Answer
Short Answer: No matter how brimming your schedule is you should try not to compromise on your prayers. It takes most, 5-7 minutes to pray the four-unit prayer and less time for the lesser ones. Make sure that you offer prayers along with your children. Even if they are young, as it will help you to offer your prayer and at the same time the kids will get into the habit of praying as well. You can also make prayer logs and have the kids put a sticker on the prayer they performed, and then at the end of the week, you can treat them for their accomplishments. God has sent us to earth for a purpose, try and implement this purpose in your kids’ lives, through small daily activities that remind them of God. Once you take steps closer to God, He will fill your life with tranquility.
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How do I Rekindle the Practices of Faith that Have Become A Haze to Me?
When a person keeps practicing something it ends up becoming a habit of theirs. A habit that ends up becoming a part of one’s being. Which, if forgotten to do, will take away one’s tranquility.
What is Religion?
If you look up on Google, religion is explained as belief and worship of a superhuman controlling power. And if you ask yourself, who is this entity?
The answer would be pretty obvious, of course, it is God. God is the one in control of all types of things living and not. When one realizes this then it should make him ponder about how small he is in comparison to other creations of God, i.e. mountains, oceans. So one should firmly believe in God’s absolute abilities. Allah says in the Quran,
“so that you might know that Allah has power over all things and that Allah encompasses all things in His knowledge.” (Quran 65:12)
This connection that you start feeling, with God and His religion, is a force that pulls you towards God. When that happens then know that you’re traveling in the right direction. You have discovered the illuminated walkway that you were meant to follow and the teachings of this path is what keeps you connected to God. Narrated Ana’s ibn Malik,
“I heard ‘Umar speaking while standing on the pulpit of the Prophet in the morning (following the death of the Prophet), when the people had sworn allegiance to Abu Bakr. He said the Tashah-hud before Abu Bakr, and said, “Amma Ba’du (then after) Allah has chosen for his Apostle what is with Him (Paradise) rather than what is with you (the world). This is that Book (Quran) with which Allah guided your Apostle, so stick to it, for then you will be guided on the right path as Allah guided His Apostle with it.”
Importance of following the schooling
How important is the cultivation of your religion? Extremely! It is this tutelage, that helps shape your mind, body, and soul. One can only belong to a group which he is committed to.
For instance, there is a wide variety of people in the world, will you befriend each and everyone that comes your way? Let’s say that you do, then which friendship do you think will last longer? It will be the friends that have the same goal as you and in addition to are committed people.
The keyword here is being committed. By following the commandments that are attached to the job description you guarantee your presence in that group. Your religion is exactly the same way, it needs your commitment no matter how tough life gets. It is like a pledge you take to uphold the values of your religion and believe in their sanctity. Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, said,
“A time of patience will come to people in which adhering to one’s religion is like grasping a hot coal.”
Self Motivation
God has made us human beings he is our creator and designer. Then, of course, he knows what each one of us is capable of. There are times when your faith will be very strong and you will be fulfilling all your prayers, and even perform extra good deeds. However, it will not always be that way. Some days you will be busy and will lack desire.
Faith is never static it increases, decreases, waxes, and wanes. It is our responsibility to assess where our faith is and make it our duty to constantly work towards improving it. Keep moving forward. As you mentioned that you have children and are by yourself, without any help. Children are not meant to put your life on pause, but while they are young you have the power to shape them by embedding within them the love of God. Take things nice and easy, start off small- take baby steps to make it easy for you to reach your goal.
Some Tips to Practice
No matter how brimming your schedule is you should try not to compromise on your prayers. It takes most, 5-7 minutes to pray the four-unit prayer and less time for the lesser ones. Make sure that you offer prayers along with your children. Even if they are young, as it will help you to offer your prayer and at the same time the kids will get into the habit of praying as well. You can also make prayer logs and have the kids put a sticker on the prayer they performed, and then at the end of the week, you can treat them for their accomplishments.
Also, try and recite the morning and evening adkhar as a family, you can even put it on a device and let it play every morning and evening it would help with the memorization of these short duas. Our religion is filled with etiquette, such as duas before and after eating when leaving the house, and so forth. Try to say it loudly with the kids as this will serve as a reminder to them.
God has sent us to earth for a purpose, try and implement this purpose in your kids’ lives, through small daily activities that remind them of God. Once you take steps closer to God, He will fill your life with tranquility.
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said,
“Take up good deeds only as much as you are able, for the best deeds are those done regularly even if they are few.” Sunan Ibn Mājah 4240
And Allah knows best.
I hope this helps.
Salam and please keep in touch.
(From Ask About Islam archive)
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