Struggle's Blessing | A Poem

It's just forceful contentment when you see his outside, Just like that time life flashed before his eyes. He was higher than the clouds, lower than Satans pit, He reflected on the Day he's going to need to submit. But, you know, as a kid they'd push him around and beat and batter, What he felt inside certainly never did matter, At times when he gave no damn bout himself or any fellows, Then they'd come and ask him whats wrong, acting all mellow, He'd say, "hey, condemnation is a way to motivate me", And they took the challenge, continued and waited to see, But challenges grew in character, academics, his general defects, Yet never aided to enhance his tampered mental reflex, He thought it was them, but it was actually himself, It was just his experiences and the problems he dealt, He realized it was a symptom of a much deeper disease, That these problems he faced, he just couldn't seize. Never did he reflect on any gifted privilege, First influence was learning about lineage, How would the noble ancestors feel about his deviance? Not about themselves, but about being morally disobedient, He heard in himself, "You're going to die, your soul will fly, and return to your Lord! If you're lucky, you'll understand now what'd be for you in store!" Every struggle led to another, until he had enough, The doors opened for a spiritual journey that's certainly tough, Take heed, however, this journey will never end, Strive even passed the point God refers to you as "Friend".

The Rank of Imām al-Ghazāli and his book, Ihyā Ulūm ad-Dīn

Imām Abū al-Hasan Ash-Shādhili, may Allah be well pleased with him, had a dream that he went into Jerusalem and he saw the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him sitting on an elevated chair while there were other Prophets. He heard Sayyīdina Musā Alayhīs Salām ask the Prophet, "You say the scholars of your nation are like the prophets of the Israelites." The Prophet peace be upon him responded, "Yes. Would you like to see one of them?" Sayyidīna Musā Alayhis Salām said, "Yes." The Prophet turned and said, "Where is Abū Hamid (Al-Ghazālī)?"

Allahu Akbar. Imām al-Haddād said that this was proof that he surpassed all other scholars in his writings.

This can be found in history books and is mentioned by Imām Nawawi and Imām al-Haddād.

Hamza Yūsuf - Weak Hadīth in Ihya Ulūm ad-Dīn

Defense of the Ihyā by Imām al-Ghazāli - Mufti Abdur Rahmān ibn Yūsuf

Scholars appraisal of Imām al-Ghazāli by Shaykh Muhammad al-Yaqoubi

Advice on Social Media | Shaykh Amjad Tarsin - Muslim Chaplain of the University of Toronto

Reminder to Self (and all those I love): 

Social media really invites us to be part of extremely nuanced and complex conversations that would often require hours upon hours of research and sincere face-to-face discussion. If you feel like you're being sucked into such a conversation—whether it's about politics, religion, etc—take a moment to reflect before proceeding. 

At the end of the day, when in doubt, it's always safer to say, "I don't know." 

Much love to everyone!

- Amjad Tarsin

Shaykh Hamza Yūsuf's Commentary on Wird al-Latīf by Imām al-Haddād

Bismillah

The following video is of Shaykh Hamza Yūsuf's commentary on the compilation of Prophetic invocations, derived from authenticated hadīth, which was compiled by the recognized mujjadid of the 11th century AH, Imām 'Abdullāh ibn Alawī al-Haddād, the Shafi'ī - Ash'arī scholar of the blessed city of Tarīm in Ḥadramawt, Yemen. Imām al-Haddād labeled this compilation, "Al-Wird Al-Latīf." It is encouraged to be read at least once a day during the time of the morning prayer (Fajr) or the evening prayer prayer (Maghrib), but highly recommended to be read twice a day, once during the time of both. Traditionally, since the compilation of these prayers, the students of Imām al-Haddād for generations have recited al-Wird al-Latīf during the morning prayers and another well known compilation of authentic invocations - also compiled by Imām al-Haddād - called Rātib al-Haddād, during the evening prayers since certain prayers are prescribed for only specific timings. Nonetheless, there is no harm is reciting al-Wird al-Latīf during both timings or even Rātib al-Haddād.

If you do not have either of these books, click which one you want you'll be directed to a PDF that you can save.

Al-Wird Al-Latīf

Rātib al-Haddād

A beautiful excerpt from the talk...

"People are in need of the Prophetic du’ā’s now, more than ever, because there are shayateen everywhere. If we could see the unseen world, I’m telling you, we would all pass out. Because there are demons all over the place. What you’re doing whilst reciting invocations and litanies is creating a space around you, that if the Jinn and shaytaan see it, they have to back away. If you are consistent with this (Wird al Latif), I guarantee you will see a difference in your life. And if you miss it out you’ll feel horrible during the day – it’ll feel like going outside without brushing your teeth. Put yourself in the protection of Allāh through daily du’ā."

— Shaykh Hamza Yūsuf

http://www.alzawiyah.org/wird-al-latif-shaykh-hamza-yusuf/


May Allah bless and reward the brother who published this, the brother who shared the PDF, Imām al-Haddād for compiling it, and of course, the Prophet Muhammad Salla Allahu Alayhi wa Sallam for teaching it to us.

All praises due to Allah. Al-Fatiha.

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