The Art of Happiness

Among the greatest of blessings is to have a calm, stable, and happy heart. For in happiness the mind is clear, enabling one to be a productive person. It has been said that happiness is an art that needs to be learned. And if you learn it, you will be blessed in this life. But how does one learn it? A basic principle of achieving happiness is having an ability to endure and to cope with any situation. Therefore you should neither be swayed nor governed by difficult circumstances, nor should you be annoyed by insignificant trifles. Based on the purity of the heart and its ability to endure, a person will shine. When you train yourself to be patient and forbearing, then hardship and calamity will be easy for you to bear.

The opposite of being content is being shortsighted, being concerned for no one but one’s own self and forgetting about the world and all that is in it. Allah described his enemies as follows:

Controlling One’s Emotions

Emotions flare up for two reasons: either for joy or for inner
Pain. In a hadith, the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:

“Verily, I have been prohibited from emitting two foolish and wicked sounds, one that is emitted when something favorable happens, and the other that is expressed when calamity strikes.”

In order that you may not be sad over matters that you fail to get, nor rejoice because of that which has been given to you.

(Surah Al Hadid 57: 23)

For this reason, the Prophet (bpuh) said:

Repel Anxiety

Idleness is destructive, and most people who suffer from worries and anxieties are the same people who are idle and inactive. Rumors and gossip are the only dividends for those that are bankrupt of meaningful and fruitful work.

Cast Off Anxiety

Do not be sad, for your Lord says:

“Have we not opened your breast for you [O ' Muhammad]?”

(Surah Inshirah 94: 1)
The message of this verse embraces all those who carry the truth, who see the light, and who tread the path of guidance.

Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

Be Content With What Allah Has Given You and You Will Be The Richest Of People

Wealth, appearance, children, house, and talents —- you must be content with your share in these things:

“So hold that which I have given you and be of the grateful.”
[Surah al A'raf 7:144]

Something To Think About

Below is an interesting quote from late comedian George Carlin. He’s one very perceptive man. Hope this serves as a great reminder to all

“The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

From Somalia, With Love

Sister Na’ima B. Roberts has done it again, masha’Allah! In her first storied novel, “From Somalia, With Love”, Na’ima tells the tale of a young Somalian woman growing up in East London, after emigrating from her beloved homeland. The story illustrates her upbringing, her love for her faith, family and traditions, as well as the triumphs and obstacles she endures along the way.

A lot of today’s young Muslims, regardless of their ethnicity and cultural background can relate to Safia, the central character in the book.

Aside from her faith, Safia’s life centers around her love for her family. And after a long absence, her father is found to be alive in Somalia, amid the war and chaos affecting her homeland.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone as you will get a sense of understanding and relation from reading it. The story in the book brings about hope, love, gratefulness and deep appreciation for the true quintessence of life. Below are the sites of where you can purchase the book from as well as a synopsis of the book.

From Somalia, With Love is available online in the UK so far. The release date in Canada is set for December 10, 2008 via Indigo Chapters; and in the United States, on December 28, 2008 on Amazon.com. You can make a pre-order of the book on both sites.

United Kingdom: [Amazon.co.uk] http://www.amazon.co.uk/Somalia-Love-Naima-B-Robert/dp/1845078314

Canada: [Won’t be published in Canada until December 10, 2008. It will then be available on INDIGO/CHAPTERS. You can pre-order it now] http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/From-Somalia-With-Love-NaIma-B-Robert/9781845078317-item.html?ref=Search+Books%3a+%2527From+Somalia+with+Love%2527&sterm=From+Somalia+with+Love+-+Books

United States: [Won’t be available on AMAZON.COM till December 28, 2008; accessible for pre-order now]

http://www.amazon.com/Somalia-Love-Naima-B-Robert/dp/1845078314/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213973450&sr=8-4

For more information, you can log on to the book’s official site: http://www.somalialove.com/

Synopsis

“My name is Safia Dirie. My family has always been my mum, Hoyo, and my two older brothers, Ahmed and Abdullahi. I don’t really remember Somalia - I’m an East London girl, through and through. But now Abo, my father, is coming from Somalia to live with us, after 12 long years. How am I going to cope?” Safia knows that there will be changes ahead but nothing has prepared her for the reality of dealing with Abo’s cultural expectations, her favourite brother Ahmed’s wild ways, and the temptation of her cousin Firdous’s party-girl lifestyle. Safia must come to terms with who she is — as a Muslim, as a teenager, as a poet, as a friend, but most of as a daughter to a father she has never known. Safia must find her own place in the world, so both father and daughter can start to build the relationship they both long for. From Somalia With Love is one girl’s quest to discover who she is — a story that, while rooted in Somali and Muslim life, strikes a chord with young people everywhere.

Preparing for The Realities of Marriage

How ludicrous would it be for a person to hold a grand opening for a new business then leave for vacation the next day or go to a job interview without having read the job description? Equally absurd is the way many people get married each year without any knowledge of or preparation for the realities of marriage.

‘That Muslim woman could be happier than you…’

I recently came across this fantastic article through the Telegraph in London. It is an interview that was conducted a few years ago by sister Na’ima Robert, a British revert to Islam and author of the book From My Sister’s Lips.

Sister Na’ima is a fascinating woman, masha’Allah. May Allahu ta’alaa reward her for strong voice and effort for speaking out the truth on behalf of the Muslim sisters around the world, ameen.

‘THAT MUSLIM WOMAN COULD BE HAPPIER THAN YOU…’

Posted: April 25, 2005

Once she was a party-loving student; then Na’ima B Robert converted to Islam. But how did she become so convinced of the benefits of wearing Islamic dress that she now covers herself from head to foot and has written a book extolling its virtues? Bryony Gordon meets her

Na’ima B Robert likes to see her devotion to Islam as similar to eating in a fresh, organic restaurant, while we non-believers make do with the greasy-spoon cafe. “It’s something I want to share. You are free to eat where you like, but I would like to offer an invitation to the restaurant.”

Journey of Faith Conference in Toronto!

Assalamu’Alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I’m passing on EXCITING news about an upcoming conference that will be held in Toronto, Canada, next month, insha’Allah. It is going to be HUGE with guest lists of one of the most gifted scholars we have in the world today! Check out the advertisement below. Those in the Greater Toronto Area, I hope you all come out in full swing and take advantage of this once in a lifetime event!

July 12^th & 13^th, 2008. (SAT. & SUN.)
Metro Toronto Convention Center, South Building

This summer a new page of history is about to be written, right here in Toronto!

It is a journey that will uplift your spirit and transform the future!

Dedicated to our most beloved…

You will be the one to witness it with your own eyes among the thousands…

You are invited to the biggest conference of the year with the most captivating speakers of our time for a Journey of Faith:

Bilal Philips, Said Rageah, Yahya Ibrahim, AbdulBary Yahya, Abdul Rahim Green, Tawfique Chowdhury, Abu Usamah adh-Dhahabi and many more…!

Click HERE & Get your tickets NOW! SAVE BIG! ONLY $40 $30!
Offer ends June 20th/2008!

Here’s a sneak peak at some of the heart-pounding lecture topics:

The Grindstone: Trials and Tribulations of Muhammad^(PBUH), The Real Superheroes: Defenders of the Prophet, Love of the Prophet and many more!

Check Out The Trailer (Teaser)

Ticket locations: Abu Huraira Centre, Muslim Vision (Danforth), Khalid Bin al-Waleed, Masjid al-Farooq (Mississauga), Masjid ibn Abbas, and Masjid Al Falah ICNA Book Services (Oakville)

For more information please feel free to contact us at info@journeyconference.com

‘Verily, We have sent you (O Muhammad) as a witness, as a bearer of glad tidings, and as a warner…’ [Al-Fath: 8]