Poem: Ways To Deal With Depression As A Muslim

 💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful

💌 Depression can reach anyone regardless of age,
And this sadness is not always shown on a sad face.
Extreme sorrow, grief and heartbreak are often displayed
In many forms and subtle, inconspicuous ways.
~•~
Some souls manifest depression through overeating,
Resorting to bad habits to soothe their hurt feelings.
Others can't be bothered to cook, lost motivation,
So they starve and oversleep to flee from their problems.
~•~
While some depressed youths injure themselves to feel better,
Despising themselves and doubting what they can offer,
Other anguished souls disguise their troubles through laughter,
Posting viral videos to be cheered for by others.
~•~
Strong emotions, if not controlled, can lead to trouble;
Preference for dunya to thoughts that are suicidal;
Impatience with Allah's Plans to being ungrateful;
And ignorance of Sabr to feeling sorrowful.
~•~
Antidepressants aren't the best cure for sadness.
Peace can be attained without needing to be famous.
No need for fancy credentials to find happiness,
When getting sad now and then is part of Allah's tests.
~•~
Better than being happy is gladly contented,
Satisfied with Allah as our God Whom we worship.
Keep calm through Dhikr, having some Surahs recited,
And tame your nafs with Taqwa and Islamic knowledge.
~•~
It's okay to cry and have mood swings once in a while.
Just prevent sadness from making you think of suicide.
Think of Allah and gifts He gave to feel more inspired,
And pray for eternal bliss in Jannah Paradise.
~•~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Nothing afflicts a Muslim of hardship, nor illness, nor anxiety, nor sorrow, nor harm, nor distress, nor even the pricking of a thorn, but that Allah will expiate his sins by it."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 5318, Sahih Muslim 2573
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
📖 Fadalah ibn ‘Ubayd RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Blessed is one who is guided to Islam, whose livelihood is sufficient, and who is contented."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2349
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani
📖 Anas ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "None of you should wish for death due to a calamity that has afflicted him. Yet if he must do something, let him say: 'O Allah, keep me alive so long as life is good for me, and cause me to die if death is better for me.'"
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 5347, Sahih Muslim 2680
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Poem: To My Ex Best Friend Wherever She May Be

 💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful

💌 To my ex "best friend", wherever she may be on earth,
Whether she stalks my social media accounts and lurks,
Or my posts are often stalked by a sister of hers,
Or she completely moved on and she can't read these words:
~•~
Here's a poem to you, which you've requested before,
When we were teens and there were shameful things we've explored,
Prior to that awful prank I did when I was bored,
So our hearts can fully rest with this written closure -
~•~
First of all, thank you for fun times which I can't deny,
For talking on the phone for hours and chatting online,
For the games we played and jokes you told to bring some smiles,
And for your efforts to reach out, listen, and invite.
~•~
As a number of years went by, we became close friends.
Our talks flowed smoothly, we could rant about anything.
Thought our friendship was stable until it got broken,
And though I said sorry, you remained unforgiving.
~•~
Funny how I form these lines and tears aren't falling,
Which shows I've moved on, and I'm not at all heartbroken.
Instead I'm grateful, ex-friend, for all the learned lessons,
And contented with whatever Allah has destined.
~•~
Lost friendships remind me "Dunya is not permanent",
Teach "freedom is found in leaving human attachments,
While trusting Only Allah for inner contentment",
And "rejections direct us to enhancing patience".
~•~
Now each time I meet new souls, I recall they won't last
As friends if we're too attached and far from Allah's Love.
Thus I love just moderately so hearts won't get lost,
Praying for better reunion in Jannah above.
~•~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Love whom you love moderately, perhaps he will become hateful to you someday. Hate whom you hate moderately, perhaps he will become your beloved friend someday."
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1997
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "The souls are troops collected together. They come close upon what they recognize, and they differ upon what they reject."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 3109
Sahih Muslim 2638
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
Al-Nawawi said, “When bodies meet in the world, they come together or differ according to how they were created. The righteous will incline to the righteous, and the evil will incline to the evil.”
Source: Sharh Al-Nawawī ‘alá Sahih Muslim 2638
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu ‘anhu narrated: Allah’s noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “The strong believer is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both of them. Be eager for what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be frustrated. If something befalls you, then do not say: 'If only I had done something else.’ Rather say: "Allah has decreed what He wills.” Verily, the  phrase ‘if only’ opens the way for the work of shaytan.“
Source: Sahih Muslim 2664
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

Note: Some Things You Can Relate To If You Are An INTJ

 💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful

💌 Eleven things you can relate to if you have an INTJ personality type:

1] When attending a meeting, lecture or symposium, you prefer to sit far away from seemingly talkative individuals so you wouldn't have to partake in their needless gossip, or you take a seat closest to the speaker so you can focus on them more clearly, with an aim to learn something new instead of practicing sociability.

