Dua To Stop Bad Habits? Best 17 Answer

The 75 good manners (commandments) in the Qur’an

Islamic etiquette

(List compiled by Islamicity Staff.)

Human nature desires a society based on morality and manners that offers a stable and secure life that leads to freedom and happiness for all people.

Muslims believe that Prophet Muhammad set an example for all mankind to follow. The Quran describes the Prophet as:

By an act of mercy from God, you, O Prophet, were gentle in your dealings with them – had you been hard or hard-hearted they would have scattered and forsaken you – so forgive them and ask forgiveness for them. Counsel with them on matters, and then when you have decided on a course of action, trust in God: God loves those who put their trust in Him? Quran 3:159

The following is a list of 75 good manners that we can learn from the glorious Quran, the numbers in brackets refer to suras or chapter and verse numbers:

Don’t lie (22:30) Don’t spy (49:12) Don’t cheer (28:76) Don’t offend (49:11) Don’t waste (17:26) Feed the poor (22:36) Don’t gossip (49:12 ) Keep your oaths (5:89) Don’t take bribes (27:36) Keep your contracts (9:4) Hold back your anger (3:134) Don’t spread gossip (24:15) Think well of others (24:12) Be kind to guests (51:24-27) Do no harm to believers (33:58) Do not be rude to parents (17:23) Turn away from evil speech (23:3 ) Don’t make fun of others (49:11) Walk humble (25:63) Respond to evil with good (41:34) Don’t say what you don’t do (62:2) Keep your trust and promises (23 :8) Don’t insult the false gods of others (6:108) Don’t deceive people in trade (6:152) Don’t take things without right (3:152) 162) Don’t ask unnecessary questions (5:101) Since not stingy or extravagant (25:67) Does not abuse others (49:11) Claims ni Don’t be clean (53:32 ) Speak kindly, even to the ignorant (25:63) Don’t ask for repayment for favors (76:9) Make room for others at meetings (5 8:11) When the enemy wants peace , then accept it (8:61) Return a salute in a better way (4:86) Do not remind others of your favor (2:264) Make peace between fighting groups (49:9) Lower your voice and speak Be moderate (31:19) Don’t let hate treat you unfairly (6:108) Don’t ask too many favors of people (2:273) Greet people when you enter their home (24:27) Be just, even against yourself and your relatives (4:135) Speak softly, even with leaders of unbelief (20:44) Don’t criticize small contributions of others (9:79) Don’t call the prophet like you Call others (24:63) Try to make peace between man and woman (4:128) Do not call the prophet from outside his chambers (49:4) Oppression/corruption is worse than killing (2:217) Preach others in a good and wise manner (16:125) Do not accuse others of immorality without proof (24:4) Regard the Prophet’s wives as your mothers (33:6) Do not raise your voice about those of the Prophet (49:2) Do not call anyone an unbeliever without knowing it (4:9 4) Get permission before entering anyone’s room (24:59) Know that your enemies can become your close friends (41:34) Do not mistakenly consume the wealth of the weak (4:29) Do not turn your cheek away from people in arrogance (31:18) Forgive others as you would like Allah to forgive you (24:22) Ask permission from the prophet when you leave his assembly (24:62) Do not hold secret meetings because of sin, but do so out of piety (58:9) Do not command others to do good while forgetting it yourself (2 Cor :44) Be patient with your teacher and follow his instructions (18:67-69) Frown Si e not, turn away or neglect those who come to you (80:10) If you cannot help a person in need, at least say kind words (17:28) Be forgiving of your subordinates and consult them them in affairs (3:159) Verify information from a dubious source before acting on it (49:6) Do not remain unnecessarily in the Prophet’s house after a meal (33:53) Those who can should continue for the spend less fortunate (24:22) Do not enter houses without permission & return if entry is denied (24:27-28) Do not sit with those who scoff at religion until they change the subject (4:140 ) Say that it is not appropriate to speak of slander when it is mentioned to you (24:16) If it is necessary to ask the Prophet’s wives, then do so behind a curtain (33:53) Let themselves in an amicable manner s divorce instead of keeping your wife and harming her (2:231) Punish in the same manner as you were hurt or be patient (16:126) Differences in color and language are signs of Allah, not a means of superiority (49:13) Do not take women by force, nor take back a bride’s gift without good reason, and live with them kindly (4:19 )

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Being a Muslim does not mean that Allah will not try us. We tend to challenge ourselves and get depressed. We usually have bad days at work, arguments with family and friends that make us sad, we tend to have an emotional breakdown when we lose a loved one, and there are other times when we feel sad and worried.

What worries us more is when we return to Allah and ask for His blessings, but our requests go unanswered! This is the saddest moment for a Muslim. Allah has assured us in the Holy Quran (2:186) that He the Almighty answers a supplication and that He is near to us.

So why are our duas going unanswered? There are devout Muslims making duas that have not been accepted for months and even years! We need to focus on this because it is a necessary issue.

As Muslims we need to know why our duas are not accepted? Here we have listed 10 reasons to help you understand the phenomenon.

1- The person makes a weak Dua: It means that what is asked for is not acceptable. Or in other cases, he might not be asking for it properly. A person could commit a sin while making dua.

