Three Pearls

Three pearls fell down the river, from my broken necklace. I let them go, let them see what I couldn’t, let them encounter adventures I would never dream of.

But don’t look at us, the pearls said while I glanced from the distance, and my feet started to wallk back home over the dusty ground.

Look at the pearls of the Unseen, you are lucky, we are almost there, and we are tears now. Not pearls. You are lucky, they said, for the waiting, the searching, the seeking, is the whole adventure, the great reward, where rivers of pearls become tears of joy. We are now tears going to encounter the ocean of Love. But you are still not there, so feel and cry, and suffer and smile and struggle, because this is where all the signs of Love can lead you to be what we are now. And I sighed and desired to be them.

Thoughts from a young girl.

Say I Am With You

Beloved

I dance, I am a woman;
I sing, I have a soul;
I spread flowers over our encounter,
and let them fall
over our hearts...

I give you the cup of wine
in whispers
and in sounds of happiness,
in love poems,
and songs that come from heaven.

I sip from this Love
with tears in my eyes,
babbling the name
of the All-Nothing that  sees us, with a smile.

We both are looking for the same;
searching, always searching;
and even if we see...
We still prefer to wonder.

Under the stars I find the Beloved
through my earthly beloved.
You feel paradise
through this love that becomes LOVE.

We are children, we are joy,
we are starting to live the real void
reaching ladders and wings and lights
upon us.

Beloved, you take me to The BELOVED.

 

Maryam

Sufi Rituals in the Middle East and the Balkans

This book offers intimate and moving portraits of Sufism as practiced in five countries. Sufism, the mystical tradition of Islam, is as far from the strident and often violent fundamentalist strain of the religion that has so captured world attention as it is possible to be. Sufis in all parts of the Islamic world are broad-minded, tolerant, and non-violent, their quest only to find and approach God through all means, including poetry, music, and dance. Historian Nicolaas Biegman has been observing and photographing Sufi practice and ritual in different Muslim lands for many years, and here in this collection of extraordinary photographs he feels the pulse of the Sufi experience, with its enormous variety in discipline and exuberance, intellectualism and spontaneity, in Egypt, Syria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Macedonia. In accompanying texts he explores what lies behind the rituals, and explains aspects of Sufi life and practice such as the position of women.

Author Biography:
NICOLAAS (NIEK) BIEGMAN holds a Ph.D. in Balkan history, and is an expert on Islam. He has produced a number of photographic books on Egypt, Haiti, Manhattan, and most recently a Sufi community in Skopje (God's Lovers)

 

PAL plans conference on Sufism

ISLAMABAD (APP) - Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) has planned to arrange three-day International Conference on Sufism from March 14. The official sources of the academy told this agency that 80 delegates from around 40 countries are expected to participate in the conference.
The notable personalities having diverse knowledge about sufism and mysticism will share their views on the occasion.
The international conference would provide a platform to more than 200 delegates within the country to participate in the conference.
Sources said that PAL would translate books of Sufi poets belonging all the four provinces in eight different languages.
The translated books would be given to all the participants as it will help to project true image of the country on international level.
The sources informed that a international conference was also arranged in 1995. The writings of Pakistani writers from all Pakistani languages were translated in UNESCO languages and sent to different countries.
These books are still the identity of Pakistani literature in libraries there. However, PAL has also decided to set up a National Translation Bureau in the academy through translating Pakistani literature in foreign languages and the foreign literature into Pakistani languages, the sources added.

 

The Nation

Beshara and Ibn 'Arabi : A Movement of Sufi Spirituality in the Modern World

 

Investigating Sufi-inspired spirituality in the modern world, this interdisciplinary text combines cultural study with solid data to provide a comprehensive study on how the teachings of Ibn 'Arabi have been adopted and adapted by Muslims and non-Muslims. This book explores Beshara's emergence and evolution, its approach to spiritual education, the origins of its spiritual teacher, its major teachings and practices, and its projection of Ibn 'Arabi. Both rigorous and very timely, this study looks to the areas of cultural exchange between East and West and highlights commonalities in the various historical changes both societies have undergone.

