Islam does not subscribe to the type of asceticism where we purify our hearts and yet remain immersed in political, economic or social corruption. Purification  must encompass our entire life, the privacy of our thoughts as well as their social manifestations in our daily life.

Everything must be in conformity with Allah's will.

This will of God also requires you to seek and maintain a delicate balance between the various obligations that demand your attention; between your obligations to Allah, your obligations towards others and your obligations towards yourself.

The Prophet advised us against extremism of any kind. It is reported that he said to Abdullah ibn Amr,

Have I heard right that you fast everyday and stand in prayer all night? Abdullah replied, "Yes, O Messenger of Allah"  The Prophet said, "Do not do that. Fast, as well as eat and drink. Stand in prayer, as well as sleep. For your body has a right upon you, your eyes have a right upon you, your wife has a right upon you, and your guest has a right upon you." (Muslim)

Unless you approach purificationas an all-embracing process, you will find that your life is compartmentalized, certain parts impeding the development of others. This can only result in a life of disharmony and unhappiness.

Approached as a comprehensive and all-embracing process, however, you will find that each part of your life will complement some other part.

This should, God willing, make your struggle on the path to God and Paradise easier and full of grace. As you struggle to make headway on the path to God, always remember that you have an excellent example before you. This is the example of the Prophet Muhammad, may God bless him and grant him peace

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1213871332858&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout

The "Science" of Decision-Making

There are many aspects of decision-making that we need to consider:

1. Having options is demanding. When there is only one choice – when there is only one road to take, it's easy – we do not have any decision to make. There are no demands on our minds, no resolutions to be responsible for, and no cause for seeking advice. ...

2. Sometimes when faced with a dilemma, we need to determine what option we are obliged to choose. We need to understand our decision in the context of our duties and obligations. This becomes difficult when certain options present us with unpleasant consequences. ...

3. At other times, there is no dilemma, no question of duty, but there is still a need to determine which option is the best. The question may not always have a clear answer.

We may be faced with a choice between a number of desirable options. We might decide which of these options is most pleasing to Allah, or which is more beneficial to the people. ...

4. The "science" of making good decisions is multidisciplinary. There have not been many books written in the field of Islamic Law devoted exclusively to the topic of decision-making. However, we see the topic being explored in a number of other specialized areas of research.

5. There are many branches of Islamic Law where issues related to decision-making are explored in depth. This is the case for any branch of law that deals directly with issues of public welfare...

http://islamtoday.com/showme_weekly_2006.cfm?cat_id=30&sub_cat_id=1731

Get a Good Teacher!

Advice from American convert Abdul-Lateef Abdullah to fellow new Muslims

My advice to you as a new Muslim is to find and learn the deen from a teacher. In my year and a half of being Muslim (I'm 28 years old), one of the most important experiences for me has been the guidance and support of a very knowledgeable and pious teacher.

Islam is a not a religion of self-interpretation. It is a straight path based on knowledge that must be acquired. It is a lifestyle that has to be adhered to, and is unfortunately being influenced by many negative elements, both within and outside Islam.

Although many new Muslims, especially in the US, choose to teach themselves Islam through books, lectures and videos, there are many pitfalls to doing this that should be avoided. Without a teacher or a guide, one who armed with the combination of knowledge and experience, the pitfalls of the ego and desires can confuse and lead us astray quite easily.

Self-teaching is a western phenomenon, and because many of us are brought up in the west, we assume we can apply our cultural norms to Islam as well. However, Islam is not of the west, thus, our western norms cannot be applied to it with much success.

For centuries, classical Islamic education was taught through direct contact with teachers. This is how wisdom, not just knowledge, was acquired. You cannot gain wisdom from just reading. ...

http://islamfortoday.com/abdullah03.htm

Pearls of Wisdom in Islam:

Hold Your Tongue

Speaking little and listening much are virtues and signs of maturity. The desire to make oneself heard at all times is a sign of spiritual imbalance and shamelessness, even if some explain it away as a form of insanity.

Any words spoken should be directed toward solving a problem or answering a question. In either case, the one who asks the question and the one who listens to the answer should not become bored.

It is natural that one speak only when necessary, and keep silent when words are out of place. However, it is always better that those words which are of great benefit to others should take precedence.

Nevertheless, this depends on acquiring good manners and perceiving the virtue of keeping silent. Such wisdom is reflected in a beautiful proverb: Those who speak a lot make many mistakes.

People reveal themselves through their words, and manifest their spiritual rank through their manners. Those who act as though they are the only ones with the authority to speak inevitably become disliked and are condemned by their friends.

As a result, any valuable words they might express are rejected out of hand. As a corollary, these truths are not accorded the respect they deserve.

Holding the tongue, like eating and sleeping only a little, always has been a golden rule followed by men and women of perfection.

Those who wish to develop their spiritual faculties are advised firstly to hold their tongue and to refrain from idle talk. They should not say whatever comes into their heads ...

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1213871690169&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout

"…and He put love and mercy between your hearts"

"And among His Signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He put love and mercy between your hearts. Verily in that are Signs for those who reflect." [Sûrah Rûm: 21]

We should think about this verse of the Qur'ân. We should consider it well. What does it tell us about married life?

The verse tells us quite clearly that the marital relationship is to be established on a basis of mutual understanding, compassion, and love. Moreover, this relationship is a reciprocal one. It is not one-way. This relationship something that both the husband and wife must maintain together with closeness, affection, softness of heart, and mutual caring. This is the way that the "tranquility" mentioned in the verse is realized.

The measure of marital success is in the harmony and openness of the marital relationship. Its failure can be measured in the degree of discord and emotional imbalance it suffers from.

Marriage is one of the noblest of human relationships. It is the very foundation of society. Allah has established a strong foundation for this relationship.

Love and affection are translated into action through kindness of expression, leniency in conduct, sincerity, mutual respect, and other behaviors. Tranquility comes about through their familiarity for one another, their natural sense of ease and comfort in being together, their need for each other. ...

http://islamtoday.com/showme2.cfm?cat_id=37&sub_cat_id=1782

A Life of Remembrance

Allah, Most Gracious and Loving, commends:

(Remember Me and I shall remember you. Be grateful unto Me and deny Me not) (2:152)

Those who remember Allah standing, sitting and reclining and who reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth are highly commended in the Noble Quran. They are wise in that, they fill their hearts with the remembrance of God in every moment in every circumstance and in every posture of our lives.

The exhortation to remember Allah at all times is a reflection of Allah's all-embracing and overwhelming love for us. The door to Allah is always open to us: (Remember Me and I will remember you) (2:152). We need only to find our way to and through that door. 

http://www.readingislam.com/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1216208030769&pagename=Zone-English-Discover_Islam%2FDIELayout 

Reliance on Allah

Self-confidence is borne from the believer's intimate knowledge and understanding that Allah is ever ready to assist those who strive and struggle in His way. Self-confidence comes from depending upon Allah and knowing that He is there to help you, protect you and shower His mercies upon you:

{So he who gives (in charity) and fears(Allah) and [in all sincerity] testifies to the best – We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Bliss.} (Al-Layl 92:5-7)

Self-confidence also emanates from knowing that Allah in His infinite mercy has equipped you with all that you require to undertake the tasks set before you. It is not characteristic of the One that is Most Just and Most Merciful to prepare you for a task without equipping you with the necessary tools.

Self-confidence is thus borne of total reliance and trust in Allah. It is knowing that at every step of your journey, Allah is there assisting you.

Hold Your Head Up High