SubhanAllah, I murmur a proclamation of glory attesting my Lord free from any deficiency thirty-three times Alhamdulillah, I whisper an assertion of praise all praise belongs to Him, and Him only thirty-three times Allahu akbar, I utter a declaration of truth He is above all, far greater than any worry thirty-four times SubhanAllah. Alhamdulillah. Allahu akbar a tasbih, one hundred times one hundred trees in … Continue reading A Tasbih
The word Mappila (sometimes pronounced as Moplah) comes from the ancient Dravidian language, meaning “great child” (maha, “great” and pilla, “child”). The Mappilas today are for the most part descendants of foreign traders from the Middle East who visited the southwestern coast of India, known as the Malabar Coast, through Indian Ocean trade routes. Continue reading Panegyric Poetry and the Poetics of Panache: Exploring the Rich Heritage of Mappila Songs
The term ḥubb possesses the term khamr (wine) as a synonym, and khamr, in turn, was referred to as Umm Laylā by the Arabs. Laylā, in this context, refers to ecstasy and intoxication, and umm is present for it induces a state of ecstasy, begetting it as a mother begets a child. Love, likewise, intoxicates the lover, and, in cases, overwhelms and maddens him, as was the case with Majnūn, whose very name refers to one who has been maddened; in this case, by love. Other terms used for the state — ḥuzn, sadam, kamad, and shawq, among others — all have similar implications, in that they portray the emotions experienced by lovers upon separation. Continue reading Exploring Love Through Poetry: The Question of Happiness
The term dīn is not understood in our Tradition as the term “religion” is throughout Western religious history, but rather carries four primary significations: (1) indebtedness; (2) submissiveness; (3) judicious power; (4) natural inclination or tendency. [1] Continue reading Reflections On Love and Suffering
Breathe. Gather the winds and make them plead, Bring cirrus, stratus, and nimbus into thee, Breathe. Until thy lungs are ruptured and sore, Stoke the fire in thy belly, make it roar, Breathe. And leave no room for doubt, Breathe with certainty inside and out, And bring the heavens to a halt in one clean shout, Breathe. With the word that freed the Habashi, That … Continue reading Exhale
Wander along the trail of submission, oh child of grief and loss.There you shall find what you seek most dear,engaged in remembering the Beloved: The Moon,who rose amongst the desert tribes,bathing the Arabian peninsula.The creation rejoiced as his light transpired,enveloped with the wisdom in Hira. Yet evil endures in the hearts of men,when the Self is crowned supreme.Thus the Moon was scorned in his call … Continue reading A Ballad for the Beloved, the Moon
The cosmos held its breath in anticipation. The fabric of the Unseen dilated and grew infinitely thin. Rip! It irrupted with the Divine Command, Iqra’! Continue reading The Qur’an: An Aesthetic Treasure Trove
A prayer is a blessing for the heart;
Produces joy and jolly,
Protects from foolish folly,
A never-ending growing gift from God.
A prayer is a blessing for the heart,
A sprout of strengthened faith with spreading parts. Continue reading A Prayer is a Blessing for the Heart
What err’rs have you made, foolish one?
What spurs you to these acts, my son? Continue reading Nadir
Tell them you follow Musa.
That we must walk through the valley of the shadow of death before reaching Tuwa.
Continue reading Wading with Musa
