Sheikh Yahya Rhodus

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

Sheikh Hamza Yusuf

Habib Umar ibn Hafiz

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Habib Umar ibn Hafiz

Companions and Ahl Al bayt

Mohamed Zakariya's Experience of Writing the Hilya

Reflections on the passing of Sidi Luqman Williams

Sidi Luqman Williams passed into the mercy of Allah (the Exalted) on 27/1/2017. These are some reflections that were written shortly after his passing.

I first met Luqman in the blessed city of Fez. He was teaching English and I was learning Arabic, in different parts of the same institute. The first time that I saw him; I recognised him. This happens to me from time to time, as I am sure it does you. I might see a person for the first time and then realise that I know them already. Sometimes, you might meet someone during the day that you met in your dreams but you do not realise it. This reminded me of the following hadith:

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهَا قَالَتْ سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ : " الأَرْوَاحُ جُنُودٌ مُجَنَّدَةٌ فَمَا تَعَارَفَ مِنْهَا ائْتَلَفَ وَمَا تَنَاكَرَ مِنْهَا اخْتَلَفَ . " البخاري
 

Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said that she heard the Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) say, "Souls are like recruited soldiers; whoever came to know each other became acquainted and those that denied each other, differed." Bukhari.

Souls were created with similar souls at the same time. They came to know each other in that realm. They became familiar with those who were like them, in their proximity, those who were created like them. Other souls who were created with others, denied those who were not like them. When souls went into their bodies and they would meet each other in the world. They would recognise each other without knowing how, sometimes feeling as if they had known that person all their life. They did not know each other rather their souls had met in the realm of the souls. This is why people, like people who are like them. Therefore, they will promote those they like and so forth. This is why people dislike Awliyah because they are not like them. Often, a Wali is hated in his region and this is a common sign, unless he has moved from his original home. This is why people often hate Ahl Al-Bayt because they are not like them. 

I felt like I had met Luqman before. I had a rather large unkempt beard at the time and I noticed his glance at it. He would later explain to me how people in Muslim countries saw a large beard. This came as quite a shock to me because many religious people in the Muslim world kept their Islam to themselves. You could not tell those who were religious from those who were not, if you based it on outward signs. 

We would sometimes go for a burger after Jummah. I found that he was inspired by traditional knowledge such as I was; he had even met some of those who I had merely heard. He was following Imam Malik in Fiqh and had a Sheikh. 

A reporter from Arabian television channel wanted to interview Muslims about Sufism. Luqman and some of us met the reporter. The reporter was confused about Sufism and Luqman was able to distill the knowledge that he was taught and speak. I was unable to speak because I had not reached the stage of distilling the knowledge that I was learning. I was at the beginning stage of my journey. Luqman explained that the knowledge of Tasawwaf was about purifying the heart. All this was cut from the program that was broadcast.

Luqman taught English all over the Arabian world. He once said that attaining English teaching qualification was one of the best things he had done in his life. After we left Fez, we kept in touch by emails and eventually Facebook.

We tried to meet when I went to Hajj in 2010 but I was in Mekkah and he was in Medinah. We laughed aloud and said we would meet next time.

In the last few years, we were out of touch. We finally met each other last year in Liverpool. He was visibly thinner than he was before and I was alarmed, when I first saw him. He was dressed in Mauritian traditional clothes and was doing what we spent time doing in Fez. He was encouraging someone to exit the masjid from the right side. He would often encourage me to enter a building from the right. Sheikh Saad Al-Attas would do the same thing with me. I would often position myself on the left side to make them enter or exit the building on the right side. I was upset at seeing him in a weakened state.
We went out for a burger and guess what he paid for it. I had promised myself that I was not going to allow him to pay but he presented the money to the cashier first. My money being 'no good.' 

He was recovering from his operation and the doctors gave people two years with this cancer. We returned to his house and I gave him steel plates with the ayahs of Shifa/healing engraved on them. We listened to each other and I left him after a few hours. He was constant in his prayers even though he was in pain. I thought that he was strong enough to beat the cancer and if anyone could beat it then it would be him.

About two months ago, we were due to meet but that did not happen because I was delayed setting off. He said that we would meet later and I thought we still had time. I did not know that this was the last chance and I had wasted my last chance to see him.

A few weeks ago, he sent an email explaining that the doctors had only given him a few weeks. I joked that I would come to see him, if my beard would not get me into trouble at customs! He wrote the word smiles and lol. I wanted to speak to him on the phone and asked him to let me know, when he was ready. I did not want to push him.

He passed away on 27/1/2017 on a Friday. I had expected it but it was mixed with the fact that his suffering was over. I had to face up to the fact that I would not see him again.

He once asked if I was doing my bit for Islam. I wrongly thought that I needed to be a scholar to benefit people. This is not true because one can benefit people with their manners and state, more than ones knowledge. Luqman was not a scholar nor was he learned in Arabic. However, he continually sought knowledge to improve himself. Yet, I found that he understood spiritual realities that were only in the books of Tasawwaf that he did not have access to, except by the means of his teachers. He practiced whatever knowledge he learnt and that is what made him better than many people. I saw this and wanted to encourage him to learn Arabic in the hope he would become a scholar. I knew that he needed to reach people. 

الَّذِينَ إِذَا أَصَابَتْهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَالُواْ إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعونَ البقرة2:156

"Those who, when tribulation befalls them, say, 'we belong to Allah and to Him we return." Quran: Al-Baqarah 2:156.

We often say this when someone dies. It is a reminder that we were created and belong to Allah (the Exalted) and then we return to Him. Everything belongs to Allah and our stay in this world is temporary and we return to Allah. We return to where hence we came.

Our bodies return to the earth and the soul returns to Allah. The angel of death takes the soul so the body can return to the earth. To either paradise or hell, which is its final abode. If you say this after loss of something, the lost thing will be replaced. Our time is limited, so spend it with people who make it count and spend your time doing things that count.

He did not want people to feel sorry for him or feel remorse. He wanted to make a positive impact on the world and he did just that. Just look through his Facebook page and read the testimonies that are being made. Make a positive change in your life and know that what Allah (the Exalted) has planned for us, is better that our plans. He said, 'Allah is never wrong,' after he was given his diagnosis.

We met in the realms of the souls before entering the bodies and we will meet again in the afterlife, in sha Allah. He would finish each comment off with a smiley face or just the word smiles. Therefore, I am signing off this obituary with :-).

Peace

Sheikh Samir Al-Nass

Sheikh Samir Al-Nass

Sheikh Naeem Abdul Wali

Sheikh Gibril Haddad

Book of death

Sheikh Samir Al-Nass

Imam Zaid Shakir

Imam Zaid Shakir

Sheikh Samir Al-Nass

The Quran applies to you

We have a disjointed relationship with the Quran because we claim to love it yet we do not read it! Are we aware that when we do something a line of the Quran applies to us? Anything we do has an effect on our beings.

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow upon him peace and blessings) said, "The Quran is a proof for you or against you." (Muslim 1/203, Imam Ahmed 5/342).

This hadith has many meanings and one such meaning is the actions of the person. When someone does something, a different part of the Quran applies to them. This is how the Quran is a proof against you because you did not read it and it bears witness that you did not read it. You just keep is wrapped up on the highest shelf but never thought to look up, reach out and read it. Instead preferring to read anything else and in many cases this goes on for years. 

If you lie this applies to you:

Allah (the Exalted) has cursed those who lie and when someone lies, they join them.

Allah (the Exalted) says, “Is not the curse of Allah upon the liars?”

Quran, Hud 11:18.

Or

"The curse of Allah is upon him if he should be among the liars.”

Quran: the light 24:7.

When you go your own way

“My people have renounced the Qur'an.” (25:30)

This is a comment that needs to be urgently heeded in this time. Some elders get offended if someone reads the Quran and they are praying in front him. They will even make him move and think disturbing him is a good action. Even though the whole masjid is empty, the elder will pick the place where a youngster is reading the Quran to pray. Why? Because they consider this as turning their backs on the Quran.

