The sun is out and the weather is getting warmer - alhamdulilah.

Spring is all about 'New Beginnings'.

The winter time is to rest and relax and spring time is time to get back into action.

I was born in March - so spring time - or March itself - is very special for me.

I usually go into a mental hibernation from November to end of February.

Right now though I'm back full in action and full of energy - walhamdulilah - and looking forward to an awesome summer insha'Allah.

Today's post is a re-post.

I dropped it last year when spring came late in the UK - in April!

But since we are experiencing some warm weather already I thought let's drop this again.

So here is the original post...enjoy and make this spring your best ever! :)

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Spring is a time for new beginnings. Its one of my favourite times of the year. I love all seasons. They are all important. But I guess spring is special because 
I was born in spring time :D

This time is also a good time to have a bit of a clean - you know, get rid of those winter-blues and clean away the cobwebs and get some bright colours into your day to day - oh and fruits - lots and lots of fruit!

Have you done your spring cleaning yet?

No? Why not? Get those old clothes into a clothing bank. Clean away the cobwebs. Throw away the unused bric-a-brac and shred those shreddable piles of paper (which you know you don't need!).

That's one sure way to get sprung and you'll feel much lighter insha'Allah.

But in today's post I want to talk about something we ignore and which needs a constant spring clean - not just spring time (although right now would be great time to start).

We know that once we declutter our space it gives us inner calm and peace.

Even if you're not a clean freak like me - whenever you do clean up it does give that refreshing breather.

Islam teaches us a lot about cleanliness.

In fact Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said; "Cleanliness is half of faith." (Hadith Muslim)

This is cleanliness of ourselves and our surroundings.

"Truly, God loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves." {Qur'an 2:222}

But what about the purity of our mind?

If cleaning our surrounding gives us such inner peace then what would happen if we cleaned our minds?

The thing is we spend so much of our time working on our relationship with everyone else that we ignore the relationship with ourselves.

We try to make others happy and are always 'thinking' how we can be the best for them that we ignore how we think about ourselves.

It's time to spring clean our thoughts!

The way we talk to ourselves at times is as if we are our own enemy. 

You know, other people probably don't even think of us in a way we think they think about us!

This spring time spend some time spring cleaning your thoughts.

The reason we have so many thoughts - and usually negative ones - is because we have given it a free ticket of think what you like whenever you like.

Instead of wasting our time thinking all the bad stuff we could be reprogramming our sub conscious with all that is good and positive.

Of course things happens and we have to deal with them - but to replay that movie in our mind over and over just so we fill up mind space is mind blowing!

It can lead to self-sabotage, chronic health issues and even depression.

You have the power to control what you think. You've just never done it before and you think you can't. But you can!

Has there ever been a time where you prayed and had full khushu - deep concentration of who you were standing in front of and what you were reciting?

Yes? Well then yes you can control your thoughts!

Check out today's tips and action points insha'Allah because if you want true inner peace then it starts with our thoughts. 

(Oh and it might just help you get khushu in your salah!)

"It's time for a spring cleaning of your thoughts, it's time to stop to just existing it's time to start living." Steve Maraboli


Grab your pen and paper! :)

Tips and Action Points:

1. Reflection time. Each night before you go to sleep have a 15 minute reflection of the day gone. Did you do what you aimed to? If not why not? Where can you improve? What do you need to be doing?

This reflection and journaling (if you want to journal it - its a good idea) will help you realise how you spend your day/time and where you need to make some improvements. Its a start insha'Allah.

2. What issues do you keep repeating? What thoughts keep occurring? What do you need to sort out? 

If you need to sort it out then take action and sort it out (ie need to speak to someone re issue, resolve a matter at work etc).

If it is something which is not part of your life no more then end the movie NOW. That's right - the sooner you put an end to the movie the better for you.

3. The past is history - learn the lessons from it. The future is a mystery - prepare for it. The present is all you have - be in it - in this moment because once this moment is gone its gone. 

Some therapists also advise putting a rubber band on your wrist and every time you have a negative thought snap the rubber band. It will bring you back to now. If it works for you - it works for you (I kinda find it 'ouch' type!).

So here you go - three steps in creating a fresh start in your life - starting with your thoughts - right now insha'Allah.

Its all good to declutter in the house and clean up - the peace is beautiful. 

But remember, the deepest inner peace comes from within. 

So get sprung this spring to clean up those thoughts insha'Allah.

...Let me know what you're thinking, okay? Lol :)

Today's date - 5th March - is very special for me, my parents, my soul-sistah and her parents and sister too!

What's so special about today's date?

On Monday 5th March 2001 I, alongside a billion other souls, were on the plains of Arafat - for our 'Journey of a Lifetime!

