Beyond All That We Have Done

Peace, one and all…

 

Beyond all that we have done,
beyond all that we think we are,
lies Your loving-kindness,
Your overflowing mercy.

The Journey of the Fool

Peace, one and all…

‘Indeed,  we  offered  the  Trust  to  the  heavens  and  the  earth  and  the  mountains,  and  they declined  to  bear  it  and  feared  it;  but  man  [undertook  to]  bear  it.  Indeed,  he  was  unjust and  ignorant’ (Quran 33:72)

After Every Drunken Bout

Peace, one and all…

‘After every drunken bout is a hangover.
At this thought my heart fills with regret’
Mahmud Shabistari, Gulshan-i Raz 700

Knower of the Unseen

Peace, one and all…

‘Indeed, God is the Knower of the Unseen of the heavens and the earth.  Indeed, He has full knowledge of all that is in (humankind’s) hearts’ (Quran 35:38)

By Your Decree

Peace, one and all…

You knew what I would be like
the day You created me.
I bring only my sins to You,
and this I do by Your decree.
(Abu Sa`id ibn Abi al-Khayr)

The Meaning of the Four Books

Peace, one and all…

Those who learned to be truly human
found everything in being humble.
While those who looked proudly from above
were pushed down the stairs.
A heart that must always feel superior
will one day lose its way.
What should be within, leaks out.

The old man with the white beard
never sees the state he’s in.
He needn’t waste money on making the Hajj,
if he’s broken someone’s heart.

The heart is the seat of God,
where God is aware.
You won’t find happiness
in either world, if you break a heart.

The deaf man doesn’t hear,
the blind man mistakes the day for night.
Yet the universe is filled with light.
We’ve seen how those who came later move on.

Whatever you think of yourself,
think the same of others.
This is the meaning of the Four Books,
if they have one.

May Yunus not stray from the path,
nor get on his high horse.
May the grave and the Judgement be no concern,
if what he loves is the face of God
Yunus Emre

I found listening to Surah al-Tin after reading this poem very powerful.  This recitation by Sa`ad al-Ghamdi is especially beautiful.  You can find a recitation of the entire Quran by Shaykh al-Ghamdi at the Complete Holy Quran You Tube channel.

Prayers for Ramadan, Prayers for Forgiveness (Part 3)

Peace, one and all…

Here, in the last days of Ramadan, is the final part of the beautiful prayer of Abu Madyan.  May all who pass by be blessed with Divine forgiveness, mercy and love.

The Supplication for Forgiveness of Abu Madyan (Part 3)

‘I seek the forgiveness of God, as often as the number of letters [in the Quran] and multiplicity of
Quranic verses and aphorisms recited during invocation.

I seek the forgiveness of God, as often as the number of riding animals,
worlds beyond the horizons, and landmarks in the earth.

I seek the forgiveness of God, as often as the number of plants and
sheep on the land and [the amount of] bounty in the sea.

I seek the forgiveness of God, as often as the number of heavenly bodies
encompassed by knowledge, and for everything that is apparent and hidden.

I seek the forgiveness of God, as often as the number of [grains of] sand,
and the [amount of] rain that falls continuously on the earth.

I seek the forgiveness of God, as often as the number of created things -
of human beings and jinn, of Arabs and non-Arabs.

I seek the forgiveness of God, as often as the number of thoughts in
the breasts of those endowed with trust, authority, and wisdom.

I seek the forgiveness of God – all majesty be to God, our Creator,
Creator of mankind and the One who brought us forth from nothingness.

I seek the forgiveness of God – all majesty be to God, Who provided for us
prior to physical existence, and Who apportions all the shares [of worldly destiny].

I seek the forgiveness of God, Whose bounties are without number,
the All-Encompassing, the Most Excellent, [the One] noted for generosity.

I seek the forgiveness of God – all majesty be to God, Who gathers us in [at death],
the annihilator of centuries, and the annihilator of all nations.

I seek the forgiveness of God – all majesty be to God, Who resurrects us
after death, and Who gives life to decaying bones.

I seek the forgiveness of God, innumerable times,
as often as the number of known species and breaths of life.

I seek the forgiveness of God – on Him be praises without number,
[for] He causes Himself to be praised pre-eternally.

I seek the forgiveness of God, the Forgiver of sins Who, whenever
the slave disobeys, forgives him with indulgence and generosity.

So forgive me the greatest of my transgressions, and
[on] the Day of Judgement, when my feet are about to stumble,

Then may blessings be upon the Chosen One from Mudar,
the Best of Mankind, among those who weep or smile.

And may his family and companions be preserved
by our Lord, along with [all] their followers’.

Prayers for Ramadan, Prayers for Forgiveness (Part 2)

Peace, one and all…

We have entered the last 10 days of Ramadan.  If the month of Ramadan is a special time in the Islamic calendar, the last 10 days are a particularly special time within Ramadan.  Tradition connects the last 10 days with prayers for salvation from Hell.  In other words, these final days of Ramadan are especially connected with seeking forgiveness.  Here are a number of beautiful prayers, drawn from a wide range of sources, all of which offer a focus for asking for forgiveness.

I hope all who pass by find these beautiful prayers beneficial.  May God forgive us all for our sins and shortcomings.  May we all be purified by the forgiveness, compassion and tender mercy of the Divine.

‘The Chief of Forgiveness-Prayers’ (Du`a Sayyid al-Istighfar)

This prayer is attributed to the Prophet himself (alaihi al-salatu wa al-salam) and is described in the tradition as the best prayer for forgiveness.

‘O God!  You are my Lord.  There is no god but You.  You created me.  I am Your servant.  I shall try to fulfill my pledge with You as well as my power permits.  I seek refuge with You from the evil of my deeds.  Due to Your favours to me I turn to You and thank You and also confess my mistakes.  Forgive me, for there is none to forgive sins bu You.  O Most Merciful of those who show mercy!’

The Supplication for Forgiveness of Abu Madyan (Part 2)

I seek forgiveness of God for my words and deeds,
for my vain strivings, and the exhaustion of my abilities.

I seek the forgiveness of God for my ignorance and transgressions,
for the greatest of my conscious sins, and the minor ones I have committed.

I seek the forgiveness of God for what my hand has wrought,
for my errors and [the sins] toward which I was inclined.

I seek the forgiveness of God for that which my hand did not earn,
and for that which I earned upon attaining adulthood.

I seek the forgiveness of God for saying ‘I’ and ‘with me’,
[for saying] ‘belonging to me’ and ‘mine’, and for my suspicions and my [limited] understanding.

I seek the forgiveness of God for that which I did not know,
for that which I knew and for which I wrote by pen.

I seek the forgiveness of God for my sleep, my lethargy,
and my wakefulness, and for that which has maintained me [in life].

I seek the forgiveness of God during the day, its night,
and its morrow, before it is created from nothingness.

I seek the forgiveness of God for that which occurred during my youth,
and for my disagreements with the aged and mature.

I seek the forgiveness of God, as often as I have feared what He has bestowed,
and [as often as] the clouds have rained on the plains and hills.

I seek the forgiveness of God, as often as the number of pilgrims, going
toward lands characterised by purity and sanctity.

I seek the forgiveness of God, as often as the breaking of dawn, and as often
as the doves coo their songs in the branches.

(I will share the remaining part of this long and beautiful du`a in a subsequent post, insha Allah)

The Prayer of Repentance (Du`a Tawbah)

This beautiful prayer is attributed to the 4th Imam of the Shi`a tradition, Ali ibn al-Hussain (more widely known as Imam Zayn al-Abidin, may God sanctify his noble soul).  It is beautifully recited below.  You can also find the text itself online.

Part One

Part Two

The Prayer of Glory (Du`a al-Baha’)

This prayer is attributed to the 5th Imam of the Shi`a tradition, Muhammad al-Baqir (God sanctify his noble soul).  I posted this beautiful prayer a few years ago.

In closing, let me offer this beautiful prayer of the Mevlevi Order, entitled The Rose Prayer (Gulbenk):

‘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…’

And my last prayer is praise of God, the Sustainer of All Being.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Prayers for Ramadan, Prayers for Forgiveness (Part 1)

Peace, one and all…

Al hamdu lillahi ala kulli hal.  Praise be to God in every condition and state.  We are rapidly approaching the last 10 days of Ramadan, in which the ‘Night of Power’ (Laylat al-Qadr) is said to reside.  Here are two beautiful duas (prayers), a short prayer taught by Muhammad himself (alaihi al-salatu wa al-salam) and a longer prayer (which will be divided into a number of separate posts) by Abu Madyan, a famous medieval saint of the Maghreb region of North Africa (may God sanctify his noble soul).

‘O Allah!  Truly You are All-Pardoning.  You love to pardon us, so pardon us.  O Most Generous One!’

The Supplication for Forgiveness of Abu Madyan

In the Name of God I begin, with all my respect,
And all praise belongs to God, for my strength and maturity.

I seek forgiveness of God, our Lord and Creator,
for all mankind and for the evils of my [soul's] turmoil.

I seek forgiveness of God, motivator of the heavenly spheres in the darkness,
for our failure to thank Him enough for His bounties.

I seek the forgiveness of God, the Saviour of one who seeks His aid,
whenever he suffers misfortune or calamity.

I seek forgiveness of God, Forgiver of the sins of one
who comes to Him broken, humiliated and full of remorse.

I seek the forgiveness of God, Concealer of the faults of
the morally deficient and their Saviour from adversity.

I seek the forgiveness of God for my secret thoughts and overt acts,
for the fickleness of my heart and for the smile upon my lips.

I seek the forgiveness of God for my speech and my behaviour,
for my evil character, type and nature.

I will post further selections from this beautiful prayer in subsequent posts, insha Allah.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Three Within Three

Peace, one and all…

Imam Zayn al-`Abidin (God sanctify his noble soul) is reported to have said:

‘God has concealed three within three.  He has concealed His good pleasure in His obedience; therefore, despise no act of obedience lest His good pleasure be within it.  And He has concealed His abhorrence in acts of rebellion against Him; therefore, underestimate no act of rebellion lest His abhorrence be therein.  And He has concealed His friends in His creation; therefore, despise none of His creatures, for he may be a friend of God’

That Which Gives You Life

Peace, one and all…

‘O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered’ (Surah al-`Anfal 8:24; source; al-tafsir.com)

Prayers for Exam Success

Peace, one and all…

With the conclusion of this academic year’s teaching, our students are busy preparing for their exams.  May Allah bless all of them.  May their exams and assignments be blessed.  May they be blessed in everything that they go on to do and be.  May they do well in spite of all my faults as a teacher.

‘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…’

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

How Can You Sleep?

Peace, one and all…

‘It’s morning and the musk-scattering breeze is passing;
Know that it is passing out of a certain person’s lane.
Get up!  How can you sleep when the world is passing?
Buy some perfume, for the caravan is passing’
(Mevlana, Divan-i-Kabir no.1750)

During Youth and Old Age

Peace, one and all…

‘Watch out that you don’t regret the matters of the past.
You are a sufi, so don’t mention the name of the past.
You are the ‘son of the moment’ during youth and old age,
As long as the present moment doesn’t pass away’
(Mevlana, Divan-e Kabir no. 1753)

Patience & Gratitude

Peace, one and all…

‘So patiently persevere: for verily the promise of Allah is true’ (Surah al-Rum 30:60)

‘O you who believe! Seek help with patient Perseverance and Prayer: for Allah is with those who patiently persevere’
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:153)

‘Celebrate the Praises of your Lord, and pray for His Forgiveness: for He is Oft-Returning (in Grace and Mercy)’
(Surah al-Nasr 110:3)

“I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! there is not a moving creature, but He has grasp of its forelock. Indeed, it is my Lord that is on a straight Path’ (Surah Hud 11:56)

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)

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)