We live in a society and culture where we want to work hard only so we accumulate all the goods of this world. 

We want, want and want!

Its ok to have goods of this world - if done in moderation.

We need a roof on top our heads and clothes on our body. We need that. So we work for it and its ok.

I don't judge as that's not my purpose in life. I believe if God has blessed us with wealth then we can buy what we want so long as we give plenty in charity and help our loved ones. That's my personal belief and I stick by it.

But there is a difference in being rich and blessed by God and just wasting that money on things we don't need at all.

Western personal and spiritual development Guru's live by the daily mantra of; 'Give and You shall Receive'. Its from the Bible.

But what's amazing is that our deen - Islam - also teaches us to give. It teaches us this principle in depth - subhan'Allah! 

Giving in charity is fundamental in Islam and there are two types - obligatory and voluntary.

We know that Zakah is one of the Pillars of Islam - to give 2.5% of our wealth to the needy (in the Qur'an there are 8 categories of people who are eligible for Zakah). This is a form of obligatory charity.

Sadaqa is voluntary charity and something we should do on a daily. It is a form of ibaadah - worship.

It is sadaqa to smile at another.

Each new day our limbs perform sadaqa (ie prayer, giving etc).

Allah (swt) says; "You cannot attain to righteousness unless you spend (in charity) out of what you love." (3:92)

And; Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) related that Allah's messenger (PBUH) said: "No money ever decreases because of charity; when a servant of Allah forgives, Allah increases him in dignity; and whenever a person humbles himself to Allah, Allah will elevate his status." Bukhari & Muslim.

So why are we so stingy? Why can we not give?

It almost seems as though we will become poor by giving! However that is not the case. Look at the beautiful teachings of our deen yet we are so miserly and stingy - traits and characteristics which have openly been condemned and prohibited by our beloved Prophet (pbuh).

The western gurus give, give and give and yes they receive, receive and receive. God does not withhold from His creation. He is the One to give.

We are not looking at aqeedah or different belief systems (of different religions) but we are looking at the mindset - the positive mindset and belief system about giving in charity. And most of them make a 6 figure income (how do I know? I study them!).

Do you then stop to wonder why the Ummah is in such turmoil and pain? I'm asking you to for just a moment put aside the 'signs of the hour' (which, yes they are coming true one by one) and look at it from a different perspective. 

On the one hand we have oil rich billionaires building tall buildings almost out of space and then we have those who don't even know where the next meal will come from.

Why? Why has the Ummah fallen so deep? Please don't cry for another great pious leader to appear to take us to victory because they were human beings! They trusted in Allah, believed in Him and did the right thing. We don't worship the creation but the Creator!

You and I - my dear friends - have the capability of being great and leading the Ummah to victory!

YES WE CAN!

Its all about the mindset and its all about giving. And its all about believing and trusting Allah.

Have we lost faith and trust? Naud'billah!

Subhan'Allah! We are that busy that we can't even stop to help our own immediate family and we want to help the Ummah?

Yes, dua is the weapon of a believer - but dua is a pre and post requisite to action.

Action doesn't happen by itself as we know Allah said in the Qur'an that He will change our condition only when we first change it ourselves - when we take the first step to positive change.

So why are we so afraid to lose our wealth? Why have we become so greedy?

The wealth we have is not even ours! Its Allah's amanah - trust - given to us so we can spend on ourselves, our families and all of creation - spend in His way on His creation.

Give and you shall receive!

And if you don't have a lot of wealth to help others then give a smile at least. Give a helping hand. Give a kind word. Each of us can give if we become a little selfless.

Ask Allah (swt) and He shall give - give thanks and He shall give more - life is a test and preparing for our eternal bliss - supplicate to Him - see things for what they are and don't make them bigger (don't make a mountain out of a mole hill) watch your thoughts, words, feelings and actions. Its all a cycle - don't fall into the negative trap that you can't do or give because you are fooling no one except yourself. Instead create a positive cycle. Just the way a smile is contagious so is this positive cycle. 

