Im not your friend

i'm neither your friend; nor your relation.

i'm your shadow, maybe even closer.

if you understand this,

you are my friend,

...maybe even closer.

- luqman

The Mind | The Silent Mind

To a mind that is still,

the whole universe surrenders.

Chuang-tzu(ancient zen master)

In sufism and in other spiritual movements, great importance is shown to meditation. The power of meditation cannot be under-estimated in the path of spirutualism. It's bringing the mind into a state of 'one'-ness, and bringing it beyond the normal human's level of thinking. It leads to a deeper state of relaxation and awareness into one's soul. It ultimately leads to purification of the heart, and allows one to find peace within themselves.

In this modern world, with all sorts of turbulance going on daily, mediatation is becoming a daily part of everyone's life, now that yoga has spread to the western part of the world. The west has adapted the normally eastern techniques of meditation, and uses it in their daily practice.

Islam requires us to pray 5 times a day, where we focus our mind on God by reading verses of the Quran. But how many of us can actually say our mind is totally focused during prayers. The beginning stages of meditation is a playful mind. Where thoughts jump from 1 point to another. The founder of Zen Buddhism, Siddharta Gautama, recieved enlightenment after years of Mediation, under a tree.

1 has to realise the mind and heart connection. For the heart to recieve illumination and enlightenment, the mind must be able to focus and fix on a single point without wandering. I.e Total focus and attention. The perfect mind and heart, is the perfect mirror where the secrets will be reflected.

There is the story of Daniel. who entered the den of lions, and the lions were tamed instantly. Did he will them to be so? No. It was the calm and peace of the heart of Daniel reflected upon the lions that made them quiet like him. His own peace became their piece; they became peaceful.

The ocean of milk is the mind or the human consciousness.

The mind is like an ocean while the thoughts and emotions are the waves in the ocean.

-Samudra Manthan

*The phenomenon of reflection differs in its nature and character by reason of the nature of different personalities. The person whose thought becomes reflected in the heart or another may have a concrete form in his thought and may be able to hold it as one design or picture. In that case the reflection falls in the heart of another being clearly: but if the mind is so weak that it cannot hold a thought properly, then the thought is moving and it cannot reflect in the mind of another properly. If the mind of the person is not in good condition then the picture is not clear. If a person’s mind is not clear, if it is upset or too active, then the mind cannot convey the reflection fully.

Your wandering mind is with all things, people and ideas, never with your self. Bring your self into focus, and become aware of your own existence.

*The mind can be likened to a lake. If the wind is blowing and the water is disturbed, then the reflection will not be clear; but when the water is still the reflection is clear. And so it is with the mind: the mind which is still is capable of receiving reflections. The mind which is powerful, capable of making and holding a thought, a picture can project its thought beyond any boundaries that may be there to hinder it.

By trying to bring the mind into a single point of focus, we may be able to recieve illumination from God into the heart, and find peace with ourselves. When this stage has been reached, the secret doors of reality will opened in the inner depths of our heart.

It is as though you have an eye

That sees all forms But does not see itself.

This is how your mind is. Its light penetrates everywhere And engulfs everything,

So why does it not know itself?

-Foyan(zen master)

*Taken from The Sufi Message of Hazrat Inayat Khan http://www.anaflora.com/articles/saints-sages/saint-3.html

12th of Rabi-Ul-Awwal | Birth of Our Holy Prophet (s.a.w)

EID MILAD-UN-NABI
Birthday Celebrations of the Most Honoured of Creation,HAZRAT MUHAMMAD MUSTAFA (SAW)

“Were It Not For You (O’ Muhammad صلي الله عليه و سلم),

I Would Not Have Created The Universe.”

A minority of people often, and sometimes rather vocally raise objections to the organisation and celebration of mehfil Eid Milad-un–Nabi (saw). The gathering to commemorate the birth of the Holy Prophet (saw).Eid Milad-un-Nabi (saw) is the name given to a gathering comprising both zikr-ullah and zikr-e-Rasool (saw), both of which are the foundations and the fruits of Islamic teachings.

Rabi-ul-Awwal is one of the most important months in the Islamic calendar, when mankind was bestowed with the blessing of the birth of Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw). It marks the beginning of an unparalleled evolutionary process whose impact is with us today. At a time when mankind was steeped in the midst of ignorance, Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) elevated man from darkness into light, greed into selflessness, and arrogance into piety. This culminated into the most perfect system for Humanity by which it could conduct all of its affairs - Islam.He is the greatest leader mankind has ever seen and indeed will ever see. He is the seal of all of the Prophets and raised mankind out of the depths of despair into the highest of creation. It is for this reason that the birth of Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) is celebrated by millions of Muslims all over the world.

Who can doubt that the greatest mercy bestowed on mankind by Almighty Allah, is the birth and subsequent life of his blessed Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) Indeed Allah Almighty states in the Quran; "and we have not sent you (O'Prophet) but as a mercy to the whole of mankind" (Al Ambiyah 21:7).

There can be no doubt that the coming of Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) into the world was a momentous event. If celebrating and rejoicing the mercies of Almighty Allah is an express divine command by Allah. Then surely we should celebrate, with great favour and force the greatest mercy that he sent, the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw). "God did confer a great favour upon the believers when he sent them an apostle" (Al-lmran 3:164)

The Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was asked about the fast on a Monday, to which he replied; "on this day I was born". Through this statement the Holy Prophet (saw) established the high status of this month, in which lies the day of his birth. Thus we should treat this month with great respect and honour the Islamic traditions of the Muslims of the past.Today, Eid Milad -Un- Nabi is celebrated by Muslims all over the world, an action that pleases Allah Almighty and his Rasool (saw). To see Muslims and non-Muslims adapting their worldly lives to the pure code of life of the most perfect creation in the whole world - Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (Peace be upon him).

Eventually God called you to Him

even He could not resist seeing you.

O my beloved draped in blanket! The whole world loves you.

What to say of your beauty, even the Lord is mad in your love.

-Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

The Excellence of The Prophet(S.A.W.)

SUPERIOR QUALITIES OF SAYYIDUNA RASOOLULLAH (SALLAL LAAHU ALAIHI WASALLAM)

(1) Almighty Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala wrote Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam's) name in the Heavens and in the seven skies.

(2) The Angels were commanded to bow down to Nabi Adam (alaihis salaam), because he had the Nur (Light) of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) on his blessed forehead.

(3) After the birth of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), Shaytaan could not go into the skies and steal news from the Angels.

(4) Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) used to be cradled by the Angels when he was a child.

(5) While he was in his cradle, he used to speak to the moon and the moon used to move in the whichever direction Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam's) blessed fingers moved.(6) He could see behind him while looking in front of him.

(7) He could see in the darkness as well as he could see in the daylight.

(8) His blessed saliva revived those who were sick.

(9) While his eyes were closed, his heart was awake.

(10) He never yawned during his entire lifetime.

(11) His perspiration had the scent of sweet roses.

(12) Although he was of medium height, he looked taller when he stood next to a tall person.

(13) He did not have a shadow, either in the sunlight or the moonlight.

(14) No flies, mosquitoes or any other kind of insects ever came onto his blessed body or clothes.

(15) His clothes never got dirty, no matter how long he wore them.

(16) The Angels followed him wherever he walked.

(17) When he stepped on a rock, his footprint would be left on it.

(18) He possessed the greatest wisdom of all creations.

(19) Almighty Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala put the name of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) next to His Name in the Kalimah Shahaadah.

(20) Other Ambiya were Prophets for a certain country or special nation. He was the Prophet unto the entire creation.

(21) The Ummah of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam), are more than that of all the Ummahs of all the other Ambiya put together.

(22) To call to Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) with his name or to speak loudly before him is prohibited since it is disrespectful to do so.

(23) He was visited approximately twenty four thousand times by Sayyiduna Jibra'el (alaihis salaam).

(24) Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam's) wives and daughters are the best in the world. There are no women more superior to them.

(25) The soil in the grave of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is superior to every other place, including that of the Holy Kaaba.

(26) Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is alive in his grave. He reads the Holy Quran and even performs his Salaah in the grave.

(27) His grave is visited by thousands of Angels daily. Those Angels who visit his grave once, do no get a second chance to visit his grave.

(28) It is obligatory on every Muslim to love Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). The sign of love for him is to adapt his way of life and always remember him.

(29) It is Waajib (compulsory) to follow and love the Ahle Bait (Family of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) declared: "He who has hostility towards my Ahle Bait is a hypocrite."

(30) It is also necessary to love all the Companions (Sahaba) of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) declared, "After my demise, do not feel hostility towards my Sahaba. Loving them means loving me. He who hurts them also hurts me. He who hurts me also hurts Almighty Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala and those who hurt Almighty Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala are tormented by Him."

(31) Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is aware of all the actions of his Ummah.

(32) He was granted Mee'raj by Almighty Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.

----------------

Oh Moon, never mind if

I tell you the truth

Sometimes you are dim

Sometimes you are bright

Still, your brightness is not equal

To an atom of the dust

From the foot of Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam)

-Shah Abdul Lateef Bhitai(Great Sufi Poet)

The Beauty of The Prophet (s.a.w)

People love one another is beauty; the heart becomes inclined towards anything beautiful. Mere words cannot describe the beauty of the Messenger of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala. We are told in hadith:

Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is beautiful and likes beauty. - Hadith

A poet has penned the following verses:

Beauty itself boasts about the beauty of the Messenger

The beauty of galaxies is only the dust of your feet

O Caravan of the desirous! Walk barefoot towards Madinah

The thorns on your way are softer than flowers.

When Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala Himself likes beauty, we can only imagine how beautiful He would have made the one whom He chose as His beloved. Hadrat Anas Radi Allahu anhu said that the Messenger of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'alawas the most handsome amongst all the prophets and that his hands were softer than silk.

My eye has not seen anything as beautiful as you,

No woman has ever borne anyone as beautiful as you,

Pure from imperfections,

as if your features are of your own choosing

Hadrat Aishah Siddiqa (Radi Allahu anha) is known to have said, "O' Zulaikha, you only cut your fingers at seeing (Hadrat) Yusuf alayhis 'salam. Had you seen the Messenger of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala, you would have cut open your heart!¨ She also said, "The sky has its sun, and we have our own sun!¨

In yet another narration, we are told that Halima Sadia Radi Allahu anhu's daughter Shima used to ask her mother to send her brother with her when she would go to tend the sheep. When asked why, Shima said to her mother, "I notice that the sheep graze quickly whenever my brother Muhammad is with me. The sheep then gather around where I sit with my brother, and both I and the sheep gaze at his beautiful face.¨

One night, Hadrat Jabir alayhis 'salam entered the Mosque of the Prophet and found the Messenger of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala sitting therein. The full moon was shining brightly, and Hadrat Jabir alayhis 'salam shifted his gaze to and fro between the moon and the Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam's beautiful face. He did this a few times as if comparing the two, and finally decided that the Messenger of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala was far more beautiful than the moon. Furthermore,

Hadrat Ali Radi Allahu anhu said: Whoever laid but a glance upon the Messenger was awestruck; whoever looked upon him repeatedly was drowned in love and said in praise, "I have neither seen anything so awesome before nor will I see the like again."

-compiled by Zainul Abdeen Qadri