If you devote yourself to God in this world,
He will admit you among His chosen servants in the hereafter.
Such devotion, however, demands sacrifice and self-denial, the two instruments that make union with God possible.
-Al-Hujwiri, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"
Sunday, November 18, 2007
The Night is Gone....
Lord, the night is gone.
The dawn has lighted the sky.
How I long to know if You accepted or rejected my prayers.
Comfort me, Lord, for only you can comfort this state of mine.
You gave me life and nurtured me; Yours is all the praise.
If You would ever drive me away from Your door, I would never abandon it for the sake of Your love, which I carry in my heart.
-Rabi'a, "Rabi'a the Mystic"
The dawn has lighted the sky.
How I long to know if You accepted or rejected my prayers.
Comfort me, Lord, for only you can comfort this state of mine.
You gave me life and nurtured me; Yours is all the praise.
If You would ever drive me away from Your door, I would never abandon it for the sake of Your love, which I carry in my heart.
-Rabi'a, "Rabi'a the Mystic"
Monday, November 05, 2007
How Transcendent and Immaculate is Allah
How transcendent and immaculate is God!
He has neither place, nor time, nor beginning, nor temporal continuity, nor posterior eternity, nor temporal priority, nor terminal end, and yet all the while, He is neither occupied with, nor seeks succor from, that which He has brought into being.
Nonetheless, He is just in all affairs wherein His commandments are issued to people.
- Shibli in Sarraj Tusi: "Kitab al-luma"
He has neither place, nor time, nor beginning, nor temporal continuity, nor posterior eternity, nor temporal priority, nor terminal end, and yet all the while, He is neither occupied with, nor seeks succor from, that which He has brought into being.
Nonetheless, He is just in all affairs wherein His commandments are issued to people.
- Shibli in Sarraj Tusi: "Kitab al-luma"
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
The Good Muslim Syndrome
Being a cyber counselor for the Muslim community, I feel it is time to say something about what I like to call the Good Muslim Syndrome.
My latest question has to do with a brother married to a Christian woman, who is starting to feel that he needs to divorce his wife because of the fear that when he takes her back to his home (Muslim) country, he fears that 'his people' will not accept her (and him, ostensibly) and scold him for not being 'a good Muslim.' Mind you there is nothing wrong with this wife and even he admits that though Christian, she is in many ways a "better Muslim" than him. She is even gaining an increasing interest in Islam and is more than willing to raise their children as Muslims.
The point of the story is that this young man is ready to divorce a very kind and pious woman, without due cause, out of his fear of not being seen by others as a "good Muslim."
The problem with this whole 'good Muslim' thing is that - as in the example above - it usually refers to how we want others to perceive us, rather than who we really are. It actually has little to do with how Allah sees us, or how we wish to be in His eyes, or how much we yearn to know our Lord. In essence, the good Muslim is the one that - similar to a five year old boy - is trying to make himself out to be good - to be seen - to win his father's love and adoration. However, Allah is not a human father. He is the Creator. He created all of us and everything else and continues to do so unceasingly every moment of every day of existence. He created us on something called fitra and it is only because of our ignorance, heedlessness and forgetfulness of Him that we live not in accordance with that fitra, i.e. outside the state of pure surrender to Him. The "good Muslim," in fact, is the essence of every single one of us, it is our pure and original state. That, and only that, is the good Muslim. Therefore, the only thing we need to try to do is to live in remembrance of that pure state and to STAY THERE. This means living for Allah, acting for Allah, and doing for Allah, not for others and for how others might label us.
The "Good Muslim" is a farce. The Good Muslim is actually Catholic by implying that we are born in sin and only by 'being good' can we be saved. Nay! We are Muslims, not Christians! There is no work to do other than the work that allows us to be our true selves, to live according to that pure self, that original state of fitra. However, by trying to be 'good Muslims' we end up wearing masks which are by nature, false. Rather than purifying the self and returning to our true selves, we end up piling more falsehood on our hearts and actually end up further away from truth than closer to it. These masks that we wear are nothing more than persona, an act, a pretending to be something for others which is not actually who we really are. But Allah knows our hidden truth. He knows who, in fact, we are trying to please through our behaviors and our "personality."
