Author Archives: Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

About Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

Mahmoud Shelton studied at the University of Edinburgh before taking a degree in Medieval Studies at Stanford University. Shelton is the author of Alchemy in Middle Earth: The Significance of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, The Balance of George Lucas' Star Wars, and numerous articles. He is also a contributor to The Royal Book of Spiritual Chivalry and The Sufi Science of Self-Realization. Contributions by Mahmoud Shelton * Chivalry of the Night and Day * Alchemy in Middle Earth * contributor, The Royal Book of Spiritual Chivalry

Imam Jilani’s Sirr al-Asrar

Posted on April 13, 2012 by Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

Is the book Sirra al-Asrar of Shaykh Abdal Qadir Jilani authneically reported from him ? Is the book we have today authentic from him… Continue reading →

Posted in History | Tagged Abdul-Qadir al-Jazairi, Amir Abd-al-Qader, Emir Abd-al-Qader | Comments Off

Spiritual Arkan

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

Can I please ask a question that’s puzzling me? This word “Arkan” which apparently means pillar has been coming up in my mind fairly recently… Continue reading →

Posted in Sufism (Tasawwuf) | Tagged anchor, arkan, awliyuallah, dhikr of Angels, Holy Ka`bah, House of Allah, qutbs, Sayyidina Muhyidin ibn `Arabi, support of awliya, tasbeeh of angels, Throne of Allah, watad | Comments Off

Signs, Day Of Judgement

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

How many signs (of judgement day) are they left to happen and how many have happened? Continue reading →

Posted in Belief & Doctrine, Sufism (Tasawwuf) | Tagged appearance of Imam Mahdi, books of Mawlana Shaykh Hisham, Last Days, Time of Mahdi (as) | Comments Off

Locating Graves of Awliya

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

Please can you advise me on how or what to do in order to locate a grave of a Wali that is buried in Port Elizabeth, South Africa… Continue reading →

Posted in History, Sufism (Tasawwuf) | Tagged `ilm al-ghayb, books of Mawlana Shaykh Nazim, burial site, ghayb, Grandshaykh `Abdullah al-Fa'iz ad-Daghestani (q), hidden saints, holy graves, Karamat, knowledge of unseen, Shaykh al-Akbar, spiritual guidance | Comments Off

Conquest of Byzantium

Posted on February 23, 2012 by Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

I am studying history, and have been reading about the conquest of Byzantium, especially the venerable city of Constantinople – now Istanbul…
Continue reading →

Posted in History | Tagged Byzantine Empire, Christianity, Crusaders, Islambul, Istanbul, Ottoman History, Roman Empire, Sayyidina `Isa (as), Turkey | Comments Off

Othello

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

I will be studying Othello soon, could you provide any reliable links on Ottoman History, so that i may be well equipped in defense of the Empire… Continue reading →

Posted in History | Tagged Kaikhosro, king, Moors, Ottoman History, Ottoman Times, Ottomans, priest, Prince Charles, Renaissance Man, Sayyidina `Isa (as), Universal man | Comments Off

Occupation of Prophets

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

What is the occupation of the Prophets in order they have to fulfill their own needs and for their family living? … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Sunnah | Tagged adeptness, Angel Jibreel (as), artisanry, chivalry, craftship, Futuwwah, ghazi, handcrafts, handicraft, handiwork, Imam Mahdi (as), lives of prophets, mastery, Mawlana Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani, profession, Prophet Elijah (as), Sayyidina `Isa (as), Sayyidina Ayyub (as), Sayyidina Danyal (as), Sayyidina Dawud (as), Sayyidina Dhu'l-Kifl (as), Sayyidina Harun (as), Sayyidina Ibrahim (as), Sayyidina Idris (as), Sayyidina Ilyas (as), Sayyidina Ishaq (as), Sayyidina Isma`il (as), Sayyidina Luqman (as), Sayyidina Muhammad (s), Sayyidina Muhyidin ibn `Arabi, Sayyidina Musa (as), Sayyidina Nuh (as), Sayyidina Salih (as), Sayyidina Shah Naqshband, Sayyidina Shith (as), Sayyidina Shu`ayb (as), Sayyidina Sulaiman (as), Sayyidina Sulayman (as), Sayyidina Ya`qub (as), Sayyidina Yahya (as), Sayyidina Yunus (as), Sayyidina Yusuf (as), Sayyidina Zakariyya (as), Seal of Prophets, skill, specialties of the Prophets, Sufi Chivalry, talent, trade, vocation, workmanship | Comments Off

Significance of Location

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

Is there any basis in Sharia that gives a general permission for giving religious importance to these locations? Continue reading →

Posted in History, Sufism (Tasawwuf) | Tagged ayat, hajj rituals, holy sites, Salafi beliefs, sunnahs of Islam, tasawwuf, Wahabi beliefs | Comments Off

History of Saints in the Philippines

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

I am from sibutu island in the Philippines. Islam was brought to the Philippines by a Sheikh named Karim-ul Makhdum. He was an arab… Continue reading →

Posted in History, Sufism (Tasawwuf) | Tagged `ilm al-ghayb, Arabia, Asian, awliyaullah, chain of saints, family history, ghayb, hidden saints, Indonesian, Karamat, kashf, knowledge of unseen, Sayyidina Abdul Qadir Jilani, Sufi orders, sufi saints, Time of Mahdi (as) | Comments Off

Hazrat Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (RA)

Posted on January 24, 2012 by Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

There was a Saint Called Hazrat Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (RA), Born into royalty in Semnan Iran, Descendant of the Prophet SAW… Continue reading →

Posted in History, Sufism (Tasawwuf) | Tagged Naqshband Golden Chain, Sufi orders | Comments Off

Author Archives: Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

About Ustadh Mahmoud Shelton

Latest Questions