2] Reading, researching and gathering information you deem intriguing or useful are activities you enjoy doing in your free time.

3] One of the signs that indicate you're willing to connect with someone as a friend or partner is your eagerness to learn more about them. So during conversations, some people feel as though you're interviewing them for a job application.

4] Cats and other furry animals or young children usually gravitate to you, while some adults around your age may find you "unapproachable", "intense", "intimidating", "pretentious" or "unrelatable". 

5] You're generally quiet when surrounded by people whom you can't relate to. Often you're found reading a book, using your cellphone, or staring intently at the ground, signalling you're too preoccupied to engage in trivial dialogues.

6] While some unjustly perceive your dedication to disseminate knowledge as "arrogance", correcting someone's errors or informing them about something important is your style of demonstrating generosity, helpfulness and compassion.

7] With your gut instincts or intuition given to you by Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala, you oftentimes guess correctly how a person actually feels about you or a situation. Although you're not always aware of your emotions, you can read between the lines, recognize inconsistencies, discern body language, and detect subtle patterns, which explains why it can be difficult to trust just anyone.

8] Being the rational, determined and thick-skinned individual that you are, you have no problem detaching yourself from unproductive and toxic connections. Rather than nostalgically reflecting on issues which couldn't work out in the past, you decisively move on, look forward to connecting with new people and seek out other plans.

9] Although a few people admit you're "competent", "capable" and "intelligent" in certain fields, you know from deep inside, you still have tons of things to learn and discover. You inherently dislike being viewed as an obnoxious snob who looks down on others.

10] You're not an expert in noticing the smallest of details sometimes. You're more concerned with the bigger picture, outline and summary. This quality can be handy when you willfully ignore incompatible individuals whom you avoid to preserve your well-being.

11] Obeying someone's orders doesn't come naturally to you if their commands don't make logical sense, or if what they expect from you isn't in line with your values. You can be both fiercely loyal or a complete rebel depending on what you choose to do.

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https://personalitygrowth.com/heres-how-inquisitive-you-are-according-to-your-personality-type/

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Poem: Allah Grants Us What We Need, Not Always What We Want

 💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful

💌 Since everything on earth is under Allah's Control,
And Allah has authority over every soul,
Not all humans have their dreams come true nor reach their goals -
What's accessible to some, others cannot afford,
Some plans go well, while others fail even if they're forced.
~•~
You can learn to like some people, but love won't take place
If Allah prevents it and it's not part of your fate.
You can try to maintain friendships and have each bond saved,
But if Allah wants to save you, He may separate
You from souls with bad intent who could weaken your faith.
~•~
Make effort to get richer with businesses you run,
But if Allah knows that in this kind of profession
There's no blessing but distractions from your life mission,
Instant success and satisfaction may not happen,
So Allah trains you to live simply and stay patient.
~•~
If for a long time you've been searching for your "soulmate",
Received no proposals, or 'single' won't fit your age,
Know that Allah wrote your life story. Don't be dismayed.
Perhaps one of your tests involves requiring to wait
Patiently for flawless romance in Jannah someday.
~•~
Always remember that Allah is the One Who grants,
Withholds, provides, decreases, increases, hears, responds,
And gives you what your soul needs - not always what you want,
To check if you'll keep going, if you have strong Imaan,
And to test if you truly deserve Jannah's entrance.
~•~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu ‘anhu narrated: Allah’s noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “The strong believer is more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, but there is goodness in both of them. Be eager for what benefits you, seek help from Allah, and do not be frustrated. If something befalls you, then do not say: 'If only I had done something else.’ Rather say: "Allah has decreed what He wills.” Verily, the phrase ‘if only’ opens the way for the work of shaytan.“

