29 Fundamentals of Happiness

Extract from the book 'Don't be Sad'

1. Know that if you do not live within the scope of today, your thoughts will be scattered, your affairs will become confused, and your worrying will increase - these realities explain the hadith:
"When you are in the morning, do not expect to see the evening,
and when you are in the evening, do not expect to see the morning."
2. Forget the past and all that it contained. Being absorbed in things that are gone is sheer lunacy.
3. Do not be preoccupied with the future. Because the future is in the world of the unseen, do not let it bother you until it comes.
4. Do not be shaken by criticism; instead, be firm. And know that, in proportion to your worth, the level of people's criticism rises.
5. Faith in Allah and good deeds: these are the ingredients that make up a good and happy life.
6. Whoever desires peace, tranquility, and comfort can find it all in the remembrance of Allah.
7. You should know with certainty that everything that happens, occurs in accordance with a divine decree.
8. Do not expect gratitude from anyone.
9. Train yourself to be ready and prepared for the worst eventuality.
10. Perhaps what has happened is in your best interest (though you may not comprehend how that is so).
11. Everything that is decreed for the Muslim is best for him.
12. Enumerate the blessings of Allah and be thankful for them.
13. You are better off than many others.
14. Relief comes from one hour to the next.
15. In both times of hardship and ease, one should turn to supplication and prayer.
16. Calamities should strengthen your heart and reshape your outlook in a positive sense.
17. Indeed, with each difficulty there is relief.
18. Do not let trifles be the cause of your destruction.
19. Indeed, your Lord is Oft-Forgiving.
20. Do not be angry... Do not be angry... Do not be angry.
21. Life is bread, water, and shade; so do not be perturbed by a lack of any other material thing.
"And in the heavens is your provision, and that which you are promised." (Qur'an 51:22)
22. Most evil that is supposed to happen never occurs.
23. Look at those who are afflicted and be thankful.
24. When Allah loves a people, He makes them endure trials.
25. You should constantly repeat those supplications that the Prophet(pbuh) taught us to say during times of hardship.
26. Work hard at something that is productive, and cast off idleness.
27. Don't spread rumours and dont't listen to them. If you hear a rumour inadvertently, then don't believe it.
28. Your malice and your striving to seek revenge are much more harmful to your health than they are to your antagonist.
29. The hardships that befall you atone for your sins.

Advice for those undertaking a journey

Abit off the topic of the blog, but a very useful article for those undertaking a journey to anywhere in the world. Taken from the SANHA (South African National Halaal Authority) E-Bulletin.

"December is travel time. With the onset of traditional school and business holidays, like migrating birds many a journey gets undertaken by us humans. From local short hops to holiday resorts within ones own country to intercontinental travel locations, pilgrimages or exploring exotic destinations, people are on the move.

Unlike the bygone era of leisurely travel by rail or steamships which expended most of the vacation time getting to your destination, we live in the jet age of high speed travel and communication. All praise is due to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala for giving man the ingenuity by which within hours of beginning a journey he is at his destination in a far-off land.

However, this advancement has not come without a price or drawbacks. In the rush for technological progress, a largely secular world has relegated or ignored the spiritual needs of the Muslim traveller in terms of facilities for ablution, prayer and dietary requirements, all of which are fundamental to the faith. There is also the current trend of long-drawn security checks and specific racial/cultural profiling of travellers which, despite denials by authorities, is a reality that affects Muslims more than anyone else and creates undue hardships and untold frustrations.

Where does that leave the Muslim traveller? What are the alternatives? We are a global Ummah and it is our God-given right to travel the Universe in search of knowledge, for business, recreation and Da’wah.

In consultation with the official travel agent of SANHA, the Marathon Travel group, we have put together a travel advisory based on their experiences over seventeen years in the field of local and international travel. They specialize in Hajj, Umrah and Middle East tours and have associate offices all over the world.

Procedure

Travel Advisory – Part 1

1. Advance Planning

Plan your trip well in advance to take advantage of best routes, fares and accommodation. There is no substitute for knowledge and experience. A reputable travel agent can save you money and unnecessary aggravation as many of them and their staff have undertaken the journey themselves.

Where choices exist on destinations, a good travel agent can advise you on hotspots of prejudice and crime that can be avoided and recommend alternative destinations that are user-friendly to people of all religions.

Elders of the community are another source of valuable advice.

2. Time – friend or foe

The management of your time and punctuality will determine whether it works in your favour or against you. Be at the airport at least three hours before international flights and at least an hour prior to local flights to facilitate smooth check-in procedures.

Another element to be factored in are the delays caused by the increase in vehicular traffic on the motorways and at the airports which has a knock-on effect to the check-in process.

