Placeless

I hasten from place to place

corner to corner,
Searching for the house that shelters me
but wherever i go i find i am still displaced...
They say 'home is where the heart is'
But if i am not at my abode, then where is this heart?
Is it also lost?
What then is this endless ache i feel inside?
Where is my place, if the One i seek is placeless?
Where is the Convoy of Lights,
Show me......
And instead of trailing my shadow, let me follow Them.
Let Their will be done.
For i know, each fallen drop is cleansing my entire being.
Let the Lights refine my every tear into cultured pearls,
Let them polish me like a lustrous diamond,
and all shimmering gems that be,
So that i may shine in utter brilliance
as i stand both heart and soul in His dominion.....
The dominion of the One......whose place......is placeless.


- Roohi

My Dear Friend

“In Persian, there are four levels of friendship each relating to a degree in closeness and intimacy: Aashenaa (to know someone casually), Doost (a close friend), Rafeegh (your best friend) and Yaar (your inseparable lover). However, these levels are independent of the type of physical connection you have with someone. These degrees of closeness explain your deep soul connection with another being; your spouse, therefore, may only be your Aashenaa, or you may have a perfect platonic relationship with a Yaar. Some mystics measure their intimacy with God and the Beloved by using these levels.

My dear friend
never lose hope
when the Beloved
sends you away.

If you're abandoned
if you're left hopeless
tomorrow for sure
you'll be called again.

If the door is shut
right in your face
keep waiting with patience
don't leave right away.

Seeing your patience
your love will soon
summon you with grace
raise you like a champion.

And if all the roads
end up in dead ends
you'll be shown the secret paths
no one will comprehend.

The beloved I know
will give with no qualms
to a puny ant
the kingdom of Solomon.

My heart has journeyed
many times around the world
but has never found
and will never find
such a Beloved again.

ah I better keep silence
I know this endless love
will surely arrive
for you and you and you

---

What draws friends together
does not conform to Laws of Nature.
Form doesn't know about spiritual closeness.
If a grain of barley approaches a grain of wheat,
an ant must be carrying it. A black ant on black felt.
You can't see it, but if grains go toward each other,
it's there.

A hand shifts our birdcages around.
Some are brought closer. Some move apart.
Do not try to reason it out. Be conscious
of who draws you and who not.

Rumi's Poem on Aging

Why does a date-palm lose its leaves in autumn?
Why does every beautiful face grow in old age?
Wrinkled like the back of a libyan lizard?
Why does a full head of hair get bald?
Why is the tall, straight figure
That divided the ranks like a spear
Now bent alomost double?
Why is it that the
Lion strength weakens to nothing?
The wrestler who could hold anyone down
Is led out with two people supporting him,
Their shoulders under his arms?
God answers,
"They put on borrowed robes
and pretended they were theirs.
I take the beautiful clothes back,
so that you will learn the robe
of appearance is only a loan."
Your lamp was lit from another lamp.
All God wants is your gratitude for that.

For Rumi, it is not aging that is loss. On contrary, life itself is loss, a nostalgia for our Origin from which we find ourselves separated. For Jalal ad-Din, the"last of life" is that for which "the first was made," even includes death itself:

Inside the Great Mystery that is, we don't really own anything. What is this competition we feel then, before we go, one at a time, through the same gate.

Love is the master

LOVE IS THE MASTER

Love is the One who masters all things;
I am mastered totally by Love.
By my passion of love for Love
I have ground sweet as sugar.
O furious Wind, I am only a straw before you;
How could I know where I will be blown next?
Whoever claims to have made a pact with Destiny
Reveals himself a liar and a fool;
What is any of us but a straw in a storm?
How could anyone make a pact with a hurricane?
God is working everywhere his massive Resurrection;
How can we pretend to act on our own?
In the hand of Love I am like a cat in a sack;
Sometimes Love hoists me into the air,
Sometimes Love flings me into the air,
Love swings me round and round His head;
I have no peace, in this world or any other.
The lovers of God have fallen in a furious river;
They have surrendered themselves to Love's commands.
Like mill wheels they turn, day and night, day and night,
Constantly turning and turning, and crying out.

