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Since last Friday, I have been feeling a little uneasy, uneasy with my surroundings, uneasy with myself and just things in general.  I really couldn’t work out or seem to pin point what it is that was causing this.  The perturbed and agitated feeling got so bad that it got me thinking about my life in general.  In all honestly, I have never felt like this before.  My thinking got so deep that I started to question:  Who am I?  What am I doing?  How I do things?  Who I engage with?  How I feel towards people?  How I earn my living? And so on.

I felt as if something was missing, something that I had in the past and I no longer have.  I felt cheated and I couldn’t understand what and why it was taken away from me, but more importantly what was it that had been taken away from me?

The thinking continued till this morning until I received an email from a friend.  Normally like everyone else, I tend to get loads of emails, some are individual emails and some are forwarded emails with a message of some sort, the forwarded emails I tend to read later on when I have time or never read them at all.  This was a forwarded email but as I clicked to open it, it felt different and my eyes like magnets attracted me to it more and more until I was forced to read on.  As I read it I got more and more eager to carry on.

After reading the whole email I realised what was the cause of my uneasiness, the uneasiness that got me thinking so deep, questioning myself.  I realised what was missing, what I had and no longer did.  The answer was so simple yet I made it hard for myself to find it.  The answer was ‘Love’.

Love, love, love was missing.  For about a year or so, I have been so busy running in the rat race of life, a race which we find ourselves automatically to be in, we don’t know the objective of the race or where the finishing line is – I had forgotten Love.

Without further to do, the actual email is here, so please read it and feel free to leave your thoughts for me and more importantly for everyone else who visits us here:

This is a master piece. If you have not read it take the time to read it now. If you have read it take time to read it again! GEORGE CARLIN

Isn’t it amazing that George Carlin – comedian of the 70’s and 80’s – could write something so very eloquent, and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We’ve learned how to make a living, but not a life. We’ve added years to life not life to years. We’ve been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbour. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We’ve done larger things , but not better things.

We’ve cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We’ve conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We’ve learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom.

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn’t cost a cent.

Remember, to say, ‘I love you’ to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

I have read it four times now and it lifts me up every time.  It helps me find that missing piece of jigsaw, the Love to complete the picture and find my true self again.

Has it done the same for you….?

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Over at Abubakar Jamil blog, I was reading his post titled ‘Light at the end of the funnel‘ and it got me thinking, it got me thinking so deeply I ended up having a to put everything else aside and dig up this quote – this was a quote which lifted me up when I needed lifting, guided me when I needed guidance, gave me love when I needed to be loved.

I dedicate this quote to Abubakar Jamil and I hope this guides you like it did for me:

God turns you from one feeling to another and teaches by means of opposites, so that you will have two wings to fly, not one.

– Jalal al-Din Muhammad Rumi

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I would like to wish all Muslims Ramadan Mubarak, although I am few days late but better late than never.  Ramadan brings a month of blessings for everyone and it’s a month of consideration and focus.

It also brings its challenges both physically and mentally.  I for one do struggle to keep my momentum going for continuing my prayers and in trying to increase my remembrance of Allah the all mighty – but I try to keep my focus and push myself to do that little bit more.  Take for example tomorrow – I have a cricket match/game for the club against another team in the same league, as an opening bowler I will need to some how find that extra energy to keep my focus on both my fast, prayers and my physical contribution to the game.  Admittedly, this is nothing new as usually in the past during fast I have kept up my physical exercise (spending around 45 minutes in the gym couple of hours before the fast ends).

For me this brings extra reward knowing that I have managed to make full and good use of my time, as opposed to some people who practically spend hours in front of the TV waiting for the fast to end when that time can be spent reading the Qur’an (holy book) or reading extra nafal (voluntary prayer) for the reward during this holy month is far greater.

I would like to know what challenges you face during this month. And for me it will be good to know some of your experiences during this valuable month?

Moving on to a more important topic which really affects us all, that is the devastation caused by flooding in Pakistan.  Most of us will already be aware of how badly Pakistan has suffered and continues to do so.  I came across a great article over at Abubaker Jamil’s blog ‘21 faces of the Pakistan flood’, where he provide excellent information and awareness of the devastation caused in Pakistan, with regular updates.  Further more, he writes ‘How to ensure your help actually reaches the Pakistan flood victims’.  I suggest you take some time out and read the articles.

This holy month is also a time for us to help the needy, to go that extra mile in providing charity for the good deeds earned during this month are far greater than any other.  The nations like Pakistan, Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and the needy around the world need our help, and we should think how best we can help them.

