The more time and sincere effort we make to understand any of the Grand and Beautiful Names, the more our knowledge and understanding will grow about our Majestic Master. This search and effort must be motivated by a deep and burning desire to get closer to Allah SWT. We are all fortunate to be born with this instinctive yearning to return to where we came from. It represents the inner forces of goodness within all human beings.
These feelings must be developed and nurtured because if it is absent then something major is missing in our lives. That would be an indication of how we have allowed the counter forces of the Nafs, Shaitaan and the Dunyah, to have taken control of our lives.
One should constantly strive to become a better person – there is always room for improvement. Being slack, negligent and complacent is an indication of all the dark veils that surround our hearts. It is therefore very important to have a strategy and plan of action in place and not leave things to chance.
If one were to examine and honestly assess one’s life, then the shortcomings and qualities one should work on will become glaringly obvious.
Humility
This quality is high on the list because it impacts on our relationship with others as well as our relationship to Allah SWT. True humility is the fast track to becoming an obedient slave. The more successful we are in
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developing this quality the quicker other bad traits like vanity, superiority, arrogance, haughtiness etc. will disappear.
Patience
The reason why this is on the short list is not because of the general understanding but rather in the way it is directly linked to the Divine Decree. When we are tested with extreme hardships, then how we respond is normally a good yardstick of whether we have developed true patience. The more severe the trials, the more our Iman and Taqwa will be tested. We should practice patience with the smaller issues, like waiting in long queues or waiting on important replies. Accepting and being patient with the smaller and easier matters ultimately makes it easier to deal with the major tests in our lives. One should avoid hastiness and impatience for they are the obstacles to progress.
Generosity
It is a sign of greatness when one identifies this in an individual. Giving and sharing of one’s wealth with those who are less fortunate is not optional, it is compulsory. There are several other facets to this quality like allowing others to state their views even if you think they are wrong. Always giving people a smile or a friendly face regardless of how you are feeling. Being considerate, is being generous.
One’s attention and focus is so taken up with what one is busy with that we often miss out on these opportunities. True generosity is when you give although you are not really in a position to do so. When it is accompanied with sacrifice and effort then the benefit is multiplied.
One should be wary of selfishness, miserliness, intolerance and greed – these are the enemies to watch out for.
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Anger
The holy Prophet SAW said that when we get angry then we move right up to the brink of the pit of Jahannam. This is a quality that turns a normally good person into a monster. Shaitaan dearly loves us to get angry because we then become his disciples – he can then control us to do all the wrong things. The reason why this quality is so difficult to manage is because it often attacks you without any warning. The worse sins and crimes on Earth are committed because of anger. Once it has you in its grip it becomes very difficult to control and get out of. Never justify this type of bad behaviour – always express regret and apologise when you come to your senses.
To effectively fight anger, one must recognise the early warning signs like – getting upset, irritation, impatience, frustration etc. Do not allow it to develop to the next stage. Watch out for it and curb it.
The most effective counter is to overlook things and to develop the qualities of forgiveness, tolerance and patience.
When we say Islam is not a religion but a way of life then it means every aspect of our lives must be lived to be in obedience to the commands of Allah SWT. How? By doing the small and basic things right then the bigger issues will automatically take care of themselves.
Conclusion
Allah SWT in His Infinite Mercy has blessed us by revealing some of His Divine Names to us, so that through them we are able to develop an understanding of who Allah SWT is. As ordinary people, we struggle to cope with all our responsibilities on this Dunyah. Unfortunately, we tend to use this as an excuse as to why we do not make time for Allah in our lives. We must remember that when we are occupied with anything other than Allah, then that becomes an obstacle in our search for Allah SWT’s love and nearness.
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We must each strive in our own individual lives to achieve a balance – between our bodies carrying out its responsibilities and duties of the Dunyah but where our hearts are with Allah SWT. This is not easy but by attaching oneself to at least one of the Grand Names and trying to mold one’s life and behaviour around it, will be a great start. The Divine Nur of that Name will illuminate our hearts and radiate through our entire beings.
The more we move away from the Dunyah the more we will expel those influences which are other than Allah SWT from our hearts.
If we remember Allah, then He remembers us even more. If we love Allah, then He loves us even more! This must therefore mean that if we strive earnestly and make genuine sincere effort, then Allah will guide and pull us towards Himself.
Oh Allah! Even our own sincere efforts do not come from us but from You!
We are so grateful that You have granted us the ability to be thankful. How can we be truly thankful oh Allah, if we do not even know or realise all the many things that we should be thankful for!
Oh! Our most Merciful Rabb and Sustainer, please accept our pleas for forgiveness for our disobedience, for being so neglectful, for our weaknesses and our forgetfulness.
Oh! Our Sublime, Merciful and Majestic Rabb flood our hearts with the Barakah and Divine Light of Your Grand Names. Remove from our breast everything that is other than You!
Subhaan Allah wabi hamdihi astaghfirullah!
Allah! Allah! Allah!
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