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
Everyone knows that the Quran is a great way to keep bad things away and learn about anything you need to know, to living a blessed life. However, there is an ayat in particular that even the prophet Muhammed PBUH spoke of, that is said to give it's reader great benefits in this life and the after life upon reading it. Unless you haven't read the title of this article then by now you should know that the ayat is ... Ayat Al Kursi. (It is found on verse 254 - 255 of the Quran I believe in Surat Al Baqara).
Here are some of the many advantages of this blessed ayat :
1 - It is the cheif ayat of the Quran & is said to be from the threshold of the throne of Allah. 2- It includes 'Ism el Azeem' (the blessed name of Allah, that when made in a duaa the duaa will be fulfilled ) 3- Whoever recites ayat al Kursi after each prayer will be protected until the next prayer ; and there will be no barrier between him/her from Jannah (paradise) except for death. 4- When it is read before bed, God will send down an angel to protect the reader until morning. 5- Whoever reads it upon entering a home ; Satan will find it impossible to stay and will run away. 6- When the ayat is recited upon leaving your home ; Allah will send down 70,000 angels to do 'istighfaar' (repent) for the you. 7- When the ayat is recited in the morning, the reader will be protected by Allah until the evening. 8- When the ayat is recited ,the reader, his children, home, wealth, property and the homes of his neighbours are safe. 9 - When recited with the last Ayat of Surah Baqarah then the plea of the reader will not gounattended. 10 - Whosoever reads it together with the last Ayats of Surah Baqarah (including ayat al kursi), Shaitaan does not enter his home for at least three days. 11- When one is alone in the house, recitation of Ayatul Kursi and asking Allah for help will make you remain calm and you will not fear.
Here are some quotes by the Prophet Muhammed PBUH and other holy men about the ayat :
Hadhrat Abu Qatada (RA) narrates that Prophet (SAW) : Whoever reads Ayatul Kursi and the last Ayat of Surah Baqarah when in difficulty, then Allaah listens to that plea."
Hadhrat Ibne Anas (ra) says the Prophet (saw) said: The one who recites Ayatul Kursi after every Fard Salaat, Allaah will grant him a gratifying heart, actions of the truthful and reward like the prophets (ambiya) .Special mercies will descend upon him, and death is the only barrier from his entrance into Jannat. On dying he will enter Jannat"
Hadhrat Ibne Masood (ra) says that a person requested Rasulallaah (saw) to teach him something that will benefit him. "Nabi (saw) said "Read Ayatul Kursi, it will protect you, your children, home and even those houses surrounding your house."
Holy Prophet (SAWW) said: Qur’an is a great word, and Surae Baqarah is the leader of the Qur’an and Ayatul Kursi is the leader of Surae Baqarah. In Ayatul Kursi there are 50 words and for each word there are 50 blessings and good in it
Allah told Prophet Musa (AS): If one recites it after every salaat, the Almighty will make his heart a thankful one (Shakireen), will give him a reward of the prophets, and his deeds will be like those of the truthful (Siddiqeen).
Holy prophet (SAWW) said: whoever recites the first 4 ayats of Surae Baqarah, then Ayatul Kursi and then the last 3 ayats of Surah e Baqarah, will not be inflicted with any kind of difficulty in his wealth or himself, Satan will not come near him and he will not forget the Qur’an.
Ayat Al Kursi (in English - arab pronounciation) :
Allahu la ilaha illa huwa Al -Haiyul-Qaiyum
La ta'khudhuhu sinatun wa la nawm
lahu ma fi as-samawati wa ma fil-'ard
Man dhal-ladhi yashfa'u 'indahu illa bi-idhnihi
Ya'lamu ma bayna aydihim wa ma khalfahum
wa la yuhituna bi shai'in min 'ilmihi illa bima sha'a
Wasi'a kursiyuhus-samawati wal ard
wa la ya'uduhu hifdhuhuma wa Hu wal 'Aliyul-Adheem
If you don't have any time to read it or you don't own a Quran , take some time and listen to this beautiful recitation of the ayat (EVEN if you are not Muslim) :
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