The Map to God

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

Dr. Colin Turner said, “Even the most accurate map does not show a city as it really is.  Study a map of Istanbul, for example, before you go there for the first time and you will get a good idea of how the roads and avenues of that city are arranged, but nothing will prepare you for the reality of the place.  This is natural: no non-illustrated, two-dimensional representation can possibly portray perfectly a multi-dimensional entity such as a city of the size, area and complexity of Istanbul!  All a map can do is give you an outline, an idea, an impression. 

In the same way, even if we are given the most accurate description of God, until we actually experience Him, there is no way that we can understand Him properly.  There is no ‘map’ of God more perfect than the Qur’an, yet even with the Qur’an, it is impossible to prepare ourselves fully for the Reality of His Being, or to understand Him as He really is.”



Comments

Post a Comment

Thank you for taking the time to share our thoughts. Once approved, your comments will be posted.

Popular posts from this blog

A Brief Biography of Shaykh Ibrahim ibn ‘Abdullah Niyas al-Kawlakhi (q.s.)

Image
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ The following was compiled from various sources from amongst the muridun of Shaykh Ibrahim ibn ‘Abdullah Niyas al-Kawlakhi ( q.s. ).   Shaykh Ibrahim Niyas ( q.s. ), as the name is transliterated here from the Arabic, is more commonly known “Ibrahim Niass”.   It is also written as “Ibrahima Niasse” in French, and “Ibrayima Nas” in Wolof.   Formally, he is Shaykh al-Islam al-Haj Ibrahim ibn al-Haj ‘Abdullah at-Tijani al-Kawlakhi Niyas ( q.s. ) in Arabic.   He was a major leader of the Tijani Sufi order in West Africa.   His followers in the Senegambia region affectionately refer to him in Wolof as “ Baye ”, or “Father”.   He is the founder of the Ibrahimiyyah branch of the Tijaniyyah .   In Arabic, we designate ourselves as the people of al-Faydhah at-Tijaniyyah , “The Divine Flood of the Tijani”.   In Wolof, the Tijani of Senegal call themselves Talibe Baye , meaning “Disciples of Baye ”.   Outside...
Read more

The Du’a of the Blind Man

Image
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ It is narrated, from a hadits , that a blind man approached the Prophet ( s.a.w. ), and asked for a cure for his blindness.   This hadits is recorded in Jami’ at-Tirmidzi ; Sunan ibn Majah ; Musnad ibn Hanbal ; Mu’jam al-Kabir , by Imam Abu Ja‘far Muhammad ibn Jarir ath-Thabari ( r.a. ); and Mustadarak ‘ala Swahihayn , by Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn ‘Abdullah al-Hakim an-Nishaburi ( r.a. ).   The version from Sunan ath-Thabari has slightly different words, but has the same general meaning. This du’a is a du’a for hajat , when there is a need.   It is also a du’a asking for spiritual sight in this world, for those who are blind to Allah ( s.w.t. ) in this world may be blind to Him in the next.   How can we see His Majesty and be in the Divine Presence when we are blind to His Presence in this world.   One cannot look at the shadow and still see the light.   One cannot look at the world and expect to fin...
Read more

The Story of Azazel

Image
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ The following was taken from the “Lore of Light” by Shaykha Amina Adil ( q.s. ).   I consider much of this allegorical, and based on folk tales.   They are not necessarily meant to be believed, except that which is from the Qur’an and, perhaps, the ahadits . The Lord of the Worlds Created the fire of Sammun.   From this Fire of Sammun, He Created the jinn .   The first of the jinn was named Marij, and the Lord Created a second one to be his wife, and she was named Marijah.   They had a son, and they called him, Jinn.   From them, derived all the clans of the jinn , including Azazel.   The Lord Gave them the Earth to dwell, and they lived and worshipped there for a long time.   So much did they worship, that the angels grew amazed and said, “O our Lord, Raise them up to the Heavens so that we might learn from them and follow their good examples.”   So the Lord Raised Azazel up to be among the angel...
Read more