Recent Blog Entries

Apr

2011

A lesson from children

posted by ummi taalib on 27th April 2011 - 0 comments

Many a time we have seen mothers slap or hit their children when they have been naughty or disobedient. Despite this, those children cling on to their mothers and refuse to leave them. That little child is teaching us a lesson : Although I am getting a hiding well deserved, how can I leave my mother ? Where would I go ? If that child is not prepared to leave its mother, then where are we going to go, leaving our Allah? There is no one else for us, except Allah. It is mentioned in the Mathnavi of Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi (Rahmatullah alaih) that once Allah Taala said to Nabi Moosa (Alaihis Salaam) : I love My bondsmen very much when they behave towards Me like infants, who in spite of their mothers punishment and anger still attach themselves to her, instead of fleeing. When that mother gives him a slap, he still flees to her and while crying, holds onto her strongly. The small child does not want help from anyone save the mother. He even shows no inclination to his father. Instead he looks upon his mother as the source and origin of all good and evil. O Moosa, your imagination and connection with us in good and evil is similar to that; that except for Us, your attention is not drawn to anyone else ... Thus, no matter what the condition or circumstance, our dependence upon Allah Taala should be as the childs dependence upon its mother. (Mawlana Yunus Patel Sahib)

Mar

2011

I can try...

posted by ummi taalib on 19th March 2011 - 0 comments

Adapted from the Blog of FususAlHikam (Sunniforum.com) I cant do anything. I am a useless person. I have no skill or talent. I have no strength or power. Everything of mine is limited, insignificant! A mother sits her child on the other side of the room. Being totally aware of the short comings of the child she says, "Come to me." The child keeps its bright eyes on the mother, hoping to soon reunite in her arms. The child musters up some courage, with his diaper on, his baby feet, baby hands, this 3 foot person stands up. Then with unsteady baby feet this child puts one step on the right, the next unsteady baby step falls far across to the left. Slowly the baby leaves his hold on any support. The eyes are still focused on the mother, hoping to soon be reunited. The baby takes another unsteady step, uncoordinated. Feet are now too far apart to even stand properly. The child does not even take two proper steps that it suddenly starts to lose balance. Now totally off balance, eyes now showing its worry, its need and reliance on the mother, starts to tumble. The baby takes a few more short unsteady steps on his way to hit the ground but before the child hits the ground the mother runs over and scoops the child into her arms. The child did not even take two proper steps but the mother has a smile from ear to ear and kisses her child, praises the child, gives some reward to the child. The mother keeps in mind the effort the child made, the courage, making an attempt even without the support of any means.

Mar

2011

Thorn in a Rose Garden

posted by ummi taalib on 16th March 2011 - 0 comments

[h]يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَكُونُوا مَعَ الصَّادِقِينَ[/center] [i]Oh you who Believe! Fear Allah and be with those who are the truthful ones - Surah At-Tawbah, ayah 119[/center] Once upon a time there was a thorn that lived in a garden filled with roses, where it enjoyed the company and beautiful scent of the rose. However this thorn was quite aggrieved when it saw the gardener come in everyday and sweep away all of the fallen leaves and thorns. The thorn then took matters up with Allah. It mentioned about how it was so small and so insignificant compared to the rose, and how it feared that it too would be swept out of the garden one day, thereby being deprived of the company of the beautifully scented rose. So, this thorn was then advised that it should keep itself attached to the rose. In this way, not only would it enjoy being in its company, but its price would be the same as well, and no matter where the rose went, it would go along, thereby never leaving the rose's company.

Mar

2011

Different Paths to Allah

posted by ummi taalib on 5th March 2011 - 0 comments

Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (hafizahullah) uses the example of a car to explain how we should respect each one of the various fields of Deeni work.

The car is made up of various parts like the steering wheel, tyres, brakes, etc. Now when a driver starts driving the car and the steering wheel thinks, what need is there for the four dirty wheels when it is I who am in the hands of the driver? In reality the car will not even move without the wheels and actually each part compliments the other and necessary for the car to run smoothly.

Similar is the case where the various forms of deeni work compliment each other. Some are busy with Tableegh and Dawah work while others are busy with teaching. Some are responsible for masaajid while others are working in other fields, each one complementing the other.

No one knows who is accepted in the court of Allah subhaanhu wataala. One should not look down on anyone who is not working in the same line of Deeni work. One should continue his own work with sincerity and have the utmost respect for all the different groups of people working for the Deen.

I once heard Shaykh say that these are all different paths leading to Allah subhaanahu wata'lala. One will insha Allah reach one's destination whichever path one chooses.

Jan

2011

The Everlasting Lamp Is Lit By The Temporary Lamp

posted by ummi taalib on 13th January 2011 - 0 comments

Maulana Jalaluddeen Rumi says that the light of the lamp of life is very weak and dim. Along with this, the winds of death are constantly blowing and could extinguish the lamp of life at any time.

In the violent storm of death, The lamp of life burns away. Therefore, make an effort to attain the lamp of the love of Allah in your heart so that when the lamp of this temporary life is extinguished, the everlasting, emergency lights of Allah Taala ignite from within. The example of this is like the electricity that went off a minute ago and the generator caused the lights to turn on. The winds are strong and the lamp is weak,

Dec

2010

Effort leads to Success

posted by ummi taalib on 24th December 2010 - 0 comments

From the teachings of Shaykh Muhammed Saleem Dhorat (hafizahullah)

To refrain from sin is undoubtedly very difficult in the initial stages. Often one gives up despite the desire to become a Muttaqee and refrain from the disobedience of Allah subhaanahu wataala.

Take the example of a person learning how to drive a car. The first few lessons are very difficult but as one perseveres, controlling the steering wheel, using the various pedals and keeping an eye on the road at the same time becomes less daunting and in fact after some lessons it actually becomes quite easy until finally one can remain busy in conversing, observing everything outside and at the same time having complete control of the steering wheel and the pedals. Now if this person was to give up after the first few lessons would he ever achieve a driving license? The answer is no. He would end up using public transport for the rest of his life. In fact knowing that being able to drive is an absolute necessity, a person will try again and again even after failing ten driving tests. Not just that but he will turn to Allah subhaanahu wataala and ask for assistance and will even get others to make the same dua. This is so in all fields. One perseveres knowing that success will follow only if one exerts effort.

So why dont we exert the same effort on the nafs and refrain from sin and disobedience? It will undoubtedly be difficult in the beginning however it will get easier and easier until it will become a part of you and this will only happen after effort and striving. Then and only then will one become a Wali (friend of Allah) and a true Muslim.

Nov

2010

The Scars of Allah's Love

posted by ummi taalib on 27th November 2010 - 0 comments

Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward him. His mother, in the house, was looking out the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother. It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal, and on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother's fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved. The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Mom wouldn't let go." You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No not from an alligator or anything quite so dramatic but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But some wounds, my friends, are because Allah has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. Islam teaches us that Allah loves us. He wants to protect us and provide for us in every way. But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril and we forget that the enemy, Shaytaan is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins, and if we have the scars of His love on our arms, we should be very, very grateful.

Oct

2010

The Intellect (AQL)

posted by ummi taalib on 29th October 2010 - 1 comment

From the teachings of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (Hafizahullah) Our Respected Shaykh explains that Allah Taaalaa has blessed us with Aql, which gives us the power to differentiate between Haqq (Truth) and Baatil (Falsehood). When one uses this power to search for the truth i.e. to recognise Allahs Tawheed (His Oneness) and to accept Risaalat (Prophethood), Allah will bestow one with the truth of Imaan. If one does not search and refuses to listen, ones power of differentiating between the Haqq and the Baatil will be destroyed by Allah and one will be left in the darkness of ignorance. Allah will leave one in the company of the Shayaateen, (from which we beg Allahs refuge). Shaykh then elaborates with examples which touch the heart! Imagine a person in a dark place which has many closed windows. Someone keeps opening them but the person persistently closes them. Eventually the person opening the windows will get fed up and leave the person to dwell in the darkness. The light is there and this person could have had it but he is left in the darkness.

Oct

2010

Lessons on the Mathnawi - The Hidden Pearl

posted by ummi taalib on 20th October 2010 - 0 comments

Shaykh Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar sahib explains:

Hidden deep down in the ocean, among the pebbles are the oysters bearing precious pearls. If one considers them to be worthless stones and bothers not to look among them, one will not discover the prized pearl. By searching among those very stones, those very pebbles, one will find that special oyster bearing its peerless prize.

Similarly, if one spots a fake Shaykh dressed in the garb of the Ahlullah, do not make the mistake of thinking that whoever is to be found in that garb are all the same. Search among them and Insha Allah, you will find hidden among those stones the pearl you seek. Among those fakes, you will find the hidden Sahib-e-nisbat who is worthy of praise among the multitudes of mankind.

May

2010

UNDERSTANDING BY ANALOGY - LATEST!

posted by ummi taalib on 20th May 2010 - 0 comments

From the lectures of Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat: appeared on www.shaykh.org Like a Bicycle Thursday, May 20, 2010 by Mawlana Hashim Tazkiyah is like a bicycle. Zikr and Suhbat-e-Salih are like the two wheels. If there is no air in the wheels then it will be difficult for the bicycle to move. However, along with the wheels being intact, a person needs to exert effort, mujahadah, to push the cycle. With the wheels being intact if a person is to exert effort he will make progress in deen. The Track and The Steam Thursday, April 1, 2010 by Maulana Isaa Abdullah

Older Posts