Do you have enough courage to stand infront of Allah with your sins?

People usually feel embarrassed when they do something wrong in front of a crowd. The embarrassment increases as the size of the crowd increase. For example, a person will feel more embarrassed if his/her faults are revealed in front of a thousand people than in front of only 10 people. Imagine how you would feel if your faults were broadcasted through the media to all the people in your country.

We are very particular in protecting our honour and dignity in this world, however, while disobeying Allah, are we mindful of the Day of Judgement when we will be standing in front of Allah in the presence of the whole humanity?

Besides the ordinary people, all the prophets will be present along with all the sahabah, martyrs and pious individuals. How embarrassing it will be if they see us standing in front of Allah as sinners! Besides the whole humanity, how bad it is if we are to stand in front of Allah alone as a disobedient servant? Therefore, to avoid those major humiliations, we should avoid committing sins in this world.

Forgive me ya Allah, as i remember not what was i send for, forgive me ya Rabbil alameen (The Lord of the universe), as i indulge myself in sins which you forbid for, the acts i committed which i cried for, forgive me ya Ghaffar (The forgiver), for not thanking all the things you blessed me for, forgive me ya Jabbar (The Compeller), for not taking the path You wished for, forgive me ya Allah, as I keep going my sinful ways for.
Forgive me ya Allah, my creator, my sustainer, i kneel down on the ground and beg for your mercy, You are the merciful, You are the forgiver, so forgive me for my mistakes which I committed, give me good sense, Give me the courage and patience to remain on the right path ever…
Ya Allah,,,! guide me to the stright way, the way of those on whom you have bestowed your grace . Not the way of those who earned your anger nor of those who went astray.  Aameen,,,

Studying Tasawwuf

Studying Tasawwuf (Sufism) is Fard Ain, According to Shafi Madhab Scholar Shaykh Zainuddin Maqdoom (radiyallahu Anhu)

وَتَعَلَّمَنْ عِلْمًايُصَحِّحُ طَاعَة وَعَقِيدةً وَمُزَكِّيَ القَلْبِ اصْقُلاَ

study science that makes the worship( ilm fiqh) and beleif (ilm aqeedah) valid; and refine your heart (study ilm tasawwuf)

هَذِ الثَّلاَثَةُ فَرْضُ عَيْنٍ فَاعْرِفَنْ وَاعْمَلْ بِهَا تَحْصُلْ نَجَاةً وَاعْتَلاَ

These three (sciences) are personal obligations (fard ain). Study and practice them so that you will be success and high-ranked.
(Adkiya)

How many of you, who claim to be ahlu sunna wal jamah,studying Sufism (Tasawwuf) under a true Shaykh?.

Get Back to Your Angelic Nature

We have two natures, Angelic and Animal, higher and lower.

When we are in our higher angelic nature, we feel light, optimistic, joyful, connected with Allah ta’ala. In our animal nature we feel heavy, negative, and disconnected.

We should be careful and always monitor our internal condition and make sure we are in our higher nature as much as possible, and if we look and see ourselves in our lower nature, to do anything possible to get back to our higher.

The danger is that if we are in our lower nature and not aware of it, we make life decisions and interactions with people that only lead to negative consequences. That is where relationships are ruined, opportunities are missed, and doors are closed.

We all have things we can do to get back to our higher, where all of our work in life will have resonance with Allah Subhana wa ta’ala, and be blessed with ease and success. Whether that be praying, laughing, going for a walk, meditating, the only action we need to take when we are in our lower nature is to get back to light.

If I worship You – Rabi’a al-Adawiyya

O  My Lord,

If  I worship You

From fear of Hell,

burn me in Hell.

O My Lord,

If  I worship You

From hope of Paradise,

bar me from its gates.

But if  I worship You for Yourself alone

Then grace me forever the splendor of Your Face.

Rabia Al-Adawiyya

Iraq (717-801)

One of Sufism’s most revered and beloved poet-saints, Rabia was born to poor parents who died of hunger when she was a young child, resulting in homelessness and permanent separation from her three siblings. She was found wandering on the streets of Basra, begging for food, by a criminal who seized her and sold her into slavery. Her master eventually freed her, awed by her holiness and by the light he saw shining from her face when she prayed.

Rabia pursued a life of solitary prayer in the desert, later taking up residence in a tiny house at the edge of Basra. Someone, perhaps a student, wrote that he saw nothing in the entire house but “a pitcher with a chipped spout which she used for bathing, a brick which she used for a pillow, and a reed mat on which she prayed.” As her twelfth-century biographer, Attar, wrote, “She was set apart in the seclusion of holiness.” She needed nothing because she had everything, and she refused to marry, even when a suitor promised her wealth. She replied that material riches bring only anxiety and sadness, while the life of surrender brings peace.

she used to pray”:
“O my Lord, the stars are shining and the eyes of men are closed, and kings have shut their doors, and every lover is alone with his beloved, and here I am alone with Thee.”

once a number of Sufis saw her hurrying on her way with water in one hand and a burning torch in the other. When they asked her to explain, she said:

“I am going to light a fire in Paradise and to pour water on to Hell, so that both veils may vanish altogether from before the pilgrims and their purpose may be sure…”

She was an ascetic. It was her custom to pray all night, sleep briefly just before dawn, and then rise again just as dawn “tinged the sky with gold”. She lived in celibacy and poverty, having renounced the world. A friend visited her in old age and found that all she owned were a reed mat, screen, a pottery jug, and a bed of felt which doubled as her prayer-rug , for where she prayed all night, she also slept briefly in the pre-dawn chill. Once her friends offered to get her a servant; she replied,

“I should be ashamed to ask for the things of this world from Him to Whom the world belongs, and how should I ask for them from those to whom it does not belong?”

Rabi’a was in her early to mid eighties when she died, having followed the mystic Way to the end. By then, she was continually united with her Beloved. As she told her Sufi friends, “My Beloved is always with me”

Setting Important Days

Permissibility of setting aside important days  Some people say that it is Haraam to set aside important days, such as Mondays and Thursdays, Giyaarwi shareef (11th of the Islamic month), Chatti Shareef (6th of the Islamic month), etc. to perform some virtuous act. The Ahle-Sunnah wal jama’at believes that it is not Haraam to set aside special days for Islamic acts such as Moulood-un-Nabi, Giyaarwi Shareef, Esaale Sawaab, Urs Shareef, etc. Allah Ta’ala says in Holy Quran: “And remind them of the days of Allah” (Part 13, Ruku 13) Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) himself set aside specific days, namely:-  He used to keep fast on Mondays and Thursdays. (Mishkaat Shareef; Abu Dawud Shareef) The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) would go every Saturday to Masjid-e-Quba sometimes traveling on horseback and sometimes walking. He would perform two Raka’ats of Nafil Salaah there. (Sahih Bukhari; Muslim Shareef ) Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) went into Ghazwa-e-Tabook on a Thursday and he preferred to journey on a Thursday. (Sahih Bukhari; Mishkaath) The Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) told Hazrath Abu Zar Ghaffari (radi Allahu Anhu) that if he wished to fast, then he should fast for three days in a month, namely the 13th, 14th and 15th of every Islamic month. (Mishkaath; Nisaa’i Shareef) It has been related by Hazrath Anas (radi Allahu anhu) that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) used to visit the graves of the Martyrs of Uhud in the beginning of every Year. Thereafter, the orthodox Khulafa too kept on doing so. It has been evident from this that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) used to approach the Martyrs on a particular day. (Tafseer Durr-Manthoor, Tafseer kabeer) There, to set aside specific days to perform certain Islamic actions are totally permissible.

An introduction to Tasawwuf or Sufism

There are many misconceptions prevalent in our society about tasawwuf,

however, due to its redundantness from our popular culture with the passage of time, the misconceptions about it have taken over its real concept thereby reducing its significance.

In plain words, there are two types of deeds (aamals) including manifested (zahiri) as well as hidden (batini). Manifested are noticeable and includes Namaz, rooza, and zakat but hidden are rooh (spirit) related, known to person himself / herself and are observed by Allah Taala only. The beauty of manifested deeds is dependent on hidden deeds but hidden deeds (batani aamals) have their reflection in manifested deeds (zahiri aamals) and if hidden deeds (batini aamals) are not performed with true spirit, the manifested deeds (zahiri aamals) fail to achieve Allah Taala’s pleasure (endorsement). It can be inferred from the above narration that manifested deeds (zahiri aamals) are in fact dependent on hidden deeds (batini aamals) and thus training of one’s batin to enable it to draw desired results is utmost important. The training system to mould batin to act within the dictates of Shariah is called Tasawwuf. Tasawwuf could also be termed as Fiqa-ul-batin as fiqh is the branch of knowledge that interprets Islamic shariah.

What is Tasawwuf or Sufism ?

