Friday, September 26
Latest Sohbet from Maulana
Sohbet/Sohba 23 Eylül/September 2008 - Seyh/Sheikh Muhammed Nazim El-Hakkani Hz. from .....~~Hakkani Post~~~..... on Vimeo.
Tuesday, September 23
Lailat Ul Qadr - Night of Power
LAILAT UL QADR-NIGHT OF POWER --- COMING SOON --- AVAIL IT
Assalaam Alaykum,
The opportunity of Laylatul Qadr is coming in the next few days. Life is about that take advantage of their opportunities to win the nearness & love of Allah, and this is indeed one of those chances. The sincere believer who worries day and night about his sins and phases of neglect in his life patiently awaits the onset of Ramadan. During it he hopes to be forgiven by Allah for past sins, knowing that the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam promised that all who bear down during the last ten days shall have all their sins forgiven. It is well known that Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi wa Salama advised Muslims to search “Lailatuhul Qadr” in the odd numbered nights, in the last ten days of Ramadan.To achieve this, the believer remembers the Prophet’s Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam advice in different sayings wherein he used words like “seek”, “pursue”, “search” and “look hard” for Laylatul Qadr. In this night of power, the Holy Quran was sent down from LOH-E-MEHFOOZ (the Preserved Tablet) to the earth.
Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. The Mu’min should search for it in the last ten nights of Ramadan, passing the nights in worship and obedience.
For those who catch the opportunity, their gift is that of past sins wiped away.
The Messenger of Allah Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam illustrated for us some of the things we should be doing on this Grand Night. From his blessed Sunnah we find the following:
It is recommended to make a long qiyaam prayer during the nights on which Laylatul Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many ahadeeth, such as:
“Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylatul Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah’s reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” Al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Peace shall descend on Laylatul Qadr until the dawn.
Hazrat Aisha Radiallah Anha stated that Rasool Allah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Salma said, 'Look for Lailat-Ul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan.' (Bukhari)
Hazrat Aisha Radiallah Anha stated that as much Rasool Allah peace be upon him tried (Ibadat) in the last Ashra (ten days) of Ramadan, did not try in any of the Ashra.' (Muslim)
Hazrat Aisha Radiallah Anha stated that I asked Rasool Allah peace be upon him, 'If I find Lailatul Qadar then what should I do? HE peace be upon him said, recite this Dua.'ALLAH HUMMA INNAKA A’FUVUN TOHIB BUL AFVA FA’AFU ANNI' (Tirmidhi)
Please take advantage of this night, from sunset till sunrise. Offer nawafil (prayers), recite QUR'AAN, do repent (Istaghfar), and Pray for pardon, recite many many Salawat (Darood Sharif & Salaam) and make benediction (Dua'as).
SECRET TREASURE’S CALCULATIONS:
Arif-Billah Hadrat Khwaja Abul Hasan Kharkani (rahmatullah alahay) mentioned that he did not missed the Night of Power (Lail-a-tul Qadr) since his adolescence age based on the instruction/ quotations of Hadrat Imam Jafar Sadiq (rahmatullahi alaihi). According to him, the night of Power will be on the following:
· If first day of Ramadan starts on Monday, the night of Power
will be on 21st Ramadan.
· If first day of Ramadan starts on Saturday, the night of Power
will be on 23rd Ramadan.
· If first day of Ramadan starts on Thursday, the night of Power
will be on 25th Ramadan.
· If first day of Ramadan starts on Tuesday or Friday, the night
of Power will be 27th Ramadan.
· If first day of Ramadan starts on Wednesday or Sunday, the
night of Power will be on 29th Ramadan.
Moulana Abdul Hai Farangi Mahli (rahmatullah alahay) has also mentioned in his book that he has implemented the above mentioned dates and found them blessed with the Night of power.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
According to above calculations, 27th Night of Ramadhan-Ul-Mubarak should be night of Lailat-Ul-Qadr in India and Chicago and 21st Night should be night of Lailatur Qadr in Saudi Arabia.
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This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. If the Night of Power is for 12 hours, then each minute is equivalent to 42 days. The least action one can perform on the Night of Power is to pray Isha and Fajr in congregation. According to the Sunnah, the supplication to recite during the Night of Power is:
Special DU’AA of Lailatul QADR:
'ALLAH HUMMA INNAKA A’FUVUN TOHIB BUL AFVA FA’AFU ANNI' (Tirmidhi)
'O Allah! You are the Forgiver and You like forgiving so forgive me”
Alllah knows the just and best --- May Allah bless us the night of power – A’ameen.