Each of us right NOW has the ability to 'Give' and then to 'Receive'.

We have all the resources we need to begin right now insha'Allah.

Giving is so good for the soul that you can instantly feel the peace within and without.

And (remember) when your Lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks, I will give you more (of My Blessings) {14:7}

Let's become true and worthy servants of Allah who give in His way and when we receive we give thanks. 

Tips and Action Points:

1. Scan your life - what can you do without? What is useless? Get rid of completely (if it is completely useless) or give in charity (if usable).

2. Give £1 or $1 or €1 or whatever your currency in your country to charity once every month (that's the least we can do, co'mon!)

3. Get together with friends and family and think of creative ways to help the Ummah and humanity and animals.

4. Don't remember or note down what you gave but always remember what you receive and then give thanks for it!

5. Share this message with your loved ones and make today's mantra; 'Give and You shall Receive!' Insha'Allah! :)

Its always nice to make a fresh start in life or to create New Beginnings...

Did you read last weeks post? It was about 'Victim Mentality and Self-Sabotage'. It was DEEP! I hope you had a chance to read it and had some breakthroughs as this weeks post will only be effective if you practiced the tips in last weeks post. If you haven't already then STOP and go read {http://www.webeinspired.com/1/post/2012/11/im-a-victim-get-me-out-of-here.html} and then give yourself up to 72 hours then come back to THIS post. But, if you're done with the whole victim mentality saga then read on insha'Allah :)

There's so much energy in new beginnings, don't you think?

I mean they usually occur at the start of the New Year - we make resolutions - many quit - many soldier on - and many re-resolute six months on.

New beginnings and fresh starts are also powerful when ALL our friends get involved. So if you want to lose weight, for instance, and your friends are not on this new resolution thing then eventually it can become discouraging and you may quit! Because it really does take A LOT to stay motivated and keep at it.

Many contemporary scholars have also said that the best time to set new goals is the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Sooo did YOU set any/new goals this Ramadan? Have you succeeded in them? Need to re-resolute? Waiting for 1st January 2013??

Why wait? How about 1st Muharram 1434 AH?

Its the Islamic New Year. I hope and pray that its a blessed, productive, successful and prosperous year ahead for you insha'Allah, ameen!

Don't panic now! The Queen of Inspiration and Motivation is right here for YOU and together we'll make this the best year ever insha'Allah!

Excited? Yay, me too! Read on :D

Umar ibn al-Khattab (radiyallahu 'anhu) said; "Bring yourself to account before you are taken to account (on the Day of Judgement)," and, "Weigh your deeds before your deeds are weighed." 

And...

Hasan al-Basri (rahimahullaah) said, "You will never meet a believer except that he brings himself to account."

These will be our starting points today insha'Allah (make a note of them).

As Muslims we know that there is a life to come and to get the best spot in the next world - or the golden ticket - we need to work hard in this world - a world full of trials, tests, tribulations and lots of other things.

At each point we need to take account of our actions and our intentions as; 'Actions come from Intentions.' (Bukhari and Muslim)

Just today I got an email by one of the western personal development gurus and in it she said that she does not use the term 'goals' for 'goals' but 'intentions' because sometimes if you have a lot of 'goals' it can become very daunting.

Now if we as Muslims look at this it does make sense because a goal really is an intention which turns into an action and we know that at each point we need to turn to Allah and ask Him to purify our intentions so our actions are purified.

So, here's our Action/Intention plan today - Bismillah:

1. Let's purify our intentions and actions continuously as every thing we do is for the sake of Allah alone and to Him is our return. 

2. Continuous dua - every single day; 'Ya Allah please purify my intentions and actions'.

3. Prayers come first! So plan your day around your prayers and not your prayers around your day. Those who succeed are those who work hard for their prayers. Also, daily Qur'an, daily adhkaars, daily dhikr. These are essential! Do not miss them!

4. Get a diary! Ok, if you don't like diaries get an organiser or notebook. Yes, do use all the technology available to you but there's power in actually using pen and paper. All our pious predecessors used pen and paper and we know how blessed they were. So time to go traditional again - pen and paper.

5. I schedule my diary at the beginning of the month. Some schedule it at the beginning of each week whilst others at the end of each night. So, what works for you, works for you.

6. Procrastinate? Instead of writing; 'To-Do' list write; 'Do-List' because 'to-do' suggests you will at some point/day soon will do it whereas 'do-list' shows a sense of urgency and a need to act NOW.

7. Have goals/intentions for deen and duniya. What does that mean? Well duniya could be your work, studies, businesses, projects and deen is your ibaadah - worship, dawah, studies but both deen and duniya can also be combined ie working on a project in and Islamic organisation.

Have long term goals (as well as short term). Five years from now. Ten years from now. My long term five year goals include excelling in all my businesses (four at the moment) hifz of the entire Qur'an, completing and furthering my Islamic studies to become a scholar, completing an Mphil/PhD in Islamic Human Rights Law, insha'Allah. (Duas please).

What's your long term goals/intentions? Aim for the highest and hope for the best!

8. Each day before you begin renew your intentions and each night for 15 minutes reflect on the day gone. Ask yourself, did I achieve? What could I have done better? What is more urgent? Etc

9. We're ALL suckers for technology! I admit - me too! But, seriously - and I mean seriously when I've had down time from technology, I work the best.

10. Cut the distractions. Consider your time - its precious. This means we all work best at different times. So when you're working on your goals/intentions make sure you're not getting distracted.

11. Read about biographies about our pious predecessors as well as historical figures. There's much to learn from them. I'm always learning something new or studying something new. My friends call me; 'Learning Machine'. It keeps me inspired, motivated and on the edge - to achieve!

12. For each goal set a realistic end date and break it down into smaller steps - like 'a, b, c' or '1, 2, 3' etc. That's the only way it will get done and that's what I do. Trust me. Its the only way.

13. Get motivating buddies. I know I personally struggle in this because I have so much to achieve. So I surround myself with my positive crew and so should you! Especially if you're going to embark on a big goal like studying a new course or memorisation of Qur'an. You NEED study buddies. And did you know that the 5 people you're around the most (minus) family shape up your world? Only the best in your world, ok?

14. Don't settle for less. Be the best. Ihsaan in everything we do. Why reach for the stars when YOU can have Jannah al-Firdaus?! Ready to aim high? Go for it insha'Allah and put 150% into everything! :)

15. Develop 'Laser-Focus'. I was once told by a fellow legal eagle colleague to develop laser focus like horses on a race track. They have blinkers on their heads and they can't see what's happening here or there except the finish line ahead. Well I'm not a horse (I am a horse lover though) but I've developed laser focus and when I'm focused I'm zoned out - I'm gone - you can't find me - but I get it all done hamdulilah! :D

16. Look after your health. Eat healthy and properly and get enough sleep that your body requires (note to self firstly!). Lots of water! I love water. Less 7-Up! (Ok, that was for me, sorry!) As they say in Urdu; 'Jaan hai tu jahaan hai' - 'If you have health you have the world' (Well that was my translation - roughly).

Spend time with loved ones. Elderly. Children. Animals. Get involved in charity work. Volunteer. It will make you an all rounded person - holistic. That's what Islam is all about.

17. Exercise - both physical and mental. I'm swimming again and started re-training martial arts (Kung Fu and Kick Boxing). Try something new - new sport?

Also, Read. Read a lot. What was the first word of the Qur'an? Read. Reading is powerful. Exercise the mind. Its a muscle and needs exercising. Read and learn. There's oceans of knowledge out there. Its like treasure waiting to be discovered. Go discover it!

