Sunday, May 21, 2006

All Together Now (Sunni Sister)

All Together Now (Sunni Sister)

Salaam ‘Alaikum
“The Ummah is like one body…”(Muslim)

Bring up the idea of all humanity being connected as one organism, and most people, Muslim or not, will probably look at you like you followed the Grateful Dead on tour for too long…

The Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said that this Ummah is like one body. When one part of it complains, the rest of it responds with fever and wakefulness. But what I was thinking about last night is simply how people are in tune with each other, outside of empathy or sympathy for pain and suffering.

Some people say that this “psychic abillity,” but I think what it is is simply human instinct. Some are more attuned to their inner voices than others. A lot of people are taught to ignore their instincts, esp. women (we talked about this last year). But when you think of all the “strange” things, those funny “coincidences” you’ve experienced…

I know I’m not the only mother out there who is doing something, say, cooking, or reading, when I suddenly have the feeling that I must go now b/c the baby is about to wake. And sure enough, as soon as I step into the room or sit down next to where he is, his eyes pop open. This must happen to me at least twice a day, maybe more.

Or how many times do you pick up the phone to call your husband and he’s there on the other end? This happens to us all the time. I also, almost all the time, know when he’s coming down the street, even though I can’t see or hear his car unless I’m standing right at the window (which I’m too busy to do). It isn’t a coincidence. It’s being part of the same body of humanity. There is some connection there, through the hearts or through blood, something that ties us together, mash’Allah.

Is this connection stronger for the Muslimeen, because our hearts are inclined a certain way? I don’t know, but so, so many people, throughout the centuries, have attested to special connections like these among the people who are close to a particular teacher or who are in a tariqa, and especially among those who are close to the Prophet (sallalahu aleyhi wa salaam) in terms of sending salawat on him and loving him as Allah commands us to, and those who are close to Allah because His Name is never far from their lips. Asra Adiba talks about this connection between the Muslimeen, between family, between students and teachers, and between the Muslim, Allah, and His Messenger in the halaqa entitled, “Boundaries of Love.”

Anyway, I just wish that we could be more conscious of this than the things that preoccupy us. We are supposed to compete in doing good works, but so often, we compete in one upmanship. Even da’wah workers are not immune to this. People get caught up in having control, authority, leadership, and exclusivity. We lose sight of the big picture; sometimes temporarily, and sometimes until it’s too late. Being aware of our human and Muslim connection would lead to things like courtesy, like a real unity… It’s a small thing, but you have to start somewhere.

Friends

I remember Shaykh Hamza saying that if you have even one friend whom you sincerely love, and who sincerely reciprocates that same love -- without condition, unbound by time or place, you should make shukr to Allah...or as some scholars have said, actually make two rakats of the prayer of thankfulness.

May Allah bless our friends, our companions in deen that help us on our journey through this world, increase the love between our hearts, and make us neighbours in this life and in Jannah, insha'Allah. Amin.

As the Prophet (Allah bless him and give peace) said, "the believer is a mirror to his believing brother".

Friday, May 19, 2006

What We Should Be Teaching Our Children - Imam Zaid Shakir


When we talk about Islamic education and our children, the discussion usually revolves around strictly academic issues related to technical aspects of curriculum development, testing standards and methodologies, balancing between secular and religious education, and similar concerns. Sometimes we miss the greater objective of an Islamic education. That objective, in terms of what is necessary for the immediate success of our children in this world, and their ultimate success in the next, is nurturing balanced, wholesome, honest human beings who live lives based on principle and who exemplify good character in their dealings with other people. [Read More...]

Monday, May 15, 2006

Theory without practice (Imam Hujwiri)

Practice what you have learned, for theory without practice is like a spirit without a body. One who is content with learning alone is not learned, for the truly learned seek more than mere words. Divine guidance entails self-mortification, without which contemplation is unattainable.

- Al-Hujwiri, Kashf al-Mahjub

Monday, May 08, 2006

Mawlana Rumi on Doubt


Doubt is a precipice on the way to God. Blessed is he who is freed from its bonds. He who fares without any doubt, adhere to his footprints if you do not know the way. Cleave to the footprints of the deer and advance with care that you may reach the musk-gland. By means of such trekking, even if you walk on fire, you will reach the luminous peak.

- Mawlana Rumi

Monday, May 01, 2006

Patience is in the Moment...Sh. Hamza Yusuf

If I recognize it correctly, this an earlier video excerpt of Sh. Hamza at the University of Toronto.



Three minutes of your life will be very well spent if you listen to this, insha'Allah :)