Silence of this Soul : Me and You

 "The soul lives there in the silent breath.

I don't know why when I look at you, I see myself."

= Rumi=

Beauty of Silence : A poem by Rumi

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Silence is painful, but in silence things take form, and we must wait and watch, In us, in our secret depth, lies the knowing element which sees and hears that which we do not see nor hear. All our perceptions, all the things we have done, all that we are today, dwelt once in that knowing, silent depth, that treasure chamber in the soul. And we are more than we think, We are more than we know. That which is more than we think and know is always seeking and adding to itself while we are doing - or think we are doing nothing. But to be conscious of what is going in our depth is to help it along. When subconsciousness becomes consciousness, the seeds in our winter-clad selves turn to flowers, and the silent life in us sings with all its might.

Silence of this Soul : Be Silent!

Ah! The Silence. The language in which this soul speaks to itself and expresses the deepest desires. In Silence I strive. In Silence I thrive.

Below are some of heart-touching beautiful quotes from Sufi mystic, Jalaludin-al-Rumi. How meaningful and true they are.

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Be silent,
Only the Hand of God
Can remove
The burdens of your heart
 
Be silent,
The one who has seen
The Beloved's Ocean
Can not and should not be roaming
Around a stream.
 
Be silent,
Since the Silent One
Will make everyone:
To taste, taste, taste, taste
This Wine
 
I took a vow of silence
And my tongue is tied
Yet still,
I'm the speaker without a speech
Tonight

= Rumi=

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"Words have to be dropped.
Only then can you have silence
My Heart is putting its hand
On its lips to say:
Be silent,
This is not the time to speak
This is not the place for crying."

=Rumi=

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"Silence is an ocean. Speech is a river.

When the ocean is searching for you, don't walk

into the language-river. Listen to the ocean,

and bring your talky business to an end."

= Rumi=

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"We search for Him here and there, while looking right at Him
Sitting by his side, we ask: Oh Beloved, where is the Beloved?
Enough with such questions.
Let silence take you to the core of life
All your talk is worthless,
when compared with one whisper of the Beloved"

= Rumi=

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 "The soul lives there in the silent breath.

I don't know why when I look at you, I see myself."

= Rumi=

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 In Silence there is eloquence. Stop weaving and see how the pattern improves.”

= Rumi=

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 "Silence is the root of everything.
If you spiral into its void,
a hundred voices will thunder messages you long to hear."

= Rumi=

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 "Keep silent, because the world of silence is a vast fullness" 

= Rumi=

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"There is a way between voice and presence where information flows. In disciplined silence it opens. With wandering talk it closes."

= Rumi=

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 Keep silence, be mute;
     if you have not yet become
         the tongue of God,
   be an ear. 

= Rumi=

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Sense and Silence

Value Systems

“There will be Dark Times, but the Stars can’t Shine without Darkness, be a Star & Shine Brightly.”
link : Value Systems Your Personal Virtues And Forgiveness

The Vow

No matter how deep the sadness or wide the pain,
I vow to live, for a brighter day will come again.

No matter how many mistakes I’ve made in the past,
I vow to live and in the future avoid them, surefooted and fast.

No matter how many tragedies beyond my control take place,
I vow to live and stay my course within this race.

No matter how poor or rich I may ever be,
I vow to live and aspire to search for the dignity in simplicity.

No matter how much a lover may pierce the inner core of my heart,
I vow to live for like spring I’ll get a new start.

No matter how isolated and alone I may feel,
I vow to live and do something for someone else to heal.

No matter how hopeless my situation may appear,
I vow to live and reflect until my viewpoint is clear.

No matter what happens in this life – good or bad
I vow to live, do my best, and just for living – be glad.


A poem by :Malcolm O. Varner

Never Sacrifice

This is a principle I try to follow. Yet, this leaves me in a dilemma. Life sure is hard! Life sure is trying and full of trials.

Just One

Just One
By unknown

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,
One hand clasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal.

One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what’s true,
One life can make a difference,
You see, it’s up to you!

Purity

That feeling of emptiness. That yearning. That desire to be with the desired. That has come in full-force from all sides, defeating all the defenses. The feeling come in intensified, crushing the composure.  

As it happens, when this desire, this longing is not met by action, it shakes the whole self and soul. The eyes are the windows to the soul, and when soul and self is filled to the brim with passion unanswered and desires unmet, the eyes cleanses the soul by pouring it out to the world...as tear drops.When it happens it like a overflowing river in a storm gushing out its water. It drowns ones self and ones thoughts in it.

