Sufi Zikr Meditation London: November 2012

Thursday, 22 November 2012

Prayers for Ashura - 22 Nov 2012

The following are optional prayers for Ashura for people wishing to develop their awareness and spirituality in the Sufi path.

Nafl Salat for the Eve of Ashurah

On the eve of Ashurah offer 4 rakats Nafl Salat : In every rakat after Surah al-Fateha recite "Ayatul Kursi" once and Surah Ikhlas 3 times. After completing this Prayer (Namaz/Salat) recite Surah Ikhlas 100 times. Inshallah Allah Almighty will purify such a person from all their sins and grant them endless bounties and blessings in paradise.

Dua-e-Ashurah - An Insurance for a year’s Life

Hazrat Imam Zainul Abidain (Radi Allah Anhu) reports that who ever recites this dua (Dua-e- Ashurah above) on the tenth of Muharram, any time after sunrise and before sunset, or listens to its recitation from someone else, Allah Ta’ala will certainly make it an insurance for a years’ life for him, by keeping death away from him unless the person's time is finally written for the year according to Divine Decree and His Mercy.

Salaams

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10th Muharram - Fasting & Practices - 22 Nov 2012

In this month the day of ‘Ashura—which falls on the 10th of Muharram, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) recommended that we fast on this day, by his Sunnah. He also indicated how we should observe the fast of Ashura.

And Allah Almighty created the Pen (al-Qalam) on that day and the Heavens and Earth on that day . That was a Friday – not a Saturday or Sunday.

Hakam ibn Al-Arat (Radiyallahu 'anh) relates: I went to Ibn Abbas (Radiyallahu 'anh)… I said to him: Tell me about fasting on Ashura. He said, "When you seen the new moon of Muharram count the (days) and (begin to) observe fast on the 9th." I said to him: "Is it how the Holy Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) observed the fast?" He said, "Yes." [Sahih Muslim]

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radiyallahu 'anh) relates that when the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said: "If I survive till next year, I will definitely observe fast on the 9th of Muharram (as well)." [Sahih Muslim]

(Note: What the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) meant was that he would also fast on the 9th as well as the 10th to which he was accustomed. We also should try fasting on the 9th and the 10th of Muharram. According to varying calendars, the 10th Muharram is Thursday 22 / Friday 23 November 2012)

Fasting is recommended on the 9th and 10th of Muharram. If it is not possible to fast on both days, then every effort should be made to fast on the 10th day of Muharram, as there is great reward for this fast. (Muslim).

It is also acceptable to fast on the 10th and 11th of Muharram if the 9th and 10th Muharram is not possible according to Sheikh Nazim's advice.

Hazrat Ibn Abbas (Radiyallahu 'anh) reports that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) arrived in Madinah and found the Jews observing fast on the day of Ashura… They said: "It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Hazrat Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) and his people and drowned Pharoah and his people, and Sayyidina Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) observed fast out of gratitude. And we also observe it."

The Holy Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) responded: "We have more right, and we have closer connection with Sayyidina Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) than you have"; so Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) observed fast (on the day of Ashura) and gave us orders to observe it. [Sahih Bukhari and Muslim]

Ashura is a day of great historical significance. On this day: Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) accepted the repentance of Sayyidina Adam ('Alaihis-Salaam) after his exile from Paradise; Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) saved Sayyidina Nuh ('Alaihis-Salaam) and his companions in the ark by landing on Mount Judi; Allah extinguished the fire in which Sayyidina Ibrahim ('Alaihis-Salaam) was thrown by Nimrod; And Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) spoke directly to Sayyidina Musa ('Alaihis-Salaam) and gave him the Commandments.

