In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful
Here in the civilised world, we don't have much time. We are just too busy. Too busy to spend time with those we love. Too busy to ask 'are you alright?' to someone who looks down. Too busy to think. Too busy to care. Too busy to feel.
We have more important issues that occupy our minds... and our hearts.
Yet, we are still not at peace.
All this rushing around after something we don't really desire for a reason we don't really know... it tires us. It wears us down. It robs us of all sense of meaning, purpose, tranquility... we are robots. Because we are civilised.
What has happened to the connection between the hearts? What has happened to the happiness that comes just from being? Where has it all gone...?
It hasn't.
It never goes away.
It is right here... within you, within me... and within every atom in existence.
But it is covered.
All this 'civilisation'... it covers it.
That beautiful spirit that resides within every son and daughter of Adam.
It is time we return... to who we really are. It is time to reclaim our lost humanity.
Peace.
Thursday, 21 November 2013
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Question And Answer Session With Ayatullāh Ramadānī In London
In the name of Allāh, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful
After Ayatullāh Ramadānī concluded his speech, he was asked some questions by some of the brothers and sisters present. The responses to these questions contain real gems from which those seeking that Divine light may derive benefit.
After Ayatullāh Ramadānī concluded his speech, he was asked some questions by some of the brothers and sisters present. The responses to these questions contain real gems from which those seeking that Divine light may derive benefit.
How do I know that I am ascending (towards
Allāh)?
The Qur’ān and the Ahlulbayt
are the guides for us throughout this journey. The very fact that you perform
your obligations and refrain from the forbidden actions shows that you are on
the path. The recommended actions and abstention from discouraged actions make
the path more defined.
It is one matter to
pray in order to relieve oneself of the obligation of praying and quite another
to love prayer. Imām Al-Ḥussain (a) is related to have said that ‘Surely I love
the Prayer’. This is a higher level: whatever we do, we must love.
Can you offer us some advice?
1.
Recite the
Qur’ān every day, and read at least fifty verses. Do not read less than this.
2.
Tawassul:
seek a means of nearness to Allāh. The best people to do this through are the
Ahlulbayt. Scholars have said that the more danger you are in (spiritually),
the more you should increase your Tawassul.
3.
Recite
Du’ā Al-‘Ahd every day and the Salaam to the Imam of our time which is found
after Du’ā Al-Nudbah in Mafātīḥ Al-Jinān
4.
Give
Ṣadaqah each day
5.
Fasting is
very effective. Try to fast one or two days of the week.
6.
Visiting
the cemetery of the Muslims is also very effective. If you are able, then do
this in a group. For example, this may be done every two weeks. This changes
things within the soul. Ayatullāh Ḥassan-Zādeh Āmulī has said to “tread the
path that people previously have tread”. Visiting the cemetery is one example
of this. Ayatullāh Ramadānī related an incident from the Commander of the
Faithful in this regard where the Imām (a) visited the cemetery and addressed
the departed souls.
The ultimate objective is to achieve
perfection. However, we also need to have short time goals. How should someone
set a goal that is achievable but will also keep one moving towards the
ultimate objective?
1.
Perform
all the obligations and refrain from all the forbidden actions
2.
The goal
is spiritual nearness to Him
3.
Don’t
overdo it. Do not burden the soul with performing recommended actions when it
cannot bear it.
4.
Once we
enter this field of performing the obligations and refraining from the forbidden
actions, Allāh gives us opportunities that we could not even imagine where they
have come from.
5.
If
feasible, then have study or discussion circles to increase your Ma’rifah of
Allāh and the Imām of our time (a)
6.
Increase
your contact with the Imām of our time (a). Increase in the recitation of the
supplication, ‘Oh Allāh, grant me gnosis (ma’rifah) of Yourself…’
How should one control one’s anger towards
people and control one’s lower self in general?
1.
When you
are angry, change the (physical) position that you are in. For example, go to a
different room.
2.
Avoid
being in a place where you will become angry
3.
Practice
controlling the tongue for some time. This is a journey and it requires
practice (training); monitor the self.
4.
Refer to
verses of the Qur’ān and traditions from the Ahlulbayt regarding anger
5.
Anger is
like a thief. Sometimes one accumulates much good during the day but in one
moment of anger, it is all lost.
6.
Have an
oath and a pledge (with yourself and with Allāh) that you will not be angry
7.
The Dhikr
of ‘Lā Ilāha Illallāh’ is especially effective in this regard i.e. in helping
to control one’s anger when one is angry
8.
Not all
anger is a vice. If it is anger due to witnessing something wrong then this
anger is Divine. Be on the middle path.
How does one love worship?
1.
By
understanding the position of worship and its reality. By understanding what
worship really is. ‘The prayer is the ascension of the believer’.
2.
Murāqabah:
see what is entering and leaving your heart. Monitor the imports and exports of
your heart.
3.
The heart
of the believer is ‘the throne of the Ever-Merciful’ (so guard it!)
How does one seek true knowledge?
1.
The Qur’ān
is the truth
2.
The innate
nature of the human being confirms what is right and wrong
3.
The Ahlulbayt
are the place of the truth
4.
As human beings,
we are limited and deficient. But by connecting ourselves with Allāh, Who is
limitless and Perfect, our limitations and deficiencies are made up for. We
must have that connection with Him.
How does one who wishes to tread this path
avoid being influenced by others?
By increasing one’s
determination and strengthening it. Once this is done, then as mentioned in a
saying related from the Commander of the Faithful (a), ‘even amongst the
heedless ones, he is not affected’
How does one achieve the state of continuously
remembering Allāh?
1.
At certain
times, the human soul has a level of receptivity and at other times it does
not. Sometimes the human soul inclines towards remembering Allah and at other
times it contracts and does not wish to remember Him. At the times when your
soul is receptive, remember Him; make the most of those moments in which the
soul has a desire towards Dhikr. At the times of closure when the soul retracts
and becomes tight, it should not be burdened.
2.
To be
‘always in remembrance’ is to see Allāh in everything you do and to perform
every action for Him.
Ayatullāh Ramadānī's Speech In London
In the name of Allāh, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful
On 22 September 2013, Ayatullāh Ramadānī delivered a speech in the Islamic Centre of England during his visit to London. He spoke in Persian and his speech was translated into English. This was followed up with a question and answer session, with questions and answers once more being translated. I was present throughout the gathering and was taking notes in English during the translation. What is presented here are the self-edited version of those notes. These are my personal notes from the event; they have not been checked or verified by anyone. Some points mentioned by Ayatullah Ramazani have been left out because my notes were inadequate in recording them accurately enough for them to be presented with clarity. Furthermore, I was unable to take notes during the very beginning or introduction of the lecture. These notes begin from where I began taking them, and I have added a little more detail to the story of Adam (a) mentioned in the beginning.
It is hoped that, despite the darkness of the veil, the luminosity of the light will still find its way into the hearts of those who seek it. Surely He is Oft-Returning to Mercy, Ever Merciful. All mistakes are exclusively mine. I seek His forgiveness and yours. And all praise is due to Allāh, the Lord of the worlds.
