Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah

It's been a long time since i shared something with you (the reader). My blog has never left my mind, but unfortunately I have been pre-occupied with something or the other during the past few months. There is so much in my heart and mind to share with you that as I sit in front of my pc, I don't know where to begin.

Life is is a learning experience.
I read something nice a couple of days ago.

The secret to success is the ability to make RIGHT DECISIONS. But in order to make them you require EXPERIENCE, and in order to get experience, you need to make the wrong decisions.

Interesting. Often we are not ready to forgive ourselves when we stumble or fall. But how can we expect Allah's forgiveness, when we are not prepared to forgive ourselves?

Often we slip up somewhere, and don't rectify the mistake immediately. As a result that small mistake gradually turns into one of life's biggest blunders. Ever felt that way? Well if you do, don't despair. Because Allah's forgiveness and mercy is immense. Allah will help us get over that huge blunder too. But for that, we need to first get a grip and realise that what we've done is forgiveable. Because no sin or mistake is too grave for Allah to forgive. Accept that you were wrong, but the fact that you wronged doesn't mean that you continue with that wrong just because you feel you cannot be forgiven. Often Shaytaan puts us in this deception. He makes us think there is no hope for us. "You will never make it. You have gone too far out. So might as well just stick with it. No point trying to rectify your wrong, coz you'll never succeed." Do these words sound familiar?

Or he will say to you, "You keep making tawbah but you break it each time. You never repent sincerely. So why bother."

Allah has said in a Hadeeth-e-Qudsi to the effect that if my servant breaks his tawba several times, and comes back to me repenting sincerly, I will still accept his repentence.

Don't succumb to this evil ploy of Shaytaan. Fight him and believe in your ability to reach your goal and be the pious, obedient slave you wish to be and ought to be. At such a time, when you feel low and lose belief in yourself and your courage, kneel before Allah and ask Him for strength. For when we have Allah we are strong, without Allah we are weak.

A buzrug says:
If you are unable to wrestle down the brave Nafs (ego/carnal desires that instigate you towards sin), it doesn't mean you should sit back and accept defeat. This wrestling match between your Nafs and yourself is a life-long one. At times your nafs will overpower you and at others you will overpower it. Even if you are unsuccessful your entire life, if you are an Aashiq of Allah, you should never stop trying. Always keep this relationship of love with Allah intact. Even it breaks (due to your disobedience) a hundred times, reconcile with Allah a hundred times.

My Sheikh Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saahib (Daamat Barakaatuhum) says beautifully in a poem:
Even if you have to bear a thousand griefs in this road of Taqwa, A true Aashiq will persevere and continue to bear the pain.

A few tears of sincere repentence are enough to wash away months, and even years of shaytaan's hard work. Cry before your Creator and cleanse yourself, because what soap is to the body, tears are to the soul. Even the heavens are moved by the tears and sighs of a repentant sinner.

"A saint is not one who never fails, it is one who gets up and goes on everytime he fails."

O Allah make Your love more beloved to me than myself, my family, and cold water. O Allah make me from amongst those who love you and those whom you love. Ameen