It will be good to know how you have tried helping the needy around the world; especially during this month – you may have raised awareness by email or actively gone out to collect people’s donations.  I would love to hear from you.  The information you will leave will be helpful for other seeking ways in helping the needy.

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Just something…

“if you have never trodden the path of love, go away and fall in love; then come back and see us.”

Jami (Essential Sufism)

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It has been just under two years since I last made an appearance and posted on this blog.  Much has happened during this time, mostly to do with my battle to regain ground over my nafs (desires) which is a constant battle every second of every day.

Since the creation of this blog, my intention was to share my experience on this path, a path which is different for everyone but yet the objective is the same, this intention has not changed and if anything has increased dramatically.

From my last post (in 2008) I have been somewhat off-line in many ways – both in the real life and on the internet.  I do now have plans to revive this blog and continue on sharing my struggle with my dear readers.  Admittedly such experiences are sometimes hard to understand, hard to explain and hard to write about, but I shall embrace this challenge and make this a source of communication to you.

Communication is important – and what I shall share will not be just limited to my experience but will go beyond that.

During the revival of this blog, as a reader you may see changes taking place with the design of this blog as I try to improve this blog constantly.

Note:  Although this blog is about my experience in the Sufi World, I would love to hear about your experience again not just limiting to Sufism but Islam in general.  If you have any stories which you know will inspire other people then please write to me on the email below.  I would love to include your experiences on this blog.

You can email me at                        sufismworld [@] googlemail [dot] com

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A PURE LOVE LETTER:

As you got up this morning, I watched you, and hoped you would talk to me, even if it was just a few words, asking my opinion or thanking me for something good that happened in your life yesterday. But I noticed you were too busy, trying to find the right outfit to wear. When you ran around the house getting ready, I knew there would be a few minutes for you to stop and say hello, but you were too busy. At one point you had to wait, fifteen minutes with nothing to do except sit in a chair. Then I saw you spring to your feet. I thought you wanted to talk to me, but you ran to the phone and called a friend to get the latest gossip instead. I watched patiently all day long. With all your activities I guess you were too busy to say anything to me.

I noticed that before lunch you looked around, may be you felt embarrassed to talk to me, that is why you didn’t bow your head. You glanced three or four tables over and you noticed some of your friends talking to me briefly before they ate, but you didn’t. That’s okay. There is still more time left, and I hope that you will talk to me yet. You went home and it seems as if you had lots of things to do. After a few of them were done, you turned on the TV. I don’t know if you like TV or not, just about anything goes there and you spend lot of time each day in front of it not thinking about anything, just enjoying the show. I waited patiently again as you watched the TV and ate your meal, but again you didn’t talk to me.

Bedtime I guess you felt too tired. After you said good night to your family you popped into bed and fell asleep in no time. That’s okay because you may not realize that I am always there for you. I’ve got patience, more than you will ever know. I even want to teach you how to be patient with others as well.

I love you so much that I wait everyday for a nod, prayer or thought or a thankful part of your heart. It is hard to have a one-sided conversation. Well, you are getting up once again. And once again I will wait, with nothing but love for you. Hoping that today you will give me some time. Have a nice day!

Your friend, ALLAH

PS – Do you have enough time to send this to another person?

If you aren’t ashamed to do this, please follow the directions.

Not ashamed? Pass this on……only if you mean it.

Yes, I do Love God. He is my source of existence and Savior. Allah keeps me functioning each and everyday.

Without Him, I will be nothing. Without him, I am nothing,

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Hello Everyone.

When I started this blog, I wanted to make it unique and full of my experiences on the Sufi path.  There are many (known and unknown) people out there like me who want to achieve the ultimate aim to experience the true blessing from Allah.

Although on my journey I have had unique and wonderful experiences and to share this for others to learn and if possible relate and benefit from it, a blog is important.

To date this blog was (if you like a) soft launch of how I would like things to be displayed and after careful consideration and design, I have managed to make some what improvements to it, and for now this blog is under construction to help complete these changes.

All credit and priase be to Allah (swt) and merly I am just a slave unworthy of being.

Allah Hafiz and please do return.

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How to deal with Life’s hardships and not be depressed?

 

"Love is the cure,
for your pain will keep giving birth to more pain
until your eyes constantly exhale love
as effortlessly as your body yields its scent.”

We have to admit that sometimes there are difficult stages in our lives. During that time, we are often tested and later realize that test had a great impact on us today.

Sometimes we look at an individual and the first thing that comes to our mind if they are smiling and enjoying themselves is, "I wish I could live that person’s life, they seem so happy, free from problems and hardships."

