Topic: Ways to help oneself pray Qiyam al-Layl

[Ummkulthum]

that is exactly it. Avoiding sins is the toughest of all.

avoiding sins is far more difficult than doing the obligations.

True, but this is what we need to aim for, to learn self-discipline, to realise that this life is only for a short while, and the desires, the luxuries of this dunya are all a deception if we give in. One way we can avoid sinning, is to remember that Allah is watching us, to realise that our deeds are been recorded, and by remembering death {the destroyer o all pleasures}...so that we may fear Allah, and distance outselves from our sinful acts.

It is tough no doubt...but we need to control ourselves and reflect in order to succeed.

[Sami Yusuf Islam]

True, but this is what we need to aim for, to learn self-discipline,

the issue is that you often find in yourself enough self-discipline, but not peer-discipline......

Peer pressure is the worst of all......

you can teach your kid for *** 20 years *** how hateful it is to smoke, how ugly the smell of tobacco is, and how sad it is to burn £5 to £10 everyday to do harm to your lungs when this same amount of money could give the ramadan meal to five families starving somewhere in Sudan or Somalia......

Then your kid meets a couple of nasty lads who smoke, and a couple of *** days *** later your kid is smoking like every one else........

What happened in those couple of days to your 20 year long education ?

it is peer pressure........

[Ummkulthum]

the issue is that you often find in yourself enough self-discipline, but not peer-discipline......

Peer pressure is the worst of all......
What happened in those couple of days to your 20 year long education ?

it is peer pressure........

This is also correct, but i would think that the root cause is the inner-self. After having 20 years of great teaching and correct  discipline (via parents/family as mentioned above), if one chooses to be in the company of those who are corrupted, who is to blame? Who made this choice? Who has blinded them to the truth...who chose to ignore?

True it is, that once you have made this choice as to whose company you want to be in, then you are easily influenced by those around you...But then there is the issue of the fact that not often can we actually find the 'right company'...especially in the current day and age, when falsehood and corruption is widespread...but in such situations...it will fall upon the individual as to what they should do...will they choose to follow the wrong way?

[Ummkulthum]

I personally was not surrounded with the right company, during my secondary school life, this was a part of my life which now to look back, i feel that i could have learnt and expanded my knowledge in Islam more, my peers too had not the minds to learn in such areas of deen. Alhamdulillah my family life and teachings was one which instilled in me a yearning to stay upon the correct way, and try to correct myself, and not lose myself in the midst of my peers.

During my college life, I was a part of an Islamic organisation alhamdulillah! And this is when i was surrounded with beautiful people, who I reflected in and made me realise the importance of Islam. So yes righteous company can lead you to righteousness...if one is sincere. And unfortuntely the wrong company can also lead you astray.

May Allah forgive us for our misdeeds and grant us the means of attaining His pleasure always..ameen

[Sami Yusuf Islam]

the problem is that you often do not realize they are bad company to your kid except when it is too late.