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 …
The mind with its logic is sometimes overly emphasized, and “being emotional” equated with instability or weakness. Yet emotions are some of the most basic elements with which we build our lives and create physical, mental, and spiritual health. With emotional competency we can be resourceful and adept at solving problems, cope well with stress, …
In part 1 of this article we talked about people who read and research and contemplate making some kind of change in their lives but this is an endless loop of thinking—dreaming—wishing—hoping that never is acted upon. We also talked about those who try to make a change but give up after short time in …
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said, “Indeed, Allah loves it when any one of you acts, so let him perfect it” (al-Bayhaqi in Shoua’ab al-Eman). Striving toward perfection in our daily actions is easy for us to talk about, but many find it difficult to to change for the better. Have you ever tried …
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “Deeds without sincerity are like a traveler who carries in his water-jug dirt. The carrying of it burdens him and it brings no benefit.” If we want to fill our hearts with sincerity, we must empty them of dishonesty, untrustworthiness, carelessness, deceit — all things that defile the soul. This is …