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Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)

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Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
Maliha
12/23/02 at 20:13:00
[slm]
[i]I am currently listening to the Purification of the Heart series by Hamza Yusuf, and thought it would be cool to share my notes with you all. I wouldn't add anything unless i put a note that it's just my reflections...If you have listened to it, and you think something doesn't make sense, or you wanna add something feel free to do so. All mistakes are mine and all credit goes to Allah (S.W.T). [/i]

Purification of the Soul- part 1

"On that day when nothing will benefit the human being, neither wealth nor children except the one who brings to Allah a sound heart".

-The sound heart/ Qalb saleem- is free from defects/ spiritual blemishes.
-Spiritual heart is centered in the physical heart.
- The heart houses Chen (In ancient Chinese)
-In almost every culture we use metaphors for the heart: cold heart, warm heart, hard heart.
-Lubb- Core- which is latin for heart. The term courage is derived from that too.
-Ancient cultures were aware of spiritual diseases. In Islam we have three states:
a) Al Mu'uminun- Heart is alive-" the one who was dead and they were revived with faith and were given a light that they walk amongst human beings with".
The Prophet (S.A.W) said "The difference between one who remembers Allah and one who doesn't is the difference between the living and the dead".

b) kafir- dead heart
c)Munafiq- one with a diseased heart.

Characteristics of the Physical heart

-The physical heart is slightly to the left. Which is why Arabic writing is toward the heart. The art form of writing is to affect the heart. Tawaf too, is done with the left side toward the Kaabah, cuz the heart is inclined towards the central divinity of man.

-It pumps over 100,000 gallons a day for an entire lifetime!
-The vascular system is over 60,000 miles long.
-The heart starts beating before the brain is formed. The initial heart beat is *not* initiated by the brain, its begins beating before the central nervous system is formed. Scientists claim that it is self-initiated...we know its from Allah.
-The heart is the center of the being and teh center of consciousness. The center of intellect is the heart not the brain.
-There are 40,000 neurons in the heart, cells that communicate with the brain and vice versa.
-The brain sends messages to the heart, and the heart doesn't always obey. The heart sends messages to the brain and they are interpretted as emotions.
-The heart is an extremely sophisticated organ and source of knowledge.
-The Prophet (S.A.W) said "Wrong actions irritate the heart" .
-In the book "Crime and Punishment"- The author's insight was that the crime itself is the punishment. As we go into a state of spiritual agitation, and try to cover up our crime (Which is the definition of Kufur- covering up or concealing). As a result of their sins people go into a state of heedlessness, and submersion in the world so that they can forget the heart.
-the more cut off we are from our hearts the sicker we become.
-Before the ultimate death of the heart, it will show many symptoms, and these symptoms are the diseases of the heart.

Diseases of the heart
There are two types of diseases:
a)Shubuhat: Diseases related to understanding. Eg being afraid of not getting enough provisions. A sound heart has trust in Allah, and the sick heart has doubt. The heart does not worry. The nafs, shaytan, love of the dunya, caprice, leads to a state of fear and anxiety.
The heart is designed for stillness- and it is the only  still with the remembrance of Allah. When Allah is not remembered the heart gets agitated  and ultimately dies.
-The physical cells of the body need oxygen to survive. The heart needs rememberance of Allah for nourishment.
-The Quran is sent as a reminder.
-We enter into the world in a state of Fitrah. Then we learn to be anxious. The Quran says we are created in a state of anxiety except those who are people of prayer (Always in a state of prayer), people who neither buying nor selling makes them forget Allah.

b) Shahawat- Diseases coming from the base desires of the self. eg. food, sex, etc. Diseases that are out of proportion with the natural self.
- The prophet (S.A.W) constant duah was " Oh turner of the hearts, make my heart firm on your deen".

"Ya Muqqalibal qulub thabit qulubuna 3ala deenika".

-"Mat-haratul Qulub"- Alchemy of the Heart- is the text that is used  here.
-Mat-hara- tool by which taharah comes about.
-It is written by a great Sheikh Muhammad Al Mawlud al Ya3qubi.
-He mastered the Islamic Sciences and inward sciences. He looked around and saw that many people have diseased hearts. The state of the heart is the only thing that will be asked about during yawmul Qiyamah.
-Our actions are based on our intentions and our intentions originate from our hearts, thereby if we are asked about our actions we are really inquiring about the state of the heart behind those actions.
-He based his text on Imam Al Ghazzali's (Ihya Ulumul Deen).
-The situation of the world is rooted in the human heart, covetousness, desires, selfishness, are all emanating from the diseased heart.
-We change the world by rectifying the inward self. Its from the unseen world that the phenomenal world emerges, its from the unseen realms of our hearts that our actions emanate.
-Martin Luther King said in order for people to condemn injustice they have to:
a) Ascertain that injustice does truly exist.
b) Negotiate- go to the oppressor and demand justice.
c) Purification- Ask ourselves if we are oppressors?
d) Take action

-As Muslims we don't ask ourselves why is this happening to us? We have brought this situation onto ourselves. "He makes some oppressors over other oppressors because of what their hands have earned".
- We are all tired but with patience Allah will grant us victory.
-Impure people oppress, pure people forgive and ultimately conquer their enemies by the Will of Allah.
- If we implement what this book says, we will changes in us and around us.
-We will study the diseases, the psychological treatment, theoratical and practical applications.
-This is just a prescription we need to take the medicine ourselves.

-End of part one.
[wlm]



Purification of the Soul (Part 2)
Maliha
12/24/02 at 19:23:07
[slm]
Purification of the Soul- part 2

-"I begin with the heart of beginnings" from the text.
-Bada'a- is begining in Arabic
-Heart in arabic also refers to something that turns over.
-The first line is a play on words...Bad'aa when turned over reads adab.
-So the author is really beginning with the word Adab.
-This is the highest and noblest of beginnings is having Adab with Allah.
-Adeeb in arabic means an erudite/learned person. Generally with learning comes manners/courtesy.
-Muaddib-teacher of children- Literally one who causes someone to have adab/ behave.
-Proper behavior is at the heart of this science.
-How do you ensure proper behavior with Allah?
Two ways:
a)Hayaa:
-In Filipino culture hiyaa is shame. From Muslim influence on the filipino.
-Root word of hayaa is life itself. A famous hadith "Every religion has a quality that is characteristic to it, and the character of Islam is Hayaa."
-In traditional American culture people used to say "Shame on you". In modern American culutre that doesn't exist anymore. We have a "feel good" culutre now.
-Anthropoligsts divide cultures into shame (outward concept) and guilt (internal mechanism when we do wrong) cultures.
-Most primitive cultures are shame based cultures. Based on other people. We don't want to bring shame to ourselves, families, society.
-Islam honors this concept of shame but takes it to a higher level. Shame before Allah. Knowing that even if others don't see you Allah does.
-If you want to achieve Adab before Allah you have to develop a sense of shame when you do something sinful.
-Honor Allah by having hayaa in front of Him.

b)Dhull:
-Dhaleel- is someone who is lowly, abject, humble.
-Have this sense of dhull before Allah. A slave is afraid to displease his Master.
-Being dejected out of shame. Broken in the presence of Allah when you recognize you are bringing Allah your sins and actions.
-Humbled before Allah in awe and imploring Him for change.
-Give up what you desire for what he desires for you.
-The Prophet  [saw] said "None of you truly believes until his desires are in accordance to what I have brought".
-Not having tama3- greed, avarice, desires.
-Not doing things with an ulterior motive. Not wanting anything  from the servants of Allah.
-Even in diplomatic circles people learn the protocol of dealing with each other.
-You need knowledge of Allah's commandments in order not to breach them.
-Having Taqwa is being so afraid of being eaten alive by your own sins.
-If you realize your attributes of servitude, you will be assisted with the attributes of the Independent one.
-If you realize these qualities, hayaa, dhull, faqar/poverty, empty yourself of pride, arrogance, etc. you will get freedom, dignity and wealth from Allah.
-True freedom, is being in control of Oneself and free from the nafs and desires.
-Abdul Hawaa- salve of his passions
-Abdul Allah- Slave of Allah. Will have Taqwa and though temptations may be there, he/she will have enough control not to abide by them.
-The stomach and the genitals are two dominant factors of hawaa.
-The tongue plays are dire part too.
-Part of the problem of human beings is that we don't want to be poor, humble, etc. we perceive it to be "bad". We forget that the Rasul  [saw] himself chose poverty over wealth.
-If you realize humility before Allah, Allah will make you dignified amongst the people.
-There is no salvation like the salvation of the heart. All limbs answer to the heart.
-The heart lies under the tongue. The tongue is the interpretor of the heart. The Munafiq is the most wretched because he says what's not in his heart and by that oppressing his tongue (cuz he is using it for purposes that is not what is intended of it) and his heart.
-When the heart is upright the tongue is upright too.
-Every morning all the limbs shake and implore the tongue "Fear Allah with us if you are straight we are all straight if you are crooked we are all crooked".
-Use the tongue for what it is created for.
-After setting firm the foundation of adab with Allah, we will have adab with the creation of Allah.
-The Quran is where we learn Adab.
-The second stage is to recognize the diseases of the heart.
-You can't get to higher stations without learning the basics. The first degree is to recognize what's preventing you from getting adab with Allah.
-The knowledge of diseases and casuses and treatment is an obligation on every Muslim.

Qalb Saleem
how do you achieve qalb saleem?
-Imam Ghazali has been termed as the proof of Islam. He had a massive impact on Christianity, and his books in only 100 years were all translated to latin.
-Imam Al Ghazali considers it Fardh Ayn for people to undertake Tazkiya.
-Other scholars said that it is not necessary for one who has been given a sound heart, but AlGhazali states that these diseases are instinctual.
-We see these diseases manifested in little children too.
-So what is Fitrah? Do we believe in the original sin?
-There is an inclination in everyone to vices. But we do not believe this is due to Adam's sins.
-The fact that we have instincts arise from the concept that each of us has a black dot in our hearts.
-There is a seed in the human heart, that has the potential to become like a cancer and overcome the heart.
-Many people in the world have TB. but it is dormant, and if their immune system fails then it comes out.
-If a person does wrong the black spot becomes bigger, if he asks for forgiveness it is eraased. If he continues to do wrong, it grows until the whole heart becomes black and he loses his humanity.
-The term is not a racial term/ skin color it is a spiritual entity- the blackness of the heart.
-you have to know that to remove these diseases till they are all gone is not within the human realm.
"one who is protected from the evil of his soul, is from the people of success". Allah didn't say the one who removes all of it, he said protected from it.
Fitrah
-Fitrah- Every child is bron on Fitrah.
-The common misconception is that every child is born a Muslim. That is *not* true.
-Fitrah means what every human being is inclined to. WE are all inclined to goodness, truth, but we also have a susceptability of going astray.
Things affecting Fitrah:
-Parent, legitimacy, illegitimacy (it has an effect in the unseen realm).
-It is important to choose our spouses- Taqwa and deen. Because parents play an extra ordinary role on their children.

Diseases: Bukhul
-Bakheel is a miser.
-Bukhlun is miserliness
-To begin with the refusal to give what is necessary by either merit/ shariah is the essence of bukhul.
-In the pre Islamic culture virtuousity had an important concept.
-Shariah- Sacred law- If you aren't giving zakat, or not supporting your household, or the rights of people.
"In their wealth there is a right for the beggar and the one who needs money".

Virtuosity- Constricting someone or making things difficult e.g when someone owes you 10 bucks and you don't really need it.
-It is something insignificant, by Shariah it is not a big deal to claim it back, but by virtous merit it is despicable.
-Leaving nit picking over trivialities amongst such people as neighbors, relatives,.
-If you are a wealthy person then the onus is on you to be even more generous.
-There is a hadith that there was a wealthy man who had no good deeds except that he often forgave his debts. When he came in front of Allah during Qiyamah, Allah said "I am more worthy of forgiveness" and then sent him to paradise.
-When rich people borrow money, is a big type of bukhul.
-Haggling over prices of sacrificial animals, coffins, purchasing things for needy people, etc is bukhul.
-Someone who is fulfilling his obligations without good cheer.
-The Rasul  [saw] was the most generous and most noble.
-Not enough to do what shariah states but we have to go above and beyond.
The roots:
-Love of dunya, love of materials.
-Bakheell-mumsik- is a constipated unable to let go of what is beneficial to let go of. If you don't give of your wealth it will kill you.
-Gold in arabic is related to feaces. The Rasul  [saw] "Allah has made what comes out of the son of Adam is a metaphor for the dunya".
-The height of dunya is gold and desire to hold on to it, is like someone who can't let go of their feaces.
-Zakat is the feaces of wealth, you are purifying your wealth of the harmful parts.
-Worst person is bakheel, in dunya he suffers, and akhera he is punished.
Origin of bukhul- Love of dunya, and self, hoping to get some benefit out of it.
-Like alleviating the fear of poverty. assuaging ones anxiety.
-There are a lot of Americans who are millionares but are living middle class existences. Somehow the money in the bank makes them feel safe. It is a deep, wretched disease.

"In Pursuit of Virtue"- Highly recommended book dealing with this topic.

-End of Part 2.
[wlm]
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
AyeshaZ
12/25/02 at 02:00:18

asalamu alykum,

JazakumAllahu Khair sis Maliha for sharing the notes, Alhamdullilah i just ordered the tapes couple days ago and am waiting patiently for there arrival :)... insha'Allah these notes will be of extreme importance to me :)..
keep the pen flowing.. Insha'Allah the tapes will benefit you immensely and May Allah(swt) give us ALL a sound heart.

wasalam u alykum
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 3
Maliha
12/26/02 at 08:13:35
[slm]
[i]Ameen :) It will be cool to exchange notes and ideas when you get the tapes Inshaallah:)[/i]

Purification of The soul (Part 3)

[i]How do you cure Bukhul?[/i]
Treat it by knowing that those who have acheived wealth exerted themselves over a long period of time, and just as some of them climbed the height of their success they die without invitation from death.

-Recognize the disdain shown to misers- even misers don't like eachother!

Diseases: Batar
Batar is wantonness or excessive mirth- too much exuberance. Inability to bear the blessings of this world (reckless extravagance).

"How many cities have we destoryed they were so happy with their livelihood now look at their empty places".

-Every child in America is born approximately $40,000 in debt because of the prior generations living beyond their means.

Treatment
-Treat it with hunger and thoughts of death and Al akhera.
-In traditional medicine related to spiritual cosmology too much food killed the spiritual heart. Which is seen in the physical heart too. Too much food causes the physical heart to literally harden (the heart is a metaphor for the spiritual world).

-Abu Madyan Shuaib, one of the great spiritual masters of North Africa known for Tassawuf- stressed on the importance of fasting.
-The best fast is the 3 days of the month (13,14,15) According to the Maliki madhab. 3 * 12=36 *10 (hasanat)= 360...It is the equivalent of fasting everday.
-There was a Sahaba that approached the Rasul  [saw] and asked him to advice him on fasting. The Rasul  [saw] told him to fast Yaumul Bayadh (3 middle days of the lunar month), the Sahaba said he could do more, so the Rasul  [saw] told him to fast every Monday and Thursday, the Sahaba said he could do more, so the Rasul  [saw] told him to fast the fast of Dawud (every other day) and do no more than that. The Sahaba fasted the fast of Dawud and when he got old, he said he wished that he followed the initial advice of the Rasul  [saw] (ie. to fast only 3 days of the month).
-This hadith illustrates a couple of things, one that when the Sahaba decided to take on an act, they did it consistently. Also, that we should try to do less, and keep increasing it as our strength permits.
-Doing dhikr of the states of Akhera is important.

Diseases: Bughud/Hatred
-Hatred for other than the sake of Allah.
-The Rasul  [saw] didn't hate things for their essence but he hated the manifestation of their actions.
-Incompatibility with someone is normal but that doesn't mean we should hate them.
-There was once a hadith where the Rasul  [saw] was sitting with his companions and he told them, "Shall I point to you one of the people of the Station of Paradise?" and they said "yes", so he pointed to a man that was walking by. One of the Sahabas decided to befriend the man, and asked him if it was okay if he followed him around. The man agreed. The Sahaba noticed that the man was just an average Muslim. He didn't do anything out of the ordinary, didn't pray at night, or fast as much...So he wondered what his secret was. When he finally asked the man, the man replied "I can't think of anything, but at night I do not go to sleep with rancor in my heart against any other Muslim". The Sahaba immediately knew that that was his secret. (This and other hadiths are roughly paraphrased).

Cure
-Pray for the one you don't like. Make duah specifically for them, and for Allah to remove the rancor in your heart.

