Bismi’Llāhi ir-Raḥmān ir-Raḥīm In the Name of God, the Universally Merciful, the Singularly Compassionate   Where humanity is concerned, the need for emphasizing ṣabr or patient perseverance cannot be exhausted. Life is like a contact sport. You are likely to get soiled by simply stepping onto the field of play. And you should expect to […]

Bismi’Llāhi ir-Raḥmān ir-Raḥīm In the Name of God, the Universally Merciful, the Singularly Compassionate   The Almighty ﷻ, Who is Just and Ever-Wise ﷻ, has equitably distributed ease and hardship among mankind. If it ever looks like someone has it easy, it is certain that they have difficulties that you do not have, the depth […]

Bismi’Llāhi ir-Raḥmān ir-Raḥīm In the Name of God, the Universally Merciful, the Singularly Compassionate   One of the oft repeated verses in the Holy Qur’ān is the Divine imperative to be mindful of Allāh ﷻ (taqwa’Allāh, i.e. God-conscious presence). It is so crucial that one can hardly read a page without coming across the reminder. […]

Bismi’Llāhi ir-Raḥmān ir-Raḥīm In the Name of God, the Universally Merciful, the Singularly Compassionate   Many of the faithful eagerly anticipate the holy month of Ramaḍān. When it arrives, they celebrate. When it ends, they grieve its departure. They wait another year in the hope that Allāh ﷻ will allow them to live and receive […]

Bismi’Llāhi ir-Raḥmān ir-Raḥīm In the Name of God, the Universally Merciful, the Singularly Compassionate   Given the sacredness of the month of Ramaḍān and the shift in routine that it entails, many have a desire to withdraw entirely from the world and focus on spiritual practice, even though believers are actually enjoined to continue their […]

Bismi’Llāhi ir-Raḥmān ir-Raḥīm In the Name of God, the Universally Merciful, the Singularly Compassionate   Concentration is an essential skill for spiritual practice. Concentration is all about being here, now. First, you must focus your attention so that your presence converges in your body (as opposed to being scattered and out of your body). Once […]

Bismi’Llāhi ir-Raḥmān ir-Raḥīm In the Name of God, the Universally Merciful, the Singularly Compassionate   We live in a time when so many of us have access to an abundant variety and quantity of food. Most have diets very different than those of their ancestors, who lived much simpler lives on all fronts, and in […]

Bismi’Llāhi ir-Raḥmān ir-Raḥīm In the Name of God, the Universally Merciful, the Singularly Compassionate   Shaykh Muzaffer Effendi (may Allāh ﷻ be pleased with him)—the late grand shaykh of the Khalwati-Jerrāhi Sufi Order based in Istanbul, Turkey—would often ask his community why they were not crying for Allāh ﷻ. He would then reprimand them (translated […]

Bismi’Llāhi ir-Rahmān ir-Rahīm In the Name of God, the Universally Merciful, the Singularly Compassionate   Human relationships are predominantly characterized by conditions. We are hardly capable of having unconditional relationships with others.  For so many, relationships are a means to some personal benefit. While there must invariably be some basis for a personal connection with […]

Bismi’Llāhi ir-Raḥmān ir-Raḥīm In the Name of God, the Universally Merciful, the Singularly Compassionate   When people think of fasting, detoxification is one of the first benefits that comes to mind. I have, however, frequently noticed that many have romantic notions about what this ultimately entails. Detoxification is popular because it sounds like a great […]