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)

Silence

Do not think that silence is silent!
For its speaks with the most eloquent words
Silence is NOT weakness
It is a strength
It is the weapon for the wise
and the downfall for all adversaries
Let silence be your preparation..
Let silence be your meditation..
Let silence be your realisation..
of this worlds temporary journey
and of our final destination....
So until that day....
when we will stand shoulder to shoulder on the battle fields..
Silence the heart
Silence the mind
and allow ALLAH's Glorious remembrance
leave all else behind.




"Silence is the veil of the ignorant and the adornment of the wise"

"Silence is the best reply to a fool"

"Water can be preserved in a water-skin only when its mouth is tied"



~ Sayyidina Ali (r.a)

I asked God

I asked God

Author Unknown

I asked God to take away my pain.
God said, No.
It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.
Her spirit was whole, her body was only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.
Patience is a by-product of tribulations, it isn't granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.
I give you blessings, Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.
Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.
You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.
I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as he loves me.
God said... finally you have the idea!

Bulleh Ki Jaana With English Translation

Short and simple for today,
"In the depth of the night while many sleep some hearts wonder about the reality of this world, by day I am a hypocrite, while by night I become a lover, this illusion in the day light shall never bring peace to the contemplating soul." - Kaiser Mo

Bulleh Ki Jana Mein Koun

Bulla Ki Jaana Maen Kaun

Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

I am not in the mosque of the believer,
Nor in false rites.
I am not in the pure or the impure.
Neither Moses nor Pharaoh.
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

I am not in the vedas or holy books,
Not in drug or wine.
Not in the drunkards wasted intoxication,
Not in wakefulness or sleep.
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

I am not in sorrow nor in joy,
Neither in clean nor unclean.
I am not water, I am not earth,
I am not fire, I am not air.
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

I am not from Arabia or Lahore,
Nor from India or Nagaur.
Neither a hindu or muslim from Peshawar,
Nor do I live in Nadaun.
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

I cannot be unearthed in the mysteries of religion.
I was not born of Adam and Eve.
I am not the name I assume.
I am not in stillness, not in movement.

Finally, I only know myself.
I cannot know any other.
Who could be wiser than I?
Bulla asks, who then, stands here?
Says Bulla, who knows who I am!

The Search of My Soul - Rumi

The search of my Soul

What is to be done, O Muslims? for I do not recognize myself.

I am neither Christian, nor Jew, nor Gabr [Magian], nor Muslim.

I am not of the East, nor of the West, nor of the land, nor of the sea;

I am not of Nature's mint, nor of the circling heavens.

I am not of earth, nor of water, nor of air, nor of fire;

I am not of the empyrean, nor of the dust, nor of existence, nor of entity.

I am not of India, nor of China, nor of Bulghar, nor of Saqsin;

I am not of the kingdom of 'Iraqain, nor of the country of Khurasan.

I am not of this world, nor of the next, nor of Paradise, nor of Hell;

I am not of Adam, nor of Eve, nor of Eden and Rizwan.

My place is the Placeless, my trace is the Traceless;

'Tis neither body nor soul, for I belong to the soul of the Beloved.

I have put duality away, I have seen that the two worlds are one;

One I seek, One I know, One I see, One I call.



He is the first, He is the last, He is the outward, He is the inward;

I know none other except "Ya Hu" [Yahweh] and "Ya man Hu" ["O He who is"].

I am intoxicated with Love's cup, the two worlds have passed out of my ken;

I have no business save carouse and revelry.

If once in my life I spent a moment without you,

From that time and from that hour I repent of my life.

If once in this world I win a moment with you,

I will trample on both worlds, I will dance in triumph for ever.

O Shamsi Tabriz, I am so drunken in this world,

That except of drunkenness and revelry I have no tale to tell.

Qasida Burdah - Poem of the Scarf

Qasida Burdah

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(The poem of the scarf)

The reason for writing this poem

The writer HAZRAT IMAAM SAALIH SHARA-FUD-DEEN ABU ABDULIAH MUHAMMAD BIN HASAN AL-BUSAIRI R.A had become paralysed. His doctors and physicians gave up all hope of his recovery. Eventually in this state of complete helplessness and despair he composed this poem expressing the grandeur and excellence of Sayyidina Rasuluallah Sallallhu Alayhi Wasallam. Using this as his sole means of asking Allah Ta'alaa to cure him from his illness. He isolated himself in a quiet place one Thursday night and with complete devotion, concentration and sincerity/ began reciting this poem. While reciting it sleep overcame him. He had a vision of Sayyidina. Rasuluallah Sallallhu Alayhi Wasallam. He told Sayyidina Rasuluallah Sallallhu Alayhi Wasallam of his illness whereupon Sayyidina Rasuluallah Sallallhu Alayhi Wasallam passed his blessed hand over Imam Busairi's body. Through the barakat and blessing of Sayyidina, Rasuluallah Sallallhu Alayhi Wasallam Allah Ta’alaa granted him complete cure from his paralysis. When he awoke he found a scarf or shawl on his body which he had seen Sayyidina Rasuluallah Sallallhu Alayhi Wasallam place on his paralysed limbs. This resulted in the poem being named "Qasidah Burdah" (The Poem of the Scarf).

In the morning when due to some necessity. he went to the bazaar, a pious dervish greeted him with salaam and requested him to recite the qasidah which he had composed in praise of Sayyidina Rasuluallah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam The poet said that I have composed many poems in praise of Rasuluallah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, which one do you wish to hear? The dervish replied: 'The one which begins with, A-min Tazak-kurin (i.e. Qasidah Burdah)". Upon this request the poet became wonder struck and said, "I take an oath that no one knows about this poem. Tell me the truth, from whom did you hear about it?" The dervish replied, "I take an oath by Allah that I heard it from you last night when in a dream you had recited it to Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam, whereupon Sayyidina Rasuluallah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam became attentive towards you and because of its blessings Allah Ta'alaa granted you complete cure from your ailment".

When the poet gave this poem to the dervish his secret became known to all the people and its barakat and blessings too became general for all.

When this poem reached Baha-ud-deen the governor of the country named Tahir, he so highly regarded and respected it that he would stand while listening to it.

It is also narrated that Sa'aadud-deen Farouqi, who was a viceroy of Baha-ud-deen, had became blind. In a dream he saw a pious person who told him to take the Qasidah Burdah from Baha-ud-deen and place it on his eyes. In the morning he told Baha-ud-deen about this dream. The Qasidah Burdah was brought and with full sincerity and conviction Sa'aadud-deen placed it on his eyes. Through its barakat Allah Ta'alaa granted him complete cure and restored his eyesight.

The virtues and specialities of Qasidah Burdah

The virtues of Qasidah Burdah are innumerable.

Some of its virtues (and specialties as appear in famous books) are mentioned here:

1. For blessings in life (1ong life) recite 1001 times.
2. For the removal of difficulties recite 71 times.
3. To remove drought recite 300 times.
4. For wealth and riches recite 700 times.
5. To have male children recite 116 times.
6. To make easy all difficult tasks. recite 771 times.
7. Whoever recites it daily or has someone else recite it₉ and thereafter makes damm (blow) on him, will be safeguarded from all hardships.
8. Whoever recites it once daily and makes damm blow) on his children, they will be blessed with long life.
9. Whoever recites it 17 times on a Thursday evening for 7 weeks will become pious and wealthy.
10. Whoever recites it in his bedroom for any work or special purpose, that purpose will be shown to him in a dream.
11. Whoever recites it 41 times in an old cemetery for 40 days, his enemies will be destroyed.
12. whoever reads it once daily on rosewater for 7 days and gives it to someone to drink, that persons memory will increase tremendously.
13. Whoever is afflicted with a great calamity or hardship, should keep 3 fasts and daily recite it 21 times.
14. Whoever writes it with musk and saffron and hangs it around his neck, will be safeguarded from seventy afflictions and difficulties.
15. The house in which it is read 3 times daily, will be protected from most difficulties.
16. If a person has important work, he should recite it 26 times on the night of Jumah (Thursday evening) and give 26 things in charity.
17. The house in which this qasidah is kept, will be safe-guarded from thieves, etc.
18. Whoever recites it 7000 times in his lifetime, will live up to the age of one hundred years.
19. Whoever reads it over rose water and sprinkles it over his clothes, will become respected and loved by the creation of Allah Ta'alaa.

20. On a journey if recited once daily, one will be protected from ail hardships of travel.
21. Whoever Is in debt should recite it 1000 times.
22. If someone reads it 41 times, or has someone else read it for him on the night of Jumuah, for a certain aim or purpose, will have his aim or purpose fulfilled.
23. The house in which this qasidah is read regularly will be saved from seven things:

1. From the evil of Jinn.
2. From plague and epidemics.
3. From smallpox.
4. From diseases of the eyes.
5. From misfortune.
6. From insanity.
7. From sudden death.

20. The house in which this qasidah is read daily, its inhabitants will also be bestowed with seven benefits:

1. Long life.
2. Abundance in sustenance.
3. Good health.
4. Help (from Allah).
5. One will see the NUR (splendour) of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam.
6. Wealth.
7. Happiness and contentment.

20. Whoever wishes to know whether he will derive benefit or harm from a journey₉ should read the qasidah 3 times, and before reading it, he should recite durood Shareef 1000 times He will thereafter be informed in a dream by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam whether it would be beneficial or harmful to travel.
21. Whoever wishes to know the condition of a traveller, should recite the Qasidah 3 times together with durood Shareef on a Thursday night.
22. To remove the evil effect of jinn, read once daily for 40 days and make damm (blow) on the affected person.
23. If a child is born, then read it 9 times on sea water and bath the child with it. The child will be saved from all types of calamities.
24. For labour pains (child birth), read 3 times and blow on rose water. Mix the rose water with ordinary water and drink it. Place a little on the loins as well and ease will be experienced immediately.
25. Whoever reads it once after embarking on a ship and passes through a severe storm, will be safeguarded. whoever is imprisoned, should recite it continuously and he will be freed.
26. If land is infertile, read and make damm (blow) on the seeds, thereafter plant them, abundant crops will grow.
27. If farmlands are infested or plagued with locusts, then read it 7 times on sand and sprinkle it through the lands. wherever the sand falls, that land will not be infested again.

In conclusion we find that for whatever purpose "Qasidah Burdah" is read, In-Shaa-Allah that purpose will be fulfilled, with the precondition that ones earnings and food is halaal. One also becomes constant in eating, sleeping, and talking less. May Allah Ta'alaa through His infinite grace and mercy accept this humble effort, grant us death with Iman, bestow us, our Ma'shaykh, and our families, eternal love for Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam through the blessings of this qasidah. Ameen.

What Do I Know of Love? By Rumi

What Do I Know of Love
Rumi

I talk of Love.

He says, “what do you know of Love.”
It’s insanity, It’s Pain.
How it cuts through your soul.
How it burns.


What do I know of Love?
Explosions,
in my heart,
Then, silence.


Tears.
I have seen a glimpse of love,
And have witnessed it’s insanity.
Why do I cry? Oh God, Why…?


He speaks of your Love.
But the love of your creation alone,
has driven me,
to madness.
What do I know, of your Love?


There it goes,
Taxiing down the runway.
And here, I stand,
with my pieces all around me.
My drunken heart,
my numb senses.


What are these at my feet?
Shattered glass?
I must try to put them back together,
From where should I start?
Where should I start?


The lonely bench,
in the morning fog.
The weeping flowers.
My wailing heart.


Why do they all cry?
Why?
Do they also know,
of love?