Introspection

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Recent COVID-19 has effected humans on a global level.

It is a task on the shoulders of all humans to contemplate on this situation.

Starting on March 28, 2020; interested people are invited to begin a 40-Day-Trip, a soul searching travel. Participants look into their feelings/character and determine what positive changes they can make. At the end of each day, take a moment to evaluate our efforts. If we find we were successful during the day, we will praise God. If we slipped at some point during the day, we would ask for forgiveness and strength to try again tomorrow.

The current virus threat requires days in quarantine, it is worth attempting a parallel effort on our soul side. We all know that they (soul and body) are different but connected deeply to each other. Since they are connected, then one can effect the other. Free spirited people have told us that there is a corresponding physical outcome for the type of intension.

My first step is to think of one unpleasant character in me. I would focus for the next 40 days to slowly eliminate it. How hard is it? Very hard, if I do it by myself. Extremely easy job if I pray for God’s help. Putting it into different context: easy and hard are references that goes back to us. Easy and hard does not come into play when one’s goal is pleasing God. For example when one is doing a favour for a loved one, the task becomes free of limit.

This page is about inviting people to contemplate on this, and share their experiences on this journey.

I am a Muslim, but this page is for all. Please, if you are a Christian or Jews and like to enrich our journey, we are all ears – our spirits can connect.

DAY 1 – Main theme through 40-Day-Journey program is Purification:

HE HAS SUCCEEDED WHO PURIFIES IT (Shams 9).

There are a large number of online opportunities to help the less fortunate. Supporting people opens the path to receive spiritual strength to get through this 40-Day Journey.

The surface outcome of purification is obvious (better life). The actual real value of self-culture is to get connected with divine.

End of the Day1: As I was commited, I evaluated my day.

DAY 2 – Today’s theme is humbleness:

Thanks for joining us on previous day. We will continue our journey.

Do you not see that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth and the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, all moving creatures and many of the people? But upon many the punishment has been justified. And he whom Allah humiliates – for him there is no bestower of honor. Indeed, Allah does what He wills.

Time is 8:30am of Sunday, Mar 29, 2020.

Thank you Lord for the opportunity to experience a new day …

We are in the presence of God: constantly we work in order to finish the work so we can be somewhere else. When we eventually get to that somewhere else, then we think of another place/job to be or do. How can we stop this? Once we recognize we are in the presence of the Lord, we enjoy his company; this joy doesn’t leave space for another place to exist. Humbleness is the ingredi(ent to live in his presence.

Side Note: My wife helped me yesterday in editing the wordings. She found a beautiful prayer that she likes to share with us later today. I would wait patiently …

Messenger of God commented: The servant is closest to his Lord during prostration, so increase your supplications therein.

Reviewing the life of people with tolerance and patience during hardship: Could Job’s secret be his strength in trusting God? Looking at human history in dealing with deseases proves we always come out ok and that is a positive patrern. www.twitter.com/Inward_Journeys

It is 8:11 pm. Before the evening prayer, I would evaluate myself on how I observed and controlled my behaviour through the day.

Good night for now, and we will connect tomorrow.

DAY 3 – Mentioning Lord’s Attributes throughout the Day:

We refer to God in this website with various names, like God, Lord, Allah, etc.

Today’s theme is inspired by the following verse.

Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], “Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire. (Ale-Emraun 191).

Expanding on the above verse; there are 6 points to draw our attention to:
1. We are invited to remember Lord at all times.
2. Contemplating on God’s creations.
3. Conclusion of the above yields to the fact that this universe was created for a purpose.
4. Creation comes from cleanly pure and unmixable God.
5. This universe was created with clear / clean intensions and any unpure connection with this world results in spoilage.
6. In Quranic context, could we say that the word fire refers to its capability to take away spoilage/impurity?

DAY 4 – Respect, Patience, Giving

I am comitting myself today to above three subjects. My original goal (striving for positive change = over coming one of my negative characters) is still my main target.

I invite everyone to spiritially interact with each other by contemplating on the following verse.

Who, when Allah is mentioned, their hearts are fearful, and [to] the patient over what has afflicted them, and the establishers of prayer and those who spend from what We have provided them (Haj 35).

This verse describes the characteristic of humble believers.

Our bodies may be in distance but our hearts can join.

DAY 5 – Human Rank

And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference (Esra 70).

