“They are people who loved one another for Allah’s sake…”

Salaam and Greetings of Peace:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Among Allah’s servants are people who are neither Prophets nor martyrs, but whom the Prophets and martyrs will deem fortunate because of their high status with Allah.”

They asked: “O Messenger of Allah! Inform us of who they are.”

He said: “They are people who loved each other for Allah’s sake, without being related to one another or being tied to one another by the exchange of wealth. By Allah, their faces will be luminous and they will be light upon light. They will feel no fear when the people will be feeling fear and they will feel no grief when the people will be grieving.”

Ya Haqq!

Note:  This has always been considered a reference to the Sufis, who emulate the loving-kindness of the blessed Prophet (peace be upon him) as the perfect example of such attributes.

“I Have a Dream!” 50 years Later – August 28,1963

The Power of Commitment

Salaam and Greetings of Peace:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back– Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”

– W. H. Murray – The Scottish Himalaya Expedition, 1951

Ya Haqq!

Conversation with God

Each day of your life is a conversation with God.
What intimacies have you shared today?
What good deeds have you done?
What love have you given freely to family and friends?

If all you have to say is of arrogance and envy,
vanity and pettiness, then better to keep silent.
God already knows. He is waiting like a hopeful parent
for the good news of your life, eager to share in your joy

And always hoping that you follow in His footsteps,
embrace the way of enduring Love.
Dive into this ocean that is your birthright.
Swim in the sea without a shore.

– Irving Karchmar, 2013

“… whatever you did for the least of my brethren, you did for me.”

Salaam and Greetings of Peace:

“Then Jesus will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

‘And Jesus will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of my brethren, you did for me.’

– Matthew 25:34

Ya Haqq!

Note: A version of this parable is also in Master of the Jinn: A Sufi Novel, in the story of Moses and the Beggar, which you can read in excerpt HERE.

Eid Mubarak :)

Salaam And Greetings of Peace:

“O Lord! Let not our hearts deviate now after You have guided us, but grant us mercy from Your own Presence; for You are the Grantor of bounties without measure.”    – Qur’an: 3:9

May Allah bless you all this Eid with generosity of heart, sincerity of speech, kindness in action, and love and joy in remembrance of Him, who is the Source of all Generosity, Sincerity, Kindness, Joy and Love.    Ameen!

The Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“One who helps a fellow Muslim in removing his (or her) difficulty in this world, Allah will remove the former’s distress on the Day of Judgment. He who helps to remove the hardship of another, will have his difficulties removed by Allah in this world and in the Hereafter. One who covers the shortcomings of another Muslim, will have his faults covered up in this world and the next by Allah. Allah continues to help a servant so long as he goes on helping his own brother (or sister).”

Ya Haqq!