The truth is that nobody has a life free from hardships. It is easy to hide what we have been through and to keep the pain that continually adds up inside without opening up and discussing the problem. One of the most important things I have learned is constantly keeping things to yourself can lead to a more severe anxiety and depression.
Depression has become a very serious and common illness among people in today’s society. It is true that depression is very hard to overcome and recover from. You cannot simply wake up one morning, go to a therapist for a 45 minute session, and feel happy and cheerful again. Recovering from depression, anxiety and panic attacks takes a while, for some people it may take weeks, and for others it may take months or even years depending on how hard they are willing to work with the therapist, psychiatrist, and anti depressants.

The hardest part to getting through depression is not knowing who to turn to for help. It becomes very hard for us to trust people and take advice because we have isolated ourselves completely from the people we love. It becomes extremely hard to control our emotions as well. The first step is to discuss your problem with the parent you feel most comfortable with. Letting out your emotions is one way of reducing depression because emotions will eventually control you if you let them build up.

I would just like to say that there is truly nothing worth being depressed over in this world. We need to put our faith in Allah and trust that he will protect us from anything and everything. Let us make the hereafter our main priority and if we focus on that alone, and I can guarantee that depression will not be a problem.

A poem which I read today By Mevlana Rumi(ra)

"Love is the cure,
for your pain will keep giving birth to more pain
until your eyes constantly exhale love
as effortlessly as your body yields its scent.”

Please share your comment and views with us.
May Allah Almighty fill our hearts with the Nur of Muhammad(pbuh)

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Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi

O Beloved of God, you are the Messenger of the Sole Creator. You are the one chosen by the Holy Lord of Majesty (Who is) without equal.

(You are) the delight of the Lord God (and) the highest Full-Moon of createdbeings, (and) you are the light of the eyes of (God’s) Messengers (and) the Lampof our eyes.

On the night of the Ascension, (the angel) Gabriel was at (your) stirrup,(and) you are (the one who was) standing on top of the blue domes (of heaven).

O Messenger of God, you know (that) your community are deprived and destitute, (and) you are the guide of those who are vulnerable and helpless.

(You are) the cypress tree of the rose garden of prophethood (and) the spring-season of spiritual knowledge.

You are the rosebush of the garden of the ReligiousLaw, and the nightingale of the lofty (heavens).

Shamsee Tabreez is one who has the praise of the Messenger in his heart.

O Mustafa, you are the supreme master.

[source]

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Here is just such a simple solution, presented in the form of three keys, that when remembered and practiced, keep us going in the right direction and while we walk the path, they also are the catalysts in bringing happiness.

Key 1 – Keep Your Heart Free From Hatred

When people, events and circumstances go against our wishes, desires or expectations, they create reactions of anger and frustration within us. These reactions are natural and must not be denied or ignored – rather their underlying reason must be seen and overcome – that of our pre-decided ideas and expectations being thwarted.

These emotions occur as a natural progression of painful events and are fine as long as they are felt and released. The problem lies when we cannot let go of the feelings and they tend to seep into our hearts where they fester till treated. If such is the case, these negative feelings tend to influence our way of thought, and necessarily, of action and become an integral part of our outlook towards life itself. Then everything that originates within us carries the subtle flavour of these very negative feelings.

The first secret of happiness says that no matter what emotions we feel temporarily, our hearts must remain free of hate.

Key 2 – Keep Your Mind Free From Worry

We worry when our thoughts travel either to the future, or linger in the past. Worry is a phenomenon which depletes energy and divides attention – leaving us incapable of giving our best to the moment before us.

The only way to give a 100% of yourself to the task at hand is to be totally present in the present moment without thinking of what’s gone by or what is still to come – both cases where we have no say or control anyway.

Performing the action totally and to the best of one’s ability brings back a positive result based on the law of karma – “As you sow, so shall you reap” – a result which would not be possible had we divided our inner being with worry.

The second secret of happiness is to always perform actions based on careful thought and planning, but without worry.

Key 3 – Give A Lot, Expect A Little

It is crucial for our happiness to come to the realisation early in life that it is our own expectations and pre-conceived ideas and hopes, which when frustrated, cause most of our pain and agony.

Once this understanding has stabilized within us, we begin to live for the moment, and within ourselves instead of seeking outward or external reinforces for our self-esteem or happiness.

It is not enough for us to be passive spectators of our own life, we must also be willing to give and share freely of our best qualities without waiting for a similar return.

It is both wise and practical to remember the advice of numerous spiritual masters that “It is in the giving that we receive.” The free giving of your own self without strings attached bring both peace and contentment in the long run.

The third secret of happiness is to give a lot and expect very little.

[source]

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