I would remind myself; you have been given honorable capabilities. What would I do in return?

I need to change my life. No more after hour work. I would not allow material system to spread its root to my soul. With Lord’s guidance, my soul decides when/how to do the job. Here is a system; i may need to redefine it later; it is a good starting point though:

• At 5pm, I make a will. I ask God to help me with complete trust in him.
• I will not check work emails, after 5pm.
• At 7pm, I pray Lord to show me the right path. Then I quickly review emails. Without letting feelings, or logics drive me, I listen to an inner voice in order to find out if I should reply right now or tomorrow. I would reply, if I feel right. How do I know? Would Moses/Christ/Mohammad would reply today or they would wait till tomorrow?

Above system eliminates constantly checking my emails after working hours while my attention should be strictly with other side of me; my spirit.

Constant focus on work, makes us insensative to our humanistic values. We are honored as children of Adam…

DAY 6 – Focused & Truthful during the day:

And say, “My Lord, cause me to enter a sound entrance and to exit a sound exit and grant me from Yourself a supporting authority.” Esra 80

In summary: praying to God to keep our attention towards him and do what our heart says; truthfully.

DAY 7 – Unique You & Your Journey:

Say, “Each works according to his manner, but your Lord is most knowing of who is best guided in way.” (Esra 84).

Everything we do is originated from our essence. The Creater knows who is stepping in the right path. We need to realize that  we still have a choice.

That’s a very interesting edge humans have: Their background derives their behavior and that doesn’t mean they are forced to do what their nature says. They have a choice.

As soon as the word choice comes into play, the intension and idealogy put their feet into the scene.

It is almost 11 at night. I draw my attention to myself. Reviewing the goal I set for myself on Day1. I praise God for the strength I received today. Lord I know that I need a lot to understand with my heart; …. it does seem like a big task. However I trust your greatness and feel comfort with your kindness.

DAY 8 – Soul Retreat:

And [mention] when We made the House a place of return for the people and [a place of] security. And take, [O believers], from the standing place of Abraham a place of prayer. And We charged Abraham and Ishmael, [saying], “Purify My House for those who perform Tawaf and those who are staying [there] for worship and those who bow and prostrate [in prayer].” (Baghare 125)

Our homes during Covid-19 virus spread has become our Church / Mosque / Synagogue.

Spiritual Retreat was a common practice & now the current situation; eventhough not pleasant; but an opportunity to learn about it.

Today: Saturday, April 4 = 》: For some of us could be a chance to consider silent personal withdraw. I know, our house might not be very quiet, but we might find moments to dedicate to this practice even for short periid of time.

Again, let’s remind ourselves that our goal in this 40 day journey is to focus on one of our behaviors that need rebuilding/correcting. During the day we stay aware, as soon as the non-pleasant behavior starts to enter our life, we pay our attention to Lord. At the end of the day, we re-evaluate how we did during the day. Praise God for succeeding moments, and praying (or repentance) for the moments we forgot our goal.

Life is promising, beautiful and unlimited; we will come out of this situation with stronger beings. Thank you for your company …

DAY 9 – Guardian:

And We have made, above you, seven tracts; and We are never unmindful of (our) Creation. (Momenoon 17)

DAY 10 – Planning and Trusting:

And never say of anything, “Indeed, I will do that tomorrow,

Except [when adding], “If Allah wills.” And remember your Lord when you forget [it] and say, “Perhaps my Lord will guide me to what is nearer than this to right conduct.” (Kahf 23 & 24)

Planning ahead of time is great. We can consider certain factors in life and arrange them in such a way that the outcome is beneficial to us. Can one take into account all possibilities to draft a perfect idea? Even conditions that are reliable can change the next day, never mind the conditions that we are not aware of.

Considering that life in general is intelligent, the universe also has a plan for us. It may or may not be compatible with us. This sounds disappointing at the first glance. However I trust that whatever happens to me, it is the best scheme for me.

There are various documentaries on Youtube and Ted Talk about intelligent universe.

When we try to understand consciousness, we realize how complicated this can be. As Sir Roger Penrose said, when we are understanding something we are not computing. To understand something, you need to be aware of it. You need to invoke your consciousness.

I am not a scientist, but there are two ideas that educated people seem to agree on:

1- Universe has intelligent. 2-This intelligent works towards improvement (it is not distructive).

We got a bit off track. Back to our main topic: As we discussed before the goal of this page is to invite people to take an inward journeys for 40 days. We like to cleanse our soul with at least one of unpleasant behaviors we might have. The general idea is that to prevent principle loss, before trying to add to our initial investment.

At the evening, we replay our day in our mind. If we were successful in stopping the unpleasant action throughout the day, we thank God. And if we forgot our promise, we repent and ask Lord to give us another chance.

DAY 11 – Thanksgiving:

And it is He who produced for you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you grateful. (Momenoon 78)

Today is April 7, 2020 and we continue our journey. We are very lucky to be at a time when we have access to Books of Moses (PBUH), Christ (PBUH), and Mohammad (PBUH). There are other bright individual in the history. I just mentioned the three I know of.

Let’s start our day with spiritual people on our minds and be thankful to the power of humanity we have been given; hearing, seeing, and heart.

In this verse, Lord declares that he innovated hearing, vision, and heart in that order.
Hearing versus Seeing:
An infant hears a voice then opens his eyes to learn more.
In history we have read about prophet Jacob (PBUH) who lost his eyes sight. We don’t know of any prophets who lost his hearing.
A Judge might be blind and still carry his duty, but he should be able to hear to perform his job.
When people become disappointed of their past actions, they regret by saying I wish I would have listened to him/her.
We know that people become wiser by listening and learning more than by vision.
If we couldn’t hear we couldn’t talk.
We usually say a picture worth thousand words. That is because the picture reveals thousand words to our ears.
The third blessing we humans have is “af-edah” in Arabic. In this context it means heart.
Basic word af-edah in general form means stove! Anything that relates to heating and cooking is named as some derivative of af-edah. For example a skew for cooking meat.
Love can be felt by actively processing certain feelings and logics/knowledge. Like a stove that uses heat (activation factor) to bring together ingredients (feelings and knowledge) in a pleasant way.
It is well known that Human can’t live without affection.
In order to be thankful, I have to be knowledgeable and aware of the great gifts I have. Whose table I am sitting at and who is serving me? I need to realize that I owe my Lord everything

DAY 12 – Highly Aimed System:

Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?”

So exalted is Lord, the Sovereign, the Truth; there is no deity except Him, Lord of the Noble Throne.

(Momenoon 115 & 116)

A constant unstopable blessing is amoung us as Qurun puts it into words as:

And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and charity as long as I remain alive (Meriyam 31).

Power, plan, and guidance; three ingridiants we are supported by.

DAY 13 – Spring & Flowering Life:

A bit of background before starting the next paragraph. God is telling Meriyam that your son would be a messanger to the tribe of Bani-Esraeel and his message to them is ……

And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], ‘Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead – by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers. (Aule emron 49)

To feel life and stay joyful, one needs to appreciate Christ. He is the living example of pure life. Connecting to him is empowering.

DAY 14 – LIGHT:

Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The example of His light is like a niche within which is a lamp, the lamp is within glass, the glass as if it were a pearly [white] star lit from [the oil of] a blessed olive tree, neither of the east nor of the west, whose oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whom He wills. And God presents examples for the people, and God is Knowing of all things. (Noor 35)

Discussion is about Allah itself. A name flowing in every part of us. Allah is the name of God which includes all his qualities at the perfect level. God can be referred with 1000 names like Provider, Protector, Kind, Merciful, Forgiver, etc. The special name which refers to all those names is called Allah.

In this document, when we use God, it is meant to point to all his names.

How do one know that he is calling his complete name from bottom of heart? If one feels ASTONISHED, then he/she is calling him with right intension. Some mystics say, when you want something deeply and exclaim desire by saying auuhhh… You are calling his name.

Today is Friday, Apr 10, 2020 and let’s remind ourselves that we are on our 14th Day voyage to our inner spirit. Our goal is to be on guard through the days and as soon as unpleasant behavior starts to surface we pay our attention to pure fact/merciful/forgiver, God. We do not focus on unfortunate behavior, we just focus on Lord.

Light in this verse is not the visible rays we detect. Colors, rays, hues are material like items and are part of creation.

Light has the ability to show the path on an invisible world! “Shed light on a topic” is an example.

DAY 15 – What is my intension?

[Are] men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allah and performance of prayer and giving of zakah. They fear a Day in which the hearts and eyes will [fearfully] transform. (Noor 37)

I made a commitment to myself at least for today: Prior to any action, I will ask myself; am I doing this for God?