There is no such thing, in fact, as a Good Muslim. We are either in a state of Islam or we are not. As such, we are either Muslims or we are something else. The work is to learn and live to serve and please Allah, and by doing so, by discovering who we truly are and what greatness lies within. And most importantly, to do this not for anyone else's sake but His.
My latest question has to do with a brother married to a Christian woman, who is starting to feel that he needs to divorce his wife because of the fear that when he takes her back to his home (Muslim) country, he fears that 'his people' will not accept her (and him, ostensibly) and scold him for not being 'a good Muslim.' Mind you there is nothing wrong with this wife and even he admits that though Christian, she is in many ways a "better Muslim" than him. She is even gaining an increasing interest in Islam and is more than willing to raise their children as Muslims.
The point of the story is that this young man is ready to divorce a very kind and pious woman, without due cause, out of his fear of not being seen by others as a "good Muslim."
The problem with this whole 'good Muslim' thing is that - as in the example above - it usually refers to how we want others to perceive us, rather than who we really are. It actually has little to do with how Allah sees us, or how we wish to be in His eyes, or how much we yearn to know our Lord. In essence, the good Muslim is the one that - similar to a five year old boy - is trying to make himself out to be good - to be seen - to win his father's love and adoration. However, Allah is not a human father. He is the Creator. He created all of us and everything else and continues to do so unceasingly every moment of every day of existence. He created us on something called fitra and it is only because of our ignorance, heedlessness and forgetfulness of Him that we live not in accordance with that fitra, i.e. outside the state of pure surrender to Him. The "good Muslim," in fact, is the essence of every single one of us, it is our pure and original state. That, and only that, is the good Muslim. Therefore, the only thing we need to try to do is to live in remembrance of that pure state and to STAY THERE. This means living for Allah, acting for Allah, and doing for Allah, not for others and for how others might label us.
The "Good Muslim" is a farce. The Good Muslim is actually Catholic by implying that we are born in sin and only by 'being good' can we be saved. Nay! We are Muslims, not Christians! There is no work to do other than the work that allows us to be our true selves, to live according to that pure self, that original state of fitra. However, by trying to be 'good Muslims' we end up wearing masks which are by nature, false. Rather than purifying the self and returning to our true selves, we end up piling more falsehood on our hearts and actually end up further away from truth than closer to it. These masks that we wear are nothing more than persona, an act, a pretending to be something for others which is not actually who we really are. But Allah knows our hidden truth. He knows who, in fact, we are trying to please through our behaviors and our "personality."
There is no such thing, in fact, as a Good Muslim. We are either in a state of Islam or we are not. As such, we are either Muslims or we are something else. The work is to learn and live to serve and please Allah, and by doing so, by discovering who we truly are and what greatness lies within. And most importantly, to do this not for anyone else's sake but His.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Ramadan in Kuwait
Ramadan in Kuwait
by Sami Alrabaa
Muslims and Christians have something in common. Amazed? Carry on reading. Both are secularizing their religious festivities. The Christians are secularizing Christmas and Muslims are secularizing their Ramadan. How?
Three months before Christmas, the German markets, for example, are loaded Christmas confections. Stollen and ginger biscuits are for sale everywhere. Many people are already in search of Christmas presents for their loved ones. The closer Christmas is, the more hectic people get. Marlies says, “I really don’t know what to give my son and husband for Christmas. It is so difficult to find the right present. They have got everything.” She is now shopping for ideas. Her son and husband are doing the same.
Christmas, which marks the birth of a Prophet, Jesus Christ, who was sent by God to spread peace, mercy, and justice, is reduced to commerce, to tediously looking for suitable gifts for loved ones. The majority of Christians have forgotten the original meaning of Christmas and simply changed it into a mundane commercial practice. Many of those Christians who go to the church pray like parrots. They recite the message of Christ without pondering on its deep meaning. Maybe only the poor among Christians pray genuinely and find in Christ’s message a consolation in their miserable situation. They hope that on the Day of Judgment they would be rewarded for their endurance of hardship and deprivation. The well-off Christians have completely forgotten about Christ’s message. They are busy trying to live paradise on earth.
How about Muslims? They are not better off. The simple message of the fasting month is also ignored. In fact, fasting is a commandment that reminds us of how it feels to starve, how the poor live. At least once a year, Muslims are called upon to live like the poor, at least in terms of food. The majority of us Muslims act completely against the message of Ramadan. We have reduced Ramadan to a food festival, to a food fair. The amount of food consumed during Ramadan in most Muslim countries is doubled. We focus on food. We prepare and eat the most delicious, the richest and most conspicuous dishes. On top of that we work less and sleep most of the time. Especially in the affluent Arab Gulf countries, government employees in particular, go to work around 9 in the morning. Around noon they leave under the pretext, they would pray. They go home and sleep until fasting-break time. Someone who stuffs his stomach with all kinds of rich food, cannot feel hungry from Fajer (dawn) to noon. In other words, the majority fast for 4-5 hours. Hence no opportunity is left to feel how the poor feel around the year.
By the way, and because of overeating and lack of exercise, the number of stomach diseases and other diseases, especially diabetes, sky-rocket. Dr. Salem at Al Sabah Hospital says, “In Ramadan, people dump in their stomachs all kinds of food in tremendous quantities."
In addition, how many Muslims ponder over the rest of Ramadan message like have mercy on the poor, love your fellow humans, do not be selfish, act justly, etc.? It is in reality very small. Other than over-eating, very few principles of the message of Ramadan are observed despite warnings by preachers and physicians not to spend the holy month only overeating and sleeping. But who listens?
But of course, everybody is happy, it is Ramadan, certainly, very often, not for religious reasons. Students get shorter class schedules and government employees (90% of the Kuwaiti labour force) work fewer hours. Shortcomings and laziness are blamed on “fasting”.
The poor in Kuwait, largely expatriates, whether Muslims or otherwise, welcome Ramadan most. It is their sole opportunity to eat a decent meal over a whole month once a year. These meals are offered for free by charity organizations.
At the end of the day, who is the winner before Christmas and during Ramadan? Certainly manufacturers, producers, and traders. They enjoy huge amounts of profit over these “religious” festivities.
Losers are both Muslims and Christians. Christians reach Christmas stressed out and exhausted by their search for gifts and Muslims get sick and produce less. The spiritual aspects of their festivities are simply undermined. It is a pity!
by Sami Alrabaa
Muslims and Christians have something in common. Amazed? Carry on reading. Both are secularizing their religious festivities. The Christians are secularizing Christmas and Muslims are secularizing their Ramadan. How?
Three months before Christmas, the German markets, for example, are loaded Christmas confections. Stollen and ginger biscuits are for sale everywhere. Many people are already in search of Christmas presents for their loved ones. The closer Christmas is, the more hectic people get. Marlies says, “I really don’t know what to give my son and husband for Christmas. It is so difficult to find the right present. They have got everything.” She is now shopping for ideas. Her son and husband are doing the same.
Christmas, which marks the birth of a Prophet, Jesus Christ, who was sent by God to spread peace, mercy, and justice, is reduced to commerce, to tediously looking for suitable gifts for loved ones. The majority of Christians have forgotten the original meaning of Christmas and simply changed it into a mundane commercial practice. Many of those Christians who go to the church pray like parrots. They recite the message of Christ without pondering on its deep meaning. Maybe only the poor among Christians pray genuinely and find in Christ’s message a consolation in their miserable situation. They hope that on the Day of Judgment they would be rewarded for their endurance of hardship and deprivation. The well-off Christians have completely forgotten about Christ’s message. They are busy trying to live paradise on earth.
How about Muslims? They are not better off. The simple message of the fasting month is also ignored. In fact, fasting is a commandment that reminds us of how it feels to starve, how the poor live. At least once a year, Muslims are called upon to live like the poor, at least in terms of food. The majority of us Muslims act completely against the message of Ramadan. We have reduced Ramadan to a food festival, to a food fair. The amount of food consumed during Ramadan in most Muslim countries is doubled. We focus on food. We prepare and eat the most delicious, the richest and most conspicuous dishes. On top of that we work less and sleep most of the time. Especially in the affluent Arab Gulf countries, government employees in particular, go to work around 9 in the morning. Around noon they leave under the pretext, they would pray. They go home and sleep until fasting-break time. Someone who stuffs his stomach with all kinds of rich food, cannot feel hungry from Fajer (dawn) to noon. In other words, the majority fast for 4-5 hours. Hence no opportunity is left to feel how the poor feel around the year.
By the way, and because of overeating and lack of exercise, the number of stomach diseases and other diseases, especially diabetes, sky-rocket. Dr. Salem at Al Sabah Hospital says, “In Ramadan, people dump in their stomachs all kinds of food in tremendous quantities."
In addition, how many Muslims ponder over the rest of Ramadan message like have mercy on the poor, love your fellow humans, do not be selfish, act justly, etc.? It is in reality very small. Other than over-eating, very few principles of the message of Ramadan are observed despite warnings by preachers and physicians not to spend the holy month only overeating and sleeping. But who listens?
But of course, everybody is happy, it is Ramadan, certainly, very often, not for religious reasons. Students get shorter class schedules and government employees (90% of the Kuwaiti labour force) work fewer hours. Shortcomings and laziness are blamed on “fasting”.
The poor in Kuwait, largely expatriates, whether Muslims or otherwise, welcome Ramadan most. It is their sole opportunity to eat a decent meal over a whole month once a year. These meals are offered for free by charity organizations.
At the end of the day, who is the winner before Christmas and during Ramadan? Certainly manufacturers, producers, and traders. They enjoy huge amounts of profit over these “religious” festivities.
Losers are both Muslims and Christians. Christians reach Christmas stressed out and exhausted by their search for gifts and Muslims get sick and produce less. The spiritual aspects of their festivities are simply undermined. It is a pity!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Simple Deeds Worthy of Paradise
I saw a man in Paradise for a deed as simple as cutting down a tree that stood in the middle of a road, causing wayfarers much distress.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Ibn Umar
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Ibn Umar
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Patience in Adversity....
Do not lose hope in Allah, for He is the Creator.
He will create another way for you.
Do not flee from your trials; patience in adversity is the foundation of all virtue, of compassion and sainthood.
Patience is the foundation, and without a sound foundation you cannot build a monument.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
He will create another way for you.
Do not flee from your trials; patience in adversity is the foundation of all virtue, of compassion and sainthood.
Patience is the foundation, and without a sound foundation you cannot build a monument.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
Friday, October 19, 2007
Discernment
The outward form of things passes away, but the essence remains forever.
How long will you be besotted with the shape of the jug?
Cast aside the jug, and seek the water.
If you look too closely at the form, you miss the essence.
If you are wise, you will always pick out the pearl from the shell.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
How long will you be besotted with the shape of the jug?
Cast aside the jug, and seek the water.
If you look too closely at the form, you miss the essence.
If you are wise, you will always pick out the pearl from the shell.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
The Religion is Easy....
This religion is easy. Do not make it a rigor, or you shall be overcome. Be steadfast, seek the closeness of Allah, grow in virtue, and implore His appeasement day and night.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Abu Hurairah
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Abu Hurairah
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Silence is Golden
The rank of a man of silence is better than divine service for sixty years.
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by 'Imran bin Hussain
-The Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by 'Imran bin Hussain
7 Common Mistakes Made in Prayer
7 Common Mistakes We Make in our Prayers
Listed below are the 7 Common mistakes we often make in prayer:
Mistake 1: Reciting Surat al-Fatiha fast without pausing after each verse.
The Prophet (SAW) used to pause after each verse of this surah. (Abu Dawood)
Mistake 2: Sticking the arms to the sides of the body, in rukoo' or sujood, and sticking the belly to the thighs in sujood.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "Let not one of you support himself on his forearms (in sujood) like the dog. Let him rest on his palms and keep his elbows away from his body." (Sahih Muslim) . The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to keep his arms away from his body during rukoo' and sujood that the whiteness of his armpits could be seen (Sahih Muslim).
Mistake 3: Gazing upward during prayer.
This may cause loss of concentration. We are commanded to lower our gaze, and look at the point at which the head rests during sujood. The Prophet (SAW) warned: "Let those who raise their gaze up during prayer stop doing so, or else their sights would not return to them. i.e. lose their eyesight]." (Muslim)
Mistake 4 : Resting only the tip of the head on the floor during sujood.
The Prophet (SAW) said: "I am commanded to prostrate on seven bones the forehead and the nose, the two hands [palms], the two knees, and the two feet." (Sahih Muslim) Applying the above command necessitates resting the forehead and the nose on the ground during sujood.
