Monday, August 16, 2010

Great, Wow, Fantastic!

As salaamu alaikum wa Rahmat Allah!

Do you ever use these words?

Someone tells you they passed their exam and you say, "Great!"

Your friend tells you about the designer bag she bought for $1 and you say, "Wow!"

Your child runs up and says, "I just did a cartwheel for the first time!" and you respond, "Fantastic!"

Well, there are words from the Sunnah that that could be used as replacements or additions inshaa Allah.

Here are the scenarios:

Someone tells you they passed their exam, and you say, "Alhamdul'Illah!"

Your friend tells you about the designer bag she bought for $1 and you say, "Mashaa Allah!"

Your child runs up and says, "I just did a cartwheel for the first time!" and you respond, "Subhaan Allah!"

Yes, it is important to give praise, to recognize achievements, to encourage and reward. But is is even more important to recognize that there is no success without Allah, subhaana wa taala. If we are to give praise and thanks, surely the One Who has provided the success, blessing or achievement should be recognized, thanked, and praised first.

Not only do you reward the person with praise, you remind them of the fact that Allah was the cause of their success.

Not only do you remind them, but you gain the reward of remembering Allah, subhaana wa taala, who loves it when we remember Him and in turn remembers us.

The simple replacement of those words in every day life will have a profound effect on your family and those around you. My children's first words of wonder and praise were subhaan Allah and Alhamdul'Illah. Those words are an integral part of their basic vocabulary. When asked how they are, they respond, "alhamdul'Illah," much to the confusion of the non-Muslims (lol). Drop those words, and other words of praise and remembrance of Allah, around your home like sparkling diamonds, and inshaa Allah they will shine a light for you on Yawm al Qiyamah.

May every day be filled with barakaat for you all - ameen.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Followers