Ya Wadud

2010-06-19T11:28:00.000+08:00

"Let Us Pray"

2009-12-06T01:13:00.001+08:00

Allah Hu Allah

2009-10-14T09:31:00.003+08:00

I myself took up the cloak of blame;
I smashed the bottle of honor and virtue on a stone.
What if it?

Sometimes I rise up and watch the universe from above.
Sometimes I go down to earth and lose myself in love.
What of it?

Sometimes I study life's meaning in the holy books.
Sometimes I go to the tavern and get drunk.
What of it?

Sometimes I enter my garden to pick roses for my darling;
I grew the roses and I gathered them.
What of it?

The wine of this love is a sin, the orthodox think-
The sin is mine. I fill my glass and drink,
What of it?

The pious bow to the niche in the mosque.
I bow at the Beloved's doorstep, pressing my face up close.
What of it?

My enemy says loving beauty is sinful.
I love my Beloved so I'll gladly pay that price.
What of it?

They ask Nesimi,
are you and your beloved getting along?
Whether we get along or not, my Beloved is mine.
What of it?

-Nesimi, 15th C.

Eid Mubarak

2009-09-19T22:20:00.001+08:00

Alhamdulillah # 02285134221

2009-07-06T21:16:00.001+08:00

Hadith Rajab

2009-06-23T08:28:00.001+08:00

Narrated Abu Bakra: The Prophet said, "Time has come back to its original state which it had on the day Allah created the Heavens and the Earth. The year is twelve months, four of which are sacred, three of them are in succession, namely Dhul-Qa'da, Dhul Hijja and Muharram, (the fourth being) Rajab Mudar which is between Juma'da (ath-thamj and Sha'ban). The Prophet then asked, "Which month is this?" We said, "Allah and his Apostle know better." He kept silent so long that we thought that he would call it by a name other than its real name. He said, "Isn't it the month of Dhul-Hijja?" We said, "Yes." He said, "Which town is this?" We said, "Allah and His Apostle know better." He kept silent so long that we thought that he would call it t,y a name other than its real name. He said, "isn't it the town (of Mecca)?" We replied, "Yes." He said, "What day is today?" We replied, "Allah and His Apostle know better." He kept silent so long that we thought that he would call it by a name other than its real name. He said, "Isn't it the day of Nahr?" We replied, "Yes." He then said, "Your blood, properties and honor are as sacred to one another as this day of yours in this town of yours in this month of yours. You will meet your Lord, and He will ask you about your deeds. Beware! Do not go astray after me by cutting the necks of each other. It is incumbent upon those who are present to convey this message to those who are absent, for some of those to whom it is conveyed may comprehend it better than some of those who have heard it directly." (Muhammad, the sub-narrator, on mentioning this used to say: The Prophet then said, "No doubt! Haven't I delivered (Allah's) Message (to you)? Haven't I delivered Allah's message (to you)?"
(Book #68, Hadith #458)

Ya Khaliq!

2009-06-06T18:19:00.002+08:00

"And among His signs is this..."

Single mindedness in prayer

2009-06-04T12:54:00.000+08:00

Narrated 'Uqba: I offered the 'Asr prayer behind the Prophet at Medina. When he had finished the prayer with Taslim, he got up hurriedly and went out by crossing the rows of the people to one of the dwellings of his wives. The people got scared at his speed . The Prophet came back and found the people surprised at his haste and said to them, "I remembered a piece of gold Lying in my house and I did not like it to divert my attention from Allah's worship, so I have ordered it to be distributed (in charity)."
(Book #12, Hadith #810)

Be Supple

2009-05-20T09:22:00.003+08:00

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant; from whatever direction the wind comes, it bends it, but when the wind becomes quiet, it becomes straight again. Similarly, a believer is afflicted with calamities (but he remains patient till Allah removes his difficulties.) And an impious wicked person is like a pine tree which keeps hard and straight till Allah cuts (breaks) it down when He wishes."

(See Hadith No. 558, Vol. 9.) (Book #70, Hadith #547)

Bliss

2009-05-12T14:12:00.000+08:00

Thou wilt recognise in their faces the beaming brightness of Bliss.
( سورة المطففين , Al-Mutaffifin, Chapter #83, Verse #24)

Clouds

2009-04-11T00:19:00.000+08:00

Seest thou not that Allah makes the clouds move gently, then joins them together, then makes them into a heap? - then wilt thou see rain issue forth from their midst. And He sends down from the sky mountain masses (of clouds) wherein is hail: He strikes therewith whom He pleases and He turns it away from whom He pleases, the vivid flash of His lightning well-nigh blinds the sight.
( سورة النور , An-Noor, Chapter #24, Verse #43)

The Faqir's "wealth".

2009-03-02T13:59:00.001+08:00

To any that desires the tilth of the Hereafter, We give increase in his tilth, and to any that desires the tilth of this world, We grant somewhat thereof, but he has no share or lot in the Hereafter.
( سورة الشورى , Ash-Shura, Chapter #42, Verse #20)

Ya Hadi #786.20034

2009-02-16T08:05:00.001+08:00

Wherewith Allah guideth all who seek His good pleasure to ways of peace and safety, and leadeth them out of darkness, by His will, unto the light,- guideth them to a path that is straight.
( سورة المائدة , Al-Maeda, Chapter #5, Verse #16)

Allah's Love

2009-02-06T07:06:00.001+08:00

And spend of your substance in the cause of Allah, and make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction; but do good; for Allah loveth those who do good.
( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #195)

Remember to Remember #786.931

2009-01-28T11:46:00.000+08:00

Then do ye remember Me; I will remember you. Be grateful to Me, and reject not Faith.
( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #152)

The Congregation

2009-01-15T07:59:00.000+08:00

Al-Jumua 11 verses The congregation, Friday
سورة الجمعة Sura #62 Madina
1
Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, doth declare the Praises and Glory of Allah,- the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
2
It is He Who has sent amongst the Unlettered an apostle from among themselves, to rehearse to them His Signs, to sanctify them, and to instruct them in Scripture and Wisdom,- although they had been, before, in manifest error;-
3
As well as (to confer all these benefits upon) others of them, who have not already joined them: And He is exalted in Might, Wise.
4
Such is the Bounty of Allah, which He bestows on whom He will: and Allah is the Lord of the highest bounty.
5
The similitude of those who were charged with the (obligations of the) Mosaic Law, but who subsequently failed in those (obligations), is that of a donkey which carries huge tomes (but understands them not). Evil is the similitude of people who falsify the Signs of Allah. and Allah guides not people who do wrong.
6
Say: "O ye that stand on Judaism! If ye think that ye are friends to Allah, to the exclusion of (other) men, then express your desire for Death, if ye are truthful!"
7
But never will they express their desire (for Death), because of the (deeds) their hands have sent on before them! and Allah knows well those that do wrong!
8
Say: "The Death from which ye flee will truly overtake you: then will ye be sent back to the Knower of things secret and open: and He will tell you (the truth of) the things that ye did!"
9
O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic): That is best for you if ye but knew!
10
And when the Prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah. and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that ye may prosper.
11
But when they see some bargain or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it, and leave thee standing. Say: "The (blessing) from the Presence of Allah is better than any amusement or bargain! and Allah is the Best to provide (for all needs)."

A Visual Call

2009-01-13T10:17:00.001+08:00

"Oh lovers never-never abandon love, the Beloved cries..." (trad. Ilahi)

Al-Muzzammil (the Enshrouded One)

2009-01-09T08:24:00.000+08:00

Al-Muzzammil 20 verses The enshrouded one
سورة المزمل Sura #73 Makkah
1
O thou folded in garments!
2
Stand (to prayer) by night, but not all night,-
3
Half of it,- or a little less,
4
Or a little more; and recite the Qur'an in slow, measured rhythmic tones.
5
Soon shall We send down to thee a weighty Message.
6
Truly the rising by night is most potent for governing (the soul), and most suitable for (framing) the Word (of Prayer and Praise).
7
True, there is for thee by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties:
8
But keep in remembrance the name of thy Lord and devote thyself to Him whole-heartedly.
9
(He is) Lord of the East and the West: there is no god but He: take Him therefore for (thy) Disposer of Affairs.
10
And have patience with what they say, and leave them with noble (dignity).
11
And leave Me (alone to deal with) those in possession of the good things of life, who (yet) deny the Truth; and bear with them for a little while.
12
With Us are Fetters (to bind them), and a Fire (to burn them),
13
And a Food that chokes, and a Penalty Grievous.
14
One Day the earth and the mountains will be in violent commotion. And the mountains will be as a heap of sand poured out and flowing down.
15
We have sent to you, (O men!) an apostle, to be a witness concerning you, even as We sent an apostle to Pharaoh.
16
But Pharaoh disobeyed the apostle; so We seized him with a heavy Punishment.
17
Then how shall ye, if ye deny ((Allah)), guard yourselves against a Day that will make children hoary-headed?-
18
Whereon the sky will be cleft asunder? His Promise needs must be accomplished.
19
Verily this is an Admonition: therefore, whoso will, let him take a (straight) path to his Lord!
20
Thy Lord doth know that thou standest forth (to prayer) nigh two-thirds of the night, or half the night, or a third of the night, and so doth a party of those with thee. But Allah doth appoint night and day in due measure He knoweth that ye are unable to keep count thereof. So He hath turned to you (in mercy): read ye, therefore, of the Qur'an as much as may be easy for you. He knoweth that there may be (some) among you in ill-health; others travelling through the land, seeking of Allah.s bounty; yet others fighting in Allah.s Cause, read ye, therefore, as much of the Qur'an as may be easy (for you); and establish regular Prayer and give regular Charity; and loan to Allah a Beautiful Loan. And whatever good ye send forth for your souls ye shall find it in Allah.s Presence,- yea, better and greater, in Reward and seek ye the Grace of Allah. for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Hu...#786.1018228

2009-01-08T09:19:00.001+08:00

Ya Muharram

2009-01-05T08:23:00.001+08:00

Narrated 'Aisha: The people used to fast on 'Ashura (the tenth day of the month of muharram) before the fasting of Ramadan was made obligatory. And on that day the Ka'ba used to be covered with a cover. When Allah made the fasting of the month of Ramadan compulsory, Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever wishes to fast (on the day of 'Ashura') may do so; and whoever wishes to leave it can do so."
(Book #26, Hadith #662)

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas: When the Prophet came to Medina, he found (the Jews) fasting on the day of 'Ashura' (i.e. 10th of muharram). They used to say: "This is a great day on which Allah saved Moses and drowned the folk of Pharaoh. Moses observed the fast on this day, as a sign of gratitude to Allah." The Prophet said, "I am closer to Moses than they." So, he observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it.
(Book #55, Hadith #609)

ilAllah #786.011783

2009-01-01T15:53:00.001+08:00

Ya Rahman #786.008

2008-12-30T16:39:00.000+08:00

Surah Maryam 19:16-27

2008-12-25T09:37:00.001+08:00

16
Relate in the Book (the story of) Mary, when she withdrew from her family to a place in the East.
17
She placed a screen (to screen herself) from them; then We sent her our angel, and he appeared before her as a man in all respects.
18
She said: "I seek refuge from thee to ((Allah)) Most Gracious: (come not near) if thou dost fear Allah."
19
He said: "Nay, I am only a messenger from thy Lord, (to announce) to thee the gift of a holy son.
20
She said: "How shall I have a son, seeing that no man has touched me, and I am not unchaste?"
21
He said: "So (it will be): Thy Lord saith, 'that is easy for Me: and (We wish) to appoint him as a Sign unto men and a Mercy from Us':It is a matter (so) decreed."
22
So she conceived him, and she retired with him to a remote place.
23
And the pains of childbirth drove her to the trunk of a palm-tree: She cried (in her anguish): "Ah! would that I had died before this! would that I had been a thing forgotten and out of sight!"
24
But (a voice) cried to her from beneath the (palm-tree): "Grieve not! for thy Lord hath provided a rivulet beneath thee;
25
"And shake towards thyself the trunk of the palm-tree: It will let fall fresh ripe dates upon thee.
26
"So eat and drink and cool (thine) eye. And if thou dost see any man, say, 'I have vowed a fast to ((Allah)) Most Gracious, and this day will I enter into not talk with any human being'"
27
At length she brought the (babe) to her people, carrying him (in her arms). They said: "O Mary! truly an amazing thing hast thou brought!

Earthrise Chistmas Eve 1968

2008-12-24T09:55:00.003+08:00

Photo taken by Apollo 8 crewmember Bill Anders on December 24, 1968, showing the Earth seemingly rising above the lunar surface. Note that this phenomenon is only visible from someone in orbit around the Moon. Because of the Moon's synchronous rotation about the Earth (i.e., the same side of the Moon is always facing the Earth), no Earthrise can be visible from the surface of the Moon.

Then will Allah say: "O Jesus the son of Mary! Recount My favour to thee and to thy mother. Behold! I strengthened thee with the holy spirit, so that thou didst speak to the people in childhood and in maturity. Behold! I taught thee the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel and behold! thou makest out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, by My leave, and thou breathest into it and it becometh a bird by My leave, and thou healest those born blind, and the lepers, by My leave. And behold! thou bringest forth the dead by My leave. And behold! I did restrain the Children of Israel from (violence to) thee when thou didst show them the clear Signs, and the unbelievers among them said: 'This is nothing but evident magic.'
( سورة المائدة , Al-Maeda, Chapter #5, Verse #110)

the Call #786.0220

2008-12-23T08:54:00.003+08:00

O' dervish, the 18,000 worlds and all therein is but a single cage.
Wheresoever you turn, Love's Door beckons.

-maw

None but He-ila Hu

2008-12-19T08:00:00.001+08:00

Allah, to Muhammad (saws)

2008-12-16T07:28:00.001+08:00

Strain not thine eyes (wistfully) at what We have bestowed on certain classes of them, nor grieve over them; but lower thy wing (in gentleness) to the believers.
( سورة الحجر , Al-Hijr, Chapter #15, Verse #88)

Ya Rahim

2008-12-13T11:45:00.000+08:00

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book which is with Him on His Throne, "My Mercy overpowers My Anger."

(Book #54, Hadith #416)

Poem from Uftade

2008-12-04T14:17:00.003+08:00

At dawn I saw where the nightingale had alighted.
He had placed his lantern in the house (tekke/dervish lodge)
of the rose.

He had drawn his sword to gift his soul to the rose-
Marvel at this poor nightingale mad with love.

-Hz. Pir Uftade (d.1580)

The self reflects the Self...

2008-12-02T11:54:00.000+08:00

'"Who has said these words"?

2008-12-01T07:07:00.001+08:00

Narrated Rifa'a bin Rafi AzZuraqi: One day we were praying behind the Prophet. When he raised his head from bowing, he said, "Sami'a-l-lahu Liman hamida." A man behind him said, "Rabbana walaka-l hamd hamdan Kathiran taiyiban mubarakan fihi" (O our Lord! All the praises are for You, many good and blessed praises). When the Prophet completed the prayer, he asked, "Who has said these words?" The man replied, "I." The Prophet said, "I saw over thirty angels competing to write it first." Prophet rose (from bowing) and stood straight till all the vertebrae of his spinal column came to a natural position.
(Book #12, Hadith #764)

al Quran Karim pt.2

2008-11-25T07:29:00.002+08:00

Holy Quran speaking of itself:

This is a miraculous manifestation through Arabic letters of the mysterious Universal Quran, which remains timelessly inscribed upon a boundless transcendental tablet. Holy Quran 85.21-22

Proclaim that your Lord is Most Bountiful, for He wrote upon your heart with the Mystic Pen, revealing to humanity what it never could have known. Holy Quran 96.3-5

We first divinely revealed luminous verses from this Glorious Quran during the most sanctified night, for We long eternally to offer Our compassionate Divine Warning. On that mystic Night outside time, every facet of infinite Divine Wisdom is made clear. Holy Quran 44.3-4

We have made this Arabic Quran easy to understand and remember. Are there any true human beings who long to receive its perfect guidance? Holy Quran 54.32

Whenever this Holy Quran is being prayerfully recited, listen to it with the complete attention of your entire being, keeping profound inward silence, that you may consciously receive the inconceivable Divine Mystery. Holy Quran 7.204

Every being in existence is revealed and contained in the Cosmic Quran. Holy Quran 6.38

-Quranic interpretations by Shaykh Nur in Atom from the Sun of Knowledge

al Quran Karim

2008-11-24T11:32:00.002+08:00

The Holy Quran and the Noble Sunna are our only base and support.

Shaykh Nur al-Jerrahi

Holy Quran, consisting of 6,666 verses, was revealed by Allah Most High to the heart of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, over a period of twenty three years. Six months after the final revelation, the Prophet’s earthly life completed, making his life synonomous with the Generous Book.

The physical text of symbols that we hold in our hand is actually a mirror for the true Quran which is the continuous revelation of Allah unfolding as the ocean of manifest Being and the life of each being. The true Quran is the form of the perfect human being. Therefore when Hazreti Aysha the beloved wife of the Prophet was asked about her noble husband, she answered simply that he was the living Quran. For the dervish, the shaykh is also the living Quran. Sitting in the presence of the shaykh is like reading Quran.

The true Quran is the great ocean of knowledge which sustains the way of Islam, disappearance into the Source of Love.

The physical text of symbols contains the nucleus of every event occuring from the beginning of this creation to its completion. The mystic shaykhs declare that there are twenty eight levels of interpretation in Holy Quran and there are as many meanings as there are words and letters.

The Quran is always protected by living guardians who are the friends of Allah. These are the ones who have merged back into divine Essence, and whose lives have become the interpretation of the Book. Their generosity and nobility, luminous wisdom and love for humanity, are the signs of their station. They are the ones who offer the Good News, as Quran is also called, to the believers and lovers of Truth. Without their divine vision, interpretation of the Quran contracts into a simple, literal meaning.

As the inner eye within the heart opens through the grace of the Pirs, the dervish is able to understand some of the deeper meanings of the Book. Rumi has compared the Quran to a bride who lifts her veil only to the one who approaches her with a pure heart.

Oh, servants

2008-11-22T07:23:00.003+08:00

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

(Inevitably) cometh (to pass) the Command of Allah: Seek ye not then to hasten it: glory to Him, and far is He above having the partners they ascribe unto Him!

Surah 16:1, Al Nahl (the Bees)

Bedok Res: Ya Khaliq!

2008-11-15T22:18:00.000+08:00

Rain...

2008-11-10T11:08:00.000+08:00

Who has made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from the heavens; and brought forth therewith Fruits for your sustenance; then set not up rivals unto Allah when ye know (the truth).
( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #22)

For Arif

2008-10-28T17:26:00.003+08:00

Follow your heart...

Ya Sabur

2008-10-25T11:43:00.000+08:00

Bear, then, with patience, all that they say, and celebrate the praises of thy Lord, before the rising of the sun and before (its) setting.
( سورة ق , Qaf, Chapter #50, Verse #39)

All in One

2008-10-17T07:36:00.002+08:00

Oh wayfarers, all of life is but a single path.
Use the form to become formless.

Step after step, be sincerity as you trod the Way.
The Friend will refresh your eyes to see what is Haqq.

To know and love all, is the gateway of Mariffat.
Be as the dust, a bridge to the One, amin.

Ya Uftade

2008-10-08T07:43:00.001+08:00

To say Hu with the whole heart and spirit at each moment
Is for the people of sincerity the remedy for their pain.

-Hz. Pir Uftade

The Lover's Heart

2008-10-03T09:20:00.003+08:00

The lover's heart is afflicted by seperateness
Let it rejoice in Your Union, in the gardens of paradise.

Union is the alchemy of seperation
Let there be sometime a chance to reach union.

May all that is other be effaced and expelled
So that in this circle there remains neither body nor soul.

-Hazreti Pir Mehmed Muhyiddin Uftade (1490-1580 CE)

Eid Mubarak

2008-10-01T11:46:00.003+08:00

Insha'allah, may Allah, the Most Compassionate and Forgiving Source of Love, accept our humble offerings from the past month of Ramadan. May we be well pleased with whatever befalls us, knowing that all is from He. Verily, unto Allah is the Return. Amin.

Ya Khaliq

2008-09-20T10:47:00.001+08:00

Ramadan-Rasul-Rakat

2008-09-19T12:15:00.000+08:00

Narrated Abu Salma bin 'Abdur Rahman: I asked 'Aisha, "How is the prayer of Allah's Apostle during the month of Ramadan." She said, "Allah's Apostle never exceeded eleven Rakat in Ramadan or in other months; he used to offer four Rakat-- do not ask me about their beauty and length, then four Rakat, do not ask me about their beauty and length, and then three Rakat." Aisha further said, "I said, 'O Allah's Apostle! Do you sleep before offering the Witr prayer?' He replied, 'O 'Aisha! My eyes sleep but my heart remains awake'!"
(Book #21, Hadith #248)

Fasting; ilAllah

2008-09-18T12:15:00.000+08:00

Fourth pillar: Called to Divine Nearness through La ilaha Ilallah, the dervish fasts from the limited self and feasts on Divine Love alone. Our celebration of the first revelation of the Divine signs to the heart of Muhammad, peace be upon him, occurs in the noble month of Ramadan, when we restrain from food, drink, and sexual embrace during the day, and at night plunge into the extended Tarawih prayers. Ramadan is a beautiful embodiment of our burning love for Allah.

Surah Al-Alaq

2008-09-17T11:50:00.002+08:00

Sura #96 Makkah
1
Proclaim! (or read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created-
2
Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood:
3
Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful,-
4
He Who taught (the use of) the pen,-
5
Taught man that which he knew not.
6
Day, but man doth transgress all bounds,
7
In that he looketh upon himself as self-sufficient.
8
Verily, to thy Lord is the return (of all).
9
Seest thou one who forbids-
10
A votary when he (turns) to pray?
11
Seest thou if he is on (the road of) Guidance?-
12
Or enjoins Righteousness?
13
Seest thou if he denies (Truth) and turns away?
14
Knoweth he not that Allah doth see?
15
Let him beware! If he desist not, We will drag him by the forelock,-
16
A lying, sinful forelock!
17
Then, let him call (for help) to his council (of comrades):
18
We will call on the angels of punishment (to deal with him)!
19
Nay, heed him not: But bow down in adoration, and bring thyself the closer (to Allah)!

The Call of Love

2008-09-16T07:32:00.002+08:00

At every instant and from every side, resounds the call of Love:
We are going to sky, who wants to come with us?
We have gone to heaven, we have been the friends of the angels,
And now we will go back there, for there is our country.
We are higher than heaven, more noble than the angels:
Why not go beyond them? Our goal is the Supreme Majesty.
What has the fine pearl to do with the world of dust?
Why have you come down here?
Take your baggage back. What is this place?
Luck is with us, to us is the sacrifice!...
Like the birds of the sea, men come from the ocean--the ocean of the soul.
How could this bird, born from that sea, make his dwelling here?
No, we are the pearls from the bosom of the sea, it is there that we dwell:
Otherwise how could the wave succeed to the wave that comes from the soul?
The wave named 'Am I not your Lord' has come, it has broken the vessel of the body;
And when the vessel is broken, the vision comes back, and the union with Him.

-Hazreti Mevlana Rumi

Fasting is a Shield

2008-09-15T08:17:00.000+08:00

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, 'I am fasting." The Prophet added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times."
(Book #31, Hadith #118)

Unto Allah is the Return...

2008-09-14T11:09:00.001+08:00

Love is the Master

2008-09-13T08:01:00.002+08:00

LOVE IS THE MASTER
Love is the One who masters all things;
I am mastered totally by Love.
By my passion of love for LoveI have ground sweet as sugar.
O furious Wind, I am only a straw before you;
How could I know where I will be blown next?
Whoever claims to have made a pact with Destiny
Reveals himself a liar and a fool;
What is any of us but a straw in a storm?
How could anyone make a pact with a hurricane?
God is working everywhere his massive Resurrection;
How can we pretend to act on our own?
In the hand of Love I am like a cat in a sack;
Sometimes Love hoists me into the air
,Sometimes Love flings me into the air,
Love swings me round and round His head;
I have no peace, in this world or any other.
The lovers of God have fallen in a furious river;
They have surrendered themselves to Love's commands.
Like mill wheels they turn, day and night, day and night,
Constantly turning and turning, and crying out.

Hazreti Mevlana Rumi

Allah Hu Akbar # 786.01

2008-09-12T10:49:00.001+08:00

Mercy

2008-09-11T05:39:00.000+08:00

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "When Allah completed the creation, He wrote in His Book which is with Him on His Throne, "My mercy overpowers My Anger."
(Book #54, Hadith #416)

Drinks of Delight

2008-09-10T08:03:00.001+08:00

Narrated Sahl bin Sad: Abu Usaid As-Sa'di invited Allah's Apostle to his wedding party and his wife who was the bride, served them on that day. Do you know what drink she gave Allah's Apostle? She had soaked some dates for him (in water) overnight, and when he had finished his meal she gave him that drink (of soaked dates).
(Book #62, Hadith #105)

At-Tin

2008-09-09T08:13:00.000+08:00

At-Tin 8 verses The Fig
سورة التين Sura #95 Makkah
1
By the Fig and the Olive,
2
And the Mount of Sinai,
3
And this City of security,-
4
We have indeed created man in the best of moulds,
5
Then do We abase him (to be) the lowest of the low,-
6
Except such as believe and do righteous deeds: For they shall have a reward unfailing.
7
Then what can, after this, contradict thee, as to the judgment (to come)?
8
Is not Allah the wisest of judges?

The Abundance

2008-09-08T11:21:00.000+08:00

Al-Kauther 3 verses Abundance
سورة الكوثر Sura #108 Makkah
1
To thee have We granted the Fount (of Abundance).
2
Therefore to thy Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice.
3
For he who hateth thee, he will be cut off (from Future Hope).

Care and Pray for the Orphans

2008-09-07T11:31:00.001+08:00

Narrated 'Abdullah bin Dinar: My father said, "I heard Ibn 'Umar reciting the poetic verses of Abu Talib: And a white (person) (i.e. the Prophet) who is requested to pray for rain and who takes care of the orphans and is the guardian of widows." Salim's father (Ibn 'Umar) said, "The following poetic verse occurred to my mind while I was looking at the face of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) while he was praying for rain. He did not get down till the rain water flowed profusely from every roof-g utter: And a white (person) who is requested to pray for rain and who takes care of the orphans and is the guardian of widows . . . And these were the words of Abu Talib.(Book #17, Hadith #122)

Ar-Rahman; ayat 26-28

2008-09-06T12:30:00.001+08:00

Surah Ar-Rahman; ayat 26-28
26
All that is on earth will perish:
27
But will abide (for ever) the Face of thy Lord,- full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour.
28
Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?

the Morning Meal and Prayer

2008-09-05T09:27:00.001+08:00

Narrated Anas: Zaid bin Thabit said, "We took the "Suhur" (the meal taken before dawn while fasting is observed) with the Prophet and then stood up for the (morning) prayer." I asked him how long the interval between the two (Suhur and prayer) was. He replied, 'The interval between the two was just sufficient to recite fifty to Sixty 'Ayat."
(Book #10, Hadith #549)

Tahajjud # 786.03

2008-09-04T08:18:00.002+08:00

Al-Muzzammil; ayat 1-8
1
O thou folded in garments!
2
Stand (to prayer) by night, but not all night,-
3
Half of it,- or a little less,
4
Or a little more; and recite the Qur'an in slow, measured rhythmic tones.
5
Soon shall We send down to thee a weighty Message.
6
Truly the rising by night is most potent for governing (the soul), and most suitable for (framing) the Word (of Prayer and Praise).
7
True, there is for thee by day prolonged occupation with ordinary duties:
8
But keep in remembrance the name of thy Lord and devote thyself to Him whole-heartedly.

Al-Waqia; ayat 1-11

2008-09-03T11:28:00.000+08:00

Al-Waqia 96 verses The Event, The Inevitable
سورة الواقعة Sura #56 Makkah
1
When the Event inevitable cometh to pass,
2
Then will no (soul) entertain falsehood concerning its coming.
3
(Many) will it bring low; (many) will it exalt;
4
When the earth shall be shaken to its depths,
5
And the mountains shall be crumbled to atoms,
6
Becoming dust scattered abroad,
7
And ye shall be sorted out into three classes.
8
Then (there will be) the Companions of the Right Hand;- What will be the Companions of the Right Hand?
9
And the Companions of the Left Hand,- what will be the Companions of the Left Hand?
10
And those Foremost (in Faith) will be Foremost (in the Hereafter).
11
These will be those Nearest to Allah.

Wa'fu 'anna Ya Karim

2008-09-02T08:33:00.002+08:00

Wa'fu 'anna Ya Karim
Wa'fu 'anna Ya Karim
Wa'fu 'anna Ya Karim

O Source of all Generocity, erase from our hearts all traces of error and transgression.

"He loves them and they love Him"

2008-09-01T08:09:00.002+08:00

Ramadan Karim

Listening to 786

2008-08-30T07:32:00.003+08:00

More and more concentric skies appear
with the earth as their center.

You call for us to start out, and we do.
This is the journey Adam left paradise on.

The love-ocean roils with praise,
and that sound increases now
as I end this and wait
for your discourse to begin.

-Mevlana Rumi, trans by Coleman Barks from his work; Rumi: Bridge to the Soul.

Teaching Story #786.01

2008-08-29T08:25:00.002+08:00

Once, the Sultan was riding through the streets of Istanbul, surrounded by courtiers and soldiers. The whole population of the city turned out to see the Sultan. Everbody bowed as the Sultan passed, except for a single dervish.

The Sultan halted his procession and had the dervish brought to him. He demanded to know why the dervish did not bow when he passed.

The dervish replied, "Let all these people bow to you. They all want what you have-money, power, status. Thank God these things mean nothing to me any longer. Furthermore, why should I bow to you when I have two slaves who are your masters?"

The crowd gasped and the Sultan turned white with rage. "What do you mean?" he cried.

"My two slaves who are your masters are anger and greed," the dervish said calmly, looking the Sultan full in the face.

Recognizing the truth of what he heard, the Sultan bowed to the dervish.

-Traditional Sufi teaching story as related by Shaykh Muzaffer Ozak in Love is the Wine.

The Inner Dimensions of Fasting Pt.3

2008-08-28T06:25:00.001+08:00

5. Avoid Overeating
Not to over-indulge in lawful food at the time of breaking Fast, to the point of stuffing one's belly. There is no receptacle more odious to Allah, Great and Glorious is He, than a belly stuffed full with lawful food. Of what use is the Fast as a means of conquering Allah's enemy and abating appetite, if at the time of breaking it one not only makes up for all one has missed during the daytime, but perhaps also indulges in a variety of extra foods? It has even become the custom to stock up for Ramadan with all kinds of foodstuffs, so that more is consumed during that time than in the course of several other months put together. It is well known that the object of Fasting is to experience hunger and to check desire, in order to reinforce the soul in piety. If the stomach is starved from early morning till evening, so that its appetite is aroused and its craving intensified, and it is then offered delicacies and allowed to eat its fill, its taste for pleasure is increased and its force exaggerated; passions are activated which would have lain dormant under normal conditions. The spirit and secret nature of Fasting is to weaken the forces that are Satan's means of leading us back to evil. It is therefore essential to cut down one's intake to what one would consume on a normal night, when not Fasting. No benefit is derived from the Fast if one consumes as much as one would usually take during the day and night combined. Moreover, one of the properties consists in taking little sleep during the daytime, so that one feels the hunger and thirst and becomes conscious of the weakening of one's powers, with the consequent purification of the heart. One should let a certain degree of weakness carry over into the night, making it easier to perform the night Prayers (tahajjud) and to recite the praises (awrad). It may then be that Satan will not hover around one's heart, and that one will behold the Kingdom of Heaven. The Night of Destiny (Laylat al-Qadr) represents the night on which something of this Kingdom is revealed. This is what is meant by the words of Allah, Exalted is He: "We surely revealed it on the Night of Power." [al-Qadr, 97:1] Anyone who puts a bag of food between his heart and his breast becomes blind to this revelation. Nor is keeping the stomach empty sufficient to remove the veil, unless one also empties the mind of everything but Allah, Great and Glorious is He. That is the entire matter, and the starting point of it all is cutting down on food.

6. Look to Allah with Fear and Hope
After the Fast has been broken, the heart should swing like a pendulum between fear and hope. For one does not know if one's Fast will be accepted, so that one will find favor with Allah, or whether it will be rejected, leaving one among those He abhors. This is how one should be at the end of any act of worship one performs. It is related of al-Hasan ibn Abil Hasan al-Basri that he once passed by a group of people who were laughing merrily. He said: "Allah, Great and Glorious is He, has made the month of Ramadan a racecourse, on which His creatures compete in His worship. Some have come in first and won, while others have lagged behind and lost. It is absolutely amazing to find anybody laughing and playing about on the day when success attends the victors, and failure the wasters. By Allah, if the veil were lifted off, the doer of good would surely be preoccupied with his good works and the evildoer with his evil deeds. I am too full of joy to indulge in idle sport, while for one who has suffered rejection laughter will be precluded by remorse."

Of al-Ahnaf ibn Qays it is reported that he was once told: "You are an aged elder; Fasting would enfeeble you." But he replied: "By this I am making ready for a long journey: Obedience to Allah, Glorified is He, is easier to endure than His punishment." Such are the inwardly significant meanings of Fasting.

Al-Ghazali, Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship

The Inner Dimensions of Fasting Pt.2

2008-08-27T06:56:00.001+08:00

3. Hear Not What Displeases Allah
Closing one's ears to everything reprehensible; for everything unlawful to utter is likewise unlawful to listen to. That is why Allah, Great and Glorious is He, equated the eavesdropper with the profiteer, in His words, Exalted is He: "Listeners to falsehood, consumers of illicit gain." [al-Ma'idah, 5:42] Allah, Great and Glorious is He, also said: "Why do their rabbis and priests not forbid them to utter sin and consume unlawful profit?" [al-Ma'idah, 5:63] Silence in the face of backbiting is therefore unlawful. Allah, Exalted is He, said: "You are then just like them." [al-Nisa, 4:140] That is why the Prophet, on him be peace, said: "The backbiter and his listener are copartners in sin."

4. Do Not What Displeases Allah
Keeping all other limbs and organs away from sin: the hands and feet from reprehensible deeds, and the stomach from questionable food at the time for breaking Fast. It is meaningless to Fast -- to abstain from lawful food - only to break one's Fast on what is unlawful. A man who Fasts like this may be compared to one who builds a castle but demolishes a city. Lawful food is injurious in quantity not in quality, so Fasting is to reduce the former. A person might well give up excessive use of medicine, from fear of ill effects, but he would be a fool to switch to taking poison. The unlawful is a poison deadly to religion, while the lawful is a medicine, beneficial in small doses but harmful in excess. The object of Fasting is to induce moderation. Said the Prophet, on him be peace: "How many of those who Fast get nothing from it but hunger and thirst!" This has been taken to mean those who break their Fast on unlawful food. Some say it refers to those who abstain from lawful food, but break their Fast on human flesh through backbiting, which is unlawful. Others consider it an allusion to those who do not guard their organs from sin.

The Inner Dimensions of Fasting Pt.1

2008-08-26T07:26:00.002+08:00

From Inner Dimensions of Islamic WorshipBy Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali
Translated from Ihya' Uloom ad-Deen by Mukhtar Holland

Three Grades
It should be known that there are three grades of Fasting: ordinary, special and extra-special.
Ordinary Fasting means abstaining from food, drink and sexual satisfaction.
Special Fasting means keeping one's ears, eyes, tongue, hands and feet -- and all other organs -- free from sin.

Extra-special Fasting means fasting of the heart from unworthy concerns and worldly thoughts, in total disregard of everything but Allah, Great and Glorious is He. This kind of Fast is broken by thinking of worldly matters, except for those conducive to religious ends, since these constitute provision for the Hereafter and are not of this lower world. Those versed in the spiritual life of the heart have even said that a sin is recorded against one who concerns himself all day with arrangements for breaking his Fast. Such anxiety stems from lack of trust in the bounty of Allah, Great and Glorious is He, and from lack of certain faith in His promised sustenance.To this third degree belong the Prophets, the true awliya and the intimates of Allah. It does not lend itself to detailed examination in words, as its true nature is better revealed in action. It consists in utmost dedication to Allah, Great and Glorious is He, to the neglect of everything other than Allah, Exalted is He. It is bound up with the significance of His words: 'Say: "Allah (sent it down)": then leave them to play in their vain discussions.' [al-An'am,6:91]

Inward Requirements
As for Special Fasting, this is the kind practiced by the righteous. It means keeping all one's organs free from sin and six things are required for its accomplishment:

1. See Not What Displeases Allah
A chaste regard, restrained from viewing anything that is blameworthy or reprehensible, or that distracts the heart and diverts it from the remembrance of Allah, Great and Glorious is He. Said the Prophet, on him be peace:

"The furtive glance is one of the poisoned arrows of Satan, on him be Allah's curse. Whoever forsakes it for fear of Allah will receive from Him, Great and Glorious is He, a faith the sweetness of which he will find within his heart."

Jabir relates from Anas that Allah's Messenger, on him be peace, said:
"Five things break a man's Fast: lying, backbiting, gossiping, perjury and a lustful gaze."

2. Speak Not What Displeases Allah
Guarding one's tongue from idle chatter, lying, gossiping, obscenity, rudeness, arguing and controversy; making (the tongue) observe silence and occupying it with remembrance of Allah, Great and Glorious is He, and with recitation of Quran. This is the fasting of the tongue. Said Sufyan: 'Backbiting annuls the Fast.' Layth quotes Mujahid as saying: 'Two habits annul Fasting: backbiting and telling lies.'

The Prophet, on him be peace, said: "Fasting is a shield; so when one of you is Fasting he should not use foul or foolish talk. If someone attacks him or insults him, let him say: "I am Fasting, I am Fasting!"'

According to Tradition: "Two women were Fasting during the time of Allah's Messenger, on him be peace. They were so fatigued towards the end of the day, from hunger and thirst that they were on the verge of collapsing. They therefore sent a message to Allah's Messenger, on him be peace, requesting permission to break their Fast. In response, the Prophet, on him be peace, sent them a bowl and said: "Tell them to vomit into it what they have eaten." One of them vomited and half filled the bowl with fresh blood and tender meat, while the other brought up the same so that they filled it between them. The onlookers were astonished. Then the Prophet, on him be peace, said: "These two women have been Fasting from what Allah made lawful to them, and have broken their Fast on what Allah, Exalted is He, made unlawful to them. They sat together and indulged in backbiting, and here is the flesh of the people they maligned!"'

Yunus is Cooked

2008-08-25T08:00:00.003+08:00

I have found the soul of souls.
Let this soul of mine be taken.

I've forgotten gain and loss.
Let this shop of mine be plundered.

I've passed beyond my very self.
I've removed the veils before me.

I am together with the Friend.
Let these doubts of mine fall away.

My own ego abandoned me.
The Friend took everything I had.

Those who give and take are friends.
Let this language of mine be jumbled.

I cut all ties and went to the Friend.
I fell in with Allah. Let my poems be scattered.

I became tired of twoness
and ate ate the table of Oneness.

I drank the wine of suffering.
Let all my remedies be thrown out.

Since this journey of Being began,
the Friend has rushed to meet us.

Light has filled the ruins of this heart.
Let this universe of mine be shattered.

I have passed up dreams.
I have tired of summers and winters.

I have found the Gardener of flowers.
Let this garden of mine be dug up.

Yunus, you say it well,
smooth as honey.

I have found the honey of honeys.
Let this hive of mine be given away.

-Dervish Yunus Emre, 14th C.C.E., Anatolia.

Ya Wadud #786.028

2008-08-24T09:30:00.000+08:00

"Love, intimacy, and constant remembrance are the glorious way. Essentially, love, love, and more love." - Shaykha Fariha al Jerrahi

The Taste of Faith

2008-08-23T10:21:00.000+08:00

Narrated Anas: The Prophet said, "Whoever possesses the following three qualities will taste the sweetness of faith: 1. The one to whom Allah and His Apostle become dearer than anything else. 2. Who loves a person and he loves him only for Allah's sake. 3. Who hates to revert to disbelief (Atheism) after Allah has brought (saved) him out from it, as he hates to be thrown in fire."
(Book #2, Hadith #20)

Give...#786.012

2008-08-22T07:46:00.000+08:00

Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari: The Prophet said, "Give food to the hungry, pay a visit to the sick and release (set free) the one in captivity (by paying his ransom)."

Blessings of Ramadan # 786.094

2008-08-21T06:38:00.000+08:00

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said: "Whoever establishes prayers during the nights of Ramadan faithfully out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not for showing off), all his past sins will be forgiven."

Ilahi #786.30

2008-08-20T07:10:00.003+08:00

Oh lover with infinite thirst
Drink this wine vast as the sky
Today is your day to die
Your great plunge into Divine Light
Release your mind from creation
Walk beside your mystic guide

This is my direct vision
In the mirror of the heart
The face of my Beloved
Caused me to disappear
Here in fana transparency
There is just Reality

Today I am coming home
Dervish cloak and heart of passion
Pouring out this brilliant wine
The wine cups Asma al Husna
Drink away O companions
There is no more sorrow on earth
Drink away O companions
There is no more sorrow on earth

Sincerity (edit)

2008-08-19T07:22:00.006+08:00

The lonely and destitute of love's people,
are sick till they reach the feast of union,
Remembrance and Affirmation are their elixir,
the remedy for pain is in the Verse of Sincerity (al-Ichlas).

Recite sincerity, come to sincerity, be incerity,
be seated on the Seat of Truthfulness,
become heir to the Prophets and Saints,
Union with the Beloved is in the Verse of Sincerity...

-Shaykh Muzaffer "Ashki" Ozak al-Jerrahi from Ashki's Divan.

Be obscure and humble

2008-08-18T07:38:00.000+08:00

Narrated Haritha bin Wahb: Al-Khuzai: The Prophet said, "Shall I inform you about the people of Paradise? They comprise every obscure unimportant humble person, and if he takes Allah's Oath that he will do that thing, Allah will fulfill his oath (by doing that). Shall I inform you about the people of the Fire? They comprise every cruel, violent, proud and conceited person." Anas bin Malik said, "Any of the female slaves of Medina could take hold of the hand of Allah's Apostle and take him wherever she wished."
(Book #73, Hadith #97)

Nisfu Shaban Hadith

2008-08-16T09:23:00.002+08:00

According to the Tradition related by Abdullah ibn Masud, the Prophet said: "If anyone perfoms a hundred cycles of prayer on the fifteenth night of Shaban, reciting al-Fatiha once and the noble Surat Iklas five times in each cycle, Allah will send down five hundred thousand angels, each of whom will record his merit in a book of light until the Resurrection. I swear to Allah, who has sent me as a true Prophet, that those who pronounce a blessing upon me on that night will receive a reward equal to that given to all the Messengers, Prophets, angels, and men."

-from; Irshad by Shaykh Muzaffer Ozak al-Jerrahi.

Supplications of Rasulallah

2008-08-15T09:17:00.003+08:00

"O Allah! Behold, You are All-Forgiving and You love to forgive. Please, we beg You to forgive us."

"O Allah! Your forgiveness is infinitely vaster than my wrongdoing, and I have more hope in Your boundless mercy than in my own deeds."

These are two short supplications that we have received from the blessed Messenger Muhammad, may Allah the Merciful always bestow upon him the blessing of intercession and the peace of knowing that his intercession is accepted.

Mosque: Djenne, Mali.

2008-08-15T06:34:00.001+08:00

Ilahi: This Great Love

2008-08-14T06:42:00.003+08:00

This great love, this vast and stormy ocean
Absolutely free from limitation
This great love is the true secret of Quran
Whoever tastes love will never be the same

This great love, the Holy Wine of Ashki
Clarifies and sanctifies the whole body
This great love unveils Rasulallah
Whoever meets him will never be the same

This great love, is our dervish circle-the maidan
The rose petal fire of noble Abraham
This great love is the deep secret of The Friend
Whoever tastes Love will never find its end

This great love, is Mansur's cry "Ana-al-Haqq"
Neither night nor day but only Truth exists
This great love is our Divine Essence
Whoever tastes Love is beyond praise and blame

Those who enter this arena of great love
Loose their heads beneath Love's brilliant flashing sword
Become Love, become The Truth, become The One
Whoever tastes Love will never be the same

Shaban 15th Hadith via Ali

2008-08-13T07:23:00.003+08:00

The noble Imam 'Ali r.a. related these words from Rasulallah (saws); "When the Fifteenth arrives, spend the night in prayer and the day in fasting. In other words, bring the night to life with acts of worship and obedience and win divine approval by fasting through the day. For when the sun sets the Lord manifests through His Beauty in the heaven of this world, saying: "Has no one anything to ask of Me, that I may grant his request? Is there none to beg My pardon, that I may pardon him? Is there none to ask Me for his sustenance in this world and the Hereafter, that I may give him what he asks and grant him provision and happiness?"

Let's say Allah all the time

2008-08-12T08:15:00.003+08:00

Let's say the name of Allah all the time.
Let's see what my Lord does.
Let's travel the Way always.
Let's see what my Lord does.

Just when you least expect it,
suddenly a veil is lifted.
The remedy arrives in time.
Let's see what my Lord does.

What did Yunus do?
What did he do?
He found a straight Path,
held the hand of a guide.
Let's see what my Lord does.

-dervish Yunus Emre, 14th C. Anatolia

Zikr in the Masjid #3

2008-08-11T07:09:00.002+08:00

114
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّنْ مَنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَنْ يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ وَسَعَىٰ فِي خَرَابِهَا ۚ أُولَـٰئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَدْخُلُوهَا إِلَّا خَائِفِينَ ۚ لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ

115
وَلِلَّهِ الْمَشْرِقُ وَالْمَغْرِبُ ۚ فَأَيْنَمَا تُوَلُّوا فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اللَّهِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَاسِعٌ عَلِيمٌ

Holy Quran, Surah 2:114-115

Zikr in the Masjid #2

2008-08-10T08:15:00.003+08:00

And who doth greater wrong than he who forbiddeth the approach to the sanctuaries of Allah lest His name should be mentioned therein, and striveth for their ruin. As for such, it was never meant that they should enter them except in fear. Theirs in the world is ignominy and theirs in the Hereafter is an awful doom.

Unto Allah belong the East and the West, and whithersoever ye turn, there is Allah's Countenance. Lo! Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.

Holy Quran, Surah 2:214-215 (M. Pickthal translation).

Zikr in the Masjid

2008-08-09T06:57:00.003+08:00

And who is more unjust than he who forbids that in places for the worship of Allah, Allah's name should be celebrated?-whose zeal is (in fact) to ruin them? It was not fitting that such (persons) should themselves enter them (the masjids) except in fear. For them (those who do not allow Zikrullah in the Masjids), there is nothing but disgrace in this world, and in the world to come, an exceeding torment.

To Allah belong the east and the West: Whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of Allah. For Allah is all-Pervading, all-Knowing.

Holy Quran, Surah 2:114-115 (Yusuf Ali translation)

Invitation to Quran Pt.2

2008-08-08T07:41:00.001+08:00

The physical text of symbols contains the nucleus of every event occuring from the beginning of this creation to its completion. The mystic shaykhs declare that there are twenty eight levels of interpretation in Holy Quran and there are as many meanings as there are words and letters.

The Quran is always protected by living guardians who are the friends of Allah. These are the ones who have merged back into divine Essence, and whose lives have become the interpretation of the Book. Their generosity and nobility, luminous wisdom and love for humanity, are the signs of their station. They are the ones who offer the Good News, as Quran is also called, to the believers and lovers of Truth. Without their divine vision, interpretation of the Quran contracts into a simple, literal meaning.

As the inner eye within the heart opens through the grace of the Pirs, the dervish is able to understand some of the deeper meanings of the Book. Rumi has compared the Quran to a bride who lifts her veil only to the one who approaches her with a pure heart.

Holy Quran speaking of itself:
This is a miraculous manifestation through Arabic letters of the mysterious Universal Quran, which remains timelessly inscribed upon a boundless transcendental tablet. Holy Quran 85.21-22.

Proclaim that your Lord is Most Bountiful, for He wrote upon your heart with the Mystic Pen, revealing to humanity what it never could have known. Holy Quran 96.3-5.

We first divinely revealed luminous verses from this Glorious Quran during the most sanctified night, for We long eternally to offer Our compassionate Divine Warning. On that mystic Night outside time, every facet of infinite Divine Wisdom is made clear. Holy Quran 44.3-4.

We have made this Arabic Quran easy to understand and remember. Are there any true human beings who long to receive its perfect guidance? Holy Quran 54.32.

Whenever this Holy Quran is being prayerfully recited, listen to it with the complete attention of your entire being, keeping profound inward silence, that you may consciously receive the inconceivable Divine Mystery. Holy Quran 7.204.

Every being in existence is revealed and contained in the Cosmic Quran. Holy Quran 6.38.

Quranic interpretations by Shaykh Nur in Atom from the Sun of Knowledge

Invitation to Quran

2008-08-07T01:09:00.001+08:00

The Holy Quran and the Noble Sunna are our only base and support.

Shaykh Nur al-Jerrahi

The physical text of symbols that we hold in our hand is actually a mirror for the true Quran which is the continuous revelation of Allah unfolding as the ocean of manifest Being and the life of each being. The true Quran is the form of the perfect human being. Therefore when Hazreti Aysha the beloved wife of the Prophet was asked about her noble husband, she answered simply that he was the living Quran. For the dervish, the shaykh is also the living Quran. Sitting in the presence of the shaykh is like reading Quran.

The true Quran is the great ocean of knowledge which sustains the way of Islam, disappearance into the Source of Love.

Dreams

2008-08-06T08:25:00.002+08:00

Thus will your Lord choose you and teach youthe interpretation of dreams and events-

Holy Quran 12.6

Muhammad the Truthful, may Allah embrace him in the perfect peace of union, reported that spiritual dreams convey one fortieth of the power of Revelation. Dreams are sent by the Truth to the hearts of the dervishes to reveal Divine guidance and knowledge. They require interpretation by the shaykh or khalifa and are not to be taken literally, for dream imagery is divine metaphor. Significant dreams should always be told first to the shaykh or representatives, and then they may be shared with dervishes and friends. Dreams are gifts to the mystic body of the community—they are not solely for the dreamer. It is recommended that dervishes keep a dream journal.

The most intimate teaching in our Dervish Order comes through spiritual dreams and their inspired interpretation. The shaykh does not deal with psychological or merely stress-releasing dreams, nor is there any fixed system of dream symbolism. Two dervishes came to our previous Grand Shaykh and reported the same dream: climbing a minaret and giving the Call to Prayer. To the first, the inspired interpreter commented, ‘You are going on pilgrimage. Make preparations.’ To the second, he remarked, ‘You have taken something that does not belong to you. Discover what that is and give it back.’ Before taking hand, the aspirant often receives a significant dream of Divine Permission or, in some cases, Divine Insistence. After taking hand, one usually experiences a dream confirming that the ceremony was accepted by Allah. In the context of Islamic spirituality, no sacred rite is considered to be automatically effective. Rather, one must seek and await signs of the Good Pleasure of Allah Most High.

Salawats With Love and Repect

2008-08-05T08:56:00.001+08:00

Bismi-Llahi-r-Rahmani-r-Rahim
Allah and His radiant angels send continuous blessings upon the sublime soul of the Prophet, O noble believers, so you as well should humbly and constantly request Divine Benediction for him, saluting him repeatedly with utmost love and respect - Qur’an 33.56

Fresh and Tender Hearts

2008-08-04T07:51:00.000+08:00

Narrated Kab: The Prophet said, "The example of a believer is that of a fresh tender plant, which the wind bends lt sometimes and some other time it makes it straight. And the example of a hypocrite is that of a pine tree which keeps straight till once it is uprooted suddenly.

(Book #70, Hadith #546)

Quranic Meditations 1.2

2008-08-03T07:25:00.003+08:00

The entire Quran is praise and tafakur on Allah. The following verses are among the special jewels for contemplation. To benefit from the nectar of their teachings bring them into your self and contemplate them as your self.

Meditation on Praise: See and hear the entire creation praising Allah. “The seven ascending heavens and the abundant earth, and all countless beings therein, declare His Glory, and there is not a thing that exists that does not celebrate His Praises (Holy Qur’an 17:44).”

Meditation on Allah’s Gaze: Feel the loving gaze of Allah upon you and within your heart at all times. “Surely Allah is pure Awareness and sees His servants as they truly are (Holy Qur’an 35:31).”

Quranic Meditations 1.1

2008-08-02T06:49:00.001+08:00

Quranic Meditations
The entire Quran is praise and tafakur on Allah. The following verses are among the special jewels for contemplation. To benefit from the nectar of their teachings bring them into your self and contemplate them as your self.

Meditation on Allah’s Face: “Wherever you turn, there is the radiantly beautiful Countenance of Allah (Holy Quran, 2:115).”

Meditation on Mercy and Gratitude: “Be grateful to Me, fill your life with pure gratitude, and do not even for an instant turn away from Me (Holy Qur’an, 2:152).” With a grateful heart, see everything around you as Allah’s Mercy. Extend this Mercy to all lives.

Wayfarer 1.0

2008-08-01T07:32:00.004+08:00

O' salik, travel naked to your Lover!
For at first glance you will be
bathed by tears of joy and pain!
................................................................

O' salik! This world is but a stable.
If you desire the swiftest steed,
ride the Wings of Love!

-Mustafa Abdul Wadud

Most Praiswworthy

2008-07-31T08:01:00.001+08:00

Allahumma salli ‘ala-l-Mustafa
Allahumma salli ‘ala-l-Mustafa
O Allah shower blessings upon the Chosen One

Badi ‘il-Jamali wa Bahri-l-Wafa’
Badi ‘il-Jamali wa Bahri-l-Wafa’
Exquisite in Beauty, The Ocean of Faithfulness

Wa salli ‘alayhi kama yanbaghi
Wa salli ‘alayhi kama yanbaghi
And bless him as he deserves—

As-Sadiq Muhammad alayhi-s-Salam
As-Sadiq Muhammad alayhi-s-Salam
The Faithful, The Most Praiseworthy, upon him be Your Peace

A traditional illahi

Isra and Miraj...

2008-07-30T08:28:00.001+08:00

Treasures of the Salawat

2008-07-30T04:41:00.003+08:00

Allahumma salli ‘ala sayyidina Muhammadin
O Allah please shower Your blessings upon our master Muhammad,

bahri anwarika
the Ocean of Your Lights,

wa ma‘dini asrarika
the Mine of Your Secrets,

wa lisani hujjatuka
the Tongue of Your Proof,

wa ‘arusi mamlakatika
the Bridegroom of Your Sovereignty,

wa imami hazratika
the Imam of Your Presence,

wa tirazi mulkika
the Embroidery of Your Empire,

wa haza’ini Rahmatika
the Treasury of Your Mercy,

wa tariqi shari‘atika mutaladhadhi bi-tawhidika
the Way of Your Shari’a, who delights in Your Unity,

insani ‘ayni-l-wujud
the Pupil of the Eye of Being,

wa-s-sababi fi kulli mawjudin
the Reason for Everything Brought into Being,

‘ayni ‘ayani halkika-l-mutaqaddimi min nuri ziya’ika
Essence of all Essences of Creation, dispatched from the Light of Your Brilliance.

Salatan tadumu bi-dawamika
Shower Your blessings upon him as long as Your Eternity lasts,

wa tabqa bi-Baqa’ika
As long as Your Subsistence subsists,

la muntaha laha duna ‘ilmika
never ceasing without Your knowledge,

salatan turdika wa turdihi wa tarda biha ‘anna ya rabba-l-‘alamin
as pleases You and him and as You will be pleased on our behalf, O Lord of the worlds.

Salawat found in the collection Dala’il al-Khairat, "Signs of the Treasures" compiled by a saint of the Shadhdhili tariqa, Muhammad b. Sulayman al-Jazuli, may his secret be sanctified. Many great saints regard this salawat as having the value of the recitation of 14,000 salawat.

Description of His Blessed Person

2008-07-29T12:00:00.002+08:00

The Lion of Allah, the venerable ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib, and fifteen of the Companions have handed down this description of the Chosen Messenger, Muhammad Mustafa, may Allah bless him and give him peace.

In character and conduct he was the most perfect of human beings. All the great Prophets were physically complete and beautiful of face, but the beloved of Allah was the most beautiful of them all. His chaste body was beautiful, his limbs well proportioned, his figure most comely. His forehead was wide and his chest was broad, as were his palms and the space between his shoulders. His neck, which was long and graceful, was like pure silver. His shoulders and arms, as well as the calves of his legs, were sturdy and solid, while he was long in the wrists. His fingers were fairly long, and fingers and hands alike were rather thick. His blessed stomach was not fat, and did not protrude below his chest. His insteps were arched, not flat. Medium tall in height, he was well built, powerful and strong. He was neither too thin nor overweight, but a good medium. As for his blessed skin, this was softer than silk. The large head, arched brows and straight nose were in perfect balance. His face was more oval than circular, neither too fat nor too round in the cheeks.

His eyebrows were close, but did not meet in the middle. He was not beetle-browed. There was a vein between his two eyebrows that used to swell and show up when he was angry. His eyelashes were long and the eyes themselves were black and beautiful and quite large. There was a touch of red in the whites of his eyes. His coloring was light, neither as white as chalk nor dark enough to be swarthy. The radiance that glowed in this blessed face was of a gentle rosy whiteness, bright and gleaming. His teeth were as lustrous as pearls; his front teeth sparkled as he talked, and when he smiled his blessed mouth beamed flashes as of exquisite lightning. When he let his hair grow, it came down past the lobes of his ears. His beard was thick and full. It was not long, but more than just enough for him to grasp. When he departed for the world of Eternity, his hair and beard had only just begun to turn gray: he had about twenty gray hairs on his head, a few in his beard. His body was clean and sweet-smelling whether he perfumed himself or not, his skin smelled better than the finest perfumes. Anyone who shook hands with him could smell his fragrance all day long. If he stroked a child’s head with his blessed hand, that child could be distinguished from other children by his delightful fragrance.

At the moment of his birth he was clean and neat and naturally circumcised. He was born with his umbilical cord already cut. His senses were unusually acute. He could hear from a great distance, and could see further than anyone else. All his movements were gentle. When he set out to go somewhere, he would make his way calmly and unhurriedly, deviating neither to right nor to left, but he walked briskly and smoothly. He might appear to be strolling along, yet those who approached him would find themselves falling behind, even though they were walking fast. There was a light and sweetness in his blessed face, fluency and charm in his speech. His language was articulate and eloquent, and he expressed himself with extraordinary lucidity. He never spoke unnecessarily and there was wisdom and counsel in all that he did say. He always addressed people at the level of their understanding. His face was smiling, his words were sweet. He never said a bad word to anyone, nor treated anybody badly. He would never cut a person short. He was affable and humble. Bad-tempered and coarse he was not. But he was serious and dignified. His laugh was also a smile. A person who suddenly happened to see him would be struck with awe.

Whoever enjoyed his company and friendship would come to love him with all his heart and soul. He respected the virtuous according to their degrees. He also treated his relatives with very great honor, yet never preferred them over those more worthy than they. Just as he treated with kindness the members of his own household and his companions, so did he deal gently and graciously with other people too. He was very good to his servants. He fed them whatever he ate himself, gave them the same clothes to wear. He was generous, gracious, tender and compassionate, courageous and tolerant. He was firm in pledge and promise, true to his word. He was superior to all in goodness of character and excellence of mind, worthy of every kind of praise and commendation. He gave all praise to God. In short, he was beautiful in form, perfected in character, a happy and blessed being whose like has never been and never will be created, may Allah bless him and give him peace.

(Hadith quoted in Irshad by Shaykh Muzaffer, may his secret be sanctified

Lineage of Light

2008-07-28T06:38:00.002+08:00

Bimillah irRaham irRahim,
The initiatory power received as one enters the Nur Ashki Jerrahi Order streams from the Divine Heart and from the heart of the beloved Prophet Muhammad, may Allah embrace him in the peace of perfect union. This light of transmission flows through the incomparable Hazreti Fatima and Hazreti Ali, daughter and son-in-law of the Prophet, and heart to heart through eleven centuries of mystic shaykhs, to the founding pir of our order, Hazreti Pir Muhammad Nureddin Jerrahi, born in Istanbul in 1678 CE. The unbroken chain of transmission continues until it reaches these shores with Nureddin Jerrahi’s nineteenth successor, Shaykh Muzaffer Ozak al-Jerrahi. In 1980 in the Masjid al-Farah, Shaykh Muzaffer placed the crown of the order, the taj, upon the head of Lex Hixon, Nur al-Anwar al-Jerrahi, and then upon the head of Fariha al-Jerrahi, who were kneeling side by side. For the remaining fifteen years of his life Shaykh Nur spread the lineage through the Americas. His vision of Universal Islam opens a new era of spiritual flowering.

When personally linked with the hand of the shaykh, the dervish becomes an illumined vessel for the light of the lineage, and an outpouring of the Divine Heart.

Islam is like clear water poured into different vessels. It takes the color and shape of each vessel.- Shaykh Muzaffer al-Jerrahi

Hazreti Pir Nureddin al-Jerrahi al-Halveti, may his secret be sanctified

The Prophet and Beloved of Allah, The Principle of Perfect Humanity, Muhammad Mustafa, may divine peace and blessings be upon him and his family

Allah Most High Supreme Reality, The Omnipresent Source of Truth and Love, The Beloved, The Only Spiritual Teacher

Merhaba Ya Rasulallah

2008-07-27T06:13:00.001+08:00

Marhaba Ya Rasulallah. Welcome, Prophet of Allah. Welcome, incomparable Sultan of Prophets. Welcome, Fountain of Mystic Knowledge. Welcome, Treasury of the Secret Meanings of the Holy Qur’an. Welcome, Healing Balm for all the world’s afflictions. Welcome, Nightingale from the Garden of Divine Beauty. Welcome, Bearer of the universal Forgiveness of Allah.

Welcome, Moon and Sun of Allah’s Mercy. Welcome, Perfect Focus of the Truth. Welcome, Shelter for the wandering soul. Welcome, Unwavering Spirit. Welcome, ya saqi, Cupbearer of the Wine of Love. Welcome, sublime Vision of those who truly adore. Welcome, Prince of Humankind, Beloved of the Creator. Welcome, Illumination of longing souls. Welcome, most intimately cherished Friend of Allah. Welcome, most beloved Soul. Welcome, Intercessor for the entire universe.

Welcome, O Sultan of Prophets for whom the earth and Paradise were both created. Your face shines with the intensity of noonday sun. Your powerful right hand lifts up those who have fallen along the way of Truth. You are the only foundation and solace for the lovers of Reality. You are the spiritual refuge for all conscious beings. You are healing for hearts broken by the world. You are the delicate spiritual joy of the heart that turns away from the world. O Sultan and Shaykh of all creation. O President of the Parliament of Prophets and Mystic Guides. O Clarifying Light for the eyes of human beings, both saints and simple believers. O Final One to mount the Throne of Prophesy. O Seal of the Prophets and Distributor of the Light of Prophesy to all hearts.

Your face makes the whole creation shine with greater clarity and brilliance. Your roselike beauty fills the hearts of lovers with the fragrance of roses. You overcome the night of spiritual ignorance and error, bringing the vineyard of realization to fruition with the sunlight of the Holy Qur’an. O beloved one of Allah, please assist us along the mystic way, and permit us to gaze upon your Face of Beauty at the End of Time.

—Atom From the Sun of Knowledge by Shaykh Nur al-Jerrahi, may his soul be sanctified.

Salawat #5

2008-07-26T08:16:00.002+08:00

Allahumma salli ‘ala sayyidina Muhammadin

O Allah, shower blessings upon our master Muhammad

wa ‘ala ali Muhammadin

and the family of Muhammad

bi-‘adadi anfasi-l-khala’ik

as many times as there are breaths in created beings.

Salawat Muzaffariyya, blessings upon the Prophet as received in inspiration

by Shaykh Muzaffer Ozak al-Ashki al-Jerrahi, may Allah sanctify his spirit.

Sincere Discerment

2008-07-25T08:44:00.003+08:00

Those who became complete
didn't live this life in hypocracy,
didn't learn the meaning of things
by reading commentaries.

Reality is an ocean; the law is a ship.
Many have never left the ship,
never jumped into the sea.

They might have come to Worship
but they stopped at rituals.
They never knew or entered the Inside.

Those who think the Four Books
were meant to be talked about,
who have only read explanations
and never entered meaning,
are really in sin.

Yunus means "true friend"
for those whose journey has begun.
Until we transform our Names,
we haven't found the Way.

-dervish Yunus Emre, 14th C Turkey