Mistake 5 : Hasty performance of prayer which does not allow repose and calmness in rukoo' or sujood.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) saw a man who did not complete his rukoo' [bowing], and made a very short sujood [prostration] ; he (SAW) said: "If this man dies while praying in this manner, he would die upholding a religion other than the religion of Muhammad." Abu Hurairah (RA) said: "My beloved friend, Muhammad (SAW) forbade me to perform postures of prayer copying the picking of a rooster; (signifying fast performance of prayer), moving eyes around like a fox and the sitting like monkeys ( i.e. to sit on thighs)." (Imam Ahmad & at-Tayalisi) The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: " The worst thief is the one who steals from his own prayer." People asked, 'Messenger of Allah! How could one steal from his own prayer?' He (SAW) said: "By not completing its rukoo' and sujood." (At Tabarani & al-Hakim).To complete rukoo' is to stay in that posture long enough to recite 'Subhana rabbiyal Adtheem' three times, SLOWLY, and 'Subhana rabbiyal-a'ala' three times, SLOWLY, in sujood. He (SAW) also announced: "He who does not complete his rukoo' and sujood, his prayer is void." (Abu Dawood & others)
Mistake 6 : Counting tasbeeh with the left hand.
The Prophet (SAW) used to count tasbeeh on the fingers of his right hand after salah. Ibn Qudamah (RA) said: " The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used his right hand for tasbeeh." (Abu Dawood). The above hadeeth indicates clearly that the Prophet (SAW) used only one hand for counting tasbeeh. No Muslim with sound mind would imagine that the Prophet (SAW) used his left hand for counting tasbeeh. Aa'ishah (RA) said that the Prophet (SAW) used his left hand only for Istinjaa', or cleaning himself after responding to the call of nature. He never used it for tasbeeh. Yasirah (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) commanded women to count tasbeeh on their fingers. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "They (the fingers) will be made to speak, and will be questioned (on the Day of Resurrection. )" (At-Tirmidhi) .. The above Hadeeth indicates that it is preferable to count tasbeeh on the fingers of the right hand than to do so on masbahah (rosary).
Mistake 7 : Crossing in front of a praying person.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) warned: "Were the one who crosses in front of a praying person to know the consequences of doing so, he would have waited for *forty better than to cross in front of him." (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim). *The forty in the tradition may be days months or even years. Allah knows best. Common Errors in Prayer That MUST Be Avoided - Please inform your near and dear ones to take care of the above.
Listed below are the 7 Common mistakes we often make in prayer:
Mistake 1: Reciting Surat al-Fatiha fast without pausing after each verse.
The Prophet (SAW) used to pause after each verse of this surah. (Abu Dawood)
Mistake 2: Sticking the arms to the sides of the body, in rukoo' or sujood, and sticking the belly to the thighs in sujood.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "Let not one of you support himself on his forearms (in sujood) like the dog. Let him rest on his palms and keep his elbows away from his body." (Sahih Muslim) . The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to keep his arms away from his body during rukoo' and sujood that the whiteness of his armpits could be seen (Sahih Muslim).
Mistake 3: Gazing upward during prayer.
This may cause loss of concentration. We are commanded to lower our gaze, and look at the point at which the head rests during sujood. The Prophet (SAW) warned: "Let those who raise their gaze up during prayer stop doing so, or else their sights would not return to them. i.e. lose their eyesight]." (Muslim)
Mistake 4 : Resting only the tip of the head on the floor during sujood.
The Prophet (SAW) said: "I am commanded to prostrate on seven bones the forehead and the nose, the two hands [palms], the two knees, and the two feet." (Sahih Muslim) Applying the above command necessitates resting the forehead and the nose on the ground during sujood.
Mistake 5 : Hasty performance of prayer which does not allow repose and calmness in rukoo' or sujood.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) saw a man who did not complete his rukoo' [bowing], and made a very short sujood [prostration] ; he (SAW) said: "If this man dies while praying in this manner, he would die upholding a religion other than the religion of Muhammad." Abu Hurairah (RA) said: "My beloved friend, Muhammad (SAW) forbade me to perform postures of prayer copying the picking of a rooster; (signifying fast performance of prayer), moving eyes around like a fox and the sitting like monkeys ( i.e. to sit on thighs)." (Imam Ahmad & at-Tayalisi) The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: " The worst thief is the one who steals from his own prayer." People asked, 'Messenger of Allah! How could one steal from his own prayer?' He (SAW) said: "By not completing its rukoo' and sujood." (At Tabarani & al-Hakim).To complete rukoo' is to stay in that posture long enough to recite 'Subhana rabbiyal Adtheem' three times, SLOWLY, and 'Subhana rabbiyal-a'ala' three times, SLOWLY, in sujood. He (SAW) also announced: "He who does not complete his rukoo' and sujood, his prayer is void." (Abu Dawood & others)
Mistake 6 : Counting tasbeeh with the left hand.
The Prophet (SAW) used to count tasbeeh on the fingers of his right hand after salah. Ibn Qudamah (RA) said: " The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used his right hand for tasbeeh." (Abu Dawood). The above hadeeth indicates clearly that the Prophet (SAW) used only one hand for counting tasbeeh. No Muslim with sound mind would imagine that the Prophet (SAW) used his left hand for counting tasbeeh. Aa'ishah (RA) said that the Prophet (SAW) used his left hand only for Istinjaa', or cleaning himself after responding to the call of nature. He never used it for tasbeeh. Yasirah (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) commanded women to count tasbeeh on their fingers. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: "They (the fingers) will be made to speak, and will be questioned (on the Day of Resurrection. )" (At-Tirmidhi) .. The above Hadeeth indicates that it is preferable to count tasbeeh on the fingers of the right hand than to do so on masbahah (rosary).
Mistake 7 : Crossing in front of a praying person.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) warned: "Were the one who crosses in front of a praying person to know the consequences of doing so, he would have waited for *forty better than to cross in front of him." (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim). *The forty in the tradition may be days months or even years. Allah knows best. Common Errors in Prayer That MUST Be Avoided - Please inform your near and dear ones to take care of the above.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Declining a Visit: Islamic Adab
Declining a Visit
If one visits a friend, with or without an appointment and they apologise for not being able to receive you accept their apology without any ill feelings. You should understand that something may have come up for them to decline your visit. Their previous plans, or state of their house, may have made your visit inconvenient. Similarly one should cancel an appointment (in whatever capacity this may be) if one is aware of not being able to attend. This adab is important as it removes any ill feelings that may otherwise linger due to declination. Those that do not decline, or cancel a visit may in turn end up disgracing themselves. It is hence important to fulfil promises and keep appointments and if we are declined, not to hold a grudge.
Allah says:
فَإِن لَّمْ تَجِدُوا فِيهَا أَحَدًا فَلَا تَدْخُلُوهَا حَتَّى يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ وَإِن قِيلَ لَكُمُ ارْجِعُوا فَارْجِعُوا هُوَ أَزْكَى لَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ
"If ye find no one in the house, enter not until permission is given to you: if ye are asked to go back, go back: that makes for greater purity for yourselves: and Allah knows well all that ye do."
(Quran 24:28)
Many don’t know how to act in such circumstances where a guest arrives and it is not convenient for them to be received. Often people resort to lying, but not only do children learn from this behaviour, but it may lead to further problems. Lying promotes enmity and hatred and displays the signs of the munafiq. Don’t clearly and blatently lie about your presence. Declination of a visit does not require explanation, as not everybody is able to express such reasons. There is hence great importance on not holding a grudge but reflecting on the abover ayah from the Quran. Too much time is spent and wasted today in persuit of minor issues and disputes.
The Tabi’i Qatada ibn Di’ama al-Sudusi said, “Do not hang around the door of those who decline to recieve your visit. Accept their reason, move on to attend to your business, and let them attend to theirs”.
One should not ask for a reason or an explanation as Imam Malik (رحمة الله عليه) used to say;
“Not all people can disclose their excuses”
The one visiting should seek permission by saying; “You’re not busy are you” or “Perhaps you’re busy and can’t receive us” to make the hosts feel at ease. One should always remember even in telephone calls to seek permission to take that persons time, removing any ill feelings if declined. It is important adab not to make it difficult for someone to decline, as that in turn may cause some harm to them or their situation.
