Afterwind Sufi

How to deal with pain in love

2022-05-03T00:46:00.007+05:00

Sufi head-dress and pearl decorations (via Wikimedia Commons)

I asked the Sufi master to put his spell to turn my heart into a stone, to do away with the pain of my broken heart in love. He replied, the softness of the heart is the requirement of the Sufi way for getting awareness about God. Then I asked if there is any cure for this pain. He replied, Tolerance! And then said, Tolerance (Bardasht) and Patience (sabr)!!

What is the practical understanding of Kalima in Sufi way?

2022-03-27T13:33:00.009+05:00

Rohtas Fort (via Wikimedia Commons)

The method of the Sufi teaching is different from the conventional academia, as it involves not just the mathematical meaning of an idea, but the experiential conceptualization of an idea and its grooming into belief. We are discussing how a Sufi disciple deciphered the meaning of Kalima by the metaphor of world.

A Sufi master assigned the recitation of Kalima to his disciple who was worldly man. The disciple could not continue the incantation, and forgot the lesson. But, the lesson has never stopped, and beads kept on falling along the thread of his life, as the master’s glance of benediction (Urdu: Nazr-e-Karam) continuously remained upon the disciple’s heart. The day to day experiences in the life of disciple molded his heart into a bowl to be filled with the realization of the meaning of Kalima. In his ordinary course of business, he faced some crises, forcing him to take a right decision on each such occasion of conflict and agony. In the initial phase, he got disappointed to see the world full of injustices, which took him to realize “La Ilaha” (i.e., first part of Kalima: “there is no god”) that the unjust practices and people of this world are not God, therefore, God is not responsible for these injustices, but the man himself is all cause of this all injustice. The order of this unjust world is inferior and defective. In the second phase, he realized the meaning of “Illallah” (i.e., second part of Kalima: “But the God”) that the true and rightful order is that of Allah, who is above the heavens and pure from all defections of this unjust world. The two parts “there is no god” and “but Allah” jointly mean to differentiate the just from the unjust, and the right from the wrong. This is the spirit of Tawheed (the Shehada or testimony that Allah is the exclusive Lord), who is pure and right. The third phase, enlightened the meaning of “Muhammadur Rasoolallah” (i.e., third part of Kalima: “Muhammad PBUH is Allah’s prophet”) that the Order of Allah is the prime solution of all injustices of this world, and it will have to be brought through the Islamic way of life and governance (“Shariah”).

Why I am sometimes happiest and other times gloomiest in love?

2022-03-26T14:32:00.015+05:00

Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai's house in Bhit Shah (via Wikimedia Commons)

Why I am sometimes happiest and other times gloomiest in love? The mind is entangled in the puzzles of emotions.

In psychology, and other sciences studying the human behavior, the emotion of being in love is described in different angles. But, in Sufism, the love is seen in different terms.

Since Sufism is meant for channelizing our attentions towards God, therefore, the love for our humanly beloved is also seen an essential ladder to the God’s love. In order to distill this idea further, we will have to zoom in the concept of love and its connected ideas.

Sufism is the esoteric understanding of religion. It is more concerned with love, connection and subservience of the Divine, than the outward formal religious practices. Therefore, it elucidates the beautifully delicate but difficult aspects of religion which are often ignored by hardliners, like the good conduct as per the way of Prophet Muhammad PBUH (Urdu/Persian: Uswa-e-Hasna), beauty of behavior (Urdu/Persian: Husn-e-Ikhlaq), perfect belief (Urdu/Persian: Yaqeen-e-Kamil), the way or conduct (Urdu/Persian: Rah-e-Sulook) of grand master or Shuyukh. The poetry of Sufi Shuyukh, like Bulleh Shah (link), Abu Said Ibn e Abil Khair, Ibn Al-Fariz (link), Waris Shah is abundant with such ideas, especially that of love.

In Islamic ideology, Allah cannot be depicted in any idol or picture form. Despite being Omnipresent & Omniscience (Urdu/Persian: Hazir-o-Nazir) and omnipotent (Urdu/Persian: Qadir-e-Mutlak), he cannot be seen directly with our material eyes, therefore, the inner essence (Arabic: Batin) of religion is faith (Arabic: Iman) on the Divine truth, with verbal profession (Arabic: Iqrar bil-lisan), and heart-felt conviction (Arabic: tasdeeq bil-qalb). This recognition of Divine differentiates the faith from Kufr and Shirk. However, there come a question: how to love the One we have never seen or met?

As an oriental proverb goes, “Woman is the teacher of love”. People fall in love with people in this world and learn the emotions and etiquette of love. The experience of love and heart-break softens the human heart enabling to feel delicate aspects of conduct and life. This shift from love for one to love for all and then love for God is an important phase. The poetry recognizes it, by acknowledging the idea that the love for worldly beloved is in fact a form of love for God. In the poetry of Shah Abdul Latif Bhitai (link) and Waris Shah (link), the love tragedies in fact decode the states of our souls desperate to meet the Divine Lord. (Qawwali link, poetry link)

Sufi Vlog: Dialogue on connection of worldly pain and Divine attachment

2020-10-11T08:53:00.003+05:00

Sufi Vlog: on the love and remembrance of Divine

2020-10-11T08:51:00.001+05:00

Love of Allah.

2020-10-09T23:55:00.001+05:00

Some people feel a divine attachment with Allah. It does not matter what religion, race or region they belong; they have deep feeling which keep them attached to the divine highness. I think, the presence of such affection is in fact an invitation from the Divine Entity to start a journey of peace, a tryst with the Divine Beloved. Nevertheless, the path passes through perilous experiences, but the pain becomes sweet like honey, when one realizes it is in fact a sign of being considered and observed by the Divine Beloved. As Sufi says, listen to these pain pangs, which are in fact the Divine messages. Although the door of Prophethood has been closed by the seal of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and no official communication exists anymore between the God and the human. I think, the philosophy behind this concept, is that the message has been completed and the world is an exam place, to test the human on the touchstone of the message already reached in form of Divine book Quran. However, there is a secret exchange of signs indirectly between the Beloved and His lovers, just like a sweetheart seduces the Majnu. As people say, the lover is Majnu – or insane lover, who have gone stupid in the flow of their weeping emotions, and late-night cravings. As Sufi says, do not lose heart, because this pain is itself a cup full of wine, and this craving is itself a blessed destination. There is no need to go anywhere, or travel to any mountain to seek signs, because the Beloved is Himself here, in front of you, in and out of you, across you, upon you, below you, behind you, before you, as He is everywhere, wherever you face, you will find Him. He is with you. Have you ever talked to him? Ever exchanged a word? Alas, He is waiting for you, and you are hesitant to proceed towards Him, under a false impression that He is far beyond of you. He is not far. No need to search Him because He is searching for you. No need to walk to Him because He is coming you. He is the best Beloved, who is more cautious and waiting the lover. Alas, who missed His meeting. O Lord, I am in pain... In the pain of worldly distractions, fears, worries, hardships… Do not You see my tears. O Lord, I am not complaining the fears or worries. I am complaining about the wall, these worries have built before my attention towards you. and made me forgetful of my desire, and attention towards Your heavenly effulgence. Please give me peace. Please be with me. please make me feel Your company!

Tawakkul and Insecurity

2015-10-23T16:01:00.004+05:00

image taken from twitter

Tawakkul or the Reliance [on God] is characteristic of Sufi and a desired mental state of the believer in Islam.

The modern revolution in lifestyle of mankind although has brought much ease in daily life activities, however it has been stripped of many opportunities of experiencing the life in its true form, hence besetting the continuity of human experience.

The recent surge of mechanicalization in our lives has deprived us from meditation and introspection, thus making us away from ourselves. Consequently, losing a chance to know our hidden mental capabilities, capacities, immunities, strengths, many of feelings and qualities like perseverance.

As the perseverance not found in personality, the sense of insecurity took its place. And this sense of insecurity started as moral blemishes and has grown into a motive leading to heinous crime.

People refusing to marry their loved one, divorcee or widower or unwed ladies or unwed couples deciding to abort sufficiently formed fetus in womb, acts of charity and sharing are going to become rare phenomena, and many other like miseries of humanity - a gift of this sense of insecurity.

You need drunkard’s love lost himself in last ever tavern of the beloved and got his heart shattered like a last ever cup of unknown sacred wine, and you need music of purification, dance of forgetful serenity, and most importantly the trust in God and the unshakeable faith, i.e. not that of the stereotype ostentatious performances made without any sincere heart, but you need the faith and trust which takes its roots deep into your heart and magnifies your conscious to the higher plains of your being and knowing.

At this juncture and without referring to any religion specifically, I would like to quote some motivational Quotes from the world heritage.

“Sitting quietly, doing nothing, Spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.” Zenrin Kushû

(Note: Not a religious article. Readers' own judgment is desired.)

Complete Submission in love

2015-01-01T21:51:00.001+05:00

Hama aahuwaan-e sehra sar-e khud nihada bar kaf;
Ba-umeed aankay rozay bashikaar khuahi aamad. (Khusrou)

All the gazelles of the desert putting their heads on their palms
In the hope that one day [the beloved] will come to hunt them….

Which way goes to God

2015-01-01T13:47:00.001+05:00

Which way goes to God? It must be through the heart !

We always keep running throughout our lives after the idea of finding God. Despite being seriously occupied with the material activities of everyday life, we somehow succeed in maintaining brief stretches of our concentration over this idea, which is perhaps too much brief to help us actually succeed in finding the God, but still goes giving the address of God. The feeling of peace, which is psychologically a token of confidence for the naive heart , and which rises from the deep within heart, leaves a message hinting that the way going to God must be through some passage lying somewhere within the heart!

Ali said, he found God within the broken hearts.

The poetry of Bulleh Shah sings too about this hint as, "Don't hurt one's heart, as God lives within hearts!"

Which way goes to God?

It must be through the Heart!

Ecstacy of divine love

2014-12-31T23:59:00.001+05:00

Khabaram raseed imshab ke nigaar khuahi aamad;

Sar-e mann fidaa-e raah-e ke sawaar khuahi aamad. (Khusrou)

Tonight there came a news that the sweetheart will come;
Be my head sacrificed upon the way which he will come riding.

Importance of knowing the true essence religion

2013-12-26T01:43:00.002+05:00

The religion lacks its true followers in present times, although there are still millions of so-called claimants of the religion in this world today.

It may possibly happen, that you may come across a person sporting long beard, regularly going to mosque or temple or on Hajj or pilgrimage, giving alms to the needy, but the other side of his life maybe totally different, as he maybe taking small amounts of bribes and causing or aiding in causing huge losses to the society.

The worship becomes ineffective and just a physical procedure, if it is performed without the belief and intention.

The Punjabi mystic Bulleh Shah by his poetry has condemned such nonsensical pretentiousness, and stressed on the importance of knowing the true essence of religion.

ایویں متھا زمیں گھسائی دا

پا لما محراب دکھائی دا

پڑھ کلمہ لوک ہسائی دا

دل اندر سمجھ نہ لائی دا

کدی سچی بات وی لکدی اے

اک نقطے وچ گل مکدی اے

"They rub their forehead such uselessly on soil

(In prostration during prayer),

Just for making a large prayer-bump for [the purpose of] showing.

They recite shahada (as proof of their being muslim) [just] to make people laugh,

But they never [tried to] understand [its meaning] sincerely.

Has the truth ever been concealable!

Upon a single point, the [whole] matter is settled. "

Lover's tear

2012-11-22T03:59:00.002+05:00

Once a man, while passing-by a Madrasa (or, traditional Islamic school), overheard snatches of an instructor's voice who was explaining to his student the meaning of some Sufi poetry, that:

"A holy warrior who has scarified his life, is profuse in his blood... whereas, an Aashiq (an ardent lover; most probably, the God's lover) is heavily perspired in his tears shed in the pain of separation."

Confusion

2012-04-23T03:41:00.002+05:00

Past was misery, broken dreams, lost expectations, painful, an untold story
We left the past far behind!

Present is smooth sail, ordinary blessing, well pronounced, well declared, well known!

Tonight, the past & present knew each other. Result could be confusion; even destruction.. .

Nothing happened!

"This is where the two worlds meet", Shepard boy screamed!

Our love!

2012-02-01T19:04:00.001+05:00

Our love was not a failed one!
It was just a bit out-of-place.
Time and space couldn't adjust to it!

Our love was a miracle of Allah!
Nothing, from devil or any one, could ever retard it,
except our ''fears''!

In this world of dark chicaneries,
nothing to get fear from, but paper-made flowers.
Originality dares my dreams!

I don't have past, but do have memories
of some familiar lost faces, who have stripped me of my past!
I eschew their cold glances now! Still crave for their seldom notices!

My letter found its way back to me, like a reproach!
"PURE PAIN", as I wrote to be her address,
was found back.. only at my place!!

~Afterwind

Poetry: "Delusion during painful separation"

2012-01-19T01:41:00.003+05:00

"Delusion during painful separation"

In this painful night of separation,

Solitude whispered into my ear..

“Feel it!”

This pain has left me of nowhere,

Tears dropping down continuously..

Like the martyr’s trickling blood!

In Your hope, I keep sitting here.

As if you have said, “sit here, wait for me!”

