Water Transformed Weblog

To Morocco and beyond…..

water transformed. — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 05:28:05 +0000

Bismiallah Ir Rahman Ir Rahim.

….It’s been a while since I’ve plastered some words down on the ‘Words from the Verge’ page. And to be honest I’ve held back from writing in it due so many feelings going in this animated brain in my head. Dealing with trying to make connections here for spirituality hasnt been easy; and I remember Sheykh telling me before hand that it would take some real work on my part. Past emotions always tend to raise it’s head: undealt with anger, finacial follies, cultural issues and the hard trouble of finding sincerely down to earth friends;….. the ones that you dont have to prove anything to, have made times a bit more challenging in these few months. In hindsight, this Inshallah upcoming trip with the family to Morocco and Spain will do us all some good. It will be a good chance to meet some of the in-laws that I have yet to meet and am hoping to have a moment to sit with some of the Sufi tariqas of the Magrihbian land and hopefully make Dhikr while there. This Rajab has been very special so far. Inshallah it will only get better. Inshallah I will speak to you again in a few weeks.Please Make dua for a safe trip for us. As-Salaam Aliekum.

daud.

“The Similarities between Us.”

water transformed. — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 21:59:12 +0000

Quest Article June/July 2008

_________________________________________________________

The Similarities Between Us.

Bismiallah Ir Rahman Ir Rahim.

In the last issue here we went over some of the issues that one could be faced with when you are a revert to the path of Islam and dealing with family. Yet when you do revert to become a Muslim, you also become a part of a larger family: the Ummah of Islam. Then a big question comes in to point now. What is or should be the role of Spirituality in regards to Race Relations and to us as Muslims. Of course it would be easy here to pretend that we as Muslims don’t have cultural conflicts with each other and sing the “We are the World” theme to each other, but we know that at times things can get a little rough around the edges. It must have been an issue before as well in times earlier.

“ O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and female, and made you Nations that ye may know each other (Not that ye may despise each other.) Verily the most honored of you in the sight of Allah (s.w.t) is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge And is well acquainted (With all things).” Al-Quran 49:13.

The first time I saw this ayat was its posting on the walls of my old MSA while in University; which happened to be a historically Black College (…remember a Different World?). And kept questioning in my head; “Hmm…. if this is a historically Black College, then why is this here?” Of course being young and inexperienced in life it prompted those types of questions. But oh let me tell you, in time, I knew why they posted that Ayat up. Which even gets into the fact that people while still of the same race can still be so different amongst each other at times. Whether we want to acknowledge it or not, living here in America, Race and culture is at the backbone of almost everything we see and or is presented to us. Then take that equation and put Islam into it and we have a whole happy cauldron of opportunities to talk about. Leaving aside the debates that he have with each other about Aqidah, Fiqh, accusing each other of bidah and shirk and whose knowledge is most Sahih; there seems to have been a void in talking about the hidden racial prejudices that we all bring with us when we get together. Before you tell me to stop trippin, we know that this goes on in so many subtle and yet open ways. Which makes me remember incident when starting to study more where I got the “Why is your Sheykh Turkish?” speech. Or another incident where it was told to me ‘How come your people eat fried Chicken all the time?” Which alludes to the fact that Muslims are still human and just as susceptible to falling prey to believing stereotypes as anyone else. Certain cultural traits don’t necessarily define each individual of a race at all times. It’s like old Sociology classes coming back to life again. The Spiritual reality of Race Relations with us as Muslims is: Only the most perfect way of Islam could bring each of us a different people together; even if at times it is only in the prayer lines. Just think about it, Africans, Asians, Arabs, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Europeans, Americans and so on and so on; all representing some part of the Islamic World. All the different races and cultures under the Spiritual banner of Islam, which many Scholars say is a hidden secret of the Hajj and sharing our common culture, the Culture of Islam. This is something to behold if we ponder on this. No other way of life has brought so many different types of people together, and of course getting all of these different types of people it’s bound that at times cross cultural issues may pop up from time to time. On another Spiritual key, Islam has severed as a means in which people shed past notions and stereotypes of each other. And proof of this can be seen in our weddings, our Akeekahs, our social organizations, and manner in which defensive Jihad has been fought over the centuries, which has been comprised of Multi-Racial and ethnic forces of Mujahiddin. The generation of the Youth in this area is mostly likely to be in more contact with people of other Cultures than generations previous with the advent of things like the internet and the fast pace of technology. With all of this we should focus on the ties that bind us, rather than our limited cultural differences. And coming into the fold of Islam gives us a culture that we all can share no matter where you come from. As-Salaam Aliekum.

“The Dogs are going to Bark, But the Caravan Continues it’s Journey.”

water transformed. — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 13:39:11 +0000

A very powerful sohbet given by Sheykh Abdul Kerim, once again telling it how it is. And also clearing up alot of confusion concerning current events in our Tariqa today. Enjoy.

_________________________________________________________________________________

BismillahirRahmanir Rahim

THE DOGS ARE GOING TO BARK BUT THE CARAVAN CONTINUES ITS JOURNEY

Sohbet given by Sheykh Abdul Kerim al-Hakkani al-Kibrisi

Thursday 1 Jumad al-Thani, 1429
June 4, 2008
Osmanli Naksibendi Hakkani Dergahi, Siddiki Center, New York.

Auzu billahi min ash-sheytanir rajim
BismillahirRahmanir Rahim
Medet Ya Seyyidi Sultanul Awliya, Medet.

Tariqatuna sohbet wa khayru fil jamiat. Our Sheykh is saying, “Even if
it is for five minutes, two persons – two, three, four or five,
however many we are, just one speaks and others listen. This way we
will get the benefit of what comes out from those words inshaAllah and
we will be blessed because the Holy Prophet (sws) is saying, “Din-i
Nasihat.” Din is advice. And Shah Naksibendi (qaddasallahu sirruh) is
saying, “Our way continues through sohbet, through association. ” We
are not in any level to make sohbet now. Just making a couple of words
that maybe it will make us to wake up from the heedless station.

Sohbet is for people who are ready. Not for people whose physical body
is there but their spirit is circling in some other places, or
escaping or running, like last minute running to come to sohbet.
That’s not sohbet. You cannot make sohbet that way. But because we’re
here now, inshaAllah, we’ll see what the holy ones make us to say and
those words are for me and for you. If you take and you apply to your
life, you’ll win. If not then you say, `I listen to myself, my ego.’

That’s exactly what Sheytan did. He didn’t listen. He did not listen.
When Allah gave him order, “Make sejdah to Adam’, means, now listen to
Adam. From now on listen to him. He didn’t listen because he listened
to his ego saying, `I’m better. So how can I listen to that one.’ If
he would’ve listened then the secret that Allah subhana wa ta’ala has
planted into Adam (alayhi salam) would complete Sheytan’s knowledge.
But he didn’t. Because he didn’t listen he became disobedient.

The first disobedience in the Divine Presence, Sheytan. Second
disobedience, the ego. If the person is saying, `I’m a believer, I’m a
Mu’min’ then what is the sign? That means he listens to his Lord.
Mu’min is that one who listens to his Lord. Listening to the Lord is
not saying, `I’m taking the Quran and reading.’ No. Listening to the
Prophet (sws). He’s so far away from us now too. Eh, we have to find
somebody that we say, `Okay, I’m listening to this one. Anything that
I want to do, I may consult with this one. I may ask what is
benefiting me and what is not.’

Then even if that is a wrong one… because it’s another sickness in
today’s people that they are running to test the teachers. How are you
going to test the teacher? You’re a student. How are you going to
understand that one? So it’s another sickness. Sheytan is fooling that
way saying, “Well, there used to be good sheykhs in this world but
there is no more now.” That shows that that one is completely ignorant
because until the Judgment Day that must continue. They say, “There
used to be saints in this world but there aren’t anymore saints.” I’m
hearing here and there. Completely ignorant and idiot! Not
understanding anything. What makes that one to talk like that? His
ego. His ego is saying, “Don’t submit yourself anywhere. To me.” Ego
says, “You must listen to me. Nobody else. And when you listen to me
then I’m happy. If you’re not listening to me I’m not happy.”

So the 21st century people in the east, west, north and south… you’re
living in America, don’t think it’s only in America, no. Not anymore.
Before in some continents maybe but the majority of the people were
staying on the right road. No more. Only a handful of people
everywhere in the world are hiding themselves in the corners. The West
is running top-speed for what? For Dunya. One of the biggest trick and
trap of Sheytan is Dunya. Nothing else. If you’re falling for that
one, oh that means you give the leash to the hand of Sheytan.

So who’s an unbeliever? Who’s a Kafir? That one who listens to
Sheytan. The believer is that one who listens to Allah and the
unbeliever is that one, Kafir is that one who listens to Sheytan. Is
he listening to Sheytan directly? No. He’s listening to his ego and he
doesn’t want to hear anything from anyone. As to a seven-years- old kid
of today if you say, “Do this.”

“No, I don’t do.”

Eh, what do you know? What is right and what is good for you? You
don’t know. You have to listen.

But the adults lost their direction. So they don’t know how to teach
their children the simple things. I was watching one man who went to a
store with a little kid and there’s a box there. So many different
sandwiches and different things there and he was saying, “What do you
like? Which one do you like?”

“Ah, I want that one.”

He’s choosing something that not even an adult can eat if he’s not a
hundred percent hungry. And the man said, “Yes, give this to him.”

That kid doesn’t know what he’s going to eat and what he’s going to
choose. But the squarehead man is letting that kid because he doesn’t
understand and he doesn’t know what he’s going to give to the kid to
eat and to drink.

So it is just a simple example that is daily a hundred percent in our
lives. Saying, “What you like? What do you like honey? What you like?”
Put it in front of him and say, “Eat this.” Check out what is good for
that one and say, “You must eat this.” But leave that part. People are
sick and their mothers and their fathers aren’t putting in front of
them the right thing too, saying, “I don’t care.”

Yes, you don’t care. That’s true because you’ve just fallen into the
tricks and the traps of your ego. And (saying), “I’m trying my best.”
You’re not trying your best. You didn’t try your best. If you tried
your best then something is going to work there. But you’re not trying
your best. That means either you are disconnected from Allah subhana
wa ta’ala. If you are disconnected then you are connected to where?
You must be having connection somewhere. To Sheytan. And Sheytan is
putting laziness, Sheytan is making man to lose hope and Sheytan
making man to think, “I did my best. So I don’t care.”

But from time to time I’m watching in the Janaza prayers all those
people who are laughing and jumping up and down, one person is going
in the front, thousands behind sometimes, I’m watching in the
television but they are not jumping up and down anymore. So many of
them aren’t knowing that person. They’re just in that crowd going. The
heaviness of death makes everyone to become silent, sad and they start
thinking, “It’s coming to my way now.” That’s right.

So the believer is that one who keeps that alive in himself all the
time, knowing and thinking, `Azrail may come to me. If Azrail comes to
me in this state, what’s my state now? Where am I standing? Am I a
believer or an unbeliever? Is the faith in my heart or is it out of my
heart?’ When once we are giving the Shahadat, the faith is in our
heart but when we start doing the forbidden things that Allah and His
Prophet (sws) forbid us then the faith doesn’t stay in the heart
because the Holy Prophet (sws) is saying, “The faith and the kufr
cannot stay in the same heart.”

When you are preparing to do a wrong thing and you are coming and you
start doing it, the faith comes out from your heart. Kufr is inside
the heart now. Sheytan is ruling on you. You do that action and the
faith circles around your head. If it’s a small matter and later you
realize it and say, `Astaghfirullah’ then the faith may come in. If
it’s not a small matter then you are going to need to consult with
somebody, a holy person, to say, `I did this action. This was a very
bad action. I’m not comfortable anymore.’ Yes, you’re not going to be
comfortable anymore. So many people that are comfortable now, a time
will come when they’re not going to be comfortable because that is not
in your hand again. You cannot escape.

We cannot escape from the ruling of Allah subahna wa ta’ala on us.
From time to time we’re just moving out from the road this way and
that way but we cannot escape. The rope is in His hand. If he doesn’t
permit us then we cannot breath the air. So, “We live as we like.” We
don’t. That’s how it looks like that we do, but we don’t. Down in the
road they catch us. There are guards that are waiting and stopping,
saying, “This is the area. You cannot pass beyond this. Let’s see what
you came here with.”

So who’s an intelligent man? An intelligent man is he who runs after
his faith to protect his faith. That one is an intelligent man. And
the intelligent man must have faith. Faith, intelligence. Faith,
modesty. When Adam (as) was coming out from Paradise Allah subhana wa
ta’ala sent Jibreel (as) to him saying, “Ask him to take one of these
three as a present to him when he’s going to Dunya.” And Jibreel (as)
came with intelligence, faith and modesty. And he said to Adam (as),
“Allah subhana wa ta’ala is favoring you. Take one of them going down
to Dunya. You are going to need it. You are only allowed to take one
of them.”

Adam (as) looked at it saying, “I’ll take intelligence. ” And Jibreel
(as) said to the other two, “Go back to your place.” And faith said,
“Oh, I cannot go back.” He said, “Allah is ordering Adam to take one.”
It said, “Yes, but at the same time Allah subhana wa ta’ala has
ordered me saying, `Where’s intelligence that’s where you’re supposed
to be. Never separate from the side of intelligence. ‘ And Jibreel (as)
said to modesty, `Go. You go.’ It said, `I cannot because Allah has
ordered me where’s intelligence and where’s faith, I must accompany
them. I cannot separate from those ones.’ And he said, `Take all and
go down to the earth.’

And he came down. And with that intelligence, with that faith and with
that modesty Adam (as) understood what he did. He came back to
himself, he understood, he stood up and he started crying. He started
showing his weakness saying, “Ya Rabbi, I’m your weak servant. If you
close Your door to me then I have no place to go except to stand at
Your door and to cry. There’s nothing else I can do. I cannot eat and
I cannot drink and I am not going to move from here. I’m going to cry
only because I’m a weak servant and you’re a powerful King. King of
kings. Sultan of sultans. And I’m asking forgiveness. “

Three hundred years, not three days. Today’s people not five minutes.
Something happens to them, five minutes.

`Do. Continue.’

`I give up.’

You give up? Where are you going to go? Giving up means, `I’m turning
my way back to hell now. The doors of hell opening and he’s running.
Don’t give up. Sheytan is coming to make man to give up from his
responsibilities. First from his intelligence. Intelligence is not
working anymore. People lost their minds. They are drunk, running in
the streets drunk.

We were not like this before. Especially, the Muslim people.
Especially, the people who are coming from the eastern countries. You
were not like that before, running in the streets. This was the style
of the West once and the West is waking up. That is the style of the
Capitalist countries. Their commercialism is making them to run back
and forth to the stores. What is your business in the streets
twenty-four hours? What is your business in the marketplaces
twenty-four hours? What are you going to do? You don’t need anything.
It’s because they cannot sit home. Yes.

`I cannot sit. I’m tired. I’m bored. You know I’m suffocating. ‘

If you’re suffocating then go to the cemetery and watch. Maybe you’ll
feel good then. Go to the hospitals and watch how much people are
suffocating. Look and say to your ego, `That one is you. That may come
to you one day. If you don’t put yourself on the straight road then
that action may come to you.’

So the intelligent man keeps the straight way, the Prophet’s (sws)
way, keeps his modesty and doesn’t interfere into anybody’s business.
He looks to perfect himself, to put protection, especially in these
days. He doesn’t open his mouth to speak nonsense.

Sin! What is one of the biggest sins? Committing adultery is between
individuals and their Lord. That is a sin between the individual and
the Lord. There are sins, forbidden actions that are between Allah and
the individuals who are doing it. There are sins that are between
Allah, the individual and the whole mankind. If you are sharing that
sin it is very heavy. And one of that one, the biggest one, is
backbiting, slandering, lying and cheating on other people. What is
the Holy Prophet (sws) saying? “The believer will not cheat anyone and
the believer will not be cheated by anyone.” If he’s a believer then
he cannot cheat and he will not be cheated by anyone.

So we are watching today, it is a very sad thing to see that the world
is running to hell, the mankind from the east, west, north and south,
people are running into hell, Sheytan is driving them to hell. We say,
`Save, save yourself and save somebody with it.’ If there’s a big fire
going on in this building, I hope it never happens, but if there is
then what are you going to do? The first thing you have to think is,
“Let me save myself out from this fire.” If you are thinking and
knowing that you are strong and you are going to be able to save
yourself then the second thing you’re going to think is, “Let me save
some valuable stuff from here.” This is what you’re going to think.
The whole mankind is running towards the hell side, Sheytan is dancing
in front of them and everyone’s running behind but not waking up to
save themselves and at least to save somebody else.

Slandering, lying and backbiting are some of the biggest sicknesses of
the Muslims today. In the old days people weren’t daring, saying,
`This person is a Sheykh.’ Even if he was a bad one no one was saying
anything about that bad one because, `Maybe he has some good
connection and I’ll be punished.’ Today’s people lost that faith. It’s
a sign that the faith is lost. There’s no faith there. That is enough
sign that, `Yes, you lost that faith.’

Today you saw that person doing something wrong with your own eyes,
let’s say. Maybe tomorrow he has asked forgiveness and Allah subhana
wa ta’ala has forgiven that one. What is your business to go opening
that one up? It is a forbidden action. Allah forbid it, Alayhi salatu
wa salam forbid it and the Awliya Allah are forbidding. Who’s giving
right to who? Sheytan must be.

So maybe people don’t know the heaviness of that. I may say the
heaviness. Those who are backbiting and slandering, these words are
for those. Huh, if they are speaking the truth then they are not given
the permission to speak the truth because Allah is saying, `If I’m
opening something wrong about that one to you, it is only for you to
look at it, take lesson and to cover it and walk away. It’s not your
business to interfere what that one does and to go around making
confusion.’ Confusion is another biggest sin that man can do.

So the Holy Prophet (sws) is saying, `If it is a man who’s backbiting
and slandering, his sin is just like that man who’s standing right in
front of the Kaba and making adultery with his own mother.’ Did you
like that one now? Think on it. `If it’s a woman who’s doing that it
is just like that woman standing in front of the Kaba and making
adultery with her father.’ The heart must be shaking now. For people
who have faith, their hearts must be shaking. And if I, you or anyone
who’s doing that, right away you must say, `Astaghfirullah Ya Rabbi!
And I’m not doing that anymore.’ If the person thinks that he has the
luxury to continue with that, mashaAllah. Ohho, Abu Jahil said so many
things to the Prophet (sws) in front of him and behind him. It didn’t
give him high titles. It just put him through the lowest hells.

Did the Holy Prophet (sws) lose something? No. The more they said to
him the more Allah subhana wa ta’ala praised him to higher stations.
That’s how it was, that’s how it is and that’s how it’s going to stay.
Mu’min is that one who listens to the Lord’s order, his Prophet’s
(sws) order, his Sheykh’s order and runs to do good things to himself,
to protect himself from the fire, tries to be a better one to work for
his Sheykh to protect others. At least just to give something to
others. At least to give their hand.

Yes, so many are fighting in these days, especially in our tariqat,
about who’s a wakil, who’s a Sheykh and who’s not. They are just tying
the whole tariqat circling around two men. This tariqat didn’t start
yesterday. From the time of the Holy Prophet (sws) it’s continuing.
Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) took the secret from the Holy Prophet (sws). He
had 124,000 Sahabis around him and every one of them took secrets from
the Holy Prophet (sws). Hazrat Ali (ra) wasn’t saying, “Ali is the
only door going to the Prophet (sws) or going to Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra)”
or “This one is the only door.” Every Sahabi had their own secrets and
Allah subhana wa ta’ala is giving secrets to every creature. Every
creature has its secrets.

So Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) when passing from this world passed the secret
to Salman-e Farsi (ra). So many more people entered into Islam and so
many more people started working for Islam, started working in that
tariqat, spreading everything away. Coming down to this time when all
tariqats must lead to one tariqat, all tariqats are leading to one
tariqat and that tariqat is the Naksibendi Hakkani Way, all tariqat
roads are entering into that main highway and some people are
disconnecting, cutting everything off and saying, “We’re just giving
this title to two men.”

Who’s giving the titles? Who’s the title giver? Sheykh Mevlana? He’s
such a great Sultanul Awliya, everyone’s saying that he’s such a great
Sultanul Awliya, and he can only raise two persons? Two men as his
door that he’s reaching to the east, west, north, south and in the
whole world? That is only ego. Nothing else. Those who’re saying it
are working for their ego and those who’re accepting that are also
working for their ego. Not only those ones who are saying but also
those ones who are accepting, saying, “I am the only one”, they are
working for their ego also.

So what’s Grandsheykh saying? What’s Sheykh Mevlana saying? I’ll tell
you what’s Sheykh Mevlana saying. Sheykh Mevlana is saying, he said it
so many times in front of me, he said it so many times in front of
other people, saying, “If a man can manage to bring forty people
around him, if he’s living on the other side of the world and he has
never seen me and he accepted me through his heart, he’s my wakil on
those people. If they’re accepting him and he’s accepting them, then
I’m accepting that one. He’s my wakil.

Who’s the wakil? Wakil is not that one who goes around backbiting,
slandering and attacking other people. Wakil is that one who runs to
do a work for his Sheykh, for his Prophet (sws), for Allah subhana wa
ta’ala and for the whole mankind. That one is a wakil. Allah subhana
wa ta’ala has given a higher title than that to a wakil. Allah is
making man to be His Khalifah on the face of the earth. You want
something higher than that? He’s saying, “I have honored you to be the
Khalifah on the earth.” Khalifah not only to these people because
everyone is one Khalifah. But mankind is not carrying their secrets
that Allah has given to them. So they’re not knowing what to do with
it. Everything that Allah has created, everything that is in creation
is under the authority of Insan-i Kamil, the Perfect Man that Allah is
giving authority. Everything that He is creating is under the
authority of that man.

So inshaAllah, this much should be enough for you and for me because
I’m hearing back and forth, people are attacking back and forth,
especially to our sites people are attacking, I’m hearing. We’re not
responding to them. We’re not going to respond to them. Those people
who are following the Osmanli Naksibendi Way, Osmanli Way is not just
to go opening your mouth back and forth to fight. We’re not responding
to them. They can attack as much as they want. We are going to
continue our journey. As another saint said once upon a time, “The
dogs are always going to bark. The caravan is going to continue on its
journey. That one is a fool who stops and starts barking back to the
dogs.” Don’t bark to the dogs. The job of the dogs is to bark and the
job of the wise man is to watch and not to get bitten by the dog and
continue his journey.

We have a journey and we must make it before Azrail is reaching to us.
We have so much work to do on our own selves, in our own families and
in our own loved ones that are surrounding us. If we finish all that
then ohh… if you’re in America then America has 300 million people.
Reach to them. Don’t fight with each other. Saying, “One Sheykh in
America? Not one Sheykh, 1000 Sheykhs are not enough for America. Not
one thousand!” Hmm. Who’s saying this? Grandsheykh said. I was
present. That time some nonsense was going on again, saying, “One
sheykh, one sheykh.” He said, “What one sheykh?” We were getting out
from the car trying to move to one place, before we were reaching from
one house to another house twenty-four hours passed. He said, “Not one
Sheykh, not 1000 sheykhs are enough for this country.”

Yes, this is only in America. We are worldwide. At least accept to say
that there are 124,000 Sahabis and there are 124,000 Wali who are
representing those Sahabis. At least accept that part. No! The ego is
saying, “Everything is for me. I want this and I want that one.” What
Allah is giving to you is yours. No one’s going to take it away. What
Allah is giving to that one, you cannot take it away.

In the army the Generals are giving the stars to some people. They
pass their tests and they get their stars. The head, the Genel Kurmay,
the head of the army, what do you call that one?

“The Chief of Staff.”

Chief of Staff or whatever is passing from there, giving sign saying,
“Now this one has three stars.” The one who has three stars is trying
to take that away or the one who has four stars. You cannot take that
away because you’re not the one who’s giving. The highest one is
giving. You cannot even take from the one who has one stripe here. You
have to show thousands of reasons before you are taking that stripe
away. The Turks adapted themselves into tariqat very well because they
have always been trained through the army way. And yes, most of the
things in the army are just like working in the tariqat.

In these days, because there’s so much weakness, we’re not working
that way. We’re just working a little bit differently. So because of
that so many dogs are barking. We must continue in our journey. Work
on our websites, do things, spread whatever you can spread. Permission
is given. If you think that you are sincere to spread, to put words to
people, open up a site and spread it. Even if you’re putting your own
pictures in it, it’s okay. Put a picture and spread the word, spread
the word to other people. Try to reach to other people. You’ll be
rewarded for that. One day that man may wake up and say, “What am I
doing? Why am I doing it in this egoistic way? Let me do it in the
right way again.” And according to the person’s intention Allah
subhana wa ta’ala is going to direct that one to the right way. The
Awliya Allah are watching, they are watching our activities what we
are doing and how we are doing and that’s how we’re going to be
rewarded inshaAllah ar-Rahman.

This much should be enough for you and for me. We are not going to
attack those ones who are attacking us. And as a matter of fact I have
news also that some people, as they did it before, they entered to our
websites, our groups and this and that, spying, taking words, taking
people’s email addresses, attacking them, writing to them and saying
bad things to them. It is easy to find them out and to kick them out.
We are not kicking them out. They are going to stay in our sites
unless they take themselves out. They are going to learn some manners.
They are going to learn some manners because most likely the areas
that they are following have no manners. So they don’t learn manners
that way. They may learn manners. We don’t attack them. They can come
to our dergah, they can sleep, they can eat, they can sleep, they
don’t have to do anything else. Only thing is they just have to be
under the authority.

Welcome to those who comes.

Farewell to those who leaves.

That goes to you, to me and to every one of us.

Wa min Allahu tawfiq

Bihurmatil Habib

Bihurmatil Fatiha.

Choosing Islam. Remaining Loyal.

water transformed. — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:17:50 +0000

Quest Article. May 2008.

_______________________________________________________

Choosing Islam. Remaining Loyal.

Bismiallah Ir Rahman Ir Rahim.

Asma’ bint Abi Bakr, said, “My mother (who has not yet embraced Islam) visited me in order to restore good relations after the Prophet’s treaty (of Hudaybiyah). I asked the Prophet if I should have anything to do with her, and he replied, ‘Yes.’ Ibn ‘Uyayhan (one of the narrators in the chain) said, “Allah revealed the following concerning her: (Bukhari (#25), Muslim, and Dawud).

“Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity.” Al Qur’an 60:8

Social issues are a major part of the Spiritual path of Islam. And a major issue that a Revert to the path of Islam can deal with is how to co-exsit and keep good or at least a calm relationship with their non-Muslim family. Embracing Islam; whether your were born into a practicing Muslim household or not, it is and foremost Allah’s mercy on us and both come with their challenges and test. This passion that the revert feels when they embrace Islam can many times be a shock or seen as a ‘phase’ by the non-Muslim side of the family. Depending on the situation either the acceptance of you comes gradual or it’s a constant conflict. When I embraced Islam it was an era Malcolm X hats from Fam-Mart, hip-hop artist using Islamic phrases in their lyrics and it was ‘cool’ then to be out with some of your friends going to eat and saying “no pork please” to the server. Of course, when things are new to you that’s when they seem the most fresh. And then some weeks, months, years go by and then at your family re-union you may find that not all of your family is as accepting of your decision to embrace Islam; this is the most crucial point. Many of our non-Muslim Mothers, Fathers, Aunts, Uncles Cousins and so on have a lot to deal with when you’ve embraced Islam. And as we know it, it can be seen in many examples of being shunned, constantly told that Jesus (a.s.) loves you and or even worse being cut off from the family altogether. Of course these are extreme cases, yet they do happen all over the world. In between these stages the revert can experience self-questioning, burnout or in the other extreme, resort to calling members of the blood family names to mask the hurt of feeling judged by them. This is where the spiritual power comes in to help you through this time if you happen to be in this situation. In the vein of method to true self help, the best way to help your family is to help yourself first. And the best way to help yourself is to remain loyal to your Shahadah. If you have been blessed to enter into Islam; you have to consider it a gift and no one has the right to take the treasure away from you. Of course the days of Malcolm X hats and conscious lyrics come with searching high and low for them. For the revert who embraces Islam now has entered in the era of fear, distrust and blatant open disrespect for the path of Islam at every turn, so yes that added pressure is there. Even in all of this, if you have chosen to embrace Islam, you have made the biggest adjustment of your life, now it’s up to your family to trust, and respect your decision about this. In a perfect world they would all respect us, but even if some don’t, your Shahadah is your gift, never let it go. Inshallah in time, if they love you they will accept you. If not, we show them the respect to the best of your ability in keep your faith. Why discuss this?; Because it is real. The Shahadah is a pledge for life. Remaining loyal to it is the best way you can help your non-Muslim side of your family because they will eventually have to recon with the fact that you are not going through a ‘phase’, but an eternal transition by accepting Muhammad (s.a.w) and the final revelation. Burnout is also real. After giving Shahadah, we can be faced with a lot of issues besides family that can make us jaded, negative and discontent with dealing with others even in the same community. If this happens (it is more common than we like to admit) still; it’s that Spiritual happiness of remembering uttering your Shahadah for the first time that pulls us out of those negative feelings and so on and so on, inshallah until the day we die. Remaining Loyal sets us free. Dropping out early only brings us misery. To anyone who has recently embraced Islam it is no coincidence, treasure it at all cost; the rough times only make you stronger. Inshallah in time, your non-Muslim side of the family may be asking you to host the next family reunion. Hey…it could happen. As-Salaam Aliekum.

Black Seed Products for you and your family.

water transformed. — Sun, 11 May 2008 16:30:58 +0000

Narrated Abu Huraira (r.a): I heard Allah’s Apostle (s.a.w) saying “There is healing in Black Seed for all diseases except death..”

Inshallah, please visit my online webstore!!

If you have been wanting to find Black Seed and natural Honey products for your family, please click the link below. I have personally used some of the products here and found them to be very good and healthy. I recently became an affiliate here in the San Diego area for Sweet Sunnah herbal. Safe and secure online ordering and a wide variety of Black Seed based products to choose from. I have products for both Men, Women and safe Black Seed herbal products for children Here are some of the products you can find and more:

Shop @ Sweet Sunnah.com

Black Seed Body Care

Black Seed Dietary Supplements

Black Seed Facial Care Products

Black Seed Herb Loose

Black Seed Oil

Black Seed Oil Blends

Black Seed Organic Hair Care

Cholesterol Management

Colon and Parasite Cleansing

Diabetes Support

The Rawdah. 1429.

water transformed. — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:45:07 +0000

Quest Article. April 2008

______________________________________________________________

Bismiallah Ir Rahman Ir Rahim

Over this past year the theme here has been the overall topic of ‘spirituality’ and it’s many pockets and sub-categories that come along with it as how it relates us on different levels. Something took place about a month ago that seemed to

show the sign that Muslims here in San Diego have been hungering for something deeper for a long time. Now, I haven’t been the biggest supporter of Conferences throughout the years, but there was one that happened last month that for those who were there, felt as if something was truly taking place; The 5^th Annual Rawdah of 1429 A.H. What I appreciated most was the fact that the theme was on the legitimate science and practical application of Islamic Spirituality in the daily life of the Muslim; other wise known as the Islamic science of Tasawuuf. Yes,… that long and misunderstood word that starts with a ‘T’ that so many of today’s Islamic scholars are scared to say in public anymore. The set up of the three day program flowed smooth and vibe of the location was not burdensome at all. Those who attended ranged from those who have been practicing Tasawuuf in their daily lives taught by their teachers, to college students curious about the ways of Islamic Spirituality, and even to those who may not have agreed with the science at all but came to support their spouses with an open mind. And that’s what made the Rawdah special; getting all these different people together and putting what ever issues to the side to hear something fresh and new.

Many times when you think about trying to be ‘spiritual’ as a Muslim, how does one do that? Well if you are keeping the Fard, (religious obligations) that is just the first step. And for many, that’s enough. However many of us take the approach of taking on Islamic Spirituality in an osmosis like manner; like if we just think about it hard enough it will pass through our skin and into our Spirit. One of the themes that this conference pointed out is that it takes work and inner vigilance AND on top of that being trained at the hand of a teacher who would help you understand your emotional states once you begin seeking. However, I could go on and on and it would never be enough for the skeptic; in this case one needs the Daleel. O.K no problem. During the course of the Rawdah it was highlighted what the beginning rules and stipulations of the science of Tasawuuf are from Imam Nawawi’s Al-Maqasid which are 5. 1) Having Godfearingness publicly and privately. 2) Doing ones best to live according to the sunna in word or deed. 3) Indifference to whether others accept o reject you 4) Satisfaction with Allah (s.w.t) in scarcity and plenty 5) Turning to Allah in happiness or afflictions. And those 5 basic starting points have been validated in numerous Ayats of the Qur’an and valid hadiths relating to Ihsan; both inner and outer. Almost no one can learn to do something with out being taught first. In the same way that the science of preserving the hadith and the Quran came about as the history of Islam unfolded, the science of keeping the heart intact as well evolved. Not only to learn the hadith and the verses of the Qur’an, but to apply them and preserve them in the innermost area of your heart with love; is the science of Tasawuuf as related by the Scholars of Ihsan. However, even in all of this there was a feeling there. Good topics and a chance to hear practical ways to get over our inner personal issues that need to be worked on. The speakers who were invited, although world renown kept a very light and humorous, yet serious and sweet approach to talking about this issue. The food was good and so was the conversation. I’ve talked to few who attend since then and many of them said the same, “They felt something”. What is this something that we feel but cant put it in to words? That is your heart speaking. The climax of the Rawdah for me actually didn’t take place at the conference location itself, it was the closing when many gathered by the water of calm San Diego location and roasted halal marshmallows and talked about the feelings that they had and we even got a good history lesson that we could use to further our spiritual progress. Inshallah, may more situations like this occur and that many could benefit from. As-Salaam Aliekum.

The Unnani-Tibb Medical System.

water transformed. — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 15:46:01 +0000

Quest article March 2008.

————————————–

The Unani-Tibb Medical System.

Bismiallah Ir Rahman Ir Rahim.

Soon will We show them our signs in the furthest horizons, and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth…”

Is there a doctor in the house? I’ve always wanted to say that. But on a serious note, the issue of health and health care here and a abroad is a very serious issue. Some can afford the benefits of health care through the benefits of their insurance while others may not have the benefit. Yet, good physical health is a need that we all need to be able to deal with the issues of day to day routines. When thinking about topics related to Islamic Spirituality, proper physical health too almost certainly comes to mind as well. The Golden Age of Islamic history not only produced world renown poets and scholars, but also ground breakers in the area of Physicianship as well. Although it may be hard for some of us to grasp, many of the holistic practioners of medicine advocated preventative health care rather than circumstantial health care; which most of us are used to dealing with now when we feel sick. Islamicly, the Muslim physicians knew this and the importance of the Spirituality in relation to the body. The Unani-Tibb Medicine system led the way in the Islamic world and nearby regions with it’s concentration on the use of honey, nigella sativa (black seed), cupping, dhikr and regulation of the digestive track to help many feel better. Imagine that; Islamic Medicine. One of the front runners of the Unani-Tibb system of Islamic Medicine was Ibn Sina (Avicenna) who lived during the common era of 970-1037and who was responsible for writing ‘The Canon of Medicine’. Which many have regarded as the most famous book in the world related to medicine, past and present. One major reason why this medical system is so important was for one major reason: the Dynamic Elements of the body starts with the Ruh (Spirit Soul). On a physical level ,the practioners of the Unani-Tibb system started the system of restoring balance to the body, through the stomach. Thus Ramadan and Sunnah fasts were very important to keeping the body mind and the Spirit of the one seeking balance in functional condition. Now,.. before a rush is made to call Islamic Medicine a bidah it is important to see what the main foundations of the system were based on: regulation of food intake, use of halal herbs and incorporation of fasting on a regular basis, all of which can be validated in the life style and behavior of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) Often times people think of Spirituality as being separate from any physical purpose. However Islamic Spirituality and medicine go hand in hand. We are not only soul, but a body that houses the soul. Which speaks to the fact that since our physical body is a vehicle and a tool to take us to the next life, it requires the utmost care and responsibility. What is most interesting about the Unani-Tibb medical system is the only system that starts with the ‘Soul’ as the Dynamic Element. Where as the remaining three: Ayurveda, starts with ‘energy,’ Chinese starts with Chi; ’life energy’ and Western; which starts with the immune system. The healers of the Unani-Tibb medical system knew that without a purging and continuous check on the ’Soul’, physical healing could only go so far. And starting with the Soul is most in line with the Fitra (natural way) of Islamic thought and life practices. There have been many changes in the way we get better when we feel sick, or in the manner in which we see our Primary Care Physicians. And by all means, by Allah’s (s.w.t) means, many of them have done very, very, positive, helpful and beneficial things for helping people all over the world. My intention in discussing the Unani-Tibb system was to silence the critics of Islamic contributions of the “Civilized” world at large. Those who posed the stance that Islam, and Muslims where uneducated and unenlightened. As we see here, this could be nothing further from the truth.

