[jurnalkduo]

How would Islamic guidelines of keeping a diary look like? Would it be even permissible and recommended for a Muslim to keep a diary? Are there any examples of our pious predecessors kept diaries? Do you keep a diary? If so, then what do you write down and what not?

There clearly has to be a difference between a Muslim and a non-Muslim keeping a diary, right? Because non-Muslims use diaries to pen down their feelings and often sorrows in order to relieve themselves, whereas a Muslim should talk to Allah in order to relieve his heart.

Just give me your insight on this topic.

[intifatry]

The great travellers ibn Battutah, ibn Fadhlan and Evliya Chelebi kept a journal while they travelled the length and breadth of Darul-Islam, from Maghreb to Hind, from the Volga and Bulgaria to Timbuktu.

It would be a great habit to keep, if in these times circumstances make you travel all over the place, and historians hundreds of years later would read it!

[CruzIzabella]

How would Islamic guidelines of keeping a diary look like? Would it be even permissible and recommended for a Muslim to keep a diary? Are there any examples of our pious predecessors kept diaries? Do you keep a diary? If so, then what do you write down and what not?

There clearly has to be a difference between a Muslim and a non-Muslim keeping a diary, right? Because non-Muslims use diaries to pen down their feelings and often sorrows in order to relieve themselves, whereas a Muslim should talk to Allah in order to relieve his heart.

Just give me your insight on this topic.

I am working to fill my 2nd islahi journal up insha'Allah, only my shaikh reads from this journal. It is like a personal diary because I pour everything out into it. My shaikh has many that he kept with his shaikh. Hakeem ul Ummah used to carry around a pen and a small pad. Whenever some thought came he would jot it down on the paper and put it back in his pocket. This way his heart was always free to make zikr of Allah swt. He would put his thoughts/burdens down on the paper pad. Once you put ur ideas on the paper thats it ur heart feels relieved and you can focus again.

[allaboutauto.us]

I have thought about keeping a diary too, just so you can put down your feelings when particular events occur. Put down the nice things people do for you and the blessings you have been given by Allah so you can look back and reflect on those at times when you are being ungrateful, or put down what you feel in times of hardships etc as a lesson

[intifatry]

If you write about bad things about other people, because you are frustrated with them, knowing that nobody will read your diary, does it count as backbiting, ghibah and/or buhtan?

Some time ago I listened to a podcast about a historian who found a diary of a diplomat who wrote unsavoury things about Winston Churchill, calling him a "drunken poltroon". Are we allowed to write such things?

[flowersnewacq]

Sister Aram,
Apology for off the topic comment.
The poety mentioned in ur signature need an appluase.
Dil zakhm zakhm hai logho, koi hai jisse dikhaein?
koi hum nafas nahi hai, gham-e-jaan kisse sunaein
Ho naseeb jaam-e-kawthar, yeh Nafees ki dua hai
magar ik haseen tamana, ke Huzoor khud pilaein
~Syed Nafees Shah Al Hussaini RH~

[slowlexrese]

just dont turn the personal diary as life diary. Its very painful if anyone gets hand on it and reads

[mikelangr]

As'salaamualaikum wa rahmatulaahi wa barakaatuhu..


i think tht still doesnt answer the question of whether its permissible of keeping a Diary or not - or its just tht am not 'convinced' - wel, i do keep a diary; but am also fully aware that Allah(sw't) is all aware of everthing that am writing - uptil now - i didnt find it having any repercussions - actually - i found in it an agenda-planner and its also much the like of a memo - and it helps me onto concentrating whilst salah; after salah or whilst(the last sujood), i've the habit of talking to Allah(sw't) on about my life and all - it may all sound pretty imature and stupid to so mnay - but i really feel good when am opening myself to Allah. and as the Brother above has stated - i'm also a bit afraid if am going to limit my 'conversation' with Allah - but my Diary is soo full with Dhikr of Allah, but yet.. i'm perplexed - pls do help brothers and sisters. =

[paypaltoegold1]

I am working to fill my 2nd islahi journal up insha'Allah, only my shaikh reads from this journal. It is like a personal diary because I pour everything out into it. My shaikh has many that he kept with his shaikh. Hakeem ul Ummah used to carry around a pen and a small pad. Whenever some thought came he would jot it down on the paper and put it back in his pocket. This way his heart was always free to make zikr of Allah swt. He would put his thoughts/burdens down on the paper pad. Once you put ur ideas on the paper thats it ur heart feels relieved and you can focus again.