“Whenever a Muslim supplicates Allah, He accepts his request or averts similar difficulties from him until he prays for something sinful or something that might break the bonds of kinship.” – At-Tirmidhi, Riyad as-Salihin 1501

2-The person making dua is weak: A weak person is one with weak iman. This means that the person is not sure if Allah will accept the dua. Also, he could only say memorized words without faith and emotion.

3-The person is sinful: A sinful person must first seek Allah’s forgiveness in order for Allah to be pleased with him.

4- Uncertainty: A dua made with uncertainty is unlikely to be accepted. A person is said to make a dua with full hope of acceptance. The Holy Prophet said that a dua made with a careless heart will not be answered. (At-Tirmidhi). So make a dua with full certainty and trust.

5-The person does not consume halal: if we engage in haram, we will not remain loved by Allah. We will ensure that we do not earn haram, eat haram, wear haram or approach haram in any way.

6- Being impatient: Sometimes a person may be pious and do the dua correctly, but he is impatient. It is narrated in Muslim and Bukhari that if a person says I made dua to Allah, a dua is not accepted, but it is never accepted. – Sahih Muslim 2735 c

7-Allah impose conditions: Muslims should remember that Allah can do anything and He does not impose any conditions on you. Saying ‘O Allah have mercy on me if you wish’ is certainly wrong. Your conditions will not force Allah to do anything for you.

8-A person does not send greetings to Prophet PBUH: A dua is not accepted until the blessing and greetings are sent along with it to Prophet PBUH. (near Tabarani)

9-Allah loves to be invoked: Allah loves when a person calls out to Him. Your dua could only be accepted if you keep reminding Allah and asking for it.

10. Acceptance of dua is different: A dua of a Muslim takes different forms. The dua could be accepted soon, could be reserved for the right time or it is due to the dua that an evil is kept away i.e. something better is given in return or the benefits of the most generous Allah are reserved for later. (ahmad)

Source: Saudi Gazette

This article is part 2 of my Dua series. Read Part 1 Why I Love Dua as a Muslim to see how I implement duas in my daily life.

The Prophet mentioned that Allah descends to the lowest heaven and says:

“Who is calling me so that I can answer him? Who is asking me to give something to him?…” (Bukhari, Muslim)

Do you sometimes wonder why your duas aren’t being answered? Maybe there’s more to just saying dua and hoping for the best. I researched my dua and found that there are ways to answer your dua more effectively.

First, there are situations where your dua is accepted.

Second, there are times when your dua is accepted.

Third, there are requirements for your dua to be accepted.

Situations where your dua is accepted

The scholars have mentioned that when you are in one of the following situations, it is ideal for your dua to be accepted.

A person wronged or oppressed.

A person going through great difficulties after a disaster.

A person who travels.

A person who is fasting.

A woman in labor.

A person who has recited or finished the Qur’an.

A person who performs Hajj or Umrah.

A person who makes dua for someone in their absence (when you make dua for someone in their absence, an angel says, “Ameen and to you”).

A person who is frequently in a state of remembrance of Allah.

A person who is a just ruler.

Times when your dua is accepted

Scholars have mentioned these times as best for accepting Dua and are the Sunnah of Prophet PBUH.

The early morning hours (the last part of the night until the start of Fajr – divide the night into three parts between Maghrib and Fajr).

After the Adhan.

During salah (when a slave is closest to his master in a state of prostration or before the end of salah after the completion of tashahhud).

After the obligatory prayers.

A period on a Friday (some scholars say the Imam settles between the two Khutbahs and others say it is the last period before the Maghrib).

When waking up at night after wudu.

Before drinking the water of Zamzam.

During the month of Ramadan.

During Laylat-ul-Qadr (The Night of Destiny).

When visiting the sick.

When rain falls

In places like Mecca, Arafat and Medina (when going to Hajj or Umrah).

Requirements for your dua to be accepted

“Verily Allah is pure and accepts nothing but what is pure. And verily Allah commanded the believers what He commanded the Messengers, for He Most High said: ‘O Messengers! ‘” (Quran 23:51)

It is mentioned that certain requirements should be met in order for our Duas to be answered:

Your income must be legal.

Your food must be pure and halal.

You must do penance (do tawba) for your sins.

You should remove all unlawful things from your life.

Make sure you do the basics: pray five times a day, pay zakat, fast in Ramadan, etc.

You should do dua with sincerity and a focused mind and heart.

You should feel with absolute conviction that Allah SWT will answer your dua and no one but He can answer. The Prophet said:

“Call upon Allah while firmly believing that He will answer, and realize that Allah does not answer the dua that emanates from a heedless, unobservant heart.” (Tirmidhi)

Giving the thing asked for, ward off the harm that would otherwise have befallen a person, or as a gift that awaits the person in the next life (this is the best form of Dua answered as mentioned in Hadith Ahmed) .

Performing a good deed before your dua and saying it during your dua (as was done by the three men trapped in a cave by a large rock: each of them made a dua and mentioned a good deed, and the Rocks moved a little with each dua until they could escape – Sahih Bukhari).

To begin and end the dua with praise from Allah SWT.

