Monthly Archives: January 2008

an afternoon wander

Leave a reply

 

Updates on constuction around Masjid Nabawi from this afternoons wanderings…. 

 

Salatul Asr with the single Saff extending from Bab Salam with the single outdoor umbrella…  

 

..many of the pillars are stripped bare like this one as part of the preparation for the installation of the outdoor umbrellas…. 

…these two photos (grabbed from online long ago…apologies for not knowing who to thank for these)  are of some of the six existing umbrellas in the two open courtyards inside Masjid Nabawi…looking almost balletic in their unfurling….all the work in the outside courtyard is in preparation for almost two hundred umbrellas to be installed…

…they operate on a hydraulic system, explaining why the entire marble area has to be lifted to lay  pipes and cables necessary for this….

 

….one of the completed areas…now deserted after the crowds of Hajj, SubhanAllah….and the sky so blue after days of cloud…and the sun so warm before the chilly evening…changes; the exquisite constant rhythm of change… 

…Masjid to the left, Jannatul Baqi to the right and Jabal Uhud peeking from the distance… 

….just days ago this was hustle and bustle with hawkers…. 

…the eastern carpark and courtyard extension…each week sees the ground level being extended… 

….Jannatul Baqi fence in the distance…. 

….looking towards the northern side of the Masjid….ripped up after the last of the Hujjaj left… 

 

…same side just before Esha…

 JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

Durood ibn Kasir Rahmatullah alaihi.

When the time of death arrived for Khalid ibn Kasir Rahmatullah alaihi people around him found a scroll made of paper with something emblazoned upon it. This was: “O Khalid ibn Kasir! You are liberated from the fire of hell.” When the people saw this piece of paper, they were greatly amazed and everyone immediately gathered at his house. They learnt about his excellence from his family members. Everyone became baffled and exclaimed: “What is this?” Thereupon his family members related that: “Khalid ibn Kasir Rahmatullah alaihi recited this Durood Sharif every eve of Juma’ah with the utmost reverence and sincerity. By virtue of this Allah Ta’ala informed him of his forgiveness and liberation from the fire of hell.” Therefore whosoever even now wishes to die as a faithful believer and also attain salvation, he should recite this Durood Sharif ten thousand times on the eve of Juma’ah. Then if Allah Ta’ala Wills, at the time of his death, he will die with Iman. Such Grace and Bounty will be bestowed upon him, that everyone will become baffled.

 

From The Treasury of the Holy Benedictions  by Sahibzadah Riaz Ahmad Naqshbandi

JUMA’AH MUBARAK!

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

 

 

home schooling and…

Leave a reply

 

Home Schooling and… 

According to our Islamic tradition the lap of the mother is the first Madrassah. A beautiful Hadith expounding a simple but profound image of the foundation of the child’s education.  A child snuggled on the mother’s knee immersed in the blessed mercy Allah Ta’ala has bestowed upon the mother. Initially listening, feeling, smelling, seeing, touching the world around them from this unique lap of learning and interacting.

Home schooling, home education seems the logical extension of this nurturing and intimate basis for Tarbiyah, especially in these times of trial and turmoil for those who feel so inclined. I am a staunch advocate for this method of education for the future flag bearers of this glorious Deen, and deeply admire the many families I know who make the effort in accommodating the needs of their children in the home environment.

"Whatever an education is, it should make you a unique individual, not a conformist; it should furnish you with an original spirit with which to tackle the big challenges; it should allow you to find values which will be your road map through life; it should make you spiritually rich, a person who loves whatever you are doing, wherever you are, whomever you are with; it should teach you what is important, how to live and how to die."  John Taylor Gatto, a prominent figure in the home schooling arena, who along with Sheikh Hamza Yusuf is one of the advisory board members of Kinza Academy, an excellent site to explore if you are interested in home education.

It seems more and more Muslim families are embracing this way as an alternative to the mainstream systems. So much is now available online offering all the various supportive areas to make home schooling a successful choice, and so many blogging on their activities, positive outcomes and posting a variety of links. (A few sites that will lead you on an inspiring journey of discovery 1, 2, 3, 4, and two audios on Classical Education for Muslim Children by Mustafa Styer 5, 6 )

Apart from the religious and academic side of the curricula, the creative, fun times need a time and place too, offering a happy balance and an expressive outlet for the mind. Using recycled bits and pieces teaches a respect for materials and the environment whilst at the same time provides an array of stimulating activities, and an alternative to mass produced toys, giving young ones the opportunity to engage in artistic and engineering concepts. I was recently asked for some advice with the two following rather ‘eccentric’ outcomes, combining recycling of common objects and card with a dash of jollity with words. And even if you are not home schooling time spent with your little, and not so little ones crafting and designing makes for a happy and loving family.

ZANY ZOO 

Whacky woo

welcome to my zany zoo

are you a zebra or a gnu?

please tell me who

a-r-e  y-o-u?

 

I am far from true

but don’t be blue

I am merely paper pegs n glue

without a shoe

but who plays on cue

all fun games anew.

 

And this is bug

who is always snug

as he lives on a rug

he likes to tug

the bathroom plug

to remove the glug

he drinks from a jug

not a mug

and gives the best squeezy hug.

 

And here is bubbly guinea pig

she wears a fancy spiky wig

as she dances a jazzy jig

on a huge plump purple fig

hanging from a twig

which is not very big.

but she is happy to dig

while singing ig ig ig…. ig ig ig.

 

Here is dippy dinosaur

he does not have a claw

or a paw

but can open a door

with his mighty roar

he knows funny tricks galore

while flying high to soar

giggling and shouting more more more

 

These zany riddles we adore

please add more for an encore

you as sure to guffaw

and it is not against the law

as we are not humour poor.

 

So go and make a zany zoo

take some time to be wacky woo

thanking AllaHU

for all He has blessed you to do.

*

 

MR DINGLE DANGLE JANGLE 

 

 
Bounce me up and down

I will never frown

Throw me on the floor

I will beg for more and more

Float me in the bath

For a jolly good laarrrfff

Dangle me in the air

Or sit me on a chair

Hang me from a tree

Or use me as a tasbee

Learn all my bright colours

Then teach them to others

Give me a tap and I will spin

Sure to make you giggle and grin

Madly shake me all about

You may even hear me shout

Wriggle me from side to side

So all aboard for a ride.

As we giggle and go he he he

Don’t forget to say ALHUMDULILLAHI

ALHUMDULILLAHI ALHUMDULILLAHI.

*

More from Mr Gatto for contemplation: 

"Don’t cooperate with your children’s school unless the school has come to you in person to work out a meeting of the minds – on your turf not theirs. Only a desperado would blindly trust his children to a collection of untested strangers and hope for the best. Parents and school personnel are just plain adversaries. One group is trying to make a living; the other is trying to make a work of art called a family. If you allow yourself to be co-opted by flattery, seduced  with worthless payoffs such as special  classes or programs, intimidated by Alice in Wonderland titles and degrees, you will become the enemy within, the extension of state schooling into your own home. Shame on you if you allow that. Your job is to educate, the schoolteacher’s is to school; you work for love, the teacher for money. The interests are radically different, one an individual thing, the other a collective. You can make your own son or daughter one of a kind if you have the time and will to do so; school can only make them part of a hive, a herd or an anthill."

 

 

Makkan incidents

Leave a reply

 

Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope.    (18:46)

HabibuLlah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said to the effect in the following two Hadith: 

When the belly of Makkah will be cleft open and through it will be dug out river-like passages and the buildings of the Holy City of Makkah will rise higher than its mountains. When you observe these signs, then understand that the time of Fitna is near at hand.

A time will come when the best property of a man will be his goats with which he can go up to the mountains peaks, leaving the hustle and bustle of town life. For his sustenance he should depend on his goats. He will be much safer in the mountains than in the towns where visible and invisible trials are ready to descend upon him.

* 

Imagine the area your footprints occupy while standing to be worth SR250,000? Or increase that to an area you could reach by slightly stretching your arms and splaying your legs…about one square meter to be worth one million riyals? (‘approximate’ exchange rates: US$250.000, AD$350,000, pounds sterling 140,000) This is the projected value for land (Property Prices to Soar Due to Grand Mosque Expansion) adjacent to Masjid Haram Makkah after a few weeks when the next large area for development will see hundreds of the older buildings demolished. 

I wonder whose footprints graced this very land in times gone by? Did our Noble Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam tread pathways there as he visited Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhum, did he wander these mountains so close to his home with our Lady Khadijah RadhiAllahu anha, or maybe his esteemed daughters RadhiAllahu anhunna played and frolicked in the desert sand in this place so near to where they were born and spent the early days of their lives.

Maybe it was land owned by Abu Bakr as-Siddiq RadhiAllah anhu who being one of the most wealthy of the Quraish left his entire property and possessions when he fled with our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alahi wasallam. A sacrifice so many of the illustrious companions made for their Akhirah. We could allow the mind to wander, just as the certainty is that this land was traversed by previous Prophets alaihumus-Salam, the Sahabah RadhiAllahu anhuma and thousands of our pious predecessors in their search and sacrifice for Truth.

Maybe some of the following accounts from the Awliyah took place on this sacred land about to be redeveloped?

* 

Once Sheikh Abu Ya`qub Basri Rahmatullah alaihi remained in I`tikaaf for ten days in the Haram Shareef. He did not get a morsel of food in all this time. Finally hunger and weakness overcame him. He set out with the intention of obtaining some food. When he came to a desolate place in the desert he saw a decaying turnip laying on the ground. As he picked it up, a fear settled in his heart. It was as if someone was rebuking and taunting him:

“After starving for ten days, your reward is a rotten turnip”

Sheikh Ya`qub threw away the turnip and went to Musjidul Haraam. After some time a man appeared. Placing a bag in front of Shaikh Ya`qub, the man said:

“This bag containing 500 Ashrafis (gold coins) is for you.”

Sheikh Ya`qub: “Why is it specially for me?”

The Man: “I was on a voyage for ten days. The boat was about to sink. Everyone in the boat made a pledge to Allah Ta`ala, vowing to give some Sadaqah if he was saved. I vowed to give 500 Ashrafis to the first person by the Ka`bah on whom my eyes fell.”

Sheikh Ya`qub: “Open the bag.”

When the bag was opened, instead of Ashrafis, it contained some delicious varieties of foods. (The coins were miraculously transformed into food). Sheikh Ya`qub ate from the food and instructed the man to distribute the remainder among his children. Sheikh Ya`qub Rahmatullah alaihi said to himself:

“O nafs! Your rizq was coming towards you since the last ten days while you went in search of it to the wilderness.”

*

Hadhrat Sheikh Abu Bakr Kitaani Rahmatullah alaihi narrates:

“I was once in Makkah Muazzamah in the company of a group of Sufiyaa Kiraam who were discussing the question of Allah’s Love. The youngest of the group was Hadhrat Junaid Baghdaadi Rahmatullah alaihi. The Sufi’s urged him to speak on this question.

Hadhrat Junaid Rahmatullah alaihi lowered his head and shed tears profusely. Then he said: “A lover is such a servant whose ego has been eliminated. He is absorbed in the thikr of Allah. He fulfills the rights of Allah. He looks with his heart towards Allah. The rays of Divine Fear have consumed his heart. The cup of Wine of Divine Love is for him. From behind the unseen veils Allah has become manifest to him. When he speaks, he speaks with Allah. When he moves, he does so with Allah’s command. When he rests, he rests with Allah. He is constantly with Allah he exists with Allah and he is in Allah’s companionship.”

All the Mashaa-ikh shed tears in abundance and said: Can anyone say anything more superb? O Taajul Aarifin (crown of the Awliyah)! May Allah increase your intelligence and wisdom.”

*

An Aabid who lived near to the Haram Shareef fasted every day. Every evening a man delivered two bread to him. The Aabid dissociated himself from every one and was engrossed only with Allah Ta`ala.

One day it occurred to him that he was relying on the man for his rizq, not on Allah Ta`ala. He said to himself: “You have forgotten the One who is the Sustainer of the entire creation.” When the man came with the bread, the Aabid refused to accept it. Three days went by but the Aabid had nothing to eat. He supplicated to Allah Ta`ala. That night he dreamt that he was in Allah’s Presence. Allah Ta`ala said to him: “O My Servant! Why did you reject whatever I had sent to you with one of My servants?”

The Aabid: “O Allah! I derive no solace from anyone besides You.”

Allah Ta`ala: “Who used to send the bread to you?”

The Aabid: “O Allah! Only You had sent it.”

Allah Ta`ala: “From whom were you taking it?”

Aabid: “From You, O Allah!”

Allah Ta`ala: “Henceforth accept it and do not reject it.”

Suddenly the Aabid saw the man who used to deliver the bread. He too was standing in Allah’s Presence. Addressing the man, Allah Ta`ala said: “Why did you terminate the rizq of this servant?”

The man: “O Allah! You are fully aware.”

Allah Ta`ala: “O My Servant! To whom were you giving?”

The man: “To You, O Allah!”

Allah Ta`ala: “Continue your practice and be firm. The thawaab for your practice (of delivering the bread to the Aabid) is Jannat.”

[When charity is given, it is given in reality to Allah Ta`ala, and when accepted, it is taken from Allah Ta`ala.]

*

Once Sheikh Shibli Rahmatullah alaihi debated with himself: “Am I a miser or not.” He could not resolve his inner dispute. He pledged that whatever wealth he receives he would give it to the first faqeer he met. Even before completing his vow, a man appeared and presented 30 dinars to him. Taking the dirhams, Hadhrat Shibli set out in search of a faqeer. At the barbers shop he saw a blind faqeer whose hair the barber was cutting.

When Hadhrat Shibli offered the dinars to the blind faqeer, he said: “Give it to the barber.” Hadhrat Shibli said: “These are dinars (i.e. gold coins).” The faqeer, raising his head, said: “Did we not say to you that you are a miser?”

Hadhrat Shibli then presented the dinars to the barber, but he said: “When this faqeer came to me, I pledged to Allah that I will not accept any fee.” Feeling highly ashamed, Hadhrat Shibli flung the dinars into the river and commented:

“O wealth of the world! May Allah disgrace you like this. Whoever loves you, will be disgraced by Allah.”

*

Hadhrat Ibraheem Bin Ad`ham Rahmatullah alaihi said to a man who was making tawaaf:

“You will never attain the elevated ranks of the pious as long as you have not traversed six difficult valleys. First Valley – The closing of the door of bounties and the opening of the door of hardship. Second Valley – Closing of the door of honour and opening of the door of disgrace. Third Valley – Closing of the door of comfort and opening of the door of toil. Fourth Valley – Closing of the door of sleep and opening of the door of wakefulness during the night. Fifth Valley – Closing of the door of wealth and opening of the doorof poverty. Sixth Valley – Closing of the door of wishes and opening of the door of preparations for Maut.”

*

How much closer are we to the End of Times as predicted signs manifest before our very eyes? Are we prepared? What more can we do with our time to earn a place in Jannah? How much responsibility are we shouldering by instilling the love of the Deen in the younger generation? Are we steadfast with a daily practice that assists our focus on our Akhirah rather than this temporal Dunya?

Wealth and children are the adornment of the life of this world. But the good righteous deeds that last, are better with your Lord for rewards and better in respect of hope. 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

 

 

since then till now

Leave a reply

 

Since then till now

 

between the Sanctuary and the Door of Heaven

 

an amoebic behemoth

has surreptitiously crept

like a sneaky slinking slithery spill

usurping the streets of Madinah

 

and seeping across the globe.

 

some say oh you exaggerate…you old fuddy duddy

intolerant of progress, technology, development, embellishment

and all other catch phrases that perform circus tricks

 

acrobating in the mind

tormenting the senses

assailing the heart

denuding the resplendent particles painted with hues of taqwa iman ihsan

and a passion for how things were prior to this creature being on the rampage.

 

this wild drunken euphoria of acceptance and bewilderment

deluded by mirrors juggled

until the sane are transmogrified  to a torpor of topsy turvy confusion;

a prediction of the Prince of Peace.

 

and on it stomps
with few trying to hold a fiery coal.

 

tentacles gripping then devouring sacred ground

masticating blessed dust along with pious values

fearless and bold

fueled by a potent mix of greed,  power and money.

 

seventy thousand Angels dip Wings of Light

echoing a rhythmic flutter of an antique psalm

sung to arrest the satellite dish of the heart

but the gyrating of the giant voracious machinations

muffles the syrupy sweetness

for all captivated by the jangle of ostentation.

and when the earth trembles

and bellows in agony

dispelling the dross

what then of this monsters efforts?

 

whitherto man’s gluttonous lust

of glittering windows and elaborate trimmings

and bejeweled adornments?

 

there is no bubble to pop

for those waging war against this predator

as they dwell behind humble mud and cardboard

with sparks exploding from lustrous hearts

polished with the sublime simplicity of

Dalil al-Khayrat

The Guide to all Good Things

SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. 

* 

Yaa Nabi Salaam ‘alaika
Yaa Rasul Salaam ‘alaika
Yaa Habib Salaam ‘alaika
Salawaatu’llah ‘alaika

Salutations on you, O Prophet
Salutations on you, O Messenger of Allah
Salutations on you, O Beloved
Blessings of Allah be upon you.

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

 

 

 

 

Juma’ah and SHIN

2 Replies

 

From  Hayat Al-Hayawan The Life of Animals by al-Kamal ad-Damiri

In the chapter headed by the Arabic letter Shin, he states:

“Our Shaikh, the enlightened Imam Abu ‘Abdillah ibn As’ad al-Yafi (may Allah Ta’ala be pleased with him), has informed me: ‘It has reached me, on the authority of our master, the enlightened Imam Abu ‘Abdillah al-Qurashi, on the authority of his Shaikh, Abu ‘r-Rabi alMaliqi, that the latter once said:

“’”Shall I teach you something precious, from which you can always derive benefit, and which will never be exhausted?” [Shaikh Abu ‘Abdillah said]: “Yes of course!” said I, so he told me to say:

O Allah! O Unique One! O Originator!

ya Allahu ya Wahidu ya Mujidu

O Generous One! O Expander! O Noble One!

ya Jawadu ya Basitu ya Karimu

O Ever-Giving One! O Lord of Might!

ya wahhabu ya Dha’t-Tawli

O Self-Sufficing One! O Enricher! O Opener!

ya Ghaniyyu ya Mughni ya Fattahu

O Provider! O All-Knowing One!

ya Razzaqu ya ‘Alimu

O Ever-Living One! O Eternally Self-Sustaining One!

ya Hayyu ya Qayyunu

O All-Merciful One! O All-Compassionate One!

Ya Rahmanu ya Rahimu

O Creator of the heavens and the earth!

ya Badi’a ‘s-samawati wa ‘l-ardi

O Lord of Majesty and Honour!

ya Dha’l-Jalali wa ‘l-Ikramu

O Tender One! O Beneficent One!

ya Hannanu ya Mannan:

Blow upon me, from You, a breath of goodness,

Infah-ni min-ka bi-nafhati khairin

With which You will make me independent

tughni-ni bi-ha

Of everyone apart from You.

‘amman siwa-ka

If you sought a victory, now has the victory come to you.  (8:19)

in tastaftihu fa-qad ja’a-kumu ‘l-fath.

We have surely given you a clear victory. (48:1)

inna fatahna la ka fathan mubina

Help from Allah and a victory near at hand. (61:13)

nasrun mina ‘llahi wa fathun qarib

O Allah! O Self-Sufficing One! O Praiseworthy One!

Allahumma ya Ghaniyyu ya Hamidu

O Initiator! O Restorer! O Ever-Loving One!

ya mubdi’u ya mu’idu ya Wadudu

O Lord of the Glorious Throne!

ya Dha’l-‘Arshi ‘l-Majid:

O Doer of whatever He wishes!

ya fa’ilan li-ma yurid

Suffice me with Your lawful sustenance,

ikfi-ni bi-halali-ka

To the exclusion of what is unlawful in Your sight.

‘an harami-ka

And make me independent, by Your grace,

wa aghni-ni bi-fadhli-ka

From everyone apart from You.

‘amman siwa-ka

And protect me with that

wa ‘hfaz-ni bi-ma

With which You protected the Reminder.

hafizta bi-hi ’dh-Dhikra

And help me with that

wa ‘nsur-ni bi-ma

With which You helped the Messengers.

nasarta bi-hi ‘r-Rasul.

You are indeed Capable of all things. (22:8)

inna-ka ‘ala kulli shai’in Qadir.

“’”He said: ‘If someone makes a regular practice of reciting this, after every ritual prayer, especially the Friday congregational prayer [Jum’a], Allah will keep him safe from every cause of fear. He will help against his enemies, enrich him, and provide him with sustenance from sources he could never have imagined. Allah will make his life easy for him, and He will settle his debt for him. Even if he owes a debt as big as the mountains, Allah will discharge it for him, through His gracious favour and His noble generosity.”’”

 JUMA’AH MUBARAK!
* 
 
May all facing tests or embarking on new experiences and endeavours try this Du’a, seeking outcomes and answers from Allah Ta’ala, Insha’Allah.

And…Peter Sanders has an exhibiton in Jeddah, Alhumdulillah. It would have great to see it in the Kingdom for longer and in other major cities, including Makkah and Madinah, Insha’Allah next time. See his brilliant In the Shade of the Tree and his upcoming Meeting of Mountains on his site. 
 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

 

fourteen

Leave a reply

 

PONDER…PONDER….PONDER….

I recently received the following ‘ponderables’, JazakumuLlahu khairan katheeran. In turn I invite you to also ponder aspects of this enormous topic, understanding that pondering for the sake of Allah Ta’ala is itself a form of worship….and realizing that scholars throughout the centuries have dealt with, and still are expounding volumes on such topics related to the purification of the heart.

      …"can love and disobedience exist in the same heart? Is this then not true love? Or is it not love at all? Maybe love by its definition is something which constitutes an inability to disobey…? I’d like your thoughts…

Also, I ponder on that heavenly statement…

If you really love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.  (3:31)"

* 

My humble responses, acknowledging the grand scope of this topic alongside my limited knowledge. This is merely a ponder….

The heart, as a receptacle is capable of containing many states. And as we are encouraged through numerous Ayat and Ahadith to be in a continual process of cleansing this receptacle, then it follows that it surely is holding a concoction of all that is humanly possible; the good, the bad and the ugly, the pure, the impure, and the innumerable diseases that accumulate, blackening the heart, hence the Iman, leading to the obstruction of the Nur of Allah Ta’ala.

Verily, he who fears Allah with obedience to Him, and is patient, then surely, Allah makes not the reward of the Muhsinoon to be lost.   (12:90)

Nay, to Him belong all that is in the heavens and on earth, and all surrender with obedience to Him.  (2:116)

Alhumdulillah the conditions of the heart’s fluctuations are commensurate with the efforts we make on it. Maybe the sign of love co-existing with a temporary disobedience is firstly the recognition of a disobedience followed by the conscious effort to eradicate it? Maybe this could be called true love as one sets out to wage an inner jihad on that which is recognized as not being of any benefit, which requires a true love as the motivating energy? Maybe it is a sign of love by being mindful that disobedience is not the path that leads to eternal bliss and a close proximity to Allah Ta’ala and His Habib SallAllahu laihi wasallam in the Garden?

Verily, those who believe  and do righteous good deeds, and humble themselves (in repentance and obedience) before their Lord, – they will be dwellers of Paradise to dwell therein forever.    (11:23)

There are visible acts of disobedience; lies, backbiting, bribery, usury, drinking, robbery along with inner acts, including pride, jealousy and malice and we have been commanded to cultivate the best of attributes and work to nurture the best moral character. Maybe if there was no love for Allah Ta’ala’s Commands then there would be no striving or struggling to avoid disobedience?

And Allah guides not the people who are Al-Fasiqoon (the rebellious and disobedient).     (5:108)

Your Lord knows best what is in your inner-selves. If you are righteous, then, verily, He is Ever Most Forgiving to those who turn unto Him again and again in obedience, and in repentance.    (17:25)

And turn in repentance and in obedience with true Faith to your Lord and submit to Him, before the torment comes upon you, then you will not be helped.    (39:54)

Abdullah b. Amr b. al-’As RadhiAllahu anhu reported that he heard Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam  as saying: Verily, the hearts of all the sons of Adam are between the two fingers out of the fingers of the Compassionate Lord as one heart. He turns that to any direction He likes. Then Allah’s Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: 0 Allah, the Turner of the hearts, turn our hearts to Your obedience. 

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas RadhiAllahu anhu: The Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam used to supplicate Allah: "My Lord, help me and do not give help against me; grant me victory, and do not grant victory over me; plan on my behalf and do not plan against me; guide me, and made my right guidance easy for me; grant me victory over those who act wrongfully towards me; O Allah, make me grateful to Thee, mindful of Thee, full of fear towards Thee, devoted to Thy obedience, humble before Thee, or penitent. My Lord, accept my repentance, wash away my sin, answer my supplication, clearly establish my evidence, guide my heart, make true my tongue and draw out malice in my breast." 

Abu Hurairah RadhiAllahu anhu narrated that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Allah Almighty said: The striving of my servant to please Me does not receive a reward greater than that of fulfilling what I have commanded him to do. My servant volunteers in his perseverance, offering supererogatory devotion to please Me and to earn My love. Once I cast My love upon him, I become his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he extends justice, and his foot that carries him. Should My servant then pray for something, I will answer his prayers, and should he seek refuge in Me, I will protect him. Indeed, there is nothing I have decreed, and which I hesitate to do for the sake of a believer except causing him to experience death. He dislikes it, and I hate to displease him, but I have thus ordained.

Abi Imama RadhiAllahu anhu reported that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said: Among my followers, I love most a believer who controls his emotions, who gives prayers and fasts a good share in his life, who is known to worship his Lord, and who obeys Him in secret. No one recognizes him, and he arouses no curiosities. He subsists on meager sustenance, and exercises patience. His Lord awaits to bring him to stand before Him, few will know of his death, and fewer are his heirs.   

*

That which is absolutely lawful is that which involves no sinful disobedience of Allah, and in which Allah (Exalted is He) is not forgotten.  Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani

*

Contentment means the expulsion of disagreeable feelings from the heart, so that nothing remains except happiness and joy.  Dhul n-Nun al-Misri

*

Fellowship with Allah (Exalted is He) is maintained through good conduct, constant respect, and persistent obedience. Fellowship with Allah Ta’ala’s Messenger SallAllahu laihi wasallam is maintained by following his Sunnah and embracing religious knowledge.  Shaikh Abu Bakr ibn Huwara al-Bataihi

*

If someone loves the Lord of Truth, and wishes to find Him, he must cause that wish to dwell within his heart.  

The seeker is a lover, engaged in a quest, while the one who is sought is a loved one, the object of the quest. When the seeker is sought, he is captured, wrested away, and drawn aside. Love’s ardour overwhelms and conquers him, for he has found what he was seeking. He has travelled the road and covered the distance. He has abandoned his personal identity, and forsaken it completely. He has erased all shades of colour from his sight, so he no longer sees them.  Shaikh ‘Ali ibn Wahb ar-Rabi’i

*

Seeking nearness to the Sovereign Master; By obeying him and forsaking disobedience.

Performing these acts of obedience – especially the obligatory ones and leaving the sinful ones – draws one closer to Allah and leads to Him. In a sacred tradition (hadith qudsi) it states: “My servant does not draw closer to Me with anything more beloved to Me, than the obligatory duties that I have enjoined upon him. Me servant continues to draw closer to Me by performing optional deeds, until I love him. From The Exquisite Pearl

*

The Prophet (s) said: al-mujahidu man jahada nafsahu fi ta`at Allah `azza wa jall [The fighter against unbelief is he who fights against his ego in obeying God; Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, Ibn Hibban, Tabarani, Hakim, etc.]… Sufyan al-Thawri said: "I never dealt with anything stronger against me than my own ego; it was one time with me, and one time against me"… Yahya ibn Mu`adh al-Razi said: "Fight against your ego with the four swords of training: eat little, sleep little, speak little, and be patient when people harm you… Then the ego will walk the paths of obedience, like a fleeing horseman in the field of battle."   GHAZALI ON JIHAD AL-NAFS [FIGHTING THE EGO]

*

…Love of Allah

And the abandonment of every distraction,

(That distracts) the heart and body

From the obedience of the Most Merciful.  From Preserving the Heart

 *

The best you can seek from Him

is what He seeks from you.

A sign of being deluded is:

sorrow over loss of obedience while failing to get on with it.

Ibn ‘Ata’ Illah

*

The world is but a moment

so make it a moment of obedience

Imam al-Shafi’i

*

Disobedience is leaving a Command of Allah Ta’ala, or not doing what has been Commanded by Allah Ta’ala. In the eyes of Alah Ta’ala this is far greater than committing a forbidden act, manha.

Iblis disobeyed a Command by not performing sujud to Adam Alaihis Salam. As a result of this disobedience Allah Ta’ala cursed him till the Day of Judgement, and would not accept his repentance.

On the other hand Adam Alaihis Salam was forbidden to eat of the fruit of one tree in Jannah, however he did so, but when he repented it was accepted by Allah Ta’ala. Fulfilling the Command of Allah Ta’ala is a worship and part of our servitude to Him. Allah Ta’ala’s Commands are meant for themselves, whereas all forbidden acts are meant to protect the Commands. Fulfilling, or obeying a Command reaps a reward multiplied by ten, while performing the forbidden attracts one  sin, sayeah.

And as for the heavenly statement:

If you really love Allah, then follow me, and Allah shall love you and forgive you your sins. Allah is Most-Forgiving, Very-Merciful.  (3:31)   the Divine Speech elaborates with:

And obey Allah and the Messenger so that you may be blessed. (3:132)

Saying that to be deserving of Divine Mercy, the obedience to Allah Ta’ala has been declared necessary and binding, along with the obedience to our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. This is oft repeated throughout our Holy Book, the obedience to Allah Ta’ala immediately followed by the command to obey the Messenger SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, the basic qualities of Islam and Iman.

And whoever obeys the Messenger, he surely obeys Allah. (4:80)

*

May we all be watchful of Allah the Ever-Watchful. We ask Allah Ta’ala to bestow upon our nafs purity and taqwa, He alone is the Most Excellent in turning our hearts to His obedience and opening our hearts to the love of His Habib SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and all he left us. May we all strive to be counted among the obedient. Ameen

 
All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen. 

 

 

 

rain and reflections

Leave a reply

 

It rained today! Alhumdulillah, it rained! Just before Asr mercy began to fall, Alhumdulillah! 

This is how they deal with rain…this sweeper and his broom take on an almost impossible task.

 

The grey softness calms the heart, the reflections invite one inward.  

 

May we reflect on all that this Dome of Felicity symbolizes for us, and may our hearts mirror the Sunnah of the resident of this Abode SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, Ameen. 

The Mirror

Your eye has not strength enough
to gaze at the burning sun,
but you can see its burning light
by watching its reflection
mirrored in the water.

So the reflection of Absolute Being
can be viewed in the mirror of Not-Being,
for nonexistence, being opposite Reality,
instantly catches its reflection.

Know the world from end to end is a mirror;
in each atom a hundred suns are concealed.
If you pierce the heart of a single drop of water,
from it will flow a hundred clear oceans;
if you look intently at each speck of dust,
in it you will see a thousand beings.
A gnat in its limbs is like an elephant;
in name a drop of water resembles the Nile.
In the heart of a barleycorn is stored a hundred harvests.
Within a millet-seed a world exists.
In an insects wing is an ocean of life.
A heaven is concealed in the pupil of an eye.
The core at the center of the heart is small,
yet the Lord of both worlds will enter there.

 Mahmud Shabistari

 

Rain on the Prophet’s Tomb. 

"O God, bless our master Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and the family of our master Muhammad in every drop of rain falling from Your heavens to Your earth and in all the rain that will fall until the Day of Resurrection!"

"O God, bless our master Muhammad and the family of our master Muhammad in every bead of dew, in every drop of rain and in every plant from the day You created the world to the Day of Resurrection!"

-Dalail al Khayrat, Andrey Hassan Rosowsky translation.

(and bless Ukhti Farah for reminding me of this ennobled reference) 

 

Many of the cleaning staff wore yellow bin liners as protection against the rain. Groups of them appeared as canaries fluttering by in the silvery light. 

 

The Hujjaj numbers dwindle as each hour passes, while the red and white tape is still prolific!

 

The white marble was opalescent as the faithful were drawn to prayer.

 

All the workers were out in force to clear the slippery surface, the green, the fawn, the blue and the orange uniforms usually assigned to specific tasks were all involved in moving the blessed and welcomed Rahmah. 

 

 

The group of sisters in black were associated with one of the Janazahs.

 

 

Three more were carried to their next home, may Allah Ta’ala grant all in Jannatul Baqi a fragrant garden, Ameen. I thought how beautiful it would be to be lowered into the Mubarak Madanian dust on a rainy day. 

 

A splash of colour as sisters from Mumbai pay their respects at the viewing platform outside Jannatul Baqi.   

 

One of the many local sisters selling seed for the pigeons, wheat in the foreground and a seed mix in the other bags. There were several sisters sitting on the damp pavement winding beside the newly surfaced area which has become a car park for the buses that transport the various labourers and workers to and from their compounds and their places of employment.

 

Looking like an artists canvas…the grains and seeds thrown for the pigeons…who had all disappeared.

 

This old chevvie is regularly parked in a small open lot near our home. I thought it was abandoned, but often see it driven about. Meanwhile whenever I walk past numerous of our feline neighbours jump out from the non-existant back window, which is draped with a prayer mat…a warm protected hotel of sorts!

 O Allah! Make this a pleasant rain.

O Allah! beautify our land and give us peace.

O Allah! send upon us helpful, wholesome and healthy rain, beneficial not harmful rain, now, not later.

O Allah, relieve us, O Allah, relieve us, O Allah, relieve us.

O Allah! provide water for Your servants and Your cattle, spread out Your mercy and resurrect Your dead land.

Ameen Ameen Ameen. 

 

 

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. May He accept our humble efforts and grant us the capacity to be good and do good. Ameen.