a thing of beauty!

O Dearest Allah!

 

Bless the one before whom trees prostrated and for whom the moon was split and who was purified by You even though You created him pure!

 

Become a sai'l and ask so you can receive!

 

إِنَّهُۥ هُوَ ٱلْبَرُّ ٱلرَّحِيمُ

 

He, He, is the Most Kind, the Most Merciful.

Surah At Tur, Verse 28

 

Tafseer e Jilani

 

Indeed, Allah Subhanahu…

 

Huwal Barro: He is Al Mohsin, Kind, Al Makhsoos, The Only Benefactor, Al Munhasir, The Only One who exclusively possesses this quality of Ehsaan, Kindness and Inaam, bestowing blessings…

 

Ar Rahim: The Most Abundantly Merciful and giving of bounty to the Saileen, the ones who ask, the Mo’mineen, the believers, the Al Mustahiqqeen, the ones deserving, so Allah responds and answers, by His Kindness, our asks of Him. And He fulfills our hopes according to His Immense Generosity and Mercy.

 

The other day I came across a lecture by Ahmed Javaid Sahib titles Ramadan and Us - www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3TGgRHgkLM. Two things in it struck a chord for me.

 

One – don’t strain your nafs during Ramadan to the point that come the end, its bursting to sin. Don’t strangle it, he said.

 

The other thing he said was that the mindset of our society regarding the blessed month, is to curb themselves, out of the sincere desire not to displease Subhanahu but without any yearning to please Him. That attitude then bleeds into the other months and becomes a way of life.

 

I kept wondering how that dynamic might play out between human beings. Not displease someone but not care if they were happy with me. I guess that would make me selfish as hell for starters. The end result, which would appear fairly soon, would have to reveal itself as indifference. The not displeasing would also be entirely for my sake.

 

More importantly, if I didn't care about the other's happiness, what was I still doing around them? And why would they want me to be near?

 

On that note, I was reminded of my first gorgeous video - www.youtube.com/watch?v=kghv8UgeXFA - that ended on the text:

 

The Prophet Moses (as) was asked, “O Moses! Do you know why I cast My Love upon you?”

 

“No, my Lord,” he replied.

 

And The Lord said, “Because you sought My Delight.”

 

Subhan Allah!

 

The nafs cannot change. That is its essence. In a sense that is also the essence of the piece. I learnt that very recently after battling it for 11 years straight. I became aware of its ghuroor each time it arose. How it creates illusions that delude me. I saw the illusion and myself wanting to be carried away by it. Sometimes it tricked me with charm, other times with fear and still other, with grief. Nostalgia was its favourite weapon.

 

In every instance it tried to make me do what is harmful to me out of a sense of being "kind" to me but in fact being a liar. I learnt that through a prayer of the blessed Imam Zain ul Abedin (as) titled: His prayer when yearning for forgiveness.

 

Whenever two possibilities present themselves to me...my nafs will always choose that which displeases Subhanahu and therefore destroy me.

 

www.duas.org/mobile/sahifasajjadia-dua9-yearning-forgiven...

 

وَإذَا هَمَمْنَا بِهَمَّيْنِ يُرْضِيكَ أَحَدُهُمَا عَنَّا

wa id'aa hamam-naa biham-may-ni yur-z''eeka ah'aduhumaa annaa

7.When we set out after two concerns, one of which makes You pleased with us

 

وَيُسْخِطُكَ الآخَرُ عَلَيْنَا ،

wayuskhit'ukal-aaakharu a'lay-naa

8.and the other of which displeases You,

 

فَمِلْ بِنَا إلَى مَا يُرْضِيْكَ عَنَّا ،

famil binaaa ilaa maa yur-z''eeka a'n-naa

9.incline us toward that which makes You pleased

 

وَأَوْهِنْ قُوَّتَنَا عَمَّا يُسْخِطُكَ عَلَيْنَا ،

wa aw-hin qoo-watanaa a'm-maa yus-khit'uka a'lay-naa

10.and weaken our strength in that which displeases You!

 

وَلاَ تُخَلِّ فِي ذلِكَ بَيْنَ نُفُوسِنَا وَاخْتِيَارِهَا

wa laa tukhal-li fee d'alika bay-na nufoosinaa wa akh-teeaarihaa

11.Leave not our nafs, selves, alone to choose in that,

 

فَإنَّهَا مُخْتَارَةٌ لِلْبَاطِلِ إلاَّ مَا وَفَّقْتَ أَمَّارَةٌ بالسُّوءِ إلاّ مَا رَحِمْتَ

fa in-nahaa mukh-taaratul-lil-baat'ili il-laa maa waf-faq-t am-maaratum-bis-sooo il-laa maa rah'im-t

12.for they choose falsehood except inasmuch as You givest success, and they command to evil except inasmuch as You hast mercy!

 

They always choose falsehood! He was quoting the Quran and the famous verse of the Prophet Yousuf (as):

 

‏ وَمَآ أُبَرِّئُ نَفْسِىٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلنَّفْسَ لَأَمَّارَةٌۢ بِٱلسُّوٓءِ إِلَّا مَا رَحِمَ رَبِّىٓ ۚ إِنَّ رَبِّى غَفُورٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ ‎

 

"And yet I am not trying to absolve myself.

 

Indeed, the nafs is a certain inciter of evil,

unless [that] my Lord bestows Mercy. Indeed, my Lord (is) Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."

 

Surah Yusuf, Verse 53

 

Tafseer e Jilani

 

The he, Hazrat Yusuf (as) said:

 

Wa ma ubarri’o: And I do not absolve and do not justify…

 

Nafsi: my nafs, my self, from furataat, excessiveness and ghafalaat, forgetfulness and shameful thoughts and repulsive deeds according to the demands of the organs of lust and animalistic desires and how can I absolve myself and justify it?

 

Inna an nafsa: Indeed the nafs, the base self, that has been embodied in the nature of human beings…

 

La-Ammaarat-un: the forceful commanding of which is by its nature towards …

 

Bis su’: wrong-doing and fasaad, corruption and its focus upon that whenever it’s free and is its nature…

 

Illa ma rahima Rabbi: except for the one upon whom is bestowed the Mercy of my Lord i.e. Allah protects that nafs by His Endless Mercy and Affection from its transgressions and the whisperings of Satan towards it.

 

Inna Rabbi: Indeed my Lord, who has raised me with safeguarding from sin and with virtuousness…

 

Ghafooran: is All Forgiving of that which has happened from me from the occurences of my nafs…

 

Raheemun: is All Merciful. He bestows Mercy towards me with His Fazal, Bounty and He preserves me with His Lutf, Kindness, from those things that make me distant from His Kunuf, Protection and His Jawaar, Safety.

 

I had memorized that prayer but the Imam (as) alerted me to something new. I always uttered the prayer after the fact. He was telling me to see how each situation was a fork in the road. Each moment even. If not to turn the right way, just notice the prompt from within, tilting towards what would render me in a never ending maze.

