1) The Nature of Man .7 Ways to Put a Smile on Somebody Else's Face

Man is both physical and spiritual because Almighty Allah created him with body and soul. His body - the physical aspect of his existence needs material things. On the other hand, his soul - the spiritual aspect of his existence does not need material things. Both body and soul must be nurtured to the fullest in accordance with what has been prescribed by Almighty Allah. Narrated 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud: Allah's Apostle the true and truly inspired, narrated to us, "The creation of everyone of you starts with the process of collecting the material for his body within forty days and forty nights in the womb of his mother. Then he becomes a clot of thick blood for a similar period (40 days)and then he becomes like a piece of flesh for a similar period. Then an angel is sent to him (by Allah).... and the soul is breathed into him."
Man is created weak. Allah said in the Holy Qur'an, "Allah desires that He should make light your burdens, and man is created weak" (Surat An-Nis?' [4:28]). Indeed by nature, he is forgetful, ungrateful, and despiteful. By nature he always clamor for more and more. His wants can never be satisfied. Forgetful and ungrateful are intertwined. When one is ungrateful he is neglectful and unmindful of things that usually matters in social dealing with others. He becomes insensitive to the feelings of others and thus tend to be inconsiderate. He deos not appreciate the value of things. Allah said in the Holy Qur'an, " And if We give man a taste of mercy from Us and then We withdraw it from him, indeed, he is despairing and ungrateful " (Surat H?d [11:9]).
" And He gives you of all that you ask Him; and if you count Allah's favors, you will not be able to number them; most surely man is very unjust, very ungrateful "(Surat 'Ibr?h?m [14:34]).
" And when adversity touches you at sea, lost are [all] those you invoke except for Him. But when He delivers you to the land, you turn away [from Him]. And ever is man ungrateful " (Surat Al-'Isr? [17:67]).
" It is He Who gave you life, will cause you to die, and will again give you life: Truly man is a most ungrateful creature!" (Surat Al-?aj [22:66]).
" ... over them as a guardian; upon you is only [the duty of] notification. And indeed, when We let man taste mercy from us, he rejoices in ... him for what his hands have put forth, then indeed, man is ungrateful " (Surat Ash-Sh?raá [42:48]).
" But they have attributed to Him from His servants a portion. Indeed, man is clearly ungrateful " (Surat Az-Zukhruf [43:15]).
" Be cursed (the disbelieving) man! How ungrateful he is!" (Surat `Abasa [80:17]).
:" Verily! Man (disbeliever) is ungrateful to his Lord;" (Surat Al-`?diy?t [100:6]).
But Allahu Tabaraka wa 'Taala is the All-Knower for indeed He created man with the ultimate purpose of worshipping Him alone. He endowed him with special powers so as to overcome his being weak. He revealed the Qur'an and sent down the ultimate Messenger- Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, as a clear guidance for mankind. Allah said in the Holy Qur'an, " Say: "O you mankind! Now truth (i.e. the Quran and Prophet Muhammad SAW), has come to you from your Lord. So whosoever receives guidance, he does so for the good of his own self, and whosoever goes astray, he does so to ..." (Surat Y?nus [10:108]).
" This (the Quran) is a plain statement for mankind, a guidance and instruction to those who are Al-Muttaqun " (Surat '?li `Imr?n [3:138]) (the pious - see V.2:2).
" And this is a Book which We have revealed as a blessing: so follow it and be righteous, that ye may receive mercy " (Surat Al-'An`?m [6:155]).
" O mankind, there has to come to you instruction from your Lord and healing for what is in the breasts and guidance and mercy for the believers." (Surat Y?nus [10:57]),

" This [Qur'an] is enlightenment for mankind and guidance and mercy for a people who are certain [in faith]." (Surat Al-J?thiyah [45:20]).

Man has both the negative and positive attributes. As stated earlier, he is weak, forgetful, ungratefu, desireful - that lead him to be envious of others, materialistic and hedonistic in attitude. On the contrary, he has the positive attributes: a human being, a rational being, a social being, a political being, a supra animal. Having all these positive qualities, he must overcome his negative and bad attributes. His intellect and will give him the capacity to transcend himself as truly a righteous blessed servant of Almighty Allah. " And those who are blessed, they will be in Paradise, abiding therein for all the time that the heavens and the earth endure, except as your Lord will, a gift without an end " (Surat H?d [11:108]).

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2) 7 Ways to Put a Smile on Somebody Else's Face