Yes, it was 'our' Hajj Day! :)

My soul-sistah and I (and her sister too) first met on the coach, outside our mosque. I had previously visited Mecca and Medina - well 6 months previously (summer 2000) and our relatives went with us - their daughters were a few years younger than me and we were there for two weeks. I had friends!

This time round we would be there for a month and although we went with a big group I didn't know anyone and as soon as I got on to the coach I saw my soul-sistah and her sister, we all smiled at each other and I said to my mum; 'Ami, ami - look - my new friends!' - and the rest is history! Lol.

"Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest, it's about who came, and never left your side." Unknown

So anyways, I thought today share a post I previously wrote during Hajj season a few years ago as this topic is our daily topic and not just for special seasons like Ramadan or Hajj. 

Are YOU feeling an emaan-low right now?

Are YOU in need of a quick spiritual fix right now??

Want some instant heart and soul therapy???

Well, read on and apply these 7 steps now.

And in fact Ramadan is about 3 months away - so let's prepare for it now insha'Allah! :)

Ready?

Bismillah-ExCel!

Grab a notepad and pen (ipads/iphones, etc, etc) and switch into Ramadan mode (to do this close your eyes and think of a day in Ramadan where you felt totally at peace and on a spiritual high - when you can feel a tingling throughout your body open your eyes and begin and yes, I can see you smiling!).

1. Obligatory Ibaadah:

Are we praying our five daily prayers and praying them on time? 

Do a prayer check! Check the times of start and end and pray now!

2. Qur'an-Time:

How much time do we spend each day on Qur'an? Reading it, reciting it, memorizing it, listening to it, understanding and studying the translation.

Schedule in time for Qur'an. If we can make a date with the TV and our favourite shows then I'm sure we can make a date with the Qur'an. Start and end the day with the Qur'an.

3. The Fast Life:

Get into Ramadan mode and fast. Fast the sunnah fast - Monday and Thursday to get into the habit and prepare you mind, body and soul now.

4. NBN - Nocturnal By Nature 

Pray the night prayer. Qiyaam, tahajjud, read books, watch lectures, listen to audio reminders, study and recite more Qur'an.

If you're going to do an all-nighter then sprinkle a dose of the above insha'Allah. You'll be glad you did! (Otherwise, just go to sleep and get some rest!)

5. Just Dua It!

Do you make dua? Allah says; 'Remember me and I shall remember you.' In a hadith qudsi He (swt) also says; '...walk to me and I shall run to you!' Yet most of us are still crawling!

Run to Allah!!! We have no where else to go!

Make dua, lots and lots. For yourself, family, your pet parrot and cat, the entire Ummah. Raise your hands to the skies and make dua!

(No I don't have a mia mithu (parrot) but I do have a cat - Mano).

Study the Names and Attributes of Allah and so when you make dua you can call Him with those names (i.e. asking for rizq, forgiveness - its more powerful when asking by those specific names).

Make dua when it rains, when breaking the fast, between asr and maghrib prayer on Friday - on these occasions ones duas are answered.

The supplication of every one of you will be granted if he does not get impatient and say (for example): `I supplicated my Rubb but my prayer has not been granted'.'' [Bukhari and Muslim]

6. Dhikr Allah

'Keep the tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah'.

Make dhikr constantly.

If you're still struggling with vain talk and vulgar language - time to wash the mouth and tongue with dhikr Allah. Try it!

Just remind yourself - 'Dhikr and Tasbee'.

7. Charity

RasoolAllah (sws) said even a smile is charity but I'm sure that we can give more than a smile.

Give a pound to a charity a day.

Set up a direct debit to give charity on a deceased loved ones name.

Give and you shall receive! 

All our rizq is a blessing from Allah and He is the true owner of it. We can't take money to our grave - we can't use it as ransom to keep the punishment away! And so if Allah has blessed you with wealth then spend on those who have less than you.

Those are our 7 steps to a quick spiritual fix.

Is there anything else we could add to that list? 

Comment below and let's inspire our 'We Be Inspired' community.

Oh and here's some inspiration from the Qur'an and Sunnah about friendships! :)

Allah says in the Qur’an:

“And (remember) the Day when the wrong-doer will bite his hands and say: Woe to me! Would that I had taken a path with the Messenger. Woe to me! If only I had not taken so- and-so as a friend! He has led me astray from this Reminder (the Qur’an) after it had come to me. And Satan is ever a deserter to man in the hour of need.” (Al-Qur’an 25:27-29)

And...

The example of a good companion and a bad companion is like that of the seller of musk, and the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows. So as for the seller of musk then either he will grant you some, or you buy some from him, or at least you enjoy a pleasant smell from him. As for the one who blows the blacksmith’s bellows then either he will burn your clothes or you will get an offensive smell from him.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)