Allah's challenge to Muslims...

Dear All

The recent tragedy in Boston underscores how much work is needed to protect young Muslim minds from the murderous and poisonous ideology of Islamism / Political Islam.

Muslim apologists usually blame western foreign policy or a grand Zionist scheme which feeds the Islamists and justifies there violence. Additionally the proliferation of Islamist websites that house technical manuals are also rich manure for weak minds such as the Chechen brothers who were probably ‘lone wolves’.

HOWEVER, I feel there is a grand MUSLIM CONSPIRACY....YES!!!!

We Muslims lost our ‘most favoured nation’ status a long time and it is clear that Allah will not change a nation until they change themselves.

‘’Verily, Allah will not change the condition of the people, until they change what is in themselves’’

(Surah 13: Verse 11)

Granted Muslims are beset with a myriad of socio-economic problems at the local, regional and international level which are exploited by international stakeholders however the killing fields of Syria, Iraq, and AFPAK are uniquely Muslim.

Today the Gulf Cooperation Countries are literally sitting on hundreds of billions of dollars which could be used to heal so many failed Muslim states and resolve thorny issues such as the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Allah makes it clear that during our sojourn in this world we must COMPETE AND DO GOOD DEEDS...

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).

(Surah 49: Verse 13)

Thus ORTHOPRAXY (RIGHT CONDUCT) IS ALWAYS SUPERIOR TO ORTHODOXY (RIGHT THOUGHT)...

WAKE UP MY FELLOW MUSLIMS AND SMELL THE COFFEE...because Allah is not reliant on us to do his work and can and does change sides...

‘’Behold, ye are those invited to spend (of your substance) in the Way of God: But among you are some that are niggardly. But any who are niggardly are so at the expense of their own souls. But God is free of all wants, and it is ye that are needy. If ye turn back (from the Path), He will substitute in your stead another people; then they would not be like you!’’

(Surah 47: Verse 38)

Faisal 

What is Gnosis ?

Dear Friends

What is the elusive Maarifaat / Gnosis / Knowledge of Allah?

Is it facts and figures?

Is it a synthesis of knowledge?

Is it a vision?

Is it a dream?

Is it beyond knowledge?

Is it a state of being?

Or is it the above and more?

 

Well Allah says in the Quran:

''We shall show them Our signs in the horizons and in their own souls until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not sufficient that your Lord is witness to all things''

(Surah Fussilat : verse 43)

 

A modern Wali / Friend of Allah sung:

To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
An eternity in an hour…

(William Blake)

 

 

Why ???

Dear Friends

This Why? Tortured Gautama...

This Why? Led Mustapha to a cave...

This Why? Caused Bhitai to taste the truth...

Decouvertes once said...

‘’It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.’’

Letting go...

Dear All

Today is 15^th April 2013 a watershed moment occurred...

For the first time in my 37 years on this planet  I allowed myself to let go and I surrendered to Allah. No emotion. No love. Just pure being...

Mevlana Rumi reminds me that

“They are the chosen ones who have surrendered.’’

“How did you get here? Close your eyes and surrender.”

“The hurt that we embrace becomes joy.” …..
“Roar, Lion of the Heart, and tear me open!“

I celebrated by purchasing a fresh Quran, books for my wife and little girls and black seed tea...

Maktub - It is written

Maktub 

Ya leel, yaa leel, ya leel,leel, ya leel, yaaa leel,leeeel, yaaaa leel,leel... (Oh night, oh night...)
Maktub... (it is written/ foretold)
Kulli shey maktub, maktub... (Everything is written, written...)
Maktub... (it's written/ foretold)
fil Ahlam... (Written in dreams...)

Maktub fil lughat il Ahlam (Written in the language of dreams)
Maktub... ya nas (It is written, oh mankind)

Maktub... (it is written/ foretold)
Kulli shey maktub... (Everything is written...)
Maktub...yaa nas, maktub... (It is written, oh mankind, written...)

Maktub...fil lughat il Ahlam (Written in the language of dreams)
Maktub, maktub... (it's foretold...written...)
Kulli shey...maktub...fil Ahlam (Everything is... written...in dreams)
Yiftakh aleinu, yiftakh aleinu (open your eyes, open your eyes)

Oh! Sweet Humiliation...

Dear All

The harsh truth is that the practice of Sufism is a deeply selfish act especially as we steal time from friends and family attempting to inculcate spiritual virtues and taste eternity. No matter how well intended the latter is a gamble as the path is littered with challenges galore and spiritual burnouts cursing their lot. So why bother?

Well it is a CALLING...A journey that every human being will make to some extent. Furthermore, a Malamati Shaykh once told me that there is point of no return on the journey and even if you want to give up and admit defeat you continue...There have been moments when I have momentarily tasted the zenith and then violently crashed and burned. However, it is during those times of utter despair where the authentic learning takes place.

Are you fleeing from Love because of a single humiliation?
What do you know of Love except the name?
Love has a hundred forms of pride and disdain,
and is gained by a hundred means of persuasion.
Rumi

The show must go on...

2 Pitchers...Buddhism and Islam...

Friends

Very provocative :