Grave

1. Shirk
2. Hypocrisy
3. Not protecting oneself from urine
4. Gossip/backbiting
5. Sleeping and missing obligatory prayers
6. Lying
7. Adultery
8. Eating haram food
9. Ignoring the Quran, etc, etc.

Salvation

1. Tawheed
2. Observing the Sunnah
3. Pondering for a moment before going to sleep -- Ohh ALLAH if I were to die what will be my status - will it be Jannah or Jahannam - what do I need to fix in my life?
4. Crying out of fear of Allah

Signs of Good Death

1. Reciting Shahadah
2. Smile on face
3. Sweat on forehead
4. Dying of plague
5. Dying of stomach disease

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"It is Allah that takes the souls (of men) at death: and those that die not (He takes) during their sleep: those on whom He has passed the decree of death, He keeps back (from returning to life), but the rest He sends (to their bodies) for a term appointed. Verily in this are Signs for those who reflect." (39:42)

"O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment, and verily, the Hereafter that is the home that will remain forever." (40: 39)

Say (to them): "Verily, the death from which you flee will surely meet you, then you will be sent back to (Allâh), the All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will tell you what you used to do." (62: 8)

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The Power of Supplication

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"And your Lord says: "Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer): But those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell in humiliation!" (40:60)

"When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me; let them also with a will listen to My call and believe in Me; that they may walk in the right way." (2:186)

"The most beautiful names belong to Allah: so call on Him by them; but shun such men as use profanity in His names: for what they do, they will soon be requited." (7:180)

Conditions of Du'aa

1. Obeying Allah's commands.
2. Sincerity.
3. Invoke Him using His beautiful names.
4. Facing the Qiblah.
5. Raising the hands.

Etiquettes of Du'aa

1. Praising Allah with His beautiful names and Praising Prophet (saw).
2. Be continous in making the Du'aa. Allah loves those who keep asking Allah.
3. Repeat the Du'a 3 times.
4. Seek the best times of making Du'a.

Why our Supplications are not answered?

1. We know Allah, yet we do not obey Him.
2. We recite Qur'an, yet we do not act according to it.
3. We know Satan, yet we have agreed with him.
4. We proclaim we love Prophet (saw), yet abandon His sunnah.
5. We proclaim love for paradise, yet we do not act to gain it.
6. We proclaim our fear for the fire, yet we do not prevent from sin.
7. Death is true, yet we do not get prepared for it.
8. We eat and do not thank Allah.
9. We bury the dead, yet we do not take any lessons from it.

How is Du'aa answered?

1. Allah grants the person what he asks for as he asks for it right away.
2. Allah, instead, removes a calamity in the future of that person, similar to what he asked for.
3. Allah saves it for him for the Hereafter.

"Du'aa is like a weapon and a weapon is only as good as the person who is using it, it is not merely the matter of how sharp it is. If the weapon is perfect and free of faults, and the arm of the person using it is strong, and there is nothing stopping him, then he can lay waste the enemy. But if any of these three features is lacking, then the effect will be lacking accordingly. " (Ibn Al Qayyim)

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The Degree of Alienation

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Yet no faith will the greater part of mankind have, however ardently thou dost desire it." (12:103)

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said: Islam initiated as something strange, and it would revert to its (old position) of being strange. so good tidings for the stranger. (Muslim)

3 Types of Strangers

1. Those righteous one who were not righteous before.
2. Those who fix what is innovated in the sinners.
3. The righteous people among the unrighteous people.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Why were there not among, the generations before you, persons possessed of balanced good sense prohibiting (men) from mischief in the earth― except a few among them whom We saved (from harm)? But the wrongdoers pursued the enjoyment of the good things of life which were given them, and persisted in sin." (11:116)

3 Types of Strangeness

1. Muslim Adherents: It is a praiseworthy kind of strangeness.
   E.g. Wearing Hijab in the western countries, we are like strangers.
   
   
2. Adherents of the Sunnah: Within our family, people treat us as strangers when we are trying to follow the sunnah.
   
   
3. Strangers in this world: When we travel to another country, we feel strange. We are all strangers in this world who are preparing to go to Jannah. Narrated Mujahid: 'Abdullah bin 'Umar said, "Allah's Apostle took hold of my shoulder and said, 'Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler." (Bukhari) 

How to ward-off strangeness

1. Adhering to Allah's rope: Connect our hearts to Allah. Do deeds that will help us get closer to Allah. Iman increases with obedience and decreases with disobedience to Allah. Tranquility descends upon the hearts of the believers.
   
