ASSALAM O ALIAKUM

All Muslim must be grateful to Allah that they are the believers and are following the right path of Islam.

Allah hath promised to believers men and women gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah. That is the Supreme Triumph. (9:72)

And InshAllah! Paradise is not far away with the blessings of Allah for those who do righteous and correct actions.

On the subject of "Allah's Good Pleasure" here is a Verse & its Commentary:

Allah will be well pleased with them and they with Him. They are the Party of Allah. Truly it is the Party of Allah that will achieve Felicity. (58:22)

As Allah said in the Holy Qur’an

“Indeed Allah will enter those who believe and do righteous and correct actions into Paradise, beneath which rivers flow. Wherein they will be adorned with bracelets of gold and pearls and their garments will be made of silk." (22:23-24)

"Indeed the pious and obedient ones will be in Paradise, amongst gardens and water-springs. It will be said to them: Enter! In peace and safety. And We shall remove from their hearts any ill-feeling, so that they will be like brothers, facing each other on thrones. No sense of hardship will touch them, and they will be of those who never leave." (15:45-46)

We have the doctrine of Allah's Good Pleasure as the highest goal of man, the spiritual heaven, which he achieves by a life of purity and faith. He not only attains Allah's Good Pleasure as the crown of his felicity, but his own nature is so far transformed to the pattern of Allah's original creation that his own good pleasure is in nothing but in Allah's Good Pleasure. The mutual good pleasure shows the heights to which man can attain.

The act of transforming oneself to the pattern in which "man" was originally Created by Allah. This is a specific reference to the period when "man" made a Covenant with His Creator. The word "man" here refers to the human kind.

When thy Lord drew forth from the children of Adam -- from their loins -- their descendants, and made them testify concerning themselves (saying):
"Am I not your Lord (who cherishes and sustains you)?" -- They said: "Yea! we do testify!" (This), lest ye should say on the Day of Judgment: "Of this we were never mindful." (7:172 )

According to the dominant opinion of commentators each individual in the posterity of Adam had a separate existence from the time of Adam, and a Covenant was taken from all of them, which is binding accordingly on each individual. The words in the text refer to the descendants of the Children of Adam, i.e., to all humanity, born or unborn, without any limit of time. Adam's seed carries on the existence of Adam and succeeds to his spiritual heritage. Humanity has been given by Allah certain powers and faculties, whose possession creates on our side special spiritual obligations which we must faithfully discharge.

There are the divine obligations that arise from our spiritual nature and our relation to Allah. He created us and implanted in us the faculty of knowledge and foresight: besides the intuition and reason, which He gave us. He made Nature responsive to our needs, and His Signs in Nature are so many lessons to us in our own inner life; He further sent Messengers and Teachers, for the guidance of our conduct in individual, social, and public life. All these gifts create corresponding obligations,] which we must fulfill. But in our own human and material life we undertake mutual obligations express and implied. We make a promise: we enter into a commercial or social contract; we enter into a contract of marriage: we must faithfully fulfill all obligations in all these relationships.

Our group or our State enters into a treaty; every individual in that group or State is bound to see that as far as lies in his power, such obligations are faithfully discharged...
In the higher realm of spirituality there is the seeking of; "The Countenance of Allah", bringing us "Nearer to Allah" and becoming "The Friends of Allah".

That which ye lay out for increase through the property of (other) people, will have no increase with Allah: But that which ye lay out for charity seeking

The Countenance of Allah, (will increase): it is these who will get a recompense multiplied. (30:39)

It is not your wealth nor your sons that will bring you nearer to Us in degree: but only those who believe and work Righteousness these are the ones for whom there is a multiplied Reward for their deeds while secure they (reside) in the dwellings on high! (34: 37)

The true test of progress in spiritual life is to be measured by other things than material wealth and influence. What we have to ask ourselves is, are we the least bit nearer to Allah? All worldly good is but a shadow that will pass away. Its intrinsic and eternal value is small. But those who work righteousness in Faith are on the true path of self-development. The reward they will get will be infinitely more than their merits entitle them to. For they will partake of the boundless Bounties of Allah. Their happiness will not only be great in quantity ("multiplied"), but it will be of a specially sublime quality ("dwellings on high"), and it will endure without any chance of its loss or diminution ("secure they reside").

For them will be a Home of Peace in the presence of their Lord: He will be their Friend because they practiced (righteousness). 6: 127

To comprehend "the true path of self-development" one has to identify and be aware of the three progressive stages for the elevation of human souls "Nafs". It is anticipated that those who seek the True Path, have conformed to 21:92: "I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other)".

Stage 1. Nafs-e Ammara A soul which is prone to Evil.