To send greetings and peace to our beloved Prophet PBUH. A Companion once sat down to make dua and began to praise Allah and salute the Prophet, to which he replied:

“Please, and you will be given. Ask and you will be given.” (Tirmidhi)

In general, trying to keep your tongue wet with the praises of Allah, because gratitude itself increases blessings. Allah SWT says:

“Verily, if you show me gratitude, I will certainly increase you” (14:7). And the Prophet (SAW) emphasized this when he said: “The very best dua is Alhamdulillah (All praise be to Allah).” [Sahih Ibn Hibban]

If possible, pray salat-ul haja (the prayer of need).

How it all comes together…

Begin your dua by:

Confirmation of your belief in Allah SWT – Shahadah.

Asking him for forgiveness – Istighfar.

Praise Allah SWT – Al-Hamd.

Sending blessings upon the Prophet PBUH – Salawaat.

The Prophet said:

“Indeed, all praise is due to Allah. We praise Him and ask Him for help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of our souls and our misdeeds. Whom Allah guides, no one can mislead; no one can lead.” (Muslim)

Here is an example of how to prepare for Dua:

Say the Shahada – I testify that there is no god but Allah alone without a partner and I testify that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Say Astaghfirullah x 3 – I ask forgiveness from Allah.

Say Alhumdulillah x 3 – praise be to God.

Say Subhanallah x 3 Glory to God.

Say Allahu Akbar x 3 – God is great.

Say Salallahu Alayhi Wassalam x 3 – Peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Invoke Allah with longing, longing and humiliation using His best name Al-Hayy (The Ever-Living) Al-Qayyum (The Self-Sustaining).

Express your need for Him and place all your hope in Him alone.

Tell your Lord that you have no one to turn to and follow the Sunnah to raise your hands when making dua, ideally in the state of wudu and facing the qibla.

Allah SWT says:

“Call upon your Lord with utmost humility and confidentiality” (Quran 7:55)

He SWT also says:

“And invoke Him with fear and longing: Verily Allah’s mercy is near to men of excellence.” (Quran 7:56)

Remember…

We should not have fear in our hearts that our dua will not be answered because of our shortcomings or because we feel that we don’t deserve it.

We are told that our “longing” for Allah to answer our dua out of His boundless generosity and mercy should overcome this fear.

Invoking Allah SWT for our needs is an act of worship and Allah loves to be invoked.

It is the shaytaan’s ruse when he makes us believe that we are not worthy of our dua being accepted. Make sure you have that frame of mind that makes you think you are humble when in fact you are too arrogant to ask your Lord for help. After all we are nothing without Allah SWT so do we really think we don’t need to ask for His help? Prophet PBUH taught us that Dua is:

“The Essence of Worship.” (Tirmidhi)

We should be patient and realize that Allah SWT fully knows our problems and is in full control of our circumstances. He will respond to our dua based on what is best for us and at the most appropriate time.

We must persist in our dua and not give up if we don’t get an immediate response.

When our dua is answered, we should remember that Allah SWT knows what is best for us, even if we don’t like the result at first.

The Prophet said:

“The slave will be answered as long as his dua does not involve sin or breaking family ties, and as long as he is not hasty. It was said, ‘What does being hasty mean?’ He said, ‘When he says, ‘I made dua, and I made dua, but I didn’t see any reaction,’ so he gets frustrated and stops making dua .'” (Sahih Muslim)

Allah SWT says:

“Perhaps you would hate something while it is good for you, and perhaps you would like something that is bad for you – Allah knows and you do not know.” (Quran 2:216)

He SWT also says:

“Perhaps you would hate something, but Allah puts much, much good in it.” (Quran 4:19)

Allah SWT will give us only His good pleasure (rida) and divine providence (‘inaya); we just have to ask!

Join me again for part 3 of my Dua series, How to start and end my day with Dua, where I will be sharing my morning and evening Dua routine.

*My reading recommendation*

Some of the things you do or don’t do every day could be sabotaging your efforts to be healthier. As you read the list of daily habits, don’t be too hard on yourself and expect to change all of these at once. The key to success is to slowly integrate change into your life. And if you do fall off the wagon occasionally, don’t fret or fight – it’s more important that you get back on. Check out these 10 habits to see if there are places you can make a healthy change.

1. Not drinking enough water

Water makes up 60 percent of our body, so it’s not too surprising that drinking water benefits your overall body health. Staying hydrated helps keep your memory sharp, your mood stable, and your motivation intact. Keeping up with your fluids keeps your skin supple, your body cools down when it’s hot, your muscles and joints work better, and helps remove toxins from your body via your kidneys.

So how much water should you drink? The Institute of Medicine says adult men need about 13 cups of fluids a day; Adult females need about 9. (You get about 2 1/2 cups of extra fluids from food.) But since one size doesn’t fit all, the best way to tell if you’re adequately hydrated is by the color of your urine Monitor : If it’s light yellow (the color of lemonade), it means you’re drinking enough.

2. Eating late at night

There are a few reasons why you should consider moving your dinner an hour early. Researchers suggest that the longer breaks between meals allow the body to process food more efficiently. There’s some research on intermittent fasting (where you spread out your meals and eat in a shorter window of time) that suggests it may help with weight loss. (Learn more about intermittent fasting)

Another reason is that you can sleep better: according to the National Institutes of Health, late-night meals can cause indigestion that interferes with sleep.