And when the storm clears, three lines of thought cross my mind.

Am I at right in deciding what I have decided? If so why I fall into this abyss of sadness so often?
Will distance ultimately bring me to my heart's desire? Will the end of this silence be songs of joy?
Will there be any reconciliation, any compromise? Or will this all fade?

And the answer always is, "This too shall pass".

And being a man of Faith, my soul whispers, " God is with you. Trust your decisions and trust in God.
And being the optimist, my good self whispers, "happiness in just around the bend. Patience is a virtue"
And as the last crystal clear drop of tear falls as I blink, the inner voices tell in unison, "You will give happiness to all you care, all around you, and to the one your heart desires too..and you shall be a happy self."

And I gather my crumbled self. 
Contented. Till Another day, till emotions and desires unfulfilled is about to burst, till another storm brew within, making the river overflow.

Transformation

Many a time, I have been labelled, judged and gauged - not for what I am, but for what they think I maybe. Whatever the reason maybe, I have been connected to things I never knew, affiliated to people I never met and accused of things I never did. Few people know me for who I am. But many people do judge me. And the saddest thing is, when someone closest thinks so wrong about me and judges me unjustly.

So why live a quiet life? Why try to live a life as good as I can? Why, when world tends to see me as what they wishes?

Hence, why not live like what the most people think of me? I have decided on that. I shall get connected to the people and parties that most people think I have connections and do things people accuse me. 

I shall transform myself.

There is no good name one gets by trying to live a good life. And why get named and labelled, without the act and action?


"Kan nukoh migothugaa nanvegen keekkuran hey hunnanee
      Nanvanee nama kan fisaari ragalhah kurunthaa dhen othee"
Pray God keep my good conscience and faith.

Wish

Pleased with Allah?

"Radhina biLLahi Rabba(n), Wa bil'islaami dheena(n), Wa bi'Muhammadin Sallalahu 'alaihi wasallama nabiyya(n), Hasbiya Allah, La ilaaha illa huwa 'alaihi tawakkaltu, Wa huwa rabbul 'Arshil 'azeem"

Above is one of the morning and evening Zikrs ( remembrances / recitations) taught by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w). This is one little Zikr that emcompasses all your faith and depth of it, if your heart humbles and recites this with full belief of what you recite.

How many look deep into the meaning as he/she recites this?

I am pleased with Allah as Lord -
This means you are pleased with Allah, while believing he is the Lord and He has all the power, absolute power, over all the things.  This also means you are pleased with all His decrees, and thus have no complaints whatever happens to you or around you.
Thus this statement ascertains to your self, that you have absolute faith in Allah, whatever life brings, and it also ascertains you have the needed patience and perseverance at time of trials and gratefulness and thankfulness in times of ease/happiness.

I am pleased with Islam as Religion.
This is a statement saying you are absolutely pleased with Islam as a way of life and ALL its teachings. You are ready to follow it completely, without reservation to any part of its teachings.

I am pleased with Muhammad (s.a.w) as Prophet -
You must have absolute love the man, who had enlightened the world with Allah's message. This part states that you are pleased with him ( Muhammad (s.a.w)) as the Prophet, meaning you are thankful to him and take him in high regard. It also means you are pleased to follow his established traditions ( sunnah ). It also means you take him as a Prophet, nothing more. ( That is you don't take him to be God, demigod or part of God as Christian take Jesus to be). But this means you are pleased with Muhammad (s.a.w), his Makarimal-Akhlaq (Noblest Discipline) and his message.

Allah is sufficient for me. There is no God but He and I have placed my trust in Him. And He is the Lord of the Exalted Throne.

This is one of the Pinnacles of faith. This is also one of the requirement of belief of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah).  The Faithful have complete faith in Allah and the faithful Believer, entrust all his affairs to Allah. Such a person shall never despair in the hardest of adversities and also will never drown in the lusts and comforts of life. This Zikr reminds us to be such a man/woman and/or ascertains you, you are such a man/woman.

So as you read this Zikr, morning and evening, with its full deep meaning, you are transforming your self and soul instilling these beliefs, reminding your forgetful self, thus increasing your belief. At the same time Allah is listening to you as you recite and remind yourself about you being pleased with Him, His religion, His Messenger and trust in Him. Thus, this bring you close to Allah, and Allah close to you, accepting your prayers, InSha Allah.

