20 Prayers of a Faqīr; a Spiritually Impoverished Soul

Bismillāh

Alhamdulīllahi Rabbī al-Ālamīn, wa Salla Allāhu wa Sallim wa Bārik wa Karrīm Alā Sayyīdīna wa Habībinā wa Shafi'īnā wa Mawlānā Muhammad wa alā Ālīhī wa Sahbihī Ajma'īn.

1. Ya Allah, I ask You to increase me in love and mindfulness of You and Your most Beloved, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

2. Ya Allah, I ask You to grant me the highest level of Jannah (Paradise) where we stand free of worry with the Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam.

3. Ya Allah, I ask You to give me a vivid dream in which I see the Prophet Muhammad, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and get to interact with him, learning a lesson never to be forgotten.

4. Ya Allah, I ask You to let the Qur’an and Sunnah be the springs of my heart so I may spiritually be connected to You and the Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, at all times.

5. Ya Allah, I ask You for protection from what the Prophet sought protection from and I seek refuge in You from what the Prophet sought refuge from.

Habīb Kādhim - a caller to Allāh- 
making Du'ā.

6. Ya Allah, I ask You to allow my inward self be beautiful as You have made my outward appearance beautiful and let me leave a good impression on people as the Prophet did as a form of inviting to You.

7. Ya Allah, I ask You to protect me from the evils of my own self; hypocrisy, arrogance, and ignorance.

8. Ya Allah, I ask You to place blessing in the time and place we live in and I ask You to be pleased with us.

9. Ya Allah, I ask You to always let my heart and mind be preoccupied with Your remembrance and prayers upon the Prophet, salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam

10. Ya Allah, I ask You to rectify my affairs and polish, enlighten, and fragrance my heart with Your remembrance.

11. Ya Allah, I ask you to alleviate all burdens and oppression that the Ummah is undergoing and make us stronger believers.

12. Ya Allah, I ask you to accept all my deeds and erase my sins and accept all my parents' deeds and forgive their sins, forgive me for disrespecting them and forgive them for their wrongdoings.

13. Ya Allah, I ask You that You take me back in the best of states, physically and spiritually, and resurrect me as I say, “There is none to be worshiped except You, Ya Allah!”

14. Ya Allah, I ask you that you protect my ears, eyes, and tongue from engaging in that which you forbade them from engaging. And protect my mind and heart from remembering and loving that which you forbade them from remembering and loving.

15. Ya Allah, I ask You to have mercy on my sinful soul and let me alter my ways in a manner You and the Prophet love.

16. Ya Allah, I ask you to forgive me because you are Al-Ghafūr, al-Ghaffār, al-Ghāfir, The All Forgiving, The Repeatedly Forgiving, The Forgiver, and only You can forgive me, otherwise I am doomed to destruction, so forgive me!


17. Ya Allah, I admit and claim responsibility for the sins I've committed knowing or unknowingly. You love those who feel disgusted by their shortcomings and those who ask for Your forgiveness, I am disgusted by my sins and I ask You to forgive me.


18. Ya Allah, I ask You for blessings, an increase in all good and benefit, and open doors of good for me my family, my parents, my siblings, my teachers, my role models, my friends, my enemies, and all those I've interacted with, with every step they take towards You, and let these steps only allow advancement towards the goal; You.

19. Ya Allah, I ask You to let me not live a single moment in life which I am heedless of You and my responsibility and purpose in this world You have given me; to remember You and the Prophet at all times, to be a person of learning, improvement, and progression, and to live by Your Message and Muhammadan character. Let me live and act to the knowledge You have blessed me with.

20. Ya Allah, Your decree for us is fair and just! And I beseech You by every one of Your Divine Names, by those You havee revealed to us, and even those You kept secret from us, to accept our prayers, to let our love for You be an intercessor for us, to enlighten our hearts, to clean out our minds, to fragrance our dead hearts with life, for only You can accept our prayers. 

Āmīn.

Al Fātihā

Sayyid Salim bin Umar's Visit to the Tablighi Jamaat in Bangladesh

What follows is a summary of the key points mentioned in Sayyid Sālim bin Umar bin Muhammad bin Sālim bin Hafīdh’s (Habib Umar’s son) recent visit to Bangladesh where he partook in the annual Tablīgh Jamat ijtima. It is one of the clearest examples of Dār al Mustafa’s strong links, praise, reliance and appreciation of Tablīghī Jamāt.

