“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
WISHING ALL MUSLIMS A BLESSED RAMADHAN,
"ALWAYS KEEP ALLAH IN YOUR HEART AND THE WORLD IN YOUR POCKET". - Haji Mokhtar Stork/Shaykh Mokhtar
UPDATE
In today's world, it not about what is 'right' or 'wrong': its about 'singing a single song' determined by the powerful, where they view the world at any level through a single lens put into place. On one side we have the US, EUROPE and ISRAEL, and the other end of the spectrum, we have RUSSIA and CHINA. Along both 'fault lines' we have a host of 'puppets' on a string seeking 'survival'. So where does it place us? We, the ordinary people, are held 'hostage' through algorithms over what we can say or cannot say: similar to the 'walking dead'.
How do you define the word "SENSITIVE MATERIAL" and "COMMUNITY GUIDELINES"? I will say that both are necessary to maintain peace and order. We sometimes forget due to "emotional states" and are often prone to weaknesses. However, if it is the "truth" and a "fact" but of course not openly admitted because of "social guidelines", but which can be done only by politicians, I would say something is wrong here. The next step offered is to "lodge a complaint" - complaint about what? Unable to accept the truth or proven truth, but which is already mentioned in the news? Then there is a "decision" to be made on a platform of applied social guidelines... so where does the position of speaking the "truth" lie?
“there is a growing demand to be able to “explain” machine learning (ML) systems’ decisions and actions to human users, particularly when used in contexts where decisions have substantial implications for those affected and where there is a requirement for political accountability or legal compliance” (Coyle and Weller, 2020: 1433; our italics). [https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/20539517231222872]
ISLAMIC REFLECTIONS
In the hustle of modern life, it is easy to lose sight of the Al-Baqiyat as-Salihat (the enduring good deeds). This SECTION is dedicated to those quieter moments of contemplation and spiritual upliftment.
My aim is to reflect on the intersections of faith, history, and daily life, through insights which we have overlooked or can introduce, whether it is finding lessons in the spiritual resilience of our elders in the villages of the past, or seeking clarity through the trials of the present, these entries are an attempt to look beyond the surface. "Indeed, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest." (Surah Ra'd 13:28)
WORLDLY REFLECTIONS
Worldly Reflections: Observations on a Shifting Landscape: This section is a dedicated space for documenting the intersections of technology, society, and the lived experience. As the world moves increasingly toward "Super Apps," automated systems, and hyper-connected environments, I use these reflections to pause and examine the cost of this progress.
REVISED: The ISLAMIC COSMOLOGICAL APPROACH TO GOD AND CREATION (Mankind) (17 Oct, 2024)
All political Shia and Sunni preachers are blinded by the real fact that there is no Islamic State whatsoever. The Treaty of Hudaibiyah has been politically manipulated. The turmoil after the demise of the Prophet s.a.w., his burial and the election process that followed (found in Ahadith), clearly indicate the politics of the Quraish (the wealthy and powerful, especially those who contributed towards Islam). It is this politics that sidelined Ali and his family. The Prophet clearly declared: I leave two things behind, the Word of Allah and the Sunnah of the Ahlul Bayt (they were never Shia'!) It is this universal disease between the Sunni and Shia' that has witnessed collections of Ahadith selected to suit them and in almost every other matter. Unfortunately, the real victims are the Ahlul Bayt, who should lead the way.
GOD'S LIGHT (NUR) DETERMINES YOUR FAITH (192 pages 5x7): published 2024
Summary: What I am presenting here is an Analogical Argument based on God’s Light (Nur) and how it determines Fate. This has not been previously presented, mentioned or written. Traditionally, we have viewed Creation as a process taking place within “six days” according to the Qur’an, (Surah A’raf 7:54). In the world of science, the ‘Big Bang’ theory represents the way the universe came into existence without a God. This theory can be viewed as God creating Creation in darkness with His Light (Nur). This Analogical Argument deals with 1). The Creation as a whole, 2). The Creation of Adam, and 3). Qada and Qadar (Preordainment). By viewing Creation in this manner, we are able to conclude that the amount of Light (Nur) from God, as determined by Him, forms the basis and foundation of existence. The ‘amount of Light (Nur) a person receives from God’ at the time of his/her inception into the world, has a relationship with scientific evidence concerning Criminality, Down Syndrome etc.
Previously Published Books
