Advice To Boost My Spirituality

[laithAlIRAQI]

Title please...

[Ali Musaaa :)]

Work on improving your your prayer and don't take it lightly. This also includes improving the quality of its prerequisites (such as wudhu) and obligatory aspects of it (such as bowing in Ruku' with a straight back and not rushing the prayer). There is a Sahih hadith where the Prophet SA said whoever died in a state of rushing the Prayer and praying like a rooster (pecks up and down in a fast manner) has died upon something other than what he brought (Islam). We have many hadiths which stress the importance of the Salat and several that tie our Dua's and hopes to it:

جماعة من أصحابنا، عن أحمد بن محمد بن عيسى، عن الحسين بن سعيد، عن فضالة، عن عبدالله بن سنان، عن أبي عبدالله (عليه السلام) أنه قال: مر بالنبي (صلى الله عليه وآله) رجل وهو يعالج بعض حجراته فقال: يارسول الله ألا أكفيك؟ فقال: شأنك، فلما فرغ قال له رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله): حاجتك؟ قال: الجنة، فأطرق رسول الله (صلى الله عليه وآله) ثم قال: نعم، فلما

ولى قال له: ياعبدالله أعنا بطول السجود

 

3. (8) A large number of our companions from Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Isa from Husayn bin Said from Fadhala (bin Ayub) from Abdallah bin Sinan from Abi Abdillah عليه السلام, that He said: a man walked by the prophet صلى الله عليه وآله while He صلى الله عليه وآله was repairing (mending) some of His rooms (the chambers of His houses), so he (the man) said: am I not enough in helping you O messenger of Allah? So He صلى الله عليه وآله said: if you want, so when he had completed (the work) – the messenger of Allah said to him: what is your need (reward)? So he (the man) said: Jannah, so the messenger of Allah looked down (in reflection) – and then said (after a time): Yes (indeed), so when the man had turned to (leave), He صلى الله عليه وآله said to him: O slave of Allah, help yourself (to fulfill your need) by elongating your Sujuud. (Sahih)

 

علي بن إبراهيم، عن محمد بن عيسى، عن يونس بن عبدالرحمن، عن عبد الرحمن بن الحجاج، عن أبان بن تغلب قال: كنت صليت خلف أبي عبدالله (عليه السلام) بالمزدلفة فلما انصرف التفت إلي فقال: ياأبان الصلوات الخمس المفروضات من أقام حدودهن وحافظ على مواقيتهن لقى الله يوم القيامة وله عنده عهد يدخله به الجنة ومن لم يقم حدودهن ولم يحافظ على مواقيتهن لقى الله ولا عهد له إن شاء عذبه وإن شاء غفر له

1. (1) Ali bin Ibrahim from Muhammad bin Isa from Yunus bin Abdir-Rahman from Abdir-Rahman bin al-Hajjaj from Aban bin Taghlib who said: I was praying behind Abi Abdillah عليه السلام in Muzdalifah, so when he finished it (leading the prayer) He turned towards me and said: O Aban, the obligatory prayers are five, whoever abides by their limits (fulfills the conditions attached to them) and safeguards their timings he meets Allah on the day of judgement while having with Him a promise by which He (i.e. Allah) enters him into Jannah, and whoever does not abide by their limits and does not safeguard their timings he meets Allah and he has no promise with Allah, if He so wishes he punishes him and if He so wishes forgives him. (Sahih)

 

The last one is something we should all give thought to: 

محمد بن يحيى، عن أحمد بن محمد، عن علي بن الحكم، عن هشام بن سالم، عن أبي عبدالله (عليه السلام) قال: إذا قام العبد في الصلاة فخفف صلاته قال الله تبارك وتعالى لملائكته: أما ترون إلى عبدي كأنه يرى أن قضاء حوائجه بيد غيري أما يعلم أن قضاء حوائجه بيدي

 

7. (10) Muhammad bin Yahya from Ahmad bin Muhammad from Ali bin Hakam from Hisham bin Salim from Abi Abdillah عليه السلام who said: when a slave stands to pray but takes it lightly, Allah majestic and exalted says to his angels: do you not see my slave, it is as though he thinks that the fulfillment of his desires are in the hands (or under the mercy) of another, does he not know that the fulfillment of his desires are in my hands (under my mercy). (Sahih)

 

The ahadith were taken from: https://mutabaralkafi.wordpress.comIt would be helpful to go through these chapters on prayer. They wll give you a lot of insight into the value of prayer that the Ahl al-Bayt gave to it. 

[StrugglingForTheLight]

Salam

 

Du'a. A lot of Du'a.

[Soldiers and Saffron]

Unending reflection and dhikr.

