Islamic Library and Cultural Center

Bismillah ~

Today on Imām al-Ghazālī’s levels of repentance (tawbah)

- Repentance of the ʿawwām (common people) = from outward sins

- Repentance of the ṣāliḥīn (righteous) = from blameworthy inner character

- Repentance of the muttaqīn (God-fearing) = from matters of suspicion or doubt

- Repentance of the muḥibbīn (lovers) = from heedlessness that leads to forgetting remembrance

- Repentance of the ʿārifīn (gnostics) = from remaining at a spiritual station where a station beyond it can be conceived

As the stations of proximity to Allāh have no end, so the repentance of the gnostic also has no end

‎الأربعين في أصول الدين

Bismillah ~

A gentle reminder as Muharram is coming to an end remember It is also a symbolic Hijrah a migration from the outer to the inner, from the self (nafs) to the Divine.

As the Islamic year begins with the Hijrah of the Prophet ﷺ, so too should the seeker begin their year by spiritually migrating from heedlessness to remembrance, from ego to surrender.

▪︎ Shaykh Ahmad al-Zarruq ق Says, "Begin your year by migrating from heedlessness to remembrance, from desire to submission."

This time is understood as a renewal of the soul’s covenant with Allah a chance to evaluate one’s path (ṭariq), intentions (niyyah), and spiritual proximity to the Divine

Bismillah ~

■ Practices of ʿĀshūrāʾ

It is recommended to show generosity and bring happiness and joy to people, family members, and relatives on the Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ.

▪︎ It is narrated from Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

“Whoever is generous to his family on the Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ, Allāh will be generous to him throughout the rest of the year.”
(This narration was reported by al-Bayhaqī)

▪︎ It is also related that Ibn ʿUyaynah (may Allāh have mercy on him) said:

“We tried it for fifty or sixty years and found nothing but good from it.

It is recommended to fast on the Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ, for through it Allāh expiates the sins
of an entire year.

▪︎ The Prophet ﷺ said:

“I hope from Allāh that fasting on the Day of ʿĀshūrāʾ will expiate the sins of the previous year.” (Reported by Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim.)

There are five litanies (awrād) which some scholars and righteous people have recommended for spiritual protection, seeking blessing, and maintaining a strong connection with Allāh:

1. The Everlasting Good Deeds (al-Bāqiyāt al-Ṣāliḥāt)

▪︎ Recite:

‎سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ، وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ، وَلَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَرُ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ الْعَلِيِّ الْعَظِيمِ.

“Subḥānallāh, Alḥamdulillāh, Lā ilāha illa Allāh, Allāhu Akbar, wa lā ḥawla wa lā quwwata illā billāh al-ʿAliyy al-ʿAẓīm.”

100 times daily, or at least 10 times in the morning and evening.

2. Seeking Forgiveness (Istighfār)

▪︎ Recite:
‎أستغفرُ اللهَ وأتوبُ إليه

“Astaghfirullāh wa atūbu ilayh”

“I seek Allah’s forgiveness and repent to Him.”

1,000 times throughout the day, divided as convenient.

3. Sending Blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ

▪︎ Recite:

“O Allāh, send prayers, peace, and blessings upon our master Muhammad and his family, with every breath and heartbeat, according to the extent of Your knowledge.”

‎اللهم صلِّ وسلِّم وبارك على سيدنا محمدٍ وعلى آله، في كلِّ نَفَسٍ وخفقةِ قلبٍ، عددَ ما وسعه علمُك.

Allāhumma ṣalli wa sallim wa bārik ʿalā Sayyidinā Muḥammadin wa ʿalā ālihi, fī kulli nafasin wa khafqati qalbin, ʿadada mā wasiʿahu ʿilmuk.

300 times daily, or at least 100 times in the morning and evening.

4. The Morning and Evening Adhkār

Maintain the prophetic remembrances prescribed for the morning and evening.

5. Sūrah Yā-Sīn and Sūrah al-Wāqiʿah

Recite each once daily.

and Allah knows best

Bismillah ~

Muharram (Victory Over Oppression) by Sh. A. Noorudeen Durkee (ق) on

Muharram (Victory Over Oppression) بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Greenmountain Branch of the Shadhdhuli School for Tranquility of Being and the Illumination of Hearts "salamun qowlam-mir-rabbi-r-rahim" Peace - Such is the g

Bismillah ~

“Hold good opinion of all Muslims, especially those upon whom the lights of remembrance (dhikr) and prayer shine, for it may be that they are among the Friends of Allah, and you are
unaware.”

-Al Qutb Imam Abd al Wahab al Sharani radiAllahu anhu ❤️

Bismillah ~

Among the words of Sidī Abu al-Ḥasan al-Shādhili, the master of the Shadhilī path:

he ق said regarding remembrance (dhikr):

“It is that state in which the heart becomes tranquil in meaning, where the realities of divine light are unveiled, and where one turns away even from the act of remembrance itself toward the One remembered, and from all things toward Him alone.”

Bismillah ~

Bismillah~

Imam Shaf’i رَحِمَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ was asked by an atheist how do you know that there is a G-d?

To which he said: “Because of the leaf of a mulberry tree.” The atheist ask him what do you mean?

The Imam said: “ The leaves of the tree has the same taste, the same color, the same smell, and have the same form, but when the silkworm eats them, it gives silk, and when the bee eats it, it gives honey. When the sheep eats it ,it becomes milk ,and when the gazelle eat it, it becomes musk. He then said: “Who could’ve made this so diverse in regards to its production if it wasn’t G_d; If it was other than a creator? Then he recited a verse from the Quran:

“Blessed be Allah the best of all creators.”