One of the attributes of Iblis is despondency. That is, Iblis is despondent and sorrowful. He is a creature…

One of the attributes of Iblis is despondency. That is, Iblis is despondent and sorrowful. He is a creature who has lost hope in God and resigned himself to Hell. The thought “I don't care” is his. It is precisely in a person whom Iblis has led astray that despondency and pessimism prevail. A despondent person sees no light in tomorrow. In every event he looks only for tragedy and suffering. An optimistic person, on the other hand, is always in a state of ease and joy, delight and cheer. It pleases God when a person is not despondent but in high spirits. A king is pleased by those who place their hopes in him, not by those who have lost hope. How can we find good in every situation? If illness comes, one can rejoice that an occasion for supplication has arisen, because the dua of the sick is accepted. If those under one's authority disobey and the heart is hurt by it, one can think about the expiation of sins. If relatives and friends abandon or betray you, it is worth giving thanks that their true nature has been revealed and that you have been spared from embracing traitors; likewise, without hating them, one should mix them in among the millions of people one did not know before and does not know now — one should come to the thought, “This person is a stranger to me,” stop remembering him, and forget him completely. If one feels a problem with one's provision, one should pray earnestly, saying, “My God is the guarantor of provision,” and beg, “Show me the way.” Usually one may run into the tactless, the vile and the ignorant; one should not backbite them, but rather protect oneself by keeping away from them and look at them with a gaze of mercy. If a person does not place himself above others, he lives in peace. If he keeps in mind the destination he is heading for, he walks calmly. Most importantly, if he restrains himself from talking too much, his life passes very peacefully. Perhaps a person has committed major sins. When he remembers them, the world grows dark before his eyes — it is good to seek forgiveness and repent at once and to say these words from the depths of the heart at that very moment; the soul feels lighter, and the mistakes do not drag him like a stone into the swamp of darkness. Everything in life is easy; on social media we see only one moment of people's lives; they too grieve; they too have much pain; their show, if you look closely, is very funny. It is beautiful to live in seclusion with lawful provision, enjoying peace with faithful people. Calm like a deep river gives great power; not boasting “I am calm” is a positive sign. Looking at people and animals with eyes of mercy; not letting the hurt caused by the ignorant into the heart; fleeing far from the company of the hard-hearted; not reproaching people — this is the key to tranquility (sakinah). He who does not cling to anyone wins — let whoever wishes stay, and whoever wishes leave. Care for those who stay, and strive to forget those who leave. Life is very good; living is a very worthwhile thing. Let whoever worries that sin has increased in the world come to his senses, guard himself against sins, and weep in humble repentance before God; that is enough. Praying for the people, not making claims about one's good deeds, not showing oneself off saying “I, I, I” is a beautiful way. By the way, he who has not become a slave crying “work, work, work” is free. A free, liberated person works for part of the day, rests for part of it, and worships for part of it. The purpose of work is simply to pursue the means of provision, not to become a slave to someone or to work itself for the sake of work. So what if people pay no attention to us? They are not obliged to. So what if they do not help? They are not obliged to. It is enough that we pay attention and that we help. Advice to someone who has learned nothing from life and feels no need to learn is like plucking a tanbur for a deaf ear. May optimism, generosity of spirit, smiles and love be with us all! Jumu'ah mubarak, my dear ones!