William Chittick: a Traditional Approach to Learning

Peace, one and all…

After La Ilaha…

Peace, one and all…

 

What is fear,
if not of the hiding
of Your bright face;
and what is love,
if not of You,
in each new moment and place?

What is life,
if not lived
in Your shade;
and what is death,
if not in You,
and Your eternal embrace?

What joy, Beloved,
what wondrous release!
That after la ilaha
comes illa Allah:
Your hand over mine,
Your breath within my chest.

Abdur Rahman, 6th July 2011

Happy New Year!

Peace, one and all…

May 2010 be a year of blessing, a year of life and a year of goodness for each and every one of us.

In Istanbul

Peace one and all,

My wife and I are currently in Istanbul, where are celebrating 10 years of marriage.  Al hamdu lillah.

Ice Station Merthyr!

Peace, one and all…

It’s currently 3:07 am and as usual for a Thursday night/Friday morning, I’m putting the finishing touches to this week’s teaching material.  However, unlike most weeks, as I look out of the window of our study this morning I see a scene reminiscent of Ice Station Zebra.  There is what appears to be a blizzard whirling its way around the valleys of Merthyr.  The snow is dancing in the night air in confused, ecstatic circles.

This has been the pattern for much of the past week.  The snow began to arrive on Sunday evening and by Monday afternoon, we were virtually snowed in.  Living high up, this is only to be expected perhaps.  Indeed, the native Merthyr folk began buying in extra provisions as soon as the weather forecasts began to speak of snow.  Thus, even though it snows in the UK in most winters, we are (as ever) ill-prepared for it.  Transport links have ground to a halt, and whole swathes of the countryside have been cut off from the outside world!

I have only managed to make it into work twice during this week.  Whilst the prospect of an unexpected holiday might initially be welcome, being confined to barracks is not really much fun.  Of course, the children enjoyed the first couple of days, but now they’re really itching to get back to school (and my wife and I are itching for them to return there too)!

At any rate, we took some nice photos of the snow (which I’ll try to post here soon insha Allah), and it was nice to play in the snow with the kids.  Indeed, it was Layla’s first experience of Ice Station Merthyr.  I have to say that she has thoroughly enjoyed the experience, taking it all in her stride.

For myself, I only hope that I can get to work this morning (for 9:00am) in order to teach.  So, instead of praying for rain, I’m praying for a functional bus and rail network!

Ya Allah!

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Nil By Mouth

Peace, one and all…

For most of last week I was laid low by a particularly nasty cold/ear infection, which left me feeling completely washed out.  During this time, I watched Nil By Mouth again on TV.  For those unfamiliar, this 1997 film is a harrowing tale of life on a South London council estate, starring Ray Winstone and Kathy Burke.  Nil by Mouth also has the dubious distinction of having one of the highest levels of swearing in film history: there are apparently some 428 references to the F-word.  It’s a strong film, as one review made clear: ‘The film’s honesty is neither pretty, nor safe. This is a tough, tough ride’ (source). 

There are many things I can relate to in this film – although it is of course a work of fiction (though see Gary Oldman’s comments in the Time Out review; see here too).  It reminds me in many ways of my own formative years, though I grew up in East London (Hackney to be exact).  Watching the film, I can see again through my mind’s eye the warmth of family, as well as the destructive impact of alcohol and drugs.  I can relate to its realistic portrayal of the empty and casual violence that alcohol abuse can lead to – empty in the sense that it often seems to spring from nowhere-in-particular (almost as if it’s really an example of absence rather than presence).  The film’s depiction of violence and laughter, of joy and sorrow, of the warmth and bitter cold of some relationships is one that is uncomfortable but one borne out by my own experiences at any rate. 

The most bitter moment of the film is when Ray Winstone’s character beats his wife (played by Kathy Burke) senseless, causing to have a miscarriage.  It has to be one of the scariest and most realistic, portrayals of violence I have ever seen in a film.  It is an ugly moment, and one that we should all see, at least once perhaps.  In the opinion of some, this film is a depressing tale of violence and addiction.

It is that, for sure, but it is also more than that.  For me, the real story of the film is the enduring strength of its female characters.  Although there is great suffering in this film, the central female characters endure it with an almost unimaginable fortitude; somehow they make it through, into another day.  Somehow, and from somewhere, they find the strength to continue, to go on.  I have seen this strength myself, on many occasions – and thus I see the truth reflected in this film. 

I have seen and known many such moments, Ya Allah!  I don’t want to dwell on such things – apart from anything else, because they are private to me and those who also lived through them.  Yet, during these moments, it was always the strength of women that helped me get through.  That is, the women portrayed in this film exhibit a strength I recognise and honour: the kind of strength that enabled those women to pick themselves off of the floor (sometimes literally) for the sake of their children and all those who depended upon them; the kind of strength that could rise above and live through physical weakness; the kind of strength that could offer comfort to others, when they could find none for themselves.  Ya Allah!  There were times when I thought my heart would crack and my very soul would split in two.  But, even amidst those times of great darkness, it was the strength of these women that helped me to endure, that gave me the ability to hold on, that helped me to see a larger picture.

I honour the strength of women.  Indeed, I would count myself blessed were I to possess an ounce of their endurance.  Ya Allah!  Where would I be without the strength of women?  Where would I be without the endurance of those who raised me?  It is not for nothing that Your beloved Messenger (alaihi al-salatu wa al-salam) said that paradise lies at the feet of mothers!

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Sun and Moon

Peace, one and all…

Every saturday during this Ramadan, my family and I have attended the iftar programmes run by the West Wales Islamic Cultural Association (based in Carmarthen).  We both think of this part of the world as in some sense ours.  I became a Muslim in the nearby university town of Lampeter (10 years ago now).  My wife and I first met there as students.  We met many of our closest Muslim friends there and we lived and worked at the European Institute of Human Sciences for some 3 years or so.  West Wales is thus my Muslim ‘homeland’ and so going back there always evokes memories.

As we drove along the A48 yesterday evening, we were greeted by a glorious sunset.  The sun gently lowered itself beyond the horizon in a blaze of red flame, as the surrounding sky slowly turned all to silver glass.  I suddenly realised that this would be a perfect, and gentle, way to die: to simply fade slowly into the beautiful night.  Now, lest anyone think me morbid, this did not strike me as something to fear – in any sense whatsoever.  As we looked into the sunset I found myself thinking, ‘just as the sun of my life will set so, as God wishes, will it rise once again’.  It was almost as if I realised that some kind of sun is always rising – even though I may never see it.

The evening itself was most enjoyable.  We met up with some old friends, listened to an interesting talk on Islam and the environment (by my wife’s old Islamic Studies lecturer) and had a fine meal.  And then, as we drove home, we were treated to another of Allah’s most beautiful signs: a softly glowing moon above tree-covered hills.  Allah!

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

I Love Your Blog

Peace, one and all…

I was recently fortunate enough to be given three ‘I love your blog’ award nominations (from The Shepton Witch, Tess at Anchors & Masts, and Barney over at Barnabus Quotidianus).  I am, of course, very happy to receive such nominations.  I am honoured that they enjoyed some of the material on offer here.  As such, I would like to offer my thanks to them for their kindness.  I would also, in line with the rules of this particular meme, like to add my own nominations.  I have to say though that I would like to nominate the three blogs above, as they’re all interesting ones that I read regularly.  That said, here are the rules…

1. The winner can put the logo on their blog
2. Link to the person you received the award from
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs
4. Put links of those blogs on yours
5. Leave a message on the blogs nominated

The trouble with a meme such as this is simply that there are so many good blogs out there.  How do I choose just 7?  Well, here are my 7 blogs.  They are ones I enjoy reading and are written by people I enjoy communicating with.  They’re not the only ones I enjoy, by any means.

Darvish: written by Irving Karchmar, of Master of the Jinn fame.  This is one of my favourite blogs and Irving is one of my favourite bloggers.  I always come away from reading his words with a feeling of calm and a renewed sense of God’s love.  Allah!

Aaminah Hernandez: Aaminah’s blog is always interesting and well written.  She comes across as a passionate, caring and deeply spiritual individual.  I have great respect for her and her writing and so heartily recommend her blog.

Star of Seshat: I have enjoyed reading this blog immensely.  It is honestly (and well) written and the writer comes from a religious tradition which I know little about.  I have enjoyed our conversations greatly.

The Green Witch: this is another very interesting blog, which I have discovered recently.  All sorts of people pass by this blog and have all sorts of interesting, relevant and necessary discussions.  Moreover, the writer is welcoming and warmly human.

Dharmakara’s Prayer: DP offers insights drawn from both the Buddhist and Quaker traditions, and so is an unusual and interesting blog. 

Dervish (Umm Yasmin): my favourite Aussie blogger!  Umm Yasmin combines scholarly insight, religious conviction and interesting ideas.  Highly recommended.

Katib: Katib’s blog is thoughtful and thought-provoking.  It offers profound insights into the faith of Islam, social issues, politics and all manner of things.  I also enjoy the space pictures!

Check out these 7 fantastic blogs.  They’re well worth a read!

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

My Latest Catch of Pearls

Peace, one and all…

As we approach the safe harbour of Ramadan, here are my latest catch of pearls – freshly drawn from the seas of blog.  Enjoy…

• The Green Witch: Revenge
• House of Innana: The Personal Remains Political and Vice-versa
• The Manrilla Blog: The Presumption of Privilege
• Katib: Whoever Wants to Know His Own Station in the Sight of Allah
• Dharmakara’s Prayer: True Community

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

My Favourite Foods

Tags

food, gratitude, Ramadan

Peace, one and all…

 

Following on from sister Aaminah’s Grateful to Allah Blog Carnival, here are a few things I am sincerely grateful to God for.  As you will soon notice, given that Ramadan is fast approaching, this particular list consists of all my favourite foods!  Allah!

• Clean, cold water on a hot day
• Milk
• Lassi/Laban: produced in many parts of the world, this is a drink made from milk and yoghurt.  Sometimes with sugar (yum), sometimes with salt (yuck) and often with fruit (double yum)!
• Olives and olive oil: I truly, madly, deeply love olives and olive oil.  Olives come in all shapes and sizes, and all of them are lovely!
• Cherries, apples and grapes: these are 3 of my favourite fruits.  We don’t get cherries all of the time and so when we do, they don’t last long!  My children love apples, as do I.  I grew up in London with a small apple tree in the garden.  My in-laws have a huge apple tree in their garden.  Grapes are delicious and the occasion for much humour in our house: both of my daughters enjoy biting them, sucking the juice out of them and passing me the remnants!
• Mangos: my wife’s family say that Pakistani mangos are the best in the world, ever!  Based on my own experience, I would probably agree (though I’ve not had many from elsewhere).  Mango eating is a delicately crafted ritual in my in-laws home: my wife and mother-in-law sit down, out comes a wickedly sharp knife and before you can say ‘bismillah’, a plate of neatly sliced mango pieces are produced.  I like to eat the skin – though my wife says that it’s disgusting.
• Humous and taramasalata: I love both and so does my wife.  Fortunately, neither seem to be very popular in Merthyr and so there’s often lots of it in the reduced section of Tescos.
• Freshly cooked, warm crusty bread: Allah!  What can I say!
• A traditional sunday roast dinner: a childhood favourite and great on any day of the week!
• Cawl: a traditional Welsh soup/stew (often made with lamb).  My beloved wife makes a really lovely cawl.
• Achar Gosht (Pickled Meat, approximately): fiery, spicy and the cause of much chili-induced pain/pleasure
• My mother-in-law’s chicken curry
• Porridge
• Supermalt: a malt-based, alcohol-free drink.  I really do love supermalt (and I can now buy it in Merthyr Tydfil).  Not loved by everyone (and loathed by my wife and sister).  But, hey!  I like it.
• Coffee: I drink too much coffee, but there’s nothing quite like it.
• Tea: I love all kinds of tea – although I especially love Earl Grey and Mint Tea.
• Family barbecues: another much-loved family ritual, also involving much care, effort and attention to detail; my wife’s family tell me that Pakistani barbecues are the best in the world.
• Eating food (of any kind) with my wife and three children

Sometimes, we spend so much time thinking about other things that we forget to thank God for the simple things – for the food we eat, and the water we drink.  Allah!  I have so much to be grateful for.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Traditional Sufi Music

Peace, one and all…

Allah! At last, the weather is warm and so, here’s a selection of traditional Turkish music for you to enjoy.

Ney

Halil Nacipoglu: Camideki Adam

Hasan Singidik Soyulor: Nihansen Dideden

Yunus Emre: Ilahi

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Sufi Poetry Carnival Deadline Approaches

Peace, one and all…

A quick reminder to anyone thinking of submitting poems to the 2nd Sufi Poetry Carnival.  The closing date is fast approaching.

The theme of this year’s carnival is ‘knocking from inside’.  Submission details can be found by following the link above.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Welsh International Islamic Conference

Peace, one and all…

al-Hikma and Cardiff University ISOC are jointly holding an international conference on Saturday 26th July 2008.  The event will begin at 2pm and will be held in the Julian Hodge Building.

Confirmed speakers include:

• Dr Israr Ahmed (Pakistan)
• Shaykh Shady Asuliman (Australia)
• Shaykh Faraz Rabbani (Canada)
• Shaykh Uthmaan Lateef (UK)
• Junaid Jamshed (Pakistan)

Further information is available on the al-Hikma website.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Gardens of the Mughal Empire

Peace, one and all…

I just wanted to recommend this really interesting site on the Gardens of the Mughal Empire.

Courtesy of Spirit and Life

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Centre for Chaplaincy Studies

Peace, one and all…

I have just returned to the office after having attended the official launch ceremony of the new Centre for Chaplaincy Studies, which is also part of Cardiff University.

Ma sha Allah!  It will, insha Allah, lead to the development of much useful and creative thought in the field of chaplaincy studies.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Conference: Quranic Frameworks for Society

Peace, one and all…

Umm Yasmin, over at Dervish, has provided a link to a very interesting forthcoming conference.  Entitled ‘International Academic Conference on Qur’anic Frameworks for Society: Islam, Multiculturalism, Pluralism and Peace’, and run by the Al-Maktoum Institute for Arabic and Islamic Studies, it aims to look at the following broad themes:

• Explore fresh and innovative issues within the study of Islam and Muslims that are related to Qur’anic Studies.
• Look at the core sources of Islam, particularly the Qur’an, to explore theoretical, philosophical, theological, and social perspectives and interpretations of society. In particular, the symposium will be focusing on issues of diversity, multiculturalism, pluralism, and peace.
• Discuss specific practical historical and contemporary attempts to interpret such Qur’anic frameworks within social contexts.

Insha Allah, the papers on offer will cover the following topics:

• Qur’anic models for peace and pluralism
• Multiculturalism, diversity, and pluralism within the Qur’an
• The theoretical framework for and implementation of Islamicjerusalem as a model for multiculturalism
• The concepts of li-ta‘ārafū, lil‘ālamīn, and ahl al-kitāb
• Perspectives on difference in the Qur’an
• Dialogue (hiwār), peace (salām) and conflict resolution
• Qur’anic Discourse in addressing different audiences
• Qur’anic conceptions of nations and societies

It will run on the 17th and 18th June 2008 at the Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London.  It looks fascinating, though I won’t be able to attend. 

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

What I Can Do

Peace, one and all…

There have recently been a spate of posts touching on issues relating to what we might call gender issues and Muslims.  Specifically, Sunni Sister and Aaminah have both written recently on the topic of ‘honour’ killings, and what we can do – individually and collectively – to combat such things.  That is, rather than just (rightly) condemning such actions as ‘unislamic’ (which of course they are) and leaving it at that, both writers have asked the fundamental question: what can I do?

This is an important question, and one which each and every human being must ask themselves – what have I done to make the world a better place?  What have I done to address things I know to be wrong?  I don’t have all of the answers.  Indeed, I don’t even have many of the right questions.  But that does not absolve me from striving to act on what I do know.

So, then, what can I do?

Firstly, it strikes me that before I open my mouth I must open my ears.  I must listen.

It is right and proper that, as Muslims and human beings, we struggle to hear each and every voice.  Moreover, we must let everyone speak their own truths, without attempting to place our own interpretive frameworks on them.  It seems to me that adab/futuwwah is about letting the other speak, as themselves and for themselves.  This is where I stand on a whole range of issues.  This is my take on gender and race issues, as well as on issues of disability/ableism and the like: let each person express their truth openly and without fear.  I may not agree, but I can promise to try as hard as I can to listen and to not force my own understandings upon others.  This is the place from which I seek justice for all - without regard to race, colour, creed, status – simply with regard to our common humanity, our common right to free expresson.

Secondly, I must strive to understand and practice the truth that my ‘honour’ as a man has nothing whatsoever to do with how others act, nor with what they say, nor yet with how they are.  Honour, it seems to me, is a quality of the soul.  It is an inward graciousness that seeks to aid, to listen and where appropriate, to protect.  In other words, I must strive to become a fully Muslim man – one who shelters those in his care, who guides and protects where he can, and who asks God for aid where he cannot.  I wish to become that man, that I might aid others – and accept aid in my turn.

Thirdly, I can teach my children these truths so that they too can learn to embody them.  I must strive to teach my handsome son that his strength has been given to him only so that he might aid those in need.  I must strive to teach my two beautiful daughters that are individuals in their own right – they are not responsible for carrying the burden of our family ‘honour’, nor indeed of anyone else’s.

Related posts:

• Mr Moo: The Art and Science of Manliness
• Aaminah: What Will I Do Today?
• Sunni Sister: What Can I Do?
• Yahya Birt: Being a Real Man
• The Fatherhood Institute and al-Nisa Society: ‘In Conversation With Muslim Dads’
• Update: Muslimah Media Watch: Sexuality & Women’s Honour: There Isn’t A Link

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman

Important Events

Peace, one and all…

I wanted to post information on a couple of very interesting forthcoming events.

1. Engaging Muslim Chaplains in the Education Sector: Association of Muslim Chaplains in Education (AMCed) Conference Launch: 25th June 2008 10-4, Brunel University, Middlesex.
2. St. Ethelberga’s are holding an Inter-faith event entitled ‘Beyond Words into Prayer’, led by Dr. Musharraf Hussain and Julian Bond, again on 25th June 2008 6pm onwards (see Christian-Muslim Forum and St. Ethelberga’s event catalogue)

So, if you have time and are available, I would encourage you to attend.

Ma’as salama,
Abdur Rahman