Salaams to All
Apologies for late start Thursday evening but because of rain many people were delayed but Alhamdulillah we were blessed with Zikr and lovely food afterwards.
Nice to meet brother Dawud who found us through Google, we hope you benefited from the experience and enjoyed the food. If you have any comments we would appreciate your comments below. Thank you again for coming and you are welcome anytime again on a Thursday evening.
Brother Saeed (with the cap) it's good to see you again but you must stay for some food next time for the Baraka of the Zikr and association.
Brother Abdullah (tall English Dervish), what can we say but it is always a blessing to see you when you are in London and not globe-trotting! Seriously, we wish you all the success in your children schools project and may Allah Almighty be happy with you and give you the support you need. For those who would like and can help brother Abdullah please email me and we will explain what needs to be done.
Jazakhallah to Rahil & Auntie Farida for the delicious food and to sister Sidra & your mother for the Halva - there was alot to take home but we finished it quickly!
Inshallah brother Nadeem will be back next week - as he was in Wales and asked us to stand in - we ask for forgiveness for any mistakes made during the Zikr.
We will Inshallah have the Naqshbandi Awrad ready for next week so Sajad can you please remind me and also can you bring the Arabic/Urdu version?
We will be posting more articles soon and appreciate your comments on the posts as and when they come.
Ma Salaama
btw, forget to mention brother Mustapha from BBC World Service - thank you for coming and we hope you found what you came for.
'Manwithcarpets'
Friday, 30 May 2008
Thank you all for coming to Zikr!
Wednesday, 28 May 2008
Importance of Spiritual Sufi Meditation – Zikr
Bismillah - Salaams all
Having followed the way of spiritual meditation or the Sufi path of love for many years now, I've travelled the world and am fortunate to have met many Sufi masters of the path and attended many Sufi gatherings. I have received much love and a new way to perceive the vision of God, without being judgmental, and through the eyes of love and tolerance and have found tranquillity in my soul.
We are all in need of understanding and spiritual love of our Lord and many of us, today, have been traumatized in some way by this modern age. Patience has gone “out the window” in the era of technology and it has created anger, frustration, and turbulence for our souls, so that we use escapism with our modern gadgets to keep us busy and fidgeting.
And so, we have lost the ability to stop and reflect any more, the wise say ‘With Silence and reflection is wisdom inherited’ and that is more needed today than ever before.
Most of us are just waking zombies, suffering from loneliness of the soul and we all know there is something missing in our lives. We fill that avoid with some type of materialist wealth which has caused our souls to become traumatized. This has lead to the ‘death of the spiritual heart’ and what is needed to heal the 'spiritual heart' is a spiritual detoxifying or a ‘spiritual retreat’, from the stress of ‘love of wealth’ and this world. This has caused many of the rich to experience a ‘physical death of the heart’ - heart attacks and strokes, called ‘rich disease’.
We are all now running around in our cities full of people, but are all alone - trying to fit in somehow, and yet we still have haven’t discovered that there is more to life then this materialist make-up of denial we are in and hide behind.
We have yet to discover the mysteries and secrets of real love and rapture of the soul and especially the Heart. This is where the ‘chair of wise’ – aql (intellect) is learnt and received. It is our wealth and capital and will be used as the currency for the next world. The poorest of us will be the one who has no spiritual value of love and good manners in their actions to present in the next world.
The door of healing, love and spiritual awakening is to open and enter in the ancient Sufi meditation of breathing of Sufi formulae (Holy recitations). With the support of sitting together (Suhba) through companionship does the heart benefit.
Suhba, or sitting together, our souls unite when meditation of breathing, chanting and reciting the secret ancient names of our Lord, do our souls connect, or spiritual energy, is created. This is the spiritual nourishment or heavenly lights needed for our bodies, minds, souls and peace of heart.
As a fish needs water, our souls need Zikr - Sufi meditation. Without water a fish dies, and without Zikr our hearts will eventually die.
Spiritual energy travels from heart to heart in a gathering which is one of the secrets of being together, or companionship. We connect by supporting each other. We take from each other’s good positive spiritual energy, as all of mankind came from one soul our Father Adam (AS).
Our hearts are like satellite dishes. If they are pointing in the right direction, to the heavens, and are receiving the correct code or Sufi formula, then we will receive heavenly visions and feel tranquillity which is missing so much in our lives.
We need to learn how to breathe again and re-connect, to each other as human beings, allow our hearts to swim in the water of spiritual energy, so our inner eye opens and leads the way. We need to re-awaken our souls and become alive and be at peace again. This can all happen when one sits in the gathering of meadows of Sufi mediation and partakes of their drinks and tastes the spiritual intoxication of love of the Divine.
Yours Sajad
Rich disease ‘is the biggest killer’
http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=148679&in_page_id=34
Tuesday, 27 May 2008
Secret of Lengthening Kalima - 4000 Sins Forgiven
1.It is related in the hadith: "Whoever says La-e-lahaa ill-al-lah=No gods except The-God (Allah)" and lengthens his pronounciation intending thereby to magnify God, God will forgive for him Four thousand major sins with it, and if he did not commit Four thousand, God will forgive the difference for his family and neighbors. It is related in the hadith: "Whoever says " No god except God" and lengthens his pronounciation intending thereby to magnify God, Four thousand of his sins are forgiven." see article lengthens his pronounciation.
Allah has caused this ayat to be effective as a cure for every sickness, an aid to every kind of healing treatment, a relief from every form of poverty, a shield against the Fire of Hell, and a guarantee of security from degradation, misrepresentation and slanderous accusation, as long as they [His believing servants] keep up the practice of reciting it.
2. Your ‘awra – Nakedness is hidden from Jinns when you say bismillah when you undress or go to the toilet, otherwise they see you nakedness.
On the Day of Resurrection, the members of my Community will be saying: "In the Name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the All-Compassionate [Bismillah-ir-rahman-nir-raheem," and so, when their deeds are placed in the balance, their good deeds will outweigh [their bad deeds ]. full Article The Bismillah - 19 letters - also called –[ayatul-aman]. verse of Scripture that Guarantees Protection.
3. Reciting the Opening Chapter (Surah Al-fatiha) with In the Name of Allah, the Merciful, The Compassionate - Bismillah-hir-rahman-nir-raheem in ONE breath without stopping.!
And the reward is;
...... bear witness that I have forgiven him, accepted his good actions and overlooked his evil actions and I will not burn his tongue with the fire and I will protect him from the punishment of grave, the punishment of Fire, the punishment of the Rising and the Greatest Terror. He will meet me before all the Prophets and Saints.
From P174 of Ibn Al-rabi :-The Mysteries of Bearing Witness to the Oneness of God and Prophethood - translated by Aisha Bewley
So Bismillaah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem
Al hamdu lillaahi rabbil 'alameen
Ar-Rahman ar-Raheem Maaliki yaumid Deen
Iyyaaka na'abudu wa iyyaaka nasta'een
Ihdinas siraatal mustaqeem
Siraatal ladheena an 'amta' alaihim
Ghairil maghduubi' alaihim waladaaleen
Aameen - in one breath without stopping ..!
In the name of God, the infinitely Compassionate and Merciful.
Praise be to God, Lord of all the worlds.
The Compassionate, the Merciful. Ruler on the Day of Reckoning.
You alone do we worship, and You alone do we ask for help.
Guide us on the straight path,
the path of those who have received your grace;
not the path of those who have brought down wrath, nor of those who wander astray.
Yours Sajad - ‘man in hooded white cloak’
Friday, 23 May 2008
Zikr Night at St.Peter's Church Hall
Alhamdulillah there was an abundance of food, as you can see, because of the blessings of last night's Zikr.
Jazakhallah to sister Sidra and your mother and of course Rahil & auntie Farida - both the chicken biryani and halva were fantastic - everyone agreed!
Jazakhallah to Yamin for lovingly preparing his lovely kheer!
We were treated to a brief but resonating Nasheed by brother Nadeem at the end. Mashallah, may the All Giver give you more.
Inshallah, we intend to do more Nasheeds next week and brother Nadeem will be playing the Duff.
Thanks again to bothers from Slough for collecting the food and leading the Zikr again.
We hope to see you all next week or very soon.
Salaams
'Manwithcarpets'
Friday, 16 May 2008
Nice to See New People on Thursday Zikr Evening
Salaams to All
Thank you to all new people attending! It's nice to see new people coming.
We would very much appreciate your comments about your experience this evening. We hope they are all positive but we can always improve.
Please remember we are trying to invite more people to the Sufi Zikr so please send this blog site to your friends.
Thank you (Jazkhallah Khayr) to Rahil, Auntie & family for the delicious soup, bread and baklava - we were spoilt this evening. May Allah Almighty reward you endlessly for your kindness.
Thank you (Jazkhallah Khayr) also to Nadeem, Sajad & Nahid for making the journey from Slough and leading the Zikr. May Allah Almighty forgive you all and raise your stations for the sake of the Seal of Prophets, Sayyidina Muhammad (SWS).
Sajad - please post this blog site on your website and forum.
Salaams
"manwiththecarpets"
Wednesday, 14 May 2008
What is Zikr (Dhikr)?
According to Bukhari, Abu Musa al-Ashcari related that the Prophet (May Peace & Blessings Be Upon Them , Their Companions & Family-SWS) said, "The difference between the one who makes Zikr and the one who doesn't make Zikr is like the difference between the living and the dead."
Zikr is the means by which Stations yield their fruit, until the seeker reaches the Divine Presence. On the journey to the Divine Presence the seed of remembrance is planted in the heart and nourished with the water of praise and the food of glorification, until the tree of Zikr becomes deeply rooted and bears its fruit. It is the power of all journeying and the foundation of all success. It is the reviver from the sleep of heedlessness, the bridge to the One remembered.
The sheikhs strive to remember their Lord with every breath, as the angels are always in the state of Zikr, praising Allah. One of our sheikhs said, "I remembered You because I forgot You for a moment, and the easiest way for me is to remember You on my tongue." If the seeker will mention his Lord in every moment, he will find peace and satisfaction in his heart, he will uplift his spirit and his soul, and he will sit in the Presence of his Lord. The Prophet (SWS) said in an authentic hadith mentioned in Ahmad's Musnad, "The people of Zikr are the people of My presence." So the gnostic is the one who keeps the Zikr in his heart, and leaves behind the attachments of the lower worldly life.
Mention of Zikr in the Holy Qur'an
Zikr is mentioned in many places in the Holy Qur'an, and in most verses, what was meant by the word Zikr is tasbih, glorifying; takbir, exalting; tahmid, praising; and praising and praying upon the Prophet (SWS).
Allah said in Surat al-Baqara, 152: "Remember Me and I will remember you." [2:152]
Zikr polishes the heart and is the source of the Divine breath that revives the dead spirits by filling them with the Blessings of Allah, decorating them with His Attributess, and bringing them from a state of heedlessness to the state of complete wakefulness. If we keep busy with Zikrullah, happiness and peace will be granted to us. Zikr is the key to happiness, the key to joy, and the key to Divine Love.
Mention of Zikr in the Sunnah
The Prophet (SWS) said, "Everything has its polish and the polish of hearts is Zikrullah."
There are many, many other hadith about the benefits and blessings of Zikr such that it is impossible to quote all of them here.
The Types of Zikr
Zikr can be can be done both silently or aloud. The Prophet (SWS) encouraged people to do both kinds. Among the scholars of shari'ah and the Sufi sheikhs, some preferred the loud Zikr and some preferred the silent Zikr.
Loud Zikr
Bukhari narrated that Abu Huraira (r) reported that the Prophet (SWS) said, "If My servant mentions Me in himself, I will mention him in Myself. If he mentions Me in a group, I will mention him in a group in My presence." We understand from this hadith that to mention Allah in a group indicates loud Zikr. Some scholars determined from this that using loud Zikr is permitted.
Bukhari narrated in his book of hadith, that Ibn 'Abbas (r) said, "In the time of the Prophet (SWS) the people used to raise their voices in Zikr."
Bukhari narrated in his book of hadith, that Abu Ma'bad (r), the freed slave of Ibn 'Abbas (r), said: "Ibn 'Abbas told me, 'In the lifetime of the Prophet (s), it was the custom to celebrate Allah's praises aloud after the obligatory congregational prayers.'" Ibn 'Abbas (r) continued, "When I heard the Zikr, I would know that the congregational prayer had ended."
Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi related that as-Sa'ib (r) preported that the Prophet (SWS) said, "Jibril came to me and ordered me to order my Companions to raise their voices in takbir."
In the narration of Imam Ahmad and Tabarani this hadith is continued, describing how the Prophet taught his Companions the Zikr. "'Ibada bin Samit said that the Prophet (SWS) said, 'Is there any stranger among you?' And we said, 'No, Ya Rasul-Allah.' He said, 'Close the door.' Then he said, 'Raise your hand and repeat after me La ilaha illallah' We raised our hand and said, la ilaha illallah. Then the Prophet (SWS) said, 'Praise be to Allah that He sent me to this world with this kalimah, and He ordered me with it, and He promised me the Paradise with it, and He never changes His Promise.' Then the Prophet (SWS) said, 'Be happy! Allah has forgiven you.'"
Jalaladin as-Suyuti mentioned in an article called "Natijat al-Fikr fi Jahri-dh-Dhikr," the Benefits of Loud Zikr, twenty-five authentic hadiths which mention doing loud Zikr.
Silent Zikr
Allah mentioned in Surat al-Araf, 205, "And remember thy Lord in thy self with humility and fear, and without loudness of speech, in the mornings and evenings; and be not of the neglectful." [7:205]
Imam Ahmad narrated, "Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet (s) said that Allah says, 'I am with my servant when he remembers Me and by his remembrance of Me his lips move." Commenting on this hadith, Imam Nawawi said, "Allah is with the one who remembers Him and calls Him in his heart, and calls Him on his tongue, but we must realize that the Zikr of the heart is more perfect. The rememberer made Zikr of the tongue in order to reflect the occurrence of the Zikr in his heart. When the love of Allah and His Remembrance overwhelms the heart and the spirit, the tongue is moved and the seeker brought near."
With the heart remember Allah, secretly from creation, wordlessly and speechlessly.
That remembrance is best of all: out of it flowed the sayings of the saints.
"That is why our Naqshbandi masters have chosen the Zikr of the heart. Moreover, the heart is the place where the Forgiver casts his gaze, and the seat of belief, and the receptacle of secrets, and the source of lights. If it is sound, the whole body is sound, and if it is unsound, the whole body is unsound, as was made clear for us by the chosen Prophet (SWS).
"Something that confirms this was narrated on the authority of A'isha (r): 'Allah favors Zikr above Zikr seventyfold (meaning, silent Zikr over loud Zikr).
"Also on the authority of A'isha (r): 'The Zikr not heard by the Recording Angels equals seventy times the one they hear.' Bayhaqi narrates it."
For more information on Zikr and references please scroll down to the end of the posts.
Source: Naqshbandi.org
Thursday, 8 May 2008
Zikr This Evening - Sufi Meditation Maida Vale
It was a small group this evening but the Zikr (Sufi Meditation) Mashallah brought many blessings. It was especially sweet when we recited the Holy Names of Allah. The church hall was spiritually packed!
Lovely chicken biryani (was it not?) afterwards. Thanks again to brother Rahil and his family for preparing the food - it was a bit chilly (nose started perspiring) but mashallah very, very nice - Spiritual Food!
Remember everyone, your feedback will help people understand our Zikr, what it means to us and inshallah invite them to try it themselves.
Salaams and see you next week.
'manwiththecarpets'
P.S. Uncle Amjud , if we go to Slough this Saturday we'll call you.
Wednesday, 7 May 2008
Sufi Event Added to Local Guardian Website
Here's one link Sufi Event Link to Guardian website
Come on people please email this on to friends and strangers!!
Friday, 2 May 2008
How was Zikr this evening?
Alhamdulillah, another beautiful Zikr this evening finished off with a delicious peppery soup and chocolate cake by resident 'chefs' brother Rahil and Yamin.
Thank you to brother Sajad for a sincere dua and to brother's Habib and Ibrahim coming from Camden and South London. We hope to see both soon.
We appreciate all your comments so newcomers and people interested in possibly attending our gathering have an idea of the Sufi meditation 'Zikr' experience.
Please don't be shy to contribute.
See you next week inshallah.
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