How Can it Be All Good?

On By Nada I. SammanIn English language blogs, Self-Improvement, Social, Thoughts, Understanding Islam3 Comments

How can all the pain, suffering, calamities, grief, challenges be to our benefit?

This is something that most people struggle to understand and appreciate.

Let’s start with this analogy:

You can either choose to study medicine (also law in the case of the US), and spend long years of arduous work, sleepless nights and tremendous stress, in order to eventually secure a lucrative future and guaranteed income.  Or, you can choose an easier, quicker-to-finish discipline such as Arts and Humanities but then go through life on average income, with the risk of potentially being unable at certain stages to generate income or find a job.  Most would wish they could go through the painstaking journey of studying medicine had they the resources of cleverness and financial support realizing the eventual rewards that come with it, and no one can criticize them or wrong them for that.  They need the struggle in order for their knowledge, wisdom and skills to develop and become adequate enough to undertake the responsibility of tampering with human life at such direct level.

Same can be applied to life struggles in general.  Paradise is an unimaginable bliss.  It’s a place where people live as the Quran describes: “(15:47) And [by then] We shall have removed whatever unworthy thoughts or feelings may have been [lingering] in their breasts, [and they shall rest] as brethren, facing one another [in love] upon thrones of happiness.”    We are only able to reach that state of purity of heart, lack of any worldly desires or feelings after we have been through suffering and difficult trials.  Very mistaken is he who thinks this life is about finding happiness, or that REAL happiness in every sense of the word even exists in this life.  This phase is all about preparation and elevation to become worthy of Paradise.  Not allowed to enter Paradise are those who still have inside, to any extent, any of the worldly character diseases/faults such as greed, envy, jealousy, deception, ego, etc.  The community that will populate Paradise will be that of the highest ethical and spiritual level, otherwise it wouldn’t be Paradise.  A level we cannot be elevated to except by going through trials, struggles, pain, challenges, till we recognize how petty are things that otherwise dazzle our sight.

How happy are we when we finally reach the level of fitness and the physique we’ve always dreamed of, even though we had to work at it for many many hours, and suffer pains, sometimes injuries.  Yet we gladly embrace all of that having set in front of us the target.  In a similar manner we should embrace what we have to go through in life in order to achieve a target of eternal bliss.  I always say that if Paradise was only about never ever experiencing worry, pain, fear, hunger, grief, etc., then that alone qualifies as eternal bliss regardless of the infinitely other promised bounties.

Going back to the initial question… How can it be all good?

Going through the hardships in life has four aspects/benefits:

  • Erasing sins we have committed in the past, purifying our souls of the heavy burden of guilt and remorse. This grants us entry to Paradise making us worthy of such a place.
  • Elevating our status in Paradise, with all the privileges that come with that. Even though so many people will find their way to Paradise, no fair system of judgement should grant those who struggled more, gave more to others, lived a life of altruism, the same status and rewards as those who did the bare minimum.  Remembering that in Paradise things will last eternally, one should strive to the best of his ability to achieve the best possible status.  This has to take precedence over any worldly possessions, home or status, since, at longest, they will last for only a 100 years!!  Ask anyone in their 80s, how long life seemed they’d say it passed so fast as if they lived for only a handful of years.  And life IS really a very brief transitional stage of existence, yet we worry more about it, are obsessed with achieving success in it, when the real goal should be ETERNITY !!
  • Elevating us spiritually, giving us the wisdom and sound vision to see life as it really is, to shrink all people and things back to their actual sizes, to come to know what is important and worth our time and effort and what is a total waste of both, to release us of all future worries and anxieties realizing that there’s only so much we can do and we are NOT IN CONTROL, to ground us against inflated ego putting our achievements in correct perspective for what they’re worth, to free us from obsessing and excessively holding on to people, and things in this life no matter how dear they are to us when we realize we shall all be reunited again one day, surrendering to the Will of Our Creator and Sustainer knowing that we can only see so far ahead of us whereas He Sees All and is the All Knowing of what’s best for us even when we THINK we do.
  • Giving us more strength and confidence than we had before. It’s just like physical workouts, no pain no gain, more rigorous exercise regimen yields stronger muscles and endurance.

People who suffer one or more very painful experiences especially the loss of a loved one, and I’m one of them, often come to see the wisdom of what they went through.  They eventually find a level of tranquility, serenity, free from worries, that they have never experienced before in life.  So much so that challenges become a welcome experience as they result in more self-development than any one study program.

“(2:216) it may well be that you hate a thing the while it is good for you, and it may well be that you love a thing the while it is bad for you: and God knows, whereas you do not know.”

They say OMG!!… I say: Bring it on!!

تغيّرت

On By Nada I. SammanIn About me, Self-Improvement, Social, Thoughts, مقالات بالعربيةLeave a comment

وأنا فرحة وفخورة بهذا التغيير فهو دليل تطوري إلى الأفضل

لم يعد يثير إعجابي من الأشخاص والأشياء إلا النادر

ليس لأنه دخل في نفسي أي قدرٍ من كبر أو إعجاب بالذات وإلا لكنت احتقرت ذاتي لأجل ذلك، لكن اتضحت أمامي الرؤية وتغيرت أولوياتي.. عرفت معنى الحياة والغاية منها وعرفت قدر الإنسان .. فإما أن نعظّمه ويجعلنا في مرتبةٍ تفوق الملائكة وإما نحطّه فنغدو أدنى من البهائم

لم أعد أرى في الناس جمال الشكل أو الغنى المادي أو ثقافة الشهادات الجامعية أو أهمية المنصب الوظيفي أو رفعة النسب العائلي بل جمال الأخلاق والفكر والغنى الروحي وطيب النفس وثقافة العلم والحكمة وأهمية العمل المؤثر في حياة الآخرين ورفعة الترفع عن ماديات وقشور الحياة

الضعف في نظري هو عدم القدرة على إبداء الرأي الصادق مخافة عدم قبول الآخرين… والهوان هو التضعضع أمام من هو أعلى منصبًا أو أكثر مالاً… وهو الحرص على التقليد وإرضاء الغير وترك النفس تنجرف وتُسيّر مع التيار السائد أيًا كان

أما القوة كل القوة فهي أن يعيش الإنسان مغالبًا كل ما سبق… وفق ما يرتضيه الضمير ويمليه الحق

أبحث في الإنسان عما يشغله ويملأ عقله ونفسه… أهو ممتلئٌ بنفسه وكيانه وحياته فلا يكون هناك مجالٌ لأي شيءٍ آخر؟

بالإنجليزية يستخدمون عبارة “إنه ممتلئٌ بنفسه” للتعبير عمن تشغل وسامته وأناقته وذكاؤه كل حيز تفكيره بحيث لا يعد هناك مكانٌ لأي قضيةٍ أخرى… وهو بذلك “خفيفٌ” لا وزن له ولا تأثير ولا قيمة يضيفها للحياة… شواغله عبارة عن ما يلبس وأين يذهب وبروزه اجتماعيًا وصورته اللامعة والأماكن التي يرتادها والأشخاص الذين يظهر بصحبتهم… لكن في الداخل خواء… فلا حكمة ولا تفكّر ولا تواضع ولا هدف واضح من حياته ولا تأثير على حياة الآخرين… حديثه في أي مجلسٍ هو في أحسن الأحوال آراء وتعليقات في مواضيع لا قيمة لها… ولا بصمة يتركها في فكر أي شخص بعد أن ينفضّ المجلس ولا حكمة ذات معنى سامٍ يبثّها في النفوس فتريحها ولا جملةً تستفز عقول من حوله فيتفكرون بها ويبحثون عن إجابةٍ لها

لا يجب أن يٌفهم من ذلك أبدًا أنني ضد جمال وأناقة المظهر فالله جميلٌ يحب الجمال.. والله لم يكتف بإيجاد مخلوقاتٍ تؤدي أغراضًا وظيفيةً معيّنة في هذه الدنيا بل أنه حرص وأبدع في إخراجها بتنوعٍ وتعددٍ وجمال لا يُصدّق ولا تستطيع عقولنا أن تدركه… فكان الجمال أحد أدواته التي يقودنا بها إلى معرفته

وأنا لا أستطيع إلا أن أحرص على أناقة مظهري في كل وقت فقد جُبلت على ذلك وأنا التي تربيت وسط أبوين هما عنوان الأناقة والظهور المتميز.. لكن لا أقبل أبدًا إلا أن يكون هذا أقل شواغلي وأهدافي وما أقدّمه لهذه الحياة… ينبغي أن يكون عقلنا وعلمنا وفكرنا وحكمتنا ونبل صفاتنا وحسن تعاملنا مع البشر وأخلاقنا وصدقنا هم أجمل ما فينا… يجب أن يشهد الناس لنا بعد رحيلنا بما قدمناه من خير للغير وليس بما تزيّنّا به من الملابس وما سافرناه من رحلات وما اقتنيناه من البيوت

أصبحت بالنسبة لي عبارة “أمرر الوقت” أمرًا لا أفهمه مطلقًا فهو غريبٌ بالنسبة لي غرابة أفلام الخيال… وأصبحت أشعر أن الجلوس لساعاتٍ بلا إنتاج أو تعلم أو تطوير للذات أو تواصل مع العائلة أو خدمة الآخرين هو جريمة لا تغتفر…. إهدار لموردٍ لن يتجدد وهو أثمن مواردنا التي تنضب مع كل ثانية تمر

نعم تغيرت وأحمد الله على ذلك كما أرجوه أن لا أكون قد وصلت سقف إمكاناتي في رحلة التغيير الإيجابي

Universe’s Strongest Element

On By Nada I. SammanIn English language blogs, Thoughts, Uncategorized, Understanding IslamLeave a comment

A beautiful and thought-provoking reflection I’ve heard lately goes something like this…

We looked at the MOUNTAINS and thought.. How mighty!! NOTHING can destroy them!!..

