04-20-2005, 07:50 AM
Bismillah
As salam Alykom Carol
Welcome back home sister, Alhamdulelah that Allah Allowed u a second chance, life is a chance u know u either seize it or else …If only we realize this, that life is not but a short transit trip, u wouldn’t really mind how hard it is. The road is hard sister, yes it is for everyone. Temptations are many yes. And no one and nothing can make it easy except Allah. The question is how to attain this easiness? By holding tight on the rope of Allah, again how to do this? Through remembrance of Allah, what is remembrance? It is using certain formula to praise Allah, to pay due respect to Allah, to repent to Allah (Talking about repentance, since u lost it and regained it Alhamdulelah, u need to re take shahada, ghusl and all the steps), to ask for His Guidance and help in order to remain is Allah's strong shield, and sustainable protection. Allah Say:" Therefore remember Me (by praying, glorifying, etc.). I will remember you, and be grateful to Me (for My countless Favours on you) and never be ungrateful to Me." (Quran 2:152)
How to fight the resistance? By knowing who your enemy is? Or let me say are?
1. Yourself or let us be precise the ego, the inner self.
2. Satan.
How to handle both is the point? Again the remembrance and more of course, let us just take it step by step.
The self needs training so that u would be able to drive it rather than letting it drive u. For example can u go out right now and play a tennis match if u r not fit physically? Certainly not, u need to exercise. Like wise u need to train yourself to listen to u rather than u listening to it.
I will give u my experience, for ex. I have the money to buy the Ice cream or certain brand of coffee I love much though more expensive than the regular one I use. But I just tell myself why? I have already fruit and a coffee jar. And I don’t get what I want. I don’t let myself be attached to something out of habit for ex. Breaking the habit so that u don’t need or depend on something. Am I talking too much. Sorry but just bear with me. Even watching a daily TV serial , skip one or two nothing will happen, u wouldn’t loose anything, but u will loose the attachment. By this and by time u will learn not to depend on anything or anyone , seek company from anyone but Allah. This is how u can train yourself. This is the first step in upping prayer on time, fasting, of course, because initially u fear Allah and u want to get closer.
As for the remembrance, I will start with u with simple formula:
Use: Sobhan Allah, Alhamdulelah, la ilaha ila Allah, Allah u Akbar wa la hawla wala qowata ila billah
I mean say these a lot, cleaning the house say them, driving to the store use them, walking for a while use them, as long as u r not interacting with anyone or doing your job that need attention like studying or working say them. By time Insh a Allah u will develop this special close relation with Allah that takes u closer and u will see the difference I will not tell u.
I am not sure how far u went, did u memorize any of the small surahs for prayers? If yes then the Ikhlas, Falaq and nas 112- 113-114. put your hands in front of your mouth, recite the 3 qols, blow in your hands then wipe off your whole body with your hands from front and back. Do this 3 times before u go to sleep.
If u still didn’t memorize them say aoudhbillah min shaytan arrajeem and blow and wipe off your body.
Sister Insh a Allah will check on this thread and help as much as possible.
I hope I didn’t put too much but u need this.
Most important Insh aAllah try to establish your prayer as much as possible,