🔲 Try to have "good thoughts.”
🔲 One of the effects of reciting the Qur'an is that good thoughts come to your mind.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (12)
➖Sometimes good #thoughts come to a person’s mind that lead to happiness, like a good wish that keeps going around in one’s mind. These are valuable to God, and sometimes He determines our destinies based on these #positive thoughts. For example, a person tells himself, "God protects me." It had been destined for him to be affected by a tragedy, but God removes that tragedy because of his positive thinking.
➖On the Day of Judgment, they do not give anyone the opportunity to do good deeds. However, there is one action that works there too, and that is "thinking positively about God." It is narrated that a person is being taken to Hell. He turns around, looks and says, “God, I did not think You would punish me.” God says, “Because of his positive thinking, I have forgiven My servant.” [Fiqh al-Reza (as), p. 361]
➖Lady Maryam’s [Mary’s] (as) mother said, “My Lord, surely I vow to Thee what is in my womb, to be devoted (to Thy service).” [Qur’an 3:35] Since she thought of dedicating her child to God, her child became Maryam.
➖One of the good things that happens in the #mind is "correct regret" or "condemnation of one’s own self," which according to the traditions is better than 40 years of worshiping. [Kafi, vol. 2, p. 73] For example, you say, "Woe to me! How far I am from God." In appearances, you haven’t done anything special. You have just blamed yourself and reviewed some good thoughts in your mind.
➖Try to think good thoughts. One of the effects of reciting the Qur'an is that good thoughts come to your mind. Before reciting say, "I seek refuge with God from the cursed Satan” so that good thoughts may come to your mind.
➖The Commander of the Faithful, Ali (as), said, “When a believer recites the Qur’an, he becomes eager for God’s rewards.” [Nahj al-Balaghah, sermon no. 193] God values what comes to our mind. In fact, we should recite the Qur’an so that good thoughts may come to our mind.
✅ @PanahianEN
🔲 One of the effects of reciting the Qur'an is that good thoughts come to your mind.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (12)
➖Sometimes good #thoughts come to a person’s mind that lead to happiness, like a good wish that keeps going around in one’s mind. These are valuable to God, and sometimes He determines our destinies based on these #positive thoughts. For example, a person tells himself, "God protects me." It had been destined for him to be affected by a tragedy, but God removes that tragedy because of his positive thinking.
➖On the Day of Judgment, they do not give anyone the opportunity to do good deeds. However, there is one action that works there too, and that is "thinking positively about God." It is narrated that a person is being taken to Hell. He turns around, looks and says, “God, I did not think You would punish me.” God says, “Because of his positive thinking, I have forgiven My servant.” [Fiqh al-Reza (as), p. 361]
➖Lady Maryam’s [Mary’s] (as) mother said, “My Lord, surely I vow to Thee what is in my womb, to be devoted (to Thy service).” [Qur’an 3:35] Since she thought of dedicating her child to God, her child became Maryam.
➖One of the good things that happens in the #mind is "correct regret" or "condemnation of one’s own self," which according to the traditions is better than 40 years of worshiping. [Kafi, vol. 2, p. 73] For example, you say, "Woe to me! How far I am from God." In appearances, you haven’t done anything special. You have just blamed yourself and reviewed some good thoughts in your mind.
➖Try to think good thoughts. One of the effects of reciting the Qur'an is that good thoughts come to your mind. Before reciting say, "I seek refuge with God from the cursed Satan” so that good thoughts may come to your mind.
➖The Commander of the Faithful, Ali (as), said, “When a believer recites the Qur’an, he becomes eager for God’s rewards.” [Nahj al-Balaghah, sermon no. 193] God values what comes to our mind. In fact, we should recite the Qur’an so that good thoughts may come to our mind.
✅ @PanahianEN
This is how our hearts can find fortitude.
If we are able to hide our sorrows and reveal our joys, hide our hatreds and reveal our loves, hide our problems and reveal our blessings, and hide the flaws of others and reveal their goodness [as the traditions recommend], our hearts will find fortitude. This reduces suffering more than any other factor.
