Prayer The first deed human is questioned about Best deed to come closer to Allah Sunnah of Fajr is better than life Salah in congregation 27 times. MAS Boston - Personal Development Plan Categories and Level Importance Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level4 Pray on time -Pray the important Pray all the sunnah Take care of Fajr, Sunnah (Fajr, Maghrib, regularly Asr, and Witr) Get used to pray in Congregation -Other sunnahs the masjid (daily) prayer -concentration and focus on prayer Fasting Fasting is a protection (against evil) Prophet fasts on Mondays and Thursdays 3 days in a month Sadaka wealth Wealth is not decreased by sadaka Angel orders to drive cloud and rain to man who gives 1/3 as charity. Charity is a Proof (of Iman) Spend oh Son of Adam and Allah will spend on you Fast Ramadan Remember fasting from bad deeds as well (Hadith). Paying Zakat on time Hajj returns as pure as day born mental preparation for time to make hajj Night Prayer the best prayer after Fard Prophet Prays at night until feet swollen. Closest time to Allah Pray few rakas anytime after isha - Fast important days : Arafat, six days in Shawal, Ashura, beginig of Dhul Hijja, Fast three days every month Getting used to monthly sadaka whenever you see a need and on regular basis Empathy with the needy put a plan : when, how? Prepare vacation Start saving up Getting up for night prayer 1-4 times per month (some right before fajr) Each time 30 minutes or more Fast Mondays and Thursdays Du aa during fasting and before breaking the fast specific monthly amount that goes for a good cause monthly pledge. Monthly pledge of regular 5, 10, 25% of income. wealth all belongs to Allah and I am entrusted on it. Saving up more rigorously Longing to go to hajj Get up for night prayer (1-3) times per week Taking comfort in the night prayer Pray in the masjid all the times which are possible. Deeply focused on Allah and the prayer during the prayer Fast every other day Contemplate the wisdom of fasting 1/3 of one s income goes to charity holding self accountable to every penny spent Going to Hajj and Umra every night before fajr. Night prayer is a special relationship with Allah & nearness to Him
Quran Quran (cont.) do not make your houses graves in Day of Judgment, person status elevated in paradise based on Quran memorized Quran is healing Dhikr likeness of one who makes zikr and one who does not is like dead and alive I am with the one who remembers me Prophetic advise : let your tongue always be remembering Allah Hadith Indeed, you have the best example in the Prophet Ilm Systematic, fundament al, religious knowledge Whoever travels seeking education: in the path of Allah The knowledgeable person is much more valuable than just the worshipper Weekly reading sessions of about 1 Juzz per week Start all deeds with Bismillah (in the name of Allah) Familiarity with 40 hadith Memorization of 1-2 hadeeth Learning the details of the obligatory deeds : prayer, abulution, fasting, Ex Fiqh Assunah Daily readings even if a single page per day Start learning Tajweed Special daily Azkar (ex maathourat) Daily portions 100 times of special azkar (many specially mentioned by prophet) Memorize specific Du as of the prophet (ex:after prayer) Attend classes (Hadith, Fikh, Arabic,..) specific tapes (audio, video) Learn Tajweed More portion in daily reading Weekly memorization (ex one page per week) Deep reflections on some verses Incorporating in life all the special azkar (after prayer, food, sleep, bathroom, car, house, etc..) Presence with Allah during dhikr Weekly reading of hadeeth, e.g. Riyadus-Saliheen Memorize some hadith, especially Duas Feeling closeness to prophet (pbuh) through hadeeth study Specific curriculum and specific readings per week. Learning a branch of knowledge in a systematic way Applying what you know with accountability for it At least 1 Juzz/day Fuller Application of Quran in life More systematic memorization Plan to finish memorizing quran Incorporating Zikr all the time : while driving, walking, etc Incorporate the remembrance of Allah in everything Deep consciousness of Allah at all times Reading, memorization, Tafsir of Hadith Feeling that you miss the prophet (pbuh) and longing to be in his company Systematic learning in an Islamic Univ (IAU, AOU,..) being tested over material not just reading. Sense responsibility as heir to prophet (pbuh)
General knowledge Contempo rary Education Islamic work We need to understand Islam as a message and understand our role as a mission from Allah Rib iyy ibn Amir, Allah sent us forth... whoever does not care about the affairs of the Muslims is not one of them Stay with the group. The wolves eats from the lone sheep Profession Allah loves that whoever does a job does it with perfection Devotion, Austerity Prophet and his family were never full from a meal prophet sleeps on plain carpet questioned in the day of judgment over all luxuries. general readings islamic books and tapes attending conferences general concern for the affairs of the Muslim community all over the world. going to general classes and meetings in the community. Providing general help to the community. purify intention that the daily work/study you do is for the sake of Allah. Do work with honesty Don t squander spending Aware of spending on food and cloth and personal luxuries deeper readings of books such as Seerah,.. readings for contemporary scholars Buying magazines, books, etc.. that discuss current affairs (Palestine, Iraq, civil rights, history of the US,..) joining executive committees within the community organization. master the work you are doing. Don t buy unnecessary things. Don t get hooked on unnecessary things (soft drinks, AC, comfortable bed,..) learning more of an Islamic leader,movement, ideas islamic library at home Feel inspired by the ideas Seeking out brs. & srs. from different backgrounds and learning about their history & current affairs Working with organized Islamic movement Try to find ways to help the community using the skills that you have. Eating basic food Living a simple life Do not envy anyone for any portion of dunya that he/she has - readings from contemporary islamic sciences (political science, economy, philosophy, psychology, history,..) -teaching what you learn and feeling passionately its impact for the ummah detailed case research on contemporary issues (civil rights, patriot act,..) Carrying more responsibilities within the Islamic movement and organization Recognized leader in your field & serving Islam through that recognition Giving up some habits some days (sleep on floor, eat dry food,..) Being pleased with Allah and what He has given you
Dawa Advise (Nasiha) is the essence of Islam Forbid evil and enjoin good is obligation on this Ummah Manners I Came to complete good manners ask/invite friends to attend community events to benefit Islamically leaving enormities (al kabaaeir) avoid looking to unlawuful honesty keep promise invite those you know to commit to Islam Serving the non- Muslim community motivated by Islam watchful of speech non-useful talk, anger, gasping, backbiting,.. punctual list your bad manners and fight invite those you know or do not know to islam Forbid evil in the best way Being a role model aware of harms of TV patient do not complain humble Giving lectures and lessons. Political activism Others imitate prophetic manners in all actions forgive transgression against you Notes: watch out for the non measurable items : khushu3, intention, humbleness, not getting caught in the quantity over the quality. Importance of gradualism in implementation Daily accountability is crucial Never happy with where I am - push self a little. Effective follow up mechanism (with self, friend, mentor, MAS Usra) Comprehensive plan Realistic and achievable The continuous small is better than the temporary big Balanced (various types of activities) Good company is key Continuous Dua and dependence on Allah SWT Wa la tamnun tastaksir not to think that one is doing a lot.
PDP: Allah does not change the situation of a people, until they change themselves Name : Date : Main Quantity (D/w/m) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Item Grade Total Grade
Sample PDP: Allah does not change the situation of a people, until they change themselves (SAMPLE PDP) Main week week week Quantity (D/w/m) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Item Grade Quran ½ juz per day 5 days A reading only Quran 5 verses per wk 7 verses 3 verses 0 verses 10 verses 5 verses 7 0 10 B+ memo verses Quiam 2 times per week Once only Fasting 5 times per month This week 1x Azkar 2x per day 4 days Prayer on 5x per day All ok time Exercise 1x per week 2xwk Sunan Rawatib 12 per day Avg 10xday Ilm 1 book x month 50 pgs Backbiting Grade self 1x bad Family Weekend trip none Help other At least 3x wk 2x Lwr gaze Grade B Isl Work 7 hrs x wk 7 hrs Temper Grade B Grade B- B