Practice Humility

Peace, one and all…

The Messenger of Allah (alaihi al-salatu wa al-salam) said, ‘Practice humility until no one oppresses or belittles another’
(Sahih Muslim)

Discussions on Muslim Community

Peace, one and all…

What does it mean to be part of an emerging Muslim community?  What does it mean to be part of such a community in an environment that is often implicitly (and sometimes explicitly) hostile?  How should that community engage with the wider environment?  How is that community to critique those aspects of surrounding culture that are antithetical to its teachings?  What should its long-term goals be?  What shorter-term strategies should that community adopt as it struggles to realise those goals?  These are some of the related questions emerging in a recent and fascinating blog discussion.

To follow that discussion and to contribute, go to the following posts:

Yursil:

• Suburban Capitalist Islam – a set of beliefs
• Islam is not a filter of western culture
• Suburban Capitalist Islam – Ilm is a product
• Muppets & Children’s Shows
• Boy Bands and Pop Stars
• Fashion
• Comedians

Naeem

• Scourge of Secular Capitalist Islam (Part 1)
• A Response to a Response

Marc Manley

• Scourge of Secular Capitalist Islam – A Response

Just A Servant

• Response to Some Responses to Yursil’s Series of Posts
• Some Points on Yursil’s Posts

Ginny’s Thoughts & Things

• Yursil’s Series on Suburban Capitalist Islam
• More Thoughts on Suburban Capitalist Islam
• Could this be an example of what Yursil was talking about?

This discussion has raised all sorts of important issues.  As such, I think it is important to disseminate this discussion as much as possible.

May Allah bless all who pass by and may Allah grant us the ability to build successful, flourishing communities – the world over.

wa akhiru da’wana an il hamdu lillahi rabbil alameen…

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

That Voice which is the Root of Every Calling

Peace, one and all…

‘Allah is the Protecting Friend of those who believe.  He brings them out of the darknesses into the light’
(Quran Surah al-Baqara 2:257)

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani offers a number of beautiful ayat and ahadith.

Mevlana Rumi (may God sanctify his noble soul) offers us these words:

‘That voice which is the root of every calling,
that is the true voice – all the rest are echoes.

The Persian speaker, Turk and Kurd and Arab
can know that voice with neither lip nor ear.

Why stop at Turks, Tajiks and Ethiopians?
The wood and stone can understand that voice’.
(Masnavi 1.2118-2120)

Peace and Reconciliation

Peace, one and all…

‘The believers are but a single brotherhood: so make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy’ (Quran Surah al-Hujurat 48:10, trans. A Y Ali)

Hamdun al-Qassar, one of the great early Muslims,  is reported to have said, ‘If a friend among your friends errs, make seventy excuses for them. If your hearts are unable to do this, then know that the shortcoming is in your own selves’. (Imam Bayhaqi, Shu`ab al-Iman, 7.522: source)

Let Your Tongue Never Cease to be Moist

Peace, one and all…

‘Abdullah ibn Busr reported that a man said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, the laws of Islam are too many for me, so tell me something that I may cling to’.  He replied, may God bless him and give him peace, ‘Let your tongue never cease to be moist from invoking Allah’ (quoted in R. Shah-Kazemi Justice and Remembrance)

Bawa Muhaiyadeen

Peace, one and all…

Bawa Muhaiyadeen (may God sanctify his noble soul) was one of the most important Sufi masters of recent times.  As such, I wanted to share some video lectures of his with the wider world.  May we all benefit from them, and may all who pass by be blessed.

We Need the Qualities of God

The Learning of An Ant Man

Practicing the Constant Remembrance of God

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman