[optormtix]

Salaam everybody,

Often times I find myself to become spiritually uplifted directly, or even a day or two, after listening to a powerful lecture. From that point on, I tell myself I will pray on time, do good deeds all the time, etc. During the lecture itself, I feel a sense of goodness from within that is telling me to do everything (all the good things) at once, and grasp and implement as much of sunnah of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) into my life. As great as this "high" is, it does not last forever or even a significant amount of time that would allow me to improve my spiritual side.

Brothers and Sisters, I would like to see how you guys deal with this issue, so perhaps, I too, can be amongst the righteous. Inshallah.


Regards,

Your brother in Islam

[Qxkmsxsx]

Fix something minimum and be steadfast on that whatever be the situation. inshaaAllah by barakaat of that, one's ibaadat will get increased. Get in touch with a spiritual guide and inshaaAllah this will help a lot. Know that our whole life is a struggle until we face the death and Allah SWT loves that which is done consistently even be it small.
Allahu alam

[Info-phone]

http://www.yunuspatel.co.za/audio-recommended.php

Look for "Feeling Spiritually low?"

[drgshmcm]

How about feeling happy and no effort or hardship in worship, a type of inner joy is always with one...then after a week or so it goes away...and everything becomes an effort again. Is this a punishment?

[HassFks]

The great Companion of the Prophet SAW - Hanzalah RA says:

"We were once with the Prophet (SAW) when he delivered a sermon. Our hearts became tender, our eyes were flowing with tears, and we realised where we stood. I left the Prophet (SAW) and returned home. I sat with my wife and children and cracked jokes with my wife, and I felt that the effect of the Prophet's (SAW) sermon had completely vanished from my heart.

Suddenly, it occurred to me that I was not what I had been, and I said to myself:

"O, Hanzalah! You are a Munafiq."

I was stricken with grief and I left my house repeating these words in sorrow:

"Hanzalah has turned Munafiq."

I saw Abu Bakr (RA) coming towards me and I said to him:

"Hanzalah has turned Munafiq."

He said:

"Subhanallah! What are you saying? Hanzalah can never be a Munafiq."

I explained to him:

"When we are with the Prophet (SAW) and listen to his discourses about Paradise and Hell, we feel as if both are present before our very eyes; but when we return home and become absorbed in our domestic and family affairs, we forget all about the Hereafter."

Abu Bakr (RA) said:

"My case is exactly the same."

We both went to the Prophet (SAW) and I said:

"I have turned Munafiq, O Prophet of Allah!"

He (the Prophet SAW) inquired about the matter, and I repeated what I had said to Abu Bakr (RA).

Thereupon the Prophet (SAW) remarked:

"By Him Who controls my life, if you could keep up for all times the fervor aroused in you when you are with me, Angels would greet you in your walks and in your beds. But O, Hanzalah! This is rare! This is rare!

[HassFks]

The scholars of Hadith have explained to us - we have to attend to our personal and impersonal worldly affairs, and therefore it would be difficult to be contemplating about the Hereafter for all the twenty-four hours of the day.

According to what has been said by the Prophet Muhammad SAW, complete absorption in the Hereafter is possible, but is rare, and it should not be expected by all. It is only for the Angels to remain in the same state forever. Such stations of piety do occur in reality, and are endowed to those devotees who are ever consistent, persistent and fervent in obtaining closeness to Allah SWT.

In case of average human beings, the state of their mind changes with circumstances and environments. Nevertheless, we can see from this story how anxious the Sahabah RA were about the condition of their Imaan

[reervieltnope]

Salaam everybody,

Often times I find myself to become spiritually uplifted directly, or even a day or two, after listening to a powerful lecture. From that point on, I tell myself I will pray on time, do good deeds all the time, etc. During the lecture itself, I feel a sense of goodness from within that is telling me to do everything (all the good things) at once, and grasp and implement as much of sunnah of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) into my life. As great as this "high" is, it does not last forever or even a significant amount of time that would allow me to improve my spiritual side.

Brothers and Sisters, I would like to see how you guys deal with this issue, so perhaps, I too, can be amongst the righteous. Inshallah.


Regards,

Your brother in Islam

brother,

You're absolutely right, which is why in Islam we are constantly supposed to remind about the truth, both ourselves as well as others (with wisdom of course). Like I said you are absolutely right and you are not alone, that is just human nature. When we are 'reminded' of something, we start putting more 'effort' into it, be it a 'worldly' task or 'religious'. If we are not constantly reminded about something, our effort towards that particular thing starts dwindling and losing momentum.