18. Be Creative! Ok, well, I'm default right brain creative so I'm going to stress this big time. BE CREATIVE! Its fun! It keeps you inspired, motivated, curious, interested. I'm knitting little heart cushions, drawing cartoons, day dreaming. Its fun. Try it! :)

19. Here's where YOU add your motivation and inspiration. What do YOU do and why not inspire and motivate our WBI family? Let's help each other insha'Allah.

The key here to remember is what works for you, works only for you. The above is a guideline. You may have tried it and it may not have worked. You may have a better list that works perfectly for you. That's fine. I hope the above was a good motivator for you to keep going insha'Allah :)

Each moment could be our last but let's work so we don't waste a moment in attaining Jannah in the next insha'Allah.

Comment below or email me on [email protected] with your feedback and stay blessed! :)

The topic we are going to look at today is about 'Self-sabotage' and 'Victim mentality'.

Today's topic is pretty deep - in more ways than one. So before we begin I request you to read this only if you are ready to move on from all negativity in your life, if you're looking for some solutions and answers and if you want to start making positive changes in your world.

If you're feeling very low and emotional then this topic may really hit home and may upset you or may even make you angry.

However that is NOT my intention. It is not a personal attack on anyone as I don't know your situation personally. My intention is to help you as I helped myself many years ago.

This topic could also create some breakthrough moments for you and could leave you slightly overwhelmed and in a state of; 'What Now?!'

I do highly recommend you read this as it will help you so after reading this if you need to talk one to one then please email me: [email protected] as I'm also an 'Energy & Emotional Healing and EFT/EMT' therapist. 

So, don't feel you're alone, ok? :)

Everyone has a story to tell because everyone is on a journey. We are all travelers in this world and our ultimate destination is the next world - insha'Allah the gardens of Paradise, with our Creator - our Lord.

But on this journey many a thing can happen. It usually all starts at a young age - in our childhood. But maybe it started later in life. 

You were a happy-go-lucky person and something happened and you retreated - back into your shell. 

It could be a physical shell or psychological shell. But you chose to close off from everyone.

A bit like smiling and joking when in public but crying and depressed when alone.

Something keeps eating you up inside and you let that something dictate your actions - your life as you live it day in day out.

There's so much you want to achieve but you stop yourself every time you take a step forward. Or when working in groups you are loud and fierce and everyone is scared by your actions but when you're alone your like a soft cuddly teddy - harmless and kind.

So ask yourself, 'Why am I one way with people and why am I different when alone?'

Take a moment to truly reflect on this and write down your thoughts.

Are you the loudest, proudest and over the top when with people and quiet, timid, reflective and reserved when alone? (Or opposite in opposite situations).

If so, its your way of breaking free from those psychological shackles. You're trying to make a point. You want someone to hear your voice - your story. You just want to be understood.

Deep inside - rooted deep within there are unresolved issue.

Do you tell yourself; 'Well such and such happened to me which wasn't my fault so now I can't do this and that because I won't succeed, will fail, will lose...' And so on?

Do you know what you're doing to yourself? Are you aware of how you're treating yourself?

Its called; 'Self-sabotage' and 'Victim Mentality'

Its when you always consider yourself a victim because something(s) happened in your life because of others actions and now you always think that you will get hurt again and keep telling yourself you're a bad person, not good enough and then you see the exact same cycle in life repeating it self over and over again and then you keep feeding yourself with the same negative thoughts - sabotaging yourself. 

I know how that feels. Because I went through exactly just that for 30 years! And it wasn't until I fell really ill two years ago on my 30th birthday that things finally started to make some sense. It was then that I saw my life flash before me and it was then when I understood. It was time for change. It was time to take responsibility. It was time to move forward with my life.

What is Self-sabotage and Victim mentality?

Its when passive beliefs and behaviour can be detrimental to the soul - to our life - daily.

Its things in the past which are still eating us up today.

