The Character you admire the most in David A. Hill’s novel,“How I met myself”

The  following are the novels studied in the literature component in English language.

1)      The Railway Children - Edith Nesbit

2)      Around the World in 80 Days - Jules Verne

3)      How I Met Myself - David A. Hill

Based on one of the novels above,choose one character that you admire the most. Write about the character that you have chosen and give reasons why you admire the character.

Selected personal responses from my Form 3 tuition students on The Character you admire the most  in  David A. Hill’s novel,“How I met myself”written based on a précised  framework outline according to the PMR requirements for the latest literature component 2012. Hope all the shared materials will benefit, ease  your understanding and help you score by God’s will.

Question : The Character you admire the most. (John Taylor)

                Based on the novel  “How I Met Myself” written by David A. Hill, the person I admire the most is John Taylor.

He is a computer programmer in England and he was sent to Budapest to teach programming. He met Andrea in a language school. They fell in love and got married and had a baby girl named Kati Taylor. He is very persistence because no matter bad the situation became he never stopped looking for information on his doppelganger. He even went to the number 7 Felka Utca to look for answer about his mysterious doppelganger. Besides that, he is also a determined person. After analyzing the situation, he realized his doppelganger appeared for an important reason, so he was determined to find out. He went to the Budapest City Library to find out what had happened on the 18^th of January. Furthermore, he has a strong will-power when he wants to find out the reason. Even though his search made his life difficult and strained his relationship with his wife, he did not give up and kept pursuing the subject. He went to the Public Record Office without Andrea’s permission to find out the dates of his doppelganger’s birth and death. For the conclusion, the reason why I admire John Taylor the most is because of his good personality traits. Finally he understands that the doppelganger wants to save him and his family.

(249 words)

Written by: Faiz Hilmi Bin Muhammad Azam

School : SMK Saujana Impian

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Question : The Character you admire the most. (John Taylor)

                Based on the novel ‘How I Met Myself’ by David A. Hill, the character that I admire the most is John Taylor. He is a persistent person. He never stopped looking for further information about his doppelganger no matter how bad the situation is even when Andrea don’t want to help him anymore. Furthermore, John Taylor is a determined person. He realized that his doppelganger appeared for an important reason, so he made a research about his nightmare recurrence by searching for the information in the library and questioning Mrs. Fischer at 7 Felka Utca. Lastly, I admire John Taylor because of his strong will power. Eventhough his search made his life difficult and miserable, with a strained relationship with his wife, he never give up. John always came home late at night and Andrea has some negative thoughts on his husband which made their relationship strained, but he kept pursing the subject and never gave up. Because of his good personality traits, he finally understands that the doppelganger wants to save him and his family. Based on the reasons above, John’s good traits made me admire him the most.

(180 words)

Written by : Aisyah Nur Hannan Bt. Sufian

School : SMK Saujana Impian

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Question : The Character you admire the most. (John Taylor)

                Based on the novel ‘How I Met Myself’ written by David A. Hill, the character I admire the most is John Taylor. The reason why I admire him is because he is persistent. As evidence, no matter how bad the situation became, he never stopped looking for information on his doppelganger even when he had troubled with his doppelganger and recurrence of dreams. Eventually, the second reason I admire him is he is determination. He realized that his doppelganger appeared for an important reason, so he was determined to find out by making a research of his dream and nightmare of his doppelganger by searching for the information in the library and questioning Mrs. Fischer at 7 Felka Utca. Furthermore, I admire him because of his strong will power. Even though his search made his life difficult and strained his relationship with his wife, he did not give up and kept pursing the subject because he feels like he has to protect his family from harm, Because of his good personality traits, he finally understands that the doppelganger wants to save him and his family.

