“Be More & Achieve More!”

Hi,

In my previous blog where I presented the first half of the “The Kneeling” (Chapter 45), there were some really amazing verses in connection to how God’s purpose is to care for us all. The sea (verse 13) was only one example of God’s cherishing care in making all things in nature available for the use of man, through the genius and faculties which He has given to man. We (mankind), should never forget that it is all from “as from Him”, i.e. from God. For man is God’s trustee on earth and we are here to interact with all things in a manner prescribed by Him, The Master of the Universe.

This is why we have God’s Law’s: as instruments to protect all that is good and sacred, and to deter from all that is harmful and excess. To re-iterate, God’s Laws are here for the “attainment of benefit (arabic: maslaha) and prevention of harm (mafsada)”.  This means everything related to PLEASURE & HAPPINESS and what leads to them, and everything related to PAIN & SADNESS and what causes them.

We know that most of human behaviour is determined by one of these two elements: acquiring pleasure, and deflecting pain. These motivational poles are intrinsically built into the nature of man - its hard-wired in - so that sub-consciously we are all operating by, and between, these two psychological sides.

Such an inherent Reward / Punishment scheme has been given to us a part of our faculties by our Creator. This is why He, the Great and Wise, refers to those who do good as being eternally rewarded and those who sin, or commit evil, as being eternally punished. Its really feeding the same psychological centres that we operate in at the temporal realm where we want to increase GAIN and reduce LOSS.

But our real test comes from realising this Goal of the Creator and to not cave-in to our base desires and live an unruly, rebellious life as a consequence where the greater disadvantage is against our own self, person and soul. The sinners, or those wrong their own souls, think that they are gaining advantage, or pleasure and happiness, by submitting to fleeting, instant gratifications, but in reality they are only serving-up harm against themselves. The good-doers, who obey God’s commands, are living by higher standards of prayer, charity and selfless service and although they may face hardship along the way, these are minor aspects in the grand scheme of things where they will attain peace, satisfaction and immense rewards due to their purified souls. And in this life too, they will live healthily, garner prosperous relationships, have peace of mind, and a serenity in the heart accompanied with real contentment that can only come from above, despite the material comforts that may be afforded to them.

Adhering to the commandments of God (Do’s) & abstaining from His prohibition (Don’t) is the real test and this is where man’s free will, or freedom of choice, is exercised. In all things prescribed (do) and prohibited (don’t) there is CHOICE. In all other matters and things, Pre-determination reigns.

We will pick-up on the concept of God’s Commands again and reflect on why people fail to follow them, such as nations who were previously blessed by God and they actively rebelled against him, falling into vice, confusion and folly.

For Success & Contentment,

Asad Khan

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Hi,

Most times we think that everything in life simply has to follow a particular order of progression, development and as a natural consequence, an upward and onward ascent. Well what happens when this is not the case? Are you put off by the lack of results or do you stick to your plan? Do you even have a plan in the first instance? Let me tell you that sometimes, for some people in some places, things can go so tremendously well that you think that astronomic results have materialised out of thin air. I mean exponential growth occurs almost in the figurative ‘blink of an eye’: look at Trump, Branson, Gates, Slim, Mittel et al. They may not have necessarily had it all to begin with, yet within in the span of a few decades they have amassed a net-worth eclipsing many lives over.

So many self-help books will cite their triumphs in attempt to make you feel inadequately small and raise your inquisitiveness until you ask yourself “why don’t I do what they do in order to reap the same type of rewards as they?” I know that the natural tendency of humans is to see what others are doing and if it resonates with oneself then a pursuit to mimick, or ‘model’, them is taken on. Now 1 of 3 things can happen:-

1. You achieve it (not likely)
2. You give up (likely)
3. You adapt

We can talk all day about qualities such as Perseverance, Faith, Sense of Certainty, Resilience, Resourcefulness, and the like, which are key to the success of most endeavours, but one crucial oversight not referred to so much is the aspect of Divine Intervention.

Too many people agonise over the triumphs of others and forget the many small favours in their own lives. The seemingly more successful ones will tease you to have what they have and belittle you for not being like them. The levels, or leagues, of competition and achievement may differ as time progresses but the sentiments often remain the same. So then what happens? One builds feelings of resentment, jealousy, stiffness and rigidity towards greed that only fuels the drive towards mimicking those role-models even more.

Now I’m not saying that modeling is a bad idea per se, I’m saying its a disease when one loses their bearings of reality. When it gets to a point where a person cannot see anything else but the what others have achieved then alarm bells should ring because that is not a healthy state of being to function in.

Try to remember the following:

Its not in the arriving, its in the journeying

You will deepen your sense of self-satisfaction if you let-go of delusional ideas and focus on the little things that are more readily accessible, do-able and manageable. When you do this, things will gradually unfold before you in  a way that is right for you, at that particular time in your life. So, some of the other key ingredients towards leading a prosperous and fulfilling life is to ensure that you are flexible in both thought and action. Do what is necessary to make the ascent natural, for rewards are around you already, if you were keen to notice them…The Hand of the Divine is operating at all times to keep you safe, grant you the faculties of mind, intelligence sight and hearing, given you loving relationships, and most importantly given you time and health to continue. The blessings really are in the doing and you don’t want to mess-up your chances by chasing a negative dream.

Relax, focus and work in a step-wise fashion on your pet-project/s and let the flexibility open the door to creativity and ingenuity. Many successful people have probably done the same anyway: amonst other things they may have also mastered the art of patience as this entails flexibility. Be patient and realise that the ultimate success factor is Divine Intervention, for He determines when, how, where and how much:

Man proposes and God disposes.

And by the way, those others who you look-up to may also have done things which may be less than desirable: cheat, lie, steal, fraud, etc. so why not look at your own beauty and see the magic that is within. To have a patience is great treasure and it needs to be exercised in every department of life: career, business, relationships, finances, health, overall living conditions, and even against those who have wronged you. Letting it go and letting the matter rest with the ALMIGHTY above is the surest way of bringing relief to your heart and mind. Acting with patience is to act in the reflection of the Merciful One, to act in haste, or anger, is to act in the reflection of the accursed one. We want to win on all fronts, so why not be savvy and work the inner world in a way that is authentic, balanced and to higher purpose? This is self-leadership as stated in the last testament:

“And for those who fear God, He will make their path easy” (65:4)

So dear reader you don’t have to give-up, you don’t have to agonise over those you are attempting to model, you don’t have to feel inadequate at any stage as long as you keep to you true self, work hard, hold onto the rope of the Divine and thank Him for your blessings as you go along, because now you understand that Life really is non-linear.

For continued Success and Contentment,

Asad Khan

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Most often people are troubled by the idea of income and where the money will come from when facing troubles and financial hardships. We can have so many expenditures and barely enough income to cover the costs. So what do we tend to do - borrow and begin incurring debts - whether that’s personal or business loans, bank overdrafts, credit, mortgages, cooperatives or any other means of borrowing from the array of financial instruments. And when the debts are insurmountable, what happens: we become bankrupt. I too have had to borrow in recent times and am the financial pinch as anyone else might be.

But even when we are in the darkest period, we have to resolve to think of higher purpose and the greater scheme of life. I was reading some passages of the scripture and they re-inforced the belief in me that the One Who made the world and is its Sustainer, is the same One who provides for all living beings out of His Mercy. Allow me to present some passages for you to consider from the Final Testament, chapter 16 (The Bee):

66 - And God sends down rain from the skies, and gives therewith life to the earth after its death: verily in this is a Sign for those who listen.

67 - And verily in cattle (too) will you find an instructive sign. From what is within their bodies, between excretions and blood, We produce, for your drink, milk, pure and agreeable to those who drink it.

68 - And from the fruit of the date-palm and the vine, you get out wholesome drink and food: behold, in this also is a Sign for those who are wise.

69 - And your Lord taught the bee to build its cells in hills on trees, and in (men’s) habitations;

70 - Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours wherein is a healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.

71 - It is God Who creates you and takes your souls at death; and of you are some who are sent back to a feeble age, so that they know nothing after having known (much): for God is All-Knowing, All-Powerful.

72 - God has bestowd His gifts of sustenance more freely on some of you than on others: those more favoured are not going to throw back their gifts to those whom their right-hands possess, so as to be equal in that respect. Will they then deny the favours of God?

73 - And God has made for you mates (and companions) of your own nature, and made for you, out of them, sons and daughters and grandchildren, and provided for you sustenance of the best: will they then believe in vain things and be ungrateful for God’s favours?

74 - And worship others than God - such as have no power of providing them, for sustenance, with anything in heavens or earth, and cannot possibly have such power?

You can see so many immense lessons of life and wonders of creation given in just a few verses. When I read such words of revelation it becomes hard for me to remain at a level of grief or despair - how can I - when the One Who posseses the Keys of the Heavens and Earth and knows the finest mysteries therein is ever-watching and providing for all?

Lest we skip and forget, take note of five things that I’d like to draw your attention to:

1) Eat and drink of the good things that have been created for you and ask your Creator for health and wellbeing; therafter rejoice in the knowledge that you have been taken care of by the One who fashioned you from dust;

2) Use and develop your skills, just as the bee has to, and scout the glorious earth for the Provision that is destined for you that no one else can deter from you;

3) Use your wisdom and judgment when spending and spend less than you earn. Whenever possible invest the difference in something tangible of lower risk.

4) Don’t agonise over those who appear to have more. If they have more that’s their good fortune. Your job is to identify your calling, align to it and do your best, as anything less is where tragedies and frustrations reside.

5) Begin to foster feelings of contentment with the outcome that is destined for you; reflect and give thanks to your Maker who bestowed too many gifts to list.

I hope this helps put somethings into perspective and be sure that ultimately, there isn’t a crisis or problem in the world for which there isn’t a solution that can be found if you trust Higher Order and work diligently.

As always, for Success and Contentment,

Asad Khan

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