DAY 16 – Daily Pray:

“Verily, I am Allah: There is no god but I: So serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise. (Tahau 14)

The sign of loving is thinking of beloved.

Today is Sunday, April 12, 2020 and we continue our voyage towards him. Let’s have God on our mind all day. Proactively, reminding ourselves of him.

I was listening to Pope Francis message once more in youtube about ceasefire suggestion during Covid-19 Corona virus spread. I listened to it several times and it became relatively clear what an important spiritual point he is drawing our attention to, God bless him.

DAY 17 – Reborn in Spring:

[Mention, O Muhammad], when the wife of ‘Imran said, “My Lord, indeed I have pledged to You what is in my womb, consecrated [for Your service], so accept this from me. Indeed, You are the Hearing, the Knowing.” ( Aule emron 35).

Due to Easter, it is appropriate to join Christ in the hope that he would make us reborn with God’s permission. I would pray to God to make me one of his servent to be with Christ (PBUH) and Emam Mahdy (PBUH).

Today, I seek God’s help to join me with these great saints. Our plan is still cleaning our souls as we decided on Day 1.

What do we have to submit to Lord?

I have to refer to Mr. Ansary to reveal something I found interesting. In Arabic in above verse, Imran wife is refered to as “Emra-at”. I am not familiar with Arabic grammer, but try to translate Mr. Ansary’s explanations in point form:

• Emra means human.
• Emra-at and Emra-eh are feminine and masculane forms.
• Emra itself means esophagus.
• Wishing someone to enjoy the food and become relaxed is referred to the same word.
• The fact that women and men are called Emra-at and Emra-eh is because their marriage should make them feel at peace and relaxed.

It is interesting to know how languages (words) are formed.

The rest of Aule emron:

But when she delivered her, she said, “My Lord, I have delivered a female.” And Allah was most knowing of what she delivered, “And the male is not like the female. And I have named her Mary, and I seek refuge for her in You and [for] her descendants from Satan, the expelled [from the mercy of Allah].” 36

So her Lord accepted her with good acceptance and caused her to grow in a good manner and put her in the care of Zechariah. Every time Zechariah entered upon her in the prayer chamber, he found with her provision. He said, “O Mary, from where is this [coming] to you?” She said, “It is from Allah. Indeed, Allah provides for whom He wills without account.” 37

At that, Zechariah called upon his Lord, saying, “My Lord, grant me from Yourself a good offspring. Indeed, You are the Hearer of supplication.” 38

Zechariah request is granted and his future son is named before he is born:

So the angels called him while he was standing in prayer in the chamber, “Indeed, Allah gives you good tidings of John, confirming a word from Allah and [who will be] honorable, abstaining [from women], and a prophet from among the righteous.” 39

Some Points:

• Pure requesrs from God are honored.
• Formal praying was a tradition in all the prophets.
• Angles called him at his prayer. It points to the fact that praying condition is a suitable ground to receive spritual power.

He said, “My Lord, how will I have a boy when I have reached old age and my wife is barren?” The angel said, “Such is Allah; He does what He wills.” 40

• God’s will goes beyond nature of physics.

He said, “My Lord, make for me a sign.” He Said, “Your sign is that you will not [be able to] speak to the people for three days except by gesture. And remember your Lord much and exalt [Him with praise] in the evening and the morning.” 41

And [mention] when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed Allah has chosen you and purified you and chosen you above the women of the worlds. 42

O Mary, be devoutly obedient to your Lord and prostrate and bow with those who bow [in prayer].” 43

That is from the news of the unseen which We reveal to you, [O Muhammad]. And you were not with them when they cast their pens as to which of them should be responsible for Mary. Nor were you with them when they disputed. 44

[And mention] when the angels said, “O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary – distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah]. 45

He will speak to the people in the cradle and in maturity and will be of the righteous.” 46

She said, “My Lord, how will I have a child when no man has touched me?” [The angel] said, “Such is Allah; He creates what He wills. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is. 47

And He will teach him writing and wisdom and the Torah and the Gospel. 48

And [make him] a messenger to the Children of Israel, [who will say], ‘Indeed I have come to you with a sign from your Lord in that I design for you from clay [that which is] like the form of a bird, then I breathe into it and it becomes a bird by permission of Allah. And I cure the blind and the leper, and I give life to the dead – by permission of Allah. And I inform you of what you eat and what you store in your houses. Indeed in that is a sign for you, if you are believers. 49

And [I have come] confirming what was before me of the Torah and to make lawful for you some of what was forbidden to you. And I have come to you with a sign from your Lord, so fear Allah and obey me. 50

Indeed, Allah is my Lord and your Lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path.” 51

But when Jesus felt [persistence in] disbelief from them, he said, “Who are my supporters for [the cause of] Allah?” The disciples said, “We are supporters for Allah. We have believed in Allah and testify that we are Muslims [submitting to Him]. 52

Our Lord, we have believed in what You revealed and have followed the messenger Jesus, so register us among the witnesses [to truth].” 53

And the disbelievers planned, but Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners. 54

[Mention] when Allah said, “O Jesus, indeed I will take you and raise you to Myself and purify you from those who disbelieve and make those who follow you [in submission to Allah alone] superior to those who disbelieve until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, and I will judge between you concerning that in which you used to differ. 55

And as for those who disbelieved, I will punish them with a severe punishment in this world and the Hereafter, and they will have no helpers.” 56

But as for those who believed and did righteous deeds, He will give them in full their rewards, and Allah does not like the wrongdoers. 57

This is what We recite to you, [O Muhammad], of [Our] verses and the precise [and wise] message. 58

DAY 18 – Levels of Understanding:

If We had sent down this Quran upon a mountain, you would have seen it humbled and coming apart from fear of Allah. And these examples We present to the people that perhaps they will give thought.

How well we can comprehend, depends how far we have travelled into the deep meaning of the subject. Considering most objects and specially human have infinite capabilities, the vast space of explorations can be visualized.

DAY 19 – HOPE:

And it is He who has made the night for you as clothing and sleep [a means for] rest and has made the day a resurrection. (Forghan 47)

Yes, he runs the Earth. Other factors (virus spread) are part of the world happenings. The desease is not the ruler, the Engineer is someone else. The main designer sets the rules whuch are beneficial to humans (night, sleeping, rest, etc).

Turning words into reality, converting the concepts into something valuable that exists –>> What is it that we know the theory, but applying it in the right situation correctly is a challege?  Knowing by itself is not enough, so what else we need? This seems like a wrong question! Because the answer is just another piece of information which will be added to our existing memory bank. Maybe rather than an answer, we need a plan. Or maybe we need a heart ingredients somehow mixed with our knowledge to activate the combination.

How can we act according to our belief? Having a good spiritual idealogy is the main ingredient. Then we need catalyst or baking powder to make it work. Of course temperature and other conditions need to be proper.

As we have heard from great spiritual people, it is a journey. We are not aiming to gain knowlege. There is no single final make us free magic word. We just walk and explore with care. On our way we build huts and playgrounds, and pleasant attitudes. After years of walking, building, restructuring, making roads; we stop and look back. Here it is our perfect trace. Then the real journey will begin with the company of …

The important point I need to remind to myself is: Never mind how big of a road/structure I make, at least be careful the mice doesn’t damage the road underlay. (Bad attitudes will loosen our buildings fundation, soul purification is the way to go).

DAY 20 – Trust in God:

He said, “O my people, have you considered: if I am upon clear evidence from my Lord and He has provided me with a good provision from Him…? And I do not intend to differ from you in that which I have forbidden you; I only intend reform as much as I am able. And my success is not but through Allah. Upon him I have relied, and to Him I return.

How can we gauge ourselves to find out if we have trust in God? Experts believe that several qualities are indicators of established trust:

• Am I brave to follow Lord’s guidance, no matter how difficult or inconvenient.
• Can I make a solid worry free decision.
• Am I feeling the strength on controlling myself.
• Does external factors and environmental situations effect my mood.

DAY 21 – By Example:

And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say [words of] peace. (Forghan 63)

The characteristics of unique people are explained in the above verse. It is a great reference for measurement, and self assessment.

DAY 22 – Peace & Prayer:

And those who spend [part of] the night to their Lord prostrating and standing [in prayer]. (Forghan 64)

Prayers are suggested at night time. Environment is quiet and peace is in charge!

Previous verse and this one as well as the rest of this chapter are beautiful notes about believers personality.

The chain of encouraging comments from verse 63 to 77, place interesting questions on readers mind.

The magical phrase that works miraculously on human spirit is “being servent of God“. This might sound like a serious set of hard worship ptactices! Substituting the word God with “truth, love, intelligence, kindness, giving”, makes the phrase more clear. If someone is right, accepting his/her view is a practical way of ‘being servent of God’.

DAY 23 – Pure Heart:

The Day when there will not benefit [anyone] wealth or children. (Shoara 88)

But only one who comes to Allah with a sound heart. (89)

Saint Sadegh (PBUH) says, “A sound heart is the heart that meets God while there is nothing else in it”.

Saint Ali (PBUH) says, “O Lord, assist us in paying your obligatory rights and help us to be thankful for blessings and your numerous kindness.

DAY 24 – Trust:

And rely upon the Exalted in Might, the Merciful. (Shoara 217)

You are not alone, rely on him. See his hand in all the scenes of our lives. His hand is above all other hands. His determination is based on wisdom.

I would try my share of responsibilities, while reminding myself that my effort is only one of the factors in completing a job. Final outcome depends on other factors. Other conditions are part of other processes which are intelligently rolling forward.

The word intelligent does not need a body. We can think of intelligent without a person associated with it.

Day 25 – Renew Our Promise:

Our Lord, and send among them a messenger from themselves who will recite to them Your verses and teach them the Book and wisdom and purify them. Indeed, You are the Exalted in Might, the Wise. (Baghara 129)

The above verse is what Ibrahim asked God to grant his descendant.

To purify ourselves, we need a source which itself is free of impurity. The instructions leading us to be real humans should be deviced by the entity who created us. The reference point is Holy Book.

DAY 26 – Health and Clean Food – Clean Soul:

And similarly, We awakened them that they might question one another. Said a speaker from among them, “How long have you remained [here]?” They said, “We have remained a day or part of a day.” They said, “Your Lord is most knowing of how long you remained. So send one of you with this silver coin of yours to the city and let him look to which is the best of food and bring you provision from it and let him be cautious. And let no one be aware of you. (Kahf 19)

This verse is about the dialog between Kahf friends, after waking up from a long sleep.

Staying healthy is something that anyone’s wish. The factor that supports human health is his diet. Diet and health are related and that is very obvious. What is interesting is that what one eats is of great importance to saints. View point of good food and its effect to soul is an important dimension to think of.

DAY 27 – Purification:

He has certainly succeeded who purifies himself. (Al-Ala 14)

And mentions the name of his Lord and prays.

But you prefer the worldly life,

While the Hereafter is better and more enduring.

Indeed, this is in the former scriptures,

The scriptures of Abraham and Moses. (Al- Ala 19).

A day from now, the month of Ramazaun begins. We will continue our plan with the hope to gain even more advancement in this holy month.

God be with you.

DAY 28 – Responding Power:

Is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there a deity with Allah? Little do you remember. (Namal 62)

Who is the one who answers when all other hopes are dimmed?

We need to realize we need help. Once this is comprehended, magic happens!

DAY 29 – Fasting (Today is Apr 25, 2020 and 1st of Ramazan 1441)

The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful. (Baghare 189)

There are more to humanity than materialistic world. There are more to us than eating, drinking, and playing; …. way more.

How do we know that? We don’t know that, but we can experience it ourselves. High ranked individuals like Mariam (PBUH), Zakaria (PBUH), Moses (PBUH), Christ (PBUH), Mohammad (PBUH), and their disciples had quiet times after midnight and Fasting.

What is so good about humanity? Like I said, the answer is not in Google, it is in YOU. We need to try quiet pray time and fasting to enter that world. If we really need an answer, let’s for some days practice, pray and Fast. Visiting the area of your neighbor’s church is a great relaxing practice.

Have a peaceful evening, till we continue our journey tomorrow. Good night.

DAY 30 – People Path are Different:

Woe to every scorner and mocker. Who collects wealth and [continuously] counts it. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal. (Homaze 1-3)

It is appropriate for those who keep away from wrongdoing to be fair to those who do not. It is suitable to praise God, and this gratitute may deter them from seeing others mistakes. {Aly (PBUH), Khotbe 140}

DAY 31 – Received:

Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree.  And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. (Ghadr Chapter)

In certain night in Ramazan the Holy Book Quraun was sent to Mohammad (PBUH).

As we descussed before, we are keeping our promise in this 40-day voyage.

DAY 32 – Patience:

By (the Token of) Time (through the ages). Indeed, mankind is in loss. Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. (Chapter Valasr)

Some life ingredients: patience, belief, good deeds, encouraging each other.

DAY 33 – Good News:

But whoever comes to Him as a believer having done righteous deeds – for those will be the highest degrees [in position] (Taha 75). Gardens of perpetual residence beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally. And that is the reward of one who purifies himself (Taha 76).

DAY 34 – Bragging:

Qauroon was a rich person.

Indeed, Qauroon was from the people of Moses, but he tyrannized them. And We gave him of treasures whose keys would burden a band of strong men; thereupon his people said to him, “Do not exult. Indeed, Allah does not like the exultant. (Ghessas 76)

But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter; and [yet], do not forget your share of the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corrupters.” (77)

DAY 35 – Purification reemphasized:

And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And if a heavily laden soul calls [another] to [carry some of] its load, nothing of it will be carried, even if he should be a close relative. You can only warn those who fear their Lord unseen and have established prayer. And whoever purifies himself only purifies himself for [the benefit of] his soul. And to Allah is the [final] destination. (Fauter 18)

DAY 36 – Reward is High:

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (Zariat 56)

The general steps in Purification are:

1. Getting to know yourself. This might seem easy, but requires soul searching on a regular basis. One has to come up with an action plan. The important point is to device a plan with God in mind.
2. Study and listening to lectures of knowledgeable spiritual people.
3. Working on personal behaviours that need improvements.
4. Strengthening our relations with Mohammad (PBUH),  Christ (PBUH), Moses  (PBUH), and other high level spiritual beings.

After a while we would see the change in who our new me is.

Allah created the heavens and the earth in truth. Indeed in that is a sign for the believers. (Ankaboot 44)

Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater. And Allah knows that which you do. (Ankaboot 45)

And do not argue with the People of the Scripture except in a way that is best, except for those who commit injustice among them, and say, “We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you. And our God and your God is one; and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.” (Ankaboot 46)

And thus We have sent down to you the Qur’an. And those to whom We [previously] gave the Scripture believe in it. And among these [people of Makkah] are those who believe in it. And none reject Our verses except the disbelievers. (Ankaboot 47)

DAY 37 – Work hard, no doubt:

And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good. (Ankaboot 69)

Let’s work hard in God’s way – A clear  path will show up – Have no doubt in his guidance.

A reminder: Purification is our goal in this 40 days journey. The purpose of cleansing is to get closer to God.

DAY 38 – Final Word:

And they were not commanded except to worship Allah, [being] sincere to Him in religion, inclining to truth, and to establish prayer and to give zakah. And that is the correct religion. (Bai-yenneh 5)

Worshipping God is so many things which makes our lives to breath.

DAY 39 – Reflection:

Allah is the one who created you, then provided for you, then will cause you to die, and then will give you life. Are there any of your “partners” who does anything of that? Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him. (Rom 40)

Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness]. (Rom 41)

Say, [O Mohammad], “Travel through the land and observe how was the end of those before. Most of them were associators [of others with Allah]. (Rom 42)

So direct your face toward the correct religion before a Day comes from Allah of which there is no repelling. That Day, they will be divided. (Rom 43)

Whoever disbelieves – upon him is [the consequence of] his disbelief. And whoever does righteousness – they are for themselves preparing, (Rom 44)

That He may reward those who have believed and done righteous deeds out of His bounty. Indeed, He does not like the disbelievers. (Rom 45)

And of His signs is that He sends the winds as bringers of good tidings and to let you taste His mercy and so the ships may sail at His command and so you may seek of His bounty, and perhaps you will be grateful. (Rom 46)

And We have already sent messengers before you to their peoples, and they came to them with clear evidences; then We took retribution from those who committed crimes, and incumbent upon Us was support of the believers. (Rom 47)

The same way gravity is a law in universe, the same way there is one called the law of “support of believers”.

DAY 40 – He is on Your Side:

Who spend [in the cause of Allah] during ease and hardship and who restrain anger and who pardon the people – and Allah loves the doers of good. (Aule-emraun 134)

Today is May 6, 2020 and we came to our last day of our 40-Day trip.  Thanks for joining us. I hope we have gained more purity.