Between Shariah and Reality One must uphold the etiquettes of the sacred Shariah (Islamic law) and follow its outward commands as much as possible, for all spiritual ascension lies in obedience to the Divine law. As for the knowledge of realities (Haqiqah), it is akin to stating that “the sky…
On Detachment from the World One of the signs of a sincere seeker who has renounced the world is that worldly means become perpetually difficult for him, no matter how long he lives. This is due to the strength of his resolve in rejecting them, so that he wakes and…
On Spiritual Discipline and Sincerity Imam Shar’ani radiAllahu anhu writes: Imam Abu al-Mawahib al-Shadhili, radiAllahu used to say: “Whoever wishes to abandon the company of bad companions should begin with himself—by forsaking his own bad traits. His soul is the closest thing to him, and those who are closest to…
The Hadith: “My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works (nawafil) until I love him. When I love him, I become his hearing and his sight.” The nawafil, according to the people of the path, signify the annihilation of the servant in the witnessing of himself through…
From the sayings of Al Qutb Habib Ahmad Mashhur al Haddad radiAllahu anhu ‘Every person has a constant enemy by their side, which whispers, misleads and diverts them from that which is good, yet despite this, they also possess a great weapon to defend themselves with, and that is…
‘I testify before Allah that no servant dies bearing witness there is no God but Allah and (Sayyiduna) Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and then does what is right, except that he will find his way into Paradise. My Lord Almighty has promised me that seventy thousand of my…
‘If a caller from heaven announced that all people would enter Jannah together but for one man, I would fear that I am him. And if a caller announced that all people would enter Hellfire together but for one man, I would hope that I am him.’ -Sayyiduna Umar ibn…
Sayyiduna Abu Sa’id radiAllahu anhu narrates: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: الْقُلُوبُ أَرْبَعَةٌ قَلْبٌ أَجْرَدُ فِيهِ مِثْلُ السِّرَاجِ يُزْهِرُ وَقَلْبٌ أَغْلَفُ مَرْبُوطٌ عَلَى غِلَافِهِ وَقَلْبٌ مَنْكُوسٌ وَقَلْبٌ مُصْفَحٌ فَأَمَّا الْقَلْبُ الْأَجْرَدُ فَقَلْبُ الْمُؤْمِنِ سِرَاجُهُ فِيهِ نُورُهُ وَأَمَّا الْقَلْبُ الْأَغْلَفُ فَقَلْبُ الْكَافِرِ وَأَمَّا الْقَلْبُ الْمَنْكُوسُ فَقَلْبُ الْمُنَافِقِ عَرَفَ ثُمَّ أَنْكَرَ…
قَالَ قَالَ اللَّيْثُ عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عَمْرَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، رضى الله عنها قَالَتْ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ اَلأَرْوَاحُ جُنُودٌ مُجَنَّدَةٌ، فَمَا تَعَارَفَ مِنْهَا ائْتَلَفَ، وَمَا تَنَاكَرَ مِنْهَا اخْتَلَفَ Sayyidah Aishah radiAllahu anha narrates: ‘I heard The Beloved Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Souls…
Sayyiduna al-Harith ibn Malik radiAllahu anhu narrates: ‘I passed by The Beloved Messenger of Allah ﷺ and He ﷺ asked me: “How are you this morning, O Haritha?” He said, “I woke up truly a believer.” He ﷺ said, “Be careful of what you say. Every truth has a reality,…