[apofomysback]

^a definite must

[tendersoul]

Salam,

 

Having a good understanding of what actually is Salat and Zikr, and the wisdom behind it :

 

http://www.shiachat.com/forum/topic/235032080-irfan-knowing-Allah/

 

These files really changed my whole perspective. Hope it helps you too :)

Edited October 29, 2015 by tendersoul

[apofomysback]

.....and cut down on them sandwiches

 

 

joking

 

all of the above I guess

[Chaotic Muslem]

.....and cut down on them sandwiches

 

 

joking

 

all of the above I guess

Cutting on sandwiches is actually a good advise. often times we eat loads of c.raps that affect us spiritualy.

[Sumerian]

- Doing the Fara'idh and the Wajibat (obligatory actions).

- Staying away from the muharramat (unlawful things and sins).

- And if you can, try doing some of the Mustahab/Sunnah (recommended) actions. But don't over work yourself, especially if you feel that this will stop you from doing the obligatory actions.

- Make lots of Du'a to Allah in times of need.

- Read the Holy Qur'an.

- Remember Allah everywhere.

- Interact with other people that can help you with regards to your Religion.

Edited October 29, 2015 by The Batman

[laithAlIRAQI]

Thanks for the help, but the problem is that I don't feel like praying, reading Quran, etc. I don't have the urge to do so like I used to.

[Chaotic Muslem]

Pick up a book.

I think teens are attracted to "The perfect human" by Ayatollah Mutahhari. If not then just ask your Iraqi cousins about their fav books. Because your iraqi taste is weird.

You can join Ali F channel on youtube too.

[Guest silasun]

When the heart (state of iqbaal) feels willing to do extra prayers, we should try to increase our amount of recitation of Qur'an, prayers etc. But if our heart is in a time of idbaar (tiredness/closure), we should limit ourselves to the waajib and haraam. 

 

Ultimately the way to spiritual perfection is determined by how careful we are with following the Shariah. Without following it perfectly, there is no chance to be a spiritual person. Avoiding sins is the key to spirituality.

 

Further reading: http://www.al-islam.org/adab-as-salat-disciplines-of-prayer-second-revised-edition-imam-khomeini/chapter-6-vivacity-and 

 

I just ask you that you remember me in your duas and ask that I can follow my own advice!

Edited October 29, 2015 by silasun

[laithAlIRAQI]

Because your iraqi taste is weird.

You can join Ali F channel on youtube too.

lol

[StrugglingForTheLight]

It happens to us. You got to do Du'a and force yourself to do the obligations.

Don't neglect Du'a in all this, even if it's a very short call to Allah.

 

قُلْ مَا يَعْبَأُ بِكُمْ رَبِّي لَوْلَا دُعَاؤُكُمْ ۖ فَقَدْ كَذَّبْتُمْ فَسَوْفَ يَكُونُ لِزَامًا {77}

[shakir 25:77] Say: My Lord would not care for you were it not for your prayer; but you have indeed rejected (the truth), so that which shall cleave shall come.

You have to be patient, and do Du'a to Allah, he will help you.

[laithAlIRAQI]

^ to be honest... I never do Dua, I just pray and recite ayatul kursi. I don't feel anything while praying, it's as if I'm just reciting some words and doing some movements...

Edited October 29, 2015 by laithAlIRAQI

[mina]

^ to be honest... I never do Dua, I just pray and recite ayatul kursi. I don't feel anything while praying, it's as if I'm just reciting some words and doing some movements...

Think about the purpose of you being alive before your next prayer.What's the reason for us being here in dunya?

Why do you pray?

[guest2k16]

Thanks for the help, but the problem is that I don't feel like praying, reading Quran, etc. I don't have the urge to do so like I used to.

To be honest, I was like that before, I just never felt like praying reading Quraan/Duaa etc.. I was lazy. Like say if it was Maghrib prayer I'd pray 3 hours later, & when I do go pray I'd just pray really fast & get it done with & do something else, I really couldn't bother, but I feel stupid now. I had to change myself I was like you know what, I'm gonna start praying on time, I'm gonna start reading Quran every morning & read Duaa's everyday, I just had to force myself to do that & make it my daily routine & when it's praying time, i'll just quickly go make Wudu, stand on my praying mat & say Allahu Akbar ..& then I just close my eyes & try to concentrate on my salah & forget everything else, & guess what, I got use to it, this is something I do every day now, See? It wasn't that hard, Just try doing all that every day & trust me it will help, Even though you're lazy & maybe not even intereted, but just try, you're not gonna lose anything, are you?. I swear it will only become worse if you stay like that, while you're still young, you got to try to help yourself & become better. That exactly what i did, & Alhamdella everything is better now.

 

Right now i have to read Ziyarat Ashura & Duaa l Kumayl & for some reason i'm feeling super lazy, like i just don't want to, but instead of letting shaytann take over me, i'm just gonna go read.. i'm not gonna lose anything, am i? It only takes 30 minutes, if i can spend 30 minutes of my life on the internet, then i'm sure i can spend 30 minutes of my life reading Duaa etc.

Edited October 29, 2015 by Rosarita Leema

[laithAlIRAQI]

^ thanks...

[mina]

Salam brother,may Allah bless you.Sry for maybe a second post which is not helpful but I wanted to share it with you.

I know that nothing we will write will change your feelings or motivations because it's nothing we can change.But you can biznillah.Ask Allah tonight for guidance by the right of Muhammad wa ale Muhammad and then try to understand this blessed words by our beloved Imam Ali as :

'A group of people worshipped Allah out of desire for reward; this is the worship of traders.

Another group worshipped out of fear, this is the worship of slaves.

Yet another group worshipped Allah out of gratefulness. This is the worship of free men.'

Ref: Saying 232, Nahjul Balagha

I think without knowing why we worship it's not possible to purify our souls and 'boost our spirituality'.

Don't expect something to happen overnight...but try to understand little by little what 'the worship of free men' is.

May Allah guide us.

Edited October 29, 2015 by mina313

[Zarla]

Dua is the most powerful weapon. Read dua with sincerity. Talk to God like he is your best friend, share with him everything even though he already knows what's in your heart. That way you will increase your rememberance of Him. Don't forget to always thank Him and praise Him for His blessings. Sahifa Sajjadiya is a great book of supplications/Duas, which you can always refer to during times of hardship, fear, worries, etc. These are the things that I myself do. Also, spend less time on things that don't benefit your hereafter.

As for increasing your motivation, you may need to see a counselor for Motivational Interviewing (MI) lol just kidding. But yeah a strategy that you can use (which is part of the MI) is that you can ask yourself these two questions when wanting to change your motivation/behaviour:

1. What are the good things about my present behaviour?

2. What are the not so good things about my present behaviour?

It's something we all (well most of us) experience at some point in our life.

Edited October 30, 2015 by IamHussaini

[StrugglingForTheLight]

^ to be honest... I never do Dua, I just pray and recite ayatul kursi. I don't feel anything while praying, it's as if I'm just reciting some words and doing some movements...

 

If you don't do long du'as of Ahlulbayt, that's ok. Not everyone can get in the spirit of those. Some are way above what we can intend and are meant for particular followers to follow.

 

But at least pray some shorts words when you get up in the day or when you do wudo or sometime in the day, ask God to forgive you and help you draw close to him. 

 

I also suggest being awakened to the spiritual battle you are in. You can't let the devils afflict you with uncleanness and not fight back. You should take the dark forces as enemy towards you, take Satan as an enemy.

 

Don't just take attacks from the unclean forces with no resolve to push them away.

 

It's even just getting up and saying "O God, today, I seek refuge in you from Satan and his forces, so bless Mohammad and the family of Mohammad, and give me refuge".

 

"O God bless Mohammad and his family, inspire me with more resolve to obey you and more love towards you and your chosen ones and bless Mohammad and the family of Mohammad from me intense blessings".

 

Any short duas. Try to make it with some Salawat.

 

Don't have to read Du'a Abu Hamza Thamalee or other longs Du'as.

 

"O God bless Mohammad and the family of Mohammad and help me keep up Salah and perform it with an attentive heart, and bless Mohammad and the family of Mohammad and hasten their relief".

 

Simple Du'as like that. 

 

When you feel it like it. Just call out.

Edited October 30, 2015 by StrugglingForTheLight

[Irfani313]

Salam - Every bit of advice above is superb but I'll say nothing beats DUA' as many have said above.

 

A small bit of advice that worked for me throughout my single years is I always used to keep my prayer rug open in my bedroom. In other words I was always a wudhu away from salat. Sometimes I just used to go and make sajda of shkur or isteghfar without salat. I think some of this made me gravitate towards salat eventually.

[laithAlIRAQI]

Thanks for the help everyone, I appreciate it. Allah bless u all.

Edited October 30, 2015 by laithAlIRAQI

[blu115]

eat only till the stomach is half full - this is the advice of the ahlul beit

and obviously, don't eat haram.

[Chaotic Muslem]

if you understand arabic, this is for you

 

[Sumerian]

Du'a is the weapon of the believer.

The Messenger of Allāh asked his companions, "Do you not want me to direct you to a weapon, that will save you from your enemies, and emit your blessings?" 

They said, "Of course." 

He said, "Supplicate (du‘ā) in the night and day, for supplication is the weapon of the believer".

الصدوق عن أبيه، عن محمّد بن يحيى، عن العمركي، عن علي بن جعفر، عن موسى بن جعفر، عن أبيه (عليهما السلام) قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله ألا أدلكم على سلاح ينجيكم عن عدوكم ويدر رزقكم؟ قالوا نعم، قال تدعون بالليل والنهار فان سلاح المؤمن الدعاء

(Thawāb al-A‘māl, pg. 26)

(Translation by Qa'im)

[al Batool]

To be honest, I was like that before, I just never felt like praying reading Quraan/Duaa etc.. I was lazy. Like say if it was Maghrib prayer I'd pray 3 hours later, & when I do go pray I'd just pray really fast & get it done with & do something else, I really couldn't bother, but I feel stupid now. I had to change myself I was like you know what, I'm gonna start praying on time, I'm gonna start reading Quran every morning & read Duaa's everyday, I just had to force myself to do that....

 

Right now i have to read Ziyarat Ashura & Duaa l Kumayl & for some reason i'm feeling super lazy, like i just don't want to, but instead of letting shaytann take over me, i'm just gonna go read.. i'm not gonna lose anything, am i? It only 

 

Assalamu Aleikum Wb.

 

Although your advice may seem to provide a positive impression it is in some aspects distorted.

 

Just as the sick do not enjoy eating food, the unenthusiastic worshipers will not also acquire pleasure in worship. Worship must be performed with love, enthusiasm, fervor and pleasure and not indisposition, languidness and despondency. 

 

Cheerfulness in worship is a privilege possessed by the people whose hearts are enamored by Him. It's ground must also be obtained through gnosis [Ma'rifah] and attention [tawajjah]. Worship under compulsion and imposition leads nowhere.

 

As Imam as-Sadiq [a] states: "Do not enforce worship on yourself" 

Usul al-Kafi, Vol. 2, p. 83

 

Wasalam.

[Al-Hussayni]

- Do the waajibat - make sure salat is performed on time as much as possible and definitely get into the habit of salat al-layl (Can definitely reach high peaks of spirituality if you do this on a consistent basis)

- Stay away from the haram

- Recite between 10-15 verses of Qur'an a day with contemplation (i.e. translation & tafseer)

- Recite Surah al-yaseen everyday if possible

- Du'a al-ahad after fajr

- Do tawassul to Imam Mahdi (as) everyday, when you're reading Qur'an be sure to do it for him

 

Write this schedule down and aim to stick to it, even if you can't do everything. 

[Aqeeq313]

Salam

 

Dhikr and Quran are great for the spirit  :D

[Al-Hassan]

 I don't feel anything while praying, it's as if I'm just reciting some words and doing some movements...

Do you understand the meaning of all the words you're reciting during Salat, such as in Qunnot, al-Fatiha and the other Suwar you recite in it? If not, perhaps by working on that, it will eventually give you a heavier meaning to your Salat.

 

Also, a while back in the Thoughts thread, you said you were 'bored', as if you were just sitting and had nothing to do. You should never be bored or heavily procrastinate(it's Makruh) because that plays a significant role in draining your spirtuality. Always find something to occupy yourself with, and for most of the time, make sure it's something beneficial and not soley just playing video games or being in the chatroom here for hours.

[Ali-F]

I listened to a lecture from Shaykh Baqir al-Irwani, where he stated something like that it doesn't matter if you do lots of duaa and so on, what matters is that you keep away from sins. That's what is important, indeed.

 

May God help you.

Edited November 10, 2015 by Ali-F

[laithAlIRAQI]

I'm still having the same problem... no change

[Bakir]

What can I say... I don't know either the nature of the problem. A problem in spirituality may have many sources, of very different nature, how can someone advice :S.

I can only guess here. If it is your lifestyle what is disturbing you, then maybe it's time to work towards a goal of living alone, experiment more freedom and know yourself better. That would change your routine, expand your thinking and creativity to set new goals in life. Living alone is a great experience, even if it is with very little money, it's worth it and you could benefit from it.

And my advice for any situation: if you can't find harmony with your life, either you change your life or you change yourself.

Edited December 19, 2015 by Bakir

[mina]

On 19.12.2015 at 5:35 AM, laithAlIRAQI said:

I'm still having the same problem... no change

Did u change something actively?

[Haji 2003]

On 19 December 2015 at 5:02 AM, Bakir said:

then maybe it's time to work towards a goal of living alone, experiment more freedom and know yourself better.

Rather than solitude, I'd recommend more constructive social interaction e.g. helping other people.