The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

"Having a good expectation (positive opinion) is part of excellent worship."

Reference: Sunan Abu Dawud 4993

If we reflect deeply on this Hadith, we realize that it teaches us about having positive intentions and positive thinking. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) described this attitude as a part of worship.

Why is this so important? Let us reflect on it.

You have heard the story of Iblis and Prophet Adam (A.S.) many times. The Qur'an tells us that Iblis lied by saying that Allah had only forbidden Adam (A.S.) from eating from the tree because otherwise he and his wife would become angels or live forever. Through this deception, Iblis caused Prophet Adam (A.S.) to leave Paradise.

Allah says:

Surah Al-A'raf (7:20)

فَوَسۡوَسَ لَهُمَا الشَّيۡطٰنُ لِيُبۡدِىَ لَهُمَا مَا وٗرِىَ عَنۡهُمَا مِنۡ سَوۡاٰتِهِمَا وَقَالَ مَا نَهٰٮكُمَا رَبُّكُمَا عَنۡ هٰذِهِ الشَّجَرَةِ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ تَكُوۡنَا مَلَكَيۡنِ اَوۡ تَكُوۡنَا مِنَ الۡخٰلِدِيۡنَ‏ 

"Then Satan whispered to them to reveal to them what had been hidden of their private parts. He said, 'Your Lord has only forbidden you this tree lest you become angels or become among the immortals.'"

If we reflect on the psychology of this event, what exactly did Iblis do?

• He spoke falsely about Allah.
• He put conflict into the mind of Adam (A.S.).
• He planted a negative thought.

He made Prophet Adam (A.S.) believe that Allah was deceiving him. Influenced by these words, Adam (A.S.) eventually ate from the tree.

This is exactly what the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) addressed when he taught us to maintain good expectations. We should always believe that Allah intends good for us and that He is always dealing with us in the best way.

Otherwise, negative thoughts can gradually lead a person toward mistakes and wrong decisions.

Now think about it yourself. Adam (A.S.) was in Paradise, yet he could have turned to Allah and prayed for guidance.

Likewise, whenever we face difficulties, we should call upon Allah.

We should consider every situation as a part of life's tests and sincerely ask Allah to grant us correct knowledge, remove the confusion within our hearts, and guide us to the right path.

Allah always helps the one who remembers Him.

If you want to know the reality of Can You Control Your Thoughts?

Read this article.

👉 CAN YOU CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS? | ISLAMIC SPIRITUALITY

تزکیۂ نفس اس پانی کی مانند ہے

 جو مسلسل بہاؤ سے سخت پتھر کی تیزی بھی مٹا دیتا ہے۔ 

اسی طرح نفس کی اصلاح انسان کی سختی 

، اور انا کو گھِس دیتی ہے، یہاں تک کہ اس کی زبان مرہم

اس کا کردار رحمت، اور اس کا وجود اللہ کی محبت کا آئینہ بن جاتا ہے۔

(راست)

Tazkiyah al-Nafs (Purification of the Soul)

 is like water that, through its constant flow,

 gradually smooths even the sharpest stone.

 Likewise, the continuous purification of the soul 

wears away the hardness of the heart 

and the pride of the ego until 

one's words become a healing balm, 

one's character becomes a mercy, 

and one's very existence reflects

 the love and light of Allah.

(Raast)

We all know that the Day of Judgment will be the Day of perfect justice. Every human being will be rewarded or held accountable according to their deeds. 

But how will Allah judge every individual? 

Who will truly attain success?

To understand this, we turn to the Qur'an.

Allah says:

 Surah Ash-Shams (91:7–8)

«وَنَفْسٍ وَمَا سَوَّاهَا ۝ فَأَلْهَمَهَا فُجُورَهَا وَتَقْوَاهَا

"And by the soul and He who proportioned it, and inspired it with discernment of its wickedness and its righteousness."

From these verses, we understand that every human being has been shown the difference between right and wrong, regardless of their religion. Every person will be judged according to their deeds, based on the knowledge they possessed of right and wrong. In other words, Allah will consider the circumstances they lived in, the strength and ability they had, and after all of that, what they chose.

That is why Allah says:

Surah Ash-Shu'ara (26:88–89)

«يَوْمَ لَا يَنفَعُ مَالٌ وَلَا بَنُونَ ۝ إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ

"The Day when neither wealth nor children will benefit anyone, except the one who comes to Allah with a sound and pure heart."

According to this reflection, this is the parameter that Allah values: 

What was in a person's heart?

 What was their intention?

This is a truth that no human being can deny. Allah Himself has described it as the foundation of true success. This is the parameter that deserves our attention. Therefore, it is essential to understand what a sound and pure heart (Qalb-e-Saleem) truly is.

A Qalb-e-Saleem is a heart free from every defect. It is pure from every form of hatred, every kind of greed, and every spiritual impurity. It believes only in Allah and commits no shirk. It is clean and pure in every way. Allah has given the glad tidings of success to such people.

Yet the heart is also the place where desires are born. If a heart becomes purified from those desires and reaches Allah in that pure state, it will find peace on the Day of Judgment.

Such a heart can belong to any human being, regardless of their religion, because according to this reflection, Allah will judge people based on knowledge: whether, after receiving the knowledge of Islam, they followed it or not.

This standard is different for every individual because every person's test is different. Therefore, keep cleansing your heart every day and draw closer to Allah.

If you want to know the reality of Can You Control Your Thoughts?

Read this article.

👉 CAN YOU CONTROL YOUR THOUGHTS? | ISLAMIC SPIRITUALITY