Gaining through loss

Once a man was asked, “What did you gain by regularly praying to God?” The man replied, “Nothing, but let me tell you what I lost: anger, ego, greed, depression, insecurity, and fear of death.”

Sometimes the answer to our prayers is not gaining but losing, which ultimately is the gain.”

Unknown author

Our mothers

Heaven lies beneath the feet of mothers.

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)

There’s a reason Paradise (jannah) is not in her hands, but under her feet. For if it was in her palms, her selfless love would have handed it to you despite your deserving.

Alas, it is the ground that bears her entire weight. That is where heaven lies, and if you wish to achieve it – carry her weight.

Unknown author

Learn to be quiet

Learn to be quiet just as you learn to talk, because if talking guides you, being quiet protects you. By being quiet, you attain two characteristics: you are able to take knowledge from those more knowledgeable than you and you are able to repel ignorance of those more ignorant than you.

Imam Ali (AS)

Destructive qualities of the heart

As for the destructive qualities of the heart, they are:

1. pride (kibr)

2. conceit (‘ujub)

3. envy (hasad)

4. hatred (hiqd)

5. stinginess (bukhul)

6. showing-off (riyaa)

7. love for rank and love for wealth (hubb l-jaah wa hubb lmaal)

8. boasting (iftikhaar)

9. false hope (amal)

10. and having an evil opinion of the Muslims.

These ten qualities are the destructive traits of the heart that are the foundation of blameworthy character. It is obligatory for every Muslim to remove these from his heart.

Shaikh Usman Ibn Fodio