Courage or Generosity?

Some people asked a Sufi master, "Which is better, courage or generosity?"
The Sufi master replied, "Those who are generous have no need for courage."

-Sadi, "Gulistan"

The Keys to the King's Treasury

...The interaction of free minds is like the connection of wires that bring light. But loose, individual wires don't light anything up, maybe you can use them to tie things up but they cannot light up anything.

Imam Ali says that God gave you the keys of His treasury when he gave you permission to call to Him. When He said, ‘Call upon Me and I will respond to you.' So when He said to you call upon Me, He guaranteed to you that He would respond. This is from the verse, ‘If My servants ask you about Me, I am near. I respond to those who call to me. So let them respond to Me and let them have faith in Me so that perhaps they will be guided.'

- Dr. Asad Ali

Preoccupations

...Every time you are able to clear your mind of preoccupations you return to being a child. This is why Jesus said, ‘You will not enter The Dominion until you return and become like children,' that is until you have no preoccupations except with God. This is the idea of continuous childhood, this is the idea of the returning to purity...

- Dr. Asad Ali

Unity is Reality

Unity is Reality.
You cannot be "in" it and then "out" of it.
You can only "feel' separation,
but Unity is not about feeling one way as opposed to another.
That is separation and in Reality there is no separation.

- Ali Ansari

Allah is Near

The Almighty Allah says,
"When a servant thinks of Me, I am near.
When he invokes Me, I am with him.
If he reflects on Me in secret, I reply in secret,
And if he acknowledges Me in an assembly,
I acknowledge him in a far superior assembly."

-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Abu Hurairah

An Important Hadith (As if they are not all important!)

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak one, and both are good. Adhere to that which is beneficial for you. Keep asking Allah for help and do not refrain from it. If you are afflicted in any way, do not say: `If I had taken this or that step, it would have resulted into such and such,' but say only: `Allah so determined and did as He willed.' The word `if' opens the gates of satanic thoughts".

- Muslim

A Lesson in Tawhid

In order to worship God, you must know God.
In order to know God, you must recognize his unity.
In order to recognize his unity, you must deny any possibility of describing how God is present, where he is present, and when he is present.

- Junayd: Tawhid

Patience

Patience comes in three stages: first, one learns not to follow the baser self; second, one learns to content oneself with one's fate; finally, one surrenders oneself to the Master's will and discovers within love and compassion, the greatest of all achievements.

-Al-Ghazzali, "Ibya Ulum Id-Din"

The Chosen People of God...

Once the Prophet was asked, "Who are the chosen people of God?"

He replied, "The truthful and the pure-hearted."

"O Prophet of Allah," they said, "truthful we understand, but who are the pure-hearted?"

"Those who neither fall into sin, nor transgress, who neither deceive nor bear malice. Such are the pure of heart."

-Hadith reported by Abd'Allah bin Amr

For all to see, Rasulullah's (SAW) words are so clear. God's chosen are not based on whether one calls oneself a Muslim, Jew, or Christian. To be God's chosen one must go beyond the superficiality of names and titles and look to the essence of the matter. We must focus on substance, not appearances -- for Allah knows all both within and without and it is only what lies inside our hearts and how we live our lives (the manifestation of that which lies within) that matters.

The Nature of Our Religion...

A hypothetical:

"I am the Lord thy God. Your lives and provision have been decreed. I want only of you recognition, not that you provide for yourselves. Let Me provide for you, and you worship Me. I have created you for this recognition. There is no way that you "can't" do it, I have built it into the depths of your very being. But there are created many distractions for you that will test your will and improve your strength and insight, so many of you "won't", for now. And it is for that choice that I have given you a free will.

"Knowing me is as simple as leaving your desires. To guide you in my direction I have sent you a revelation through a prophet perfect in character and understanding, yet human, that you be not discouraged. He describes for you that which you should practice and that in which you should trust, and exemplifies in his being the balance between them, the holding of them both in perfect harmony. He describes for you the religion of Surrender, which is the direct way of knowing Me for each one of you. He describes for you your faith. And He shows you the way to outer peace through inner peace. So believe now in Me and follow the way of Surrender I have revealed for you. It will lead you out of the suffering of your mortal illusions and into the true life that I have created for you."

On Self and God Realization

Because Allah is permanent, and this is without question, so is the manifestation of His creation that is beyond the time and space of worldly existence. And we are that manifestation.

But by that I do not mean us as the temporary and transitory manifestation of this life, which is only a moment in which we may discover ourselves and choose to abide in the truth or ignore it and pursue the illusion.

It is not that this temporary and transitory life is meaningless but that it is only a tool, a moment in eternity, by which we may gain knowledge of our transcendent nature. It is by means of this life that we gain our true recognition of God. It is by the very means of this life that we may learn to transcend it and know of and abide in our life forever in a garden not of our own making.