Monday, September 22
Lion roaring Allah - Miracle of Islam
A video of a lion roaring Allah. "The lion makes short ablution and says the name of Allah! Thousand visitors of a zoo in city Baku became witnesses of this miracle. The inspector of the zoo said, that the Lion was brought from Iran in 1999."
Development of Soul results in Noble Characterstics
'Developing the soul' means cleansing it from stubborn mazmumah traits including miserliness, arrogance, troublemaking, greed, love of this world, resentment and so on so forth, replacing them instead with admirable mahmudah traits including generosity, humbleness, patience, kindness, love of the Hereafter and so on so forth.
Whoever wants to cleanse their heart and soul will gain the greatest reward in the Hereafter, which is Heaven. This was clearly stated by Allah in al-Quran:
Translated: "Truly victory will come to whoever cleanses (their heart/soul/nafs) and disappointment to whoever corrupts it." (As-Shams: 9-10)
Whoever has a soul that is clean from mazumah traits will be able to develop the world, whether from an economic, political, science and technology or administrative perspective, and such developments would be completely free from problems that usually occur in societies. The final result of their efforts would be that to the world would become a bridge to the Hereafter as Rasulullah SAW once said:
Translated: "The world is the plantation of the Hereafter."
This means that all efforts, activities, developments and civilisations that are raised in this world are like plantations whose products are to be enjoyed in the Hereafter. In Heaven awaits the pahala (rewards).
All developments and advancements that are carried out by people with clean souls are safe and are active in saving others. They would not have any undue side effects that would burden society in any way.
Once the soul has been processed and cleansed of all mazmumah traits, it becomes a home to noble characteristics. It is important to remember that developing the soul to such a stage is not an easy task. It is not enough for people to be provided with the right knowledge; the real effectiveness comes through personal education and daily practice. This is so that what has been learned will permeate into every part of the person's mind, soul, habits and behaviours until they have become part of the person themselves.
The act of obtaining knowledge is easy. We can go to classes, listen to mubaligh lecturers, read for ourselves, as well as listen to the radio and television, but in order to fully appreciate the knowledge and bring it into ourselves until it becomes part of our lives, that requires education, nurturing and continuous guidance. Knowledge on its own is inadequate, if there is no guidance to go along with it. The knowledge would be unfulfilled; just words on a page. It can be parroted back, used to beautify words and text, and even taught to others, but it would never reach the stage where it can become part of our culture and lifestyle.
When it comes to textual information, even non-Muslims can learn and use Islamic knowledge. In fact they can even go as far as to teach it others. In many current universities, especially in the West and America, a great deal of Islamic knowledge lecturers are non-Muslims, and many of their students are Muslims. These lecturers can present the knowledge, but cannot provide the right education and guidance.
In today's world, Islamic knowledge does not appear to be inadequate. There are many Islamic schools in the world ranging through all levels of education and increasing yearly. What is inadequate is the way that the knowledge is being taught; in some schools that do teach Islamic knowledge, the students are not being given the proper education and guidance. Some do not even practice congregational prayers.
Hence, while Islamic schools and the knowledge that they teach continue to expand, the actual practice and appreciation of knowledge remains stunted. The students of Islamic knowledge increase, but true Islamic characteristics are barely noticeable. The spreading of Islamic knowledge through dakwah and lectures are more widespread, but the application of that knowledge is even more limited. Nowadays, almost everyone talks about Islam whenever issues of social problems are brought up, but it's all talk and no action, as can be seen with the steady increase of social ills all over the world. This is because the educational system is still lacking. Although there are programs being implemented, they only focus on the physical aspect but not the spiritual one. These programs do not address the need to strengthen the tauhid of the heart and soul by empowering it with awareness of God along with feelings of humbleness, worthlessness, embarrassment and
lowliness before Him. When people are fully aware of God, they will avoid doing all bad things. Such a thing would be more effective than any rule or regulation. This is because a heart that is empowered with the fear of God above all others is the strongest armour against all vices.
It has been said:
Translated: "Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will wipe (the bad deed) out, and behave well towards people." (As related by Ahmad, Tarmizi and Baihaqi)
It is only when one fears God that their akhlak (behaviour/morals) will improve. This is what is meant by applying the knowledge of akidah or tauhid; tauhid belongs in the heart, not the head, and should never be limited to the tongue.
