Stepping Stone

Seeking the purity and beauty of life, love, world and Islam.

[mufti-ismail-menk]

Remember, the Almighty never tests you with anything except to help you reach a destination that you ultimately wish to reach, deep down in your hearts. So bear patience and you’ll emerge the winner in all this.

Mufti Ismail Menk

[thepersonalquotes]

[ukhtinotes]

[mufti-ismail-menk]

The real test of sincerity is to see whether a person will help you even if he knows he will get nothing in return from you. The truth is anyone can help when there’s something to gain in return; but to help when there’s nothing to be gained shows true love & a beautiful heart!

Mufti Ismail Menk

[quranhour]

[quranhour]

Indeed, Allah is with the patient.

[silence-speaks-volume]

“You probably think you can drive. So did I. We all do. So we foolishly try to take the steering wheel of our lives. And then as a result, we crash over and over. Because the truth is none of us know how to drive… My people, so many of us misunderstand istikhara. It’s not about seeing a sign or a dream or even necessarily having a feeling about something. Although, any of these may occur. Istikhara is about letting go of the steering wheel. It’s about admitting to yourself and God that you don’t know the Unseen, and that you are not able to make things happen in the best way. It is the acknowledgement that God *does* know the Unseen, and God *is* able to make everything happen, in the best way. Istikhara is getting out of the driver’s seat and asking God to take over the steering wheel of your life, and the decisions you’re making. It is asking Allah to steer and do what’s best for you, in this life and the next. Istikhara is a protection. There are so many times when we are set on a course that is destructive. Istikhara doesn’t allow that course to occur. And after istikhara, any course that *does* occur is for our best–even if it bring about pain. Many people get confused. They wonder why a marriage failed or a job fell apart if they prayed istikhara. But Istikhara doesn’t promise a painless path. It promises *what’s best in the end*. Sometimes that ‘road to what’s best’ is windy. Sometimes it’s covered with thorns. But always, always, in the end, the destination is where you’re meant to be. Where you’re meant to fulfill your highest destiny and purpose. Be careful not to rely on yourself as you navigate through life and make decisions. Be very careful to always, always rely on God. Because every single one of us is blind. And we *don’t* know how to drive.”

— Yasmin Mogahed (via islamicrays)

[silence-speaks-volume]

“Stay close to the things that make you feel alive. Listen to your favorite song on repeat. Watch the sunset. Fall asleep to the sound of rain. Build a pillow fort. Let the sunshine from the window pour over you. Gaze up at the stars and count as many as you can until you lose count. Binge your favorite t.v. show. The smell of old books, daytime moons, that feeling of deja vu, thrift shops, long car rides. It’s the little things in life that make everything worthwhile. And when you feel like you wanna give up, when you feel so alone that the aching in your chest won’t go away, when you convince yourself that you don’t matter, try and remember this: There are so many foods you have not tasted. Books you haven’t read. Songs and albums you have never heard and fell in love with. Words you never even knew existed. Spices you have never smelled. Cities you have never explored and gotten lost in. People you have never met. Maybe you don’t love yourself. Maybe you hate the way you look. Maybe you’ve said something you shouldn’t have. Maybe you miss someone. Maybe you’ve lost someone. Maybe it feels like the world is against you and that you can’t do anything right and that it would be better off if you just disappeared. You are here right now. That’s all that matters. What you have done, what you have said, what you have felt, it doesn’t matter. Your mistakes, your fears, they do not define you. You are alive. You are still standing. Your heart’s still beating. The sun still shines in the morning. The rain still falls from the sky. The flowers still bloom in the spring. The world goes on, despite everything. You have survived through everything you have ever went through, gotten over every hurdle they have placed before you. Don’t give up now.”

— fabuliz, writing prompt #64: write 5-10 things you can do to better your mental health. (via wnq-writers)

[silence-speaks-volume]

“Always pray that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala make your spouse a blessing not a trial.”

— (via islamicrays)

[kittens-jpg]

[quraanandsunnah]

ameen

[silence-speaks-volume]

““The crying of the sinners is more loved to Allah than the tasbeeh of the arrogant.””

— Ibn al-Qayyim (via islamicrays)

[kermitsson-blog]

the hardest part about being tested by Allah is that you know that in the end, everything will be for the best and you have to keep reminding yourself of that all the times you are crying in sujood, struggling to keep your faith, make ends meet, or keep healthy relationships with those around you. Allah will test you like he tested the Prophets before. Have Sabr.

[mufti-ismail-menk]

Remember, the Almighty never tests you with anything except to help you reach a destination that you ultimately wish to reach, deep down in your hearts. So bear patience and you’ll emerge the winner in all this.

Mufti Ismail Menk

[silence-speaks-volume]

“When you see someone going through pain or hardship or depression never belittle it or make it sound insignificant just because you’ve been worse. All of us deal with situations differently and handle pain in our own ways. Don’t you see Rasūlullāh ﷺ lost his parents, children, went through boycotts, migration, persecution, and numerous wars yet when the little pet bird of a young boy in Madinah died, he came and consoled him and lifted his spirits because he was devastated. He - the Prophet of this nation who went through the most hardship didn’t just say, ‘People are going through worse than you…’”

— Shaykh Mohammed Aslam (via simplyhasanah)

[islamicrays]

“One of the main lessons that we should take from the story of the Mi'raj. The Prophet ﷺ had called people to Allah for over 10 years in Makkah. He was once the one that they called the truthful and the trustworthy, but suddenly all those who were once close to him turned their backs on him and betrayed him. He was stoned and pelted. He was called names and mocked. His family were starved. His companions were tortured and killed. All those who he once trusted now plotted against him and it was the hardest ten years of his blessed life. He saw hardship and he saw pain, but non of it compared to the pain he experienced just before this journey. He lost his uncle Abu Talib who looked after him as a child, the one who protected him when people attacked him. The one who took care of him when his father and grandfather passed away. His death caused the Prophet ﷺ indescribable pain. Then He lost his wife, Sayyidah Khadijah. She was the one he loved, she gave him ease, she honoured him and she remained with him when everyone left. When she passed away, it broke his blessed heart. When all of these trials and tribulations came his way, he remained steadfast and content with the destiny of Allah. He never gave up and he never despaired. He carried on calling to Allah. It was in this time that Allah took him upon the night journey and He saw His Lord. In those moments, He gazed upon Allah. He was rewarded for His patience, and he was honoured with the ultimate prize. Dear Ummah, you may be going through turmoil, pain and real confusion, but Allah has promised us that ease shall come after hardship. An ease which shall make us forget all that which we faced. Remain patient and keep steadfast with prayer, supplication and gratitude. A day shall come when Allah will reward you beyond measure. He only tested you as a sign that He loves you.”

— Shaykh Mohammad Aslam

[islamicrays]

“There are many people in this Ummah who truly love Allah and His Rasūl ﷺ, who recite the Qur'an, send salawat, and do their best to try to please their Lord, but they are secretly struggling with depression, anxiety, and mental health problems. Some of them don’t want to speak about it because they are worried that it will give the impression to others that they lack tawakkul, reliance, belief, gratitude, and certitude in Allāh. I just want to let you know that you should never feel ashamed and you don’t need to pretend you’re okay. You’re truly inspirational to carry on everyday despite the pain and difficulty. It might be hard but I really think you should try to find someone you trust and speak to them about what’s going on. You’re not on this journey alone. Never forget that Allah see’s every tear, every wound, every ache. He sees you getting out bed even though you don’t want to. He sees you putting on a smile to brighten the days of others even though you feel broken. He sees you hiding your pain because you don’t want to worry others. He won’t let your selflessness go to waste. Better days are coming Inshā'Allāh.”

— Shaykh Mohammad Aslam