A Muslim Convert Once Before

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ   The following was extracted from “The Meadows of Tafsir for the Noble Qur’an” by Shaykh Ibrahim ibn ‘Abdullah Niyas al-Kawlakhi ( q.s. ).  It was translated into English by Ustadz Mukhtar Babakir.   Regarding the following verse:   سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة … فَلَا تَجۡعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ أَندَادً۬ا وَأَنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ (٢٢)   … then set not up rivals unto Allah when you know (the truth). (Surah al-Baqarah:22)   The ascribed partners are of several types.  There is the obvious shirk which is the worship of idols that the idolators are involved in.  There is also the hidden shirk , which is to perform actions with riya’ , ostentation or pretense; and to perform them with sum’ah , a desire to be known.  Furthermore, there is the most hidden shirk , which is for one to see other than Allah ( s.w.t. ).   Allah ( s.w.t. ) has Delegated seven angels to watch over the actions of His servant.  ...

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ The following is taken from the first chapter of Iqazh al-Himam fi Sharh al-Hikam , a commentary on al-Hikam of Shaykh Taj ad-Din Abu al-Fadhl Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Atha’illah as-Sakandari ( q.s. ), by Shaykh Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Ajibah ( q.s. ).   Imam Abu al-Qasim al-Junayd ibn Muhammad al-Baghdadi ( q.s. ) explained waridat and said, “Lights are the mounts of the hearts and the secrets.”   “Light” is a speck in the heart of the slave from the meaning of a Name or Attribute whose meaning flows through his entire being until he directly sees truth and falsehood with which it is not possible to fail to grasp his obligation.   Imam Ahmad ibn Ahmad az-Zarruq ( q.s. ) said that.   “Mounts” are camels which are ready for riding, and hearts are the realities which accept things which are understood.   Secrets are the realities which accept the tajalliyat .   The secret is finer and purer than the heart.  ...

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ   The following is taken from the first chapter of Iqazh al-Himam fi Sharh al-Hikam , a commentary on al-Hikam of Shaykh Taj ad-Din Abu al-Fadhl Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Atha’illah as-Sakandari ( q.s. ), by Shaykh Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Ajibah ( q.s. ).   Concerning the obligation to think of wrong action as insignificant, whoever has gnosis of his Lord, finds that his wrong action is insignificant beside His Generosity.   Whoever recognises his Lord, withdraws from seeing his wrong action because he is annihilated to himself by witnessing his Lord.   If an action issues from him which is contrary to wisdom, witnessing the Blessing dominates him.   Allah ( s.w.t. ) Says:   سُوۡرَةُ الحِجر ۞ نَبِّئۡ عِبَادِىٓ أَنِّىٓ أَنَا ٱلۡغَفُورُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ( ٤٩ )   Tell My servants that I am indeed the Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful; (Surah al-Hijr:49)   Allah ( s.w.t. ) also Says:   سُوۡرَةُ الحِجر و...