My delusion keeps me satisfied!

~ Afterwind

Learning arabic (or other languages) from online bilingual resources

2011-10-08T19:52:00.005+05:00

The people with background of other languages and having very basic knowhow of Arabic grammer, may consider the following resources to learn modern Arabic language. Only the thing they need may be a little self-help and committment.

Online translated artciles

Few sites provide content in two languages or more. I like news sites, because they keep informatory content, and the best thing is that they let readers bored. I suggest examples below, without my any responsibility or bearing on the content available on these sites.

Common Ground News Service
CGNews articles are available in following languages.
Links: English, Bahasa, Français, اردو , עברית, عربي (Urdu)
Meedan
An Arabic-English forum using Machine Translation with expert corrections.
Link: Meedan
Syrian Arab news agency (SANA)
Has content in several languages
Links: English, عربي (Arabic), español , Français, Türkçe (Turkish), русский (Russian), 中文 (Chinese)

The problem with most news services sites is that the dissimilar articles appear in different language sections. But I didn't find such problem in CG News or Meedan websites.

Online bilingual lessons

Some sites provide online language tutorial in text with audio support. For example:

BBC Arabic Learning English Section
The text articles or audio tutorial program has style like that of BBCE (i.e. a bilingual program produced by BBC for Egyptian Radio). In this style, the speaker or article utters arabic and english sententes and expressions in such a combination that it sounds interesting and comprehendible. Another good thing is that, it is informative about current news or trends. Though the lessons are for teaching English to Arabic speakers, but same can also be beneficial for English speakers if are used vice versa.
Link: تعليم الإنجليزية

If you have any say or suggestion on this topic, you may share through posting your comment in comment section under this post.

Scenic Places of World Rousing Meditation

2011-10-02T22:33:00.002+05:00

(Article is in progress)

This post contemplates bringing into light the scenic serene places of world, which may rouse meditativeness in visiting travellers.

Deserts:

Badain Jaran Desert

Badain Jaran Desert (صحراء بادان جاران)
Detail (Wikipedia)
Satellite View (Wikimapia)
Search images (Google Images)

Inspirational Music

2011-09-20T21:36:00.006+05:00

Since 2007, I have been coming across the beautiful inpirational music around the world. The music belongs to various backgrounds, regions and languages or melodies.

"Prayer in the Passing", by Anoushka Shankar

"Ancient Love", by Anoushka Shankar

"Naked", by Anoushka Shankar

"Rebirth", by Anoushka Shankar

"Epitafio / Epitaph", by Luis Delgado

"Voices", by Dario Gand, Vanessa Quinones

"Cet Amour" (الحب اوله سكون و اخره قتل), by Ensemble Ibn Arabi

"Amoureux a Accepté" (رضي المتيّم في الهوى بجنونه), by Ensemble Ibn Arabi

''Ya Muhammed'', by Abdurrahman Önül

~ + ~

Alchemy of Love: Love for human is a Step towards Real love for God

2011-09-03T02:37:00.001+05:00

What is the purpose of the worldly love or love for human (حب الدنیا / ishq-e-mijazi/ عشق مجازی)? and what should be its benefits?

Worldly love is a first step towards enlightenment and truth. It is like a weak bud, a naive baby, who undergoes various experiences and emotions during the worldly love. It passes through various stages: from amazement to attachment, strageness to recognition, separartion to unity, pain to happiness, tears, blushes, warmth of life and trust.. and the experience is added more when the love is lost and a new session of agony starts. This is the important part, leading to the zenith.. Sacrifices, compromises, annihilation and prayers are taught by the separation.

The most important thing of worldly love is that it gives a real-time experience and education on the love. The etiquettes of love (Arabic: شعائر الحب / طقوس الحب , Persian/Urdu/Hindustani: Aadaab-e-Muhabbat / آداب محبت) are learnt during it. For example, kindness, compession and other behavioural qualities. The Alchemy of Love polishes the heart and soul, purifies the innerself (باطن) and makes it able to experience Divine love/Real love/ Love for God.

Consequently, when this education through experience is complete, the man who may be able to experience the Divine love, which is motivated through enlightened feelings and higher principles.

Relevant Post: Why: Some Mystics fell in Wordly Love (ishq-e-majazi)?

Pain, defeat, loss and belief

2011-08-22T23:41:00.002+05:00

The misery..
and pain
when get together,

causing the life to worsen..
smouldering the shimmering confidence..
& rusting the sheen of passion..

The loss is ultimate
the defeat is end!