Then GOD sent IRON.. and it cut through the mountains..

Consequently, we felt IRON was the strongest of all.. Then God sent Fire, and it melted the Iron..

Despite its power to melt all, God sent WATER, and it extinguished Fire..

WATER seemed like the Toughest element, until it evaporated and became clouds that the WIND can blow in any direction it wishes..

The only being that was able to harness the Winds was MAN !!!

Thus we thought MAN was the greatest of all creatures…

Nevertheless, he was conquered by no other than SLEEP !!

Amazing…

Except that SLEEP was also overcome by FEAR, ANXIETY, WORRY !!! …

Now it seemed like no element could win over this… This is when FAITH came.. And defeated all!!!

When you have faith that…

  • ALL things in life are Decreed upon you …. Thus you are NOT in control and cannot prevent things from happening..
  • That all that is decreed is ONLY for your own good and advantage… Thus it’s not meant to hurt you or make you suffer (How Can it Be All Good? )…
  • That whatever calamity or hardships we go through are but a chapter in our story, a scene in a long play that hasn’t ended yet, therefore you cannot make conclusions yet..
  • That you still have control over how you react to what’s decreed upon you, and that can affect and change the course of your future (Still known to God but not to you).. Hence you have to react with positivity and perseverance, remaining thankful the whole time..

Then, Fear, Anxiety and Worry will never find a way to your heart and mind.  Do the best that you are capable of, and don’t worry for a second about the consequences or what should come later.  The Ultimate Merciful is handling that part….

FAITH is the greatest, toughest and most effective of all elements and creations.

Have Faith, Change your Life …

وكيف يُعقل أن لا نرضى بل وأن لا نفرح..؟

On By Nada I. SammanIn Self-Improvement, Social, Thoughts, Uncategorized, Understanding Islam, مقالات بالعربيةLeave a comment

كيف يُعقل أن لا أُسعد بكل ما مررت به من تجارب حلوةٍ أو مرةٍ في حياتي؟…

كيف يمكن أن أستاء أو أغضب أو أشعر بالحزن أو الضيق لملمّاتٍ أصابتني في مراحل ما؟…

كيف يكون أن لا أشكر لكل الصعوبات والتحديات والدموع والجروح ومواقف الخذلان التي مررت بها؟…

وكيف أجرؤ أن لا أعشق وأشكر وأحمد في كل لحظةٍ ومع كل نفسٍ أستنشقه من قدّر لي وعليّ كل تلك الأقدار… من أجملها وأحلاها وأسعدها إلى أصعبها وأكثرها قسوةً إلى حد الشعور بالاختناق، وإلى حد حرماني من الذين أحبهم؟

وهي (الأقدار) مجتمعةً ما جعلت مني الشخص الذي أنا عليه اليوم وأنا فخورةٌ جدًا به…

وهي التي تدفعني مع كل يوم لأطوّر وأحسّن ذاتي دون اكتفاءٍ بما ارتقيت إليه، ولا أقصد هنا المناصب وإنما الارتقاء العلمي والمعرفي والروحي وسمو الأخلاق…

وهي التي ترافقت مع فتراتٍ أحسست فيها بأعلى درجات الحب الإلهي والرعاية الإلهية…

وهي التي أظهرت لي بكل جلاءٍ مدى عظمة وحنو ولطف وجبر خالقي… إلى درجةٍ يقينية تعادل تلك التي تكون لدي تجاه كل شيءٍ ملموسٍ ومحسوسٍ أمامي…

وهي التي يردّني فيها ربي إلى رشدي وديني ورضاه ومغفرته وواسع رحمته ردًّا جميلاً…

وهي التي تضمن لي درجاتٍ أعلى في الجنة والرضوان والنعيم في حياةٍ آخرة مستمرة لا تنتهي، في مقابل آلام وأوجاع وتحديات وإن استمرت سنين طويلة فهي ليست في المنظور الكوني الواسع سوى لحظات….