Source: Sahih Muslim 2664

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

📖 Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "There is no Muslim who calls upon Allah, without sin or cutting family ties, but that Allah will give him one of three answers: He (Allah) will quickly fulfill his supplication, He will store it for him in the Hereafter, or He will divert an evil from him similar to it." They said, “In that case we will ask for more.” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Allah has even more." 
Source: Musnad Ahmed 10749 
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam mentioned the day of Friday and he said, "In it is an hour in which no Muslim stands to pray and ask Allah for something but that he will be given it," and he SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam indicated with his hand that the time is very short. 
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 893 
Sahih Muslim 852 
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim

Note: Allah Is The Most Forgiving; Don't Doubt His Mercy.

 💐 In The Name Of Allah The Most Gracious The Most Merciful

💌 Imagine if you were a very wealthy executive who was planning to organize a huge gathering for some friends. You assign five of your housemaids to purchase several items for the next evening's special event, giving each of them a list of things to buy, providing clear instructions and ordering them to return home early before sunset. The first housemaid manages to arrive earlier than the rest, having bought all of the products that you've enlisted. Nothing more, nothing less. 

The second housemaid also arrives on time, and she was able to get all the things you've requested. What makes her different from the first one though is she used some of her own earnings to buy you a vase of your favorite color along with a bundle of roses which you like for decoration. While you appreciate the dedication of those two housemaids, you are more impressed by the second one who did something extra. You're more likely to gift the second maid with additional favors and be more protective towards her than the first one who only did what's mandatory. 

As for the third housemaid who showed up at the same time as the first two, you're somewhat disappointed in some mistakes she has made. Instead of buying you the flour which you asked for, she bought packets of cornstarch, tomatoes instead of apples, and soy sauce instead of salt. However, since you're a lenient and compassionate boss, you readily accept her apology. 

You similarly forgive the fourth housemaid who, despite having purchased all the items you wanted, arrived a bit late, because it took her a while to search for the right products. 

The fifth housemaid slightly angered you when she stubbornly disobeyed your commands. Rather than buying what you requested, she used the money you gave for her own personal convenience. Plus she showed up too late past midnight. Nevertheless she came back to you crying, admitting her guilt, and begging for your forgiveness, then used part of her allowance to buy in the morning what you originally expected her to get, promising she'd try her best to not repeat what she did out of getting carried away by temptation. Being the kindhearted manager that you are, you readily forgive her, willing to give her another chance to rectify instead of instantly dismissing her.

The Mercy of Allah the Almighty is even greater than your ability to pardon others, even bigger than your mother's care and affection for you. Whenever we commit a sin, whether due to forgetfulness, ignorance of its prohibition or weak level of faith/Imaan, it is our duty as Muslims to seek Allah's Forgiveness and do Tawbah/repentance as often as we can.

Even those who appear to be religious and knowledgeable of Islamic jurisprudence aren't exempted from being tempted by shaytan to sin once in a while. 

If you experimented with all sorts of haraam relationships in the past, do Tawbah and still pray to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala. If you've stolen from somebody, knowingly lied to your mother, disrespectfully argued with your father, tactlessly abused a child when you lost your temper, watched random music videos for entertainment, purposely delayed an obligatory prayer, discreetly broke your fast on purpose when you were supposed to be fasting, jokingly gossiped about another Muslim, or did something that Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala and His noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam warned against, you're still Allah's servant who can return to Him the Most Kind anytime as long as you're alive and aware of your main responsibilities.

Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala doesn't expect completely flawless performance from us but that we should keep trying our utmost to be the best servants whom He wants us to be, standing up to do Tawbah whenever we fall into sin, and never denying the fact that Allah is indeed the Most Forgiving. Sinful Muslims who pray to Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala are many times more fortunate than unbelievers who refuse to even perform one Sajdah for Him.

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "By Him in Whose Hand is my soul, if you did not sin, Allah would replace you with people who would sin and they would seek forgiveness from Allah and He would forgive them."

Source: Sahih Muslim 2749

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim

📖 Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "All of the children of Adam are sinners, and the best sinners are those who repent."

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2499

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Suyuti

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Whoever repents before the sun rises from the west, Allah will forgive him."

Source: Sahih Muslim 2703

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Muslim