When it is said that the fear of Allah is more effective than any rule or regulation in avoiding the vices of the world, this does not mean that rules and regulations are not needed at all. They are needed, but they are not the primary means for dealing with social ills. Their role is to make the country's administration more organised and unified, as well as regulate and standardise between different ministries, branches, institutions, etc. Fear of Allah acts as the primary line of defense against all outside enemies. Other defenses are more temporary, for although they can help in the here and now, they cannot help in the long term.
That is how taqwa fortifies our spiritual armour against the attacks of the nafs (desires) and shai'tan (unseen beings) that are constantly trying to tempt us do to evil. But when taqwa is forgotten, the nafs and shai'tan run wild and free, dragging all willing souls into seen and unseen evil. It is during these times that rules and regulations become the approach that has to be taken in order to prevent crimes and misdoings.
So if anyone thinks that rules and regulations are the only way to prevent social ills, they would be wrong.
Laws, rules and regulations act as deterrents, but they do not guarantee the elimination of ill intent. It is more likely that there are many who are simply waiting for the right time to act, and have only not done so because they are afraid of being caught, along with all the worldly repercussions that would come along with being caught. As soon as the right opportunity comes along, and they are certain that they can avoid being caught, they would do what it is that they want. This is all the more possible in today's day and age, thanks to the advent of modern technology.
For example, if someone does not take bribes because they are afraid that the crime can be traced back to them, then the work that they do for others and the community would be safe and unaffected. But in Islam, their work would still be tainted because their actions are insincere. They would gain no pahala because they did not avoid the sin because they feared Allah, but because they feared other people. While on the surface they may appear good, they have actually sinned because they have committed shirik. The crime they would have committed was avoided only because of the existence of laws and their fear that they could be caught. But because their heart still does not fear Allah and the punishment of the Hereafter, they would still commit the crime against others if they get the chance.
Whoever wants to cleanse their heart and soul will gain the greatest reward in the Hereafter, which is Heaven. This was clearly stated by Allah in al-Quran:
Translated: "Truly victory will come to whoever cleanses (their heart/soul/nafs) and disappointment to whoever corrupts it." (As-Shams: 9-10)
Whoever has a soul that is clean from mazumah traits will be able to develop the world, whether from an economic, political, science and technology or administrative perspective, and such developments would be completely free from problems that usually occur in societies. The final result of their efforts would be that to the world would become a bridge to the Hereafter as Rasulullah SAW once said:
Translated: "The world is the plantation of the Hereafter."
This means that all efforts, activities, developments and civilisations that are raised in this world are like plantations whose products are to be enjoyed in the Hereafter. In Heaven awaits the pahala (rewards).
All developments and advancements that are carried out by people with clean souls are safe and are active in saving others. They would not have any undue side effects that would burden society in any way.
Once the soul has been processed and cleansed of all mazmumah traits, it becomes a home to noble characteristics. It is important to remember that developing the soul to such a stage is not an easy task. It is not enough for people to be provided with the right knowledge; the real effectiveness comes through personal education and daily practice. This is so that what has been learned will permeate into every part of the person's mind, soul, habits and behaviours until they have become part of the person themselves.
The act of obtaining knowledge is easy. We can go to classes, listen to mubaligh lecturers, read for ourselves, as well as listen to the radio and television, but in order to fully appreciate the knowledge and bring it into ourselves until it becomes part of our lives, that requires education, nurturing and continuous guidance. Knowledge on its own is inadequate, if there is no guidance to go along with it. The knowledge would be unfulfilled; just words on a page. It can be parroted back, used to beautify words and text, and even taught to others, but it would never reach the stage where it can become part of our culture and lifestyle.
When it comes to textual information, even non-Muslims can learn and use Islamic knowledge. In fact they can even go as far as to teach it others. In many current universities, especially in the West and America, a great deal of Islamic knowledge lecturers are non-Muslims, and many of their students are Muslims. These lecturers can present the knowledge, but cannot provide the right education and guidance.
In today's world, Islamic knowledge does not appear to be inadequate. There are many Islamic schools in the world ranging through all levels of education and increasing yearly. What is inadequate is the way that the knowledge is being taught; in some schools that do teach Islamic knowledge, the students are not being given the proper education and guidance. Some do not even practice congregational prayers.
