Jazak Allah khayr!
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Zaytuna Mawlid! (hahmed.com)
Sidi Haseeb comes through again with awesome audio/video links! Available for download!
Jazak Allah khayr!
Jazak Allah khayr!
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Sh. Faraz Rabbani: Alive in our hearts: Lessons from the Prophet (peace be upon him)
In light of the recent passing of Shaykh Yaqoubi’s wife, Umm Ibrahim, as well as other occurrences in the days surrounding the birth of the beloved of Allah (Allah bless him and give him abundant peace) who was sent as a Mercy to the Worlds, a surge of introspection has come about. The other night my teacher, Shaykh Faraz Rabbani who has been a source of much guidance for me over the last few years, gave a talk at the University of Toronto, entitled: “Alive in our hearts: Lessons from the Prophet (peace be upon him)”, and I’ve decided to record some of the notes I took, so that some benefit may be gained by those who were unable to attend, insha’Allah.
We find ourselves in life, in desperate need of guidance of what to do in this finite life. The scholars often mention the example of someone who suddenly awakes to find himself on a moving train. What will you do? Besides having fear, panic, and being mesmerized, upon waking, your immediate questions will be:
- How did I get here?
- Where am I going?
- What must I do while I’m here?
All of creation has this intrinsic yearning to know where to go in life, with every heartbeat there is this need for guidance, finding the Creator, and doing the right thing. This fundamental need is found in the Fatiha, “Guide us to the straight path”, for we are essentially lost and bewildered: what are we to do and how are we to do it? And in reality, the entire Qur’an is an answer to that request, to help us, to save us from crashing so that we arrive at our destination in the best of states. It provides the way of living this life in the best way, and being granted the best of the next life.
Guidance involves turning to the Creator in our worship and in our human relations: our dealings and conduct (our transactions and how we comport ourselves). What are the sources of guidance? -- The Qur’an and the Sunnah, both of which are preserved.
What is the key to the Sunnah? – Turning to Allah in all of one’s affairs.
A man of the Quraysh mocked one of the companions (sahaba) about being taught everything by the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), even mannerisms related to the using the toilet. The companion replied without any hesitance or shame, that this was indeed the case because the Rasul (Allah bless him and give him peace) was sent to show us the best way to live in every aspect of our life, and to perfect the most noblest of character.
In our race for success in the world, we often forget the hereafter. The Sunnah shows us how to re-connect with Allah and our ultimate purpose – khalwa, reflecting privately on one’s life, conduct, and dealings. After writing an exam one studied hard for, for instance, rather than wasting time twiddling one’s thumbs or talking to others and speculating, one should instead turn to Allah and supplicate, asking for His assistance. In the first moments of marriage when husband and wife are alone, praying two rakats before setting out on their path of married life.
In short, remembering Allah, and following the example of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace), can make the mundane the sublime. For every action, do the “what/why analysis”: “What am I doing? Why am I doing it?” For instance, when putting on one’s shoes, starting in the name of Allah, putting the right shoe on first, and intending gratitude towards Allah for the mercy and blessing of being able to walk and wanting to walk to that which is pleasing to Allah. Visiting friends for the sake of Allah, to deepen love.
These were just a few of the things that Shaykh Faraz touched on. Insha’Allah, they’ll remind us all to bring the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) to life in our hearts and lives by implementing his Sunnah, his noble character, and his beautiful presence in our daily lives.
And Allah knows best.May Allah grant us all good in this life and the next. Amin.
SunniPath: Traditional Halaqa Live from Bradford
SunniPath is pleased to announce that we will be broadcasting lessons from The Traditional Halaqa live from Bradford, England, during the following week starting from this Sunday, April 16th.
This broadcast is free of charge and all are welcome to attend. You can login to each session by going to SunniPath.com at 11:30am EST/4:30pm BST on a daily basis.
Broadcast Schedule
Shaykh Samer al-Nass
Sunday April 16th – Saturday April 22nd
Fiqh of Marriage
11:45am EST / 4:45pm BST
'Ilm of Ihsan
2:40pm EST / 7:40pm BST
Q&A, Nasheeds, Guest speakers
3:45pm EST / 8:45pm BST
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Shifa: Remedies and Cures
A new blog that seeks to present the teachings of our beloved teacher, Sidi Hakim Archuletta on health and the Islamic tradition: Shifa should be blog of great benefit, insha'Allah.
Remedies and Cures
by Hakim Archuletta
Its an old basic that one must grasp the essence and the core of the whole subject and not go by "give this for this" In many texts, descriptions of foods in terms of their hot cold wet and dry qualities, for example, you will find conflicting information . I'm not sure of the origins or reason for this.-sometimes from country to country , honey may, for example, be described as hot and dry and even hot and wet in another text. Everything you find, however, that is not in conflict and that makes sense should be stored as a-possible- and you will find prescriptions that are consistent from across the world and through time -these we need to know for our patients as it indicates something sound. [Read More...]
Remedies and Cures
by Hakim Archuletta
Its an old basic that one must grasp the essence and the core of the whole subject and not go by "give this for this" In many texts, descriptions of foods in terms of their hot cold wet and dry qualities, for example, you will find conflicting information . I'm not sure of the origins or reason for this.-sometimes from country to country , honey may, for example, be described as hot and dry and even hot and wet in another text. Everything you find, however, that is not in conflict and that makes sense should be stored as a-possible- and you will find prescriptions that are consistent from across the world and through time -these we need to know for our patients as it indicates something sound. [Read More...]
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Remembering Umm Ibrahim
- SunniSister reflects on the passing of Umm Ibrahim
- Shaykh Yaqoubi recounts the last days of his wife's life:
Sheikh Muhammad al Yaqoubi sends his warm salaams and utmost appreciation to everyone for the ongoing du'as for his family, and for the Khatm al Quran taking place in various parts throughout the world, mashaAllah. He asks that you please keep sending the du'as especially for his children.
Also, Sheikh Muhammad wanted everyone to know that the last couple of days of his wife's life were filled with joy and celebration. In fact there was a mawlid in their home just the day before she departed and that night Sheikh Muhammad presented her with a bouquet of flowers with a profoundly prominent one as the centerpiece. He said that night they recounted the trials of the recent past and forgave each other for everything, he was content with her and she with him. Radi'a 'alayha wa Radi'at 'alayh. They also spoke much that night about the boy they were expecting, the bundle of Aal al bayt in her belly whom they were going to name "Sharif" after Sheikh Muhammad's paternal granduncle, the famous 'Arif bi Allah, Sheikh Sharif al Yaqoubi. Radia Allahu 'anh. Sheikh Muhammad said it was a better night than their wedding night.
Masha Allah. This is why Sheikh Muhammad declared at the funeral that he was happy with her, so that she, insha Allah, would be of those wives whom the Prophet, salla Allah 'alayhi wa sallam said would be in al Jannah if they passed this world while their husband was content with them. As our consummate teacher, he wanted us all to know that he is in heightened gratitude that Umm Ibrahim, rahimaha Allah ta'ala, departed in this tranquil way. He said she shone with a light in the last couple of days that was clearly a felicitous farewell to the Dunya. Subhan Allah.
- Shaykh Gibril Haddad remembers Umm Ibrahim:
Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.
{Lo! Allah's promise is the very truth. Let not the life of the world beguile you, nor let the deceiver beguile you, in regard to Allah} (31:33).
Glory and thanks to Allah in every moment and state, Glory to Him Who changes everything but never changes!
The wife of our beloved teacher Shaykh Abu al-Huda Muhammad al-Ya`qubi ibn al-Sayyid Ibrahim al-Ya`qubi al-Hasani passed away on Monday April 10, 2006 (12 Rabi` al-Awwal 1427) after a car accident and was survived by their three children who are in stable condition. The funeral prayer was prayed the next day (today) at Jami` al-Badr in Damascus after Salat al-zuhr and she was buried in the turba of Ahl al-Bayt in Bab al-Saghir cemetary.
The Sharif Abu al-Huda spoke shortly before he led Salat al-Janaza and bore witness to the righteousness of his wife Umm Ibrahim al-Ya`qubi Aal Rabbat who had devoted her life to Allah and His Prophet, His Family, and the students of knowledge in the pious service of her husband. He said that it was her unfailing daily habit to pray one hundred rak`at and to do a khatma of Surat al-Baqara and Surat al-Ma'ida. She had asked him five years ago that if she should pass away he insure that she is buried "with you, Ahl al-Bayt, and in your immediate vicinity." He informed those present that she had passed away bearing in her womb a five-month old fetus from Ahl al-Bayt. Less than a week before her passing she had prepared with her own hand food for 150 people at Sayyid Abu al-Huda's home in donation to the departed soul of Mawlana al-Sayyid Muhammad al-Hashimi al-Darqawi's son. The very day before her passing she had prepared food for the students of Abu al-Huda for the specific occasion of the Mawlid of the Holy Prophet, upon him blessings and peace.
The writer of these lines owes a special debt of gratitude toward Umm Ibrahim who kindly hosted my ailing mother and us a few years ago and whose high religion I witnessed recently after a particular incident. Last `Eid al-Fitr (on the first Friday of November 2005) after the Salat al-`Eid at the Umawi Mosque I went to the Ya`qubi house a half hour away, intending to visit Shaykh Muhammad. At his very doorstep I slipped and broke my right tibia bone in two pieces. As Abu al-Huda came out I only had two words, one was "`Eid Mubarak ya Sayyidi" and the other was: "My leg ya Sayyidi!" Sayyid Abu al-Huda drove me to the hospital on the spot, paid for the operation, brought me back home a couple of days later after, and paid all my family's expenses for the subsequent months, in addition to which, every few days, Umm Ibrahim would drive over from her house to ours with plenteous food she had prepared with her own hands. At the time of her accident she was driving to visit her parents for Mawlid. May Allah repay her with the food and consolation of Paradise!
The first visit I made after I could walk again was to the house of Sayyid Abu al-Huda where he told me: "The greatest tests are for the Prophets, after whom, Allah Most High pours down the trials and tribulations of the world on the Ghawth, who carries what mountains cannot carry, and he is charge of distributing them, first in intensity to the Aqtab, then the Abdal, then the rest of the Awliya, then the commonality." And this loss of his is a test of tremendous proportions which the eyes and ears of witnesses saw and heard Abu al-Huda carrying with words of light and glorification from the Book of Allah and the Sunna and serene states of His Messenger, upon him blessings and peace.
May Allah justify the glad tidings of the many signs He manifested regarding his wife, this pious righteous woman who was blessed with the supportive character of our Mother Khadija in love and respect for her husband who bore witness in her behalf of his being well-pleased with her, in illustration of the Prophetic promise that such a wife enters Paradise. May He ease her entry into the earth, widen her grave for her and illuminate it, and receive her into the vastness of His Paradises and the highest company,
{with those unto whom Allah has shown favor, of the Prophets and the saints and the martyrs and the righteous. The best of company are they!} (4:69). Amin.
`Azzama Allahu ajrakum Aala Ya`qubi wa-Aala Rabbat, and may Allah grant you sabr and the highest reward bi-hurmat al-Habib wa-Surat al-Fatiha.
- Gibril Fouad Haddad
- Shaykh Yaqoubi recounts the last days of his wife's life:
Sheikh Muhammad al Yaqoubi sends his warm salaams and utmost appreciation to everyone for the ongoing du'as for his family, and for the Khatm al Quran taking place in various parts throughout the world, mashaAllah. He asks that you please keep sending the du'as especially for his children.
Also, Sheikh Muhammad wanted everyone to know that the last couple of days of his wife's life were filled with joy and celebration. In fact there was a mawlid in their home just the day before she departed and that night Sheikh Muhammad presented her with a bouquet of flowers with a profoundly prominent one as the centerpiece. He said that night they recounted the trials of the recent past and forgave each other for everything, he was content with her and she with him. Radi'a 'alayha wa Radi'at 'alayh. They also spoke much that night about the boy they were expecting, the bundle of Aal al bayt in her belly whom they were going to name "Sharif" after Sheikh Muhammad's paternal granduncle, the famous 'Arif bi Allah, Sheikh Sharif al Yaqoubi. Radia Allahu 'anh. Sheikh Muhammad said it was a better night than their wedding night.
Masha Allah. This is why Sheikh Muhammad declared at the funeral that he was happy with her, so that she, insha Allah, would be of those wives whom the Prophet, salla Allah 'alayhi wa sallam said would be in al Jannah if they passed this world while their husband was content with them. As our consummate teacher, he wanted us all to know that he is in heightened gratitude that Umm Ibrahim, rahimaha Allah ta'ala, departed in this tranquil way. He said she shone with a light in the last couple of days that was clearly a felicitous farewell to the Dunya. Subhan Allah.
- Shaykh Gibril Haddad remembers Umm Ibrahim:
Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim, we belong to Allah and to Him we shall return.
{Lo! Allah's promise is the very truth. Let not the life of the world beguile you, nor let the deceiver beguile you, in regard to Allah} (31:33).
Glory and thanks to Allah in every moment and state, Glory to Him Who changes everything but never changes!
The wife of our beloved teacher Shaykh Abu al-Huda Muhammad al-Ya`qubi ibn al-Sayyid Ibrahim al-Ya`qubi al-Hasani passed away on Monday April 10, 2006 (12 Rabi` al-Awwal 1427) after a car accident and was survived by their three children who are in stable condition. The funeral prayer was prayed the next day (today) at Jami` al-Badr in Damascus after Salat al-zuhr and she was buried in the turba of Ahl al-Bayt in Bab al-Saghir cemetary.
The Sharif Abu al-Huda spoke shortly before he led Salat al-Janaza and bore witness to the righteousness of his wife Umm Ibrahim al-Ya`qubi Aal Rabbat who had devoted her life to Allah and His Prophet, His Family, and the students of knowledge in the pious service of her husband. He said that it was her unfailing daily habit to pray one hundred rak`at and to do a khatma of Surat al-Baqara and Surat al-Ma'ida. She had asked him five years ago that if she should pass away he insure that she is buried "with you, Ahl al-Bayt, and in your immediate vicinity." He informed those present that she had passed away bearing in her womb a five-month old fetus from Ahl al-Bayt. Less than a week before her passing she had prepared with her own hand food for 150 people at Sayyid Abu al-Huda's home in donation to the departed soul of Mawlana al-Sayyid Muhammad al-Hashimi al-Darqawi's son. The very day before her passing she had prepared food for the students of Abu al-Huda for the specific occasion of the Mawlid of the Holy Prophet, upon him blessings and peace.
The writer of these lines owes a special debt of gratitude toward Umm Ibrahim who kindly hosted my ailing mother and us a few years ago and whose high religion I witnessed recently after a particular incident. Last `Eid al-Fitr (on the first Friday of November 2005) after the Salat al-`Eid at the Umawi Mosque I went to the Ya`qubi house a half hour away, intending to visit Shaykh Muhammad. At his very doorstep I slipped and broke my right tibia bone in two pieces. As Abu al-Huda came out I only had two words, one was "`Eid Mubarak ya Sayyidi" and the other was: "My leg ya Sayyidi!" Sayyid Abu al-Huda drove me to the hospital on the spot, paid for the operation, brought me back home a couple of days later after, and paid all my family's expenses for the subsequent months, in addition to which, every few days, Umm Ibrahim would drive over from her house to ours with plenteous food she had prepared with her own hands. At the time of her accident she was driving to visit her parents for Mawlid. May Allah repay her with the food and consolation of Paradise!
The first visit I made after I could walk again was to the house of Sayyid Abu al-Huda where he told me: "The greatest tests are for the Prophets, after whom, Allah Most High pours down the trials and tribulations of the world on the Ghawth, who carries what mountains cannot carry, and he is charge of distributing them, first in intensity to the Aqtab, then the Abdal, then the rest of the Awliya, then the commonality." And this loss of his is a test of tremendous proportions which the eyes and ears of witnesses saw and heard Abu al-Huda carrying with words of light and glorification from the Book of Allah and the Sunna and serene states of His Messenger, upon him blessings and peace.
May Allah justify the glad tidings of the many signs He manifested regarding his wife, this pious righteous woman who was blessed with the supportive character of our Mother Khadija in love and respect for her husband who bore witness in her behalf of his being well-pleased with her, in illustration of the Prophetic promise that such a wife enters Paradise. May He ease her entry into the earth, widen her grave for her and illuminate it, and receive her into the vastness of His Paradises and the highest company,
{with those unto whom Allah has shown favor, of the Prophets and the saints and the martyrs and the righteous. The best of company are they!} (4:69). Amin.
`Azzama Allahu ajrakum Aala Ya`qubi wa-Aala Rabbat, and may Allah grant you sabr and the highest reward bi-hurmat al-Habib wa-Surat al-Fatiha.
- Gibril Fouad Haddad
Monday, April 10, 2006
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji 'un
Fatiha...
We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved teacher Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi's wife, Umm Ibrahim, who was dearly loved by many, passed away today in a car accident. Their daughter, Aisha, also in the accident, is in the hospital. Please make sincere du'a for all of them. We will have a khatam of Qur'an for them at Zaytuna on Saturday, April 15th at 6pm in sha Allah. To God we belong and to Him we shall all Return.
Source:
We are deeply saddened to announce that our beloved teacher Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi's wife, Umm Ibrahim, who was dearly loved by many, passed away today in a car accident. Their daughter, Aisha, also in the accident, is in the hospital. Please make sincere du'a for all of them. We will have a khatam of Qur'an for them at Zaytuna on Saturday, April 15th at 6pm in sha Allah. To God we belong and to Him we shall all Return.
Source:
Saturday, April 08, 2006
The Mawlid of the Messenger of Allah: The Seal of Prophets and a Mercy for the Worlds (Allah bless him and give him abundant peace)
Assalamu'alaykum wa Rahmatullah,
Alhamdulillah, the mawlid in nearly upon us once again! May Allah endlessly bless our beloved master and guide, the Messenger of Allah, his family, companions, and those who seek to follow him, until the Last Day.
May we follow the best of creation in his most noble example, in all we do. In light of the mawlid, I thought of once again posting the Reader on the Mawlid from SunniPath.
Also, please make du'a for my family and I during this blessed month, and especially on that blessed day that our guide was sent into this world.
Fatiha.
Wassalam,
Salikah
- Love & Praise of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & grant him peace)
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf on BBC: In Praise of God - The Prophet's Birthday
Beautiful Praise of the Beloved of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)
Love of the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace)
Love of the Prophet - 2 (Allah bless him and grant him peace)
On the Necessity of Loving the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace)
How much should the Prophet be loved? And: How?
- Is the Celebration of the Mawlid Permissible?
Is it permissible to celebrate the Prophet's birthday (Allah bless him and give him peace)?
Making Du`a for the Umma of the Beloved of Allah (peace and blessings unlimited be upon him, his family, companions, and followers) Ma`ruf al-Karkhi, one of the righteous imams of the early Muslims (salaf), said, "Whoever says,
'Allahumma aslih Ummata Muhammad Allahumma farrij `an Ummati Muhammad Allahumma Rham Ummata Muhammad [salla Allahu `alayhi wa sallam]
(O Allah, improve the state of the Umma of Muhammad O Allah, grant ease to the Umma of Muhammad O Allah, have mercy on the Umma of Muhammad),'
ten times every day will be written down as one of the highest of elect believers (abdal)." [Abu Nu`aym, Hilyat al-Awliya , 8.366]
اللهم أصلح أمة محمد اللهم فرج عن أمة محمد أللهم ارحم أمة محمد
Why? The Prophet of Mercy (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
"Have mercy on those on earth, and the Lord of the Skies will have mercy on you." [Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, and Bukhari in his al-Adab al-Mufrad from Abd Allah ibn Amr (Allah be pleased with him
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Gems of Wisdom: from our master Abu Dardaa Radhiallanhu
"If you knew what I know, you would go out to the jungle, weeping and crying and leave your property unguarded. But your hearts are heedless of the requirements of the Hereafter and you have, before you, worldly hopes and aspirations. That is why the world has become your master and all your activities are directed towards it; you have reduced yourself to a condition of stark ignorance. What is worse, some of you have become like the animals, indulging in lustful activities, not minding the evil consequences.
What has happened to you that you do not love one another, nor admonish one another, though you are brothers in Islam? There is discord among you because of your wrong desires, arising out of the corruption within you. If you are united in the cause of 'Deen' and affairs of 'Deen', your bonds of mutual relationship will be strengthened.
What has happened to you, that you counsel one another about affairs of this world, but do not do so about affairs of the Akhirah? You are incapable of admonishing those whom you love and do not give them good counsel about the affairs of the Hereafter. This is only because of your weak faith. If you had faith in the good and evil things of the Hereafter, like your belief in the good and evil things of this world, you would certainly give preference to the Akhirah. The Akhirah should have greater control over your affairs.
You may say that the needs of this world are immediate, while those of the Hereafter are remote. Just imagine how many activities there are, in this world, of which the fruits have to be reaped later. Still you toil and fret and struggle hard for them! For example, you work hard in the fields, for months together, hoping to reap crops in the end. Similarly, you take pains to plant trees in the garden, hoping to pick the fruit after years of hard labour and patient waiting. You have deteriorated, in matters of faith, so much that you do not care to gauge the level of your Imaan (faith) by doing things that would reveal it'.
'If you have any doubts about the revealed knowledge conveyed to us by Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam, please come to us, so that we may show you the truth of this knowledge and make it abundantly clear to you. Come, we will show you the light by which you will be able to see, for yourself, that whatever Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam said is absolutely true. You are no fools that we should regard you incapable of understanding it. For, you hold sound views about worldly affairs and act upon them most carefully. Then, what is wrong with you that you do not exercise wisdom, nor act with due care in affairs of the Akhirah.
What has happened to you? Why is it that you feel very happy over a paltry gain of this world and feel very sad over a little loss, to the extent that its effect is reflected in your faces. You complain of your 'sufferings', calling a little trouble a 'suffering' and hold meetings to console one another. But you are not grieved, nor feel sad, when you happen to miss an important religious requirement; your faces do not wear an _expression of sorrow.
When I see your indifference towards 'Deen', I feel inclined to think that Allah Ta'ala has forsaken you. You greet one another happily but everyone avoids saying anything which may be unpleasant, though true, to the other. He fears lest the other person should say to him something in return, which would displease him. So, you live amicably, keeping all dark thoughts to yourselves. Thus you have become corrupt from within though, outwardly, you seem to be enjoying life. And you seem to have all agreed not to think of death.
I wish Allah Ta'ala would grant me death and relieve me of sorrow on your account! And, I wish to join the company of those I love most dearly (meaning Rasulullah Sallallaho alaihe wasallam and the Sahabah Radhiallaho anhum). If they were alive, they would not have liked to associate with you, even for a short while. If there still remains an iota of good in you, take heed. For, I have told you what I think of you clearly and without hesitation, and I have spoken the truth. It is quite easy to achieve that which Allah Ta'ala has got in store for you (the boons of the Hereafter). And I seek help from Allah Ta'ala, both for you and myself'. "
Found via Alexandalus
Praying for the Deceased (SunniPath)
Imam Ghazali mentions the following story: “Said Bashshar ibn Ghalib al-Najrani, ‘I once saw Rabi`a al-`Adawiya, the worshipper [al-`abida] in my sleep, it having been my custom to pray for her abundantly. ‘Oh Bashshar ibn Ghalib,’ she told me. ‘Your gifts come to me covered with silken cloths upon salvers of light.’ ‘How should that be?’ I asked, and she replied, ‘Thus are the prayers of the living believers: when they offer a prayer for the deceased and are granted a response, that prayer is set upon salvers of light and covered with silken cloths, after which it is brought to the one who has died with the words, ‘This is So-and-so’s gift to you.’’”
Imam Ghazali continues, ‘The Emissary of God (May God bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘The dead man in his grave is like a drowning man shouting for help, as he waits for a prayer to come to him from his father, his brother or his friend. When it comes it is more beloved to him than the world and all it contains. Indeed, the gifts of the living to the dead are prayer and the petitioning of God for His forgiveness.’ [i][i] This should serve to remind us of two things. Firstly, that while we are alive and thus not as a drowning man depending on the prayers of another, we should embrace Islam in every facet of life, for in our graves we will be alone with nothing but our deeds. Secondly, we should remember to pray for our deceased ancestors, teachers, friends, martyrs, and all Muslims and pray that the same is done for us one day.
Rabi`a once said, “You are but a set of numbered days. When one day goes, a part of you goes as well. And with the disappearance of the parts, the whole is nearly lost as well.” [ii][ii]
- Taken from SunniPath Answers
Imam Ghazali continues, ‘The Emissary of God (May God bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘The dead man in his grave is like a drowning man shouting for help, as he waits for a prayer to come to him from his father, his brother or his friend. When it comes it is more beloved to him than the world and all it contains. Indeed, the gifts of the living to the dead are prayer and the petitioning of God for His forgiveness.’ [i][i] This should serve to remind us of two things. Firstly, that while we are alive and thus not as a drowning man depending on the prayers of another, we should embrace Islam in every facet of life, for in our graves we will be alone with nothing but our deeds. Secondly, we should remember to pray for our deceased ancestors, teachers, friends, martyrs, and all Muslims and pray that the same is done for us one day.
Rabi`a once said, “You are but a set of numbered days. When one day goes, a part of you goes as well. And with the disappearance of the parts, the whole is nearly lost as well.” [ii][ii]
- Taken from SunniPath Answers
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Rumi: The Promise of Tomorrow
Relying upon the promise of "tomorrow," many people have wandered around that door, but that tomorrow never comes.
Rumi, Mathnawi, 1:2279
Rumi, Mathnawi, 1:2279
Evil and Good are not Comparable
Say, "Evil and good are not comparable, even though the abundance of evil may tempt you. Remain observant of Allah, O men of understanding, that you may prosper."
Qur'an 5:100
Qur'an 5:100
Their Eyes Fill with Tears...
When they listen tot he revelation received by the messenger, you see their eyes fill with tears because of their recognition of the Truth. And spontaneously they say, "Our Lord! We believe. Inscribe us among the witnesses."
Qur'an 5:83
Qur'an 5:83
Monday, March 13, 2006
A Weekend with Hakim Archuletta...
Assalamu'alaykum wa Rahmatullah, I promised some people I'd post a few points from a recent weekend with Sidi Hakim Archuletta, on my blog...so here it is, insha'Allah...they're not a linear set of points (as he says his lectures aren't either)...just things that stuck out for me...
I should start by saying that meeting him was itself a healing for me -- his presence really warmed my heart and I found myself missing him before he even left, subhan'Allah. I pray Allah bring us together again soon.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
"There is a part of the body that, if sound, the entire body is sound"
and that part is the heart.
(Hadith #6 reported by Bukhari and Muslim)
Sidi Hakim started by telling us that the world 'health' comes from the Old English word 'wholth', so to be healthy means to be whole. Hikmah means "wisdom" and Allah is al-Hakim (the Wise) -- the principle in the hikmah tradition is that each thing has its place in the universe -- when this is proper, we have wholeness. So we have to find our place by finding our true nature. Why are we here? What are we? That is what Islam is here to tell us: we are here to worship Allah Ta'Ala...with our entire being! "There is a part of the body that, if sound, the entire body is sound"
and that part is the heart.
(Hadith #6 reported by Bukhari and Muslim)
Much of his message this weekend was about coming together as a people and a community. He mentioned that one Shaykh said that the flood in the time of the Prophet Nuh (peace be upon him) was one of water, and that the flood of our times is one of separation. In light of this he advised us to never eat alone and added there is a hadith in which we were told that the one who eats alone eats with Shaytan. We as Muslims believe we are what we eat (so eat whole, halal, organic foods made at home!), and we are also who we eat with, and how we eat (eat with people, with your hands, on the ground!).
He touched on the long-term problems we are creating by being distant from family and friends -- situations where mothers are raising children in isolation, having to put them in front of TV sets so they can get their work done, and the adverse effects of such parenting on both mother and child.
At the heart of his message was this advice of coming together, knowing our neighbours, visiting one another, eating together, praying together, and being together.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
"the one who knows himself knows his Lord."
So why do we avoid that company? Because we are afraid to face where we are at -- it's sad/sorrowful to realize the time we've wasted, the state we're in...but we need to remember that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) changed the face of the planet in his lifetime -- we're not him, but we should aspire to be like him! The largest growth industry in the world is that of illicit drugs...why? Because people can't face their own lives -- they need to get "high". We don't have time for our own friends so we watch the 'friends' on TV because they can't disappoint or hurt us. We can't live life so we watch "reality television" and let other people 'live' for us... "the one who knows himself knows his Lord."
We need each other to get a sense of who we are.
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
"the believer is a mirror to his fellow believer"
"the believer is a mirror to his fellow believer"
Sidi Hakim also spoke quite a bit on the differences between genders. One Moroccon Shaykh said the wisdom behind men being obligated to pray in congregation while women may pray alone -- that it is partially because men need to be made to come together whereas women naturally incline towards doing so.
He brought to light the fact that it was not by any accident that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) when he received the revelation, ran to his wife Khadija for comfort and consultation. So, he said, from this men should realize the need to consult their wives, to listen to them -- he told us that Shaykh Darqawi said the beginning of the path is to hear/to listen...this means men should not always feel the need to fix things or feel their wives are just complaining, but that they just need to listen!
Sidi Hakim also spent a lot of time on some basic elements of life: breathing and standing. He made us realize that most of us don't breathe. Breath is life. The more you breathe, the more you live. Real breathing means you feel the breath in every part of your body -- right to your finger tips. He showed us how our standing is not in line with our natural way of doing so -- we lock our knees, we walk rigidly, our bodies are clamped together (especially those who pump weights!), our sitting ruins our posture...things to keep in mind in our daily lives...
So...
BREATHE!
and remember,
The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,
"the root of all ailments is cold" ... so stay warm!
Some links...
Hakim's Site
Lectures
Wassalam,
Salikah
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Characteristics of the True Believer (Spiritual Tendencies)
Characteristics of the True Believer (Spiritual Tendencies)
Shaykh Yahyā Ibn Mu’ādh ar-Rāzī—may Allāh bless his soul—has collected in his books the characteristics of the true believer, some of which are that he/she:
- Is very bashful.
- Is harmless.
- Is very beneficial to others.
- Is unproblematic.
- Is truthful.
- Is hardworking.
- Is brave.
- Stays away from useless people and vain talk.
- Builds understanding and brotherhood.
- Is thankful.
- Is compassionate to all.
- Is generous.
And he/she stays away from the following:
- Cursing.
- Swearing.
- Backbiting.
- Looking for badness in other people.
- Rushing into actions (before thinking properly).
- Jealousy.
- Enviousness.
- Stinginess.
- Pride.
- Arrogance.
- Love of Dunya.
- Too much sleep.
- Hypocrisy.
Marriage Advice from The Beatnik Sufis
Marriage Advice from The Beatnik Sufis
hilarious :) made me start thinking back to my doc martin days!
One has to be careful when choosing a Sufi-chick to marry. There are a number of pointers which we shall endeavour to posit. Of course, Sufi-chicks have their own lists of desirable characteristics, but we don’t know about this, because fortunately we are not Sufi-chicks, we are Sufi guys, or Sufi beatniks, and Sufi guys are far out. Sufi-chicks get together in their pastel Laura Ashley bedrooms to advise each other about pre-nuptial contracts. They have a great long list. We’re not worried about such a list, as once they see our honed physiques and square jaw-lines they will melt, and forget their lists. We, on the other hand, have a far more sophisticated method for determining the suitability of a Sufi-chick for marriage: shoes.
hilarious :) made me start thinking back to my doc martin days!
One has to be careful when choosing a Sufi-chick to marry. There are a number of pointers which we shall endeavour to posit. Of course, Sufi-chicks have their own lists of desirable characteristics, but we don’t know about this, because fortunately we are not Sufi-chicks, we are Sufi guys, or Sufi beatniks, and Sufi guys are far out. Sufi-chicks get together in their pastel Laura Ashley bedrooms to advise each other about pre-nuptial contracts. They have a great long list. We’re not worried about such a list, as once they see our honed physiques and square jaw-lines they will melt, and forget their lists. We, on the other hand, have a far more sophisticated method for determining the suitability of a Sufi-chick for marriage: shoes.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Imam Zaid: The Ethical Standard of the Prophet Muhammad
You will surely be tested in your wealth and your lives. And you will hear from those given the scriptures before you and from the idolaters much abuse. If you patiently persevere, and remain mindful [of God], surely in this is a manifestation of firm resolve.
Al-Qur’an 3:186
Al-Qur’an 3:186
The Ethical Standard of the Prophet Muhammad
By Imam Zaid Shakir
The ongoing “Cartoon Crisis” raises several issues. One of the most important is the incumbency of seeing the ongoing crisis as an opportunity to educate people in the West about our blessed Prophet,
. Along those lines, one of the greatest things we can do is teach about the exalted ethical standard introduced by our Prophet, . That ethical standard is the bedrock of his mission and message. In an age of instantaneous communications and globalized media it is important for Muslims to reaffirm our commitment to the prophetic ethical ideal. Under prevailing conditions, the sensationalized excesses of some Muslims, excesses that contradict the ethical teachings of our Prophet,
, are often used to distort the perception of Islam in the West. That distortion in turn helps to create prejudiced attitudes towards Islam and Muslims.I would argue that the images that insinuate a connection between our Prophet,
, and terrorism are more informed by the hijackings, kidnappings, beheadings, and cold-blooded murder of unsuspecting civilians, all of which characterize many of our recent political struggles, than to any inherent biases or prejudices among the people of Europe and America. If we Muslims are going to contribute to changing how Islam and our Prophet, , are viewed in the West, we are going to have to change what we ourselves are doing to contribute to the caricaturing of Islam. That change can only be affected by sound knowledge coupled with exalted practice, and reviving the lofty ethical ideal of our beloved Prophet, . [Read More...]
Remembering Malcolm X
February 21st, 2006 was the 41st anniversary of the assassination of our brother in faith, Malcolm X (may Allah have mercy on him and bless his soul).
Some quotes of Malcolm from the Offical Web Site of Malcolm X:
Some quotes of Malcolm from the Offical Web Site of Malcolm X:
- "Don't be in a hurry to condemn because he doesn't do what you do or think as you think or as fast. There was a time when you didn't know what you know today."
- "A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything."
- "There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time."
- "I believe that there will ultimately be a clash between the oppressed and those that do the oppressing. I believe that there will be a clash between those who want freedom, justice and equality for everyone and those who want to continue the systems of exploitation."
- "Without education, you're not going anywhere in this world."
- "You can’t separate peace from freedom because no one can be at peace unless he has his freedom."
- "I am not a racist. I am against every form of racism and segregation, every form of discrimination. I believe in human beings, and that all human beings should be respected as such, regardless of their color."
Friday, February 24, 2006
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and Haroon Siddiqui - The Cartoon Crisis
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf Interview on Danish TV - The Cartoon Crisis - Video
May Allah Most High preserve Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, and make his voice and views heard ever-increasingly in these times of trouble and distress.
Found Via Seeker's DigestAlternatively, everything Haroon Siddiqui, the Toronto Star's editorial page editor emeritus has written on the matter has been excellent, as his articles always are. May Allah preserve him and reward him for clear thinking and solid writing.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Love (Spiritual Tendencies)
From Spiritual Tendencies:
Shaykh Abū al-Qāsim al-Qushayrī—may Allāh bless his soul—said:
Shaykh Abū al-Qāsim al-Qushayrī—may Allāh bless his soul—said:
Mahabba (love) is a condition which man feels in his heart, too subtle to be expressed in words. This subtle spiritual state leads the worshipper to recognize the greatness of God, instills in him the desire, above all things, to please God, makes him unable to tolerate God’s absence, induces in him constant excitement at the thought of God; he finds no rest without God and feels an intimate comfort in continual thought of Him. Yet the idea of the love of man for God does not imply physical attraction and possession. How could it do so—since the true Infinite is too holy to be fully attained or reached or comprehended. It is more to the point to describe the man who knows mahabba as being completely lost and overwhelmed in the beloved, than to refer to the relationship as one of possession. If the lover were described as submerged in the beloved, it would be more adequate than if they were described as being together.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
When Allah Loves a Servant
The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, "When Allah Most
High loves a servant, He calls upon Jibra'il: 'I indeed love so and so,
therefore love him.' Thus Jibra'il loves him, and calls out to the Folk
of the Sky: 'Allah indeed loves so and so, therefore love him.' Thus, the
Folk of the Sky love him, and acceptance is established for him on earth."
(Imam al-Nawawi, Riyad al-Salihin, Hadith # 387)
Thursday, February 16, 2006
30 Days as a Muslim in America
Really cute video about a white, Christian, American who goes to 'live as a Muslim' for 30 days.
Google Video: 30 Days as a Muslim in America
May Allah bless him with all good in this life and in the hereafter. Amin.
Found via Seeker's Digest
Google Video: 30 Days as a Muslim in America
May Allah bless him with all good in this life and in the hereafter. Amin.
Found via Seeker's Digest
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Take a Minute...
...and send blessings on the beloved of Allah, the best of creation, the chosen one, Muhammad...
May Allah bless him abundantly and grant him the most perfect peace.
An Ocean Filled with Pearls
His words were filled with such eloquence and wisdom, as though an ocean abided inside him, and the ocean filled with eloquent pearls. The light that shone from every pearl became a criterion of right and wrong.
- Mawlana Rumi, Mathnawi, 2:849-51
- Mawlana Rumi, Mathnawi, 2:849-51
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Shaykh Abdullah Adhami: A Live Online Interview About the Danish Cartoons and the Muslim Reaction
The Danish Cartoons and the Muslim Reaction Saturday, February 18th at 2:00 PM EST / 11:00 AM PST / 7:00 PM London | |
| Registration SunniPath Academy is excited to announce a special live online interview and Q&A session with Shaykh Abdullah Adhami. Please click the link below to register for this event: Background A Danish newspaper printed the cartoons of our beloved, the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. The cartoons were later found in other newspapers and websites. The Muslim world reacted. Some reacted peacefully, while others did not. Who is to be held responsible? Are the reactions of Muslims justified? Should we boycott Danish products? How do we, as Muslims, properly react? The Shaykh will address these questions and others in his interview with SunniPath. | |
Monday, February 13, 2006
Rumi: The Visions Now Revealed to You...
The visions now revealed to you,
once they seemed absurd to you.
From ten prisons His bounty released you.
Make not the desert a prison for you.
- Rumi, Mathnawi, 3:3656-57
once they seemed absurd to you.
From ten prisons His bounty released you.
Make not the desert a prison for you.
- Rumi, Mathnawi, 3:3656-57
Allah is Your Protector
If Allah is your protector, none can overcome you, and if He forsakes you, then who can help you? Trust Allah and have faith in His sovereign power. - Qur'an 3:160
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)