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him) said, "Perhaps someone recites the Quran and it curses him." (Muslim).

Why? Because of the rights he owes others that he has not fulfilled. In addition to the sins of not acting upon what he is reading or at least reflecting and repenting.

Disbelievers are rejected and warned of severe punishment.

Actually, read the Quran and let it talk to you. See what it is telling you. Whatever hits your heart was meant for you and that what you should change about yourself. The Quran applies to us all. 

Our understanding of it will change when we reach the afterlife.

Even in our dreams are rooted in the Quranic narrative and that is where someone who interprets dreams, draws its meanings.

Next time you read the Quran let it speak to you and try not to skip the words in a rush.

Ibn 'Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said whenever the Quran says O believers you should pay attention because we are being addressed.  

Sheikh Samir Al-Nass

How to see ones Pir/Sheikh/Murshid

When one takes the hand of a Murshid then he must know that the Sheikh is guide to the path and not the purpose of the path. The purpose of the path is to reach Allah (the Exalted) not to reach the Sheikh. 

The Sheikh will have his favorite students and this should not upset you. 

Pushing everyone out of the way to reach the Sheikh does not mean one is close. He is as far as one could be.

You cannot love a Wali and not be like them, unless you are making claims. Like students that love a teacher but are not like him at all. Many students make claims but have no reality.

Your Sheikh will aid you like a father, on our journey to Allah (the Exalted). His words and state will move you to excellent moral conduct and correcting yourself. What he is not there is to give you new rulings upon matters that are agreed upon in fiqh and Aquida. Nor is he there for you to look at like a priceless ornament that you do not touch but admire from far away. 

The Sheikh should not oppose the sacred law and if he does then the Murids should never follow. The hadith is, "There is no obedience to creation by disobeying the creator." You cannot obey the Sheikh by opposing the sacred law. It is better for the sheikh that you disobey him. Anyone can slip up from time to time because we are all human but it should not be constant. If he is not aware of the sacred law then this negates his fellowship in all matters. This happens frequently with people who not qualified to take students. The Sheikh should be bothered about his student's welfare. Rather than brush them off as if they do not exist or never make any effort with the Murids. Leaving them without guidance and help for years and claim, he is their Murshid. 

The murid must know that others may oppose his Sheikh. This could be from things that he has written or said. There are two types of things that Murids should be aware of: 1. Difference of opinion and 2. Actual criticism. If it is upon a disagreed matter then there are going to be disagreements and that is normal. There is no sin upon a person who disagrees as long as he remains within the limits and does not go to the actual criticism. If it is actual criticism of the Sheikh himself then this is not welcome and its slander. He should not act like a wounded animal and attack the criticiser. Rather, he should accept it as the person's opinion and not fight him. The Sheikh should not be concerned by those who oppose him. Its normal for people to disagree with each other, especially in this modern age.

Sometimes, a kashaf/disclosure can be misunderstood and then be transmitted. Other things are specific for his Murids and not for public consumption. Therefore, the murid should beware of spreading information to those who will not understand it. Also, know that the instructions that the Sheikh gives are for his murids only and not meant for others. So do not spread these instructions because it may cause people to ridicule the Sheikh. 

Unfortunately, most people worship their pirs and look unfavorably at criticism of him. They will often act like a gang, or even tag team, and attack others. This is very sad and very silly to see. It makes the Murids look childish and petulant. Guess what, your Sheikh can be wrong and he is a human being. All human beings can make mistakes and you as a murid should not argue about what you do not have any knowledge of. Imam Malik (may Allah show him mercy) said, "Everyone opinions can be accepted or rejected except the owner of this grave." This was in the field of knowledge and the owner of the grave is the blessed Prophet (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him). Yet, most Murids are doing this on a regular, and some, on a permanent basis. 

Most Murids are the worst advert for the Sheikhs and that applies to every path that I have seen. You should love your sheikh but that should not make you insane by slandering and backbiting others.

When a murid thinks that his Pir is the pinnacle of everything, then he can be veiled. Veiled because he considers his Pir akin to a idol. A murid is on the cusp of this when he will not accept criticism of his 'idol.' A murid will not benefit from the path when he 'worships' his Sheikh.