Hence, all the brothers need to be involved with their masjid on a daily basis. I am not sure about your routine, and if you do this already, but aim to pray at least Isha and Fajr in the masjid every single day. It should take something really extraordinary for you to miss your daily trip to the House of Allah . If Isha and/or Fajr don't work with your current schedule (try your best to work out your schedule around them though!), then any salat in the Masjid on a daily basis is good Insha'Allah... whatever works with your schedule. The idea is that a brother should be present in a masjid for some time on a daily basis, and not just making all 5 salats at home/work/school every single day and only going to the masjid once a week for Jummah. Also, one should put in the effort to pray whichever salat possible in congregation, even if not in the Masjid. Be it one's brother/father/neighbor at home, fellow Muslim coworker(s), fellow Muslim student(s) at school, etc. Way, way, way more virtuous and beneficial to make the effort to find another brother to pray with rather than alone, Insha'Allah.

Also, you need to find out what's going on at your local + other masajid around your area, as far as programs/lectures/bayans etc and attend as many of them as possible. Masha'Allah you are already doing that it seems like, since you mentioned listening to lectures. Get involved with the tabligh effort in your local masjid and/or any masajid around your area, attend the weekly shab-e-Jummah program which normally happens every Thursday night at the local markaz. The bayans during these programs are Alhamdulillah tremendously beneficial and help keep one in check. Go in Jamaat for 3 days every month (Insha'Allah not that hard with a little bit of effort, it's 3 days for deen and we still have the other 27 whole days for dunya), and make intention to go for longer whenever you are able to (10 days, 40 days, 4 months, etc). If at all possible, stay in the Masjid from Thursday night until Fajr the next day on Friday. This alone will allow for 'mingling' with other pious brothers, the opportunity for additional dhikr and 'ibadat of Allah , and just the general barakah of being in the House of Allah... even if one just sits on the corner the whole time or sleeps the whole night until Fajr, it is still Insha'Allah way more beneficial than going home and sleeping.

Again, if at all possible, even if it takes some extra effort, try to get involved in the 5 amaal of the masjid on a daily basis, and if not all 5 then however many you can comfortably participate in.

The bottom line is that at the minimum all brothers should be attending at least one "program" in a masjid on a weekly basis (in my opinion). The "program" can be a bayan by some jamaat brothers, a dars-e-Quran by a scholar, just a gathering of Muslim brothers for dinner in the masjid with some deeni talk... anything at all.

Of course then there are lectures and bayans on YouTube and just all over the internet, which are also very beneficial Alhamdulillah... but they should not "replace" the daily/weekly time in the masjid for brothers... rather they should serve as an additional supplement to the regular masjid time. Of course if one lives in a completely rural area where there is no masjid in sight without driving for hours and what not, then that is an isolated situation which I am not qualified to comment on.

By being consistent with the above-mentioned, it will Insha'Allah help one consistently stay on that "spiritual high" as you put it. You will be getting constant 'reminders' so even if it's been a week and you haven't heard a lecture, and your 'high' is starting to dwindle, then right when you need it, you will be 'hit' with another 'shot' which will Insha'Allah boost everything for you again.

As one may notice I said "brothers" the entire time in my post so far... so what about the sisters? In my opinion (not a scholarly opinion), it is the responsibility of brothers to make sure the sisters in their house (wife, mother, sister, etc) get the same opportunity that the brothers themselves have as far as being able to rejuvenate their imaan and amaal by doing the above-mentioned actions. Remember, the females in our houses are not going to the Masjid on a daily basis like us, or talking to this sheikh and that sheikh, or randomly "running into" this scholar and that scholar at the masjid and having an "amazing talk" with them, or listening to this bayan and that bayan, etc. So if we, the brothers, are Alhamdulillah getting to experience all that just by being involved with the masajid in our area on a daily basis, and if we don't turn around and make an effort to teach/share what we learned with the females in our house, then we are being unfair. Sure, it is easier said than done, but the effort needs to be made consistently. That means that taleem (hadith & commentary reading from one of the prescribed books) needs to be done at home on a daily basis... even if for a few minutes. One should strive to make a "cool family activity" out of taleem. Do it after a certain salat, or after dinner, or before dinner, or whatever works for everyone and have a different person read everyday, etc. Also, there are many programs in the masajid which sisters can attend as well, so the females in our households should be taken to any and all of these programs, so they get to benefit from the same talks & environment which we (brothers) are able to benefit from. Then, there is the whole world of musturaat (female) jamaats which one should make intention to Insha'Allah go with their wife/mother/sister etc when possible. All in all, always keep asking yourself what we are doing to Insha'Allah help the females in our home benefit from the power and barakah of Allah's deen. If the answer is not satisfactory then 1. stop expecting the females in our house to have the same "understanding" of the deen that we do and 2. do your part in helping them understand.