Also, most of us don’t eat carrots and apples late at night – we reach for snacks, which aren’t necessarily the healthiest of choices.

3. Not getting enough exercise

Physical activity has many, many health benefits (seriously, the list goes on and on). Not only does it make you look and feel good, regular exercise can also help you lose weight and increase your energy. Exercising regularly can also help you live longer. In addition, exercise keeps your heart healthy; lowers your risk of some types of chronic diseases, such as breast cancer and some aggressive forms of prostate cancer; improves blood flow to your brain and keeps you sharp; and helps with blood sugar control.

Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, plus 2 or more days of muscle-strengthening activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity (such as weight training) each week.

4. Save on sleep

You know lack of sleep is a big no-go, but why – what’s the big deal? Research shows that not getting enough sleep can affect a whole range of things: it can affect your immune system, your judgment and ability to make decisions (you’re also more likely to make mistakes), and your heart health. Sleep deprivation can fuel depression and make it harder for you to lose weight when you’re dieting — and you’re more likely to give in to that sweet temptation tomorrow.

Try to get about 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night, although there’s no magic number, says the National Sleep Foundation, so listen to your body and try to get the amount of sleep your body needs to to function optimally. (Eat these 9 foods to help you sleep better.)

Air-Fryer Turkey Stuffed Peppers

5. Eat too much sodium

On average, Americans consume about 1,000 mg more sodium each day than we should. One of the easiest ways to reduce your sodium intake is to cook at home with fresh ingredients. Both restaurant foods and processed foods tend to be very high in sodium. To reduce your sodium intake even further, try enhancing the flavor of home-cooked foods with herbs and spices instead of salt.

6. Pick foods because they “sound healthy”

More and more food labels are showing health benefits on their labels. If such claims lure you in, know that a product without fat, gluten or carbohydrates is not necessarily healthier. For example, fat-free products often provide more sugar than their counterparts (and many full-fat options are healthier choices). Don’t be fooled by a healthy-sounding label by comparing nutritional charts and ingredient lists from brands in the same food category. It’s worth noting that some of the healthiest foods at the grocery store come with no packaging or branding, like fruits and vegetables.

Container of spiral zucchini pasta and sauce

Recipe shown: Zucchini Noodles with Quick Turkey Bolognese

7. Lunch at your desk

It’s all too easy to nibble next to your lunchtime meal, but focusing your attention on your food will make you feel happier and curb the temptation to eat in the afternoon, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Study participants who ate lunch without distractions felt fuller 30 minutes after eating and ate less when snacking later than people who played computer solitaire during lunch (learn more about mindful eating and how it can help you can).

8. Cook everything in olive oil

Although olive oil is packed with heart-healthy antioxidants (called polyphenols) and monounsaturated fats, it’s sometimes not the best choice for cooking. Why? Because olive oil has a lower smoke point than some other oils (that’s the point where an oil literally starts smoking and olive oil is between 365° and 420°F). Don’t miss our guide to the best healthy oils for cooking.

When you heat olive oil to its smoke point, the beneficial compounds in the oil begin to break down and potentially harmful compounds form. So if you’re cooking on high heat, skip it and choose a different oil. However, olive oil is a good choice for making salad dressings or sautéing vegetables over medium heat.

Healthy brownie bites

Recipe shown: Healthy Brownie Bites

9. Skip dessert

You may think you are doing a good deed by banning sweet treats. However, studies suggest that feeling deficient—even when you’re consuming a lot of calories—can lead to overeating. And making every meal taboo only increases his appeal. So if you’re in the mood for something sweet, go for it: a little treat won’t break your diet! Two pieces of dark chocolate or half a cup of ice cream have less than 150 calories.

10. Not changing or sanitizing your kitchen sponge often enough

You might not think about it regularly, but your kitchen sponge can harbor 150 times more bacteria, mold and yeast than your toothbrush holder. Ik! According to a study by NSF International (an independent public health organization), most of the germs found won’t make you sick, but some might. (Get our ultimate guide to preventing food poisoning.)

Over the past decade, our understanding of the neurology of habit formation has changed.

A silent revolution has turned our conception of how patterns work in our lives, our society and our organizations on its head. And much of what we’ve learned comes from studying the simplest of habits—like why people bite their nails.

For example, in the summer of 2006, a 24-year-old graduate student named Mandy entered the Counseling Center at Mississippi State University. For most of her life, Mandy had been biting and biting her nails until they bled.

Many people bite their nails. For chronic nail biters, however, it’s a problem on a different scale.

Mandy would often bite until her nails detached from the underlying skin. Her fingertips were covered with tiny crusts. The ends of her fingers had become blunt with no nails to protect them, and they sometimes tingled or itched, a sign of nerve injury.

The biting habit had damaged her social life. She was so embarrassed about having her friends that she kept her hands in her pockets and was busy clenching her fingers into fists on dates. She’d tried to stop by painting her nails with foul-smelling polish, or promising herself she’d start right away, if she had the willpower to stop. But as soon as she started doing homework or watching TV, her fingers ended up in her mouth.