(186 words)

Written by:  Ika Suraya Bt Mohd Nasir

School : SMK Saujana Impian

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Question : The Character you admire the most. (John Taylor)

                Based on the novel How I Met Myself, written by David A. Hill the character I admire the most is John Taylor. He is a 34 years old computer programmer Englishman. He moved to Hungarian to lead a young Hungarian team in an important new place of work. While staying there, He met Andres, his Hungarian language teacher and fell in love with her and after eighteen months they got married. They named their first-born Kati. The reason why I like John Taylor is because of his first personality trait which is persistence. No matter how bad the situation became, he never stopped looking for the information on his doppelganger. He stayed late at the library sacrificing his time with his family. The second trait is outstanding determination which inspire me. He realized that his doppelganger appeared for a important reason, so he was determined to find out the shadow behind the curtain. He took all the trouble to do some research by interviewing some people such as Mrs. Fischer at 7 Felka Utca. Another trait that is valuable in John Taylor is his strong will power. Even though his search made his life difficult and strained his relationship with his wife, he did not give up and kept pursuing the subject. His wife Andrea was suspicious of John’s behavior such as coming home late, so she made a conclusion of John assuming he was seeing someone else. Because of his good personality traits, he finally understands that the doppelganger wants to save him and his family.

(226 words)

Written by: Muhammad Elmy Nazrin B. Morad

School : SMK SAAS Kajang

al-Ghazali on reading the Quran

The respected Persian Islamic scholar, al-Ghazali (1058-1111, born and died in Iran), wrote a prominent book series called the Revival of Religious Sciences (Ihya'a 'ulum al-din). In the book, al-Ghazali integrates the principles of Sufi into the Islamic teachings and Shari'a. In one of this series' books, he talks about the etiquette for reading the Quran. Here's an extra brief point summary based on the book(provided by Sunni Path) :

1. One should understand the magnificent nature of the Qur'an. This is a divine gift from Allah, and a tremendous favor. One should bring to mind the favor of Allah and be thankful.
2. Magnification of the Speaker. Bring to mind the magnification of the One who is addressing us. The reciter will then remain conscious of the fact that this Book is the speech of Allah. So when one recites, it is not like reading any book, rather the very speech of Allah. Allah is speaking to the reciter through his recitation.
3. Paying attention to the Qur'an: One may avoid whisperings of the self. "Oh Yahya, take the book firmly," which may be understood as ... take the words contained in it with seriousness and sincerity.
4. Pondering over the verses. How? Recite it according to the Sunna with tarteel, a slow, measured, distinct manner. Tajweed helps in inward reflection. There's a hadith from Nasai and ibn Majah that the Prophet, peace be upon him, prayed at night reciting one ayah repeatedly: "in tuaddhibhum fa 'innahum 'ibaaduk." If You punish them, then they are Your servants, and if You forgive them, surely You are the Mighty, the Wise. (5:118)
5. Seek to understand the meanings. 1) in the linguistic sense - study a translation if you do not know Arabic, 2) and the deeper meanings found in tafsirs, 3) and with reflection. Studying 'aqida helps, for example, reading verses about the power of Allah, and about His qadr. Don't interpret it with your own opinion; go look it up in a tafsir.
6. Remove obstacles to understanding the Qur'an. There are four veils according to Imam Ghazali:
   
   • Being overly concerned with outward recitation (this is one of the tricks of Shaytan to turn you away from reflecting on meanings). Find a middle path.
   • Superimposing one's ideas/perspectives/beliefs on the guidance of the Qur'an (ex: someone is a feminist, socialist, economist - reading the Qur'an according to his or her own perspective - preventing true spiritual benefit from the Qur'an.) Take guidance from the Qur'an itself with an open mind.
   • Sin, both outward and inward. Sin creates darkness in the soul and clouds the mirror of the heart, so it doesn't reflect the light of Divine guidance. How to polish the heart? With sincere and consistent repentance, and leaving sin. Keep doing this and striving until you leave those sins. This is a process: cleaning the heart and approaching Allah Most High.
   • One finds sufficiency on finding how meanings relate to you from tafsir. However, this is an interpretation; these tafsirs shouldn't take the place of personal reflection and application.
7. Take everything in the Qur'an as guidance for yourself because it is for all creation. When it talks about the oppressors, sinners, etc. look at your life, act on what's implied relative to your life. "Fastaqim kama umirta," be steadfast as you were commanded. Imagine how the Prophet, peace be upon him, applied the Qur'an to his life - his hair turned gray! His companions asked why his hair had turned white. He, peace be upon him, said, "Sura Hud and its sisters made my hair white." He was upright and truthful in following the Qur'an. He took every address to apply to himself personally.
8. Feel the Qur'an when talking about Paradise, Hell, or anything, put yourself in tune with the Qur'an.
9. Rise in degrees of recitation. There are three grades of recitation. Any recitation is a tremendous grade.
   
