musaafir-e dasht

So, it did feel like hell broke loose yet again on Karachi when hundreds of shops were burnt as a supposed aftermath to the Ashura blasts. Families ruined. Businesses lost. And death prevailed. No, those who burnt the shops and markets were not those who were in the procession. Rather they had nothing to do with those were busy mourning the deaths of their dear ones. They were quite 'known' people. People who had planned it all before hand. People who made sure that they use chemicals when putting the markets to flame. People who claim to own the city. And let us not go very far - those who remember hearing the video I posted on my blog sometime back, regarding the surreptitious Blackwater activities in the city, would also remember who was aiding them establish a stronghold here... Ironically, not a single person had the courage to take names - names of the people, names of the organistaions involved. Media - what to say of it but et tu,...

Blessed are those who have ideals in life. And even more blessed are those whose ideals are based on those certified by the Tradition... I have this little notebook in which I take down my "things-to-do list" and nowadays am also using it for taking down notes for the research report that is due in two weeks! Sigh. Anyway, there is this little quotation printed on its cover which really inspires me. It reads Ideals are like stars, we never reach them, but like mariners, we chart our course by them. " naayaab he yeh gardish-e sayyaargaa~ ki raakh... " 

Time never fails to fascinate me. At times it seems heavily impregnated with pain and sorrow. And times, make one feel as light as a cloud. At times you think as to how exactly it would pass. You try to look into the future with bleary eyes and all you see is mist. And yet there is always the hope that someday the mist would clear itself and the future would materialise...  I was just listening to an audio of a lecture delivered by one of our respected teachers almost a month back. A lecture that was delivered to mark our position as graduates of the Department; standing at the threshold of completely new lives ahead. In that lecture, I came across something said by him with which so aptly seems to mark today - December 20, 2009. While discussing death, he said: Every parting is a little death! And I could not agree more... SubhaanAllah! What amazing wisdom Allah grants to some people!   

The hearts of the Knowers have eyes  That can see what onlookers cannot see -Sahl ibn al Tustari Just read this profound verse on Drops of Wisdom , and now wondering as to what real knowledge is... Practically all of us claim to "know" but how can we know anything at all unless our hearts have "eyes that can see what the onlookers cannot?" Aren't we all just onlookers in this wilderness called World? At least that is something I can claim for myself...

On the authority of Jaabir Ibn ‘Abdullah he said: The Prophet (S) would instruct us to pray for guidance in all of our concerns, just as he would teach us a chapter from the Qur’an. He (S) would say ‘if any of you intends to undertake a mater then let him pray two supererogatory units (two rak’ah naafilah) of prayer and after which he should supplicate: (i) ‘O Allaah, I seek Your counsel by Your knowledge and by Your power I seek strength and I ask You from Your immense favour, for verily You are able while I am not and verily You know while I do not and You are the Knower of the unseen. O Allaah, if You know this affair -and here he mentions his need- to be good for me in relation to my religion, my life, and end, then decree and facilitate it for me, and bless me with it, and if You know this affair to be ill for me towards my religion, my life, and end, then remove it from me and remove me from it , and decree for me what is good wherever it be and make me satisfied with su...

"O traveller going toward the Protected Land, Forget me not upon alighting there!" (quoted from the introduction to Ibn 'Ata Allah Al-Iskandari's 'The Key to Salvation') ... And is the day far off when all shall gather in the plain of Arafaat once and for all. Indeed, nay! May Allah be with us in the moments when none will be there to help and support, except for Him and His beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihe wassalam) whom He will give the right to intercede...  Hajj Mubaarak to the travellers of the Protected Land!

The following interview of Maulana Da'mat Barakaatuhum was published in the latest issue of The Intellect magazine. I am posting it here on my blog verbatim. Each and every word is worth reading and reflecting upon. Do spare some time to read it and enlighten yourself. A Rendezvous with Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (Hafizahullah) Sheikhul Hadeeth, reviver of faith and spiritual sciences in Islam, a personality who needs no introduction as the most revered scholar of the Muslim world, is who else but Hazrat Mufti Taqi Usmani Hafizahullah. So here we have Baber Zubairi bringing us an engaging interview with Hazrat and indeed, The Intellect is highly obliged to Hazrat for taking out time from his immensely busy and demanding schedule and give us this interview. The Intellect: Our country is going through very turbulent and trying times. Please enlighten us with your insightful views on our country’s dismal state of affairs. Mufti Taqi Usmani: Bismillah-i-Rehman-i-Raheem;...

... when the sun sets on the campus. Vast spaces. Silence. An old, beautiful sun. A day dies and so would I someday.

image source We need to make DEATH the subject of our conversations - something that we deliberately avoid doing!

SubhaanAllah, I just came across this amazing post at At-Talib : Why does speaking the Truth causes problems By Shaykh Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani (db) Hazrat Maulana [Shabbir Ahmad Usmani] (ra) used to say that if Haqq [a truthful word], in a truthful [proper] manner [of conveying], with a truthful [sincere] intention, is said, then it will never cause fitna . But there are these three conditions, first is that what is being said is the truth, second is that the intention is correct, and the third is that the manner [of conveying the message] is proper. So if you happen to see anywhere that due to speaking the truth some fitna is arising, or any dispute or argument, then know that from amongst these 3 conditions a condition was unfulfilled: either the message was not the truth; or the niyyah was improper, as the message was the truth but was said with a wrong intention. [For example] the purpose was to show-off or to make oneself be seen as higher, or to lower another; so the ni...

Today was undoubtedly one of the best days of my life. A day of great learning. A day when a teacher made me realise how much I need to unlearn before I begin learning. A day of enlightenment, it was. Yet another day when I felt as if I have been blessed with what I never deserved in the first place. A day that brings with it a sense of great responsibilities that are to be discharged before departing from this world. A day when a teacher almost made us see what death was... Mentors are strange people. They are strangely amazing people. You sit in their company and you feel like being a speck of dust. A speck that is proud to be what it is. A speck that wants to become something which has an even more downtrodden status than that of a speck! Mentors make us realise how transient our beings are. How "every second counts" and how "time is the only resource we have. THE ONLY RESOURCE that no one can steal from us."  Who else but mentors can prove to be the link betw...

Read the following post on Ashrafiya and was compelled to wonder as to what great people we as a nation have had in the past. Given our present state of affairs, who could say we once had such people amongst us as our rulers. Someone has rightly put it: aae ushhaaq gae vaada-e farda le kar ab unhe~ dhuu~d charaaGh-e ruKh-e zeba le kar Hakim al-Umma Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) narrates the following incident in one of his discourses: Khawaja Bakhtiyar Kaki quddus sirahu’s janazah was ready for the salah . The khadim-e-khas came forward and announced that according to the will of  Khawaja the funeral prayer ( salat-ul-janazah ) is to be led by the person who fulfills these 3 requirements: 1. He should have never laid eyes on any unrelated women (non- mehram ) after reaching puberty. 2. He should have never missed the 4 rakat of sunnah-prayer ( ghair-muakkidah ) before asr salah. 3. Because of the fear and awe of Allah, he neve...

The most unpredictable thing in life is Life itself.

In the intricate paths of life when difficulties and hardships confront a man, and the darkness of difficulty and suffering becomes long, it is patience only that acts like a light for a Muslim, that keeps him safe from wandering here and there, and saves him from the muddy marsh of disappointment, desperation and frustration. - Imaam Ghazali

So today I realised how difficult it is to recite your own poetry when everybody's eyes  are glued to you. And since I wanted to avoid being in the spotlight so I made an even bigger mistake. When my name was called out, I flatly refused that I won't do it! Could not believe I did that! In front of so many people of my department. But it came so impulsively that I did not even think for a moment without doing that. In order to keep things in order, a very very respected teacher of mine got up and recited it on my behalf. And later on when I walked up to him all embarrassed, he mildly scolded me for not having recited it myself. And I learnt a lesson for life. He said, that it was not a mushaira or something on a big scale so I should not have refused like this. And most importantly, one should never ever be so self-conscious . Just cannot get this line out of my head. And as soon as he said those words, I felt a strong desire to free myself of the burden ob consciousness. Thi...

Was just going through Umer Toor's blog and read about his confusion as to the meaning of the term 'epistemology' being resolved :) Just one single phrase, " Sunnah is our epistemology" resolved all his confusion. MashaAllah! Now, I am quoting this here because it reminded me of how our life-long queries are resolved in a matter of seconds. And at times we don't even realize that there was a query hidden in some remote corner of our minds. We realise it was there, present and very much bothering us unconsciously, once it is answered. That happened with me a few years back when one of our teachers was explaining to us various concepts related to "differences" and "opposites". We are able to see and make sense of things because their opposites exists. And then he suddenly said, " Khuda kyu~ nazar nahi aata? Because He does not have an opposite!" And something in me said, "I am answered!" And then he recited the following...

   The more we live, more brief appear Our life's succeeding stages; A day to childhood seems a year, And years like passing ages. The gladsome current of our youth, Ere passion yet disorders, Steals lingering like a river smooth Along its grassy borders. But as the careworn cheek grows wan, And sorrow's shafts fly thicker, Ye stars, that measure life to man, Why seem your courses quicker? When joys have lost their bloom and breath, And life itself is vapid, Why, as we reach the Falls of Death Feel we its tide more rapid? It may be strange—yet who would change Time's course to slower speeding, When one by one our friends have gone, And left our bosoms bleeding? Heaven gives our years of fading strength Indemnifying fleetness; And those of youth, a seeming length, Proportion'd to their sweetness. ...

