The Essential Arts

"As you do, so shall you be rewarded." Prophet Muhammad

Realize, as you project yourself, so shall you be perceived.

The art of navigating the road of life is not to be a victim of what happens to you; but rather to be an architect of the road and making things happen.

The art of problem-solving lies in your attitude and approach to the problem; think positively, often the problem lies in how we look at things.

The art of positive thinking is to have a positive image of yourself not by proclaiming your goodness in words but proclaim your goodness in deeds.

The art of being you-nique is not in how you appear but rather in letting what you do and how you do it be a reflection of what you are.

You are the only "you" that there is; no one can think with your mind, speak with your voice and smile with your face, cry with your tears or act with your body but you. So be the best "you" that you can be.

As you choose good, decent and pleasant people to associate with, make yourself deserving of those associations. (Would you befriend "you" if you were someone else?)

The art of speaking is not in the volume of words or sound but rather in the wisdom of the content. (Do not say all that you think and think carefully of what you say).

The art of criticism lies not in succeeding to find faults, but in finding a means whereby the fault is realized and corrected.

The art of disagreement is not in being hostile and adamant but in being able to disagree without being disagreeable.

The art of joyfulness is not only being happy yourself but in increasing that joy by bringing happiness to the lives of others.

The art of inspiring is to uplift others by suggestion and demonstration rather than by injunction and dictation.

The art of social living is not to appear better than others but in bringing out the best in yourself and facilitate bringing out the best of others.

The art of solitude is not only in occupying yourself when you are alone but in enjoying the company of the one you are alone with.

The art of personality is to commit yourself to being of benefit to the world and occupy yourself with so much striving to improve yourself that you have less time to criticize others.

The art of life is not passing time in this world (see Quran 57:20), but is to be like the candle recognizing the inevitability of death while bringing light to the world as it is consumed.

The reality of life is change, the challenge of life is to live it to its full, the lesson of life is its temporariness, the wisdom of life is to learn from the past and leave a better world for the future.

Sadullah Khan was the Director of Islamic Center of Irvine. He has presented lectures on Islamic Civilization at California State University at Dominguez Hills. He is a frequent lecturer for the Academy of Judaic, Christian and Islamic Studies at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles). He is also an advisor to the Chancellor's Committee on Religion Ethics and Values at UCLA and serves as Director of Muslim Affairs at USC (University of Southern California).

You can watch his lectures on Empowerment at IslamiTV

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