 

That prayer is the only way I might reach the second stage of the nafs, Lawamma - the one accusing itself.

 

Ghaus Pak (ra) explained that there was one reason for the inability of the nafs to transcend itself from it: the nafs Lawamma does understand that the reality of this world is itself an illusion because all nafoos know that but it does not take heed and warning of the truth of Subhanahu's Authority, Control and Power.

 

I had asked Qari Sahib the difference between Lawamma and Ammara. The latter, he said, was unaware of Subhanahu altogether. Disconnected entirely. Lawamma was aware but had not yet been able to fathom that Reality.

 

وَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِٱلنَّفْسِ ٱللَّوَّامَةِ ٢

 

And I swear by the soul self-accusing.

Surah Al Qiyamah, Verse 2

 

Tafseer e Jilani

 

Wa la uqsimu: And I take an oath also (other than on the Day of Resurrection)…

 

Bin nafs al lawamma: the blaming self i.e. so there was no need for such an oath to make appear the nafs lawamma in the realm of corruption because all the nafoos, selves, in the Universe know that the world is nothing but a mirage false and a reflection, disappearing, suspended.

 

There is no stability in it and no central point for the nafs to base itself in it and the nafs keeps blaming itself (for its own wickedness and inability to go towards being mutma’inna, contented).

 

Except that this nafs is not taking warning from the Authority of Allah’s One-ness and does not understand that the One-ness is surrounding and controlling everything that is in appearance and hidden and in what is absent and present.

 

(So if it takes that warning of Allah’s One-ness and Control upon everything) it becomes lawamma, self-accusing, mutma’inna, contented, raadia-tan mardiya, pleased by gaining Subhanahu’s Pleasure, mardiyatun faqeera-tun, after Him being pleased with it, it becomes nothing, and its being nothing is being fani, dissolved and its dissolution is being baqi, everlasting.

 

And other than this there is nothing in any destiny and end.

 

The real message to me was surrender. Was it there or not?

 

Another prayer I had been reading daily since I discovered it showed me that. How surrender was only beautiful, I was mesmerized by it.

 

“The best” was simply a state of total submission.

 

أَللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أَسْتَخِيرُكَ بِعِلْمِكَ

al-laahum-ma in-neee as-takheeruka bii'l-mik

1.O God, I ask from You the best in Your knowledge,

 

فَصَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّد وَآلِهِ وَاقْضِ لِيْ بِالْخِيَرَةِ

fas'al-li a'laa muh'am-madiw-wa aaalih waq-z''i lee bil-kheearah

2.so bless Muhammad and his Household and decree for me the best!

 

وَأَلْهِمْنَا مَعْرِفَةَ الاخْتِيَارِ،

wa al-him-naa maa'-rifatalikh-teeaar

3.Inspire us with knowledge to chose the best

 

وَاجْعَلْ ذَلِكَ ذَرِيعَةً إلَى الرِّضَا

waj-a'l d'alik d'areea'tan ilaa r-riz''aa

4.and make that a means to being pleased

 

 

بِمَا قَضَيْتَ لَنَا وَالتَّسْلِيْمِ لِمَا حَكَمْتَ.

bimaa qaz''ay-ta lanaa wat-tas-leemi limaa h'akam-t

5.with what You hast decreed for us and submitting to what You hast decided!

 

 

فَأَزِحْ عَنَّا رَيْبَ الارْتِيَابِ،

faazih' a'n-naa ray-balir-teeaab

6.Banish from us the doubt of misgiving

 

 

وَأَيِّدْنَا بِيَقِينِ الْمُخْلِصِينَ،

wa ay-yid-naa beeaqeenil-mukh-lis'een

7.and confirm us with the certainty of the sincere!

 

 

وَلاَ تَسُمْنَا عَجْزَ الْمَعْرِفَةِ عَمَّا تَخَيَّرْتَ،

wa laa tasum-naa a'j-zal-maa'-rifati a'm-maa takhay-yar-t

8.Visit us not with incapacity to know what You hast chosen,

 

 

فَنَغْمِطَ قَدْرَكَ، وَنَكْرَهَ مَوْضِعَ رِضَاكَ،

fanagh-mit'a qad-rak wa nak-raha maw-z''ia' riz''aak

9.lest we despise Your measuring out, dislike the place of Your good pleasure,

 

 

وَنَجْنَحَ إلَى الَّتِي هِيَ أَبْعَدُ مِنْ حُسْنِ الْعَاقِبَةِ

wa naj-nah'a ilaal-latee hee ab-a'du min h'us-nil-a'aqibah

10.and incline toward that which is further from good outcome

 

 

وَأَقْرَبُ إلَى ضِدِّ الْعَافِيَةِ.

wa aq-rabu ilaa z''id-dil-a'afeeah

11.and nearer to the opposite of well-being!

 

 

حَبِّبْ إلَيْنَا مَا نَكْرَهُ مِنْ قَضَائِكَ

h'ab-bib ilay-naa maa nak-rahoo min qaz''aaa-ik

12.Make us love what we dislike in Your decree

 

 

وَسَهِّلْ عَلَيْنَا مَا نَسْتَصْعِبُ مِنْ حُكْمِكَ،

wa sah-hil a'lay-naa maa nas-tas'-i'bu min h'uk-mik

13.and make easy for us what we find difficult in Your decision!

 

 

وَأَلْهِمْنَـا الانْقِيَـادَ لِمَا أَوْرَدْتَ عَلَيْنَـا مِنْ مَشِيَّتِكَ

wa al-him-naalinqeeaada limaaa aw-rat-ta a'lay-naa mim-mashee-yatik

14.Inspire us to yield to that which You bringest upon us by Your will,

 

حَتَّى لاَ نُحِبَّ تَأخِيْرَ مَا عَجَّلْتَ،

h'at-taa laa nuh'ib taa-kheera maa a'j-jal-t

15.lest we love the delay of what You hast hastened

 

 

وَلاَ تَعْجيْلَ مَا أَخَّرْتَ، وَلا نَكْرَهَ مَا أَحْبَبْتَ،

wa laa taa'-jeela maaa skh-khar-t wa laa nak-raha maaa ah'-bab-t

16.and the hastening of what You hast delayed, dislike what You lovest,

 

 

وَلا نَتَخَيَّرَ مَا كَرِهْتَ،

wa laa natakhay-yara maa karih-t

17.and choose what You dislikest!

 

 

وَاخْتِمْ لَنَا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْمَدُ عَاقِبةً وَأكْرَمُ مَصِيراً

wakh-tim lanaa bil-latee hee ah'-madu a'aqibah wa ak-ramu mas'eeraa

18.Seal us with that which is most praised in outcome and most generous in issue!

