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Candle Postings :: Motivational Gems for Higher Spiritual Enlightenment
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:: Candle Posting #11 :: Tauba (Sincere Repentance) :: A Heavenly Medicine ::
According to the following hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), all human beings commit sins, but the real believers repent for their sins and seek forgiveness from the Merciful Lord1:
"Anas reported God's messenger as saying, "All the sons of Adam are sinners, but the best of sinners are those who are given to repentance."
Believers are on a path of continual improvement. People do make mistakes, but believers analyze their mistakes and take positive actions to correct them. This examination is critical for creating purity in each and every action. In this way, believers develop a lifestyle which is firmly grounded in the principles of faith. Great believers follow the path of religion with insight because they understand the nature of outward and inward sins, and strive to remain pure and humble. However, as they are also human, they commit sins and have to seek forgiveness from Allah on a continual basis.
The Qur'an teaches us to continually seek forgiveness of sins and mercy of Allah. Allah continually elevates believers through His knowledge and mercy and loves believers who are firm in their practice of faith and seek forgiveness continually as described in the following hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)2:
"(Hazrat) Ali reported God's messenger as saying, "God loves the believing servant who is severely tried and is penitent."
End Notes
- Robson, J., Book X. God's Names. Chapter III. Prayer for pardon and repentance. In: Mishkat al Masabih Vol. I (English translation with explanatory notes), 496.
- Robson, J., Book X. God's Names. Chapter III. Prayer for pardon and repentance. In: Mishkat al Masabih Vol. I (English translation with explanatory notes), 501.
Links: Ya Qadir, Ya Nasir, Ya Tauba, Ya Salaam tasbi
(text and streaming audio files)
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Peace, light, barakat, tayid and Golden Noorani didar,
Noorallah Juma
SalmanSpiritual.com
January 21, 2009
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:: Candle Posting #12 :: Inward Versus Outward Sins ::
In the following dialog, Ahmed bin Asim has given excellent answers to the questions on the topic of sincere repentance put to him by one of his disciples1:
| Question |
Answer |
| How may I seek to draw near to God? |
By leaving the inward sins. |
| Why inward and not outward? |
Because if you avoid inward sins, the outward sins will be void. |
| What is the most harmful sin? |
The most harmful sin is the sin which you know to be a sin. And more harmful than this is to suppose that it is a virtuous act, while at all the time it is a sin. |
| What sin is most profitable to me? |
The sin which you keep before your eyes, weeping over it constantly until you depart from this world, so that you will have never committed the like again. This is sincere repentance. |
| What grace of Allah is most profitable to me? |
When He protects you from disobeying Him and assists you to obey him. |
Links: Ya Qadir, Ya Nasir, Ya Tauba, Ya Salaam tasbi
(text and streaming audio files)
(The word "Nasir" means "one who helps". In our Dua, we say the following ayat: "Thee alone we worship, and Thee alone we seek for help". Based on this teaching of Allah, a practical solution is to recite the tasbi "Ya Nasir". Alternatively, in our Tariqah, we can also invoke help by saying "Ya Ali Madad". The concept of getting spiritual (ruhani) and luminous (noorani) help is an integral part of any faith.)
End Note and Reference
- Arberry, A. J., Chapter 4. The Ascetics. In: Sufism: An account of the mystics of Islam, pp. 43-44. Mandala Books, London, 1979.
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Candle Postings: Objective & Posting Index Archives: (1 to 10) (11 to 20)
Peace, light, barakat, tayid and Golden Noorani didar,
Noorallah Juma
SalmanSpiritual.com
January 22, 2009
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:: Candle Posting #13 :: Bartering Good Deeds for Peace and Light ::
The first sentence of the Dua-e-Qunut which we recite in the Idd Namaz is translated as follows: "Our Lord! Grant us good in this world, as well as good in the world hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the (hell) fire with Thy kindness, O Benevolent of the benevolents." The question arises how can we get the best of first world (i.e., the world of our Origin and Light) and this material world? The answer lies in the principle of trading or bartering good deeds with the Lord. This principle has been presented in the Holy Qur'an, Ahadith, Holy Ginans and Holy farmans. NOOR Mawlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) has shedded light on this topic in the following saying:
"Verily this world is a house of truth for those who look into it deeply and carefully, an abode of peace and rest for those who understand its ways, and moods, and it is the best working ground for those who want to procure rewards for life hereafter. It is a place of acquiring knowledge and wisdom for those who want to acquire them, a place of worship for friends of God and for angels. It is the place where prophets receive revelations of the Lord. It is the place for virtuous people and saints to do good deeds and to be assigned with rewards for the same; only in this world they could trade with God's favours and blessings and only while living here they could barter their good deeds, with His blessings and rewards. Where else could all this be done?" (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Sayings of Hazrat Ali 130, p. 287)
Let us pray for the blessings of ilm-u laduni (given, divine knowledge) and acquired secular knowledge so that we may have merit in the first world (i.e., the world of our Origin and Light) and this material world. May Mowla grant us the realization that we were first Light beings, then spiritual beings and now are human beings bridging the din and duniya.
Links: How to live in this world?
Get 40 answers from the teachings of NOOR Mowlana Murtazā Ali (a.s.)
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Peace, light, barakat, tayid and Golden Noorani didar,
Noorallah Juma
SalmanSpiritual.com
January 26, 2009
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:: Candle Posting #14 :: Why Should We Raise Our Consciousness for the Next World? ::
In verse 138 of Kalâmê Mowlâ, NOOR Mowlana Murtazâ Ali (a.s.) exhorts us to raise our consciousness for the next world because it is greater and permanent compared to this material world. The transliteration and translation of the verse is as follows:
Duniyâ bêch yê fânee hay,
aur mul lê âkbat kâm,
duniyâ têrê sang na rahêsee,
khub âkbat mukâm
Sell the world, it is perishable
and buy the dwelling (spiritual house) of the hereafter.
The world will not remain with you,
and all worthwhile is in the abode of hereafter.
duniyâ din châr hay,
chêt tu(n) chhod jâyesee,
eesê bêch âkbat besâlê,
wey tujê kâm ayesee .....138
The world lasts four days,
take heed, you will leave it;
sell it and dwell in (the awareness of) the hereafter,
this will be useful to you.
Links:
My Spiritual House in Paradise
How to live in this world?
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Peace, light, barakat, tayid and Golden Noorani didar,
Noorallah Juma
SalmanSpiritual.com
January 27, 2009
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:: Candle Posting #15 :: The Malfunctioning Intellect ::
In light of the recent firmans of NOOR Mowlana Hazir Imam on Din and Duniya, let us reflect on the following ayats of the Holy Qur'an:
"These are the people who buy the life of this world at the price of the Hereafter: their penalty shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped." (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 002.086)
"The life of this world is alluring to those who reject faith, and they scoff at those who believe. But the righteous will be above them on the Day of Resurrection; for God bestows His abundance without measure on whom He will." (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 002.212)
In the following excerpts of a Khutba titled 'Of Life and Its Pleasures', NOOR Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) teaches us about din and duniya:
"How it is that you have forgotten death and always keep unattainable hopes and desires before your mind's eye? The world has taken a possession of your intellect as to exclude every consideration of the hereafter from your thoughts. Its allurements and attractions are so powerful that they have made you forget of the world to come. You are so much enticed by mortal pleasures that the life to come does not find a place in your imagination."
"What has come to you? You are happy and pleased with the paltry (trivial) and worthless, through easily obtainable pleasures of this world, and the deprivation of immense and abundant bounties of the Heaven does not grieve you. Loss of world possessions, though however contemptible (disgraceful) and mean they may be, make you so sad that even your faces reflect the depth of your sorrow and height of your grief at your disappointments. As if you and this world are both immortals and as if its wealth and pleasures are everlasting." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Khutba 116, p. 86)
Links:
My Spiritual House in Paradise
How to live in this world?
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Peace, light, barakat, tayid and Golden Noorani didar,
Noorallah Juma
SalmanSpiritual.com
January 28, 2009
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:: Candle Posting #16 :: Why Are Heavenly Things Better Seen Than Heard? ::
In light of the recent firmans of NOOR Mowlana Hazir Imam on Din and Duniya, let us reflect on the following ayat of the Holy Qur'an:
"But those will prosper who purify themselves, and glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in prayer. Nay (behold), ye prefer the life of this world; But the Hereafter is better and more enduring." (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 087.014 to 087.017)
In the following excerpts of a Khutba titled 'What is Piety?', NOOR Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) teaches us about the relative importance of din and duniya:
"There is no punishment worse than the punishment of God and no reward better than His. Worldly things are better heard than seen and heavenly things are better seen than heard. But in this you must be satisfied with what you hear from the Holy Prophet (s.a.s.) about goodness and grandness of heavenly blessings and be contented with the news of hidden bounties, because you cannot see them when alive.
Remember it is better to have less in the world and more in the next than to have more in this world and less in heavens, because very few things here are really beneficial and many are ultimately harmful." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Khutba 117, p. 87)
Links:
My Spiritual House in Paradise
How to live in this world?
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Peace, light, barakat, tayid and Golden Noorani didar,
Noorallah Juma
SalmanSpiritual.com
January 29, 2009
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:: Candle Posting #17 :: How to Improve Our Spiritual Book of Deeds? ::
In light of the recent firmans of NOOR Mowlana Hazir Imam on Din and Duniya, let us reflect on the following ayats of the Holy Qur'an:
"Say: "Our Lord will gather us together and will in the end decide the matter between us (and you) in truth and justice: and He is the one to decide, the One Who knows all." (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 034.026)
"And the Book (of Deeds) will be placed (before you); and thou wilt see the sinful in great terror because of what is (recorded) therein; they will say, "Ah! woe to us! what a Book is this! It leaves out nothing small or great, but takes account thereof!" They will find all that they did, placed before them: And not one will thy Lord treat with injustice." (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 018.049)
In the following excerpts of Khutba 141, NOOR Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) describes ways to improve one's Spiritual Book of Deeds as follows:
"May God bless the man who has heard His orders and remembered them; who was called by Him and obeyed the commands; who has affliated himself to His messenger and has thus secured his salvation, who has faithfully obeyed the commands and interdictions of his Preservor and Protector and fears the consequences of his sins; who has been sincere in doing such good deeds as will win for him rewards in Heaven; who has always acted sinlessly, righteously and honourably, who has tried to earn His blessings and avoided vices and sins; who has repudiated and discarded false pomp and glory of this world and concentrated in achieving an exalted position in the world to come; who has completely checked and restained his desires and longings and kept his fancies and cravings under control; who has decided that patience on suffering was the best way to reach Heaven and abstinence from sin as the best mode of securing salvation; who has adopted the best of the religions as his creed and followed the bright path of truth and justice; who has correctly decided that the span of his life is a period of grace allotted to him to do good before death and having provided himself for the next world is eager to welcome death." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Khutba 79, p. 46)
Links:
My Spiritual House in Paradise
How to live in this world?
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Peace, light, barakat, tayid and Golden Noorani didar,
Noorallah Juma
SalmanSpiritual.com
January 30, 2009
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:: Candle Posting #18 :: Death and Dying of a Materialistic Person ::
In light of the recent firmans of NOOR Mowlana Hazir Imam on Din and Duniya, let us reflect on the following ayat of the Holy Qur'an:
"If any one does a righteous deed, it ensures to the benefit of his own soul; if he does evil, it works against (his own soul). In the end will ye (all) be brought back to your Lord." (Holy Qur'an (Yusufali) 045.015)
In the following excerpts from Khutba 112, NOOR Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.) describes: (1) the process death and dying of a materialistic person on one hand; and (2) the process of transition of the soul from this world to the next:
"The transition of such a (materialistic) person from this life to the next is so painful that it cannot be easily described. The painful sensation of death, and the disappointment and shame of having lost life-long opportunities of being and doing good, crowd into his mind. The consciousness of a guilty life makes him feel sad and shameful, and the horror and hopelessness of the situation leaves him pale.
Just at such moment death steps in stopping the faculty of speech and expression. The dying man is surrounded by his relatives, though his power of speech has left him, yet his mind is wonderfully clear now. He can see and hear, he can visualize realities, and can understand the truth. He thinks of the life that he has wasted, of wealth that he had amassed by sinful and vicious ways, by adopting every means foul or fair. He now realizes that he has to face the consequences of amassing wealth from which he is now forced to part forever, leaving it to others who will enjoy it. He knows that the pleasures of enjoyment will be theirs and the pains of punishment will be his lot, because all the sins and crimes that he had committed to accumulate this have been noted by angels of God.
At this moment how keenly evident it is to him that he has irrecoverably mortgaged his soul to gather these worldly possessions and how it is impossible now to undo what has been done; and it is too late even to repent. The sorrow and shame of the situation is so poignant that it makes him wince and hate the very things which he so much loved when he was fully alive to life and its pleasures. He wishes that those people who used to envy him for his power, wealth and worldly possessions, had all of them and he would have led a simple and honest life.
As his mind passes through these tortures of sorrow, shame, regret and contrition (repentance), death approaches him a step nearer and like the power of speech he loses the power of hearing also. He can now neither hear nor speak, yet the power of sight is still with him, he can see people around him, can see their lips moving but cannot hear any sound.
Death comes still nearer and gradually his sight also deserts him; shortly the soul parts from the body, leaving him a corpse amongst his relations. They now feel afraid to come near his dead body and want to keep away from it. He cannot now sympathize with the mourners nor reply to their call. He is then carried to his grave and surrendered there to the consequences of his faith and deeds. They shall not see him again till the day of resurrection, a day when all human beings will be joined by those who follow them, it is the day when the span allotted to life on the earth will come to an end, and the Will of God, to create and resurrect human beings will be carried into effect." (Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, letters and saying of Hazrat Ali, Khutba 112, p. 81-82)
Links:
My Spiritual House in Paradise
How to live in this world?
