Hadith: On Avoiding Materialism

📖 Ibn 'Umar RadhiAllahu 'anhuma narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Be in this world as if you were a stranger or a traveler along a path."
Ibn 'Umar RadhiAllahu 'anhuma would say, "If you make it to the evening, do not wait for the morning. If you make it to the morning, do not wait for the evening. Take from your health for your sickness, and from your life for your death."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6053
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Bukhari
📖 Anas ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever is concerned about the Hereafter, Allah will place richness in his heart, bring his affairs together, and the world will come to him although he is reluctant for it. Whoever is concerned about the world, Allah will place poverty between his eyes, disorder his affairs, and he will get nothing of the world but what is decreed for him."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2465
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani
📖 Zayd ibn Thabit RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever makes the world his most important matter, Allah will confound his affairs and make poverty appear before his eyes and he will not get anything from the world but what has been decreed for him. Whoever makes the Hereafter his most important matter, Allah will settle his affairs and make him content in his heart and the world will come to him although he does not want it."
Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 4105
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

Note: Tips On How To Get Over A Crush

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 To have desires is part of being human. To suppress or defeat evil desires shows you're a striving Muslim. While being hesitant to fall in love is a blessing in disguise for many, several individuals tend to catch feelings easily. Once someone has captivated them or emotionally entered their hearts, it can be difficult to stop thinking about that crush even if they're already married, after several years went by, or they moved to another city.
🔸 Signs you are attracted to someone, despite internally or outwardly denying it:
1] You like them a lot not in a platonic way but sensually. So if you were granted permission to be passionate with them, you'd do so.
2] They preoccupy your mind, imagination and fantasies so much so that merely thinking of them distracts you from properly carrying out daily tasks.
3] You marvel at how a quality or characteristic of theirs amazes you, how they somehow make you feel special, or you're intrigued by how you both are very similar in many ways.
4] You're nervous when they're around, overly concerned that they don't get turned off by you, or you find their presence somewhat overwhelming. Understand they're also humans with myriad imperfections, hence you must quit overestimating and obsessing over them.
5] You sometimes pray to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala that He removes your feelings of attraction.
🔸 Tips on how to get over those who aren't halal/lawful for you:
1] Try the "out of sight, out of mind" tactic, so they can be forgotten. Avoid or minimize going to the places where you know they frequently go to. Unfriend or unfollow them on social media if doing so brings you closer to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, even if this choice may upset them.
Both of you can Inn-sha-Allah be rewarded for striving to implement patience.
2] Lower your gaze when they're around and when quickly noticing photos of themselves online. Don't keep staring at their faces, bodies and pictures no matter how much you want to.
3] Recall their negative qualities that may turn you off so you no longer find them attractive, or recount all the reasons why it's impossible for you to be romantically together.
4] People who wish to lose weight avoid excessive food even if they normally enjoy overeating whenever they like, yet they have the stamina to stay away from eating excessively in order to achieve their goal to become physically fit. If they can do that, just as you're able to resist eating and drinking while fasting, you too have the ability to detach from the urge to commit zina - a major sin.
5] Constantly remind yourself of the consequences of acting upon sinful thoughts and inappropriate feelings. Imagine actually having done what you desire to do with the person you're crushing on behind closed doors and then instantly regretting your wrong decision in this world or the next.
6] Acknowledge the fact that daydreaming or fantasizing about being in an affair with your crush is irrational. If it's something that can never happen in real life, must never take place, or it is one of shaytan's tricks which eventually directs you to massive remorse, don't bother entertaining those nonsensical illusions.
7] Get married sincerely for Allah's sake to preserve your modesty and focus on loving the soul whom Allah the Most Wise selects as your spouse.
8] If you still can't forget those whom your heart regards as "irresistible" or "unavoidable", admit you really adore them while knowing what your boundaries and restrictions are. The similitude of avoiding what you desire is that of a diabetic who intentionally refrains from excess sugar and carbohydrates which they'd freely enjoy if they weren't struggling with diabetes. Although they relish sugary foods and carbs, they distance themselves from what can cause their health condition to decline. 

