During a battle in the way of Allah, sayyedina Ali, found himself face to face with a kafir who attacked him violently. They were both brave and powerful men, but the kafir was no match for sayyedina Ali, who was soon sitting astride his chest, ready to finish him off. "I invite you to bear witness that there is no god except Allah, and that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah,"said Ali.
"Accept Islam, and your life will be spared." "Never!"panted the kafir. Sayyedina Ali lifted his sword and was just about to plunge it into his enemy, when the kafir spat defiantly in his face. Much to the kafir's suprise, sayyedina Ali immeditely jumped away from his enemy and lowered his sword.
"Go away!" said sayyedina Ali, "I cannot kill you now." "Why did you do that?" asked the kafir. "You could have killed me easily." "I was fighting you purely in the way of Allah," replied Ali, "But when you spat in my face, your insult made me angry and if I had killed you in anger, it would have taken me to the Fire - so I had no choice to let you go. To kill someone in anger or out of desire for revenge is not bravery, but the act of a coward."
On hearing this, the kafir was so impressed by sayyedina Ali's sincerity and self-control that he embraced Islam on the spot: "I bear witness that there is no god except Allah." he said, "and I bear witness that Mohammad is the Messenger of Allah."
Thursday, December 3
Wednesday, December 2
Regarding Inner Spiritual Authority Transmitted from the Prophet (S) By H.E Mawlana Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani
"Look, I am not speaking from myself. I am always in contact with the Spiritual Power Center. The Prophet's servant Anas Ibn Malik once said the following about his life with the Holy Prophet - and from his description you may know whether our methods resemble his, on whom be Peace, or whether we are following some other way. Anas reported: "I served the Messenger of Allah for ten years, and never once did I hear him object to any of my actions, saying 'Do this' when I hadn't done something I should have done, or 'Don't do this' or 'Why did you do this?' when I had done something wrong."
Now do you understand, or not? This is proof that comes down to us from the Prophet; and just as that tradition is still intact that we may refer to it today, so also the inner spiritual authority passed down from the Prophet to our Grand sheikh and then to us remains intact. That spiritual authority for the guidance of people has come down to me, has been given to me. I am not such a person who appoints himself to be a guide for people – no, rather I have been given authority by those who have authority to give.
Our way is a way of authority and integrity, and a way that is safe for a seeker to follow. Because of the high rank that this Path holds among the various ways, the seeker who wishes to follow this path must abandon himself to the discretion, wisdom and understanding of the Sheikh. Our Grand sheikh often said to me: "O Nazim Effendi, don't put my words and actions in a scale and weigh them. Don't say 'Why is that Sheikh saying such-and such or doing so-and-so'. If you are thinking and evaluating in such a manner you will never be able to derive any benefit at all from your teacher, and we will leave you on your way and go on ours. In order to follow us you must follow without judging or objecting. Only if you can follow in this manner may you come to know anything of our realities.
Why did Allah Almighty tell the story of Moses and Khidr in the Holy Qur'an? What does that story have to tell us about using our minds to judge that is beyond our understanding? What is our position when we think that we know so much whereas we actually know nothing?
Yes, that tale was told so that we might take wisdom from it, not just for amusement, for people to read and enjoy such an entertaining story. It is an indisputable fact that hidden wisdom may be found in the actions of Saints, even if those actions appear to contradict our idea of how things should be done. For your own good you must learn how you can acquire the attributes necessary to go with such people.
As far as the actions of your Sheikh are concerned, don't try to weigh and evaluate them with your mind, even if you be the Prophet Moses! For if you be a Moses, someone else may be a Khidr, and so despite your station, he may be above you and may be able to teach you. Moses kept weighing Khidr's actions (Peace be upon them both!) and Khidr kept saying: "Don't confront me or object to anything I do until I explain its meaning to you." Finally, when Moses found it too difficult to keep these instructions and objected to the actions of Khidr which were beyond his understanding, Khidr told him: "You will never be able to be patient with me - go on your way."
So, all that the follower of a Sufi Path may do is to try and learn from the Sheikh's way of dealing with people and from the Sheikh's attributes in general. A follower can never fully understanding the meanings and implications of an authorized Sheikh's actions. He cannot know what orders may be coming to the Sheikh from the Holy Prophet. He who has the guidance of the Holy Prophet has been given the wisdom and authority to catch people from the road of self-destruction and degradation and bring them to the Path of Eternal Happiness.
Source: Mercy Oceans: Pink Pearls, p. 44-48
Now do you understand, or not? This is proof that comes down to us from the Prophet; and just as that tradition is still intact that we may refer to it today, so also the inner spiritual authority passed down from the Prophet to our Grand sheikh and then to us remains intact. That spiritual authority for the guidance of people has come down to me, has been given to me. I am not such a person who appoints himself to be a guide for people – no, rather I have been given authority by those who have authority to give.
Our way is a way of authority and integrity, and a way that is safe for a seeker to follow. Because of the high rank that this Path holds among the various ways, the seeker who wishes to follow this path must abandon himself to the discretion, wisdom and understanding of the Sheikh. Our Grand sheikh often said to me: "O Nazim Effendi, don't put my words and actions in a scale and weigh them. Don't say 'Why is that Sheikh saying such-and such or doing so-and-so'. If you are thinking and evaluating in such a manner you will never be able to derive any benefit at all from your teacher, and we will leave you on your way and go on ours. In order to follow us you must follow without judging or objecting. Only if you can follow in this manner may you come to know anything of our realities.
Why did Allah Almighty tell the story of Moses and Khidr in the Holy Qur'an? What does that story have to tell us about using our minds to judge that is beyond our understanding? What is our position when we think that we know so much whereas we actually know nothing?
Yes, that tale was told so that we might take wisdom from it, not just for amusement, for people to read and enjoy such an entertaining story. It is an indisputable fact that hidden wisdom may be found in the actions of Saints, even if those actions appear to contradict our idea of how things should be done. For your own good you must learn how you can acquire the attributes necessary to go with such people.
As far as the actions of your Sheikh are concerned, don't try to weigh and evaluate them with your mind, even if you be the Prophet Moses! For if you be a Moses, someone else may be a Khidr, and so despite your station, he may be above you and may be able to teach you. Moses kept weighing Khidr's actions (Peace be upon them both!) and Khidr kept saying: "Don't confront me or object to anything I do until I explain its meaning to you." Finally, when Moses found it too difficult to keep these instructions and objected to the actions of Khidr which were beyond his understanding, Khidr told him: "You will never be able to be patient with me - go on your way."
So, all that the follower of a Sufi Path may do is to try and learn from the Sheikh's way of dealing with people and from the Sheikh's attributes in general. A follower can never fully understanding the meanings and implications of an authorized Sheikh's actions. He cannot know what orders may be coming to the Sheikh from the Holy Prophet. He who has the guidance of the Holy Prophet has been given the wisdom and authority to catch people from the road of self-destruction and degradation and bring them to the Path of Eternal Happiness.
Source: Mercy Oceans: Pink Pearls, p. 44-48
--
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Zamzam Water
What is so special about Zamzam water? In a word: Everything.
There is nothing ordinary about it. The miracle of how it came to being in the middle of the desert, its consistency throughout thousands of years, the beneficial qualities it has, the fact that it never dries up. This water is special.
The fact is, this small 5 ft. deep well is far away from any other source or body of water. It is self-replenishing. It is constantly replenishing itself in order to produce gallons upon gallons of water for consumption of thirsty pilgrims plus the additional amount that is bottled and also the amount that is taken as gifts distributed worldwide to millions. Zamzam water has scientifically been proven to contain healing qualities due to its higher content of Calcium and Magnesium Salts and also the natural fluorides that encompass a germicidal action.
It is also an established scientific fact that pools or water wells tend to grow vegetation such as algae—especially in warm climates. Amazingly this is not the case in the well of Zamzam. It has remained free from biological contaminants.
From the time that Hagar wandered aimlessly through the desert in search of sustenance for her son and herself; to the moment that Ismaa'eel kicked his tiny feet on the sand and the well of Zamzam was born out of the great Mercy of Allah, Muslims have been drinking from it. What is more fascinating is that it has never once dried up.
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
There is nothing ordinary about it. The miracle of how it came to being in the middle of the desert, its consistency throughout thousands of years, the beneficial qualities it has, the fact that it never dries up. This water is special.
The fact is, this small 5 ft. deep well is far away from any other source or body of water. It is self-replenishing. It is constantly replenishing itself in order to produce gallons upon gallons of water for consumption of thirsty pilgrims plus the additional amount that is bottled and also the amount that is taken as gifts distributed worldwide to millions. Zamzam water has scientifically been proven to contain healing qualities due to its higher content of Calcium and Magnesium Salts and also the natural fluorides that encompass a germicidal action.
It is also an established scientific fact that pools or water wells tend to grow vegetation such as algae—especially in warm climates. Amazingly this is not the case in the well of Zamzam. It has remained free from biological contaminants.
From the time that Hagar wandered aimlessly through the desert in search of sustenance for her son and herself; to the moment that Ismaa'eel kicked his tiny feet on the sand and the well of Zamzam was born out of the great Mercy of Allah, Muslims have been drinking from it. What is more fascinating is that it has never once dried up.
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
Monday, November 30
Prophet PBUH's Last Sermon
This sermon was delivered on the ninth day of Dhul Hijah, 10 A.H. (632 A.D.) in the valley of Mount Arafat.
The contents of the message were collected from different narrations, and there are other parts to it that are not mentioned here. This sermon still needs the authenticity of all of its parts to be checked.
"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present today.
O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take interest, therefore, all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all interest due to Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib (the prophet's uncle) shall henceforth be waived.
Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiyah bin Al-Harith (relative of the prophet). O Men, the un believers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to forbid that which Allah had made permissible. With Allah the months are twelve; four of them are holy; three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumadah and Shaaban. Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O People, it is true that you have certain right with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never commit adultery.
O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and that Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to your selves.
Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others, and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better that those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O Allah, that I have conveyed Your message to Your people."
The contents of the message were collected from different narrations, and there are other parts to it that are not mentioned here. This sermon still needs the authenticity of all of its parts to be checked.
"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present today.
O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds. Allah has forbidden you to take interest, therefore, all interest obligations shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all interest due to Abbas bin Abdul-Muttalib (the prophet's uncle) shall henceforth be waived.
Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiyah bin Al-Harith (relative of the prophet). O Men, the un believers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to forbid that which Allah had made permissible. With Allah the months are twelve; four of them are holy; three of these are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumadah and Shaaban. Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.
O People, it is true that you have certain right with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never commit adultery.
O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadhan, and give your wealth in zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to. All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and that Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to your selves.
Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer for your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.
O People, no prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand my words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray.
All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others, and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better that those who listen to me directly. Be my witness O Allah, that I have conveyed Your message to Your people."
Thursday, November 5
A Beard Made of Love
A Beard Made of Love
It is related that two religious fundamentalists once came to visit our
Master. They had bristly whiskers and Master invited
them to stay for lunch. One of them sought to provoke the Master by asking how
he could become a Sufi?
Master said, "Cut off your beard."
"But," protested the man, "what about him?" pointing to the other one, the Sheikh
of Sheikhs, who had a long white beard.
"Ah!" The Master said, "But his is not a beard of religion. His is a beard of love."
"Grow a beard made of love, O darvish
and claim the name of lover,
or do not pretend to the circle of the Friend."
It is related that two religious fundamentalists once came to visit our
Master. They had bristly whiskers and Master invited
them to stay for lunch. One of them sought to provoke the Master by asking how
he could become a Sufi?
Master said, "Cut off your beard."
"But," protested the man, "what about him?" pointing to the other one, the Sheikh
of Sheikhs, who had a long white beard.
"Ah!" The Master said, "But his is not a beard of religion. His is a beard of love."
"Grow a beard made of love, O darvish
and claim the name of lover,
or do not pretend to the circle of the Friend."
Tuesday, November 3
Visiting Graves and Shrines of Anbia (Alaihimus Salam) and Aulia ALLAH
------Original Message------
From: Ahmed inthikab
Sender: sheiknazimforum@yahoogroups.com
To: lankamediawatch@yahoogroups.com
To: sheiknazimforum@yahoogroups.com
Cc: zaynab nazim
Subject: [sheiknazimforum] Visiting Graves and Shrines of Anbia (Alaihimus Salam) and Aulia ALLAH
Sent: Nov 1, 2009 12:21 PM
From: Ahmed inthikab
Sender: sheiknazimforum@yahoogroups.com
To: lankamediawatch@yahoogroups.com
To: sheiknazimforum@yahoogroups.com
Cc: zaynab nazim
Subject: [sheiknazimforum] Visiting Graves and Shrines of Anbia (Alaihimus Salam) and Aulia ALLAH
Sent: Nov 1, 2009 12:21 PM
Bismillah hirahmanir rahim Assalat-O-Wassalam- O-Alaik a YARASOOL ALLAH We are living in a world of uncertainty and misconceptions. Man is beginning to question the very roots of his beliefs for Allah Almighty and the Holy Prophet Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim, to create doubt in the minds of the simple and un suspecting Muslims. Here is proof from QUR'AN, Ahadith-e-Nabawi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam), Sayings of Sahab-e-Kiram and from the writings of great and authentic scholars of Islam and writings of those who declare this as SHIRK, BID'AT etc. which show beyond a shadow of a doubt that Visiting Graves and Shrines of Anbia (Alaihimus Salam) and Aulia ALLAH (Rehmatullah Alaihi Ajamaien) is Lawful. What does HOLY QURAN says: 1. Holy Quran says: و لو انهم إذ ظلموا أنفسهم جاءوك فاستغفروا الله واستغفر لهم الرسول لوجدوا الله توابا الرحيما "And when they impose on their lives (sin), they must come to your (the Nabi's) presence, then seek repentance from ALLAH and the Rasool(Peace Be Upon Him) also asks for their forgiveness. Then, they will indeed find ALLAH Most Forgiving and Compassionate. " (An-Nisa:61) 2. Holy Quran says (summary is): "No Doubt ALLAH and his Prophet and those who offer prayers, zakat are helpers". (Al-Maaidah: 55) 3. Holy Quran says (summary is): "Verily, ALLAH helps them and Jibril and Saaleh Mumineen and then angels are helpers". (Al-Tehreem: 4) 4. Holy Quran says: "Lo! Verily, the friends of ALLAH are (those) on whom fear (cometh) not, nor do they grieve." (Surah Younus:61) What does Ahaadeeth-e- Nabawi says: 1. Syyeduna Rasoolullah said: "Wallahu Yu'ti wa anal QASIMU Rizqihi" "ALLAH gives and I (Muhammad) distribute". (Bukhari, Muslim) 2. Hazrat Aaisha narrates: "Rasoolullah Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam use to visit Baqee Shareef on late nights and Sarkar Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam prayed there three times raising his Blessed Hands" (Muslim) 3. Allama Nabalsi states: "Sarkar use to visit Baqee Shareef and pray standing beside their graves 'I ask comfort for you people and ourselves". (Muslim) 4. Syyeduna Rasulullah Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam said: "Recite Sura Yaseen for your died ones" (Abu Dawud, Ibn-e-Maaja, Mishkaat - Kitaabul Janaiz) 5. According to Imam Baheeqi: "Rasoolullah Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam regularly visits the grave of Shuhda-e-Ahud every year. And Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddiq, Hazrat Umer, Hazat Usman and Hazrat Fatima (Ridwanulla Alaihim Ajamain) use to go there and praying there". (Baheeqi) 6. Syyeduna Rasolullah Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam said: "One who visits my grave, my Shafa'at will be necessary (wajib) upon him". (Daar Qutni, Bazaz, Baheeqi, Ibn-e-Khuzaima) 7. Syyeduna Rasolullah Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam said: "One who perform HAJJ after me and then visits my grave, that means he visits me in my life". (Daar Qutni, Baheeqi, Mishkaat, Tibrani Fiss Sageeril Ausat, Majma' al zawaid) 8. Syyeduna Rasoolullah Sallallaho Alaihi Wassallam said: "I ordered you to not to visit garves; I now order you to visit graves, because it reminds you of Hereafter and keeps you away from world (Dunya)" (Narrated By Hazrat Ibn-e-Masud Radi ALLAH Anho in Ibn-e-Maaja, Mishkaat - Baab Ziaratul Quboor, Sarhus Sudoor - Page No: 28, Ziaul Hadeeth - Page No: 96) 9. Hazrat Muhammad Bin Noman Radi ALLAH Anho narrates that Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said: "ALLAH forgives the sins of those , who on fridays regularly visits the grave of his mother and father or any one of them and his name will be recorded amongst those who exercise kindness with parents". (Baheeqi, Mishkaat, Ziaul Hadeeth - Page No: 108) 10. Hazrat Aaisha Radi ALLAH Anha narrates that Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said: "When ever a person visits the grave of his Muslim brother and sits besides him; then his Muslim brother feels comfort, and this condition remain until the visitor left the grave" (Hayatul Amwaat Page No: 47, Ibn-e-Ibid dunya) 11. When Nabi Kareem Sallallahu Alaihi passed near graveyard of Madina Munawwarah then he said: "Assalam O Aalaikum Ya Ahlul Quboor Yagfirullahu Lana Walakum wa antum salfuna wa nahnu bil asari" (Mishkaat - Baab Ziaratul Quboor, Tirmizi) 12. Syyeduna Rasoolullah said: "when ever some on send salam to saahib-e-Qabr then he replies, and if he know him in his life then he do know him after death" (Baheeqi Fee Su'Bil Iman, Ibn-e-Abi Dunya) 13. Imam Bukhari states Hadeeth-e-Qudsi in his Sahi: "One who hates my WALI (freind), I declear Battle with him". (Sahih Bukhari, Mishakaat Bab Ziktullah Wat Taqrib Ilahiyyah) What Does SAHABA-E-KIRAM Believe? 1. "When ever Hazrat Anas Radi ALLAH Anho use to visit the grave of Syyeduna Rasoolullah Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam, He use to stand in a way that he is offering prayer (in real he was not offering the prayer)" (Kitubus Shifa, Vol2) 2. "Hazrat Abu Al-Jawaz Radi ALLAH Anho narrates that once there was no rain for long time in MADINA then the dwellers of MADINA came to Hazrat Aaisha Radi ALLAH Anha and ask her for help, She replied 'Turn to Holy Prophet Peace Be Upon Him and make hol
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Sunday, October 25
Importance
You are here to enable the divine purpose of the universe to unfold. That is how important you are! ~Tolle
Friday, October 9
Do you honor people below you?
I came accross this verse from the Quran and thought I should share:
In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
No! But you do not honor the orphan
[al-Fajr (Daybreak) 89:17]
In this short ayah, Allah is giving us a statement about the disbelievers in Mecca on how they didn't treat the orphans well.
However, the translation of "yateem" (orphan) is misleading. "Yateem" literally means someone who has no support. Therefore, Allah is giving us advice that we should at least honor those people who don't have any support, whether they're an orphan or not.
Notice how Allah didn't say "you don't help the orphan", rather He says "you don't honor them." It's easy to honor someone who is above you in society (your boss, the Imam of your masjid, etc), however it's a challenge to us to honor those who are "lower" than us in society.
Practically speaking, how many of us have seen when a new Muslim literally gets kicked out from their family after converting to Islam? What support do they have? Or how about the one who's responsible for cleaning your local masjid? How about the one that mows the lawn at your house? These are the individuals that we should be honoring and giving our attention to first. They are the ones who demand our respect and support.
Specifically speaking about the orphan, the prophet (saw) said, "Whoever supports the orphan in this life, I will be like this with him (putting his index and middle finger together) in the Hereafter."
In the Name of Allah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful
No! But you do not honor the orphan
[al-Fajr (Daybreak) 89:17]
In this short ayah, Allah is giving us a statement about the disbelievers in Mecca on how they didn't treat the orphans well.
However, the translation of "yateem" (orphan) is misleading. "Yateem" literally means someone who has no support. Therefore, Allah is giving us advice that we should at least honor those people who don't have any support, whether they're an orphan or not.
Notice how Allah didn't say "you don't help the orphan", rather He says "you don't honor them." It's easy to honor someone who is above you in society (your boss, the Imam of your masjid, etc), however it's a challenge to us to honor those who are "lower" than us in society.
Practically speaking, how many of us have seen when a new Muslim literally gets kicked out from their family after converting to Islam? What support do they have? Or how about the one who's responsible for cleaning your local masjid? How about the one that mows the lawn at your house? These are the individuals that we should be honoring and giving our attention to first. They are the ones who demand our respect and support.
Specifically speaking about the orphan, the prophet (saw) said, "Whoever supports the orphan in this life, I will be like this with him (putting his index and middle finger together) in the Hereafter."
Thursday, October 8
Ya Rasoolallah! You are the coolness of my eyes
"Qurratu Aini bika Ya Rasoolallah" (Ya Rasoolallah! You are the coolness of my eyes).
Once, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) entered the Masjid and sat down near a pillar. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radi Allahu anhu) was seated beside him. Hazrat Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) then stood up and commenced with the Azaan. When he said: "Ash hadu Ana Muhammadur Rasoolullah", Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radi Allahu anhu) placed both the thumb nails on to his eyes and said "Qurratu Aini bika Ya Rasoolallah" (Ya Rasoolallah! You are the coolness of my eyes). When Hazrat Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) completed the Azaan, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, "O Abu Bakr! Whosoever does like you have done, Almighty Allah will forgive all his sins." (Tafseer Roohul Bayaan)
Once, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) entered the Masjid and sat down near a pillar. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radi Allahu anhu) was seated beside him. Hazrat Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) then stood up and commenced with the Azaan. When he said: "Ash hadu Ana Muhammadur Rasoolullah", Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique (radi Allahu anhu) placed both the thumb nails on to his eyes and said "Qurratu Aini bika Ya Rasoolallah" (Ya Rasoolallah! You are the coolness of my eyes). When Hazrat Bilal (radi Allahu anhu) completed the Azaan, the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said, "O Abu Bakr! Whosoever does like you have done, Almighty Allah will forgive all his sins." (Tafseer Roohul Bayaan)
Monday, October 5
No Regrets in Life
Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Love the ones who don't just because you can. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Kiss slowly. Forgive quickly.
God never said life would be easy. He just promised it would be worth it.
Saturday, October 3
Dervish and a bag of Gold
A dervish was praying silently. A wealthy merchant, observing the dervish's devotion and sincerity, was deeply touched by him. The merchant offered the drevish a bag of gold. "I know you will use the money for God's sake. Please take it."
"Just a moment," the dervish replied. "I'm not sure if it is lawful for me to take your money. Are you a wealthy man? Do you have more money at home?"
"Oh yes. I have at least one thousand gold pieces at home," claimed the merchant proudly.
"Do you want a thousand gold pieces more?" asked the dervish.
"Why yes, of course. Every day I work hard to earn more money."
"And do you wish for yet a thousand gold pieces more beyond that?"
"Certainly. Every day I pray that I may earn more and more money."
The dervish pushed the bag of gold back to the merchant. "I am sorry, but I cannot take your gold," he said. "A wealthy man cannot take money from a beggar."
"How can you call yourself a wealthy man and me a beggar?" the merchant spluttered.
The dervish replied, "I am a wealthy man because I am content with whatever God sends me. You are a beggar, because no matter how much you possess, you are always dissatisfied, and always begging God for more."
"Just a moment," the dervish replied. "I'm not sure if it is lawful for me to take your money. Are you a wealthy man? Do you have more money at home?"
"Oh yes. I have at least one thousand gold pieces at home," claimed the merchant proudly.
"Do you want a thousand gold pieces more?" asked the dervish.
"Why yes, of course. Every day I work hard to earn more money."
"And do you wish for yet a thousand gold pieces more beyond that?"
"Certainly. Every day I pray that I may earn more and more money."
The dervish pushed the bag of gold back to the merchant. "I am sorry, but I cannot take your gold," he said. "A wealthy man cannot take money from a beggar."
"How can you call yourself a wealthy man and me a beggar?" the merchant spluttered.
The dervish replied, "I am a wealthy man because I am content with whatever God sends me. You are a beggar, because no matter how much you possess, you are always dissatisfied, and always begging God for more."
You must be Happy you are in the age of Sayyidina Mohammad PBUH
You Must Be Happy You are in the Age of Sayyidina Muhammad
Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam
Mawlana Shaykh Nazim Adil Al-Haqqani Sultanul Awliya
Thursday, Oct 01, 2009 | Lefke CY
Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam
Mawlana Shaykh Nazim Adil Al-Haqqani Sultanul Awliya
Thursday, Oct 01, 2009 | Lefke CY
(Mawlana Shaykh stands)
Your most beloved one! Give to your most beloved one endless honor and leave him to enter Thy endlessly Lighten Ocean, Noor Oceans! Please accept, Allah, our so useless obedience! O our Lord, forgive us, forgive us for the honor of that Holiest one, for the honor for that most beloved one! O You are our Lord, O Rabbuna! All praisings, all lights, all glory is for You, O our Lord! We are surrendering to You! We are carrying our disobedient egos to be on Your heavenly service! O our Lord, forgive us and grant us much more power!
Alfu 's-salaat wa alfu 's-salaam `alayka wa ashaabika ... mina 'n-Nabiyeen! ... Give your intercession for us! We are knowing nothing! Make through a weak servant to make this world to be trembling, trembling! We are asking to destroy everything under the name of baatil (falsehood); that is our only target, never-changing target, to make batil and Shaytanic sultanate down under our feet!
O our Lord! Please accept our so weakly declaration, weakly liyaramak! We are humbly asking; we are nothing; support us! I am ashaming to address to You, O our Lord, and to ask You to support us! O our lord! there is only one biggest creature that may destroy Shaytan and its followers. I am ashaming, but You are the Lord of Heavens! Therefore, I am feeling honor when I am addressing to You, O my Lord!
(Mawlana Shaykh sits)
O People! I am a weak servant. (Mawlana Shaykh puts on glasses). Some people saying to me put eyeglasses to see that a smallest one who can take away batil (falsehood) and changing everything look for it. I am looking where it is, and one of masters addressing to me, "You may see through this eyeglasses!" And I am saying doesn't matter because if Allah Almighty asking to show something to His servant, it is so easy with eyeglasses or without, He may show it.
Thanks, endless thanks to my Lord that He is never leaving me to be in need (of) such an instrument, al-Hamdu Lillah. Countless, endless glory with my weakly desire; also not to take from me what He granted to me, Astagfirullah! I am asking forgiveness to say this also, that is a very bad claiming to say that your Lord not to take from you what He granted to you, Astaghfirullah. Forgive us, O our Lord! When You are giving something to Your servant, You are not taking it back, but closing it down (leaving it permanently with them).
O People through east and west, listen! And first, I am shouting to my dirty ego. You must accept that our egos, dirty ones, perhaps dirtiest one! Its Creator saying about our egos, "dirtiest one." Ego has no discipline; it is accepting and it is most dirty one, asking to come against its Creator, Allah Almighty. Dirtiness from where coming?
O People! If you are washing yourself, not once daily, even 70 times daily, you may take a bath or a shower, but you can't be clean until you are teaching, making your ego to come down. The Lord of Heavens Subhanahu wa Ta`ala whole glory and whole praisings to Him! He is mentioning everything through Holy books, Heavenly messages. O People! I am nothing, but I am so speedy, quick to enter some Knowledge Springs. I am not saying that I can enter through Heavenly Oceans of Reality, but I am trying to reach very, very small spring to put my feet in it, to take a new power; that means new life, and for it new Heavenly support.
I am so (Turkish) rushing, yes, asking to reach. I have been, through my spiritual being, asking to enter in it; through today, also, I am asking from my Lord. My Lord, my Lord (Mawlana Shaykh smiling) forgiveness and because I was so hurry to begin to step, or to jump, into Heavenly Springs of wisdoms, and I am making to say A`udhu billahi min ash-Shaytani' r-rajeem....late, late! But they are making me to speak, and I can't be able to stop it, but I must keep adab.
Adab, Divinely Heavenly protocol, must be first to run away
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
Monday, September 28
How to control your Ego?
Someone asked how to know what parts of the ego to fix. Sheykh Abdul Kerim Efendi says to start with the obvious - whatever you notice at the moment. Once you get the obvious, then the hidden tricks of the ego will show themselves.
First, work to finish anger. It is the ego declaring its lordship. Anger is a veil that prevents other things from opening to you. Anger finishes your good deeds. Swallow it. Any word you say when angry adds fuel to the fire.
http://www.naksibendi.org/Audio_Files/20090904_1430-Ramazan-14_SeyhAbdulKerim_Finish_Anger.mp3
First, work to finish anger. It is the ego declaring its lordship. Anger is a veil that prevents other things from opening to you. Anger finishes your good deeds. Swallow it. Any word you say when angry adds fuel to the fire.
http://www.naksibendi.org/Audio_Files/20090904_1430-Ramazan-14_SeyhAbdulKerim_Finish_Anger.mp3
Sunday, September 27
The theme of Roses
A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully and before it blossomed, he examined it.
He saw the bud that would soon blossom, but noticed thorns upon the stem and he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns? Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and just before it was ready to bloom... it died.
So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The God-like qualities planted in us at birth, grow amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects.
We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.
Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns of another, and find the rose within them.
This is one of the characteristic of love... to look at a person, know their true faults and accepting that person into your life... all the while recognising the nobility in their soul. Help others to realize they can overcome their faults. If we show them the "rose" within themselves, they will conquer their thorns. Only then will they blossom many times over.
He saw the bud that would soon blossom, but noticed thorns upon the stem and he thought, "How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns? Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and just before it was ready to bloom... it died.
So it is with many people. Within every soul there is a rose. The God-like qualities planted in us at birth, grow amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns, the defects.
We despair, thinking that nothing good can possibly come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.
Some people do not see the rose within themselves; someone else must show it to them. One of the greatest gifts a person can possess is to be able to reach past the thorns of another, and find the rose within them.
This is one of the characteristic of love... to look at a person, know their true faults and accepting that person into your life... all the while recognising the nobility in their soul. Help others to realize they can overcome their faults. If we show them the "rose" within themselves, they will conquer their thorns. Only then will they blossom many times over.
Tuesday, September 22
Blog's new URL - http://sufispot.blogspot.com
Salam All,
Eid Mubarak! Hope everyone had a great and blessed Eid!
Please kindly update your URLs. Blog's URL (for now) is http://sufispot.blogspot.com. Due to an unknown individual moving the domain, sufispot.com, off our records, we hadn't been able to update the blog in a long time. Fortunately, we have been able to restore the blog to the original address.
We are still working on resolving the issue. To the gentlemen, if you are interested in helping us out, please leave a comment here. To date, I've not received any communication from the individual responsible for moving the domain.
Edit: It appears that the gentlmen responsible has SOLD the domain to another entity. As this a non-profit blog, we have decided to keep it hosted within blogspot until we figure out a much catchier domain name. Any suggestions?
Eid Mubarak! Hope everyone had a great and blessed Eid!
Please kindly update your URLs. Blog's URL (for now) is http://sufispot.blogspot.com. Due to an unknown individual moving the domain, sufispot.com, off our records, we hadn't been able to update the blog in a long time. Fortunately, we have been able to restore the blog to the original address.
We are still working on resolving the issue. To the gentlemen, if you are interested in helping us out, please leave a comment here. To date, I've not received any communication from the individual responsible for moving the domain.
Edit: It appears that the gentlmen responsible has SOLD the domain to another entity. As this a non-profit blog, we have decided to keep it hosted within blogspot until we figure out a much catchier domain name. Any suggestions?
Friday, September 18
THE 3 TYPES OF BEING
It's human nature to wonder about our own inner selves.
What kind of inner presence do we have?
How are we different from the rest of creation?
How can this knowledge help us to understand what we must do and the potential pitfalls we may have to face?
These are important questions that lay the groundwork for our own conception of what our life journey will entail.
Three basic states of existence in the ralm of living creatures.
*Starting with the angels, they are completly ratıonal.They have no material concerns and know of other reality than to be in complete awe and worshıp of the divine beauty of God.They are in perfect state of unity.
*The animal state, howewer,covers those creatures that are goverend by instinct more than anything else.Such beings are slaves to the ultimate end of theie lives.They act without forethought, are driven by primitive emotions and prompts, and have no sense of their own transcendence or potential.
*The human being, on the other hand, has a little of the angel within him, and alittle of the animal, aswell.These two forces do battle on a daily basis.Those who lean more toward their angelic side become progressivly more noble,self aware and moral, while those who incline toward theanimal within themselves became more deluded by materialism, more a slave to their desires,and more likely to commit injustice and immorality with declining leves of remorse.
"The body,like a mother, is pregnant wiyh the spiritual child; death is the pain and stress of birth.All the souls that have passed over to the next life already are anxiously waiting to see in what state that proud spirit will be born."
J.RUMI (k.s.)
What kind of inner presence do we have?
How are we different from the rest of creation?
How can this knowledge help us to understand what we must do and the potential pitfalls we may have to face?
These are important questions that lay the groundwork for our own conception of what our life journey will entail.
Three basic states of existence in the ralm of living creatures.
- The transcendence of the angels.
- The animal or instinctual state.
- The dichotomy of humanity.
*Starting with the angels, they are completly ratıonal.They have no material concerns and know of other reality than to be in complete awe and worshıp of the divine beauty of God.They are in perfect state of unity.
*The animal state, howewer,covers those creatures that are goverend by instinct more than anything else.Such beings are slaves to the ultimate end of theie lives.They act without forethought, are driven by primitive emotions and prompts, and have no sense of their own transcendence or potential.
*The human being, on the other hand, has a little of the angel within him, and alittle of the animal, aswell.These two forces do battle on a daily basis.Those who lean more toward their angelic side become progressivly more noble,self aware and moral, while those who incline toward theanimal within themselves became more deluded by materialism, more a slave to their desires,and more likely to commit injustice and immorality with declining leves of remorse.
"The body,like a mother, is pregnant wiyh the spiritual child; death is the pain and stress of birth.All the souls that have passed over to the next life already are anxiously waiting to see in what state that proud spirit will be born."
J.RUMI (k.s.)
Friday, September 4
Tuesday, September 1
Parable of the Pencil
The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box. There are 5 things you need to know, he told the pencil, before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.
One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.
Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil.
Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.
Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.
And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.
Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.
Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.
Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.
And Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.
By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.
One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand.
Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil.
Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you will make.
Four: The most important part of you will always be what's inside.
And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
Now replacing the place of the pencil with you; always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.
Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.
Three: You will be able to correct mistakes you might make or grow through them.
Four: The most important part of you will always be what's on the inside.
And Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything.
By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.
Wednesday, May 13
How To See The Holy Prophet
A man desired to see the Holy Prophet (salla' llaahu'alaihi wa sallam) in a dream but he was not able to achieve this desire. He approached a noble Saint, imploring his advice. The Saint an intimate friend of Allah, said: "My son, on Friday evening you must eat a lot of salted fish, then perform your prayer and go to bed without drinking any water. Then you will see."
The man followed this advice. He spent the whole night dreaming that he was drinking from streams, fountains and springs. When morning came, he ran crying to the saint: " O Friend of Allah, did not see the Messenger. I was so thirsty that all I dreamed about was drinking from fountains and springs. I am still thirsty." The saint then told him: "So, eating salted fish gave you such a thirst that you dreamed all night long of nothing but water. Now you must feel such a thirst for Allah's Messenger and you will surely see him!"
Those who lovingly repeat Durood and Salaam will most certainly see the Beloved of Allah. That fortunate person is assured of his intercession.
The man followed this advice. He spent the whole night dreaming that he was drinking from streams, fountains and springs. When morning came, he ran crying to the saint: " O Friend of Allah, did not see the Messenger. I was so thirsty that all I dreamed about was drinking from fountains and springs. I am still thirsty." The saint then told him: "So, eating salted fish gave you such a thirst that you dreamed all night long of nothing but water. Now you must feel such a thirst for Allah's Messenger and you will surely see him!"
Those who lovingly repeat Durood and Salaam will most certainly see the Beloved of Allah. That fortunate person is assured of his intercession.
Monday, May 11
GOD THE MOST SUPREME ENTERTAINER
GOD THE MOST SUPREME ENTERTAINER
Islam came to the world to entertain human beings. Here is the beauty of Islam, as Islam is entertaining. The Greatest entertainer of all is God, the Most Supreme. When one recognises God and understands His actions, then God is very delightful and entertaining. God the Supreme Entertainer.
As an example, with all the common things we face, unrealising, the air we breathe comes from God. Without air, we die and we do not realise, this is entertainment. When God restricts the air, there is no entertainment.
The earth we step on is God`s creation. If we were to look up at the blue sky, God`s sky, it`s a pleasant sight. Looking at the beautiful green scenery. We visit the market looking for fresh fish, meat and vegetables, all these are entertaining.
But we do not realise it`s entertaining and it has never been mentioned. We simply look at things around us without putting any value to what we see.
As we toil our energy during our daily routine, exhaustion seeps into our body which then requires rest. God makes us sleepy. If we are not sleepy, even though we try, we won`t be able to sleep. Being sleepy is entertaining. After a good sleep, our body feel refreshed and energised. This is entertainment from God.
When we meet other fellow humans, we could express our emotions, sharing our feelings. He then, reciprocate, sharing his feelings and emotions. Feeling relieved, that`s entertainment from God. God is most entertaining.
When we wish to do any good deeds we are asked to recite His name. The reason why God chose one from 99 names of Allah. God ordered us to recite Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
God introduces Himself, I am the Entertainer.
God did not ask us to recite Bismillahijabbarul qahhar. We do not realise, we are not aware. We only know if we recite His name, would get a fadhilat (something in return). We are never taught God is the Supreme Entertainer. We are only taught about fadhilat.
God created day and night. The occurrence of night and day is entertainment from God. With the existence of night without daylight, it`s troublesome. When daylight goes on without night time, when do we have the time to rest as daylight is meant for work! Shouldn`t we feel entertained?
We have never been taught Tauhid in this manner. God is the Supreme Entertainer and no other entertainer would match Him.
The reason for God providing us with His syariah. As if He`s saying, "If I create you, I`m your supreme entertainer and I provide you with syariah as rules and a living system to entertain you."
God is the Supreme Entertainer. He provides syariah as a second form of entertainment. Syariah is teaching us, anyone who does anything wrong, we forgive. Isn`t this entertaining?
If we don`t forgive, the person will feel hurt. Neighbours have to be taken care of like our own families even though they are non believers. Isn`t this entertaining?
Among friends, there should be loyalty. Isn`t this entertaining?
When anyone go against you during your missionary/dakwah work, we pray for them. Isn`t this entertaining?
If we read past history, those fighting for Islam especially the Prophets, no one else could match them. Read the history of Prophets Adam, Idris, Musa, Nuh, Daud etc. They have never killed anyone, except prophet Musa before he was elected as prophet, even then it was accidental.
Rasulullah SAW was involved in 27 wars but he did not kill a single soul, even when there was an opportunity. When given the chance he would forgive. Wouldn`t anyone be entertained by this sort of actions?
Allah sent Rasulullah SAW to entertain human beings. With enemies, if they are not converterd to Islam, the prophet would leave them alone, hoping that one day their future generations would be Muslims. Isn`t this entertaining?
Why do the present day Islamic scholars, when mentioning the word Jihad, they have to associate it with killing others? Where does this mindset come from?
The prophets never did this. No wonder the non Muslims and even the Muslims have fear of Islam.
God wishes all human beings to entertain other fellow beings. God sends those fighting for Islam to entertain others, even though they themselves go through hardships, the most important is others are entertained.
As an example, with all the common things we face, unrealising, the air we breathe comes from God. Without air, we die and we do not realise, this is entertainment. When God restricts the air, there is no entertainment.
The earth we step on is God`s creation. If we were to look up at the blue sky, God`s sky, it`s a pleasant sight. Looking at the beautiful green scenery. We visit the market looking for fresh fish, meat and vegetables, all these are entertaining.
But we do not realise it`s entertaining and it has never been mentioned. We simply look at things around us without putting any value to what we see.
As we toil our energy during our daily routine, exhaustion seeps into our body which then requires rest. God makes us sleepy. If we are not sleepy, even though we try, we won`t be able to sleep. Being sleepy is entertaining. After a good sleep, our body feel refreshed and energised. This is entertainment from God.
When we meet other fellow humans, we could express our emotions, sharing our feelings. He then, reciprocate, sharing his feelings and emotions. Feeling relieved, that`s entertainment from God. God is most entertaining.
When we wish to do any good deeds we are asked to recite His name. The reason why God chose one from 99 names of Allah. God ordered us to recite Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
God introduces Himself, I am the Entertainer.
God did not ask us to recite Bismillahijabbarul qahhar. We do not realise, we are not aware. We only know if we recite His name, would get a fadhilat (something in return). We are never taught God is the Supreme Entertainer. We are only taught about fadhilat.
God created day and night. The occurrence of night and day is entertainment from God. With the existence of night without daylight, it`s troublesome. When daylight goes on without night time, when do we have the time to rest as daylight is meant for work! Shouldn`t we feel entertained?
We have never been taught Tauhid in this manner. God is the Supreme Entertainer and no other entertainer would match Him.
The reason for God providing us with His syariah. As if He`s saying, "If I create you, I`m your supreme entertainer and I provide you with syariah as rules and a living system to entertain you."
God is the Supreme Entertainer. He provides syariah as a second form of entertainment. Syariah is teaching us, anyone who does anything wrong, we forgive. Isn`t this entertaining?
If we don`t forgive, the person will feel hurt. Neighbours have to be taken care of like our own families even though they are non believers. Isn`t this entertaining?
Among friends, there should be loyalty. Isn`t this entertaining?
When anyone go against you during your missionary/dakwah work, we pray for them. Isn`t this entertaining?
If we read past history, those fighting for Islam especially the Prophets, no one else could match them. Read the history of Prophets Adam, Idris, Musa, Nuh, Daud etc. They have never killed anyone, except prophet Musa before he was elected as prophet, even then it was accidental.
Rasulullah SAW was involved in 27 wars but he did not kill a single soul, even when there was an opportunity. When given the chance he would forgive. Wouldn`t anyone be entertained by this sort of actions?
Allah sent Rasulullah SAW to entertain human beings. With enemies, if they are not converterd to Islam, the prophet would leave them alone, hoping that one day their future generations would be Muslims. Isn`t this entertaining?
Why do the present day Islamic scholars, when mentioning the word Jihad, they have to associate it with killing others? Where does this mindset come from?
The prophets never did this. No wonder the non Muslims and even the Muslims have fear of Islam.
God wishes all human beings to entertain other fellow beings. God sends those fighting for Islam to entertain others, even though they themselves go through hardships, the most important is others are entertained.
Sunday, April 26
Power of Perception
Who you intend to be is only changed once you tell yourself the truth about who you are - not who you think you are because of what others have done or said - but who you truly are.
If you have vision boards or do daily affirmations, the majority of it works around changing something about yourself; be it material or physical. Have you ever asked yourself why the change is so important to you? Do you know why you wish for the things you do?
If you don't know yourself beyond others' perceptions, you wouldn't possibly know your heart's desires beyond it either.
Everything in this world is neutral and only manifests into something once thought has tarnished its place in the world. The same goes for you.
No matter what you look like, what car you drive, whether you give change to a beggar or love the partner who is right for you, none of this is your truth unless you do not allow yourself to be swayed by the perception of others.
Before you fight me on this, stop - go get a piece of paper and write a list about all those things that define you. The things that no-one else has had the power to destroy about you, the things that you know without anyone else's approval - like how beautiful you are, how unique your features are, how brilliant you are at sharing your feelings, what a great son or daughter you are, how talented you are, the unique gift you give to the world every day. If only your perception has defined you, you should be writing lists of talents, gifts, offerings to the world, unique characteristics and pure magnificence.
Until then, step out of your own shoes and look at yourself - really look. It's not often we truly witness a miracle.
Try this exercise for a few weeks
Watch the thoughts that run through your mind about yourself and see how much of that is really your truth or something you have blindly believed due to someone else's perception of you.
THEN, tell yourself the truth about who you really are - chances are, you'll meet someone really special and unique along the way - YOU!!!!!
Sunday, April 12
Humans are social beings
"We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others' actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others' activities. For this reason it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others." -- Dalai Lama
Friday, April 10
The bumble bee and the Flower
A great example of Allah's protection and will.
Scientists were asked to study why a certain white-petaled flower, similar to a tulip, in the jungles of South America was mysteriously becoming extinct. Mysterious because there were no obvious man-made forces affecting it’s extinction such as pollution or pesticide.
They studied the plant for several seasons and determined that the flower was pollinated by the bumblebee and that only one bumblebee could pollinate the flower. The cause of the plant’s demise was that if a 2nd bumblebee came along and tried to pollinate it the plant would die. They also noted that only one bumblebee would occupy the flower at a time. If a bee was in search of a flower it could not land on a flower if another bee was already there.
The scientists were satisfied with their findings and reported that there was no remedy to save the popular flower but that they would continue to study it for one more season. The following year a funny thing started happening to all of the flowers--a black smudge began to develop on one of the flower’s petals. Puzzled, the scientists tested the black area for mold growth or some sort of blight but the flower was healthy. The black spot grew to about the size of a nickel then stopped. When it came time for the plant to be pollinated they observed the bumblebee pollinate the flower as usual--but there were no other 2nd or 3rd bees coming behind to land on the flower. To their amazement they discovered that after the first bee pollinated the flower the black spot on that one petal grew into the shape of a perfect silhouette of a bumblebee, warning all other bees to stay away thereby saving the plant from dying.
Thursday, April 9
Moderation/Wise Spending and Avoidance of Extravagance and Extremes
"O you who believe! Make not unlawful the good things which God has made lawful for you, but commit no excess: for God loves not those given to excess.” (Qur’an 5:87)
“O children of Adam! Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: but waste not by excess, for Allah loves not the wasters.” (Qur’an 7:31)
"Verily spendthrifts are brothers of the Evil Ones; and the Evil One is to his Rabb (Sustainer) (Himself) ungrateful.” (Qur’an 17:27)
(For other relevant Qur’anic verses, see: 17:26; 17:29 and 25:63-67)
Discouragement of Miserliness
So he who gives (in charity) and fears (Allah), and (in all sincerity) testifies to the Best, We will indeed make smooth for him the path to Ease. But he who is a greedy miser and thinks himself self-sufficient, and gives the lie to the Best, ¾ We will indeed make smooth for him the Path of Misery; nor will his wealth profit him when he falls headlong (into the Pit). Verily We take upon Us to guide, and verily unto Us (belong) the End and the Beginning. Therefore do I warn you of a Fire blazing fiercely; none shall burn therein but those most unfortunate ones who give the lie to Truth and turn their backs. But those most devoted to Allah shall be removed far from it. Those who spend their wealth for increase in self-purification, and have in their minds no favour from anyone for which a reward is expected in return, but only the desire to seek for the Countenance of their Creator Most High; and soon will they attain (complete) satisfaction. (Qur’an 92:4-21)
Abu Hurairah radiallahu tala anhu narrated that the Prophet salla lahu alaihi wa sallam said: "Every day two angels come down from Heaven and one of them says, 'O Allah! Compensate every person who spends in Your cause,' and the other (angel) says, 'O Allah! Destroy every miser.’” (Al-Bukhari,Vol. 2 Hadith 522)
(For other relevant Ahadith, see: Al-Bukhari Vol. 4 Hadith 166; Vol. 2 Hadith 523 and Tirmidhi,1873.)
Encouragement of Self-Sufficiency and Discouragement of Begging
Abu Said Al-Khudri radiallahu tala anhu narrated that some Ansari persons asked for (something) from Allah’s Messenger salla lahu alaihi wa sallam and he gave them. They again asked him for (something) and he again gave them. And then again they asked him and he gave them till all that was with him finished. And then he salla lahu alaihi wa sallam said: “If I had anything, I would not keep it away from you. (Remember) Whoever abstains from asking others, Allah will make him contented, and whoever tries to make himself self-sufficient, Allah will make him self-sufficient. And whoever remains patient, Allah will make him patient. Nobody can be given a blessing better and greater than patience.” (Al-Bukhari Vol. 2 Hadith 548)
Abu Hurairah radiallahu tala anhu narrated that Allah’s Messenger salla lahu alaihi wa sallam said: “By Him in Whose Hand my life is, it is better for anyone of you to take a rope and cut the wood (from the forest) and carry it over his back and sell it (as a means of earning his living); rather than to ask a person for something and that person may give him or not.” (Al-Bukhari Vol. 2 Hadith 549)
Hakim bin Hizam radiallahu tala anhu narrated that the Prophet salla lahu alaihi wa sallam said: “The upper hand is better than the lower hand, (I.e., he who gives charity is better than him who takes it). One should start giving first to his dependents. And the best object of charity is that which is given by a wealthy person (from the money which is left after his expenses.) And whoever abstains from asking others for some financial help, Allah will give him and save him from asking others, Allah will make him self-sufficient.” (Al-Bukhari Vol. 2 Hadith 508)
(For other relevant Hadith, see: Al-Bukhari Vol. 2 Hadith 509.)
Emphasis and Reward for Hard Work
“That man can have nothing but what he strives for.” (Qur’an 53:39)
“And if any strive (with might and main), they do so for their own souls: for Allah is free of all needs from all creation. Those who believe and work righteous deed, from them shall We blot out all misdeed that they have committed, and We shall reward them according to the best of their deeds.” (Qur’an 29:6-7)
Al-Miqdam radiallahu tala anhu narrated that the Prophet salla lahu alaihi wa sallam said: “Nobody has ever eaten a better meal than that which one has earned by working with one’s own hands. The Prophet of Allah, Daud (David), used to eat from the earnings of his manual labor.” (Al-Bukhari Vol. 3 Hadith 286)
Surah Isra 17 verse 80 Say: "O my Lord! let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honor and likewise my exit by the Gate of Truth and Honor; and grant me from Thy Presence an authority to aid (me)."
Ameen,Thumameen.
Transliteration :Wa qur rabbi adkhilni mudkhala sidqiw wa akhrijni mukhraja sidqiw wa-j'al li mil ladunka sulta_nan nasira_(n).
Al-Tirmidhi HadithHadith 2482 Narrated by AbuHurayrah (May Allah be pleased with him)
Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) used to say, " O Allah, grant me benefit in what Thou hast taught me, teach me what will benefit me, and increase my knowledge. Praise be to Allah in all circumstances. I seek refuge in Allah from the state of those who go to Hell."
Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a tradition whose isnad is gharib.
Transliteration:an Abi Hurairah (radiya Allahu anhu) qaal:
qaala Rasul Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam): "Allahumma infa'ni bima 'allamtani, wa allimni maa yanfa'oni wa zidni 'ilman, alhamdulillahi alaa kolli haal, wa a'odtho billahi min haali ahlil naar."
qaala Rasul Allah (salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam): "Allahumma infa'ni bima 'allamtani, wa allimni maa yanfa'oni wa zidni 'ilman, alhamdulillahi alaa kolli haal, wa a'odtho billahi min haali ahlil naar."
Sunday, April 5
Placeless
I hasten from place to place
corner to corner,
Searching for the house that shelters me
but wherever i go i find i am still displaced...
They say 'home is where the heart is'
But if i am not at my abode, then where is this heart?
Is it also lost?
What then is this endless ache i feel inside?
Where is my place, if the One i seek is placeless?
Where is the Convoy of Lights,
Show me......
And instead of trailing my shadow, let me follow Them.
Let Their will be done.
For i know, each fallen drop is cleansing my entire being.
Let the Lights refine my every tear into cultured pearls,
Let them polish me like a lustrous diamond,
and all shimmering gems that be,
So that i may shine in utter brilliance
as i stand both heart and soul in His dominion.....
The dominion of the One......whose place......is placeless.
- Roohi
Searching for the house that shelters me
but wherever i go i find i am still displaced...
They say 'home is where the heart is'
But if i am not at my abode, then where is this heart?
Is it also lost?
What then is this endless ache i feel inside?
Where is my place, if the One i seek is placeless?
Where is the Convoy of Lights,
Show me......
And instead of trailing my shadow, let me follow Them.
Let Their will be done.
For i know, each fallen drop is cleansing my entire being.
Let the Lights refine my every tear into cultured pearls,
Let them polish me like a lustrous diamond,
and all shimmering gems that be,
So that i may shine in utter brilliance
as i stand both heart and soul in His dominion.....
The dominion of the One......whose place......is placeless.
- Roohi
Wednesday, April 1
Taste of Love
The one who has not had a taste of love
Is but a piece of wood or stone to God.
Love extracts water from stones;
Love removes rust from mirrors.
infidelity seeks war, faith peace;
Love sets fire to war and peace alike.
Love opens its mouth in the sea of the heart;
It devours the two worlds like a whale.
Like a lion, love knows no ruse;
It does not change from a lion to a fox.
Is but a piece of wood or stone to God.
Love extracts water from stones;
Love removes rust from mirrors.
infidelity seeks war, faith peace;
Love sets fire to war and peace alike.
Love opens its mouth in the sea of the heart;
It devours the two worlds like a whale.
Like a lion, love knows no ruse;
It does not change from a lion to a fox.
Rumi...
"Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."
Nowadays we are becoming more aware of the power of our own thoughts and the role they play in forming our physical reality, and this quote is very revealing in that context! Every time I read it I’m reminded that lack does not exist except in my own mind. Whatever I think I don’t have enough of, I simply need to awaken to the ways I am blocking it from my perception. When I do that, suddenly it’s all there right before my eyes, as it always was - if only I had been willing to see it. This can apply not only to love but money, good health, joy, inner peace, and so much more.
What I love so much about quotes like Rumi’s; they offer a moment of reprieve, a glimpse of grace, and a gentle reminder that the difficult moments will pass and the sun will shine once again. What more could we ask for?
Saturday, March 28
Secret of Longevity
One day Molla was asked the secret to longevity.
"Keep your feet warm, your head cool, be careful what you eat and don't think too much."
"Keep your feet warm, your head cool, be careful what you eat and don't think too much."
Tuesday, March 24
My Dear Friend
“In Persian, there are four levels of friendship each relating to a degree in closeness and intimacy: Aashenaa (to know someone casually), Doost (a close friend), Rafeegh (your best friend) and Yaar (your inseparable lover). However, these levels are independent of the type of physical connection you have with someone. These degrees of closeness explain your deep soul connection with another being; your spouse, therefore, may only be your Aashenaa, or you may have a perfect platonic relationship with a Yaar. Some mystics measure their intimacy with God and the Beloved by using these levels.
My dear friend
never lose hope
when the Beloved
sends you away.
If you're abandoned
if you're left hopeless
tomorrow for sure
you'll be called again.
If the door is shut
right in your face
keep waiting with patience
don't leave right away.
Seeing your patience
your love will soon
summon you with grace
raise you like a champion.
And if all the roads
end up in dead ends
you'll be shown the secret paths
no one will comprehend.
The beloved I know
will give with no qualms
to a puny ant
the kingdom of Solomon.
My heart has journeyed
many times around the world
but has never found
and will never find
such a Beloved again.
ah I better keep silence
I know this endless love
will surely arrive
for you and you and you
What draws friends together
does not conform to Laws of Nature.
Form doesn't know about spiritual closeness.
If a grain of barley approaches a grain of wheat,
an ant must be carrying it. A black ant on black felt.
You can't see it, but if grains go toward each other,
it's there.
A hand shifts our birdcages around.
Some are brought closer. Some move apart.
Do not try to reason it out. Be conscious
of who draws you and who not.
My dear friend
never lose hope
when the Beloved
sends you away.
If you're abandoned
if you're left hopeless
tomorrow for sure
you'll be called again.
If the door is shut
right in your face
keep waiting with patience
don't leave right away.
Seeing your patience
your love will soon
summon you with grace
raise you like a champion.
And if all the roads
end up in dead ends
you'll be shown the secret paths
no one will comprehend.
The beloved I know
will give with no qualms
to a puny ant
the kingdom of Solomon.
My heart has journeyed
many times around the world
but has never found
and will never find
such a Beloved again.
ah I better keep silence
I know this endless love
will surely arrive
for you and you and you
What draws friends together
does not conform to Laws of Nature.
Form doesn't know about spiritual closeness.
If a grain of barley approaches a grain of wheat,
an ant must be carrying it. A black ant on black felt.
You can't see it, but if grains go toward each other,
it's there.
A hand shifts our birdcages around.
Some are brought closer. Some move apart.
Do not try to reason it out. Be conscious
of who draws you and who not.
Monday, March 23
Trust in God
BismillahirRahmanirRahim
(M)
"Trust in God is negation of trust in God," said Baba Tahir. That is to say that the one who truly trusts in God denies himself any attachment to it, in the sense that he has neither confidence in, nor attention to, his own trust.
-Baba Tahir, "Kalamat-i qisar"
(M)
"Trust in God is negation of trust in God," said Baba Tahir. That is to say that the one who truly trusts in God denies himself any attachment to it, in the sense that he has neither confidence in, nor attention to, his own trust.
-Baba Tahir, "Kalamat-i qisar"
Friday, March 13
Unity among the People
A friend passed this to me today, it is beautiful.
Why are some so judgmental? I believe that if one is so busy judging another, then they have no time to love. And Love should be the axis that all human beings should revolve on. If one does not have love in one's heart, then one has a dead soul. I am pretty sure that there are some out there who really know the depth of this statement. This is the statement that came out of the Prophet's heart. This is the statement that comes out of the Sheik's heart and believe me, it is only the person, and only the person who knows this depth I talk of will understand this statement.
The Prophet (SAW) was never judgmental. He never found fault with anybody. He even accepted the hypocrites who wanted him dead. So why are some so hell-bent in squashing their own brethren?
Look at our Prophet and look at how he lived. He is the best example one can have as to how to treat human beings whether they are Kafir or Muslim. We are just Ummas of the Prophet. We do not have the right to stamp or label another human being saying `He's Kafir, He's Muslim'. This is Allah's work. That's why we have the creator so that He can actually rule the created.
We are all Muslims and that's a fact. Among us there are the true ones and then again there are the not-so-true ones. True or not-so-true, we are all Umma of the Prophet SAW. Because we have different theologies does not mean that we are Kafirs among Muslims. We have a civic and a social responsibility as Muslims to stay united as Muslims and pose as an indomitable front. One may not agree on some of the motives or actions another Muslim brother would posses but the bottom line is we are all Muslims. If there is a another force that is going around the world to destroy Islam and Muslims, then we should all join hands to confront this force as a united front and not as a divided family. It really does not matter if one has a doubt about the Prophet’s ways or if one disagrees with Sheik Nazim and Sufism, or if one does not do anything Islamic at all. It really does not matter. But the fact is that we are all Muslims, as Muslims we must join hands
to stay safe in numbers so that we can meet that destructive force with a formidable front.
So, some brothers being mad at some members are not doing any good for personal or collective advancement. They are also not being responsible in propagating Islam in the way Allah and the Prophet wanted. If one finds a Muslim of another extreme, it is truly not correct to alienate this person. The right way would be to try to make him see that he is slightly distracted from the way of Allah and all efforts must be given to pull back the person in to the right way. But what do we see here? Alienation of the highest order…………. mud slinging, back biting! If some of the people in the forum think that a few people in the forum are in the wrong path, by all means please enlighten those in the wrong instead of labelling them. It really does not matter if you are wahhabi, shia or any other sect within the Muslim circle. As long as they acknowledge Allah Almighty and the Prophet (SAW) nothing should really matter.
Why are we letting ourselves be overwhelmed by the trivialities of life? Just lift your head and look at the sky above you? Can you comprehend its vastness? In the same way, can you truly comprehend HAQ? Can you actually say that you have understood Allah Almighty completely? Oh, how can one be so judgemental when you may not even have touched the surface of infinity.
Some don't want to pray shoulder to shoulder because they might have to join a Shia or a Wahhabi or whatever. Some don't want to associate another sect because they tie their hands for takbir in a different way. Some Muslims don't want to associate another sect of Muslims because they go and pray at ziharams and believe in Awliyas. Then, here in Sri Lanka , some Muslims discouraged another set of Muslims from joining Sufism because they were told that the Sufis pray only three times a day!
Ignorance and lack of proper knowledge led them to believe in a falsehood. Praying three or five times or 100 times, what? Aren’t they are all praying to Allah Almighty. The former Sri Lankan Ambassadoress for Pakistan visited some Sufis in Peshawar . These Sufis meditate in a cave and come out only on certain days. On her visit, she witnessed that the Sufis did not pray the 5 times prayer and she popped the question how come? Out came the answer: why limit remembrance of Allah to just 5 times a day when we are with Allah 24 hours of the day and every second of the day. How does one argue with logic like that? Logic perfectly harmonised with theology and action.
Do you really think HAQ is being governed by mundane things like who is right and who is wrong? If the Sufis are praying 3 times a day or not at all, whether they are praying five rakats or ten or only two for that matter, they are with Allah 24 hours of the day…………look at the bottom line, they are with Allah 24 hours of the day aren't they? They are all prostrating before Allah Almighty and have acknowledged the Prophet as the messenger of Allah. Can you truly tell those Sufis that they are not with Allah because they are not praying five times day? Will Allah Almighty or the Prophet not acknowledge those Sufis because they did not pray 5 times a day?
Motives and ideas of each person or a sect is different from each other but as long as they are within the circle of Islam that propagates one God and that the Prophet is the last of the messengers, I think it is safe to say that one is in the correct path. People can go to extremes. People go to extremes in relation to Islamic rights and rituals but they are all Muslims and brethren. No individual sect can announce to the world that they are the better and correct path to Allah Almighty. All come under the umbrella of Islam/Muslim, and therefore, should not stand alone and confront separately a common battle which has to be sorted out with a united front. If there are among us brethren who have some ideas that don't coincide with the norm, then disassociate yourself with those ideas ONLY but still associate with the person because he is still a fellow Muslim. Try to guide the person concerned to see light in those parts that need guidance. Because
this person as a whole is an umma of the Prophet and if there is a Muslim who is completely extreme in his outlook, leave him to Allah for guidance.
No Muslim should be judgmental about another human being. No Muslim should be the judge, jury and the executioner of another human being. It is only Allah and Allah alone who has this right to make this call. If you love Allah and the Prophet, show it in action. The noblest way to show it would be the way the Prophet (SAW) lived and acted.
To be truly happy and content, you need 2 things: Love and Understanding. Love that should come with spontaneity of the heart and understanding that can lead to forgiveness. You cannot have one without the other. You need both to be happy. Humanity has lost the spontaneity of love and understanding.. They have forgotten the path to forgiveness.
Shaitan works in many ways. Let’s stay united for the love of Allah
Soraya Usuf
Why are some so judgmental? I believe that if one is so busy judging another, then they have no time to love. And Love should be the axis that all human beings should revolve on. If one does not have love in one's heart, then one has a dead soul. I am pretty sure that there are some out there who really know the depth of this statement. This is the statement that came out of the Prophet's heart. This is the statement that comes out of the Sheik's heart and believe me, it is only the person, and only the person who knows this depth I talk of will understand this statement.
The Prophet (SAW) was never judgmental. He never found fault with anybody. He even accepted the hypocrites who wanted him dead. So why are some so hell-bent in squashing their own brethren?
Look at our Prophet and look at how he lived. He is the best example one can have as to how to treat human beings whether they are Kafir or Muslim. We are just Ummas of the Prophet. We do not have the right to stamp or label another human being saying `He's Kafir, He's Muslim'. This is Allah's work. That's why we have the creator so that He can actually rule the created.
We are all Muslims and that's a fact. Among us there are the true ones and then again there are the not-so-true ones. True or not-so-true, we are all Umma of the Prophet SAW. Because we have different theologies does not mean that we are Kafirs among Muslims. We have a civic and a social responsibility as Muslims to stay united as Muslims and pose as an indomitable front. One may not agree on some of the motives or actions another Muslim brother would posses but the bottom line is we are all Muslims. If there is a another force that is going around the world to destroy Islam and Muslims, then we should all join hands to confront this force as a united front and not as a divided family. It really does not matter if one has a doubt about the Prophet’s ways or if one disagrees with Sheik Nazim and Sufism, or if one does not do anything Islamic at all. It really does not matter. But the fact is that we are all Muslims, as Muslims we must join hands
to stay safe in numbers so that we can meet that destructive force with a formidable front.
So, some brothers being mad at some members are not doing any good for personal or collective advancement. They are also not being responsible in propagating Islam in the way Allah and the Prophet wanted. If one finds a Muslim of another extreme, it is truly not correct to alienate this person. The right way would be to try to make him see that he is slightly distracted from the way of Allah and all efforts must be given to pull back the person in to the right way. But what do we see here? Alienation of the highest order…………. mud slinging, back biting! If some of the people in the forum think that a few people in the forum are in the wrong path, by all means please enlighten those in the wrong instead of labelling them. It really does not matter if you are wahhabi, shia or any other sect within the Muslim circle. As long as they acknowledge Allah Almighty and the Prophet (SAW) nothing should really matter.
Why are we letting ourselves be overwhelmed by the trivialities of life? Just lift your head and look at the sky above you? Can you comprehend its vastness? In the same way, can you truly comprehend HAQ? Can you actually say that you have understood Allah Almighty completely? Oh, how can one be so judgemental when you may not even have touched the surface of infinity.
Some don't want to pray shoulder to shoulder because they might have to join a Shia or a Wahhabi or whatever. Some don't want to associate another sect because they tie their hands for takbir in a different way. Some Muslims don't want to associate another sect of Muslims because they go and pray at ziharams and believe in Awliyas. Then, here in Sri Lanka , some Muslims discouraged another set of Muslims from joining Sufism because they were told that the Sufis pray only three times a day!
Ignorance and lack of proper knowledge led them to believe in a falsehood. Praying three or five times or 100 times, what? Aren’t they are all praying to Allah Almighty. The former Sri Lankan Ambassadoress for Pakistan visited some Sufis in Peshawar . These Sufis meditate in a cave and come out only on certain days. On her visit, she witnessed that the Sufis did not pray the 5 times prayer and she popped the question how come? Out came the answer: why limit remembrance of Allah to just 5 times a day when we are with Allah 24 hours of the day and every second of the day. How does one argue with logic like that? Logic perfectly harmonised with theology and action.
Do you really think HAQ is being governed by mundane things like who is right and who is wrong? If the Sufis are praying 3 times a day or not at all, whether they are praying five rakats or ten or only two for that matter, they are with Allah 24 hours of the day…………look at the bottom line, they are with Allah 24 hours of the day aren't they? They are all prostrating before Allah Almighty and have acknowledged the Prophet as the messenger of Allah. Can you truly tell those Sufis that they are not with Allah because they are not praying five times day? Will Allah Almighty or the Prophet not acknowledge those Sufis because they did not pray 5 times a day?
Motives and ideas of each person or a sect is different from each other but as long as they are within the circle of Islam that propagates one God and that the Prophet is the last of the messengers, I think it is safe to say that one is in the correct path. People can go to extremes. People go to extremes in relation to Islamic rights and rituals but they are all Muslims and brethren. No individual sect can announce to the world that they are the better and correct path to Allah Almighty. All come under the umbrella of Islam/Muslim, and therefore, should not stand alone and confront separately a common battle which has to be sorted out with a united front. If there are among us brethren who have some ideas that don't coincide with the norm, then disassociate yourself with those ideas ONLY but still associate with the person because he is still a fellow Muslim. Try to guide the person concerned to see light in those parts that need guidance. Because
this person as a whole is an umma of the Prophet and if there is a Muslim who is completely extreme in his outlook, leave him to Allah for guidance.
No Muslim should be judgmental about another human being. No Muslim should be the judge, jury and the executioner of another human being. It is only Allah and Allah alone who has this right to make this call. If you love Allah and the Prophet, show it in action. The noblest way to show it would be the way the Prophet (SAW) lived and acted.
To be truly happy and content, you need 2 things: Love and Understanding. Love that should come with spontaneity of the heart and understanding that can lead to forgiveness. You cannot have one without the other. You need both to be happy. Humanity has lost the spontaneity of love and understanding.. They have forgotten the path to forgiveness.
Shaitan works in many ways. Let’s stay united for the love of Allah
Soraya Usuf
Monday, March 9
Awliya's Salawat (Prayer)
A woman came to Hadhrat Hasan Basri (rahmatullahi alayhi) and said, "My daughter has passed away, I want to see her in a dream". Hasan Basri advised her, "Offer four rak'at nafl Salat after the Isha. Recite Surah At-Takathur after Al Fatiha in each rak'at. After offering the Salat go to bed and recite Darud till you sleep."
She followed the advise. In the dream she saw her daughter in severe punishment. Her both hands were cuffed and her feet were tied with the chains of fire.
After getting up in the morning she went straight to Hadhrat Hasan Basri (rahmatullahi alayhi) and told the dream. Hazrat Hasan Basri said, "Give alms on her behalf. It is possible that Allah may forgive her".
The next night, Hasan Basri himself dreamt a garden of Paradise having a very high throne on which a very beautiful and charming girl was sitting. She was wearing a crown of light. She said "Hasan! Do you recognise me?". Hasan said "No, I do not recognise you". The girl said, "I am the same girl to whose Mother you advised to recite the Darud (after the Isha till sleep)". Hadhrat Hasan said, "Your Mother told me quite a contrary condition". She said, "I was in the same condition as told by my Mother". "How did you get this position?" enquired Hadhrat Hasan. The girl told, "I was being punished along with seventy thousand people in that torment. A devotee from the saints passed by our graveyard. He recited Darud once on the Prophet salaAllahu alayhi wasalam and prayed to Allah to grant us the reward of that Darud. Allah answered his prayer and all of us were forgiven and granted salvation".
She followed the advise. In the dream she saw her daughter in severe punishment. Her both hands were cuffed and her feet were tied with the chains of fire.
After getting up in the morning she went straight to Hadhrat Hasan Basri (rahmatullahi alayhi) and told the dream. Hazrat Hasan Basri said, "Give alms on her behalf. It is possible that Allah may forgive her".
The next night, Hasan Basri himself dreamt a garden of Paradise having a very high throne on which a very beautiful and charming girl was sitting. She was wearing a crown of light. She said "Hasan! Do you recognise me?". Hasan said "No, I do not recognise you". The girl said, "I am the same girl to whose Mother you advised to recite the Darud (after the Isha till sleep)". Hadhrat Hasan said, "Your Mother told me quite a contrary condition". She said, "I was in the same condition as told by my Mother". "How did you get this position?" enquired Hadhrat Hasan. The girl told, "I was being punished along with seventy thousand people in that torment. A devotee from the saints passed by our graveyard. He recited Darud once on the Prophet salaAllahu alayhi wasalam and prayed to Allah to grant us the reward of that Darud. Allah answered his prayer and all of us were forgiven and granted salvation".
Friday, March 6
Life
Though you may be a rock or marble you will be a jewel when you
reach the man of heart.
Plant the love of the Beloved in your spirit; do not give your heart
to anyone save those whose hearts are full of love.
Don’t go into the place of despair: there is hope.
Don’t go in the direction of darkness: there is light.
The heart leads you to the heart.
Allow the heart to be fed with love,
And the spirit to be filled with enlightenment.
reach the man of heart.
Plant the love of the Beloved in your spirit; do not give your heart
to anyone save those whose hearts are full of love.
Don’t go into the place of despair: there is hope.
Don’t go in the direction of darkness: there is light.
The heart leads you to the heart.
Allow the heart to be fed with love,
And the spirit to be filled with enlightenment.
May you all continue celebrating life dancing moment to moment!
Wednesday, March 4
The Ta-Sin of Understanding
The Ta-Sin of Understanding
The comprehensions of created natures are not attached to reality, and reality is not attached to created natures. Thoughts (which come) are adherences, and the adherences of created natures do not attach themselves to realities. The perception of reality is difficult to acquire, so how much more difficult is the perception of the reality of the Reality. Furthermore, Allah is beyond reality, and reality does not in itself imply Allah.
The moth flies about the flame until morning, then he returns to his fellows and tells them of his spiritual state with the most eloquent expressions. The he mixes with the coquetry of the flame in his desire to reach perfect union.
The light of the flame is the knowledge of reality, its heat is the reality of reality, and Union with it is the Truth of the reality.
He was not satisfied with its light nor with its heat, so he leapt into it completely. Meanwhile, his fellows were awaiting his coming so that he could tell them of his actual vision since he had not been satisfied with hearsay. But at that moment, he was being utterly consumed, reduced and dispersed into fragments, and he remained without form or body or distinguishing mark. Then in what sense can he return to his fellows? And in what state now that he has obtained? He who had arrived at the vision became able to dispense with reports. He who arrives at the object of his vision is no longer concerned with the vision.
These meanings do not concern the negligent man, nor the transitory man, nor the man of wrong action, nor the man who follows his whims.
Oh you who are uncertain, do not identify ‘I am’ with the Divine ‘I’ - not now, nor in the future, nor in the past. Even if the ‘I am’ was a consummated gnostic, and if this was my state, it was not the perfection. Even though I am His I am not He.
If you have understood this, then understand that these meanings were not true from anyone except Muhammad, and ‘Muhammed is not the father of any one of your men,’ but the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets. He absented himself from men and jinn, and he closed his eyes to ‘where’ until there no longer remained any veil on the heart nor any falsehood.
There was a ‘length of two bows’ lengths or nearer,’ when he reached the desert of the ‘knowledge of reality,’ he reported from the outward heart. When he arrived to the truth of the reality he left his desire there and gave himself up to the Bountiful. When he reached the Truth he returned and said: ‘the inward heart has prostrated to You, and the outward heart has believed in You.’ When he reached the Furthermost Limit he said: ‘I cannot praise You as You should be praised.’ When he reached the reality of the reality he said: ‘You are the only One who can praise Yourself.’
He renounced his desire and followed his vocation, ‘the heart did not lie about what it saw’ at this station near the Lote-Tree of the Boundary. He did not turn to the right to the reality of things, nor to the left to the reality of reality. ‘His eyes swerved not, nor swept away.’
The comprehensions of created natures are not attached to reality, and reality is not attached to created natures. Thoughts (which come) are adherences, and the adherences of created natures do not attach themselves to realities. The perception of reality is difficult to acquire, so how much more difficult is the perception of the reality of the Reality. Furthermore, Allah is beyond reality, and reality does not in itself imply Allah.
The moth flies about the flame until morning, then he returns to his fellows and tells them of his spiritual state with the most eloquent expressions. The he mixes with the coquetry of the flame in his desire to reach perfect union.
The light of the flame is the knowledge of reality, its heat is the reality of reality, and Union with it is the Truth of the reality.
He was not satisfied with its light nor with its heat, so he leapt into it completely. Meanwhile, his fellows were awaiting his coming so that he could tell them of his actual vision since he had not been satisfied with hearsay. But at that moment, he was being utterly consumed, reduced and dispersed into fragments, and he remained without form or body or distinguishing mark. Then in what sense can he return to his fellows? And in what state now that he has obtained? He who had arrived at the vision became able to dispense with reports. He who arrives at the object of his vision is no longer concerned with the vision.
These meanings do not concern the negligent man, nor the transitory man, nor the man of wrong action, nor the man who follows his whims.
Oh you who are uncertain, do not identify ‘I am’ with the Divine ‘I’ - not now, nor in the future, nor in the past. Even if the ‘I am’ was a consummated gnostic, and if this was my state, it was not the perfection. Even though I am His I am not He.
If you have understood this, then understand that these meanings were not true from anyone except Muhammad, and ‘Muhammed is not the father of any one of your men,’ but the Messenger of Allah and the seal of the prophets. He absented himself from men and jinn, and he closed his eyes to ‘where’ until there no longer remained any veil on the heart nor any falsehood.
There was a ‘length of two bows’ lengths or nearer,’ when he reached the desert of the ‘knowledge of reality,’ he reported from the outward heart. When he arrived to the truth of the reality he left his desire there and gave himself up to the Bountiful. When he reached the Truth he returned and said: ‘the inward heart has prostrated to You, and the outward heart has believed in You.’ When he reached the Furthermost Limit he said: ‘I cannot praise You as You should be praised.’ When he reached the reality of the reality he said: ‘You are the only One who can praise Yourself.’
He renounced his desire and followed his vocation, ‘the heart did not lie about what it saw’ at this station near the Lote-Tree of the Boundary. He did not turn to the right to the reality of things, nor to the left to the reality of reality. ‘His eyes swerved not, nor swept away.’
Source: as quoted from Mansur al-Hallaj,
Author of 'The Tawasin', translated by:
Aisha Abd ar-Rahman at-Tarjumana
Tuesday, March 3
Love
Doc Childre
Our true identity is to love without fear and insecurity. Our higher potential finds us when we set our course in that direction. The power of love and compassion transforms insecurity.
Vipin Sharma
Love the heart that hurts you, but never hurt the heart that loves you.
Sara Paddison, The Hidden Power of the Heart
Enthusiasm created from the heart is the spirit of the matter. It ignites your whole system so there's no drag, no resistance, no thoughts like "Do I have to?" coming from the head to sabotage the power of your surrender.
Our true identity is to love without fear and insecurity. Our higher potential finds us when we set our course in that direction. The power of love and compassion transforms insecurity.
Vipin Sharma
Love the heart that hurts you, but never hurt the heart that loves you.
Sara Paddison, The Hidden Power of the Heart
Enthusiasm created from the heart is the spirit of the matter. It ignites your whole system so there's no drag, no resistance, no thoughts like "Do I have to?" coming from the head to sabotage the power of your surrender.
Monday, March 2
Prophet Muhammed
Written by George Jordac
With eyes as bright as the shining sun, a reality on the lips more
brilliant than the light of the sun, a heart more fresh than the
flowers of the gardens of Yathrib and Taif, habits and morals more
decent than the moon- lit nights of the Hijaz, a mind more brisk than
the strong winds, a bewitching tongue, a heart with heavenly light,
firm determination like a trenchant sword and heavenly words on the
tongue - such was Muhammad son of Abdullah, the prophet of Arabia, the
prophet who destroyed the idols which had separated brothers from
brothers. He did not break only the idols of wood and stone but also
broke the idols of wealth, indecent habits and party-spirit.
The only thing which the cowardly Quraysh desired was money should be
transferred from the hands of the nomadic Arabs to their own pockets.
The only value which they attached to life was that in order to earn
profit they should travel through the desert on the back of the camels
undergoing extreme hardships and then return to their hometown Mecca -
the same Mecca which was the city of idol-worship, and where money was
the only thing which counted.
Suddenly they heard a voice which shook their nerves. Their hopes were
shattered. The world turned away its face from them saying: "The value
of man is not the same which you have assessed and the object of the
creation of the nomadic Arabs is not the same which you think it to be".
....... This was the voice of Muhammad ........
Banu Asad and Banu Tamim were so foolish and ignorant that they buried
their daughters alive without any cause. There was no justification
for their doing so except that it was a custom which had survived
amongst them. They were opposed to the Divine will. They hated the
beauty of nature. And then they heard a voice, which was expressive of
deep love and sympathy for the people saying: "Don't bury your
daughters alive. Daughters are as good a creation of God as the sons.
No human being has a right to deprive others of life. It is only God
who creates the people and makes them die".
........ This was the voice of Muhammad .......
The Arabs were always fighting. They fought and shed blood for years
on account of very trivial things. They killed their own brothers and
then rejoiced and glorified themselves on it. To sacrifice their lives
for the sake of their own ignorance was something very ordinary for
them. The children cried and screamed and grew up in conditions which
were not conducive to the creation of love or sympathy for anyone in
their minds.
In these circumstances they heard another voice which said: "What are
you doing? You kill one another although you are all brothers because
all of you have been created by God. Strife is something satanic.
Peace and friendship are more beneficial for you. The blessing for
which you fight can't be achieved except through peace".
........ This, too, was the voice of Muhammad .......
The Arabs were the most proud and egoistic people. They considered the
non-Arabs inferior to themselves. Not only this but they did not
consider the non-Arabs even human beings. Muhammad disliked this
attitude of the Arabs very much. Addressing these proud people he
said: "No Arab is superior to a non-Arab unless he is more pious.
Whether you like it or not all human beings are brothers of one another".
There were oppressed, homeless and helpless persons whose faces had
been scorched by the hot winds. The society had discarded them and
made their lives miserable. They were more humble in the eyes of the
people than the particles of sand and their life had become extremely
unenviable. And these were the true friends of the prophet of Islam,
just as the indigent and outcasts of the society were the friends of
Jesus Christ and other great men of the world. It was these very
people for whose benefit the prophet of Islam endeavoured to prevent
the establishment of dictatorship, disallowed slavery, freed man from
the bondage of his fellow-men, and established the public treasury so
that all might benefit from it without any discrimination. He directed
the efforts of the people towards public welfare. He insisted on
Quraysh, who were his kinsmen, at every step that they should improve
their conduct, do good deeds, and keep their attention directed
whole-heartedly to God, who has united the scattered creation into a
single whole.
However, Quraysh instigated the ignorant persons as well as their own
children to stone and ridicule him.
The helpless, oppressed and homeless slaves among whom one was Bilal,
the Mu'azzin of the prophet, were overjoyed when they heard this: "All
human beings are fed by God. He likes him most who is more helpful to
his creatures".
........ This was the voice of Muhammad .......
Those who were his enemies and stoned and ridiculed him heard this
animating voice: "If you (Muhammad) had been stern and hard-hearted
they would all have deserted you a long time ago. Forgive them and ask
God to forgive (their sins) and consult with them in certain matter.
But when you reach a decision trust God. God loves those who trust Him".
........ This was the voice of Muhammad .......
The following pure words were imprinted on the minds of those who were
endeavouring in the path of God for a better life, and were ready to
support him (Muhammad) in his campaign against idol-worship and
evil-doing, and were afraid lest their rights and good conduct might
be wasted in the battle-field.
"Remember! Don't be treacherous. Don't commit breach of trust. Don't
kill either a child or a woman or an old man or a monk in a monastery.
Don't burn a date-palm tree and don't cut any tree nor pull down a
building".
........ This voice was the voice of Muhammad .......
The Arabs heard this heavenly voice from Muhammad and spread it in all
the four corners of the world. They covered powerful rulers and kings
with this voice, established brotherhood amongst human beings and
strung them in one faith, and created relationship between man and God.
The shade of Muhammad spread so much that the entire Old World came
under it and the land from the east upto the west began producing the
fruits of goodness, knowledge, peace and friendship. The prophet of
Islam stretched his hand and sowed the seeds of friendship and
brotherhood throughout the world. That hand is still stretched and is
busy sowing the seeds. Hence, there is no part of the world wherein
the followers of Muhammad are not found. One of them may be in
Pakistan and the other may be in Spain, but in spite of this both of
them are treated to be under one and the same standard. The prophet
provided honour and respect to the Orientals which is even now a
shining crown on their heads.
This voice of the prophet, was a call for human brotherhood. It
stopped the hands of the rulers from reaching the property of the
subjects and gave equal rights to all human beings. In his religion
there is no discrimination between a common man, a ruler and a subject
and an Arab and a non-Arab, because all human beings are the slaves of
God and it is He who provides sustenance to all of them.
This voice emancipated women from the oppression of men, freed the
labourers from the injustice of the capitalists and delivered the
servants from the degradation of submission to their masters. As
opposed to Plato and other philosophers, who deprive the workers of
their social rights on account of their mean occupation and have
divided the society into many grades, the prophet of Islam made all
human beings participate in the affairs of government. He also
disallowed usury and exploitation of one man by another.
With eyes as bright as the shining sun, a reality on the lips more
brilliant than the light of the sun, a heart more fresh than the
flowers of the gardens of Yathrib and Taif, habits and morals more
decent than the moon- lit nights of the Hijaz, a mind more brisk than
the strong winds, a bewitching tongue, a heart with heavenly light,
firm determination like a trenchant sword and heavenly words on the
tongue - such was Muhammad son of Abdullah, the prophet of Arabia, the
prophet who destroyed the idols which had separated brothers from
brothers. He did not break only the idols of wood and stone but also
broke the idols of wealth, indecent habits and party-spirit.
The only thing which the cowardly Quraysh desired was money should be
transferred from the hands of the nomadic Arabs to their own pockets.
The only value which they attached to life was that in order to earn
profit they should travel through the desert on the back of the camels
undergoing extreme hardships and then return to their hometown Mecca -
the same Mecca which was the city of idol-worship, and where money was
the only thing which counted.
Suddenly they heard a voice which shook their nerves. Their hopes were
shattered. The world turned away its face from them saying: "The value
of man is not the same which you have assessed and the object of the
creation of the nomadic Arabs is not the same which you think it to be".
....... This was the voice of Muhammad ........
Banu Asad and Banu Tamim were so foolish and ignorant that they buried
their daughters alive without any cause. There was no justification
for their doing so except that it was a custom which had survived
amongst them. They were opposed to the Divine will. They hated the
beauty of nature. And then they heard a voice, which was expressive of
deep love and sympathy for the people saying: "Don't bury your
daughters alive. Daughters are as good a creation of God as the sons.
No human being has a right to deprive others of life. It is only God
who creates the people and makes them die".
........ This was the voice of Muhammad .......
The Arabs were always fighting. They fought and shed blood for years
on account of very trivial things. They killed their own brothers and
then rejoiced and glorified themselves on it. To sacrifice their lives
for the sake of their own ignorance was something very ordinary for
them. The children cried and screamed and grew up in conditions which
were not conducive to the creation of love or sympathy for anyone in
their minds.
In these circumstances they heard another voice which said: "What are
you doing? You kill one another although you are all brothers because
all of you have been created by God. Strife is something satanic.
Peace and friendship are more beneficial for you. The blessing for
which you fight can't be achieved except through peace".
........ This, too, was the voice of Muhammad .......
The Arabs were the most proud and egoistic people. They considered the
non-Arabs inferior to themselves. Not only this but they did not
consider the non-Arabs even human beings. Muhammad disliked this
attitude of the Arabs very much. Addressing these proud people he
said: "No Arab is superior to a non-Arab unless he is more pious.
Whether you like it or not all human beings are brothers of one another".
There were oppressed, homeless and helpless persons whose faces had
been scorched by the hot winds. The society had discarded them and
made their lives miserable. They were more humble in the eyes of the
people than the particles of sand and their life had become extremely
unenviable. And these were the true friends of the prophet of Islam,
just as the indigent and outcasts of the society were the friends of
Jesus Christ and other great men of the world. It was these very
people for whose benefit the prophet of Islam endeavoured to prevent
the establishment of dictatorship, disallowed slavery, freed man from
the bondage of his fellow-men, and established the public treasury so
that all might benefit from it without any discrimination. He directed
the efforts of the people towards public welfare. He insisted on
Quraysh, who were his kinsmen, at every step that they should improve
their conduct, do good deeds, and keep their attention directed
whole-heartedly to God, who has united the scattered creation into a
single whole.
However, Quraysh instigated the ignorant persons as well as their own
children to stone and ridicule him.
The helpless, oppressed and homeless slaves among whom one was Bilal,
the Mu'azzin of the prophet, were overjoyed when they heard this: "All
human beings are fed by God. He likes him most who is more helpful to
his creatures".
........ This was the voice of Muhammad .......
Those who were his enemies and stoned and ridiculed him heard this
animating voice: "If you (Muhammad) had been stern and hard-hearted
they would all have deserted you a long time ago. Forgive them and ask
God to forgive (their sins) and consult with them in certain matter.
But when you reach a decision trust God. God loves those who trust Him".
........ This was the voice of Muhammad .......
The following pure words were imprinted on the minds of those who were
endeavouring in the path of God for a better life, and were ready to
support him (Muhammad) in his campaign against idol-worship and
evil-doing, and were afraid lest their rights and good conduct might
be wasted in the battle-field.
"Remember! Don't be treacherous. Don't commit breach of trust. Don't
kill either a child or a woman or an old man or a monk in a monastery.
Don't burn a date-palm tree and don't cut any tree nor pull down a
building".
........ This voice was the voice of Muhammad .......
The Arabs heard this heavenly voice from Muhammad and spread it in all
the four corners of the world. They covered powerful rulers and kings
with this voice, established brotherhood amongst human beings and
strung them in one faith, and created relationship between man and God.
The shade of Muhammad spread so much that the entire Old World came
under it and the land from the east upto the west began producing the
fruits of goodness, knowledge, peace and friendship. The prophet of
Islam stretched his hand and sowed the seeds of friendship and
brotherhood throughout the world. That hand is still stretched and is
busy sowing the seeds. Hence, there is no part of the world wherein
the followers of Muhammad are not found. One of them may be in
Pakistan and the other may be in Spain, but in spite of this both of
them are treated to be under one and the same standard. The prophet
provided honour and respect to the Orientals which is even now a
shining crown on their heads.
This voice of the prophet, was a call for human brotherhood. It
stopped the hands of the rulers from reaching the property of the
subjects and gave equal rights to all human beings. In his religion
there is no discrimination between a common man, a ruler and a subject
and an Arab and a non-Arab, because all human beings are the slaves of
God and it is He who provides sustenance to all of them.
This voice emancipated women from the oppression of men, freed the
labourers from the injustice of the capitalists and delivered the
servants from the degradation of submission to their masters. As
opposed to Plato and other philosophers, who deprive the workers of
their social rights on account of their mean occupation and have
divided the society into many grades, the prophet of Islam made all
human beings participate in the affairs of government. He also
disallowed usury and exploitation of one man by another.
Friday, February 27
Where is God?
When Moses conversed with God, he asked, "Lord, where shall I seek You?"
God answered, "Among the brokenhearted."
Moses continued, "But, Lord, no heart could be more despairing than mine."
And God replied, "Then I am where you are."
God answered, "Among the brokenhearted."
Moses continued, "But, Lord, no heart could be more despairing than mine."
And God replied, "Then I am where you are."
-Abu’l-Fayd al-Misri, “The Kashf al-Mahjub”
Monday, February 23
One
One is without reason.
Tuesday, February 17
Be Lost in the Call
Be Lost in the Call
Lord, said David, since you do not need us,
why did you create these two worlds?
Reality replied: O prisoner of time,
I was a secret treasure of kindness and generosity,
and I wished this treasure to be known,
so I created a mirror: its shining face, the heart;
its darkened back, the world;
The back would please you if you've never seen the face.
Has anyone ever produced a mirror out of mud and straw?
Yet clean away the mud and straw,
and a mirror might be revealed.
Until the juice ferments a while in the cask,
it isn't wine. If you wish your heart to be bright,
you must do a little work.
My King addressed the soul of my flesh:
You return just as you left.
Where are the traces of my gifts?
We know that alchemy transforms copper into gold.
This Sun doesn't want a crown or robe from God's grace.
He is a hat to a hundred bald men,
a covering for ten who were naked.
Jesus sat humbly on the back of an ass, my child!
How could a zephyr ride an ass?
Spirit, find your way, in seeking lowness like a stream.
Reason, tread the path of selflessness into eternity.
Remember God so much that you are forgotten.
Let the caller and the called disappear;
be lost in the Call.
-
"Love is a Stranger", Kabir Helminski
Threshold Books, 1993
Lord, said David, since you do not need us,
why did you create these two worlds?
Reality replied: O prisoner of time,
I was a secret treasure of kindness and generosity,
and I wished this treasure to be known,
so I created a mirror: its shining face, the heart;
its darkened back, the world;
The back would please you if you've never seen the face.
Has anyone ever produced a mirror out of mud and straw?
Yet clean away the mud and straw,
and a mirror might be revealed.
Until the juice ferments a while in the cask,
it isn't wine. If you wish your heart to be bright,
you must do a little work.
My King addressed the soul of my flesh:
You return just as you left.
Where are the traces of my gifts?
We know that alchemy transforms copper into gold.
This Sun doesn't want a crown or robe from God's grace.
He is a hat to a hundred bald men,
a covering for ten who were naked.
Jesus sat humbly on the back of an ass, my child!
How could a zephyr ride an ass?
Spirit, find your way, in seeking lowness like a stream.
Reason, tread the path of selflessness into eternity.
Remember God so much that you are forgotten.
Let the caller and the called disappear;
be lost in the Call.
-
"Love is a Stranger", Kabir Helminski
Threshold Books, 1993
Sunday, February 15
Song of Love
I am the lover's eyes, and the spirit's
Wine, and the heart's nourishment.
I am a rose. My heart opens at dawn and
The virgin kisses me and places me
Upon her breast.
I am the house of true fortune, and the
Origin of pleasure, and the beginning
Of peace and tranquility. I am the gentle
Smile upon his lips of beauty. When youth
Overtakes me he forgets his toil, and his
Whole life becomes reality of sweet dreams.
I am the poet's elation,
And the artist's revelation,
And the musician's inspiration.
I am a sacred shrine in the heart of a
Child, adored by a merciful mother.
I appear to a heart's cry; I shun a demand;
My fullness pursues the heart's desire;
It shuns the empty claim of the voice.
I appeared to Adam through Eve
And exile was his lot;
Yet I revealed myself to Solomon, and
He drew wisdom from my presence.
I smiled at Helena and she destroyed Tarwada;
Yet I crowned Cleopatra and peace dominated
The Valley of the Nile.
I am like the ages -- building today
And destroying tomorrow;
I am like a god, who creates and ruins;
I am sweeter than a violet's sigh;
I am more violent than a raging tempest.
Gifts alone do not entice me;
Parting does not discourage me;
Poverty does not chase me;
Jealousy does not prove my awareness;
Madness does not evidence my presence.
Oh seekers, I am Truth, beseeching Truth;
And your Truth in seeking and receiving
And protecting me shall determine my
Behavior.
Kahlil Gibran
Wine, and the heart's nourishment.
I am a rose. My heart opens at dawn and
The virgin kisses me and places me
Upon her breast.
I am the house of true fortune, and the
Origin of pleasure, and the beginning
Of peace and tranquility. I am the gentle
Smile upon his lips of beauty. When youth
Overtakes me he forgets his toil, and his
Whole life becomes reality of sweet dreams.
I am the poet's elation,
And the artist's revelation,
And the musician's inspiration.
I am a sacred shrine in the heart of a
Child, adored by a merciful mother.
I appear to a heart's cry; I shun a demand;
My fullness pursues the heart's desire;
It shuns the empty claim of the voice.
I appeared to Adam through Eve
And exile was his lot;
Yet I revealed myself to Solomon, and
He drew wisdom from my presence.
I smiled at Helena and she destroyed Tarwada;
Yet I crowned Cleopatra and peace dominated
The Valley of the Nile.
I am like the ages -- building today
And destroying tomorrow;
I am like a god, who creates and ruins;
I am sweeter than a violet's sigh;
I am more violent than a raging tempest.
Gifts alone do not entice me;
Parting does not discourage me;
Poverty does not chase me;
Jealousy does not prove my awareness;
Madness does not evidence my presence.
Oh seekers, I am Truth, beseeching Truth;
And your Truth in seeking and receiving
And protecting me shall determine my
Behavior.
Kahlil Gibran
Saturday, February 14
Your Love
Your love lifts my soul from the body to the sky
And you lift me up out of the two worlds.
I want your sun to reach my raindrops,
So your heat can raise my soul upward like a cloud.
~ Rumi
Rumi
There is a way between voice and presence
where information flows.
In disciplined silence it opens.
With wandering talk it closes.
Thursday, February 12
Rumi's Poem on Aging
Why does a date-palm lose its leaves in autumn?
Why does every beautiful face grow in old age?
Wrinkled like the back of a libyan lizard?
Why does a full head of hair get bald?
Why is the tall, straight figure
That divided the ranks like a spear
Now bent alomost double?
Why is it that the
Lion strength weakens to nothing?
The wrestler who could hold anyone down
Is led out with two people supporting him,
Their shoulders under his arms?
God answers,
"They put on borrowed robes
and pretended they were theirs.
I take the beautiful clothes back,
so that you will learn the robe
of appearance is only a loan."
Your lamp was lit from another lamp.
All God wants is your gratitude for that.
Why does every beautiful face grow in old age?
Wrinkled like the back of a libyan lizard?
Why does a full head of hair get bald?
Why is the tall, straight figure
That divided the ranks like a spear
Now bent alomost double?
Why is it that the
Lion strength weakens to nothing?
The wrestler who could hold anyone down
Is led out with two people supporting him,
Their shoulders under his arms?
God answers,
"They put on borrowed robes
and pretended they were theirs.
I take the beautiful clothes back,
so that you will learn the robe
of appearance is only a loan."
Your lamp was lit from another lamp.
All God wants is your gratitude for that.
For Rumi, it is not aging that is loss. On contrary, life itself is loss, a nostalgia for our Origin from which we find ourselves separated. For Jalal ad-Din, the"last of life" is that for which "the first was made," even includes death itself:
Inside the Great Mystery that is, we don't really own anything. What is this competition we feel then, before we go, one at a time, through the same gate.
Wednesday, February 11
Love is the master
LOVE IS THE MASTER
Love is the One who masters all things;
I am mastered totally by Love.
By my passion of love for Love
I have ground sweet as sugar.
O furious Wind, I am only a straw before you;
How could I know where I will be blown next?
Whoever claims to have made a pact with Destiny
Reveals himself a liar and a fool;
What is any of us but a straw in a storm?
How could anyone make a pact with a hurricane?
God is working everywhere his massive Resurrection;
How can we pretend to act on our own?
In the hand of Love I am like a cat in a sack;
Sometimes Love hoists me into the air,
Sometimes Love flings me into the air,
Love swings me round and round His head;
I have no peace, in this world or any other.
The lovers of God have fallen in a furious river;
They have surrendered themselves to Love's commands.
Like mill wheels they turn, day and night, day and night,
Constantly turning and turning, and crying out.
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