#fakhr-al-din

[loneberry]

--Fakhruddin Iraqi, from Divine Flashes

[tiny-librarian]

Royal Birthdays for today, August 6th:

Go-Toba, Emperor of Japan, 1180

Fakhr-al-Din II, Emir of Lebanon, 1572

Maria Sophia of Neuburg, Queen of Portugal, 1666

Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor, 1697

Louis Antoine, Duc d'Angouleme, 1775

Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 1844

Moritz, Prince and Landgrave of Hesse, 1926

Maria-Pia, Princess of Liechtenstein, 1960

[hungriestofbears]

You wanna talk children?

May the memory of the 12 Druze children bombed by Hezbollah be a blessing. Millar Maadad al-Shaar, 10; Alma Ayman Fakhr al-Din, 11; Naji Taher Halabi, 11; Yazan Naif Abu Salah, 12; Izil Nashat Ayoub, 12; Finis Adham Safadi, 12; John Wadie Ibrahim, 13; Hazem Akram Abu Salah, 15; Fajr Laith Abu Salah, 16; Amir Rabi Abu Salah, 16; Nazem Fakher Saeb, and one unnamed. הי''ד

[gepetordi1]

The 13th century Palmyra Castle, also known as Fakhr-al-Din al-Ma'ani Castle, Syria .

[eyeoftheheart]

Sheikh Fakhr al-Din 'Iraqi, with disciples, Khorasan school, circa 1580

Fakhruddin 'Iraqi's variation of the shahada (testimony of faith):

“la ilaha illa ishq – There is no God but Love.”

Lama’at (Divine Flashes)

[tawakkull]

SLAM 101: SPIRITUALITY IN ISLAM: PART 113

The meaning of Tasawwuf

Part 8

Human states of the heart, the Qur'an, and sunna make plain to us, come under each of these headings. Yet they are not dealt with in books of fiqh or ‘Islamic jurisprudence,’ because, unlike the prayer, zakat, or fasting, they are not quantifiable in terms of the specific amount of them that must be done. But though they are not countable, they are of the utmost importance to every Muslim. Let’s look at a few examples.

(1) Love of Allah. In Surat al-Baqara of the Qur'an, Allah blames those who ascribe associates to Allah whom they love as much as they love Allah. Then He says,

“And those who believe are greater in love for Allah” (Qur'an 2:165), making being a believer conditional upon having greater love for Allah than any other.

(2) Mercy. Bukhari and Muslim relate that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever is not merciful to people, Allah will show no mercy” (Sahih Muslim, 4.1809: hadith 2319), and Tirmidhi relates them well authenticated (hasan) hadith “Mercy is not taken out of anyone except the damned” (al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 4.323: hadith 1923).

(3) Love of each other. Muslim relates in his Sahih that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “By Him in whose hand is my soul, none of you shall enter paradise until you believe, and none of you shall believe until you love one another … .” (Sahih Muslim, 1.74: hadith 54).

(4) Presence of mind in the prayer (salat). Abu Dawud relates in his Sunan that ‘Ammar ibn Yasir heard the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) say, “Truly, a man leaves, and none of his prayer has been recorded for him except a tenth of it, a ninth of it, eighth of it, seventh of it, sixth of it, fifth of it, fourth of it, third of it, a half of it” (Sunan Abi Dawud, 1.211: hadith 796)—meaning that none of a person’s prayer counts for him except that in which he is present in his heart with Allah.

(5) Love of the Prophet. Bukhari relates in his Sahih that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “None of you believes until I am more beloved to him than his father, his son, and all people” (Fath al-Bari, 1.58, hadith 15).

It is plain from these texts that none of the states mentioned—whether mercy, love, or presence of heart—are quantifiable, for the Shari‘a cannot specify that one must “do two units of mercy” or “have three units of the presence of mind” in the way that the number of rak‘as of prayer can be specified, yet each of them is personally obligatory for the Muslim. Let us complete the picture by looking at a few examples of states that are haram or ‘strictly unlawful’:

(1) Fear of anyone besides Allah. Allah Most High says in Surat al-Baqara of the Qur'an,

“And fulfill My covenant: I will fulfill your covenant—And fear Me alone” (Qur'an 2:40), the last phrase of which, according to Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, “establishes that a human being is obliged to fear no one besides Allah Most High” (Tafsir al-Fakhr al-Razi, 3.42).

(2) Despair. Allah Most High says,

“None despairs of Allah’s mercy except the people who disbelieve” (Qur'an 12:87), indicating the unlawfulness of this inward state by coupling it with the worst human condition possible, that of unbelief.

(3) Arrogance. Muslim relates in his Sahih that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“No one shall enter paradise who has a particle of arrogance in his heart” (Sahih Muslim, 1.93: hadith 91).