May Allah give me and all of us the taufeeq to act upon these things and may He forgive me if I said anything wrong.

Also to the OP brother: the above advice is more of 'general' advice for myself and everyone reading and not necessarily specifically for you, because for all I know you are probably doing the above and more already! So forgive me if it seems that I am trying to give you advice or something, because believe me I am not qualified to do so.

Please remember in your duas & Allah knows best.

[dexterljohnthefinanceguy]

To elaborate further on what Brother Shuayb has mentioned, it all boils down to what company we keep and what environment we place ourselves in. The more friends we have who are observant and wary of the deen, the more we will be observant and wary of the deen. Even to some people who may see going to religious programs as a chore, having a good company of like-minded friends who also want to better themselves in their deen makes you crave for these programs and events.

Fluctuations in our imaan are normal but to have a consistently higher level of imaan requires us to be fair and moderate - to not just keep deen as a private affair, confined to listening to lectures and praying salah, but to also have friends who are willing to discuss it with you so that everyone benefits and that talking about the deen becomes part of your vernacular.

[reervieltnope]

To elaborate further on what Brother Shuayb has mentioned, it all boils down to what company we keep and what environment we place ourselves in. The more friends we have who are observant and wary of the deen, the more we will be observant and wary of the deen. Even to some people who may see going to religious programs as a chore, having a good company of like-minded friends who also want to better themselves in their deen makes you crave for these programs and events.

Fluctuations in our imaan are normal but to have a consistently higher level of imaan requires us to be fair and moderate - to not just keep deen as a private affair, confined to listening to lectures and praying salah, but to also have friends who are willing to discuss it with you so that everyone benefits and that talking about the deen becomes part of your vernacular.

[optormtix]

Fix something minimum and be steadfast on that whatever be the situation. inshaaAllah by barakaat of that, one's ibaadat will get increased. Get in touch with a spiritual guide and inshaaAllah this will help a lot. Know that our whole life is a struggle until we face the death and Allah SWT loves that which is done consistently even be it small.
Allahu alam

Thank's sister for this simple piece of advice. You're right, its the small things that count.

http://www.yunuspatel.co.za/audio-recommended.php

Look for "Feeling Spiritually low?"

Inshallah, I will check that out. Thank you.

The scholars of Hadith have explained to us - we have to attend to our personal and impersonal worldly affairs, and therefore it would be difficult to be contemplating about the Hereafter for all the twenty-four hours of the day.

According to what has been said by the Prophet Muhammad SAW, complete absorption in the Hereafter is possible, but is rare, and it should not be expected by all. It is only for the Angels to remain in the same state forever. Such stations of piety do occur in reality, and are endowed to those devotees who are ever consistent, persistent and fervent in obtaining closeness to Allah SWT.

In case of average human beings, the state of their mind changes with circumstances and environments. Nevertheless, we can see from this story how anxious the Sahabah RA were about the condition of their Imaan

Yea, I guess we can't be angels. We are easily influenced by extrinsic factors that it is very difficult to maintain a consistent level of iman, but inshallah we can have the intention and make the effort. Thanks brother Ahmed for the Hadith.

brother,

You're absolutely right, which is why in Islam we are constantly supposed to remind about the truth, both ourselves as well as others (with wisdom of course). Like I said you are absolutely right and you are not alone, that is just human nature. When we are 'reminded' of something, we start putting more 'effort' into it, be it a 'worldly' task or 'religious'. If we are not constantly reminded about something, our effort towards that particular thing starts dwindling and losing momentum.

Hence, all the brothers need to be involved with their masjid on a daily basis. I am not sure about your routine, and if you do this already, but aim to pray at least Isha and Fajr in the masjid every single day. It should take something really extraordinary for you to miss your daily trip to the House of Allah . If Isha and/or Fajr don't work with your current schedule (try your best to work out your schedule around them though!), then any salat in the Masjid on a daily basis is good Insha'Allah... whatever works with your schedule. The idea is that a brother should be present in a masjid for some time on a daily basis, and not just making all 5 salats at home/work/school every single day and only going to the masjid once a week for Jummah. Also, one should put in the effort to pray whichever salat possible in congregation, even if not in the Masjid. Be it one's brother/father/neighbor at home, fellow Muslim coworker(s), fellow Muslim student(s) at school, etc. Way, way, way more virtuous and beneficial to make the effort to find another brother to pray with rather than alone, Insha'Allah.

Also, you need to find out what's going on at your local + other masajid around your area, as far as programs/lectures/bayans etc and attend as many of them as possible. Masha'Allah you are already doing that it seems like, since you mentioned listening to lectures. Get involved with the tabligh effort in your local masjid and/or any masajid around your area, attend the weekly shab-e-Jummah program which normally happens every Thursday night at the local markaz. The bayans during these programs are Alhamdulillah tremendously beneficial and help keep one in check. Go in Jamaat for 3 days every month (Insha'Allah not that hard with a little bit of effort, it's 3 days for deen and we still have the other 27 whole days for dunya), and make intention to go for longer whenever you are able to (10 days, 40 days, 4 months, etc). If at all possible, stay in the Masjid from Thursday night until Fajr the next day on Friday. This alone will allow for 'mingling' with other pious brothers, the opportunity for additional dhikr and 'ibadat of Allah , and just the general barakah of being in the House of Allah... even if one just sits on the corner the whole time or sleeps the whole night until Fajr, it is still Insha'Allah way more beneficial than going home and sleeping.

Again, if at all possible, even if it takes some extra effort, try to get involved in the 5 amaal of the masjid on a daily basis, and if not all 5 then however many you can comfortably participate in.

The bottom line is that at the minimum all brothers should be attending at least one "program" in a masjid on a weekly basis (in my opinion). The "program" can be a bayan by some jamaat brothers, a dars-e-Quran by a scholar, just a gathering of Muslim brothers for dinner in the masjid with some deeni talk... anything at all.

Of course then there are lectures and bayans on YouTube and just all over the internet, which are also very beneficial Alhamdulillah... but they should not "replace" the daily/weekly time in the masjid for brothers... rather they should serve as an additional supplement to the regular masjid time. Of course if one lives in a completely rural area where there is no masjid in sight without driving for hours and what not, then that is an isolated situation which I am not qualified to comment on.

By being consistent with the above-mentioned, it will Insha'Allah help one consistently stay on that "spiritual high" as you put it. You will be getting constant 'reminders' so even if it's been a week and you haven't heard a lecture, and your 'high' is starting to dwindle, then right when you need it, you will be 'hit' with another 'shot' which will Insha'Allah boost everything for you again.

As one may notice I said "brothers" the entire time in my post so far... so what about the sisters? In my opinion (not a scholarly opinion), it is the responsibility of brothers to make sure the sisters in their house (wife, mother, sister, etc) get the same opportunity that the brothers themselves have as far as being able to rejuvenate their imaan and amaal by doing the above-mentioned actions. Remember, the females in our houses are not going to the Masjid on a daily basis like us, or talking to this sheikh and that sheikh, or randomly "running into" this scholar and that scholar at the masjid and having an "amazing talk" with them, or listening to this bayan and that bayan, etc. So if we, the brothers, are Alhamdulillah getting to experience all that just by being involved with the masajid in our area on a daily basis, and if we don't turn around and make an effort to teach/share what we learned with the females in our house, then we are being unfair. Sure, it is easier said than done, but the effort needs to be made consistently. That means that taleem (hadith & commentary reading from one of the prescribed books) needs to be done at home on a daily basis... even if for a few minutes. One should strive to make a "cool family activity" out of taleem. Do it after a certain salat, or after dinner, or before dinner, or whatever works for everyone and have a different person read everyday, etc. Also, there are many programs in the masajid which sisters can attend as well, so the females in our households should be taken to any and all of these programs, so they get to benefit from the same talks & environment which we (brothers) are able to benefit from. Then, there is the whole world of musturaat (female) jamaats which one should make intention to Insha'Allah go with their wife/mother/sister etc when possible. All in all, always keep asking yourself what we are doing to Insha'Allah help the females in our home benefit from the power and barakah of Allah's deen. If the answer is not satisfactory then 1. stop expecting the females in our house to have the same "understanding" of the deen that we do and 2. do your part in helping them understand.

May Allah give me and all of us the taufeeq to act upon these things and may He forgive me if I said anything wrong.

Also to the OP brother: the above advice is more of 'general' advice for myself and everyone reading and not necessarily specifically for you, because for all I know you are probably doing the above and more already! So forgive me if it seems that I am trying to give you advice or something, because believe me I am not qualified to do so.

Please remember in your duas & Allah knows best.

Brother Shuayb, for the pointers. Being in contact with the local mosque is essential for our iman, as it will save us from the pervasive fitna in this day and age. Inshallah, I will try to get more involved with the local mosque. I like your comment on our obligation to the sisters. Why should the brothers only be able to benefit, when everybody can.

To elaborate further on what Brother Shuayb has mentioned, it all boils down to what company we keep and what environment we place ourselves in. The more friends we have who are observant and wary of the deen, the more we will be observant and wary of the deen. Even to some people who may see going to religious programs as a chore, having a good company of like-minded friends who also want to better themselves in their deen makes you crave for these programs and events.

Fluctuations in our imaan are normal but to have a consistently higher level of imaan requires us to be fair and moderate - to not just keep deen as a private affair, confined to listening to lectures and praying salah, but to also have friends who are willing to discuss it with you so that everyone benefits and that talking about the deen becomes part of your vernacular.

Brother abdulwahhab, What good is knowledge if only kept to ourselves and not spread, as is our ultimate goal as muslims. You are right about having company with whom we can share it. Thanks!

[optormtix]

Fix something minimum and be steadfast on that whatever be the situation. inshaaAllah by barakaat of that, one's ibaadat will get increased. Get in touch with a spiritual guide and inshaaAllah this will help a lot. Know that our whole life is a struggle until we face the death and Allah SWT loves that which is done consistently even be it small.
Allahu alam

Salaam everybody. I posted a reply to everybody by making a multiquote reply however, I guess the moderators have not approved it since I cannot see it. Therefore, I will individually reply to you all. Activity stream here i come! (Never mind, it won't let me post multiple times. Anyone know why?)

First up is sister mercy of allah. jazakallah for the simplicity of your response. Basically, we must take baby steps in order to reach the higher levels of iman.

[optormtix]

http://www.yunuspatel.co.za/audio-recommended.php

Look for "Feeling Spiritually low?"

As soon as I get off these forums, I will listen to his lecture(s), inshallah.

Jzk

[RlUbQU3R]

Salaam everybody,

Often times I find myself to become spiritually uplifted directly, or even a day or two, after listening to a powerful lecture. From that point on, I tell myself I will pray on time, do good deeds all the time, etc. During the lecture itself, I feel a sense of goodness from within that is telling me to do everything (all the good things) at once, and grasp and implement as much of sunnah of the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) into my life. As great as this "high" is, it does not last forever or even a significant amount of time that would allow me to improve my spiritual side.

Brothers and Sisters, I would like to see how you guys deal with this issue, so perhaps, I too, can be amongst the righteous. Inshallah.


Regards,

Your brother in Islam

hi,,,, the spiritual guides of this era.......say that this "high" is not the purpose.....the purpose is taqwa/sunnah..........feeling or no feeling main thing is staying away from every single sin

[optormtix]

hi,,,, the spiritual guides of this era.......say that this "high" is not the purpose.....the purpose is taqwa/sunnah..........feeling or no feeling main thing is staying away from every single sin

The only thing the feeling gives me is the motivation to continue to commit good deeds. I don't seem to gain any of the benefits, or lack thereof, found in the use of narcotics. I do agree that our purpose is to submit to the One, and follow his messenger. If the "high" stage is connecting the two points, I don't see anything wrong with it. However, this is just my opinion.

[RlUbQU3R]

The only thing the feeling gives me is the motivation to continue to commit good deeds. I don't seem to gain any of the benefits, or lack thereof, found in the use of narcotics. I do agree that our purpose is to submit to the One, and follow his messenger. If the "high" stage is connecting the two points, I don't see anything wrong with it. However, this is just my opinion.

yeah homie....dont take it the wrong way.......all im just saying is that this "feeling" which is so awesome every1 feels it is not the purpose......like dont run after this feeling ......im not saying its a bad thing but we cant always feeling high on eman i think there was a hadiths more a less.........if you were always high on iman then angels will shake your hands.......... feeling is not the purpose dont chase the "feeling" ...........just make sure taqwa/sunnah............................................ .................................(pls dont think that im like instructing you and looking down upon you) i had this same problem but i realised through barakah of shaykh and silsila that not making ecstasy and feelings your goal.

[RlUbQU3R]

OR maybe i dont understand your problem if you just looking for motivation for good deeds then...... read some nice books, quran translation..... nice uplifting naat/hamds,,,,,,ummmmmm PIOUS COMPANY (

[optormtix]

[quote]OR maybe i dont understand your problem if you just looking for motivation for good deeds then...... read some nice books, quran translation..... nice uplifting naat/hamds,,,,,,ummmmmm PIOUS COMPANY (

[quedry36]

Always remember death.