وهي التي منحتني درجةً من الطمأنينة والسكينة والرضا والسعادة لم تكن لدي سابقًا، ورآها في عينيّ وشخصي وتصرفاتي كل من حولي…

وهي التي مسحت وجهي بإشراقة المحب الراضي القنوع المتوكّل تمامًا على خير من يتولى تدبير أموره… بدل أن يكون مسكونًا دائمًا بالقلق والخوف من المستقبل والتردد والتوتر على ما ينتظره من مهام والحزن على ما لم يحوزه من المال أو المنصب أو الولد أو السعادة الوهمية…

وهي التي تُشعرني بأني لا أتمنى شيئًا أكثر مما لدي… وكل ما يأتيني بعد ذلك من خير فهو أبعد من أمنياتي

وهي التي زوّدتني بدرجةٍ أعلى من الحكمة والبصيرة تكشّفت لي معها أمور كثيرة لم أكن أراها من قبل ولم تكن واضحةً أمامي…

وهي التي كلما زادت في قسوتها وصعوبتها والألم الذي يرافقها، كلما زاد اللطف والإعانة على تحملها ثم حملت بعدها أجمل المفاجآت والمكافآت جزاء الصبر والشكر والإيمان…

وهي التي أيقنت معها بأن ما يصيبنا من أقدارٍ هو حتمًا دائمًا خيرٌ لنا وإن حجب الألمُ عنا في وقتها إدراكَ ذلك الخير…

وهي التي تجعلني أرحب بالمزيد من المصاعب والآلام كي أجد المزيد مما سبق

43

القانون المعروف لدى مدربي الرياضة هو أنه: لا كسب دون الألم..

فمع جهد وعناء وألم التمارين الرياضية يكون التطور العضلي

ومع السعي المتواصل وجهد وتعب وعناء العمل يأتي التطور والترقّي المهني

ومع جهد القراءة والبحث والاطلاع نصل إلى التطور العلمي والمعرفي والذكاء الذهني

وبالمثل، لا يحدث السمو الروحي والارتقاء في الحكمة والبصيرة والمستوى الأخلاقي إلا مع المعاناة واحتمال المصاعب والآلام إلى أن نغدو كيانًا يستحق العودة إلى جنةٍ غادرناها لنخوض رحلة السمو والارتقاء هذه، إذ لا ينبغي أن يستوطنها إلا من وصل حدًّا أدنى من الأخلاقيات بما يضمن السعادة لكل من فيها

أحبك إلهي

On By Nada I. SammanIn Thoughts, Uncategorized, Understanding Islam, مقالات بالعربيةLeave a comment

إلهي ما أعظمك .. وما أجملك .. وما أرحمك .. وما ألطفك .. يا أرحم الراحمين .. يا من تدبيره فاق كل أمنياتي .. لا تترك لي أمر كتابة قدري فما تقدّره لي أجمل وأفضل .. وكيف أُحسن التدبير وأنا المخلوق الضعيف الذي لا تتجاوز رؤيته وتقديراته بضع سنواتٍ في أحسن الأحوال؟

ليس هناك من شيءٍ أو شخص يستحق حبًا يعادل حبك.. فأنت تملك كل الأشياء والبشر والأفئدة وتحركها كيف تشاء.. إن أحببتك حقًا وأحببتني أتتني كل الأشياء والبشر والأفئدة صاغرةً مع زهدي بها واستغنائي عنها

لمأشعريومًابقربٍمناللهكماشعرتبهفيالسنتينالأخيرتين… ولمتتجلىليبوضوححقيقةوجودهكمابرزتمؤخرًافيأصعبتجربةٍمررتبهافيعمري

في كل يومٍ يمر بي أرى دليلاً تلو الآخر على ذلك.. وكلما تركت أمرًا لعدم ارتياحي التام لرضا الله عنه ساق لي ربي ما هو أفضل بكثير.. لدرجةٍ لا أستطيع معها إنكار وجود الله أو فضله ورعايته ورحمته أو الاستهانة بذلك إلا إن عَمِيَ قلبي.. فأشكرك ربي على البصيرة

وكيف أستطيع أن أنقل لغيري ما أشعر به يقينًا من رعاية الله لي وتدبيره لأموري تيقني بوجود كل ما أراه حولي من أشياء ماديةٍ محسوسة؟

مثلي إنسانةٌ على درجةٍ كبيرة من الواقعية واحترام ملكات العقل الذي يطالب بالاقتناع شرطًا أساسيًا لتنفيذ أي فعل، لكن من قال أن ذلك يجب أن يدفعنا لأن نلغي درجةً عاليةً من الإحساس بما هو غير مرئيٍ لنا حاليًا.. وفق قدرات إدراكنا الحالية؟