#SpiritualMessage
✅ @PanahianEN
If we are able to hide our sorrows and reveal our joys, hide our hatreds and reveal our loves, hide our problems and reveal our blessings, and hide the flaws of others and reveal their goodness [as the traditions recommend], our hearts will find fortitude. This reduces suffering more than any other factor.
#SpiritualMessage
✅ @PanahianEN
Life is hard, but not servitude.
What is difficult in this world? Religion is easy. Life is hard, but not servitude. Religiosity and servitude to God make life easier in this world. If you find it difficult to obey the rules in religion, it is due to the difficulty of living in this world. Religion shows us the way to pass through these difficulties. For example, if religion forbids a kind of enjoyment, it is because that enjoyment makes life more difficult.
#SpiritualMessage
✅ @PanahianEN
What is difficult in this world? Religion is easy. Life is hard, but not servitude. Religiosity and servitude to God make life easier in this world. If you find it difficult to obey the rules in religion, it is due to the difficulty of living in this world. Religion shows us the way to pass through these difficulties. For example, if religion forbids a kind of enjoyment, it is because that enjoyment makes life more difficult.
#SpiritualMessage
✅ @PanahianEN
🔲 If a person can’t control his mind, it means he has committed many mental sins!
🔲 It is necessary to admit this to yourself so that you will understand you have a certain defect.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (13)
➖Some destructive sins such as "hypocrisy" and "arrogance,” which cause one’s deeds to be ruined, take place in a person’s mind. If these thoughts come to a person’s mind, for example, "I am a good person," all his actions will be influenced by it.
➖Another sin of the mind is being suspicious about God. This means a person doubts about God, not in beliefs, but about God’s behavior with us! For example, a person does not believe God is very kind and he questions doubtfully, "Is God really taking care of me?”
➖If a person can’t control his mind, it means he has committed many mental sins! Satan tempts a person too. So if a person does not have the strength to control his mind in the face of Satan’s temptations (and is not accustomed to seeking refuge with God), bad and negative thoughts will flood his mind.
➖Besides Satan’s deceptions, there is also another factor which if not controlled can lead to negative thoughts. Human beings have been created such that they are often anxious and frightened. Fear causes them to be cautious and protective. On the other hand, if people weren’t afraid at all, the discussions about Hell in the Qur'an would not affect them. One who has not edified himself, will not use his fear to avoid Hell. Rather, he will use it for worldly affairs and negative thoughts will flood his mind.
➖Many bad intentions and thoughts are not a sin unless they are acted upon. Even though they are only in one’s mind, they have a destructive spiritual effect and destroy a human being’s spirit. Therefore, we must specifically ask for forgiveness for sins of the mind. Imam Baqir (as) said, “I swear to God, a person will not be saved from a sin unless he admits [to himself] that he has done it.” [Kafi, vol. 2, p. 426]
➖You must say, "God, I have this weakness in my mind. Forgive this." Of course, God is gracious and merciful, but it is necessary to admit to this sin so that you yourself also understand you have this certain defect.
✅ @PanahianEN
🔲 It is necessary to admit this to yourself so that you will understand you have a certain defect.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (13)
➖Some destructive sins such as "hypocrisy" and "arrogance,” which cause one’s deeds to be ruined, take place in a person’s mind. If these thoughts come to a person’s mind, for example, "I am a good person," all his actions will be influenced by it.
➖Another sin of the mind is being suspicious about God. This means a person doubts about God, not in beliefs, but about God’s behavior with us! For example, a person does not believe God is very kind and he questions doubtfully, "Is God really taking care of me?”
➖If a person can’t control his mind, it means he has committed many mental sins! Satan tempts a person too. So if a person does not have the strength to control his mind in the face of Satan’s temptations (and is not accustomed to seeking refuge with God), bad and negative thoughts will flood his mind.
➖Besides Satan’s deceptions, there is also another factor which if not controlled can lead to negative thoughts. Human beings have been created such that they are often anxious and frightened. Fear causes them to be cautious and protective. On the other hand, if people weren’t afraid at all, the discussions about Hell in the Qur'an would not affect them. One who has not edified himself, will not use his fear to avoid Hell. Rather, he will use it for worldly affairs and negative thoughts will flood his mind.
