Faith Friday: Start Your Day with a Bang

There are days when I wake up feeling blah and anxious. 

I should confess that I am a stress-head. I worry and over-analyse about absolutely everything. 

Fine, not everything. Most things. They range from what I should wear for the day to wishing my teeth were straighter. I also like to envision how my day will turn out and when it doesn't  go as planned I do get a little frustrated. Yes, I am a so-called perfectionist and I can be pedantic. If I can't give 100% on something then I probably won't commit to it. On top of that, I also worry about the state of the Earth and humanity (no kidding). I blame this on the fact that I am a classic Virgo. 

Or the fact that I'm not much of a morning person.

Trust me, I'm trying to work on my issues. 

Having said that, I've recently discovered a great way to start my mornings. After performing Fajr (dawn) prayer one day I decided to open the Holy Qur'an and read Surah Fajr. It's currently my favourite surah to read every morning. It's not very long but it's filled with the best reminders for the beginning of any day and it really does put things into perspective.

This particular surah addresses issues that we face as humans everyday. Arrogance, corruption (especially of powerful leaders), ingratitude, impatience, selfishness, injustice towards orphans and the poor, and the dangers of excessive love for material wealth. 

I feel that through Surah Fajr, Allah subhana wa taala is telling us everything we need to remember before we go out to the open world and start our daily lives. It even mentions the coming of  Judgement Day to warn us about how we will accountable for all our deeds and that everything comes from Him - the good and the bad - because this life is a test to see who will have humility and patience and practice righteousness. What I love most about this surah is its powerful ending.

 I imagine how it would feel to hear my Creator say these words to me...  

(It will be said to the pious): "O (you) the one in (complete) rest and satisfaction!
"Come back to your Lord, Well-pleased (yourself) and well-pleasing unto Him!
"Enter you, then, among My honoured slaves,
"And enter you My Paradise!"

Doesn't that leave you feeling completely inspired to do good deeds that will please Him throughout the day?   Shouldn't we strive to gain life in Paradise, a life that is eternally blissful, instead of only dedicating our lives to this imperfect world that is only temporary? Now that's what I call starting your day with a bang. Spiritually, at least!