DON’T BE SAD –By Uzma Jones

The Tajalli Of Friday We have reached Friday today. Allahu Allah Allahu Rabbi ma li siwahu illa Hu. Let’s say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. How beautiful. O lovers of Shah Mardan. How beautiful they are speaking. O lovers of Shah Mardan. May we get relief, ya Mawla. Our Ummuhan Sultan, may we be relieved and opened. May we not be sad. May we be happy on this holy Friday. May we be relieved, my son. Allahu Allah. Allahu Allah. Allahu Rabbi ma li siwahu. Our Lord. Let’s say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. O lovers of Shah Mardan. Let’s say La ilaha illAllah. La ilaha illAllah. La ilaha illAllah. Allah is the Possessor of earths and heavens. May we open. May we open, my son. May we open. Our Lord. It is a new favour of our Lord. Today came with new manifestations to His Beloved from our Lord. It will open. It will open. May it open. Let’s say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. May our souls open. There’s no one who recites Bismillah whose soul doesn’t open. Let’s say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. How beautiful. How beautiful is a pure Name of Janab-ul Mawla, His Pure Name. Let’s say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim so that our souls open. May they not be closed. May our souls not be destroyed. Our Lord. A Beautiful Name of our Lord – Let’s say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. There can’t be anyone who recites Bismillah Sharif and is sad, my son. It will open. May love of the Beloved of our Lord be given to our hearts. We ask for it. Allah Jalla Jalaluhu loved His Beloved. May we love him too. We love him too. We are full with love of His Habib (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam). O lovers of Shah Mardan, don’t be sad. Don’t be sad. Don’t be upset. Say, O lovers of Shah Mardan, so that our souls are pleased, an Honored Name of our Lord – Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. Bismillah Sharif. How beautiful, O my son Mehmed Efendi. Our Lord has favoured us with His Great Name, my son. He said: “Say, O My servants, Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. Say it and you won’t be closed. You won’t fade. You won’t be destroyed. You will open. You will be happy”. O our Lord. O our Lord, our Subhan, our Sultan. Let’s say Hu. Let’s say Hu. Who says Hu won’t be sad. Allah. Who says Hu won’t be sad, my son. Who says Hu is happy. Who says Hu is relieved, his soul and eyes are open. Our Lord who opens months and days. Our Allah who created earth and heavens. Hu Hu Hu. May they be happy. May our souls be relieved. There’s no one who says Bismillahi r -Rahmani r-Rahim and his soul remains troubled, my son. Allahu Akbar. Allahu Akbar. Our Lord who created earths and heavens, Who remembers Your Great Name cannot be sad. “Say, O My servants, Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim.” Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim is a pole from earths to heavens. Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. May we have this pole too, O our Lord. May favours and kindness reach us from our Lord. Let us ask from our Lord. Let’s say our first word, Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. How beautiful. Permission is given to us. Permission is given. Let’s say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. Permission is given. What a beautiful permission. Let’s say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. May our souls open. May they be happy. Darkness leaves our hearts. Darkness goes away.

Light from the light of heavens comes down to our souls. Ask for light, O lovers. O lovers, ask for light. Not fire. Let’s ask for light. Even if we’re on an imitated way, let’s say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. O lovers of Shah Mardan, Say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. Ja’aka fat’hul mubeen. Allah Allah. Ja’aka fat’hul mubeen. A clear opening will reach you, my son. Say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. It is a pole of light from earth to heavens. Who says Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim every day, his soul is filled with its light. It is filled with light. Our Mawla won’t leave us without light. Hasha. Hasha. Let’s say Allah Hu. Let’s say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. Say day and night Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. Say day and night Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. May our souls and eyes be full. May we be full with light. O son of Adam, O son of Adam, strive. May your soul be filled with light. Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. May our souls and eyes be filled with light. We ask to be filled. We ask for light. We ask for light. Light. Light that comes down from heavens. May we be filled with light from inside and outside by remembering the Beautiful Name of our Lord, by remembering the Beautiful Name of His Beloved. We ask for light. We ask for light, my son. May Allah give light to you and us. May we stay in light. Light, light. Light comes down from heavens to earth for them. We’ll be filled with light from inside and outside, my daughter. It’ll be filled with light. Allah doesn’t deprive His servant from that light. Let’s say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. Say, O lovers of Shah Mardan. Let’s say Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. May we get strength. May we get strength. May we get honor. May our endurance increase. May our servanthood to our Lord increase. He is our Lord. May we not be weak. Don’t deprive us from the honor of Bismillah Sharif, ya Rabbi. Give us from its strength, ya Rabbi. May we remember You with its strength, ya Rabbi. Allahu Allah. Allahu Rabbi. Allahu Allahu Allahu ma li siwahu. Fatiha. It is the day of Friday, the manifestation of Friday is different. Its strength is different. Its light is different. O our Lord. Give us permission to recite Your Beautiful Name, my Allah. May we say Allahu Allahu Allahu Haqq. We won’t be sad. We won’t be sad by remembering the name of our Lord. Today is Friday. It is Sayyid-ul Ayyam – the lord of days. Our Mawla gives His favours more on this day. May our spirits be loaded with faith. May our honor be loaded with honor from the honor of His Beloved (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam). Amin. Amin. Amin. Al-hamdu Lillahi Rabbil Alameen.

Be With Trustworthy Ones

As-salamu alaikum Madad ya RasuluLlah madad ya Sahibu z-zaman madad ya mashaykhina fit-tariqati n-Naqshbandiyatil-Aliyya. Madad ya Mawlana Sh Abdullah Faizi d-Daghistani, madad ya Mawlana Sh Muhammad Nazim al-Haqqani, dastur, dastur. Audhu biLlahi minash-shaytanir-rajim Bismillahir-

Rahmanir-Rahim Tariqatuna s-sohbah wa l-khayru fi jam’iyyah. As-salatu wa s-salamu alaika ya RasuluLlah, as-salatu wa s-salamu alaika ya HabibuLlah, as-salatu wa s-salamu alaika ya Sayyidu l-awwalin wa l-akhirin. Al-hamdu liLlah. Al-hamdu liLlahi alladhi hadana lihadha wa ma kunna linahtadiya lawla an hadana Llah. Al-hamdu liLlahi lladhi la yahmud ala makruh as-suwah. Qala Allahu Ta’ala fi Kitabihil Karim, Audhu biLlahi min ash-shaytani r-rajim. Bismillahi r-Rahmani r-Rahim. “Ya ayyuha lladhina amanu ttaqu Allaha wa kunu ma’a s-sadiqin.”(9:119) This is our first sohbat after Sheikh Effendi. InshaAllah Sheikh Effendi’s himmat (spiritual power) is always with us. By his order, by his instruction, may Allah is pleased with everyone, without any objection, we have taken over this maqam – we have been obliged to. This is our Prophet’s way. It is not personal, it is not for persons. The holy verse says, “Fear/beware of Allah”, Watch and respect the orders of Allah. Try to feel that Allah is with you always and ‘Be with the trustworthy ones (as-sadiqin)’ This way is the way of trustworthy ones, the way of Allah. The trustworthy ones come to this way. Untrustworthy ones don’t like such things, they go to other ways. There are a thousand ways, but the Way of Allah is only one. All the holy awliyas, and also firstly our Prophet, sallAllahu alaihi wa s-sallam, described the way of Allah. When ‘tariqat’ is said, tariqat means ‘the way’. They (awliya) showed the true way to Allah; the way of trustworthy ones. This is Allah’s order. “Kunu” means, He is ordering to ‘Be with the Trustworthy ones.’ What we are saying is that there are not thousand but there are a hundred thousand or a million ways, satan’s ways. In order to make you go astray, there are many cheats and tricks. That is why our Sheikh Effendi’s order is Allah’s order, Prophet’s order, their order, and Sheikh Effendi’s order, that he follows – “Do not go off the way.” “Be on the right path with the trustworthy ones.” Don’t let satan whisper evil thoughts (waswasa) to you. “I wonder what?” There are some things – Even when you know the truth, satan whispers to you its evil thoughts, and you begin to doubt if it is true or not. No! You are on Allah’s Way, you are on Sheikh Effendi’s way. With their help and blessings, this way will spread even more, many more people will accept Islam; they will not surrender to satan. Satan will be defeated because Allah is not with satan, Allah is with us. Allah is with the ones who keep His Orders. This is our first sohbat. It is short but pay attention to it. Our Sheikh’s maqams (stations) are very high, and will continue to rise until doomsday, even higher. Each person entering this tariqat, and when people hear his words/sohbats our Sheikh Effendi’s maqam is rising, his name is more exalted in Allah’s Diwan (Court). His maqam is already very high, but Allah’s bestowals are endless, Allah’s bestowals never finish. Allah – just as people like to give beautiful things to the ones they love, Allah ‘Azza wa Jalla is granting non-stop blessings and nur/light on our Sheikh. And by the Will of Allah, people who visit his grave that nur/light descends on them also. For everyone visiting and praying for Mawlana, Allah ‘Azza wa Jalla is bestowing on them, ten times, hundred times more of their prayers. May we all continue on this beautiful way, InshaAllah! Sheikh Effendi’s power was very big. He used to overlook faults, he used to forgive. This is why people (his people) are loose/slack a little. May we all behave more seriously, more firmly from now on. Our power is little. For this

reason, may all followers strive more and display more himmat (spiritual striving) that, as much himmat as they can summon Allah will send that much more of His blessings upon them – Allah will help them. Our way is not difficult by the Will of Allah. It is a beautiful way. This way is the way of lovers – The love of Allah not the love of dunya/world, not the love for a woman or for wealth. The love of Allah, that is and He is the Never-ending One. We have seen many lovers, loving a woman but in a few years’ time they fell to quarreling, fighting, showing unpleasant behavior (to each other). That is temporary love. Eternal love, never-ending love is the Love of Allah, the love of the Prophet, the love of awliya. We are on this way InshaAllah! This is the first sohbah after Mawlana. But he is here also, just he is more powerful now. This is the Way of Allah, Rasulullah – The best way. There is millions of ways, but not straight. The way of Allah is only one. If you go little bit away you go in danger. But as we said there is million, billion ways, roads that are going to bad places, shaytan’s road. But one road, Islam. “Tariqat” – meaning ‘way’, ‘road’. So Mawlana he is showing this way. And he attends with us here. We read first this ayat/verse – “O believers beware of Allah.” (9:119) Because Allah is with you. If you are not feeling this you cannot be afraid of Allah, or you will do anything you can do. “And be with true people (the Trustworthy).” (9:119) – who speak truth with everything. Awliya’ Allah, sincere. Sorry my English is very weak. But just to make connection a little bit. The first order is this: “Beware of Allah and be with sincere people.” (9:119) Don’t go with bad people. With who is not… They say something after they are not (doing). You cannot believe them. No! You must be with ones who when they say something they say truth. Trustworthy! And you be with them. This is the order of Allah. And to follow the order of Allah it is obligatory, fard. “Sumu” – meaning you must fast – this is an order also. Pray is an order. Be with trustworthy people – it is an order also. So this is the first order today coming insha’Allah, express from Mawlana – To be with trustworthy people. And don’t be with people who want to cheat people. Mawlana, he said something and alhamduliLlah we are all together. This is big ni’ma, big favor, not to be separated. And today it is from his karama, his power. Because Allah He is giving Awliya’ Allah power more and more. Everyday he (Mawlana) is getting higher and higher. Allah Is Generous, and they are beloved. Beloved persons, servants of Allah. And if you like somebody, everyday you give him something also. The most Generous Allah (awj) – everyday He is making more and more and more. And who is coming to visit him (Mawlana) or making from (far) away also his baya’ and his tawassul (connection to) from Mawlana – he gets his reward and gets Mawlana higher stations also. For each people, insha’Allah I think from his baraka he will be this Tariqat Naqshbandiya – Tariqat – way of Allah, Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) and ahl as-sunnah wal jamaa’ - will be increased more. I think 1000 times more. Maybe 10.000 times more against who is not respecting the Prophet (saws) and Allah (awj) – because if you are not respecting the Prophet and Awliya you are not respecting Allah. This is who is a liar. Who is liar, who is not believing, who is not respecting Awliya’ Allah and not respecting the Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam). Allah make us in this way without going out. It is from first sohbah, Alhamdulillah alladhi hadana li hadha. Allah He bring us to this way. We cannot

do without His Will. Insha’Allah His Will after this, from baraka of Mawlana and all Mashayikh al ‘izam/great Shaykhs and Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam), to be more strong. To show Ummat Muhammad (saws) (the Nation) the right way. Not leave (let) these shaytan people to destroy our children, our families with bad things. It is real – from not the right way, these people. Wa Min Allahi t-Tawfiq. Al Fatiha.

DATING VS. NIKAH

Islam has made permissible nikah (Marriage) and has forbidden all other sorts of relationships. If you have a relationship that is outside marriage we would encourage you to turn it into a halal one in a simple, pain free process which takes no more than a few moments. Ingredients for a halal relationship: 1) A proposal 2) An acceptance 3) 2 witnesses (friends or family) Either two male witnesses or one male and two female witnesses Done. Now tell me.. how difficult is this?? It's more or less the same as dating... Except the proposal is for marriage and not for dinner. So in conclusion, stick to nikah.

What is Sufism? Sufism is a knowledge through which one knows the states of the human soul, praiseworthy or blam eworthy, how to purify it from the blameworthy and ennoble it by acquiring the praiseworthy, and to journey and proceed to Allah Most High, fleeing unto Him. Its fruits are the heart’s development, knowledge of God through direct experience and ecstasy, salvation in the next world, triumph through gaining Allah’s pleasure, the attainment of eternal happiness, and illuminating and purifying the heart so that noble matters disclose themselves, extraordinary states are revealed, and one perceives what the insight of others is blind to

-- Muhammad Amin Kurdi

The way of Sufism is based on five principles: having godfearingness privately and publicly, living according to the sunna in word and deed, indifference to whether others accept or reject one, satisfaction with Allah Most High in dearth and plenty, and returning to Allah in happiness or affliction. The principles of treating the illnesses of the should are also five: lightening the stomach by diminishing one’s food and drink, taking refuge in Allah Most High from the unforeseen when it befalls, shunning situations involving what one fears to fall victim to, continually asking for Allah’s forgiveness and His blessings upon the Prophet

(Allah bless him and give him peace) night and day with full presence of mind, and keeping the company of him who guides one to Allah

-- Imam Nawawi

Aspects of Sufism, defined, delineated, and explained, amount to nearly two thousand, all of them reducible to sincerity in turning to Allah Most High, something of which they are only facets, and Allah knows best. The necessary condition of sincerity of approach is that it be what the Truth Most High accepts, and by the means He accepts. Now something lacking its necessary condition cannot exists, “And He does not accept unbelief for His servants” (Koran 39:7), so one must realize true faith (iman), “and if you show gratitude, He will accept it of you” (Koran 39:7), which entails applying Islam. So there is no Sufism except through comprehension of Sacred Law, for the outward rules of Allah Most High are not known save through it, and there is no comprehension of Sacred Law without Sufism, for works are nothing without sincerity of approach.

-- Ahmad Zarruq

PERHAPS the best description of the path of Sufism, certainly one of the most frequently cited among its scholars, is the hadith of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace):

Allah Most High says:

“Whomever is hostile to a friend of Mine I declare war against. My slave approaches Me with nothing more beloved to Me than what I have made obligatory upon him, and My slave keeps drawing nearer to Me with voluntary works until I love him. And when I love him, I am his hearing with which he hears, his sight with which he sees, his hand with which he seizes, and his foot with which he walks. If he asks Me, I will surely give to him, and if he seeks refuge in Me, I will surely protect him. I do not hesitate from anything I shall do more than My hesitation to take the soul of the believer who dislikes death; for I dislike displeasing him” (Bukhari, 8.131: 6502. S).

This hadith describes the means to the change that is central to spiritual realization, in conformity with the teaching of the sheikhs of the path who define a Sufi as “a scholar of religious learning (faqih) who practiced what he knew, so Allah bequeathed him knowledge of what he did not know.” While people differ in their capacity both to learn the religion and to attain the consummate awareness of tawhid or ‘divine unity’ expressed in the above hadith, everyone who travels the Shadhili path (tariqa) must know the works needed to “practice what one knows.” If one is great in them, one will be great in spiritual attainment, and if one is weak in them, one will be weak in spiritual attainment, unable to pass from transitory experiences (ahwal) to permanent realization (tahqiq). There are several branches of knowledge or sciences in Islam. All of which have been derived from the

Quran, Hadith and Sunnah. Some of these branches of science include Science of Fiqh, Science of Hadith, Science of Tafseer, Science of Tajweed etc

Sufism, also known as Tasawwuf, is also a science in Islam and one who seeks to acquire this knowledge is called a Salik, Mureed, Disciple. We will often use the word "Mureed" on our site.

Sufism is a spiritual path in Islam which one travels in order to recognise and attain closeness to Allah (swt). Commonly known as Marifut and Qurb of Allah (swt). Treading this path develops the spiritual faculties of man for realisation of Divine Realities, the truth. Ultimately, one becomes a Friend of Allah (swt).

To fulfill this objective one begins by taking Bai'ah meaning "Oath of Alleginace" from one who has already travelled this path i.e a Friend of Allah (swt). They are also known by titles such as Murshid, Pir, Sheikh, Sufi Master, Saint, Sage etc .We will often use "Sheikh" or "Hadhrat" on our site.

After taking the oath of alleigance, in the hands of a Sheikh, there are many variations as to how the Sheikh will guide his Mureed to Allah (swt). These varying methods are known as Tariqahs or Sufi Orders.

The following four principles, however, are emphasised and form the basis of all legitimate tariqahs:

1. Full adherence to Shariah: The Islamic Law 2. Observance of all Sunnah. 3. Remembrance of Allah (swt). 4. Code of Love & Discipline The following diagram illustrates the science of Sufism in a nutshell:

IN A NUTSHELL:

Sufism is confined within the boundary of Shariah, Islamic Law. This has ten stations. The path towards Allah (swt) is called Tariqah. This also has Ten Stations. The speed at which one travels the path of tariqat which results in purification of the heart is based on one's commitment & adherence

to i) Following the Sunnah fervently ii) Performing Zikr & Meditation regularly iii) Sitting in the company of one's Sheikh often.

When one has been purified from all spiritual and character blemishes one will have arrived at Haqiqat. Haqiqat also has ten stations. Once this has been gained true, sincere and complete love of Allah (swt) & His Rasul (saw) will be realised and one will have been blessed with the Qurb (nearness) and Marifat (recognition) of Allah (swt). You will understand you have gained Marifat because it also has ten stations. At this point you will have fulfilled your purpose of life!

This site has been configured to introduce you to the theoretical and practical aspects of Sufism & to ecourage you to take a step in this direction. Please use the menu on the left to learn more about all the various stations & aspects of Sufism. We have also provided the "Mureed Handbook", "The Shariah" and "The Blessed Sunnah" for existing Mureeds who need help in progressing towards Allah (swt). The principles of Zikr To understand & guage the importance of the remembrance of Allah (swt) we

will list seven advantages of engaging in zikr against seven dis-advantages of not performing zikr and our conclusion will be based upon the logical

comparison.of the two.

ADVANTAGES

1.Remember Allah abundantly, in order that you become

successful" Quran (Surah 8: Verse 45) 2."Only in the remembrance of Allah (swt) will your heart find peace" Quran (Surah 13: Verse 28) 3."Those men and women who engage much in Allah's praise. for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a Great Reward" Quran (Surah 33: Verse 35)

4."When any group of men remember Allah, angels surround them and mercy covers them, tranquility descends upon them, and Allah mentions them to those who are with Him." (Muslim) 5."They are the most wise who remember Allah, standing sitting and lying down" Quran (Surah 4: Verse 190)

6."Their skins and their hearts soften to the remembrance of Allah" Quran (Surah 39: Verse 23)

7."The rememebrence of Allah (swt) is the greatest (deed)" Quran (Surah 29: Verse 45)

DISADVANTAGES

1"Believers, do not let either your possessions or your children divert you from the Remembrance of Allah. Those who do that shall be the losers". Quran (Surah 63: Verse 9)

2."Whosoever turns away from My remembrance, his life will be made tight and narrow on the Day of Resurrection We shall raise him blind" Quran (Surah 20: Verse 124) 3."Whosoever turns away from the Remembrance of Allah, He will hurl him into a stern punishment". Quran (Surah 72: Verse 17)

4."Satan has mastered them and caused them to forget the Remembrance of Allah. Those are satan's party; and satan's party shall assuredly be the losers"

Quran (Surah 58: Verse 19) 5.Those who are admitted into paradise will not remorse over anything of this world, except over the times in which the zikr of Allah was not utilised" (Bukhari) 6."Woe to those whose hearts have hardened against the Remembrance of Allah! Those are in clear error". Quran (Surah 39: Verse 22) 7."Whosoever blinds himself from the Remembrance of the Merciful, We shall assign for him a evil satan who will be his (ever misleading) companion" Quran (Surah 43: Verse 36)

Conclusion: Those who perform Zikr are Wise and are promised Success,

Peace, Happiness, Mercy, Forgiveness and Great Rewards in this life and the next. All of which are valued as being positive important factors in one's

religious and worldly life. Whilst those who do not engage in Zikr are classed as being heard hearted losers who are clearly in the error and in the

group of Satan... and as such, they will be made to live a tight and narrow life, full of misery and woe, punished in this life as well as being risen blind in the next and who will be remorseful of all the time not spent in the Remembrance

of Allah (swt). So excatly how important is zikr? Basically put, for a Muslim,

zikr is a matter of life and death:

"The likeness of the one who Remembers his Lord and the one who does not Remember Him is like that between the living and the dead" (Bukhari).

TYPES OF ZIKR

There are three types of Zikr: 1. Practical 2. Verbal 3. Silent 1. Practical Practical Zikr, also known as "Zikr-e-Faily", is performed with one's obedient actions. It comprises of obedience to: i) The commandments of Allah (swt) i.e. Prayer, Fasting, Hajj, umrah, Zakaat, charity etc ii) The Sunnah of our Holy Prophet (saw) i.e. eating, drinking, sleeping, walking, talking, dressing etc. 2. Verbal Verbal Zikr, also known as "Zikr-e-Lisani", is observed with one's tongue. It comprises of: i) Loud zikr; i.e. Azan, Takbir, Collective zikr etc ii) Low tone zikr, i.e. Tasbihat, masnoon duas etc 3. Silent Silent Zikr, also known as "Qalbi Zikr", "Zikr-e-Khafi" and "Daimi Zikr" is performed within one self.. There are many stages to silent zikr. The first and foremost of which is Qalbi Zikr: Remembrance of Allah (swt) from within the heart. Most, if not all, of us are familiar with both practical and verbal forms of zikr and we'll have at some point practised them within our life. Silent zikr, on the other hand, is less well known. This is because this form of zikr is practised and taught only by the Friends of Allah (swt).

Types of Zikr & Sufi Orders The path towards reaching Allah (swt) comprises of the following four elements:

1. Full adherence to Shariah: The Islamic Law 2. 2. 3. Observance of all Sunnah. 3. Remembrance

of Allah

4. (swt): Zikr 4. Code of Love & Discipline It is because there are many types of Zikr, that there are many paths towards Allah (swt). These paths, known as Sufi Orders, vary primarily on the type of Zikr chosen to lead the mureed to Allah (swt). From the four famous sufi orders, Qadiri, Chisti & Soharwardi all start the mureed off with verbal zikr later moving onto Qalbi Zikr. The Naqshbandi order, however, begins by taking the mureed directly on Qalbi Zikr.

Figure 1.1, below, is a graphical representation of the table above. The log graph shows the lifetime obligation values on the vertical Y axis against the five pillars respectively on the horizontal X axis.

Fig 1.1

As you can evidently see there is a trend in the graph which suggests a proportional increase in obligation moving from one pillar to the next. If we were to complete the graph, proportionally, to include the value for the Kalimah, we would have a graph similar to Fig 1.2.

Fig 1.2

The lifetime obligation value for the Kalimah, which we can deduce from the graph, is approximately TEN MILLION! This value is 100 times larger than the value for Salaat, which is roughly 100,000. The following Qur'anic ayah then makes perfect sense! Allah (swt) says in the Quran:

"The remembrance of Allah is the greatest" (Surah

29: Verse 45)

We can now, therefore, conclude that the zikr of Allah is to be done over 100 times more often than we offer our prayers. Sound ridiculous? Allah (swt) says in the Holy Qur'an:

"When ye have offered your (Congregational)

prayers, do the Zikr of Allah, standing, sitting & lying down on your sides" Qur'an (Surah 4:

Verse 103)

Since a person spends his entire life circulating between these three positions i.e standing, sitting & lying down, we can deduce that we have been requested to engage in the Zikr of Allah constantly in between our Salaats. So it is not surprising that the value for the Kalimah, which is a form of zikr, would far exceed that for Salaat. This almost sounds like one is to be in continuous zikr throughout one's life doesn't it? Now why would Allah (swt) ask this from us? Surely this is

something which is impossible & impracticable? Not so! The Friends of Allah Wali, plural awliya, is an arabic word meaning friend. Awliya Allah, therefore, means Friends of Allah (swt). Reference to the Friends of Allah (swt) is found in the Quran, Hadith Qudsi & Narrations of our Holy Prophet (saw). We would, firstly, like to bring you to the attention of the following authentic hadith which has been narrated in Abu Daud that Our Holy Prophet (saw) said:

‘O people! Listen, understand and know it well. Allah has servants who are neither Prophets nor

martyrs and whom the Prophets and martyrs yearn to be like, due to their seat and proximity in relation

to Allah....

Our Holy Prophet (saw) then described these people and then read the following Ayah in which Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an:

"Behold! Verily on the Friends of Allah there is no fear nor shall they grieve" Quran (Surah10:

Verse 62)

Abu Huraira (r.a) also reports a Hadith Qudsi in which our Holy Prophet (saw) informs us that Allah (swt) said:

'Whosoever acts with enmity towards a Friend of Mine, I will indeed declare war against

him" [Hadith Qudsi: Bukhari]

We can therefore clearly conclude that the Friends of Allah (swt) are envied by, but are neither, Prophets or martyrs, who have no fear or grief and are loved & protected by Allah (swt). In the sub menus to this topic we aim to describe their characteristics & purpose and provide you with enough information for you to be able to recognise a Friend of Allah (swt), visit him with correct discipline & understand some of the countless blessings entrusted to them. Who knows, maybe one day, InshAllah, you too will have a desire to strive and become a Friend of Allah (swt)

Oath of Allegiance -

Bai'at literally means "to promise" and derives from the root word meaning "to sell". In English the term Bai'at is often translated as "Oath of Allegiance" or "Pledge". Taking Bai'at is Sunnah as our Holy Prophet (saw) took Bai'at from the Sahaba on many occasions. In one narration our Holy Prophet (saw) said:

'Will you not make bai’at to the Rasul of Allah?' We stretched our hands and enquired: On what shall we make Bai’at to you, O Rasul of Allah? He (saw) said.

'That you make the Ibaadat of Allah,- that you associate nothing with Him,- that you perform the five Salaat; that you hear and obey." (Muslim, Abu

Daawood, Nisaai)

In the Qur'an, Allah (swt) says about Bai'at:

"Verily, those who Swear Allegiance unto thee, O Muhammad (saw), in truth Swear Allegiance to

Allah: The Hand of Allah is over their hands: then any one who violates his oath, does so to the harm

of his own soul, and any one who fulfils what he has covenanted with Allah,- Allah will soon grant him a great Reward." Qur'an (Surah 48: Verse 10)

After the demise of the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) this Sunnah was assumed and practised by many elite Sahabah, on the authority of our Holy Prophet (saw). These eminent Sahabah included Hadhrat Abu-bakr Siddiq (ra) & Hadhrat Ali (r.a) and before they departed they also nominated their successful students to carry on this Sunnah. Thus this tradition has been passed down from one generation to the next through an authentic chain of Friends of Allah (swt)..This chain is known as a Silsilah and these vary according to the Sufi Order. To enter a Sufi order one must do Bai'at to a Kamil Sheikh. There are two types of Bai'ah that one can perform: Bai'ah al Barakah: This is where one initiates oneself into a spiritual order merely for the blessings of being part of the spiritual order of which has a direct link with the Holy Prophet (sallalahu alaihi wasallam) without a break in sequence. This Bai'ah is beneficial and brings one in the bank of those who have a link with the beloved ones of Allah. Bai'ah al Iradah / Bai'ah al

Salikeen: This is where one "sells" one's self and surrenders completely to to the Friend of Allah (swt). Similar to how the corpse is left in the hands of the ghassal' (washer). This Bai'ah leads one to receive both deen and dunya Spiritual Faiz. It is this very type of Bai'ah that was undertaken by the Sahaba upon the hands of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and is also injuctioned in the Quran as it leads one to Allah (swt):

"O you who believe, fear Allah and seek a means of approach unto him, and strive in His path so that you may attain success" Qur'an (Surah 4: Verse 38)

A Disciple's Guide -

One who seeks to acquire the love of Allah (swt), and has joined a sufi order, is called a mureed, sufi, saalik, disciple or spiritual seeker. We will use the word "mureed" on our site. This website was developed to help Muslims, especially our mureeds, learn both the theoretical and practical aspects of Sufism. As a general rule there are FOUR areas in which we expect our Mureeds to take firm steps to establish: 1) Fulfill all duties outlined in Sharia; Salaat; Zakaat; Hajj etc 2) Practise the Sunnah of our Holy Prophet (saw) 3) Love & Hold Reverence for one's Sheikh 4) Perform Zikr as directed by one's Sheikh The first two have been covered in Shairah: Islamic Law & The Blessed Sunnah The lower two are specific to our Jamaat so we have included them within this

section called the Mureed handbook. Other mureeds may also find some of the information useful but is likely to benefit our Mureeds more as this section includes Shijra Sharif and Khatam Sharif which is unique to our Jamaat. THE 10 STATIONS OF SHARIAH The first enclosure a Mureed must enter is Shariat. Shariat, or Islamic law, is the centerpiece and backbone of Islam. It's principles are based on the Qur’an & Sunnah. Shariat comprises of 10 stations. These are as follows: First Station: Faith Believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, His Prophets & Messengers, the Day of Judgement and that fate, good and bad, is destined and comes from Allah. Furthermore Faith (Iman) is accentuated by affirming belief in resurrection after death. To hold this belief with certainty is one of the imperatives of faith. Second Station: Salaat Offer the 5 times daily prayers on time with due care & attention to all its pre-requisites. Third Station: Zakah Pay the Zakah (poor due), which is obligatory on those who have adequate financial resources and material requisites. Fourth Station: Fasting Fast in the month of Ramadhan. Fifth Station: Hajj Perform Hajj i.e. Pilgrimage to Ka'ba (House of Allah) once in life time (subject to affordability) Sixth Station: Lawful Earnings Exert physical / mental effort to earn one’s lawful livelihood and sustenance. Seventh Station: Abstinence from Sins & Unlawful Sustenance Abstain from committing

major sins, indulging in minor sins and from using Haram (Unlawfully earned) sustenance as these blacken the heart and harden it like a stone, rather even harder than that. Eighth Station: Observance of all Shariah Guidelines Observe all Shariah injunctions, thus showing obedience and submission to Divine Command and abstinence / continence with regard to forbidden things. One should be careful never to exceed the limits of Haram & Halal as laid down in the Shariah. Ninth Station: Recitation of the Holy Quran. Recite the Quran regularly and affirm the truth by translating its teachings into action and spirit. Tenth Station: Tabligh Enjoin the good and forbid the practise of evil deeds. THE 10 STATIONS OF TARIQAH Tariqat is the pathway to Allah. To travel on this path the successful Mureed is required to adorn and adopt certain qualities/stations. Tariqat also comprises of 10 stations. These are as follows: First Station: Repentance The first station is Tauba (repentance) which requires the seeker to keep turning to his Lord (Allah) for forgiveness of the sins and acts of transgression. Second Station: Virtue Next to Tauba are the acts of virtue and piety. The soul of which is good conduct and morality embracing all praise-worthy practices and attributes, because goodness of conduct and morality magnifies the virtues and good deeds. Third Station: Endearment Following virtue is Mujahida (endeavour), Taqwa (Fear of Allah) and Piety. These

are the traits which endear the devout Mureed to the holy Prophet (s.a.w). It is an established fact that the man who endeavoured and improved his standing with Allah and His Prophet (s.a.w) set himself on the path of righteousness. He who failed, in this respect, remained roaming in the wilderness of despair without vision and hope. Fourth Station: Fear & Hope Apprehensiveness and optimism generate fear and hope. Fear and hope are interconnected and together they protect the seeker from despair of Allah's Mercy and resolve against falling indifferent to the fear of Allah. Fifth Station: Renunciation of Sensual Desire Renounce and abandon all sensual desires stemming from sexual urges, longings and cravings of mundane nature. The pursuit of these blackens and hardens the heart. Sixth Station: Safeguard Abstain from using anything that causes you doubts and suspicions. These include food, clothing and wealth in which the line of distinction with regard to Halal and Haram cannot be drawn. Regarding this, a serious, strict and scrupulous stance should be taken to avoid every thing doubtful. Seventh Station: Dedication To devote, meditate and supplicate before almighty Allah with tearful eyes. Turning to Him in repentance and asking for His forgiveness of all sins with humility, submissiveness and self-negation. This should entail sincerity of heart and earnest desire for seeking shelter in Allah from the sinister designs and manoeuvrings of Shaitan (Satan). Eighth Station: Appeasement Win the pleasure and satisfaction of your Murshid in every matter. This state, of Murshid's satisfaction

and pleasure, can be achieved by virtue of obeying him in word and deed without wavering of mind or sceptism. Ninth Station: Pleasant Focus Give patient ear for listening to the sermon delivered by one's Murshid. Aiming thereby to act upon the advice administered. When the Mureed goes out for this purpose, it is important to exercise the utmost courtesy, cheerfulness, amiability, politeness and chastity. Tenth Station: Reliance Forsake every thing save Allah Almighty. This state calls for the heart to completely disengage from all the reliance of creation because indulging in them harms the proximity and nearness to God and erects an impenetrable curtain before his eyes.

THE 10 Stations of Haqiqat -

Having travelled the path of Tariqat you will eventually arrive at the station of Haqiqat (Truth). The Station of Haqiqat also also has ten key stations. These are as follows:- First Station: Humbleness Humility, humbleness, modesty, meekness, self-effacement and self-negation are the attributes of the Mureed. One should prefer to keep concealed one's physical and spiritual strength from the public eye. Second Station: Belief One should not belittle or underestimate any of 72 sects or the individuals belonging to these sects but acknowledge that only one of them i.e. Ahle-Sunnah wal-Jamat is on the unerring path of righteousness. Only the one having this belief and conviction will succeed in getting near almighty Allah. Third Station: Contentment One should eat and drink

whatever is offered to him and not hanker after delicious, palatable and spicy dishes. It is better one content himself with the first served food. Fourth Station: Steadfastness One should exert and strive along the right path without ever deviating from that under any circumstance. One should extend help, succour and assistance to every one among the creatures of Allah without trying to harm any body. Fifth Station: Forgiveness One's heart should not harbour malice, grudge enmity and animosity against anyone. Rather he should return good for evil endured and try one's utmost to restore terms and links with whom one's relations have been severed or broken off in the past. It is all the more advisable that one should forgo claim of any compensation from the person who has done you wrong and damaged you financially or otherwise. Sixth Station: Graciousness One should not deal harshly or inhumanely with fellow Mureeds, indigent and poor people. On the contrary, one's attitude towards them should be characterised with love affection, kindness and sympathy. Seventh Station: Divine Pleasure One's every step along the path of righteousness and truth must be taken to win divine pleasure rather than trying to win the good will of all and sundry. One should eschew the evils of hypocrisy, pretence and dissimulation. Eighth Station: Trustworthiness One should conceal the secrets of his heart from the people by and large. If some confidential information about others is passed on to you, one should not divulge it to anyone. If you witness someone's sinful act, one

should take care that it is not disclosed. Ninth Station: Commitment One should keep oneself engaged in prayer, supplication and hymns in praise of Allah' scrupulously avoiding the mention of worldly matters in the divine remembrance, except that their mention may be for furthering the cause of religion and providing felicity to those, afflicted with hardships. Tenth Station: Advice & Knowledge One's looking askance ought to be for moralizing and administering some advice or admonition. One should also acquire knowledge that may be beneficial and useful as directed by the Holy Prophet (s.a.w).

THE 10 Stations of Marifat -

After Haqiqat, Ma'rifat (Stations of Marifat) is realised. This entails recognition of the being & attributes of Allah (swt). Ma'rifat is also recognised & consists of ten stations:- First Station: One should respect & rever all wise and sagacious men known as the Friends of Allah. Showing reverence will also fully make one well-versed in the mode of shariah. Second Station: One should bear all hardships and rigours with patience and constancy and have no grudge against one's prosecutors. One should try to alleviate others sufferings and forget & forgive the wrongs done to him by them and be not revengeful in the least. Third Station: One should try to extinguish the flames of iniquities and injustice, keeping distance from feuds and riots. One should be happy adopting the company of the

virtuous. Fourth Station: One should render service to the Murshid sincerely and selflessly. One should befriend those who are at his beck and call, always giving them good piece of advice and develop true friendship with them. Fifth Station: One should not waste even a single moment in negligence but remain engaged in worship and remembrance of Allah. One should be on the look out for His effulgence and splendour in everything of the universe. It behoves the worshipper to realize that he is seeing his Lord-Allah, and if he is not capable of that, Allah is seeing him definitely. Sixth Station: One should be generous and liberal according to his means and without giving himself preference over others. Seventh Station: One should be possessed of qualities of fortitude and forbearance; not be impatient when confronted with coercive and oppressive people. One Should be tolerant, forbearing, firm and stead fast in his dealings. Eight Station: One should wipe out the rust and black spots that collect in the heart by the luminosity of the remembrance of Allah. To this effect the Holy Prophet has stated:

"The people's hearts get rusty and blackened like the iron. So they should remove this rust through repeated divine remembrance." Ninth Station: One should constantly strive to get nearer and closer to Allah by all kinds and modes of worship and meditation. Tenth Station: One should look down upon oneself as the worst and meanest of the creatures and think others to be one's superiors. Oneshould be mindful of what

Allah has stated. "That is the grace of God which He bestows on whom He pleases and God is the Lord of grace abounding." (al-Hadid, 57:21)

The Shariah: Islamic Rule of Law -

Shariah, or Islamic law, is the centerpiece and backbone of Islam. It's principles are based on the Qur’an & Sunnah.

The rules of Islamic law provides all that which is necessary for a person's spiritual and physical well-being. As a Muslim one is obliged to follow the Shariah with great care. We have included the Shariah within our site to help our Disciples perform their obligatory duties with correct due care and attention.

Islamic law is divided into two main sections:

1.Acts of Worship and 2.Human Interaction

Acts of worship are:

Principle Beliefs Purification (Wudu) Fasting in Ramadhan (Sawm) Charity (Zakah) Pilgrimage (Hajj)

Human Interaction includes:

Financial transactions Endowments

Laws of Inheritance Marriage, Divorce, Death and Child Care Food and Drink Penal Punishment Warfare and Peace Judical Matters

Fiqh, literally understanding of details, expands on the basic principles set out in the Shariah. There are four schools of fiqh named after the exceptional scholars who derived the finer details, all of which conform with the Qur'an & Sunnah.

5. Hanafi : Named after Imam Abu Hanifa, 702-767 CE

6. Hanbali: Named after Imam Ahmed ibn Hanbal 778-855 CE

7. Maliki: Named after Imam Malik ibn Anas, 717-801 CE

8. Shafi: Named after Imam Muhammad Idris al-Shafi, 769-820 CE

It should be noted that Imam Malik, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi' and Imam ibn Hanbal all embraced Sufism, tasawwuf. It has been narrated from Imam Malik that:

"'He who practices sufism without learning the shariah corrupts his faith, while he who learns

Shariah without practicing sufism corrupts himself. Only he who combines the two reaches his goal."

FOLLOW ONE OF THE FOUR IMAMS

It is Wajib to follow ONE of the four Imams of fiqh. This is known as Taqleed Shakhshi. It should be noted that one cannot mix & match the various rules and should only follow the rulings of any one Imam.

Spiritual Energy of Islamic Prayers as a Catalyst for Psychotherapy

Islamic prayers can produce spiritual energy that may yield many

psychological benefits, such as amelioration of stress and

improvement in subjective well-being, interpersonal sensitivity, and

mastery. Islamic prayers can also be integrated into mainstream

therapeutic interventions with religious Muslim clients, and this

integration can mobilize, transform, and invigorate the process of

psychotherapy. Various methods can be used for the explicit

integration of Islamic prayers into traditional psychotherapy. Further,

there are strategies for avoiding potential pitfalls that may hamper

this process. Finally, study has illustrated this therapeutic integration

and its psychological benefits are proven to be experienced.