Dream: Pillars

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Imam Kamau Ayyubi

Dream:

When I was a small child a had a special dream what was coming again and again :
I was standing in an endless room with many many pillars around me, and I can hear a voice but I cant to explain what this voice was saying.

The voice was like, if you are listen to a single (vinyl) what is playing in 33 (for LP`s) but not how it should be in 45 velocity. I was very afraid of this.

Also I have dreamed from many scorpions and snakes around me.

I will be very pleased, if you can give me an answer to this dream because I asking myself since 45 years about it.

Salam u aleikum !

Interpretation:

A`uhu Billahi min ash-Shaytaani ‘r-rajeem
Bismillahi ‘r-Rahmani ‘r-Raheem

wa `alaykum salaam

Are you keeping your daily prayers?

The many pillars here can mean the the times of salat. This dream is encouraging you to keep the rhythm of daily prayers. Make your faith in tune with Allah (swt) Divine Order and you will be neither too fast or too slow. When you are out of rhythm this brings fear into the heart.

Establishing the discipline that Allah and His Messenger gave you will put you in harmony with Allah’s Love then you will approach to a state where there is no fear upon you, nor grief, InshaAllah.

Snakes and scorpions are bad characteristics. Seeing them is like a pre warning to purify yourself by dhikr, `ibadah, charitable works, etc. So it is good to see these snakes now and clean yourself rather than to take them to the grave.

W ‘Allahu `alam

Kamau Ayyubi

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Are there awliya who lived from divine light?

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Taher Siddiqui

Question:

BRR
As salamu aleikum,

lately I watched a documentary about people who do not eat and drink since years but live from divine light. This tradition exists in many religions so I was wondering if in Islam we also have awlyah who subsist only through divine light?

Wa salam

Answer:

wa `alaykum salam,

Yes, we have that of course. Islam is the final and most perfect religion. Shaykh Hisham recently spoke on this:

Grandshaykh’s … said that there are many types of khalwah (seclusion). If you train yourself not to drink any water, there is a special khalwah that with awrad you can live without water. If you accomplish that you can live without food or water as you take energy directly from Allah (swt)…

Speaking recently about the Abdal, Shaykh Hisham said:

“And second, Allāh gave them power of sahr, to stay up all night, not to sleep…

As related by Ahmad in his Musnad, Prophet (s) said, “When you are in the jungle or desert and feel afraid, call on`ibādAllāh, (abdāl, the Substitutes, rijālAllāh), and they will come and support you.”

Allāh swt gave them the power of sahr `alā rāhat an-nās, to stay awake while people are asleep …They look after everyone through their spiritual means in order to lift up that one who is losing his faith or losing his duties during the day. They reach him and they don’t differentiate from one to another, as they have orders to reach everyone in need.”

Always, if there is food they eat and if there is no food, they don’t care, they don’t eat. Al-jū` is one of their characteristics, hunger. They want to feel with everyone, that there are poor people with no food, to sympathize with them, they do not eat. And this I saw in Grandshaykh ق and in Mawlana Shaykh Nāzim ق; they don’t eat, but we run to fill our stomachs and graze.”

Shaykh Hisham has explained that out of humility, and to appear “normal” such awliyaullah hide this power, and  eat, drink, marry and so on like normal people, as our Holy Prophet (s) did, whereas in fact they are not in need of any of that for they subsist on dhikrullah.

Taher Siddiqui

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Dream: In Airport

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Taher Siddiqui

Dream:

As Salaam Alaykum!

I´m a Mawlana’s moorid from Brazil and had a dream that disturbed me. I was in a place like an airport. My father came with another man I know, an Italian. He said he was leaving to work in Italy. First I was angry and threw a magazine that I was holding in the ground.  Then we were both very sad. I gave him a very strong hug and we had both tears in the eyes. My mother was in the background. I asked him, “Don´t forget us!” Then I woked up very sad, disturbed and with tears in my eyes. Please, Shaykh what that mean? Means my dad is going to die soon?

Wa Alaykum as Salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Interpretation:

Seeing your father going to Italy, means that the Pope is going to be looking at Islam in a new light. Throwing the magazine means looking for new guidance, which would come through the Holy Qur’an, presented to him through hidden saintly ones whose job is to guide non-Muslims to faith. “Don’t forget us” means “make more dhikr” and crying in the dream is a good sign.

w’Allahu `alam,

Taher Siddiqui

reviewed and approved by Shaykh Hisham Kabbani

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Yawning in Prayer

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Taher Siddiqui

Question:

Meded Ya Rasoolullah, Meded Ya Grandsheikh, Meded Ya Sayidi, Meded Ya Sheikh Nazim!!

Assalamu Aleykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu. When I pray, do Dhikr or recite the Qur’an, I regularly yawn a great deal.  I try and fight it but without success.  Can you give me some advice please as it interferes with my worshipping?

Jazakallah Khair

Answer:

wa `alaykum salam,

Yawning during worship is from shaytan. Cover your mouth and try to focus harder.