I still achieved all that I wanted to. I still studied, got the degrees, had the job I wanted, the friends, the family, the businesses. The daily ibaadah - salaah, Qur'an, dhikr, talking to Allah, studying about the deen and then teaching it in my weekend kids club.

But something was still deep rooted inside.

I had to deal with past issues to move on - to take full responsibility.

We HAVE to take full responsibility because the past is the past - its gone - it won't return. And if you feel that the same thing keeps happening to you over and over again then it because you haven't dealt with those issues. Its God's way of saying; 'When you've learnt the lesson you will be ready to move on!' And that's what happened to me!

"Verily never will Allah change the condition of a people until they change it themselves (with their own souls)." [Quran 13:11]

That little voice in your head telling you you're not good enough will continue to tell you exactly just that until you take hold of it, shake it and say; 'Enough already!'

Its time to claim back YOUR life!

Negative beliefs need to be cut from the roots. Sometimes it takes time because maybe you don't realise when it all began or it could be lots of things.

But you need to become more comfortable and confident in your soul and start taking care of your soul.

We all take care of our bodies because imagine if we didn't shower or put on clean clothes? I don't think anyone would want to be around us. Yet we continuously neglect our soul. Not only do we need to nourish it with ibaadah but we also need to get rid off the harmful toxins that's slowly destroying it.

Just as narcotics and substances destroy the body, the intellect and eventually the soul - so do negative thoughts, words, statements and beliefs. 

Yes, they comfort us and are there for us. But they are bad friends only there to destroy us.

We need to stop being the victim or feeling like a victim and we need to get out of that negative hole fast - right NOW! (Else it'll continue to take us deeper and deeper down!)

Why? Because only then can we truly start to heal and move forward.

Yes, its difficult - I hear you. But one step at a time. One issue at a time. You owe it to your soul. We will be answerable to God on the Last Day. What will we say then?

The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Take benefit of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your sickness, your wealth before your poverty, your free-time before your preoccupation, and your life before your death." (Hakim)

Victim mentality and self-sabotage is not only detrimental to our own souls but all those who are around us - our family, friends, pets...

Who wants to be around a grumpy, sad, depressed person?

Not me! Not You! Non of us!

Yet we're around our own grumpy, depressed selves!

You know half the time when we talk to ourselves we are just sooo cruel and heartless!!!

Imagine talking like that to your best friend or family? :-O

Exactly! We wouldn't have a best friend or family left!

You don't want to be stuck in this rut - I know - and I know you can be happier and more content. You will, insha'Allah.

Ready to break free from these shackles? Alhamdulilah. 

Check out the following tips.

Tips and Action Points:

1. Ibaadah - worship: Do NOT give up on your prayers, Qur'an, duas. They are soul therapy and a weapon of the believer. Never be unarmed. Always protect yourself with your armour. Our ibaadah is our armour!

2. Whose your crew? Did you know the five people we hang around the most (minus family) are the ones who help shape our lives. So whose in your crew? Happy dudes or nay-sayers?

3. Learn to forgive. If someone has hurt you - forgive them. Its VERY hard - I know - takes time. But you're doing it for yourself. By forgiving you are not saying that you condone their actions but you're releasing them from your thoughts. Let them go!

4. If you've been hurt physically or emotionally (domestic violence, abuse - sexual/physical) there is help available. By seeking help you are taking responsibility for yourself and saying you will heal and move forward. You are not weak but very strong and I'm proud of YOU!

5. Fill your soul will goodness - ibaadah, reading, friends, hobbies. Live the life you want to. The only one standing in your way is you. Get out of your own way and just go do it.

I pray that this post has helped you in some way. I know its very deep and you may need to read it a few times. But know that you're not alone. I've also been there and it was very tough. That's why I launched; 'We Be Inspired'.

If you need to talk email me [email protected]

Know that you're special and unique. Love yourself. Because God loves YOU! :)

And before you think I'm going to 'Trick or Treat' y'all, I'm not - keeping it strictly 
halal-oween! :D

Today's post is about our 'Inner Awareness'.

