Righteous Traits and how to increase them

Cont’d from page 3

So here’s a statement for you to put to yourself that is timeless and can help motivate improvement of your attributes. Consider it an ongoing homework assignment that is due before the Day of Judgment, so you better start working on it now.

“At this point in my life, I have had more opportunity than ever to improve and become more ____.”

It can be any attribute—righteous, steadfast, appreciative of God and His gifts, patient, generous, honest. What are your attributes in need of more development? And when you look around you, can you see the opportunities to improve in that area? God gives us so many chances day to day for improving our attributes and we shouldn't let opportunity pass us by.

[76:29-31] This is a reminder: whoever wills shall choose the path to his Lord. Whatever you will is in accordance with GOD's will. GOD is Omniscient, Wise. He admits whomever He wills into His mercy. As for the transgressors, He has prepared for them a painful retribution.

-K

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[2:148] Each of you chooses the direction to follow; you shall race towards righteousness. ...

[3:17] They are steadfast, truthful, submitting, charitable, and meditators at dawn.

 

Letter from a Submitter

May the peace of God be upon you all! It's been nearly three years since I've become a submitter (since I first fasted during Ramadan 2012). I think, and I'm convinced every day more, that this was the best thing that could happen to me.  I kind of knew I was a submitter, even if my traditional religion was orthodox Christian, for many reasons: first of all, even when I went to church to pray to God (and erroneously to Jesus) I didn't like to participate, but I preferred to pray, thank and implore God for forgiveness in my own way, not as the traditional practices would be.

Second, I always wanted to know the truth about superstitions: what was the reason of following them and since no one told me anything logical and believable about them, I refused most of the time to believe in them. Other significant things were: being/becoming a volunteer (since I was a student), being empathic with the lives of people poorer and with more difficulties than me, not minding too much about material things like: clothes, trips, having a car etc...

But unfortunately, there were always some things that kept me away (or as is best to admit, I let them influence me) from doing the right thing most of the time. Now, with this blessing in my life, I have changed a lot in my point of view about the real meaning and purpose of my life in this world. Now my first thing in the morning, last in the evening and persistently/constantly during the day, is thinking about God,

praising Him, asking Him for help and forgiveness and thanking Him for His mercy, help and guidance that He's giving me every second I breathe. I know and I'm happy to know that I have to improve every day, to redeem myself, for the mistakes done before and the others that I will do in the present and in the future, God willing. There's a new goal now in my life, the main goal to achieve, the Hereafter and the grace of the Almighty.  Now I can feel, see and live more clearly, happier, safer and stronger and I don't have insecurities on what to do and what not to do, what’s the right thing to do and what is the wrong one to dismiss. Because now I know for sure that the right thing to do, is always to follow the commandments of God from the Quran and to learn from my mistakes and be every day of my life kinder, more generous and to steadfastly persevere.  Thanks God for all! Praise be to God, Lord of the Universe and Creator of everything in the Heavens and earth!

J. P. J.

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[3:191] They remember GOD while standing, sitting, and on their sides, and they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: "Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell.