FIRST REMINDER. Yaum Al-Khamis, 7th day of Shawwal(Thursday, 21st June). HOW TO MOTIVATE OURSELVES TO BOOST OUR EEMAAN(FAITH). Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem. The simplest definition of the word ‘motivation’ is ‘that which drives us to action’. It may be one or more thing that trigger a desire or need to behave in a certain way. The desire is usually coupled with a potential consequence, either reward or punishment. Some say that we are motivated by external rewards for behaving in a certain way. As human beings, we are drawn to questions such as, “What’s the point of this?” or “Why am I here?” whenever we attempt something and, particularly, when we find it to be difficult. We want work to be meaningful in the long run, want to feel we are doing something worthwhile, and we want to feel validated. We apply this need not just to day-to-day work but to life itself. At some point, any individual is bound to ask, “Why?” ALLAH Almighty has already answered this question for us: "And I have not created the jinn and the humankind except that they should serve Me. (Qur'an 51:56). Once the purpose of life has been established in our minds, what motivates us to fulfill that purpose? What is there to lose in not meeting that purpose, or meeting it without vigor? The Quran tells us: "ALLAH swearing by time towards our death that; indeed, mankind is in loss; except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. (Qur'an 103). "Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer, I will surely cause him/her to live a good life, and I will surely give them their reward [in the Hereafter] according to the best of what they used to do. (Qur'an 16:97). Allahu Akbar. The hope for reward pushes us to obtain the best possible life in the hereafter by using the currency that we have been provided with; i.e. time. A true believer is motivated by the desire for internal satisfaction while also keeping the focus on the ultimate goal – which is to earn Allah’s pleasure for His Paradise. To be continued in Shaa Allah. May ALLAH keep guiding us all till Jannat becomes our abode. Aameen.