Diseases: Al Baghyu
-This is a deep and wretched disease. Harming creation when there is no just cause.
-Baghi- is a root word for prostitution in arabic.
-Bagha- to desire.
-The root of oppression is desire.
-According to Budhists the fundamental disease is desire.
-"Your oppression is against your own selves" [10:23]
-Root of it, is love of position.
-We should contemplate on how many an amir dies and when he is buried he is the same as everyone else around him?
-Know that this desire is an inclination toward the servants of Allah, taking you away from Him.
-You will be worn out tyring to kiss up to people, and you will still have enemies. People are selfish in nature.
-The concern with other's affection leads to hypocrisy, riyaa, manipulation, not only that, don't expect the pleasure of Allah, if you are seeking the pleasure of others.
-Honor people according to their level of knowledge and Taqwa.
Cure
-The one whose heart is encrusted with the love of this dunya his treatment is Certainty.
-Thus place death in front of your eyes to cleanse the heart.
-Once Aisha (R.A) was asked what was the most wonderous thing about the Rasul  [saw]? She said "Everything about him was wonderous!" She continued "When the night came and everyone went to be with their lover, he went to be with Allah (his beloved)".
-Death is close and dunya is nothing compared to the Akhera. Death could be the next breath, step, etc.
-Keep death close to you and you will be living in the Present, not regretting over the past or hoping for the future. Everyone is dead except the one who lives in the Present moment.
-The dunya is a bridge so pass over it, and don't build on it.
-We should love things that are means to bring us to Allah, which is Wajib, then there is a love which is Mubah( un blameworthy) such as love for your children, wives,etc, there is love that is Makruh and love that is Haram.
-The Rasul [saw] reminded us not to curse the world because Allah created it and it is a means to reach Allah.
-3alam is the world, dunya is the ephermeral aspect of the world.
-3alam-3alamah- Is the greatest sign of Allah.
-Anything that is obtained by necessity of life on earth is not considered dunya, even the first wife is not considered dunya (and others if married for reasons of protection, orphanage etc).
-Someone who earns wealth for Tafakhur/arrogance/show off is despicable.
Disease: Madah
-Love of prasie for other than what Allah has praised them for.
-It is okay to be praised for what you have done, but don't even desire it except from Allah.
-Madah that's haraam is flattery. That's why the Rasul  [saw] said "throw dust at the face of Flatterers".
-Telling someone genuinely that you have done something well, and them accepting it is not blameworthy.

Tama3 Is the reason people praise others, and like to be praised for what they didn't do.
-A good example of this is in situations of higher education, where you have Professors getting praised for work sklely done by their Graduate students, or in Corporations where the manager gets the praise for the team work, or governments, etc.

-End of Part 3.
[i]Inshaallah in Part 4 he will discuss envy. Just to *whet* your appetites :P[/i]
12/30/02 at 07:30:23
Maliha
Purification of the Soul Part 4
Maliha
12/27/02 at 07:43:19
[slm]
Purification of the Soul Part 4:

Hasad/Envy
-Hasad is a serious disease. There is a difference of opinion on whether its a root disease or a disease- As the source of it is still desire/Tama3.
-Hasad was the first manifestation of wrong in the heavens.
-Nothing prevented Iblis from bowing down except hasad or Ta3zzuz and Takabbur.
-Rasul  [saw] said "Hasad eats good deeds like fire eats dry wood"
-Mahsud- The object of envy.
-Hasid-Envier
-"Wahisidin Idha Hasad"- Hasid is the Shaytan, and to have envy is to manifest one of the attributes of the Shaytan.
-Rasul  [saw] "Every possessor of a blessing is envied".
-It doesn't matter at what level it is happening but it happens on all fronts of society.
-The one who envies is harmed faster than the one who is envied. The evil eye is related to hasad but not necessarily as some people may just have psychic powers that can affect others negatively.
-Every culture has a concept of the evil eye, it is a universal concept, though now looked upon as superstitious by many westerners.
-The Rasul  [saw] "The evil eye is true". This is from a man who worked hard to dispel superstitions. When his son died, there was an eclipse of the moon. To the arabs at that time the moon eclipses at the death of a great man, and soon people were claiming that. The Rasul  [saw] said "The moon is a sign of Allah and the Sun is a sign of Allah and none of them eclipse for anyone".
-Hasad is manifested in ones desire for the loss of someone else's blessing. eg. hoping that someone loses a job, her husband, etc.
-Ne3ma which comes from an Arabic word Na3ima (Softness or that which makes things easier). If Allah gives someone a blessing, and you envy that then you are judging Allah's wisdom in bestowing that blessing to someone.
-There was a story of a Sahaba called Al asma3i, who used to wander to different camps/tents to collect wisdom. One day he went to a bedouin camp, and both the husband and wife were there (as was the norm) to entertain him. The husband was an incredibly ugly man, and the wife a gorgeous woman. When the husband left to slaughter a sheep, Al asma3i turned to the wife and couldn't help but say "How could someone as beautiful as you end up with such an ugly man?" The woman told him, "Fear Allah ya Al-asma3i. You never know, maybe my husband did something good and I am his blessing or I did something bad and he is my punishment!"
Al-Asma3i learned never to question Allah's ne3mah.
-The difference between Adam and Iblis is that Adam repented. The Hasud/Iblis did not feel the need to repent because he felt he was better.
-There is a hadith that states "A mu'min is not safe from 3 things, and one of them is hasad".

Cure
-If you have envy as long as you don't harm the individual even when you are in a position to do so, then it is not bad hasad.
-If your Taqwa prevents you from harming that person.
-Imam Ghazali said that if you despise that part of yourself that causes you to envy then it is a sign that you aren't an envious person.
-There is the nafs and Ruh and there aren't much different from each other. The nafs is the ruh that is still tarnished by being in this world, we have to recognize this within ourselves.
-If you detest this lower self then it is a sign that the Ruh is a stronger force within you.
-It's dawa/medicine is not to follow your caprice, hawaa, desires.
-Hawaa means to fall or wind.
-The nature of hawaa/passion is like a wind, it comes stirs things up, and then dies dwon. If you follow this then you are following whims. Truth is firm, and falsehood transient.
-Hawiya- is the name of Jahannam and it is hawaa that takes you there.
-To do the opposite of what  your hawaa dictates. e.g if your hawaa wants to harm the person then give the person a gift, praise the person when the inclination is to say something bad about him.
-If the person is good, then his heart will be inclined towards you and Inshaallah this will change your heart too.
-Know that hasad harms the hasid in this world, cuz you will always be anxious and mad "Why did he get that promotion?". You become obsessed with the object of your envy.
-There is an arab saying "Al Hasud la Yasud" -the one who envies can't get into a leadership position.
-We as Modern day Muslims are filled with envy for the Kuffar in the west because the bottom line is that they have dunya and we don't. Or people from other countries who always dis the Gulf Arab for their riches and how they are wasting it, but if they were in that situation they would probably do the same thing.
-We have to question our anger, is it from hasad? Or is it really being stimulated by an altruistic desire?
-Communism is another example of pure Hasad. Marx's writing is filled with resentment. "getting what belongs to us from the rich people". From a shariah perspective both the rich and poor have an obligation, the rich not to undermine or belittle the poor, and the poor not to envy or want to overthrow the rich.
-In the U.S. over 90% wealth is in the hands of 3% of the population.
-Even Bill Gates is only worth 30% of someone like Rockerfeller.
-The inheritance laws in Islam are designed to break monopolies. In traditional cultures the first son gets everything. Even in English cultures a woman with no protector may end up being thrown out of her house.
-In Islam a woman gets part of the inheritance as well as it is spread amongst the rest of the family.
-Traditionally in Islam there is a strong middle class, which is a balancing force for the society. If a society is made up of a huge gulf between the rich and poor, it becomes a breeding ground for resentment, and revolutions to occur.
-Beware of self righteous indignation cuz it may fall into the realm of hasad.
- A lot of communists suddenly became Islamists and Islam became a vehicle for the anger that is not rooted for the sake of Allah but rooted in not being satisfied with their worldly position.
-When you envy it doesn't benefit you or make the person lose the blessing, cuz ultimately Allah gives and takes from who He will.

Causes:

[i]a) Enmity-[/i] A good example of this is the anti american feeling around the world, yet people are obssessed with the American culture.

[i]b) Tahabbub-[/i]A type of hasad where two or more people have the same object of desire. eg. siblings fighting for parental love, or the disease of the second wife (that's why Shariah is adamant on being fair to the wives)
-Dharr- is a term referring to a second wife and it also means harm.

[i]c) Takkabur-[/i] Arrogance is the root of this envy. Some Arabs such as Al Waleed ibn Mughairah and Abu Jahl were against the Rasul  [saw] because he was "yateem Banu Hashim", an orphan, didn't have status, doesn't "deserve" this blessing.
-Pharaoh had this same disease when it came to Musa (A.S).
-Iblis.

[i]d) Ta3azzuz-[/i] Not wanting to disturb the status quo. As long as we have the same thing, then its okay. But once you move forward then I will re attempt to re establish the equilibrium, because feeling of self worth is threatened.  Arabs couldn't believe the Rasul  [saw] was chosen by Allah, "but he is a man just like us?", "may be if he were a king, or angel"...etc.

[i]e) Ta3ajjub-[/i] Rooted in disbelief. "I can't believe this is happening to them"

[i]f) Hubbul Riyasa-[/i] Love of position/leadership, wanting to maintain authority. If someone gets a blessing then that threatens the authority of the hasud.

[i]Shuh-[/i]Covetousness.

-Because these diseases are part of our nature, the purpose is to then transform them so that they can be beneficial to us.  Getting your disability to become advantageous to you. In Native American cultures they used to name their children names with disabilities such as lame deer, etc this is because they noticed that animals with disabilities overcompensated for their disadvantage.

-The Rasul  [saw] said" There is no envy except in two cases: one who uses his wealth for the sake of Allah, and one given wisdom and he teaches is to others".
-Ghibta- Is good envy, when you envy a person based on higher things (not dunya things), so that you can be like them. You do not wish that they lose their blessings.
-It is okay to have hasad for a Kaffir or bad Muslim because they are using their blessings for bad things.

-Blameworthy Modesty- Although modesty is part of faith, it can become blameworthy.
e.g when modesty prevents you from stopping a wrong from happening. In order for something to become a Munkar though it has to be agreed upon by all scholars to be wrong (you can't make a munkar on something where there is a difference of opinion on it).
-When modesty prevents you from asking questions concerning the deen. Aisha (R.A) praised the Ansari women because modesty didn't prevent them from asking questions.

-End of Part 4.
[wlm]
12/27/02 at 08:27:41
Maliha
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
jannah
12/30/02 at 00:44:21
[wlm]

wow keep going sis... what great reminders!! subhanallah

:-X
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 5
Maliha
12/30/02 at 07:45:31
[slm]
[i]Sorry my weekend was a bit busy...So here goes part 5 and 6 :) See it was worth the wait ;)[/i]

Purification of the Soul: Part 5
-As for Hayaa of generosity it is not blameworthy. The example is when the Rasul  [saw] married Zainab (R.A), he invited people over for the waleema and all the guests left except 3. They were enjoying the company and didn't leave, even though it was the Rasul's [saw] first wedding night! The Rasul [saw], didn't say anything. After a while, he left the room, then came back (to give them a hint), and they still didn't leave. He then left the room and came back again...
An Ayah was then revealed to leave the Rasul [saw] when business was done.
-This is not blameworthy hayaa, cuz it was out of the Rasul'a [saw] karam that he didn't kick them out.
-The Rasul [saw] said "If Modesty had been a man, it would have been a righteous man".

Al Khawdh
-The heart's engagement with things that don't concern it.
-Khawdh is the heart's reflection with things that are prohibited (Takhayyur when you think about sensory things).
e.g reflecting on the beauty of those that are non-Mahram, or reflecting on the weaknesses and faults of Muslims whether they are present or absent.
-Toobah-It is a tree in Jannah that is for people who focus on their own faults and not others.
-Another example of blameworthy thoughts is reflecting on Allah's essence, it's haraam.

Fear of Poverty
-The origin of fear of poverty is a bad opinion of Allah.
-The Shaytaan promises us poverty/faqar.
-Allah promised to provide for us *if* we have Taqwa.
-There was a Jewish man who used to sell oil, he was poor, covered in oil etc. One day this famous wealthy Aalim, passed by, riding on a white horse. The Jewish man walked up to him and asked " Did you relate that this dunya is a paradise for a non believer and a prison for the believer?" The alim said "yes". The Jewish man then asked "Tell me what kind of paradise am I in? And what kind of prison are you in!" The Aalim paused for a second looked up, then down, then responsded "When I contemplate upon what is prepared for you in the hereafter because of your disbelief, I can only assume you are in paradise! When I reflect upon what is prepared for me in form of the delights of Akhera I can only conclude that I am in prison!".
The Jewish man immediately took the Shahada!
-The point is poverty is relative and the fear of it is a foolish thing. If you are in poverty, you won't have anything to fear...you are already impoverished. If you have wealth and are afraid of poverty, then what's the point of being wealthy! Most of the people that are afraid of poverty, have no clue what real poverty is about!
- Mark Twain once said "Most of my problems I never actually saw". It is all in the head.
-"Anxiety is half of growing old" The Rasul [saw] said. He also said "Righteousness will lengthen your life". The interpretation is that people who are righteous don't have anxiety. The non believers are consumed with restlessness and anxiety that ages them quicker.
-Allah is Razzaq- Perpetual provider.
-Allah's dominion is never diminished by His giving/bestowing.
-"Contentment is a treasure that's never exhausted" The Rasul [saw] said.
-Know that Rizq that is allotted to you will reach you. Your rizq which was alloted to you in your mother's womb, is that which you will use. If you die and there is a million dollars you left behind, that money is not your rizq, it's the rizq of your hiers.
-There is a book written "How to live wealthy and die broke"- Such a selfish concept!!!

Mudahana
-One who uses his religion to benefit his dunya is a psycopathic hypocrite.
-Imam Ibn Khaldun "We try to saw our dunya by ripping our deen apart. So our deen does not remain and our dunya is never rectified". We lose both.
-e.g when you are afraid to make inkaar because it's your job and you are afraid to lose it.
-[i]Duhun[/i]-Covering up/oil using in cosmetics.
[i]Mudahanna[/i]-Sitting with people of disobedience, praising their actions, etc in order to gain some worldly favor.
[i]Mudarrat[/i]-this concept is different from Mudahana. This is when we are nice to someone but not at the sake of our deen, in order to get some worldly benefit. An example is using your worldly position to help others. This is not blameworthy. It is a rukhsa to do worldly things.

Origin
-The root cause is desire/tama3, and doing worship to impress others (riyaa).
-Riyaa is lesser polytheism. "The thing that I fear most for my ummah is Riyaa" The Rasul [saw] said.
-If it is something like showing off your worldly skills such as archery, then this is blameworthy by virtue but not Shariah.
-There are Three characteristics of Riyaa:
a) Laziness and lack of actions when you are not around people.
b) When people are around you increase your worship and energy for worship. There is definitely an element of increase in energy when you are around righteous people, which is why we are told to have good company. It only becomes riyaa when you do it for the sole purpose of impressing others.
  c) Increasing actions when one is praised and decreasing them when not  being praised. The example of a person who was praying, and people were talking about how Mashaallah he is always praying etc. The person in the middle of his prayer goes "What about my fasting? "
  It is not bad to encourage others to do good, cuz the Rasul [saw] did it.

Cure:
-It is to remove from the heart 4 things:
 a) Love of praise from other than Allah.
 b)Fear of blame from other than Allah.
 c) Desire of worldly benefit from people
 d) Fear of harm from people.
-Have yaqeen/certainty that no harm and no benefit can come to you except from Allah.
-Don't be deluded by praise/blame from others as it is all related to your worldy position.
-When you have nothing it is difficult to have friends. But when you start gaining status or wealth then all of a sudden you have many friends.
-In traditional Muslim world people used to vie for knowledge as this was what people were respected for, not wealth, sadly this is not the case anymore.
-Hellen Keller's autobiography is very powerful. She was deaf, dumb and blind and this is a story of the awakening of her consciousness. She wasn't born that way, but became blind as a result of scarlet fever when she was less than two years old. She said the fact that she can remember what a tree looks like, though she saw it when she was a baby pretty much, is enough for her.
-She said that there is no slave in this world that didn't have a king in his ancestry and no king in this world that didn't have a slave in his ancestry.
-The point is nothing is permanent in this dunya.
-The history of Al Mansur, a minister in Andalusia is fascinating. He was a mediocre student who was very ambitious. He enamored himself to the Khalifa to be's mother, and she put him in various positions. There was one powerful minister who was feared and wealthy and Al Mansur managed to put him in jail. The Minister with all his worldly position and wealth ended up dying a pauper in prison!
-If a person believes in certainty- Riyaa doesn't occur in his heart.
-The worst is that which is done to display virtue so one is entrusted with an endowment eg. an orphan's wealth so that he can misuse it.
-In Morroco there are those who do dhikr and praises of the Rasul [saw] for money. It's pretty sad.

-End of Part 5.
[wlm]
12/30/02 at 08:06:01
Maliha
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 6
Maliha
12/30/02 at 08:42:24
[slm]
Purification of the Soul- Part 6
-Scholars are of two opinions concerning riyaa. e.g If you recite Suratul Waqiah for the sole reason of not being afflicted by poverty (this is according to the Rasul's [saw] hadith that if your read Suratul Waqiah everyday you will not be afflicted by poverty). Another example is to worship just for the sake of Akhera. Some say this is permissible since Allah encourages us to strive for Jannah by doing good deeds.
-The people of Tassawuf on the other hand, are extremely down on this. They say that we should worship for the sole purpose of pleasing Allah and not for the reward.
Rabiah said "Go after the Gardener not the garden!".
She also said " Oh Allah, if I worship you for the fear of hell fire, then throw me into hell. If I worship you for the desire of Jannah then lock the gates of paradise from me...."
-That is a bit of an extreme position but it depends on your station/maqam.
-Ghazali said there are three types of worship:
a)The worship of a free man- Worships Allah for the sake of His pleasure.
b)The worship of a merchant-Worship Allah for the sake of Jannah (if I do this many hasanaat I will get this much) "What's in it for me syndrome".
c) Worship of a slave- Worship Allah for the fear of Jahannam.

-Allah is encouraging us to do both Maghfirah and strive for Jannah. He uses both Takhwif (fear of hell) and Targhib (desire for Jannah) as a means of encouragement.
-Some also warn against the pleasure of Ibadah. Ibadah becomes more pleasureable with constancy and sincerity, more pleasurable then even entertainment.
But again this is a bit of an extreme position, since Allah gives us the sweetness of Ibadah as a means of encouragement and reward too.
-The one who likes people to see him do Ibadah, even though he is doing it for Allah, some scholars say this is riyaa and some say it is okay. But if praise is the reason you are doing it then it is definitely riyaa. (there is a difference of opinion).
-One of the Ulamah said-whoever likes to do something and be praised for it and remembered by it, is commiting shirk.
-You can have riyaa even when no one is around. eg you are reading a book and you find an interesting fact, so you write it down and memorize it, with the intent of impressing others with your knowledge. If the intent is to benefit people, then it is not riyaa.
-Sahl bin Abdillah-a scholar- said the one who desires the people to know what is in between him and His Lord then he is in a state of heedlessness, unless he is doing it as a reminder/Naseeha for others.
-Ibn Masud and Ibn Umar used to go to the Masjid to pray Tahajjud as a means of reminding the Tabi3een.
-Imam Malik was called An Najm (The star), did not consider it harmful as long as the original intent is sincere.
-[i]Not to do something good out of fear of Riyaa is Riyaa too![/i]
-Because the reason you are not doing it, is the people too, not Allah.
-If it is a worship you can hide, then it is better to hide it.
-It is better to do dhikr with the tongue, even when the heart is heedless, then not to do it at all. The dhikr of the tongue may reach the heart.
-Riyaa is seeing the people, not the people seeing you!
-If Ibadah is done for the sake of Allah then everyone else becomes insignificant.
-Fear of other than Allah and desire for it, is being devoid of Tawakkul (Reliance) cuz you don't have yaqeen (certainty), that everything good and bad is from Allah.
-Tie your camel then Rely on Allah, don't be stupid either.
-Don't desire/fear creation.

Sakhatul Qadar
-Displeasure with the divine decree- when one resists Allah and what He has decreed eg "I don't deserve this!", "Why is this happening to me!", "What did I do to deserve this suffering!"
-Imam Abul Hassan- A quality that destroys Hasanat is displeasure with the divine decree. "They were displeased with the divine decree and Allah destroyed their deeds".
-With believers everything is good. People of Allah recognize the dunya is a place of purification.
-There are only 4 possible states a human being can be in, and each state requires a response from Allah:
a) [i]Ne3ma[/i]-State of blessing from Allah. The required response is shukur/gratitude to Allah. Using the blessing in a manner that is pleasing to Allah. We need to have shukur on the tongue, by thanking Allah and the people. Feel the blessing and show it. Act in a way that is pleasing to Allah.

b) [i]Baliya[/i]-State of Tribulation from Allah. Response is Sabar/patience. Sabrun Jameel is not to complain, although we are allowed to complain (we will explain later).

c) [i]Ta3a[/i]-State of Obedience to Allah. The response is not to become arrogant. It is because this is another form of blessing, and it is only from the Tawfiq of Allah that you are in a state of obedience. The inherent danger of religion is self righteousness. Kibr is from shaytaan. Isa Ibn Maryam (A.S) said "There are two kinds of people, those who are in tribulation and others in blessing, we need to look at those in tribulation with compassion".

 d)[i]Ma3siya[/i]-State of disobedience to Allah. The response is repentance.

-All these states are a way to get closer to Allah, so they are all a blessing in the end.
-If you get a tribulation, then thank Allah it is not worse than it could be. Look at the Rasul's [saw] life and the tribulations he faced! He buried 5 of his 6 children, his closest people died, people called him majnun, spit on him, held sanctions against him, drove him out of his home, etc and never once did he complain!
-To be angry at Qadar is to be in a state of heedlessness.
-"Al Furuq" A book, talks about the difference between the:
a)[i]Qadha[/i]-Is that Allah has decided to make something happen.
b)[i]Qadar[/i]-Is that he has enabled it to happen (the means)
-[i]Maqdhi[/i]-The thing that happens itself.
-We don't have to be happy with every Maqdhi, since Allah has decided that there will be evil in this world. This doesn't mean that we will be pleased with sharr cuz Allah isn't. It just means that we can not be displeased with Allah's creation- the world.
-An analogy- you have a doctor and you go and he declares that he has to cut your arm off. Then the doctor overhears you complain to someone else "I went to this stupid doctor and he cut off my arm!" etc. The doctor will be hurt and saddened that he tried to help you and here you are talking trash. But if he overhears you saying something like "I went to this doctor and Alhamdullillah he helped me, but I am in a lot of pain etc" the doctor will be moved to compassion.
-The difference is that it is okay to express your pain, tribulations, etc in a way of releasing it, but you can't complain about Allah to His creation.
-We were not commanded to enjoy tribulation (no takleef). but what Allah says is that tribulations are sent to us to humble us and to bring us closer to Him.

Sum3a
-Sum3a is identical to Riyaa except that riyaa relates to the eye, while sum3a to the ear (you want to tell others about the good actions you did).
-"Whoever tells people what he did (of good), Allah willl tell people what he really did (of bad) yawmul Qiyamah" The Rasul [saw] said.
-Even if you did the action with sincerity to Allah, then told people about it, you ruin your actoins. If you make tawbah it rectifies it.
-Also the one who does something for the sole reason of telling people about it.
-Should the desire be to benefit people and relate a blessing to them, then this is not blameworthy.

-End of Part 6.
[wlm]
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) part 7
Maliha
12/31/02 at 08:24:29
[slm]
[i]Agghhh I typed up most of it, then clicked a button by mistake that erased everything :( Here goes again...[/i]

Purification of the Soul: Part 7
-Shidhadh was a brigant from Bani Duada- He was  a bad robber that was well known amongst the arabs who used his name in proverbs etc.
-The Brigant (highway robber) on all those people on the way to Allah is
Tama3
-Abul Abas Al Mursi was a well known religious man. He went to the market and noticed a salesman he knew, he thought "perchance he recognize me and give me a discount"...At that moment he got a call that told him for the peace of deen leave your desire for creation.
-The source of tama3 is ghafla of the heart of Allah's providence.
-"If you Allah decrees a harm to you, no one can cure it except Him".
-"If all of creation got together to harm you, and Allah didn't decree it, then they wouldn't be able to harm you...."
-The pens have been lifted and the ink is dry.
-[i]Someone asked Sh. Hamza what if a person makes duah against you. Sh. Hamza's response was: [/i]
If you are not an oppressor then you shouldn't worry about people's duah against you. If a person makes duah against you and you have not wronged them, then they are oppressing you (committing a dhulm) and they will be accountable to Allah. But if you are an oppressor then you have a lot to worry about, since Allah does not return the duah of the oppressed. The best weapon of a believer is duah!
-Imam Junaid said "the only disease is ghafla". If you are really in a state of awareness you wouldn't do wrong.
-Ghafla is a state of being fooled. A type of temporary stupidity.
-Tama3 is the cause of every harm.
-eg. gheeba what's the cause of you wanting to talk about someone else's faults, except that you wish to gain something from it (make yourself look good, envy, etc), another one is lying, we lie to somehow benefit from a situation.
-Tama3 will preoccupy your heart during salat and also lead into Mudahanna. A good example of this is Salesmen. Sh. Hamza told a story where he went to buy some ugly yet cheap glasses. When he tried them on, the salesman exclaimed "you look really good!" (mudahanna), sh. Hamza said "Actually i think they are really ugly but I am buying them cuz they are cheap".  The salesman goes "yeah you are right, i agree with you."
-"The truth Merchant will be raised with the Martyrs" The Rasul  [saw] said. It is because they have gotten rid of tama3 from their hearts, and realize that Allah is the Razzaq.
-In traditional cultures, when you go to the markets all the similar stores are lined up. Like Saudia, Syria etc. you can go the Souq for shoes, the Souq for oils, perfumes, Souq for jewellery etc. In the western paradigm this is the worst marketing strategy. But these salesmen prayed together, ate together, and traditionally if one sold enough for the day he would close and leave the rest to earn their rizq.
-In the west there are books written like "How to swim with the sharks", or an ad that goes "He is going to eat his competitors for breakfast, then take his kids to Marine World". We don't want to be like that.
-The Rasul [saw] said "Competition over dunya is the disease of civilization, and it will bring the world down." The whole philosophy of "us against them". We are their "them" and in the end we will wipe eachother out.
-Greeks had the word eroes- a type of longing desire that is never fulfilled. This is the driving force for most people.
-The Rasul [saw] said "Nothing will fill the mouth of the son of Adam except the dust of his grave".
-"Two people will never be satiated, seekers of knowledge and seekers of dunya" another hadith. You are either of the two, which one would you choose?
-Tama3 of Allah is good desire, the disease if for other than Allah.
- If you ask desire what's your trade? He will say earning humiliation. Who is your father? Doubt concerning divine measuring. What is your goal?Deprivation of the very thing that is desired!
-Tama3 is your desiring something. Rizq is what is alloted to you, like said earlier there is a difference of opinion on Rizq, some say it will be what you only use up during this lifetime, others say that it is everything you will get.
-Allah is Ar Razzaq, Ar Razziq- We are the Marzuq, and what we are getting is Rizq.
-There are two types of Rizq:
a)[i]Rizq Batini[/i]: Hidden/inward rizq, like your knowledge, character, company, etc
b)[i]Rizq Dhahiri[/i]:Outward/Manifest rizq like your food, health, wealth etc.
-One of the interesting aspects of life is that the same people keep coming back in your life. Considering that the earth has 5 billion people, the people surrounding us that are important to us are very few. This is because our company is part of our rizq.
-Because the nature of the world is that Allah has divided the provisions of people, it may be that your rizq lies in another person's hands. There are then asbab/means that lead you to get your rizq. e.g Your a guest of someone. That dinner that you eat is part of your rizq. Guests are a blessing, and they leave the house with some of your sins (they are a kaffara/expiation). They don't do "damage" cuz they are eating what belongs to them anyway.
-Because of these asbab/means, people start thinking that the rizq is from the sabab/means and lose sight of the Musabbib/true cause of the means.
-The biggest sign of this is when you get angry for not getting what you want. It is one thing to be angry over your right, if someone oppressed you or took what belonged to you. It is another thing to be angry over something that you "wished/desired" for.
-The Rasul [saw] said Jibril (A.S) said to him" No soul will die until it completes the rizq that was alloted to it. So fear Allah and don't do anything haram to obtain your rizq, and don't beg/plead with creation to give you money, don't let the delay of your rizq be a cause of your disobedience to Allah!"

-End of Part 7.
[i]To whet your appetites yet again, Extended hope will be discussed in the next section  :P[/i]
[wlm]
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 8
Maliha
01/02/03 at 08:07:19
[slm]
Purification of the Soul: Part 8

Extended Hopes
-Sh. Muhammad Al Mawlud- stated that the immediate acting poison of this tama3, love of dunya, etc. is accustoming/assuming self that death is a long way off.
-This is intrinsic in our nature and there is wisdom in it. If people didn't have extended hope, they wouldn't even plant a tree, there will be no infrastructure for the next generation.
-There is a famous story of a Persian King that passed by an old man planting an olive tree. The King asked him "Will this tree benefit you? And you'll die before it comes to fruition" ( a good olive tree takes several decades to produce). The old man replied "They planted before us and we ate, we therefore plant so others can eat". The king was impressed and said "This tree already benefited me!" He gave the old man a reward.
-This extended hope is a Rahma from Allah.
-It is interesting that in this modern culture people are beginning to lose hope about the future. There is a morbid perpective of the world.
-The fast food culture and credit culture is producing a generation that for the first time looks at the future to be worse than the past.
-Too much hope is bad cuz it causes hard heartedness and indolence.
-The world is divided into two types of people:
a) Sa3eed-Felicitious
b)Shaqee-Wretched.
Aristotle who is the foundational to western philosophy wrote a book called "Ethics". In it he proposes that the goal of life is leisure and happiness and that is reflected in the declaration of independence. "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".
-The original wording was being free of debt when you come into the world, but that was changed to pursuit of happiness.
-Happiness in the modern context is associated with things, material goods.
-Islam radically altered the understanding of happiness. Sa3ada is in the next world.
-The Rasul  [saw] said "If you are not angry with me Ya Allah, then I don't care what you do with me". It is the understanding that akhera is better than now.
-The opposite concept of Sa3ada is Shaqawa. A Shaqee is one that doesn't have the akhera.
-Al Fudhayl Ibn Ladh- both a scholar and a Zahid- said there are 5 signs of wretchedness:
a)Hard Heartedness- "Have Mercy on those on the earth and the one in the sky will have Mercy on you."
b)The eye that doesn't weep.
c)Lacking Modesty-"If you have no shame then do whatever you want"
d)Desiring dunya-No one increases in the akhera except that it harms his dunya, and no one increases his dunya except that it harms his akhera.
-In Nurul Yaqeen- The Seerah by an Egyptian scholar- he said that the Sahaba had lost most of the dunya but that didn't swerve them from the quest of akhera.
-Quba was such a simple masjid that many of us in the modern context would not have recognized it. We are obssessed with ornamenting the outside now, while we are empty on the inside.
e)Extended hope-It leads to indolence- lack of energy to do things that are obligatory on us. There are some people who have incredible energy to do worldly things, but when it comes to deen they are simply "too tired".

-Hassan Al Basri said I saw 70 people of Badr and if you saw any of them you would have thought they were mad. If they saw the best of you they would say these people have no character. If they saw the worst of you they would say these people don't believe in the Akhera.
-There is a tradition that's often mistook for a hadith that states "Act for dunya as if you would live forever, and act for Akhera as if you would die tommorow".
-Sh. Uthmaan Bashir explained the above tradition. He said that most people don't understand it, it is a saying used by dunya lovers to justify their actions...."We have to act as if we will live forever.." But if you look at the saying and your situation bifocally it means "I have forever to do my dunya obligations, but I only have one day to fulfil my akhera obligations". This puts it in perspective. We don't have much time to work for akhera and that should be our main goal.
-"Don't forget your portion of the dunya"- Don't forget what Allah has given you so expend for akhera, or is that the dunya is there so don't forget it.
-Essentially we are not anti world but are reminded not to forget the akhera either.
-If you arent' thinking about akhera the longer you stay on earth the more hard hearted you become.
-Children cry easily- cuz their hearts are very supple. They can go from extreme joy to extreme sadness in one day, but as a person gets older this purity becomes harder to achieve.
-One of the things that the Rasul [saw] was made to love was women, because their hearts were more brittle than men.
-Regarding the person who benefits people with knowlege, it  is not a bad thing to have hope for a long life.
- The Rasul [saw] said "don't desire to die". If you did wrong you need the time to make Tawbah and rectify your actions, if you did right you need more time to do even more.
-"Extended hope is a mercy from Allah, had it not been for it, you wouldn't see a farmer planting trees, or a woman giving birth".
-The idea is not to get into a state of paralysis, but reflect.
-A good excercize is to reflect on the states of death and akhera.
-One of the things that athletes are trained to do is visualization as a psychological preparation. We should prepare for the inevitable journey to Akhera.
-When we die we get into a hyper conscious state that makes this state look like a dream. We wake up when we die.
-Some of the Ulemah said if people have shahawat/appetites reflection on death will give them sobriety.
-The difference between Ar Rajaa and extended hope.
-Rajaa is hope for Allah.
-There is a famous hadith that states" The one who love to meet Allah, Allah loves to meet him" Aisha (R.A) said "What about disliking death?" The Rasul [saw] replied "Everyone hates death, but every Mumin wants to meet Allah".
-Khawf and Rajaa- We have to have the two sandals of hope and frea.
-Too much fear leads to despair of the Mercy of Allah. It's a common religious illness.
-Some Christians focus too much on the apocalyptic nature of religion, hellfire, damnation etc. The pilgrims believed only 144,000 will make it to heaven (even Jehova's witnesses). There were more pilgrims than that, so the odds of making it, weren't so high.
-Excessive hope on the other side, leads to a complacency and makes us stop acting.
-There is an article about Baptism that talks about the fact that Baptists can pretty much do anything since they are saved. Salvation through Christ absolved all they wrong actions. There is no sense of Khawf at all. That's why priests can get away with a lot, then come back and preach and people will listen (eg. Jimmy Swagger).
-Muslims have a high expectation of their leaders. That is why an illegitimate child is Makruh to lead prayer. There is no ithm/bad associated with the child since it wasn't his fault, but its just a bad example for the community.
-Umniya- Is blameworthy. This is where the means is not taken but hope is there. eg someone wants to lead a healthy life, but they don't watch their diet, they don't exercize, etc and still expect to be healthy.
-Rajaa-The means is taken and hope is there for the Mercy of Allah.
-There is a story where a Pakistani was in a plane with two people. One said I want to go to Sweden there's only 3% Muslims there, the other said I want to go somewhere else there's only 2% Muslims there, the Pakistani turned around and said "why don't you go to hell there are no Muslims there!"
-There is an assumption amongst Muslims that Muslims aren't going to hell (*big suprise when we get there). People have hope on the two Shahadatain (when you are born and whenyou die).
-Some people's extent with Islam is when they get married and when they die and still expect to go to Jannah.
-Rajaa- Is when you do the things you need to do and have hope on Allah. Khawf should be the over riding factor until you die. At the moment of death a believer lets go of khawf and has hope that Allah will be forgiving and Merciful towards him.
-End of Part 8.
[wlm]

Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 9
Maliha
01/04/03 at 13:02:01
[slm]
Purification of the Soul: Part 9
[i]A little continuation of extended hope.[/i]

-Extended hope leads to headlessness about the reality of death. Which is not a sin in itself. Reflecting on death is like dhikr of Allah, its mandub not fardh (obligatory).
-The Rasul  [saw] highly recommended reflection on death. Including visitation of the graves, for they are a good reminder of death.
-Trying to make money is Jaiz-mubah-allowed. Even on Hajj we are allowed to trade. Unless it was for Tafakhur, takkabur, competition, hoarding wealth or putting off tawbah. Then it becomes a sin.
-In this culture we have a concept of "sowing your wild oats" -do Ma3asi/sins while you have the energy. That's why Allah loves a young man who is obedient to Him.
-There are people who do a lot of ma3asi when they are young, then they get old, and repent but then go into this self righteous mode. All of a sudden they forget their past, and start pointing fingers at others.

Disease: Tattayur.
-Tattayur comes from a Jahili concept called Teera (Which is a root arabic word from Tair, bird).
-When Arabs wanted to make a decision on something they would go to a flock of birds, and run at it. If the birds went to the left they took it as a bad omen. If the birds went to the right they took it as a good omen.
-Yemeen- is right, comes from the fact that Yemen lies on the right.
-Shamal-Is left- comes from the fact that Sham is on the left.
[i]A digression on maps/geography[/i]
-The Muslims traditionally put the South on the top and the North on the bottom of the world map.
-Idrisi was the first map maker of the world (a Muslim). He put the south on top and north on the bottom of the map. The Europeans realized the significance of the South being on top, it puts Africa over the top of Europe and nothing over the top of Arabia, so they actually flipped it.
-In Arabic language south is referred to as up, and north to as bottom.
-Australians caught on to this, and made maps with the South up.
-It's actually interesting to look at a southern map, we realize how close Ireland is to Morroco and Germany to England. etc.
-Muslims need to make maps with the South on top again.
[i]Tattayur[/i]
-Teera is a superstition.
-Mutattayyir-a pessimist.
-This action was based on the ignorance that everything belongs to ALlah, and Muslims should have a good opinion of Allah.
-Tattayur is of two types:
a)Those that are dangerous in the normative state- e.g if you see something really harmful like a Cobra, then you should avoid. It is incumbent by Shariah to avoid harm coming to you.
b)Having a bad opinion based on no proof- eg. black cats, ladders, knock on wood (based on Pagan worship of trees), that's teera.
-The Rasul [saw] said "You'll never be free of three things...." and one of them is Tattayur.
-Superstitions are a part of our nature.
-The cure of tattayur is if you feel "a bad omen", lets say you see a ladder and you don't want to walk under it...then just get over your nafs, and do it!
-Don't make duah against people, and actually don't belittle any Muslim cuz you never know he/she may be a Walee of Allah.

Disease: Dhann
-Bad opinion of others. Suspicion without facts to support your thoughts.
-The worst case is when you have a bad opinion of people who are outwardly righteous.
-Wasma-Waseema is a good face.
-Firasa-the ability of seeing the goodness/badness of a person through his/her face.
-Gheeba of the heart - bad unfounded opinion against someone is actually written against you. Allah doesn't take you for what just occurs to your heart, but He does take to account azm/a distinct decision made by the heart.
-If the heart is convinced without any proof then it is written against you.
-"Beware of bad opinion cuz it is the most false of speech".
-Some people have no daleel "I just know he is".
-Nothing wrong with doubting someone. If it is based on something concrete.
-[i]Shakk[/i]-Doubt-I don't know.
-[i] Dhann[i]-Make a decision without proof.
What if you doubt someone?
-If he is a fasiq-A fasiq is someone who commits major sins openly or minor sins consistently. Don't take the word of a fasiq at face value. Find out if what he says is true or not.
-Don't trust anyone with your deen, family, wealth unless you try them a thousand, thousand, times.
-One of the poets said, if you have a good opinion of people, in these days (of corruption), then that is foolishness. Be cautious.
-If the time is bad then its incumbent upon Zakat distributors to check out people, who claim they deserve zakat.
-A bad opinion of a person, who has evidence is bad, is not a sin, its commonsense.
-If he makes tawbah, then don't remind them of their past. That is wrong.
-"A good opinion of Allah, and a good opinion of His salves, are two things a believer is given".
-No servant was ever harmed by having a good opinion.
-People are innocent until proven guilty.
-"I am in the opinion of my servants, so if he thinks good of me, he finds good, and if he thinks bad he finds bad".
-If you are a true Mu'umin then everything will be good for you.

Disease: 3ujub
-Imam Al Ghazali said the difference between 3ujub and kibr is that kibr needs two people:
The Mutakkabir-Arrogant one.
The Mutakkabir alayhi-The one whom arrogance is shown.
A Mu3ajjib-doesn't need a second person, he is one that is simply impressed with himself.
-The definition of 3ujub-Exalting the blessing and forgetting who gave you the blessing.
-In this culture when someone says "You are beautiful", we say "Thank you" as if we had anything to do with it.
-If Allah made someone beautiful/talented/ etc then they should praise Allah.
-"The Master of Rhetoric is he who speaks so eloquently, that people think I can do that too."
-"I worked so hard and I made it!" People think that its by their accomplishment that they were successful. Instead of Allah's aid.
-"Allah makes every creator and his creation", so airplanes, cars, computers, etc are all creations of Allah.
-Once you realize that you will lose your 3ujub.
-Over anyone who knows something there is someone who knows more, this is characterized in the story of Musa and Al Khidhr.
-Vanity- excessive pride in ones accomplishment or beauty. The root meaning of vanity is emptiness.
-There's always another side to things.
-As a result of your impotence you can neither create any benefit nor harm.
-Ignorance of Allah's Will and Mastery over creation leads to foolishness like 3ujub.

Disease: Al-Ghish
-Fraud, to conceal fault/harm either for religious/wordly pursuits even from a protected minority.
-Adornment of a fault or making an evil look good.
-In the Shariah it is haram to sell something without pointing out its faults.
-This is prominent in modern advertising.
-In Greece the Sophace (sp), were ones who mastered rhetoric. They believed that  the most important thing is to be convincing. Learning the "art of pursuation". It doesn't matter if something is right/wrong, as long as you can justify it.
-In Islam rhetoric is the art of embelishing the truth. (A totally different world view).
-"Men are either smart wolves or dumb sheep", and dumb sheep get eaten by smart wolves- a modern, western philosophy.
-this is Ghish. And it is Haram.

-End of Part 9.
-The next topic will be Ghadhab/anger:)
[wlm]
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 10
Maliha
01/08/03 at 08:47:20
[slm]
Purification of The Soul: Part 10

Disease: Ghadhab/Anger
-As for the swelling ocean of all these diseases, (ghadhab), if you come to it's shores you'll see things that will astonish you. Say what you want of it without constraint.
-This is a weak hadith, but nonetheless important. A man came to the Rasul[saw] and asked him "tell me the best thing to get to near to Allah", The Rasul[saw] responded "Good Character". The man went to his right and asked the same question, the Rasul [saw] again responded the same way. The man went to his left and asked the same thing, the Rasul [saw] again answered the same way. The man went behind him, and finally the Rasul [saw] said "Haven't you understood? Do not get angry!".
-A man once asked the Rasul [saw] "What is the worst thing that one can incur concerning Allah".The Rasul [saw] responded "His Wrath". The man asked "How do you avoid it?" The Rasul [saw] responded "Don't be angry!".
-There is another famous hadith where a man came to the Prophet [saw] and asked him "Give me advice". The Rasul [saw] responded "Don't be angry!", he asked three times and the Rasul [saw] responded the same way.
-Ghadhab and the controlling of Ghadhab is key to good character.
-It doesn't mean don't feel anger.
-The Rasul [saw] himself said" I am but a man, I ge angry like you".
-Anger in itself is not a bad thing, if it is transmutated in a positive way.
-Don't allow anger to take control of you.
-Anger is like a hunting do, if you dont' train it, it won't get you want you need.
-Anger is essential to human existence, without anger injustices would go unchecked. We are encouraged to get angry only for the sake of Allah, not for ourselves.
-Imam Al Ghazali identified four essential qualities in a human soul. This is a model that looks at the human soul and recognizes certain characteristics. It has been used in other traditions as well, not just Islamic.
a)Quwwatul Ilm-The Rational Soul:Within the human being there is a power related to what man knows.

b)Quwwatul Ghadhab- Irrasible Soul:This element relates to emotions the basis of which is anger. Rumi said the wisdom behind the prohibition of Khamar is that the core of man, which is angry and billigerant is exposed when he is drunk. We are otherwise veiled by the Rahma of Allah, but when we drink we remove that veil.

c)Quwatul Shahwa:This is the appetative soul.

d)Quwwatul Adl This is the power that harmonizes the above three.

-Those powers within the soul above are related to the cardinal virtues (which is also within the christian and other traditions).

1)[i]Wisdom/Hikma:[/i]When the rational soul is balanced the result is hikma. "However is given hikma is given much good". Hikma is the mean between stupidity and trickery. When it is lacking, one becomes foolish. When it is in excess one becomes manipulative. This trickery is a dominant trait in CEO's of modern corporations.

2)[i]Courage/Shaja3a:[/i] When the irrasible soul is in control the result is shaja3a. The extremes are impetousness/irrational behavior (when it is in excess), and cowardice (when it is lacking).

3)[i]3iffa/Temperance:[/i]3iffa is the mean between Jumud/Indifference/no energy (which is unhealthy in shariah) and the extreme is fisq ( one is who a slave to his appetative soul). The balance is 3iffa.

4) [i]Adl/Justice:[/i] Justice has no extremes, it only has an opposite which is dhulm/oppression. When everything is in balance within the soul, the result is a just man. When of the elements is out of balance, the result is oppression to oneself and others.

-The only human being that ever completely balanced these is the Rasul [saw]. This is why the more you emulate him, the more you become a just person. He was never an extremist in anything, his fasting, his anger, etc.
-If we look at his Sunnah [saw], we see many traditions that are based on balancing our nafs.
-"The worst vessel son of Adam can fill is his stomach" This is the justice of the stomach. If we absolutely have to fill it, we are told to leave 1/3 for food, 1/3 for water, and 1/3 for air.
-Sexual appetites- don't go over limit. As you grow older this aspect of yourself diminishes, as you look more toward Akhera. Those people who don't believe in Akhera, stil want to engage in Mental shahawat (since the physical shahwa is naturally down), the result is the emergence of the Viagra society.
-The Rasul [saw] never allowed his anger to get the best of him.
-He had more knowledge than any other human being but never used it for trickery.
-If we look at the Khulafa U Rashidun, we see that each one of them embodied one of the cardinal virtues as their dominant character type.
a) Abubakr (R.A): His main virtue was courage. No one was more courageous than Abubakr. What is the reason people hesitate to give? Fear of the unknown. Abubakr was the most generous at all times, he gave up all his wealth for the sake of Islam, and that is Shaja3a. He was one whose heart never wavered when others around him did. He was thabit.
b)Umar (R.A)-Umar's man trait was Justice.
c)Uthman (R.A)-Uthman was 3affif (even the angels were shy around Uthman (R.A).
d)Ali (R.A)- Ali was endowed with Hikma (he was called Babul Ilm, the door to knowledge).

-If you look at the Siratal Mustaqeem. Mustaqeem means upright. Istiqamah is perfectly balanced.
-There are two ways to deviate from the perfectly balanced path.
a)Ziada- being excessive in what's wajib. Christians are the archetype of this example. They invented Monkery though they were not obliged to go into this extreme ascetism. The main thing about excess is that you will not be able to fulfill it. "Don't go to excess because Allah won't taper with His rewards until you taper off".
-The extreme of 3iffa is puritan. The result is that you are no longer in balance, and eventually you will go to the other extreme. The Europeans came here as puritans to be perfect in their religion, and the end of that era has emerged into the Modern American society which is full of satiating your shahawat.
-In the Christian methology they go into extremes with Shaja3a too, "turn the other cheek". With this concept, they end up massacring more human beings than the history of any human group.
-In Justice, they demand justice in everything, which is essentially based on dhulm. As it is justice for them,but oppression for everyone else. The law is based on lawyers, and how many loopholes they can find to let others get away with things.
-With Knowledge it started being knowledge that was beneficial to humanity, and now it's turned to trickery.

b)Naqs: Being defiecient in the Obligations. The archetype of this are the Jews. Musa's (A.S) complaint to the Rasul  [saw] during the Miraj was that the Jews couldn't even pray twice a day. There are plenty of examples in the Quran on how the Jews tried to get away with not fulfilling their obligations.

-These are simply archetypes and not absolute.
-Going astray: Dhal: The root word is to be in love. Excessiveness leads people astray.
-A Muslim is supposed to be in the middle of the two.
-The root of Christian doctrine is Rahma/mercy. They believe that whatever they do they will be forgiven no matter what. With the Jews it's the opposite.
-The Ghadhab and Rahma have to be balanced.
-There is Shariah and Haqiqah- The law and the spirit of the law. The law is rules, and the spirit is Rahma. When they are balanced (iman on the inside, and Islam on the outside) we get the Muhsin.
-The Rasul [saw] said "Beware of Tyrannical Scholars".
- The concept of the ignorant worshipper- embodiment of a Christian or extreme sufi.
-The balance is to be a Sufi-Faqeeh.
-Imam Shafi said about the two (sufi and faqeeh) "Don't have one without the other. A faqeeh alone will be hardhearted" A sufi alone, leads to this new age phenonemon of "all is good", "all is one", "we are all going to heaven"..etc.
-Christians are closer to us, because we are on the side of Rahma "Forgivenes is closer to Taqwa".
-"When love exists there is no need for justice".
-The Sahaba loved each other so much, and didn't want to hold each other accountable over minor things.
-The great Fitna in Islam was the case of Sayyidna Ali (R.A) and Sayyidna Muawiya (R.A). Ali (R.A) wanted forgiveness, and Muawiya (R.A.) wanted justice. We are supposed to love all our leaders despite their mistakes. In this case Sayyidna Muawiya (R.A).

-End of Part 10.
[wlm]
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)  Part 11
Maliha
01/08/03 at 09:22:38
[slm]
Purification of the Soul: Part 11

-Ghadhab comes from something that's essential to human nature.
-If you look at the brain there are three dominant centers:
a)[i]Lowest Brain: R brain:[/i]Reptilian brain, this is the appetative center of the brain where urges originate.
b)[i]Mid Brain:[/i] Emotions are centered here. The root of all emotion is ghadhab/anger. This is the first emotion that children is ghadhab, through crying, tantrums, they learn to say "No" before "yes".
-The Rasul  [saw] " Love your beloved up to a point, because one day he might hate you, hate your enemy up to a certain point, because one day you may love him.:
-The wisdom is to be balanced. The Arabs used to say "don't be too sweet you will get eaten up. And don't be too bitter you'll be thrown away".
c)[i]The new brain:[/i]This is the rational center of the brain.

-The reptilian mode is totally reactionary, no humanity. If you are in the mid brain mode, you will be an emotional person, and some people are totally rational everything is theoretical when it comes to them.
-There are three main reasons that people get angry:
1)Primal needs-When your food, shelter, life, etc is being threatened. This is survival you have to respond to it. If you don't you are stupid. It is courage to fight for your rights. The Rasul [saw] said "Any one who dies defending his property, dies a Shahid". This is the Ultimate amr bil Ma3ruf wal Nahi anil Munkar (enjoining good and forbidding evil) in society no one should feel that it is okay to just take someone else's property.
2) Position-This is related to seeing yourself, dignity, job etc. Is getting angry over a sense of being belittled.
3)Specific to a person- e.g an 3alim/scholar may get mad to see someone mistreating a book, while to an illiterate farmer that doesn't mean anything to him. To the farmer though, if someone mishandles his pitchfork...

Imam Al Ghazali said the first one is healthy, the second is healthy up to a point. Don't get angry over what doesn't benefit you to get angry about. Don't obssess yourself with little things, let it go.
The third situation if there is ghairah (the idea that something is yours and you don't want harm to come to it) then its okay.
-The Rasul [saw] encouraged Ghairah. When Abu Sa3d said "If I see my wife with another man I would kill him!". The Rasul [saw] said "I have more ghairah then him, and Allah has more ghairah than me".
-If a Muslim sees a non Muslim make fun of their deen, this ghairah should prompt him to defend the deen.
-Ghairah is good, for the husband and wife, otherwise adultery will be rampant in society.

