The Quran tells us that “…man is impatient, given to haste (17:11). This is so true. In fact, we often eat with haste. We read, talk, and even pray too often with haste. Fasting can help us to slow down, to step outside the “rapid-fire culture” which is consuming us. As long as we remain …
Marriage requires the willingness to grow, and at times, change some behavior or habit that negatively impacts the health and vitality of the marriage relationship. What better demonstrates a devotion to the spouse than learning to be more patient, becoming a better listener, being more considerate, or whatever it takes to contribute positively to the …
Research in neurocardiology has produced some fascinating perspectives on the interaction of the brain and the heart. According to Professor Mohamed Omar Salem, “It has long been thought that conscious awareness originates in the brain alone. Recent scientific studies suggest that consciousness emerges from the brain and body acting together…a growing body of evidence now …
A mother was at the grocery store with her 18-month-old son who lately had begun throwing temper tantrums whenever he couldn’t get his way. This morning he was asking for candy and when told it was almost time for lunch and he could have a candy after lunch, the toddler began whining and kicking while …
Two fish were swimming when they saw a piece of meat dangling before them. The younger fish darted toward it with an open mouth. The older fish cried out, “Stop! You can’t see it, but there is a hook inside that meat. It is connected by an invisible line to a pole outside the water. …
In marriage, we can commit to taking care of the needs of the spouse, nourishing them and treating them like we would automatically treat a guest. Unfortunately, it is very common that spouses start treating each other in ways that take for granted the role they can play in making for not only a happy …
Imagine a group of people at a halaqa (Islamic study circle) who listen to a hadeeth which ends in the following way:. “…that my silence shall be contemplation (reflection); that my speaking shall be remembrance; that my seeing shall be lessons.” How many of those who listened to this hadeeth were transformed by it? Yet …
Empathy is the ability to identify with and understand another person’s situation, feelings, attitudes, or motives. An important aspect of emotional intelligence, empathy is essential to the establishing of healthy and satisfying relationships. There are many ways to cultivate empathy. One way is the following: In your thoughts and attitudes, emphasize the commonalities you have …
The only survivor of a shipwreck was washed up on a small, uninhabited island. He prayed every day for God to bring rescue and desperately scanned the horizon for help, but rescue seemed more and more a remote possibility. He finally built a little hut out of driftwood to protect him from the elements and …
Some people talk a lot. Some too much. Talking all the time, as a habit, keeps a person oriented outward and the inner life is neglected. Yet, it’s the domain of the inner life where we can consider what effect our words might have, how they might produce positive or negative feelings in others, how …