➖Many bad intentions and thoughts are not a sin unless they are acted upon. Even though they are only in one’s mind, they have a destructive spiritual effect and destroy a human being’s spirit. Therefore, we must specifically ask for forgiveness for sins of the mind. Imam Baqir (as) said, “I swear to God, a person will not be saved from a sin unless he admits [to himself] that he has done it.” [Kafi, vol. 2, p. 426]
➖You must say, "God, I have this weakness in my mind. Forgive this." Of course, God is gracious and merciful, but it is necessary to admit to this sin so that you yourself also understand you have this certain defect.
✅ @PanahianEN
📘 A Contemplative Prayer
A contemplative prayer in the beginning, is an action of negation. The negation in a contemplative prayer is thinking of nothing other than God. This means that in the beginning we should try to not think of anything besides God, so that we can gradually think about God. How can we only think about God? The way is to put aside thoughts of other than God.
Someone may say, “Sir, I have many problems. My thoughts about my problems in life bother me. What can I do?”
The answer is, “Pray on time, and forget your problems during prayer! Tell yourself, ‘It’s impolite to think about my problems before God.’ Deal with your problems like shoes! Leave them by the door and don’t bring them in.”
From the Book, “How to Pray a Good Prayer” by Ali Reza Panahian
#HowToPrayAGoodPrayer
@PanahianEN
A contemplative prayer in the beginning, is an action of negation. The negation in a contemplative prayer is thinking of nothing other than God. This means that in the beginning we should try to not think of anything besides God, so that we can gradually think about God. How can we only think about God? The way is to put aside thoughts of other than God.
Someone may say, “Sir, I have many problems. My thoughts about my problems in life bother me. What can I do?”
The answer is, “Pray on time, and forget your problems during prayer! Tell yourself, ‘It’s impolite to think about my problems before God.’ Deal with your problems like shoes! Leave them by the door and don’t bring them in.”
From the Book, “How to Pray a Good Prayer” by Ali Reza Panahian
#HowToPrayAGoodPrayer
@PanahianEN
🌱Ma'mun attempted to diminish Imam Reza’s (as) sanctity and popularity by introducing him into politics. However, Imam Reza's (as) popularity increased.
🔻Imam Reza’s (as) position and honor were very great and glorious at that time. As a result, one of Ma'mun’s goals in imposing successorship to the Caliphate on the Imam was for his own honor to increase due to Imam Reza’s (as) presence. One of his other goals was to diminish Imam Reza’s (as) honor, because the system was corrupt, full of oppression and without any moral limits.
🔻Ma’mun’s goal was to enter Imam Reza (as) into the corrupt system so that his holiness and influence would diminish. This was an important goal for Ma'mun, but he did not achieve it.
🔻Ma'mun may have achieved the first goal, which was to honor himself by being next to Imam Reza (as), to some extent. But people paid more attention to Imam Reza (as) than Ma'mun. Due to his jealousy, Ma'mun gradually decided to plan the assassination of Imam Reza (as), and in the end, he martyred him.
🔻On the one hand, Ma'mun wanted to be a partner in Imam Reza’s (as) goodness, and on the other hand, he wanted Imam Reza (as) to be a partner in his own vices. But was Ma'mun able to make Imam Reza (as) a partner in his vices and reduce his sanctity? No, and not only Imam Reza’s (as) popularity did not decrease by entering politics and by having successorship imposed on him by Ma'mun, it actually increased too. Furthermore, he became a model for those who wish to enter politics.
🔻Politics, due to Imam Reza’s (as) presence, was becoming clean and pure to such an extent that there was no place left for Ma'mun. Imam Reza’s (as) participation in politics, did not cause his sanctity and spirituality to diminish and he did not lose his place or his popularity among the people.
🌹 Congratulations on the anniversary of the birth of Imam Reza (as).
@PanahianEN
🔻Imam Reza’s (as) position and honor were very great and glorious at that time. As a result, one of Ma'mun’s goals in imposing successorship to the Caliphate on the Imam was for his own honor to increase due to Imam Reza’s (as) presence. One of his other goals was to diminish Imam Reza’s (as) honor, because the system was corrupt, full of oppression and without any moral limits.