Respect yourself enough to leave what Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala has prohibited.
9] Do what you can to be prepared for death and look forward to being granted entry Inn-sha-Allah to Jannah Paradise, where all wishes and desires can be fulfilled.
10] Make sincere effort to fast Sunnah fasts regularly like on Yawm 'Arafah and every other Monday and Thursday. Fasting is another way to effectively discipline your soul, training your nafs to gain inner strength in avoiding what should be avoided.
11] Realize that if you genuinely love that particular soul whom you admire, wouldn't you want what is best for them? Getting into zina will only result in you two being exposed to humiliation in both worlds, so why jeopardize your faith/Imaan and dignity by pursuing what is clearly haraam/forbidden.
Staying patient for Allah's sake as you ignore those whom your heart desires or struggling with feeling heartbroken in dunya is better than fulfilling animalistic urges then eternally regretting.
📖 Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "O young men, if you are able to support a wife, get married. Verily, it lowers the gaze and guards chastity. Whoever is not able to do so, he must fast as it will restrain his passions."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 1806,
Sahih Muslim 1400
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
📖 Sahl Ibn Sa’d RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever guarantees for me what is between his jaws and his legs, I can guarantee for him Paradise."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6109
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Bukhari
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Verily, Allah has pardoned my nation for what occurs within themselves (evil thoughts or feelings), as long as they do not speak of it or act upon it."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6287
Sahih Muslim 127
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
Ibn Al-Qayyim said, “Know that passing thoughts are not harmful. Indeed, they are only harmful if they are sought after and engaged. For a thought is like a passerby on the road; if you ignore him, he will depart from you.”
Source: Al-Jawāb Al-Kāfī 1/157

Note: Don't Compare Your Journey To Others' Stories

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 It is possible to not get jealous of others' lives when you know that whatever they have, own, and accomplished are all granted by Allah the Most Wise. Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala is the One Who gave His servants different abilities, sources of joy, and achievements as a test to observe what they would do with the blessings that they've been given. Will they be grateful slaves of Allah the Most Kind and share their joys with others to express their gratitude to Him Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, or will those things which bring temporary satisfaction cause them to be ungrateful, selfish and arrogant, preoccupied with trying to build their own "perfect place" in dunya instead of striving for eternal bliss in Jannah?
If you discover someone who triggers feelings of inferiority complex, or daily browsing through social media makes you feel as though your life isn't cool or enjoyable enough, remind yourself that everything which a person enjoys in this fleeting world were bestowed upon them by Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. Nothing ever occurs on earth except with Allah's Permission.
That stranger's high IQ, ability to communicate in multiple languages fluently, and connections with supposedly educated professionals whose intelligence levels are above average exist because Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala decreed it to be that way. Your friend who married at an earlier age, while another achieves financial success in a business they recently started, got what they wanted only because Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala chose such destiny for them.
Stubbornly comparing your journey to somebody else's story is one of the fastest ways to be unhappy. Aiming to be better than who you were before, focusing on what you're already good at, developing your own capabilities, thanking Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala for the favors that He chose to grant you and staying patient with His Qadr/Destiny are what you need to pass this examination.
If ever you have the urge to compare to someone, remember the less fortunate when it comes to dunya-related matters to stay gratefully contented with what Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala selected for you. Before assuming you're not as clever or intellectually gifted as others, think of those who struggle with physical or mental disabilities. Recall the homeless and refugees worldwide whenever your nafs wants you to complain about simplicity.
The person to compete against should be yourself. Defeat vile desires as much as you can and always train yourself to be more confident, content and wiser than yesterday. Your faith/Imaan and good deeds done for Allah's sake, not material possessions nor worldly gains, are what can benefit you in your grave and scales on the Day of Resurrection.
📖 Ibn 'Abbas RadhiAllahu 'anhuma narrated: I was riding behind the Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam when he said to me, "Young man, I will teach you some words. Be mindful of Allah and He will protect you. Be mindful of Allah and you will find Him before you. If you ask, ask from Allah. If you seek help, seek help from Allah. Know that if the nations gathered together to benefit you, they will not benefit you unless Allah has decreed it for you. And if the nations gathered together to harm you, they will not harm you unless Allah has decreed it for you. The pens have been lifted and the pages have dried." Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2516 Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to At-Tirmidhi
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Look at those below you and do not look at those above you, for it is the best way not to belittle the favors of Allah."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6125,
Sahih Muslim 2963
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
📖 Abu Nadrah RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said: "O people, your Rabb (God Allah) is One, and your father Adam is one. There is no favor of an Arab over a foreigner, nor a foreigner over an Arab, and neither white skin over black skin, nor black skin over white skin, except by piety (Taqwa). Have I not delivered the message?"
Source: Musnad Ahmed 22978
Grade: Sahih