On this same 10th of Muharram, Sayyidina Ayyub ('Alaihis-Salaam) was restored to health (from leprosy); Sayyidina Yusuf ('Alaihis-Salaam) was reunited with his father Ya’qub ('Alaihis-Salaam); Sayyidina Yunus ('Alaihis-Salaam) was taken out from the belly of the fish; and the sea was divided as the nation of israel was delivered from captivity and Pharoah’s army was destroyed. Ashura is also the day when Sayyidina Dawud ('Alaihis-Salaam) was forgiven; the Kingdom of Sayyidina Sulaiman ('Alaihis-Salaam) was restored; Sayyidina Isa ('Alaihis-Salaam) was raised to Jannah; the Holy Prophet’s (Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) sins were forgiven; and Sayyidina al-Husayn (Radiyallahu 'anh) (the Holy Prophet’s, Sallallahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam, grandson) achieved the honor of Martyrdom.

Worship Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) as much as you can on ‘Ashura. Whoever fasts on this day is like one who fasts all his life. Whoever clothes a naked person Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will release him from a painful punishment. He who visits a sick person, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will grant him a reward that will not be decreased. Whoever places his hand on an orphan’s head, or feeds a hungry person or gives water to a thirsty man, Allah will feed him a feast from Paradise and will quench his thirst with Salsabil (a wine that does not intoxicate).

And who ever takes a Ghusl on this day will enjoy excellent health and freedom from sickness and indolence. Whoever provides generously for his family on this day, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta'ala) will be generous to him throughout this year. And whoever applies Kuhl to his eyes will never suffer from eye-sore again, InSha’Allah al-Aziz.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood (Radi Allah Anhu), a Companion of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sal Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) reports the following saying of the Messenger of Allah Ta’ala, "Whosoever prepares ample food and drink for his family on this sacred day and delights in feeding them generously, Allah Ta’ala will increase His provisions for that year and place much blessings and good therein."

And on the day of Ashura, the Seal of messengers, on that day, Allah Almighty made Sayyidina Muhammad (SWS) to marry Sayyidata Khadijah (RA) and He also made him to migrate to Madinah on that day.

The Ashura Desert - Celebrated widely in Turkey and neighbouring countries

The day of Ashura is one of the traditional and celebrated days in Turkey. Families traditionally make the desert based upon Prophet Noah's (AS) pudding they made whilst travelling in the Ark.

Ashura's ingredients can include water, wheat, chickpeas, rice, raisins, dried apricots, dried figs, apple, salt, sugar and honey. Grated orange and lemon peel, walnuts, hazelnuts, cinnamon and pomegranate seeds are also included as garnish. It is distributed to neighbours, and the dish is eaten with pleasure.

If you can't make it, as we are not all cooks or good at cooking - including me! - you can buy these from Green Lanes N15, Yashar Halim or any other Turkish or Arabic food store.

May Allah Almighty Bless us to perform good deeds and gain their reward on ‘Ashura. Make the new year one of unity, peace, forgiveness, mercy, co-operation and success for all believers in this city and around the world. Ameen.

Salaams

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Tuesday, 20 November 2012

What is Zikr (Dhikr - Zikrullah)? and Why We Should All Do More Zikr

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 (s).

Allah said in Surat al-Baqara, 152: "Remember Me and I will remember you." [2:152]

He said in Surat al-Imran, 41, "...and remember your Lord much and glorify Him in the evening and in the early morning." And again, 191, "Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides..." [3:41, 191]

He said in Surat al-Rad, 28, "Those who believe, and whose hearts find their rest in the remembrance of Allah--for, verily, in the remembrance of Allah hearts do find their rest." [13:28]

And He said in Surat al-AhZab, 35, "...and men who remember Allah much and women who remember Him..." And again, 41,42, "O you who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance; and glorify Him morning and evening." [33: 35, 41-42]

There are many, many other verses of Qur'an mentioning Zikr. Imam Nawawi said in his book, "Futahat ar-Rabbani ala-l- Adhkar an-Nawawiyya," vol. 1, p. 106-109, "All scholars of Islam have agreed on the acceptance and permissibility of Zikr by heart and by tongue, for the adult men and women, for children, for the one who has ablution, and for the one without ablution; even for the woman during her menses. Moreover, Zikr is allowed by all scholars in the form of tasbih, tahmid, takbir and praising and praying for the Prophet (SWS)."

According to Bukhari, Abu Musa al-Ashcari related that the Prophet (SWS) said, "The difference between the one who makes Zikr and the one who doesn't make dhikr is like the difference between the living and the dead."

Tirmidhi narrated from Anas (r) that the Prophet (SWS) said, "If you pass by the Paradises of Heavens stay there." They asked, "Ya Rasul-Allah, what are the Paradises of Heavens?" He said, "The associations of Zikr!"

Bukhari narrated in his book from Abu Huraira that the Prophet (SWS) said, "Allah, Almighty and Exalted, has angels who seek the people of Zikr. If they find the people of Zikr they encompass them until they reach the first heaven. And Allah asks his angels, 'What are my servants doing?' The angels say, 'O Allah, they are praising You and glorifying You and they are making Zikr.' Allah says, 'Did they see Me?' The angels answer, 'No, they didn't see You.' Then Allah asks, 'How would it be if they were to see Me?' The angels reply, 'O Allah, if they were to see You, they would be making more praise of You and more glorification of You and more Zikr of You.' And Allah asks 'What are they asking for?' The angels say, 'They are asking for Your Paradise.' Allah asks, 'Did they see My Paradise?' The angels answer, 'No, Our Lord.' Allah continues, 'How would it be if they saw My Paradise?' The angels reply, 'They would be more attracted and more eager to reach it.' Then Allah asks them, 'Of what are they afraid?' And the angels say, 'They are afraid of hellfire.' and Allah asks, 'How would it be if they saw my Hellfire?' and they reply, 'They would be running more and more away from it and asking more and more protection from it.' Then Allah said,' I am making you all My witnesses: that I am forgiving them of all their sins.' Then one angel asked, 'O our Lord, there is among these people one who is not from them, he came only to ask for something from one of them.' Allah said, 'Those are my beloved ones who are making My Zikr. Anyone who comes into their circle will be forgiven, and I am forgiving him.'"

In Bukhari and Muslim it is narrated from Abu Huraira (r) that the Prophet (SWS) said, "As my servant thinks about Me so will I be for him. I am with him if he will remember Me. If he calls on Me in himself I will call him in Myself, and if he calls on Me in a group of people, I mention him in a better group in My presence. If he approaches Me one handspan, I will approach him one arm's length; if he approaches Me one arm's length, I will approach him by a cubit; if he comes to Me walking, I will come to him running."

Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah narrated on the authority of Abi Darda that the Prophet (SWS) said, "Do you want me to tell you of your best deeds, and the most honored and praised and sanctified to Your Lord, and the highest in its reward; better than spending gold and better than meeting your enemy and cutting their necks in the jihad?" They said, "Yes, Ya Rasulallah." He said, "Zikrullah."

The Prophet (SWS) said, "Everything has its polish and the polish of hearts is Zikrullah."

Mu'adh bin Jabal (r) said, "Nothing saves you from Allah's punishment except 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.

From the Sayings of Imams and Scholars about Zikr

Ibn Abbas (r) said "Allah, Almighty and Exalted, put a limit on all the obligations that He ordered human beings except for Zikr. For it there is no limit."

Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya said in his book, Al-Wabil as-Sa'ib, p. 52, "There is no doubt that the heart oxidizes, just as copper and silver oxidize. Its polishing is the Zikr, which will make it like a white mirror. The oxidation of the heart is due to heedlessness and sin. Its polishing is by means of two actions: repentance and Zikr. If someone's heart is cloudy, the reflections of images will be unclear, he will see falsehood as truth and truth in the image of falsehood (batil). When there is too much oxidization on the heart, the heart will be darkened, and in the darkness the images of the Truth and Reality never appear. The best way to polish it is through Zikrullah."

Ibn Ata'illah as-Sakandari said, "By Zikr you leave behind heedlessness and forgetfulness, and you keep your heart Present with Allah, Almighty and Exalted. The best way to approach His Presence is by reciting the name 'Allah,' in the heart or on the tongue, or by reciting any of His Names." [Miftah al-Falah, p. 4]

Abul Qasim al-Qushayri said, "Zikr is the strongest support in the way of Allah, 'Azza wa Jall. No one can reach the Divine Presence except by continuing to recite Zikr." [Risalat al-Qushayriyya]

Mulay al-Arabi ad-Darqawi said, "Do not say, 'I am nothing'; neither say, 'I am something.' Do not say: 'I need such and such a thing'; nor yet: 'I need nothing.' But say: 'Allah,' and you will see marvels." [Letters of a Sufi Master]

We see from what has been mentioned that all guides and perfect sheikhs advised the seeker in the Way of Allah to make continuous Zikr in all states of their lives and to keep the company of the people in associations of Zikr. We see that the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SWS) and the scholars are all in accordance on this matter.

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 (SWS), 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."

It is narrated by Bukhari and Muslim and mentioned by Jalaluddin as-Suyuti, from other collections, that 'Ali bin Abi Talib (r) said, "I asked the Prophet (SWS) one time, 'O Messenger of Allah, guide me to the shortest way to Allah's Presence, and the easiest way to worship, and the best way for Allah, Almighty and Exalted. The Prophet (SWS) said, 'O 'Ali, you have to be continuously making Zikrullah, silently and aloud.' I replied, 'O Prophet (SWS), all human beings are making Zikr. Give me something special.' The Prophet (s) said, 'O 'Ali, the best of what I, and all prophets before me, said is, La ilaha illAllah. If all the heavens and earth were placed on one side of the balance and La ilaha illAllah were placed in the other, La ilaha illAllah would be heavier. Judgment Day will never come as long as there are people on this earth saying La ilaha illAllah.' Then I said, 'How should I recite.' The Prophet (SWS) said, 'Close your eyes and listen to me reciting La ilaha ill-Allah three times. Then you say it three times and I will listen to you.' Then the Prophet (SWS) said it and I repeated it in a loud voice."

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."

Sheikh Amin al-Kurdi said in The Enlightenment of Hearts (Tanwir al-Qulub) p. 522: "The Zikr by tongue, which combines sounds and letters, is not easy to perform at all times, because buying and selling and other such activities altogether divert one's attention from such Zikr. The contrary is true of the Zikr by heart, which is named that way in order to signify its freedom from letters and sounds. In that way nothing distracts one from his Zikr, as the poet says:

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 seventy fold (meaning, silent Zikr over loud Zikr).

On the Day of Resurrection, God will bring back human beings to His account, and the Recording Angels will bring what they have recorded and written, and Allah Almighty will say: See if something that belongs to my servant was left out? The angels will say: We left nothing out concerning what we have learnt and recorded, except that we have assessed it and written it. Allah will say: O my servant, I have something good of yours for which I alone will reward you, it is your hidden remembrance of Me.' Bayhaqi narrated it.

"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."

Source: Naqshbandi.org

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Thursday, 22 November 2012

Prayers for Ashura - 22 Nov 2012

Wednesday, 21 November 2012

10th Muharram - Fasting & Practices - 22 Nov 2012

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Sahaba Dancing Around the Holy Prophet (SWS) - Proof from Hadiths

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What is Zikr (Dhikr - Zikrullah)? and Why We Should All Do More Zikr

Check the New Maida Vale Naqshbandi Rabbani Website here

Sufi Zikr Meditation London

How to Find Us

Venue Entrance

Sheikh Nazim Video Talks

Naqshbandi Biographies

AUTHENTIC SUFISM LINKS

Zikr Allah Circles

Prayers for Divine Help

Sufi Blog Archive

About Us

Thursday, 22 November 2012

Prayers for Ashura - 22 Nov 2012

Wednesday, 21 November 2012

10th Muharram - Fasting & Practices - 22 Nov 2012

Tuesday, 20 November 2012

Sahaba Dancing Around the Holy Prophet (SWS) - Proof from Hadiths

Zikr Online Videos

SALTANAT VIDEO LINK

Subscribe Here

Sufi Reading

Sunnah Practices

Sufi Meditation Zikr London

Sheikh Nazim Video Talks

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Sufi Links

BEFORE ARMAGEDDON

Labels

What is Zikr (Dhikr - Zikrullah)? and Why We Should All Do More Zikr