“Your
existence is a marathon. You are born with an advantage or
disadvantage. You begin to mold yourself into whatever is available.
With the passage of time, the fruits of your labour cause you to become
either like Abu Lahab or Abu Jahal, both uncles of the Prophet Muhammad
(s.a.w.), or become like Abu Bakr, 'Umar etc. (either cursed or
blessed). Old age overtakes you as you reach the conclusion of your
existence. If you fail, was it due to bad planning, greed, corruption,
decadence etc.? On the other hand, if you succeed, would you attribute
it good luck or your intelligence or would you be grateful to God
Almighty?" (Shaykh Mokhtar Stork, dated 18 Sept 2021).
WHAT IS YOUR VIEW ON LIFE?
Many people believe that the purpose of life is to find personal happiness, fulfillment, and meaning. This could involve pursuing passions, building meaningful relationships, or making a positive impact on the world. For others, the purpose of life is tied to their spiritual or religious beliefs. These beliefs may offer a sense of purpose, direction, and connection to a higher power. Others find meaning in contributing to society or making a positive difference in the lives of others.
This could involve volunteering,
advocating for social justice, or pursuing a career that benefits the
community. Some people believe that the purpose of life is to learn, grow, and
develop as individuals. This could involve exploring new experiences, challenging
oneself, and striving to become the best version of oneself. It can be said
that your environment, culture, religious beliefs and upbringing do play a
significant role in your approach to life. At the end of the day, you are what you are. That is your created state (fitrah). There is no right or wrong answer,
and it may change over time as life experiences and perspectives evolve. (10 Sept 2024)
OUR APPROACH TO ISLAM
Our approach to Islam for decades has been and still is based on a Traditional approach to studying Islam. There is nothing wrong with this approach but it is subject orientated and specific in nature. It does not take in the whole picture. For example, an ustad/ustazah may quote a Hadith on building a mosque and your reward would be a palace in paradise. This is valid but if you study accounting there is a 'profit-loss' account and if you go bust you would lose everything. In an Islamic context, lose your 'palace' in paradise.
It is this approach based on Qur'anic verses and Ahadith that produces incomplete pictures of existence. Take example the call to Jihad in the Qur'an. Individuals with specific objectives sounded this call and many joined ISIS without realising that they were not actually fighting for Allah's cause but some proxy war with invested interest.
Even though what has been mentioned in Qur'an and Ahadith are valid, its not a 'short-cut' to salvation. If you are helped, it was probably due to Allah's mercy, but if you want to be really 'answered', you have to be 'close to Him'. In other words, you have to 'qualify' to enjoy assistance from Him. Duas are good but ask yourself how many of your own have been answered, which clearly indicates that Allah is not an 'emergency' life-line. You have to live up to 'expectations' and this requires 'total submission and surrender'.
Islam today is abused and manipulated to serve 'invested interest'. If you really want to 'be a Muslim' in a true sense then get down to understanding who Allah is and your relationship with Him; the purpose of creation, its creation and existence, and you are on your way to "Haqqul Yaqeen" (Certainity of Reality as it stands with Allah) not "Ilmul Yaqeen" (Certainty of Knowledge: Qur'anic terms). Ibnu Arabi is a master of reality and many of his book have been translated by William Chittick (Prof. at New York University). The study of Islamic Cosmology and Islamic Metaphysics will enlighten you on Creation. You will also find this information in Sahih Bukhari etc. Get these download free (look for pdf files) or email me:
Ibnu Abbas (r.a.) supplicated: "Ya Allah, by the Light (Nur) of your Face, which shines on the heavens and the earth, place me in Your fortress, Your protection, Your guardianship, and under Your shadow." The Qur'an states that "Only His Face remains". It is this Light that keeps us all alive. If this 'Veil of Light' is withdrawn everything will be destroyed (Bukhari).
10. Journey to The Lord of Power (A Sufi Manual of Retreat) by Ibnu Arabi.
Kindly recommend my blog to your friends. My email: hajimokhtar2@gmail.com
"ALWAYS KEEP ALLAH IN YOUR HEART AND THE WORLD IN YOUR POCKET". - Haji Mokhtar Stork/Shaykh Mokhtar
LATEST ARTICLE [View Full Pages List on the right]
THE DEATH OF UNIVERSAL LAW: ALL BUTTONS ARE BEING PRESSED (11 Feb, 2026)
THE METAPHYSICS OF CAUSALITY IN ISLAM (8 Feb 2026)
SIHR (SORCERY): WAYS TO HANDLE IT WITH FAITH AND TRUST IN ALLAH (24 Jan 2026)
THE PEOPLE OF SPIRITUAL INSIGHT (19 Jan 2026)
BY THE LIGHT OF YOUR FACE (2 Jan 2026)
UNDERSTANDING HALAL CERTIFICATION (19 Dec 2025)
INTELLECT and INTELLECTUALISM (14 Dec 2025)
SPIRITUALITY OF THE MIND (9 Oct 2025)
BEING ABLE TO HANDLE DISCERNMENT (24 Sept 2025)
TOWARDS A TAWHEEDIC SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION (31 Aug 2025)
MASS MEDIA ON GLOBAL POLITICS AND INVESTED INTEREST (22 Aug 2025)
WE LIVE OUR LIVES AS IT HAS BEEN ORDAINED (5 July 2025)
THE LAST MAN IN HELL, A MUSLIM OR NON-MUSLIM? (6 May 2025)
LIFE DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK OUT IN YOUR FAVOUR (29 April 2025)
GEMINI A. I. ON THE UTTERANCE OF THE PROPHET IN SALAT (13 Mar 2025)
ALLAH IS WITHIN YOU (NOT IN YOU) (EDITED, UPDATED: 3 Feb, 2024)
MEMORIES OF MY SHAYKH HADRAT SHAHIDULLAH FARIDI [Important Update: 9 Oct 2025]
ARE ACCIDENTS MERE ACCIDENTS?
[This is a perception that extends beyond the traditional view in existence. It provides us with a worldly view and a spiritual view to an incident. It is just a view. The law remains the law and by law an accident needs to be reported].
A murid (disciple) of mine while on his way to work by car got into an accident with a three-wheeler in Pakistan. These motor-bike cabs are common in Asian countries. While driving his car, he was hit from the left, damaging the front door of his car.
The murid asked: “What should a person do in this scenario my Shaykh? When it is someone else’s fault for causing harm. Initially I was angry but then calmed down. Visibly, I noticed that the man was poor and I felt that I should not cause him further distress. I also took a snapshot of the man driving the three-wheeler.”
Shaykh Mokhtar: The police should have been called and a police report made in accordance with the law. By not reporting the incident to the police, you may have postponed his punishment from above to a greater one which could be on its way towards him in the future.
Murid: “How so, my Shaykh?”
Shaykh Mokhtar: His attitude and actions at that point in time led him to hitting your car. Your response may appear to be one of compassion but is misplaced. Showing mercy is good towards those who are helpless but not irresponsibility. Now he is moving towards a bigger calamity if he is not repentant. He will be driving the same way without any realisation that Allah is giving him another chance to behave better. Being poor, he can never pay for the damages done to your car. Had you called the police in accordance with the law his taqdir would have been halted. The police in this instance represents Allah. Now he moving towards a bigger disaster. You in turn went through a trial and purification. Hopefully you did not become enraged but was calm. Remember to always utter: Bismillah hir-Raahman nir-Rahim, Tawwakal Allahlah wala howla.... complete sentence. Do so because it was Satan's doing (an assumption on my part which can be denied by others).
Murid: “I was getting quite angry but I don’t think I was in a rage. I calmed down quite quickly. At the time I thought my response because he is poor. I thought that I should show him forgiveness, after all, it was just a material loss, a car door. Thank you for this insight my Shaykh."
Shaykh Mokhtar: “Alhamdulillah. In all worldly matters abide by the law. In spiritual matters it depends on hikmah (wisdom) from Allah and not just based on rational thinking based on assumption, which does often appear to be correct. Only with 'Ainul Yaqeen and better still with Haqqul Yaqeen can one see beyond.”
REVISED: The ISLAMIC COSMOLOGICAL APPROACH TO GOD AND CREATION (Mankind) (17 Oct, 2024)
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