🔻Ma’mun’s goal was to enter Imam Reza (as) into the corrupt system so that his holiness and influence would diminish. This was an important goal for Ma'mun, but he did not achieve it.
🔻Ma'mun may have achieved the first goal, which was to honor himself by being next to Imam Reza (as), to some extent. But people paid more attention to Imam Reza (as) than Ma'mun. Due to his jealousy, Ma'mun gradually decided to plan the assassination of Imam Reza (as), and in the end, he martyred him.
🔻On the one hand, Ma'mun wanted to be a partner in Imam Reza’s (as) goodness, and on the other hand, he wanted Imam Reza (as) to be a partner in his own vices. But was Ma'mun able to make Imam Reza (as) a partner in his vices and reduce his sanctity? No, and not only Imam Reza’s (as) popularity did not decrease by entering politics and by having successorship imposed on him by Ma'mun, it actually increased too. Furthermore, he became a model for those who wish to enter politics.
🔻Politics, due to Imam Reza’s (as) presence, was becoming clean and pure to such an extent that there was no place left for Ma'mun. Imam Reza’s (as) participation in politics, did not cause his sanctity and spirituality to diminish and he did not lose his place or his popularity among the people.
🌹 Congratulations on the anniversary of the birth of Imam Reza (as).
@PanahianEN
💔Let’s not have irrational expectations from our spouses.
We sometimes see couples that want to get divorced even though they don’t have any serious conflict! They have never argued with each other in their lives, never had a disagreement, or anything else that we usually think of as a cause of divorce.
One of the roots of such divorces is having high expectations about the relationship between a man and a woman. Being in love in such a way that the other person is willing to kill him/herself for me, he/she swoons when he/she sees me, he/she is in agony when I’m away, and he/she rejoices when I am with him/her are the kinds of expectations that are usually implanted in people’s minds by movies and TV serials. They show us an irrational image of a relationship.
Expecting too much love and affection will destroy our lives. Because that fleeting, superficial excitement that people experience the first days after they get married becomes normal for them after a while, and the inordinate enthusiasm they had for each other when they first got married will no longer be there.
#PanahianFamilyTips
@PanahianEN
We sometimes see couples that want to get divorced even though they don’t have any serious conflict! They have never argued with each other in their lives, never had a disagreement, or anything else that we usually think of as a cause of divorce.
One of the roots of such divorces is having high expectations about the relationship between a man and a woman. Being in love in such a way that the other person is willing to kill him/herself for me, he/she swoons when he/she sees me, he/she is in agony when I’m away, and he/she rejoices when I am with him/her are the kinds of expectations that are usually implanted in people’s minds by movies and TV serials. They show us an irrational image of a relationship.
Expecting too much love and affection will destroy our lives. Because that fleeting, superficial excitement that people experience the first days after they get married becomes normal for them after a while, and the inordinate enthusiasm they had for each other when they first got married will no longer be there.
#PanahianFamilyTips
@PanahianEN
The Need for Experiencing Spiritual Pleasure
A spiritual experience means experiencing the good feeling of being with God and awakening the talent of being able to enjoy spirituality. The more spiritual experiences a person has the less he will be influenced by material enjoyments. We must experience this ourselves that spirituality is more enjoyable than material enjoyments. Otherwise, we will constantly be defeated when confronting our own will.
#SpiritualMessage
✅ @PanahianEN
A spiritual experience means experiencing the good feeling of being with God and awakening the talent of being able to enjoy spirituality. The more spiritual experiences a person has the less he will be influenced by material enjoyments. We must experience this ourselves that spirituality is more enjoyable than material enjoyments. Otherwise, we will constantly be defeated when confronting our own will.
#SpiritualMessage
✅ @PanahianEN
Why don’t we have the ability to trust in God?
The purpose of "fear" in human beings is that it is supposed to cause them to be afraid of all dangers and to seek refuge in God like a child who seeks refuge with his mother. Then we won’t be afraid of anything due to our reliance on God. But currently we are not afraid of the main dangers in life, and when we are afraid, we do not seek refuge in God. Now, we are afraid to seek refuge in God and we are unable to trust Him.