Secularisation no answer for Muslim World

Originally published in The Age Newspaper (http://www.theage.com.au) 

By AMIR BUTLER
Wednesday 16 January 2002

Two consistent themes in much of the contemporary analysis of world affairs have been the impending clash of civilisations and the need for the secularisation of the Muslim world.

Secularism seeks to make the temporal rather than spiritual the basis for all laws. It arose in response to a uniquely European Christian problem - the excesses of the church, the antagonism between the church and science, and the intra-Christian wars being fought at the time. The separation of church and state was a logical solution.

In contrast, the periods of Muslim caliphate, particularly between 622 and 1492, were marked as periods of growth, intellectual advancement and social justice. The rights of minorities were protected, human rights were enshrined not just in law but in scripture, and a knowledge-centred society was fostered that was the intellectual well from which all of Europe came to drink.

Contrary to popular opinion, Islam, in its political manifestation, is democratic - if democracy means that people choose their own leaders and laws are passed through discussion and deliberation.

The Prophet Mohammed himself refrained from appointing a successor, instead allowing people to choose the next ruler of the fledgling Islamic state. Umar, the second Caliph (ruler), said that the ruler can be chosen only through the consultative approval of the people.

However, Islamic democracy differs from secular democracy in that the right of the people to legislate is limited by what they believe to be a higher law, to which human law is subordinate. There is no axiom that states that a democracy must be secular, in the same way that there is no axiom that states that a secular system is intrinsically democratic.

The subordination of law-making to the Koran and Sunnah (traditions of the Prophet Mohammed) made Muslim society immune to absolute tyranny and dictatorship.

Such emphasis also prevented absolute tyranny by giving Islamic scholars more legislative power than the ruler. It was their word that was final on many matters. If the ruler made a decision that was contrary to that of the ulema (people of knowledge), his decision was to be rejected.

There is a stark contrast between past glories and current reality.
Whereas once the Muslim world was ruled by a single caliphate, its post-colonial manifestation is a collection of weak, mostly secular, nation-states. Termed "bunker regimes" by Samuel Huntington, their guns face their own people, ruthlessly repressing dissent and committing some of the worst violations of human rights.

It is a sad irony that in many cases, Muslims have more freedom to practice their religion in the secular democracies of the West than in the secular dictatorships of the Middle East.

In Islam, there is no conflict between theology and science, between the demands of the spiritual and the temporal. However, one can draw parallels between Christian Europe before Enlightenment, and the intellectual stagnation, reactionary impulses and conflict that characterises the Muslim world today. Yet, what is required is not a wholesale adoption of secular democracy, but a uniquely Islamic reformation.

Is it then unreasonable that Muslims, who have their own culture, values and history, can be allowed to choose their own future? Those who advocate Western secularism as a universal panacea, are akin to the child with the hammer who thinks every problem is a nail.

Indeed, the call to secularise Islam as a means of averting a clash of civilisations is really the first salvo in such a clash. Huntington wrote that the problem for Islam is not the CIA nor the US Department of Defence. It is the West, a different civilisation whose people are convinced of the universality of their culture, and believe that their superior, if declining, power imposes on them the obligation to extend that culture throughout the world. These are the basic ingredients that fuel conflict between Islam and the West.

What is needed today is a revival of the tremendous energy that propelled Muslims forward in history; the energy that comes from a clear sense of purpose and direction.

Muslim society must subject itself to critical self-evaluation, recognising the principles that made it great in the past, as well as drawing on the positive aspects of the West and other societies, adapting and improving upon them.

From this may spring a profound sense of empowerment and a realisation that Muslims can make their own future.

The call to modernise Islam thus becomes a call to Islamisize modernity. 


Note : 
Amir Butler is Executive Director of the Australian Muslim Public Affairs Committee (AMPAC), a member of the shura of IISNA (a national Australian da'wah organization),  His views on Muslim issues were quoted in the past in Australian news and media, sometimes critically.

Just A Reminder

DON’T EVER FORGET

Your presence is a gift to the world,
You're unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want -
Take it one day at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles,
And you'll make it through what comes along.
Within you are so many answers,
Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don't put limits on yourself,
Your dreams are waiting to be realized.
Don't leave your important decisions to chance -
Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying -
The longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets.
Don’t try avoiding problems – live trough them
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way -
Remember that a lot goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment,
Life's treasures are people... together.

Have health, hope and happiness,
Take the time to wish on a star.
And don't ever forget for even a day...
How very special YOU are!