Delivered Thursday 7th February after Salāt ADhuhr to the students of Dār al Mustafa:

He traveled to Bangladesh with Jamāt members from Yemen’s city port Hudayda. The group was headed by one 95+ year old Muhammad Abdul Wahāb who had spent 6 years from the end of Muhammad Ilyas Kandahlāvi’s  life with him.

40 Merits of Sending Salawat upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم by Imam Ibn al Qayyim

al Imam Ibn al-Qayyim mentions in his book 'Jalaa al-Afhaam fi Fadl as-Salaati was-Salaam 'alaa Khayr al-Anaam' forty benefits arising from sending Salawat upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم

Recite اللهم صلي على محمد، اللهم صلي عليه و سلم
OR any formula you are comfortable with.

One of our Ulama, may Allah preserve all of them, said in one of his gatherings I attended, "Salat al Ibrahimiyya is the best form of Salawat upon the Prophet."

Photo Credit: Mustafa Davis

The following is a summary of what he gathered of the benefits and effects -: (please also see clarification at the bottom)

1. Compliance with the Command of Allah, The Perfect and Most High, (i.e. in Surat Al-Ahzab: 56)

2. Conformity with Allah Sending Prayers of peace upon him صلى الله عليه وسلم - even though the two forms of prayers of peace are different. So our prayers of peace upon him is a Du’a and a request (to Allah), whereas the Prayers of peace of Allah - The Most High - upon him is extolling and ennobling him...

3. Conformity with the Angels in it.

4. Attaining ten salawaat from Allah by the person who sends prayers of peace upon him صلى الله عليه وسلم once.

5. That he is raised by ten levels.

6. That he has ten good deeds written for him.

7. That he has ten sins erased from him.

8. That it is to be hoped that his Du’a will be responded to if he precedes it with that. So it causes the supplication to ascend to the Lord of Creation, when prior to this, the Du’a was suspended between the heavens and the earth.

9. It is a means to attain his صلى الله عليه وسلم intercession, if it is accompanied by a request for al-waseelah (a station in Paradise) for him, or even if it is on its own...

10. It is a means for forgiveness of sins …

11. It is a cause for Allah to suffice the servant with regard to whatever concerns him.

12. It is a means for the person to gain nearness to him صلى الله عليه وسلم on the Day of Resurrection…

13. It has the position of being like an act of charity upon a needy person. **

14. It is a cause for the fulfillment of your needs.

Friday: A Unique Day

Assalamu Alaykum,

Today's personal post will stay short, insha Allah.

Today is Friday. My favorite day of the week for many reasons. Mainly because I get to listen to a Khutbah in person instead of listening to something online and I get to spend some good time with people who remind me of Allah and His Prophet.

A short reminder on the importance of Friday - Yawn al Jum'ah

"Friday is the best of days. It was on this day that Hadrat Aadam alayhis salaam was created, it was on this day that he was granted entry into jannah, it was on this day that he was removed from Jannah (which became the cause for man's existence in this universe, and which is a great blessing), and the day of resurrection will also take place on this day. " (Sahih Muslim)

"There is such an hour on Friday that if any Muslim makes dua in it, his dua will definitely be accepted. " (Bukhari, Muslim) 

The Prophet Muhammad (God bless him and grant him peace) said: "Of all the days, Friday is the most virtuous. It is on this day that the trumpet will be blown. Send abundant durood upon me on Fridays because they are presented to me on that day. " The Sahabah  radiallahu anhum asked: "O Rasul Allah! How will they be presented to you when even your bones will not be present after your death?" The Prophet (God bless him and grant him peace) replied: "Allah has made the earth haraam upon the prophets forever . " (Abu Dwaud)

Whoever commits ten verses from the beginning Surat al-Kahf will be protected from the Dajjal. [Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasai, and others]

The Death of Nelson Mandela; A Prophetic Perspective

Nelson Mandela: A Reminder for Us All – Habib Ali Al-Jifri

Read on SeekersGuidance

Original article can be found here.

Of the many principles that Nelson Mandela stood for, his struggle against the apartheid regime was one, but it was not this that made him unique. In fact, Imam Abdullah Haron preceded him in this struggle in South Africa and died in prison after being tortured by the apartheid regime.

One of the things Mandela taught his people and the modern world was how the victor should forgive and pardon those who wronged and oppressed him. He showed how a leader can help his people surpass the difficulty of the past to build a common future.