Hazrat Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib sb recommends keeping a diary. For this, he narrated an event of Hazrat Hakeem ul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi that once he was going somewhere along with Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sahfi ; on his way, he took out a diary out of his pocket and noted down something on it. Then he asked Mufti Sahib "Mufti Sahab maen nay kya kya?" (Mufti Sahib what did i do?). Mufti Shafi Sahib replied that Hazrat i just know that you took out a diary and noted down something on it. Hazrat Thanwi replied that a thought was constantly striking my mind so i just noted it down and have therefore relieved my heart for the remembrance of Allah . Hazrat Hakeem Akhtar Sahib d.b there after said that this will also enable one to write important Sayings, Ash'aar etc being told in a Majlis (religious gathering). I heard all this from some previously recorded lecture of Hazrat Wala.

As for me, i did buy a diary but so far have not been able to start using it, properly.. The concept of diary for islahi (rectification) purposes, as indicated by Shaykh Fusoos d.b., also seems to be a valuable suggestion.

Wallahu A'lam

[ehib8yPc]

Hazrat Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib sb recommends keeping a diary. For this, he narrated an event of Hazrat Hakeem ul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi that once he was going somewhere along with Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sahfi ; on his way, he took out a diary out of his pocket and noted down something on it. Then he asked Mufti Sahib "Mufti Sahab maen nay kya kya?" (Mufti Sahib what did i do?). Mufti Shafi Sahib replied that Hazrat i just know that you took out a diary and noted down something on it. Hazrat Thanwi replied that a thought was constantly striking my mind so i just noted it down and have therefore relieved my heart for the remembrance of Allah . Hazrat Hakeem Akhtar Sahib d.b there after said that this will also enable one to write important Sayings, Ash'aar etc being told in a Majlis (religious gathering). I heard all this from some previously recorded lecture of Hazrat Wala.

As for me, i did buy a diary but so far have not been able to start using it, properly.. The concept of diary for islahi (rectification) purposes, as indicated by Shaykh Fusoos d.b., also seems to be a valuable suggestion.

i will so much like to know if this helps anyone to keep it snd what will you put in it i need some help i talk to Allah swt alot iam hurting from alot of things in life i have sabr i know this is good and i do salat i just need help
thanks if you can tell me how it have helped other may be i can see some light at the end of this

[paypaltoegold1]

Originally Posted by Talhah

Hazrat Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib sb recommends keeping a diary. For this, he narrated an event of Hazrat Hakeem ul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi that once he was going somewhere along with Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sahfi ; on his way, he took out a diary out of his pocket and noted down something on it. Then he asked Mufti Sahib "Mufti Sahab maen nay kya kya?" (Mufti Sahib what did i do?). Mufti Shafi Sahib replied that Hazrat i just know that you took out a diary and noted down something on it. Hazrat Thanwi replied that a thought was constantly striking my mind so i just noted it down and have therefore relieved my heart for the remembrance of Allah . Hazrat Hakeem Akhtar Sahib d.b there after said that this will also enable one to write important Sayings, Ash'aar etc being told in a Majlis (religious gathering). I heard all this from some previously recorded lecture of Hazrat Wala.

As for me, i did buy a diary but so far have not been able to start using it, properly.. The concept of diary for islahi (rectification) purposes, as indicated by Shaykh Fusoos d.b., also seems to be a valuable suggestion.

i will so much like to know if this helps anyone to keep it snd what will you put in it i need some help i talk to Allah swt alot iam hurting from alot of things in life i have sabr i know this is good and i do salat i just need help
thanks if you can tell me how it have helped other may be i can see some light at the end of this

I am a useless person.. you can refer to Shaykh Nabeel Khan db (Khalifah of Hazrat Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib in USA) here for your problems.. Insha-Allah this will help (by the way, the Shaykh also posts on this forum)..

[maliboia]

Hazrat Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib sb recommends keeping a diary. For this, he narrated an event of Hazrat Hakeem ul Ummat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi that once he was going somewhere along with Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sahfi ; on his way, he took out a diary out of his pocket and noted down something on it. Then he asked Mufti Sahib "Mufti Sahab maen nay kya kya?" (Mufti Sahib what did i do?). Mufti Shafi Sahib replied that Hazrat i just know that you took out a diary and noted down something on it. Hazrat Thanwi replied that a thought was constantly striking my mind so i just noted it down and have therefore relieved my heart for the remembrance of Allah . Hazrat Hakeem Akhtar Sahib d.b there after said that this will also enable one to write important Sayings, Ash'aar etc being told in a Majlis (religious gathering). I heard all this from some previously recorded lecture of Hazrat Wala.
Wallahu A'lam

I find this story extremely cute. "Mufti Sahab maen nay kya kya?" (Mufti Sahib what did i do?)
Lovely. (It was posted on An-Noor too some time back.)
Wassalam

[ehib8yPc]

I am a useless person.. you can refer to Shaykh Nabeel Khan db (Khalifah of Hazrat Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sahib in USA) here for your problems.. Insha-Allah this will help (by the way, the Shaykh also posts on this forum)..

mashallah thank you so much i dont know many hanafi site so thank u may Allah give you good in this life and next iam trying to make everyone happy and at ease all at onece but idk thank you may be this will help out some

[Innockcroff]

How would Islamic guidelines of keeping a diary look like? Would it be even permissible and recommended for a Muslim to keep a diary? Are there any examples of our pious predecessors kept diaries? Do you keep a diary? If so, then what do you write down and what not?

There clearly has to be a difference between a Muslim and a non-Muslim keeping a diary, right? Because non-Muslims use diaries to pen down their feelings and often sorrows in order to relieve themselves, whereas a Muslim should talk to Allah in order to relieve his heart.

Just give me your insight on this topic.

Ussalamulaikum Brother

You hit the nail on the head! There is definitely a difference between Muslims keeping a "diary" and non-Muslims keeping a diary.

Issue of the diary is interesting. As Muslims, we should constantly be reflecting on Allah either by pondering about the creation around us or by looking at ourselves and how to correct our actions to better serve Allah. I am of the opinion that we need to have some way of logging our thoughts to help us progress as it gives us an opportunity to reflect on our mistakes and how we can improve.

I suppose, you could kind of split diaries up into three broad types (there is bound to be crossover):
1. "Secret" Diary
2. Log of Events
3. Reflective journal

"Secret" Diary

If you live in the secular world when you think of a diary the thoughts that come to one's mind are something secret that you lock away (most of the diaries sold for little kids now already have little locks on them!). It is hidden as the content may contain an outpouring of emotions that you would be unhappy to share with others, especially those close to you.

Both of the above, I think are interlinked. People may have problems in their lives and they need a way to outpour them. One of the best pieces of advice I received from a brother is if you ever really feel like complaining. Complain to the only one who can make a difference - Allah (SWT).
If you take on this advice, the concept of a diary as it sits in a secular sitting is no longer needed. Why complain using a book when you can have a direct line?!?
DUA- THE WEAPON OF THE BELIEVER

Alhumdulillah, I found it beautiful that one of the brothers here mentioned he shares his diary with his teacher! You would not find many people who keep the secular idea of a diary doing that. Hehe.

Log of Events

The other type of diary may be a log of events.
"Dear Diary, this is what I did today..."
On first glance it may seem like that is harmless. But, what is the reason for doing that?
As non-Muslims, it probably makes more sense as there may be a need to hoard up and pile their memories of their life as when they go to the grave, this is all they have.
As Muslims, we will already have a book telling us all our actions on the Day of Judgement and that is going to be much more detailed - job saved!

As you may have guessed, I am not a facebook fan.
I am not an expert myself but I'd recommend the following articles on
Internet and Islamic Etiquette

Reflective Journal
I think if you use a diary as an opportunity to reflect on experiences/thoughts so that you can get closer to Allah OR that can benefit others after you have left this world then that is really worthwhile.

All to often, and I can only use myself as an example, I am quick to describe an event but fail to note the lessons that could be learned. The opportunity for people to make notes to improve themselves should always be encouraged.

