…the anguish of separation and the of pain of yearning haunt the soul, even amidst an environment bursting with spring time delights, drought endings rains, loved ones and journeys of rediscovery…the following works provide a perspective for this needy traveller…
Now then, beginnings are the places where endings are revealed, so that whoever begins with God ends up with Him. He is the One you love and rush to in whatever occupies you, and He is the One you prefer in whatever you turn away from. Whoever is certain that God seeks him is sincere in seeking Him. He who knows that all matters are in God’s Hands is recollected through trust in Him. Indeed it is inevitable that the pillars of this world’s house of existence be destroyed and that its precious things be stripped away. For the intelligent man is more joyous over the permanent than he is over the evanescent. His light rays out, glad tidings have come to him. Thus, he turns away from this world, takes no notice of it, shuns it altogether. He does not therefore take it as a homeland, nor does he turn it into a home, but rather while in it, he arouses his fervor towards God and seeks His help in going to Him. His determination, a riding mount, is restless and ever on the move till it comes to kneel down in the Presence of the Holy (hadrat al-quds) on the carpet of intimacy, the place of reciprocal disclosure (al-mufataha), confrontation (al-muwahaja), companionship (al-mujalasa), discussion (al-muhadatha), contemplation (al-mushahada) and viewing (al-mutala’a).
Certainly all things are hidden in their opposites, gain in loss and gift in refusal, honour in humiliation, wealth in poverty, strength in weakness, abundance in restriction, rising up in falling down, life in death, victory in defeat, power in powerlessness and so on. Therefore, if a man wishes to find, let him be content to lose; if he wishes a gift, let him be content with refusal; he who desires honour must accept humiliation and he who desires wealth must be satisfied with poverty; let him who wishes to be strong be content to be weak; let him who wishes abundance be resigned to restriction; he who wishes to be raised up must allow himself to be cast down; he who desires life must accept death; he who wishes to conquer must be content to be conquered and he who desires power must be content with impotence. Which is to say, let him who wishes to be free rejoice in servitude, as his Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, friend and Lord rejoiced in it; let him choose it as the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam chose it and not be proud nor rebel against his condition, for the servant is the servant and the Lord is the Lord…
The wisdom found in these two gems brings solace to the soul. May Allah Ta’ala’s continuous blessings be upon Ibn ‘Ata’ Illah and Shaykh ad-Darqawi RahmatuLlah alaihumaa.
JUMA’AH MUBARAK!
JazakumuLlahu Khairan katheera for all previous, sadly unanswered comments! Access to the net has been sporadic and will continue to be so until a planned return before Hajj, Insha’Allah. The rhythm of life is very different here, Alhumdulillah ‘ala kulli hal. Photography has not been a priority even though Allah Ta’ala’s Magnificence has been breathtaking. Time has been for inner reflecting alongside reconnecting with many loved ones. Insha’Allah with your Du’a this speck will once more be invited back to Madinatun Nabi and sharing the beauty of it’s Radiance with you all again.
May the web of Du’a that connects us wherever we all are continue to strengthen conditions facing the Ummah, and may our Salawat this Juma’ah continue to strengthen our love for our Blessed HabibuLlah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam, 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.