The Prophet of Allah (s)said, “Yawning in prayer is an act of Shaytan, so when one of you yawns he should restrain it as much as possible.” In another version it the word are: “He should place his hand upon his mouth.” (Tirmidhi)

Taher Siddiqui

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Is there forgiveness for a sinner?

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Eshaykh Staff

Question:

Assalaamu’alaikum, Has Maulana Shaykh Nazim thrown me out from the Tariqat because I’ve not done my award, I don’t do my prayers, I don’t fast, I’ve committed Adultery even taken drugs. I’ve renewed my bayat but I feel so empty. I tried praying, putting up his photo, but I’m lost and I’m the worst person and I have disappointed my Shaykh, Prophet Muhammad S.A.W and Allah.. Is there any salvation as Imam Mehdi is just around the corner ?

Answer:

wa `alaykum salam,

Repent to Allah swt for the door of repentance is open. Repent before it becomes too late. With every fard prayer do 5 fard prayers that you missed. Stop drinking and fast Ramadan and fast Mondays and Thursdays in winter where days are short to compensate for days missed fasting in Ramadan and Allah is Ghafooran Raheem, Forgiving and Merciful, He will forgive all of us, insha-Allah.

A dervish prayed : ‘O Lord, have mercy upon the wicked,
because thou hast already had mercy upon good men
by creating them to be good.’ ~Gulistan of Sa`di

Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani

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Homosexual acquaintances

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Imam Kamau Ayyubi

Question:

Salaam Alaykum dear Shaykh and Scholars,

First of all I want to express my gratitude. I love this initiative and I’m sure this will help many people as it has helped me. Thank you very much.

My question: Since we live in the west, homosexuality has become quite normal here. Some people ask Muslims about their opinions on homosexuality. I personally don’t have an opinion about it, since it’s possible to have friends, colleagues or family who are homosexual. They don’t necessarily have to be bad people.

Usually I see Muslims expressing their discontent with people being homosexual. In this way, people label Muslims as intolerant. I personally feel that we as Muslims have to be open to everyone (and not exclude anyone). I don’t know why Muslims show their discontent to people being homosexual. Could you please let us know how to deal with these situations since people usually ask Muslims opinions about homosexuality? Why are some people against it?

Salaam Alaykum,
Moin

Answer:

A`udhu Billahi min ash-Shaytaani ‘r-rajeem
Bismillahi ‘r-Rahmani ‘r-Raheem

wa `alaykum salam

There is a hadith of Prophet (saws) that “Fitnah is sleeping, the Curse of Allah on who wakes it.”

Allah (swt) likes for us to cover up the faults of people for He is As-Sattar. Everywhere you look there is injustice and haram being done.  Homosexuality is included in that haram.   However we as Muslims have responsibility for being ambassadors to represent the good character from Prophet’s (s) sunnah. If someone is eating pork, drinking alcohol, making fornication, these are are acts that Allah (swt) does not like.  This does not mean that we should humiliate people involved, showing them an ugly or hateful face. Rather we should hate the action and try to look to what honor, good qualities we can see in those people and let Allah be the ultimate Judge.

We cannot lie and say that homosexuality is accepted in Islam, but we must use wisdom and always encourage and invite to what is good. The Prophet (s) said:  “Give good tidings and do not drive people away”. We work and live among people of different faiths, beliefs and behaviors but companionship and friendship is something else.

Allah says:’O you who believe, be conscious of Allah and be with the Trustworthy (Sadiqin)‘  (Tawba, 9:119)

The sadiqin are those who kept their covenant from the Day of Promises by worshiping Allah and following his Prophet (saws).   When you look at them you remember Allah (swt) and His Prophet (saws).

We see in the example of shuyukh such as Shaykh Nazim and Shaykh Hisham and many others, who tolerate all types of bad behavior from people but their source of belief and character is steadfastly from the Prophet (s), not those who are living in that harmful behavior.

The prophets and awliya are like Suns that can absorb and transform bad character into light.  You see transformation in those who keep companionship and listen to their teachings, they help people to change while miraculously maintaining their dignity.  This is the way of our Beloved Prophet (s). They also encourage this method in their students and to all Muslims, to be good examples in the community by purifying their own character and leaving judgment to Allah.

One last comment.  When people inquire about what Islam says on various issues, we can try to understand their intent.  Are they trying to understand or make questions to make Islam seem intolerant?  Judaism, Christianity, and Islamic teachings do not accept homosexuality, fornication etc. Islam offers the wisdom of not prying or exposing peoples faults, yet encourages building high moral standards through Love of Allah and His Messenger.

W `Allahu `alam wa Rasuluh

Kamau Ayyubi

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Dream: Baby Boy from Wall to Ocean Swim

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Taher Siddiqui

Dream:

My sister sees me sitting with my back against a wall next to a beautiful baby. She pets him affectionately repeatedly and every time he lifts his hands to heavens and says, “Ya Rabb, ya Rabb!” Next time she looks he is gone. My other sister Hafida and I confirm that I sent him “to play in the ocean with the ‘boys’ ”

Interpretation:

That baby represents your soul, and your sister petting it means uplifting, and your soul is in connection with the Divine Presence, always asking the Lord’s pleasure. Disappearing means entering the state of fana, annihilation. Sending him to the ocean means your soul  is swimming in the oceans of heavenly knowledge, ma`rifah, and “gone to play with the boys” means your soul has developed to the level of spiritual maturity, it no longer is in need for playing but is now in the presence of rijal, men, which doesn’t refer to gender but to those “heros” who overcame their ego, rijal-Allah.

w ‘Allahu`alam,

Taher Siddiqui

reviewed and approved by Shaykh Hisham Kabbani

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the way to dress your hair

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Taher Siddiqui

Question:

Salaam alaikum wrwb,
Our beloved Maulana Sjeikh Nazim talked about combing the hair of women in the style of tha way the women of Yemen used to wear it. Can anyone tell me what way that is? I assume braided hair on each side (left and right) and than?
Thank you very much in advance to answer, may Allah bless you.

With High respect and salaam

Answer:

The one who told you this may have misunderstood. Yemeni is a Turkish term for a type hijab (hair covering).

Taher Siddiqui

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Takbirat of Eid

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Shaykh Gibril Fouad Haddad

Question:

There are two type of dhikr during Eid days:
1. Allahu Akbar (3x) La ilaha Ilallah, wa Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd
2. Allahu Akbar (2x) La ilaha Ilallah, wa Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar wa lillahil hamd
Which one is valid according to sunnah ?

Answer:

Both are valid according to Sunna, but Hanafis and Hanbalis prefer a double repetition, while Shafi`is and Malikis prefer a triple one. (For Shafi`is see Nawawi’s remarks in al-Adhkar, chapter on the dhikr prescribed by the Law in the two `Eids.) There is no specification about it in the hadith, but the triple repetition: allahu akbar allahu akbar allahu akbar was the practice of five of the major Companions, see Shawkani’s references in Nayl al-awtar. wallahu a`lam.

Hajj Gibril Haddad

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Number of Repetitions of Dhikr

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Eshaykh Staff

Question:

Why do the sufis give special significance to certain numbers of recitations of different types of adhkar?

Answer:

Allah swt said:

لَقَدْ أَحْصَاهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا

laqad ahsahum wa `addahum `adda,
He does take an account of them (all), and hath numbered them (all) exactly. (Maryam, 19:94)

It is thus established that counting with precision is one of Allah swt’s sunan. Thus we see that according to natural laws, established by Allah Almighty, In addition to the fact that the days of the week are seven, the days of the month 29 or 30, the days of the year 354, the months of the year 12. Does anyone find this objectionable?

Qatadah said about Allah’s statement,

فَلاَ تَظْلِمُواْ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ

“so wrong not yourselves therein” (at-Tawbah, 9:36)

“Injustice during the Sacred Months is worse and graver than injustice in other months. Verily, injustice is always wrong, but Allah makes things graver than others as He will.”

He also said, “Allah has chosen some of His creation above others. He chose Messengers from angels and from men. He also chose His Speech above all speech, the Masajid above other areas of the earth, Ramadan and the Sacred Months above all months, Friday above the other days and Laylatul-Qadr (The Night of Decree) above all nights. Therefore, sanctify what Allah has sanctified, for doing so is the practice of people of understanding and comprehension.”

All this is to show that some times and places are more preferable in the Sight of Allah than others. Additionally, many forms of worship have specified repetitions: the daily prayers are 5, there are nine days of (sunnah) fast in Dhu’l-Hijjah and 2 in Muharram, 6 in Shawwal and 29 or 30 farai’d obligatory fasts in Ramadan.

Similarly for the numbers of repetitions, as in the many ahadith of the Prophet (s) recommending specific numbers of repetitions of certain prayers, phrases of praise (tahmid), glorification (tasbih), magnification  (takbir), glorification (tamjid), affirming Divine Unity (tahlil) or remembrance (adhkar).

For example, during the Eid takbir, but the triple repetition: Allahu akbar Allahu akbar Allahu akbar was the practice of five of the major Companions. Similarly, the Prophet (s) specified 33 subhanallah, 33 alhamdulillah and 34 Allah abkar as a sunnah ratib following each of the fara’id prayers:

The Messenger of Allah (s) said:

“There are some words, the reciters of which will never be disappointed. These are: Tasbih [saying Subhan-Allah (Allah is free from imperfection)] 33 times, Tahmid [saying Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah)] 33 times, and Takbir [saying Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest)] 34 times; and these should be recited after every fard salat.” (Sahih Muslim)

and the examples of such specified repetitions of dhikr or tasbih are far too many to mention here.

See the webpage: Evidence for Dhikr Beads at sunnah.org.

w ‘Allahu `alam

Taher Siddiqui

reviewed and approved by Shaykh Hisham Kabbani

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