Principles to live by

Author’s note:

This is an exquisite collection of anecdotes from stories from the Quran and Hadith, the life of the Prophet Peace be upon Him, the lives of the Companions, and various human disciplines.

It ~~was a private~~ collection of principles I collect around to help my self grow, develop intellectually, increase in self-awareness, nurturing my soul and strengthening my spirit.

Realtalk: You might see me smiling and think that all is good with me. But, most of the time, I have difficult moments:

First of all, I’m not who I want to be everyday, I often have a lot of shortcomings and that can make me very self-critical.
Secondly, the fragmented relationships in our kith and kin, communities, country and the world — especially our kith and kin, burdens my heart more than anything.

These principles help me in designing the next years of my life — as you’ll see below.

When you make a sincere intention to stand on principles, God (Allah) will help you.

Imam Zaid - Zaytuna College

Become a man of God! As expressed thus in the chapter Al’Imran (The Family of Imran): Become men of God — Al’Imran (3:79).
Become a follower of Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon Him. Know that nothing is precious if you are not a follower.
Seek your parents’ blessings, even at a personal sacrifice.
Practice keeping your word everyday. Every time you say you’re gonna do something and don’t do it, your value diminishes no matter how meaningless it may seem. Take your word very serious.
In pursuing what is meaningful and not expedient, be like a gardener: focused, hardworking, gentle, and trusting God with the results.
Love for your brother and neighbor what you love for yourself. Two ways of doing this: 7 & 8
Smile
Share whatever you’ve got with everyone. It might be something you own, something you’ve learned, access to resources, space, people. Not necessarily for profit , but becasue of what you love for yourself, you love for your brothers. If you cannot share it for free, charge a little something for your effort, to ensure that love can continue.
Don’t consume money that you didn’t work for.
Say everyday 40 times: Ya Hayyu Ya Qayyum, La Ilaha Illa Anta (The Ever-Living and The Sustainer.)
Always be in wudu — Bilal RA says: I never have lost my wudu except that I felt Allah has a right upon me to renew it. And I never renew it except that I prayed two rakah.
Always remember Nothing depends on you, Don’t think that the work you do, or reaching out and helping those in need is connected to you, if you are on it, it’s a favour of God (Allah). And if you stop, it will continue – even beyond your immagination.

Love! imam zaid how he put it

But you know that exercising is not only with swords, right? You must always exercise your heart and mind, because war start with minds and hearts, you will first rasie the conquest in your hearts then you will fight in the battlefield. We are exercising with swords to strengthen our hands.

What should we do to strengthen our hearts and minds?

The person is valued with what they want not what they are at that moment. You will aim such good things that your hearts will be good too. And your minds will be strong.

Allah SWT says “So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship] Ash-Sharh 94-7” As your dreams becomes supreme, your efforts grow too. You will stay at this time with your mind. But your dreams will affect centuries later. Dreams such things that have a supreme aim that is seen in your eyes, walk, talk etc that other can see it in you. Be valiants, who have big dreams.

Even if you are not granted today, open the ways for your children. Plant such seeds that, they can even blossom a thousand years later.

Becoming a man of God means adopting a God-oriented life. The God-oriented way of life is a complete way of life. It calls for the use of all human faculties. It means God-oriented thinking, God-oriented speech, God-oriented behaviour, God-oriented morality, etc.

Sending my love and until next time, stay blessed :pray: