Subject: [Masjid Tucson] Submission weekly reminder

In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Peace be upon you,

[Quran 2:45] You shall seek help through steadfastness and the Contact Prayers (Salat). This is difficult indeed, but not so for the reverent,

[Quran 20:130] Therefore, be patient in the face of their utterances, and praise and glorify your Lord before sunrise and before sunset. And during the night glorify Him, as well as at both ends of the day, that you may be happy.

Sin and self-discipline can be seen as two ends of a spectrum. Often I tell myself that I will refrain from a particular sin, but when the test comes, I may not pass it. 

This made me realize I need to work on building self-control and self-discipline each day. That way when we are faced with a whisper or temptation, our souls are stronger from practice, and we can seek God's help.

Practice helps us build good habits and cultivate steadfastness. We start with the five daily Contact Prayers (Salat)--they help us remember God and build self-discipline. We work on remembering God before we eat (Quran 6:121), when we see a blessing (Quran 18:39), and when we plan ahead (Quran 18:24). And we work on being patient when faced with utterances that annoy us, and turn to praise and glorify God instead (Quran 20:130).

God willing, we do better each day.


References
Habits, https://masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2025/mar/page3.html#Habits
Discipline, https://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2000/nov/page2.html
Joy, Mindfulness and Being Present in GOD's Blessings, https://www.masjidtucson.org/publications/books/sp/2019/may/page1.html

Peace.