Some Useless Productive Activity

“Anything which is not included in the remembrance of Allah is useless and futile except for four things; playing with one’s spouse, training one’s horse, walking between two targets (while aiming arrows), and learning how to swim”. (al Jami’ al Saghir)

Muslim "Yogi"

"It is not asceticism that you should not possess anything; rather, ascetism is that nothing should possess you," 

"Asceticism in this world is not to prohibit what is lawful or to leave wealth alone; rather, asceticism in this world is that you should not have more confidence in what is your hand than what is in the hand of God" 

Source: http://www.al-islam.org/imam-ali-s-first-treatise-on-islamic-ethics-and-education-qorbani-lahiji/8.htm

 “Detachment is not that you should own nothing, but that nothing should own you.”- Ali (radii allaho anho)

Detachment is when the dunya remains in our hand – not in our heart. Yasmin Mogahed

A Reason to Complete Your Tasks Quickly

I came hastily to you, oh Allah, so that you will be pleased with me (Taha 20/84). 

Suicide is Haram, So Practice Some Self-Compassion

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-7806/17-ways-to-shed-negativity-and-achieve-happiness.html

The Perils of taking Muslim Heroes besides the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him

To much of their chagrin, some people who have allowed their faith to revolve around people and not principle will inevitably have crises of faith when the people they view as the incarnation of application or knowledge fall from grace or change their views.

AbdulRahman Chao

Coupling Practicality with Islam

Manners coupled with faith is like a fragrant flower with sweet nectar.

AbdulRahman Chao

Plus it keeps people puzzled and guessing where the sweet fragrance, besides the flower aroma, is coming from.

Deliberating on Details

A person who cannot appreciate the basics of the deen but only through esoteric minutia within the deen is feared to never find the sweetness of faith.

AbdulRahman Chao

Our Delicateness and Vulnerabilities

One simply does not simply understand the true meaning of surrendering to Divine Providence until one realizes that he or she is as helpless at times of ease in equal or greater measure to one's helplessness in times of need.

AbdulRahman Chao

Satisfaction Obtained from Overcoming Hurdles

Scratching an itch is very satisfying. It is only so because there was an itch. Had there been no itch, there would be no satisfying feeling. In many ways, the satisfying after-feeling of relief when one looks back at the challenges brought by life itself can only be achieved after conquering pain, trails and tests. After all, had there been no challenge, there would be no feeling of victory.

AbdulRahman Chao

Inner Critisizer?

"Slow birds need to fly earlier than the early bird." or "Dumb Birds Fly First" - Chinese Proverb

Courtesy: AbdulRahman Chao

If your inner editor/ inner critic always uses a negative tone accept the criticism instead of sushing, hushing and subdueing it.

Tell your inner critic that you are going to compensate the 'dumbness' and 'slowness' by starting early.

Also, remember you may not be slow or dumb; creative and smart people do procrastinate and come up with good ideas at the last minute making it seem like you arrived late. 

So you could have afterall, misdiagnosed your dumbness and slowness. 

However use the 'starting early defense' to defeat the inner critc.

Swinging between Islam and Atheism?

The sudden theological shifts some people undergo from one polar extreme to the other proves to none other than themselves that the fanatical fervor they demonstrated at either extreme was simply done to overcompensate for their theological imbalances. 

AbdulRahman Chao

Pairings

51:49

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Sahih International

And of all things We created two mates; perhaps you will remember.

Muhsin Khan

And of everything We have created pairs, that you may remember (the Grace of Allah).

Pickthall

And all things We have created by pairs, that haply ye may reflect.

Yusuf Ali

And of every thing We have created pairs: That ye may receive instruction.

Shakir

And of everything We have created pairs that you may be mindful.

Dr. Ghali

And of everything We created pairs, that possibly you would be mindful.

94:6

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Sahih International

Indeed, with hardship [will be] ease.

Muhsin Khan

Verily, with the hardship, there is relief (i.e. there is one hardship with two reliefs, so one hardship cannot overcome two reliefs).

Pickthall

Lo! with hardship goeth ease;

Yusuf Ali

Verily, with every difficulty there is relief.

Shakir

With difficulty is surely ease.

Dr. Ghali

Surely with difficulty comes ease.

Quotes related to Hard Work in Islam

1. Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The Momin dies with his sweat on his brow.” [An-Nasai] 
* (Momin=doer, muslim who puts knowledge into action)
2. Verily We have created man into toil and struggle. (90: 4)
3.  He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allaah will make a path to Paradise easy for him." (Al-Bukhaari)
4. “Man can get only what he strives for” (53/39) (Although this refers to hereafter, it is still inspiring )

Related Links 

http://forum.daffodilvarsity.edu.bd/index.php?topic=10044.0

How Studying Hard May Keep You Away from Haraam...

 He, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam said: "Whoever follows a path in the pursuit of knowledge, Allaah will make a path to Paradise easy for him." (Al-Bukhaari)