A Muslim Convert Once Before

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ   Shaykh Charles Upton wrote:   “In love, nothing exists between breast and Breast. Speech is born out of longing, True description from the real taste. The one who tastes, knows; The one who explains, lies. How can you describe the true form of Something, In Whose Presence you are blotted out? And in Whose Being you still exist? And Who Lives as a sign for your journey?”

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Shaykh Charles Upton wrote:   “Your prayers are your light; Your devotion is your strength; Sleep is the enemy of both. Your life is the only opportunity that life can give you. If you ignore it, if you waste it, You will only turn to dust.”

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ The following is an excerpt from “Doorkeeper of the Heart: Versions of Rabi’ah” by Shaykh Charles Upton.   Shaykha Rabi’ah al-‘Adawiyyah al-Qaysiyyah al-Baswri ( q.s. ) said:   “Your hope in my heart is the rarest treasure, Your Name on my tongue is the sweetest word. My choicest hours, Are the hours I spend with You - O God, I cannot live in this world, Without remembering You - How can I endure the next world, Without seeing Your Face? I am a stranger in Your Country, And lonely among Your worshippers: This is the substance of my complaint.”   Shaykh Charles Upton was born on the 13 th December 1948.   He is a noted American poet and metaphysician.   Shaykh Upton was born in San Francisco and grew up in Marin County, California.   He attended Catholic schools throughout until high school.   Whilst in San Francisco, he met the poet, Lew Welch, who became his mentor.   Although he ...