Wise Words

"Sufism is not a fashion statement but a serious quest for union with God."


Jashn e Khusrau

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Stanford's Özgen Felek investigates the power of dreams in Sufism

Through a study of dreams, Özgen Felek charts the ascendance of the 16th-century Ottoman ruler Sultan Murad III from humble disciple to spiritual and political leader.

BY KELSEY GEISER
The Humanities at Stanford

Every night when the 16th-century Ottoman ruler Sultan Murad III went to bed, he looked forward not just to rest, but also to the guidance he would find in his dreams. In the morning, Murad, the grandson of Suleiman the Magnificent, reported his dreams to his Sufi – a mystical Islamic master who interpreted and transcribed the signs and symbols to help the sultan make decisions about his empire and his personal progress.

One night while dreaming of a boy with "a bejeweled crown on his head," the sultan reported hearing a voice in his dream that said, "It is not a boy, it is the religion of Muhammad and the religion of Islam; it is the religion of Muhammad."

Hundreds of dream narrations like this were eventually compiled into a bound manuscript that established the ruler not only as a religious leader but also as an important authority figure.

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sufism
tasawwuf
sufi masters

The Breath of the Merciful

 

The Breath of the Merciful is understood as the cosmic dynamic that vitalizes the many in the One. It is the ever-present ‘Breathing’ that makes it possible for this infinite universe of duality to come into being while never being other than the nondual essence of the One. Seeing the nature of this dynamic gives us a chance to intuitively understand how there can simultaneously be the one indivisible essence of the Realand the endless proliferation of phenomena. This understanding, if it occurs, is not conceptual and is not simply a metaphysical nicety. ‘Getting’ the relation between the relative and the absolute is at the heart of all experiences of spiritual awakening.

This is a very interesting article about the Mysticism of Music that I invite you to read

The Open Path

 

A Quote by Ibn Arabi

All those among the Sufis who had no visible murshid (guide), that is, an earthly man like themselves and a contemporary, called themselves Uwaysis. One of the most famous was abu'l-Hasan Kharraqani (d. 425/1034), an Iranian Sufi, who left us the following saying: I am amazed at those disciples who declare that they require this or that master. You are perfectly well aware that I have never been taught by any man. God was my guide, though I have the greatest respect for all the masters.

Ibn al-'Arabi (1165 - 1240)

 

Say I Am With You

Sufi Soul: The Mystic Music of Islam

For hundreds of millions of Sufi followers worldwide, music is at the heart of their tradition and a way of getting closer to God. From the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey to the qawwali music of Pakistan, Sufism has produced some of the world�s most spectacular music celebrated by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Dalrymple�s film traces the shared roots of Christianity and Islam in the Middle East and discovers Sufism to be a peaceful, tolerant and pluralistic…

 

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17-24 April: 4th Festival of Sufi Culture in Morocco

The 4th Fez Festival of Sufi Culture will be held from 17 to 24 April in the palaces, riads and Andalusian gardens of the city of Fez around the theme "Mysticism and poetry”.
The festival will , according to the Association of Fes Festival of Sufi Culture, continue to show Morocco as the land of the ancient home of Sufism and promoter of dialogue among cultures, but also as a bridge between the East and the West, symbolized by the mediating role that Morocco has always played, especially in its modern history.
As in previous years, the festival offers a musical program blending various artistic creations of the Sufi world. It will celebrate the Shahi Qawwals of Ajmer Dargah Sharif, who come from India, and the troupe of Chinese music and Sufi songs "Maqamat", Mustafa Zaman Abbasi from Bangladesh, Hussain Al Aadhamy from Iraq, Syria Shaykh Habboush and Jalal Eddine Weiss of France. *
The festival will bring together the Moroccan artist Karima Skalli and the Haj Younis, who will pay tribute to Abu al-Hasan Ash Shusturi.
Other troops famous for Sufi music are also invited to animate the festival evenings. The sumptuous Batha Museum will house the night of Samaa Tariqa Boutchichiyya, Charqawiyya, Darqawiyya, Wazzania and Siqilliyya Khalwatiyya.
Other evenings will also be expected by enthusiasts of Sufi music, including a vigil Samaa Haj Mohammed Bennis and concert Briouel Mohamed, who is accompanied by "great voice" of Samaa Morocco.
At the intellectual level, debate will be animated by personalities from different cultures and religions, academicians, intellectuals, spiritual leaders, politicians, business leaders and actors of civil society, which will meet in the Forum 'Giving Soul to Globalization".
Several other conferences and forums are also in the program.

 

Source: moroccoboard.com

Sufism a panacea for all social evils

Sufism is a panacea for issues related to violence and hatred and an elixir for those who feel inclined to share and promote love, compassion and empathy among mankind for making this world a better place to live. It is the epitome of secularism and the basic premise of a pluralistic society.

These views were expressed by speakers during the valedictory function of a two-day national seminar on ‘Sufism and Sufi Literature’ that concluded at Punjabi University on Friday.

Syed Sarwar Chishti from Gaddi Nashin, Dargah Sharif in Ajmer and H K Dua, Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune were the guests of honour.

Talking of ‘Talibanisation of Islam’, Chishti said militants, who are bent upon destroying the pious fabric of the religion through their virulent and disruptive acts, were the outcome of false indoctrination coupled with ignorance.

“We have to remain vigilant and cautious against spilling over of extremism from across the border as these brutal forces won’t find scarcity of resources to help them in their dastardly mission,” Chishti said.

While assuring the Vice-Chancellor all support in establishing a Sufi Centre, he called upon the media to play a responsible role to help revive a peaceful and congenial atmosphere.

Dua, in his address, said that Sufism provides the most befitting answer to the theory of ‘Clash of Civilizations’.

Rating internal strives as more dangerous than external aggressions, Dua said that various existing denominations have no remedies but people do have. Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh reiterated that truthful living was the quintessence of Sufism.

Source: IndianExpress.com

Heart, self & soul: the Sufi psychology of growth, balance, and harmony

I. The Psychology of Heart, Self, and Soul
II. Opening Your Heart
III. Transforming Your Self
IV. Your Seven Souls
V. Harmonizing Your Seven Souls
VI. The Practices of Sufism: Psychospiritual Therapy
VII. Sheikh and Dervish: Spiritual Guidance in Sufism
VIII. Dropping the Veils

 

To read the review of this book, you can visit this page.

Book in Google Books

Kudsi Erguner on Ney and Sufism

Kudsi Erguner on Ney and Sufism

 

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)

 

Shah Shahidullah Faridi

 

 

 

 

Hazrat Shah Shahidullah Faridi (1915-1978) embraced Islam after reading "Kahful Mahjub" (The Unveiling of the Veiled), the classical treatise on Sufism written by the famous saint Hazrat Ali bin Uthman al Hujweri. Though having been born and raised in a wealthy English family he left his home in search of a Sufi shaikh. In India, he eventually met the Chishti Sabri shaikh, Syed Zauqi Shah and pledged allegiance to him. At forty years of age, the responsibilities of spiritual succession were entrusted to him. He lived in Karachi for about thirty years until he died on Ramdhan 17th in 1978. He was well-known among the local population as a dedicated servant to the common people, and he died in relative obscurity except in the Sufi community in Pakistan. His followers built a moseluem (mazar) to honor his burial site which is located at Sakhi Hassan in Karachi. The mazar area also has a mosque and a graveyard in the complex. His work has attracted the attention recently of another English Muslim convert, Timothy Winter, a.k.a. Abdal Hakim Murad. Hazrat Shahidullah was fluent in many languages and his discourses appealed to various ethnic groups across Pakistan. Though the number of his followers are in the few hundreds they come from all four provinces of Pakistan. His successor is Hazrat Siraj Ali who continues the Sabri Chisti lineage in Karachi.

His brother, who had also read Kashf'ul Mahjub and had accompanied him in his worldwide spiritual quest, also became a Muslim and followed Sufism. Shaykh Faridi's brother is buried within the famed Mausoleum of the Sufi Saint of Lahore, Pakistan - Ali Hajweri - known locally as Data Sahib or Data Ganj Baksh.

Shah Shahidullah Faridi was a renowned writer on spiritual matters, and was regarded as having great clarity and insight. One of his most famous books is Inner Aspects of Faith.

He also compiled Part Two of "Tarbiatul Ushaq" ("The Training of Divine Lovers"), Syed Mohammad Zauqi Shah, 1425/2004, pub. A.S.Nordeen, Kuala Lumpur, ISBN 983065185-1

Main source: A brief biography of his, published recently in Urdu called "Talash e Haqq rudad." by Ahmed Ghazali Shaheedi,printed by M. Naeem Hashmi, Saudabad Malir Colony Karachi

 

BOOKS

 

More information Here

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

Hazrat Sultan Bahu

A very good article about Hazrat Sultan Bahu, founder of The Sarwari Qadri Sufi Order

The aim of Sufis

 

 

Today, about 2.3% of the world's population describes itself as atheist.

 

The only way to create a better life is to constantly improving your relationship with God. In Islam the term Sufism means harmonizing relationship between human being and God.

Classical Sufi scholars have defined Sufism as "a science whose objective is the reparation of the heart and turning it away from all else but God."[4] Alternatively, in the words of the renowned Darqawi Sufi teacher Ahmad ibn Ajiba, "a science through which one can know how to travel into the presence of the Divine, purify one's inner self from filth, and beautify it with a variety of praiseworthy traits."[5]

Although gaining spiritual power are not the main goal for Sufism scholar most of them will get the ability to perform many types of mysticism when others striving in years of meditation. Some people are destined by God to see miracles in front of their eyes while others going in circle and at the end choose not to believe in any concept of mysticism.

From

Are Superhuman Capabilities Only Exist in Movies ?

The War That Wasn’t: The Sufi and the Sultan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) on Thursday launched Indian historian and scholar Dr Fatima Hussain’s book titled ‘‘The War That Wasn’t: The Sufi and the Sultan’.
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Education Assef Ahmed Ali was the chief guest during the book launching ceremony. Assef praised Dr Fatima for doing a wonderful job by writing a book on Sufism with a new approach.
He said the book would be of great significance during present times when fanaticism and extremism had become a challenge for Muslim society in the subcontinent. He said the book should be easily available across the country.
PAL Chairman Fakhar Zaman, who presided over the sitting, said Dr Fatima through her book had given people a new approach to look at the movement of Sufism in the subcontinent. He said the book would help promote spread the Sufis’ message of peace and brotherhood across borders.
Fakhar said the academy had planned to hold an international conference in the country on Sufism and peace in coming March. He said publication of Pakistani Sufi poets’ work and its translation in international languages was also on the cards.
Historian Dr Tariq Rehman said Dr Fatima’s main argument was that Sufis gave people the idea of moral government. He said sultan was one centre of power, while Sufi was another.
Prominent among those present on the occasion were noted scholar Khawaja Masud and Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) Vice Chancellor Mahmudul Hassan, who also appreciated Dr Fatima’s work.

Source: Daily Times

 

Glossary of Sufism 13 and 14:muhasaba wa' (and) l-musharata

 

 

 

 

 

Muhasaba wa'l-musharata المحاسبة والمشارطة

 

 

“Soul searching” (Muhasaba) consists in blaming oneself for the breathings (anfas) and wasted moments other than to obey God through different ways. It happens at the end of the day, like the coordination (musharata) takes time in the beginning of day, when one says to oneself: “Here is a new starting day which will be a witness against you; try then, Oh my soul, to fill every instant with what takes you closer to God; because, if you had died the day before, you would have been in need of the goodness that you would enjoy today.” It is this way that one addresses to the soul when the nights is gong to start and that is examined the moment when the night ends, this with tenacity until  the Divine presence settles steadily in it. Then, time will gather in the unique moment (yattahid al-waqt), which corresponds to the dip in the vision (shuhud), and there will not be examiner nor punisher. So, as long as the spiritual progression (al sayr) lasts, coordination comes first, soul searching comes last and the watchfulness -prudence (muraqaba) is done in permanence. Once the intention is attained, there is no more soul searching nor coordination.

Translated from Glossaire du Soufisme, by Iban Agibah, edited by A. Saleh Hamdan.

 

 

 

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

Old Manuscripts written in Arabic

Dozens of old manuscripts were threatened with extinction. Abandoned, dog-eared or severely damaged. Many of their owners could not even read them as they were written in Arabic, without any punctuation marks. The contents remained a mystery to the public. Thanks to Habib A. Syakur, people can now understand what is written in these precious manuscripts, which recount the teachings of Islam from the 17th to the 19th century. The 44-year-old resident of Bantul, Yogyakarta, patiently worked on the papers, read them carefully, translated, rewrote and printed them out for the public. “These fiqh, Islamic laws, are very important for the people, especially academics,” Syakur said. The old manuscripts belonged to individuals, who kept them in their own homes, considering the historical religious documents their heirlooms. “Not just anyone was allowed to look at the papers, let alone read them, because their owners believed they held mystic powers,” he said. Some documents were damaged as the owners could not look after them properly. Others were in good condition but their owners could not read the papers. Those who could read them did not think of informing the public about their content or preserve them. “If nothing was done about these old manuscripts, invaluable heritage would have disappeared. I took on the responsibility to rewrite and translate them,” Syakur said. “Since I was a kid, I have been used to reading Arabic books, which ignited my passion for old manuscripts.” But he realized his interest alone would not enable him to translate the papers. In order to really delve into the old manuscripts, after completing his Arabic language studies in Egypt, Syakur continued studying languages at a graduate level at the Sunan Kalijaga Islamic State University in Yogyakarta. With his mastery of Arabic and his love for old manuscripts, in 2007, Syakur started hunting these old religious documents individually kept and owned. He went to regions as far as Probolinggo and Ponorogo in East Java, and the centers of Islamic development in Central Java like Demak and Temanggung. Even though Syakur knew who kept old manuscripts, he had difficulties accessing the papers, given people’s possessiveness and reluctance to let the documents out of their sight. To obtain the manuscripts, including the one about Prophet Khidir he found in Temanggung, Central Java, Syakur approached people closely acquainted with the owners, and managed to collect about 30 manuscripts from their owners for free. “They only wanted to make sure that I did not lie about my intention to copy the contents,” he said. Then, after two years of hunting for old manuscripts, Syakur started translating them. Among them was Inayatul Muftaqir, an old book about Prophet Khidir. Many people have longed to read it because there is little information available about this charismatic yet mysterious prophet. Another manuscript touches upon Sufism and karomah received by the saints, titled Bughyatul Adzkiya. Syakur spends his spare time translating the manuscripts while lecturing at the Sunan Kalijaga Islamic State University. “I tend to work on translations for four to five hours a day on average,” said Syakur, who had four children with his wife Khuni Khumairoh. “I mostly do the translating after praying at dawn until I leave for work, and at night before going to bed.” When translating, not only does he read and rewrite the papers, but he also compares them with available reference books. “I often use other works to find the golden thread and clarify some of the mystifying writings contained in the manuscripts,” he said. The pleasure Syakur derives from doing these translations simply cannot be measured. He cited as an example the story of Prophet Khidir. It was widely known this prophet was related to Prophet Moses, while the old manuscripts said he was also related to Alexander the Great. He had to plough through countless reference books to interpret just one missing word from the damaged document. “When there are parts of text missing, the interpretation should come with notes, because we need to be intellectually responsible [about our interpretation of the texts],” he said. Some manuscripts do not seem to have authors, as they form part of the body of knowledge from Islamic teachers recorded by their faithful students. “Sometimes the students would forget to write on the cover, and went straight to the content.” Syakur knows many old manuscripts remain with their owners, and that it would be impossible for him to collect them all. So, he has called upon all individuals to hand them over to a foundation to prevent them from vanishing forever. Translations of old manuscripts can also be used to learn about how science developed. “By studying the manuscripts, we could study the science and technology that developed at that time,” Syakur said.

TheJakartaPost