Imam al-Tabari in his Tafsir reported that a man of the Muhajirin said, “All my life, I wanted to practice this verse :If ye find no one in the house, enter not until permission is given to you: if ye are asked to go back, go back: that makes for greater purity for yourselves: and Allah knows well all that ye do.” (Quran 24:28), but I could not. I was hoping I would seek permission to visit a brother and he would tell me to ‘Go back!’ I would gladly have left, thus fulfilling the commandment of Allah”
SUMMARY:1. If you can’t make an appointment, cancel it.2. If something comes up, decline your visitor, and tell him to return; but don’t lie!3. If you are declined, don’t hold a grudge.4. Strive to be frank, true, brave, generous by following the example of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and His companions, wherever possible.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Worship is like a work of art...
Worship is like a work of art mastered only by the sincere, the learned scholars who practice what they know, who live and walk among people like everyone else, but in their hearts they seek freedom in the serenity of the wilderness.
Because of this yearning they continue to grow until their spirits soar and become united with the numinous.
About such God says, "Indeed they are the finest of human beings, cherished by us."
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
Because of this yearning they continue to grow until their spirits soar and become united with the numinous.
About such God says, "Indeed they are the finest of human beings, cherished by us."
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
Friday, September 21, 2007
The Highest Stage of Worship
The truest and highest stage of worship is to see God face to face, and to receive his guidance from his own mouth.
Those who attain this highest stage, choose for themselves whatever God chooses for them. Their entire characters are transformed by God.
They are God's friends; so they no longer discriminate between people, but regard all people as friends.
Wherever they go, they go from God; wherever they arrive, they arrive at God.
Whatever they do, they do for God; whatever service they perform, they perform it in God.
The self has been truly annihilated.
- Junayd, "Tawhid"
Those who attain this highest stage, choose for themselves whatever God chooses for them. Their entire characters are transformed by God.
They are God's friends; so they no longer discriminate between people, but regard all people as friends.
Wherever they go, they go from God; wherever they arrive, they arrive at God.
Whatever they do, they do for God; whatever service they perform, they perform it in God.
The self has been truly annihilated.
- Junayd, "Tawhid"
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Islam is an Easy Religion
I am often troubled by the Muslim that believes, and even pushes, other Muslims into thinking that to be a 'good' Muslim, one must participate in any (or all) or the X number of "Islamic" organizations out there, and if one chooses not to, then somehow we are not being supportive of Islam or are even letting down our ummah by not doing so.
To these people I say beware. I say beware because in truth Islam is a simple religion. It is not a religion of grandiose political movements. It is a religion of faith and doing simple good deeds, first and foremost with and for those who are closest to you and then others if you have the ability to do so. It is not about making your brothers and sisters feel guilty for not being as "Islamic" as you.
From Sahih Muslim: Abu Huraira narrates that the Prophet (sas) said: "Who began this day fasting?" Abu Bakr said: "I did." The Prophet (sas) said: "Who participated in a funeral procession today?" Abu Bakr said: "I did." The Prophet (sas) said: "Who fed a needy person today?" Abu Bakr said: "I did." The Prophet (sas) said: "Who visited a sick person today?" Abu Bakr said: "I did." Then, the Prophet (sas) said: "These things cannot all meed in a single person but that they will enter Paradise."
This is just one example among hundreds of how Islam is a deen of substance and essence and not superficiality and grandeur. Seemingly simple deeds such as feeding someone, attending a funeral, attending a wedding, helping someone in some small way, when done with a sincere heart are certainly Islamic and naturally loved by Allah.
Ramadan should be a time of refocusing our energies and spirit on the essence of what matters most, which is striving for, to and in Allah, through sincere worship and good deeds. Let us all (and I remind myself of this first!) remember that the seemingly most simple or basic of deeds can be among the most highly beloved to Allah. We are not here to play God by judging others for what we see on the outside, but to focus our time and energy on our Selves -- their purification, improvement and enlightenment.
For how can unity be achieved accept through the acceptance of each other's sincere efforts, even if they be of a different nature than our own?
May this very special month fill our hearts with love, mercy and gratitude.
To be honored with membership in the community of Allah's Beloved,
To be honored with witnessing this month of mercy and forgiveness,
To be honored with invitation into the Presence of the One five times per day,
To be honored with the desire to do good unto others,
To be honored with a religion called 'peaceful surrender',
To be honored with friends and companions who share this special bond...
Thank you Allah, thank you Allah, thank you Allah....
