Assalamu alaykum sister. I am an electrical engineer and a student of Tafsir, Hadith and Ahlulbayt from Pakistan and I am happy to know there are pak(pure) people in India who love the pak struggle of Imam Husain(as) against secular Muslim government of his time. Today I wept when I read the word Atash in wikipedia biography of Imam Daralqutni(r) in the context of thirst for sacred knowledge. فحُبب إليه طلب العلم وقد ساعده على ذلك مامنحه الله من تعطش شديد للمعرفة For example, Imam Husain(as) learnt the dua of qunut from his Nana, I guess, even before puberty. I wanted to tell my mother why I wept, but she could not recognize what Al-Atash means. I am happy that there are still modern educated sisters in the world who know Arabic words of religious significance. I like the approach of Zaydi Shias of Yemen who do not exaggerate in mourning and avoid public weeping which can become riya (pretentious worship) and self-mutilation. Dr. Ali Shariati an Ithna Ashari scholar has said that we should become Alawi Shia instead of becoming a Safawi Shia.I am happy that you are informed about history like Dr. Rajendra. God bless you. Imam Muhammad Al-Baqir(as) said: Our true Shia are those who do not disobey Allah and pray tahajjud. God bless you.
Category: Sufi spirituality
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My orthodox Muslim zoologist mother and stolen dead body of James Lind
My mother was teaching students about James Lind so I wanted to know his beliefs so I discovered that his dead body has been stolen.From contemporary correspondence still on file we know that ‘the Vicar of Portchester had it by hearsay from his predecessor that an old lady organist told him that Lind’s body had been disinterred from the Portchester vault about 20 years after the burial, and removed to the Isle of Wight’ (Summary 1953). James Lind’s son John had moved to Ryde, and is buried in Holy Trinity Church there: but there are no other Lind coffins in the church except for those of John’s wife and two of his daughters. The Commander-in-Chief then advertised in the local papers, the Evening News (Evening News 1953a; 1953b) and the Hampshire Telegraph. No definite result emerged from this that did not contradict the story already known: but by 10 May 1953, the Sunday Dispatch carried the headline ‘Body vanished fifty years ago – hospital advertises for it’ (Sunday Dispatch 1953). The article continues ‘Search is going on all over the country for the body of the great naval surgeon, James Lind, which was buried in St Mary’s Church, Portchester, Hampshire, in 1794 but had disappeared – with its coffin – when the vault was opened 50 years ago.’ After some discussion of Lind and his work the article concludes on a dramatic note: ‘Some old inhabitants of Portchester say ‘It is possible body-snatchers took it. Those were queer days. Strange things happened.’’ -
Existential dysphoria, nihilistic sufism and nihilistic militancy
Thinking about existential dysphoria made me visit the blog and I liked it. Since I am both a patrilineal and matrilineal descendant of Abraham peace be upon him, my DNA made me explore theistic existentialism via Kierkegaard who wrote Fear and Trembling about my grandfather. I have theistic psychotherapist friends who recommend reading Martin Seligman who has acknowledged that theists tend to be more optimistic than secularists. I think nihilism is a logical consequence of industrial revolution and sexual revolution, but our traditional culture is still successfully resisting both revolutions and therefore nihilism but one can find nihilistic movements in the traditional world. Nihilism literally means annihilation and some sufi saints have talked about annihilation of ego while witnessing the divine ego. However, that is incompatible with our modern existence as well as our own texts. Then, there are militant anarchists who think that it is impossible to resist temptation while being a part of modern culture so they resort to militant anarchism to destroy with nihilistic passion. However, I have embraced a synthesis of radical anti-modern skepticism and self-annihilating sufi compassion.
https://wewalkamongyou.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/how-existentialism-helped-with-my-dysphoria/
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Quran 90:4, existential dysphoria and sarcasm
While trying to verbalize my psychological state today based on Quran 90:4 I came up with this word in my mind, because I think dysphoria is an inescapable condition of our existence. An Ishmaelite saint Thabit Al-Bunani said: A felt dysphoria(kabad) during prayers for twenty years, and for the next twenty years I felt euphoria during prayers. I enjoyed the sarcasm of your blog
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How Islam saved us from the equivalent of struggle between greek mysticism and greek rationalism
I am happy that trinitarian greek orthodox church did not ban me. I was curious about greek mysticism because modern world is more influenced by greek rationalism which is employed by secularists to supposedly bury God. I am happy to learn that those with greek DNA still have love in their hearts for the spiritual homeland of Middle East. -
A Shia believer tries to outwit me through sarcasm for being a dissenter of popular Shi’ism
Sean Stone: A convert to Islam with Jewish descentHussain Murtaza Waqar Anwar jumped off his chair the moment you tagged him on this post.Ishmael Abraham Sean became a Shia BTW.Ishmael Abraham But he loves Sunni Rumi too.Hussain Murtaza Rumi is frowned upon first and foremost by your beloved Salafis. Many Shi’a scholars, including Ayatullah Khomeini, openly expressed admiration for him.Ishmael Abraham But I have read riwayat of Ahlulbayt where they critcize Sufis like Salafi scholars as well. Ayatollah Borqei is an example of such a Salafi Shia scholar.Hussain Murtaza Please also tag Waqar Younis, he was one of the greatest fast bowlers Pakistan ever produced.Hussain Murtaza I know. The condemnation of Sufia is unanimously established among all of mainstream Islam, particularly Ithna Asharia. But what kind of Sufi, and for what reasons, is a subject to this condemnation is a question of much. Hence the case of Maulana Rumi becomes subjective. Personally I neither admire nor condemn him. Ishmael Abraham I neither admire nor condemn you
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Losing earth, winning armageddon: A family member apologizes for angry non reciprocation after a medical emergency
Asa. I wanted to reach out and see how things are going. There’s a lot going on for me and I just felt the need to apologize. I never meant to hurt you. But I would get frustrated with the things you would say. And you wouldn’t see my POV and I couldn’t see yours. And etc. I forgive anything you said that hurt or offended me and I hope you do the same. Sometimes, in life, things just happen. And these things remind us to stay humble. They make us think of others and make us review past mistakes and push us to try and make things right. For me, my health is at a new low right now. Keep me in your prayers. My reply: Was. In any medical emergency recite this prayer which was recited by the best couple on earth and in heaven at their deathbed. { https://sunnah.com/muslim/39/61 } Like the best male companion in history, I have now chosen the friends of heaven instead of earthly love to win the armageddon. If I lose earth and win the armageddon, I would prefer winning the armageddon. Some people win both, but I could not. I wrote a longer reply before, but the wise thing is not to ride the roller coaster again. May be decades later, you should explore the longer version. -
Night of Siffin: Dialogue with a religious Talmudic Jew regarding Zuckerberg, Shema and lost tribes
Alperovich Anatoly Ishmael Abraham sorry , i had a post of lost tribes in afghan . I dont know why they deleted itIshmael Abraham Israeli govt or fb admin?Alperovich Anatoly Lol. I think fb, it was Israeli post .Ishmael Abraham But Zuckerberg is Jewish too?Ishmael Abraham But he is secular.Alperovich Anatoly I will try to check now.Alperovich Anatoly Yes, i think he is .Alperovich Anatoly So… your tribesman as well .Alperovich Anatoly Tislam, Ishmael.Ishmael Abraham Shalom on truth seekers. It is written in sacred Islamic texts that God will grant victory to children of Isaac peace be upon him without weapons through dhikr or reciting the remembrance of God by glorifying Him and His holy names. That’s why I told you never to forget reciting Shema before sleeping. Ishmaelite leader of saints Imam Ali(as) said that I did not forget reciting dhikr even during the night of battle of Siffin which was a civil war. So, do not forget that even in the most stressful and anxious days of your life until you die.Alperovich Anatoly Thank you for that , i remember . -