The counseling center referred Mandy to a psychology graduate student studying a treatment known as “habit reversal training.” The psychologist knew the so-called “Golden Rule of Habit Change”. Every habit has three components: a cue (or a trigger to start an automatic behavior), a routine (the behavior itself), and a reward (this is how our brain learns to remember that pattern for the future).

The Habit Loop

The Golden Rule of Habit Change states that the most effective way to change a habit is to diagnose and stick with the old cue and reward and try to just change the routine.

The psychologist knew it was necessary to change Mandy’s nail biting habits by introducing a new routine into her life. “What do you feel just before you bring your hand to your mouth to bite your nails?” he asked her.

“I’ve got a bit of tension in my fingers,” Mandy said. “It hurts a bit here at the edge of the nail. Sometimes I’ll run my thumb along, looking for hangnails, and when I feel something sticking, I’ll bring it to my mouth. I’ll go finger by finger, biting every nook and cranny. Once I start it feels like I have to do them all.”

Asking patients to describe what triggers their habitual behavior is called awareness training and is the first step in habit reversal training. The tension Mandy felt in her nails was what started her nail-biting habit.

“Most people’s habits have been around for so long that they don’t pay attention to what causes them,” said Brad Dufrene, who treated Mandy. “I’ve called stutterers and I’ll ask them what words or situations trigger their stutter and they won’t know because they didn’t realize it so long ago.”

Next, the therapist asked Mandy to describe why she was biting her nails. At first she had trouble finding reasons for this. However, as they talked, it became more apparent that she would bite when she was bored. The therapist put her in some typical situations, like watching TV and doing homework, and she started nibbling. As she worked through all the nails, she felt a brief sense of completion, she said. This was the reward of habit: a physical stimulation she had longed for.

At the end of her first session, the therapist sent Mandy home with a task: carry around an index card and whenever you feel the cue—a tension in your fingertips—check the card.

She came back a week later with 28 checks. At this point, she was very aware of the sensations that preceded her habit. She knew how often it happened during class or while watching TV.

A competing answer

Then the therapist taught Mandy what is known as “competing response.” Whenever she felt this tension in her fingertips, he told her to immediately put her hands in her pockets or under her legs, or grab a pencil or something else that made it impossible to put her fingers in her mouth. Mandy should then look for something that would elicit quick physical stimulation—such as rubbing her arm or banging her knuckles on a desk—anything that would elicit a physical response. It was the golden rule: the clues and rewards stayed the same. Only the routine changed.

They practiced for about half an hour in the therapist’s office, and Mandy was sent home with a new assignment: continue with the index card, but do a check when you feel the tension in your fingertips, and a hash sign when you feel the successfully overcome the habit.

A week later, Mandy had only bitten her nails three times and used the competing response seven times. She rewarded herself with a manicure but continued to use the note cards.

After a month the nail biting was gone. The competing routines had become automatic. One habit had replaced another.

“It seems ridiculously simple, but once you know how your habit works, once you recognize the cues and rewards, you’re halfway to changing it,” Nathan Azrin, one of the developers of the habit-reversal workout, told me. “It seems like it needs to get more complex. The truth is that the brain can be reprogrammed. You just have to be aware of it.”

Today, habit reversal therapy is used to treat verbal and physical tics, depression, smoking, gambling problems, anxiety, bedwetting, procrastination, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other behavioral problems. And his techniques lay bare one of the basic principles of habits: often, we don’t really understand the desires that drive our behavior until we look for them. Mandy never realized that a craving for physical stimulation was causing her nail biting, but once she dissected the habit, finding a new routine that offered the same reward became easy.

Let’s say you want to stop snacking at work. Is the reward you seek to satisfy your hunger? Or should it break boredom? If you’re snacking between meals for a little relaxation, you can easily find another routine, such as: B. taking a short walk or devoting three minutes to the internet that offers the same interruption without increasing your waistline.

If you’re looking to quit smoking, ask yourself: are you doing it because you love nicotine, or because it gives you a boost, adds structure to your day, or provides an opportunity to socialize? If you smoke because you need stimulation, studies show that some caffeine in the afternoon can make you more likely to quit. More than three dozen studies of ex-smokers have found that they identify the cues and rewards they associate with cigarettes and then select new routines that offer similar payoffs — a slice of Nicorette, a quick series of push-ups, or just a few minutes to stretch and relax – makes them more likely to stop.

Identifying the clues and rewards will allow you to change up the routine.

To learn more – including how to create strong-willed habits in children and what we’ve learned about how habits work in life, in business and in society – please read The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do and How to Change or visit www .thepowerofhabit.com.

“We are what we keep doing. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” These words were said by Aristotle many centuries ago. Although this quote is old, it contains an important truth: the formation of habits is a crucial condition for any person who wants to succeed. However, because our brains are constantly creating habits, often without you realizing it, sometimes it’s necessary to change some bad habits. In this article, I’m going to talk about three things people can do to change bad habits: identify a bad habit loop, experiment with rewards, and create a plan.

