tasmiq

[tasmiq]

Jumu'ah Sohbet: 27 June 2025

This week led me deepest inside simply through Anne's (our original spiritual mother's) portal ☺️ Bismillah, let me begin explaining:

#1. Us Sufi students may be considered deep thinkers, aloof, or even distracted, because we are inclined to immerse ourselves in contemplation of Allah's reality. During Saturday Sohbets, Anne merely opens a personal perspective, which in turn floods our consciousness with an almost indescribable but palpable sense of Allah's Nur (Divine light). Why are Allah's Names called Asma ul Husna, the most beautiful names she enquired ..? They are not merely names but reveal aspects of Allah's nature and actions. They provide a framework for understanding Allah's reality. We ought to use our glasses of perception to witness ourselves and the world with them more objectively. Ideally, we ought to look at everything through the Names of Allah.

She also highlighted being mindful of Allah's name pairings, as the frequently mentioned Al 'Aziz (The Almighty, All Powerful) with Al Hakim (The All-Wise). These Names of Allah signify His absolute power and wisdom, respectively. These names are often mentioned together in the Quran, highlighting that Allah's power is always accompanied by wisdom, and His actions are purposeful and full of meaning. As I have mystically grown to recognise in the discrete but palpable miracles that I experience in my life as an accident survivor. We are often instructed to do our work in terms of our devotions and, thereafter, surrender the outcomes to Allah. Alhamdulillah that this has become my automated reality, as invisible as oxygen and Allah Himself. But maybe that's why it has become such a pervasive reality?!

#2. Anne reflected that one of the most important moments in our lives is when taking bay'at (a Sufi pledge of allegiance commiting to willingly surrendering to, and learning about, Allah in our lives). She immediately made me aware that this has to be an ongoing daily choice that we renew beyond its first moments. However, she asked us to reflect on how we even reached that point ☺️

My first meeting with our beloved and seemingly cranky Shaykh Taner:

I boldly went to meet him after my Wushin (martial arts) training class, still in my gear, but bowtied with a loosely tied scarf around my neck. It is the very day that both your Zaheer Bhai and Abbu, who was my friend then, took bay'at. Coincidence? Clearly not! It was but an unfolding of Allah's Divine plan that was unbeknownst to us 🥹

That evening, I went there with deep spiritual hunger seeking a sense of belonging but with no conscious expectations. I immediately felt noticed by Shaykh Taner, which humbled me. Could I be worthy of Allah's attention given the spiders in my closet, I wondered? Well, possibly three years later, after even being wed to your Abbu by our Shaykh Nishaat, did my nafs finally cave! I sheepishly asked, "Please, may I join your family of misfits?!" This was received with humoured jubilation. I had followed my spiritual heart's instinct, which was almost impossible to explain rationally. I would say that after much loss, of both my worldly ability and our beloved Shaykh Taner himself, has my consciousness truly awoken from its ignorance.

#3. She punctuated undeniable truth, especially felt as an accident survivor, the world we live in reflects polarities - inner and outer, before and after, and ultimately reflecting both Allah and the nafs (lower-selves or egos). We need to especially recognise the incompatibility of both latter forces at the same time 😅

Embracing our uniqueness provides a key element to our path to Allah. We simply need to stay motivated and connected to Allah by naturally remaining in awe and surrendering to continual learning, whether we like it or not! We ought to wonder each day, which names of Allah that we feel a particular resonance with at various times of our lives. She reminded us that all of Allah's names are like links enveloping us as armour, as a form of protection, and connection in the world!

I am but left proverbially swimming in Tasbih of Hazrat Fatima (RA). When she was mysteriously advised by her father, our most beloved Nabi Muhammad (SAW) to simply recite Subhana'Allah (Divine glory), Alhamdulillah (Divine praise), and Allahu Akbar (Allah is the greatest!) with contemplation. When we are unable like she was, and as I currently am, we will similarly realise how spiritually able we can be with it. I share our open but mystical secret!

[tasmiq]

Jumu'ah Sohbet: 20 June 2025

Onward to our oceanic learning from the week, Bismillah 🌊💙 ...

#1. A murid (follower of a Sufi path) asked her spiritual mentor, AKA: Shaykh - to help her unpack Sufism's prime focus on the "Nafs." It is often corrolated to humankind's ego. Could it include more than that? Based on our beloved Shaykh Nishaat's answer, this was my poetic interpretation of his elucidation in prose.

NAFS

By Tasmi Bodhanya, inspired by Shaykh Nishaat

Journeying through life reveals its true nature beyond ego

Best encompassed as the lower self in its sojourn stages

Tied to initial desires, emotions, and attachments

Unwittingly manifesting sin, selfishness, and self-glorification

It thrives in a vain world celebrating liberalism

Actually controlled by a social surveillance system

Disguised as good intentions and pretenses

Craving recognition and praise

Yet arrested in blame, of the self and others

Resistance to responsibility, sacrifice, or discipline

The alarm bells of altered consciousness should be rung the moment pride is detected

Not necessarily evil to be destroyed

The open secret of the mind and heart is that it can be purified

Like a horse that can be trained to carry one forward

To serve Allah instead of oneself

Beyond one's commanding ego lies the self-consciously aware one

With the possibility of even locating one's sense of peace

The truth of spiritual reality is that it can both ascend and descend in circular travails

Anything but a linear reality

Contingent on self-awareness in the subtle moments

Involving repentance, remembrance, and following spiritual guidance while in the world

Most important is keeping faith in Allah's mercy

A beloved Shaykh Tanerism is that the nafs never retires

We ought not to be discouraged by our growtful nemesis

Every struggle faced is an opportunity to gain closeness to Allah

The struggle itself is a form of loving devotion, of worship

Why the subtle outweighs the outward manifestations is because the greatest war is the one waging within us

The aim of self-perfection is futile because only Allah is perfect

A perfection of connection to Allah is what should truly be sought

In that connection of Al Islam

The way of surrender, peace is realised instead

#2. During our Saturday Sohbet (spiritual conversation), we again bathed in the benefits of Allah's mercy in placing us within an open-minded Sufi Tariqa because it is globally placed, mirroring Allah Himself - of course! This time, the mirror reflected on our beloved Shaykh Mohammad Abdullah of Mexico. He spoke to the topic of learning Allah in a state of being / witnessing, and by doing our work to stay connected to Him.

