Archive for May 9th, 2007
The Aphorisms of Ali: No. 2
May 9, 2007Knowledge is a Needle
May 9, 2007Peace, one and all…
Knowledge is a Needle
O Soul, you have wandered this world seeking knowlege,
as if merely to fill your small cup,
as you would any holder of things
mundane and ordinary.
But, the purpose of knowledge is not storage,
and your spirit is no mere warehouse.
Rather, knowledge is a needle
designed to pierce the paper-thin vanity of cups,
letting all that is held therein
flow through into nothingness.
So let knowledge make you a needle
and let every vain ego
be pricked by Love’s piercing edge,
till all thought of storage is washed away
and Love’s knowledge
becomes a great reaching forth
inside you,
of hands tender and merciful.
(Abdur Rahman, May 9th 2007)
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman
Becoming An Objective Witness
May 9, 2007Peace, one and all…
As regular readers will know, I’m a member of the Threshold Society and am taking part in its 99 Day Programme (an organised introduction to Sufi practice). As part of its practice, the Society has a regular theme of the month. The aim is to provide a focus for our reflections and also to give a kind of connected heartbeat to the whole year.
Last month’s theme was trusting in Divine generosity. I certainly witnessed this in a direct and personal sense. Allah helped me and my family in a direct manner, for which I am thankful. Al hamdu lillahi ala kulli hal. More than just the help itself, it also relieved me of a great deal of stress. When I reflect on this, I realise that generosity also entails being relieved of the worry of a particular situation. Ya Rabbi!
This month’s theme is: be an objective witness, see Hu everywhere. This struck me as deeply connected with last month’s theme. After all, how can you see God’s generosity unless you look everywhere, and at every thing? Everything that happens occurs for a reason. The Beloved leads us all through life, and for a purpsoe. The stresses and strains of this life are designed to help our shells crack, to make us realise that only Allah can help us.
Here’s a suggestion. Why don’t you think about the most stressful thing in your life at this moment and strive to find the lesson hidden within it?
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman
Just Decide
May 9, 2007Peace, one and all…
Just Decide
Leave all that sorrow behind you,
and become a maker of beauty.
Leave all that angry defensiveness,
and become that maker of beauty.
Stretch forth your hand and behold
the Sun dancing upon your open palm.
Lift the weary veil
and the moon will shine forth from your two eyes.
It’s all there for you, ready and waiting:
heart’s desire and soul’s ease are close now,
not far off.
Just decide you want it,
and it’s yours.
(Abdur Rahman, 9th May 2007)
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman
A Funny Mistake
May 9, 2007Peace, one and all…
As regular readers may know, one of my most recent endeavours has been learning to drum. I’ve long enjoyed listening to drum rhythms, and as my parents will attest, tapping is one of my least attractive habits!
Al hamdu lillah, some friends of mine (on a recent trip from Turkey) were kind enough to buy me a daf. So, as you might expect, I’ve been playing it alot. It’s very relaxing (though perhaps only to me)!
At any rate, shortly before my friends arrived, I was using my brother-in-law’s drum and generally enjoying myself when I said, ‘Someone buy me a drum’. My daughter, who was nearby (and quite taken with the whole drumming thing I might add), attempted to copy me. However, she got the words slightly confused, managing to blurt out, ‘Someone dry me a bum’ at a most inappropriate (and extremely funny) moment!
O the joy of children! Ma sha Allah.
Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman
