Eye of the Soulstorm

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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The goal of the seeker on the path to God is to eliminate his own ego–his own selfness.  How does he do this?  He becomes so lost in love with God that he loses his sense of self.  Keep in mind this hadith:

“My slave does not draw near to Me with anything I love more than what I have made obligatory on him. And my slave continues to draw near to Me with superogatory actions until I love him. When I love him, I become his hearing with which he hears, his seeing with which he sees, his hand with which he strikes, and his foot with which he walks.”

A person who is in union with God forgets about his own self-existence.  He thinks about God in every moment.  He sees the attributes of God manifested through everything.  And I am not talking about pantheism.  Everything is a reflection of God; even a rock is a manifestation of the attributes of God.  A rock is long-lasting, durable, and eternal.  God is ever-lasting, most durable, and the eternal.  A rock is a sign and proof of the existence of God.

So anyway, what does this have to do with womanhood?  It all began in a unique art class that I had to take as a sophomore.  I think we were assigned to design a project that had meaning to us and was a social service.  I remember a girl in my class wanted to design a service for young women, I think it was called “No More Tears.”  It’s designed for girls who have just left a broken relationship, girls who “lost” themselves in a relationship, and girls who forgot about their own ambitions and sense of self during a relationship.  As part of the project, the girls would come to the organization and bring a pair of shoes.  On their shoes they would glue and place symbols or a representation of everything that meant a lot to them.  As they wore their shoes, they would always remember what made them an individual.

I remember at the time thinking…woah!  Thank God I have not experienced this!  How does a girl allow herself to “lose” herself in a relationship?  But now as a senior, I have more understanding and sympathy.

Love is powerful and dangerous.  Just as Love for God causes the servant of God to be so consumed and forgetful of his own self…so does love for a temporal being/item.  A girl who is “in love” with her partner is willing to sacrifice and compromise almost every aspect of herself for the sake of union with her “beloved.”  When the relationship ends, she is confused and lost.  Of course, this is not the correct or right understanding of love…but what can you expect from the youth?  They are naïve and willing to take risks.  This kind of love exists on the side of the boy, as well.  However, I personally have seen only cases of a woman losing her sense of self.  This is yet another reason why many women choose to stay within abusive relationships.

In conclusion, women need to discover themselves before they seek a partner.  Independence is one of the best gifts she can offer to her husband.  The only Being that deserves a woman’s heart and self is her Creator.

Posted in: Advice & Wisdom, Defeating the Ego, Love by Hifzin114 /
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“The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light,
That stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain,
Never became a forest king,
But lived and died a scrubby thing…
Good timber does not grow in ease.
The stronger wind, the tougher trees…”

–Douglas Mallock

Hardship is a means of salvation on the Day of Judgement, InshAllah.  It may not seem like it at first, but tribulations makes you stronger.

Another thing I learned: this world is really not worth it.
Just aim to get into Jannah (Paradise)…once you are there…that’s where the party begins. Think of this world as the 9-5 job shift, and death the release from the job at 5 PM. The barzakh is the time it takes for you to get home…and finally your home is your eternal destination (hopefully in Paradise).
SubhanAllah.

InshAllah we will all one day be able to say, “Ah! There is nothing like home! Home sweet home!”

Posted in: Pain & Tribulations, Poetry by Hifzin114 /
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“Half hearted or insincere apologies are often worse than not apologizing at all because recipients find them insulting.”

-Randy Pausch

I finished reading the book, “The Last Lecture,” by Randy Pausch.  The author has a fatal disease (pancreatic cancer)…and wrote the book at a time when he had only a few months left to live.  I underlined various advice he had for the reader…one of his advices that struck me the most was on forgiveness.  He begins by saying how he would discuss with his students the proper way to apologize, which, by the way, is very Islamic. :)

“Working in groups was crucial in my classes, and friction between students was unavoidable.  Some students wouldn’t pull their load.  Others were so full of themselves that they’d belittle their partners.  By mid-semester, apologies were always in order.  When students wouldn’t do it, everything would spin out of control.  So I’d often give classes my little routine about apologies.

I’d start by describing the two classic bad apologies:

1. ‘I’m sorry that you feel hurt by what I’ve done.’  (This is an attempt at an emotional salve, but it’s obvious you don’t want to put any medicine in the wound.)

2. ‘I apologize for what I did, but you also need to apologize to me for what you’ve done.’ (That’s not giving an apology.  That’s asking for one.)

Proper apologies have three parts:

1. What I did was wrong.
2. I feel badly that I hurt you.
3. How do I make this better?

Yes, some people may take advantage of you when answering question three.  But most people will be genuinely appreciative of your make-good efforts.  They may tell you how to make it better in some small, easy way.  And often, they’ll work harder to help make things better themselves.

Students would say to me: ‘What if I apologize and the other person doesn’t apologize back?’  I’d tell them: ‘That’s not something you can control, so don’t let it eat at you.’

-Randy Pausch

Beautiful advice.  It’s funny, because I had a rocky weekend lately, and my friend sent me a beautiful apology e-mail.  I thought of Randy before I responded.  So I made sure that I apologized back.  To say “I’m sorry” to somebody is such a sign of humility…you just have to accept it.  To not accept an apology is a sign of arrogance…and that it a whole other blog entry.  Within seconds after reading the e-mail from my friend, all sadness and tension within me vanished.

Not forgiving somebody can lead one to harbor rancor in his/her heart.  And I learned the HARD WAY to never do this again!  Shaykh Hamza Yusuf was so right when he said that the person who harbors the rancor is more harmed than the person who is the target of rancor.  You want to know how I learned the hard way?  Google “psychosomatic pain.” J

Anyway, don’t be scared!  (Haha) I don’t have any ill-feelings towards anyone, all praise be to God.  It’s wonderful to be in this state.

Posted in: Advice & Wisdom, Defeating the Ego by Hifzin114 /
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A bee on the farm at the RIHLA

I took this picture :)

One of the Shuyukh (I think it was Shaykh Hamza Yusuf) said that we should be like bees when they fly from flower to flower collecting nectar.  We should go through life collecting the best character traits and manners from people we encounter.  Then we will produce an all-curing product (honey): an excellent character!

Posted in: Advice & Wisdom by Hifzin114 / Tags: character

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