I can attest to his first point, in that we are not the body. Mine could be considered broken or "disabled," when in reality, this state has freed my mind and heart with wings to perceive Allah! He explained that the body is a vehicle that we can use to reach the goal. And, post accident, my goal has been to transform our past and future in order to see and better understand Allah as the Truth / Reality in the eternal now. The reality is infinite / eternal; there are actually infinite Names of Allah, he echoed, Subhana'Allah (Divine glory)! He remembered Shaykh Taner saying that we are here to learn Allah as an active reality beyond passively learning about Him. Shaykh Taner would also say we have to live in the third person — when we are watching or witnessing, which makes reality more real. We have to constantly learn how to observe, watch, and witness ourselves, others, and above all, Allah!

Every religion, in essence, has the same practice: to realise the Truth and the principle impediment? Attachment! We must always remember that everything here is temporary, and we are all going to experience difficult times — but we are here in this world as visitors. If we remember that, we’ll know that the difficult times will pass. Worry is a wall that separates us from the true Reality of Allah. We must train our minds to remember that and not react to everything. What does Zikr as remembrance actually mean? We are practicing to remember our own essence by waking up our consciousness in this world. In that process, we learn to distinguish between choosing Allah and our nafs. The open secret of Zikr is that it is actually a practice of not reacting ☺️ Shukran Ya Allah (Divine gratitude!) × infinity

#3. During our weekly Qur'an Contemplation sessions with Khalifa Rubina, whom I share unexplainable synchnocity with. She astutely picked up my hunger to grow and serve within Sufism. As a regular, I was approached with the support of other participants, if I would consider reporting on each session. Subhana'Allah for Allah opening a means to access His spiritual sustenance. As a former researcher, it has completed my love of observing and gaining knowledge because it all goes back to its Source, Allah!

This week, Khalifa Rubina relayed a searing and deep prompt for self-enquiry. What excuses are we making when we are not following Allah's guidance?

- Being impatient when others disagree with my opinion. To which your Abbu has coined into my consciousness that there is no compulsion in deen as Allah's declaration. So, who are we to hold onto our perspectives in lieu of that Reality.

- Being impatient when facing unexpected challenges in my rehabilitation. But Allah loves those who show patience, perseverance, and are grateful in spite of that, as Prophet Ayyub AS was:

- Despairing in the face of unknowns. For example, at the face of micro unknowns, such as how my future will unfold as an accident survivor. And, macro unknowns regarding the modern genocides of humanity. In Sura Luqman, we learned that whoever synchronises their actions with Allah have certainly grasped the firmest handhold! That is because all our matters truly belong to Allah. So, in the face of unknowns, we need to commit to synchronising our actions with Allah's and surrender the outcomes to Him!

Shukran Ya Allah for the palpable reality of spiritual sustenance that surrounds us all ❣️

[tasmiq]

Happy Father's Day 2025

Eternal love like ours, insha'Allah, has no end

It is but a deep ocean

Of both understanding and misunderstanding

Managed with traffic light analogies

Of both iconic and ironic humour

Turbulent emotions spiced with blissful joy

Our love for you deepened seeing your manifest love for our children

Shukran Ya Allah for the blessed Abbu's and Daddy's in our lives

Now, every time that you wear your Father's Day topis at Zikr

May it draw you into the deeper reality

Of making tawaf of your inner Kaaba 🕋🤲

Ya Wadud Ya Salaam Ya Jami Ya Nafi

[tasmiq]

Jumu'ah Sohbet: 13 June 2025

Post Eid al-Adha, in the time of genocide, leaves precious time to contemplate on some of our essential hāls (Divine inspirations) of the prior week. Bismillah:

#1. On Eid al-Adha itself, a touching tribute was firstly paid to marhoom (late) Sheikh Hamza Mbhele, a community development stalwart who synchronously passed onto Allah SWT, on the day of Jumu'ah. We were left pitiful for ourselves, for being left in this world without the illuminous spirits of both Sheikh Hamza Mbhele and our beloved Shaykh Taner pictured together below. Both marhooms are in the next realm with Allah, and with whom many of us have shared magnetic, spiritual resonance - Shukran Ya Allah (Divine gratitude)!

Above: Pictured together were our Sheikh Hamza with beloved Shaykh Taner at one of our first main Durban dergahs (Sufi centers).

Thereafter, Human Rights Peace Activist, Saydoon Nisa Sayed, asked us what we were willing to let go of to liberate a people in genocide? Motivating that each of us needs to be willing to sacrifice something as Ibrahim AS and Ismail AS did. A Comrades Marathon champion did just that to raise consciousness for Palestine in the midst of its genocide in 2025.

The next speaker was Abdul Karriem Matthews, an experienced development and labour law practitioner. He spoke about the sacrifices of grassroots movements like the Axis of Resistance and the Mujahideen, which begged to be compared to the inaction of modern Muslim armies. This was despite there being two global Muslim bodies promoting jihad against Zionist Israel. Therefore, warranting a serious consideration of boycotting Hajj and Umrah itself. Hazrat Hajar AS had initially struggled to access basic provision, as those at the brunt of genocide currently are. Presently, we have been witnessing beyond genocide that is actually a glaring holocaust.

In closing, electric and somber unity were had in our diverse and intergenerational vision of Islam that constitute our family of TIP (Taking Islam to the People).

#2. Last week, I was left pondering about Arundhati Roy's award-winning, fictional narrative titled 'The God of Small Things.' It is a story about the childhood experiences of fraternal twins, like the two of you! But, whose lives were destroyed by laws such as the socially damaging caste system and by British colonialism that were prevalent in the 1960s in Kerala, India. The novel explored how small, seemingly insignificant occurrences, decisions, and experiences shaped people's behaviours in significant ways. It glaringly pointed out the haqq (truth) of Allah's ordained free will upon us humans that can manifest 'The God of Small Things.'

#3. The next piece of hāl came from late, theoretical physicist and author Stephen Hawking, who lived longer than expected in his degenerative paralysed condition. He was a renowned atheist, but he often contradicted his own atheism! For instance, in his book 'A Brief History of Time', he wrote that if physicists could find a theory of everything which provided an explanation for how the universe works, they would glimpse the mind of God. Later, he retracted using language about God, for more figurative than literal reasons. He postulated:

'God is the name people give to the reason we are here,' he said. 'But I think the reason is the laws of physics rather than someone with whom one can have a personal relationship. An impersonal God.'

I find it instructive in linking the micro level of Arundhati Roy's 'The God of Small Things' with Stephen Hawking's 'impersonal God' of the macro level, who is responsible for creating the theory of everything as implied in 'A Brief History of Time.' It highlights the Sufic symbolism of how man's free will shapes one's future destination to eternal bliss in Jannah (Heaven) or its opposite, into a period of damnation into Jahannam (Hell). More importantly, it disproves Stephen Hawking's notion of an impersonal God!

After all, what could be more powerful than Allah as God, the Divine, giving us the agency to determine our final destination as a collaboratively willed manifestation of goodness. A destination that can only go up into more blissful layers of Heaven, even after a period of damnation in Hell, Subhana'Allah (Divine glory)! Shukran Ya Allah, for the blessed possibility of an extremely merciful - and intimate - relationship with Him as our Creator!

In conclusion, in times of both macro and micro level darkness and light, which unfortunately are in a state of flux due to our nafs (lower-selves or egos). We are left seeking Allah's guidance to the truth with ease; including the ability to materialise goodness, and a sense of unity in manifesting love and peace - in that goodness. Ultimately, we yearn for a sense of love, light, and peace to prevail!:

Ya Hadi Ya Haqq Ya Latif

Ya Muqtadir Ya Qadir Ya Nafi

Ya Wadud Ya Salaam Ya Jami Ya Nafi

Ya Wadud Ya Nur Ya Salaam

[tasmiq]

Jumu'ah Sohbet: 6 May 2025

Our week reinforced our dependence on and reverence for Allah as a result of the greater heights that we are made to ascend, Shukran Ya Allah (Divine gratitude)! It is where each of our moments are infused with seemingly never-ending connection and consciousness with its Source, Allah the Divine, leaving us in an ocean of gratitude! Insha'Allah, the age of genocide where several personal sacrifices are being made in Eid al-Adha itself, result in them being rewarded with the bliss, peace, and eternal beauty of Jannah ...

#1. As Sufis, we were ingeniously guided through a fuqara (the poor) class by our beloved Shaykh Mir of Tanzania to understand why we willingly surrender to poverty! In this world and within Islam, the fuqara are conventionally considered as the poor and needy who are eligible for Zakat (poor-due payment). Spiritually speaking, we can't easily surrender to becoming ascetic (severely disciplined) dervishes (a Muslim devotee committed to austerity), but we atleast ought to get to the point of acknowledging our total dependence on Allah - and that characterises our form of poverty!

That includes those of us blessed with surviving an accident like me, to realise this dependence, or better yet, those who are blessed with the wisdom to concern themselves with nothing but the Dzat (Essence) of Allah. That is because the way to Allah is not through more, as my miraculous post-accident life has shown, the way to Allah is through less ... When we remain at this Dzat level of consciousness, as a fakir (a beggar), it is because we own nothing, and we assume a sense of oneness with everything, Subhana'Allah (Divine glory)! He described the glorious spiritual intimacy that Shaykha Müzeyyen as our Anne (original spiritual mother), originally infused into our consciousness. Our Shuyukh (Spiritual mentors), Pirs (Saints), and the Prophets (Allah's peace be upon them all!) are our connection and link to an eternal life that is free from this world, with Allah!

He reminded us of an utterly humbling saying of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in a Hadith Qudsi (a sacred transmission):

"I do not fit into heaven and the earth, but I fit into the heart of My beloved devotee."

Therefore, cleansing the heart with Allah's Divine remembrance includes being constantly aware of whether our actions are with Allah or with ourselves alone?! An even deeper self-enquiry was how much time we give to spiritually replenish ourselves in life because that truly matters! We can actually enjoy our Wazifa (regular litany of devotions), which becomes essential as oxygen is, to our survival - Shukran Ya Allah!

#2. After a realisation that we are spiritual fakirs (beggars), we have to constantly remember our reverence for Allah by being mindful of adab (respect) in all our moments in life, especially the basic adhab over nafsal ammara (the commanding nafs). As our beloved Raeesa S. followed Shaykh Nishaat and Gadija Anne in service, she reflected:

- Stationed homes where local Sohbets and Zikrs are held (congregational spiritual addresses and meditations); are not merely at another's home but it is a place for serving, and of learning which includes self-correction, as a dergah (a Sufi center).

- It is a place where we have to be mindful regarding its cleanliness, tidiness, being of service, as well as the manners in our body language and speech when in that space. That includes the times for socialising and meals.

- We must remember that when we merely focus on ourselves, which is essentially nafs driven, especially in the presence of our spiritual mentors, what are we really learning?!

- We need to respect our spiritual mentors not simply because they deserve it but because it reminds us to be mindful and self-observant of ourselves. So, in reality, we need adhab more for our inner development than them!

- Most searingly, she reflected about considering the alternative. When we aren't in this space of self-correction and learning Allah, where would we be ..?! We can compare our lives prior to and post Sufism and truly reflect on the answer to that. The beauty of the Sufi path is that the learning is ongoing, and the key to life is dependent on whether we want to learn.

#3. Allah's third hāl (Divine inspiration) came from Paupat Mahfouz's book titled "The Elves and the Shoemaker." It taught us the following things:

- If you work for people with good hearts, you will ultimately realise your own freedom. This is because when good hearts serve good hearts, they both gain. The Shoemaker gained new skills from the Elves, and the Elves gained their freedom.

- The Elves were cunning to reduce their shoe stitching strength when they were forced to produce surplus shoes for profits over their well-being's sake by the evil businessman 📈😈

- The Moral of the story: We will eventually pay for prioritising quantity over quality! The evil businessman suffered losses on multiple fronts; the Shoemaker with gains on multiple fronts and the Elves a gain with their ultimate freedom!

Personally, though, serving with purpose is the ultimate freedom gained. Over my past glitsy service of the poor in the NGO sector, are the more discreet forms of service, as pierced into my consciousness by our beloved heartsmith, Shaykh Nishaat. These actually reflect Allah's discreet yet pervasive reality! That's where I humbly bow to the Elves by recognising the beauty of their discreet form of service, while it lasted.

In conclusion, Sufism encompasses never-ending learning at both the micro and macro levels - if we only notice Allah the Divine - in the details.

[tasmiq]

Jumu'ah Sohbet: 30 May 2025

In the face of collective family productivity, including our Gaza spiritual family that are in the depths of an unwieldy genocide, and subsequent and more serious world awakening, we return to our family tradition. Yearning Allah's opening into a transformatory means of sustenance for all oppressed people:

Ya Fattah Ya Razzaq

Above: Your Ammu's spiritual hāl (Divine inspiration) as her contribution to your Aunty Sana's Calligraphy Exhibition which infact was her own psychology treatment, successfully prescribed by Allah, Shukran Ya Allah (Divine gratitude)! In the face of personal uncertainty, I yearned Allah's guidance ... essentially, a miracle! Tasbih of Hazrat Fatima pricked my conscience at that moment. I yearned to discover the secret wisdom behind something I never really understood! After Hazrat Fatima had genuinely complained of her struggles to her father. Our beloved Nabi (SAW) confidently prescribed her this spiritual remedy ... The more I recited Subhana'Allah, Alhamdulillah, and Allahu Akbar ... As Khalifa Hazmat explained it, Allah enabled little-old-me to experience Haqqal yaqeen (the truth of certainty) gained through my rediscovered form of Aqim es-Salat (system of Divine connection) through my artistic manifestation of Allah's touch.

Onwards to the maqam (spiritual station) that Anne as our spiritual mother, as well as our other spiritual mentors, inspired in that maddening time:

#1. The beauty of having the rahma (mercy, compassion, and loving-kindness) of a female spiritual leader leading us in this world is her astute ability to enliven our Silsila (spiritual chain and lineage) by recalling how she was blessed with the spiritual intimacy of Hazrat (Revered figure) Ahmed er-Rifai, herself. Thus, reinforcing that ours is a live Tariqa (a Sufi order), where we will meet the whole Silsila, insha'Allah (Divine willing) including all our beloved Anbiya (Prophets, Peace be upon them all!). Subhana'Allah! (Divine glory), I was left flabbergasted and awe-inspired to be truly deserving of this honour, insha'Allah Ya Rabbal 'Alameen (Oh Lord of all creation)!

However, as a true empathetic spiritual mother, she buttressed her wide perspective of the whole by bringing us back into our relative detailed existence. She added that however wonderful our spiritual ancestors are, who reinforced our purposeful existence as we carry their genes into the future. It is our relative experience with Allah that makes a difference in our daily lives. Not where we come from, but who we are.

She poetically declared that the soul is a spectrum, and we all have all the lights of Allah all over. According to what our soul light energy needs at a time, this determines the dosage of our devotion enacted at that time. I loved the agency she provided to our souls over what we are all too accustomed to dealing with in relation to our tricky nafs (lower-selves or egos).

#2. Thereafter, Anne also reflected upon a saying of our most beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). I am so grateful for the Sufic sisterhood that I have been blessed with in my relationship with Dr Ruwaida, who is also my Integrative Healthcare Doctor herself. As she joined me in its contemplation:

Dr Ruwaida's reflection on this Prophetic piece of wisdom is that Allah reveals our internal state to us through what we see in others. When we are able to connect with our deeper selves and we learn to introspect before judging, we begin to see the clues to self correction and self realisation, which plays out in the outer world. I commended her for her compassionate gaze upon the mirror, which went beyond comparative judgment into interrogative introspection.

#3. During our weekly Qur'an Contemplation session with Khalifa Rubina on Sura Saffat, which refers to our beloved Anbiya through the ages of time. Such that when we send Allah's Salaam upon their blessed personalities, Allah shares the Salaam with us. This struck both your Aunty Yasmina and Aunty Sadia to reflect that it implies that we each have a place with Allah and a relationship with Him. That can refer to any of the following spiritual phenomenna:

- Hāl: a unique experience associated with the feeling of transcendence or spiritual awakening.

- Maqam: which refers to a spiritual station or stage that a Sufi must progress through on their path towards Allah. It represents a level of spiritual development and purification, a step in their journey towards mystical enlightenment and union with the Him. We can think of it as a milestone, a "place of residence" or home as Anne identified it.

- Miracle: A miracle refers to an extraordinary and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore attributed to a Divine agency.

All these latter spiritual phenomenna are therefore accessible to us all as an outcome of our will conjoined with Allah's Divine will and appropriate timing. We must just trust the process in our surrender to Allah. Along with maintaining His consciousness because Allah is in the details of, and the whole of, the circumstance that we face.

In conclusion, as I reflected with your Abbu, Shukran Ya Allah for the privilege that I enjoy as an accident survivor, with sweet time to contemplate on our spiritual essentials ...

[tasmiq]

Jumu'ah Sohbet: 16 May 2025

This week I was left wading in an ocean of gratitude for resonance on a number of fronts. Let me begin explaining, Bismillah:

#1. We only learned after the fact that our beloved heartsmith was exploring the soul searing inquisition into shirk al-khafi. It means "hidden shirk" or "lesser shirk," which refers to actions or beliefs that outwardly appear sincere, but are instead motivated by a desire for recognition or worldly gain rather than genuine devotion to Allah. It's a subtle form of shirk that can be unintentional but is still considered a deviation from La ilaha illalah (there is no god but Allah; monotheism).

Shaykh Nishaat began by imploring, who of us actually contemplated on the heart language of the Qur'an, daily ..? To which he received sheepish glances with a solitary raised hand from none other than your Aunty Abida, Subhana'Allah (Divine glory)! After praising her, Shaykh Nishaat whimsically continued to say that we mustn't make the Qur'an and Salaah idols (shirk al-khafi)! This was likened to when we hold onto things and refuse to let them go. The Qur'an is merely a means for us to maintain a deepening relationship with Allah. In fact, we ought to crave that connection as part of our daily reality! This represents the most valuable resonance found later in life through experience, in submission of my personal vision of Islam.

#2. He was also able to bring our late brother Fazeel's spirit into our presence by recalling his unique and playful relationship with Allah. Shaykh Nishaat used his memory of him to recall why it inspired his heartful reflection that he recently shared with us. Highlighted in green are where our spiritual brother Fazeel has especially cast Allah's Nur (Divine light) for me. It reflects the deep resonance found in one's spiritual family in Tariqa (a Sufi spiritual school):

"Faith is a living, playful love story

Some people have turned Islam into a long list of do’s and don’ts. Like a shopping to-do list. Wake up, check. Pray, check. Dress “Islamically,” check. Eat with your right hand, check. Suddenly, being Muslim feels like managing a spiritual spreadsheet.

Prayer, ritual obligations, dressing, rules … these are all important. But when we start thinking that ticking those boxes makes us automatically close to Allah, we’ve missed the point. It’s like someone falling in love with the instruction manual and forgetting the real connection.

You see, taqwa (self-vigilance; following the guidelines of Allah) is something deep inside. You can’t measure it with a ruler or show it off at the mosque. It’s not about looking better than others. It’s about being real with Allah. A Sufi saying puts it beautifully: “Don’t be a perfect Muslim. Be a real one."

When we start focusing too much on the outer stuff, religion turns into a performance. One brother brags about his “sunnah beard,” a sister quietly feels she dresses more modestly than the next, and someone says, “Alhamdulillah, my child knows ten surahs, how’s yours doing?” And just like that, we’re not worshipping Allah anymore. We’re just competing for bragging rights.

Before you know it, hearts get hard. We start pointing fingers. We become the “haram police” patrolling everyone except our own nafs. There’s no joy, no love, no laughter. Just rules. We mistake the shell of religion for the sweet fruit inside.

But Allah isn’t a strict school principal waiting to catch us out. He’s the Most Merciful, the Most Loving. He doesn’t want robotic obedience, He wants friendship. He wants hearts that remember Him while washing dishes, walking in nature, or even playing and laughing with the kids.

Worship Allah with awe, yes, but also with joy! Be serious, but don’t be a self-righteous bore. It’s okay to smile when you make Zikr. It’s okay to weep during Salah and also to chuckle when your child climbs on your back during Sujood. After all, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the most spiritually connected human being ever, often had his grandsons, Hasan and Husayn, climb on him while he was praying. And what did he do? He stayed in Sujood longer, out of love and gentleness, just to let them play. That’s the kind of heart we’re aiming for, soft, loving, present with Allah, and with those around us.

So keep the rules, but remember the reason. Do the rituals but fill them with spirit. Follow the path, but let love light the way. Allah doesn’t just want us to submit, He wants us to connect.

And the best connections? They’re always real, honest … and sometimes beautifully playful.

As the dervishes say, 'Dance if your heart feels it, weep if your soul needs it, but always walk with Love.'"

#3. We were then taken deeper inside as per Anne's (our spiritual mother's) intention at the onset of our Saturday Sohbet. We began by contemplating on Sura Al Baqara verses 155-157 that reinforces the truth that we come to this world from, and we determine our choice of return to Allah in the hereafter. However, what has intrinsically been more powerful is the Sufi wish to want Allah here and now! She beautifully advised us that any time that we are knowingly, or often unknowingly in my case, seeking something from Allah - we ought to open up with Salawat (Blessings upon our most beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH) and Sura Al Fatiha, and even close up the same way. What blew me away was how she completed her wisdom, that when we enact this devotion, our incomparable selves receive salawat from Allah, Subhana'Allah! She also echoed Allah's haqq (truth) when she reflected that facing hardship should not only mean difficulties to us, but what Allah wants to teach us with it! I have learned and am continuing to learn to let go of my past by trying to reform my future in the present. I am learning to realise the power of forgiveness in myself and others while seeking Allah's merciful forgiveness in the now.

She called on our beloved Guru Rennie to reflect on Silat which he fascinatingly identified as a source of tempering (improving the hardness or elasticity) of the Sufi followers' (murids') bodies, minds and emotions. As a former senior martial artist, Sufism was the missing spiritual component even though our Wushin Tode Jutsu was coined as "The way of the free spirit." Without matured spiritual consciousness, unfortunately, this free spirit leads to one's nafs's whims! Post-accident, the true Silat spirit who insisted that your Ammu, as the former senior martial artist, participate in it to awaken her dormant limbs was none other than your visionary Abbu! Unable to perceive obstacles, he raises us all up with Allah's positive possibility, Subhana'Allah and Shukran Ya Allah (Divine gratitude)! This past week was the Sarong grading of your older twin brothers from another mother, Gasan and Gussein. Beyond the convention of achieving perfection, and we always remember Shaykh Taner's declaration regarding this, only Allah is perfect! Guru Rennie encouraged us during the grading feedback to keep practicing because practice makes permanent. I have subsequently been inspired to master all 16 Jurus Tangan actively with both hands. And, after inheriting your Mama's wooden knife, I am going to master the 7-cut knife system in its 3 types of hand grips, insha'Allah. I will then earn my 'stripes' as the official Pencak Silat Gerakan Suci cheerleader on the wheelchair 😎

In conclusion, our vision of Islam, our Tariqa, our school of Silat within it, and even the community organisation of TIP (Taking Islam to People) that we remain loyal to - collectively envision the mu'min (believer) beyond a gender construct and reinforce the value of the family unit. Shukran Ya Allah that we can serve and grow together as a family in these spaces!

[tasmiq]

Jumu'ah Sohbet: 9 May 2025

The lead up to the weekend, spiritually rewires us murids and muhibs (followers) of our Sufi Tariqa to complement our physical unwinding itself, Shukran Ya Allah (Divine gratitude). Let me recount its steps, Bismillah:

#1. Our Jumu'ah Sohbet (spiritual conversation) kicked off the heart language by Shaykh Nishaat. Our noble heartsmith discussed our relationship to Allah's Light or Nur that we are drawn to, just as insects are drawn to light sources itself. How sincerety in the quest for enlightenment is gaged is that we shouldn't come back from the light to merely talk about it but instead become one with, fall in love with, and ultimately be willing to perish in it! In mystical essence, this is because Allah's Light is energy that cannot be destroyed or created.

Our nafs (lower-selves or egos) draw us into preserving and protecting darkness, the opposite of Light. However, this world is merely an illusion, and we are not just living our lives in it, but we are truly living it for a return to our Source in the Hereafter! When we walk to Allah, He runs to us in abundance - as we were sweetly reminded recently by Anne (our spiritual mother).

#2. On a Saturday Sohbet, did Anne speak about Aqim es-Salat (systems of Divine connection). She emphasised that if attained through breathing and mindfulness, it can be a source of comfort and healing. These practices enable us to become authentic human beings in our looking / watching, hearing, and feeling.

Furthermore, our Pirs (Spiritual guides), Hazrat Ahmed er-Rifai, and Shaykh Taner advised us to be cautious of the material world, which is actually shallow and impermanent. The dunya (material world) fattens us up in order for the earth to eat us in the end! 😆 We therefore need to find a balance between deen (faith) and dunya by learning to access our spiritual hearts with our chosen means of Aqim es-Salat.

#3. In our Sufi Learning Circle, we reflected on the abuse of kashf (a rare gift, trust, and test in the discovery of some spiritual truth). It is where Allah lifts the veils regarding certain matters for a person, not because they are better, but because they have been chosen for a particular task. Spiritual gifts come with responsibility with a call to apply spiritual maturity. We must always keep the perspective of our own nafs when dealing with the matters related to this gift. That is because on the Sufi path, we are always tested! This goes beyond our experience of hardships and includes how we nurture all our relationships, especially with the friends of Allah. We ought not to reduce spirituality to a matter worth trivialising, intellectualising, debating, or a source of entertainment!

Personally, in a life space of limited ability in this world, I have subsequently been yearning a new sense of purpose. Coincidentally, this is also at one's highest stage of spiritual consciousness, where Allah has gratefully unlocked and transformed past and neglected artistic skills from disability into ability - Subhana'Allah (Divine glory)! A creative expression that was formerly neglected because it led to imprisonment in exhausting vanity, where I needed to breathe again by practicing an entirely different emotion - of compassion for the poor, instead. The disconnect to purpose was because I couldn't appreciate Allah's Creative expression, and I didn't have His consciousness or acquire His Love language, then. Only post-accident was the liberating sense of kashf granted, unlike before, again Subhana'Allah!

However, I have to ensure a sustenance of this kashf by keeping the consciousness of Allah foremost so that my nafs doesn't override the processes. I do this by maintaining a priority on my daily devotions, to Allah, and for myself foremost, and this naturally helps to gloriously prioritise the rest of the moments in a day or at a time. Shukran Ya Allah for humbling me to realise minute miracles in life's moments with the incredible things that I can achieve at my lowest level of ability, AKA "disability"!

In conclusion, deep gratitude for even being forced to stop - and contemplate - in our Sufi ocean of never-ending learning 🌊😅

Shukran Ya Allah × infinity

[tasmiq]

Jumu'ah Sohbet: 2 May 2025

Our delayed holiday with your Nana and Nanu (maternal grandfolks) has just ended richly with me inheriting an aqeeq stone ring that your Nana acquired from Makkah. It is to draw on Allah's protection and personally, to stay connected to the humble Bengali villager that I have always cherished in him. Anyway, onwards to a Jumu'ah with many kashifs (personal, internal recognitions of what is), Bismillah ...

Above: A growing display of semi-precious stones that are making me increasingly appear as a buzruk (an important spiritual authority), as your family khatheeb (family Jumu'ah orator) 😉

#1. When Anne (our spiritual mother) asked us to share our heart's kashifs, Chrisdiana of Germany simply stated that during these turbulent times in humanity, we need spiritual guidance. Anne affirmed that the spiritual messages come to us through her, and if we only walk to Allah, He runs to us in abundance - Subhana'Allah (Divine glory)! And, one of the ways to go to Allah is through gratefulness.

The path of Haqq (Allah's truth) isn't necessarily neat, and it may be terrainous. However, we must endure the hardships in our respective suluks (spiritual journeys) by leaving nafs (egoistic / animalistic side) and thereby proceed to Allah. We must do all our actions with, and for the sake of, Allah! Therefore, we must always be mindful.

#2. While we've been at your Nana and Nanu's, as you have seen, I have been blessed to be under a spring of yellow flowers at our new stationed garden picnic table as my new art station. At a safe distance looking onto our garden, beehive Alhamdulillah! The proof being no bee-sting marking on my face unlike the last time, Shukran Ya Allah (Divine gratitude) bees! 😀

Right at the end, appears the labor of my love for your Aunty Fuzz. The blessed pilot of Mali, after intently praying for her to get a fulfilling job, Subhana'Allah! The main reason she was etched as a feature of my consciousness is because she was a constant feature of my rehabilitation from our accident. She even rejected a marriage prospect while I was in ICU: "I can't get married when my friend is in ICU. Besides, I can't cook!"

Whenever your Aunty Fuzz is in the air as a pilot, she remembers this verse of the Qur'an, which refers to Allah as the Lord of the Great Throne. I especially appreciate this concept as Shaykh Taner's understanding of it, as the Lord of the Power Grid⚡I have depicted her spiritual heart that is in awe to be a pilot, in respect of the Lord of the Power Grid (of the universes).

#3. The 3rd kashif was with your Aunty Simi (also our high-school buddy), who touchingly gifted me her late mum's scarf, who returned to Allah just 6 months ago. That is why I will wear her mum's scarf during our congregational Zikr (communal prayer) to send blessings upon her soul for colouring our high-school memories with her gracious generosity. What's more, your Aunty Simi was equally surprised with double the blessing of twins in sweet and sassy, Kaira and Ziya, as the two of you are to us!

In conclusion, Shukran Ya Allah for your Abbu being the best reflection of me in the mirror. And, Insha'Allah, you are both equally blessed with such completion of your imaan (faith in Allah)! Ameen ...

[tasmiq]

Jumu'ah Sohbet: 25 April 2025

Because this is a chunky spiritual bite, Bismillah, let's dive in ...

#1. During our local Jumu'ah Sohbet (spiritual conversation), Shaykh Nishaat asked, 'What is important about our relationship with nafs (lower-selves or egos)?' Nafs awareness is a constant focus in Sufism because all the negativity in ourselves and in the world reflects it! The purpose of us mu'mineen (believers of Allah) is to become insan-i Kamil (the perfected human being) after cleansing our nafs from our spiritual hearts and souls. Therefore, the moral quandary is that we need nafs to cleanse it from its worldly blemishes and shaytaani (evil) influences, and in order to earn a reunion with its pure Source and Creator, Allah.

On our Saturday Sohbet with our Anne (spiritual mother), she reminded us of our transcendental relationship with Allah by referring to Sura An Nur, verse 35 of the holy Qur'an:

"Allah is the Nur [Light; Energy] of the universes and the earth. An example of His Nur is as a niche that has an oil lamp (in it), and the oil lamp is in a glass, and the glass is as if it were a brilliant star. The lamp is kindled from a blessed olive tree, which cannot be found in the East nor in the West. Its oil would glow within itself, although no fire has touched it. Nur upon Nur [waves of Light one after another]. Allah guides whom He wills to His Nur, and Allah gives analogies to human beings. And Allah knows everything."

Just as moths and other beings are attracted to light itself, we were drawn by our respective nur (inner light) to connect with An-Nur (The Light of Allah, The Illuminator) through Sufism ✨

Above: "Light upon Light".

Arabic Calligraphy: Mohamed Zakariya. Decoration: Rosie White.

#2. A soul buddy that I have been blessed with in life is your Aunty Meryl. She has reminded me of the value of heart language that transcends humankind's created boundaries of all kinds: religious, amongst power-hungry nations, and the politics of governance therein. I am intrigued by the micro focus as a self-reflective approach that is made to make sense of one's ego. That is my Sufi take on your Aunty Meryl's "The Mindful Conversationalist" podcast, Masha'Allah (it is as the Divine has willed)!

We still choke up in happy tears, remembering being on the Bangladeshi village-side rooftop of your Nana's (maternal grandfather's) home. It is where I was performing Salaat (formal Muslim ritual prayer), aside her, performing Puja (Hindu prayer), with a mosquito coil as our Qibla pointer (the direction of Kaaba that Muslims orientate their prayers to) 😅 It is where we both chose to serve at the world's oldest and largest NGO, BRAC. We even ventured into one of the largest floating informal settlement islands of the world, which is located close to BRAC's headquarters. Not to mention our study of the Pahari (mountain based) Indigenous Bengalis of Chittagong's infamous tea plantations.

We had taken the architectural training of our undergraduate degrees to BRAC, after we both served at a former and progressive architectural practice called "East Coast Architects" that infused in us the notion that architecture ought to be a socially and environmentally conscious, light touch, on this world. Our past studies and service within the architectural fraternity, social conscience therein, and sense of inclusivity forever connect us - see 😇 Shukran Ya Allah (Divine gratitude) that your Aunty Meryl and her family have subsequently been a constant feature in our lives, post-accident too. She's even responsible for designing a more wheelchair accessible home for us, Insha'Allah (Divine willing)! Finally, her first blessed podcast appears below:

#3. Our heartsmith Shaykh Nishaat said:

"To be a dervish, to be on this Suluk, this path of love is not to seek pleasure. It is to seek transformation, and that always comes with a cost. But if we endure, even just long enough to reach the door, we find that the harshness was never cruelty, it is a mercy... it is always mercy, and love."

Our beloved, Dr Kamiela, likened the above statement to the metamorphosis that caterpillars are subjected to in order to transform into butterflies. Personally, how was one's sincerety in the path of Sufism tested? As someone who was saved by Sufism yet failed in her past to truly connect as a murid (a Sufi follower). Well, presently:

- The loss of some basic worldly faculties was had, obligating a more mindful existence.

- Also, a reconnection and reconfiguration of service in family, immediate community of like-minded hearts, and cleansing one's own heart and soul in service of and loving Allah.

- Finally, a realisation of spiritual vocabulary was gained, which explains the very moment and into craving an eternal connection to the One Who Colours us with purpose and meaning.

Therefore, in the end, through all the scary unknowns, all that truly exists is Allah's Love and Mercy! Shukran Ya Allah for our spiritual mentors for helping to unpuzzle our experiences in life so that we may realise transformation therein.

In conclusion, virtual hugs for making it through to the end 😇 I wish Allah's Love, Light and Peace, to permeate all the aspects of your life:

Ya Wadud Ya Nur Ya Salaam

[tasmiq]

Jumu'ah Sohbet: 18 April 2025

As we ready ourselves to part with our champion, your Abbu, for a trip to connect with Allah in Eastern Europe with some of your older siblings ... It is with the spirit that we simply cannot hoard Allah's Nur (Divine light) that's manifested in him, for ourselves! Besides, it is him that told me at the onset that Allah's love, as light, multiples, the more you share it - insha'Allah! Onward with the Bodhanya family tradition, as with some in our spiritual family, Bismillah...

#1. An enriching outcome of our Tariqa (Sufi school) is a visual oasis that provides holistic ease in a monthly publication series on Aqim al-Salat (Systems of Divine connection) as points of tafakkur (contemplation). In order to move beyond habitual actions and into mindful and conscious connection, instead. In Issue 1, we looked into Al Wadud (The Loving One).

Shaykh Nishaat further positioned Aqim al-Salat as beyond ritualised prayer and seclusion into activities engaging with the world and an ongoing awareness of Allah in every moment. Beyond performing duty, it is to bring presence, love, and intention to all of one's actions. Materialising awareness and mirroring Al Khabir (The All-Aware One) as per Issue 2.

#2. Another piece of hikma (wisdom) by Shaykh Nishaat was reflecting Al Hakim (The Wise One) Himself. It highlighted the essential value of understanding our purpose in life, which is to realise insān-i Kāmil (the perfected human), which is the potential within each of us. What was equally deep was the implication of willful detachment to unhelpful worldly things. We must choose deen (way of life / faith) over dunya (worldly matters) insha'Allah, as Shaykh Nishaat and others have poetically referred to. It read:

Reflecting what comes from the heart

Reflecting on what truly comes from the heart can be quite the journey, especially when we have a limited understanding of our purpose or of life itself. Imagine someone navigating life with a narrow viewpoint; they might find morally questionable behaviour strangely enticing, and let's be honest, it’s a lot easier to lie and cheat their way through life. Their awareness doesn't quite let them see the consequences of their short-term choices, and what might be glaringly wrong might just seem like a normal day at the office.

In Sufism, we recognize that these choices can further obscure our vision, pulling us away from understanding the beautiful truth that is evident all around us. When our awareness expands, we begin to see the overwhelming love and beauty that surrounds us every day. It’s like in the early days of black and white tv, to what we have now, vibrant HD models, where you notice all those lovely colours and details you never knew existed. What we focus on tends to get magnified, so it’s wise to be choosy about our subject matter. Sufi wisdom teaches us that our hearts can serve as powerful instruments for understanding and connection.

Embracing the Sufi path means acknowledging that our choices shape our personalities and, ultimately, our lives. It’s like being a sculptor with our own soul. We get to chisel away at the rough edges and reveal something beautiful underneath. By nurturing our inner light and understanding, we can more easily lean toward a path filled with love and compassion rather than getting sidetracked by distractions that aren’t even on our radar.

A Sufi gradually develops a remarkable power of awareness and attention. We have to train ourselves to keep our focus on what truly matters. It’s a journey of learning to avoid meaningless distractions, like getting sucked into endless scrolling on social media or aimless conversations. We slowly become the doorkeepers of our hearts, responsible for what we allow in. We take it upon ourselves to guard our attention because it is our sacred space. By being mindful of where we direct our focus, we cultivate a richer, a more fulfilling experience for ourselves. It is what the insan-i Kamil comes to know.

#3. Anne (our spiritual mother), soothingly as always, oozed Allah's compassionate wisdom. She referred to two undeniable verses of the holy Qur'an:

Sura Fatir, verse 34:

And they will say, "All gratitude and praise belong to Allah, Who has removed worry and grief from us. Our Rab [Lord] is surely Ghafur [Absolving] and Shakur [Appreciative]."

And, Sura Yunus, verse 62:

"There is no doubt that those assigned by Allah as helpers and protectors [the awliyah] are those for whom there is no fear or heartbreak."

She thus advised that when we face worry and grief, we ought to remember our essence by seeking Allah's forgiveness and by also remembering that we are wired to be grateful and appreciative by reciting:

Ya Ghafur (O Absolving and Tolerant One) Ya Shakur (O Appreciative One)

In fact, when we face a challenge, we can be in one of three situations. With other created being's nafs, our own nafs, or with Allah! And, within each circumstance, we should always check who we are actually with. Everything that we face is an outcome of intentions and perceptions therein.

Echoing our beloved Shaykh Taner's hikma in our focus on the present and now, humorously coined as the "now clock." She added that if we want to experience the ideal of Eternal Enlightenment, the past and the future are not our focus, and instead - our focus is on the present - the now! Because, at the end of the day, our circumstance is irrelevant compared to whether the happening brought us closer to, or drove us farther away, from Allah ..?!

In conclusion, Shukran Ya Allah for our collective courage to always seek opportunities to multiply Allah's love and light, whether in China or Eastern Europe:

Ya Wadud Ya Nur

[tasmiq]

Jumu'ah Sohbet: 11 April 2025

Alhamdulillah (Divine praise) for a return to our regular Sohbets (spiritual discussions) after a Nur-filled (Divine light-filled) Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr, in the face of all sorts of world maladies. Mainly Climate change and a Genocide, that has created the worst world war in human history and that is worsening Climate change itself 👀 Shukran Ya Allah (Divine gratitude) that by chance, AKA Allah's good fortune, that this crossed my radar a few days ago:

In spite of the maddening world, perception of our spiritual hearts - which attunes to Allah - grows, Alhamdulillah! Let me try to explain, Bismillah (with the name of the One) ...

#1. Last Jumu'ah Sohbet, the kindred souls of your Ammu united with your Uncle Javed's, for the first time, in this world! We joked in reflection that life is too short to hide oneself from others as fellow TMIs (Too Much Information as people who don't necessarily apply discretion in sharing personal details about themselves) 😁 During our Jumu'ah Sohbet, our beloved Shaykh Nishaat asked what we thought our purposes in our lives were ..? This not only had us stumped, but it got your Ammu to enquire further about this notion of purpose.

You see, Sufism allows each of us to flourish uniquely as respective individuals, but does that imply we have to have a single common purpose ..? He explained that we were created as individuals to assume unique personalities, yes. However, we must rise above our own nafs (lower-self / ego) in loving devotion of, conventionally regarded as worship of, Allah, out of sheer gratitude for His wonders. Subhana'Allah (Divine glory) that heart language inspired a question to be answered immediately!

#2. Thereafter, our Murshida Shaykha Müzeyyen expounded on our spiritual hearts, our invisible yet palpable organ of true perception. Its perception points are referred to as lataif points in Arabic and imperceptible when we're unaware and unconscious of our actions in life. She powerfully reminded us that our connection and willing devotion are more important than the ritualisation of prayer.

She echoed into our inner consciousness that we must be mindful of Allah's signs and pay attention to our spiritual hearts. However, as a true spiritual mother figure, Anne in Turkish, that is full of compassion, she reminded us to keep in mind that we are evolving beings in our connection to Allah. Therefore, we need to stop judging our own selves and others! While our perceptions can either be good or bad, in relation to Allah, He is and can only be good! We get guidance with our spiritual hearts, and Sufis aspire to perceive Allah with mercy and compassion. We must, in fact, focus on making our perceptions clearer. Our connection to our hearts is our true wealth determined by our relationship with Allah, as a reciprocal loving sentiment.

#3. Anne also piercingly reminded us that at times, we may perceive through our assumptions. We live in a world of choices that can be a source of joy or burden, but we must always veer to minding Allah's business! Wars are, in fact, about resources and not religion. Horrible situations are created by humankind's nafs, and we mustn't confuse it as inaction by Allah. When we face nafs, we must always refer to our spiritual hearts.

At this time, of outer world chaos, which is a reflection of our inner turmoil, we ought to yearn for Allah's Love, Light, and Peace to prevail:

Ya Wadud Ya Nur Ya Salaam

In conclusion, again, we gain hope in Allah through increased ability to perceive Him in the human madness:

Shukran Ya Allah × infinity

[tasmiq]

Eid-ul-Fitr 2025: "Audacity of Hope"

University lecturer and deep thinker, Tahir Sitoto, firstly kicked off the Eid address elaborating on the theme of the modern Fir'auns / Pharoahs of our time. He had us spellbound with his poetic eloquence and wit:

"TIP was born out of an identity struggle of gender and ethnic divide. It is, however, a beautiful space of inclusion...

... Islam is nothing but an engaged surrender ...

... Apartheid collapsed because of resistance ...

... This family Eid gathering is a defiance of Fir'aun! ..."

Next, Wafa Khan was equally eloquent and wise beyond age, as TIP's youth representative. She said,

"Looking at you, looking at me, I am so grateful for this space...

... I want to bring this Fir'aunism closer to home ...

... we are in the age of information overload ...

... the solace and peace that we need is our holy Qur'an which is our super power ... The era of tyrants is temporary, but Allah's justice is eternal ..."

In conclusion, the notion of "The Audacity of Hope" was inspired by a symbolist painting titled "Hope" by George Ferderic Watts and similarly, yet uniquely, implied by both brother Tahir, and our Shaykha Muzeyyen's 2025 spiritual counseling. In the face of humanity's darkness, we must draw on Allah's Nur (Light) to manifest Hope within ourselves. Shukran Ya Allah (Divine gratitude) that we have spiritual sustenance to get us through the dark passages of humanity!

[tasmiq]

28 March 2023

Jamat-ul-Vida Mubarak for this last Jumu'ah in Ramadan, beloveds!

Although there are undeniably specific spiritual times ... I find it's Sufi reconceptualisation as wanting Allah's breath, now, in the inner Kaaba, most energising❣️

In that spirit, may the spirit of Hu (non-gendered third person pronoun referring to Allah), that we palpably feel now, travel with us as purified souls into Jannah, to our reunion with Ya Wadud, Insha'Allah

🕋🤲✨

*** (With gratitude to the original owners of the featured piece of inspiration from Tumblr!)

[tasmiq]

21 March 2025

It's even more Mubarak (blessed) as it's a Jumu'ah in Ramadan regular folks that I have been blessed to share my heart with 💚 May you be rewarded for being there!

This Ramadan, as I swim in Allah's beautiful wisdom. I read about the demise of many previous generations, I was mind blown by this simple interpretation! Even now, as the genocide horrendously resumes, these words bring me so much comfort ...

I attribute this quality of Allah not tiring in our creation to our beloved Nabi (SAW), see 🥹🤲 Shukran Ya Allah for our Tariqa, which has connected us to our spiritual legacy and You above all, so deeply and like never before 🌊

Reference:

[tasmiq]

14 March 2025

May this Ramadan be a month of gratitude, of forgiving, of healing, of changing, of reflecting, of helping, of improving, of reviving, of remembering.

Ramadan Kareem 2025 🌙🌕

Pictured in a Tunisian location. The verse in the middle reads, "If you were to thank Me, I would surely increase you (in blessings)." [لئن شكرتم لأزيدنكم]

*** (With gratitude to the original owner of the featured piece of inspiration from Tumblr!)

[tasmiq]

7 March 2025

Accidental Epiphany blog is on Ramadan Retreat with you all 💚🌿🤲 Shukran Ya Allah (Divine gratitude) ✨

Please expect a post-Ramadan reflection on the many ways Allah's words in the Qur'an and how our Khalifa Rubina's hikma (Divine wisdom) that we're blessed with, in Ramadan itself, has been blowing me away... and insha'Allah back at the end of Ramadan to reflect it back to you!

*** (With gratitude to the original owner of the featured piece of inspiration from Tumblr!)