خلال السنتين الأخيرتين كانت رعاية الرحمن معي في كل يوم… برزت لي جليّةً في أمورٍ لا أستطيع حتى تعدادها لكثرتها

رأيتها لي في كل خطوةٍ اتخذتها وأثناء كل فترة ضيقٍ وألمٍ وحزنٍ ومصيبةٍ ألمّت بي

 أيقنت إيقانًا راسخًا بأن كل مشيئة الله وجميع ما يقدره الله لنا وعلينا هو بالفعل خيرٌ كثير رغم كونه مؤلمًا جدًا في بعض الأحيان بدرجةٍ تحجب عنا حينها الحكمة وراءه إلا أنه يخفي بعده أجمل المفاجآت

لذلك كله لا يمكن إلا أقول أحمدك ربي مع كل نفسٍ يخرج مني، بعدد ما خلقت وبعدد ما كان وسيكون وباتساع الكون… و

أحبكأحبكياإلهي

fdac70c6f872adee0cae71bdd4a56763

Whether Good or Bad, Today’s Internet Augments it..

On By Nada I. SammanIn English language blogs, Self-Improvement, Thoughts, UncategorizedLeave a comment
apps blur button close up
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Addiction is not the only danger that lurks beneath the use of the internet and social media in their current form and functionality.

Obviously, no two persons browsing the internet are presented with the same news/article feeds. Instead, each gets results that are based on his historical use of the internet, his location, his personal profile, and several other factors. This so-called smart-feeds feature of the internet can be very useful or very dangerous. The feature that was first intended and utilized to show customers “more of the same” product, adopted first by Facebook, Twitter, then other social media organizations, has proliferated to search engines, YouTube and most forms of internet use. Hence, feeding the user more of his same ideals, inclinations, and tools that if classified as good, would serve the best interest of the user, the society, and morals. Whereas an endless stream of what could be classified as bad, harmful, immoral, narcissistic, materialistic, or even malicious and criminal will augment and nourish such seeds, inevitably creating monstrous humans. This means that the user gets more or less that which reinforces his own beliefs, be it virtuous and reasonable or evil and unreasonable, rather than a fair dose of all other beliefs, opinions, and information, thus countering the intended virtue of open mindedness and well-rounded view of topics.  These algorithms employed to predict and curate what the user sees do NOT have his best interest in mind, but are rather a means to get him more hooked on whatever feeds his interest, regardless of its affects or values, benefiting only the organizations that developed them.. The feeds are smart in the sense that they “predict” what you’re looking for, but are surely not making us any smarter because they don’t give us a comprehensive and holistic view of topics that includes the opposition.

This polarization in different directions is extremely dangerous and creates very heterogeneous societies. Diversity is essential but without extremism.

In short, smart-feeds create more of what you are, instead of helping you improve and evolve!!  It’s up to you to ensure you get a comprehensive view on different issues.

Privilege in Calamity

On By Nada I. SammanIn Relationships, Thoughts, UncategorizedLeave a comment

I’ve searched for love for years, yearned for the feeling of being regarded as someone’s princess, lifelong dream and treasure, a survival necessity.  I seriously doubted this kind of love still existed nowadays, if it did I doubted even more it will come my way.  But I found it.. Finally.. Unbelievably… and it exceeded even my dreams and expectations…

Then it was taken away …

Such irony… When you think you have just gathered all the winning cards and gotten everything you ever wished for… At that very moment one of them gets taken away.

Don’t get me wrong… My wishes were never unrealistic or extravagant… I never cared for riches, fame or to live a dream life… I just longed for what I deem the elements of complete happiness (if there is really such a thing in this world)… Good health, wonderful children, comfortable living, a good job, amazing family and friends, fine social status and above all… Love!

I never wanted more, this was perfect, and I was extremely thankful, although I had to work hard to achieve most of the above.  Paid years of my life to have, and care for, what turned out to be amazing young men in a very challenging marriage of two conflicting personalities, but no regrets whatsoever.  So when I finally found the love I needed, I thought to myself I really cannot ask for, nor want, more.  I wished to be able to sustain what I had.  I didn’t care to become wealthy or super successful, but was elated that I finally had all my happiness essentials covered.  I wish it could’ve stayed this way.  It never does.  I enjoyed that for a year and a half then it was time to let go of one of them… Love!!

I’m still very thankful for that year and a half though… Many people go through life without experiencing it…

The tormenting part and what’s more difficult than separation is watching someone you love in pain… Life departing him slowly, daily.. Observing him transform from someone full of vigor, life, hopes and dreams to a helpless person whose biggest ambition is to be able to eat and sleep peacefully.

Despite the difficulties, I consider it a privilege that I am next to him while he’s going through this.  Taking care of him, comforting him, caressing his head and cheeks, giving him as much love as I can.

He gave me my best moments in life.  Did everything in his power, and was even creative, to make sure that the moments that mattered most to me were lived, enjoyed, captured and reserved in photos.  He went beyond the expectations or the norms in doing so.  In every minute of every day we were together, even throughout his sickness, what he worried most about was me.  I was his whole life.  He gave me life !

I’m immensely thankful for experiencing such love during my lifetime… We shall hopefully reunite again in the next eternal one…

A Perspective on Praying

On By Nada I. SammanIn Self-Improvement, Thoughts, Uncategorized, Understanding IslamLeave a comment

Today, my son apologized for “being too pushy”, nagging me to read a story he had written.  He said it’s only because my feedback is important to him.  I was not annoyed of course.  On the contrary, it made me very happy because, if anything, his nagging meant he acknowledges my expertise and skills in the field and values my feedback.  My opinion matters considerably to him, and that’s a very gratifying feeling that any parent can identify with.

His words gave me an insight into one of the reasons praying to God is of paramount importance, and why God loves that we pray and send requests to the point of nagging/insisting.

Some misrepresent God’s urging us to pray to be a self-satisfying need to feel greatness or power.  Well firstly, no being of such magnitude and powers would “need” the acknowledgement of us, the most insignificant creations.  He would be more concerned with the much grander creations (planets, galaxies, the whole universe) praying to Him (and we know they do!!).  It is we that need that.

Praying and asking God for forgiveness, for Him to be happy with you, or even for some worldly rewards, is actually a combination of the following:

  • Acknowledgement of His existence, powers and control over everything. And that nothing can happen or exist except by His wish and command.  It’s a declaration of Belief.
  • Demonstration of a need for Him.
  • Expression of concern and valuation of what He thinks.

It is a proof by deeds, not empty words, that you truly believe in Him, just in the same way that love cannot be substantiated merely with words.

A man tells a woman “he loves her”, yet she never hears from him.  She calls him 5 times a day, he dismisses the calls justifying that by replying that he’s too busy or has important meetings, he’s going out with friends, etc..  Can she still believe him? Wouldn’t she naturally question his love? Even breakup with him?! All she asked for was for him to at least call her for 5 minutes, five times a day, to tell her he remembers her, needs her, she means the world to him, and is everything in his life.  That’s the minimum a lover is expected to do.

Your employer continuously pays your salary, bonus, and other wonderful rewards.  You totally ignore his orders, are not on-time for meetings, you don’t report to him, nor even acknowledge his existence, let alone authority and judgement.  You go as far as disobeying his orders.  Isn’t it normal for him to dispense your services?!  You’re basically telling him you don’t need the money nor the position.

There is, above all that, a spiritual need for us to pray.  There’s a constantly nagging feeling when we don’t pray that we’re neglecting something important, duties, that we’re going to be accountable for!!  Our souls remain restless.

I heard once a very compelling deduction on “sleeping” (another one of science’s shortcomings of explaining why we need to sleep).  The human consists of two things: the physical body, and the soul/spirit.  The physical body’s needs are essentially the food, water and exercise.

The soul, on the other hand, has different types of needs that are equally crucial.  One of them is “sleep”! 

Sleep-deprivation leads to all kinds of issues, from weight gain to a weakened immune system, and even eventually death. And after decades of research and discoveries, the answer to the “Why we need to sleep?” is essentially not answered yet.  While it’s easy, for example, to explain the need for eating being the means to obtain the necessary nutrients, it’s not the same with sleep.  It’s not clear why the outcome of sleeping can’t happens while in the wake state.  Or what in essence is the difference between the wake and sleep states.

Islam explains “sleep” as being a form of death, calls it a “minor death”, during which the soul leaves the body and this realm, and floats to another.  The soul needs to make this separation every night, to evade this material existence, in order to rest, reset and recharge spiritually, coming closer to its Creator.  Afterwards, it either returns back to the body (if the person has more time to live) or doesn’t, and he’s declared medically dead.

This is one of the needs of the soul.  Another, is the need for the connection/communication with its Creator through prayer and supplication.  It greatly comforts the weary and anxious soul.

He needs our prayer?!  A being that created such an unfathomable universe with all its creatures, the ones we know and the much more we have yet to know, needs us tiny little beings to acknowledge that he’s powerful?! Really?!!

It is we that need to reach out to Him and draw ourselves closer to Him.  And He Knows that, because He created us and is merely telling us how to live our lives in the manner that brings us happiness and serenity.

Dear Atheist.. Let’s talk logic !!

On By Nada I. SammanIn English language blogs, Self-Improvement, Uncategorized, Understanding Islam8 Comments

31c3f4e995f0eeefaf1420c273f14666

Ego is rightfully placed amongst the biggest sins because it causes us to perceive ourselves as being much bigger and more knowledgeable than we actually are, when viewing life and the world..
We’re smaller than a speck of dust compared to the universe, and our knowledge, yet smaller.  There is no justification, nor historical reference for that matter, for thinking that we’ve reached a stage where we KNOW IT ALL.  Nonetheless, we’re driven by our ego that causes us to demand of the Creator, controller, and motion-organizer of this vast universe to give us a proof of His existence and power .. as if all the miracles that exist in our own selves and everything around us are not enough!

Spiritual-wise:  (if you’re spiritually-oriented then..)

Faith is a need and urge that exists in our innate nature.. He is in no need for us, it is WE who need Him, we need to believe in the Great Creator that has brought us to being, and to hold on to faith in order to rest our, otherwise, troubled souls.. this need keeps nagging upon us.  We feel otherwise lost trying to answer questions like who are we, and what is the purpose of all of this? And… What next?!!

This is particularly evident in times of severe and sudden psychological trauma, fear, or despair, when one gets freed from all reservations, and acts in absolute spontaneity.  This is when even atheists find themselves begging for God’s Help and Mercy.
It is also the reason behind the noticeable tranquility, calmness in demeanor, peace and contented smile observed in people of strong faith and religion.  It is not attributed to wealth as it’s found even with the poorest of people, definitely not because they enjoy a good retirement system!  This calmness is especially unmistakable is Muslims, because they know they got it right.  Those who have strong, unshaken conviction based on knowledge and research feel certain they have found the last piece in the hugely complex puzzle of their spirituality that “Clicked” in place, causing them to experience satisfaction in wholesomeness and clarity, and are therefore relieved, reassured, and calm at last.  They amazingly find privilege in calamity, knowing that hardships are God’s way of purifying a person of sins, reminding the soul of its Creator, keeping it grounded, not overtaken by ego yet again, bringing it closer to Him and the warmth of His Mercy and Care.

Those that live without holding on to believing in God, on the other hand, mostly live in anxiety and restlessness, as reported by many ex-atheists who felt lost, confused, and in immense need for guidance.

Proof-wise:  (if you’re science-oriented)

The proofs to the existence of God are countless and in abundance, in every single one of His creations.  It’s unexplainable how a logical human would not accept that a glass of water can exist without someone making it, yet they are willing to concede the existence of this unfathomable universe without a Creator.

Atheists argue that religion does not give us tangible proof or answers to every single thing.  Well, science fails to, and is not able to, answer all questions.  It remains incapable of providing explanations for numerous things.  Yet atheists are willing to bet their lives and the Ever-after on it, rather than bet on religion which presents far more evidence on the existence of a Creator.

They ask, so who created God? Which totally contradicts with calling Him a Creator.

This is exactly why God says in the Quran that of all the believers, it is scientists that have the most fear of God (having known His Power and Abilities through the study of His Creations).  Of course here we’re talking about the scientists who are humble enough to admit it, not those who perceive that science made them all powerful and too big to bow to a Creator, how little they become when they’re that inflated!  And that is why we witness many atheist scientists converting to Islam (being the most logical religion).

Business-wise:   (if you’re business and profitability-oriented)

Consider the following:

  • Around 7% of the World’s population only are Atheists (around half of which are in China, the second biggest majority in Russia, both countries influenced by their regimes into adopting atheism.  Both seeing a conversion movement.).  So wouldn’t probability suggest that 93% are more likely to be right?  And why is it that most of the elite scientists are not atheists?
  • Science is still unable to answer many critical questions (After life, soul, purpose of life, origin of universe, and many many more. Religion also does not answer some questions, which are considered kept by the All-Knowing for purposes unknown to us, but also gives us some answers to questions science can’t.  Yet, you’d rather risk your whole life on science, a created being in itself with all its laws, mechanics and theories, rather than place your bet on the one that created science?
  • Considering above arguments, associated risk in both scenarios, and probability that greatly favors the likelihood that God exists, ask yourself:

What if you were wrong?!!

What you stand to lose here far exceeds what a person of faith would lose if he discovered he was wrong.