Meanwhile, we as Muslims have forgotten the words of the Prophet, upon him be peace, to the disbelievers of Quraysh who had tormented him and his companions. He said to them when they were completely at his mercy: “Go forth, for you are free.” This was then a cause for them to enter Islam and take part in spreading the lofty values of the religion throughout the world.

Another great principle that Mandela stood for was global humanitarianism. He was not merely concerned with his own people. Rather, he experienced the pain of oppressed people throughout the world regardless of their race, colour, nationality or religion. He supported the Palestinian cause in the international community. He likened the struggle of the Palestinian people to the freedom struggle of black South Africans. The Elders organisation which he brought together issued a statement condemning the blockade of the Gaza Strip. Mandela described the attack on the ‘peace ship’ carrying aid to Gaza as completely inexcusable. He worked to resolve the conflict in Burundi which had led to a vast number of deaths and succeeded in bringing conflicting groups to an agreement. He vehemently opposed the American occupation of Iraq and lambasted U.S. President George W. Bush for his decision, even though in the same year the latter had awarded him the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom. He accused Bush of “desiring to plunge the world into a new holocaust” and said that all that Bush wanted from Iraq was its oil. He said that the U.S. had committed more “unspeakable atrocities” across the world than any other nation, citing the atomic bombing of Japan.

Meanwhile, we have forgotten that the Prophet stood up when the funeral procession of a Jewish man passed. When they asked him why he was standing for a Jewish man, he replied: “Is it not a human soul?” We have also forgotten that he commended the ‘Alliance of the Virtuous’ (Ḥilf al-Fuḍūl), a pre-Islamic pact made to support the oppressed. He said that if he was invited to make a similar pact again he would do so.

Mandela fought against racism, which he regarded as something despicable. He did not only oppose white racial discrimination against blacks, but he taught blacks not to reciprocate by showing racism towards whites. He said: “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

We have forgotten that the Prophet refused to consider people wronging us as a justification for showing aggression towards other people of the same race or religion. He did not use the treachery of the Jewish tribes of Banū Qaynuqā` and Banū al-Naḍīr and the Jews of Khaybar as a justification for showing aggression to every Jew living in al-Madīnah. In fact when he died his shield was pawned to a Jewish man in exchange for some food which he had bought from him. Neither did the Prophet refuse to have dealings with the man and nor did he regard it lawful to take the man’s property just because his co-religionists had wronged and betrayed Muslims.

The Best Du'a (Invocation) for Forgiveness from Allah

"Believers, turn to God in sincere repentance. Your Lord may well cancel your bad deeds for you and admit you into Gardens graced with flowing streams, on a Day when God will not disgrace the Prophet or those who have believed with him. With their lights streaming out ahead of them and to their right, they will say, 'Lord, perfect our lights for us and forgive us: You have power over everything.'" (Qur'an 66:8)

And said, 'Ask forgiveness of your Lord. Indeed, He is ever a Everlasting Forgiver. (Qur'an 71:10)

Say, "O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah . Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful." (Qur'an 39:53)

Shaddad ibn Awss (May God be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam (May God bless him and grant him peace) said,

The best of forgiveness (Sayyid Al-Istighfar) is to say,


اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي لا إِلَهَ إِلا أَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَيَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي فَإِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلا أَنْتَ

(TRANSLATION: ‘O Allah! You are my Lord. There is no god but. You created me and I am Your slave. I am on Your covenant and promise as much as I am able. I seek refuge in you from the wrongs I have done. I admit to You all the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I admit to You my sins. So forgive me, for none forgives sins but You.’ ”)

“Whoever says it during the day, with conviction, and then dies that day before night falls will be of the people of Paradise. And whoever says it at night, with conviction, and then dies before day break will be of the people of Paradise.” Sahih of Imam al-Bukhari (6306), at- Tirmidhi (3393), Nasa’i (5522), and Musnad of Imam Ahmad (16662)

ADVICE To Our Brothers; the Scholars of Najd

ADVICE To Our Brothers; the Scholars of Najd

Sayyid Yusuf ibn Al-Sayyid Hashim al-Rifa'i [1420/1999]

Prologue

In the Name of Allah -Beneficent Most Merciful

"Say: Who gives you provision from the sky and the earth? Say: Allah. Lo! We or you assuredly are rightly guided or in error manifest. Say: You will not be asked of whb vvat we committed, nor shall we be asked of what you do. Say: Our Lord will bring us all together, then He will judge between us with truth. He is the All Knowing Judge" [34:24-26].

"Lo! Allah enjoins justice and kindness and giving to kinsfolk, and forbids lewdness and abomination and wickedness. He exhorts you in order that you may take heed" [16:90]

"O my people! Yours is the kingdom today, you being uppermost in the land. But who would save us from the wrath of Allah should it reach us?" [40:20].

All praise belongs to Allah! Blessings and greetings upon our Master Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah and upon his Family and most honorable Companions and all those loyal to him.

To proceed: Using as my point of departure the narration of the Prophet, peace and greetings be upon him, "Religion is sincere, faithful advice." We said: [Faithful] to whom? He replied: "To Allah, to His Book and His Messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims and their multitude." ³ and after the publication of my book "al-Radd al-Muhkam al Mani" ⁴ and that of other books authored by people of learning,⁵ I waited to see if, perhaps, some of your doings and methods would change. However, nothing of the sort took place.

Therefore, since Allah says in Surat al-Asr,

"By the declining day,

Lo! Man is in a state of loss,

Save those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance." [103:1-3],

I decided, after the Prayer of Counsel (al-istikhara), to address you with this sincere faithful advice which, I hope, will be accepted. I ask our Lord Most High to show it to us, and show us falsehood for what it is and grant us to avoid it. May He not make this matter confused for us lest we follow our lusts. It is Allah alone who guides to what is right.

Accordingly, I Say trusting in Allah for success.

Word from Hashem

Assalamu Alaykum,
Peace be with you.

I hope Allah (God) blesses you, grants you true peace, and places you in paradise with His most beloved ones, especially with the Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam.

Thank you for everybody who is reading this blog and keeping up with it. I would love it if you were to share it with others who would appreciate it as well. I am totally open to constructive criticism and advice. Please do not hesitate to comment and drop some advice if you need to. I am always looking forward to improve my weaknesses.

Jazakum Allahu Khayr
Thank You,

Peace & Prayers,
W/s.

Hashem (al-Maliki)

Does Tasawwuf have a distinct theology?

The Sufis are the defenders of various principles of Ahlus Sunnah, including theology. The theological schools of Imam Abu al Hasan al Ash’ari, whose school of theology is known to be the Ash’ari school, and Imam Abu al Mansur al Maturidi, whose school of theology is known to be the Maturidi school, have been recognized for centuries to be the sound, mainstream schools of theology of the Sunni Muslims. Modern day movements have claimed that these schools of theology are deviant and are linked to passed extinct sects of Islam such as the Jahmiyyah. Ignorant claims such as, “Ash’ari and Maturidi schools are deviant and flawed and should not be followed. Instead, we should follow the Aqidah of the Salaf!” are common to hear nowadays. This also does not make any sense, considering they are creeds of Salaf.

These schools of theology have always been the mainstream belief system and to say they are wrong is to say that one-thousand years of theological studies went to waste because they are deviant. Not only that, it is also saying that all of our scholars were wrong in the most basic science of Islam. Since the majority of the Muhammadan nation followed these schools, it is needed that we do as well.

"…And this nation (of Muslims) will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in the Fire except one sect (the Saved Sect)." They (the Companions) asked, 'Who are they (the Saved Sect) oh Messenger of Allah?' He (SAW) said, "Those who are upon what I and my Companions are upon." (Sunan at-Tirmidhi)

“Allah will never let my Ummah agree upon misguidance, and the hand of Allah is over the group (Jama'ah), so follow the great mass of believers (Sawad ul-'Azam), and whoever dissents from them departs to hell” 
al-Hakim (1/116), and al-Dhahabi agreed with him

"Verily Allah will not make my Community -- or Muhammad's Community -- agree on error, and Allah's hand is with the largest Congregation."
Reference : Tirmidhi (gharib) #2256, Cairo ed. `Aridat al-ahwadhi (11:9)

"Whoever among you wants to be in the middle of Paradise, let him cling to the Congregation."
Reference : Tirmidhi related it and said it is sound (sahih).

Part I: Introduction to Tasawwuf

What is Tasawwuf exactly?

Sufism, also known as in traditional terms, Tasawwuf, is a science within the sciences of Islam. The word “Sufism” is an innovated term that replaced the word “Tasawwuf” in the modern day. That being said, I will use the word “Tasawwuf” instead, and the adherents of this science, “Sufis”.

Usually at the mentioning of the Sufis, people like to jump out of their seat and have their mind automatically process deviant thoughts about these people. However, the reality of the Sufis is foreign to us due to modern innovative movements. The Sufis have been present within the Ummah of Islam since the 2nd Century of Islam.

Imam Malik says, “He who practices Sufism without learning Sacred Law corrupts his faith, while he who leans Sacred Law without practicing Sufism corrupts himself. Only he who combines the two proves true. (Iqaz al-Himam fi Sharh al-Hikam, 5-6 from The Reliance of the Traveller, w9.3, 862)”

Whoever calls them self a Sufi is not Sufi. Sufis are Sunnis. The Sufis put an emphasis on Tasawwuf which dwells into the science of Ihsan and practice it extensively as mentioned in the the Gabriel Hadith (Prophetic tradition)  when the Angel Gabriel asked the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu Alayhi wa sallam, "What is Ihsan (perfection)?" And Allah's Apostle replied, "To worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot achieve this state of devotion then you must consider that He is looking at you." (Sahih al-Bukhari, 1:2:48) The Sufis are the defenders of the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam. Sufism, or Tasawwuf (proper term), is not a 'sect', it's an essential science of Islam. The Sufis follow the Salaf in the true sense.

The Sufis since have been present since the time of Salaf, and much of the contribution of invitation to Islam has been by them. They have defended the multiple sciences such as theology, jurisprudence and Islamic Law against many deviant innovating groups. They are the defenders of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah. Who ever has an ill understanding of the People of Tasawwuf should spend time with them and learn from them.

1. There is a confusion as to what Tasawwuf is; many people define it as it being “a spiritual and mystical sect of Islam.” This understanding is innovating and does a disservice to this science.
1. Tasawwuf/Sufism is not a “sect” per se, rather it is a science within the multiple sciences of Islam that is needed for us to learn in order for us to be established in faith fully.
1. It is specifically rooted from Ihsan.
2. “Spirituality” and “mysticism” is misleading to many people. It seems as though it’s a hippy way of practicing Islam and it requires light dedication.
1. Spirituality cannot be attained by any individual except that they fulfill the requirements of studying and staying firm in theology, studying and practicing Fiqh or jurisprudence, and finally, understanding how to deal with certain issues within society according to Islamic Law.
2. Being “spiritual” is not an easy way of life. As I tend to look at it, spirituality in Islam requires a focused mind, sound heart, and firm hand. You’re always striving to learn and improve on a daily basis.
3. Tasawwuf is not learnt by books, rather it is something that must be experienced with a scholar who has a chain of transmission back to the Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam in order to understand.

Qasida Burda recitation by Moroccan Munshids

مولاي صلــــي وسلــــم دائمـــاً أبــــدا
علـــى حبيبــــك خيــر الخلق كلهـم

ياربي صلي على محمد وعلى
ساداتنا الـه وصحبه الكـرام

أمن تذكــــــر جيــــــرانٍ بذى ســــــلم
مزجت دمعا جَرَى من مقلةٍ بـــــدم

َامْ هبَّــــت الريـــــحُ مِنْ تلقاءِ كاظمــةٍ
وأَومض البرق في الظَّلْماءِ من إِضم

فما لعينيك إن قلت اكْفُفاهمتـــــــــــــــا
وما لقلبك إن قلت استفق يهـــــــــم

أيحسب الصب أن الحب منكتـــــــــــم
ما بين منسجم منه ومضطــــــــرم

لولا الهوى لم ترق دمعاً على طـــــللٍ
ولا أرقت لذكر البانِ والعلــــــــــمِ

(LINES NOT FOUND IN MY COPY)

فكيف تنكر حباً بعد ما شـــــــــــــهدت
به عليك عدول الدمع والســـــــــقمِ

وأثبت الوجد خطَّيْ عبرةٍ وضــــــــنى
مثل البهار على خديك والعنــــــــم

نعم سرى طيف من أهوى فأرقنـــــــي
والحب يعترض اللذات بالألــــــــمِ

About Me: An Introduction to the Blogger

About Me:

This is a short story about myself so people know where I am coming from.

Being from a Hashemi tribe from my fathers side, I will go by the name of 'Hashem' and I hope that will not be an issue.

I wanted to share my different experiences with different groups and sects within Islam. I come from a, considered to be, 'religious' family. But their understanding was different of what it was to be "religious". I call it being culturally religious. I have been through both the typical Salafi vs Sufi phase of a seeker who wanted to rediscover their religion. Rediscovering ones religion is a positive yet somewhat a 'rare' phase a typical ignorant adolescent goes through in the West. My Lord, Allah, has blessed me with guidance on the path of Islam after being through different crowds. But nobody is not in proximity for any blessing from their Lord to let them start learning about their own selves.