Read this enlightening post at ashrafiya ... Hakim al-Umma Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) wrote, ‘From the impediments of the path two are specially so prevalent that it is rare if any of the travelers has escaped not being involved in them. Even the learned scholars are involved in them. One of them is striving to acquire some non volitional ( ghair ikhtiyari ) things. That are, things like engrossment, enthusiasm, intense & deep concentration, ecstasy, serenity, blocking of disturbing thoughts, burning desire, overwhelming attraction, emotional love, etc. It is assumed that these are the results of remembrance ( dhikr ), concentration exercises ( shugal ) and spiritual struggle ( mujahidah ). Moreover they consider themselves to be at loss when these things are not achieved. The other impediment is striving to remove some non volitional ( ghair ikhtiyari ) thing. For example, spiritual constriction ( qabd ), overwhelming thoughts, not developing i...

... bohat se marhale he~ subh ke hingaam se pehle Just came across this article on Dr Aafia Siddiqui in Weekly Pulse , Islamabad. Thought of sharing it on my blog.

To Allah belongs the Kingdom of the heavens and the earth. Allah is powerful to do every thing. Surely, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are signs for the people of wisdom, who remember Allah standing and sitting, and (lying) on their sides, and ponder on the creation of the heavens and the earth (and say) "Our Lord, You have not created all this in vain. We proclaim Your purity. So, save us from the punishment of Fire. Our Lord, whomsoever You admit into the Fire, he is disgraced by You indeed, and for the unjust there are no supporters. Our Lord, We heard a herald calling towards Faith: 'Believe in your Lord.' So we believed. Our Lord, forgive us, then, our sins, and write off our evil deeds, and make us die only when we have joined the righteous. Our Lord, give us what You have promised us through Your messengers, and do not put us to disgrace on the Day of Judgement. Surely you do not go back on You...

Found this book review at At-Tahawi on a book that serves the need of the hour. I don't know where to get it from. If anyone knows where to buy this one in Pakistan, please let me know. Jazaakumullah! Review by Dr. Mahmood Ghazi Title: Slippery Stone: An Inquiry into Islam’s Stance on Music Author: Khalid Baig Publisher: Open Mind Press Year: 2008 384 pages. Slippery Stone: Cultural Colonialism and the Music Question The dawn of the colonization of Afro-Asian world in general and the Muslim world in particular brought in its wake efforts by the western academia to justify colonization in a variety of ways. The so-called “white man’s burden” to educate and civilize the barbaric, primitive and illiterate masses of Asia and Africa was based on the presumption of the total absence of all culture, civilization, religious beliefs and knowledge in the countries occupied by the colonial powers, initially for commercial purposes under purely economic motives. The colonial ...

If your intention in seeking knowledge is between God Most High and yourself and not merely to gain information, then rejoice! The Angels will spread out their wings for you while you walk, and the creatures in the sea will ask God to pardon you. [ Imam Al’Ghazali in his Bidaya al Hidaya ] From: Drops of Wisdom

He was an International Relations teacher. We the students who had just entered the university were so inspired by his knowledge that most of us almost started considering him to be a mentor. And he always did dutifully discharged his responsibilities as one. Years passed. We no more were students of International Relations but we used to regularly attend his gatherings/sessions where we used to discuss almost every topic under the sun: Religion, Philosophy, History, Psychology, Literature and what not! When the Lal Masjid fiasco was at its peak many of us went to him, too disturbed, about the scenario. We did not know what to think. Who to consider as being right...  Allah gives His people, His friends an exclusive ability to stay calm in all circumstances - no mater how worse they become. Same was the case with this teacher of ours. All of us refrained from commenting on the situation and kept quiet. None of us agreed with the way a 'rebellion' was being curbed in our count...

A must listen/watch: Du'a-e Khatm ul Qur'aan

And she said to me: "Even if I die, it won't really matter; for we'll be together in Jannah ! The concept of death is not really a bad one for us. It is a pity that since childhood, we drill into the minds of children the fear of death. "Don't do this, for you'll die!" "Don't do that for it might dangerous for your life," etc. Death isn't a bad thing at all. I just want to look upon Allah and see Him smile at me. And then I will tell Him that see I do not have anything considerable with me. I just want You to forgive me because of Your fadl (blessings). Your rahmah (Mercy). And I am hopeful... " And this reminded me of this couplet: ik tosha-e ummiid-e karam le ke chala huu~ kuchh is ke siva paas nahi~ zaad-e safar aur What else do we have with us to accompany on the solitary road we walk... 

"O Allah, make Thy love the most coveted thing and Thy fear the most strongest sentiment for us; and remove all the worldly wants from my heart by infusing into it a ruling passion for meeting Thee; and when people addicted to the worldly pursuits are enjoying them let my eyes be cooled with the acts of devotion to Thee." Excerpted from Mulla Ali Qaari's collection of supplications from the Qur'aan and Prophetic traditions, al-hizb ul a'azam

Read this beautiful Hadith on Umer Toor's blog . Cannot help but share it on mine too... Prophet sallallahu alaihi wassalam said, “There is an Akhlaaq (moral, virtue, ethics, manners) for every Deen and the Akhlaaq of Islam is Haya.” SubhaanAllah!

These lines are attributed to Imām Shāfiýi : kullamā addabanī ad-daharu arānī naqsa áqlī falamma-zdadtu ílman zādanī ílman bi jahlī Imparted to me, hath Time etiquette, Shown me, it has, the flaws of intellect. As my knowledge increases by the day, Awareness of my ignorance doth amplify.   Dīwān ash-Shāfiýī p.332; Al-Wāfī bi’l Wafyāt 2/179; Wafyāt al-Aáyān, ibn Khallikān 3/167 Source: Drops of Wisdom (the link can be seen below)

Knock, and he’ll open the door. Vanish, and he’ll make you shine like the sun. Fall, and he’ll raise you to the heavens. Become nothing, and he’ll turn you into everything.   - Maulana Rumi And I have often heard my mentors say: یہ ہے میرا اعزاز کہ میں کچھ بھی نہیں ہوں کچھ ہونا میری ذلّت و خواری کا سبب ہے What accomplishment, indeed! To become nothing. And be everything...

Maulana Ibrahim said something very beautiful about the elevated status of Umar RadiAllahoanhu in today's (Friday's) bayan. I am compelled to quote it here: All the sahaaba (the companions of the Prophet sallAllahu alaihi wassallam) were the muriid (the followers). Only Umar (radiAllahoanhu) was the muraad (the desired one). [This refers to the incident when the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassallam specially prayed to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to make Umar Radiallahuanhu enter into the fold of Islam.]

When the night is completely dark, It finds them staying up in the night Fear has chased away their sleep So they stay up While those who feel secure in this life Quietly sleep on. -Ibn Al-Mubarak The first thought that struck my mind on waking up in the morning today: A dream of spiritual fulfillment ends up in a heart filled with grief, sorrow and tears ... 

... And in my thoughts, I replied: "Yes, one has to run away at times when one lacks options in life. Specially, when one is scared to death of one's weaknesses - one's own self. Nafs after all, is the greatest of all deceivers. But running away does not always mean losing oneself. Instead at times it brings coherence in life. Who knows running away might make one bump into hope. Who knows this running away might turn out to be my turning away from hopelessness to hope. Who knows it might bring fulfillment at last, insha'Allah ..."

In the name of Allah, The Compassionate, The Merciful "Did you not see that Allah has subjugated to you everything on the earth, and the ships that sail at sea with His command? And He holds the sky so as it cannot fall on the earth except with His permission. Surely Allah is Very-Kind to the people, Very-Merciful. He is the One who gave life to you, then He brings death to you, then He will give you life (again). Surely, man is very ungrateful. For every Ummah (religious community) We have appointed a way of worship they are to observe. Therefore, they should never quarrel with you in the matter. And do call (them) to your Lord. Surely, you are on straight Guidance. And if they dispute with you, say (to them), “Allah is the best aware of what you do.” Allah will judge between you, on the Day of Judgment, about what you used to dispute. Do you not know that Allah knows all that is in the sky and the earth? Surely, that is contained in a Book. Indeed it is so eas...

So, it came again yesterday. Everyone around was so happy because the weather had become very hot lately. It continued today. And with much intensity. And yet again it played havoc with the lives of the people. We remained safe. Alhamdulillah. But those who were affected, who could realise their plight. I do not even myself capable of empathising with them. How can I ? I know someone ... let us call her Z. For some unknown reasons, I have always considered her to be very close to me. We are entirely different in all ways. We share absolutely nothing in common. She was one of the affectees of this year's monsoon. And now she must have been hit hard again. I haven't got to know about her. Probabaly will get to know something in the morning but the point which I am pondering on is that this is the first 'ashara of the blessed month - the first ten days of Rahmah : His Unconditional Mercy ... In the times we live in, Rains are no more a blessing... Why? Probably because of ...

  One of my teachers once said during a lecture: ...خود احتسابی خود شناسی سے قریب تر ہے Roughly, the translation would be: "self-accountability is highly in proximity with self-knowledge, i.e. knowing thyself ..."