Haidar Al-Haidari
London, United Kingdom
1 October 2013
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Imam Imām ’Alī (a) is related to have said:
On 22 September 2013, Ayatullāh Ramadānī delivered a speech in the Islamic Centre of England during his visit to London. He spoke in Persian and his speech was translated into English. This was followed up with a question and answer session, with questions and answers once more being translated. I was present throughout the gathering and was taking notes in English during the translation. What is presented here are the self-edited version of those notes. These are my personal notes from the event; they have not been checked or verified by anyone. Some points mentioned by Ayatullah Ramazani have been left out because my notes were inadequate in recording them accurately enough for them to be presented with clarity. Furthermore, I was unable to take notes during the very beginning or introduction of the lecture. These notes begin from where I began taking them, and I have added a little more detail to the story of Adam (a) mentioned in the beginning.
It is hoped that, despite the darkness of the veil, the luminosity of the light will still find its way into the hearts of those who seek it. Surely He is Oft-Returning to Mercy, Ever Merciful. All mistakes are exclusively mine. I seek His forgiveness and yours. And all praise is due to Allāh, the Lord of the worlds.
Haidar Al-Haidari
London, United Kingdom
1 October 2013
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In the name of Allāh,
the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
All praise is due to Allāh, the Lord of the worlds. Salutations of Allāh be upon His servant and messenger, Muhammad, and his household.
When Allāh created
Adam, He announced that He wished to make him His vicegerent on the earth. The
angels objected and said, “Will you place therein one who will cause corruption
and bloodshed…?” In response, Allāh said, “Surely I know that which you do not
know”. Then “He taught Adam the names – all of them” after which the angels
replied: “Immaculate are You! We have no knowledge except that which you have
taught us!” (Qur’ān 2:30-32)
Since the beginning,
the issue has been that of knowledge.
We, as human beings, should be seeking
knowledge.
But what kind of
knowledge are we after?
It is knowledge that
brings about light. That is what we are after. We need to create that
capability within ourselves for Divine light to enter.
’Unwān Al-Baṣrī had a
lot of ‘knowledge’… yet his heart was not at ease. He was after something else:
knowledge of a different kind. A knowledge that would bring peace to his heart
and end his restlessness. He had heard of a person called Ja’far b. Muḥammad
(a). He went to the Imām (a), hoping that the thirst of his heart would be
quenched through his blessed hands. The Imam reportedly asked him, “You have
studied a lot. What is it that you are after?”
Understanding that ’Unwān was seeking a knowledge that would bring tranquillity to his heart, the
Imam is related to have said:
“Know that knowledge
is not acquired by studying. Knowledge is a light that He places in the Heart
of whoever He wishes”
We have been invited into
this sphere, to embark on this journey toward perfection. We have been invited
to seek that knowledge which is Divine light.
But what do we need to
do?
All we have to do is
“hold on to the rope of Allāh”. You don’t need to make a rope yourself. You don’t
need to throw a rope up. You don’t need to pull yourself up. All you have to do
is hold on tightly to this rope… and He will pull you up. We only have to want
it. We only need to have that deep desire within ourselves to tread this path.
In a narration it is
stated that ‘whoever wishes and strives hard towards something will certainly
achieve it’
In a sacred tradition
(Ḥadīth Qudsī), Allāh says:
“Oh My servant! I am
the One Who says to a thing ‘Be!’ and it is. Obey Me in what I have commanded
you and you will say to a thing ‘Be!’ and it will be”
In another sacred tradition, Allāh says:
“Oh Adam! I am the
Rich Who is Needless and you are the dependent and needful. Obey Me in what I
have commanded and I will make you rich and needless”
A human being who
becomes an ’Abd of Allāh, a servant of Allāh, will not extend his hand to
anyone: he is needless of anyone besides Allāh.
To begin the journey,
one must remove ‘I-centeredness’ from within oneself. Being ‘God-centred’ and
being ‘I-centred’ are mutually exclusive. If one is present, the other is
necessarily absent. It has to be either Him or me.
When the human being
places Allāh in the centre (of his heart and life), whenever he looks, his look
is divine. Whenever he speaks, his speech is divine. Whenever he sits, his
sitting becomes divine. Everything about him becomes divine.
Imām ’Alī is related to
have said that Shaiṭān is speaking with the tongue of the human being and
looking with his eyes.
We should have an aim
in this universe, a goal. The human being should direct his striving and effort
towards that aim he is trying to achieve.
“Oh mankind! Surely you are
striving toward your Lord, a hard striving, so you will meet Him” (Qur'ān 84:6)
“Do not be a servant
to other than Allāh. Allāh has created you free”
Tuesday, 27 August 2013
Keep On Treading Your Path
In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful
People will always try
to influence you with their own ideas and understandings of how things ‘really
are’, how things ‘aught to be’ and – of course – how you ‘should be’ living
your life. Not only through their words; even through their very being. You pick
up vibes from them. This is inevitable.
Sometimes it feels
that no one wants you to shine your light. No one wants you to tread your path.
No one wants you to sing your song. It feels as if everyone wants you to be
something or someone for them. No one wants to leave you to be yourself.
I know that some who
read this will label me as a ‘pluralist’ and as being ‘Westernized’. But you
know what? That’s OK.
But I want you to know
why. I want you to know why it is OK for people to think they understand you
when in reality they don’t have a clue about who you really are.
People often say that
this world is a test. And I guess that is kind of true. Until recently,
whenever someone said this I would get annoyed. Because I thought of exams at
school and how I hated them. So Allah, Who is supposed to be my closest friend,
is in reality just a teacher who wants to ‘test me’ to He can ‘find out’ how
good I am? Thank you for ‘showing me the light’ and bursting my bubble – I was
obviously in some kind of dream world where concepts such as love, intimacy,
trust and light actually existed! Lol.
I had to withdraw from
people for a while to do some soul searching. I knew the answers wouldn’t come
from them… they would come from within me.
Now I believe that
yes, the world is indeed a place of being tested. But not the way it is usually
made out to be. You see, a ‘test’ is not like a school exam that you sit so
your teachers can see if you have studied. A ‘test’ is, in reality, a means for
you to go higher, to become more perfect, to take the next step on your
journey. It is Allah reaching out to you and saying ‘Come closer to Me’. And it
is Allah Who gives the tests in this world, not people. Everyone’s journey is
different. Because Allah knows you better than anyone else. He puts you in
situations that are perfect for you at whatever stage of your life you are at,
for you to gain nearness to Him.
And, funnily enough,
one way in which Allah ‘tests’ you is through other people!
Allah says in the
Qur’an:
“And We made some of
you to be a test for others: Will you be patient? And your Lord is
Ever-Seeing!” (25:20)
Wow. Isn’t that
amazing?!
A point to mention
here is that ‘patience’ does not mean putting up with suffering. ‘Patience’ is
that light within you that says ‘keep going’. It is like a mountain climber
trying to reach the summit of a mountain. On his way he faces obstacles. Some
of these obstacles are outside of him – wind, wolves, thieves – and others are
within himself: fear, uncertainty, lack of belief. That force that tells him to
keep going and gets him to the top of the mountain: that is called ‘Patience’.
Now let’s look at the
verse again:
“And We made some of
you to be a test for others: Will you be patient?”
What do you think?
And remember that
while it is true that people usually want you for themselves, there is one
friend who wants you for your own self:
“And your Lord is
Ever-Seeing”
This is an example
that some of my closest friends have given me, and it’s something that really
helps me:
There is a bird
perched on the branch of a tree. It is singing. A person comes along and begins
shouting at the bird: ‘ Be quiet! Stop making such a racket! You think you can
sing? Huh, you’re voice sucks! You’re a loser! You’re stupid!’
The bird keeps
singing.
After the person
leaves, another person comes along and stands beneath the tree. They speak to
the bird, saying: ‘Wow, what a beautiful voice you have! I could listen to you
all day long! You are the sweetest little bird I’ve ever seen!’
The bird keeps
singing.
Remember the verse?
Both people were a ‘test’ for the bird. Because, as the bird kept singing
through curses and praises, it became more determined, stronger on it’s own
path, and ever-more indifferent to what others think of it’s song.
Brothers and sisters.
Be that bird.
Keep on shining your
light. Keep on singing your song. Keep on treading your path.
“And surely the one
who travels to You is close to his destination”
-Imam Al Sajjad (a),
Du’a Abi Hamza Al Thumali
Thursday, 11 April 2013
How We See The Ahlulbayt - Time To Delve Deeper...?
In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful
Salamun Alaikum dear brothers and sisters! How are you all..?? i love you so much...
i think that sometimes we begin to see the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them) in a very materialistic and secular manner. What do i mean? Well, i mean that we sometimes see them as 'teachers' who gave lessons and then died. Their lessons have been written in books, and we still benefit from them today. Just like a really really really good school teacher, but on a much higher level.
But i feel that there is something more. i feel there is something much much much deeper about the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them) and all the Auliya in general. Something much much deeper...
You see, a person can cross the ocean by boat and get to their destination. When the people ask him: 'So what did you see in the sea?', he replies: 'nothing, there's just loads and loads of water'.
But another person dives into the ocean. He goes deeper and deeper, and discovers the endless wonders therein. Maybe he will never reach his original destination, maybe he will become so captivated by the wonders in the sea that he doesn't wish to leave. But if he continues his/her journey and reaches the destination, when people ask him/her: 'what did you see in the sea?', he will speak of the wonders and miracles he has witnessed, leaving the people in absolute awe and amazement. Some of the people will laugh and say: you are crazy! Such things do not exist! They will call him a madman and turn away from him. After all, the first person traversed the same sea and said there was nothing. The first person is obviously much more educated and intellectual. You are just emotional and easily excitable...
But...
There will be some people who respond to this second traveller like buds that were just waiting for a touch for them to open into flowers. They were thirsty for this deep wisdom that no one had ever given them previously. They are captivated by this traveller and attach themselves to him, asking him to tell them more, and eventually to take them with him into the depths of the oceans that they may also witness those wonders for themselves.
That sea is Islam. Some who speak about it, they speak about Allah, the Qur'an, the prophet (s) and the Imams (a) the way in which the first sea-traveller spoke of the sea.
But there are others who are very different. When they speak, the image you receive of Islam is very different. It is exciting, mysterious, and wonderful.
i guess we can say that Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them) are those divers who have come to the land. They have witnessed the wonders present in the oceans of Divine love and radiance. They themselves are the very channels to that endless ocean of light. However, they speak to every person according to each person's level of understanding. For some, speaking about the existence of anything more than the surface waves of the ocean may put them off altogether. However, there are some hearts which are thirsty for wisdom, love and light. It is to these hearts that the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them) reveal secrets and mysteries. Indeed, any one of us can be from amongst these hearts. If we choose to be. The only person stopping you... is you.
Salman (peace be upon him) dissolved himself in the light of the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them), as they dissolved themselves in the oceans of Allah's love and mercy. When those who knew only the surface of the ocean said: 'Salman is from Persia', the beloved of Allah (peace be upon him) replied with a very profound and deep statement: 'Salman is from us'.
May Allah (swt) grant us that we, too, like Salman (a), dissolve in the light of the Ahlulbayt, as they dissolved themselves in endless oceans of Allah's love, light and mercy. Ameen!
And when that happens, we, too, will become channels for others to enter into those oceans. InshaAllah.
Please remember me in your du'as
Your brother,
Haidar
Salamun Alaikum dear brothers and sisters! How are you all..?? i love you so much...
i think that sometimes we begin to see the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them) in a very materialistic and secular manner. What do i mean? Well, i mean that we sometimes see them as 'teachers' who gave lessons and then died. Their lessons have been written in books, and we still benefit from them today. Just like a really really really good school teacher, but on a much higher level.
But i feel that there is something more. i feel there is something much much much deeper about the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them) and all the Auliya in general. Something much much deeper...
You see, a person can cross the ocean by boat and get to their destination. When the people ask him: 'So what did you see in the sea?', he replies: 'nothing, there's just loads and loads of water'.
But another person dives into the ocean. He goes deeper and deeper, and discovers the endless wonders therein. Maybe he will never reach his original destination, maybe he will become so captivated by the wonders in the sea that he doesn't wish to leave. But if he continues his/her journey and reaches the destination, when people ask him/her: 'what did you see in the sea?', he will speak of the wonders and miracles he has witnessed, leaving the people in absolute awe and amazement. Some of the people will laugh and say: you are crazy! Such things do not exist! They will call him a madman and turn away from him. After all, the first person traversed the same sea and said there was nothing. The first person is obviously much more educated and intellectual. You are just emotional and easily excitable...
But...
There will be some people who respond to this second traveller like buds that were just waiting for a touch for them to open into flowers. They were thirsty for this deep wisdom that no one had ever given them previously. They are captivated by this traveller and attach themselves to him, asking him to tell them more, and eventually to take them with him into the depths of the oceans that they may also witness those wonders for themselves.
But there are others who are very different. When they speak, the image you receive of Islam is very different. It is exciting, mysterious, and wonderful.
i guess we can say that Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them) are those divers who have come to the land. They have witnessed the wonders present in the oceans of Divine love and radiance. They themselves are the very channels to that endless ocean of light. However, they speak to every person according to each person's level of understanding. For some, speaking about the existence of anything more than the surface waves of the ocean may put them off altogether. However, there are some hearts which are thirsty for wisdom, love and light. It is to these hearts that the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them) reveal secrets and mysteries. Indeed, any one of us can be from amongst these hearts. If we choose to be. The only person stopping you... is you.
Salman (peace be upon him) dissolved himself in the light of the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them), as they dissolved themselves in the oceans of Allah's love and mercy. When those who knew only the surface of the ocean said: 'Salman is from Persia', the beloved of Allah (peace be upon him) replied with a very profound and deep statement: 'Salman is from us'.
May Allah (swt) grant us that we, too, like Salman (a), dissolve in the light of the Ahlulbayt, as they dissolved themselves in endless oceans of Allah's love, light and mercy. Ameen!
And when that happens, we, too, will become channels for others to enter into those oceans. InshaAllah.
Please remember me in your du'as
Your brother,
Haidar
Tuesday, 26 March 2013
The Flower Returned To The Garden - Part 1
In the name of Allah
Assalamu Alaikum brothers and sisters! hope and pray that you are in the best of Iman and health! i'd like to thank you for being such beautiful stars; you have always supported me and encouraged me to chase my dreams. Friends like you are a blessing i can never show thanks for. But...thank you. You mean so much to me. My life would not be the same without your presence (physically or digitally!) <3
Last time i wrote my marriage experience.. but now i'd like to share another story, but it is different.
Three years ago, on 22 January 2010, my sister Maryam left this world. She was less than a year younger than me. i was fifteen and she was fourteen. She would have turned fifteen nine days later.
The reason i share this story is not to gain sympathy... but because death is a mercy, a blessing and a reminder... and mercies, blessings and reminders should be shared. Out of love for my brothers and sisters, i'd like to humbly share my experience. But first, i humbly request you to recite a Surah Al-Fatihah for all our brothers and sisters who have left this world, especially those who were oppressed. Al-Fatihah.
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The plane landed in Germany. It was night time. Friday. About 19:30. Winter. As soon as the plane arrived at the terminal, before the seatbelt sign had been switched off, an announcement was made. They called the name of my dad and my name, saying 'that is father and son traveling together, please come forward'. We were rushed off the plane before anyone else. Rushed through passport control. i've never been through an airport that quickly!
Then, a lady who was speaking anxiously to my father, told us that our taxi was here. The taxi driver seemed really nice. He was an older gentleman. He walked quickly to his taxi with us following him. He drove like crazy. i had no idea why all this was happening. Why had we been rushed off the plane like that? Why was he driving so so speedily? Of course, this did stir a feeling of excitement within me! It is kinda cool being driven at 100 mph on a dark motorway at night lol!
We had come to see my sister Miryam who had been in hospital for a few days now. My mother had left for Germany with Miryam and my little baby brother Hamza to visit my grandmother (my mum's mother). During this time, we had found out through telephone, that Miryam had been taken sick in hospital. However, this didn't strike me as strange. Because all her life she had been in and out of hospital. When she was just 2 years old she had had open heart surgery. After that things deteriorated. No one really knew why. She had a weak body. She was in a wheelchair. She couldn't communicate in the 'normal' way. But my parents understood her. They had had a new house knocked down and built up especially for her needs. She was still their daughter. Every person is unique, right? My parents didn't love her any less because of her disabilities.
Anyway, because i had always seen her in and out of hospital, it was saddening that she was in hospital in Germany now... but it didn't seem like a big deal. i remember the days when i was a primary school kid, every day my mum would pick me up and take me to the hospital to see Miryam, as she had to live there for quite some time during her infant years. Some months, i believe. My mum would sleep over beside her daughter's bed many nights, looking after her, caring for her, loving her. A mother's love...
So now we arrived at the hospital - the taxi took us straight there. We went to the reception, and my dad found out where we needed to go. We walked really quickly in the cold dark Winter night, from one wing of the hospital to the wing Miryam was in. Then, and this i remember as vividly as it was yesterday, we came to the entrance of the building. There was my mother, wearing her plain black veil and Abaya as she always does, her brother (my uncle) beside her. Her face was red, and i could tell that it was because she had been crying. It seemed that my uncle had been crying too. Hearts completely open...
She smiled at me from the depths of my heart, and said:
'She has gone. She has gone to a better place'
≈
Assalamu Alaikum brothers and sisters! hope and pray that you are in the best of Iman and health! i'd like to thank you for being such beautiful stars; you have always supported me and encouraged me to chase my dreams. Friends like you are a blessing i can never show thanks for. But...thank you. You mean so much to me. My life would not be the same without your presence (physically or digitally!) <3
Last time i wrote my marriage experience.. but now i'd like to share another story, but it is different.
Three years ago, on 22 January 2010, my sister Maryam left this world. She was less than a year younger than me. i was fifteen and she was fourteen. She would have turned fifteen nine days later.
The reason i share this story is not to gain sympathy... but because death is a mercy, a blessing and a reminder... and mercies, blessings and reminders should be shared. Out of love for my brothers and sisters, i'd like to humbly share my experience. But first, i humbly request you to recite a Surah Al-Fatihah for all our brothers and sisters who have left this world, especially those who were oppressed. Al-Fatihah.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The plane landed in Germany. It was night time. Friday. About 19:30. Winter. As soon as the plane arrived at the terminal, before the seatbelt sign had been switched off, an announcement was made. They called the name of my dad and my name, saying 'that is father and son traveling together, please come forward'. We were rushed off the plane before anyone else. Rushed through passport control. i've never been through an airport that quickly!
Then, a lady who was speaking anxiously to my father, told us that our taxi was here. The taxi driver seemed really nice. He was an older gentleman. He walked quickly to his taxi with us following him. He drove like crazy. i had no idea why all this was happening. Why had we been rushed off the plane like that? Why was he driving so so speedily? Of course, this did stir a feeling of excitement within me! It is kinda cool being driven at 100 mph on a dark motorway at night lol!
We had come to see my sister Miryam who had been in hospital for a few days now. My mother had left for Germany with Miryam and my little baby brother Hamza to visit my grandmother (my mum's mother). During this time, we had found out through telephone, that Miryam had been taken sick in hospital. However, this didn't strike me as strange. Because all her life she had been in and out of hospital. When she was just 2 years old she had had open heart surgery. After that things deteriorated. No one really knew why. She had a weak body. She was in a wheelchair. She couldn't communicate in the 'normal' way. But my parents understood her. They had had a new house knocked down and built up especially for her needs. She was still their daughter. Every person is unique, right? My parents didn't love her any less because of her disabilities.
Anyway, because i had always seen her in and out of hospital, it was saddening that she was in hospital in Germany now... but it didn't seem like a big deal. i remember the days when i was a primary school kid, every day my mum would pick me up and take me to the hospital to see Miryam, as she had to live there for quite some time during her infant years. Some months, i believe. My mum would sleep over beside her daughter's bed many nights, looking after her, caring for her, loving her. A mother's love...
So now we arrived at the hospital - the taxi took us straight there. We went to the reception, and my dad found out where we needed to go. We walked really quickly in the cold dark Winter night, from one wing of the hospital to the wing Miryam was in. Then, and this i remember as vividly as it was yesterday, we came to the entrance of the building. There was my mother, wearing her plain black veil and Abaya as she always does, her brother (my uncle) beside her. Her face was red, and i could tell that it was because she had been crying. It seemed that my uncle had been crying too. Hearts completely open...
She smiled at me from the depths of my heart, and said:
'She has gone. She has gone to a better place'
Sunday, 17 March 2013
Rise, Oh Bird That Art Caged!
Rise, Oh bird that art caged,
To which no beauty can compare!
The dawn's vast colours envy your wonders,
Longing for you, the stars gaze and stare,
And awaits for you your heart's Beloved,
Every moment for you calling,
From the garden from which you came,
Only there you'll find belonging,
So shatter this cage, Oh you poor creature!
Spread your wings, and ascend!
Leave this house of limitation,
Return again to the Loving Friend.
To which no beauty can compare!
The dawn's vast colours envy your wonders,
Longing for you, the stars gaze and stare,
And awaits for you your heart's Beloved,
Every moment for you calling,
From the garden from which you came,
Only there you'll find belonging,
So shatter this cage, Oh you poor creature!
Spread your wings, and ascend!
Leave this house of limitation,
Return again to the Loving Friend.
Saturday, 16 March 2013
There Is Nothing Wrong With Feeling Lonely...
In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful,
the Especially Merciful
There is nothing wrong with you that you
feel lonely. There is something wrong with those who feel content with the
company of that which is transitory, and are happy amongst those who lead them
to destruction. My dear one, whether rich or poor, happy or sad, in company or
in solitude, every person is heading towards the same destination… towards a
house that one must enter without company, without friends, and without family.
Yes, this is the truth that many deny while acknowledging its veracity. The
moment the newborn opens it’s eyes in the arms of its mother, this destiny is
written for him.
My dear, have you every seen a house built
on a bridge? Know, may Allah bless you, that your life in this world is a
bridge. We begin crossing this bridge when we come out from our mothers’
bodies…and we leave it whenever the Merciful One calls us into His presence.
“…And no soul knows in which land it will die” (31:34)
Saint or sinner, rich or poor, loved or
despised, every human being shall leave this temporary world for the abode of
permanence. For this world is not our home. Those who sought to reside in it,
loved it, worked for it, and spent the passing hours of their days and nights
striving to acquire it… shall find it difficult to part with it. And those who
understood it for what it is, turned away from it, and felt imprisoned within
it’s walls… they yearn for the call of their Beloved. The day of parting from
it shall be the day of their freedom.
May Allah keep you amongst them always.
Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah.
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Unity
In the name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful
i yearn to go deeper,
to delve into the depths of my existence,
until i reach the core of who i am.
Then, all will be clear.
And i will see you.
And you will see me.
And we shall know,
that we are One.
i yearn to go deeper,
to delve into the depths of my existence,
until i reach the core of who i am.
Then, all will be clear.
And i will see you.
And you will see me.
And we shall know,
that we are One.
Sunday, 10 March 2013
When The Tongue Strikes
In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful
Having rumours spread about you can be one of the most hurtful things.
So many hearts have been wounded by hurtful words circulating in communities throughout history.
i thoughts i would write my thoughts on this subject, so here they are...
Why are rumours spread?
There are two reasons that rumours are usually spread.
Between yourself and Allah, you know which category you fall under. This isn't a question of arrogance but a question of knowing one's self, which is essential in fulfilling our purpose as human beings. Indeed, it is important to acknowledge one's strengths, that one may build on them, as well as one's weaknesses, that one may eradicate them.
The two reasons rumours are spread about you are:
(1) You have a bad character. You shamelessly indulge in shameful activities. And you are proud of publicly disobeying Allah.
(2) You have a good character. You try hard to refrain from shameful activities. You do your utmost to obey Allah in secret and in open.
If the first case is applicable, then one should seriously ponder over the consequences of such a lifestyle. As such, one should not blame others for stating what one proudly declares.
The second case is more interesting. Surely, the natural human response would be to ask: but why would rumours be spread about a sincere person with a pure heart who puts others before themselves?
In both cases, rumours being spread are an attestation to the reality of your character. In the first case, rumours circulating in the community testify that you have darkened your heart by forgetting Allah and have allowed the seeds of arrogance, lust, gluttony... to be planted in your heart, to be nurtured and grow into strong, grounded plants.
And in the second case, the circulation of rumours attests to the purity of your heart, the beauty of your soul, and the sincerity of your nature. Sometimes such brothers and sisters come forward and say: i am hurt by the rumours that others have spread about me. But what hurts me more is the fact that i am hurt by them! i shouldn't care what others think, if i know that Allah is pleased with me.
My heart goes out for these brothers and sisters...
My brother. My sister. Allah knows, and He loves you, and He cares about you. He knows how hurtful it is when rumours are spread about you... that is why He has mentioned this very issue in the Qur'an for you. So seek solace in Him and hold on to Him and know that His remembrance is the healing of the hearts and the light of the hearts and the key to an intimacy that will make you needless of others. And know that your real friends will never believe the word of another about you over your word. Your true friend will never allow what is spoken by their tongues to enter into their hearts. Your true friend defends you in your absence. And if they see something harmful in you which will hurt you they inform you out of sincere love for you and genuine feelings towards you.
Remember the 'sign of Allah' who is the very definition of purity, the blessed lady Maryam (Mary), peace be upon her, who Allah chose over all the women of the worlds.
Let us look at the beautiful chapter of Maryam in the blessed Qur'an:
And mention in the Book, Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east.
And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel, and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man.
She said, "Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be conscious of Allah"
He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy"
She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?"
He said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed"
(Qur'an 19:16-21)
Imagine... such a pure human being. And guess what? People spread rumours about her and even accused her to her face:
Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, "O Maryam, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented.
O sister of Haroon! Your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste!
(Qur'an 19:27-28)
Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Sounds so so familiar... and i'm certain that the 'Haram police' who accuse my brothers, and especially my sisters, of indecency - in their absolute and utter ignorance - simply from hearing something... would definitely accuse Lady Maryam if they saw that she was carrying her child in her arms with their own eyes.
So my dear brother, my dear sister,
i know it hurts. And Allah knows. And He cares. And He loves every heart that is deeply grieved. Turn away from these people. They are not worth a moment of your thoughts, time or attention. And they will answer for accusing believing men and believing women. This sin is so great in the eyes of Allah that in the Qur'an those who accuse chaste believing men and chaste believing women receive 80 lashes while those who actually commit the sexual act of indecency receive 100. So the punishment of rumour-spreaders is only 20 lashes less than the punishment of those who actually openly commit what their tongues accuse others of. And no, you are not obliged to forgive them. You have every right not to forgive them. Allah has given you that right. No one can take that away from you.
And Allah will raise you and elevate you for what you have suffered on account of their sharp tongues. So take Him as your Friend in every ease and difficulty. Surely He loves those who turn to Him and He loves those who purify themselves.
In the eyes of Allah, gender has no meaning. Our reality (souls) are neither male nor female. This is something related to our bodies only. So in the Qur'an, the fornicating man and the fornicating woman is given exactly the same punishment. Because 'We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Surely the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is the most pious' (Qur'an). But, the sad reality is that 'the community' that so many choose to worship, is not a community based on the values of the Qur'an. Therefore, a man is not equal to a woman. Therefore, it is more acceptable for a young man to indulge in promisuous behaviour whileit is absolutely abominable for a young lady to do the same. This is sexism. And it is not 'un-Islamic'. It is Anti-Islamic. This idea goes way back... all the way to the time of Jahiliyyah. And this is why in 'the community', sisters' reputations are very easily 'tainted'. Even if someone hears something about a sister, she is looked down upon. This is absolutely un-Islamic and inhumane. And we must change it. And we will change it... by being the change. Because if you have Allah... then you have all you need.
Having rumours spread about you can be one of the most hurtful things.
So many hearts have been wounded by hurtful words circulating in communities throughout history.
i thoughts i would write my thoughts on this subject, so here they are...
Why are rumours spread?
There are two reasons that rumours are usually spread.
Between yourself and Allah, you know which category you fall under. This isn't a question of arrogance but a question of knowing one's self, which is essential in fulfilling our purpose as human beings. Indeed, it is important to acknowledge one's strengths, that one may build on them, as well as one's weaknesses, that one may eradicate them.
The two reasons rumours are spread about you are:
(1) You have a bad character. You shamelessly indulge in shameful activities. And you are proud of publicly disobeying Allah.
(2) You have a good character. You try hard to refrain from shameful activities. You do your utmost to obey Allah in secret and in open.
If the first case is applicable, then one should seriously ponder over the consequences of such a lifestyle. As such, one should not blame others for stating what one proudly declares.
The second case is more interesting. Surely, the natural human response would be to ask: but why would rumours be spread about a sincere person with a pure heart who puts others before themselves?
In both cases, rumours being spread are an attestation to the reality of your character. In the first case, rumours circulating in the community testify that you have darkened your heart by forgetting Allah and have allowed the seeds of arrogance, lust, gluttony... to be planted in your heart, to be nurtured and grow into strong, grounded plants.
And in the second case, the circulation of rumours attests to the purity of your heart, the beauty of your soul, and the sincerity of your nature. Sometimes such brothers and sisters come forward and say: i am hurt by the rumours that others have spread about me. But what hurts me more is the fact that i am hurt by them! i shouldn't care what others think, if i know that Allah is pleased with me.
My heart goes out for these brothers and sisters...
My brother. My sister. Allah knows, and He loves you, and He cares about you. He knows how hurtful it is when rumours are spread about you... that is why He has mentioned this very issue in the Qur'an for you. So seek solace in Him and hold on to Him and know that His remembrance is the healing of the hearts and the light of the hearts and the key to an intimacy that will make you needless of others. And know that your real friends will never believe the word of another about you over your word. Your true friend will never allow what is spoken by their tongues to enter into their hearts. Your true friend defends you in your absence. And if they see something harmful in you which will hurt you they inform you out of sincere love for you and genuine feelings towards you.
Remember the 'sign of Allah' who is the very definition of purity, the blessed lady Maryam (Mary), peace be upon her, who Allah chose over all the women of the worlds.
Let us look at the beautiful chapter of Maryam in the blessed Qur'an:
And mention in the Book, Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place toward the east.
And she took, in seclusion from them, a screen. Then We sent to her Our Angel, and he represented himself to her as a well-proportioned man.
She said, "Indeed, I seek refuge in the Most Merciful from you, [so leave me], if you should be conscious of Allah"
He said, "I am only the messenger of your Lord to give you [news of] a pure boy"
She said, "How can I have a boy while no man has touched me and I have not been unchaste?"
He said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed"
(Qur'an 19:16-21)
Imagine... such a pure human being. And guess what? People spread rumours about her and even accused her to her face:
Then she brought him to her people, carrying him. They said, "O Maryam, you have certainly done a thing unprecedented.
O sister of Haroon! Your father was not a man of evil, nor was your mother unchaste!
(Qur'an 19:27-28)
Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Sounds so so familiar... and i'm certain that the 'Haram police' who accuse my brothers, and especially my sisters, of indecency - in their absolute and utter ignorance - simply from hearing something... would definitely accuse Lady Maryam if they saw that she was carrying her child in her arms with their own eyes.
So my dear brother, my dear sister,
i know it hurts. And Allah knows. And He cares. And He loves every heart that is deeply grieved. Turn away from these people. They are not worth a moment of your thoughts, time or attention. And they will answer for accusing believing men and believing women. This sin is so great in the eyes of Allah that in the Qur'an those who accuse chaste believing men and chaste believing women receive 80 lashes while those who actually commit the sexual act of indecency receive 100. So the punishment of rumour-spreaders is only 20 lashes less than the punishment of those who actually openly commit what their tongues accuse others of. And no, you are not obliged to forgive them. You have every right not to forgive them. Allah has given you that right. No one can take that away from you.
And Allah will raise you and elevate you for what you have suffered on account of their sharp tongues. So take Him as your Friend in every ease and difficulty. Surely He loves those who turn to Him and He loves those who purify themselves.
In the eyes of Allah, gender has no meaning. Our reality (souls) are neither male nor female. This is something related to our bodies only. So in the Qur'an, the fornicating man and the fornicating woman is given exactly the same punishment. Because 'We have created you from a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know one another. Surely the most honourable of you in the sight of Allah is the most pious' (Qur'an). But, the sad reality is that 'the community' that so many choose to worship, is not a community based on the values of the Qur'an. Therefore, a man is not equal to a woman. Therefore, it is more acceptable for a young man to indulge in promisuous behaviour whileit is absolutely abominable for a young lady to do the same. This is sexism. And it is not 'un-Islamic'. It is Anti-Islamic. This idea goes way back... all the way to the time of Jahiliyyah. And this is why in 'the community', sisters' reputations are very easily 'tainted'. Even if someone hears something about a sister, she is looked down upon. This is absolutely un-Islamic and inhumane. And we must change it. And we will change it... by being the change. Because if you have Allah... then you have all you need.
 ' |
| The strike of a tongue is harsher than the strike of an arrow-head'
-Ali ibn Abi Talib
|
Thursday, 21 February 2013
Lessons From Lady Fatimah Al-Ma'sumah (peace be upon her)
In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful
What lessons can we take from Lady Fatimah Al-Ma'sumah, peace be upon her?
Not much is known about the details of her life.
However, what is certain is that she spent it worshipping Allah, the Exalted, with utmost sincerity and humility... to the extent that by the age of just 27 years, she had acquired such a magnificent status before Allah, the Exalted, that Imam Al-Sadiq, Imam Al-Kazim, Imam Al-Ridha, and Imam Al-Jawad, peace be upon them, have all praised her and mentioned her virtues.
In fact, the title Al-Ma'sumah, meaning 'the immaculate one' or 'one free from sin', was given to her by none other than the eighth lantern from the household of the holy prophet (peace be upon him), Imam Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha, peace be upon him.
Furthermore, Imam Al-Ridha, peace be upon him, is also reported as having said:
'Whoever visits Ma'sumah in Qum is like one who has visited me',
And from other traditions it may be concluded that one who visits Imam Al-Ridha, or any of the Divinely chosen leaders, peace be upon them, is like one who visits the messenger of mercy, the best of creation, the holy prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, himself.
How is it possible for an individual to gain such a level of nearness to Allah, the Exalted, that visiting her is equivalent to visiting the holy prophet, peace be upon him?
The answer isn't so difficult; let us look at the Qur'an...
Allah, the Exalted, is 'the light of the heavens and the earth' and the more we purify ourselves, the closer we become to this light. In fact, 'Allah is the Guardian of those who believe; He takes them out of the darknesses and into the Light' (Qur'an 2:227), and Allah, the Exalted, reveals about the Qur'an to the beloved prophet, peace be upon him,: '...a book which We have revealed to you that you may take mankind out of the darknesses into the Light by the permission of their Lord...' (Qur'an 14:1). So the closer we become to Allah, the Exalted, the more radiant we will become, the more His light will enter us, until we become utterly submerged in the oceans of His radiance.
So how do we achieve this?
For me, this is the greatest lesson i take from the life of Lady Fatimah Al-Ma'sumah, peace be upon her...
No magnificent incident is attributed to Lady Fatimah Al-Ma'sumah, peace be upon her, such as the sacrifice of Ashura which is attributed to Imam Al-Hussain and Lady Zainab, peace be upon them. Sometimes we learn about such a magnificent event and while it increases our love and respect for the personalities which shone out in the midst of such oppression and cruelty, it also creates a distance between ourselves and them, because we are unable to relate to them. After all, how many of us can see ourselves facing such great tribulation in our own lives? What i sometimes forget is that the reason such personalities shone so brightly in the midst of such difficulty, was because of what they had been doing in the days, months and years before the day of Ashura.
So, Lady Ma'sumah, peace be upon her, may have led a very 'ordinary' life.
And that is exactly the point!
This is what matters. These seemingly insignificant moments that are passing us by... what we make of them. How we use our time, when 'theres nothing to do', when there's no big event going on, these 'normal days'... this is our capital! And, like Lady Ma'sumah, peace be upon her, by using these 'normal' moments to worship Allah with sincerity, we too may enter into the oceans of light and radiance that are right before us.
You and i may reach a position where the Imam of our time greets us by saying,
'Peace be upon you, Oh son of the messenger of Allah'
or 'peace be upon you, Oh daughter of the messenger of Allah'
Never tell yourself you can't do it. All you need is within you.
May Allah shower you with His love, light and mercy.
WasSalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh
What lessons can we take from Lady Fatimah Al-Ma'sumah, peace be upon her?
Not much is known about the details of her life.
However, what is certain is that she spent it worshipping Allah, the Exalted, with utmost sincerity and humility... to the extent that by the age of just 27 years, she had acquired such a magnificent status before Allah, the Exalted, that Imam Al-Sadiq, Imam Al-Kazim, Imam Al-Ridha, and Imam Al-Jawad, peace be upon them, have all praised her and mentioned her virtues.
In fact, the title Al-Ma'sumah, meaning 'the immaculate one' or 'one free from sin', was given to her by none other than the eighth lantern from the household of the holy prophet (peace be upon him), Imam Ali ibn Musa Al-Ridha, peace be upon him.
Furthermore, Imam Al-Ridha, peace be upon him, is also reported as having said:
'Whoever visits Ma'sumah in Qum is like one who has visited me',
And from other traditions it may be concluded that one who visits Imam Al-Ridha, or any of the Divinely chosen leaders, peace be upon them, is like one who visits the messenger of mercy, the best of creation, the holy prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, himself.
How is it possible for an individual to gain such a level of nearness to Allah, the Exalted, that visiting her is equivalent to visiting the holy prophet, peace be upon him?
The answer isn't so difficult; let us look at the Qur'an...
Allah, the Exalted, is 'the light of the heavens and the earth' and the more we purify ourselves, the closer we become to this light. In fact, 'Allah is the Guardian of those who believe; He takes them out of the darknesses and into the Light' (Qur'an 2:227), and Allah, the Exalted, reveals about the Qur'an to the beloved prophet, peace be upon him,: '...a book which We have revealed to you that you may take mankind out of the darknesses into the Light by the permission of their Lord...' (Qur'an 14:1). So the closer we become to Allah, the Exalted, the more radiant we will become, the more His light will enter us, until we become utterly submerged in the oceans of His radiance.
So how do we achieve this?
For me, this is the greatest lesson i take from the life of Lady Fatimah Al-Ma'sumah, peace be upon her...
No magnificent incident is attributed to Lady Fatimah Al-Ma'sumah, peace be upon her, such as the sacrifice of Ashura which is attributed to Imam Al-Hussain and Lady Zainab, peace be upon them. Sometimes we learn about such a magnificent event and while it increases our love and respect for the personalities which shone out in the midst of such oppression and cruelty, it also creates a distance between ourselves and them, because we are unable to relate to them. After all, how many of us can see ourselves facing such great tribulation in our own lives? What i sometimes forget is that the reason such personalities shone so brightly in the midst of such difficulty, was because of what they had been doing in the days, months and years before the day of Ashura.
So, Lady Ma'sumah, peace be upon her, may have led a very 'ordinary' life.
And that is exactly the point!
This is what matters. These seemingly insignificant moments that are passing us by... what we make of them. How we use our time, when 'theres nothing to do', when there's no big event going on, these 'normal days'... this is our capital! And, like Lady Ma'sumah, peace be upon her, by using these 'normal' moments to worship Allah with sincerity, we too may enter into the oceans of light and radiance that are right before us.
You and i may reach a position where the Imam of our time greets us by saying,
'Peace be upon you, Oh son of the messenger of Allah'
or 'peace be upon you, Oh daughter of the messenger of Allah'
Never tell yourself you can't do it. All you need is within you.
May Allah shower you with His love, light and mercy.
WasSalaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh
Monday, 18 February 2013
Ego
In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful
Salaamun Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa barakaatuh, dear brother and sisters
Before i departed for the holy city of Hannover ;) a dear brother asked me to write some of my thoughts on a topic that i should not be writing about... Anyway, i agreed, so here it is!
After meeting a man of God and my heart being moved by the utter humility emanating from his presence, and after speaking with him, i thought i would share some of the things we discussed.
i asked him: what is the purpose of Dhikr i.e. the practice of repeating Allah's names?
Firstly he said: that is a good question. What do you think?
i really wasnt interested in my own opinion so i said: i think its to gain nearness to Allah! So let me tell you what he said...
Placing his hand on my shoulder, he said: this isn't you - this physical body is not who you are. Your reality is something else. Your reality is in Allah's presence. Engaging in Dhikr is way of reminding ourselves of our true reality ('Dhikr' literally means 'remembrance').
If Allah is closer to me than i am to myself, then why do i not sense His presence much of the time?
Because we are covered. We are covered by our egos. The ego is a veil that presents us from realizing Allah's presence.
Does Allah intend for us to have egos? It doesn't make sense to me that Allah gives me an ego and then says: don't have an ego! Why would He do that?
Yes. Allah does want us to have egos. The ego is from Allah. It is a misunderstanding that we should kill the ego. We shouldn't. We need to have an ego to survive in this world. The holy prophet (s) had an ego, but he always controlled it. The ego is like a wild horse. It needs to be trained. When you are its master, you can take it and steer it wherever you like. Otherwise there is a danger that it will destroy us.
We come into this world with a purpose. And we are given physical bodies because we need them to be in this world. We (souls) use these material bodies to worship Allah, and thus reach a higher stage of realization and nearness to Allah. This body is your 'Buraaq'. Like a horse, this body also needs to be maintained. It needs food, water, sleep etc. The desire that causes us to pursue these bodily needs is called the ego.
The problem arises when we don't control the ego, and allow it to control us.
Salaamun Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa barakaatuh, dear brother and sisters
Before i departed for the holy city of Hannover ;) a dear brother asked me to write some of my thoughts on a topic that i should not be writing about... Anyway, i agreed, so here it is!
After meeting a man of God and my heart being moved by the utter humility emanating from his presence, and after speaking with him, i thought i would share some of the things we discussed.
i asked him: what is the purpose of Dhikr i.e. the practice of repeating Allah's names?
Firstly he said: that is a good question. What do you think?
i really wasnt interested in my own opinion so i said: i think its to gain nearness to Allah! So let me tell you what he said...
Placing his hand on my shoulder, he said: this isn't you - this physical body is not who you are. Your reality is something else. Your reality is in Allah's presence. Engaging in Dhikr is way of reminding ourselves of our true reality ('Dhikr' literally means 'remembrance').
If Allah is closer to me than i am to myself, then why do i not sense His presence much of the time?
Because we are covered. We are covered by our egos. The ego is a veil that presents us from realizing Allah's presence.
Does Allah intend for us to have egos? It doesn't make sense to me that Allah gives me an ego and then says: don't have an ego! Why would He do that?
Yes. Allah does want us to have egos. The ego is from Allah. It is a misunderstanding that we should kill the ego. We shouldn't. We need to have an ego to survive in this world. The holy prophet (s) had an ego, but he always controlled it. The ego is like a wild horse. It needs to be trained. When you are its master, you can take it and steer it wherever you like. Otherwise there is a danger that it will destroy us.
We come into this world with a purpose. And we are given physical bodies because we need them to be in this world. We (souls) use these material bodies to worship Allah, and thus reach a higher stage of realization and nearness to Allah. This body is your 'Buraaq'. Like a horse, this body also needs to be maintained. It needs food, water, sleep etc. The desire that causes us to pursue these bodily needs is called the ego.
The problem arises when we don't control the ego, and allow it to control us.
Thursday, 10 January 2013
On The Passing Of Allah's Messenger
In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful
Condolences on the martyrdom/death anniversary of the greatest man ever to walk this earth, the father of this Ummah, the 'mercy to the worlds', Muhammad ibn Abdillah (salutations be upon him and his progeny).
He (s) suffered more pain than any other prophet. The suffering of the prophets ended when they breathed their last ...but the suffering of Muhammad (s) began as he closed his eyes on this world...
Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives (42:23)
Say: I do not ask you aught in return except that he who will, may take the way to his Lord (25:57)
Say: Whatever reward I have asked of you, that is only for yourselves (34:47)
Your only request: to love those near,
To incline our hearts to the ones made dear,
By the Almighty in the Revelation,
That we may attain that exulted station.
The messenger said: 'I leave you two,
Hold fast to them is my advice to you,
You'll find success this way - I guarantee,
They are the book of Allah and my family.
How did they honour your request, Oh Rasool?
By burning the door of the house of Batool,
The whip came down bruising, the door came down burning,
As her body was crushed, for you her heart yearning.
Next came the turn of your brother Haidar,
Your helper in Uhud and Khandaq and Khaibar,
Whose hand you had raised for all to see:
'Oh Allah, befriend the lover of Ali',
'Ali you're to me as Harun was to Musa,
Except that there shall be no prophet hereafter'
They said that 'Maula' implies naught but friendship,
Discarded your efforts to make known this kinship.
Left all alone, deprived of your daughter,
What oppression he witnessed in the days that came after,
In a world of lies, darkness, deceit he's left lonely,
That strike became sweeter than water to the thirsty.
And of your son Hasan, I can't tell which was harder:
The poison... the treaty... the deceit of your Ummah?
Has the universe witnessed a coffin full of arrows?
Come see the household of the martyred heroes.
Whilst every detail is listed in books of history,
The mind is defeated attempting this mystery,
Words have failed me in penning the tragedy,
Of your son, the slaughtered one, Hussain ibn Ali.
The Qiblah of arrows, the beasts have surrounded,
Thirsty and wounded, they left him un-shrouded,
His shrine was the universe, the stars were his cover,
And his moon remained shining from the banks of the river.
These are the centres of angels descending,
These are the mines of mercy never ending,
These are the helpers of the weak and needy,
These are the quenchers of thirst for the thirsty,
These are the pure ones, blameless yet slaughtered,
It is from this household existence is watered.
-
Peace be upon you, Oh Beloved of Allah, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Condolences on the martyrdom/death anniversary of the greatest man ever to walk this earth, the father of this Ummah, the 'mercy to the worlds', Muhammad ibn Abdillah (salutations be upon him and his progeny).
He (s) suffered more pain than any other prophet. The suffering of the prophets ended when they breathed their last ...but the suffering of Muhammad (s) began as he closed his eyes on this world...
Say: I do not ask of you any reward for it but love for my near relatives (42:23)
Say: I do not ask you aught in return except that he who will, may take the way to his Lord (25:57)
Say: Whatever reward I have asked of you, that is only for yourselves (34:47)
Your only request: to love those near,
To incline our hearts to the ones made dear,
By the Almighty in the Revelation,
That we may attain that exulted station.
The messenger said: 'I leave you two,
Hold fast to them is my advice to you,
You'll find success this way - I guarantee,
They are the book of Allah and my family.
How did they honour your request, Oh Rasool?
By burning the door of the house of Batool,
The whip came down bruising, the door came down burning,
As her body was crushed, for you her heart yearning.
Next came the turn of your brother Haidar,
Your helper in Uhud and Khandaq and Khaibar,
Whose hand you had raised for all to see:
'Oh Allah, befriend the lover of Ali',
'Ali you're to me as Harun was to Musa,
Except that there shall be no prophet hereafter'
They said that 'Maula' implies naught but friendship,
Discarded your efforts to make known this kinship.
Left all alone, deprived of your daughter,
What oppression he witnessed in the days that came after,
In a world of lies, darkness, deceit he's left lonely,
That strike became sweeter than water to the thirsty.
And of your son Hasan, I can't tell which was harder:
The poison... the treaty... the deceit of your Ummah?
Has the universe witnessed a coffin full of arrows?
Come see the household of the martyred heroes.
Whilst every detail is listed in books of history,
The mind is defeated attempting this mystery,
Words have failed me in penning the tragedy,
Of your son, the slaughtered one, Hussain ibn Ali.
The Qiblah of arrows, the beasts have surrounded,
Thirsty and wounded, they left him un-shrouded,
His shrine was the universe, the stars were his cover,
And his moon remained shining from the banks of the river.
These are the centres of angels descending,
These are the mines of mercy never ending,
These are the helpers of the weak and needy,
These are the quenchers of thirst for the thirsty,
These are the pure ones, blameless yet slaughtered,
It is from this household existence is watered.
-
Peace be upon you, Oh Beloved of Allah, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
Wednesday, 9 January 2013
Break Free Of The Chains
In the name of Allah, the Ever Merciful, the Especially Merciful
'Do not be the slave of anyone - God has made you free'
Salaamun Alaikum dear brothers and sisters!
i hope that you are in the best of Iman and health.
So the past week has been so busy. My parents and little bro are moving country! Am i sad? Well, i know i'll miss them, especially my mother who is a pious lady through whom God has supported me in doing good... but change is good! i feel that this will is a necessary stage in my journey... and their journey. This will take us closer to God, inshaAllah.
Last Sunday was the Arba'een procession... which i don't want to speak about (not because i feel it was good or bad but just because i don't feel like writing about it atm!)
But there's something i would like to write about. It is this. In the past week a dear brother of mine's phone stopped working; he was suddenly unable to make calls. We found out that his phone, which he had bought just 1 week earlier (a REALLY beautiful, amazing, 'mashaAllah' phone!) would no longer be usable. This is probably because a previous owner acquired it unlawfully... in any case, my brother who had spent 4 months working for this phone, which he paid £300 for with his own wages, now realises that his phone is no longer usable... within a week of having received it.
Wow. That's deep...
Of course, i felt sad for him... but as i sat on the bench after Maghrib that evening, i felt as if Allah is guiding him through this. That Allah is guiding all of us, teaching all of us... so that we grow into something better than we are today, so that we continue advancing and moving forward, to take us higher, away from desire... because He is the One Who created and then guided His creation.
This world is a school and Allah is the teacher.
i imagined myself in his position. And then i began to think to myself that it wasn't only my brother who Allah intended to guide and remind and elevate through this incident... it was also me.
i thought to myself: imagine if i had worked 4 months, and spent that hard earned money on something i like (not a necessity, but a luxury). For example, an amazing phone or an ipad... firstly, though it is true that i would enjoy using it in the beginning, i ask myself: how long would that pleasure last? A day, a week? two weeks? A month? i am sure that after 2 months, that amazing device i so longed to have which is now in my possession... would not seem so amazing anymore.
And secondly, i wonder if having the item would increase my peace... or increase my worries? Would i be content with it? Or would i become more anxious to ensure that it is safe? Personally, i feel as if a greater load would be placed on me, while right now, without such luxury and not so good a phone, i do not seem too concerned... having it would be like an extra burden, like extra baggage weighing me down, a bird wishing to fly with metal chains attached to its feathers...
And thirdly, imagining myself in my brother's position, i thought to myself: Okay Haidar. You've imagined yourself having earned 4 months wages and spending it on something you desire. Now imagine that you had spend those 4 months wages in the way of Allah, by giving it away to a charity to help the needy. What then? In the beginning, i would feel it is a sacrifice (but then, where would be the fun of it if it wasn't?) because i could spend my money on something i would like... but once that money is gone from my hands in Allah's way, i would feel relieved. Why? Because had i spent that money on myself, that money would have been spent and finished. But as i spent that money not on myself, but in the way of Allah, that hard earned money will last forever, and will never diminish. Even if i never see it in this world (which i will), knowing it's spent in God's way, knowing that i do have the strength to sacrifice what i desire for God... is so empowering and gives me such a feeling of satisfaction. Because one who masters himself, nothing can master him.
'Do not be the slave of anyone - God has made you free'
-Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib (a)
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