Cure:
-Ghadhab has two cures, one of them will remove the anger when it comes and the other suppresses it.
-Remember this in order to be ornamented with the quality of removal of anger, then humility and forebearance are a must.
-An arrogant person will always be angry. If you are seeing yourself you will be angry.
-Humility is praised by all sages. "The one who humbles himself before Allah, Allah will elevate him, the one who elevates himself before Allah, Allah will bring him down".
-The Prophet [saw] was the most forebearing of all people.
-All the Prophets have been characterized by humility and forebearance.
-You can prevent anger by realizing there is no action except from Allah.
-Recognize that "La Illaha Illa Allah".
-"The strong man is not the wrestler but one who can control his anger".
-Al Ghazali said the stupid people see virility and macho tendencies as being courageous.
-The Prophet [saw] cure for anger was "If you are standing, then sit down, if you are sitting then recline. If that doesn't work take wudhu and pray".
-Taking wudhu (with cold water), will put out the heat of Shaytaan. Anger is from shaytaan and shaytan is made from fire.
-The nature of anger is you start rising. If you feel it, sit down, and even leave the room if necessary.
-Remember to say "Audhu Billahi Minal Shaytani Rrajeem".
-An angry man once hired a man to insult him, and listened to him until he could control his anger.
-"Anger will afflict the best of my ummah" The Rasul [saw] said.
-Umar (R.A) was the best example of one who mastered his anger throughout his life development. By the end of his Khalifate, he was very forgiving.
-Once the Rasul [saw] was sitting with some Quraishi women and when they saw Umar (R.A) approaching they fled and hid behind a curtain. The Rasul [saw] laughed and called them out. Umar (R.A), was perplexed "Why aren't you fleeing from the Rasul [saw] and he is more worthy of that type of respect?" The women said "yes, but you are meaner". The Rasul [saw] laughed and told him "if shaytaan saw you coming down one path, he will go down another."
-The three souls are developed with age:
a)The first 7 years: the appetative soul is developed, allow the children to discover the world, let them play and indulge for this is the time they grow into their bodies and discover their limitations.
b)The second seven years: is Ghadhab, this is the time to discipline them and don't let them get angry with you.
c) The next 7 years: The rational soul is developed. This is when they need your guidance and counsel.
There is a hadith that states "Play with them till they are 7, discipline them for another 7, and befriend them for 7 years".
-"Knowledge and forebearnce and gained through acquisition".
-You are not born an 3alim,you need Mujahada, study,reflect, etc
-That's what Umar (R.A) did with forebearance, he learned to it.
-Imam Al Ghazali gave the example of the pen. If you have bad writing go to a master,ask him to show you, tell him to draw the letters so you can copy them. It takes time and effort to learn how to write well. It is the same with good character.
There are three things that you need;
a) Know what good character and bad character is.
b) Mujahadah-Struggle for the sake of ALlah to implement it in your life.
c)Sahba-Find people with good character and be in their company.
-Imam Shafi was asked about his excellent character. He said "I looked at what my detractors said about me. If I found it in myself I worked hard to eliminate it".
-Prophet Isa (A.S) was asked about his excellent character and he said "I looked at the bad character of people and avoided it".
-Sayyidna Ali said "youth is a type of madness and the cure is to get old".

End of part 11.
[wlm]
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
AyeshaZ
01/09/03 at 01:13:39
Asalamu Alykum wa rhamtullah,

Alhamdullilah i got my tapes a couple days ago and went through the first part.. Jazakallah kharyan katheeran for these awesome notes, masha'Allah you got entire part down as text.. :-X :-X :-X

One of the things that stuck to me was about *Ghafla* heedlessness.
The more one gets away from the heart the sicker you get. Ghafla is like starving the spiritual heart.


[quote author=Maliha link=board=library;num=1040692382;start=0#0 date=12/23/02 at 20:13:00] [slm]
[i]I am currently listening to the Purification of the Heart series by Hamza Yusuf, and thought it would be cool to share my notes with you all. I wouldn't add anything unless i put a note that it's just my reflections...If you have listened to it, and you think something doesn't make sense, or you wanna add something feel free to do so. All mistakes are mine and all credit goes to Allah (S.W.T). [/i]

Purification of the Soul- part 1

"On that day when nothing will benefit the human being, neither wealth nor children except the one who brings to Allah a sound heart".

-The sound heart/ Qalb saleem- is free from defects/ spiritual blemishes.
-Spiritual heart is centered in the physical heart.
- The heart houses Chen (In ancient Chinese)
-In almost every culture we use metaphors for the heart: cold heart, warm heart, hard heart.
-Lubb- Core- which is latin for heart. The term courage is derived from that too.
-Ancient cultures were aware of spiritual diseases. In Islam we have three states:
a) Al Mu'uminun- Heart is alive-" the one who was dead and they were revived with faith and were given a light that they walk amongst human beings with".
The Prophet (S.A.W) said "The difference between one who remembers Allah and one who doesn't is the difference between the living and the dead".

b) kafir- dead heart
c)Munafiq- one with a diseased heart.

Characteristics of the Physical heart

-The physical heart is slightly to the left. Which is why Arabic writing is toward the heart. The art form of writing is to affect the heart. Tawaf too, is done with the left side toward the Kaabah, cuz the heart is inclined towards the central divinity of man.

-It pumps over 100,000 gallons a day for an entire lifetime!
-The vascular system is over 60,000 miles long.
-The heart starts beating before the brain is formed. The initial heart beat is *not* initiated by the brain, its begins beating before the central nervous system is formed. Scientists claim that it is self-initiated...we know its from Allah.
-The heart is the center of the being and teh center of consciousness. The center of intellect is the heart not the brain.
-There are 40,000 neurons in the heart, cells that communicate with the brain and vice versa.
-The brain sends messages to the heart, and the heart doesn't always obey. The heart sends messages to the brain and they are interpretted as emotions.
-The heart is an extremely sophisticated organ and source of knowledge.
-The Prophet (S.A.W) said "Wrong actions irritate the heart" .
-In the book "Crime and Punishment"- The author's insight was that the crime itself is the punishment. As we go into a state of spiritual agitation, and try to cover up our crime (Which is the definition of Kufur- covering up or concealing). As a result of their sins people go into a state of heedlessness, and submersion in the world so that they can forget the heart.
-the more cut off we are from our hearts the sicker we become.
-Before the ultimate death of the heart, it will show many symptoms, and these symptoms are the diseases of the heart.

Diseases of the heart
There are two types of diseases:
a)Shubuhat: Diseases related to understanding. Eg being afraid of not getting enough provisions. A sound heart has trust in Allah, and the sick heart has doubt. The heart does not worry. The nafs, shaytan, love of the dunya, caprice, leads to a state of fear and anxiety.
The heart is designed for stillness- and it is the only  still with the remembrance of Allah. When Allah is not remembered the heart gets agitated  and ultimately dies.
-The physical cells of the body need oxygen to survive. The heart needs rememberance of Allah for nourishment.
-The Quran is sent as a reminder.
-We enter into the world in a state of Fitrah. Then we learn to be anxious. The Quran says we are created in a state of anxiety except those who are people of prayer (Always in a state of prayer), people who neither buying nor selling makes them forget Allah.

b) Shahawat- Diseases coming from the base desires of the self. eg. food, sex, etc. Diseases that are out of proportion with the natural self.
- The prophet (S.A.W) constant duah was " Oh turner of the hearts, make my heart firm on your deen".

"Ya Muqqalibal qulub thabit qulubuna 3ala deenika".

-"Mat-haratul Qulub"- Alchemy of the Heart- is the text that is used  here.
-Mat-hara- tool by which taharah comes about.
-It is written by a great Sheikh Muhammad Al Mawlud al Ya3qubi.
-He mastered the Islamic Sciences and inward sciences. He looked around and saw that many people have diseased hearts. The state of the heart is the only thing that will be asked about during yawmul Qiyamah.
-Our actions are based on our intentions and our intentions originate from our hearts, thereby if we are asked about our actions we are really inquiring about the state of the heart behind those actions.
-He based his text on Imam Al Ghazzali's (Ihya Ulumul Deen).
-The situation of the world is rooted in the human heart, covetousness, desires, selfishness, are all emanating from the diseased heart.
-We change the world by rectifying the inward self. Its from the unseen world that the phenomenal world emerges, its from the unseen realms of our hearts that our actions emanate.
-Martin Luther King said in order for people to condemn injustice they have to:
a) Ascertain that injustice does truly exist.
b) Negotiate- go to the oppressor and demand justice.
c) Purification- Ask ourselves if we are oppressors?
d) Take action

-As Muslims we don't ask ourselves why is this happening to us? We have brought this situation onto ourselves. "He makes some oppressors over other oppressors because of what their hands have earned".
- We are all tired but with patience Allah will grant us victory.
-Impure people oppress, pure people forgive and ultimately conquer their enemies by the Will of Allah.
- If we implement what this book says, we will changes in us and around us.
-We will study the diseases, the psychological treatment, theoratical and practical applications.
-This is just a prescription we need to take the medicine ourselves.

-End of part one.
[wlm]



[/quote]
01/09/03 at 01:25:01
AyeshaZ
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
lightningatnite
01/09/03 at 11:30:08
Asalamualaikum,

Jazakiallahu khairan sister Maliha for your beneficial notes...sister Ayesha, subhanAllah I was just learning about ghafla.  Ultimately, it is because we have stopped contemplating the Greatness of Allah and speaking about the akhira when amongst each other that we have gotten into difficult situations. The only thing the believers will regret in Jannah is having missed a moment in remembrance of Allah during their time in the dunya.

Ghafla, or forgetting about Allah, getting distant from Him by losing ourselves in our daily activities, is the root cause of all problems that we have. When a person mentions Allah, Allah mentions that person to those in His company.  The Prophet has taught that everything has a tarnish or blemish.  The blemish of the heart is forgetting about the Greatness of
Allah. The more a person is in the state of ghafla, the darker his or her heart becomes. This is visible in our faces.

The Prophet also taught that everything has a polish. The polish of the heart is remembering the Greatness of Allah and the akhira. The more a person thinks about the Majesty of Allah, and cries thinking about the long journey ahead of us after death, the more the heart becomes polished and purified. The heart in remembrance of Allah becomes at peace and ease. All the anxieties go away. Noor comes to our face when we think about
our Majestic Lord. All of our affairs become rectified and easy.

This is why the pious scholars have mentioned that spending time
in isolation and contemplation of Allah, and death, is a fortress, within which shaitan can do us no harm.  As a person invokes Allah and internalizes His Splendour, the angels surround the Throne of Allah and mention the invoker so much that it is like the sound of a swarm of bees.  For the one steeped in deep remembrance of Allah, when he calls on Him, the angels say "a familiar voice from a familiar servant".  But when one he has been heedless of his Lord calls on Him, the angels say "an unfamiliar voice from an unfamiliar servant".

My dear brothers and sisters, let us remember Allah often, especially when we sit together, for if we don't, it is as if we have left behind the rotting dead corpse of a donkey. We may come to regret it.  

May we remember Allah Most High, Most Majestic, all the time, and cry, knowing that He is remembering us in spite of our heedlessness.
01/09/03 at 11:45:10
lightningatnite
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) part 12
Maliha
01/10/03 at 08:43:26
[slm]
[i]Jazakumu Allahu Khayran Sis Ayesha and Bro Lightingatnite for your enlightening prelude on our next session :) ...[/i]
Purification of the Soul: Part 12

-We have about 4 more diseases and then we'll go into more sections for the cure of all diseases. We have to treat these diseases like the "gordian knot".
-The story of the Gordian knot- There was a knot in Turkey that no one could untie. So an announcement was made that whoever could untie this knot would rule the land. Many tried and many failed. Finally when Alexander the Great conquered the land, the knot was brought to him. He took a look at it, took out his sword, and with one swoop cut through the knot. The treatment of these diseases is the same. We just need to cut right through them.
-The 4 enemies of man are: shaytaan, nafs, hawaa, and dunya.

Disease: Ghafla
-Imam Junayd said this is the root  of all diseases, some scholars say its tama3 and others procrastination (which is also a type of ghafla.).
-This is a serious illness of the heart.
-Ghuful-inattentiveness, heedlessness, being unaware.
-A simpleton in arabic is a Mughafal.
-The defining factor of ghafla is Sijdatul Sahw. Sujud Sahw is provided for us in prayer though the prayer time is so short! Allah knew how forgetful we are.
-Insaan-comes from the word uns- which could mean intimacy since we are social beings. Or Nasiya which means to forget.
-In the Quran Al Insaan sometimes refers to Adam (A.S). The first slip of Adam (A.S) was is being taken unawares. That's why we have to be vigilant.
-Ghafla occurs as a result of the absence of vigilance and wakefulness.
-When Sayiddan Ali (R.A) said "People are asleep and when they die they wake up", what he meant was that people are heedless (ghafiloon) on their destination and that's the prime reason they do what they do.
-If humans were really awake they wouldn't sin.
-This is the metaphor of the cave. Where all humans are in this cave, and there is a light at the very back of the cave. This light is causing this long shadows and people are so fascinated by these shadows they are convinced this is their reality. Then one of them gets away from the cave, and sees the sun, skies, the trees, and the beauty outside. So he runs back and tell them "Wake up this is not real, it's all an illusion! Reality is outside...come with me" and these people turn on him and kill him. This is essentially the story of the Messengers, where Prophets come and because of the unveiling of Knowledge from Allah, they try to wake us up from our illusionary reality.
-Samid is another word that's used in the Quran. Samidun is a type of ghafla but has more awareness to it.
-"You were in ghafla about this (yaumul Qiyamah) and we removed the veil.."
-There is a veil that prevents us from seeing things as they truly are.
-The Prophet  [saw] used to pray "Oh Allah show me things as they truly are"
-The Rasul [saw] also used to pray "Oh Allah show me the truth as the truth and give me the ability to follow it, and show me falsehood as falsehood and give me the ability to stay away from it."
-Ghafla- Is being heedless about what Allah has commanded us to do and what he has prohibited us to do.
-A Mu'umin when reminded of something wrong he is doing will automatically say "Astaghfirullah". But the arrogant ones when told to fear Allah, they get mad at the people.
-The cure for it lies in having good company, people that will tell you when you are doing wrong, and encourage you to do good.
Cures:
The cure lies in four rectifying qualities:
[i]a) Istighfaar:[/i]
-Realization brings you to repentance. The scholars said "Istighfar and salah ala Nabi are the two dhikr of the end of time". Tawbah is a cure for ghafla. we should make istighfar at least 70 to 100 times a day (that is what the Rasul [saw] himself did!). We should also memorize Sayyidul Istighfar.
-Muhasabah-Using the idea of the merchant who counts money at the end of the day, to see his profits/losses. Look at your day and see if you had a loss with Allah make tawbah. and if there was a gain with Allah give thanks. For Allah gives more to His grateful servants.

[i]b)Ziyarah:[/i]
-Visiting righteous people.We all have stations with Allah, beginning with the Nabi, Sadiq, Shaheed, and Saleh.
-Really all the above are saliheen.
-Saluha is to be sound and this is related to salamah.  One whose heart isn't diseased.
-The definition of Saleh is to give Allah what is due to Him and give His slaves what is due to them.
-Haqqal Allah- The right of Allah is Taqwa from His serveant.
-Haqqal Ibad-The right of Allah's servants is the dealing with them in daily obligations.
The Saleh doesn't cheat or lie to people.
-Most ulamah encourage visiting the Saliheen that are dead too. e.g when going to Madinah making sure you visit Jannatul Baqee3.
-There is a greater benefit in visiting the graves of the righteous.
-There is a difference of opinion whether women can visit graves or not.
-There is also an adab of visiting graves. Don't do grave worship, tying knots, asking for favors, etc. That's what gives tassawuf a bad name. That is not Tassawuf its just cheating.
-There is a lot of people who go by the names of Pir, Sheikh, etc and they don't have much knowlege at all. They inherit these titles from their forefathers, and people treat them special. There are alot of pretenders out there so be careful who you consider a Saleh.
-"Allah made the world huge and created numerous ways for Halal provisions, anytime you see someone using religion to serve his dunya he is in bad condition" said of the righteous men.
-People can make their living through teaching Quran etc. the point is not to amass wealth.
-Imam Malik had massive wealth and he consistently gave it away to people.
-In the Muslim world there is a huge gulf between esoteric/exoteric Islam. We are out of balance.
-We should all desire to be one of the Saliheen.
-A poet once said "If a man doesn't gain heights he can at least aspire for heights, and whoever is content with less than heights he is less than heights".
-The hieghest aspiration is to be close to Allah. If you don't think Allah can make you one of His Awliyaa in an instant then you don't know much about His Qudra (power).
-These Saliheen are not chatty and they will make duah for you.
-One of Sh.Hamza Yusuf's friends hates kissing hands. He went to visit Sh. Mulla Ramadhan and he swore that he felt pressure on his head to bow down and kiss his hand!
-Fortunately these people still exist- Murattal Hajja's wife- Maryam and they had a servant Qabulah. People used to visit the couple and then also visit the servant and ask for duah from her.
-Another righteous woman is Fatima bint Nawfal and Aisha bint Binni.
-Only Allah knows their true stations but we are commanded to observe the outward.

[i]c)Prayer on the Prophet [saw]:[/i]
-In Pakistan this is called the Darud.
-Ubai Bin Ka3b asked the Rasul [saw] "How much of my dhikr should i make on you, 1/4?" The Rasul [saw] replied "that's good and if you can increase it's better" "1/2?", The Rasul [saw] "That's good and if you can increase its better" "3/4?" "That's good and if you can increase its better".
He finally said "I will do all my dhikr on you."
-Prayer on the Prophet [saw] purifies the self. We are recommended to do at least 500 times a day.
-Sh. Uthman Dan Fodio used to do it 5000 times a day. And he saw the Rasul [saw] in visions all the time.
-Imam Malik never slep a night without seeing the Rasul [saw].

[i]d)Reciting the Quran with Taddabur/Reflection:[/i]
-We have to do a wird of Quran each day, at least a hizb, or a juzuu a day.
-If not atleast the daily recommended surahs like Mulk (after Isha), Yaseen (after Fajr) and Waqiah (after Maghrib).
-Every Substance in the world resonates at a specific wavelength. Medicine resonates in our bodies to cure the diseases. The thing about the Quran is that the sound waves (in arabic) resonate in every part of your body.
-A man asked about Islam and said he had read the entire Quran. Sh. Hamza told him "you haven't read the Quran until you have read it in Arabic". The man disagreed. Then Sh. Hamza started reading just the beginning of Suratul Rahmaan. The man paused and said "I now understand".
-Part of the meaning of the Quran is not even understood in this realm of existence.
-Allah warns the Rasul [saw] in the Quran about sitting with people who "He put in a state of heedlessness".
-"Those who deviated and Allah made them deviate more".
-Ghaflah is a punishment and result of our own sins.
-Ghafla ends at the moment we die. We want to be more in a state of wakefullness then heedlessness.
-Umar (R.A) said the best remembrance of Allah is when you get to the limit set by Allah. e.g when you want to do a Ma3siya and then you think of Allah and that prevents you from doing haraam.
-Ghafla becomes a disease when it prevents you from doing what Allah has commanded you to do.
-We are not obliged to make dhikr of Allah all the time. But the more dhikr we do the less we'll fall into Ghafla.

Disease: Ghill
-This disease is related to rancor/malice/anger/resentfullness.
-The root word is Ghul-aghlal-things that bind you.
-Ghil is when the heart is bound to treachery/khiyana.
-Khadi3a-To betray/trick.
-Hiqd-resentful Malice, is what holds ghill together.
-"Don't put in our hearts ghill for the people who have imaan".
-Ghill will kill our hearts.
-In Jannah Allah removes ghill completely from the Righteous people.
-One man who was fighting Sayiddna Ali during the battle of Camel cama to him and apologized and Sayidna Ali (R.A) told him not to worry for in Jannah Allah will remove ghill from our hearts.

Cure:
-Show goodness to that person.
-The nature of Ihsan is "The hearts are naturally inclined towards one who does good to them".
-When you are good to a noble person, you possess him. When you are good to a lowly person he becomes more rebellious.
-The point is to do your part and the outcome is not in your hands.
-Someone wondered why Kuffar can live together peacefully and that is because shaytaan doesn't bother with them. Shaytaan has despaired that he will be worshipped in the greater Arabian Peninsula but he hasn't despaired of Fitna and putting ghill in believer's hearts against each other.
-Remember that on Monday and Thursdays Allah forgives people and the angels say that these two people don't get along so Allah says "leave them till they rectify themselves". Our sins aren't forgiven if we have ghil for another person.
-All you have to do is be righteous on your end, and if the other person doesn't respond that's up to them.

-End of Part 12.
[wlm]
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) part 13
Maliha
01/13/03 at 15:01:47
[slm]
Disease: Fakhar/Kibr:
-Boasting is different from Fakhar in that Fakhar is boasting about something you have not earned e.g I am a Shareef.
-In the battle of Uhud, while all the Quraishi's used to boast "I am the son of so and so", the Rasul  [saw] used to say "I am the son of the women named 3atika". No one used to brag about the women.
-If you boast about parents who had honor even if it's true, they have left behind a bad child.
-The man is not one who says " my father was..." he is one who says "I Am".
-This is what children do...it's a childish phenomenon.
-The mountain of this tendency is Arrogance. Deem that mountain insignificant if you desire to destroy it.
-Kibar is old age.
-Kibr is arrogance.
-Root is kabura or kabura-to be big or grow old.
-Kabir is great.
-Kibrun is the manifestation of kibr in the heart. Takkabur is when it manifests in the limbs (action).
-There are many signs of kibr and it's frightening cuz we all have some degree of it. Rarely would you meet one who doesn't have any kibr.
The Rasul [saw] "no one would enter Paradise who has the weight of an atom of pride in his heart".
-"I will divert my signs from those who show arrogance on this earth without right". Without right in this ayah, means that there are times when Takkabur is needed.
-"Allah will seal the heart of every arrogant tyrant".
-"Allah doesn't love those who have istikbaar". Istikbar is deeming the self great, the root of which is 3ujub.
-There is a hadith that states" Allah said "greatness is my izar (cloak) and 3adhama my lower garment who ever tries to challenge me on either I will break his back!"
-Ibn Hajj said "Shaytan go into this Ummah by two ways: In the Eastern by giving their children names of grandiosity e.g Akbar, Adheem, etc. In the Western by causing Muslims to mispronounce good names e.g "Abdul Qadir" becomse Abdul Ghadir (the slave of the treacherous one).
-Imam Yahya Al Nawawi's father named him MuhyiDeen and he completely refused that name and demanded to be called Yahya.
-The Prophet [saw] had a wife called Birra and he named her Zaynab, don't "zakki" yourselves, he said. (Personal note, I think this may mean don't praise yourself? I am not sure, Sh. Hamza didn't go into it).
-The Truest names according to the Rasul [saw] are Harith (the one who sows) and Humam (the one with one with concerns), cuz all of us sow and have concerns.
-The best names according to the Rasul [saw] are Ahmad, and any names that begin with Abdul...
-There is a hadith by Tirmidhi that states "on the day of Qiyamah the people of arrogance will be turned to atoms (or ants), and everyone would walk on them, and then they would go to a prison in Jahannam called Bolis".
-There are different types of Istikbaar:
1) The worst one is Takabbur of refusing the truth and submitting to Ibadah.
-One of the Sahabah told the Rasul [saw] "I am a man who loves beauty so I wear good shoes and nice clothes. Is this  Kibr?" The Rasul [saw] replied "Allah is beautiful and Loves beauty".
-The point is the reason why he loved to put on nice things (cuz he loves beauty), and the point is not to outdo others...a perfect example is some Muslim Weddings, and to what extent people would go to out do each other's outfits.
-The idea of Istikbaar is that it has two faces to it:
a)Want to be great-A desire to be great for the sake of Allah is good. The Sahabas himma was high, but one which is blameworty is to try to show people you are better than they. Allah commands us though to show non Muslims that we are better.
-According to the Christians the world's problem is simple. People are corrupt/sinful by nature. But Allah commands us to show them that this is not true (we are Witnesses unto them).
-Towards the end of time there will be no more Shuhadaa. And people will become Kuffar. Allah will give the dunya to Kaffirs, and Muslims will leave their deen because they also want the dunya. This is scary cuz it is happening.
-The seal/Raan over the heart, depending on the power of Truth and the source of it, is something that can crack, but if nothing is done (*i.e Tawbah) it will seal up again. e.g when you listen to an inspirational Khutbah it may move the heart, but action has to follow.
There are different types of Kibr with different Qualities:
a)It is fixed in the heart and the person considers himself better than other people.
Once the Sahaba told the Rasul [saw] concerning one man who they deemed to be righteous. Suddenely the man appeared at the gathering and the Sahaba pointed him out to the Rasul [saw]. The Rasul immediately discerned in his face and said "I see traces of shaytaan in this man's face". When the man joined the group the Rasul [saw] asked him "By Allah, I ask you, did your nafs tell you when you came to this gathering that no one here is better than you?" The man said "yes".
-The Prophet [saw] saw kibr in his heart and wanted the Sahaba to be careful over who they deemed righteous and not.
-Imam Ghazali said of all people it is the people of ilm that have more danger of kibr than others.
-If you fight it and force yourself to suppress the fruits of the tree of kibr in your heart, then they wouldn't emerge in your actions.

b)Manifesting kibr to others. This is when you look down on people, or frown in people's faces. The Rasul [saw] never frowned in someone's face.
c) Takakabur cuz of Hasab (Qualities that you have) and Nasab (Lineage).
-Traditionally tehy went together. If you are from a noble family you had to act noble.
-If you are from Quraish you had to be dignified. (E.g a tribe had a quality cuz of nasab people emulated that quality).
-e.g some Arabs feel they are better than Indians. One Arab remarked to Sh. Hamza that "I never thought a non arab could be a real Muslim".
-In Pakistan, the Indian is less...if you are from Hyderbad you are somehow better. etc.
-There is racist terminology in language too.
We have to remember that Allah says "The best of you is the one with most Taqwa".
-Even with Nasab it's action that counts...without action...nasab doesn't mean a thing.

Cure:
-Recognize where you are from? You are created from a vile fluid.
-One of the Salafi remarked that he didn't know why someone was arrogant when  all he was carrying between his two sides was a bag of feaces.
-"To be arrogant with one who is arrogant is a type of worship". To use this as a cure for one who is arrogant, to give him a taste of his own medicine.
-If you feel you are righteous know that it is kibr.
-There was a righteous man who was sitting in a gathering and he moved his foot when another moved out of deference. The other man said "you did that for me?" and he said "I don't see anyone here who is worse than me!".
-If you are aware of your humility you are Muttakabbir.
-It's better though to fake humility than to be an outright Mutakkabir.
-You have to practice- the brain learns through repitition, consistency imbeds an action in the brain. e.g driving, most people drive in a completely sub conscious state.
-Interesting thing about stroke/dementia is that even with loss of brain they retain the things they did repititively.
-Ilm is by repitition. Force yourself to be humble until it becomes a natural thing.

d) Kibr cuz of beauty: The cure is to know that beauty is an illusion. You don't retain your beauty and also Allah gave it to you. It's superficial and really stupid.
-There was a study done on beautiful people and the result was that they were really average. They realized when you put average eyes, nose, lips, etc on one face, the result is what people deem beautiful.
-There was a hadith where the Rasul [saw] asked Aisha who came in? And Aisha said "The short lady". The Rasul [saw] rebuked her and said "you have back bited her". Cuz Aisha felt she was taller than her, and hence made the comment.

e)Kibr with wealth-this is with kings and merchants. They look down on others. There was a famous person who was on a helicopter looking down on a ski lodge (for not wealthy people) and she commented "look at all those little people down there". At that moment the helicopter tipped and crashed!
we are all little people.

f)Kibr cuz of strength- The example is the wrestler who bragged that  no one could throw him and the Rasul [saw] threw him twice. You have to remember even with Physical strength you will get old.

g)Kibr in teachers who have a lot of students, or one with powerful relatives, or a royal family etc.

h)Takkabur cuz of knowlege-Most insidious. people naturally are in awe of knowledgable people and they show them deference, this is dangerous for the heart.

The main reason why people don't submit is Takkabur. A lot of people have a big problem with being a slave to Allah. They would rather be a slave to their genitals, petty goals, etc. but not their own Creator!

-The cure is really knowing your Lord and yourself-Reflecting on the Self will come to the realization that are completely bound by our enslavement to the Creator.
The Rasul [saw] said"I am the best of the Children of Adam and I am not boasting!" The Rasul [saw] fakhar was in his Uboodiya to Allah.
-Another saying of the Rasul [saw] "My impoverishment before Allah is my glory".
-whoever knows will be humbled (And Allah will raise him).
-The station of Kibr negates the possiblity of being grateful. The 3abd can't be Muttakabir. The nature of humility is that it takes you to gratitude. It helps you see things in the right perspective. The feeling of being undeserving makes you grateful for every little thing you have.
-Deem the big mountain of kibr insignificant. Believers use the terms "Allahu Akbar", "Mashaallah", "Alhamdullillah" to keep reminding us of our Source.
-End of Part 13.

-[i]Alhamdullillah we are more than halfway there...and the next section we will be talking about Dhill and Dha3a...Stay tuned for the next episode of "Purification of the Heart" coming to a monitor near you  :-*[/i]
[wlm]
01/13/03 at 15:02:59
Maliha
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
paula
01/15/03 at 02:17:57
:-) Maliha

[slm]

I just wanted to add a note here to let you know as well that I am finding your information and study here wonderful and thankful to be able to share in the study with you ........ thanks to your time and efforts to share this information.

I am truly enjoying the atmosphere of the community as a whole since I have found it.  It really gives such a wonderful feeling to know there is a place to find some real comforting and supporting thoughts and people.

What a Nice Place this is to come at any moment for a break or support..... even just a fun thought.  I personally love to read and seek new information.......... I now feel as if I'm reading in a group rather than alone and that is such a strange sensation........ "a good sensation"

Again I thank you for all your efforts to put that information to text here for us  :-*  

[wlm]

Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
Maliha
01/15/03 at 09:17:17
[slm]
Jannah :'( :'( :'(
I just typed up the *whole* thing and it told me that the subject field wasn't filled out (it was), and then when I came back it was all deleted!!!!!
:'( :'( :'( :'(
[wlm]
01/23/03 at 08:46:24
Maliha
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
paula
01/15/03 at 17:21:35
[slm]

:( just as I thanked you for your efforts here.....you found extra difficulty.... ohhhh  :(

:-) Maliha ............ I really ment it...... "thank-you" for your time and efforts here....... it cannot be an easy task to make all that information available .................It's too great that you are sharing and investing your time.... may you find reward from your efforts "insha Allah" !!!  :-*

[wlm]
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
jannah
01/15/03 at 18:08:46
[wlm]

wow that happenned to me last night too a few times. :( It's happenned before occassionaly too.. I'm not sure why...I have a feeling it happens when two people are trying to process the same script for posting.  Sometimes if you delete or add some letters in the Subject line it goes through. Make sure if you're writing out something long or complex you Control-C it before sending, just in case.. If you don't and end up sending it and then it gives an error  then disconnect from the internet File >Work Offline or something and then try to go back to the page and control-C the stuff. Those are the only solutions that have worked for me.

Better yet Maliha you should be writing these in word and  pasting them in here later. It would be nice to make one big word document of all these lectures so we can put it online later and people can download and print it as a companion when listening to the tapes.. and word has better auto recover features  :)
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 14
Maliha
01/16/03 at 20:10:36
[slm]
[i]Jazaki Allahu Khayran Sis Paula, your encouragement is muchoo welcome:) Alhamdullillah, I pray we all benefit from this little endeavor...Thanks Jannah for the tips, I usually control c, but the minute I forgot....it all went down hill....It's all good Inshaallah  :-*[/i]

Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim...
Purification of the Soul Part 14:

Disease: Dhull and Dha3a:
-Wasita (the mean). The dangers of virtues is that virtues are means between two extremes (except for justice which only has an opposite).
-In this case the virtue is Humility, when there is a ziada (excess) the result is arrogance. When there is a naqs (reduction), the result is dhull.
-Dhull is abasement or humiliation.
-Dhilla was part of an affliction given to Bani Israel for being disobedient.
-Allah afflicts people with dhilla for their sins.
-Many a Muslim country are in this state.
-Many Muslims would lie, cheat, etc just to get a visa for this country.
-People can get afflicted with tribulation but bear it with dignity.
-"A believer does not abase himself" A hadith.
-Humility is not the same as humiliation.
-Dha3a is to be low. The Rasul  [saw] said "Nothing raises itself except that Allah abases it"
-With Allah it is actually good to have dhull. We should be dhaleel infront of Allah only and not His creation.
-Sh. Jilani saw all the doors of Allah crowded except that of humbleness.
-Be proud in front of a rich, arrogant, person.
-The noble things of this world, are the rich, humble person. And the Sunni who is a Shareef (*personal note: does anyone know what he means by Sunni who is a Shareef,he doesn't explain, and I don't get it ?)
-When man becomes rich, he deems himself self sufficient, leading to transgressions.
-"To show arrogance in front of an arrogant person is part of Ibadah" The Rasul [saw].

Disease: Blame Hating:
-Part of our nature is that we don't like to be blamed.
-We teach our kids from a young age that blame is bad (it comes with beating, frowns, etc) and praise is good (comes with smiles, gifts, etc).
-Hatred of blame can become a disease. Concerns with creations opinions becomes an impediment to Ihsaan.
-The reality is that we are going to die at anytime and we should not worry about no one else but ALlah.
-This disease prevents one from doing the right thing cuz the right thing is often what others detest.
-Courageous stances most often become known later. Geronimo a Native American fighter who fought incessantly for his land, was betrayed even by his own people. Malcolm X was taking positions that were very unpopular back then. If he had worried about people he wouldn't have said the truth. Even their own enemies co opt them now... now that they are no threat to them.
-Overcoming this barrier entails knowing that no benefit or harm can come from anyone except Alla. Recognize the two names of Allah Al Nafi3 (The one who benefits) and Al Dharr (The one who harms). If you notice this is a cure for many diseases. Thinking that others can somehow benefit us is being delusional about reality itself.
-But still recognize the Asbab (means for things to happen in this world). The Rasul [saw] still wore two coats in the battle of Uhud. We should use diplomacy and our intellect in all situations.
-"The greatest Jihad is speaking the truth in front of a tyrant" the Rasul [saw] said. But there are situations when we have to measure things out.
-The impermissibility of this disease is what leads to the prohibited. e.g If you have to enjoin good and forbid evil and you get scared. or you need to pray but you are afraid of your co workers etc.
-Being worried about blame for doing haraam things is normal.
-Real Imaan doesn't establish itself in our hearts until blame and praise mean the same thing to us (i.e. all that you do is for the sake of Allah).
-In the desert they never encourage little children to display their Quranic skills, knowledge, etc. cuz it leads to a desire to do these things for praise, and thus the early roots of Riyaa.
-It's normal to have some pride in the achievement of your children..eg. When the Rasul [saw] asked his Sahabah "Which tree is like a Mumin?" and no one could answer. Abdullah bin Umar bin Khattab knew it was a palm tree but was afraid to say so, cuz everyone around him was older. He later told his father, and Umar Bin Khattab remarked "I would have loved for you to have said that".

