Success Through Sincerity

 Iklhas or Sincerity is the third in a series of  talks on Tasawwuf and the Importance of a Guide.  “Success Through Sincerity”  is a dars by Shaykh Ahmed Abdur Rashid, given on January 24th, 2010 at the zawiyya of Shaykh Nooruddeen.               Read more

The Necessity for Continuous Renewal (Tajdeed)

The Necessity for Continuous Renewal- Tajdeed Lecture by Shaykh Rashid to Sidi Shiker Symposium, Marrakesh, Morocco,10-11 July, 2009 Bismillaahi-r-Rahmaani-r-Raheem Allahumma inna nasalaka mujibati rahmatika Wa’aza’ima magfiratika, wa salamata min kulli Itmin, wal-ganimata min kulli birrin, wal-fawza bil-jannati min-a nnar. O Allah, we ask You for words that will make certain Your Mercy, actions that will make certain Your Forgiveness, freedom from every Read more

The Healing Light of the Prophet Muhammad (sal)

The Healing Light of the Prophet Muhammad (sal)

Bismillaahi-r-Rahmaani-r-RaheemOh Allah, we ask You for words which will make certain Your Mercy, actions which will make certain Your Forgiveness, freedom from every offence, a supply of every virtue, entering Jannah and safety from the Naar.

 

Allahumma inna nasaluka mujibati rahmatika, Wa’aza’ima magfiratika, wa salamata min kulli, Itmin, wal-ganimata min kulli birrin, wal-fawza bil-jannati min-a nnar.

The Healing Light of The Prophet Muhammad (saws)

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 (excerpt from lecture)

The Importance of Attitude

But we must also do our part.  Even the allopathic doctors now recognize that the attitude of the patient is a part of, if not at least half of the cure. Without the inner motivation, or the opportunity for that motivation, there can be no cure, no good health, no lasting happiness, and no purpose. 

 

How important is attitude?  We need only look at the example of the Prophet (sal) to see. 

Once a group of Jews in Medina greeted Nebi Muhammad (sal)) by saying, “Al Samu alaykum,” which means, “Death be upon you.”  Aisha (raa) grew angry and retorted, “May death be upon you, and curses!”  The Prophet (sal) disapproved of what Aisha (radiy Allahu Ta’aalaa anha) had said, commenting,

Innallaaha yuh.ibu-r-rifqa fi-l-amri kulih.

Truly Allah loves kindness in everything. 

 

Allah (swt) loves kindness in everything, from everyone, in every circumstance.  Even if there is no kindness in return, still, there should be kindness

 

We may say to ourselves that such attaining the goal of that frame of mind and heart is unattainable, but most important is our aspiration to that goal.  To aspire is natural (himma); but to have positive results, i.e. contentment, fulfillment, sense of progress, it is necessary also to extricate oneself from the grips of disillusionment, fear, and self-doubt. To identify these symptoms, we must genuinely ask ourselves whether or not the “I” wants to change.  Every one of us says we do, but it is normal to question whether our aspiration and intention (niyat) can be transformed into something of a higher nature; something that is lasting (a maqam), not a momentary experience.  Regular appointments with the spiritual doctor can assure us of progress toward full health and well being, but there is more to understand. The doctor prescribes or gives methods to practice, which assists our body, heart and soul to regulate themselves (like the immune system does for our physical body).

One Sufi master said that,

“No one may be transformed into something greater or higher than the ordinary man by any act or will from the Teacher.  Yet, somehow this expectation is fostered by some Teachers (and students), and certainly hoped for by indolent mureeds and mureedas.  It is not the role of the teacher to be a miracle worker, although to the receptive heart, many apparent miracles transpire between the teacher and the student. “

 

The guide certainly can help to mollify our reactions to circumstances; can give us new perspectives, better tools, inspiration, good guidance, and the continuous blessings of his knowledge and his power, developed through his efforts, meditations, prayers, and the blessings of his Shuyukh.  But, for the radical change that is necessary for the transformation from sleep to wakefulness, from illness to health, from fear to courage, from doubt to belief, from otherness and blame to selfness and responsibility, it requires totally sincere, practical effort and an active, participatory life in the good works of society, and of the Order, and of the enterprises of the Sheikh, with more than equal attention to inner development, prayer, meditation, service, and community responsibility. It requires that attitude of nebi Muhammad and openness for the fayat (divine

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Lecture at Islamic Center in Richmond

Shaykh Ahmed Abdur Rashid was invited to speak at the Islamic Center in Richmond, Virginia, on March15, 2009.

  

THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD: THE UNIFYING VOICE OF ISLAM

Bismillâh, Alhamdulillâh

Praise be to Allah, the Turner of the hearts and sight.  O Allah, fix our hearts on the best of Your ways, and make us face You in our way, and bestow Read more

The Failings of the Western Ethic

Evolutionary Ethics & an Invitation to a New/Old Perspective. “Sufism provides an experiential introduction to qualities such as compassion, patience, and tolerance as tools for adjusting personal and collective patterns of behavior.  It enables individuals and groups to manifest their deepest and most sublime human character in the service of Allah (subhanhu wa t’ala) and of Read more