Now this may sound like a boring introduction to a National Geographic segment on ancient medical herbal history but this aspect of Islamic history stands in direct contrast to the select few called historians who have argued that the religion of Islam never brought anything productive to the ‘civilized’ world. Knowing these parts of our history in relation to spirituality should give us hope and give us the possibility to think wide. Also, to see the bigger picture of how we as Muslims are the key not only to the worlds spiritual illnesses, but we also have a history that can regulate the worlds physical ailments as well.

As-Salaam Aliekum

Old friends, New friends and the Rawdah.

water transformed. — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 04:32:56 +0000

bismiallah ir rahman ir rahim.

Sometimes you never know when and how you will run into old friends and when you will make new ones. This most recent Rawdah which happened to have been hosted here in San Diego this year showed that an event like this can make it possible for people to unite again. What was even more special was that this years theme was on the topic of Tasawuuf. So many people representing their pledged tariqas were present and many curious people came to share in this wonderful event. We were all on a lunch break in this picture, and yes…it was good. As-salaam-aliekum.

Maulana Shaykh Nazim Sohbet. Lefke Cyprus. 2-4-08

water transformed. — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:21:16 +0000

Shaykh Mawalana / February 4, 2008 / Sohbet from Naqshbandi OTTOMAN on Vimeo.

Bismiallah Ir Rahman Ir Rahim.

It is rare that you find people giving talks like these anymore. This sohbet given here by Sheykh Nazim, Grandsheykh of the Nakshbandi Sufi Order really hits home to many of the issues that the world is faced with today. If you listen, listen with an open mind and an open heart. Look beyond the appearances and see what is in it for you. As-Salaam Aliekum.

1429 After Hijrah.

water transformed. — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 20:17:46 +0000

January 2008 Quest Article.

____________________________

Bismiallah Ir Rahman Ir Rahim.

Just as quick as we had entered into the Islamic Year of 1428 After Hijrah, it left us just as fast and now praise be to Allah (s.w.t) we as the present nation of Muhammad (s.a.w.) have now entered into the New Islamic Year of 1429 After Hijrah. It was good idea to use the end of the previous Islamic year to mend strained relationships with others and to forgive or be forgiven by others during that time. Now the blessed month of Muharram is here and it is a beginning and a fresh start for us to approach the year with intending to make Spirituality more a part of our daily lives. For the Muslims, our New Year is 1429 A.H. and keeping this in our hearts and minds sets the tone for how we see ourselves as Muslims in relation to others around us. In the month of December in the Common Era calendar, almost anyone who is alive can hear the term “New Years Resolution.” Well I’m sorry to say; in this New Islamic Year of 1429 A.H. we as a nation of Muslims are in need of our own ‘New Years Resolution’. We need a resolution of a Islamic Spirituality in our hearts, minds, intentions and in our teaching institutions. With the advent of Muharram, we have in it a special time to complete some voluntary fasting and other acts of worship, a time to reflect on our year that lays ahead of us. Abu Huraira (Radiyallahu ‘anh) reports that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said that after Ramadan, the fasts of Muharram have the greatest excellence. [Sahih Muslim].

About two weeks ago I had the chance to hear some inspiring words in which it was stated by this elder that spoke something to the effect of taking time to incorporate more voluntary acts of worship to help us break our spell of heedlessness, anger and spite that we have towards one another to create a sound calm and relaxed heart; and it was inspiring. We often think of exercising our bodies, but often forget to exercise our spiritual needs. ‘Path of the Heart’ first and foremost always tried to concentrate on this aspect : ”That we all have un-accessed power, love and energy flowing through us, yet is dormant” Speaking to myself first. In addition to the resolution of keeping physically fit, and the other list of resolutions that we put on ourselves, we NEED a resolution to be more ’Spiritual’. And who ever says we don’t need it, or “There is no spirituality in Islam”, than I say “What are our choices?” External learning (though it is very important and necessary) alone doesn’t bridge the gap to help us with all of our personal hang-ups, cultural issues, colonial enforcements, political troubles and mental disorders that we ALL face on some level. Maybe someone here reading this is imagining in their imagination that taking up the task to approach these issues and write about them is easy, yet I say to you it hasn’t been. Over these months a lot has occurred within the Islamic world, internationally and nationally. More and more we are seeing the results of the lack of emphasis on interpersonal Spiritual practices in our societies. In 1429 A.H. lets make it one that we will all remember in our lives and so on and so on. In a word of encouragement, to those who have been given your Awrad (daily dhikr formula) don’t abandon the Dhikr; keep on. To the new Muslim revert, keep on. To the spiritual seeker; keep on. Let this year be a year of Meditation, a year of seeing the good in what we have, a year of peace in our homes.

Lastly, just so that that there is no confusion, ‘Path of the Heart’ always represented that struggle to access that power in our hearts mainly to overcome our greatest challenge in the world, Our own self. On the outside one could look at these words as philosophy or wishful thinking. However, I hope that it is seen as a sincere attempt to write about the happy, obscure and not so glorious issues and feelings that many experience that we all feel or have felt at time or another while being Muslim in a ultra fast moving society. Inshallah, I look forward to spending more time and learning from you in the months to come.