Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Our Clothing
How foolish it is that we hear people trying to justify that a male has a "feminine side" to him and a female vice versa. God-forbid! They fail to understand that God has countless Names, many of which are known to His creation. Names which belong to Him and with as much as He pleases, He makes them manifest onto us.
Our nature resembles the attributes of God such that His Divine Names are present in us. To some, one attribute may be dominant over the others and in such this attribute is their clothing from which they are manifest in their existence. To those who have accomplished, He clothes them with many Names.
His 99 names
Praise The One
The path to Him you can only proceed on is with knowing always that He is the Greatest. As much as you acknowledge His Dominion, His Grace and His Greatness in praise, the road will always appear before your eyes.
How foolish it is that we hear people trying to justify that a male has a "feminine side" to him and a female vice versa. God-forbid! They fail to understand that God has countless Names, many of which are known to His creation. Names which belong to Him and with as much as He pleases, He makes them manifest onto us.
Our nature resembles the attributes of God such that His Divine Names are present in us. To some, one attribute may be dominant over the others and in such this attribute is their clothing from which they are manifest in their existence. To those who have accomplished, He clothes them with many Names.
His 99 names
Praise The One
The path to Him you can only proceed on is with knowing always that He is the Greatest. As much as you acknowledge His Dominion, His Grace and His Greatness in praise, the road will always appear before your eyes.
Sunday, October 12, 2003
The Most Beautiful
Our Lord is al-Jamil (The Most Beautiful) from which all beauty manifests His name. The ones who look to this beauty attribute it to the Owner, the Source, positioning their admiration for Him always in remembrance through what glorifies His names. The ones who don't, they have their hearts decieved, initially admiring the beauty but as soon as they realise they cannot grasp or possess this beauty, they scorn it in detest.
As when the bear that saw the grapes high up on the branch, he exclaimed, "Such luscious juicy-looking grapes!". As he jumped to his might and realised he couldnt reach them, he said in dismay, "They must be sour indeed!"
Our Lord is al-Jamil (The Most Beautiful) from which all beauty manifests His name. The ones who look to this beauty attribute it to the Owner, the Source, positioning their admiration for Him always in remembrance through what glorifies His names. The ones who don't, they have their hearts decieved, initially admiring the beauty but as soon as they realise they cannot grasp or possess this beauty, they scorn it in detest.
As when the bear that saw the grapes high up on the branch, he exclaimed, "Such luscious juicy-looking grapes!". As he jumped to his might and realised he couldnt reach them, he said in dismay, "They must be sour indeed!"
Sunday, September 28, 2003
The Abundant Giver
His Mercy flows abundantly. What He gives, we should never take for granted and always be thankful for we never know when He will take it away or test our love. But even if or when He does, we should be thankful for His tests for they serve only to raise our ranks if we succeed. Even then, our success is by Him and for Him for which la hawla wa la quwwata ila billah (There is no power and no strength save in Allah). Whether smooth or whether rough the path goes along. Shukr (thankfulness) and tawwakul (trust) equips us, knowing that no matter what He is our Lord, He is the one that Gives everything, including our effort, it is ultimately His Giving; for it is not us that makes it through, it is Him that gives us the ability to make it through.
So today you may be pleased with your gifts, tomorrow He will take these things that have become close to you away. He is always giving and taking, for the life of this world is not the result, it is the trade. We are moving from one place to another all the time. Always we look to our Goal, to Him we testify Inna lillahi wa inna ilahi rajioun (It is from You whom I came from, it is You to whom I return.)
His Mercy flows abundantly. What He gives, we should never take for granted and always be thankful for we never know when He will take it away or test our love. But even if or when He does, we should be thankful for His tests for they serve only to raise our ranks if we succeed. Even then, our success is by Him and for Him for which la hawla wa la quwwata ila billah (There is no power and no strength save in Allah). Whether smooth or whether rough the path goes along. Shukr (thankfulness) and tawwakul (trust) equips us, knowing that no matter what He is our Lord, He is the one that Gives everything, including our effort, it is ultimately His Giving; for it is not us that makes it through, it is Him that gives us the ability to make it through.
So today you may be pleased with your gifts, tomorrow He will take these things that have become close to you away. He is always giving and taking, for the life of this world is not the result, it is the trade. We are moving from one place to another all the time. Always we look to our Goal, to Him we testify Inna lillahi wa inna ilahi rajioun (It is from You whom I came from, it is You to whom I return.)
Tuesday, August 05, 2003
Foundations of Love
Love is based on two main foundations that hold it up firm and give it strength. Without these pillars, love is reduced to superficiality, to a delight that melts at the begining of tasting, to something that one would never attain satisfaction from despite excessive attainment of it, for they would have failed to grasp it, just like how the admirer of a rose rips its stalk out to devour its beauty, to savour its pleasureable sight smell and touch, minutes before it withers away lifelessly.
Ikhlas (sincerity) is the nourishment of love from which it roots from and it blossoms. Ikhlas serves to affirm the hearts connection to what it loves. Without ikhlas, the heart would never know, feel and understand. One minute it could be in ecstacy of what it admires and the next minute completely oblivious. A heart without ikhlas is a heart of confusion. Ikhlas is something that doesn't sprout suddenly. It has to be nourished and developed. Once the heart knows ikhlas, the heart knows love.
Tawwakal (trust and reliance) is the backbone of love. There can be no love if there is no trust. One who truly loves is one who sacrifices his ego to trusting his love and there can be no greater sacrifice than to sacrifice to the Source of All Trust, The Disposer of all Affairs. The Source chooses whom we are meant to love. Loving Him ultimately with complete reliance and trust is what affirms and stabilises our love with whom He choses us to love.
Love is based on two main foundations that hold it up firm and give it strength. Without these pillars, love is reduced to superficiality, to a delight that melts at the begining of tasting, to something that one would never attain satisfaction from despite excessive attainment of it, for they would have failed to grasp it, just like how the admirer of a rose rips its stalk out to devour its beauty, to savour its pleasureable sight smell and touch, minutes before it withers away lifelessly.
Ikhlas (sincerity) is the nourishment of love from which it roots from and it blossoms. Ikhlas serves to affirm the hearts connection to what it loves. Without ikhlas, the heart would never know, feel and understand. One minute it could be in ecstacy of what it admires and the next minute completely oblivious. A heart without ikhlas is a heart of confusion. Ikhlas is something that doesn't sprout suddenly. It has to be nourished and developed. Once the heart knows ikhlas, the heart knows love.
Tawwakal (trust and reliance) is the backbone of love. There can be no love if there is no trust. One who truly loves is one who sacrifices his ego to trusting his love and there can be no greater sacrifice than to sacrifice to the Source of All Trust, The Disposer of all Affairs. The Source chooses whom we are meant to love. Loving Him ultimately with complete reliance and trust is what affirms and stabilises our love with whom He choses us to love.
Monday, July 07, 2003
Hold on to your Vision
The journey through the distance draws determination and strength through visioning the destination. Although the sight of one's destination is not visible along the journey, the vision of it keeps us moving, knowing that eventually, with His will, we will arrive there in longing to be in His Divine Presence. The effort of travelling the distance always keeps one in consciousness of the purpose of his journey. Just like the one who puts effort in his steps to walk home or steers the wheels of his vehicle in order to arrive at his domain. The journey to Him is the permanent domain, where all longing belongs to.
Life Support
Even though the stubborn and defiant self rebels to defy his Creator, the organs that hold him together never turn away from their Lord, functioning with every pulse and beat acknowledging the source of its supply to nourish its existance. For as much as one may try to reason the intricate process that functions within the mechanisms of his support system, without doubt, he would arrive at a conclusion that every molecule within him beats with support from an incomprehensible support, with what cannot be brought forth through reason but rather with faith: from the source of Divine Power. Albert Einstein himself testified: “I have come to understand so much, but what I have never been able to fathom is what power gives the electrons the energy to orbit nuclei at such a speed. From where does such power come to them?” All life stems from One Source. There is not a single piece of matter walking or standing still on the face of this Earth that does not depend on another which itself depends on another which itself depends on another creating a chain to recieve from the Eternal Nourisher.
The Eternally Besought One gives in all directions directly. The one who acknowledges this, does not need to look for chains to a source. He visions the Source in gratitude from the output itself. As for the one who attempts to trace the source, as arrogant and stubborn as he may be, will never arrive at any other than the Eternally Besought, with only his self either rejecting, God forbid and calling it a 'phenomenon' or eventually accepting the Source of Truth.
The journey through the distance draws determination and strength through visioning the destination. Although the sight of one's destination is not visible along the journey, the vision of it keeps us moving, knowing that eventually, with His will, we will arrive there in longing to be in His Divine Presence. The effort of travelling the distance always keeps one in consciousness of the purpose of his journey. Just like the one who puts effort in his steps to walk home or steers the wheels of his vehicle in order to arrive at his domain. The journey to Him is the permanent domain, where all longing belongs to.
Life Support
Even though the stubborn and defiant self rebels to defy his Creator, the organs that hold him together never turn away from their Lord, functioning with every pulse and beat acknowledging the source of its supply to nourish its existance. For as much as one may try to reason the intricate process that functions within the mechanisms of his support system, without doubt, he would arrive at a conclusion that every molecule within him beats with support from an incomprehensible support, with what cannot be brought forth through reason but rather with faith: from the source of Divine Power. Albert Einstein himself testified: “I have come to understand so much, but what I have never been able to fathom is what power gives the electrons the energy to orbit nuclei at such a speed. From where does such power come to them?” All life stems from One Source. There is not a single piece of matter walking or standing still on the face of this Earth that does not depend on another which itself depends on another which itself depends on another creating a chain to recieve from the Eternal Nourisher.
The Eternally Besought One gives in all directions directly. The one who acknowledges this, does not need to look for chains to a source. He visions the Source in gratitude from the output itself. As for the one who attempts to trace the source, as arrogant and stubborn as he may be, will never arrive at any other than the Eternally Besought, with only his self either rejecting, God forbid and calling it a 'phenomenon' or eventually accepting the Source of Truth.
Sunday, June 29, 2003
Journeying
The struggle to keep our hearts pure lies to how much we look forward to the Day of Reckoning, preparing ourselves in anxiety and gracing ourselves with as much humility we can carry, like a needy peasant summoned to a Bounteous King. Looking forward to The Distinguished Meeting is what keeps us going, knowing that with every step taken towards it, there can only be either right or wrong. What determines this is what our hearts intend.
Our hearts are inclined to purity, desiring good for every step we proceed. But alas, we distract ourselves with the temporary splendours along the path and fail to keep in track, even with the maps that serve to assist us. Hence, we taint our primitive inclinations, falling into misguidance.
The determinded traveller is the one who has his destination in vision and as he voyages through the winding paths, continuously humming in ethusiasm and good spirit, chanting the Name that serves as a fuel, as the goal he longs to reach, the home he longs to return to.
Overcome
There is no victory if there is no battle.
The struggle to keep our hearts pure lies to how much we look forward to the Day of Reckoning, preparing ourselves in anxiety and gracing ourselves with as much humility we can carry, like a needy peasant summoned to a Bounteous King. Looking forward to The Distinguished Meeting is what keeps us going, knowing that with every step taken towards it, there can only be either right or wrong. What determines this is what our hearts intend.
Our hearts are inclined to purity, desiring good for every step we proceed. But alas, we distract ourselves with the temporary splendours along the path and fail to keep in track, even with the maps that serve to assist us. Hence, we taint our primitive inclinations, falling into misguidance.
The determinded traveller is the one who has his destination in vision and as he voyages through the winding paths, continuously humming in ethusiasm and good spirit, chanting the Name that serves as a fuel, as the goal he longs to reach, the home he longs to return to.
Overcome
There is no victory if there is no battle.
Sunday, June 22, 2003
The Eyes of Love never turn away from its Source
There are times when we just sit in isolation and ponder over why our hearts erupt into such feelings. Feelings that plunge us into attachment for someone close to us. We wonder why our hearts flutter graciously whenever we are around that special person in our lives and even when we are not in their company, our heart aches in yearning and remembrance of that person.
Perhaps the key lies to the source of love. It is impossible to describe love in its whole, just as it is impossible to describe its Creator in whole. Even substituting expressions of our dimension doesn't wholly amount to what it really feels inside when the heart feels love. Love is exquisite. It is a name of His that He has reserved in a special place for His creation. In a place where the entire body is sustained from its core, with all vessels connected to it. It functions as a life support pumping existence to every outlet.
Surely, one who truly treasures and acknowledges the splendours he has been endowed with looks to the origins of its intricate beauty and glorifies its Maker.
What love beholds really, only He knows, for it came from Him and surely to Him it must return.
Possessing Love
The ones who look to love as something that has been simply given to them for their possession fail to capture its true essence. As soon as it comes to them, they savour it with all their might, grasping it tight, hoping it to never fade away. To them love is of material possession, for when it exists, to them it exists as theirs. Hence, when it departs, they feel that a part of them departs along with it, caving a crater of emptiness within their hearts.
Those who greet love like a fountain spring cleansing and soothing them at every chance truly acknowledge its existence. These are the hearts that detect the Eternity of Love, acknowledging love in every corner of existence, knowing that it is the Name that drives creation, the battery of survival. To them love is immaterial. It never begins and it never ends.
There are times when we just sit in isolation and ponder over why our hearts erupt into such feelings. Feelings that plunge us into attachment for someone close to us. We wonder why our hearts flutter graciously whenever we are around that special person in our lives and even when we are not in their company, our heart aches in yearning and remembrance of that person.
Perhaps the key lies to the source of love. It is impossible to describe love in its whole, just as it is impossible to describe its Creator in whole. Even substituting expressions of our dimension doesn't wholly amount to what it really feels inside when the heart feels love. Love is exquisite. It is a name of His that He has reserved in a special place for His creation. In a place where the entire body is sustained from its core, with all vessels connected to it. It functions as a life support pumping existence to every outlet.
Surely, one who truly treasures and acknowledges the splendours he has been endowed with looks to the origins of its intricate beauty and glorifies its Maker.
What love beholds really, only He knows, for it came from Him and surely to Him it must return.
Possessing Love
The ones who look to love as something that has been simply given to them for their possession fail to capture its true essence. As soon as it comes to them, they savour it with all their might, grasping it tight, hoping it to never fade away. To them love is of material possession, for when it exists, to them it exists as theirs. Hence, when it departs, they feel that a part of them departs along with it, caving a crater of emptiness within their hearts.
Those who greet love like a fountain spring cleansing and soothing them at every chance truly acknowledge its existence. These are the hearts that detect the Eternity of Love, acknowledging love in every corner of existence, knowing that it is the Name that drives creation, the battery of survival. To them love is immaterial. It never begins and it never ends.
Monday, June 16, 2003
Artistry of Love
Love is like a seed waiting to blossom. It lies beneath every surface waiting to be nourished. Every drop it is fed sprouts a new petal, its growth stimulated through the pleasure of commitment; for commitment breeds great pleasure. As each essence unfolds from within, it manifests itself outwardly, scattering its comfort to the surroundings. The blossoming of this love emulates into a source of illumination that guides the wandering, nourishes the deprived and calms the distraught.
Love is delicate. There are those who are reckless with love often letting it slip from their grasp with improper attention and lack of commitment. There are those who devour it in one gulp, swallowing without digestion. The value of true love is hidden from them or rather it melts upon consumption, denying them of an everlasting taste. Their hearts are left cold and emptiness within them persists.
It is only those who savour every drop of it while preserving its value, ensuring that it becomes a part of them and moulds them into the essence of their being, whose hearts wholly benefit. They let the stalk of love remain firmly rooted while receiving the fragrance of its scent and the sweetness of its taste, always admiring its precious and timeless beauty. They regard love as a life support that connects them with its Owner.
Like an admirer of an art piece, ever longing to meet its artist.
Love is like a seed waiting to blossom. It lies beneath every surface waiting to be nourished. Every drop it is fed sprouts a new petal, its growth stimulated through the pleasure of commitment; for commitment breeds great pleasure. As each essence unfolds from within, it manifests itself outwardly, scattering its comfort to the surroundings. The blossoming of this love emulates into a source of illumination that guides the wandering, nourishes the deprived and calms the distraught.
Love is delicate. There are those who are reckless with love often letting it slip from their grasp with improper attention and lack of commitment. There are those who devour it in one gulp, swallowing without digestion. The value of true love is hidden from them or rather it melts upon consumption, denying them of an everlasting taste. Their hearts are left cold and emptiness within them persists.
It is only those who savour every drop of it while preserving its value, ensuring that it becomes a part of them and moulds them into the essence of their being, whose hearts wholly benefit. They let the stalk of love remain firmly rooted while receiving the fragrance of its scent and the sweetness of its taste, always admiring its precious and timeless beauty. They regard love as a life support that connects them with its Owner.
Like an admirer of an art piece, ever longing to meet its artist.
Wednesday, June 04, 2003
Solitude of Remembrance
Solitude of remembrance is a pleasure commonly neglected. We live our lives oblivious of this great advantage our Lord has endowed us with. Solitude of remembrance is of three types:
Solitude with the crowd: They are the ones who invite others to engage in collective remembrance, acknowledging the descent of angels and spiritual beings who are magnetized unto the circles of Divine Remembrance. The flow and rhythm of their tongues are in sync with one another as much as the sincerity of their companionship is exerted. Their hearts are bound to one another with solid foundation of love for His sake.
Solitude away from the crowd: Each of His servants has this privilege of engulfing themselves in His Divine Presence. It begins with disconnection from the temporal and transcends into journey into the eternal. Isolation from the boundaries of this existence to be in His Presence is not just a sacrifice but more importantly, a longing of every soul. To be attached to its Master, the one who provides, nourishes, maintains, develops, endows, protects… A few minutes of detachment from the world just to be in remembrance of Him can provide nourishment built to last a lifetime.
Solitude within the crowd: There are those who pursue the fruits of the world whilst being occupied with Divine remembrance, fluctuating their hearts continuously in praise of Him whilst in the company of others. The hearts of this remembrance have built-in sensors that constantly alert the soul of dangers and detriments that may harm it. It triggers flushes of enlightenment whenever in awe of His creation, always thankful to the Causer of Causes. Contentment and tranquillity of this level is bestowed upon those who seek His pleasure in every movement, those who are constantly scavenging the existence for His blessings and mercy. Indeed they are the ones who have attained felicity in this world and the next. SubhanAllah.
The Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wassalam said: "Whoever wishes to abide in the Garden of Paradise should invoke Allah much"
Solitude of remembrance is a pleasure commonly neglected. We live our lives oblivious of this great advantage our Lord has endowed us with. Solitude of remembrance is of three types:
Solitude with the crowd: They are the ones who invite others to engage in collective remembrance, acknowledging the descent of angels and spiritual beings who are magnetized unto the circles of Divine Remembrance. The flow and rhythm of their tongues are in sync with one another as much as the sincerity of their companionship is exerted. Their hearts are bound to one another with solid foundation of love for His sake.
Solitude away from the crowd: Each of His servants has this privilege of engulfing themselves in His Divine Presence. It begins with disconnection from the temporal and transcends into journey into the eternal. Isolation from the boundaries of this existence to be in His Presence is not just a sacrifice but more importantly, a longing of every soul. To be attached to its Master, the one who provides, nourishes, maintains, develops, endows, protects… A few minutes of detachment from the world just to be in remembrance of Him can provide nourishment built to last a lifetime.
Solitude within the crowd: There are those who pursue the fruits of the world whilst being occupied with Divine remembrance, fluctuating their hearts continuously in praise of Him whilst in the company of others. The hearts of this remembrance have built-in sensors that constantly alert the soul of dangers and detriments that may harm it. It triggers flushes of enlightenment whenever in awe of His creation, always thankful to the Causer of Causes. Contentment and tranquillity of this level is bestowed upon those who seek His pleasure in every movement, those who are constantly scavenging the existence for His blessings and mercy. Indeed they are the ones who have attained felicity in this world and the next. SubhanAllah.
The Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wassalam said: "Whoever wishes to abide in the Garden of Paradise should invoke Allah much"
Sunday, May 25, 2003
The Greatest Excuse
“I’m only human. I can’t help it”: The greatest excuse of mankind and the greatest deception of waswasa from Shaitan.
The natural disposition of man is purity, just as he took his first breath into this existence as a pure child administered from the Heavens. As he comes into contact with the filth that is flung at him, defenceless, he slowly forgets his natural disposition and how he came into existence in that state of purity. Hence he fails to detect the filth, what was originally not a part of him.
At first he swallows the filth with lack of conscience. As it slowly digests into his system wrecking him internally, he begins to taste bitterness within. Only then he acknowledges that he shouldn’t have consumed this filth in the first place.
But alas, there are those who acknowledge the filth and surrender to it, devouring the initial pleasures that quickly transform into poison to the soul. To douse their pain, they attach themselves to continuous consumption, hoping that every bite of its short pleasure will help to dampen the tormenting cries of their souls.
Self-denial and self-pity sinks in. The hideous deception of “I’m only human” becomes their defence. A defence that imprisons them even before the trial begins.
Only animals “can’t help it”. Their disposition is desire. Our Lord has granted us an ability that animals do not possess, an ability which distinguishes us from them. ‘Aql. (conscience). An ability that serves to protect us from the filth that is flung at us and to prevent us from reaching out to the filth. But alas, what do we do; we deny this ability and lower ourselves to the status of the animal.
"Rabbana la tuzigh qulubana ba'da idh hadaitana, wa hab lana min ladunka rahmah. Innaka antal wahhab." (O Allah let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us. Grant us mercy from Your own Presence. Surely You are the greatest Grantor of bounties." (Surah Al Imran:8)
“I’m only human. I can’t help it”: The greatest excuse of mankind and the greatest deception of waswasa from Shaitan.
The natural disposition of man is purity, just as he took his first breath into this existence as a pure child administered from the Heavens. As he comes into contact with the filth that is flung at him, defenceless, he slowly forgets his natural disposition and how he came into existence in that state of purity. Hence he fails to detect the filth, what was originally not a part of him.
At first he swallows the filth with lack of conscience. As it slowly digests into his system wrecking him internally, he begins to taste bitterness within. Only then he acknowledges that he shouldn’t have consumed this filth in the first place.
But alas, there are those who acknowledge the filth and surrender to it, devouring the initial pleasures that quickly transform into poison to the soul. To douse their pain, they attach themselves to continuous consumption, hoping that every bite of its short pleasure will help to dampen the tormenting cries of their souls.
Self-denial and self-pity sinks in. The hideous deception of “I’m only human” becomes their defence. A defence that imprisons them even before the trial begins.
Only animals “can’t help it”. Their disposition is desire. Our Lord has granted us an ability that animals do not possess, an ability which distinguishes us from them. ‘Aql. (conscience). An ability that serves to protect us from the filth that is flung at us and to prevent us from reaching out to the filth. But alas, what do we do; we deny this ability and lower ourselves to the status of the animal.
"Rabbana la tuzigh qulubana ba'da idh hadaitana, wa hab lana min ladunka rahmah. Innaka antal wahhab." (O Allah let not our hearts deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us. Grant us mercy from Your own Presence. Surely You are the greatest Grantor of bounties." (Surah Al Imran:8)
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
What you own will eventually own you
Have you ever noticed that you have soo much to own in this world. The amount of property you have been given is in abundance. Gadgets that fit readily into our pockets and seemingly complex machines that facilitate for convinience, comfort and pleasure. SubhanAllah, it's amazing how mankind has progressed in this ability to invent new things to suit the ever-changing lifestyles. But perhaps innovations come with a undetectable risk that may cause more harm than good. A risk that many of us fail to notice as soon as we become victims. The risk of being owned by what we own.
Have you ever noticed that you have soo much to own in this world. The amount of property you have been given is in abundance. Gadgets that fit readily into our pockets and seemingly complex machines that facilitate for convinience, comfort and pleasure. SubhanAllah, it's amazing how mankind has progressed in this ability to invent new things to suit the ever-changing lifestyles. But perhaps innovations come with a undetectable risk that may cause more harm than good. A risk that many of us fail to notice as soon as we become victims. The risk of being owned by what we own.
Friday, May 16, 2003
Striving
"Hold on to the rope of Allah (Surah Ali Imran:103)" lies in establishing our hearts to developing the traits of our Beloved Prophet sallalahu alaihi wassalam, for his example is a great mercy onto us. His example is for us to know that it is not impossible for us to attain those qualities which our Lord wants us to attain. Despite being granted the miraculous qualities of a Prophet, Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wassalam displayed the most human of characters ever existed on the face of the Earth, characters that each and every one of us are able to strive for.
The rope that binds us to Him is a rope that would have to bind all of us together to move towards Him. This battle is not just fought alone, it is fought together, with the essence of goodness and tranquility not with vengeance and pride; just like how our Beloved Prophet sallallahu alaihi wassalam entered Mecca as he led the muslims to conquer the home they were expelled from, with his head bowed down in humility, knowing that it is Allah's Victory, it is Allah's Greatness. It is not us who make things happen. All we do is put in the effort and strive. It is Allah that gives the results.
"Hold on to the rope of Allah (Surah Ali Imran:103)" lies in establishing our hearts to developing the traits of our Beloved Prophet sallalahu alaihi wassalam, for his example is a great mercy onto us. His example is for us to know that it is not impossible for us to attain those qualities which our Lord wants us to attain. Despite being granted the miraculous qualities of a Prophet, Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wassalam displayed the most human of characters ever existed on the face of the Earth, characters that each and every one of us are able to strive for.
The rope that binds us to Him is a rope that would have to bind all of us together to move towards Him. This battle is not just fought alone, it is fought together, with the essence of goodness and tranquility not with vengeance and pride; just like how our Beloved Prophet sallallahu alaihi wassalam entered Mecca as he led the muslims to conquer the home they were expelled from, with his head bowed down in humility, knowing that it is Allah's Victory, it is Allah's Greatness. It is not us who make things happen. All we do is put in the effort and strive. It is Allah that gives the results.
Tuesday, May 13, 2003
May Allah shower His Grace and Mercy upon our Beloved Prophet Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wassalam. May Allah bless his soul and raise his rank to an exalted station. Ameen ya Rabbal 'Alameen.
Abode of Bliss
As he stepped into the House of Peace, he felt an aura of bliss speaking to his soul, offering overwhelming salutations that made him feel welcome to an abode that felt like more than a home to him. A sanctuary of tranquility that he never knew he had yearned for all his life, until he set foot into its abode. The essence of Alhamdulillah felt like it was blown into him, travelling through the fragility of his self. As his eyes surveyed the majestic vicinity, he felt the walls around him transform itself into unimaginable grandeur. The majestic symbolisms exclaiming the Divinity of the One God: Allahu ta'ala spoke to him with an overwhelming flow of Divine Mercy, like an ocean of sweetness pouring into his heart.
The Ceremony
Tonight, my thoughts drift back to that day I witnessed a ceremony that flung the doors of my heart open to receive His Divine Love. The night I first witnessed the cermony of Maulid un-Nabi : the commemoration of the birth of our most beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallhu alaihi wassalam, may Allah bless his soul and raise his rank. Ameen.
As I sat myself amongst the illuminating congregation, I felt my heart immediately stretch in all directions to connect with an overflow of compassion streaming out of the hearts of every devotee and every lover of our blessed Prophet sallallahu alaihi wassalam. The intimacy of their hearts were manifested from the tranquil expressions on their faces. There was not a single soul there that did not contribute to the ever-illuminating atmosphere.
As soon as the Imam began the recital of the Maulid, the congregation followed behind erupting with emotion, straining their tongues and pouring their hearts out with every ounce of love from within, exclaiming their devotion to the beloved master of masters, Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wassalam. The electricity of their passion stung me instantly. There was not a note which they sung which lacked the awesome intensity of love. I felt myself flow with the fragrances that engulfed the atmosphere along with the soothing exclamations of love. The louder their voices climbed the deeper the feelings penetrated my heart.
The night journeyed onwards and felt like an eternity that I wish would never stop. When the moment gathered itself up, I felt reluctant to part, wishing I could disconnect with time to witness it over and over again in endless streams. The congregation gathered around the vicinity of the masjid hall in procession, pouring salutations onto one another in joy. The euphoria was indescribable. I had never witnessed the pouring of so much love amongst brothers to brothers, fathers to sons, teachers to students; all for the infinte cause, for the essence of embracing the beloved, Light of all Lights, Muhammad sallallahu alahi wassalam. The moment ended with the raising of palms up towards the Eternally Besought Lord of Creation and All Existence, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, to beseech His Blessings upon His most obedient of servants, the master of masters, Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wassalam. Allahumma swolli wassalim wabarik 'alai!
I look back to that day, reliving it in my heart and mind with sweet recollection, Alhamdulillah for giving me that moment.
The Infinite Light
Our Prophet, this clear proof, is leader to all the believers, preacher to all mankind, the chief of all the prophets, lord of all the saints, the leader of a circle for the remembrance of God comprising all the prophets and saints. He is a luminous tree whose living roots are all the prophets, and fresh fruits are all the saints; whose claims all the prophets relying on their miracles and all the saints relying on their wonder working confirm and corroborate. For he declares and claims: There is no god but God! And all on left and right, that is, those luminous reciters of God's Names lined up in the past and the future, repeat the same words, and through their consensus in effect declare: "You speak the truth and what you say is right!"
His person, his laudable morals, which were at, the summit of perfection; and in his duties, his complete confidence and elevated qualities, which were of the highest excellence, and his extraordinary fear of God, worship, seriousness, and fortitude, which demonstrated the strength of his belief, and his total certainty and his complete steadfastness, all show as clearly as the sun how utterly faithful he was to his cause.
If you wish, come! Let us go to Arabian Peninsula, to the Era of Bliss! In our imaginations, we shall see him at his duties and visit him. Look! We see a person distinguished by his fine character and beautiful form. In his hand is a miraculous Book and on his tongue, a truthful address; he is delivering a pre-eternal sermon to all mankind, indeed, to man, jinn, and the angels, and to all beings. He solves and expounds the strange riddle of the mystery of the world's creation; he discovers and solves the abstruse talisman which is the mystery of the universe; and he provides convincing and satisfying answers to the three awesome and difficult questions that are asked of al1 beings and have always bewildered and occupied minds: "Where do you come from? What are you doing here? Where are you going?"
He is the discoverer and proclaimer of an infinite mercy, the herald and observer of the beauties of the sovereignty of Dominicality, and the discloser and displayer of the treasures of the Divine Names. If you regard him in that way, that is in regard to his being a worshipful servant of God, you will see him to be the model of love, the exemplar of mercy, the glory of mankind, and the most luminous fruit of the tree of creation. While if you look in this way, that is, in regard to his prophethood, you see him to be the proof of God, the lamp of truth, the sun of guidance, and the means to happiness. And look! His Light has lighted up from east to west like dazzling lightening, and half the earth and a fifth of mankind has accepted the gift of his guidance and preserved it like life itself.
He conquered and subjugated their minds, spirits, hearts, and souls. He became the beloved of hearts, the teacher of minds, the trainer of souls, the ruler of spirits.
(extracted from an article by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi)
Abode of Bliss
As he stepped into the House of Peace, he felt an aura of bliss speaking to his soul, offering overwhelming salutations that made him feel welcome to an abode that felt like more than a home to him. A sanctuary of tranquility that he never knew he had yearned for all his life, until he set foot into its abode. The essence of Alhamdulillah felt like it was blown into him, travelling through the fragility of his self. As his eyes surveyed the majestic vicinity, he felt the walls around him transform itself into unimaginable grandeur. The majestic symbolisms exclaiming the Divinity of the One God: Allahu ta'ala spoke to him with an overwhelming flow of Divine Mercy, like an ocean of sweetness pouring into his heart.
The Ceremony
Tonight, my thoughts drift back to that day I witnessed a ceremony that flung the doors of my heart open to receive His Divine Love. The night I first witnessed the cermony of Maulid un-Nabi : the commemoration of the birth of our most beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallhu alaihi wassalam, may Allah bless his soul and raise his rank. Ameen.
As I sat myself amongst the illuminating congregation, I felt my heart immediately stretch in all directions to connect with an overflow of compassion streaming out of the hearts of every devotee and every lover of our blessed Prophet sallallahu alaihi wassalam. The intimacy of their hearts were manifested from the tranquil expressions on their faces. There was not a single soul there that did not contribute to the ever-illuminating atmosphere.
As soon as the Imam began the recital of the Maulid, the congregation followed behind erupting with emotion, straining their tongues and pouring their hearts out with every ounce of love from within, exclaiming their devotion to the beloved master of masters, Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wassalam. The electricity of their passion stung me instantly. There was not a note which they sung which lacked the awesome intensity of love. I felt myself flow with the fragrances that engulfed the atmosphere along with the soothing exclamations of love. The louder their voices climbed the deeper the feelings penetrated my heart.
The night journeyed onwards and felt like an eternity that I wish would never stop. When the moment gathered itself up, I felt reluctant to part, wishing I could disconnect with time to witness it over and over again in endless streams. The congregation gathered around the vicinity of the masjid hall in procession, pouring salutations onto one another in joy. The euphoria was indescribable. I had never witnessed the pouring of so much love amongst brothers to brothers, fathers to sons, teachers to students; all for the infinte cause, for the essence of embracing the beloved, Light of all Lights, Muhammad sallallahu alahi wassalam. The moment ended with the raising of palms up towards the Eternally Besought Lord of Creation and All Existence, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, to beseech His Blessings upon His most obedient of servants, the master of masters, Muhammad sallalahu alaihi wassalam. Allahumma swolli wassalim wabarik 'alai!
I look back to that day, reliving it in my heart and mind with sweet recollection, Alhamdulillah for giving me that moment.
The Infinite Light
Our Prophet, this clear proof, is leader to all the believers, preacher to all mankind, the chief of all the prophets, lord of all the saints, the leader of a circle for the remembrance of God comprising all the prophets and saints. He is a luminous tree whose living roots are all the prophets, and fresh fruits are all the saints; whose claims all the prophets relying on their miracles and all the saints relying on their wonder working confirm and corroborate. For he declares and claims: There is no god but God! And all on left and right, that is, those luminous reciters of God's Names lined up in the past and the future, repeat the same words, and through their consensus in effect declare: "You speak the truth and what you say is right!"
His person, his laudable morals, which were at, the summit of perfection; and in his duties, his complete confidence and elevated qualities, which were of the highest excellence, and his extraordinary fear of God, worship, seriousness, and fortitude, which demonstrated the strength of his belief, and his total certainty and his complete steadfastness, all show as clearly as the sun how utterly faithful he was to his cause.
If you wish, come! Let us go to Arabian Peninsula, to the Era of Bliss! In our imaginations, we shall see him at his duties and visit him. Look! We see a person distinguished by his fine character and beautiful form. In his hand is a miraculous Book and on his tongue, a truthful address; he is delivering a pre-eternal sermon to all mankind, indeed, to man, jinn, and the angels, and to all beings. He solves and expounds the strange riddle of the mystery of the world's creation; he discovers and solves the abstruse talisman which is the mystery of the universe; and he provides convincing and satisfying answers to the three awesome and difficult questions that are asked of al1 beings and have always bewildered and occupied minds: "Where do you come from? What are you doing here? Where are you going?"
He is the discoverer and proclaimer of an infinite mercy, the herald and observer of the beauties of the sovereignty of Dominicality, and the discloser and displayer of the treasures of the Divine Names. If you regard him in that way, that is in regard to his being a worshipful servant of God, you will see him to be the model of love, the exemplar of mercy, the glory of mankind, and the most luminous fruit of the tree of creation. While if you look in this way, that is, in regard to his prophethood, you see him to be the proof of God, the lamp of truth, the sun of guidance, and the means to happiness. And look! His Light has lighted up from east to west like dazzling lightening, and half the earth and a fifth of mankind has accepted the gift of his guidance and preserved it like life itself.
He conquered and subjugated their minds, spirits, hearts, and souls. He became the beloved of hearts, the teacher of minds, the trainer of souls, the ruler of spirits.
(extracted from an article by Bediuzzaman Said Nursi)
Wednesday, May 07, 2003
Seek Refuge from Envy
Jealousy wraps a thick veil over the heart. One who is engulfed in envy over another experiences nothing but discomfort within himself. The flow of jealousy into one's heart feels like the swallowing of fire. The envious only taste bitterness within themselves, scowling over what they get not. The victimised who are envied on the other hand are oblivious and continue ascending in tranquility unperturbed by the commotion amongst the envy hearts. Iblees fell from his jealousy of Adam alaihis salam. The first murder on the face of the Earth took place from the roots of jealousy : Cain's manslaughter of Abel. Avoid company with the envious for within them is a disease that spreads and contaminates the light of iman within your heart.
Jealousy wraps a thick veil over the heart. One who is engulfed in envy over another experiences nothing but discomfort within himself. The flow of jealousy into one's heart feels like the swallowing of fire. The envious only taste bitterness within themselves, scowling over what they get not. The victimised who are envied on the other hand are oblivious and continue ascending in tranquility unperturbed by the commotion amongst the envy hearts. Iblees fell from his jealousy of Adam alaihis salam. The first murder on the face of the Earth took place from the roots of jealousy : Cain's manslaughter of Abel. Avoid company with the envious for within them is a disease that spreads and contaminates the light of iman within your heart.
Friday, May 02, 2003
The True Servants
The blessings are abundant upon those who have little in their hands but much in their hearts. Those who toil for the least that they can get, content with the slightest provision for the day. Their souls acknowledge impotence and know that despite all their toil, ultimately, He is the only One who grants. The satisfaction in the little they get is more than what they are content with, for they know that it is His Mercy that is the ultimate pleasure.
Sometimes He barely gives them much to stand their ground on for survival, but with that, the foundations of faith He instills in them keeps them uprooted and unshakeable. They are the ones who acknowledge how weak and dependant upon Him they are. They are they ones who constantly turn to Him in their times of need, and unlike the rest, their need for Him is ever occuring. The extent of His love for them is incomprehensible. They are indeed the true servants.
Said our Beloved Prophet sallallahu alaihi wassalam: "Shall I tell you of the people of Paradise? They comprise every poor humble person, and if he swears by Allah to do something, Allah will fulfill it..."
The blessings are abundant upon those who have little in their hands but much in their hearts. Those who toil for the least that they can get, content with the slightest provision for the day. Their souls acknowledge impotence and know that despite all their toil, ultimately, He is the only One who grants. The satisfaction in the little they get is more than what they are content with, for they know that it is His Mercy that is the ultimate pleasure.
Sometimes He barely gives them much to stand their ground on for survival, but with that, the foundations of faith He instills in them keeps them uprooted and unshakeable. They are the ones who acknowledge how weak and dependant upon Him they are. They are they ones who constantly turn to Him in their times of need, and unlike the rest, their need for Him is ever occuring. The extent of His love for them is incomprehensible. They are indeed the true servants.
Said our Beloved Prophet sallallahu alaihi wassalam: "Shall I tell you of the people of Paradise? They comprise every poor humble person, and if he swears by Allah to do something, Allah will fulfill it..."
Tuesday, April 29, 2003
The Gift
The greatest gift from our Lord to mankind is faith and the greatest gift of faith is as-Solat. Our souls are like motors engaged in tedious processes; generating an enormous flow of adrenalin for the puspose of functioning; All directed from the vital source of the soul's core: the heart. The fuel is nur (light), granted by the Heavens. As-solat is the thirst quencher; the source of replenishment of nur poured into the soul through its core : the heart.
Birth and Death
As you woke to the sight of the smiling faces, your heart spilled tears of longing and seperation. While you lay on your death bed calm and content to return, they spilled their hearts out in grief and despair.
The greatest gift from our Lord to mankind is faith and the greatest gift of faith is as-Solat. Our souls are like motors engaged in tedious processes; generating an enormous flow of adrenalin for the puspose of functioning; All directed from the vital source of the soul's core: the heart. The fuel is nur (light), granted by the Heavens. As-solat is the thirst quencher; the source of replenishment of nur poured into the soul through its core : the heart.
Birth and Death
As you woke to the sight of the smiling faces, your heart spilled tears of longing and seperation. While you lay on your death bed calm and content to return, they spilled their hearts out in grief and despair.
Saturday, April 26, 2003
Tests
Sometimes when He graces you with a test, what matters more would be not how you react to it but whether you acknowledge that it came from Him for you. How you react to it would matter only to a certain degree. After all, the test would have come and gone; and with you either being ever-ready to ward it off and not feel anything or fight it with all your might wouldn't make much of a difference if you never acknowledged that it was His Mercy that brought it down upon you. Ultimately, it's all about faith. That's what the test was meant for. To shake your faith and to see whether it still stands in rememberance of Him or topples in forgetfulness.
Choosing to Love
You don't choose whom you love. He chooses them. If you had that choice to choose; then the road would be simple. Whom he puts in your life, is part of your test: to bear with them, to accept them and most of all to love them despite all that they may agitate you with. After all, they come from Him and they return to Him, just like you did and will do. "...And We have made some of you as a trial for others: will you have patience? And your Lord is Ever All-Seer (Surah al-Furqan:20)
Sometimes when He graces you with a test, what matters more would be not how you react to it but whether you acknowledge that it came from Him for you. How you react to it would matter only to a certain degree. After all, the test would have come and gone; and with you either being ever-ready to ward it off and not feel anything or fight it with all your might wouldn't make much of a difference if you never acknowledged that it was His Mercy that brought it down upon you. Ultimately, it's all about faith. That's what the test was meant for. To shake your faith and to see whether it still stands in rememberance of Him or topples in forgetfulness.
