Cultivating Your Spiritual Life

Cultivating Your Spiritual Life
Throughout the Qur'an, the Holy Book of the Muslims, Allah -to whom all praise is due-speaks of His many 'Signs' which are manifest within creation. These signs are meant to give us insight and guidance for our spiritual lives here on this plane of existence. In one such verse He says:
"For among His Signs is this, that you see the earth barren, but when We send down water (rain) to it, it is stirred to life and growth (of vegetation). Verily, He Who gives it life, surely, (He) is Able to give life to the dead (on the Day of Resurrection). Indeed! He is Able to do all things." (Quran 41:39)
These signs of Allah are meant to provide guidance for us. In this verse Allah gives us an illustration that He has the power to resurrect the "dead heart" just as He can resurrect the dead earth. But why the analogy with the earth? In another verse of the Qur'an, Allah says:
And Allah has produced you from the earth growing (gradually). (Quran 71:17)
The word "nabaat" means "plants, vegetation". In this verse Allah compares mankind to that of plants. He compares our growth/evolution physically and spiritually to the stage by stage growth of plants. Plants grow from the earth gradually. Once they reach a certain stage they are eventually "returned" to the earth via their seeds, pollination, decay etc. The cycle is then repeated. We also come from the earth growing gradually. We will eventually be returned to the earth. And as Allah teaches us in the Qur'an, we will be raised there from. But this verse also refers to our spiritual evolution as well.

Metaphorically speaking, Allah raises us from "earth". "Earth" in scriptural language represents this mortal, worldly life, with all its pursuits and pleasures, as well as materialistic concepts as opposed to the disciplined spiritual life and its concerns. Allah evolves us from being mere "earthly", physicalized, materially oriented beings to spiritually oriented beings. When our father Adam was created, he was created as a physical being first and then Allah blew his spirit into him. We too are created in this fashion. We are first created physically in the womb, then we receive "Ruh" or "spirit" from God. This is a sign of our gradual "growth" here on earth. This lets us know that the "earth" is not without purpose. It is here from which we realize our purpose. It is here where we must achieve sublimation, moving from worldly concepts and concerns to more elevated spiritual ones.
Plants grow from the earth and evolve toward the source of light, but they must be "cultivated". There are four fundamental stages in cultivation. They are:
1. Cleaning or changing the environment. This includes removing weeds (harmful things), internal and external debris from the soil.

2. Breaking up the soil - to prepare for sowing seeds.

3. Sowing / planting seeds.
4. Nurturing - which includes plenty of sunlight and
water.
These are the basic steps we must follow when we grow plants, or grow a garden of plants. These four steps can also be applied to us and our spiritual life as Muslims, Catholics, Christians or any spiritual path we may follow. In our spiritual lives it is our souls that we must cultivate. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"By the soul and the order and proportion given to it; and its inspiration as to its wrong and its right; truly he succeeds that purifies it."
Whether we are cultivating soil or our souls we must follow the proper steps.

The first stage in cultivation is cleaning/changing the environment. This entails removing the "weeds" or harmful things that will hinder our spiritual growth. This was the methodology of the Prophets and Messengers of God. They "cleaned" up the concepts of false gods first. With regards to the mission of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) we have an excellent example. He (Peace be upon him) instructed his companions, when they introduced Al-Islam to people, to first enjoin upon them "Tawheed" (monotheism). He (peace be upon him) told them to be sure that this concept was understood first before teaching anything else pertaining to the religion. We have a hint of how important this is from the Qur'an itself. Out of 114 surahs (chapters) of the Qur'an, 86 of them were revealed in Makkah. These Surahs primarily deal with the concept of God and man's relationship with Him. The Prophet spent thirteen of the twenty-three years that the Qur'an was revealed, removing the false concepts concerning Allah, and replacing them with correct ones. It is the corrupt ways of thinking that have to be changed first.

With regards to Muslims not terrorists, the first stage for purifying/cultivating the soul is the (Declaration of Faith). The "Shahaadah" is in two parts. One is a statement of negation. We say, "Laa ilaaha..." Literally meaning, "There is no god but Allah..." It is more commonly translated and understood as meaning, "There is absolutely nothing worthy or deserving of worship..." This statement removes the "weeds". It includes all false gods, false concepts and anything that we may give excessive devotion to. It is in this stage where we truly succeed or fail with regards to our spiritual evolution. Many of us, when beginning our spiritual journey, don't quite purge ourselves of old concepts. If we don't remove the "weeds" and debris, there will be no successful outcome.

After removing the harmful substances/concepts, we move to stage two. We break up the soil/earth (materialistic, worldly concepts we held as being sacred). We must break up the bad habits of the soul. We remove from our lives customs that are not conducive to proper spiritual evolution. Many of us still have problems because we hold on to old habits and customs; habits and customs that have already proven to be detrimental to our physical, mental, and most importantly, our spiritual well-being. The breaking of the soil is the stage before sowing the seed. You can't plant seeds without first breaking the soil. Your soil is your soul. Your soul is your soil. Notice the letters that make these words different: "u" and "i"; and it is you and "I" that makes the difference in our cultivation of our souls. But we must follow the stages of cultivation if we are to succeed. There are no shortcuts.

After breaking up the soil/soul we "fertilize" it with the second part of the "Shahaadah". After saying, "Laa ilaah…" "There is nothing worthy of worship..." or "There is no god...", we say "...illallah", which means, "...except the one God, Allah". We remove false concepts with the negating statement and we replace them with true concepts. With the proper concepts of God in place, we can now move on to stage three, sowing/planting seeds.
The seed is that which is the source of development or growth. It has within it the means or stimulus for growing and developing. The "seeds" that are planted in the now fertile soil/soul are the seeds of: Revelation (God's Word), Truth, God consciousness (Taqwa), sincerity, honesty, etc. These seeds are the sources of growth and development for our spiritual lives. In stage three we sow/plant the seeds, and we must understand that we will "reap what we sow" whether positive or negative. Once the seeds are sown we move to stage four which is nurturing. This includes providing plenty of sunlight and water.
"Sun" in scriptural language represents or symbolizes:

the light of understanding, the mind, the light of scripture (revealed knowledge). Just as the material seed needs the light of the sun to foster its growth in the soil, the seeds of Revelation, Truth, God consciousness, sincerity, honesty, etc. needs the "light" of understanding, they need the mind to reflect and ponder over. They also need the "light" of scripture. It is worth mentioning here that although God's Word is a "seed" for the soul; a source of growth and development, it also provides nourishment. It is the ongoing study and contemplation of the Word of God that nourishes the "seeds" implanted in the soul.

For Muslims our "light" of scripture, the revealed word from God, is the Qur'an. It is called, "Kitaabun Nur", the "Book of Light". It leads us from the darkness of "the earth" - materialism, worldliness - to light; spirituality (disciplined life.) Allah says:
"A Book which We have revealed unto you, in order that you might lead mankind out of the depth of darkness into light - by the leave of their Lord - to the Way of (Him) the Exalted in Power worthy of all Praise!" (Quran 14:1)

Without light the plant dies. Without the "light" of scripture the "seeds" within the soul dies. They also need water/rain. "Water" in scriptural language represents or symbolizes: scriptural doctrine/teaching, knowledge, moral strength, and moral nature. It is the source of all life. The source of spiritual life is "scripture". "Rain" in scriptural language represents or symbolizes: inspiration, purity/purification, and moral purity. We must bring these to the seeds of Revelation, etc. in order to have success. God sends down rain/water to nourish the earth and foster growth. Allah says:

"It is He Who sends the Winds like heralds of glad tidings, going before His Mercy when they have carried the heavy-laden clouds. We drive them to a land that is dead, make rain to descend thereon, and produce every kind of harvest therewith. Thus shall we raise up the dead. Perchance you may remember. From the land that is clean and good, by the Will of its Cherisher, springs up produce, (rich) after its kind. But from the land that is bad, springs up nothing but that which is scanty. Thus do We explain the Signs by various (symbols) to those Who are grateful." (Quran 7:57-58)
It is the scriptural doctrine/teaching (Qur'an), morality, knowledge, etc. that fosters the growth of our spiritual lives; that cultivates our souls. If you went through the first three stages and your soul/soil is clean and pure, you will benefit. If not and your soul is still full of "weeds" and old concepts and habits you will not benefit. The nourishing is of no benefit to the soul that is still "corrupted" and impure. Allah says:
"Indeed this is a Qur'an most honorable, in a Book well- guarded, which none shall touch except those who are clean." (Quran 56:77-79)

Only the pure/clean soul can derive benefit. You cannot grow/develop plants in soil that is not properly cultivated. The same is true for our soul. We must cultivate it properly. We must remove the "weeds" (garbage), break up the bad and evil habits that we seem to keep holding on to, sow/plant "seeds" (concepts), and nourish it with prayer, charity, fasting, scripture, morality, etc. In the end we will succeed. We will have a beautiful garden, "The Garden" - Jannah!

God sees all the little things you do; He's interested in more than just "big" things. The fruit of His Spirit--such as kindness, patience, and self-control--often manifests itself in quiet ways that others may never give you credit for. But such spiritual seeds accomplish powerful work in His kingdom.
When a bad thought enters your mind, do not allow it to grow as it will corrupt other thoughts too. Whenever you get a bad thought, just close your eyes and eliminate it completely from your mind.
This way, your mind will remain as fresh as a garden and blossom with flowers of fragrance. The flowers of fragrance are nothing but acts of kindness and service that you offer to other people. You can offer help to those around you only when your mind is filled with good and positive thoughts. A positive mind always stays calm and is ever strong, where as a negative mind always wavers and is loud. When your thoughts are filled with acts of kindness and generosity, happiness and peace will always surround you. You will find satisfaction in all your actions. When your thoughts are filled with anger, hatred or jealousy, indifference arises within you and starts to spread out from you. This thought of yours will make you to be unsatisfied with your actions and in turn takes your desires and needs to a higher level. Thoughts are the basic foundation for your actions. So let your actions speak your

Good thoughts not only empower you, but also empower your surroundings. When a good thought enters your mind, implement it into action. This motivates others to follow your actions. Gradually, the whole environment around you will be filled with good thoughts and acts of kindness and generosity start to spread across humanity making this a better place to live in.

So always maintain good thoughts as these will generate a good behavior. A good behavior is always characterized by discipline and values which mould your destiny into a golden one. By allowing good thoughts to enter into your mind, happiness can be seen on your face just like the sunbeams of the Sun. This will surely make others to follow your footsteps. Whatever may be the situation in your life, always try to focus on positive thoughts as these will bring evergreen happiness and satisfaction in your life.
Note
Islamic sects (denominations) go against the Quran.
Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him) said “Jews got divided into seventy one groups and Christians got divided into seventy two groups and my nation will get divided into seventy three groups. All the groups will enter the Hell except just Muslim or just Christian or just Jew without anything before or after.

Followers of various sects may keep arguing with you infinitely, but this is the fact of the matter. We have more than 73 sects, this itself is the testimony that the founders of these sects broke away from the mainstream Islam because of their misunderstanding of the basic Islamic beliefs.

I condemn all those who mislead people in the name of religion, try to impose their ill gotten views and take advantage of gullible Muslims.
Allah named us Muslims

I am a Muslim and nothing but Muslim and will not consider any Muslim or anyone lesser or greater than me. I will further resist the temptations to add a prefix/suffix to the word Muslim.