Today, a stranger, a lad from UK who calls himself 'fortune sufi' wrote an interesting email to me. The subject of his email was unusually long. It was a question: "Are you going to marry when you are 80?" In the body of his email, all he cared to type was this emoticon : )
Hmm...what do you think? I think he was motivated to ask that question when a little bird told him that I am 40 and single. Allah Hu Allah!
Guess what gifts I got for having to put up with people like 'fortune sufi'? I got myself two great books. One is by Ibn Ata'illah and the other one is on the great Sufi As-Sulami. Alhamdulillah.
Up until today, I have been reading Ibn Ata'illah's Al Hikam in Malay. As I began to read its English version 'The Book of Aphorisms/A Translation of Kitab al-Hikam, I came across two very fitting lessons which might answer the question from 'fortune sufi'.
Ibn Ata'illah said:
"Don't let the delay in getting the gift (answer), despite your persistent appeal, fall you in despair. For, He has offered to reply to (your appeals) in a way He chooses for you rather than what you choose for you and at a time He desires rather than the time you desire."
Commentary:
If you insist on getting instant responses for your prayers, it shows your impatience and your incapability to understand the way, manner and method of His responses. He may be delaying the answer to give it in an appropriate way and at an appropriate time. Since you do not know what is good for you today and what will be good for you tomorrow and even what was good for you in the past, let Him decide on the time and manner of the answer. By showing frustration and impatience over not getting what you aspired, you are really doing an injustice to yourself.
In another aphorism Ibn Ata'illah said:
"Do not ask Him for taking you out of a situation so that you will be employed in a different situation. For, had He intended so, He should have employed you in it even without changing your circumstances."
Commentary:
Asking for a situation other than what Allah has selected for you betrays your disbelief in Allah's ability to make a suitable choice for you. How can a sincere servant disbelieve Allah as to what He held in store for him?
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I just want to say cheers to all the nice people out there. And cheers to 'fortune sufi' too, may you live up to your name!
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| Alhamdulillah for everything! |
I too experienced a very bitter situation - failing to achieve what I thought SHOULD be mine. Come to think of it NOW, I know THE failure is good for me.Syukur Alhamdulillah for not giving what I want at that particular time .Only Allah knows what is good for you.Allah gives you eyes before you even ask for it.Allah is the All Knowing Allah knows best
ReplyDeleteSalam,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Thanks for those comforting words.
It's amazing how good words could emit so much positive energy and love albeit virtually.
I got it from you.
Thanks!
E
I read this yesterday. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteWritten by Jack Canfield | Thursday, 14 April 2011 11:45
Most people speak without consciousness. Unaware of the true power of our words, we let thoughts, opinions, judgments and beliefs roll off our tongues without considering the impact they can have.
Successful people, on the other hand, are conscious of the thoughts they think and the words they speak – both about themselves and others. They know that words are powerful. Words can destroy relationships, lose sales and start wars. Words can just as easily be used to build self-esteem and self-confidence, nurture relationships and turn dreams into reality.
Successful people make it a habit to speak with impeccability. It means speaking from your highest self, with intention and integrity. It means aligning your words with your vision and goals.
What You Say Impacts Others
Your words put out energy and a message into the world – and they create a reaction in the people listening to what you have to say. You can uplift, support and encourage the people in your life as easily as you can stir up feelings of fear, anxiety, hostility and hopelessness. The choice is in your words and how you choose to use them.
You also are affected by the words you use. The reaction others experience in response to your message is typically returned to you multiplied. If I express love and acceptance to you, you will experience love for me. If I express judgment and contempt for you, you will judge me back. Do you want to be on the receiving end of loving and supportive messages or critical, negative and judgmental messages?
Speaking negatively also brings us down and focuses our attention on what we don’t want in life. Words have energy. Speaking negatively releases poison into the river of energy that is set up to bring us what we truly want.
Cultivating Impeccability
Here are four tips for speaking with greater impeccability.
1. Commit to being impeccable in your speech when talking to others. Before speaking, ask yourself whether what you want to say will advance your vision, mission and goals? Will it uplift the people who hear what you’re saying? Will it dissolve fear and create safety and trust?
2. Vow to be as honest as you can when interacting with others. Telling the truth keeps you in integrity. Lying separates you from your highest self and erodes others’ trust in you. Lying is the product of low self-esteem – the belief that you are not enough to get what you want. It’s also fueled by the false belief that you can’t handle the consequences of people knowing the truth about you and what you think.
3. Make the intention to uplift every person you interact with in some small way. You might do so by appreciating something about the other person or simply by using uplifting, positive words.
4. Refrain from gossiping. This destructive habit robs you of a clear mind, allowing others’ opinions and judgments to color your feelings toward and expectations of others. When you’re with people who want to gossip, change the subject, keep quiet, or walk away from the conversation. Other alternatives include clearly stating that you don’t want to participate in gossiping or saying something positive about the person who is the subject of the gossip.
What Do You Want to Create?
Everything you say produces an effect in the world. You are constantly creating something – positive or negative – with your words. Before you speak, think about what you want to create … and choose your words accordingly.
Salaam,
ReplyDeleteEzza I am a fan of your blog, I like to practice the simple knowledge gained from reading through your postings. The only islamic blog in Malaysia with a sincere and unbiased view of islam.
When i get sick reading other vulgarrish blog, then your blog will sooth me down. Thank You Ezza. I am a 42 year old friend (homme) keen to embrace islam and tasawwuf teachings.
Salaam,
ReplyDeleteMashaAllah!
Alhamdulillah!
May Allah make everything better than what you've said and may He cover up any shortcomings. InshaAllah.
May Allah guide and facilitate you to embrace Islam and tasawwuf.
May He increase our knowledge,obedience and servitude.
Ameen.
Thank you.
Ezza
p/s Do share with us your keenness to embrace Islam at this email address:
nursufiah at gmail dot com