The universal language of love

Bismillah.

The world could use more love and I think the world hasn't heard the language of love spoken so loudly and beautifully for a long time until yesterday 29 April 2011. 

HRH Duke and Duchess of Cambridge



Regardless of faith and religion, we all could relate to the universal values of a genuine love. I therefore, wish to quote some of the beautiful words read from the 'New Revised Standard Version of the Bible' at the wedding of HRH Duke and Duchess of Cambridge:

"Let love be genuine;

hate what is evil,

hold fast to what is good;

love one another with mutual affection;

outdo one another in showing honour."

The world would be a more lovely abode for all if our hearts unite in upholding good values which permeate amongst all humanity. Across the globe we traverse our own unique paths, yet our souls reverberate a universal rhythm of needs for a true sense of togetherness and a sense of belonging. While we walk our lives with that common yearning, there have been times and there will be times when we falter to the tricks and demands of the world. When we are faced with such challenges, it's important that we, hopefully with the help of our loving partners, keep our minds over matter.

So again I could relate to these lines read by James Middleton:

"Do not be conformed to this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your minds".

The role of our loved ones are especially important in this regard. Because a person falls in love with another for him/her being his/her self, it is crucial that couples devote their life together helping each other stay true to him/herself. Hence, I noted the advice the Bishop of London gave to the newly weds that "Marriage is intended to be a way in which man and woman help each other to become what God meant each one to be, their deepest and truest selves," and that "The more we give of self, the richer we become in soul; the more we go beyond ourselves in love, the more we become our true selves...In marriage we are seeking to bring one another into fuller life."

And may the prayers of the royal couple be answered:

"In the busyness of each day, keep our eyes fixed on what is real and important in life, and help us to be generous with our time and love and energy."

May Allah continue to make us generous with our energy, time and love. May Britain remains a safe place for people of all faiths. Thank you Britain for reminding us of the universality of love.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice."
"Weep with those who weep."

Source: RNN, The Telegraph,dailymail.co.uk

The passing of Syed Abdul Qadir Mansooruddin Al Jailani - 27 April 2011

Bismillah.

We are saddened to report the death of

Syed Abdul Qadir Mansooruddin Al Jailani

the 17th descendant of Sultan Awliya

Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jailani

He was the beloved father of

Shaykh Afeefuddin Al-Jailani

- a mu'aleem who has become very well known

in Malaysia eversince the family chose to live in this country.

Syed Abdul Qadir Mansooruddin Al Jailani

passed on to the realm of the Divine 

today afternoon, 27 April 2011

in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Solat Jenaza is scheduled after Asar tomorrow

at Masjid Muadz bin Jabal, Setiawangsa, KL

Al Fatihah

Allah knows what is best for His servant

Bismillah.

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?

__________________________________

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!

Alhamdulillah for everything!

A week of reflections

Bismillah.

Dear friends,

I have been absent from this space for quite some time, spending the past week reflecting on a few things. Firstly: Allah seemed to withold  the strength to write, la hawla wala quwwata ilah billah. So, that made me thankful and grateful for the knowledge that I had managed to record and share so far Alhamdulillah.

Secondly, I have been blessed to learn about some good practices from a friend. You know the saying: if you befriend one who sells perfume you too would smell good. So Alhamdulillah, I wish to record my gratitude that Allah has sent me a pious friend who is teaching me many simple yet significant adab and practices.

One day that learned friend of mine said: "Ezza, you are sitting cross-legged aren't you?" (As though he could see me!) I said: "Yes." Then he said: "Well, would you do that in front of Mawlana Shaykh?" I said: "No way!" Then he said: "Would you do that in front of the Prophet?" "Oh No!" I said nervously. Then he said: "Well, Allah is with us 24/7!"

So there! That's one thing I learned last week. I thought it would be useful to share with all of you.

I have also learned to recite a new zikr as instructed by Mawlana Shaykh Nazim. Mawlana has been giving several important messages lately [via Sufilive]. Given the present turmoil that the world is undergoing and the impending calamities that the world is expected to face, Mawlana has advised us to stay indoor especially after Maghrib and to recite 100 times a day:

Rabbunallah hasbunallah

So, let us all take heed. InshaAllah.

May Allah increase our knowledge and give us the strength to put our knowledge into practice.

p/s Thank you for visiting Lisan al-Din. Thank you to those who wrote in with kind words. Thank you for keeping me company. I will try to post as much as possible in my attempt to do something good in replace of all the bad things I have done in life. Bi iznillah.

"Be gentle and avoid being proud" - Shaykh Fahmi Zamzam Al Maliki

Bismillah.

Shaykh Fahmi Zamzam Al Maliki teaches Kitab At Targhib wat Tarhib at Ba'alawi KL. Continuing on with his class, he reminded the jemaah to not be takabbur and ujub (proud) but to be al hilmi (gentle).

Al hilmi is one who is not easily angered. He is one who is able to withstand any sort of intimidation that people might cause him to suffer. He is one who avoids being with people who are ignorant of religion.

There is a verse in the Qur'an (Surah Al-Qasas:83): "That home of the Hereafter We assign to those who do not desire exaltedness upon the earth or corruption. And the [best] outcome is for the righteous." - this verse clearly indicates the reward for those who do not wish to be glorified in this world and who do not cause harm. Shaykh Fahmi said it is almost impossible for anyone who seeks glory in this world to not cause harm to other people. While striving to achieve his desires he would be met with challenges and competition and he would do anything to overcome any obstacles that stand in the way of his ambitions. They are egotistical and overly ambitious.

By contrast, the mukmin are those who are tawaduk. They are polite and humble. They would rather give way to others over their own interests. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w gave us a good example of such good behavior (akhlaq). Leadership is neither a privilege nor an advantage. It is, in fact, a test from Allah to see if we belong with hafizun aleem - one who is good at administering the affairs of the people.

We learn from Lukman Al-Hakim a few good traits: we should not show a sour face to people as though we don't appreciate them; we should not turn a deaf ear to good advice and we should not walk with pride. One who walks proudly on this earth is one who is not grateful for the blessings from Allah. If he were to acknowledge the bounties of the Lord, he would realize that every single thing between the earth and the heavens belong to Allah. 

What is the cure for one who is arrogant? He should truly consider each blessing as belonging to Allah, even he himself (his existence). So be sure to say Alhamdulillah when you are being praised. We should understand the real meaning of the alif lam in alhamdulillah. It is istighraq meaning all-encompassing/everything. Know that there are three types of praise as follows:

* qadim praising qadim (eternal) - Allah praising His Essence

* qadim praising hadis (temporal) - Allah praising the Prophet

* hadis praising hadis - praises among creatures

* hadis praising qadim - creature (the temporal) praising the Creator (the eternal)

Takabbur or pride is an attribute of Allah (Al Mutakabbir). Allah warns us that we would be banned from entering the heavens if we had a speck of pride in our hearts. One who may already be in heaven could be chased out if he is proud as in the incident of Iblis.

A sahabi asked the Prophet: "O Rasulullah, what about one who likes to dress well, who likes to wear nice clothes and shoes? Is that takabbur?"

Rasulullah said: "No that is not takabbur for verily Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty. Pride is one who denies the truth."

One who rejects the truth is one who has ego (sifat ananiyah/I-ness). We should instead be grateful like Prophet Sulaiman who said haza min fadhli rabbi - this is a blessing from my Lord. Imam Ghazali said shukur (gratitude) must be proven on three levels i.e. 'ilm (knowledge), hal (state) and amal (practice). Rightfully we must have knowledge that each part of our body from head to toe and our lives since the day we were born, we have been blessed by countless blessings. Hal is when you are conscious in your heart that it is all from Allah. One who doesn't know (does not have ilm) will not have hal. As an example, one who does not know that there is a tiger near him, will not feel scared by it. When we are truly conscious of Allah's bounties we would naturally do more amal (practice). Imam Ghazali said we cannot possibly be committing sins if we truly remember the bounties of Allah. Allah gives us eyesight, hands, etc. So if we are truly grateful we would not be using our eyes or hands to do what He forbids us. Instead, we would use them to do things that are pleasing to Allah. One who has shukur  [one who is grateful] will be freed of takabbur, ujub, riak  and sum'ah.

Takabbur is one who rejects the truth. Ujub is one who glorifies himself. Riak is one who does anything to show off, so that other people would know/see what he does. Sum'ah is one who does anything so that people would praise him, so that people would hear about his good deeds.

_____________________________________________

Wallahu a'lam. To be continued in the next lesson Inshaallah. The majlis was hosted by:

"Love one another for His sake" - Shaykh Afeefuddin Al Jailani

Bismillah.

Concluding the Majlis Haul of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jailani on 9 April 2011, Shaykh Afeefuddin Al Jailani asked the audience to reflect on a hadith about loving someone for the sake of Allah.

It was narrated in a hadith of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w that Abu Idris Al Kaulani was about to enter a mosque when he saw a group of people gathering around one bright and good looking young man. He later learned that the gentleman was Muaz bin Jabal. 

Like the people who were surrounding Muaz, Al Kaulani too was attracted to him so much so that he decided to come back to the mosque the next day. Just before subuh prayer the following day, Al Kaulani came to get Muaz who was performing tahajjud saying: "I swear by Allah, I love you for Allah's sake!"

On hearing that, Muaz said to Al Kaulani: "Are you really certain that you love me for the sake of Allah? If you do then rejoice because I heard Rasulullah said (in a hadith qudsi) that Allah said: 'I would surely love those who love one another for my sake.'

Shaykh Afeefuddin Al Jailani addressed the audience at Masjid Tuanku Mizan saying:

O people, we sit here together for Allah's sake and we visit one another for His sake. We sit with the intention to remember Allah, Rasulullah s.a.w and the solehin. So for that Inshaallah we belong with ahbabullah, people whom Allah loves, InshaAllah.

We are here to celebrate Habibullah. It is Allah who makes us love the Prophet. We can only love His beloved Prophet with Allah permission. If Allah says, you are ahbabun Nabi (a lover of the Prophet) then you are.

Rasulullah s.a.w loves us very much. There is another hadith that we should also reflect upon. When the angel of death wanted to take his life, Rasulullah asked the angel to lighten the pangs of death. The angel said, 'But the pangs of death is, in fact, severe and this is the lightest of its kind.' The Prophet then asked the angel: 'Would every one of my ummah feel the same?' The angel replied: 'Their pains would be greater.' Rasulullah then said: 'In that case, place their severe pains upon my soul so that it would be lighter on them.'

'O people, that is how much Rasulullah loves the ummah,' said Shaykh Afeefudin Al Jailani who concluded the grand Mawlidur Rasul and Majlis Haul of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jailani with a lengthy and heartfelt du'a.

________________________________________________

Wallahu a'lam. May I be forgiven for any errors in my sketchy notetaking. May Allah give us a long life and invite us to the same majlis again next year InshaAllah.

Dr. Afifi Al-Akiti on Salawat Adnan

Bismillah.

Dr. Afifi Al Akiti, a Malaysian lecturer at the University of Oxford urged the audience to not only recite 'Salawat Adnan' but to also understand its meanings. Speaking at Masjid Tuanku Mizan in conjunction with the Mawlidur Rasul & Haul of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jailani, he said not many people knew that 'Salawat Adnan' was composed by Abdul Mutalib. Some people questioned this fact, but quoting Imam Al Ghazali he said, people, are enemies of what they are ignorant of.

According to the author of Sirah Ibn Ishaq, when Abdul Mutalib heard the wonderful news of Prophet Muhammad's birth, he went to the Kaabah. That was, in fact, his second visit to the Kaabah. The first time he had gone there was to make du'a when Abrahah was under attack.

Prophet Muhammad's grandfather was extremely elated by the arrival of his grandson. The salawat was an expression of his joy: Praise be to Allah for giving me this boy who was born with the most beautiful dress. Indeed, Prophet Muhammad's birth was clean and pure with no trace of blood nor placenta. And that he would be sayyid of all babies and mankind even while he was in the cradle. Abdul Mutalib also prayed that he would be able to see the baby grow big enough to be walking about. Allah answered his prayers, Prophet Muhammad was 8 years old when Abdul Mutalib passed away.

It is important to note that after Abdul Mutalib's demise, several verses of 'Salawat Adnan' (e.g. Solla alai kallah) had been added anonymously. Dr. Afifi ended his short tausiyah by reminding the audience to have both spiritual and intellectual zikr and that we should not disregard something completely if we don't understand some aspects of it. He also encouraged the audience to sing the salawat and teach it to little children.

Solla 'alai kallahu ya Adnaani
Ya Mustofa ya sof watar rahmani
Alhamdulillahil lazi aq tho ni
Hazal ghula mad thoyyibal ar daa ni
Hazal ghula mad thoyyibal ar daa ni
[Repeat]
Qod sa dafil mahdi 'alal qilmaa ni
U 'ee zuhu bil bayti zil ar karni
Hatta aro hu baalighul bunyaani
Antallazi summi ta fil qur'ani
Antallazi summi ta fil qur'ani
[Repeat first verse]
Ahmadu maktuubun 'alal jinaani
Solla alaikallah hu fil ah yaa ni
Ahmaduhu fis sirri wal 'iq laa ni
Haqqan 'alal Islaami wal imaani
Haqqan 'alal Islaami wal imaani
[Repeat first verse]
Ahmaduhu fis sirri wal 'iq laa ni
Haqqan 'alal Islaami wal imaani
Ya Rabbana bil Mustofal 'adnaa ni
Iq fir zunu bi summa as lih sha ni
Iq fir zunu bi summa as lih sha ni
[Repeat first verse]

May the prayers of Allah be upon you, Adnan

You Mustafa the choice of Ar-Rahman

Thanks be to Allah for granting me this pure boy

Who surpassed all his peers while still in the cradle

I protect him by the House (the Kaaba) with the strong corners

Until I see him towering in his growth

You are the one named Ahmad in the Quran 

Written all over the walls of Jannah (paradise)

May Allah shower his prayers over you

Whom I thank loudly and in private

Truthful in Islam and Iman

By Almustafa (the chosen one) Adnan, O Lord

Forgive my sins and reform my character

Credit: Mawlidur Rasul at Datuk Sidek's, Penang
15 Rabi'ul Awal 1434H

_____________________________________
The Mawlidur Rasul & Haul Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jailani at Masjid Tuanku Mizan was hosted by the Al-Wariseen Trust. May I be forgiven for any mistakes or unintended omissions. Wallahu a'lam.
Translation credit: Sidi M & Co