Anony Sufi

One of the purposes, or rather means, of tasawwuf (Sufism) is to learn to train your nafs (base self). You must learn to avoid those things that Allah does not like and engage in those things that pleases Allah. This takes a lot of self control and, depending on the situation, tawakkul (reliance on Allah). It is the inner struggle. In this month of Ramadan, a month of mercy, forgiveness, and worship, this is especially accentuated.

I had to make a sacrifice, hopefully only a temporary one. I can’t say how good it feels. As difficult as it may have been, I can already feel the baraka (spiritual blessing). At this point I can only pray that Allah blesses my intention and opens a door for something that does please Him. Despite the difficulty, I feel at ease and I pray that in a matter of time, the fruits of the sacrifice will bear fruit.

Oh Allah, bless us, have mercy on us, and forgive us in this month of Ramadan. You have opened the doors of paradise, locked away the devil, and showered your mercy on us. Allow us not to fall into a state of ingratitude, though we may be blind to Your countless blessings. Let us make the most benefit of this Ramadan and even though we be are so unworthy, rain your blessings on us even if we do not take advantage of this month. And finally, please let us live another year to see the next Ramadan. Ameen.

Anony Sufi

The soul is a dynamic entity that many people do not understand. We barely know our own selves, let alone enough to contemplate what the soul is.

Have you ever woken up in the morning and just wanted to cry because you were so overwhelmed? Not overwhelmed in the negative sense, quite the contrary. Allah has blessed you with so many blessings, most of them uncounted for. You are free of need, and sometimes even want. Our brains adapt to our surroundings and we start to take things for granted. The soul, however, never forgets and is always grateful because it holds fast to the fitra (primordial state).

I remember once at a gathering, a scholar told us that if you ever feel like crying in instances like this, then go ahead and cry. Tears are a sign of mercy and soften the heart. I’d like to add that they can remind us of what we should be grateful and our ignorance of what do not know what to be grateful for.

Anony Sufi

Do not forget that joining the tariqa is not about becoming one of “us” or “them” or coming to a sense of belonging or finding your place in this world. The tariqa is a journey to God and nothing else. Meeting people, networking, feeling apart of something bigger are extra perks perhaps, but if those were to disappear, the purpose of being in the tariqa would not be diminished.

I was not raised eating zabiha meat.  But I switched, alhamdulillah.

I was at a Zaytuna program a couple of years ago and Shaykh Muhammad al-Ya’coubi and Imam Zaid both were emphasizing the importance of watching what one puts in his or her body.  I also remembering the hadith of the dusty wayfarar who raises his hands to God pleading yet God will not respond because his income and food are haram.

At some point, I did some research regarding what the scholars have said and I realized that I should play it safe.  So– I switched.  It was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.  It was good for my health and soul. 

Anony Sufi

Oh my goodness, where HAVE I been?

Alhamdulillah I had the blessing of venturing to Mecca and Medina for hajj!  This has been absolutely uplifting and is doing wonders for my state. 

Even more beautiful, Allah has allowed me to go in is (or rather was) what probably the lowest point in my life.  How merciful is He!

Insha’Allah I will be back to write more.

Anony Sufi

Unfortunately, tasawwuf is rather controversial amongst Muslims, especially in the West.

Usually, it’s a easy to keep the fact that you are in a Sufi order a secret. Just don’t tell people. People might figure out you have a certain affinity, but being in a Sufi order is really another matter.

But at some point, you have to say it… that’s right. You don’t want to kees this a secret from your spouse. So when a prospective spouse/rishta/khateeb comes along, you kinda want to fish around on his/her possible opinion. You slowly dig… you ask questions like:

• What do you think of the scholar so-and-so (insert well known scholar here)
• Do you follow a madhab?
• Do you follow a group of scholars? If so, who?
• Group dhikr- yay or nay?

But eventually you’ll come across that person who really doesn’t offer much. Repeating “well, I’m religious, it’s my life” doesn’t really offer much.

I could never marry someone who does not practice tasawwuf, much less someone who is anti-Sufi.  How do you mention to someone who is practically a stranger “oh by by the way… I’m in a Sufi order…”

Any thoughts?