Abu Hafsat

As-Salaam alaikum, The first, opening chapter/Surat of the Holy Qur'an...the Fatihah...encompasses four kinds of sciences, which are the very anchor of the religion of Islam. These are:-- (1) The science of the foundations, beliefs and knowledge of Allah Ta'ala and His attributes. This is indicated by His words in the Fatiha: 'ALHAMDU LILLAHI, RABBIL ALAMEEN; AR-RAHMANI RAHEEM' [All Praises are due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds; the Beneficent the Merciful]' Knowledge of Prophet-hood and this is what is intended by Allah's words: 'LAZINA AN 'AMTA ALAIHIM' [those You have favored; Knowledge of the contract to the Final End, indicated by His words: 'MALIKI YAUMI-D-DEEN' [King of the Day of Judgement]. (2) The science of the religion and its cognomen is worship, and it is what is meant His words: 'IYAKA NA' ABUDU' [It is You that we worship] (3) The science which brings about perfection of character. Its root is arrival at the Eternal Presence, encountering the focal point of Divine Uniqueness, traveling its path and being upright in it. This is indicated by Allah's Words: 'WA IYAKA NASTA'EEN, IHDINAA SIRADAL-MUSTAQEEM' [and it is You we seek help. Guide us on the Straight Path]' (4) The science of narrated stories and transmitted news about foregone religious communities, the blessed among them and the wretched, as well as what they achieved from the promises of the spiritually excellent and threats of the evil among them. This is what is intended by His words: 'LAZINA AN 'AMTA ALAIHIM, GHAIRUL MAGRUUBI ALAIHIM, WALA RLALEEN' [Those You have favored, and not those who have incurred Your anger, nor those who have gone astray]'.

As-Salaam alaikum, Sometimes, the thought may occur in some minds that what would they need Du'a (supplication) for, when everything is destined to happen the way Allah Ta'ala has ordained!! No, that is a wrong perception to adopt. Du'a/Prayer/Supplication includes averting affliction; it is a means of turning aside tribulation and drawing the Divine Mercy, just as a shield is a means of deflecting arrows; and water a means of bringing forth herbage from the earth. Just as a shield turns aside arrows and they offset each other, so too supplication (Du'a) and affliction compensate each other. It is not a condition for believing in the Destiny of Allah Most High that one unarmed, for Allah has said:- "TAKE DUE PRECAUTION" (4:71) or that one should not water land after seeding, saying: 'If previously destined the crop will grow, and if not previously destined it will not'. Rather, the conjoining of causes and effects is the premordial destiny that was accomplished "IN THE TWINKLING OF AN EYE OR EVEN FASTER" (16:77). So, stick to Du'a always...regularly as the Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said: - "Du'a is worship.." he also said: "Whoever does not ask Allah, He becomes angry with him." Best Regards.

As-Salaam alaikum, Ali Ibn Abi-Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Holy Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, once said that for every Prophet there were seven (7) selected guardians (Nujaba' Ruqaba), but I have been given fourteen (14) instead. When we asked as to who they were, he replied:- " I myself, my two sons [Hassan and Hussein], Jafar, Hamzah, Abu Bakr, Umar, Mus'ab Ibn Umair, Bilal, Salman, Ammar, Abdullah Ibn Mas'ud, Abu Dharr and Miqdad." (Tirmidhi; Bab Manaqib Ahlpil-Bait). The secret implied in this Hadith is that for every Prophet, it is necessary to have some persons in his company, such that there should be some to acquire some share of wisdom from him, while others receive from him a portion of giving instruction. Others also may take to science of jurisprudence, holy war (Jihad), and other religious matters. The reason behind all this being that every perfection which the Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, acquired could thereby be represented in a most distinguished manner.

As-Salaam alaikum, The Holy Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, once advised his beloved wife, Sayyada A'isha, may Allah be pleased with her, saying:-- "O A'isha! Before you sleep you should perform 4 deeds:-- You should complete the recital of the Holy Qur'an. You should make sure that the Prophets intercede for you on the Day of Judgement. You should make sure that the entire Muslim Ummah is happy, and You should perform the Hajj and Umrah." She asked him as to how it was possible to complete all these deeds before going to sleep. The Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, smiled and replied:-- "O A'isha, When you read Surah Ikhlas 3 times, then it is as if you have read the entire Qur'an. When you read the prayer for blessings and peace upon me and all the preceding Prophets [Salaat ala Nabiy a ala Nabi''eena wal-Mursaleen], then we will certainly intercede for you on the Day of Judgement. When you make Du'a for all the Muslims, they will be happy with you. When you read the following: 'SUBHANALLAHI, WAL HAMDULILLAHI, WALA ILAHA ILLALLAHU, WALLAHU AKBAR', then it is as if you have performed Hajj and Umrah." (Durratun Naasiheen, page 89). We should as well adopt this good work/deed accordingly. Best Regards.

As-Salaam alaikum, Some people have this idea that if they love Allah Ta'ala, they will reap benefits, but this is self-interest, not love. Imam Rashid al-Din Maybudi, may Allah be Merciful to him, explains this point when he wrote that "when people choose someone for friendship, it is their habit to want every ease for their friend and not to let stormy winds blow over him/them. The Divine custom is contrary to this. Whenever He chooses someone for friendship, He sends the drink of tribulation with the robe of love. When the rank of someone is higher in the station of love, his tribulation is greater. This is why the Prophet (S.A.W) said, 'Surely the people most severely tried are the Prophets, then the Awliya, then the next best, then the next best.' For further reading on this, see the Imam's 'KASH AL-ASRAR WA'UDDAT AL-ABRAR- Unveiling of The Mysteries'.

As-Salaam alaikum, "And O you believers! Repent (and turn) ye all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss". (Nur- 24:31) Whoever wishes to reach Allah Ta'ala should enter from the gate of all gates-- Repentance. This is the first gate to be crossed by the servant when he seeks to enter the Presence of nearness to the Exaltation of the Lord of Heavens and Earth. The ayat quoted above indicates that repentance is an obligation, a duty. When inviting people to it, the Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said:-- "The one who repents from his sin is as the one who is sinless; Repentance erases whatever has preceded it." And "Allah accepts the repentance of His bondsman until he is gasping [death rattle]." Know that repentance is an incumbent obligation, since the avoidance of sin and obedience to Allah are an unceasing duty. Let us repent, return to Allah Ta'ala by:-- (1) Regretting and show of remorse for disobedience. (2) Immediate abandonment of sin and (3) Determination not to sin again.

As-Salaam alaikum, According to modern science, the human body is made up of ten trillion cells, as a world million times greater than this world exists within the human body. The life span of each cell is not more than six months, within which each cell reproduces its exact replica and dies. A human being, therefore, sheds his dead cells everywhere; in his clothes, the bed he sleeps in, the places he visits, the routes that he takes... and in 6 months his entire body is renewed. This cycle continues till his death, and there are millions of deaths and millions of rebirths within him during a 24-hour span. If there is any deformity in any of the new cells, it is automatically corrected by an impulse from the brain. Scientists state that each cell contains a 'book' (DNA) within it which details every information pertaining to the individual, even to the extent that, when his first hair will grey or when his tooth will decay. All this can be read. Subhanallah!!... behold the Power of Allah, the All-Powerful, the Eternal. Indeed, He stated the truth in chapter 50 of the Holy Qur'an:-- "It was We who created man, and We know what dark suggestions his soul makes to him: for We are nearer to him than [his] jugular vein". (50:16) Even the jugular vein is composed of cells, and Allah Ta'ala, the Omnipotent who gives life and death to millions of cells in every individual at every instant, is much closer to man than his jugular vein. Be vigilant... keep to the tenets of the religion of Islam, as expounded in the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam.

As-Salaam alaikum, In a Hadith related by Imam Bukhari in his Sahih, Umar Ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said:-- "Indeed, actions only go by intentions. Everyone gets what they intend. Anyone, therefore, who emigrates [for] Allah and His Messenger, then his emigration is indeed for Allah and His Messenger. But anyone who emigrated to gain something of this world or to marry a woman, his emigration is for that for which he emigrated." Intention is a precondition for our works/actions: Wudu, Ghusul, Tayammum, Fasting, Zakkat, Retreat, Hajj, Sallah etc. In fact, intention (Niyyah) is to aim for the goal... It is the heart's resolve. In view of this, we should always have sincere intention when we come to perform any work of worship... do it for Allah's sake and in accordance with the Sunnah. Best Wishes.

As-Salaam alaikum, In response to his students spiritual and intellectual questions, Sheikh 'Ayn al-Qudat responded to them as in sample responses below, from which I believe we can still [today] benefit:-- (1) "O Friend! Should you have major sins (kaba'ir) which fill the heavens and the earth, Allah's mercy is more than them. And should you have acts of obedience which fills the heavens and the earth, next to His justice, they are but specks of grain.. keep your hearing and sight pure from what is inappropriate...keep your tongue pure from sins until you can read the Qur'an. Do not be heedless of your duty; "Invoke Allah with frequent invocation" (33:41) (2) "O Friend! I have written a piece of advice, namely that you give something in charity everyday, and not merely by way of habit. Obey Allah, however much you can. And charity is the best form of your obedience: 'and they spend from that which We have provided them' (2:3; 8:3) You have wealth, fame, power, the pen and speech. 'Show mercy to those below you, and the One above you will show mercy to you'. Spend whatever you have so that what you do not have will spent upon you." SOURCE: 'Ayn al-Qudat Between Divine Jealousy and Political Intrigue', by Muhammad Rustom, in Journal of Sufi Studies 7 (2018).

As-Salaam alaikum, Verse/ayat 37 of chapter 50 of the Holy Qur'an reads:-- "VERILY IN THIS IS A MESSAGE FOR ANY THAT HAS A HEART AND UNDERSTANDING; OR WHO GIVES EAR [listens] AND EARNESTLY WITNESSES (the truth)" (Qaf- 50:37) In the Islamic Tradition, listening is not only a sensory or mental act, but also a contemplative practice. Much about this, Imam al-Harith Ibn Asad al-Muhasibi (d. 243/857) may Allah be Merciful to him, in his book, 'Watchfulness In Observing God's Duties', observes:-- "He who, out of yearning for God, listens to God's Book, or to a word of wisdom, or to a portion of knowledge, or to a piece of counsel while not conversing with his self at all but [concentrating] his attention and allowing his heart to see what he hears, such a one will drive counsel and remembrances (from the words he hears), for they are God's words. God described the believers (as listeners) and Commanded them [to listen] saying:-- "My Servants who give ear to the Word and follow the fairest of it. Those are whom God has guided: those--they are men possessed of minds." (Zumara- 39:18) In other words, with our attentive hearing sense we can listen to Allah's words when reciting the Holy Qur'an, for example.... and with our heart we can witness what we hear from Him, Jallah-Jalalahu, who witnesses us at all times.

As-Salaam alaikum, In a Hadith related by Imam Bukhari in his Sahih, Umar Ibn al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, said that the Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said:-- "Indeed, actions only go by intentions. Everyone gets what they intend. Anyone, therefore, who emigrates [for] Allah and His Messenger, then his emigration is indeed for Allah and His Messenger. But anyone who emigrated to gain something of this world or to marry a woman, his emigration is for that for which he emigrated." Intention is a precondition for our works/actions: Wudu, Ghusul, Tayammum, Fasting, Zakkat, Retreat, Hajj, Sallah etc. In fact, intention (Niyyah) is to aim for the goal... It is the heart's resolve. In view of this, we should always have sincere intention when we come to perform any work of worship... do it for Allah's sake and in accordance with the Sunnah. Best Wishes.

As-Salaam alaikum, In the hadith-qudsi, commonly referred to in Islamic sources as hadith al-Nawafil (the tradition concerning supererogatory works), it was reported that:-- "Allah has said: Whoever treats a Friend (Wali) of mine with enmity, I declare war on him. There is nothing by which My servant draws close to Me than that which I have imposed upon him; and My servant does not cease to draw close to Me by supererogatory works (nawafil) until I love him, and when I love him, I become his hearing by which he hears, his sight by which he sees, his hand by which he forcibly seizes, and his leg by which he walks. If he asks Me, I give him, and if he seeks My refuge, I grant it to him. There is no action of mine in which I waver more than [taking] the soul of a believer: he hates dying, and I hate doing him wrong." (Bukhari No. 6502, al-Bazzar in Mu'azzasat 'Ulum al-Qur'an, 1988-2009, 15:270). Studying this hadith with an in-depth perspective, one cannot but conclude, as in Sheikh Ibn Arabi's Thought, that God Almight... Allahu, Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, is the ultimate agent of all activity within creation; man should acknowledge that Allah is the true author of human actions and that we are nothing but an "instrument compelled by the hand of the Powerful Truth (haqq)", as is evident from the Nawafil tradition. The one who realizes this in all aspects of his or her life and being begins to see, hear and know by means of Allah Ta'ala... Allah becomes his very organs and faculties. This, however, does NOT imply that Allah 'dwells' in the organs of His servant, rather He assists the servant in obeying Him... the individual relinquishes his/her own will...resigns himself to the will of Allah.

As-Salaam alaikum, As we know it in Islam, Riya' (hypocrisy) is one of the secret sins of the heart, and often the perpetrator of riya' is self-deluded and hardly realizes his hypocrisy. Hypocrisy means that the state of the heart, in its intention and desires, does not correspond to the virtue of the outward act; it is the desire for something beside Allah Ta'ala, in serving Him, and the desire to gain something from men by that service to Allah; it is to do an action, outwardly for the glory of Allah, but with the intention of having glory of men. The Noble Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said:-- "The thing most to be feared for my community is hypocrisy and secret desire." If man is not heedful of the direction of his secret desires, they will corrupt his service of Allah. In its most open form, hypocrisy is falsehood and in its most hidden form, it is guile. It is hidden from him who is neglectful and is manifest to him who searches for it with understanding knowledge; and he who knows the gravity of his need of it cleaves to sincerity, out of fear of hypocrisy.

As-Salaam alaikum, In ayat 15 of Surat Fatir of the Holy Qur'an, Allah Ta'ala says:-- "O mankind, you are impoverished with regard to Allah and Allah is Independently rich, the Praiseworthy." (35:15) On the meaning of the expression 'impoverished' Sheikh Ibn al-Arabi al-Hatimi, may Allah be Merciful to him, said that "the truly impoverished one is the one in dire need of everything and nothing is in need of him. This person is considered by the realized ones to be the pure unadulterated servant.." Sheikh Ibn'l-Hajj said regarding the meaning of the expression 'impoverished': "He is the one who has placed this world's life behind him, and has embarked upon his Hereafter, being totally preoccupied with his Lord. He thus embarks upon the correction of his soul and cleansing it from everything other than Allah." Sheikh Ibn Ajiba said: "As for the truly impoverished one, he is the one who is bereft of everything besides Allah.. the pre-requisites of the truly impoverished are four: (1) elevated spiritual enthusiasm (2) excellent service (3) having esteem for sanctity and (4) piercing spiritual resolve."

As-Salaam alaikum, Says 'Ayn al-Qudat Hamadani (d. 1131), the Iranian philosopher, theologian and judge:-- "So long as your heart is not cleansed of attachments, it will not be full of knowledge, light and gnosis." This goes to show that we have to rid ourselves of the things that keep us busy and attached to the world at the expense of being attached to Allah, Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. If these attachments are not severed from the soul and from a person's psyche, purity of heart and true knowledge will not come about. Another way 'Ayn al-Qudat speaks of purifying the heart of all alterity is by drawing attention to what it is and where it is to be found: 'The heart of the believer is at once Allah's intimate, His lover and the locus of His mysteries'. And then he quotes the hadith: "The heart of the believer is the throne of the All-Merciful." Indeed, the heart is the object of Divine gaze and is worthy of this, just as was/is testified in the hadith: "Verily Allah does not look at your appearances and your wealth, He looks at your hearts and your deeds." (Muslim) For further reading, see: 'Ayn al-Qudat, 'Tamhidat, ed. Afif Osayran (Tehran: Asatir, 1988).

