Hazoor Paak pbuh has said a muslim is a mirror to another muslim, when he /she sees anything wrong in it, he / she tells him / her. Often times when we are low in imaan, we dislike being advised from others. When anyone corrects us, we are greatly wounded. We forget that part of being a muslim is not only want yourself to prosper but also others. When someone corrects us, the sunnah way, we can try to immediately think that it is part of our faith. And those who have strong faith, they correct others, within their means. The weak-faithed think of the sin as bad only in their heart, and dis-allow themselves to correct anyone.
How Dhikr Helped Me
Dhikr is something that changed me in many ways and helped me deal with my heart. Often times we have knowledge of what deeds are sinful and what deeds are rewarding. Still we don`t manage to save ourselves from the bad stuff. The issue here is, as I have learned in dhikr mehfil, that if our heart is not good, no matter how much good information we have knowledge of, our actions will not change according to it. To be able to act upon the good we know and here in mehfil in the mosque etc, we need to have a good, sound heart. The only way to achieve that is first repentance, with following dhikr of Allah. Slowly we will be able to clean our heart for all kind of bad qualities and become receptive of good advice and gentle and firm corrections. That is the only way. There is no shortcut to success. Everyone has to take the stairs. In other words, it is recommended to do dhikr of Allah every day. As repentance cleanses the heart and dhikr polishes it.
When Your Heart Reminds You
When we are low in imaan, we have to drag ourselves to prayer and other good deeds. Our imaan increases by doing good deeds, and decreases by doing bad deeds. If you keep yourself motivated and make yourself do good deeds, even though you don`t feel like it. If you are consistent in doing this, one day your heart, soul will remind you of the good deeds you need to do. You will not be able to have peace without having done those good deeds.
Change Your Focus Towards The Quran
Self-motivation, self-empowering is the key. We can`t always rely on others, when we are down. Of course others also have increasing and decreasing imaans. Whenever we are down, turn to Allah`s book, read surah`s, listen to famous reciters. It will change your focus, whenever you forget. Nothing makes the soul and heart happy and content as the speech of Allah.
Choose The Company Of Wisdomful Muslims
If you feel you are not able to do as good deeds as you want to. Change your company. Sometimes we don`t realize that others heartbreaking comments about our deen does have a bad effect on us. In other words, surround yourself with people who not only have the knowledge of Islam but most importantly, also have wisdom of it. In other words, their knowledge is rooted in their actions. They don`t only talk about the salah but also know about tactics of how to increase concentration in salah and ibaadah. They don`t only talk about the strength of Hazoor Paak pbuh and his followers ra but they have also gained these strengths themselves.
Does It Change Your Behaviour?
I have learned from dhikr mehfils, that often time, we go to gatherings where special islamic days are celebrated. When we sit there our hearts are filled with imaan. When we leave the gathering and come home, almost the most of it is forgotten, and life is the same as before we went there. What I have learned through dhikr mehfil is that, if the gathering doesn`t change your behaviour for the better. Than what is the point of going there. For example, in his dars the imaam sahib is talking about the bad effects of gheebat, chugli, bohtan, envy and other diseases of the heart. He explains that we must get rid of it, because it destroys our good deeds. What effect has the information had on anyone, when minutes after the gathering is finished, we start doing these deeds. Inside the mosque? If good knowledge doesn`t have any effect on us, maybe our heart must be cleaned and the advisors has to be wisdomful advisors, in other words, themselves also living according to the advice they are giving. Or else the time will be wasted, by the attendees and the imaam.
Few Pointers To Summarize:
1. Surround yourself with good people.
2. Work on your heart with repentance and dhikr.
3. When you gain knowledge work to gain the wisdom by internalizing it in your conduct.
4. Self-empowerment. Self-motivation. Don`t rely on others. Turn to Allah, through Quran, sunnah.
5. Constantly work on the qualities of your heart. There is no other way to prosper. Advice has no effect without qalbe-salim.
6. Your imaan will decrease and increase. It is inevitable. Learn how to recognize the signs of low imaan, to protect yourself from it.
7. Allah`s mercy is greater than His wrath. Mistakes are inevitable. Allah forgives all sins. Turn to Allah every time and re-start your life.
Ya Allah, Help Us, Help Ourselves. Aameen.
May Allah grant a heart that has a good balance between fear of Him and Love of Him. Grant us a heart that accepts advice. Grant us a heart that is firm on Your path, Islam. Don`t let our hearts, souls deviate from your seeratul-mustaqim. Grant us knowledge and wisdom of deen and dunya, so that we can prosper in both. Grant us your khaas qurbat and Hazoor Paak pbuh khaas hazoori, rehnomai and rohaniyat. Cleanse our heart, soul and eyes, and grant us a khaas reflection of Hazoor Paak pbuh in all of these. Aameen summa aameen.
Roshnii179 