SOURCE

Sufism Books among other subjects - 18th century library reopens

18th century library reopens in Aurangabad after 70 years By Abdul Hadi Aurangabad, Dec.23 (ANI): An 18th century library, housing manuscripts and a number of precious books including a version of the Quran penned by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, has been reopened after 70 years here at the historical monument Panchakki in Maharashtra. According to library officials, Hazrat Babashah Musafir, who migrated to Aurangabad in 18th century from Bukhara in Russia, founded the library as well as the Panchakki. The library treasured about 100,000 books and writing pieces till Indian independence (1947). However, it was closed down in 1970s due to administrative reasons due to which many of the library books were shifted to Hyderabad.The library presently houses 2,500 books on various subjects related to history, law, medicine, Sufism, religion and philosophy in Arabic, penned by philosophers, saints and scholars in Urdu and Persian languages. The cover of holy Quran here has a coating of gold on both sides, which has been preserved till date. Moreover, a holy book written in 1, 283 in four languages is also available at this library. According to Librarian Hafiz Abdul Jaleel, Baba Shah Musafir founded the library to spread knowledge. “The library was considered to be the largest one in Asia during that time. Now, it has around 2,500 rare books. After reopening the library, many students especially those who are engaged in research are thronging it. There is no entry fee,” Hafiz Abdul Jaleel informed. People have appreciated the efforts of library’s restoration but say that it has a long way to go. M.A. Haq, a historian in Auranagbad, expressed disappointment that such a library fell victim to colossal neglect for so long. “This is a great failure, a disaster, that such a grand and important library has been decimated like this. It was one of the best libraries, once. But it is a matter of pride that with the efforts of the (Waqf) Board, the library would come to life,” said M.A. Haq, Aurangabad based historian. Locals feel that if maintained properly, the library would benefit people of all walks of life. (ANI) Read more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/feature/18th-century-library-reopens-in-aurangabad-after-70-years_100293869.html#ixzz0aeZkc6Dx

Don’t give me back…

 

 

 

 

 

“Don’t give me back to my old companions.

No friend but you. Inside you

I rest from wanting. Don’t let me

be that selfishness again."

 

Unseen Rain. Quatrains of Rumi. By John Moyne and Coleman Barks

Threshold Books

 

Image credit: Iskandar

Sufis and Jesus

Christianity is rooted in the belief that Jesus is the Son of God, so is Islam’s version of Christ a source of tension, or a way of building bridges between the world’s two largest faiths?

The Sufi philosopher al-Ghazali described Jesus as "the prophet of the soul" and the Sufi master Ibn Arabi called him "the seal of saints".

An article by Mehdi Hasan about a new book by the former Cambridge professor of Arabic and Islamic studies Tarif Khalidi on Newstatesman.com

Three Books on Sufism

You can read these books online.

The titles are:


Ikmalush Shiyam

Description : Ikmalush Shiyam (Perfection of Morals) is a treatise for the Muhibbeen (Lovers of Allah). Although every Mu’min is a Lover of Allah, this treatise is largely directed to the attention of the Muhibbeen who are conscious of Divine Love. Nevertheless, it will benefit even the unconscious lovers by inducing in them some consciousness of the love lying dormant in their hearts which have been created for being the Abodes of Divine Love. Since Ikmalush Shiyam is a treatise for Muhibbeen, it speaks the language of love – Divine Love. Thus, the book abounds with paradoxes and seemingly contradictory calls and cries sounded for the guidance of those who understand the language of Allah’s Love. The advices and prescriptions herein are balm for the Souls searching the Path of Love, leading to their Beloved, Allah Azza Wa Jal. This book is not for the rational probing of a sceptic mind stunted by crass materialism.
Author : Maulana Muhammad Abdullah Gangohi


Scattered Pearls

Description : This is a short compilation of selected sayings and anecdotes of the illustrious Auliyaa (the special friends—saints) of Allah Ta'ala. The perpetuation of Islam in its original purity has been ensured by the various classes of Auliyaa among whom are also found the great Fuqaha, Muhadditheen and Mufassireen. The sayings and anecdotes presented in this book belong to the domain of Islamic morality, spirituality and the remembrance of Allah, which in fact is the goal of life. No order has been observed in this compilation. It is essentially a book of Naseehat—advice and admonition.
Author : Mujlisul-Ulama of South Africa


Shariat and Tasawwuf

Description : A SINCERE Wali of Allah is the Representative (Khalifah) of Allah Ta’ala on earth. He is the rooh (soul) of creation. All creation exists on his presence. Everything supplicates for the grace emanating from his spiritual effulgence. His heart and brain are the repositories of Divine Knowledge and Grace. Allah Ta’ala has decreed him (the Wall) as His special servant and has grated him the closest of proximity. Allah Ta’ala has expanded his breast for the understanding of the meaning of His Kalaam (The Qur’aan Shareef). Allah Ta’ala has granted him the Knowledge of the Qur’aan and has revealed to him the inner meanings and realities of the verses so that he may guide mankind and cure its spiritual maladies. He (the Wall) has been appointed by Allah Ta’ala to execute the obligation of Amr Bil Ma’roof (Commanding virtue) and Nahu anil Munkar (prohibiting evil)
Author : Hadhrat Maulana Maseehullah Khan


TheMajlis.net


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Sufism. An Article

The author has named it "Sufism, the other face of Islam". Unfortunately, when we speak of Islam, many are reminded of Bin Laden, Al Qaeda, terrorism, bigotry, oppression of women. But not all of Islam is the case (not all Basques are ETA). There is a large moderate Islam, and within it, a current extremely old one, called Sufism, practiced by millions of people around the planet.

To not enter into Islamophobia (hatred of Islam), I would like you to read some words of a current Algerian Sufi master, Khaled Bentuonés, and think whether we should continue to say that Islam is carried to fanaticism.

It would be the perfect counterpoint to be showed as a reading in class.

Unfortunately today, Islam has become an ideology, a narrow religion, a limited thing (...) an instrument of mass manipulation.

The generous one gives himself a great good and creates an atmosphere of happiness around which increases their own joy of living.

Contrary to what many think, the great holy war (jihad) is not intended to spread Islam under the rule of a tyrant (...) The Prophet himself said: This is the great war that everyone should take against their own selfishness "(...) This is a war to fight the economic crisis, poverty, against new diseases ...

Doing my duty and my responsibility to assume within society, I give to my work a noble character (...) If we all did our work as if were prayer (in the form of prayer), we would perform this duty out as best as possible and we would not cheat not hustling, and it would be for us the best way forward in life.

Bentuonés Khaled Shaikh Sufism, the heart of Islam. Ediciones Obelisco, 2001

This is just the opposite of what we talked about some time discussing the movie Agora. Religion for the understanding not to hate. Something like what the great mystic of Al Andalus, Ibn Arabi, wrote in the thirteenth century


My heart has become capable of every form: it is a pasture for gazelles and a convent for Christian monks,
And a temple for idols, and the pilgrim's Ka'ba, and the tables of the Tora and the book of the Koran.
I follow the religion of Love, whichever way his camels take. My religion and my faith is the true religion.

Article written by:
Vicente Camarasa -


Image credit: asbf48 (ANTONIO)


sufism

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sufi masters

Turkey to honor Persian poet Mowlavi

Turkey is planning to hold a ceremony in commemoration of the world-renowned Persian poet Mowlavi in his eternal resting place in Konya.

The 10-day event will include mystic musical performances and various symposiums about the Sufi poet.

Visitors will also have the chance to watch Whirling Dervishes dancing the Sama, the traditional trancelike meditation of Sufism.

The Mowlavi symposium will host prominent Mowlavi experts from around the world including Dr. Mohammad-Ali Movahhedi from Iran.

Jalal ad-Din Mohammad Balkhi known as Mowlavi was a 13th century Persian poet, mystic and theologian, better-known for his six-volume poem Masnavi considered to be one of the greatest works of both Islamic mysticism and Persian literature.

UNESCO named the year 2007 as the year of Mowlavi in honor of the Persian poet's outstanding achievements.

Source: PressTv


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Sufism Books

More E-Books you can find at the "PEARLS OF WISDOM" Section (left bottom side of this blog)
TITLES:


Sufis of Sindh
Dr. Motilal Jotwani (1986)

Early Turkish Mystics in Turkish Literature (2006)
Memed Faud Koprula

Discourses of Rumi (It is What It is - Fihi Ma Fihi) (1999-2000)
A. J. Arberry

The Persian Mystics: Jalalud Din Rumi (1912)
F. Hadland Davis

The Sufism of Rubaiyat (1908)
Norton F. W. Mazeldin

Life of Omar Al-Khayyami(1905)
J. K. M. Shirazi

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (1900)
Edward FitzGerald

Sufism Omar Khayyam and E. Fitzgerlad (1915)
A. Bjerregaard

Thanks to Academy of Punjab in North America


sufism

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Ode Ibn Arabi

O Marvel! a garden amidst the flames.
My heart has become capable of every form:
it is a pasture for gazelles and a convent for Christian monks,
and a temple for idols and the pilgrim's Kaa'ba,
and the tables of the Torah and the book of the Quran.
I follow the religion of Love: whatever way Love's camels take,
that is my religion and my faith.

Amina Alaoui - Ode Ibn Arabi Found at abmp3 search engine

sufism

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The Tree of Being

THE TREE OF BEING by Ibn 'Arabi interpreted by Tosun Bayra.


The Tree of Being (Shajarat al-Kawn) is a treatise written by Ibn Arabi (1165-1240), one of the greatest figures in both Islamic and universal mysticism. He wrote close to five hundred books and manuscripts. Many of them are short, but some, like Fusus al Hikam and Futuhat al Makkiyah, are books of many volumes. Ibn Arabi knew and influenced the great men of his time, Ibn Rushd (Averroes), Jalaluddin Rumi, Suhrawardi, and others.
His influence spread beyond the Islamic world and entered medieval Europe. Asin Palacios and Salverda di Grave have pointed out that Dante in the Divina Comedia derived from Ibn Arabi the great design of Hell and Paradise and also the image of the beautified young woman as guide to the Divine.
The Tree of Being is an inspired description of the cosmos and the perfect man as microcosm, expressed in beautiful metaphysical and poetic imagery. Ibn Arabi's devotion to the Prophet Muhammad as the perfect man provides instruction in Islam for the ones who are interested in learning the essence of this religion.
The book has five sections. First is the translator's introduction including a biography of Ibn Arabi and a discussion of his approach
to Sufism. Second is an interpretation of Ibn Arabi's Tree of Being, a commentary on the mystical elements of the Qur'an and Islam. Third is Ibn 'Arabi's description of the character and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. The fourth section is his listing of the two hundred names and attributes of the Prophet.

The Tree of Being Book


sufism

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New Uploaded E-Book

I have uploaded a new e-book:

Mysticism and magic in Turkey; an account of the religious doctrines, monastic organisation, and ecstatic powers of the dervish orders (1912), by Lucy Mary Jane Garnett.

You can download it at the "Pearls of Wisdom" Section, which is on bottom section as I have changed this blog design.

Thank you



sufism

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dervishes

Islam

Turkeys

Lawa'ih, a Treatise on Sufism

Lawa'ih, a Treatise on Sufism- Jami, Nur-ud-din 'abd-Ur-rahman

Hackenberg Booksellers especialises in scholarly, out of print, rare and unusual books.


Place Published: London
Publisher: Royal Asiatic Society
Date Published: 1928

Description: Facsimile of an old ms. With a translation by E. H. Whinfield & Mirza Muhammad Kazvini, and preface on the influence of Greek philosophy upon sufism. Reprinted with additions and corrections. xvii, 61p., plus the 56-page facsimile of the 10th-century Persian manuscript. Original blue cloth. (Oriental Translation Fund. New series, 16).



Price: $85.00


sufism

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Evidence

 

Caressing me in a whisper,

sounds that I could never hear

or feel.

Nights of thousands stars, brilliant as the Jewel I see from space,

all of them reunited,

in the glimpse of a second,

an image I could never forget….

 

The calmness came to life,

after the shadows dancing,

YOU embraced my destiny.

 

Over mountains of silver and sand,

of gold and fresh honey,

I hear the whisper again.

 

And you Are, the above and beyond,

the last ladder of myriads of ladders,

this child who became a man child

without sorrow, again happy,

again filled with the Truth

and without solitude anymore.

 

And YOU, whom I thank endlessly

for you took this child and drove him to the Love

Forever

In Eternity.

 

Maryam

 

IMAGE

Teachings of Sufism

The prose and verse readings in this book were chosen to interest the many people who have become attracted to Sufi teachings through their exposure to popular Sufi poetry, music, and dance. The selections—mostly from the Middle East and India, ranging from the tenth to the twentieth century—provide a sampling of Sufi thought on some of the basic aspects of this spiritual path. Most of the readings are published here in English for the first time. Brief introductory remarks place each selection into its historical and religious context, and an index of Qur'anic passages helps the reader to trace the extensive allusions to the Islamic holy scriptures. The topics covered include: The nature of mystical love Meditation Listening to music as a spiritual practice Ethical teachings of Sufism Pitfalls on the spiritual path Spiritual companionship and the master-disciple relationship The importance of the Qur'an and the Prophet Muhammad Biographical accounts of great mystics, including the poet Rumi as well as several female saints

 

 

The Sufi Bookstore

Daughter of Fire

Little did Irina Tweedie know that her trip to India in 1959, at the age of fifty-two, would mysteriously lead her to a Sufi Master and set her upon a journey to the "heart of hearts," the Sufi path of realisation. Her teacher's first request of her was to keep a complete diary of her spiritual training - everything, all the difficult parts, even all the doubts. He predicted that one day it would become a book and would benefit people around the world. This diary spans five years, making up an amazing record of spiritual transformation: the agonies, the resistance, the long and frightening bouts with the purifying forces of Kundalini, the perseverance, the movements towards surrender, the longing and, finally, the all-consuming love. From a psychological viewpoint, the diary maps the process of ego dissolution, gradually unveiling the openness and love that reside beneath the surface of the personality. Mrs. Tweedie is the first Western woman to be trained in this ancient yogic lineage. Her story and experience testify that this teaching system can still be powerfully transformative today in our modern world.

 

Found at Amazon.co.uk