   
2. Reviving the Islamic Brotherhood: We should try to save our muslim ummah from hell-fire. We need to stick to each other and be one body.
   
   
3. Enjoining good and forbidding evil: We are the callers of Islam. Satan has promised that he will divert us from the good deeds. Stay as one community and do not deviate in sects. Always guide others in doing good.
   
   
4. Endurance: Showing patience during hardships, trials, calamities, etc.
   
   
5. Never despair: Never despair of Allah's mercy.

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The Degree of Happiness

Allah created each person of mankind differently - culture, language, colour, race etc. But we agree on one single thing - HAPPINESS - where we disagree is how do we get this happiness?

Some say money, riches, fame, etc. Some people find happiness in salah, in dhikr (remembering Allah in all times), in charity; they find happiness when they are tested and going through trials. TRUE HAPPINESS IS IN THE NOURISHMENT OF THE SOUL: peace of heart and mind results. The Prophet sallahu alayhi wa-sallam and sahabas used to rest and peace in salah.

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"They rejoice in the Bounty provided by Allah: and with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the (martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve." (3:170)

Say: "In the Bounty of Allâh, and in His Mercy (i.e. Islâm and the Qur'ân); -therein let them rejoice." That is better than what (the wealth) they amass." (10: 58)

"Those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allâh, Verily, in the remembrance of Allâh do hearts find rest." (13:28)

True enrichment does not come through possessing a lot of wealth, but true enrichment is the enrichment of the soul. Remember the ones who cannot sleep despite having all the wealth in the world. Thank Allah for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us, Alhamdulillah.

Types of Happiness

1. Commendable: Happiness  in prayer, happiness in remembering Allah, happiness in good health, etc.
   
   
2. Blameworthy: Happiness through wealth  like Qarun  whom Allah destroyed  with his money:
   
   Allah says in the Qur'an:
   
   "Verily, Qârûn (Korah) was of Mûsa's (Moses) people, but he behaved arrogantly towards them. And We gave him of the treasures, that of which the keys would have been a burden to a body of strong men. When his people said to him: "Do not be glad (with ungratefulness to Allâh's Favours). Verily! Allâh likes not those who are glad (with ungratefulness to Allâh's Favours)." (28:76)

How to be Happy?

1. Think and thank Allah: Thank Allah for all the blessings he bestowed upon us. Think if we had to pay for the air we breathe?
   
   
2. Do no wait for anybody to praise us: Do everything for the sake of Allah. Do business with Allah and be happy. Do not wait for anyone to praise or thank us.
   
   
3. Do Ihsan to others: Be good to everyone. Help others and that will make us happy. Help others with perfection. Meet our brothers with a smile, that will suffice.
   
   Allah says in the Qur'an:
   
   "Whoever works righteousness, man or woman and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a life that is good and pure, and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions." (16:97)
   
   
4. Fill our time with things that are beneficial: Utilize the time and try to benefit from it. Benefit others with our time. Try to learn more knowledge and share it with others.
   
   
5. Belief in Divine Decree: Nothing will happen to us without the decree of Allah. When we face a calamity, say Alhamdulillah that Allah decreed it for us.
    
6. Ease comes after hardship:
   
   Allah says in the Qur'an:
   
   "Verily, along with every hardship is relief." (94:5)
   
   
7. Turn a loss into a gain: Never despair of Allah's Mercy. When life gives us lemons make lemonade: lemons are naturally sour but when we make lemonade we have made sweet out of sour. E.g. When Ibn Taymiyyah was jailed for years he wrote books on his fatawa, When Imam Ibn Ahmed was imprisoned he accessed many books of knowledge and became the Imam of Ahlus Sunnah, When Imam ibn al Jawzee was expelled from Baghdad became master of the 7 Qira'aat - turned loss into gain, The story of 2 men in a hospital ward: one was next to a window and the other behind a partition away from the window. The man behind the partition would ask the first man what he saw outside. The other man would tell him that it is a beautiful day, it is sunny and that he is facing a garden and he can see a family walking. He would describe the next day, saying he saw flowers and trees and birds. Months and years went by and this continued every day until that person died. The man behind the partition was moved next to the window and to his surprise he found a wall behind the window. He was informed that the man was blind and could not see anything. But the blind man saw what others would have never seen. He had a vision, etc.
   
