pearls to reach the stars: May 2011

In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Welcome to pearls to reach the stars. Pearls and stars are metaphors. The pearls are very precious, highly valued things and stars indicate a category of excellence. Thus,the aims of Pearls to Reach the Stars are to stimulate our inner feelings, our minds and arouse our spirit in order that our speech, actions and thoughts are reflected positively, optimistically and virtuously as true muslims who are close to God. The collection of some pearls of wisdom from various authentic and reliable sources to reach the stars like motivational quotes, inspirational phrases , poems, aesthetic expressions, for inner stimulation to become a worthy person. May God forgive us and place us in the group of people who have good intentions, who love and help each other for the sake of Him and may Allah place us in the group of As-habul Yamin on the Day of Judgment in the hereafter. Ameen.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Don't Be Bitter My Friend

don't be bitter my friend
you'll regret it soon
hold to your togetherness
or surely you'll scatter

don't walk away gloomy
from this garden
you'll end up like an owl
dwelling in old ruins

face the war and
be a warrior like a lion
or you'll end up like a pet
tucked away in a stable

once you conquer
your selfish self
all your darkness
will change to light

~Maulana Rumi

Sunday, May 15, 2011

The Journey Starts Here

Don’t go off sightseeing.
The real journey is right here.
The great excursion starts
from exactly where you are.
You are the world.
You have everything you need.
You are the secret.
You are the wide opened.

Don’t look for the remedy for your troubles
outside yourself.
You are the medicine.
You are the cure for your own sorrow.

Threshold to freedom.

Do not be ruled by lust;
seek freedom by following the righteous.
Mere claims of piety will not earn you inner freedom.
Remain patient in adversity to attain peace,
for adversity is the threshold to freedom.
[Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani]

Praise belongs to God

When someone praises you, you must feel dislike for his praises within your heart. If he has praised you for something you truly possess say: 'Praise belongs to God Who has revealed the good things and concealed the ugly ones.' And if he praises you for something which you do not possess, say as one of our predecessors said: 'O God! Do not call me to account for what they say, forgive me what they do not know, and make me better than they think.'

In your case do not praise anyone unless you know that your praises will incite him to more good works or unless he is a superior man whose superiority is not well known and you wish to make it so, this being on condition that you are safe from lying and he is safe from conceit. [Al-Haddad, The Book of Assistance]

four signs of a diseased heart

There are four signs of a diseased heart:

1. To feel no enjoyment in worship.

2. To be in a state without fearing God.

3. To take no lessons from worldly events.

4. To learn something and not to put into practice. [Dhunnun al Misri]