Tasawwuf is the method of purifying heart. The evil present in Nafs not only endanger faith and deeds (actions) but some times even the life is culminated, and one does not feel satisfied leading to restlessness, depression and others dangerous states of mind. Every person encounters this whether he/she  educated or illiterate, and belongs to urban or rural area. It is just like in case of a disease. As every body needs treatment if he is physically ill , similarly one needs treatment if he/she is spiritually ill. The only difference is that with physical diseases, the life may in trouble and in pain or at the most one’s life may finish but spiritual disease pains both soul and body, leading to loss in both the lives. Hence, every one should  the basics of such a treatment that he should able to protect his/herself from spiritual evils and get spiritual health.

Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (Q.S)

Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (Qadhasallahu Sirahulazim) قطب الدین بختیار کاکی  was a renowned Muslim Sufi mystic, saint and scholar in the Chishti Order from Delhi, India. He was the disciple and khalifa (spiritual successor) of Moinuddin Chishti (Q.S) as head of the Chishti Order. His most famous disciple and spiritual successor was Baba Fareed.

Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (Q.S) was born in 569 A.H. (1173 C.E.) in a town called Aush or Awash in Mawar-un-Nahar (Transoxania). Khwaja Qutbuddin’s original name was Bakhtiyar and later on he was given the title Qutbuddin. The name Kaki was attributed to him by virtue of a keramat(miracle) that emanated from him at a later stage of his life in Delhi. He also belonged to the direct lineage of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu aleyhi wa aalihi wa sallam), descending from Hussain ibn Ali (r.a). Khawaja Bakhtiyar Khaki (Q.S) was one and half years old when his father died. His mother arranged for his education.

When Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti (Q.S) went to Isfahan, before his demise, he took oath of allegiance at his hands and received the khilafat and Khirqah(mantle of khilafat?) from him. Thus, he was the first spiritual successor of Moinuddin Chishti. Thereafter, his spiritual master asked him to go to India and stay there.

“He had no parallel in abandoning the world and suffering poverty and hunger. He kept himself engrossed in the dhikr. Whenever someone came to him he would come back to his senses after a while and was then able to talk with him. After a very brief exchange he would show his inability to continue any longer and slipped into the same state of absorption once again.”

He died on the 14th of Rabi-ul-Awwal 633 A.H. (1235 CE). The tomb of Qutbuddin Bakhityar Kaki (Q.S) lies near Qutub Minar at old Delhi, India.

Sunni Muslim Association – London

Muslims in London represent a very big population. The 2001 Census found that 607,083 Muslims (310,477 men and 296,606 women) were living in London. Almost two thirds of Muslims in London are of south Asian origin (24 per cent Bangladeshi, 22 per cent Pakistani, seven per cent Indian and seven per cent ‘other’ Asian). Nearly 20 per cent are white, 13 per cent black (12 per cent Black African) and almost five per cent from mixed groups and from other ethnic groups. (Information taken from

http://www.london.gov.uk/gla/publications/equalities/muslims-in-london.pdf )

The Sunni Muslim Association is an association made mainly with volunteers that help people from the Sunni community. They are also an Imam that is paid only for his expenses. At it is said on their website;  http://www.suma.org.uk

“SUMA embraces the diversity of cultures and tradition within the Sunni/Sufi community while reaching out to the non-Muslim community to encourage dialogue and greater understanding”.

The Sunni Muslim association provides many things such as regular services; prayer facilities, cultural and social activities. The place is situated at Tooting Bec tube station; it looks like a mosque, because the first room is quite spacious and empty – it is actually the prayer room. One meeting room and the background room is a room full of computers.

Nights at SUMA are dedicated to women to talk about their problems, about religions and also, they can be involved in learning educational activities such as learning the Koran. SUMA also provides non religious activities, tuition activities that are Maths and English for students.  It used to have Urdu and Arabic languages tuitions but due to a lack of volunteers, those classes are not run anymore.

None of the staff are paid; they are all volunteers willing to help the community. Membership is free and anyone can be a member. The association would help anybody that needs help, for example, if you are looking for a job, SUMA can help you as it is in touch with the council so it has lots of contacts and also they have job offers. There is also one volunteer that is in charge of helping with CV’s.

Sunni Muslim Association - London

If you have any family problems SUMA will help with concealing. Or sometimes people are under magic spelling so they will do their best to help, with the help of the Imam. Ekobar a staff member said: “where we can help we would help but most of the time we have to see who is genuine person that really needs help and a person who just want to take advantage of our services”.

Although some of the activities for Youths like and English and math’s tuitions are funded by external organizations such as the independent trust or P.Buddy trust. The association is not sponsored in any ways. It only survives with the community donations.

SUMA Community Centre

20 Tooting Bec Road

London SW17 8BD

Phone: +44 0208 67 6100

Fax: +44 0208 767 6100

E-mail: info@suma.org.uk

Welcome to the spring of soul

طلع البدر علينا من ثنيات الوداع  – وجب الشكر علينا ما دعا لله داع
أيها المبعوث فينا جئت بالأمر المطاع – جئت شرفت المدينة مرحبا يا خير داع

Since the outset of Rabeeu the Muslim world prepares to celebrate the birth of its beloved Messenger, The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Some ill-fated fellows have been deprived off the glory of this Season. But they are terribly few.  Compare the maps below to see the popularity and wide acceptance of the Celebration across the globe.

Click to see interactive map-  http://meelad.tk

It is noteworthy that many non-Islāmic countries like India and Philippines join with Islamic countries marking Meelad Day as Holiday. Other than some new central Asian republics of old USSR, the only visible exception on this map is kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Qatar where, as in other secular countries celebrations are in full swing but without Governmental promotion. You can easily follow it with a simple search on internet. What happened in KSA after the bloody and violent invasion of Najdians in Hejaz is well-known. For centuries, Hejaz was in the forefront of celebration and in particular, the special event was held at the Prophet’s Birth Place on Meelad Day

See Mawlid at The Birth Place

It is a time to listen to and to speak of the marvellous personality of the holy Prophet as well as to renew the commitment to follow His way of life. A time to come closer to His great self and to His Lord, the Almighty Allah. Youngsters get introduced and elders get reminded of the humanity’s obligation towards its Saviour. We need to set up personal relationship with him and to be close to him all the time.
May Allah bless us with his sweetest and glorified companionship! Aameen

WAR & TERROR “Signs of the end times”

If you go through the Chapter of ‘Afflictions’ (الفتن)in the Sahih al Bukhari you would see astonishing prophecies that the beloved Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم had made on the contemporary world! Actually the beloved was speaking about the signs of the last day. Please see some of them here.

1. ‏قال النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏إن بين يدي الساعة لأياما ينزل فيها الجهل ويرفع فيها العلم ويكثر فيها الهرج والهرج القتل ‏

The Prophet said, “Near the establishment of the Hour there will be days during which (religious) knowledge will be taken away (vanish) and general ignorance will spread, and there will be Al-Harj in abundance, and Al-Harj means killing.”

2.‏‏عن النبي ‏ ‏صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ ‏قال ‏ ‏يتقارب الزمان وينقص العمل ويلقى ‏ ‏الشح ‏ ‏وتظهر الفتن ويكثر الهرج قالوا يا رسول الله ‏ ‏أيم هو قال القتل القتل

The Prophet said, “Time will pass rapidly, good deeds will decrease, miserliness will be thrown (in the hearts of the people) afflictions will appear and there will be much ‘Al-Harj.” They said, “O Allah’s Apostle! What is “Al-Harj?” He said, “Killing! Killing!”
What is really amazing is that the special word used by the messenger which was hitherto unknown to His companions, obviously to stress the graveness of the large scale killings occurring on those days. we can easily see the drastic increase in the casualties of wars and other atrocities in recent times. Due to the damned weapons of mass destruction that some countries possess in addition to the atrocities of the armed terrorist, the world is no longer a better place to live in. This very fact too is already mentioned by the holy prophet in another hadith in Sahih Bukhari !. The Prophet said:

(لا تقوم الساعة حتى يمر الرجل بقبر الرجل فيقول يا ليتني مكانه” (رواه البخاري).

The Hour will not be established till a man when passing by a grave of someone will say, ‘Would that I were in his place!”

(لا تقوم الساعة حتى يمر الرجل بقبر الرجل فيقول يا ليتني مكانه” (رواه البخاري).

The Hour will not be established till a man when passing by a grave of someone will say, ‘Would that I were in his place!”

Another major sign that the Beloved prophet mentions is the widespread ignorance of the Religion. Now we see the ignorance reached to a position where the same religion is used to kill innocent people and to destroy cities. Things the prophet has strictly warned about. Also We hear those people ordering to give up authentic scholarly schools and to follow ignorant pretenders who distinct themselves from the blessed tradition of Islamic scholarship.

May Allah Save us from all afflictions!  Aameen!