I first had to interest to practice back when I first started middle school since my older biological sisters attended a convention in Toronto called, 'Reviving the Islamic Spirit - RIS' where many scholars from the tradition of Tasawwuf would come and give theoretical talks on the advancement of Muslims in the West, and globally. Not that there is anything wrong with giving theoretical talks as opposed to practical talks, the atmosphere is spiritually uplifting, but it was a typical conference where people would attend to have that Eman rush once again and try to maintain it. I always loved it and STILL do Alhamdulillah, but I always wanted something a little more beneficial with less people there and more contact with the speakers. I believe it was that year in 2007 or the following year in 7th grade in 2008 in the winter I went for the first time. (I'm sure it was 2007) I listened to my favorite speaker, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf. I didn't really understand half the things he was saying but I sure did feel good being in that gathering and hearing his voice. In my private Islamic school, I would love to quote him... little did I know the board of the school was from an opposing movement.

Time flew by.

8th grade. I was invited by a community friend to an Al-Maghrib class concerning salah. THAT was the type of classes and gathering I wanted to go to. An affordable class that I can learn from practical things in Fiqh. I was in that crowd for a while till 10th grade. But between this time, I was told by this group to stay away from certain influential figures in the community. Why? Because apparently they 'worshiped the Prophet' and 'made Dua TO him.' I never understood and I never listened to them. I later found out more that they were 'Salafis' and I slowly left their group. I went through, what I believe, a phase that was perhaps similar to the infamous 'Salafi Burnout' when I was sick and tired of some religious matters so I fell into the wrong crowds doing really haram things. Some time in 10th grade, I decided to learn more about Tasawwuf. But I didn't take action towards it. One night, as I was on the computer watching videos of gangs around the United States, on my YouTube feed came a video of Shaykh Hamza Yusuf called, "Real Knowledge - Very Emotional Lecture." I watched it and it changed my life, Alhamdulillah.

As months went by, I was still hooked on the wrong I was still doing. Until I left that crowd at the school, I stopped and I was able to practice better. The school itself I went to was a private Islamic school secretly and heedlessly teaching Wahhabism. The Islamic Studies teachers were not Wahhabis/ists but the rest of the teachers of greater authority were indirectly promoting 'Pure Islam' from Saudi Arabian publications of these recent times. After I left the school, I was able to learn more and more about Tasawwuf and what it really is. I went through a typical phase, trying to debate people and argue with them about random stuff, and about a year later towards the end of my 11th grade year, I realized that I have no authority to argue with people about anything. Arguments WILL happen, but you should never go out of your way to start one. The best thing to do is to walk away.

Even after I left the Salafi group, the 'students' of al Maghrib would still encourage me to come to their classes but very politely I would tell them that I cannot make it or I just cannot come. I never wanted to tell them off because some of them are actually nice people. Somebody from the crowd asked me, "Why don't you come to our gatherings while you still attend yours?" I asked him, "What do you mean?" He said, "Well.. you can still come to 'Salafi' (air quotes) gatherings and but still attend yours." I said, "Good idea... but why I don't I come to your 'Salafi' gathering and you can come to my 'Sufi' gatherings? Good idea?" He just said, "I'm not always sure if I can make them." I did not understand... Many of the people of Tasawwuf don't have a problem with the Salafi classes and gathering but they just feel uncomfortable around them because why would anybody want to be around people who consider them a Mushrik (polytheist)? At the same time, it doesn't matter what they think of me and I should do the right thing.

That's my story.

Open to simple questions.

w/s

Hashem (al-Maliki)

Bismillah

Bismillah

Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu,

In the Name of Allah, the Supremely Merciful, the Most Kind.

May endless divine peace and blessing be upon or master, the beloved of Allah, the most honored of all creation, the Prophet Muhammad, and also his pure family, noble companions and wives.

It came to my attention recently the actual reasons why modernist movements show envy for Tasawwuf and the Sufis. Many things came to my mind as to why they preach against this essential science of Islam. So this blog, insha Allah, will be used in order to bring to attention the flaws of Ahlu Tasawwuf and how we can improve ourselves. This isn't a blog for argumentation, but for tough love. I ask Allah that only good comes out of this. Amin.

(When I say, "we", I don't consider myself from amongst the pious and righteous, I am simply referring to the, hopefully, adherents of the science.)