Note: Some Notes Concerning Polygyny

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💭 Some notes on polygyny:
1. The beloved Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wa sallam stayed with Khadijah RadhiAllahu anha for so many years and didn't take another wife until she passed away. This shows that being in a monogamous marriage isn't reprehensible as the noble Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu alaihi wa sallam himself remained with only one wife in the beginning. It's possible for a man to find contentment with just one wife.
2. While it is permissible for men in Islam to have up to four wives, they are obliged to treat them as fairly as they can, with regards to family time management, satisfying the emotional needs of each wife and granting financial support.
3. A Muslim can Inn-sha-Allah earn rewards in taking care of a large family, trying to ensure he fulfils all his duties and responsibilities, especially if one of his wives is a former divorcée or widow with orphaned kids. By marrying her he gets the chance to be a supportive stepfather to those orphaned children.
4. A carriage being pulled by two fast horses may move faster than a cart being pulled by one horse. A carriage pulled by strong three or four horses moves even faster than the one dragged by two horses. A well-trained stallion or speedy horse can gallop a lot faster than a carriage pulled by four horses, especially if some of the horses from that carriage are stressed or inefficient. This similitude is like that of a man's marriage life. A beautiful and caring wife who has several kids with him can keep him satisfied that he feels no need to add another family member. On the other hand, a Muslim who is responsible and capable may have multiple wives to increase the population size of the Muslim Ummah or wed a woman so she is well taken care of instead of neglected trying to survive without a husband.
5. If your husband wants to take a second, third or fourth wife, that's his right. Avoid threatening him with divorce and keeping his kids away from him. Don't let shaytan manipulate you into unjustly thinking that your husband shouldn't marry another wife simply due to submitting to selfishness, jealousy, suspicion, ingratitude and impatience. When you realize how this fleeting world is temporary along with its trials and struggles, you'd be ready to sacrifice your ego or surplus pride for Allah's sake as you prefer the eternal bliss in Jannah Paradise.
6. Through polygyny there can be more diversity in the Muslim Ummah and peaceful relations especially when a husband has wives from different countries or tribes being unified with marriage.
7. A woman in polygyny can take recurrent rests from her chores as a housewife when her husband is with the other wife/wives. If fortunate to be friends with her co-wives, they can look after her kids when she needs some time for herself or when she's unwell.
8. Even if a husband may be unable to treat all his wives with the perfect amount of fairness and equal treatment, his wives must try their best to stay patient for Allah's sake.
Jannah will Inn-sha-Allah be their destined abode if they accept Allah's Decree patiently.
9. Polygyny isn't easily accepted by everybody just as not everyone can see the value of niqab/veiling the face and praying Sunnah Qiyam Al-Layl Tahajjud at night. As your authentic knowledge of Islam increases together with sincere application of what you've learned, your willingness to obey Allah and accept His Plans with patience also multiply, without overlooking your obvious rights as a loyal Muslim wife.

Note: If You Have Good Intentions You Don't Marry "The Wrong Person".

💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful
💌 Unless a woman purposely agreed to marry a guy who got released from jail or he's known for having committed innumerable crimes in the past, I don't believe that you, as a Muslim with good intention, end up marrying "the wrong person".
When Allah the Most Wise destines to give you a husband, it's your duty together with your soulmate to design the kind of love life that you want. If an art teacher gives you an empty sheet of paper to sketch on, it is irrational to blame them for giving you the wrong kind of paper if you're the one who lacks creative imagination, artistic abilities or at least patient willingness to learn some drawing skills.
Just as there are different kinds of artwork and forms of expressing oneself creatively, there are a wide variety of romantic journeys and love stories which aren't applicable for everybody equally. A lover may be completely fine loving her spouse from a distance, so a long-distance marriage doesn't worry her in the least. Another wife's temperament necessitates that she secludes herself once in a while, so she has no problem with seeing her husband just once a week or bimonthly. While these married couples enjoy love-making a lot and they're blessed with several pious children, other husbands and wives are contented with Allah's Qadr/Destiny in not having kids. Some wives are open to polygyny while others prefer to reserve their husbands for themselves only.
Getting married is one of the many tests from Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala which requires lots of rewarding patience/Sabr, gratitude/Shukr and sincere efforts to keep progressing in order for you to pass this temporary examination. Not all exams are entirely similar. So passing a test makes it necessary that you utilize the means that Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala granted you, among which are wisdom, the capacity to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each circumstance, and the freewill to seek Allah's Guidance to do what you believe is the most fruitful decision that can
 Inn-sha-Allah generate a positive outcome, which is more likely to occur if you prayed Salat Al-Istikhaarah prior to selecting an option.
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "If a woman prays her five prayers, fasts her month of Ramadan, guards her chastity, and obeys her husband, she will enter Paradise from any gate she wishes."
Source: Sahih Ibn Hibbān 4252
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "If I were to order anyone to prostrate to another, I would have ordered a wife to prostrate before her husband."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhī 1159
Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to At-Tirmidhi
Ali Al-Qari said, "That she prostrates to her husband is due to the number of his rights over her and her difficulty in maintaining gratitude for them. This rhetorical point conveys the obligation of the wife to obey her husband in his rights. Indeed, prostration is not lawful to anyone other than Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala."
Source: Mirqāt Al-Mafātih 5/2125
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "If someone proposes marriage to you whose religion and character satisfies you, then you should accept it. If you do not do so, there will be trials (fitna) on the earth and the spread of corruption."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1084
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani