Know that God Most High has a mystery in the human heart. It is hidden in it just as fire in iron; when a stone is struck on iron the mystery (fire) is made manifest and plain. In the same way listening to fine music (sama-i khush) and rhythmic song (awaz-i mawzun) excites that essence in the heart. Something appears in it without a person's having any choice about it. The reason for this is the relationship that the essence of every human being has with the World of the Sublime: that which is called the world of spirits.
The Sublime World is the world of excellence and beauty; the basis of excellence and beauty is proportion; whatever is in proportion gives proof of the beauty of that world. For, every beauty, excellence, and proportionality that is perceived in this world is all the fruit of the beauty, excellence and proportionality of that world.
Therefore, a sweet, rhythmic, proportioned song also has a resemblance to the marvels of that world. Because of this, an awareness is awakened in the heart. A movement, a yearning or longing is born that the (listener) himself may not understand what it is. This is in a heart which is simple and devoid of being affected by passion and yearning. However, if it is not empty and is occupied with something, that with which it is occupied starts to move and brighten as does a flame when it is breathed upon.
For the person whose heart has been conquered by the fire of the love of God Most High, music is important, for it makes that fire burn hotter. However, for anyone whose heart harbors love for the false, music is fatal poison for him and is forbidden to him. (Alchemy of Happiness, p 425)
- From Khalid Ajmain, The Divine Secrets blog
Friday, January 26, 2007
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Finding Yourself Where Nobody Else Looks
Feelings of abandonment leave loneliness, loneliness leaves hopelessness, hopelessness leaves despair and despair takes on addiction and addiction leads to further self abandonment, even though it is an attempt to find oneself.
So we might say that loneliness is the root cause of addictions and the ensuing self-destruction in the name of self-preservation. And loneliness is caused by feelings of abandonment.
So if we can find ourselves where nobody else looks, we will have saved our own souls. Hence the need for Community, Teaching and Teacher.
- Ali Ansari
So we might say that loneliness is the root cause of addictions and the ensuing self-destruction in the name of self-preservation. And loneliness is caused by feelings of abandonment.
So if we can find ourselves where nobody else looks, we will have saved our own souls. Hence the need for Community, Teaching and Teacher.
- Ali Ansari
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Is Religion a Matter of Taste?
A true Muslim, by definition, is the one who submits to God consciously and willingly.
Consciousness refers to the recognition of the truth by the soul, whereas willingness is the soul’s acknowledgement of the truth through internal and external actions.
The Quran makes it very clear to all mankind that there is no compulsion in religion (Islam), which means, as long as there is compulsion, there is no true submission, i.e., Islam.
Compulsion is a condition when one acts contrary to his will; it means lack of conscience, and resolve.
Islam ultimately is what an individual desires for himself or herself, not what the family or the society desires of him or her.
Being a Muslim is not an inherited social status; it is rather a state of the soul, and no external authority can make it exist or disappear.
Hence, he in whom Islam never takes hold, has never been a Muslim regardless of whether his name is Muhammad or Abdullah.
Apostasy will never happen to a true Muslim. It only “happens” to one who has never been a Muslim.
Having said that, the true solution to the problem of apostasy is to have a proper education for the Muslim community.
- DR SYED ALI TAWFIK AL-ATTAS AND MD ASHAM AHMAD
Consciousness refers to the recognition of the truth by the soul, whereas willingness is the soul’s acknowledgement of the truth through internal and external actions.
The Quran makes it very clear to all mankind that there is no compulsion in religion (Islam), which means, as long as there is compulsion, there is no true submission, i.e., Islam.
Compulsion is a condition when one acts contrary to his will; it means lack of conscience, and resolve.
Islam ultimately is what an individual desires for himself or herself, not what the family or the society desires of him or her.
Being a Muslim is not an inherited social status; it is rather a state of the soul, and no external authority can make it exist or disappear.
Hence, he in whom Islam never takes hold, has never been a Muslim regardless of whether his name is Muhammad or Abdullah.
Apostasy will never happen to a true Muslim. It only “happens” to one who has never been a Muslim.
Having said that, the true solution to the problem of apostasy is to have a proper education for the Muslim community.
- DR SYED ALI TAWFIK AL-ATTAS AND MD ASHAM AHMAD
On Allah and His Creation
Allah is far above His creation, unique, distinct and separate from it. Yet His creation is not separate from Him, and is a manifestation of His existence, and points to him.
- Ali Ansari
- Ali Ansari
The Hinderances the World Causes
Even before accomplishing enlightenment a person knows that everything attests to the existence of God. But these virtuous feelings of innocence disappear as he begins to mingle with corrupt society, because worldly affairs hinder him from swimming in the vast ocean of insight.
-Al-Ghazzali, "Ihya Ulum Id-Din"
-Al-Ghazzali, "Ihya Ulum Id-Din"
Real or Illusion?
God made the illusion look real and the real an illusion. He concealed the sea and made the foam visible, the wind invisible, and the dust manifest. You see the dust whirling, but how can the dust rise by itself? You see the foam, but not the ocean.
Invoke Him with deeds, not words, for deeds are real and will save you in the afterlife.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Invoke Him with deeds, not words, for deeds are real and will save you in the afterlife.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)