From a practical point of view I would always carry a small notepad no bigger than the size of your palm and a pen with you. If you are of the new generation you probably have a phone so the notes/task feature is just as useful

"Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allah)." (Ar-Ra'd, The Thunder, Chapter 13: Verse 11)

Walaikum salaam

[ehib8yPc]

Ussalamulaikum Brother

You hit the nail on the head! There is definitely a difference between Muslims keeping a "diary" and non-Muslims keeping a diary.

Issue of the diary is interesting. As Muslims, we should constantly be reflecting on Allah either by pondering about the creation around us or by looking at ourselves and how to correct our actions to better serve Allah. I am of the opinion that we need to have some way of logging our thoughts to help us progress as it gives us an opportunity to reflect on our mistakes and how we can improve.

I suppose, you could kind of split diaries up into three broad types (there is bound to be crossover):
1. "Secret" Diary
2. Log of Events
3. Reflective journal

"Secret" Diary

If you live in the secular world when you think of a diary the thoughts that come to one's mind are something secret that you lock away (most of the diaries sold for little kids now already have little locks on them!). It is hidden as the content may contain an outpouring of emotions that you would be unhappy to share with others, especially those close to you.

Both of the above, I think are interlinked. People may have problems in their lives and they need a way to outpour them. One of the best pieces of advice I received from a brother is if you ever really feel like complaining. Complain to the only one who can make a difference - Allah (SWT).
If you take on this advice, the concept of a diary as it sits in a secular sitting is no longer needed. Why complain using a book when you can have a direct line?!?
DUA- THE WEAPON OF THE BELIEVER

Alhumdulillah, I found it beautiful that one of the brothers here mentioned he shares his diary with his teacher! You would not find many people who keep the secular idea of a diary doing that. Hehe.

Log of Events

The other type of diary may be a log of events.
"Dear Diary, this is what I did today..."
On first glance it may seem like that is harmless. But, what is the reason for doing that?
As non-Muslims, it probably makes more sense as there may be a need to hoard up and pile their memories of their life as when they go to the grave, this is all they have.
As Muslims, we will already have a book telling us all our actions on the Day of Judgement and that is going to be much more detailed - job saved!

As you may have guessed, I am not a facebook fan.
I am not an expert myself but I'd recommend the following articles on
Internet and Islamic Etiquette

Reflective Journal
I think if you use a diary as an opportunity to reflect on experiences/thoughts so that you can get closer to Allah OR that can benefit others after you have left this world then that is really worthwhile.

All to often, and I can only use myself as an example, I am quick to describe an event but fail to note the lessons that could be learned. The opportunity for people to make notes to improve themselves should always be encouraged.

From a practical point of view I would always carry a small notepad no bigger than the size of your palm and a pen with you. If you are of the new generation you probably have a phone so the notes/task feature is just as useful

"Allah will not change the good condition of a people as long as they do not change their state of goodness themselves (by committing sins and by being ungrateful and disobedient to Allah)." (Ar-Ra'd, The Thunder, Chapter 13: Verse 11)

Walaikum salaam

jazkaallah this helps me on alot may Allah sws bless you in this life and next ameen

[allaboutauto.us]

Hazrat Hakeem Akhtar Sahib d.b there after said that this will also enable one to write important Sayings, Ash'aar etc being told in a Majlis (religious gathering). I heard all this from some previously recorded lecture of Hazrat Wala.

I always try to make a note of sayings and ashaars i hear in bayaans and put them on a blog so i can easily search through it when i need to. I have also started keeping a personal diary of events to monitor my progress.

[gundas]

Would there be anything wrong with keeping a daily diary where you are essentially listing your sins for the day in an effort to reform yourself?

I can see how it can be a good idea but also why it might not be recommended. If someone knowledgeable can share their ideas on the subject ...

[Amirmsheesk]

Would there be anything wrong with keeping a daily diary where you are essentially listing your sins for the day in an effort to reform yourself?

I can see how it can be a good idea but also why it might not be recommended. If someone knowledgeable can share their ideas on the subject ...

....thats the job of the angels....somebody might read it and you will end up exposing yourself...not a good idea in my opinion...