“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
NETFLIX: The Pacific: I watched this series. Anyone doing so will realise that war is not an option unless you are forced into it. Watching the deaths on both sides was horrifying. However, any war today will not be based on that format. Its going to be distant with hardly any ground forces. Its going to be missiles, bombs, drones and nuclear bombs. This scenario will produce another form of horror, even far more worse than conventional wars. (3 July, 2025)
Watch Jeffrey Sachs EXPOSES BIG Hidden Truth Against Israel, Iran And US | US News | N18GUS and Israel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFYO7KL7Nsw
LATEST ARTICLE [View Full Pages List on the right]
WE LIVE OUR LIVES AS IT HAS BEEN ORDAINED (5 July 2025)
QURBAN: THE SACRIFICE OR BE SACRIFICED (7 June 2025)
LIKE A LEAF ADRIFT AT SEA (4 June 2025)
THE LAST MAN IN HELL, A MUSLIM OR NON-MUSLIM? (6 May 2025)
THE DIVINE FRAMEWORK IN RELATION TO YOUR EXISTENCE (2 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
EXISTING WITHOUT A CONSCIENCE
UNDERSTANDING FAITH (IMAN)
[This is a page from my book: Pearls of Wisdom. It deals with Iman (Faith). It indicates firmness of faith in Allah. This in my opinion is what a person should strive for: a simple man full of generosity and servitude to Allah. In return, witness Allah’s power expressed through him. If you are seeking a name for your child, this would be a name to remember.]
Shaykh Abu Ni’ma Maslama as-Saruji is an epitome of faith (iman). It was his nature to treat guests with hospitality; strangers with dignity; paupers with sympathy; the weak with civility and the wretched with mercy. During his lifetime, his town was attacked by the enemies of Islam. They killed, looted, and took prisoners.
The shaykh’s followers, on hearing that their retreat was about to be attacked went to their shaykh and said, “O our master, the enemy has come.” He replied, “Be patient!” They kept repeating the warning until the distance between them and the enemy was no more than a stone’s throw. Only then did the shaykh step outside.
With a wave of his noble hand, he ordered the enemy to retreat. Their horses promptly carried them away with such compelling force that they could not reverse their stampede no matter how hard they tried. Fatal casualties were many indeed among both the cavalrymen and their horses. Their formations were scattered, and they reached the town walls in terrible shape. They then dismounted and acted in keeping with chivalry, turning their faces to the Muslim retreat. Later they sent an envoy to the shaykh, apologizing and begging his forgiveness. The shaykh replied, “Tell them (your leaders), He will send you the answer you deserve for what you have done tomorrow morning if He so wills.”
The enemy were thus left wondering what the answer might be. It came to them early the next morning, when the army of the Muslims arrived on the scene, rooted them out and utterly annihilated them. [Neckless of Gems, Shaykh Muhammad Ibnu Yahya at-Tadifi] (Mokhtar Stork, 2012, Pearls of Wisdom). 26 May 2025.
WE ARE DONKEYS OF A KIND
A murid of mine (name not disclosed) sent me a text message asking me whether I considered him to be a donkey. We have yet to meet. I only know him from a picture of himself which he sent me. My reply was as follows: “Of course, you are not a donkey! We are all donkeys because we prefer servitude to Allah rather than living as wild animals in the wild.”
That answer of mine was spontaneous. You could call if ‘kashf’ (unveiling). In a way, as Muslims, we are all donkeys to a great extent. We think we know everything but actually we know nothing much. Have you ever pondered upon the life of a donkey? It has a lifespan of 20 – 40 years, depending on how it is treated and looked after. Have you ever pondered upon your own lifespan? If you do not feel ashamed over your past behaviour, it means that you are indeed a donkey! On the Day of Judgement, you will be exposed for what you are.
Every human being has the choice of ‘living like a donkey’ or ‘living like a wild animal in the wild’. You have the choice of becoming ‘a bed of roses’ or ‘a rubbish dump’ – that choice is up to you. It was granted by Allah. A bed of roses produces fragrance but at the same time pricks you. In a way, life is ‘a bed of roses’ because we enjoy its pleasure and suffer its discomfort. On the other hand, ‘a rubbish dump’ really stinks and many do stink in many ways.
The life of a donkey is one of submission and subjugation. It is beaten and often badly treated as some slave owned by its master. The comparison to us is hardly different. It depends on your status, your environment, your caste etc., each will in turn receive its due share of life. As a result of this we have ‘royal donkeys’ around the world. Then you have the rich and powerful, the arrogant and greedy. Then there is the ‘flashy donkey’ who parades around like a peacock to let you know who he is.
The ‘best donkey’ is the one who trod this earth with humility (Qur’an). It believes that ‘every dog has its day’. Humiliation used to be sought after by the early Sufees. They took pride in being looked down upon as been poor and needy, and often in patched clothing. In contrast, we find many today with fine clothing and big turbans parading everywhere with the aim of being recognised as some peacock strutting around. I witness one such guy after Eidul Fitr Prayer. I want to tell him that his ego was bigger than Mount Everest but refrained from doing so. After salat people lined up to greet the Imam. This man in his glorious attire turned up and just got right in front of me in the que. He then took his own time to greet the person in front of him. Having waited for several minutes, I decided that it was time for me to move on ahead of him.
As Muslims, we are similar to a donkey in ‘haqiqat’. We were created into servitude and submission by Allah the day it was announced by Him: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me,” (Surah Dhariyat 51:56).
Many however prefer living free without any restrictions. They are similar to animals living in the wild. There are no rules. Unlike the donkey who is taken care of by its master, an animal in the wild survives according to its own rules. However, be weary of a donkey. When it brays, it has seen the Devil (Satan), something which we are unable to do.
Returning back to what my murid said, I can honestly say to you that I too am a donkey bound in servitude to none other but Allah. It is my desired hope to redeem myself of my past and even if I can’t do so, I hope that my servitude in humility will see me being forgiven my past sins. (4 April 2025).
REVISED: The ISLAMIC COSMOLOGICAL APPROACH TO GOD AND CREATION (Mankind) (17 Oct, 2024)
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