   • The lowest grade: one supposes one is reading the Qur'an to Allah, as if one is standing before Allah, in His Divine Presence, and Allah is listening to one's recitation. This is an inward state of begging, entreating, and supplicating.
   • The middle grade: When one beholds Allah and sees for themself that Allah is addressing us with His favor. He is bestowing His gifts, His mercy through the Qur'an. There is a sense of shame, modesty (haya) and magnification (ta'dhim). One seeks to understand and be more serious. Now it is from Allah to you! There's also a feeling of ecstasy, thankfulness, and joy! One piece of dust like you is being addressed by the Lord of every speck of dust!
   • The highest grade: When one beholds the Speaker Himself and His Attributes. One does not see his own actions, but completely engrosses himself in beholding Allah Most High Himself. Then next, he sees the address of Allah Most High, then sees his own recitation.


10. Recite the Qur'an while knowing that there is no might or power except with Allah. Qul bifaDlillahi wa biraHmatihi... say by the Grace of Allah and His Mercy; in that let them rejoice - better than what they amass - whether (worldly or spiritual amassing). Thank Allah upon good deeds. In addition, one always beholds one's shortcoming in reciting it. And reminding ourselves that we are not being thankful enough, look even the Prophet's hair turned gray...The soul is what turns to Allah.the body is just dust. We have infinite fear, and infinite hope in Allah... so turn to Allah and hope for His Pleasure.

And those who strive in Our (cause),- We will certainly guide them to our Paths(29:69)

seeking springs of life

A true, inspiring story of a young revert sister seeking springs of life in the seasons of trials and tribulations...

As I was walking out of the lecture hall of the CERDAS (Center for Human Development and Human Sciences) in IIUM , a young lady came running after me..."Sister, please wait, sister, can I talk to you?" I stopped, turned and smiled at her….and she said “Sister, how did you manage to save your iman?”  As she approached me slowly, I noticed through her shining bright eyes...her love for Allah,  ( she is wearing the niqab) her hopes to be heard and her wishes for pieces of advice in her moments of desperation.  She asked me again, “sister, how did you go through all these years facing the challenges and how did you endured the ordeals when you first reverted to Islam?  Then, I told her that Allah is sufficient for us…. And we should always place our deep trust in Him…

“The heart in which love and compassion for all living beings resides, can have no room for seeking after personal pleasures.”

"A fakir once set out on a long journey, carrying with him a bundle filled with bread to eat on the way. At the end of the first day on the road he came to a small mosque, and there he rested for the night. Resuming his journey early the next morning, he walked at a brisk pace for about ten miles and then decided to have a bite to eat. But when he opened his bundle, he found that his bread was full of ants. “Ah, that is too bad,” he thought. “For I have taken these poor ants a long way away from their home in that mosque. How they must be longing to see their parents, children and friends." Filled with solicitude for the welfare of the ants, the fakir retraced his steps and took the ants back to their home in the little mosque. “The heart in which love and compassion for all living beings resides, can have no room for seeking after personal pleasures.” ~taken from the tales of the Mystic East, 1977, page 135

have nothing but warmth and light for everyone

To all my former law, accounts & medic students & my recent science tech students  batch 2010/2011 & 2011/2012 at tamhidi center, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia,...all the best for your future endeavors , lets strive to live in a life filled with barakah by seeking Allah's love, mercy & redha...inshaAllah & remember... 

"When your heart is immersed in this blissful love, you can easily endure any bitter face around." ~ Maulana Rumi , 
so let us keep on smiling and be the sun that warms hearts, be the rainbow that colours souls & be the stars that empowers minds...love u all for the sake of Allah……….  

“If you are seeking closeness to the Beloved, love everyone. Whether in their presence or absence, see only their good. If you want to be as clear and refreshing as the breath of the morning breeze, like the sun, have nothing but warmth and light for everyone."~Shaikh Abu-Saeed Abil-Kheir

I am a farmer of the heart…

fresh from our own farm.....

My twin daughters harvested green veggies again…and cooked them for lunch today,,.Alhamdulillah watching the seeds sprout and growing from day to day , taking good care of their growth while reciting the Quran until the day of harvest is truly amazing….it’s like taking care of human souls, truly in nurturing them with  warmness and gentleness…..needs true passion and patience…

 

With every breath I plant the seeds of devotion- I am a farmer of the heart. ~ Maulana Rumi

after harvest

“ Then let man look at his food, That We pour forth water in abundance, And We split the earth in clefts, And We cause therein the grain to grow, And grapes and clover plants (i.e. green fodder for the cattle), And olives and date-palms, And gardens, dense with many trees, And fruits and Abba (herbage, etc.),  (To be) a provision and benefit for you and your cattle.”  (Surah Abasa: 24-32)

Just follow your heart…

uum

On the 25^th of February…

driving back from IIUM  (accompanied by my lil darling) after a productive muslim seminar by Muhammad Faris  from Productive Muslim.com….was truly an amazing experience for me….we were both recalling his gestures and expressions..and suddenly I noticed that  I missed the Seremban highway and was caught in the heart of Kuala Lumpur !!!!!...i  did not know where to head to…looking bluntly at the signboards which at many times can be truly deceiving….  suddenly my lil darling who was smiling said the words that  really slice deep into my heart…   “UMI JUST FOLLOW YOUR HEART………YOU”LL FIND THE WAY…INSHAALLAH..”

Then, I just followed where my heart wants to go…yes…into the comfort zone of Allah’s Love & Light..putting deep faith and feel that I will find my way in His Love and Light…was  truly an amazing experience…finally we reached our home sweet home…

Just follow your heart....and be adapted in any situations....

When we find ourselves tangled in decision making…
facing people without hearts and souls..we have a reason to smile in tears 
as when we put  our trust in Him and follow our heart…
we have room to be patient and draw ourselves closer to Him…

If others forsake us, Allah will not forsake us , He is Most Merciful….

♥ Each moment contains a hundred messages from ALLAH: To every cry of "Oh Lord," He answers a hundred times, "I am here." ♥ ~ Mevlana Rumi

May Allah grant us patience and taqwa as they conditions for Allah’s help and support...MashaAllah..:“Yes, if you remain patient and conscious of Allah and the enemy come upon you [attacking] in rage, your Lord will reinforce you with five thousand angels having marks [of distinction] “ [Al 'Imran 3:125].

 There is no situation that would cause grief to a
believer, or cause his distress, because he has grasped this secret
and attained pure faith. God explains the spiritual state of the
believer in these words:
Those who say, "Our Lord is God," and then go straight will feel no
fear and will know no sorrow. (Translation Surah Al-Ahqaf:13)

Comfort zone in Allah's & Rasul’s LOVE

upm

Reflecting on the incidents that happened yesterday….

still in fever plus severe sore throat

In the morning….

Encountering with really insensitive people ....

after tutoring my amazing beloved TST students in USIM 

As a teacher...my reflection:  Continue to teach the language of LOVE………….

As a servant of Allah:  Remind ourselves that we are Allah’s slaves…. not the slaves of men

Encountering with heartless people…

In the evening…

after attending a lecture in UPM, the rain was pouring heavily, I was running to cross the road, then suddenly a car from a far distance speed up and splashed muddy water on me!!..ya Allah ..it’s so difficult to be heartful ( be warm~ taken from urban dictionary) when people are so heartless...in the midst of the drenched situation....as i was driving back...a warm light filled my heart when I reflected on the amazing characteristics…of beloved prophet Muhammad(peace and blessings be upon him).

As a student....my reflection: Let our love for Allah and Rasul bloom in testing moments…….

Lau Kana Bainana Al-Habib

Thank you Allah for Your Endless Blessings……….

Alhamdulillah....I found my remedies.......

The sunshine of my life made me smile again..

Photo captured by my lil darling in her school at dawn..

Being a mum, a motivator, an educator and also a post graduate student... I always remind myself, my children, students and friends to  have good thoughts and go beyond positive thinking ..as it can motivate us to move on smoothly and calmly to achieve our dreams in life….but there are times we need to put extra strength to have good thoughts and  need to take great effort to crawl beyond positive thinking…..it truly  hurts but believe that it really heals  if  we put our love for God greater than our problems , and believe that it’s a valuable lesson to test our faith and reveal our true personality……

Love the heart that hates us, heal the heart that hurts us

Watching the sunset at dusk in Penang October 2011

  Loving the heart that hates us and healing the heart that hurts us is not easy to practice in our life. We feel the pressure of hatred and pain of hurtful moments when we are unwilling to open our hearts, minds and souls  to let the light of love, peace and joy flow in…

if we are willing,  our heart will spark the light of comfort making us  taste the power of love…Therefore, love the heart that hates us, heal the heart that hurts us...as we will feel an amazing miracle unfolding…by God’s will…

Mommy's love that comforts

captured at a remote farm in Australia

A mommy's bond of love comforts in solace even in the wilderness of life..

Mommy stays not only close to our side but deep in our hearts, she is an amazing woman who lives in the light of love as her thoughts, speech, deeds reflects the precious love within her heart…Her smile soothes and melts all the weeds of worries, making me gather the petals of strength to face the challenges in the wilderness of life…..Truly, mommy’s bond of love comforts in solace even in the wilderness of life….

Beautiful Qasida by Imam al-Haddad (May Allah be pleased with him)

My Lord’s knowledge has sufficed me
from asking or choosing

For my du’a and my agonising supplication
is a witness to my poverty.

For this secret (reason) I make supplication
in times of ease and times of difficulty

I am a slave whose pride
is in his poverty and obligation

O my Lord and my King
You know my state

And what has settled in my heart
of agonies and preoccupations

Save me with a gentleness
from You, O Lord of Lords

Oh save me, Most Generous
before I run out of patience (with myself)

My Lord’s knowledge has sufficed me
from asking or choosing

O One who is swift in sending aid
I ask for aid that will arrive to me swiftly

It will defeat all difficulty
and it will bring all that I hope for

O Near One Who answers
and All-Knowing and All-Hearing

I have attained realisation through my incapacity,
my submission and my brokenness

My Lord’s knowledge has sufficed me
from asking or choosing

I am still standing by the door, so please my Lord
have mercy on my standing

And in the valley of generosity, I am in i’tikaf (solitary retreat)
So, Allah, make my retreat here permanent

And I’m abiding by good opinion (of You)
For it is my friend and ally

And it is the one that sits by me and keeps me company
All day and night

My Lord’s knowledge has sufficed me
from asking or choosing

There is a need in my soul, O Allah
so please fulfil it, O Best of Fulfillers

And comfort my secret and my heart
from its burning and its shrapnel

In pleasure and in happiness
and as long as You are pleased with me

For joy and expansion is my state
and my motto and my cover

My Lord’s knowledge has sufficed me
from asking or choosing

Four Traits

Four Traits

Imam Ghazali mentions in his Ihya’ that Imam Junaid said,
“Four traits lift a person to the highest ranks, even if their works and knowledge are little:

(1) Forbearance (hilm)

(2) Humility (tawadu`)

(3) Generosity (sakha’)

(4) Good character (husn al-khuluq)–and this is the perfection of faith.”

