Profound Simplicity

Peace, one and all…

Trees standing row by row before an early autumn sun,
as worshippers behind a heavenly imam,
as disciples of a beloved teacher and friend.

They stand beneath both rain and sun,
taking nourishment in each new moment,
from every source and from every direction.

Unafraid, they partake of the oneness of growth,
complaining neither of burning heat
nor of bitter cold.

The wisdom of a tree is profundly simple:
a guide is only that which leads us forth;
a silsila* is all that connects us to God once more.

Abdur Rahman, 21st October 2009

* – the iniatic chain of teachers in a Sufi order

Sare Nabian Da Nabi

Peace, one and all…

Here is a beautiful rendition of one of my favourite qawwals, Sare Nabian Da Nabi by Ustadh Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.  It is a beautiful song in praise of the Prophet (alaihi al-salatu wa al-salam).  Many thanks to brother Masud Khan for sending me the link.

Part 1

Part 2

And, as a bonus track, here’s another qawwal I really enjoy, this time by Aziz Mian.  It is entitled ‘Ye Hai Maikada’.

Aziz Mian: Ye Hai Maikada

May all who pass by be blessed.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

al-Dawr al-A`la

Peace, one and all…

A few months ago I purchased a copy of Suha Taji-Farouki’s translation of Ibn Arabi’s prayer al-Dawr al-A`la (also known as the Hizb al-Wiqaya).  It is a beautiful prayer for spiritual growth and protection.  As such, in the coming weeks and months, I wanted to share it with you.

Enjoy and may all who pass by be blessed, now and always…

In the Name of Allah, the All-Compassionate, the Most Merciful

O Allah!  O You who are the Ever-Living, the Self-Subsisting!  In You I establish my protection: shelter me with the shielding, protective sufficiency and safeguarding, the reality and proof, the stronghold and security of In the Name of Allah‘
(al-Dawr al-A`la 1)

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Life’s Strange and Wonderful Dance

Peace, one and all…

Life exists beyond us, out there in the world, just waiting to be seen and felt and tasted.  Life exists beyond description, beyond our ability to capture and define through words.  And though we might name the stars, glorying in their light, still they exist beyond us.  They have their own life; they have their own purpose.

As above, so below.  Thus, we are our own stars of life and meaning.  Others might, for a time, glory in the light we send forth but we too have our own meanings, our own destinies, our own lives.  As I am slowly discovering, a truly human being participates in that life, adding to it the unique joy of their living soul.

Life thus exists within us.  The same force that moves the stars, moves within us.  The same song that causes leaves to dance upon the wind, calls out to us too, inviting us to life’s strange and wonderful dance once more.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Two Beautiful Qawwals

Peace, one and all…

I wanted to share two beautiful qawwals with you.  Enjoy and may Allah bless all who pass by…

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan: Man Kunto Mawla

Badar Miandad Khan: Sakhi Laal Qalandar Jhoole Lal

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Jawshan al-Kabir

Peace, one and all…

Jawshan al-Kabir is a prayer ascribed to the Prophet (alaihi al-salatu wa al-salam).  It is both profound and beautiful.  I wanted to share it with you here.  May it heal, restore and protect all who pass by.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Its Full Right

Peace, one and all…

Abu Sa`id ibn Abi al-Khayr relates a profound saying from Junayd al-Baghdadi (may God sanctify both their souls):

‘You will not catch a whiff of God’s Oneness, as long as He has some right over you which you have not fulfilled.  For this affair demands its full right’

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Except that which Binds

Peace, one and all…

Except that which Binds

Beloved, let me forget every tie
except that which binds me
to Your door.

Dissolve my every bond
except those which hold me
before the light of Your face.

Untie every knot
and lift every anchor.
Cast me adrift on the seas of Your love.

You are the light
and the Ocean wide.
Your door is my connection, my guidance, my hope.

 Abdur Rahman, September 2009

A Prayer of Opening

Peace, one and all…

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim.  In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.  Today marks the beginning of my teaching for this academic year.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank my new students for their interest in the course.  May God bless our class and your learning.  I ask for your forgiveness at the outset for the mistakes I am sure I will make along the way.

The Rose Prayer of the Mevlevi Sufi Order captures exactly what I would like to say:

‘May this moment be blessed.  May goodness be opened and may evil be dispelled.  May our humble plea be accepted in the Court of Honour; May the Most Glorious God purify and fill our hearts with the Light of His Greatest Name.  May the hearts of the lovers be opened.  By the breath of our master Mevlana, by the secret of Shams and Weled, by the holy light of Muhammad, by the generosity of Imam Ali, and the intercession of Muhammad, the unlettered prophet, mercy to all the worlds.  May we say Hu, Huuu…’

Wa akhiru da’wana an il hamdu lillahi rabbil alameen.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Water & Air, Day & Night

Peace, one and all…

 

Water & Air, Day & Night

You are the thrill of water
on a day of fiery heat,
and You are the taste of air,
dancing joyfully upon the morning breeze.

You are the warmth of the sun,
after a night of cold anxiety
and yet, You are the night itself,
covering the world with veils of intimacy.

You are all these things,
and yet none of them.
O You Who are Gentle beyond all understanding
embrace us with Your mercy once more.

 Abdur Rahman September 2009

Eastern Skies

Peace, one and all…

Eastern Skies

Eastern skies dissolving
into gathering clouds of rain.
A storm wanders across the hills
above land hushed into silence.

A single cloud-parting remains,
a lingering hand of light
amidst the gloom,
like the last taste of summer.

Read the signs aright ibn al-sabil.
See the moment and know,
know the moment and live:
you yourself are those eastern skies.

Abdur Rahman, September 2009

Who are You?

Peace, one and all…

Who are You?

Who are You,
Whose hands turn all who reach forth
into new hands
of love and goodness?

Who are You,
that builds mansions above the clouds,
and things more wondrous still
as yet unknown?

Who are You
that stirs this small heart of mine
O You Who are subtle
beyond all understanding?

Who are You,
O Beloved Wonder!
O Beautiful Mystery!
O Secret Thief of Hearts?

Abdur Rahman, September 2009