Six ways to help lower the gaze

Source: productivemuslim.com

By: Aiman Azlan

The eyes have desires that have a great tendency to want to be fulfilled, as if there is a gravity-like force that pulls the sight to the things we should not be looking at. Like gravity, those who resist will feel the force acting on them, while those who just go with the flow will feel little or nothing at all. Like gravity, it takes a lot of strength to escape it.

The closer you get to Allah the harder Shaytan attacks so don’t be shocked

Source: islamqa.info

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Kitab al-Eeman: “The believer may suffer from the whispers of the Shaytan insinuating thoughts of kufr (disbelief), which may make him feel distressed. The Sahabah (may Allah be pleased with them) said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, some of us think thoughts which we would rather fall from heaven to earth than speak of them.’ He said, ‘That is a clear sign of faith.’ According to one report, ‘… thoughts which are too terrible to speak of.’ He said, ‘Praise be to Allah, Who has reduced all his [the Shaytan’s] plots to mere whispers,’ meaning that the fact that these whispers come, but they are so greatly disliked, and they are pushed away from the heart, is a clear sign of faith. This is like the mujahid (warrior) to whom the enemy comes, but he resists him until he overwhelms him, and this is a mighty jihad (battle)… Hence the seekers of knowledge and devoted worshippers experience waswas and doubts which others do not face, because they (the others) are not following the way prescribed by Allah, rather they are following their own whims and desires and neglecting to remember their Lord. This is what the Shaytan wants, in contrast to those who are striving to draw closer to their Lord by seeking knowledge and worshipping Him. He is their enemy and seeks to prevent them from drawing closer to Allah.” (p.147 of the Indian edition)

1.                           Seek refuge with Allah and give up these thoughts completely, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) commanded.

2.                           Remember Allah and control yourself and do not continue to think of these whispers.

3.                           Occupy yourself with worship and doing good deeds, in obedience to the command of Allah and seeking to please Him. When you devote yourself completely and seriously to worship, you will forget about these whispers, insha Allah.

4.                           Frequently seek refuge with Allah and make du’a (supplicate) to free you from these whispers.

ALLAH IS TESTING US TOO

By: Nazia Mirza

We read the stories of suffering, we see the images of death and destruction and our hearts just break, as they should.

However, we have to remember that Allah (‘Azza wa Jall) is in absolute full control of everything that is taking place.

He sees what the tyrants are doing and His punishment is swift and severe.

But the knowledge of the plan is His alone. Its execution will be according to His timetable, not ours.

Remember, Allah isn’t just testing the people of Gaza (and Syria, Burma, China, CAR and other lands), He is testing each and every one of us too.

What will our reaction be, both in terms of action and faith?