[Imam Ghazali, Ihya' `Ulum al-Din]

The Signs of Fear of Allah; Its Reasons; Its Fruits and Some Poems

The Signs of Fear of Allah; Its Reasons; Its Fruits and Some Poems

Imam Ghazali, Imam Ibn Qayyim and Ibn Rajab Hanbali
The Signs of Fear:

Know! Dear Muslim brothers and sisters. We can find out whether we fear Allah or are oblivious of him through some simple tests. Here are some of them:


The tongue informs us: if we talk evil, backbite and engage in frivolous gossip, it shows that there is very little concern. We should engage our tongues in the remembrance of Allah, in the recitation of the Quran and in circles of knowledge.
In the heart we should expel hatred, enmity and jealousy and replace them with well-wishing and care for Muslims
We should be careful of what we put in our stomachs.
Our eyes should not wander off to look at haram objects.
Our feet should not walk towards haram places.
We should not extend our hands for haram purposes.
We should be concerned in our good deeds that we don't perform them for anyone else except Allah.
The Reasons For Fearing Allah:


O servants of Allah, there are many reasons why we should fear. The following is a list of a number of them;


the fear of death before repenting;
the fear of not living up to one's repentance and breaking one's promise;
the fear of not being able to fulfil Allah’s obligations;
the fear of losing one's softness in the heart and its hardening;
the fear of losing consistency;
the fear of allowing temptations to dominate;
the fear of Allah making one's self responsible for doing goods deeds because of conceit;
the fear of becoming arrogant and egotistical due to the abundance of bounties;
the fear of being distracted from Allah by other creation;
the fear of being led to an evil ending through excessive bounties;
the fear of being punished early (i.e. in this world);
the fear of being disgraced at the time of death;
the fear of being beguiled by the glitter of this world;
the fear of Allah revealing one's secret in one's state of oblivion;
the fear of being stamped with a bad death at the time of death;
the fear of the pangs of death;
the fear of the questions of Munkar and Nakeer in the grave;
the fear of the punishment of the grave;
the fear of the horrors of the horizon (at the time of resurrection);
the fear of the awe during the presentation in front of Allah;
the fear and the shame of being naked (at the time of resurrection);
the fear of being questioned about every little thing in life;
the fear of the bridge (over Hell) and its sharpness; the fear of the fire, its chains and its torment;
the fear of being deprived of Paradise, the Eternal and everlasting kingdom and abode and
the fear of being deprived of seeing Allah's tremendous visage.
The jurist of Samarkand says that the person who does one good deed should be weary of four things (imagine what a person who commits a sin should be afraid of):


The fear of not being accepted because Allah says:
‘Allah only accepts from those who fear.’ [Maidah: 27]
The fear of showing off, for Allah says: ‘They have been instructed to worship Allah sincerely; religion is for him Alone.’ [Bayinah: 5]
The fear of preserving the good deed because Allah says: ‘Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten times its reward.’ [An`am: 161]
The fear of being deserted in performing good deeds, for Allah says: ‘My reconciliation (with good) is only through Allah; it is upon Him that I trust and it is to Him that I resort.’ [Hud: 88]
The Fruits of Fear:


Ghazali (rahmatullahi `alayhi) sais: ‘Fear rips away desires and muddens luxuries so that cherished sins become reprehensible, just as a honey lover is repelled by it when he learns that it has poison in it. This is how fear burns desires; disciplines the organs; subordinates the heart and gives it tranquility. It also enables the heart to rid itself of pride, hatred, and envy; and it leaves it absorbed in it (fear). Hence, the heart becomes preoccupied with its own worries and looks towards its best interest in the long run. It is then engaged in only matters like meditation, self-analysis and struggle. It cherishes its time and moments.’ [Ihya: 4/160]


Poems:


Abdullah ibn Mubarak (rahimahullah) said about fear:


When night befalls, they endure it
and see it through bowing in ruku.
Fear has released their sleep, so they stand
and acquire security in vigilance.