#SpiritualMessage
✅ @PanahianEN
The purpose of "fear" in human beings is that it is supposed to cause them to be afraid of all dangers and to seek refuge in God like a child who seeks refuge with his mother. Then we won’t be afraid of anything due to our reliance on God. But currently we are not afraid of the main dangers in life, and when we are afraid, we do not seek refuge in God. Now, we are afraid to seek refuge in God and we are unable to trust Him.
#SpiritualMessage
✅ @PanahianEN
🔲 Do not focus on the world of others.
🔲 One who keeps thinking about other people’s blessings will become jealous and ungrateful.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (14)
➖The Messenger (s) liked others to think good thoughts and not think bad thoughts. [Makarim al-Akhlaq, p. 350] When doing things, don’t say it’s impossible. Say, “It’s possible, God willing.”
➖In addition to spiritual issues, controlling our mind also affects the normal affairs of our lives. Often, the events in our lives are due to our own preoccupations and thoughts. One of Imam Sadiq’s (as) companions said, “I wanted to go to Imam (as). I was wearing new clothes, which I liked very much. On the way, the camel I was riding on made sudden movements and my clothes were torn. I went to the Imam and told him the story. He said, ‘When you wear new clothes say, “There is no god except Allah. Muhammad is the Messenger of God” so that you may be safe from harms. And when you like a worldly thing, don’t think about it very much.’” [Kafi, vol. 6, p. 459]
➖Start controlling your mind so you can distance yourself from the world. The Qur'an says, “And do not stretch your eyes after that with which We have provided different classes of them.” [20:131] So don’t think about these things. If people keep thinking about other people’s blessings, they will become jealous and ungrateful.
➖The Qur'an says, “…so that you will not be saddened for whatever does not come to you, nor be overjoyed in what has come to you.” [57:23] When you gain something, think good thoughts. Talk about God and say, “This is a favor from my Lord.” [Qur’an 27:40] Then talk to God. Say, "God, I will use this in Your way." Be busy with God.
➖Controlling our mind is also effective in social relationships. Imam Sadiq (as) said, “When you expect someone to help you, do not think negatively about him because this will reach him.” [Kafi, vol. 6, p. 459] Physics has proven mental waves are transmitted. So, we should not be suspicious or think negatively about others. We should also want good for others. This is one of the important factors for a person’s life to have a good ending.
✅ @PanahianEN
🔲 One who keeps thinking about other people’s blessings will become jealous and ungrateful.
👉🏼 #ControllingMyMind (14)
➖The Messenger (s) liked others to think good thoughts and not think bad thoughts. [Makarim al-Akhlaq, p. 350] When doing things, don’t say it’s impossible. Say, “It’s possible, God willing.”
➖In addition to spiritual issues, controlling our mind also affects the normal affairs of our lives. Often, the events in our lives are due to our own preoccupations and thoughts. One of Imam Sadiq’s (as) companions said, “I wanted to go to Imam (as). I was wearing new clothes, which I liked very much. On the way, the camel I was riding on made sudden movements and my clothes were torn. I went to the Imam and told him the story. He said, ‘When you wear new clothes say, “There is no god except Allah. Muhammad is the Messenger of God” so that you may be safe from harms. And when you like a worldly thing, don’t think about it very much.’” [Kafi, vol. 6, p. 459]
➖Start controlling your mind so you can distance yourself from the world. The Qur'an says, “And do not stretch your eyes after that with which We have provided different classes of them.” [20:131] So don’t think about these things. If people keep thinking about other people’s blessings, they will become jealous and ungrateful.
➖The Qur'an says, “…so that you will not be saddened for whatever does not come to you, nor be overjoyed in what has come to you.” [57:23] When you gain something, think good thoughts. Talk about God and say, “This is a favor from my Lord.” [Qur’an 27:40] Then talk to God. Say, "God, I will use this in Your way." Be busy with God.
➖Controlling our mind is also effective in social relationships. Imam Sadiq (as) said, “When you expect someone to help you, do not think negatively about him because this will reach him.” [Kafi, vol. 6, p. 459] Physics has proven mental waves are transmitted. So, we should not be suspicious or think negatively about others. We should also want good for others. This is one of the important factors for a person’s life to have a good ending.
✅ @PanahianEN