That is why I say often that the purpose of life, death, and everything in between is Self- and God-realization.

- Ali Ansari

Knowing Yourself...

People differ greatly in the amount of anxiety and worry they can stand: some can endure a great deal without being adversely affected, while others soon show signs of strain. You should observe yourself closely, so that you understand your own powers of endurance. By this means you will learn to divest yourself before any harm is done.

-Razi: Kitab al-Muluki

Winners and Losers

The Winner is always part of the answer;
The Loser is always part of the problem.
The Winner always has a program;
The Loser always has an excuse.
The Winner says,"Let me do it for you;"
The Loser says;" That is not my job."
The Winner sees an answer for every problem;
The Loser sees a problem for every answer.
The Winner says," It may be difficult but it is possible";
The Loser says,"It may be possible but it is too difficult."
When a Winner makes a mistake, he says," I was wrong";
When a Loser makes a mistake, he says," It wasn't my fault."
A Winner makes commitments;
A Loser makes promises.
Winners have dreams;
Losers have schemes.
Winners say," I must do something";
Losers say, "Something must be done."
Winners are a part of the team;
Losers are apart from the team.
Winners see the gain;
Losers see the pain.
Winners see possibilities;
Losers see problems.
Winners believe in win/win;
Losers believe for them to win someone has to lose.
Winners see the potential;
Losers see the past.
Winners are like a thermostat;
Losers are like thermometers.
Winners choose what they say;
Losers say what they choose.
Winners use hard arguments but soft words;
Losers use soft arguments but hard words.
Winners stand firm on values but compromise on petty things;
Losers stand firm on petty things but compromise on values.
Winners follow the philosophy of empathy: "Don't do to others what you would not want them to do to you";
Losers follow the philosophy, "Do it to others before they do it to you."
Winners make it happen;
Losers let it happen.

- Compiled, edited and adapted by Khalid Latif

Our Worst Enemy...

Your worst enemy lies between your two ribs.

- Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)

The most truthful words are often the least in number...

The Earth is Fixed? The Sunni Response...

A few weeks ago I posted a fatwa by the late Saudi scholar, Bin Baz, about his claim that the sun rotated around the Earth, based on his interpretation of certain Quranic ayat and ahadith. Below is a wonderful response and example, posted on Sunnipath.com, by a Sunni scholar about similar verses in the Qur'an pertaining to the sun and moon and how Islamic teachings are in perfect harmony with science. It also provides a glaring example of the difference between Wahhabism and Sunni scholarship.

Sun and moon verses in the Holy Qur'an
Answered by Sidi Sohail Hanif

I have a few questions regarding the nature of certain scientific verses related to astronomy in the Qur'an: In Surah 36,verse 40, Allah says:" The sun must not catch up the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. Each one is travelling in an orbit with its own motion." In Surah 13, verse 2, He says, " ...Allah subjected the sun and the moon: each one runs its course to an appointed term..."Surah 36, verse 38: The Sun runs its course to a settled place. This is the decree of the Almighty, The Full of Knowledge."From these verses the notion that the Sun moves around the Earth seems to be implied. This is contradictory to modern science. Could you please explain the verses in the light of science and any other meanings they intend?

In the name of Allah Most Merciful Most Compassionate

Assalamu alaykum

The Qur'an is the word of Allah Most High, the One who knows the reality of everything. Therefore, everything mentioned in the Qur'an must necessarily correspond to reality and cannot contradict it. When seeking to compare our knowledge to what is mentioned in the Qur'an we must keep something in mind, namely the word 'reality'.

As we, the human race, learn more about the world, we realise how much we in fact do not know. Thus science may be described, as indeed it has been, as 'expanding horizons of ignorance', meaning we learn more and more about how ignorant we really are of the workings of the world around us. This is why science is always changing, and theories seen to be absolute, like Newton's laws of motion, after centuries of reliability and testing suddenly become restricted by others, such as Einstein's theory of relativity. It is therefore important for us to realize that a lot of what we believe or are taught are not realities, but rather theories that are yet waiting to be proven or dis-proven. It is of the utmost importance, therefore, that one separates scientific fact from scientific theory.

The verses quoted in the question were indeed seen as problematic when the fact that the Earth orbits the Sun and not vice versa became common knowledge. The Sun was seen as a stationary entity around which the planets orbited. This of course was scientific fact...or was it?
It was certainly a fact that the planets orbited the Sun, so relative to them, the Sun was stationary, but did we know for sure that the Sun was indeed completely stationary? No, that was just an assumption as we did not see any reason why it would be in motion. The stationary nature of the Sun was therefore a theory waiting to be proven or disproven.

A number of decades ago, the truth was out. Further testing, and more advanced technology enabled us to get a better idea of not just the solar system in which we live, but also the galaxy in which we are and the universe in which our galaxy is in. We then became aware of the surprising fact that everything in the entire universe was in motion, nothing appeared to be stationary. Not only was everything in motion but there were several planes of motion that everything was subject to.

Of these celestial bodies is of course our Sun. The Sun has been proven to move in a number of manners.

First of all, it rotates upon its own axis, rather like the Earth. It completes one total rotation in about thirty days (for further information please see: http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=615)

Secondly, it orbits, along with the planets, around the centre of mass of the solar system. The idea that the Sun is stable with all the planets orbiting it, is in fact a simplification. The centre around which the planets and the Sun rotate is actually the centre of mass of the solar system. However, since the Sun is so large compared to everything else in the solar system, with 99% percent of the mass of the solar system in the Sun itself, the centre of mass is only just outside the Sun so its orbit is very slight. For further reading see, http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=461

Thirdly, the Sun, along with its planets, orbits the centre of our galaxy, the Milky Way at a speed of about 220 kilometres per second (792,000 kilometres per hour). Despite its shockingly fast speed, the Milky Way is a big place and it takes the Sun about 230 million years to complete one orbit of the Milky Way. The Qur'an in the above quoted verse from Sura Yasin aptly uses the verb tajri which implies fast motion to describe the movement of the Sun, 'The Sun runs its course to a settled place' (36:38). For further details please see, http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=96

Fourthly, the Sun, along with everything else in the entire Milky Way, is moving towards our neighbouring galaxy Andromeda. I am not aware of the speed of this motion.

Fifthly, the Sun, along with the entire Milky Way and Andromeda, is moving towards the Virgo cluster which is the nearest cluster of galaxies. Again I am not aware of the speed of this motion.

As is quite evident, a matter that was taken as fact not so long ago was subsequently proven to be not just inaccurate, but rather completely wrong. A number of lessons can be drawn from the preceding discussion.

Firstly, one must realise the importance of separating fact from presumption. This is an extremely important skill in all spheres of one's life, not just when looking at outer space. The Qur'an often alludes to the misguidance of people who take presumptions to be facts, 'They follow but a guess, and lo! a guess can never take the place of the truth' (53:28). Very often a number of presented facts will have concealed within them a presumption and it requires a discerning eye to pick it out; so be warned!

Secondly, one can see that the Qur'an consistently shows itself to be referring to nothing but realities, describing matters exactly as they are. Not only is it accurate and breathtakingly beautiful in its original Arabic it is observable that the Qur'an uses the most precise terms possible, such that if one were to search the entire Arabic language one would not find a more suitable word to put in place of a word chosen by the Qur'an. This study of the choice of Qur'anic words is a fascinating study undertaken by sholars of i'jaz, the study of the Qur'anic linguistic miracle.

Thirdly, when the Qur'an refers to Allah's signs in the universe, one must not just stop with analyzing the signs themselves; this is clear short sightedness. Rather, one must reflect on what the sign is quoted to show. The universe is Allah Most High's handiwork, and He teaches us that by reflecting on His handiwork one will gain more knowledge about the One whose handiwork it is. The above quoted verse from sura Yasin, after mentioning the motion of the Sun and the Moon, and the regulation of day and night, says, 'That is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing'. Allah Most High chose these two very specific names to describe himself in this verse as they are the most evident when looking at these aspects of His creation. The extreme size of the Sun, its rapid motion through its galaxy, the sheer size of its galaxy, the Milky Way, and the immense size of the known universe point clearly to the Might of the One to whom this universe is subject, coming into existence at His will, and submitting to His laws without exception. His infinite knowledge is clearly indicated by his determining everything in a perfect way to enable this entire universe to exist in harmony and setting laws that see to the seamless running of the universe, specifying the various materials that make up the universe and the very precise measurements that enable life to exist one our little Earth. One also learns of one's insignificance before Allah Most High and is humbled before His creation.

Lastly, Allah Most High turns our attention to a reality, more pressing and worthy of attention than the reality of the motion of the Sun in the above quoted verse, 'The Sun runs its course to a settled place'. This reality is that the Sun is running very fast towards its own demise, the place where, once reached, the Sun will not run anymore. This is to remind us that we too, like the Sun, are running, at a speed comparable to that of the Sun to a place after which we, also, will cease to run; namely the grave. These most formidable manifestations of Allah's power have an end so what of our end that is so very near to each of us? Is it not easy for the One who created this breathtaking creation to recreate us, judge us, and admit us to our eternal abodes? The one who reflects on the creation of the universe answers with a definite, 'Yes.'

We ask Allah Most High to show us His signs in the universe, and to enable us to reflect on the signs and to turn our reflection into action for His sake.

Amin.

Sohail Hanif

Music and the Heart

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

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

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

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

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"