 

 

إنَّكَ تُفِيدُ الْكَرِيمَةَ وَتُعْطِي الْجَسِيمَةَ،

in-naka tufeedul-kareemah wa tua'-t'eel-jaseemah

19.Surely You givest generous gain, bestowest the immense,

 

 

وَتَفْعَلُ مَا تُرِيدُ وَأَنْتَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْء قَدِيرٌ .

wa taf-a'lu maa tureed wa anta a'laa kul-li shay-in qadeer

20.dost what You wilt, and You art "powerful over everything" (3:26).

 

 

www.duas.org/mobile/sahifasajjadia-dua33-asking-for-best....

 

It was so freeing, reading his blessed words. Finally not having to wonder about endless, haunting, “what if” of imkaan, possibilities. Just saying the prayer and waiting, not even that, letting the best happen in its own time.

 

Subhan Allah!

 

At the end of the verse Ghaus Pak (ra) prays:

 

أدركنا بلطفك الخفي يا خفي الألطاف

 

Make us comprehend by Your Lutf, Kindness, the hidden

Ya, Khafi Al Altaf, O One who bestows kindness secretly!

 

I knew that secret for me was the duas of Imam Zain ul Abedin (as)!

 

Apparently the best thing to ask Subhanahu for, Allah says Himself, is aafiya.

 

قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:‏‏‏‏ مَا سُئِلَ اللَّهُ شَيْئًا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ أَنْ يُسْأَلَ الْعَافِيَةَ

 

[Ibn Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said (ﷺ):

“Allah has not been asked for anything more beloved to Him than being asked for Al-`Āfiyah.] - Sunan Tirmazi

 

The word is complex, hence most translations of the hadith leave it as is. Which is bizarre. So I started reading the blessed Imam's (as) prayer for it:

 

www.duas.org/mobile/sahifasajjadia-dua23-asking-wellbeing...

 

It started with an extraordinary plea to be enveloped by it entirely, in this world and the Hereafter. Clothe me, wrap me, fortify me, honour me…

 

أللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّد وَآلِهِ،

al-laahum-ma s'al-li a'laa muh'am-madiw-wa aaalih

1.O God, bless Muhammad and his Household,

 

وَأَلْبِسْنِي عَافِيَتَكَ، وَجَلِّلْنِي عَـافِيَتَكَ،

wa al-bis-nee a'afeeatak wa jal-lil-nee a'afeeatak

2.clothe me in Your well-being, wrap me in Your well-being,

 

وَحَصِّنِّي بِعَـافِيَتِـكَ، وَأكْـرِمْنِي بِعَافِيَتِكَ،

wa h'as'-s'in-nee bia'afeeatik wa ak-rim-nee bia'afeeatik

3.fortify me through Your well-being, honour me with Your well-being,

 

وَأغْنِنِي بِعَافِيَتِكَ، وَتَصَدَّقْ عَلَيَّ بِعَافِيَتِكَ،

wa agh-ninee bia'afeeatik wa tas'ad-daq a'lay-ya bia'afeeatik

4.free me from need through Your well-being, donate to me Your well-being,

 

وَهَبْ لِي عَافِيَتَكَ، وَأَفْرِشْنِي عَافِيَتَكَ،

wa hab lee a'afeeatak wa af-rish-nee a'afeeatak

5.bestow upon me Your well-being, spread out for me Your well-being,

 

وَأَصْلِحْ لِي عَافِيَتَكَ، وَلا تُفَرِّقْ بَيْنِي وَبَيْنَ عَافِيَتِكَ

wa as'-lih' lee a'afeeatak wa laa tufar-riq bay-nee wa bay-na a'afeeatika

6.set Your well-being right for me, and separate me not from Your well-being

 

فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ.

fid-dunyaa wal-akhirah

7.in this world and the next!

 

أللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّد وَآلِهِ،

al-laahum-ma s'al-li a'laa muh'am-madiw-wa aaalih

8.O God, bless Muhammad and his Household

 

وَعَافِنِي عَافِيَةً كَافِيَةً شَافِيَةً عَالِيَةً نَامِيةً،

wa a'afinee a'afeeatan kaafeeatan shaafeeatan a'aleeatan-naameeah

9.and make me well with a well-being sufficient, healing, sublime, growing,

 

عَافِيَةً تُوَلِّدُ فِي بَدَنِي الْعَافِيَةَ،

a'afeeatan tuwal-lidu fee badaneel-a'afeeah

10.a well-being that will give birth to well-being in my body,

 

عَافِيَةَ الدُّنْيَا والآخِرَةِ،

a'afeeatad-dunyaa wal-akhirah

11.a well-being in this world and the next!

 

But what struck me about the prayer most was how it would free me of those illusions my nafs created endlessly, habitually, around those imkaan, possibilities, which was what Ghaus Pak (ra) defined as Hell.

 

مَا سَلَكَكُمْ فِى سَقَرَ ٤٢

What led you into Hell?

 

قَالُوا۟ لَمْ نَكُ مِنَ ٱلْمُصَلِّينَ ٤٣

They will say, “We were of those who did not pray.”

 

وَلَمْ نَكُ نُطْعِمُ ٱلْمِسْكِينَ ٤٤

And we did not feed the poor.

 

وَكُنَّا نَخُوضُ مَعَ ٱلْخَآئِضِينَ ٤٥

And we indulged in vain discussion along with others who did the same.

 

Surah Al Mudathir, Verse 42-45

Tafseer e Jilani

 

And they were asked:

 

Anal Mujrimeen: the wicked ones, (by the ones in Paradise who were) in a state of bewilderment and in disbelief…

 

Ma salakakum: what led you and made you enter…

 

Fi saqara: the Hell of possibilities and the fire of exclusion and abandonment?

 

In other verses it was humiliation deprivation, loss. Of Subhanahu in both worlds, of all love in this one.

 

Qalu: They said i.e. the Mujrimoon, the wrongdoers, in their answer, Mutahassareena, the ones deeply regretful, Muta’assifeena, the ones grevious…

 

Lam naku: We were not in the place of trials and the time of gaining admonition, (the world)…

 

Min al Mussaleen: amongst the ones who established prayer, Al Mutawajjiheena, the ones who were focused upon Al Haqq in the times prescribed for us…

 

Wa lam naku nut’imul miskeen: and we did not feed the poor according to the requisites of the Command of Allah, kindly and affectionately.

 

Wa: and more so…

 

Kunna nakhudu: we used to indulge in idle talk and would begin a false rumour and then disperse it and we gave up the truth and we neglected it…

 

Ma’al Khaai’deen: with the ones who indulged in such vain activities, Ash Sha’ireena, the ones who started (rumours), Al Muzzawireena, the ones who lied, Al Murrawijeena, circulating them, in enemity and in arrogance.

 

The other cause of landing in that loveless Hell according to my Master’s (ra) tafaseer was what being Musirr – the one who was insistent and persistent on insolence and stubbornness, selfishness and arrogance.

 

The most recent appearance of the word had come in the verse where the human being’s greed is described. The Imam had begun his prayer for refuge from hateful things (www.duas.org/mobile/sahifasajjadia-dua8-refuge-from-hatef...) with the ask:

 

أَللَّهُمَّ إنِّي أعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَيَجَـانِ الْحِرْصِ ،

al-laahum-ma in-neee au'wd'u bika min- hayajaanil-h'ir-s'

1.O God, I seek refuge in You from the agitation of craving...

 

One expression of that endless "craving" is found in Surah Mudathir, Subhanahu says the same about Man. That He gave him wealth in excess and sons that he witnesses and much more, still he says, give me more!

 

ثُمَّ يَطْمَعُ أَنْ أَزِيدَ ١٥

 

Then he desires that I (should) add more.

Surah Al Mudathir, Verse 15

 

Tafseer e Jilani

 

And with that distinction great and a blessing immense granted for him, he did not thank Us nor did he return towards us ever…

 

Summa yatma’u: (and) still he desires and hopes…

 

An azeeda: that I give him more over that which I gave him and granted him from Blessings Grand even though, indeed, he is insistent upon ingratitude and denial of the truth and different types of defiant disobedience and sins.

 

The most extraordinarily amazing part of the prayer on Aafiya was that not only would it free me, it would free the other appearing in those delusions, the one creating those gnawing possibilities!

 

أللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّد وآلِهِ

al-laahum-ma s'al-li a'laa muh'am-madiw-wa aaalih

37.O God, bless Muhammad and his Household

 

وَمَنْ أَرَادَنِي بِسُوء فَاصْرِفْهُ عَنِّي وَادْحَرْ عَنِّي مَكْرَهُ،

wa man araadanee bisooo-in faas'-rif-hoo a'n-nee wa ad-h'ar a'n-nee mak-rah

38.and if someone desires ill for me turn him away from me, drive away from me his deception,

 

وَادْرَأ عَنِّي شَرَّهُ، وَرُدَّ كَيْدَهُ فِي نَحْرِهِ،

wa ad-raa a'n-nee shar-rah wa rud-da kay-dahoo fee nah'-rih

39.avert from me his evil, send his trickery back to his own throat,

 

وَاجْعَلْ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ سَدّاً حَتَّى تُعْمِيَ عَنِّي بَصَرَهُ،

waj-a'l bay-na yaday-hee sad-dana h'at-taa tua'-meea a'n-nee bas'arah

40.and place before him a barricade, so that You mayest blind his eyes toward me,

 

وَتُصِمَّ عَنْ ذِكْري سَمْعَهُ، وَتُقْفِلَ دُونَ إخْطَارِي قَلْبَهُ،

wa tus'im-ma a'n d'ik-ree sam-a'h wa tuq-fila doona ikh-t'aaree qal-bah

41.deafen his ears toward my mention, lock his heart toward recalling me,

 

وَتُخْرِسَ عَنَي لِسَانَهُ، وَتَقْمَعَ رَأسَهُ،

wa tukh-risa a'n-nee lisaanah wa taq-maa' raa-sah

42.silence his tongue against me, restrain his head,

 

They would become blind, deaf and mute to my existence without even knowing it. If there was no sincerity, I would forget them and they would forget me.

 

The Quran says it is only for the one who takes heed, whose heart at least tries to gain insight of itself, of its states altering, of its truth and lies, of its beauty and its awe.

 

إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَذِكْرَىٰ لِمَن كَانَ لَهُۥ قَلْبٌ أَوْ أَلْقَى ٱلسَّمْعَ وَهُوَ شَهِيدٌۭ ٣٧

 

Indeed, in that surely, is a reminder for (one) who, has a heart or cared to listen or witness.

Surah Qaf, Verse 37

 

Tafseer e Jilani

 

Inna fi dalika: Indeed, in this, the Magnificent Quran, which was sent down upon you, Ya Akmal Ar Rusul, O Messenger who perfects Messenger-hood (salutations and greetings upon your heart and the hearts of your family by your Lord God)…

 

La dikra: surely is a reminder, a warning and an admonition and a lesson and an alerting…

 

Liman kana lahu qalbun: for the one who has a qalb, the station of recognizing Allah, which is perceptive to the altering of its states and the variations of those states in the matter of Al Haqq and its manifestations, jamalia, beautiful and jalalia, inspiring awe, according to the Decrees of His Essence by His Will and Choice and (he also perceives) the Exaltedness of His Names and Attributes…

 

Au alq as sama’: or he listens i.e. he is from the people of intention truthful and sincere, (free) from the blemish of being known and the carelessness of showing off. He is attentive to the listening of the words of truth (as if) from His Essence…

 

Wa huwa: and he is at that moment…

 

Shaheed: (also) a witness, with his qalb in attention, free of thoughts, solid in his intellect, correct in intention, pure in determination.

 

There was an “or” but being from the people of intent truthful and sincere was next to impossible for the ordinary. But the verse alerted me to the carelessness of showing off. That was probably how I did it!

 

The first verse of the Surah Al Baqarah following Surah Fateha, which is considered to be the preface of the Book, states simply and clearly. The Quran is only for the one who is conscious at all times of Subhanahu: the Muttaqeen!

 

ذَٰلِكَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبُ لَا رَیۡبَۛ فِیهِۛ هُدࣰى لِّلۡمُتَّقِینَ

 

That (is) the book no doubt in it, a Guidance for the God-conscious.

Surah Al Baqarah, Verse 2

 

Lil Muttaqeen: for the ones who safe-guard with compliance to His Commands and avoid what He disallows for their selves from the impurities of sins forbidden with true purification and a reaching towards the real rank and destination.

 

But it was again the blessed Imam (as), in his prayer for excellence of behaviour that I was obsessed with, who unveiled what that taqwa was. All of mindfulness was related to the behaviour with another human being. All of iit!

 

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّآلِهِ

allahumma sal-li a'la muhammadiw-wa a-lih

O Allah, bless Muhammad and his Household,

 

وَحَلِّنِي بِحِلْيَةِ الصَّاِلحِينَ

wa hal-lini bihil-yatis-salihin

adorn me with the adornment of the Saliheen, the ones who reform themselves,

 

وَأَلْبِسْنِي زِينَةَ المُتَّقِينَ فِي

wa al-bis-ni zinatal-mut-taqina fi

And clothe me in the ornaments of the Muttaqeen through:

 

بَسْطِ الْعَدْلِ

bas-til-a'd-l

spreading justice,

 

وَكَظْمِ الْغَيْظِ

wa kazmil-ghayz

restraining rage,

 

وَإِطْفَاءِ النَّائِرَةِ

wa it-fa-in-na-irah

quenching the flame of hate,

 

وَضَمِّ أَهْلِ الْفُرْقَةِ

wa zammi ah-lil-fur-qah

bringing together the people of separation,

 

وَإِصْلاَحِ ذَاتِ الْبَيْنِ

wa is-lahi dhatil-bayn

correcting discord,

 

وَإِفْشِاءِ الْعَارِفَةِ

wa if-shia-il-a'arifah

spreading about good behavior,

 

وَسَتْرِ الْعَائِبَةِ

wa sat-ril-a'a-ibah

covering faults,

 

وَلِينِ الْعَرِيكَةِ

wa linil-a'rikah

mildness of temper,

 

وَخَفْضِ الْجَنَاحِ

wa khaf-zil-janah

lowering the wing,

 

وَحُسْنِ السِّيرَةِ

wa hus-nis-sirah

beauty of conduct,

 

وَسُكُونِ الرِّيحِ

wa sukunir-rih

gravity of bearing,

 

وَطِيبِ الْمُخَالَفَةِ

wa tibil-mukhalafah

courteousness in conflict,

 

وَالسَّبْقِ إِلَى الْفَضِيلَةِ

was-sib-qi ilal-fazilah

precedence in reaching excellence,

 

وَإِيثَارِ التَّفَضُّلِ

wa itharit-tafaz-zul

preferring/choosing to behave graciously,

 

وَتَرْكِ التَّعْيِيرِ

wa tar-kit-ta'-yir

refraining from condemnation,

 

وَالإِفْضَاِل عَلَى غَيْرِ الْمُسْتَحِقِّ

wal-if-zali a'la ghayril-mus-tahiq-q

bestowing bounty on the undeserving,

 

وَالْقَوْلِ بِالْحَقِّ وَإِنْ عَزَّ

wal-qaw-li bil-haq-qi wa in a'z-z

speaking the truth, though it be painful,

 

وَاسْتِقْلاَلِ الْخَيْرِ وَإِن كَثُرَ مِن قَوْلِي وَفِعْلِي

was-tiq-lalil-khayri wa in kathura min qaw-li wa fia'-li

making little of the good in my words and deeds, though it be much,

 

وَاسْتِكْثَارِ الْشَّرِ وَإِن قلَّ مِن قَوْلِي وَفِعْلِي

was-tik-tharish-shari wa in ql-la min qaw-li wa fia'-li

And making much of the evil in my words and deeds, though it be little!

 

وَأَكْمِلْ ذَلِكَ لِي

wa ak-mil dhalika li

Perfect this for me through

 

بِدَوَامِ الطَّاعَةِ،

bi-dawamit-ta'h

lasting obedience,

 

وَلُزُومِ الْجَمَاعَةِ،

wa luzumil-jama'h

holding fast to the community,

 

وَرَفْضِ أَهْلِ الْبِدَعِ، وَمُسْتَعْمِلِي الرَّأْيِ الْمُخْتَرَعِ

wa raf-zi ah-lil-bidai' wa mus-ta'-milir-ra-yil-mukh-tarai'

And rejecting the people of innovation and those who act in accordance with original opinions.

 

www.duas.org/mobile/sahifasajjadia-dua20-makarem-akhlaq-n...

 

19 forms of behaviour he prays for to receive mindfulness of his Lord. That is taqwa. In following the Sunnah of the Quran, the order of significance alone was a subject of study itself. First was being just, second controlling anger, then quenching hate, bringing together people of separation…

 

There was no greater evidence that my relationship with Subhanahu was reflected most truthfully in my relationship with people. And I was revealed to myself in my treatment of them.

 

Qari Sahib says that worship is obedience plus love. In the Surah Ar Rahman that worship is stated clearly as the reason behind our existence, our time in this world of transience.

 

وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ٥٦

 

I did not create jinn and humans except to worship Me.

 

Surah Ad Dhairyaat, Verse 56

 

Tafseer e Jilani

 

Wa: And know that indeed, I…

 

Ma khalaqtu al jinna wal insa: I did not create Jinn and Man and I did not make appear their apparitions and their shadows upon these forms and identities and I did not give them shape upon these shapes amazing and I did not place in them what I placed in them from the jewel of aql, the power to reason and reflect, poured (upon them)…

 

Illa li-ya’budoon: except to worship Me and recognize Me and become steadfast in My One-ness and the Permanence of My Essence and in My Overall Power and become steadfast in My Worthiness for obedience and worship, complete, without the blemish of shirrk, association and manifestation of another.

 

I thought about the words of Ghaus Pak (ra). How in the creating, the one thing that was most prominent was the Aql – the organ of reflection. And how the reason for being was in the order of significance. What was possible for us ordinary human beings; ibadat, worship, and mari’fat, knowing Him, recognizing Him.

 

It was the Imam’s (as) first prayer, the hamd in praise of Allah Subhanahu, that revealed the Desire of The Divine, for He loved to be known.

 

www.duas.org/mobile/sahifasajjadia-dua1-praise-of-god.html

 

أَلْحَمْدُ للهِ

al-h'am-du lil-lah

1.Praise belongs to God,

 

الاوَّلِ بِلا أَوَّل كَانَ قَبْلَهُ،

al-aw-wali bilaaa aw-walin kaana qab-lah

2.the First, without a first before Him,

 

وَ الاخِر بِلاَ آخِر يَكُونُ بَعْدَهُ

wal-aaakhiri bilaaa aaakhiree-yakoonu baa'-dah

3.the Last, without a last behind Him.

 

،الَّذِي قَصُرَتْ عَنْ رُؤْيَتِهِ أَبْصَارُ النَّاظِرِينَ

al-lad'ee qas'urat a'r-roo-yatiheee ab-s'aarun-naaz'ireen

4.Beholders' eyes fall short of seeing Him,

 

وَ عَجَزَتْ عَنْ نَعْتِهِ أَوهامُ اَلْوَاصِفِينَ

wa a'jazat a'n-naa'-tiheee aw-haamul-waas'ifeen

5.describers' imaginations are not able to depict Him.

 

ابْتَدَعَ بِقُدْرَتِهِ الْخَلْقَ اَبتِدَاعَاً،

ib-tadaa' biqud-ratihil-khal-qab-tidaaa'a

6.He originated the creatures through His power with an origination,

 

وَاخْتَرَعَهُمْ عَلَى مَشِيَّتِهِ اخترَاعاً،

wa akh-tara'hum a'laa mashee-yatiheekh-tiraaa'a

7.He devised them in accordance with His will with a devising.

 

ثُمَّ سَلَكَ بِهِمْ طَرِيقَ إرَادَتِهِ،

thum-ma salaka bihim t'areeqa iraadatih

8.Then He made them walk on the path of His Desire,

 

وَبَعَثَهُمْ فِي سَبِيلِ مَحَبَّتِهِ

wa baa'thahum fee sabeeli mah'ab-batih

9.He sent them out on the way of His Love.

 

He sent me out on the way of His Love!

 

The prayer is hard to describe in terms of effect because each heart reads it differently. But the way he described what the purpose of the praise, it was like I was praising Subhanahu for the first time in my life.

 

Again it was revealed, praising Subhanahu was the opening for any kind of bestowing. Ma’rifa came after again as a grant. That Recognition created gratitude. Without the gratitude any human being was rendered a beast and worse!

 

وَالْحَمْدُ للهِ الَّذِي لَوْ حَبَسَ عَنْ عِبَادِهِ مَعْرِفَةَ

wal-h'am-du lil-laahil-lad'ee law h'abasa a'n i'baadihee maa'-rifata

29.Praise belongs to God, for, had He withheld from His Servants the knowledge

 

حَمْدِهِ عَلَى مَا أَبْلاَهُمْ مِنْ مِنَنِهِ الْمُتَتَابِعَةِ

h'am-dihee a'laa maaa ab-laahum mim-minanihil-mutataabia'ti

30.to praise Him for the uninterrupted kindnesses with which He has tried them

 

وَأَسْبَغَ عَلَيْهِمْ رمِنْ نِعَمِهِ الْمُتَظَاهِرَة

wa as-bagha a'lay-him min-nia'mihee almutaz'aahirah

31.and the manifest favours which He has lavished upon them,

 

لَتَصرَّفُوا فِي مِنَنِهِ فَلَمْ يَحْمَدُوهُ

latas'ar-rafoo fee minanihee falam yah'-madooh

32.they would have moved about in His Kindnesses without praising Him,

 

وَتَوَسَّعُوا فِي رِزْقِهِ فَلَمْ يَشْكُرُوهُ،

wa tawas-sau'wa fee riz-qihee falam yash-kurooh

33.and spread themselves out in His Provision without thanking Him.

 

وَلَوْ كَانُوا كَذلِكَ لَخَرَجُوا مِنْ حُدُودِ الانْسَانِيَّةِ

wa law kaanoo kad'alika lakharajoo min h'udoodil-insaanee-yah

34.Had such been the case, they would have left the bounds of humanity

 

إلَى حَدِّ الْبَهِيمِيَّةِ،

ilaa h'ad-dil-baheemee-yah

35.for that of beastliness

 

:فَكَانُوا كَمَا وَصَفَ فِي مُحْكَم كِتَابِهِ

fakaanoo kamaa was'afa fee muh'-kami kitaabihi:

36.and become as He has described in the firm text of His Book:

 

( إنْ هُمْ إلا كَالانْعَامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ سَبِيلا )

(in hum il-laa kal-an-a'ami bal hum az''al-lu sabeelaa)

37."They are but as the cattle—nay, but they are further astray from the way"! (25:46)

 

Reading the prayer was like reading the Quran. It was in the same style as the Quran so it was like I was speaking to Subhanahu, expressing praise for Him, in the same style as the Book He had sent.

 

Ghaus Pak (ra) repeats the concept of capability and capacity being granted by Subhanahu according to His Desire continuously in his tafaseer.

 

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّاسُ قَدْ جَآءَتْكُم مَّوْعِظَةٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ وَشِفَآءٌۭ لِّمَا فِى ٱلصُّدُورِ وَهُدًۭى وَرَحْمَةٌۭ لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ

 

O Mankind!

Verily has come to you an instruction from your Lord, and a healing for what (ill) is in your breasts, and guidance and mercy for the believers.

Surah Yunus, Verse 57

 

Tafseer e Jilani:

 

Ya Ayyuhan Naas: O you who have forgotten your original purpose and your true abode i.e. Heaven.

 

Qad Ja’akum: the Quran has come to awaken you and make you aware

Muwaddatun: and admonish you

 

Min Rabbikum wa shifa ul lima fi sadoor: and cure you of your grudges and heal you of your unhealthy thoughts that are resident in your hearts.

 

Wa huda-n: And it guides even those who are of exalted status and have arrived before Tauheed.

 

Wa Rahmatun: And it consists of abundance of mercy which includes specifically

 

Lil Momineen: the people who are righteous and mindful. So it is upon you to take warning and obey its commands. And ponder upon its secrets and its signs and deeply consider its keys and how it dawns upon you, until you unveil from it according to your capacity and capability to explore it. And Allah is The True Guide towards His Essence for whom He wills from His Servants. He prevails over everything and He is Dominant and Wise.

 

Other excerpts with the words:

1.Then Allah sends His Mercy upon the nafs in the shape of the qalb, the Seat of Recognition of Allah, according to capability and capacity resulting from obedience. The nafs becomes guided by the blessing of this merciful qalb, learning its etiquettes and becoming joyous.

 

2.It is the ahadith that which take you, according to your capacity, to the path of One-ness.

 

3.La Yukallifullaha: The Allah who guides towards Him does not place any burden…Nafsan illa Wusaha: upon any soul more than it can bear i.e. except that which it can bear, according to its capacity and strength and capability, which He set in His Ever-Present Knowledge for this purpose. So this makes clear…

 

4.Ankaboot/49: Alladina utol ilm: and have been granted Knowledge from Him, which emanates directly from the Knowledge of Allah, and is received by them from His Divine Treasures according to their capacity and ability due to His Bounty and His Favour upon them.

 

5.Al Fath/29: Wa’ada Allahu: Allah promised, as Al Mutalli’u, The One Aware of Everything about that which is the capability and capacity of His Servants, of their ikhlas, sincerity and their tafweed, entrusting (of their selves and their matters to Him)…Alladina aamano: (He promised) those who attained to faith with complete love and complete of surrender…

 

And so on…

 

But the prayers of the Chosen breaks the boundaries of that capacity and capability. I saw that most amazingly again in the prayer for excellence of manners.

 

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّآلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

allahumma sal-li a'la muhammadiw-wa a-li muhammad

O Allah, bless Muhammad and Muhammad's Household,

 

وَأَبْدِلْنِي مِنْ بُغْضَةِ أَهْلِ الشَّنَانَ الْمَحَبَّةَ

wa abdil-ni mim bugh-zati ah-lish-shinanil-mahab-bah

and replace for me the animosity of the people of hatred with love,

 

وَمِنْ حَسَدِ أَهْلِ الْبَغْيِ الْمَوَدَّةَ،

wa min hasadi ah-lil-bagh-yil-mawad-dah

the envy of the people of insolence with affection,

 

وَمِن ظِنَّةِ أَهْلِ الصَّلاَحِ الثِّقَةَ،

wa min zin-nati ah-lis-salahith-thiqah

the suspicion of the people of righteousness with trust,

 

وَمِنْ عَدَاوَةِ الأَدْنَيْنَ الْوَلايَةَ،

wa min a'dawatil-ad-naynal-walayah

the enmity of those close with friendship,

 

وَمِنْ عُقُوقِ ذَوِي الأَرْحَامِ الْمَبَرَّةَ،

wa min u'quqi dhawil-ar-hamil-mabar-rah

the disrespect of womb relatives with devotion,

 

وَمِنْ خِذْلانِ الأَقْرَبِينَ النُّصْرَةَ،

wa min khidhlanil-aq-rabinan-nus-rah

the abandonment of relatives with help,

 

وَمِنْ حُبِّ الْمُدَارِينَ تَصْحِيحَ الْمِقَةِ،

wa min hub-bil-mudarina tas-hihal-miqah

the attachment of flatterers with love set right,

 

وَمِن رَّدِّ الْمُلاَبِسِينَ كَرَمَ الْعِشْرَةِ،

wa mir-rad-dil-mulabisina karamal-i'sh-rah

the rejection of fellows with generous friendliness,

 

وَمِن مَّرَارَةِ خَوْفِ الظَّالِمِينَ حَلاَوَةَ الأَمنَةَ

wa mim-mararati khaw-fiz-zalimina halawatal-amnah

And the bitterness of the fear of wrongdoers with the sweetness of security!

 

Then:

 

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّآلِهِ

allahumma sal-li a'la muhammadiw-wa a-lih

O Allah, bless Muhammad and his Household

 

وَسَدِّدْنِي لأَنْ

wa sad-did-ni li-an

and point me straight to

 

أُعَارِضَ مَنْ غَشَّنِي بِالنُّصْحِ،

ua'ariza man ghash-shani bin-nus-h

resist him who is dishonest toward me without counsel,

 

وَأَجْزِي مَنْ هَجَرَنِي بِالْبِرِّ،

wa aj-ziya man hajarani bil-bir-r

repay him who separates from me with gentle devotion,

 

وَأُثِيبَ مَنْ حَرَمَنِي بِالْبَذْلِ،

wa uthiba man haramani bil-badhli

reward him who deprives me with free giving,

 

وَأُكَافِئَ مَن قَطَعَنِي بِالصِّلَةِ،

wa ukafi-a man qata'ni bis-silah

recompense him who cuts me off with joining,

 

وَأُخَاِلفَ مَنْ اغْتَابَنِي إِلَى حُسْنِ الذِّكْرِ،

wa ukhalifa mangh-tabani ila hus-nidh-dhik-r

oppose him who slanders me with excellent mention,

 

وَأَنْ أَشْكُرَ الْحَسَنَةَ،

wa an ash-kural-hasanah

give thanks for good,

 

وَأُغْضِي عَنِ السَّيِّئَةِ

wa ugh-ziya a'nis-say-yiwah

And shut my eyes to evil!

 

Every single line was a total impossibility for me. Yet here I was asking for it and it could be bestowed just like that.

 

Recently I had written a most beautiful note to try and raise some money for a friend who is doing work related to the recent floods in Karachi. The letter was a masterpiece, I received emails complimenting its content which had verses of the Quran, ahadith, less well known and illuminating.

 

I called the friend two weeks later to ask her what she received.

 

"Nothing," she said without emotion.

 

"Nothing?" I asked expressing my shock full on.

 

"Nope, Not a cent."

 

Embarrassed I hung up and felt rage. I wanted to get my laptop out and write another email starting with the line, "Some of you have so much money its a joke."

 

Then I remembered something from the Imam's prayer on behaviour again:

 

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَّآلِهِ

allahumma sal-li a'la muhammadiw-wa a-lih

O Allah, bless Muhammad and his Household,

 

فَأَفْتَتِنَ بِحَمْدِ مَنْ أَعْطَانِي،

fa-af-tatina biham-di man a'-tani

And Then I would be tried by praising him who gave to me

 

وَأُبْتَلي بِذَمِّ مَن مَّنَعَنِي

wa ub-tala bidhammi mam-mana'ni

afflicted with blaming him who held back from me,

 

وَأَنتَ مِن دُونِهِمْ وَلِيُّ الإِعْطَاءِ وَالْمَنْعِ

wa anta min dunihim wali-yul-ia'-ta-i wal-man-i'

While You— not they— art patron of giving and holding back

 

What I was judging was not their action but their capacity and capability. Which was granted by Subhanahu. I was resisting His Authority. He was deciding who would be generous when and who would be miserly at which point in their life.

 

Judgement like showing off is shirrk sagheer, the smaller version of the worst crime, associating something with Allah. The punishment is instant exactly like for arrogance, intense humiliation. That was what I had felt.

 

But the words, each time I recalled them, because the anger returned again and again, calmed me. You, it said, Subhanahu, You give and hold back so how can I be upset with You?

 

Instant forgiveness for the ones who weren't granted ability in that moment and a check that it was their spiritual journey and not my place to find flaws in it.

 

Nothing I could have done on my own would allow for that anger to calm, much less sustain. Nothing! I would only have remained angry in cycles, talking myself down. With the words of the Imam (as) on my lips, it was like he stood before me and my nafs only bowed in surrender.

 

I had recently heard that cleanliness was the first requisite of prayer, then sadqa. I consider myself a clean person but I started to especially bathe before I read the blessed Imam's (as) prayers.

 

I had even looked up the hadith on cleanliness because I knew it was something about being half of imaan, faith. Turned out to be much longer:

 

 

قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ "‏ الطُّهُورُ شَطْرُ الإِيمَانِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ تَمْلأُ الْمِيزَانَ ‏.‏

وَسُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ تَمْلآنِ –

أَوْ تَمْلأُ – مَا بَيْنَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ

وَالصَّلاَةُ نُورٌ

وَالصَّدَقَةُ بُرْهَانٌ

وَالصَّبْرُ ضِيَاءٌ

وَالْقُرْآنُ حُجَّةٌ لَكَ أَوْ عَلَيْكَ كُلُّ النَّاسِ يَغْدُو فَبَائِعٌ نَفْسَهُ فَمُعْتِقُهَا أَوْ مُوبِقُهَا ‏"‏ ‏.‏

 

Abu Malik at-Ash'ari reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

 

Cleanliness is half of faith and

 

al-Hamdu Lillah (all praise and gratitude is for Allah alone) fills the scale,

 

and Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah) and al-Hamdu Lillah fill up what is between the heavens and the earth,

 

and salat, obligatory prayer, is a light, and

 

charity is attestation (of one's faith) and

 

patience is a brightness and

 

the Holy Qur'an is a proof on your behalf or against you.

 

All men start their day early in the morning

and sell themselves (to Subhanahu through obedience) thereby setting themselves free

or (to Shaitan) destroying themselves.

 

Sahih Muslim 223

 

Extraordinary!

 

So this Ramadan I started my days with a bath, then heading to a shrine to read the prayers, then going for a walk. Satan was chained for the duration of the 30 days. That meant I was only trying to sell myself through obedience.

 

I would stare at the green of trees thinking about the prayers from Dalail ul Khairaat where it was said the colour came from the ablution water of Nabi Kareem (may all blessings in existence pour upon him and his family in continuously).

 

I smiled at butterflies of the same kind with their paper thin wings as they flitted over gorgeous flowers of the same kind, yet each one different, greeting them!

 

I had stopped listening to music but then I started again after the lecture on don't put the nafs through the ringer. Music calms my heart anyway, no it causes elation.

 

I often played the same track over and over and hear it differently each time:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_DTmIK0Kc4

 

At least my ears were not being used for fabrication and lies, my own or others'.

 

وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِۦ عِلْمٌ ۚ

إِنَّ ٱلسَّمْعَ وَٱلْبَصَرَ وَٱلْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْـُٔولًۭا ٣٦

 

And (do) not pursue what not you have of it any knowledge.

Indeed, the hearing, and the sight, and the heart all those will be [about it] questioned.

Surah Al Isra’, Verse 36

 

Tafseer e Jilani

 

Wa la taqfo: And do not pursue i.e. do not follow, Ayyohal Mo’min Al Mo’qin, O Believer who is certain, who is the seeker of reaching the rank of Tauheed, Allah’s One-ness…

 

Ma laysa laka bihi ilm-in: what you do not have of knowledge i.e. what you do not have in relation to your knowledge in it from following (others) or from making guesses yourself because you, on the Day of Judgement, will be asked about your utterances without knowledge and (you will be asked about it) your moving forward because of them with any bodily part or faculty and your saying it forcibly (without knowing) the unseen.

 

Inna as sam’a: Indeed the ears, (Subhanahu) mentions it first because indeed, what is attached to it is most of what is made up as fabrication and lies…

 

Wal basara: and the eyes because without doubt the nafs, the self, indulges itself in most of the trials and what creates devastation with the means of seeing…

 

Wal fua’ad: and the heart which is the root of the rising of lies and delusions…

 

I even came up with my own darood, which was probably not original given that those who loved him were many and perfected their love. But still, the words had been coming to me often and spring being in the air was making everything feel intoxicating.

 

Dear Allah, bless the one whose scent gives the flowers its fragrance!

 

Today is the 10th of Ramadan. The first ashra of Mercy ends and begins the second of Maghfira, when Subhanahu will grant forgiveness. The Imam (as) has 8 prayers on it so I look forward to reading them all. In repeat! The third ashra will then come of Nijaat, refuge from Hell.

 

From exclusion, deprivation, humiliation, abandonment and loss by way of another’s words and his prayers.

 

I learnt recently from Sheikh Nurjan (ra) the reason Islam has an Imam in the congregational prayer.

 

"This is why it doesn't matter whether you are uttering the words or just following the motions silently. Even not doing that and sitting or standing on the side. The Imam is the only one Allah Azzo Jal is looking at. The Imam's prayer is the prayer of the congregation. That is why it is important who is chosen for it.

 

And your Imam ar Rahma is Nabi Kareem (salutations and greetings upon his being the Mercy of the Universe as well as his family). So Allah Azzo Jal is only and only looking at Him."

 

In that explanation, it made sense to me why the Imam Jafer Sadiq (as) said the supplication is better than the salat, obligatory prayer. For my prayer is distracted and full of deficits. But my dua, when it comes in the words of Imam Zain ul Abedin (as), it was like Subhanahu was hearing me through his voice.

 

My favourite dua from the Quran is the one I found written outside many a shrine, especially of the Ahl e Beit, in Paradise with the instruction for it to be spoken when entering them:

 

 

وَقُل رَّبِّ أَدۡخِلۡنِی مُدۡخَلَ صِدۡقࣲ وَأَخۡرِجۡنِی مُخۡرَجَ صِدۡقࣲ وَٱجۡعَل لِّی مِن لَّدُنكَ سُلۡطَـٰنࣰا نَّصِیرࣰا

 

And say, "My Lord! Cause me to enter an entrance of truth,

and cause me to an exit of truth

and make for me from near You an authority helping."

Surah Al Isra’, Verse 80

 

Tafseer e Jilani

 

O one who is on the path of Allah, O worshipper, and after that you reached towards it, (the station of Maqam e Mahmood), there will not be remaining for you a (higher) rank of completion and guidance but instead you are now completed and are the guided one.

 

When revelations come to you and permission is granted to you by Subhanahu, you will become a perfect Murshid, guide, for the people with shortcomings, incomplete, interceding for them by the Permission of Allah, for their deliverance from the compulsions of imkaan, possibilities, that lead one to the pitfalls of fire and you will make even them reach the atmosphere of heavens with the ability granted by Allah to you and to them.

 

Wa: And after your reaching from your striving and your struggling and the different times of waking up at night and your praying during the nights by the ability granted by Allah and the ease He gave you so that you reached the stations exalted and the ranks high …

 

Qul: say, beseechingly, to your Lord, seeking refuge from Him, focusing towards him as the desirer of the highest standard of capability and being firmly placed in the station which you have reached by His granted ability and His Help…

 

Rabbi: O my Lord who raises me by different types of Lutf, Kindnesses and Karam, Mercy…

 

Adkhilni: Make me enter by Your Fazl, Bounty and Jood, Generosity…

 

Modkhala sidq-in: the entrance of truth and the destination of being settled and it is the Place of Tauheed, One-ness, free of all kinds of additions and excesses and make me be in it forever without fluctuation and without staining…

 

Wa akhrij-ni: and make me exit the demands of my selfishness and my identity for the atmosphere of dissolution which connects to the honour of ever-lastingness and meeting (The Divine)…

 

Mukhraja sidq-in: the exit of truth without hesitation and shaking…

 

Waj’al-i: and assign for me in the moment of my ego quarreling with me, overcoming me with wrongdoing…

 

Mil ladunka sultan-an: from Your Authority i.e. proven in a way that nothing can overrule it, clearly revealed, witnessed in totality, so it becomes…

 

Naseera: a helper for the one who helps me against my enemies and frees me from their grip in the moment that they surround me.

 

And the words will deliver me from the compulsions of imkaan, possibilities, that lead me to the pitfalls of loneliness and make me reach the atmosphere of heavens of knowing and recognizing my Rabb.

 

Through the ability granted by Allah to me by His Name Al Birr, which only He can raise for me, a Sai'l, whom He promises to answer for He is نَافِذَ الْعِدَةِ naafid'al-i'dah - a Keeper of promises!

 

It will make me exit the demands of my selfishness and identity that I created in all my years, for my nafs will always quarrel with me, overcoming me with wrongdoing...

 

وَإيْثَارِ الْبَاطِلِ عَلَى الْحَقِّ وَالإصْرَارِ عَلَى الْمَأثَمِ ،

wa eethaaril-baat'ili a'laal-h'aq wal-is'-raari a'laal-maa-tham

preferring falsehood over truth, persisting in sin

 

And best of all, grant from His Self, naseera.

 

Not help, but a helper!

 

A helper who ends for me like the Imam (as) does in sha Allah the worst of my miseries, internal conflict, with a success beyond my imagination

 

وَوَفِّقْنِي إِذَا اشْتَكَلَتْ عَلَيَّ الأُمُورُ لأَهْدَاهَا،

wa waf-fiq-ni idhash-takalat a'lay-yal-umuru li-ah-daha

to reach the most guided of affairs when affairs confuse me.

 

Calling Him by a Name that was not possible in my existence until it came by his way at the end of his hamd:

 

وَلِيٌّ حَمِيدٌ

Walee-yun h'ameed

 

O Friend, Praiseworthy!

 

Ameen summa Ameen summa Ameen...

 

 

Done