Have YOU ever had that feeling deep inside where you just know?

Gut feeling - Inner knowing - Hunch - Sixth sense - Intuition?

We've all experienced those moments at some point (in our lives) and they defy logic and reason. 

So what and why are they?

These are feelings - from our inner core - from the depths of our soul. They are feelings which either warn us about something or guide us towards something. They are signs for us to ponder, reflect and take action upon.

But most times we're just so busy that we don't even realise they are there. We don't even listen to them (until, probably its too late).

It's not all 'hocus pocus' or new age woo-hoo, its our spiritual side.

We are spiritual beings. We don't just have a body - there's something inside it - our soul.

"You say that you are just a body, but inside of you is something greater than the Universe." Imam Shafi (rahimullah)

Just like we nourish our body to keep it healthy we have to nourish our soul to keep it healthy.

When both the body and soul are nourished and aligned, we are in a state of awareness. Otherwise we're just looking after the one - usually the body and ignoring the other (usually the soul).

There's nothing to be afraid of or scared of these feelings. Its Allah's way of guiding us.

Do we not recite in Surah Fatiha in every Salah; 'Guide us to the Straight Path.' And then does not Allah answer us in Surah Baqarah; 'This is the Book (Qur'an) in which there is no doubt, in it is guidance for those who fear (Allah).'?

So, its Allah's way of guiding us. We ask and He gives. Simple :)

But how does it all happen really? Why are some people more aware and in tune to their inner core and others completely oblivious of it? Do only some people have it? Do we have to be special to have these feelings?

Well, yes - in a way we do have to be special and YOU are special. Why? Because YOU listen to the Most Gracious and follow His commands so therefore He is there for you, guiding you.

Most people may be oblivious of it because they are busy doing x, y and z in their lives that they just don't have 'time' to focus on their inner core.

But developing inner awareness is essential for us. We have been given the choice between right and wrong and we can only make the right decisions when our inner core is aware.

That doesn't mean if you choose the wrong path you're not a good person. No! That time it was a lesson for us to learn and lessons are good! :)

This inner awareness, this gut feeling, intuition etc happens when we devote our all to Allah that Allah becomes our hearing, our seeing etc and gives us the abilities within us to tune into these natural instincts. Its Allah's way of guiding us to our answers - no hocus pocus or magic. 

"Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to Me, I shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything more loved by Me than the religious duties I have enjoined upon him, and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that I shall love him. When I love him I am his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes and his foot with which he walks. Were he to ask [something] of Me, I would surely give it to him, and were he to ask Me for refuge, I would surely grant him it. I do not hesitate about anything as much as I hesitate about [seizing] the soul of My faithful servant: he hates death and I hate hurting him."

(Hadith Qudsi)

So, what now?

Follow these steps to develop YOUR inner awareness.

Tips and Action Points:

Using the above Hadith Qudsi as a guidance;

1. Pray all your five daily prayers in their earliest and fixed time. Read Qur'an daily. Pray extra night prayers. Try to fast Sunnah fasts on Monday and Thursday. Read your daily adhkaars.

2. Increase in your dhikr and tasbee, for its in the remembrance of Allah that hearts find rest. Concentrate on the dhikr and its meaning. Use your imagination. The mind is a powerful tool. Use it and use it wisely.

3. Spend time in quiet contemplation, alone, just you and Allah. Do dhikr in this time. Talk to Allah. He's your best friend. He created you. Just talk to Him. Become aware of the silence, the space, the quietness, the beat of your own heart.

By following these steps we can become more aware of our inner core. We won't be afraid to listen to our soul. Because the answers are all there - lying dormant, waiting to be awakened. We will become more closer to Allah (swt) our best friend who will become our sight, our hearing and we'll be able to make better choices and decisions insha'Allah! :)