Eye of the Soulstorm

Someone said to me lately, “If you are serious about Sufism, the world is perfect the way it is.  It’s a mirror.  It’s only your own imperfection you are seeing.”

I was complaining, and my friend said that complaints are only a result of my weaknesses and misjudgment of God’s wisdom.

Someone also said, “What is Tasawwuf?  Finding happiness in the heart upon the arrival of grief.”  Every sorrow and difficulty that one undergoes in the dunya is a window into a future happiness in Paradise, God-willing.  The difficulty may also be a part of a training process Allah wants us to pass.  This way we become stronger in our character and faith.

Tasawwuf is the most difficult science in Islam.  The most difficult, but the most rewarding. :)

Posted in: Advice & Wisdom, Defeating the Ego, Pain & Tribulations by Hifzin114 /
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The point of my last post was that I was finding it hard to tolerate narrow-mindedness.  I think this toleration is getting easier, mostly because of the amazing adab people display.  Manners and character go a very, very long way.  But here are the examples of closed minds that I have a hard time fathoming:

Materialistic people who cannot burst out of their bubbles:  They are driven by the brand-name fashion industry in which they cannot leave and realize that there are much more important matters to be worrying about.  Instead of acquiring a PhD to make a difference, they are bubbling with excitement about the future car they want to buy along with their entire coach collection of purses.  Some of these people complain that they cannot stand it when their parents or scholars of Islam tell them what to do…then why are they allowing a bunch of men who control the fashion industry to influence their minds and tell them what to wear?

The person who is bound to their culture by every thread.  I have no problem with this person unless they begin to demean people of other cultures and criticize others who choose to marry outside of their culture.  Yes.  I have heard (through secondary sources) that people have called my brother a “wannabe Arab” after he married a girl who traces her roots back to Yemen.  There is a line in the Quran where God says that he created people into different tribes and cultures so that we may learn from each other.  What better way for inter-cultural exchange and harmony than to marry people from a different culture?  A partner for marriage (in my opinion) is someone with which you have a harmonious, mutual understanding in the views that mean the most to you.  If I find this harmony in a person of a different culture or race, then by all means I will consider him.  I am also disappointed when people place priority on culture over religion.  The stigmas and ideologies developed by men through a culture can never outweigh the divine sources of religion.

Finally, people who are not willing to accept or even consider religious viewpoints that are different from their own.  I have countless of examples for this, but I will list only a few.  Intelligence to me is something that grows over time.  If one is stuck in a certain ideology, or in an ideology that inherently inhibits growth, then I will begin to feel suffocated.  The Quran is a guidance to all men for eternity.  This means that its guidance will oversee many eras of culture, fashion, governance, music, food etc.  This does not mean that the fashion, food, and culture that existed during the time of the prophet is superior to all others!  What is superior during the Prophet’s time was the Muslims’ character, knowledge, manners, and intimacy with God.  As long as a Muslim is covering the necessary areas of their body with modest clothing, I do not think that their intimacy with God is limited by their failure to wear a black abayah and niqab (face-covering).  The Quran did not come down to turn humanity into robots-it came to guide us into realizing that everything that exists is a proof of God and His oneness-including the culture, fashion, and food that changes throughout time.  I have no problem with niqab, I just have a problem with those who believe that to not wear it is restricting their relationship with God.

Of course this is an extreme example, but this “niqab” is a symbol for ideologies too.  My cousin-in-law told me once that he was criticized for playing basketball because it was a biddah (innovation) and had no place in the Quran and Sunnah.  This is ridiculous and sad at the same time.  One of my favorite scholars said that the reason so many Saudi youth are turning to “western” music is because their own display of musical creativity (Nasheeds, Qasidahs, etc) is being shunned in their land as a biddah, thus they have no means to express it except though foreign music.

Another example of this close-mindedness happened recently after a conference.  The conference had different sessions: one discussing the socio-psychological perspective of Islam, one discussing the political perspective of Islam, another discussing the spiritual perspective of Islam, and another discussing business marketing and how to use it to improve the west’s understanding of Islam.  A lot of my friends went.  At first I heard many criticisms about the atmosphere because it was not gender segregated and did not offer a lot in terms of Islamic knowledge.  Then however, I heard a completely different perspective.  My own cousin and his wife told me how much they enjoyed it, and another one of my good friends said it was amazing.  When I told them about the initial criticisms, they were shocked and said that the quality and comprehensiveness of the conference outweighed the fact that it was gender-mixed.  In fact, men and women sat in clusters so it was not completely mixed.  Conclusion: do not let a petty discomfort prevent you from benefiting from something larger and substantial.

These are three main qualities that I have difficulty coming to terms with.  However one of my friends told me that you should NEVER hold antipathy towards a person who says something hurtful.  What you should hold antipathy towards is the statement that was made.  This is beautiful.

At the end of the day, everyone is raised differently and has different experiences that make them who they are.  Maybe I need to learn to open my mind, too.

Posted in: Advice & Wisdom, Defeating the Ego, General by Hifzin114 /
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Lately I have been feeling suffocated.  How do you feel when the people you love the most look down upon something you admire a lot? I’ll tell you. You feel suffocated. You may have pains in your stomach. You may be unable to breathe. Ok. I’m being dramatic, but this is the first time I am experiencing this for longer than….5-10 minutes.

How would you feel while staying in a room filled with racist people; particularly against blacks?  Their racial comments are not harsh, but bitter and blunt.  The racists are all educated too; all with at least a bachelors degree.  This is how I would feel: disgusted.  I would want to leave immediately.  I know I would start feeling “suffocated.”

Lately I have been realizing that my passions are not shared by those who I love.  Let me give you an example.  Let’s suppose you have a fascination for art. You cannot explain in words how much pleasure you receive by drawing and molding structures out of clay. It is bliss.  Moving your hands through the damp clay is the most stress-relieving, happiness-inducing movement ever.  It is ecstasy. One day your FAVORITE art scholar has appeared in town. But there is more to add to this. Your favorite art scholar designs his art around religious symbols and themes. He uses art to express his love of God and religion. OF COURSE you are excited to go.  However, you know two of your friends would not go. They are not the artsy type.  They think it is a waste of time.  They don’t realize that without art, no mosque, temple, or place of worship would be beautiful.  Some people are tempted to pray more because of the beauty and serenity of a prayer area.  Anyway.  You ask your last closest friend to attend the event with you.  Her response?  ”No, I think art and Islam coupled together is a harmful innovation.”  You let her words sink in before you respond. Your heart freezes but you don’t show it visibly.

Once you are in safe haven you stare at the mirror in utter shock at the narrow-mindedness and ignorance of the world.  But that’s not so much an issue.  You can handle narrow-mindedness.  But when everyone around you criticizes and demeans art…your heart eventually crumbles.

This is the end of my example but not the end of my post, iA it will continue this weekend.  Further explanation is necessary.

Posted in: General by Hifzin114 /
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Today I saw Avatar; I really wanted to know what the buzz was all about. Although there was a cliche sub-plot and an extremely predictable main plot, the timeless message that was displayed is what I love the most.

The graphics and scenery were amazing too, however, in terms of beauty, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess for wii blew my mind away. And the wii game is even better since you are actually playing the main character in the game.  One of my friends mentioned that the movie made her think of the beauty of Jannah.  That is exactly what The Legend of Zelda did for me.

Anyway, here are the turn-offs of the movie for me:

Cliche love story: This reminded me of “Pocahontas”.  Of course the protagonist just happens to bump into the daughter of the leader of the tribe.  In reality, what are the chances of this happening?  Also, Neytiri is in charge of teaching Jake Sully.  Hmmm.  Very predictable.  Maybe they were cute, but I think the growing relationship between Jake and Grace the scientist was more intriguing.

Cliche Plot:  Again this reminded me of “Pocahontas,” and even “V for Vendetta”.  The perceived enemy is really not what you think they are.  The evil, white humans want to reap the natural resources, destroy nature, make money, and kill the indigenous.  The movie was predictable from the start.  Of course Jake is going to side with the natives.  After all, he becomes an Avatar.

Scantily clad female (and male) Avatar: This is added for greater effect.  The movie has all the weak-nafs pleasing elements; including attractive female heroines, and lots of violence and action.  The Avatar creatures actually reminded me of Jack from “The Nightmare Before Christmas”.

Turn-ons:

The dramatic change in relationship between Colonel Miles and Jake.  This reminded me of the same kind of plot in “Crimson Tide”.  There is a strong pact and understanding in the beginning, but it later changes because of a moral dilemma.   This reminded me that sometimes the right course of action is sometimes the most difficult to undertake.

Nature.  I love trees.  Yes.  I am a tree-hugger. :)  The appreciation of nature, animals, and its preservation.  It’s interesting because the same people who loved “Avatar” are also afraid of all pets that walk.

A new perspective of the so called “enemy”.  In the beginning of the movie, the Avatar are the ferocious enemy.  This is still evident when Naytiri tries to kill Jake.  Her gentleness begins to show when she shows regret and sorrow for killing the creatures that were attacking Jake.  When Jake later learns to slaughter the sacred Avatar way, he thanks the animal.  This reminded me of zabiha meat and showing gratitude.

When Colonol Miles says, “Let’s fight terror with terror.”  I love this!  Hopefully this will open many minds!  At this point the audience is routing for the Avatar to win the battle.  Clearly the movie makes an allusion that what we perceive to be terror or terrorists may not be true.  In fact, the humans were clearly terrorizing the Avatar by destroying their sacred tree, chasing them out of their homeland, and killing innocent Avatar.

Reality of the Avatar World.  When Jake admits that the land of the Avatar was becoming reality, and that his life on the space station was turning into a dream.  My friend pointed out that this reminded her of Akhira vs. Dunya.  Akhira=land of the Avatar!  After all, when we die, we wake up!

Limb Liberation.  The fact that Jake gets to use his legs again in the land of the Avatar.  Although I am not paralyzed from my hip down, I could feel a sense of his liberation and joy.

My Favorite:

The network and the sacred energy that passed on from the ancestors to the modern Avatar.  SubhanAllah, this reminded me of Tasawwuf and barakah.  The unbroken chain of ijazas that lead back to the Prophet (pbuh) is like the chain of energy and understanding that the avatar receive from their holy tree with the connection to their ancestors.  Also, the energy reminds me of barakah.  The more energy the Avatar have, the more their God is pleased with their actions.

Overall, the movie was very nice.  The perspective of the “enemy” and the realization of their innocence is the theme I liked most.

Posted in: General by Hifzin114 /
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What a blessed way to start the new year…this program was absolutely AMAZING.  Alhamdulilah, I’m so glad I went.  Here are some gems.

I missed one day (Saturday).  Also, I left out A LOT of notes about fiqh and the development of fiqh over the course of time.  I just listed some inspirational stuff.

Even the best of creations (Prophet Muhammad, pbuh) had a teacher: Angel Jibreel.  Who are we to say that we do not need a teacher?  And what a blessing it is to take knowledge from a teacher with a chain of teachers leading back to the Prophet (pbuh).

The differences between the sahaba are a mercy for us.

Books are secondary sources to the scholars.

Just by mentioning pious people, the mercy of Allah descends.

Every religious matter that does not begin with “Bismillah hir Rahman nir Rahim” will fall short.

If one wants high levels of Paradise, then one has to attain high levels of knowledge.

Be one who takes little, but benefits a lot, not one who takes a lot, but benefits little.

The boat of the shariah is designed to keep you from drowning in the ocean of dunya.

If you strive and struggle, you will see the results.

A man had a belt of disbelief around him due to his constant showing off to others.  He became sincere by realizing that all of creation are dead.

When one’s acts are for other than God, he/she will find it very difficult.

The only way to understand Tasawwuf, is to taste it.

A sign that a man holds the dunya in his hand and not in his heart, is the lack of care he shows when he loses his dunya.

Winter is the best season for a believer–its days are short for fasting, and its nights are long for praying.

A Wali of Allah is able to look through you and realize your defects through the light of Allah (Firasa).

Guard your tongue in front of a ruler, guard your heart in front of a Wali.

Someone asked a shaykh how he was able to still use his limbs so well after having lived such a long time.  He responded by saying that he preserved his limbs from sin while he was young.

Imam Al Haddad: Don’t let a sunnah reach you, except that you follow it at least once.

Imam Al Chisti: If a man is walking over water, or flying over air, do not consider him a Wali of Allah unless he is following the Quran and sunnah.

There are two types of Nifaq (hypocrisy): Intending to destroy Islam from within, and doing things for other than God.

A lot of people wonder why all except one of the Tariqahs lead up to Ali (R).  Keep in mind that the prophet bestowed secrets to some or one of his companions that he did not reveal to others.  Hudayfah ibn Al Yaman knew the names of the hypocrites.  Zaid Ibn Thabit was taught the fiqh of inheritance.  Thus, Ali was taught secrets as well.

A man was with his wife when the call for battle was made.  He left his action and went to fight.  He died during battle, and the angels performed Ghusl for him.  The man had left his desire and fought with his life for the sake of God.

Posted in: General by Hifzin114 /
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The baby reaches out her hand
To grab the figurine,
But just as it begins to land
It just as quickly leaves.

How beautiful to the sight;
The object looms ahead.
It reflects the white fluorescent  light
Into purple, green, and red.

The baby has not seen
Anything quite so nice.
She pines to hold it in her palm;
The object is made to entice.

The object moves in orbit-style
In its mobile carousel.
A leader in its crew-while
the baby follows well.

Everytime she tries to grab
The precious figurine.
Everytime the object laughs
At baby’s naivety.

Oh how cruel is life!
To tease us so, when we are weak and light.
How many times do we sacrafice
Love for what is right?

The carousel is gone.
The parts are shipped to an antique store.
A new toy for baby has not won
Its heart at its precious core.

For nothing can compare
To what is lost and what is missing.
The object was unmatched in skills;
Height of beauty never christened

The baby cries for mercy,
The tears are not enough,
To revive the innocent sea
Of baby’s first dream and love.

Posted in: Poetry by Hifzin114 /
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Be careful what you preach to others…most of the time you will be afflicted with the same trial. God is The Just. If you write an article about avoiding the temptations of…let’s say…gender-mixed informal gatherings, don’t be surprised later on if you are being strongly tested in the same manner.  This may be God’s way of…testing how well you follow your own advice!

I remember I used to walk around when I was young and inwardly mock at people who could not control their emotions and gave into certain peer pressures. I remember hearing people say, “Why do people allow themselves to develop feelings for a person?”  “I know!”  I would say in complete agreement.  I was naive and arrogant.

As college life continued, I witnessed strong-willed and extremely practicing Muslims fall captive to their emotions.  I realized that I cannot hold everyone to a certain expectation if there are knowledgable people with good adab who fall captive to the same thing.  I realized:

1. We do not know someone’s circumstance
2. No one is raised with the same morals and values.  In fact, there are some Muslim parents who actually want their children to date before marriage.
3. A lot of problems in one area may cause someone to collapse and fall into sin in another area.  For example: people lose jobs+ money; they resort to alcohol.  Obviously this is haram, but they never would have taken alcohol if their jobs were secure.  The same can be said about dating.  A person who has no relationship with their parents (or has a parent that recently died), may find companionship and affection in a haram relationship.
4. The halal arena can turn bad.  (People start off with good intentions and plan events for the sake of Allah, during which they are totally clueless that they are developing feelings.  Another example: The halal formal atmosphere has turned into a doubtfully halal, informal atmosphere.  Again, the members are oblivious to the disintegrating atmosphere…and the states of their hearts.)
5. Some people just don’t know what the right thing to do is.  I remember a Muslim guy in my high school was actually surprised when I told him that men and women cannot date before marriage.
6. Some people hang out with the wrong crowd, and are intimidated by the “pious” Muslim crowd.

Now if I see a sister crying over a broken and confused heart…I am going to be much, much more compassionate.

Khalid Latif once said, you have to befriend someone first before you attempt to change them.  What does this entail?  You have to find qualities in the person that you like.  You have to understand their upbringing and personality.  Then, this may be the most effective way to change their perspective or behavior.

Posted in: Advice & Wisdom by Hifzin114 /
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This is one of the most beautiful Qasidas I learned at the Rihla.  It is a poem that was written by Imam Al Haddad (May God grant him peace in his grave and honor him with Paradise).

Chorus:

*My Lord’s knowledge has sufficed me
from asking or choosing
Qad Kafaani ‘Ilmu Rabbi
Min su Alee Wakhtiyaari

For my du’a and my agonising supplication
is a witness to my poverty.
Faa do ‘aa ii Wabtihali
Shaahidun li Bif ti Qaa ri*

End Chorus

For this secret (reason) I make supplication
in times of ease and times of difficulty
Faa li hatha sirri ad ‘uu
Fii Ya saa rii wa ‘a saa rii

I am a slave whose pride
is in his poverty and obligation.
Ana abdun Saa ra Fakhri
Dim na Faq ree Wad tiraarii

*Chorus*

O my Lord and my King
You know my state.
Ya Ilahi Wa maliki
Anta Ta’lam Kayfa Halii

And what has settled in my heart
of agonies and preoccupations.
Wa bi maa qad Hala Qal bee
Min hu moo mi washtighalee

Save me with a gentleness
from You, O Lord of Lords.
Fata da Rak nee bi lutfin
Min ka yaa Mow lal Ma wa lii

Oh save me, Most Generous
before I run out of patience (with myself)
Ya kareem mal waj hi ghith nee
Qab la a-Yaf Nas ti baa ree

*Chorus*

O One who is swift in sending aid
I ask for aid that will arrive to me swiftly
Ya Saree ‘al Ghowthi Ghowtha
Min Ka Yud rik Ni suree a

It will defeat all difficulty
and it will bring all that I hope for
Yah Zimul Usrawa Ya ti
Bilathi narjuu Jamee ‘aa

O Near One Who answers
and All-Knowing and All-Hearing
Ya Qareeban Ya Mujeeban
Ya ‘Aleeman Ya Samee’an

I have attained realization through my incapacity,
my submission and my brokenness
Qad Tahaqaq Tuu be aj zee
Wa Khudoo ‘ii Wan kisaaree

I am still standing by the door, so please my Lord
have mercy on my standing.
Lam Azal bil Babi wa Qif
Far Haman Rabbi Wu kuufi

And in the valley of generosity, I am in i’tikaf (solitary retreat)
So, Allah, make my retreat here permanent.
Wa bi waadil Fadli ‘Aa Qif
Fa a dim Rabbi U koofi

And I’m abiding by good opinion (of You)
For it is my friend and ally.
Wali husnil Zanee lazim
Wa huwa khilee wa haleefi

And it is the one that sits by me and keeps me company
All day and night.
Wa aneesi wa jaleesi
Toola layli wanahaari

*Chorus*

There is a need in my soul, O Allah
so please fulfil it, O Best of Fulfillers
Haajatan fin Nafsi Ya Rabb
Faq di Hayaa Khayra Qaadi

And comfort my secret and my heart
from its burning and its shrapnel
Wa ahrih sir Ree wa Qalbi
Min Laza Ha Wa shuwazi

In pleasure and in happiness
and as long as You are pleased with me
Fi surooriw Wa hubooriw
Wa itha ma kuntu Raadii

For joy and expansion is my state
and my motto and my cover.
Fal hanna wal Bas ti haali
Wa shi ‘aaree Wa di thaaree

*Chorus*

My Lord’s knowledge has sufficed me
from asking or choosing
Qad Kafaani ‘Ilmu Rabbi
Min su Alee Wakhtiyaari

Posted in: Pain & Tribulations, Poetry by Hifzin114 / Tags: Imam Al Haddad

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Enough with these pessimistic posts. After midterms I have stuff planned. I think I want to change the entire layout of this place. I want to start a series of posts quoting from Rabia Al Adawiyah.

I read part of her bio one day when I was down…and I was completely in awe.
You know she refused to get married because she could not calm herself from the anxiety of whether she would be successful or not on the Day of Judgment? She did not want to be distracted from her preparation.

When others asked why she didn’t marry, her reply was, “The marriage bond concerns a ‘being,’ but where is ‘being’ to be found (in me)? I do not belong to myself. I am His possession.”

Posted in: General by Hifzin114 / Tags: Rabia Al Adawiyah

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This year has been the roughest year of my life.  I am going to post up things that I have learned, and here is something that I have thought about:

We never lose anything.  Many people become distressed because they think that they have lost a loved one, (either through death, mental illness, physical illness, broken friendship, broken engagement, etc.).  However, you are merely separating yourself from the person temporarily, and if you really loved them, you will be reunited with them in Jannah (Paradise).  In Jannah God will ask, “Have you ever felt any form of distress or pain?”  The inhabitants will say that they have never felt pain.  This is truly amazing…in Paradise, our lives on earth will be completely insignificant.  Even beautiful marriages…the time we spent with our children…even the joys of earth will be insignificant.  So why do people envy the joys in others?  The joys of paradise are incomparable to the joys of earth.

Anyways, through my own struggles (inner & outer), I have lost a lot of interest in this world.  I am serious.  What is it worth spending money on things that will bring you only temporary pleasure?  This world is a cycle of distress and happiness.  This world is one big risk.  How do we know what we will encounter in the future?  I have little motivation for simple, stupid pleasures.  Television is one big waste of time.  A lot of people have been ranting about a recent football game.  Why do people take pleasure in watching football?  Wouldn’t you rather play in the game than to watch it?  Most of modern music, television, and popular media is all junk food for the soul.  I am sick of it.

Actually, my mom was pretty upset at me for looking so badly upon this earth.  But if you ever had chronic sadness that manifested into a physical pain, you just may lose interest in this world too.  I still hold a lot of optimism, however.  Work in this world for the good of the next.  May God help us.

Posted in: General by Hifzin114 /
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