Ironic process theory, hypersexuality and sufi counselling
I am happy to learn about our shared concern about childhood hypersexualization in the modern culture. In traditional cultures, many people with hypersexuality do counselling with sufi saints and many people recover. I think sufi saints achieve that by reducing the anxiety of the patients. I have read other psychologists who have written on ironic process theory that patients who cannot inhibit their thoughts should focus on some other intellectual and psychological alternative rather than trying to suppress the negative thoughts. And, that can be achieved by meditative prayers and studying sacred texts. Another aspect they have mentioned is that one should reduce multitasking to avoid negative thoughts. Since modern culture is based on industrial revolution where multitasking is inevitable, so that makes sexual revolution inevitable. So, if we start spending more relaxed time in spiritual, charitable and philanthropic activities that can reduce the anxiety and stress created by industrious activities.You are right to acknowledge the fact of using hypersexuality as an excuse for infidelity and I have found many secularist ideologues using the same excuse. However, many real psychologists are not absolute fatalists. -
Is disagreeing with American scholars of Islam cannibalistic backbiting
When a Companion disrespected another black Companion, the Prophet(p) said: You still have traces of pre-Islamic ignorance.At the recent RIS Conference in Toronto, Hamza Yusuf spoke disparagingly of Black Lives Matter movement and the Muslim Brotherhood.Илия Александр Лахоз There’s no single sociopolitical viewpoint that is obligatory upon Muslims. Holding a position that is out of fashion in that realm is not one of the exceptions to back biting. This is especially true in the case of ulama.Ibn ‘Asaakir (499 A.H. – 571 A.H.) (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:((اعلم يا أخي – وفقني الله وإياك لمرضاتِهِ وجعلني وإياك ممن يتقيه حق تقاته – إِن لُحُوم الْعلمَاء رَحْمَة اللَّه عَلَيْهِم مَسْمُومَة، وَعَادَة اللَّه فِي هتك أَسْتَار منتقصيهم مَعْلُومَة لِأَن الوقيعة فيهم بِمَا هم مِنْهُ برَاء أمره عَظِيم والتنَاول لأعراضهم بالزور والافتراء مرتع وخيم والاختلاق على من اخْتَارَهُ اللَّه مِنْهُم لنعش الْعلم خلق ذميم))“And know my brother – may Allaah guide me and you to seek His pleasure and make me and you from among those who fear Him as He should be feared – that the flesh of the scholar is poisonous. And the custom of Allaah in removing the screens from those who seek to belittle them is well-known. This is because attacking them in matters that they are free from is truly a tremendous matter.Surrounding their reputation with lies and fabrications is infertile grounds, and differing with those whom Allaah has chosen amongst them to disperse the knowledge is a dishonorable characteristic.”[Source: Tabyeen Kadhib al-Muftaree, p. 29]Ibn ‘Asaakir (may Allaah have mercy on him) also said:من أطلق لِسَانه فِي الْعلمَاء بالثلب بلاه اللَّه عَزَّ وَجَلَّ قبل مَوته بِمَوْت الْقلب“Whoever speaks ill of the (righteous) scholars, Allaah will give death to that person’s heart before He will give death to that person.”[Source: Tabyeen Kadhib al-Muftaree, p. 425]Ishmael Abraham Does it apply to him too because he once called the traditional ulama naql-heads? Criticizing those who struggle in the path of God should also be sinful. God says that political activists who try to make the word of God supreme are superior in the sight of God to passive Muslims. Quran 4:95. I do love him when he is right but scholarly difference was treated by the righteous predecessors as a mercy.When Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi a scholar from Prophetic family through Imam Hasan (r), visited US, he had warned against the dangers of an American form of Islam.Илия Александр Лахоз So BLM = المجاهدون فى سبيل اللهIshmael Abraham No. I am talking about Al-Banna who was martyred and even Tariq Ramadan who has a political philosophy.Илия Александр Лахоз That’s a whole other discussion, but 90% of the article is taking him to task about racial politics. Ishmael Abraham You are right. A liberal from Bangladesh Atif Choudhury was promoting the article who has also called Nouman Ali Khan an abusive preacher. I do hate BLM for the qawm Lut among them. But still I am skeptical about the global Sufi liberal alliance against Sola Scriptura scholars.
A spiritual Ishmaelite 