A group of alumni, all highly established in their respective careers, got together for a visit with their old university professor. The conversation soon turned to complaints about the endless stress of work and life in general... Offering his guests coffee, the professor went into the kitchen and soon returned with a large pot of coffee and an eclectic assortment of cups: porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal - some plain, some expensive, some quite exquisite. Quietly he told them to help themselves to some fresh coffee.
When each of his former students had a cup of coffee in hand, the old professor quietly cleared his throat and began to patiently address the small gathering...''You may have noticed that all of the nicer looking cups were taken up first, leaving behind the plainer and cheaper ones. While it is only natural for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is actually the source of much of your stress-related problems! ' He continued...''Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In fact, the cup merely disguises or dresses up what we drink. What each of you really wanted was coffee, not a cup, but you instinctively went for the best cups... Then you began eyeing each other's cups....''
''Now consider this: Life is coffee. Jobs, money, and position in society are merely cups. They are just tools to shape and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not truly define nor change the quality of the Life we live. Often, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee. Enjoy your coffee!''
The happiest people don't have the best of everything - they just make the best of everything they have... So please remember: Live simply. Love generously. Care Deeply. Speak Kindly. And remember - the richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
See God in Everything...
Those who believe everything to be created by God see Him in everything.
They find comfort in regarding the Creator and not His creation.
All problems stem from the illusion that created things hold the ultimate power.
Turn to Him, therefore, if you seek deliverance.
-Al-Nuri, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"
They find comfort in regarding the Creator and not His creation.
All problems stem from the illusion that created things hold the ultimate power.
Turn to Him, therefore, if you seek deliverance.
-Al-Nuri, "The Kashf al-Mahjub"
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wahhabi Destruction of Madina...
Excerpts from
Nasiha li Ikhwanina ‘Ulama’ Najd
by
Shaykh as-Sayyid Yusuf al-Rifa‘i
translation by Dr. G.F. Haddad
On the ongoing Wahhabi destruction of Madina by the Saudis....
http://www.sunnah.org/arabic/mawldhouse/Wahabi_desecration_Sh_Rifai.htm
Nasiha li Ikhwanina ‘Ulama’ Najd
by
Shaykh as-Sayyid Yusuf al-Rifa‘i
translation by Dr. G.F. Haddad
On the ongoing Wahhabi destruction of Madina by the Saudis....
http://www.sunnah.org/arabic/mawldhouse/Wahabi_desecration_Sh_Rifai.htm
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Do I Understand the World?
Assalamu alaykum Dear counselors..... I have a problem .... my son came 2 weeks ago to me and cried and said mum i don´t understand the world - how should I handle with the world? I looked at him and then thought he is only 20 years, have money, a car, studies medicine in one of the best universities, have a beautiful and religious wife, have kind parents, is good looking, have many friends, have a good health, so what is his problem??? So I asked him which problems do you have, why can´t you understand the world. He answeres with tears in his eyes: it is all very complicated I don´t understand the world - evil wins, people who hate me congratulate me to my birthday, which I don´t expect, and beloved ones didn´t congratulate me, all is running different: the good lose, the evil win, etc So how can I help him? Thank you
In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May He bestow His peace and blessings on His messenger, Muhammad, his family, companions, and all of those who follow them sincerely.
Assalamualaikum,
Dear sister, yes, we do live in a world that often seems upside down. Your son is very perceptive in fact. Given that Allah has blessed him with so much, it is a refreshing sign to see someone who has so much be so concerned with the state of the world. What your son is echoing, in my opinion, is what many people, particularly young people, are feeling today. In many ways it is a very dark time we are living in with so much ignorance, hatred, inequality, oppression, violence and others occurring in the world. This is what your son is picking up on and it is indeed very difficult to understand. Nevertheless, as Muslims we must always seek understanding in our lives, for that is how we learn about Allah and his way of operating in the world.