(4) Envy, meaning to wish for another to lose the blessings he enjoys. Abu Dawud relates that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“Beware of envy, for envy consumes good works as flames consume firewood” (Sunan Abi Dawud, 4.276: hadith 4903).

(5) Showing off in acts of worship. Al-Hakim relates with a sahih chain of transmission that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“The slightest bit of showing off in good works is as if worshipping others with Allah … .” (al-Mustadrak ‘ala al-Sahihayn, 1.4).

These and similar haram inward states are not found in books of fiqh or ‘jurisprudence,’ because fiqh can only deal with quantifiable descriptions of rulings. Rather, they are examined in their causes and remedies by the scholars of the ‘inner fiqh’ of Tasawwuf, men such as Imam al-Ghazali in his Ihya’ ‘ulum al-din [The reviving of the religious sciences], Imam al-Rabbani in his Maktubat [Letters], al-Suhrawardi in his ‘Awarif al-Ma‘arif [The knowledge of the illuminates], Abu Talib al-Makki in Qut al-qulub [The sustenance of hearts], and similar classic works, which discuss and solve hundreds of ethical questions about the inner life. These are books of Shari‘a and their questions are questions of Sacred Law, of how it is lawful or unlawful for a Muslim to be; and they preserve the part of the prophetic sunna dealing with states.

[drmaqazi]

THE BENEFITS AND VIRTUES OF RECITING AND LISTENING TO SURAH YASIN (36)

Yā Sīn (also Yaseen; Arabic: يس) is the 36th Sūrah of the Holy Quran. It has 83 verses (āyāt). 

This Surah focuses on establishing the Holy Qur'an as a divine source, and it warns of the fate of those who mock God's revelations and are stubborn.

Surah Yaseen: A Chapter About Faith

The crowd isn't always right. The main story in this Surah is about a city to which three prophets were sent.

We may only find success in the After life. Many modern Self Help programs pitch the idea that you are the captain of your own fate.

Allah's Signs Are All Around Us.

More Benefits of Surah Yaseen

The Prophet (SalAllahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said, ‘Surely everything has a heart, and the heart of the Holy Qur’an is Surah Yasin. I would love that it be in the heart of every person of my people'[Bazzar]. (S. Muhammad Ali Sabuni, Tafsir-al-SabuniVol.2)

The Prophet (SalAllahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said, ‘Whoever recites Surah Yasin once, Allah will record the reward of reciting the Holy Qur’an ten times.'[Maqal, Tirmidhi 2812/A & Dhahabi]

It has been reported by A’isha (RadiyAllahu ‘anha)that the Prophet (SalAllahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said that there is a Surah in the Holy Qur’an that intercedes for its reciter and forgives its listener. Know! It is Surah Yasin. It is called ‘Mu’amma’ in the Torah. It was enquired, what is Mu’amma? The Prophet (SalAllahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said, ‘it embraces the person with the goodness of this world and removes the dismay of the Hereafter’ [Hashiya of Tafsir Jalalalayn, page 368].

The Prophet (SalAllahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said, ‘Whoever recited Surah Yasin in the night seeking Allah’s pleasure, Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) would forgive him'[Ibn Hibban, Darimi 3283/A, Abu Yala, Tabarani, Baihaqi & Ibn Mardawaih]

Ma`qil ibn Yasar (Radiyallahu ‘Anhu) relates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah’s Blessings and Peace be upon him, his family, companions, and followers) said,” Surah Yasin is the heart of the Holy Qur’an. No one reads it intending thereby Allah and the Next Abode except that Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala)  forgives them. Recite it for your deceased ones.” [Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i (this wording is his), and Hakim, who deemed it rigorously authenticated (sahih)]

Imam Ghazali explained that this is because soundness of faith rests on acknowledging Resurrection and Judgment, and Surah YaSin details this in the most emphatic of ways. Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi concurred.

Imam Tibi explained in his commentary on Mishkat al-Masabih that Surah YaSin was called ‘the Heart of the Holy Qur‘an ‘ because of what it contains overwhelming proofs, decisive signs, subtle spiritual meanings, eloquent admonition, and stern

________________________________________________________

PLEASE LISTEN TO SURAH YASIN OF YOUR CHOICE FROM THE LINKS GIVEN BELOW

ENJOY!

[smqazi]

THE BENEFITS AND VIRTUES OF RECITING OR LISTENING TO SURAH YASIN (36)

Yā Sīn (also Yaseen; Arabic: يس) is the 36th Sūrah of the Holy Quran. It has 83 verses (āyāt). This Surah focuses on establishing the Holy Qur'an as a divine source, and it warns of the fate of those who mock God's revelations and are stubborn.

Surah Yaseen: A Chapter About Faith

The crowd isn't always right. The main story in this Surah is about a city to which three prophets were sent. 

We may only find success in the After life. Many modern Self Help programs pitch the idea that you are the captain of your own fate.

Allah's Signs Are All Around Us.

More Benefits of Surah Yaseen

The Prophet (SalAllahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said, ‘Surely everything has a heart, and the heart of the Holy Qur’an is Surah Yasin. I would love that it be in the heart of every person of my people'[Bazzar]. (S. Muhammad Ali Sabuni, Tafsir-al-SabuniVol.2)

The Prophet (SalAllahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said, ‘Whoever recites Surah Yasin once, Allah will record the reward of reciting the Holy Qur’an ten times.'[Maqal, Tirmidhi 2812/A & Dhahabi]

It has been reported by A’isha (RadiyAllahu ‘anha)that the Prophet (SalAllahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said that there is a Surah in the Holy Qur’an that intercedes for its reciter and forgives its listener. Know! It is Surah YaSin. It is called ‘Mu’amma’ in the Torah. It was enquired, what is Mu’amma? 

The Prophet (SalAllahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said, ‘it embraces the person with the goodness of this world and removes the dismay of the Hereafter’[Hashiya of Tafsir Jalalalayn, page 368].

The Prophet (SalAllahu ‘alayhi wa Sallam) said, ‘Whoever recited Surah YaSin in the night seeking Allah’s pleasure, Allah would forgive him'[Ibn Hibban, Darimi 3283/A, Abu Yala, Tabarani, Baihaqi & Ibn Mardawaih]

Ma`qil ibn Yasar (Radiyallahu ‘Anhu) relates that the Messenger of Allah (Allah’s Blessings and Peace be upon him, his family, companions, and followers) said,” YaSin is the heart of the Holy Qur’an. No one reads it intending thereby Allah and the Next Abode except that Allah forgives them. 

Recite it for your deceased ones.” [Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i (this wording is his), and Hakim, who deemed it rigorously authenticated (sahih)]

Imam Ghazali explained that this is because soundness of faith rests on acknowledging Resurrection and Judgment, and Surah YaSin details this in the most emphatic of ways. Imam Fakhr al-Din al-Razi concurred.

Imam Tibi explained in his commentary on Mishkat al-Masabih that Surah YaSin was called ‘the Heart of the Holy Qur ‘an ‘ because of what it contains overwhelming proofs, decisive signs, subtle spiritual meanings, eloquent admonition, and stern

________________________________________________________

PLEASE LISTEN TO SURAH YASIN OF YOUR CHOICE FROM THE LINKS BELOW

ENJOY!

[tasmiq]

Jumu'ah Sohbet: 19 April 2024

Post-Ramadan, the question on everyone's minds, who have surrendered to loving Allah, is how to retain the powerful frequency of this past month? These were some powerful motivations to keep trying to retain our purview of Allahistan.

#1. We were reminded of a sudur (innermost self) resounding truth generated by our beloved Shaykh Taner. He said:

"Make your goal to love Allah. Surrender to that. The biggest action is love. The biggest being is love. The shortest distance to Allah is love. The biggest asset that burns all incompleteness is love."

As a self-deprecating being, who always contends with one's incompleteness. That is usually after one's nafs (ego or lower-self) succumbs to Nafs al-Lawwama (self-critical soul). It is only the concept of Allah as Al-Wadūd (the most Loving) as in Sufism that reshapes one's incompleteness. Shukran Ya Allah (Divine gratitude) for the insight of our sudur.

#2. During our bi-monthly learning circle, Shaykh Nishaat then reflected on the notion of surrender as beautifully delved into in Shaykh Taner's book, "The Sun Will Rise in the West". Shaykh Nishaat reflected that we must conscientiously surrender. We must do it knowingly and lovingly through our respective sulook (a spiritual path to reach Allah through clear intuition). Again, Sufism's rich and deep emphasis on the love of Allah.

"The traveler on this path is called a salik. At special moments the beginner experiences complete absorption in the remembrance of God and a detachment from all mundane thoughts"

As an accident survivor who was led to surrender many aspects of one's being which strengthened one's nafs... I have gained so much more from my wilful detachment, which confuses those who knew me in my pre-accident life. However, not only am I being taught to be alone with myself, but to reciprocate and recognise Al-Wadūd (the most Loving) who is the Creator of all that I know, Al-Khaliq.

#3. One of the richest blessings of belonging to a Tariqa (spiritual school) is that we never tire of seeking and sharing our spiritual insights. We learned from a Persian Sufi Poet by the name of Fakhr al-Din 'Iraqi, who reflected on humanity's worldly characters:

"They look, they see, but do not comprehend.

They take no pleasure in the View,

For to enjoy it one must know

through the Truth of Certainty

What he is seeing,

through Whom, and why."

It explained beautifully the nature of my surrender because I have been experiencing taqwa (God-consciousness) through the ability to see Allah's actions. What began as early as the sprinkling flowers overhead your Abbu and I, our never-before encounter of a leaping dolphin by the sea, to my current everyday moments that pass by as miracles! The taqwa of one's heart, which is an almost indescribable but palpable reality, has been a self-transformative process.

#4. Khalifa Rubina shared that Sayyidatuna Ummu Salama RA said:

"The most beloved actions to Nabee ﷺ were those good actions that are done consistently/regularly, although they are simple/easy actions."

Therefore, Anne getting us to reflect on taqwa in Ramadan was a perfect intervention. It got us to enact with a focus on Allah, but equally by connecting with the frequency of Ramadan to perform our devotions consistently. I was left with eternal gratitude for our Tariqa for simplifying our connection to Allah, where I have connected the deepest with our holy Qur'an:

Shukran Ya Allah!

#5. This week, I had also learned from Shaykh Nishaat to be more gentle with human frailty just as I treat with wonderment; the human quest for truth, irrespective of the religion that they come from. A few months ago, Buddhism was tainted for me after learning about the cases of sexual abuse by its leaders upon its students in Buddhist schools set up in Europe. Advisor to former US President Nixon, who at some point converted to Islam, Dr Robert Dickson Crane on meeting two Buddhists asked them to describe the essential teachings of their faith in 5 minutes, which they not only did in just 2 minutes but their response was synchronous to the essence of Islam, Subhana'Allah (Divine glory)! The monks said:

"First, we have Hinayana Buddhism, which teaches one to avoid addiction to the material world. Once one has made some progress in this, one is ready for Mahayana Buddhism, at which level one is aware of the nameless, because naming automatically prescribes and limits the limitless. Some Christians use the word "God." Once one is aware at this level, one's great desire is to bring compassionate justice to everyone and everything in the world."

Through Sufism in Islam, one learns detachment to the material world by constantly going against one's nafs. As in Sufism, we are made to journey through levels of our spiritual growth in surrender of our nafs. We are made to become aware of the "nameless" referred to as "God" in Christianity, but where in Islam is identified by more than 99 Divine names! Once you are at this level, the Buddhist monks said, you are compelled to bring compassionate justice to everyone and everything in the world. Just as our role model, who was the last Prophet to mankind, Prophet Muhammad SAW did and continues to do, to this day!

In conclusion, the desire to retain the Ramadan frequency is set into our consciousness through connection to taqwa. May Allah continue to guide us to His truth with ease:

Ya Hadi Ya Haq Ya Latif

[thatshowthingstarted]

Palmyra Castle, Syria,

Also known as Fakhr-al-Din al-Ma'ani Castle or Tadmur Castle, 

Built in the 13th century by Mamluks.

[moyen--orient]

Syria by bilwander Via Flickr: Palmyra, the Roman amphitheatre Syria slideshow / 177pics

[tiny-librarian]

Royal Birthdays for today, August 6th:

Go-Toba, Emperor of Japan, 1180

Fakhr-al-Din II, Ottoman Prince, 1572

Maria Sophia of Neuburg, Queen of Portugal, 1666

Charles VII, Holy Roman Emperor, 1697

Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, 1844

Moritz, Prince and Landgrave of Hesse, 1926

[viraltiger]

The 13th century Palmyra Castle, also known as Fakhr-al-Din al-Ma'ani Castle, Syria - See more viral images on ViralTiger.org

[castlesandmanorhouses]

Fakhr-al-Din al-Ma'ani Castle or Palmyra Castle, Homs, Syria.

www.castlesandmanorhouses.com

The castle is thought to have been built by the Mamluks in the 13th century. It stands on a high hill overlooking the historic site of Palmyra, and is named for the Druze emir Fakhr-al-Din II. The castle was once surrounded by a moat that had only one access available over a drawbridge.

The site of the castle and Palmyra became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980 in recognition of the monumental ruins of a great city, which was one of the most important cultural centres of the ancient world. The site was designated a national monument in Syria and a buffer zone was established in 2007. In 2015 the so-called Islamic State destroyed the ancient temples and murdered their guardians in the name of religion

[barbariankingdom]

Fakhr-al-Din-al-Ma’ani Castle (Palmyra Castle) overlooks ancient ruins of Palmya, Syria. Built around 1250 by Mamluks, it was set high on bedrock as a fortification to protect commercially and culturally important city of Palmyra.

[andrearrrrr]

The 13th century Palmyra Castle, also known as Fakhr-al-Din al-Ma'ani Castle, Syria

Palmyra Castle - Wikipedia