To these people I say beware. I say beware because in truth Islam is a simple religion. It is not a religion of grandiose political movements. It is a religion of faith and doing simple good deeds, first and foremost with and for those who are closest to you and then others if you have the ability to do so. It is not about making your brothers and sisters feel guilty for not being as "Islamic" as you.
From Sahih Muslim: Abu Huraira narrates that the Prophet (sas) said: "Who began this day fasting?" Abu Bakr said: "I did." The Prophet (sas) said: "Who participated in a funeral procession today?" Abu Bakr said: "I did." The Prophet (sas) said: "Who fed a needy person today?" Abu Bakr said: "I did." The Prophet (sas) said: "Who visited a sick person today?" Abu Bakr said: "I did." Then, the Prophet (sas) said: "These things cannot all meed in a single person but that they will enter Paradise."
This is just one example among hundreds of how Islam is a deen of substance and essence and not superficiality and grandeur. Seemingly simple deeds such as feeding someone, attending a funeral, attending a wedding, helping someone in some small way, when done with a sincere heart are certainly Islamic and naturally loved by Allah.
Ramadan should be a time of refocusing our energies and spirit on the essence of what matters most, which is striving for, to and in Allah, through sincere worship and good deeds. Let us all (and I remind myself of this first!) remember that the seemingly most simple or basic of deeds can be among the most highly beloved to Allah. We are not here to play God by judging others for what we see on the outside, but to focus our time and energy on our Selves -- their purification, improvement and enlightenment.
For how can unity be achieved accept through the acceptance of each other's sincere efforts, even if they be of a different nature than our own?
May this very special month fill our hearts with love, mercy and gratitude.
To be honored with membership in the community of Allah's Beloved,
To be honored with witnessing this month of mercy and forgiveness,
To be honored with invitation into the Presence of the One five times per day,
To be honored with the desire to do good unto others,
To be honored with a religion called 'peaceful surrender',
To be honored with friends and companions who share this special bond...
Thank you Allah, thank you Allah, thank you Allah....
Friday, September 14, 2007
Prayer
Prayer is that which enables the soul to realize its divinity.
Through prayer human beings worship absolute truth, and seek an eternal reward.
Prayer is the foundation-stone of religion; and religion is the means by which the soul is purified of all that pollutes it.
Prayer is the worship of the first cause of all things, the supreme ruler of all the world, the source of all strength.
Prayer is the adoration of the one whose being is necessary.
-Ibn Sina, “Kitab al-Najat”
Through prayer human beings worship absolute truth, and seek an eternal reward.
Prayer is the foundation-stone of religion; and religion is the means by which the soul is purified of all that pollutes it.
Prayer is the worship of the first cause of all things, the supreme ruler of all the world, the source of all strength.
Prayer is the adoration of the one whose being is necessary.
-Ibn Sina, “Kitab al-Najat”
Monday, September 10, 2007
Nothing Resembles its Consequences
Human beings are created from the dust of the earth; but do they resemble dust?
Grapes come from vines; but do grapes look like vines?
Does theft have the same shape as gallows?
Does piety resemble eternal life?
Nothing resembles its consequences. So the root of pain and torment is not evil.
- Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Grapes come from vines; but do grapes look like vines?
Does theft have the same shape as gallows?
Does piety resemble eternal life?
Nothing resembles its consequences. So the root of pain and torment is not evil.
- Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Friday, September 07, 2007
Monday, September 03, 2007
Once the ego is overcome peace follows...
Once the ego is overcome peace follows.
"Only God and no living creature has the power to control destinies."
With that conviction entrust all your cares to the Lord and follow the path of the Truth, conforming to the divine edicts, until you attain union with Him and become as pure as Adam before whom all creatures prostrated.
- Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
"Only God and no living creature has the power to control destinies."
With that conviction entrust all your cares to the Lord and follow the path of the Truth, conforming to the divine edicts, until you attain union with Him and become as pure as Adam before whom all creatures prostrated.
- Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Ultimate Bliss
Once a person said to a dervish, "All I ask for is a small dwelling in Paradise."
The dervish replied, "If you displayed the same contentment with what you already have in this world, you would have found ultimate bliss."
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
The dervish replied, "If you displayed the same contentment with what you already have in this world, you would have found ultimate bliss."
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, "Fayuz E Yazdani"
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)