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Rakh Mowla je Noor te Yaqeen (Certainly, we trust in Mowla's Light only),
Noorallah Juma
SalmanSpiritual.com
February 2, 2009
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:: Candle Posting #19 :: How to be Resurrected with the Pious, Prophets and Saints? ::
How to prepare for life in paradise? Let us look for an answer from the following ayats of the Holy Qur'an:
"Fair in the eyes of men is the love of things they covet: women and sons; heaped-up hoards of gold and silver; horses branded (for blood and excellence); and (wealth of) cattle and well-tilled land. Such are the possessions of this world's life; but in nearness to God is the best of the goals (to return to).
Say: Shall I give you glad tidings of things far better than those? For the righteous are Gardens in nearness to their Lord, with rivers flowing beneath; therein is their eternal home; with companions pure (and holy); and the good pleasure of God. For in God's sight are (all) His servants,
- (Namely), those who say: "Our Lord! we have indeed believed: forgive us, then, our sins, and save us from the agony of the Fire;
- Those who show patience, firmness and self-control; who are true (in word and deed); who worship devoutly; who spend (in the way of God); and who pray for forgiveness in the early hours of the morning." [Holy Qur'an 3:14-17 (Yusufali's translation)]
In his Takht-Nashini speech delivered in Nairobi on October 22, 1957, Noor Mowlana Hazir Imam laid a foundation of our value system regarding din and duniya:
"The years of development and change which lie ahead are certain to throw up many new problems. We should not be afraid of these. You will surely surmount them if you stand by your faith and meet your difficulties in the spirit of humility and tolerance that your religion demands of you. This is specially important for the younger generations who will have to carry the future on their shoulders. Only the faith of your forefathers can sustain you and enable you to live in peace here in this world and the next."
With the above background, let us reflect on the following teaching of Imam NOOR Mowlana Shah Mustansir bi'l-laah II (a.s.) (Source: Pir Pandiyat-i Jawanmardi, pp. 35-36):
"Therefore, O believers, if you want to be alive in both worlds, perfect your faith, because (only) by the light of faith may you attain eternal life. And faith comes from and is perfected by the recognition and knowledge (ma'rifat wa shinakht) of the Imam of the time, and obedience and love for his followers. Therefore, follow your Imam, and be happy and united with each other amongst yourselves in order that you may be alive in both worlds, and in the hereafter you may become resurrected with the pious, with prophets and saints in the presence of the Imam, with the greatest joy at meeting each other again."
Links:
My Spiritual House in Paradise
40 Postings Related to Higher Spiritual Enlightenment
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Rakh Mowla je Noor te Yaqeen (Certainly, we trust in Mowla's Light only),
Noorallah Juma
SalmanSpiritual.com
February 3, 2009
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:: Candle Posting #20 :: Enlighten Your Grave (i.e., the Soul in Your Body) ::
Ya Ali Madad. The Alid tradition of a thinking and spiritual Islam emphasizes the development of the human soul to its highest levels. In addition to this, there is a requirement to balance the din (spiritual life) with the duniya (material life). In the long run, it is the barakat of the spiritual life which drives the material life. However, each murid has make choices, set priorities and follow the path of higher spiritual enlightenment as prescribed by Noor Mowlana Hazir Imam to his/her best ability.
According to Noor Mowlana Murtaza Ali (a.s.), the purpose of bandagi is to awaken the soul from its grave. This does make sense if one accepts that the soul is created and given a physical form. Thus, the living human body is a grave for the soul. The great saints struggled day and night to purify their souls and project them from their bodies into the higher world.
In verse 167 of of Kalâmê Mowlâ, NOOR Mowlana Murtazâ Ali (a.s.) explains this concept:
Roshan kar bhâi kabar têri,
kê neet uth namâz kar beech rêan andhêree
andhêree rêan beech namaz kiasê,
roshan howê sahee kaber têree
Enlighten your grave (i.e., the soul within your living body), brother,
wake up always and perform luminous prayers in the middle of the night.
In the night, having performed your luminous prayer,
your grave will truly be enlightened.
namâz nafal kâr âdhee râtku(n),
khudâkê been na bujê koye
Mowlâ farmâve kê kaber têri,
ees namâzsê sahee roshan hoye .....167
Perform your prayers (namaz, Dua) and luminous prayer (bandagi) in the middle of the night
in such a manner that nobody else besides God knows.
Mowlanâ Murtazâ Ali (a.s.) says that your grave, (i.e., the soul within your living body), will be truly enlightened by such luminous prayer. .....167
Links:
Eighteen Postings on Bandagi (Web pages)
Eighteen Bandagi Gems (PDF file)
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Rakh Mowla je Noor te Yaqeen (Certainly, we trust in Mowla's Light only),
Noorallah Juma
SalmanSpiritual.com
February 4, 2009
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