Disease: Anti Pathy Towards Death:
-It's when one flees from death, and hates for it to be mentioned, as if he doesn't recall Allah's words "That every soul will taste death".
-This death you are fleeing from you will meet it, and then you are going to be returned to the One who knows the seen and unseen world.
-We live in an anti-death culture. People get deluded into thinking if they are young, healthy, etc they won't die. If you mention death, you are called morbid.
-The Rasul [saw] passed by a laughing gathering and remarked "Mix your gathering with rememberance of the destroyer of all pleasures". Reflections on death brings sobriety to frivolous conversations and gatherings.
-Don't be in the Majalis of gafla "No hour in this life will you regret except the hour that you spent not remembering Allah" A hadith.
-"Anyone who gets up from a gathering without remembering Allah is one who gets up from a dead carcass". Another hadith.
-As humans we are inclined to intimacy/socializing, and also we are created to worship Allah, so we should mix our gatherings with Ibadah, and things of Importance to our Akhera.
-Be content with what Allah has decreed for you.
-If you are in a state of death acceptance it won't bother you.
-"We are all on death row we are just waiting for the executioner to come". The one who condemened you to death, is the very one that gave you life.
-Death should be a celebration for the Mu'umin. Sh. Ibn AlHabib said" in death there lies a thousand repose". As long as you are here, each cell in your body is exposed to pain, etc the minute you die its over.
-Death for a Mu'umin is like being bumped from third class to first class (lol).
-For believers we are only allowed three days of mourning.
-The worst thing about this country is the industry of mourning, people who don't let go...end up in therapy, medication, etc.
-If your beloved dies, the believer knows its the Qadar of Allah.
-No people can deal with death with as much strength as Muslims. Its the divine connection.
-Maurice Baucaille a French doctor said one of the things that interested him in Islam was seeing how the Algerians faced death in France, compared to the French. There are people who literally don't know how to die.
-A devout Muslim practices for death all his life. When it comes he is ready for it.
-Sh. Uthman Bashir Uthman, was in his early eighties. He grew up in Eritrea and a Sheikh saw him when he was young and told him "You will flee from this country cuz of fitna, and Allah will open the doors of Madina for you, where you live and die, and will be buried in Jannah Baqee3a." At that time he thought the Sh. was being nice...This is an example of Kashf where Allah gives certain people an openingto see things.
Sh. Uthman ended up in Madina, just like the man told him. He became sick with cancer and was being treated in Jeddah. One night, against Doctor's orders, he left to go back to Madina with his son. All the way there he recited the Kalimah. He died shortly after dawn, and was prayed upon the Rasul's Masjid after Jummah (he was the only Janaza that day). When they went to bury him, they found a spot near Sh. Malik Al Nafi3 which was already dug up. And they buried him there.
-There's a story of Fareedudeen Al Ataar who used to sell perfume. A beggar came to him and asked him for money. Al Attar told him to get a job. The beggar told him "the most important thing you'll ever do is die. and I know how to die". He immediately said the Kalima and died! Al Attar made Tawbah and lead a righteous life after that.
-It's a blessing to do dhikr of death. Think about dying, being washed, the angels, resurrection.
-If someone doesn't like death cuz he feels unprepared to meet Allah, then its not blameworthy. The Rasul [saw] said it's okay not to desire death, for a good person they need time to do more, and for a bad person, they need time to rectify.
-Dislike of death is at a cellular level. We feel the adrenaline rush that comes in near death situation that helps us save our lives and others.
-On the other hand, there are some who don't care what Allah does to them, they are pleased with His decree, this is not blameworthy either.
-Remember that disliking death will not distance you from it.
-The one who remembers death much is enobled by 3 things:

a)Qana3a: Contentment. If you really know you will die at anytime you will feel the impetus to enjoy life. "contentment is a treasure that's inexhaustible." The Rasul [saw] said.
-A Qanoo3 is the only wealthy person. A discontent rich man is in reality poor as to be rich is to be free of want.
-True wealth is the wealth of the soul.
-This is an age where so many false needs/wants are put in the heart (the media does a good job at this).

b)Energy in the heart to do more obedience.
c) A state where you'll hurry to do Tawbah. When you slip, you will be quick to rectify yourself.

-The opposite is also true for one who is negligent of death:
a) The person will never be content.
b) They will always do wrong actions.
c) Won't have remose when they do wrong.

Disease: Oblivion to Blessings:
-shukr is essential to the deen of Islam.
-A kafir is an ingrate and even Muslims can be Kuffar (Kufrul Ne3ma).
-The Prophet [saw] warned women of being ungrateful toward their spouses.
-Ayah "And there is no ne3ma that you have except from Allah".
-In this culture we are told to count our blessings "If you enumerate blessings of Allah you'll never encompass them".
-The Quran we begin "Bismillahi Al Rahmani Al Raheem"
-Al Rahman- Giver of big blessings.
-Al Raheem- Giver of subtle blessings.
-e.g the blessing just of the fact that our eyes have lubrication. People who don't have that, need to use drops, and know the pain of dryness of the eyes. The fact that we have sockets in our eyes for protection, the fact we blink and it cleanses our eyes.
-Balance is another ne3ma, we can walk upright...
-All the subconscious systems our respiratory system, digestive, etc.
-Our brain. Our very thumb..."We enobled Bani Adam".
-our tastebuds, the fact that we enjoy a variation of food. Allah tells us in the Quran to look at our food. "We brought down the rain and split the earth".
-The importance of gratitude can't be over estimated. Some ayas should strike fear in our hearts:
"Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what's within themselves".
-Disobedience takes away your blessings.
-Al wakee3 was asked about his quick movements and he said "we guarded our limbs when we were young for Allah's sake and Allah guarded them for us in our old age".
-The keeping of Ne3ma is gratitude.
-Allah has announced to us that He will give us more if we are grateful.

-End Of Part 14.
[wlm]

01/16/03 at 20:12:44
Maliha
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 15
Maliha
01/22/03 at 08:41:13
[slm]
Purification of the Soul: Part 15

Istidraaj:That Allah will allow you to continue on with disobedience and increasing you in blessings until you think "Allah loves me".
-People think that difficulty is because Allah hates them, and blessings reflect Allah's love for them.
Ne3ma can be divided into different categories:
a)True Ne3ma: Things the benefit you in the short term and longterm (dunya and Akhera). e.g Ilm and good character (husnul Khuluq).
b) Then we have Dharr/harms, things that harm us in the long and short term eg. ignorance and bad character.
c)Others are beneficial in the short term but harmful in the long term, such as feeding into our desires. Ignorant people think this is a good thing. A test was conducted where cookies were placed in front of children. When the child asked for a cookie he was told "you can either have one now or two later". Consistently the more intelligent children chose to have two later.
d)Things that are harmful in the short term but beneficial in the long term. Such as suppressing our desires.

-Muslims are becoming short sighted cuz we left guidance. Intelligence stems from following the guidance of Allah. "We are a people that Allah gave us dignity with Islam if we look for dignity elsewhere Allah will humiliate us!" Umar bin Khattab (R.A).
-Allah gave kuffar temporary success in the dunya but long term failure.
There are two types of ne3ma:
1)Usoolil Ne3ma- Roots of ne3ma- Health, imaan, islam etc.
2)Furoo3il Ne3ma-Branches of Ne3ma- This is the oranmented blessings, things you may want but not need. The more ne3ma you have, the more hisaab you are going to be held up for.
-In this category it could be someone with a good face, or height (most leaders aside from Napoleon have height).
-"If you send a messenger send one with a good face" Umar bin Khattab (R.A), the wisdom is that hearts are inclined towards them. That's why most Prophets (A.S) have good faces.
-A man once prayed "Oh Allah I ask you for the completion of Ne3ma!" The Rasul  [saw] asked him "do you what it is?" the man said "No". The Rasul [saw] replied "The completion of Ne3ma is entering Jannah".
-Islam is the ne3ma Allah gave us.
-"Whoever wakes up in a healthy state, and safe in his possession, and has enough to get through the day is as if he has the whole world and what's in it!" A hadith. This is something that we take for granted but should be grateful for, everyday.
-The sahaba told the Rasul [saw] "we realize we don't have much ne3ma to be accounted for". Allah sent Jibril (A.S) to ask "Do they wear sandals and drink cool water?" Even the fact that water is cool is something we should be grateful for. We could be drinking hot water.
-Sayiddna Ali (R.A) said "The most intelligent of people are those that do with out. The most stupid of people are the misers (as they don't get to enjoy their wealth in this world and will be punished in the Akhera".
-The Rasul [saw] used to live a balanced life but by modern standards he was living way below poverty level.
-You can be wealthy and still be a zahid. That is if your heart is not attached to your wealth. If you lose your wealth you will not fall apart in despair.
-The Rasul [saw] chose to be hungry one day and full the next, to break the attachment to this dunya.  

Disease: Al Hazu'u-Derision-Making fun of people:
-Nowadays we have a whole industry of derision, caricatures, comedians etc.
-The cure for this is the same as the cure for arrogance as it is a type of kibr.
-Sayyidna Ali said "Don't belittle anyone cuz he may be a Wali of Allah".
-Even if you see someone vomiting and drunk you shouldn't look down upon them cuz you never know what their seal will be.
-Umar (R.A) even when he was bowing to idols was still a beloved of Allah, cuz it was only a temporary state he was in.
-"Don't let one people mock another people lest they should be better than them".
-"Don't curse those who worship other than Allah, cuz they might curse Allah". e.g burning a U.S/Israeli flag, this might incite them to burn the Quran or a Saudi flag (With Laillah Illa Allah written on it).
-When the Rasul [saw] went into Makkah he walked in with his head bowed down, humbly.
-It's Mustahhab to make duah for your enemies to guidance, (it's not wajib), you can curse them too. But remember they are still humans and can be Muslim.
-Hind at the liver of Hamza (R.A), it doesn't get any more barbaric than that! And she was still guided to Islam later on. Even Wahsh the man that killed Hamza became Muslim.
-People do things in war and they end up paying for it for the rest of their lives. More soldiers committed suicide later, than died in the Vietnam war!
-There is duahs in the Quran cursing the oppressors, liars, etc. The Rasul [saw] said "One might read the Quran and it may be cursing him".
-Know that one's purpose to deride others is to humiliate them, and yet he is humiliating himself before Allah.He will be repayed by ignorance.
-Next we will deal with a comprehensive plan for the treatment of the heart. This is the last disease.

-If we look at the  7 deadly sins: a)Pride b)Anger c)Envy d)Sloth e)Greed f)Gluttony g)Lust
We notice that he covered the first five but not gluttony and lust by themselves. He deals with Shahwa (gluttony and lust) as causes but not diseases in themselves. This is because these are both fitrah inclinations. Even in the Catholic tradition they are the last two, cuz they aren't considered as bad as the rest. Gluttony is fuel for lust.
-Imam Al Ghazali covers these two extensively in his book "Breaking the Two desires" by Abdul Hakim Winters (translation). This is an excellent book, that's highly recommended as an addition to this course.
-The point is to balance those two, control them, and not completely eliminate them.

-End of Part 15.
[wlm]
01/23/03 at 08:46:59
Maliha
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 16
Maliha
01/23/03 at 08:45:39
[slm]
Purification Of the Soul: Part 16

General Treatment Plan for the diseases of the Heart:

-The treatment plan that's comprehensive is to prohibit the self from what it desires coupled with hunger, Vigilance in the night, silence and Meditation.
-Prohibiting the self from what it desires, "None of you truly believes until his hawaa is in accordance with what I have brought" a hadith. This incorporates prohibiting the self until it no longer desires disobedience.
"The nafs is like an infant if you neglect it,it will grow loving to suckle and if you wean it, it won't want to".
-In Israel they did a study and discovered that there is an increase in IQ by 3 points for every month a baby was breastfed! Also the Rasul  [saw] said "Beware of the wet nurse who is not intelligent, because she nourishes the brain". Halima (The Rasul's [saw] wet nurse) was very eloquent, in the hadith she narrated she uses very difficult words, that ulamaa spent a lot of time on their commentary with.
-The one who fears Allah and prevents his self from doing what it desires acquires self discipline.
-In this culture all the self help books are for people who can't control themselves.
-We have prayer, fasting, cleanliness, and all these are related to learning how to discipline ourselves.
-The way to do that is:
[i]a)Hunger:[/i]
-The stomach is the key impulse for most people. One of the Salafi said "For me to raise my hand from the plate while I am still hungry, is better than staying up all night in prayer".
-Some people get really mad when they don't get their food fast enough.
-The infantile nafs- A baby cries for food and the minute it gets the breast it goes into this state of relaxation. It's the same reaction with people who are controlled by their stomach.
-You will not die if you miss a meal!
-The early Shuyukh focused on hunger more than anything else.
-A man who from Yemen from the Banu Hanifa tribe came to the Rasul's [saw] house and the Rasul [saw] offered him a bowl of milk. The man drank it, and the Rasul [saw] offered more, and the man drank it, until he drank a full seven bowls. The next day, he became Muslim, and when he was offered a bowl of milk, he only drank one, to the surprise of the Sahaba around him. So they asked the Rasul [saw] what caused the change and the Rasul [saw] replied "The Kafir eats from seven intestines, while the believer eats from only one".
-People eat a lot more meat nowadays than ever before. People used to eat it only once a week, and sometimes only during Eid days!
-In the modern culture people are like animals they literally graze. People snack all the time, and convenience stores are around every corner.
-The average American has twenty food contacts a day! People are encouraged to eat smaller meals throughout the day. But traditionally there are set times for meals, and there was discipline.
-In the American army there now hot food, they put water in it, and the food heats up. There is no fortitude whatsoever, for every man in the field he needs at least 17 to back him up.
-The Muslims can deal with shortage, just because of fasting.
-It's sad though, cuz Ramadhan has become a feast for some people, all night long.
-There's more barakah in eating food together from one plate.
-Sh. Khatri when he returned to Mauritania from abroad was asked what was the most surprising thing he noticed and he said he was shocked that people ate from separate plates! The Mauritanians couldn't even grasp that idea...what do you mean separate plates? He said many a times he was embarassed cuz they put a big plate and he would start eating from it, and people would come with their smaller plates.
-If the food is nutritious then you need less of it, junk food makes you eat more.

[i]b)Vigilance in the Night:[/i]
-To bring the heart to life give the night sometime even if it is just two Rakaats.
-In this age where its harder to get up, its better to get up even 5 minutes before fajr consistently then to try and do an hour one day and then skip a couple of days.
-When the Rasul [saw] went to Madina he gave a Khutba in Masjid Quba "Give greeting (spread peace), feed people, and pray at night when others are asleep and you will enter Jannah".  Very simple advice, if we were all to follow it, we would be in a much better place.
-We have to be careful though, there was a woman who used to pray at night, give sadaqa, etc but she was mean to her neighbors and the Rasul [saw] said " she is in hell".
-Tahajjud is a big thing, and Allah has encouraged that for His believers.
-It's good to have a steady practice.
-It's also good to do the shorter surahs with great rewards, to try and get as much rewards as possible.
-If you practice every night, and you wake up late one night, it's okay to do your prayers before you pray fajr (as long as it doesn't make you late for fajr).
-If women can't pray its acceptable to do dhikr, read beneficial books, meditate, duahs etc.
-The Rasul [saw] remarked on Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) "what an excellent man would that he prayed at  night". It doesn't mean he would be an excellent man *if* he prayed. It means he is a good man, and how much better would he be if he prayed. When Abdullah heard that, he never left night prayers from that day on.
-Aisha (R.A) said "The Prophet [saw] prayed so much until his feet cracked and were swollen." She asked him "why do you do this and Allah has forgiven you all your past and future sins?" the Rasul [saw] replied " Should I not be a grateful servant?"
-"Whoever seeks high things will spend his nights awake".
-The best time is to divide the night into six parts from Maghrib to Fajr and the last sixth is the best time to get up and pray Qiyam. So if Maghrib is at 6pm and fajr at 6am, the best time would be 4-6am.
-Any time after Isha is considered Qiyam.
-Those with a heavy liver is harder for them to get up after they fall asleep, so its okay to pray before they go to bed.
-It's actually easier to wake up at 4am because the sleep right before fajr is the heaviest. The Hikma is that Allah wants us to wake up when its difficult to break out of sleep.
-Ten Rakaahs is considered best. It's actually better to do witr right after Isha unless you are very consistent in waking up. Sayidna Abubakr (R.A) although he woke up, he still preferred to pray witr before going to bed.
-The best thing to do is to sleep and then wake up, cuz its harder, (Mujahadah).
-The Shaytaan binds three knots in the back of our heads at night. and whispers "you have a long night ahead of you". If you wake up and say duah, the first knot is untied. If you do wudhu, the second is untied. If you pray the third is untied and you are freed from the binding of shaytaan.
-The Rasul [saw] said "If you sleep all night shaytaan urinates in your ear". Some Ulamah take that to be literal (we are warned not to make the literal into metaphoric unless its necessary). Some say it mainly means shaytaan prevents us from doing good at night.
-May Allah give us Tawfiq to keep vigilance for Him at night (Amin).