The first step to changing a bad habit is to identify its looping structure—how it came about. “There is a three-stage loop inside our brains,” wrote journalist Charles Duhigg, who published the fascinating 2014 book The Power of Habits. “First there is a cue, a trigger that tells your brain to go into automatic mode and what habit to use. Then there is a routine, which can be physical, mental or emotional. Finally, there’s a reward that helps your brain figure out if that particular loop is worth remembering for the future.” Duhigg explains that once you understand how these components work, you can make the necessary changes. I remember my dad woke up everyday at 3am after hearing the alarm clock and sat on the sofa to read every day until he was gone, one day I asked him why and he said to me that when he heard the alarm he must wake up and read. He used to be happy after reading time. In Duhigg’s words, waking up was my father’s cue to start reading, reading was the routine, and feeling happy was the Reward However, identifying the habit loop is only the first step.

To take the second step, it is necessary to understand that when you have a habit, through a routine, your brain develops a strong connection between cues and rewards. If you want to change a specific habit, you need to analyze what the real reward your brain is craving is. To find out, Duhigg recommends experimenting with rewards to see if your cravings are being satisfied in this way, so you can identify what cravings are driving your routine. “It seems ridiculously simple, but once you know how your habit works, when you recognize the cues and rewards, you’re halfway to changing it,” explained Ph.D. Nathan Azrin to Charles Duhigg for his book. That means the brain can be reprogrammed. This fact sounds encouraging, but you still have a plan to implement.

It’s often a mistake to start many new habits or to strive for one great habit, but my own experience has taught me that starting many habits at once is hardly impossible. Third step – you need a plan. The University of North Carolina Learning Center at Chapell Hill recommends four simple steps to changing one habit at a time[i]: (1) Pick a key habit and do it well, (2) write down your plan, (3) Make your goal public and develop a support team and (4) make a plan for when you falter. Keystone habits must be simple, small, and then you are allowed to slowly increase the difficulty. Concerning the importance of small things, the prophet Alma said: “The Lord God works by means to accomplish His great and eternal purposes; and by very small means . . . the Lord is working the salvation of many souls” (Book of Mormon, Alma 37:7). I am convinced that this is true, I have seen this pattern many times in my life.

Changing a bad habit may seem difficult, but it’s not impossible. It is necessary for you to evaluate yourself and look for habits that you need to change in your life. As we’ve seen, each habit has components that you need to know about so you can try if you get the same reward but with a beneficial routine. Sometimes you won’t know where to start, but if you make a plan, you’ll manage to decide which key habit to do first. Our brains are amazing, and best of all, you can start changing bad habits at any age – all it takes is a routine.

[i] https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/changing-habits/

[Image source: Pinterest]

Life is not always free from difficulties and worries. All people face their own challenges and difficulties. One may have to face loss of loved ones, health or wealth, or be tested by fear or hunger. Therefore, life is a test for every human being on this planet. Allah says in the Holy Quran:-

“And We shall certainly try you with something of anguish and hunger and a loss of wealth and life and fruit, but bring good tidings to the patient.” (2:155)

Meaning of inner peace:

The realization that one is perceiving and acting according to the directions of one’s Creator bestows absolute stillness and peace of mind. This peace of mind can later be passed on to society, generations, those around us and the entire planet.

Individuals can only experience true and total peace when they establish inner peace. This is the consequence of Islam, which is complete surrender to Allah Almighty alone.

True Meaning of Happiness:

Happiness is a psychological state of contentment defined by pleasurable feelings ranging from pleasure to excessive ease. We all want spiritual peace and joy in our lives as human beings. Life is full of twists and turns, but there are many small victories that go unnoticed in between. Take time to congratulate yourself on these humble victories. Appreciate what you already have.

How does the Quran help get rid of depression and anxiety?

Overcoming life’s challenges takes strength and determination. Because humans are flawed and weak, tests can sometimes affect sanity. Facing depression or anxiety does not mean you are weak in faith as all people feel down or demotivated at times and need peace and happiness in their lives.

Allah Almighty has given us the Holy Quran as a guide for all mankind. The Qur’an gives us guidance in all matters of life, from birth to death, and it will guide us until the Day of Judgment. If you are depressed, it can calm and soothe you. If you are not sorrow and heartache, it can help achieve happiness. And when you have anxiety and stress, it can lead you down the path of peace.

If you are feeling demotivated, open the Holy Quran and revise the story of the Prophets that can enlighten your heart. The Holy Quran is there for us to renew our faith, strength and determination to face the hardships of life.

Allah says in the Holy Quran:-

“And We send down from the Qur’an what is healing and mercy for the believers.” (17:82)

Here are some chapters in the Holy Quran that you can refer to to clear your mind.

1. Sura Yusuf

Surah Yusuf is a chapter of the Holy Quran that mentions the story of Prophet Yusuf (a) in great detail. The chapter is full of life lessons and also highlights the difficulties that people can identify with. Some of the important lessons that can be learned from this chapter are:-

1) Allah gives glory and blessings to whomever He wills

Allah says in the Holy Quran:-

“And so your Lord will choose you and teach you the interpretation of narrations and complete His favor for you and for the family of Jacob (Yaqoob), as He previously completed for your fathers Abraham (Ibrahim) and Isaac (Ishaque). . Verily, your Lord is knowledgeable and wise.” (12:6)

Be happy for the one whom Allah has blessed with kindness. Your time will come too, so don’t plan harm to others. Allah knows and plans what is better for you as He is the wisest, so at the right moment He will give you something useful for you.

Don’t start hating the person that Allah has blessed because that doesn’t mean He ignores you. Allah knows what is beneficial for you and the blessed person.

