Good Manners

Good manners dictate that you should reciprocate the one who does you a favour. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined that and said: “Whoever does you a favour, then reciprocate, and if you cannot find anything with which to reciprocate, then pray for him until you think that you have reciprocated him.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (1672); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani. 

If you are not able to reciprocate with a gift, or helping with some task, or offering some service, etc, then at least you can say du’aa’ for him, and this du’aa’ may be a means of bringing him happiness in this world and in the Hereafter. 

One of the best forms of du’aa’ for the one who has done you a favour is that which is mentioned in the Sunnah: 

It was narrated that Usaamah ibn Zayd (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever has a favour done for him and says to the one who did it, ‘Jazak Allaahu khayran,’ has done enough to thank him.” 
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi (1958) and by al-Nasaa’i in al-Sunan al-Kubra (6/53); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi. 

(Source: Islam QA)

Paradise and Hell

Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Paradise is surrounded with difficulties and Hell is surrounded with desires.” 

Being saved from Hell and becoming deserving of Paradise requires great self-discipline and strict intellectual and spiritual training.

Hell is an abode of torment placed within an attractive setting of enticing lures and pleasures. If we are captivated and live only to satisfy such desires, we are lured toward Hell. To reach Paradise, we first have to train ourselves to ignore worldly attractions.

To reach Paradise, we must persevere, endure affliction, perform what is obligatory, avoid sin, and thank God for His bounties and blessings.

[Source: Friday nasiha, Fethullah Gulen]

Focus in Salah

Imagine the moment you do your salah with complete focus and engagement, feeling who you stand before and you heart seems to depart this world to dwell for a few minutes in Paradise in the presence of its Creator!
How huge our loss is when we pray the prayer just to get it off our shoulders!

Prayer is the sample taste of Paradise Allah gives to those who truly love Him and look forward for the next prayer!

Your feelings towards the next prayer reflects your feelings about meeting Allah; either looking forward to it or trying to get over with, and all will show at the time of death!

(Source: Smart Muslims)

For Sake of Allah

Remember that if a person gives up something for the sake of Allaah, Allaah will compensate him with something better than it, and that He will provide for the one who fears Him, and He will bless him and provide for him from sources he could never imagine. 

Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says:

"And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allâh, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allâh will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allâh has set a measure for all things. " [al-Talaaq 65:2-3]

Quote

Shaykh ibn al-Uthaymeen rahimahullah beautifully said:

“By Allah, sins effect the security of a land; they effect its ease, its prosperity, its economy; and they effect the hearts of its people. Sins cause alienation between people. Sins cause one Muslim to regard his Muslim brother as if he were upon a religion other than Islam. 
But if we sought to rectify ourselves, our families, our neighbors, and those in our areas, and everyone we are able to rectify, if we mutually encouraged good and forbade evil, if we assisted those who do this with wisdom and wise admonition- then it would produce unity and harmony.”