Glad tidings to the one…

Abū Aḥmad Muḥammad bin Aḥmad told us that Aḥmad bin Mūsa al-cAdanī told us that Ismā’īl bin Sa’īd al-Kasā’ī said, “Kathīr bin Hāshim told us on the authority of Ja’far bin Burqān said, It was informed to us that Wahb bin Munnabih said,

“Glad tidings to the one who sees his own faults over others faults. And glad tidings to whosoever humbles himself to Allāh without any neediness. And may mercy be upon the people of humility and submissiveness. And those who give in charity from wealth that is not gathered in disobedience (i.e. ḥarām means of earning). And the one who keeps in company of the people of knowledge and perseverance and wisdom. And who held fast to Sunnaħ and did not transgress it by innovation (bid’aħ)

[Ḥilyaħ al-Awliyā’ 3/602]

When He gives, He shows you His kindness

When He gives, He shows you His kindness; when He deprives, He shows you His power. And in all that, He is making Himself known to you and coming to you with His gentleness.
-Ibn Ata’Allah

The Qurân was sent down to be acted upon

The Quran.

It is reported from Al-Fudayl (b. ‘Ayyâd) that he said:

The Qurân was sent down to be acted upon but people have taken just reciting it as enough of a deed. He was asked, “How is it acted upon?” He replied, “They should treat as halâl what it makes halâl and treat as harâm what it makes harâm, they should take on its commandments and stay away from what it forbids, and they should stop to ponder its amazing knowledge and wisdom.”

Al-Khatîb, Iqtidâ` Al-‘Ilm Al-‘Amal no. 116

The Noble Emissaries (As-Safara Al-Keram)

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One of the ‘Abidât of Baghdad – Her name is unknown

Nûh al-Aswad narrates:

‘I saw a woman who would frequent the circles of Abû ‘Abdillah al-Burâthî and sit and listen to his words; she would never speak nor ask in regards to anything, so one day I asked her ‘May Allâh have mercy upon you! How is it that I never see you speaking nor asking any questions?’

She replied ‘To speak little is better than speaking more, except when it is regarding the Dhikr of Allâh for the silent one is more accepting of advice, and you will not receive advice except from somebody who advises himself’. ‘O my Brother! The key point is: if Allâh has ordained obedience for you then he has wished Mercy for you, and if you choose to follow the path of the Deniers, then when you find yourself in the groups of the losers tomorrow…do not blame except yourself!’”

Never be without remembrance of Him

Never be without remembrance of Him,
for His remembrance
gives strength and wings
to the bird of the Spirit.
If that objective of yours
is fully realized, that is
“Light upon Light”…

– Jelaluddin Rumi

The door of action

It is reported that Maruf al-Karkhi said:

When Allah chooses good for a person He opens the door to action for him, and closes the door to argumentation; and when Allah chooses evil for a person he opens the door of argumentation and closes the door to action.

The woman & the baby from ashaab al ukhdood

Dear sister, our role models come from the Qur’an. You may have heard the story of the boy and the king. When the entire village became Muslim by the death of that young boy, the king ordered that an enormous fire be kindled and all those who would not recant their religion be burned alive. A mu’minah, stood with her baby over the fire. She looked at her baby, and seeking her child’s weakness and innocence, she considered turning her back. The baby said to her, “What are you waiting for mother. Go forward, for you are on the truth!” She nodded. Then, with her baby in hand, she was pushed to her death.

وَمَا نَقَمُوا مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا أَن يُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ الْعَزِيزِ الْحَمِيدِ
الَّذِي لَهُ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاللَّهُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ

And they ill-treated them for no other reason than that they believed in Allah, exalted in power, worthy of all praise! / Him to Whom belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth! And Allah is witness to all things (Al-Buruj 85/8-9).