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That's why I thought I'd give some advice to the young ones reading this post. Use your time wisely, little ones. You may think that your life is really hectic in high school or college, or even newly wedded life, but let me tell you this: you ain't seen nothing yet! :)
Right now is the time to get as much ibadah (worship) done as you possibly can. When you go for prayers, really try to feel what you are reading or hearing. When you recite the Quran, imagine that Allah (SWT) is talking to you, enjoy the rhymes and rhythms of the verses of the Quran, and delve into the tafsir to really understand what your Lord is saying to you.
Just sit down for a minute and try to imagine what it's like to do these things with a baby with you. As you try to listen to the recitation of the Imam, you are distracted by either your baby's wails or a toddler trying to throw things on your baby's face as he lays next to you. As you try to recite the Quran with the baby in your lap (as he usually is), he kicks around like a fish out of water and flaps his arms as if he's learning how to fly that moment, thus making it impossible to read.
This is, of course, a normal phase in life that I am going through. I am extremely blessed to have a tiny little bundle of joy in my life, Alhumdulillah. But all I am trying to convey in this post is that at this point in your life, don't take the free time you have for granted. Time is very limited. Use it in the dhikr and ibadah of Allah (SWT) as much as you can, along with other fun things in life, of course.
Just never forget your purpose in life, inshaAllah. May Allah (SWT) give us the tawfique to use our time wisely, Ameen.
Very well said....
ReplyDeleteJazakillah Khair!
DeleteSo true! What I've been doing since last ramadan is pray at home and to make up for the length of recitation at masjid, I memorized new duaas ( from Hisn al Muslim) said after takbeer, during rukuu,sujood and after tashahudd.
ReplyDeleteThey were quiet long plus since I learned it just recently I recited them slowly and with meaning! :)
P.S: All this once Usman's back from masjid and taking care of haya!
Haifa: Thanks for the tip! I read this sweet status on facebook yesterday:
Delete"When she has her first baby, she must manage for another life even more dependent on her personal sacrifices. By the second, third, or fourth child, her days and nights belong almost entirely to others. Whether she has a spiritual path or not, such a mother can seldom resist a glance at the past, when there were more prayers, more meanings, more spiritual company, and more serenity. When Allah opens her understanding, she will see that she is engaged in one of the highest forms of worship, that of producing new believers who love and worship Allah. She is effectively worshipping Allah for as many lifetimes she has children, for the reward of every spiritual work her children do will be hers, without this diminishing anything of their own rewards: every ablution, every prayer, every Ramadan, every hajj, and even the works her children will in turn pass on to their offspring, and, so on till the end of time. Even if her children do not turn out as she wishes, she shall be requited in paradise forever according to her intention in raising them, which was that they should be godly. Aside from the tremendous reward, within the path itself it is noticeable that many of those who benefit most from khalwa or 'solitary retreat of dhikr' are women who have raised children. With only a little daily dhikr and worship over the years, but much toil and sacrifice for others, they surpass many a younger person who has had more free time, effort, and 'spiritual works.' What they find is greater because their state with Allah is greater; namely, the awe, hope, and love of the Divine they have realized by years of sincerity to Him." - Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller
Wouldn't exactly be considered "short and sweet" but sweet nonetheless :)
Ameen...
ReplyDelete