Hasan ibn Hani (rahimahullah) composed the following (it has been credited to Imam Shafi`ee (rahimahullah)):


Fear Allah and hope for every good thing from Him;
Don’t follow your adamant self, lest you regret it;
Remain in between hope and fear
and you will rejoice with the Pardon of Allah if you submit.
[Muajjamul Udaba: 17/303 credited to Imam Shafi`ee and also in the Divan of Hasan.]

On Reflection (fikr) - Imam al-Haddad (Book of Assistance)

On Reflection (fikr)

from: The Book of Assistance, Imam ‘Abdallah Ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad (Allah have mercy upon him)

Translated by: Dr. Mostafa al-Badawi, Madina
You should have a wird of reflection in every twenty-four hours, for which you should set aside one or more hours. The best time for reflection is the one in which are the least pre-occupations, worries, and more potential for the heart to be present, such as the depths of the night. Know that the state of one’s religious and worldly affairs depend upon soundness of one’s reflection.

Anyone who has a share of it has an abundant share of everything good. It has been said : ‘An hour’s reflection is better than a year’s worship.’ ‘Ali, may God ennoble his face, has said: ‘There is no worship like reflection.’ And one of the gnostics; may God have mercy on them all, said: ‘Reflection is the lamp of the heart; if it departs the heart will have no light.’

The ways of reflection are many.

One, which is the most noble of them, is to reflect on the wonders of God’s dazzling creation, the inward and outward signs of His Ability, and the signs He has scattered abroad in the Realm of the earth and the heavens. This kind of reflection increases your knowledge of the Essence,

Attributes, and Names of God. He has encouraged it by saying:Say: Look at what is in the heavens and the earth! (10:101)

Reflect on the wondrous creations He has made, and on yourself. He has said: In the earth are signs for those who have certainty, and in yourselves; can you not see? (51:20-21)

Know that you must reflect on the favors of God, and His bounties which He caused to reach you.

Remember the favors of God, that you may succeed. (7:69)

Should you (attempt to) number the favors of God, you would not be able to do so. (16:18)

All good things that you possess are from God. (16:53)

This kind of reflection results in the heart filling with the love of God, and continuously rendering thanks to Him, inwardly and outwardly, in a manner that pleases and satisfies Him.

Know that you should reflect on God’s complete awareness of you, and His seeing and knowing all about you.

We have created man, and We know what his soul whispers to him; and We are nearer to him than his jugular vein. (50:16)

And He is with you wherever you are, and God sees what you do. (57:4)

Have you not seen that God knows what is in the heavens and the earth, and no three (persons) converse but that He is their fourth?(58:7)

This kind of reflection results in your feeling ashamed before God should He see you where He has forbidden you to be, or miss you where He has commanded you to be.

Know that you must reflect on your shortcomings in worshipping your Lord, and your exposing yourself to His wrath should you do what He has forbidden you.

I created jinn and men only to worship Me. (51:56)

Do you think We created you in vain, and that to Us you will not be returned? (23:115)

O man! What is it that has deceived you concerning your Generous Lord? (82:6)

This kind of reflection increases your fear of God, encourages you to blame and reproach yourself, to avoid remissness and persevere in your zeal.

Know that you must reflect on this worldly life, its numerous preoccupations, hazards, and the swiftness with which it perishes, and upon the hereafter, and its felicity and permanence.

Thus does God render the signs clear to you, that you may reflect on this world and the hereafter. (2:119-220)

But you may prefer the life of this world, when the hereafter is better and more abiding. (87:16-17)

The life of the world is but distraction and play; while the Last Abode is indeed the Life, if but they knew. (29:64)

This kind of reflection results in losing all desire for the world, and in wishing for the hereafter.

Know that you should reflect on the imminence of death and the regret and remorse which occur when it is too late.

Say: The death that you flee will indeed meet you, and you will then be returned to the Knower of the unseen and the seen, and He will inform you of that which you had been doing.(62:8)

Until, when death comes to one of them he says: ‘My Lord! Send me back that I may do good in that which I have left!’ No! It is but a word he says. (23:99-100)

O you who believe! Let not your wealth or your children distract you from the remembrance of God! up to: But God will not reprieve a soul whose time has come. (63:9-11)

The benefit of this kind of reflection is that hopes become short, behavior better, and provision is gathered for the Appointed Day.