3. Luggage on

In today’s world of mass manufacture, many of the luggages seen at airport carousels appear to be similar or identical. For easy retrieval personalize your luggage with bold and unique identification markings that can be spotted from a distance. Depending on the airline and your class of ticket, baggage allowance vary from 20kg to 30kg(note that a single piece of luggage may not exceed 32kg). Cabin bags are limited to 7kg and dimensions of no more than 23cm wide, 52cm long and 40cm high.

Ensure that you adhere to the prescribed limits no matter how difficult or inconvenient it is. Do not indulge in any unislamic actions such as offering a "gift" in exchange of favours on extra weight. Why set a bad example to your family members and discredit Islam with such unsavoury actions? And to think that some of these journeys are at the beginning of a pilgrimage.

4. Security Checks

As mentioned earlier, expect these checks to increase in frequency, intensity and in some cases even hostility. Unfortunately, with the present atmosphere of Islamophobia do not expect less. Be absolutely courteous at all times, no matter how trivial or ludicrous the request.

In one instance a Muslim brother was asked to take a drink from his half filled bottle of water. What were they thinking? Was the brother going to force feed the pilot and crew so that they may experience the urge to make an emergency landing for relief?

Please appreciate the fact that these officials are underlings and foot soldiers doing their job on instructions of their superiors. The fact that some of them maybe over zealous in their duty, should not distract you from your path of “resolute peace.”

You should be a shining example of good conduct against the darkness of prejudice. Please request to be present and that a female official conduct body searches if female members of the family are to be searched. Most airports comply with this request. Note the date, time, details and names of officials if you wish to lodge a complaint but this must be done without confrontation and in writing for best results.

5. Consideration for others

Whilst the obligation to perform our prayers is not revoked when travelling, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in His infinite mercy, has given us concessions. Please ensure that ablution and prayer is done in a manner that gives due consideration to the rights and comforts of fellow travellers, both Muslims and others. Always seek out a quiet spot or politely request assistance from an official.

As for ablution, leave the area in a better or at least the same condition than you found it in even if it means mopping up excess water around the basin and floor area. No job was too humble or menial for our Prophet peace be upon him

Remember that travel exposes one to a world of different cultures, beliefs, values and temperaments. It is our duty to rise above all of this with understanding and tolerance.

6. Luggage off

It is a fact of the jet age that despite all the modernisation and embracing of technology, a percentage of luggage gets damaged or lost. It is the most depressing feeling to arrive at your destination only to find your luggage has not. Anger and frustration is totally understandable in the circumstances but what is unforgivable, is the venting of rage on a helpless baggage claims clerk. Remember he or she did not play in any part in having your luggage going astray or being damaged. Please exercise patience and follow up your claim diligently. Always keep checked baggage receipts safely which is required to submit claims for lost/damaged luggage. Most airlines deliver the lost luggage to your holiday address within 24 to 36 hours. Always remember to pack some basic toiletries and a change of clothes in your hand luggage just in case."

Courage

Assalamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh

Just a very short post on Courage.

I read a short passage from a book a very long time ago about courage. I have reproduced that passage below.

Minshaad Dinwari (rahmatullah alayh),who was an Alim from the city of Dinwar which lies between Hamdaan and Baghdad wrote:

"On one of my journeys i saw a Shaykh from whom the signs of goodness exuded. I requested him for nasheehat(advice). He said:

'Keep up your courage and guard it. Courage is the forerunner of a man's righteous deeds. All acts and states become simple for one whose courage is high.'"

Don't Be Sad

Assalaamu Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh

After much deliberation i have finally decided to create my own blog. This post is an introduction to my blog and an outline of what i wish to achieve thorough it.

I have named my blog as Don't be Sad, after the famous book written by Shaykh 'Aaidh Al-Qarni.

Don't be Sad was originally written in Arabic and has been translated into English among other languages. In the words of the Author himself he explains the purpose of his writing the book and his target audience.
"I wrote this book for anyone who is living through pain and grief or who has been afflicted with a hardship, a hardship that results in sadness and restless nights. For the cure, i have filled the pages of this book with dosages taken from various sources, the Qur'an, the Sunnah, poetry, poignant anecdotes, parables and true stories."

Undoubtedly we will all, at some point in our lives be faced with trials, hardships and difficulties which may lead us to greive for our losses or for that which has befallen us. This might be the death of a loved one, loss of wealth, loss of property or perhaps even loss of a limb or contracting a serious illness.

Whatever the loss or situation, we as Muslims have been instructed to remain Patient and Forbearant in such times of tribulation.
"Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil) but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere." (2:155)

'Don't be Sad' aims to give strength to the person who has been inflicted in anyway. It exposes to the reader how Islam teaches us to deal with the tests and tribulations of this world.

Hence, i have named my blog after this book, and aim to focus my future posts and topics around the subject matter of this book and frequently posting excerpts from it, to remind and advise.

"So take heart and hold firmly onto the rope of Allah"