   
8. The one who turns to the needy: Help those who are in need of emotional, financial help, etc.
   
   
9. Be content with what we have: Always be thankful to Allah for what He has bestowed upon us. Be content with what we have. Look at people below our status than looking at those who are higher. Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (SAW) as saying: "When one of you looks at one who stands at a higher level than you in ‎regard to wealth and physical structure he should also see one who ‎stands at a lower level than you in regard to these things (in which he ‎stands) at a his-her level (as compared to him)." (Muslim)
   
   
10. Whoever leaves something for the sake of Allah, Allah will replace it with something better:
    
    Allah says in the Qur'an:
    
    "And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out. And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily, for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion." (65:2-3)
    
    
11. Do not envy anyone with what Allah has blessed them with: Never feel jealous of anyone if Allah has blessed him with children, abundant wealth, etc. Narrated Ibn Masud: I heard the Prophet saying, "There is no envy except in two: a person whom Allah has given wealth and he spends it in the right way, and a person whom Allah has given wisdom (i.e. religious knowledge) and he gives his decisions accordingly and teaches it to the others." (Bukhari)
    
    
12. Prayer, Prayer: Prophet (saw) even on his death bed, kept telling his ummah to pray. Only prayer can bring happiness in our life.
    
    
13. Put our trust in Allah: Delegate all our affairs to Allah. Do our hard work and then put our trust in Allah.
    
    
14. Do not carry the entire world on our shoulders: Do not talk about problems all the time. This will reduce our happiness. There will always be things that are out of our control about which we can do nothing except du’aa.
    
    
15. Please Allah before pleasing anybody else: Allah should always be a priority for us in pleasing.
    

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"Those whom Allah (in His Plan) willeth to guide,― He openeth their breast to Islam; those whom He willeth to leave straying― He maketh their breast close and constricted as if they had to climb up to the skies: thus doth Allah (heap) the penalty on those who refuse to believe." (6:125)

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "Riches does not mean, having a great amount of property, but riches is self-contentment." (Bukhari)

To be Happy:

1. Be happy with our self.
2. Make sure others are happy with us.
3. Help the Mankind.
4. Make sure Allah is Happy with us- Be skeptic.

" Allah (swt) has placed ease and happiness in certainity of faith and contentment. He has placed worry and misery in discontent and doubt." (Ibn Massod (RA)

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The Love of Allah

Allah says in the Qur'an:

It is reported on the authority of Anas b. Malik that the Messenger of Allaah said: None of you is a believer till I am dearer to him than his child, his father and the whole of mankind. (Muslim)

Types of Love

1. Specific Love
   
   a.    Halal: love towards Allah, Prophet, Qur'an, etc.
   b.    Haram: Love developed through MSN.
   
   
2. General Love
   
   a.    Natural: Love for food when hungry, etc.
   b.    Mercy: Love for child, parents, siblings, spouse, etc
   c.    Friendship: Business, school, etc.

If we want to meet Allah, we need our hearts and souls to prepare for the meeting of Allah. We need to do righteous deeds.

How to Acquire Allah's Love

1. Obedience to Allah: Obey the orders and laws of love. We should not treat the orders as a burden. The orders make our life easy and peaceful.
   
   
2. Obedience to Prophets: It should be done through actions. Obey and follow the sunnah (soorah, seerah and sareerah). Follow the footsteps of Prophet (saw).
   
   
3. Recitation of Qur'an: Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari: The Prophet said, "The example of him (a believer) who recites the Qur'an is like that of a citron which tastes good and smells good. And he (a believer) who does not recite the Qur'an is like a date which is good in taste but has no smell. And the example of a dissolute wicked person who recites the Qur'an is like the Raihana (sweet basil) which smells good but tastes bitter. And the example of a dissolute wicked person who does not recite the Qur'an is like the colocynth which tastes bitter and has no smell." (Bukhari)
   
   
4.  Voluntary Prayers: Prophet (saw) said: "Allah will build a house in jannah for whoever is diligent in observing 12 sunnah rakats." (Tirmidhi)
   
   
5. Dhikr of Allah: "Allah the Most High says, " I am with my slave when he thinks of ME and I am with him when he mentions Me. For if he mentions Me to himself, I mention him to Myself; and if he mentions ME in a gathering, I mention him in a superior gathering. If he approaches ME by a hands width, I approach him by an arms length; and if he approaches Me with an arms length, I approach him by two arm's length. And if he comes to Me walking, I hasten to him swiftly." (Bukhari)
   
   
6. Visiting Muslim brother for the sake of Allah: Abu Huraira reported Allaah's Prophet (sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) as saying: "A person visited his brother in another town and Allaah deputed an Angel to wait for him on his way and when he came to him he said: Where do you intend to go? He said: I intend to go to my brother in this town. He said: Have you done any favour to him (the repayment of which you intend to get)? He said: No, excepting this that I love Mm for the sake of Allaah, the Exalted and Glorious. Thereupon he said: I am a messenger to you from, Allaah: (to inform you) that Allaah loves you as you love him (for His sake)" (Muslim)
   
   Prophet (saw) said: "If a man loves his brother, let him tell that he loves him." (Tirmidhi)
   
   
7. Being tested and showing patience: Allah loves those who show patience when afflicted with a calamity. Allah tests only those whom Allah loves.
   
   Allah says in the Qur'an:
   
   "O ye who believe! Seek help with patient perseverance and prayer: for Allah is with those who patiently persevere." (2:153)
   
   "Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives and the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere." (2:155)
   
   Prophet (SAW) said: "The greatest reward comes from the greatest trial. When Allah loves people, He tests them, and whoever accepts it gains the pleasure of Allah and whoever complains earns His wrath." (Saheeh)
   
   
8. Qiyam ul Layl: Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: 'In the last third of every night our Rabb (Cherisher and Sustainer) (Allah (SWT)) descends to the lowermost heaven and says; "Who is calling Me, so that I may answer him? Who is asking Me so that may I grant him? Who is seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him?."' (Bukhari)
   
   
9. Gathering Knowledge: Allah loves those who acquire knowledge. The angels keep asking for forgiveness who seek knowledge.
   
   Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, " Allah makes the way to Jannah easy for him who treads the path in search of knowledge.''(Muslim).
   
   The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Allah, His angels, the dwellers of the heaven and the earth, and even the ant in its hole and the fish (in water) supplicate in favour of those who teach people knowledge." (At-Tirmidhi)
   
   
10. Ponders about the creation of Allah: Allah loves those who ponder about the creation of Allah.
    
    
11. Repentance: Allah loves those who repent.
    
    "O son of Adam, as long as you call on Me and ask of Me, I will forgive what you have done, and I will forgive what you have done, and I do not mind. O son of Adam, even if your sins reached the clouds and you asked My forgiveness, I will forgive you. O son of Adam, if you came to Me with sins nearly as great as the earth and you met Me without giving Me partners, I will give you a similar amount of forgiveness." (Tirmidhi)
    
    Prophet Mohammad (saw) informed his followers of this reality, saying, "If you do not commit sins and turn to Allah, seeking his forgiveness, He would have replaced you with another people who would sin, ask Allah's forgiveness and He would forgive them." (Muslim)
    
    
12. Purify: Allah loves those who are in a state of Wodhu at all times.

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "If Allah loves a person, He calls Gabriel saying, 'Allah loves so and-so; O Gabriel! Love him.' Gabriel would love him and make an announcement amongst the inhabitants of the Heaven. 'Allah loves so-and-so, therefore you should love him also,' and so all the inhabitants of the Heaven would love him, and then he is granted the pleasure of the people on the earth." (Bukhari)

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah RA said, “The Messenger of Allah SAW said, ‘Allah says, “Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I will love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him.” (Bukhari)

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The Degree of Longing

Allah says in the Qur'an:

“Whoever is looking forward to the meeting with Allah, then Allah’s term is surely coming and He is the All-Hearer, the All- Knower.” (29: 5)

“ I hastened to You, O my Lord, that You might be pleased.” (20: 84)

“When the night covered him over with darkness he saw a star. He said, ‘This is my Lord.’” (8: 76)

“The pleasure of giving pardon is followed by a praiseworthy outcome. The pleasure or taking revenge is followed by the bitterness of regret.” (Ali ibn Abi Talib)

Prophet (saw) said: " No one should judge between two people when he is angry." (Bukhari)

Anger Management- 4 Styles od Handling Anger

Style A- Open Aggression

Uses physical and verbal force

It often leads to increased anger and more problems. This is not the right style of dealing anger.

Style B- Suppress Anger

Chose to pretend they are not angry. They hide the anger. Ignore the feelings. Hoping the anger will go away. This type of anger develops headaches, ulcers, stomach aches and other physical problems. Mostly women use it.

Style C- Possessive Aggressive

Chose to show their anger in indirect ways.
E.g. refuse to talk, bang the door, breaking things, etc.
This type of anger leads to increased anger.

Style D- Assertive Problem Solving

The best style. Chose to find out the anger reasons and solve it. Talk out the matter. Express anger in the most polite and kind way.

ACTS Technique

A-ware-Be aware of it. Do not let the feelings build in you.
C-ontrol-Controlling the response. Think before you act.
T-alk-Talk about the situation in a calm and assertive manner.
S-olve- Solving the problem. Come to a mutual agreement.

Talk (Win Technique)

W hen- When you did that, when you told that, when such a thing happened, etc
I-          I felt, I became upset, I got irritated, etc
N eed-  I need you to understand my feelings, etc

Ways to Limit the Effect of Anger

1. Seeking refuge with Allah from Satan.
2. Keeping silent.
3. Advice of Prophet (saw)- sit down, lye down, take wodhu.
4. Listening to reminders (audios, video lectures).
5. Knowing the bad effects of anger.
6. Knowing the high status offered to those who control anger.
7. Knowing that resisting anger is one of the signs of righteousness.

1. Breathe deeply from your diaphragm.
2. Slowly recite some Adhkar.
3. Use imaginary; visualize a relaxing experience.
4. Slow, calm movements, stretches to relax your muscles to stay calm.

Chose the right Time.
Chose the right Place.
Chose the right Manner.

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The Degree of Remembrance

Allah says in the Qur'an:

“And perform the Dhikr of your Lord in your very soul with humility and without loudness in words in the mornings and evenings and do not be of those who are unheedful.” (7: 205)

“And remember your Lord when you forget.” (18: 24)

“(Speaking of the wise men these are) such as remember Allah, standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the Heavens and the Earth, and say (after deliberation) ‘Our Lord! Thou has not created this in vain. Glory be to Thee! Preserve us from the doom of Fire.” (3:191)

Abu Hurayrah (Radiyallahu An Hum) narrates that the Prophet (Sallahu Alyhee Wa Salaam) said, “No people gather together in one of the Houses of Allah, reciting the Book of Allah and studying it among themselves, except that Sakeenah (Tranquility) descends upon them, and Mercy envelops them, and the Angels surround them, and Allah mentions them amongst those are with Him.” (Bukhari)

There is no better Dhikr than reciting the Qur’an! The example of those who remember Allah and those who don’t is the example of the living and the dead. Everything in CREATION makes Dhikr to Allah.

Narrated Abu Musa: The Prophet said, "The example of the one who celebrates the Praises of his Lord (Allah) in comparison to the one who does not celebrate the Praises of his Lord, is that of a living creature compared to a dead one." (Bukhari)

Types of Dhikr

1. Adhkar which have fixed timings.
   E.g. Du'a after prayer, morning and evening Du'as, etc.
   
2. Adhkar which are specified for certain action.
   E.g. While eating, sleeping, intimacy, etc.
   
3. Adhkar which are unrestricted.
   E.g. While walking, working, cooking, etc.

Narrated by Abu Darda: The Prophet SAW said, “Shall I not inform you of the best of your actions, the most pure in the sight of your Master, the one which raises your ranks highest, that which is better for you than giving gold and silver (in charity), better for you than meeting your enemies, so that you strike their necks and they strike yours?” The companions replied “Of course, O Messenger of Allah (Inform us!)” He replied, “It is the Remembrance of Allah.” (Abu Dawood)

`Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Whoever of you performs Wudu' carefully and then affirms: `Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu Wahdahu la sharika Lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa Rasuluhu [I testify that there so no true god except Allah Alone, Who has no partners and that Muhammad ((PBUH) is His slave and Messenger],' the eight gates of Jannah are opened for him. He may enter through whichever of these gates he desires (to enter).'' (Muslim).

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The Degree of Reliance

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"...But on Allah put your trust if ye have faith." (5:23)

"Allah! there is no god but He: and on Allah, therefore let the Believers put their trust." (64:13)

Prophet (saw) said: " If all of you were to rely upon Allah in the manner He deserves from you, then He would certainly grant you provision as He provides it to the birds who depart hungry in the morning, and return with a full belly at dusk." (Tirmidhi)

Preparations the Prophet Muhammad (saw) made for the Hijrah journey

1. Asked an intimate friend to accompany him (i.e. Abu Bakr)
2. Prepared food and water for journey
3. Arranged a good riding camel
4. He employed an expert guide - a man who wasn’t even a Muslim.

"Reliance on Allah is total faith." Sa'eed ibn Jubayr

Allah says in the Qur'an:

"... And for those who fear Allah, He (ever) prepares a way out. And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah, sufficient is (Allah) for him..." (65:2-3)

Reliance means doing the hard work and then putting the trust in Allah.

Realize:

1. 'Rizk' is mine and nobody can take it. Allah is the sustainer.
2. My actions should be done by myself.
3. Allah is watching me, so do not commit any sin.
4. One day I have to stand in front of Allah.

Do not rely on the means, but rely on the Lord of the means.

"Reliance upon Allah represents the utmost degree (of faith)." Wahb ibn Munabbih

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