2) Patience in adversity is rewarded

When the remaining sons of Yaqoob (AS) brought the bloodstained shirt of Yusuf (AS) and told a false story, Yaqoob (AS) remained patient and trusted in Allah. Allah says in the Qur’an:-

“And they put false blood on his shirt. [Jakob] said, “Rather, your souls have deceived you into something, so patience is most appropriate. And Allah is the one who is asked for help against what you describe.” (12:18)

Sometimes each of us is faced with situations that are beyond our control. Instead of losing hope, trust in the one who has power over all things. The fabricated story of Yusuf’s death did not disturb Prophet Yaqoob’s trust in Allah, and Allah bestowed honor on him.

Trust in Allah’s plan for you and you will be grateful to Him in the future.

3) Rely on Allah

Allah says in the Holy Quran:-

“And he said to him whom he knew would be released, ‘Mention me before your master.’ But Satan caused him to forget the mention [to] his master, and Joseph remained in prison for several years.” (12: 42)

We all face trials in life and it is important to connect more with Allah during these trying times. Keep asking Allah and He will open the doors of ease for you. Remember that no one can bring us good or evil; it is only by Allah’s will.

So establish prayer at the prescribed prayer times, communicate your concerns to Allah and do your best to fulfill your duties.

2. Sura Duha

Surah Duha is the 93rd chapter of the Holy Quran. Allah SWT revealed Surah Duha to comfort Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) at a time when he was feeling discouraged. This surah was very comforting to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who was going through various challenges.

The surah reminds the Prophet (peace be upon him) of the blessings bestowed on him by Allah and instructs him to help the poor and needy. An important lesson that can be gleaned from Surah Duha is:

1) The worldly life is temporary while the Hereafter is forever

Allah SWT says in the Holy Quran:-

“And the hereafter is better for you than the first [life].” (93:4)

Allah SWT tells Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that the honor and bounty He will bestow on him in the Hereafter are far greater than what he has in this world. Similarly, the blessings bestowed upon the believer are in the form of a trial and are temporary, while the blessings bestowed upon an honest believer in the hereafter will be permanent.

This world was created as a test where trouble after trouble will come. This ayah reminds us that the challenges of this world are temporary and short-lived, but the bounty of Allah in the hereafter will last forever. Similarly, the following hadith shows that man was sent to this world for a short time.

Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (may Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) slept on a straw mat and got up with the marks on his body. Ibn Mas’ud (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “O Messenger of Allaah! Ask us to spread out a soft bedclothes for you.” He (ﷺ) replied: “What have I to do with the world? I am like a horseman who sat under a tree for its shade, then walked away and forsaken it.” [At-Tirmidhi classifying it as Hadith Hasan Sahih]

3. Sura Inshirah

Allah SWT also presented Sura Inshirah, 94th chapter in the Holy Quran with Sura Duha. Allah informs the Messenger sallallahu alayhi wasallam how Allah alleviated the inner suffering of the Prophet by revealing the Qur’an to him. Allah SWT says He would increase the memory of His Prophet across the world and now somewhere on the planet someone is chanting Ashadu anna Muhammadar Rasulullah every second. Allah SWT also points out that there is consolation both before and after adversity.

1) Allah has promised ease after difficulties:

“For indeed, with hardship there will be ease. Verily, with hardship [shall] be ease.”

(Quran 94:5-6)

The repetition of the verse emphasizes that this is a matter of course. Difficult circumstances, emotional anguish and suffering do not last forever. Remembering this passage can bring hope and strength to anyone going through a difficult time in life. One gets hope that challenges such as despair and grief can be overcome, just as the Prophet (pbuh) was guided and freed from his fears and obstacles. This chapter of the Quran promotes peace of heart and can help heal a stressed soul.

Dua can bring peace of mind and happiness

The Holy Quran was sent by Allah as a remedy for the diseases of the heart for all believers. So whenever you feel down or upset, recite and understand the Holy Quran. The Quran not only purifies your heart, but also offers a lot of practical knowledge to live a contented life while worshiping Allah.

Read more about the benefits of Surah Ar Rahman.

If you knowingly or unknowingly make a mistake and apologize, your parents will forgive you. Imagine the forgiveness of Allah (SWT) who is Al-Ghafoor. He forgives abundantly and has no limits to His forgiveness. A Muslim must always repent by making dua for forgiveness for sins he/she may have committed in life.

If you were wondering how to ask Allah for forgiveness, then read this article to the end. It won’t take much time!

There is a hadith referenced Sahih al-Bukhari 6307 that states:

Narrated by Abu Huraira:

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say.” By Allah! I ask forgiveness from Allah and turn to Him in repentance more than seventy times a day.”

We must also follow this Sunnah. It only takes a few seconds to recite Astaghfirullah or if you recite the full Astaghfirullah Dua.

I have seen many youth saying, “We still have plenty of time to pray, we will do Ibadah when the time comes.”

Well that’s the worst thought ever! No one knows when death will knock on our door. We have seen unexpected deaths from accidents and throughout the Covid-19 crisis. Nobody expected it. For this reason, it is highly recommended to make dua for the forgiveness of sins every day.

It is a fact that Iblees (Shaitaan) will always do his best to distract you and lead you down the wrong path. He will involve you in bad things like uttering wrong words, observing bad things, encouraging you to postpone ibadat (prayers), engaging in zina, disrespecting people and many more bad activities.

It is advisable to always seek Allah’s protection from the promptings of Shaitan.

If you have ever been involved in a major sin, then make a sincere dua for forgiveness from Allah after each prayer. If possible, wake up at night, perform salatul tahajjud and make dua.

As many of us have heard a saying: Dua made in Tahajjud is like an arrow that does not miss its mark – Imam Ash-Shafi’i (R.A.)

Check out these powerful duas for forgiveness

If you have been searching for a powerful dua for the forgiveness of major sins in Islam then consider reciting these duas. If you make a separate dua to ask Allah for forgiveness, then consider reciting Darood 7 times before and after the dua.

Ask Allah for forgiveness through Istighfar

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Saying Astaghfirullah (I ask forgiveness of Allah) is the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (ﷺ) to seek Istighfar 100 times daily. It only takes a few minutes to recite Istighar a hundred times a day, we can do it, right? There are many benefits of reciting Astagfirullah daily. And most importantly, Allah (SWT) will not punish a Muslim while he/she is asking for forgiveness. As seen in the Quranic reference mentioned below.

But Allah would not punish them while you [O Muhammad] are among them, and Allah would not punish them while they are asking for forgiveness. – [Surat al-Anfal: 33]

Astagfirullah is the best dua for forgiveness that can be easily memorized and recited at any time. Make the most of this dua.

Dua for forgiveness recited by Prophet Yunus (as).

This is popularly known as Ayat E Karima which is from Surah Anbiya verse 87. A very powerful dua for forgiveness in the Qur’an was recited by Prophet Yunus (as) when he was trapped in a whale’s belly. If you can remember the story of Prophet Yunus (as) remember how he shed tears when he reminded Allah (swt) for forgiveness, how he admitted his mistakes and how he was saved from distress.

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Also Read – Importance and Benefits of Ayat e Karima

Dua for forgiveness for parents

Parents are a true blessing to mankind. Asking Dua for parental forgiveness is the best gift a child can give! Meanwhile, you can also ask for forgiveness if you hurt parents. Wallahi, it is one of the worst sins to hurt parents and Allah (SWT) does not accept the prayers of a Muslim who hurts parents. Consider reciting the following dua for forgiveness to parents.

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You might also like Dua For Parents’ full article in English.

Dua for forgiveness prescribed by Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ).

This dua was recommended by Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) to Aisha (RA) to pray on the night of the decree; i.e. Laylatul Qadr. It is easy to memorize and very useful when recited during the making of Dua. Use this dua regularly to ask Allah (SWT) for forgiveness.

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You can read the full article about Dua for Laylatul Qadr.

Dua for forgiveness from Zina

This is one of the worst sins that come under Al-Kabirah. There is a 100 percent chance that Shaitan will trick a Muslim into engaging in such a sin. However, when a Muslim learns the punishment for zina, he would never dare to dwell on it. If a person likes someone then it is highly recommended to talk to their parents and get married as soon as possible instead of getting involved with Zina.

If zina happened in the past, the Muslim must wholeheartedly seek forgiveness as soon as possible. A Muslim must make a sincere dua for the forgiveness of zina and promise that this will not happen again in the future. Indeed, Allah (SWT) is the Most Merciful and Generous, if he/she sincerely does Taubah/repented, then the sin will surely be forgiven. InshaAllah.

Dua for Forgiveness from Surah Al-Imran

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Dua for forgiveness for hurting someone

Well, hurting someone physically or orally is definitely a sin. If a Muslim hurts someone knowingly or unknowingly, he/she must be sorry. Sorry is one of the best things to do! If you’ve hurt someone, be sorry before it’s too late for you to ask forgiveness from that person! If you want Allah (SWT) to forgive you then that person must forgive you first. Don’t let your ego dominate you.

Well, what should you do if you’ve already asked for forgiveness but the person isn’t willing to forgive you?

Well, you should keep asking until the person is convinced. If this person still hasn’t forgiven you then ask Allah (SWT) for forgiveness. Make dua in tahajjud, do good deeds, give sadaqah frequently, do all the best to be on the safe side on judgment day.

A few more tips on asking Allah for forgiveness

What else can I do to ask Allah for forgiveness?

Giving alms (Sadaqah)…

As we can see in Hadith At-Tirmidhi 614, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

Charity extinguishes sin as water extinguishes fire

Do you know the benefits of donations?

Atones Sins Alleviates Hardships You can earn rewards even after your death through Sadaqah Jariyah Blessings in Wealth and Health Increased Chance of Dua Acceptance And much more…

You receive all these benefits that can benefit you in this world and in the hereafter. Isn’t it amazing?! There is no minimum or maximum amount for charity. Sadaqah is an act of kindness. A Muslim can give any amount he/she can afford.

In addition to money, using kind words is also a form of charity. Making someone happy, saying salam, smiling with parents, visiting the sick, forgiving someone, spreading knowledge, directing someone on the street, removing harmful things from the street also falls under sadaqah (charity).

May Allah (SWT) forgive all our sins and grant us Jannah, Aameen.