Success in Life

I've recently stumbled on some really inspirational lecture videos presented by my favourite Islamic lecturer - Nouman Ali Khan. They are really motivational and I'm posting them up for all my lovely readers, so hopefully they can inspire you as much as they have inspired me.

I really recommend for all of you to listen to them because they honestly can  have a great impact on your mind & encourage you to think a different way about controversial things, that will make you (inshallah) wiser and a better person.

As always, I don't think it matters whether you're muslim or not whilst watching the video - because although the message he is presenting is in islamic context and presented to an islamic audience , I believe anyone can learn from it. That's the beauty of Islam, it's a way of life for everyone. :)

Here are the two videos I listened to this morning...

Video #1 : Take hold of your future by Nouman Ali Khan

Video #2: The man with two gardens by Nouman Ali Khan

For more of this amazing man's videos, check out this insightful youtube page ~> Nak Collection. Which has a large collections of Nouman's lectures to listen to and watch.

Stay Blessed,



Smile ! It's good for you

"Smile It's Charity (Sadaqa)"

The best charity you can ever give someone is ... a smile ! This small gesture, that spreads positive energy and shows your happy mood is said to decrease blood pressure, stress levels and make you look more attractive.

" A smile is a message about yourself – that your heart is pure and that you are not infected by anxieties, hang-ups, and gloom. A smile is an instant message to those you know as well as those you do not know. It is received and understood even before you speak to or greet someone, and makes that person more receptive to what you have to say." {1}

You see when you smile , your brain releases hormones called endorphins into the bloodstream , which are natural pain killers that make you feel good and happy. Endorphins are also known to have other health benefits like reducing depression symptoms and stress; it has been scientifically proven that the higher the endorphin levels in your system, the less negative emotions and stress we deal with.

Abdullah Ibn al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "I never came across a person who smiled as much as the Prophet (peace be upon him)." {2}

Smiling is part of the sunnah. It's one of the little things that make a big difference that the prophet Muhammed (PBUH) demonstrated for his ummah. Something, that we should apply to our everyday life.  As the prophet was once quoted, “Your smile for your brother is charity.” People are more likely to co-operate with someone who is smiling at them as the saying goes ... a smile goes a million miles.

Smiling, is contagious. It lightens your mood and those around you, makes you attractive and improves your general health. It's the amazing ! Did you know , that people find it difficult to frown when someone else is smiling at them ? & That it takes more facial muscles to produce a frown than a smile? Smiles use only 5 muscles of all 53 muscles in your face. It's also natural - babies start smiling in their sleep as soon as they're born ! Studies have shown , that girl babies tend to smile a lot earlier and more than boy babies. For more smiley facts click here

Keep Smiling & Stay Blessed,

Bibliography : Prophet Quote fact benefits of smiling smiling quotes smiley facts

           

Benefits of Surat Al Khaf ♡

Every practising muslim, knows that Friday is not a day to joke about - it's the most holiest day in the week (in Islam) where one is encouraged, to pray , stay away from sins and read the quran whilst engaging in as many good deeds as possible.

Surat Al Khaf is one of those Friday reading rituals , that the prophet encouraged the ummah to take part in. Yes,  reading any surat in the quran on a Friday, will grant you many blessings and is highly encouraged. However, Surat Al Khaf was particularly mentioned by the Prophet Muhammed himself to be read on a friday.

This blessed surat, has been  said to have  the benefit of protecting the reader (you) away from trouble and 'fitnah' during the week (between this friday until next friday) . It has also been said, that it is was highlighted by Muhammed PBUH as one on of the surats, that will make the reader immune to the Djaal when his time comes, to disease the world. As well as that, this surah has many interesting stories that give you tips and advice to apply to your everyday life.

 "Whoever reads (Suratul) Kahf on yaumul Jumuah, he is immune for 8 days from all fitnah that will happen. When the Dajjal comes out, he will be immune to him." - Muhammed PBUH (Ibn Mardwiyah Al Daiya' in "Al Mukhtaar" related that Ali ~ may Allah be pleased with him ~ said that the Messenger of Allah ~ stated this)

Personally everytime I read this surat, I learn something new either, by interpreting a particular line in a different way, or just straight up focusing more on a point that I didn't neccessarily notice the time before. It surprises me, at how much I can relate the stories and the advice given in it, to my week and everyday life. Subhanallah, everytime I read it - it feels like it was written just for me. It's true what they say, the Quran is definitly like having a one on one conversation with Allah. Surat Al Khaf , is deffo one of those surat's that can help you to digest your week and think of what you have accomplished and how well it went. 

My favourite story, in this surat is the one about Musa when he meets this wise man and he does things that Musa  doesn't understand and then eventually he tells him why. Look out for that story when you read it :)

If you're in a rush, don't own a quran or just interested what this surat is about (Muslim OR non-Muslim) I have posted this video (taken from youtube)that has an audio recitation of the Surat, with ENGLISH and ARABIC translations - for you to read and listen to at the same time.

Listen and Read with an open mind and marvel at how amazing and true this blessed surat is !

Stay Blessed and JUM3A MUBARKA

 

Pray Just Do It !

Yoga, excerise, therapy lessons are all great ways to get over a stressful way and unwind however, none are quiet as effective as the good old traditional method of 'prayer'. Almost every single religion out there, encourages it's followers to do some form of excersice known as 'prayer'. In Islam, it is reffered to as 'salah' and practising muslims have to apply 'salah' in to their everyday life, practising it 5 times a day - at certain time intervals.

This does not only, help to organise your day  - as one usually finds themselves planning out their everyday tasks around their prayers but it also, keeps you in check with your emotions and well being.

Imagine that, 5 times a day being allowed to zone out the world and focus solely on yourself and your deeds/ your creator. It's amazing. Especially, if it's done right. You'll feel, more calm, happier and energisid.

It has been scientifically proven that the simple excersices carried out during salah, help to relieve tension in the body and improve blood circulation. As well as, improve your overall fitness. Don't believe me? Check out this site for a detailed coverage of  how salah affects your body.

Thats why, for salah ... prayer ... I say ... JUST DO IT!

Stay Blessed,

Remember Allah & He Will Remember You ♡

They say, when you feel really depressed , hopeless and that you're missing something in your life. Then it's really your hearts' way of telling you, it's missing it's creator. They say, that the heart needs the nourishment of the deen aka religion and some time devoted to it's creator - God in order to be healthy and so when you feel like you're heartbroken and theres nothing much you can do with life ... because lets admit it life sucks sometimes; it's your heart moaning 'hey man, I need to have a conversation with God.'

Once upon a time, I wasn't close to Islam as I am now. I went through this phase in my life, when I was really caught up with the world. I was intact with my religion, doing the basics like praying, fasting etc but I didn't really understand much of it - just the basic things that I needed to know. At that time, I would go through these phases, when I got really depressed and peeved at the world. Teenage hormones what can I say??  Anyway, so I picked up the Quran, after a suggestion from my dad and I started reading it. After reading a couple of pages, I started feeling a lot better. Like this huge lump was taking off my chest and I could breathe again, feeling much more happier, relaxed and pleased with myself. I can't really explain the feeling, you have to feel it yourself. But, it's very different from any sort of happiness that you can get.So now, everytime my heart starts to hurt abit and I feel uncomfortable or unsatisfied with life, I pick up the Quran and just read. Any surat, any time, anywhere. It's the perfect remedy, to fix a broken heart and an unsatisfied mind.

I definetly recommend it. Try it and once you get that feeling I just told you about, I promise you won't regret it. ~ The best advice you can get, is from your creator. The best conversation you can have is with your creator~

Stay Blessed,

Last Friday Night ♡

I've had such a long week filled with exams, university stress and a little bit of social drama - so when I got home on Friday, all I wanted to do was have a loooong bath and call it a night. But instead, I had a pizza night with my lovely family. Which is a treat, as during the week everyone are so busy with their work and lives, that we barely have much time to relax together. Pizza and Pasta are the only two meals in the house that everyone agrees on eating together !

It's always a good thing, to set aside some time during the week for the family. After all , they are the people who have to deal with us even at our worst and the people who will be there, when everyone else are gone. Plus, you'd be surprised how much fun spending time with them is and what they go through during the week.

So what did you do last friday night?

Stay Blessed,