The sheikh is not divinely protected from sin because that is only the rank of the prophets. The murshid is protected from kufr but he can commit sins like anyone else. If the Wali commits kufr then know he was not a Wali in the first place but a liar. Junaid al-Baghdadi (may Allah show him mercy) was asked if a Wali could commit a sin (illegal fornication) and he recited the Quran verse, "The decree of Allah is apportioned." Meaning it is possible but it is hoped that the Pir will repent from sin. If it is in public then in public and if in private then in private. 

Also, know there are fake stories about Awliyah of the past. Any story, which breaks the law, should be ignored. There was a story reported to me about a great Wali, which was fake, but when I explained why it was fake, the students did not accept it. Why, did I not accept the story? Because it was against the sacred law and any story that is against the sacred law is rejected. Neither could the story be verified. Aquida Al-Tahawiyyah point 124, "We believe in the miracles of the Awliyah that are verified by trustworthy narrators." Books contain things are valid and things that are not.

One recent book on salawat states a hadith from a Jinn in which the action of salawat can save one from hell. This hadith contradicts other hadith in which the person cannot change their final destination, heaven or hell, its already written. Though, we do not know where we will go and this should not put one off from doing good actions. Nor, can we verify the contents of the hadith nor chain etc. So this hadith would be left matruk and shaad, because it opposes stronger hadith. Because people will read this hadith they will think its true. Hadith that cannot be verified are left and no ruling can be given to them. Imam Shafi does not accept hadith that are mursal - missing a companion (except by five conditions). This hadith is missing names for centuries!

How to benefit

Taking a Sheikh who lives in another country is not a problem, as long as there is frequent contact. How is this contact? Through the works and lectures of the Sheikh. The murid must follow up on as many lessons as possible. However, it is not about listening to as many lessons as possible. It is about taking something on board, changing yourself and then finding something else to work on. Listening carefully to his instructions and applying it to yourself. Without concern if it applies to others or not. 

The best thing is to have weekly physical contact. Otherwise, daily contact with the Sheikh by the means of recorded lectures is a good substitute. 

If it is not possible to reach the Sheikh then it should have been considered before taking bayah.

However, the real problem of the Murids is that they are not honest enough to admit their faults. Until they are honest enough to admit their faults, they will not make any progress. It is as simple as that. One of the Habiab of Yemen said that Allah looks at a servant with pleasure when the servant looks at himself in displeasure.  

Your Sheikh is a human being and can make mistakes. So refer to other scholars of outward knowledge for matters he is not trained in. Matters that he is not trained in with other than his father.

See your Pir as someone who has reached a great rank by great divine assistance and that he could not reach Him without it. All he is doing is treating the illnesses of your heart like a doctor. You are the patient and should not fight with others or you will lose the chance to take medicine. Know, that it takes time for medicine to take effect and if its not taken as prescribed, then it might not have any effect at all.

The next time someone criticises your Pir, take a step back and try to understand his point of view. Because if it is another teacher then it might be genuine. Rather than try to defend someone, realise that it might be you that has misunderstood, not them.

Know, that there are many fake peers who make money from their murids and do things against the sacred law. Some of the stories that I have heard will make your hat curl. One pir had illegal marital relations with someone he was not lawfully married to. Or make the females expose themselves and so forth. Such people often claim to be Ahl Al-Bayt and are lairs. They lie on behalf of Allah and his Messenger (may Allah bestow peace and blessings upon him). So do not be surprised that they are lying about being Ahl Al-Bayt too.

A Sheikh/pir/ wali who does not follow the sacred law is an imposter and a lair. Your bayah is not valid and you should flee, never to return. The true one teaches his students and cares for them. He does not take his female murids to do unlawful activities to them, to remove black magic or similar. If this is the case then leave such a person because they are a lair and you have wasted your time with them.

You should respect and love your Sheikh, this is the main pillar of the path. But your love should make you hate, slander or attack others. If it does, then its not love at all. 

Sheikh Samir Al-Nass

Sheikh Samir Al-Nass