First off, your son must understand that good never loses and evil never wins. Of course in this temporary world that may appear to be the case, but in Reality, in the world of Truth, only Allah exists and Allah is good. Evil, according to many erudite scholars and saints of Islam, only exists – is created by Allah – for the purpose of pointing mankind to good, to the all-pervading Mercy of Allah. Remember the Hadith Qudsi, “My mercy overcomes my wrath.” According to saints such as Jalaludin Rumi himself, evil only exists to point us human beings back to, and be grateful for the all-pervading Mercy of Allah. The following is from my last article on this website. It might help to put this in perspective:
“Everything is from Him. This was one of the first lessons I learned in Islam prior to my conversion six years ago. It is the peak of tawhid; simple, yet so important and powerful. EVERYTHING is from Allah. When we attempt to understand our lives in this way, through the eyes of tawhid, with Allah as the ultimate cause of everything (“Such is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things…” [40:62]), quite naturally we will seek understanding in our lives. We know Allah creates everything, we know Allah is the primary cause behind everything and we know that Allah is the Most Merciful and ultimate good. Thus, with everything that occurs in our lives, might we ask, “what are we to learn, oh Lord, and how should we respond to that which you have willed?” From this vantage point, we will naturally yearn to know what Allah wants us to do, which, in fact, we already have the answer – to know Him, as according to the Hadith Qudsi, “I was a hidden treasure that loved to be known, so I created creation so that I could be known.” Thus, Allah creates and manifests so that he can be known.
If it is the knowing of Him that Allah wants from us, does it not make sense that the manifestation of severity and rigor is Allah’s way of calling us back to Him and His all-pervading mercy and goodness? Could it be that the ‘whip’ of severity is the Creator’s way of reminding us of our ultimate purpose here? The Qur’an teaches us that there are three ways to know Allah: through revelation (i.e. the Qur’an), through creation, and through the Self.
One of the important roles that hardship plays in life is to facilitate introspection, to look toward the inside and better understanding of our innermost selves and heart. When we experience tragedy or calamity, often the first thing we do is go inside ourselves, seeking understanding and solace. It is an important soulful activity that must be done in order to fully realize our humanness. Part of the true self-surrendering to Allah (Al-Islam) must be to accept all of the Names of Allah, and to embrace all of the ways that He chooses to manifest Himself in our lives, including those perceived as severe or harsh. Not being appreciative of the mercy of Allah in our lives and merciful in our interactions with others will inevitably result in the experience of Allah’s wrath. For, to be neglectful in our role as the community of the ‘mercy to all the worlds’ (i.e. Prophet Muhammad (SAW)), is deserving of a Divine wake-up call.”
The craziness in the world that your son has picked up on is the result of all these human decisions to live lives in opposition to the Divine Reality and Allah’s guidance for mankind. Islam means ‘peace’ in that it is the way of life of unity – as a manifestation of tawhid, or the oneness of Allah. That is why the people of tawhid (i.e. the Muslims) should be the people showing the world how to live in unity and peace. Nevertheless, in too many cases, we are not. We are not exemplifying our way of life to bring peace. Allah says very simply in the Qur’an that he created us different for one reason – so that we can know one another.
“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)” (Al Hujraat:13).
Yet, we are not. Humanity as a whole is not. Therefore, we are shunning Allah’s mercy by turning away from His guidance and we are essentially getting what we have asked for, which is Allah’s wrath. What we can do from what we see happening around us is to get involved – even if it’s in a simple way like helping a loved or a neighbor. Allah records all of our good deeds, no matter how seemingly mundane they are.
“And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say, "Ah! woe to us! what a Book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!" They will find all that they did, placed before them: And not one will thy Lord treat with injustice” (Al Kahf, 49).
The best way to respond to the craziness and negativity that we see around us is to transform it – by doing something good! Bring mercy, peace, love and understanding to someone – anyone for that matter.
“The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity (will become) as though he was a bosom friend” (41:34).
If we all were to focus on these small things, in time, insha-Allah we would see things begin to transform for the better. We are all capable of doing good and bringing goodness into the world, we just have to do it. It doesn’t have to be earth-shattering change either. Remember what Rasulullah (SAW) told us about the importance of small deeds:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) did not observe fast in any month of the year more than in the month of Sha'ban, and used to say: “Do as many deeds as you are capable of doing, for Allah will not become weary (of giving you reward), but you would be tired (of doing good deeds); and he also said: The deed liked most by Allah is one to which the doer adheres constantly even if it is small.” (Muslim, Book 006, Number 2582)
Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A man never did a good deed but removed a thorny branch from the road; it was either in the tree and someone cut it and threw it on the road, or it was lying in it, he removed it. Allah accepted this good deed of his and brought him into Paradise.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 41, Number 5225)
There are many great scholars who have written on this subject. Here are a few good sources for more knowledge and information:
http://www.surrenderworks.com/library/approach/index.html
http://www.crescentlife.com/spirituality/rumi
I hope this helps your son in some small way.
In the name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. May He bestow His peace and blessings on His messenger, Muhammad, his family, companions, and all of those who follow them sincerely.
Assalamualaikum,
Dear sister, yes, we do live in a world that often seems upside down. Your son is very perceptive in fact. Given that Allah has blessed him with so much, it is a refreshing sign to see someone who has so much be so concerned with the state of the world. What your son is echoing, in my opinion, is what many people, particularly young people, are feeling today. In many ways it is a very dark time we are living in with so much ignorance, hatred, inequality, oppression, violence and others occurring in the world. This is what your son is picking up on and it is indeed very difficult to understand. Nevertheless, as Muslims we must always seek understanding in our lives, for that is how we learn about Allah and his way of operating in the world.
First off, your son must understand that good never loses and evil never wins. Of course in this temporary world that may appear to be the case, but in Reality, in the world of Truth, only Allah exists and Allah is good. Evil, according to many erudite scholars and saints of Islam, only exists – is created by Allah – for the purpose of pointing mankind to good, to the all-pervading Mercy of Allah. Remember the Hadith Qudsi, “My mercy overcomes my wrath.” According to saints such as Jalaludin Rumi himself, evil only exists to point us human beings back to, and be grateful for the all-pervading Mercy of Allah. The following is from my last article on this website. It might help to put this in perspective:
“Everything is from Him. This was one of the first lessons I learned in Islam prior to my conversion six years ago. It is the peak of tawhid; simple, yet so important and powerful. EVERYTHING is from Allah. When we attempt to understand our lives in this way, through the eyes of tawhid, with Allah as the ultimate cause of everything (“Such is Allah, your Lord, the Creator of all things…” [40:62]), quite naturally we will seek understanding in our lives. We know Allah creates everything, we know Allah is the primary cause behind everything and we know that Allah is the Most Merciful and ultimate good. Thus, with everything that occurs in our lives, might we ask, “what are we to learn, oh Lord, and how should we respond to that which you have willed?” From this vantage point, we will naturally yearn to know what Allah wants us to do, which, in fact, we already have the answer – to know Him, as according to the Hadith Qudsi, “I was a hidden treasure that loved to be known, so I created creation so that I could be known.” Thus, Allah creates and manifests so that he can be known.
If it is the knowing of Him that Allah wants from us, does it not make sense that the manifestation of severity and rigor is Allah’s way of calling us back to Him and His all-pervading mercy and goodness? Could it be that the ‘whip’ of severity is the Creator’s way of reminding us of our ultimate purpose here? The Qur’an teaches us that there are three ways to know Allah: through revelation (i.e. the Qur’an), through creation, and through the Self.
One of the important roles that hardship plays in life is to facilitate introspection, to look toward the inside and better understanding of our innermost selves and heart. When we experience tragedy or calamity, often the first thing we do is go inside ourselves, seeking understanding and solace. It is an important soulful activity that must be done in order to fully realize our humanness. Part of the true self-surrendering to Allah (Al-Islam) must be to accept all of the Names of Allah, and to embrace all of the ways that He chooses to manifest Himself in our lives, including those perceived as severe or harsh. Not being appreciative of the mercy of Allah in our lives and merciful in our interactions with others will inevitably result in the experience of Allah’s wrath. For, to be neglectful in our role as the community of the ‘mercy to all the worlds’ (i.e. Prophet Muhammad (SAW)), is deserving of a Divine wake-up call.”
The craziness in the world that your son has picked up on is the result of all these human decisions to live lives in opposition to the Divine Reality and Allah’s guidance for mankind. Islam means ‘peace’ in that it is the way of life of unity – as a manifestation of tawhid, or the oneness of Allah. That is why the people of tawhid (i.e. the Muslims) should be the people showing the world how to live in unity and peace. Nevertheless, in too many cases, we are not. We are not exemplifying our way of life to bring peace. Allah says very simply in the Qur’an that he created us different for one reason – so that we can know one another.
“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)” (Al Hujraat:13).
Yet, we are not. Humanity as a whole is not. Therefore, we are shunning Allah’s mercy by turning away from His guidance and we are essentially getting what we have asked for, which is Allah’s wrath. What we can do from what we see happening around us is to get involved – even if it’s in a simple way like helping a loved or a neighbor. Allah records all of our good deeds, no matter how seemingly mundane they are.
“And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say, "Ah! woe to us! what a Book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!" They will find all that they did, placed before them: And not one will thy Lord treat with injustice” (Al Kahf, 49).
The best way to respond to the craziness and negativity that we see around us is to transform it – by doing something good! Bring mercy, peace, love and understanding to someone – anyone for that matter.
“The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! he, between whom and thee there was enmity (will become) as though he was a bosom friend” (41:34).
If we all were to focus on these small things, in time, insha-Allah we would see things begin to transform for the better. We are all capable of doing good and bringing goodness into the world, we just have to do it. It doesn’t have to be earth-shattering change either. Remember what Rasulullah (SAW) told us about the importance of small deeds:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) did not observe fast in any month of the year more than in the month of Sha'ban, and used to say: “Do as many deeds as you are capable of doing, for Allah will not become weary (of giving you reward), but you would be tired (of doing good deeds); and he also said: The deed liked most by Allah is one to which the doer adheres constantly even if it is small.” (Muslim, Book 006, Number 2582)
Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “A man never did a good deed but removed a thorny branch from the road; it was either in the tree and someone cut it and threw it on the road, or it was lying in it, he removed it. Allah accepted this good deed of his and brought him into Paradise.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Book 41, Number 5225)
There are many great scholars who have written on this subject. Here are a few good sources for more knowledge and information:
http://www.surrenderworks.com/library/approach/index.html
http://www.crescentlife.com/spirituality/rumi
I hope this helps your son in some small way.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Nothingness and the Void
Love is the flame which, when it blazes,
consumes everything other than the Beloved.
The lover wields the sword of Nothingness
in order to dispatch all but God:
consider what remains after Nothing.
There remains but God: all the rest is gone.
Praise to you, O mighty Love, destroyer of all other "gods."
-Rumi, Mathnawi [V, 588-590]
I love this piece by Rumi, for it speaks so much to the contemporary world where so many of us spend our days and nights trying to fill ourselves with 'stuff'. We use music, entertainment, work, family, and endless mental chatter to fill that spiritual void we feel inside. What we fail to realize is that the more we try to fill that void with worldliness, the deeper the void grows. Its a temporary salve that fails to reach the goal, and in fact, only increases our attachment to the temporal. What Rumi is saying (at least to me) is that 'la ilaha illallah' becomes truly actualized only when we arrive at a state of total peace with nothingness, for it is in nothingness that everything -- every possible distraction, including even our own thoughts - is stripped away. Only presence remains and only then does God reign supreme in our hearts. Rather than trying to fill the inner void with more 'stuff', we should seek surrender and peace with it -- sit with it, if you will, and learn to just be.
consumes everything other than the Beloved.
The lover wields the sword of Nothingness
in order to dispatch all but God:
consider what remains after Nothing.
There remains but God: all the rest is gone.
Praise to you, O mighty Love, destroyer of all other "gods."
-Rumi, Mathnawi [V, 588-590]
I love this piece by Rumi, for it speaks so much to the contemporary world where so many of us spend our days and nights trying to fill ourselves with 'stuff'. We use music, entertainment, work, family, and endless mental chatter to fill that spiritual void we feel inside. What we fail to realize is that the more we try to fill that void with worldliness, the deeper the void grows. Its a temporary salve that fails to reach the goal, and in fact, only increases our attachment to the temporal. What Rumi is saying (at least to me) is that 'la ilaha illallah' becomes truly actualized only when we arrive at a state of total peace with nothingness, for it is in nothingness that everything -- every possible distraction, including even our own thoughts - is stripped away. Only presence remains and only then does God reign supreme in our hearts. Rather than trying to fill the inner void with more 'stuff', we should seek surrender and peace with it -- sit with it, if you will, and learn to just be.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Islam - Religion of Peace
Renewing peace between two aggrieved parties surpasses ritual praying, fasting, and almsgiving.
-Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Abu Darda'a
-Prophet Muhammad (SAW), as reported by Abu Darda'a
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Be Ready to Receive Light...
If you wish for light, be ready to receive light.
Nourish your ego and be deprived of light.
If you wish to find a way out of this prison,
do not turn away;
bow down in worship and draw near.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Nourish your ego and be deprived of light.
If you wish to find a way out of this prison,
do not turn away;
bow down in worship and draw near.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Monday, March 10, 2008
Allah Enjoins...
Allah enjoins justice and kindness, and in giving alms to kinsfolk,
He forbids indecency and abomination and oppression.
He exhorts you that you may take heed.
-Qur'an, An-Nahl, Surah 16:90
He forbids indecency and abomination and oppression.
He exhorts you that you may take heed.
-Qur'an, An-Nahl, Surah 16:90
Friday, February 22, 2008
On Materialism.... Our Number One Ailment Today?
We are always asked and instructed to choose eternity over temporal matter, the short-term and the earthly engagements that we cling to so heavily. Yet, because of our doubt, suspicion, fear, and willful ego attachments, we get stuck and lose our perspective. We cling heavily to the earth. Over and over again, we slam head-first, like a head-on collision, into the earth (materialism). We mistakenly thought that the earthly things that we cling to would give us comfort. Indeed they don't! There is never enough money for us here. There is never enough beauty for us here. There's never enough food, pleasure, partners, power or years to be alive.
In spite of feeling grateful, truly thankful, for life, family, beauty and for our time on earth, our limitless longing is never completely satisfied by things. Our limitless longing, infinite desire, always has us wanting more. As Baba Anandamurti has perfectly stated, "There exists in the living being a thirst for limitlessness." That thirst is unlimited; therefore, limited things cannot quench it. So why do we cling so heavily to the earth? What is wrong with us? If we truly believe ... then what is wrong with us? Do we still prefer the life of this world to the hereafter, even after it has been proven within the scope of our own lives that the attachments that we have formed, and our willful nature, do not provide us comfort? Our willful nature does not satisfy human longing, but our willing nature will, both for ourselves as well as for those to whom we willingly give.
"How can you reject the faith in Allah? Seeing that you were without life and Allah gave you life, then will Allah cause you to die and will again bring you to life. And again to Allah will you return. It is Allah who has created for you all things that are on the earth. Moreover Allah's design comprehended the heavens for Allah gave the order and perfection to the seven firmaments. And of all things Allah has perfect knowledge." SURAH AL-BAQARA, 2:28-29
-Sheikh Din Muhammad Abdullah al-Dayemi
In spite of feeling grateful, truly thankful, for life, family, beauty and for our time on earth, our limitless longing is never completely satisfied by things. Our limitless longing, infinite desire, always has us wanting more. As Baba Anandamurti has perfectly stated, "There exists in the living being a thirst for limitlessness." That thirst is unlimited; therefore, limited things cannot quench it. So why do we cling so heavily to the earth? What is wrong with us? If we truly believe ... then what is wrong with us? Do we still prefer the life of this world to the hereafter, even after it has been proven within the scope of our own lives that the attachments that we have formed, and our willful nature, do not provide us comfort? Our willful nature does not satisfy human longing, but our willing nature will, both for ourselves as well as for those to whom we willingly give.
"How can you reject the faith in Allah? Seeing that you were without life and Allah gave you life, then will Allah cause you to die and will again bring you to life. And again to Allah will you return. It is Allah who has created for you all things that are on the earth. Moreover Allah's design comprehended the heavens for Allah gave the order and perfection to the seven firmaments. And of all things Allah has perfect knowledge." SURAH AL-BAQARA, 2:28-29
-Sheikh Din Muhammad Abdullah al-Dayemi
Monday, February 11, 2008
Seek the Essence, Not the Structure
Little by little God takes beauty away.
Little by little life's luster decays.
Listen to the passage, "To whom We grant a long life, those We cause to decline."
Seek the essence and not the structure.
The beauty of heart shall forever abide, for it is enriched with the water of life.
- Rumi, "Mathnawi"
In my view, what ails us today is this inability or lack of desire to discriminate between essence and form. We strive and strive and strive for those things that are real only to our senses and thus only real to this world, yet have no care to know what those objects represent. We are cutoff from Reality because we cannot see beyond the surface of things. We spend our days and nights killing ourselves for titles, fortune and status and have the nerve to claim that we are doing so 'for the glory of the Ummah.' What rubbish! We are blind to the Real because we do not seek the essence, the truth, the real meaning behind the appearances. We hide behind appearances of piety while our hearts are empty of true love. The things of this world are mere representations, yet we remain fixated on their physical value and worth. How can we ever claim to know God who is Himself unseen if we lack the desire and ability to see beyond the outer appearances of things? How can we truly be worshipping God if we do not know Him out of our lack of desire to go beyond the surface and find the deeper meaning of what He Creates? Seeking the world is seeking the world. There is no way to gift wrap it and make it something it is not, which is a heart that is filled with other than God.
Little by little life's luster decays.
Listen to the passage, "To whom We grant a long life, those We cause to decline."
Seek the essence and not the structure.
The beauty of heart shall forever abide, for it is enriched with the water of life.
- Rumi, "Mathnawi"
In my view, what ails us today is this inability or lack of desire to discriminate between essence and form. We strive and strive and strive for those things that are real only to our senses and thus only real to this world, yet have no care to know what those objects represent. We are cutoff from Reality because we cannot see beyond the surface of things. We spend our days and nights killing ourselves for titles, fortune and status and have the nerve to claim that we are doing so 'for the glory of the Ummah.' What rubbish! We are blind to the Real because we do not seek the essence, the truth, the real meaning behind the appearances. We hide behind appearances of piety while our hearts are empty of true love. The things of this world are mere representations, yet we remain fixated on their physical value and worth. How can we ever claim to know God who is Himself unseen if we lack the desire and ability to see beyond the outer appearances of things? How can we truly be worshipping God if we do not know Him out of our lack of desire to go beyond the surface and find the deeper meaning of what He Creates? Seeking the world is seeking the world. There is no way to gift wrap it and make it something it is not, which is a heart that is filled with other than God.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Do Not Burden Others, Be Burdened By Them
"Do not burden people according to your own pleasure, but burden yourselves according to their pleasures so long as they do not violate the Shari'a."
- Imam Al-Ghazali, Ayyuha l-Walad, 131
- Imam Al-Ghazali, Ayyuha l-Walad, 131
Trying to be Godly or Like God?
Sometimes servants of God try to behave like the Lord, without a doubt.
Sometimes servants of God behave like servants.
When they behave like servants, they are truly like the Lord.
When they behave like the Lord, they are in a sorry condition.
- Ibn Arabi, "Fusus al-hikam"
Sometimes servants of God behave like servants.
When they behave like servants, they are truly like the Lord.
When they behave like the Lord, they are in a sorry condition.
- Ibn Arabi, "Fusus al-hikam"
Thursday, January 17, 2008
The Creatures as Veils
God made the creatures as veils.
He who knows them as such is led back to Him,
but he who takes them as real is barred from His presence.
~ Ibn al-Arabi
He who knows them as such is led back to Him,
but he who takes them as real is barred from His presence.
~ Ibn al-Arabi
Poverty
Poverty is not complete until one likes giving more than receiving.
-Abu Hafs Haddad in "'Attar: Tadhkirat"
-Abu Hafs Haddad in "'Attar: Tadhkirat"
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Submit Before the Will of God
If you are destined for good fortune you will be blessed;
if afflictions have been ordained, no matter where you hide they will seek you out.
Submit therefore before the will of God;
be grateful in well-being and endure adversity with fortitude that His light may radiate within your being.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, Futhul Ghaib
if afflictions have been ordained, no matter where you hide they will seek you out.
Submit therefore before the will of God;
be grateful in well-being and endure adversity with fortitude that His light may radiate within your being.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani, Futhul Ghaib
Practice Patience
Practice patience; it is the essence of praise.
Have patience, for that is true worship.
No other worship is worth as much.
Have patience; patience is the key to all relief.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Have patience, for that is true worship.
No other worship is worth as much.
Have patience; patience is the key to all relief.
-Rumi, "Mathnawi"
Monday, December 31, 2007
How Allah Keeps us Attracted to Him....
Since Allah (God) wants us to know him in all his Majesty and Glory, He continues to create interesting puzzles to attract us to Him. For the architect, architecture, for the psychologist psychology, and for the healer, the Oneness of ALL with God...
- Ali Ansari
- Ali Ansari
What We Do With Every Moment Determines Our Identity
It’s not about who you are, i.e. your identity, but rather whether you are truly conscious every moment. For the one who is preoccupied with trying to be someone or something cannot be truly conscious, for his or her mind is being used for the remembrance of self rather than God.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
The Path to God through Prayer
Prayer is an instrument through which novices find their path to God.
Thus ablution symbolizes repentance;
the Qibla, a spiritual guide;
standing in prayer becomes self-mortification;
the recitation of the Qur’an, inner meditation;
bowing the head, humility;
prostration, self-knowledge;
profession of faith, intimacy;
and salutation becomes detachment from the world and bondage of stations.
-Al-Hujwiri, “The Kashf al-Mahjub”
Thus ablution symbolizes repentance;
the Qibla, a spiritual guide;
standing in prayer becomes self-mortification;
the recitation of the Qur’an, inner meditation;
bowing the head, humility;
prostration, self-knowledge;
profession of faith, intimacy;
and salutation becomes detachment from the world and bondage of stations.
-Al-Hujwiri, “The Kashf al-Mahjub”
Friday, December 14, 2007
Adversity is the Threshold to Freedom
Do not be ruled by lust; seek freedom by following the righteous.
Mere claims of piety will not earn you inner freedom.
Remain patient in adversity to attain peace, for adversity is the threshold to freedom.
Those who cannot persevere are held back from the doors of Mercy.
- Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani
Mere claims of piety will not earn you inner freedom.
Remain patient in adversity to attain peace, for adversity is the threshold to freedom.
Those who cannot persevere are held back from the doors of Mercy.
- Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani
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