Poem: You Have The Freewill To Do What Leads You To Your Goals

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

💌 You can stay in bed throughout the morning feeling sad,
Recalling your past and recounting things you don't have,
Or you can pray Salat Ad-Duha and say Du'as,
And do your best to serve Allah with the means you've got.
~•~
You can browse the web and stalk users whom you envy,
Watching daily vlogs that cause self-doubt and jealousy,
Or listen to lectures that enhance your piety,
And read quotes or writings that breed positivity.
~•~
You can disturb your heart by fighting with your haters,
Arguing offline and online with keyboard warriors,
Or you can improve yourself by practicing Sabr,
And forgive for Allah's sake and leave troublemakers.
~•~
You can spend your free time listening to songs and beats,
Dancing with shaytan as your faith gradually gets weak,
Or you can recite from the Qur'an regularly,
And study Islam so your Imaan levels increase.
~•~
You can feel bad inside and keep comparing yourself
To others' lives, wishing you had their homes, looks and wealth,
Or you can thank Allah, dispel bad feelings you've felt
By focusing on your gifts and blessings without guilt.
~•~
You can stress yourself out by desiring perfection,
Complaining whenever you confront disappointments,
Or you can take it easy, rest often, be patient,
As you strive for Allah and accept what He destines.
~•~
Keep in mind that Allah gave you freewill to decide.
Your deliberate choices can impact your lifestyle.
So try your best to make decisions you think are right.
When you fall, rise. Get back up till you reach Paradise.
~•~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “If one of you looks at those blessed over him in wealth and appearance, let him look at those below him.”
In another narration, the Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Do not look to those above you, lest you view the favors of Allah as trivial.”
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6125
Sahih Muslim 2963
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
📖 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

Poem: Thank Allah And Don't Compare Your Tests To Others' Tests

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

💌 Be wise enough to realize why Allah made you,
Strong enough to accept His Qadr with gratitude,
Brave enough to not compare friends' skills with what you do,
Competing against no one; just striving to improve.
~*~
When most women would brag and get jealous easily,
Claiming things like "I'm wealthy", "I got married early",
"My hair is fancy", "I have twins", "My hubby's Saudi",
Be among the few content with Allah's Destiny.
~*~
We're not in a competition for worldly pleasures,
Not here to prove who's richer and whose house is bigger.
Instead of working to show you're better or smarter,
Do more of Allah's Orders to gain extra ajar.
~*~
You're pretty? Good for you. Don't let your looks be misused.
Wear hijab. Ditch the selfies. Know modesty's virtues.
Finding others prettier shouldn't shrink your value.
Recall the disabled and put yourself in their shoes.
~*~
You run a business? Pray to Allah that it is blessed.
Ensure your earnings are halal to pass Allah's tests.
When other entrepreneurs succeed, don't be upset.
Focus on what Allah gave to reach your own success.
~*~
Still single? Few kids or no children yet? Don't worry.
Stay chaste and pray. Allah's timing is always timely.
Your worth isn't based on the size of your family,
Nor marital status, but your faith and piety.
~*~
While many people compete for fame or tons of likes,
Or they work hard to achieve a luxurious lifestyle,
Join Allah's allies enriched with contentment inside,
At peace, free from envy, as they strive for Paradise.
~*~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "If one of you looks at those blessed over him in wealth and appearance, let him look at those below him."
In another narration, the Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Do not look to those above you, lest you view the favors of Allah as trivial."
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 6125, Sahih Muslim 2963
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
📖 Anas Ibn Malik RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Envy consumes good deeds just as fire burns wood. Charity extinguishes sinful deeds just as water extinguishes fire. Prayer is the light of the believer and fasting is his shield from the Hellfire.”
Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 4210
Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to Ibn Asakir
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "Beware of envy, for it devours good deeds just as fire devours wood or grass."
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4903
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Suyuti

Hadith: Du'a To Seek Allah's Protection From Riyaa / Minor Shirk

 📖 Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam came to us while we were discussing the False Messiah (the dajjaal). 

The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “Shall I not tell you about my greater fear for you than the False Messiah?” We said, “Of course!” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “It is hidden idolatry (inconspicuous shirk/polytheism), that a man stands for prayer and beautifies his prayer when he sees another man looking at him.”

Source: Sunan Ibn Mājah 4204

Grade: Hasan (Fair) according to Al-Albani

📖 Ma’qil ibn Yasar RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: I departed with Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu 'anhu to meet the Prophet Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam. The Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “O Abu Bakr, there is (polytheism/shirk) idolatry among you more hidden than the crawling of an ant.” Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu 'anhu said, “Is there idolatry other than to make another god alongside Allah?” The Prophet SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, there is idolatry more hidden than the crawling of an ant. Shall I not tell you something to say to rid you of it both minor and major? Say: "O Allah, I seek refuge in You that I associate partners with You while I know, and I seek Your Forgiveness for what I do not know."”

Source: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 715

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Albani

https://preciousgemsfromthequranandsunnah.wordpress.com/2018/12/16/dua-for-protection-from-shirk-a-very-important-dua/

Poem: Real Men Are Strong Enough To Not Hit Their Wives

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

💌 A real man never hits a woman; he's strong enough
To control his temper and triumph over his nafs.
He's a man who doesn't gossip nor girlishly slap,
And his ability to be patient proves he's tough.
~•~
Real men respect the rights of their wives and won't neglect
Their women's needs. These warriors aim to pass Allah's tests
By doing their best to sustain a blessed marriage
And adjusting themselves so their wives don't stay upset.
~•~
A good husband doesn't show preference to his friends,
Chilling with them and leaving his wife with impatience.
If ever he returns late or some days he's absent,
He grants his wife explanation and compensation.
~•~
Most women are easily provoked and sensitive,
While most men are detached, proud and argumentative.
To be from the elite men whose marriages are blessed,
Be gentle, as Eve was created from Adam's rib.
~•~
A guy's manliness only increases every time
He decides not to harm women, specially his wives.
His strength is also shown in overcoming his pride.
Allah's Love for him inspires him to treat women right.
~•~
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “I enjoin you to treat women well, for the woman was created from a rib and the most curved part of the rib is its highest point. If you try to straighten it, you will break it. If you leave it as it is, it will remain bent. Thus, I enjoin you to be good to women.”
Source: Sahih Al-Bukhari 3153
Sahih Muslim 1468
Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi (Authenticity agreed upon) according to Al-Bukhari and Muslim
📖 'Aisha RadhiAllahu 'anha narrated: "The Messenger of Allah SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam did not strike a servant nor a woman, and he never struck anything with his hand, unless he was fighting in the Way of Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala)."
Source: Sahih Muslim 2328
Grade: Sahih
📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, “The most complete of believers in faith are those with the best character, and the best of you are the best in behavior to their women.”
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 1162
Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to At-Tirmidhi

Tips: Five Ways To Detect If A Friend Is Toxic

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

💌 Five ways to detect if a friend is too toxic:

1] Their mere presence makes you feel bad about yourself. They deliberately act as though they're perfect while you're always the one making mistakes, they pridefully brag about their accomplishments without consideration for what you lack, or they purposely treat you in a manner which leads to doubting your self-worth e.g. ignoring your salaams, making hurtful jokes about you, never taking initiative to reach out.

2] They insist (not advise or suggest) that you behave, dress and live exactly the way they do. "Don't eat that or you'll get fat.", "That outfit looks awful on you. You have zero fashion sense. Change it and copy our style." and "This person and so-and-so - don't ever visit them. Otherwise we'll stop hanging out with you too." are sample phrases that toxic "friends" say to control you.

3] Being overly controlling and domineering, they have unrealistically high expectations of you. They don't respect your need for space at times, instantly get offended if you didn't answer their messages straight away, and try to dictate most of your decisions, pressurizing you to do tasks that you're unable to carry out.

4] Instead of adding positive value to your life, they drain your energy. Their excessive complaints, incessant criticism, obsession with immature gossip, addiction to mocking people's flaws, or disrespectful indifference to your well-being cause you to wish you never met in the first place so you wouldn't have to tolerate their negative vibes.

5] They stubbornly repeat the same mistakes and do what bothers you. Even after apologizing, they still indulge in activities that you've warned against e.g. gossiping, posting cowardly passive-aggressive status updates, and openly supporting those who contradict the Sunnah of the beloved Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam.

  🔹 How to deal with "frenemies" or toxic individuals:

1] Quit stalking their social media posts. Emotionally detach because we have nothing to do with them.

2] Minimize unnecessary interactions with those guilty of being untruthful, unreliable, gossipy, jealous, and manipulative.

3] Never disclose or reveal sensitive information, secrets or more personal details about yourself to them. Let them keep guessing what you're up to rather than updating them with your daily progress.

4] Forgive them for Allah's sake while maintaining self-preserving distance.

5] Learn from their mistakes. Also, if you truly cared about them, mention their names in your Du'as praying that Allah Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala guides them.

📖 Abu Huraira RadhiAllahu 'anhu narrated: Allah's noble Messenger Muhammad SallAllahu 'alaihi wa sallam said, "A man is upon the religion of his close friend, so let one of you look at whom he befriends."

Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2378

Grade: Sahih (Authentic) according to Al-Nawawi