Know that you should reflect on those attributes and acts by which God has described His friends and His enemies, and on the immediate and delayed rewards which He has prepared for each group.

The righteous are in felicity, and the depraved are in hell.(82:13-14)

Is the one who is a believer like the one who is corrupt? They are not equal. (32:18)

As for the one who gave, had taqwa, and believed in goodness, We shall ease him into ease, (92:5-7)up to the end of the sura.

The believers are those who, when God is mentioned, their hearts tremble, up to: they will have degrees with their Lord, and forgiveness, and generous provision. (8:2-4)

God has promised those among you who have believed and done good works that He will make them rulers over the earth as He made those before them rulers. (24:55)

Each we took for their sin; on some we sent a hurricane, some were taken by the Cry, some We caused the earth to swallow, and some We drowned. It was not for God to wrong them, but they wronged themselves. (29:40)

Hypocrite men and hypocrite women proceed one from another; they enjoin evil and forbid good, up to: God curses them, and theirs is a lasting torment.(9:67- 68)

Believing men and believing women are helping friends to each other; they enjoin good and forbid evil. up to: and good pleasure from God which is greater; that is the supreme gain. (9:71-72)

Those who do not expect to meet Us, are content with the life of the world and feel secure therein, up to: and the end of their prayer is, Praised be God, the Lord of the Worlds! (10:7-10)

The result of this kind of reflection is that you come to love the fortunate, habituate yourself to emulating their behavior and taking on their qualities, and detest the wretched, and habituate yourself to avoiding their behavior and traits of character.

Were we to allow ourselves to pursue the various channels of reflection we would have to forgo the brevity which we intended. That which we have mentioned should suffice the man of reason.

You should with each kind of reflection, bring to mind those verses, hadiths and other narratives relating to it. We have given an example of this by quoting some of the verses related to each kind of reflection.

Beware of reflecting on the Essence of God and His Attributes in the wish to understand their nature and how they exist. No one ever became enamoured of this without falling into the abysses of negation (ta’til) or the traps of anthropomorphism (tashbih). The Messenger of God, may blessings and peace be upon him, has said: ‘Reflect on the signs of God, and do not reflect on His Essence, for you will never be able to give Him His due.’

Source: Imam ‘Abdallah Ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad, The Book of Assistance, translated by Dr. Mostafa al-Badawi.

There are many books in English which present Sufi doctrine, but few which can be used as practical travel guides along the Path. Originally written in Classical Arabic, the aptly-named The Book of Assistance, is today in widespread use among Sufi teachers in Arabia, Indonesia and East Africa. Presented here in the readable translation of Dr. Badawi, this manual of devotions, prayers and practical ethics will be invaluable to all who love the Prophet and the Sufi way.

The author Imam Abdallah Ibn-Alawi Al-Haddad (d. 1720), lived at Tarim in the Hadramaut valley between Yemen and Oman, and is widely held to have been the ?renewer? of the twelfth Islamic century. A direct descendant of the Prophet, his sanctity and direct experience of God are clearly reflected in his writings, which include several books, a collection of Sufi letters, and a volume of mystical poetry. He spent most of his life in Kenya and Saudi Arabia where he taught Islamic jurisprudence and classical Sufism according to the order (tariqa) of the Ba’Alawi sayids.


source: SeekersGuidance

Refining the heart

“O Allah! aid, guide and grant me (tawfiq) success to refine the qualities of my soul and clarify its density; through spiritual exertion that overcomes and effaces egoistic (nafsi) frivolities and subdues desirous motives; which is adorned by constant presence with Allah, Mighty and Majestic and the quality of good manners on the carpet of lowliness, brokenness, poverty and absolute need; thus realizing slavehood and fulfilling the rights of Lordship. Indeed You have power over all things."

Du'a by Imam Abdullah ibn ‘Alawi al-Haddad

(may Allah have mercy and be well-pleased with him)