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Character development. Through quran and sunnah. Objective. What does it mean to be a human being. Islam is a spiritual training system that supports human beings in harmonizing themselves with the divine order and thus with each other and the natural environment.
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Character development Through quran and sunnah
Objective • What does it mean to be a human being. • Islam is a spiritual training system that supports human beings in harmonizing themselves with the divine order and thus with each other and the natural environment. • Quran is the clarification and confirmation of the one message that Allah swt has sent to humanity since the time of Adam. • Hadith is the personification of that spiritual message by prophet mohammed saw. • Virtues of the believers as described by the quran and hadith.
Thoughts on character • Write a short essay on character – what does the word mean to you? what are ways to develop character? is there any difference between personality traits and character? are we born with a character or is it something we aquire from our environment?
What is a human being? The structure of self
Primary Terms • Nafs : Ego, self. Quran describes three kinds of nafs: 1. وَمَا أُبَرِّىءُ نَفْسِي إِنَّ النَّفْسَ لأَمَّارَةٌ بِالسُّوءِ إِلاَّ مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّيَ إِنَّ رَبِّي غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ(12:53) And yet, I am not trying to absolve myself: for, verily, man's inner self does incite [him] to evil, and saved are only they upon whom my Sustainer bestows His grace, Behold, my Sustainer is much forgiving, a dispenser of grace!" 2. وَلَا أُقْسِمُ بِالنَّفْسِ اللَّوَّامَةِ (75:2) But nay! I call to witness the accusing voice of man's own conscience! 3.يَا أَيَّتُهَا النَّفْسُ الْمُطْمَئِنَّةُ (89:27) "O thou human being that hast attained to inner peace!. Nafsexpereinces insecurities, fears, disappointments, as well as happiness, satisfaction, and peace.
Ruh: Spirit --- It is the spiritual part of the human being, able to access the divine qualities. It is knowing and conscious. Following is what we know about RUH from the Quran. • فَإِذَا سَوَّيْتُهُ وَنَفَخْتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِي فَقَعُوا لَهُ سَاجِدِينَ (15:29) When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him.“ • الَّذِي أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ خَلَقَهُ ۖ وَبَدَأَ خَلْقَ الْإِنسَانِ مِن طِينٍ ﴿٧﴾ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسْلَهُ مِن سُلَالَةٍ مِّن مَّاءٍ مَّهِينٍ ﴿٨﴾ثُمَّ سَوَّاهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِ ۖ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَةَ ۚ قَلِيلًا مَّا تَشْكُرُونَ (32:7-9) Who perfected everything which He created and began the creation of man from clay. (7)Then He made his posterity out of the extract of a liquid disdained. (8)Then He proportioned him and breathed into him from His [created] soul and made for you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you grateful. • وَيَسْأَلُونَكَ عَنِ الرُّوحِ ۖ قُلِ الرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّي وَمَا أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ الْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا (17:85) And they ask you, [O Muhammad], about the soul. Say, "The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little."
Qalb: heart –إِلَّا مَنْ أَتَى اللَّهَ بِقَلْبٍ سَلِيمٍ (26:89) only he [will be happy] who comes before God with a heart free of evil!”مَّنْ خَشِيَ الرَّحْمَـٰنَ بِالْغَيْبِ وَجَاءَ بِقَلْبٍ مُّنِيبٍ (50:33) Who feared ((Allah)) Most Gracious Unseen, and brought a heart turned in devotion (to Him).إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَذِكْرَىٰ لِمَن كَانَ لَهُ قَلْبٌ أَوْ أَلْقَى السَّمْعَ وَهُوَ شَهِيدٌ (50:37) Verily in this is a Message for any that has a heart and understanding or who gives ear and earnestly witnesses (the truth). مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ (64:11) No kind of calamity can occur, except by the leave of Allah. and if any one believes in Allah, ((Allah)) guides his heart (aright): for Allah knows all things.Heart is the knowing and feeling capacity. It can be hardened, diseased, or numb. However when its healthy it becomes the meeting place of ‘Nafs’ and ‘Ruh’, through the heart the nafs receives the energy, support, and guidance.
Structure of Self • The movement from false self to essential self increases awareness on the vertical axis of conscious and subconscious mind. • True education is the tool that help us understand and make positive use of the relationship between the conscious and subconscious mind. • The OURNEY TOWARDS ESSENTIAL SELF IS A JOURNEY TO UNCOVER OUR SOUL WHICH GTS BURIED UNDER THE SUPERFICIALITY OF OUR THINKING PROCESSES. • CONVENTIONAL EDUCATION VS. EDUCATION OF THE SOUL.