"-This world is the prison, and we are the prisoners: dig a hole in the prison and let yourself out! What is this world? To be forgetful of God; it is not merchandise and silver and weighing-scales and women. As regards the wealth that you carry for religion's sake, 'How good is righteous wealth (for the righteous man)'! as the Prophet recited. Since he cast out from his heart (the desire for) wealth and possessions, on that account Soloman did not call himself (by any name) but ''poor''. Although the whole of this world is his kingdom, in the eye of his heart the kingdom is nothing." (Jalaluddin Rumi in his Mathnawi, Vol 1, Book 1, Trans. R.A Nicholson). In itself, worldly wealth is good, the worldliness from which we have to seek deliverance is in desiring riches and becoming attached to them.... because more often than not, love of wealth enters the heart and destroys its purity. According to Qisasu-l-ambiya (Tha'alabi), the humility of Prophet Suleiman, peace be upon him, was so great that he would often consort with the lowly, saying, "A lowly man sits beside one who is lowly." A believer whose heart is closed against worldly desires can never sink and perish; his spiritual poverty enables him to surmount every temptation and live in perfect peace with God, scorning the kingdom of this world which belongs to him as God's vicegerent.

As-Salaam alaykum, "Choice is the salt of worship- the spheres turn, but not because they want to. Their turning is neither rewarded nor punished, for, at the time of reckoning, choice bestows excellence." Jalaluddin Rumi in his Mathnawi (Nicholson edition), Book 3. In Islam, it is a common notion that the Divine motivation for creating the Universe is love. What makes human beings special, among all God's creatures, is that they have the capacity to worship and love God Almighty freely in response to His love for them. All other things simply serve God as they were created to serve Him, with no free choice on their parts. Theologically, this distinction is seen in God's 2 Commands: He issues the command 'KUN' (Be!) to all things, and they can do nothing but obey; this is the creative command...the engendering command-- al-amr takwini. To us human beings and jinn, He also issues the Command, 'Do this and don't do that', and they accept or reject it on the basis of their own free choice... this is the prescriptive command-- al-amr taklifi. Only those who choose freely to love and worship God (Allah Ta'ala) can love Him with worthy love. If love were to be coerced, it would not be love. This is one reason why the Holy Qur'an states: "THERE IS NO COMPULSION IN THE RELIGION" (2:256)

As-Salaam alaikum, Someone asked Sayyadi Ibraahim Ibn Adham, may Allah be Merciful to him: "How do you spend your time"? He replied:-- "I have 3 vehicles. When I acquired Ni'mat (bounty), I ride the vehicle of Shukr and go to Him. When I worship, I ride the vehicle of Ikhlas to Him. When I commit a sin, I ride the vehicle of Istighfar and go to Him [Allah Ta'ala]". Sayyadi Fuzail Ibn Iyaaz, may Allah be Merciful to him, said:-- "All things fear a man who fears Allah, and a man who does not fear Allah fears all things." He also said:- "A man's zuhud on earth is proportionate to his love for the Aakhirah." (The greater his love for Aakhirah, the more will he abstain from the world and its pleasures). SOURCE: 'SCATTERED PEARLS-SAYINGS AND ANECTODES OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS AWLIYAA', by Mujlisu Ulama of South Africa.

As-Salaam alaikum, Man's limbs are subservient to his tongue. On this, the Noble Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, mentioned that:-- "Every morning the limbs in one's body plead to the tongue, 'O servant of Allah! Fear Allah for our sake, for we are with you. If you are straight, then we will also be straight and if you are crooked then we will also be crooked." (Mishkaat Shareef, pg. 413 vol.2 with reference to Tirmidhi). Negligence of the Tongue is dangerous. The Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said:-- "At times man utters a statement that invites the wrath of Allah Ta'ala without him even realising it and this will eventually be a cause for him being placed in the very depth of Jahannum." (Mishkaat Shareef, vol. 2 pg. 411 with reference to Bukhari). From these 2 ahadeeth, we learn that safeguarding the tongue is of extreme importance. Not paying heed to the manner of its usage is a cause of great loss. We must take note accordingly. Best Regards.

As-Salaam alaikum, "There is security in solitude, freedom in the absence of desire, friendship in lack of envy, joy in patience. There is no glory for the greedy person, nor is there humiliation for the person who is content. The freeman becomes a slave because of his immoderate desires, and the slave is freed through contentment." (Shams Tabriz).

As-Salaam alaikum, Abu Huraira, may Allah be pleased with him, reported Allah's Messenger, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, as saying :-- "A strong believer is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don't say: if I had done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that what He had ordained to do and your "if" opens the (gate) for Satan." (Sahih Muslim).

As-Salaam alaikum, "The person who reaches the spiritual station of Islam (outward submission) never tires from performing good actions, while the person who reaches the spiritual station of Imaan (inner surrender) no longer sees his actions, and the person who reaches the spiritual station of Ihsan (beauty of soul) no longer sees himself. " - - Sheikh Ahmad Ibn Ajiba, in his 'The Divine Openings - al-Futuhat al-ilahiyyah'.

As-Salaam alaikum, Give some deep reflection and you will come to realize that whatever becomes to manifest in our soul and its locus of manifestation [mazahar], which is the body, is nothing but the traces of Almighty Allah's Divine Names... nothing but Allah's Names working/showing their effects on us. Just consider it: our body's movements and stillness, the words and deeds, the guises and states and all the attributes-- all are traces of the Divine Names included in the name Allah. For example, our hering is the trace of the Name Sami'un (Hearing); the soul's seeing is the trace of the Name Seeing (Baseer), its smelling is the trace of the Name Finder (Wajiid); its tasting is the trace of the Name Provider, the soul's touching is the trace of the Name Alive; its eating and drinking are the trace of the Name Nourisher; its sleep is the trace of the Name Death-Giver (Mumeet); its waking, moving and striving are traces of the Name Upraise (ba'ithu)..etc.. Note this well, not a moment do we pass through outside Allah's close watch and assistance... Allahu Akbar..Wa Lillahil Hamd...

As-Salaam alaikum, Abu Ayub, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, said:-- "FOUR THINGS ARE AMONGST THE PRACTICES OF THE AMBIYAA-- CIRCUMCISION, APPLICATION OF PERFUME, ,MISWAAK AND MARRIAGE." (Ahmad and Tirmidhi).

As-Salaam alaikum, Imam al-Qushayri recounted the following story in his book, 'Epistle On Sufism' , where he said that Ibn al-Maliki related that Abu Hamza al-Khurasani said:-- "One year I went on the pilgrimage (to Makka on Hajj). As I was walking along the road, I fell into a well. My soul prompted me to cry for help. However, I said to myself: 'No, by Allah I will never cry for help! Before I could finish with this thought, 2 men passed by the mouth of the well. One of them said to the other: 'Come on let us cover the mouth of this well lest someone falls into it.' They brought some reed and mats and blocked off the mouth of the well. I wanted to cry out, then said to myself: 'I will cry to the One who is nearer to me than they! So I did not say a word. After a while, something came by, opened the mouth of the well, and lowered its leg into the pit, as if it wanted to tell me in a growl: 'Hold on to me'! When I realized that this [invitation] came from Him, I grabbed hold of it and it pulled me out. And lo! It turned out to be a lion. Then it went away. Suddenly [I heard] a voice, saying: 'Abu Hamza, isn't this better!? I have saved you from one peril with another one.!"