Choosing to Love
You don't choose whom you love. He chooses them. If you had that choice to choose; then the road would be simple. Whom he puts in your life, is part of your test: to bear with them, to accept them and most of all to love them despite all that they may agitate you with. After all, they come from Him and they return to Him, just like you did and will do. "...And We have made some of you as a trial for others: will you have patience? And your Lord is Ever All-Seer (Surah al-Furqan:20)
Friday, April 25, 2003
Those who Desire
There are those who don't desire this world. For them satisfaction comes from reliance on Him only. Hasbun Allah wa ni'mal Wakil! (Allah is enough for me!) They live their lives away from the senses of existence, devoting their selfs to constant remembrance and engulfing themsleves with the pleasure of being in solitude. They are few in number and when you find them, their hearts will speak to you like a river of sweetnees at your doorstep quenching your longing thirsts. He has given them nothing of the world because they are beyond it. They belong to the Heavens.
Then there are those whom He has given the world in one hand and the Heavens in another. These people are the commonly blessed. They strive for what they need of this world knowing that it is what they really want to reap for in the Hereafter. To excel lies in two dimensions: with the inner and the outer. The scale is fairly balanced and their potions are attained with contentment; never ungrateful for what of the world He offers and always weary of what they should never pick up for disaster.
Of those who are the most unworthy, they remember not and simply drown in the pleasures of the world, drinking more than they can gulp. To them patience is an enemy as satisfaction is for the moment. The means to pleasure will be sought at all extent. Difficulty is alien and status is a bliss. He gives them all they want but only of the world, for that is all they ask for. Despite possessing all that they want, they sense a longing deep down inside. Ignoring the wails of their tormented souls, relentless as the capacities of their containers overflow with what they barely need. For them there is no share in the Hereafter. Leave them to eat and enjoy themselves. Let false hope divert them. They will soon know. (Surah al-Hijr:3)
There are those who don't desire this world. For them satisfaction comes from reliance on Him only. Hasbun Allah wa ni'mal Wakil! (Allah is enough for me!) They live their lives away from the senses of existence, devoting their selfs to constant remembrance and engulfing themsleves with the pleasure of being in solitude. They are few in number and when you find them, their hearts will speak to you like a river of sweetnees at your doorstep quenching your longing thirsts. He has given them nothing of the world because they are beyond it. They belong to the Heavens.
Then there are those whom He has given the world in one hand and the Heavens in another. These people are the commonly blessed. They strive for what they need of this world knowing that it is what they really want to reap for in the Hereafter. To excel lies in two dimensions: with the inner and the outer. The scale is fairly balanced and their potions are attained with contentment; never ungrateful for what of the world He offers and always weary of what they should never pick up for disaster.
Of those who are the most unworthy, they remember not and simply drown in the pleasures of the world, drinking more than they can gulp. To them patience is an enemy as satisfaction is for the moment. The means to pleasure will be sought at all extent. Difficulty is alien and status is a bliss. He gives them all they want but only of the world, for that is all they ask for. Despite possessing all that they want, they sense a longing deep down inside. Ignoring the wails of their tormented souls, relentless as the capacities of their containers overflow with what they barely need. For them there is no share in the Hereafter. Leave them to eat and enjoy themselves. Let false hope divert them. They will soon know. (Surah al-Hijr:3)
Thursday, April 24, 2003
Love: The Light of the Prophet
Where does all this love come from? Why is it coming? The answer is nothing but He. He brings it to us. That love that He gives us is our life support system and He is the Owner of it. Ya Muqallibal qulubi wal absar! (O Turner of hearts and eyes!)
The heart is a centrifugal organ. Continuously generating emotions and energy out, not just to the senses of our bodies but out to all that our senses extend to: to the touch of a loved one, to the wail of an infant, to the sound of a hum, to the taste of a fruit. All connected to the heart. That's where we are.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and blesings of God be upon him, said: "Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh, which, if it be whole, all the body is whole, and which, if it is diseased, all of it is diseased. truly, it is the heart."
The hearts that grasp one another come together for the love of the beloved one, Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him, uniting together like a binding chain ever illuminating nur ala nur (light upon light).
The next time you wonder why you love someone, turn your hearts towards the Causer of the Causes, and acknowledge that it is that love; that which is light, which He created from the very begining, that light of Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wassalam.
Where does all this love come from? Why is it coming? The answer is nothing but He. He brings it to us. That love that He gives us is our life support system and He is the Owner of it. Ya Muqallibal qulubi wal absar! (O Turner of hearts and eyes!)
The heart is a centrifugal organ. Continuously generating emotions and energy out, not just to the senses of our bodies but out to all that our senses extend to: to the touch of a loved one, to the wail of an infant, to the sound of a hum, to the taste of a fruit. All connected to the heart. That's where we are.
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and blesings of God be upon him, said: "Truly in the body there is a morsel of flesh, which, if it be whole, all the body is whole, and which, if it is diseased, all of it is diseased. truly, it is the heart."
The hearts that grasp one another come together for the love of the beloved one, Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him, uniting together like a binding chain ever illuminating nur ala nur (light upon light).
The next time you wonder why you love someone, turn your hearts towards the Causer of the Causes, and acknowledge that it is that love; that which is light, which He created from the very begining, that light of Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wassalam.
Wednesday, April 23, 2003
Need for an Introduction
This is the begining of a journey along the bytes of a dispensible virtual existence. For those that seek by this means, may they find what their hearts truly desire without being lured by tempatation and deceit waiting to devour their egos. For those who are led to the discovery, may they be content with the fruits He nourishes their hearts with. From our Lord do we always seek protection and aid. Ameen.
This is the begining of a journey along the bytes of a dispensible virtual existence. For those that seek by this means, may they find what their hearts truly desire without being lured by tempatation and deceit waiting to devour their egos. For those who are led to the discovery, may they be content with the fruits He nourishes their hearts with. From our Lord do we always seek protection and aid. Ameen.