Logic-wise:

  • Accountability: Atheism is mostly favored by certain people to escape accountability and the fact that this gives them endless freedom to do what they desire without fear of consequences (repercussion).  But think about this… Every human system that exists applies the rules of accountability, ever since we were children, at home, in school, college, at work.. etc.  So, in the holistic life-system, are we not accountable for how good or bad we are? And if not, what could possibly motivate us to excel and do more in charity and kindness? What compels us to go above and beyond our basic law-enforced duties and do the right thing? On the flip side, what stops us from being obnoxious?
  • Purpose: Every object that exists in our life has a purpose, so what is the purpose of ours? Why do we even bother to get up in the morning and work?
  • Morality: What is our source of morality? Atheists sometimes argue that we can be non-believers yet conduct ourselves in the highest ethical standards.  True, But…

Who’s to say or decide what’s right or wrong? Where is the reference if not religion?  Why wouldn’t people have a sexual relationship with a sibling for example? Why would they get married, they can just have sex in the street, with whoever, or whatever for that matter.  Where did the laws of conduct come from?  And let’s say you happen to be a civilized, well-balanced, ethical human, don’t you think there are very bad atheists, with absolutely no moral inclination?  Wouldn’t you then fear for your children, daughter, sister, mother, the elderly? How would the society look like when people have no predisposition to try to do only the right thing?

  • Motivation: If we assume this whole life is for nothing, no purpose, no creator, no accountability whatsoever, and no afterlife, why not we all end it and solve our every problem?  It would be easier than having to go through all struggles and challenges.  What motivates us to continues living, working hard, getting up in the morning, if all this was for nothing at all?
  • Order: This extreme order and organization that’s apparent in every single aspect of this life HAS to be controlled and managed by some all-knowing all-magnificent power. It can’t be just a chaotic/unorderly sequence of events.  Every single man-made system that exists (e.g. machines, governments, production lines, health systems, education, etc. ) has a manager or a parallel mechanism that controls and monitors it, in order to ensure it operates/runs properly and corrects any mistakes should it deviate from normal/intended path.  There has to be a manager with checks and balances done.  This is a law of life we’re living by daily.  So who’s the Creator and Manager of the greatest and biggest of all systems?  Nature is a creation in itself, it doesn’t have the intelligence or knowledge to make things happen.  Whereas whoever created and is controlling this unfathomable universe has to have an amount of intelligence that is beyond our imagination and comprehension.  Yet, as insignificant as we are compared to the universe, our ego become so inflated with the minute amount of science we’ve come to know and the first thing we decided to do is to challenge our Creator and deny His existence.  Ask Him to prove Himself to us.  How dare we??!!
  • Innate knowledge: How were all the creatures, humans, animals and plants, born with innate knowledge that guided them on what they should do from the moment they were born? How did the spider learn to create a web so perfect that it takes a skilled artist or architect years to learn to do?  How did the new leaves on a plant know where to stem from when it was discovered that the new stem location process follows a Fibonacci numbering system?  Where did the unbelievable amount of knowledge found in our DNA come from when nature itself is a non-intelligent creation?

It just doesn’t make sense at all!!!

You know what makes sense?

It is that we are here for a purpose, there is a Creator, this life is only but a short phase no matter how long we live and it passes so quickly, and we shall have to come face to face with all our actions, good or bad, someday!!

Yet God puts us in higher standing and regards us more than we really deserve, favoring us to angels for having willingly chosen to worship Him, unlike angels who have no will or ability to choose.

The stakes are just too high for you to keep on ignoring this matter.  My sincere advice: read, research, learn, ask (pray) with all sincerity for guidance and truth, approach the topic with a totally open and unbiased mind, and above all, with humility.  Humble yourself enough to conceit a possibility of a Creator that you should ask for help.  And finally, put your ego, other peoples’ influences, and worldly matters aside.

He loses nothing with or without you on His side. YOU stand to lose EVERYTHING, and ETERNALLY.  This IS the most important project you need to work on in your life.

You only get one chance, one lifetime, so please get it right!!

pexels-photo-69096.jpeg

Do Not Cheer Me When I’m Wrong

On By Nada I. SammanIn About me, English language blogs, Relationships, Self-Improvement, Social, Thoughts, Uncategorized2 Comments

Do Notpraise me if I don’t deserve praise.

Do Nottell me I look good just to flatter me, or hoping that I “return the compliment”.

Do Notlike my photos, posts, or what I write if you don’t really like them or you disagree.

Do Notsend me happy birthday wishes if you do it out of courtesy or duty.

Do Notgift me for any reason other than sincerely wanting to.

Do Not tell me you like me or miss me if you really don’t.

Do Not commend any of my acts if they’re wrong or unjust.

Do Not support me if I stray.

Do Not tell me I’m good when I’m being bad.

One genuine, loving, sincere word is to me worth much more than all the fake likes and compliments.  And one genuine, sincere, loving friend is worth a hundred fake ones.

I totally understand being nice to people, wanting to make them feel great and lifting up their spirits.  This is honorable and commendable.  But when it’s done for special interests, expecting reciprocation, in social hypocrisy, or for fear of upsetting the praised person, it becomes ugly and distasteful.