In such a situations, there is the test of the believer's patience..
and also the trust he keeps on Thou, My Lord! O Sustainer of heavens!!

Breaking of Glasses!

2011-07-21T19:38:00.001+05:00

I gave him a set of six glasses made of "glass". They were kept breaking one by one everyday, due to his negligence, until only one was left.

I took back that one glass from him. And bought him another set of six glasses made of "plastic"!

Sufi Love Song in Arabic: "Do not stand far from me"

2011-07-20T21:30:00.007+05:00

"Ne Te Tiens Pas Éloigné de Moi" (Do not stand far from me) is a love song sung by Ensemble Ibn Arabi. This song is based on Sufi love poetry of Ibn Al-Farid (Umar ibn `Alī ibn al-Fārid - May Allah mercy on his soul.)

The poet later became famous as the "king of lovers". The poetry reminds us of the Sufi's pain and suffering in love due to separation from his Beloved (i.e. Allah).

I am putting here the lyrics in romanized form (i.e. though poor due to my mediocre knowledge. Pardon for that) also.

عـذّب بما شئتَ غيرَ البُعدِ عنكَ تجدْ *** أوفـى مـحِبّ بـما يُـرضيكَ مُبْتَهجِ

Azzib bima she'ta ghairal bu'di anka tajid *** Aufa muhibbi bima yurdeeka mubtahiji

وخُـذْ بـقيّةَ مـا أبـقَيتَ مـن رمَقٍ *** لا خيرَ في الحبّ إن أبقى على المُهجِ

wa khuz baqiyyata ma abqaita min ramaqi *** la khaira fi'l hubbi in abqa ala'l muhaj'i

مَن لي بإتلافِ روحي في هوى رشأ *** حلو الشمائل, بالأرواح ممتزجِ

mal li b'itlafi roohi fi hawa rasha'in***hulwi'shama'ili bil'arwaahi mum'taziji

مَن مات فيه غراماً عاش مرتقياً *** ما بين أهل الهوى, في أرفع الدّرجِ

mam maata fihi gharama aasha murtaqiya***ma bayna ahli'lhawa, fi arfa'id daraji

تبارك الله ما أحلى شمائله ***** فكم أماتت وأحيت فيه من مهج

tabaraka'llahu ma ahla shamailahu***fakam amatat wa aahyat fihi min muhaji

تراه إن غاب عني كل جارحةٍ ***** فيه كل معنى لطيفٍ رائقٍ بهج

tarahou in ghaba ani kullu jaarihati***fi kulli maana'lateefir raa'iqi bahiji

في نغمة العود والناي الرخيم إذا ***** تآلفا بين ألحانٍ من الهزج

fi naghmati'l audi wan naayar rakheem izaa**ta'aalafa bayna a'lhaani minal hazaji

(ابن الفارض)

(1181-1235)

- Read the above poetry in whole poem (ما بين معترك الأحداق والمهج) in Arabic.
- Read "Diwan ibn al-Farid", poetry-collection book by Ibn Al-Farid in Arabic language, avaiable at 'The Internet Archive' website
- Read about Ibn Al-Farid's life on 'wikipedia'
- Read some poems of Ibn Al-Farid on 'poetry chaikhana'

“Laylatul-bara’ah” —The night of freedom from Fire

2011-07-18T01:00:00.005+05:00

Tonight is “Laylatul-bara’ah”, the 15th Night of Islamic month Sha'ban.

Links:
Following are the links to the enlightening articles on web about this sacred night.

1. Night of Bara'ah , at Darul Ihsan institute site
2. Sha'ban: Merits, Do's, and Dont's , by Mufti Taqi Usmai, at Albalagh institute site (Jump to The Night of Bara'ah, in the article)
3. The Night of bara’ah , at Ashrafia institute site

Limit of Human Belief

2011-07-17T22:32:00.006+05:00

Once a man was after a long time meeting his beloved. The rendezvous was an outdoor place.

Soon it started signs of rain, and a little pitter-patter. The man didn't want such early end of meeting, and he prayed with a strong belief in his heart about the rain stopping. As test of belief, he decided to stay their until the rain would stop.

But undesirably the rain got heavy.. and he hurried towards a nearby shed in disquieted manner.

At last he reached there under safe place. After a moment, the rain stopped!

~ Afterwind's fable

The Spiritual Music of Pakistan

2011-06-03T08:51:00.000+05:00

The 'Coke Studio' arranges a forum to reintroduce the local music of Pakistan, which is mostly beaing the Sufi music. Here is the link of Coke Studio.