Hence, while Islamic schools and the knowledge that they teach continue to expand, the actual practice and appreciation of knowledge remains stunted. The students of Islamic knowledge increase, but true Islamic characteristics are barely noticeable. The spreading of Islamic knowledge through dakwah and lectures are more widespread, but the application of that knowledge is even more limited. Nowadays, almost everyone talks about Islam whenever issues of social problems are brought up, but it's all talk and no action, as can be seen with the steady increase of social ills all over the world. This is because the educational system is still lacking. Although there are programs being implemented, they only focus on the physical aspect but not the spiritual one. These programs do not address the need to strengthen the tauhid of the heart and soul by empowering it with awareness of God along with feelings of humbleness, worthlessness, embarrassment and
lowliness before Him. When people are fully aware of God, they will avoid doing all bad things. Such a thing would be more effective than any rule or regulation. This is because a heart that is empowered with the fear of God above all others is the strongest armour against all vices.
It has been said:
Translated: "Fear Allah wherever you are, and follow up a bad deed with a good deed and it will wipe (the bad deed) out, and behave well towards people." (As related by Ahmad, Tarmizi and Baihaqi)
It is only when one fears God that their akhlak (behaviour/morals) will improve. This is what is meant by applying the knowledge of akidah or tauhid; tauhid belongs in the heart, not the head, and should never be limited to the tongue.
When it is said that the fear of Allah is more effective than any rule or regulation in avoiding the vices of the world, this does not mean that rules and regulations are not needed at all. They are needed, but they are not the primary means for dealing with social ills. Their role is to make the country's administration more organised and unified, as well as regulate and standardise between different ministries, branches, institutions, etc. Fear of Allah acts as the primary line of defense against all outside enemies. Other defenses are more temporary, for although they can help in the here and now, they cannot help in the long term.
That is how taqwa fortifies our spiritual armour against the attacks of the nafs (desires) and shai'tan (unseen beings) that are constantly trying to tempt us do to evil. But when taqwa is forgotten, the nafs and shai'tan run wild and free, dragging all willing souls into seen and unseen evil. It is during these times that rules and regulations become the approach that has to be taken in order to prevent crimes and misdoings.
So if anyone thinks that rules and regulations are the only way to prevent social ills, they would be wrong.
Laws, rules and regulations act as deterrents, but they do not guarantee the elimination of ill intent. It is more likely that there are many who are simply waiting for the right time to act, and have only not done so because they are afraid of being caught, along with all the worldly repercussions that would come along with being caught. As soon as the right opportunity comes along, and they are certain that they can avoid being caught, they would do what it is that they want. This is all the more possible in today's day and age, thanks to the advent of modern technology.
For example, if someone does not take bribes because they are afraid that the crime can be traced back to them, then the work that they do for others and the community would be safe and unaffected. But in Islam, their work would still be tainted because their actions are insincere. They would gain no pahala because they did not avoid the sin because they feared Allah, but because they feared other people. While on the surface they may appear good, they have actually sinned because they have committed shirik. The crime they would have committed was avoided only because of the existence of laws and their fear that they could be caught. But because their heart still does not fear Allah and the punishment of the Hereafter, they would still commit the crime against others if they get the chance.
Thursday, September 18
Loving Allah
Without loving Allah, you cannot be a professional worshiper of Allah. Those who really love what they do, succeed in their work.
A teacher, who loves to teach, succeeds in teaching more than a teacher who teaches for money. A chef, who loves to cook, succeeds more than a chef who does not like their job.
Applying the same logic, only a person who genuinely loves Allah is equipped to worship Him wholeheartedly. It is impossible to worship that which you know not and love not. Worship and love are intimately related.
The highest level of love is worship and love is the foundation and essence of godly living. True and genuine worship of Allah does not take place except through loving Him.
Allah’s Messenger said, “None of you believes until I am more beloved to him than his family, wealth and all the people.”
If the authenticity of your belief is conditional upon loving Allah’s messenger more than anything else, then the obvious reality is that one does not even smell the fragrance of faith until they love Allah more than anything else individually and collectively.
Our love to Allah is the very foundation of our faith. Since, love is as good as the entity in which it is placed, achieving close to perfect faith is directly related to the perfection of the beloved.
Allah’s perfection infinitely exceeds our perception of perfection. He is free from any deficiency and all his attributes are occasion for praise. Thus, those who know Him, love Him more than they love anyone and anything else. Therefore, they freely submit themselves to Him, not because they have to, but because they love to; they love it and enjoy it.
Worship is the submission and subordination internally and externally to the beloved Lord out of love and adoration.
You and I psychologically are neither willing nor able to subordinate or submit ourselves, both internally and externally in all conditions except through worshipful love. Hence, this love must be dispensed only to Allah. This type of love provides the long term impetus for worship and service. Love without subordination and servitude is not worshipful love.
Without love, subordination and servitude do not constitute worship. However, when love is coupled with servitude, humility, submission, subordination, adoration and veneration, the result of combining these attitudes of faith is true and genuine worship. This love-based submission brings about liberation from worldly control.
Love and Servitude
Man cannot experience peace and tranquility without knowing his Maker. When man knows his Lord and understands his intended relationship to Him, he falls in love with Him. Allah is not distant or hard to get to know. He is neither mysterious nor capricious, but rather evident in the world around us and in us and easy to know. When man knows his Lord not, he fails to love Him. Certain destruction is indeed the result of man not truly loving his Lord and acknowledging his subservience to Him.
Full love and servitude are suitable only to Allah (Jehovah). “Love your Lord with all your heart” (Mk 12:30). Loving Allah produces servitude and submission all the time and in all places internally and externally. Loving Allah is the emotion that puts lovers in motion, starts them on the path of devotion, eases for them difficulties, shortens for them otherwise long distances and relieves hardships as the sweetness of love offsets the bitterness of difficulties. When you are love-borne, you can cover the distance to come closer to Allah faster and easier. A poet has said,
My religion is love
This is my religion
There is no compulsion in the religion
The one whose religion is dislike moves as if dragging his feet in the mud
The one passionate for his religion advances
The one who is passionless slacks.
Excerpt taken from Radwan's upcoming book "Live Your Life On Purpose".
Emailed to the blogger by Mastura
Wednesday, September 17
Let's Sharpen the Language of Our Hearts!
Let's Sharpen the Language of Our Hearts!
The heart speaks through feeling and emotions,
The mind speaks through thinking and thoughts,
The desires (nafs) speak through numerous yearnings and aspirations,
The eyes speaks through shapes and colours,
The tongue speaks through words and conversation,
The body speaks through touch and contact,
Let us speak through our hearts and be cultured,
Let us refine our hearts and souls,
Let our hearts and souls be the language experts,
That is the way it should be, for the heart is the ruler within us,
The ruler has the final say,
The ruler has the lawful authority,
The rest of the body should be obedient subjects,
To become subjects serving the king,
To become loyal soldiers,
If human beings are capable of accomplishing all this,
Life's journey would be beautiful and meaningful,
Everything is for God,
Befitting God's reason as to why mankind exists,
To give ourselves to Allah and be His Caliph.
By,
Shaikhul Islam Abuya Ashaari Bin Muhammad Attamimi AlHashimi
Pictured above: Pir Vilyat Khan, in meditation. Ajmer, India, Circa 1979.
Tuesday, September 16
Monday, September 15
Open the door of the heart
Shaykh Sa'adi Shirazi writes in his famous book "Gulistan" that in his child hood he developed a love for worship and used to offer prayers during the night. One night, he was praying with his father and other people in the house were enjoying sleep. He said to his father, "Why don't these people wake up and offer two rak'ats nafil prayer instead of laying there like dead people?" His father said, "My son, it would have been better for you to sleep all night than this worship that you are doing, because you are involving yourself in backbiting.
Moral: "The humorist sees himself with his own eyes and thinks very highly of himself , open the door of the heart and you will find yourself lowest of all."
We see that even great scholars never hesitate to introspect and correct themselves and ask for forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala but nowadays! We see a majority of people who boast about their worship and consider others low for not worshipping as they do. Actually they do not inspire others for worship, rather they offend others and send them away from worship due to their arrogance. Such people appreciate themselves and keep on depreciating others and their apparent piety fails to spread dignity at all. You know, such attitude shows that we are caught by the paws of desires and do not think about any others but ourselves. May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala save us from the crippling cage of desires. Ameen.
Please share your views and comments with us
Moral: "The humorist sees himself with his own eyes and thinks very highly of himself , open the door of the heart and you will find yourself lowest of all."
We see that even great scholars never hesitate to introspect and correct themselves and ask for forgiveness from Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala but nowadays! We see a majority of people who boast about their worship and consider others low for not worshipping as they do. Actually they do not inspire others for worship, rather they offend others and send them away from worship due to their arrogance. Such people appreciate themselves and keep on depreciating others and their apparent piety fails to spread dignity at all. You know, such attitude shows that we are caught by the paws of desires and do not think about any others but ourselves. May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala save us from the crippling cage of desires. Ameen.
Please share your views and comments with us
Saturday, September 13
Ali's Sayings
A true believer is one whose face wears a smile
even though his heart is distressed.
When you succeed do not feel proud.
When you fail do not lose patience.
He who seeks the world, death runs after him;
he who seeks the hereafter, the world runs after him.
Speech is like medicine, a small dose of which cures,
and an excess of which kills.
Forgiveness is the zakaat of success.
If you wish to succeed in life, learn to forgive others.
Thursday, September 11
Have Faith
Persevere, have faith in His benevolence.
Through afflictions God only tests your faith;
He is completely aware of your condition.
Have patience and wait for the divine decree.
Do not become like the foolish laborer
who is removed from the king's palace
for demanding his wages ahead of time.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani
Through afflictions God only tests your faith;
He is completely aware of your condition.
Have patience and wait for the divine decree.
Do not become like the foolish laborer
who is removed from the king's palace
for demanding his wages ahead of time.
-Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani
Greatness of the Heart
Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu
And if anyone believes in Allah, (Allah) guides his heart (aright)' (64:11).
The guidance of the heart is the basis of all guidance, the law of all success, the origin of every deed and head of every action. The Prophet(pbuh) said:
'Truly there is a piece of flesh in the body which, if it be wholesome, the whole body will be healthy and which, and if it be diseased the whole body will be diseased. Truly it is the heart.'
Thus the goodness of your heart is the guarantee of your happiness in this world and in the hereafter. Likewise, its corruption is the surest way to destruction, the extent of which only Allah knows.
'In this, behold, there is indeed a reminder for everyone whose heart is wide-awake - that is [everyone who] lends ear with a conscious mind' (50:37).
Every creature has a heart. In reality though they are two hearts, a heart that is alive and pulsating with the light of faith. It is filled with intense conviction and God-consciousness. The other is a dead heart, covered and diseased with every wreckage and rubbish.
Allah Almighty says concerning the hearts of the foolish folk:
'In their hearts is disease, and so God lets their disease increase' (2:10).
'But they say, "Our hearts are already full of knowledge." Nay, but God has rejected them because of their refusal to acknowledge the truth: for, few are the things in which they believe' (2:88).
Allah also says:
'Will they not, then, ponder over this Quran? - or are there locks upon their hearts?' (47:24).
'And so they say, [as it were:] "Our hearts are veiled from whatever thou callest us to, [O Muhammad,] and in our ears is deafness"' (41:5).
From all these verses we learn that the hearts can become ill, they can be covered, locked and they die. The enemies of Allah have hearts in their bosoms but they do not perceive with these hearts. Hence the Prophet saws used to say:
'O dispenser of hearts make my heart firm in Your religion.'
The heart of the believer fasts during Ramadan and outside of Ramadan. The fasting of the heart is done by emptying it of all corrupt material such as destructive forms of polytheism, false beliefs, evil suggestions, filthy intentions and degenerate thoughts. The heart of the believer is adorned with the love of Allah. It knows its Lord by His names and His qualities as He has described Himself. This heart explores with a discerning eye the lines of His names and qualities and the pages of Allah's making in the universe and the books of His creations.
The believer's heart is filled with a brilliant light which does not allow any darkness to remain with it. It is the light of the eternal message, the divine teachings, and the omnipotent laws. To it is added the natural light upon which the servants of Allah were created. Thus two great lights come together.
'Light upon light! God guides unto His light him that wills [to be guided]; and [to this end] God propounds parables unto men, since God [alone] has full knowledge of all things' (24:36).
The believer's heart glows like a lamp, shines like the sun and sparkles like the morning light. It increases in faith whenever the believer listens to the verses of the Quran, it grows in conviction when it contemplates, and increases in guidance when it reflects. The believer's heart abstains from pride because it breaks its fast. Pride does not reside in the heart of a believer because it is unlawful. The abode and dwelling place of pride is the heart. Hence, if it enters any heart, that person will become afflicted, foolish, arrogant and frivolous.
Allah Almighty says in a hadith Qudsi: 'Pride is my upper garment and grandeur is my lower one, whoever contests with me for them I will punish him.'
The Prophet(pbuh) himself said:
'Whoever shows arrogance to Allah, He will humble him, and whoever is humble to Allah, He will raise him in station.'
The heart of the believer fasts and abstains from egotism. Egotism is when the individual sees himself as perfect, better than others and in possession of good qualities that are not found in anyone else. This is destruction in its most naked form. The Prophet(pbuh) said:
'Three things which are totally destructive: a person's self-centredness and conceit, his reluctance to obey and his following of his desires.'
The cure for this self-importance is to look at one's own faults, one's many shortcomings, thousands of sins and misdeeds that one has committed, wrongs that one has done and forgotten but the knowledge of which are with Allah in a book. For Allah is not led astray nor does He forget.
The heart of the believer fasts and abstains from envy because it lowers righteous deeds, puts out the light of the heart and stops its progress toward Allah the Most High. Allah says in the Glorious Quran:
'Do they, perchance, envy other people for what God has granted them out of his bounty? (4:54).
And the Prophet(pbuh) said:
'Do not envy one another; do not inflate prices one to another; do not hate one another; do not turn away from one another; and do not undercut one another.'
The Prophet(pbuh) informed one of his companions three times that he would be among the people of Paradise. When he was asked about what was it that earned him a place in Paradise, the man said:
'I do not sleep with envy, grudge or deceit in my heart for any Muslim.'
Are there any hearts that would, therefore, fast like the learned. The fast of the learned has a yearning for the Most Merciful Lord of the worlds. Their hearts fast at all times and in the early hours of morning they seek forgiveness.
O Allah guide our hearts to the straight path and make it firm on faith, O Lord of the worlds
And if anyone believes in Allah, (Allah) guides his heart (aright)' (64:11).
The guidance of the heart is the basis of all guidance, the law of all success, the origin of every deed and head of every action. The Prophet(pbuh) said:
'Truly there is a piece of flesh in the body which, if it be wholesome, the whole body will be healthy and which, and if it be diseased the whole body will be diseased. Truly it is the heart.'
Thus the goodness of your heart is the guarantee of your happiness in this world and in the hereafter. Likewise, its corruption is the surest way to destruction, the extent of which only Allah knows.
'In this, behold, there is indeed a reminder for everyone whose heart is wide-awake - that is [everyone who] lends ear with a conscious mind' (50:37).
Every creature has a heart. In reality though they are two hearts, a heart that is alive and pulsating with the light of faith. It is filled with intense conviction and God-consciousness. The other is a dead heart, covered and diseased with every wreckage and rubbish.
Allah Almighty says concerning the hearts of the foolish folk:
'In their hearts is disease, and so God lets their disease increase' (2:10).
'But they say, "Our hearts are already full of knowledge." Nay, but God has rejected them because of their refusal to acknowledge the truth: for, few are the things in which they believe' (2:88).
Allah also says:
'Will they not, then, ponder over this Quran? - or are there locks upon their hearts?' (47:24).
'And so they say, [as it were:] "Our hearts are veiled from whatever thou callest us to, [O Muhammad,] and in our ears is deafness"' (41:5).
From all these verses we learn that the hearts can become ill, they can be covered, locked and they die. The enemies of Allah have hearts in their bosoms but they do not perceive with these hearts. Hence the Prophet saws used to say:
'O dispenser of hearts make my heart firm in Your religion.'
The heart of the believer fasts during Ramadan and outside of Ramadan. The fasting of the heart is done by emptying it of all corrupt material such as destructive forms of polytheism, false beliefs, evil suggestions, filthy intentions and degenerate thoughts. The heart of the believer is adorned with the love of Allah. It knows its Lord by His names and His qualities as He has described Himself. This heart explores with a discerning eye the lines of His names and qualities and the pages of Allah's making in the universe and the books of His creations.
The believer's heart is filled with a brilliant light which does not allow any darkness to remain with it. It is the light of the eternal message, the divine teachings, and the omnipotent laws. To it is added the natural light upon which the servants of Allah were created. Thus two great lights come together.
'Light upon light! God guides unto His light him that wills [to be guided]; and [to this end] God propounds parables unto men, since God [alone] has full knowledge of all things' (24:36).
The believer's heart glows like a lamp, shines like the sun and sparkles like the morning light. It increases in faith whenever the believer listens to the verses of the Quran, it grows in conviction when it contemplates, and increases in guidance when it reflects. The believer's heart abstains from pride because it breaks its fast. Pride does not reside in the heart of a believer because it is unlawful. The abode and dwelling place of pride is the heart. Hence, if it enters any heart, that person will become afflicted, foolish, arrogant and frivolous.
Allah Almighty says in a hadith Qudsi: 'Pride is my upper garment and grandeur is my lower one, whoever contests with me for them I will punish him.'
The Prophet(pbuh) himself said:
'Whoever shows arrogance to Allah, He will humble him, and whoever is humble to Allah, He will raise him in station.'
The heart of the believer fasts and abstains from egotism. Egotism is when the individual sees himself as perfect, better than others and in possession of good qualities that are not found in anyone else. This is destruction in its most naked form. The Prophet(pbuh) said:
'Three things which are totally destructive: a person's self-centredness and conceit, his reluctance to obey and his following of his desires.'
The cure for this self-importance is to look at one's own faults, one's many shortcomings, thousands of sins and misdeeds that one has committed, wrongs that one has done and forgotten but the knowledge of which are with Allah in a book. For Allah is not led astray nor does He forget.
The heart of the believer fasts and abstains from envy because it lowers righteous deeds, puts out the light of the heart and stops its progress toward Allah the Most High. Allah says in the Glorious Quran:
'Do they, perchance, envy other people for what God has granted them out of his bounty? (4:54).
And the Prophet(pbuh) said:
'Do not envy one another; do not inflate prices one to another; do not hate one another; do not turn away from one another; and do not undercut one another.'
The Prophet(pbuh) informed one of his companions three times that he would be among the people of Paradise. When he was asked about what was it that earned him a place in Paradise, the man said:
'I do not sleep with envy, grudge or deceit in my heart for any Muslim.'
Are there any hearts that would, therefore, fast like the learned. The fast of the learned has a yearning for the Most Merciful Lord of the worlds. Their hearts fast at all times and in the early hours of morning they seek forgiveness.
O Allah guide our hearts to the straight path and make it firm on faith, O Lord of the worlds
Sunday, September 7
Humility
Humility is not the trait of thinking of self as being of less worth. Humility is not thinking of self at all, whether good or bad. Humility is thinking of others and seeking their advancement...Stop considering your humility and use your energies and confidence to help others.Something to think about during Ramadan.
Thursday, September 4
Fasting by Rumi
There's hidden sweetness in the stomach's emptiness.
We are lutes, no more, no less. If the soundbox
is stuffed full of anything, no music.
If the brain and belly are burning clean
with fasting, every moment a new song comes out of the fire.
The fog clears, and new energy makes you
run up the steps in front of you.
Be emptier and cry like reed instruments cry.
Emptier, write secrets with the reed pen.
When you're full of food and drink, Satan sits
where your spirit should, an ugly metal statue
in place of the Kaaba. When you fast,
good habits gather like friends who want to help.
Fasting is Solomon's ring. Don't give it
to some illusion and lose your power,
but even if you have, if you've lost all will and control,
they come back when you fast, like soldiers appearing
out of the ground, pennants flying above them.
A table descends to your tents,
Jesus' table.
Expect to see it, when you fast, this table
spread with other food, better than the broth of cabbages.
~ Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi (R.A)
We are lutes, no more, no less. If the soundbox
is stuffed full of anything, no music.
If the brain and belly are burning clean
with fasting, every moment a new song comes out of the fire.
The fog clears, and new energy makes you
run up the steps in front of you.
Be emptier and cry like reed instruments cry.
Emptier, write secrets with the reed pen.
When you're full of food and drink, Satan sits
where your spirit should, an ugly metal statue
in place of the Kaaba. When you fast,
good habits gather like friends who want to help.
Fasting is Solomon's ring. Don't give it
to some illusion and lose your power,
but even if you have, if you've lost all will and control,
they come back when you fast, like soldiers appearing
out of the ground, pennants flying above them.
A table descends to your tents,
Jesus' table.
Expect to see it, when you fast, this table
spread with other food, better than the broth of cabbages.
~ Mawlana Jalaluddin Rumi (R.A)
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