There is a trial and temptation to the soul from the Satan to follow his path - the Evil. There is an opposite force of the Faith, asking the soul to conform to the "Will of Allah" - the Righteousness. Below is a verse from Sura Yusuf in which Aziz's wife said:
"Nor do I absolve my own self (of blame): the (human soul) is certainly prone to evil unless my Lord do bestow His Mercy: but surely certainly my Lord is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful." (12 : 53)
Seeking Allah's Mercy to make us Righteous is the key...

Stage 2. Nafs-e Lawwama A self-reproaching soul

At this stage the soul is conscious of the Evil. It has with the practice of Faith, developed the strength to shun the Evil.
"I do call to witness the Resurrection Day; And I do call to witness the self-reproaching spirit; (eschew Evil)". (75: 1 and 2)
In this verse Allah (SWT) swears by the Day of Resurrection and the self-reproaching soul that abstains from and avoids Evil.

Stage 3. Nafs-e Mutmainna A righteous soul which is contended

Leaving each and everything to His Pleasure and seeking His Mercy and Help at each and every stage are the keys.
(To the righteous soul will be said:) "O (thou) soul in (complete) rest and satisfaction! "Come back thou to thy Lord, -- well pleased (thyself), and well-pleasing unto Him! (89: 27-28)

Once one has surrendered one's self to Him, the PEACE is bound to prevail.
To reach this higher stage of complete tranquility and contentment in this life, it is recommended to observe the Tahajjud Prayer and practice the Taffakur.
Furthermore, in spare moments Thank Him, Glorify Him and Remember Him.

And pray in the small watches of the morning: (it would be) an additional prayer (or spiritual profit) for thee: soon will thy Lord raise thee to a station of Praise and Glory! (17: 79)

(Here is) a Book which We have sent down unto thee full of blessings that they may meditate on its Signs and that men of understanding may receive admonition.
(38: 29)

So, Muslims must strive to their best to enter “Al-Jannah” meaning “The Paradise” and try to avoid the punishment of “The hell Fire”.

DUTIES OF A MUSLIM

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger Muhammad (saaw).

Muslims, as individuals and groups, have to fulfill certain basic duties, which summarize the universal values of Islam. When these duties are observed they bring justice, peace and happiness in this world and they will indeed bring success and salvation in the Hereafter.

“In the Glorious Qur’an, Allah, Most High, says, “Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: 'My Lord! Bestow on them Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood.' Your Lord knows best what is in your hearts: if you do deeds of righteousness, verily He is Most Forgiving to those who turn to Him again and again (in true penitence). And, render to the kindred their due rights, as (also) to those in want, and to the wayfarer: but squander not (your wealth) in the manner of a spendthrift. Verily, spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his Lord (Himself) ungrateful. And even if you have to turn away from them in pursuit of the Mercy from thy Lord which you do expect, yet speak to them a word of easy kindness. Make not your hand tied to your neck, nor stretch it forth to its utmost reach, so that you become blameworthy and destitute. Verily your Lord does provide sustenance in abundance for whom He pleases, and He provides in a just measure: for He does know and regard all His servants. Kill not your children for fear of want: We shall provide sustenance for them as well as for you. Verily, the killing of them is a great sin. Nor come nigh to adultery: for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils). Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, We have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the law). Come not nigh to the orphan’s property except to improve it, until he attains the age of full strength; and fulfill (every) engagement, for (every) engagement, will be inquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). Give full measure when you measure, and weigh with a balance that is straight; that is the most fitting and the most advantageous in the final determination. And, pursue not that of which you have no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing, or of (feeling in) the heart will be inquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). Nor walk on the earth with insolence: for you cannot rend the earth asunder, nor reach the mountains in height. Of all such things the evil is hateful in the sight of your Lord. These are among the (precepts of) wisdom, which thy Lord has revealed to you. Take not, with Allah, another object of worship, lest you should be thrown into Hell, blameworthy and rejected.” (Al-Isra’: 23-39)

Here are some basic commitments of a Muslim to Allah (swt). Without fulfilling these commitments no individual or group can succeed. Muslims have to live by these values and should invite the humanity to these principles. These principles are not limited to one race, tribe or group; they are universal in their scope and application. It is wise for every one to follow them. If followed properly they are capable to increase the goodness and wisdom of all people.

These principles are:

To worship Allah alone and avoid Shirk
To say all prayers regularly, do fasting during the month of Ramadhan, Pay Zakat and perform Hajj
To call people to the path of your Lord with wisdom and inspiring speech.
To be respectful and kind to the parents
To be good to your relatives, to the poor and the travelers
To be careful with your money and not to waste your resources
To take good care of your children
To steer clear of adultery and illicit relations
To respect every life and not to kill anyone unless in the pursuit of justice
To take care of the orphans
To fulfill the promises and your commitments
To be honest in business dealings and not to cheat in weight or measurement
To do things with knowledge and not to follow the hearsay or act on half- knowledge
To be humble and have no arrogance

A N D . A L L A H . K N O W S . B E S T

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