-End of Part 16.
[wlm]
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 17
Maliha
01/27/03 at 09:15:26
[slm]
Purification of the Soul: Part 17
-The Rasul  [saw] used to read the last part of Suratul Imran when he woke up at night (from ayah 190- to the end).
-Murattul Hajj used to wake up 4-5 hours before fajr!
-The thing that prevents us from waking up for Qiyaam is our sins. Waking up is a gift from Allah, and our sins take that away from us.
-One righteous man was deprived of Qiyam for 40 days for saying something about someone he shouldn't have.
-Witr should preferrably be the last prayer, but if you aren't sure you are going to wake up,its better to do it right after Isha before going to bed.
-Sh. Habeeb "Go the path of ease with yourself in order for you to move along with yearning. Two Rakaats performed by a lover is better than 100 done without love. It should all come from yearning for Allah's pleasure".

Silence:
The Rasul [saw] said "Whoever was given silence is given much wisdom".
-Imam Shafi said when he was in a gathering and needed to say something he would first look into himself and determine what his intention was..if it was to show off, he didn't say anything.
-Imam Shafi said that he never had a debate with someone without praying that the truth will be manifested on the tongue of his oponent, so that he would submit to it. Subhana Allah!
-The Rasul [saw] didn't like chatterboxes.
-Imam Malik said of his student "he is a good man, except he speaks a month worth of talking in a day".

Meditation:
-It's a good practice.
-There are different ways to meditate: we can reflect upon Qiyama, or the Divine names of Allah and His attributes, upon our blessings, our death, our life.

Keeping the Company of Good people:
-Imam ibn Atallah said "don't take as a company someone whose state does not elevate you and whose speech does not guide you to Allah."
-A good person can help change your focus even when you are gloomy to be more grateful to Allah.
-Sidi Abul Hassan said "Whoever tells you to go to the world has cheated you...." One thing we have to remember is that we will die anytime. If you have a salesman who offers you two houses. One, he tells you is temporary, it can vanish at any time. The other is permanent, beautiful but is more expensive. Which one would you choose to invest in? The Akhera is bought by saving your soul.
-Abul Hasan continued "And the one who tells you to do a lot of good deeds has exhausted you, but the one who indicates the contentment of Allah has guided you".
-To finally take refuge in the one to Whom all affairs are returned to.
-The only real cure to these diseases is going to Allah with complete submission and plea with Him to change your condition.
-Teach the ignorant one to guidance.
-You have to be like someone who is drowning or one in a barren desert with no other recourse but Alalh.
-Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl said his guidance came on a boat. He was with some Habashi Christians, and waves were rocking the boat. So Ikrimah called to his idols for help. The Habashi laughed at him "You are calling an idol all the way in Makkah to help you here at sea?" Ikrimah realized the foolishness of that, and Tawheed entered his heart at that moment. He realized only Allah could help him.

Actions that purify the heart:
-None is more beneficial than that which is consistent even if it is slight. Take the example of two rusty coins. On one you scrub it vigorously once then put it to the side, on the other you consistently scrub it lightly for a long time. The second one will become brighter and shinier and stay like that with time. The first will eventually rust again.
-The proof of this is that the Sahaba were consistent even in the Nafila.
-If we use the example of the Rasul [saw], and the fact that he sometimes fasted, and sometimes didn't, sometimes woke up at night and sometimes didn't etc. we have to remember that he [saw] is a universal Messenger. In him everyone could find an example. He ecompasses every good in all believers.
-The Rasul [saw] understood that everyone has been given a different opening, for some its waking up at night, for others its reading Quran, for others its fasting, etc. That's why there are more than one door to Jannah. Abubakr (R.A) asked if anyone would be able to enter all the doors of Jannah, and the Rasul [saw] said yes, and he hoped Abubakr (R.A) will be one of them.
-Imam Malik used to wear nice clothes. He liked musk, and was always dressed nicely, and surrounded by a lot of people because he taught a lot. One Zahid looked at him and wrote him a letter, chastizing him for being around people and wearing nice clothes. Then Imam Malik wrote a nice letter back to him, telling him that Allah has openend many doors of righteousness, some people have fasting, some sadaqa, etc. He said "I am pleased with what Allah has given me, and I don't think I am less than you".
-You should follow what Allah has facilitated for you.
-Include actions that are done in the abscence of others secret charity, prayer etc.
-Fudhayl was walking and a man commented to another "there's someone who prays all night long". Fudhayl heard this and thought "I dont' remember any night that I spent all of it in prayer" he began weeping "how Great Allah is to veil me and make the man think I am better than what I really am!"
-Actions done based on the love of Allah are the highest ones.
-The one who is free of want from dunya and even tama3 of Al Akhera, and reserves the best and highest for Allah earns His pleasure.
-Zuhud is really lack of want.
-The actions of those who strive out of hope are better than one who is compelled by fear.
-Actions that extend to others are also better eg. teaching, sadaqa,  planting a tree, feeding an animal etc.
-Fasting is good to abstain from desires.
-Sadaqa for a miser is better for the heart. "The best Sadaqa is when you are sound in mind and body, and you are in fear of poverty" Said the Rasul [saw].
-Youth spent in avoiding wrong actions is better. Tawbah becomes easier when you are older. Some Muslims spend their youth  doing wrong, and when they get older become righteous and start pointing fingers at others.
-Allah loves the obedient youth.
-The definition of youth is about 15-35 some say 15-40.
-Anything done with discretion and concealment is good for the heart.

-The worst things are those that harden the heart and the nafs likes, and that you are constant in.
-Speaking a lot without mentioning Allah hardens the heart. The more the tongue remembers Allah the softer the heart gets.
-A wrong action that leads to shame and impoverishment before Allah is better than obedience and feeling kibr before Allah. The wisdom of wrong actions is to give us humility.
-The Rasul [saw] "if it wasn't for wrong actions I would have feared worse which is 3ujub".
-Ahmad Zarruq said "The good of Ta3a is in the essence of Ta3a"...if the secondary result of good is pride, and the result of Ma3siya is tawbah then at the very end the Ma3siya brings you closer to Allah. Although this is not saying disobedience is a good thing.
-e.g some people rob and kill and end up in jail, where they receive guidance.
-An atom's weight of praiseworthy action from the heart is better than mountains of actions that are simply outer.
-Leaving one penny/farthing of a haraam is bettern than 70 hajjs.
-There are four things that even the best of them have some abasement in it:
a)Debt even a farthing/penny.
b)A daughter-as she is vulnerable in society and needs protection.
c)Asking a question even if its directions.
d)Being alone even for a night.

-The comprehensive ideology is love of this temporary world (there is a difference of opinion some say it is desire, which is the root of all diseases).
-Ibn Atallah thought the source of diseases is self satisfaction.
-It is better to keep the company of an ignorant man that is dissatisfied with himself than that of a learned man that is satisfied with himself.
-The reason for every good character is lack of self satisfaction.
-Zarruq said the three signs of being content with the self are:
a)Seeing the Haqq for the self:
In this culture we have a bill of rights but not a bill of responsibilities. In Islam we focus more on responsibilities because Allah has rights over us. Taqwa is Allah's right.
-There are people who always see others as against them "I have a right!"
-There was an 3alim who went to a self satisfied Sheikh he didn't like very much and said "The least of my students is better than you!" The Shaikh said "why?" The 3alim said "Come to my madrassa tommorow and I'll show you why." He then told his students when the Shaikh comes in and gives you salaam don't say salaam back. And then he also said when another student comes in and says salaam do not say salaam back.
The Sheikh came in and said "Assalamu Alaykum" and no one responded. He said it a couple of times loudly and no one responded. He got billigerant and angry and said "These are your students? They are ignorant. Don't they know that Allah's Message that said if you are given salaam you should reply with something that's better!"
Then a little while later a late student came in. He said salaam and no one responded and said salaam again and no one responded. Immediately he became humble and said "I am sorry if I haven't fulfilled one of your huquq. Please forgive me" The student's attitude was to immediately look at himself and humble himself in that situation "what did i do?" the Sheikh's attitude was "this is my right!"

b)Ignoring the faults of self by deeming the self above impurity or by interpreting the faults to sound good.
c)Having compassion for the self and complaining.

The 3 signs of discontment are:
a)He is always checking himself and accusing the self.
b)Careful of the blemishes of the soul.
c) Forcing the self to do difficult things. Eating less, praying more, engaging in Mujahada.
Abu Uthman said " Whoever sees anything good about his self hasn't seen the faults of his soul".
-This attitude is antethical to the west which is always talking about feeling good. It's not about self loathing but more importantly about striving for constant self improvement.
-Mastery is only achieved by consistent improvement. The minute you stop, then that's the most you'll grow.
-When a man is dissatisfied he seeks more good and is vigilant against evil.

End of Part 17.
[wlm]
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
sofia
01/27/03 at 20:23:59
Jazaaki Allahu khair, sis Maliha -
You've done us a huge favor by doing this. Haven't gotten the chance to read these yet, but I plan on printing these out, insha'Allah. I've had this tape set for a while now, but haven't listened to it since I'm still in the middle of the Seerah set by HY. For some annoying reason, I keep going back to the beginning of the 24-cassette seerah set, after not listening to it for a while, and now it's been 2 years and I'm still on tape 13! I may just have to listen to it again, and insha'Allah take notes this time!

:-[

[but kinda hard since I mostly listen to these in my car]

:)

jAk, again.

01/27/03 at 20:26:42
sofia
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
Nawawi
02/05/03 at 19:01:40
as salam alaykum,

 Al hamdullah, this is my first post here.  I unsure about becoming part of the messageboard.  And than I seen this thread.  Al hamdullah.  Shaykh Hamza Yusef, his knowledge is really benefical.  May Allah reward you good for posting your notes.

 May Allah benefit those who read them.
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 18
Maliha
02/06/03 at 16:59:22
[slm]
[i]Jazaki Allahu Khayran Sofia:) Inshaallah you'll continue sharing your deep thoughts and ideas with us:) Welcome to the board Nawawi, I am glad you decided to join  :-* May Allah benefit us all :)[/i]

Purification of the Soul: Part 18
-Miftah is key in arabic
-The root word for Miftah is Fataha. Miftah is a tool you use to open something up, it causes an opening which is different from unlocking. Miftah is also related to one of Allah's names Al- Fatah.
-There's a hadith that states sabr is the key for Faraj(opening/ease). Part of patience is not complaining.
[i]The Doors of Knowledge:[/i]
-The key to prayer is wudhu (if you are heedless of your wudhu and cleanliness you will be heedless of your prayer). Wudhu is spiritual preparation for Prayer.
-Key to Hajj is Ihram
-The Key to righteousness is charity.
-The key to Jannah is Tawhid.
-Every key has teeth (asnan)  and these keys branch out to others.
-The key to ilm/knowledge is asking intelligent questions and learning to listen attentively.
-The key to gaining is patience. With patience you will gain whatever you desire, with Taqwa you can bend even iron!
-The key to increase of good in dunya and akhera is gratitude.
-The key to Wilaya is love and remembrance of Allah.
-The key to Tawfiq (your will in accordance to Allah) is understanding what you should naturally incline to or avert to (Rahba and Raghba).
-The key to getting a response from Allah is Duah (calling/supplicating to Allah).
-The key to entering into the presence of Allah is the heart entering into submission and sincerity in what you love and hate (all should be for the sake of Allah).
-The key to life of the hearts is reflecting on the meaning of the Quran and calling onto Allah with sincerity before dawn and leaving bad deeds/wrong actions.
-The key to gaining mercy from Allah is doing ibadah properly and striving to help out creation.
"Show Mercy to those on earth and Allah will have mercy on you".
-The key to provision is to go out and get it but do a lot of istighfar (the nature of going out into the dunya is acquiring dhunub/sins).
-The key to dignity is obedience to Allah.
-The key to getting ready for akhera is having short hopes.
-The key to all good is desire of akhera the key to all evil is desire for dunya.

[i]Sheikh Al Khatri spoke for the last part of the tape:[/i]
-The root of diseases is a human being being self satisfied. That human will not be able to acquire good as long as he is content with the self.
-The origin of good is knowing your self. If you really know yourself you won't be content with it and you'll be motivated to do good.
-If you are self satisfied yu deem wrong actions to be good. So the nature of your hawaa is that it inclines towards Ma3siya (wrong doing) and if you aren't careful of your soul it will convince you that bad deeds are good. (e.g this culture).
-The soul when its not satisfied will seek what's good (what Allah says is good not the aql or self)
-The Shariah tells us what's good and bad and intellect has no access to that. The aql/intellect is a limited source of guidance. Shariah recognizes what's good. The nafs looks to what Allah tells it to do for guidance.
-The origin of those two (disease and treatment) is the company he keeps. "A man is of the deen of his companions".
-If you keep company of one who does wrong it will affect you.
-People have to look at who he keeps company of. e.g if you sit at the door of the bar you will smell the foul odor of the alcohol. If you are sitting at the door of the Perfumer you will smell the incense. Whatever you keep proximity of affects you (good and bad).
-Luqman said to his son keep the company of Ulamah those who act upon their knowledge they are like rain to the earth of your heart without even you being aware of it. Iman will increase as a result.
-The sitting with the 3alim will take you from six states that are bad to six that are good:
a)From doubt to certainty (shaqq ila yaqeen).
b)From riyaa to sincerity
c) From heedlessness to remembrance
d)From desire of dunya to desire of akhera.
e)From arrogance to humility
f)From a bad internal nature to a good character with good intentions.
-Don't keep the company of one whose state does not elevate you or speech does not direct you to Allah.
-Of all these diseases the comprehensive treatment is remembrance of Allah (dhikr). The highest dhikr is Recitation of the Quran, praying, saying Subhana Allah, Laillaha Illa Allah, Alhamdullillah, etc. All the duahs of the Rasul  [saw]
-A person in a constant state of dhikr will have a pure heart.

-End of part 18.
[wlm]
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
Mohja
02/17/03 at 11:15:00
[slm]

Hey what happened??? We want some more!!! :)
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
tawbah
02/22/03 at 16:11:27
Assalamu 'alaikum,

this is my first time here and all I can say is Jazak Allahu Khairan for yor service sister!!! :-/  I've had this set for over two years and could never get myslef down to taking proper notes and benefitting from the material effectivley.    Insha Allah...I will use these notes and add supplementary material when I can.  Allah bless you and your loved ones...any may He (swt) give us the Tawfiq to benefit from the knowledge He has imparted to us through our beloved scholars.

FYI, tape 24 has already been transcribed in full at the following website:

http://netuse.co.uk/clients/amal/counsel.htm

Wassalam.
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)19
Maliha
03/05/03 at 09:09:05
[slm]
[i]Sis Mohja Patience ya Ukhty:) Bro Tawbah Jazaka Allahu Khayran for all the duahs and tape 24 ;)[/i]

Purification of the Soul: Part 19
-Sidi Ahmad Ibn Hanbal saw Allah in his dreams 99 Times! In one of those times he asked Allah "Of all the things we do, which one draws your servant closest to you?" Allah replied "Reading the Quran". Ibn Hanbal asked "With or Without understanding?" Allah said "It doesnt' matter. Even if one doesn't understand the Quran, if he reads it that action would draw him closer to Allah".
-In Sahih Al Bukhari the Rasul  [saw] said "The likeness of one who remembers Allah and one who doesn't is like the living and the dead".
-In another hadith he,[saw], said "Make remembrance of Allah until people say his is a madman". Someone talking to himself is considered crazy, so make dhikr until people who are looking at you think you are crazy (be consistent).
-In another Hadith, he, [saw], said "Should I not tell you what the best of your action is? And the purest in front of your Lord? And the most exalted in all of the deeds in degree? And better for you than spending in gold and silver? And better than Jihad where you they kill you and you kill them?" The sahaba eagerly said "yes!" "Remembrance of Allah".
-Dhikr of Allah is the end, where as every Ibadah is a means to that end.
-Allah says "Remember me and I'll Remember you".
-Dhikr is not the same as other forms of worship, because it can encompass all human acts, and is not limited by time.
-The one who always is in a state of remembrance, an affliction will never touch him and he will die a Shahid.
-Medicine for the soul is dhikr.
-When you want to do dhikr start with Istighfaar (to remove the wrong actions) and after that Pray on the Rasul [saw] (it acts as a Murabbi, for cleansing the soul).
-The only dhikr that is definitely accepted is Salaat Ala Nabi [saw]
-Allah commands where He himself begins with it "Allah and His angels pray on the Rasul [saw], Oh believers pray on the Messenger and say Tasleem".
-So whoever prays on the Rasul [saw] one time, Allah prays for him ten times.
-In a hadith the Rasul [saw] "Prayer for me is the light of the heart, the grave and on the siraat".
-Every time you do it start with the ayah. The one who prays on the Nabii should keep in mind that its Mandub, to have wudhu, face the Qiblah and do siwaak.
-Also have the presence of the Rasul [saw] in mind.
-These are the same courtesies of Prayer.
-every dhikr has things appropriate for that dhikr. Eg saying "Laillaha Illa Allah" you negate shirk.
Alhamdullillah reminds us of the blessings of Allah.
Lahawla Wala Quwatta Illa billah, reminds us to completely disengage ourselves from any power/strength except for Allah.
-When your pray on the Rasul [saw], you should bring the presence of the Rasul [saw] in front of you, and all the wonderful things he has done. You are participating on something that even Allah and His angels do.
-Another thing to avoid in dhikr is Lahn (incorrect Pronunciation). Try to learn to say things properly. Some mis pronunciations can take you outside the pale of Islam. People who really can't pronounce something after they have tried really hard, are excused.
-One of the greatest forms of worship is meditating on the creation of Allah. Allah makes mention of people who remember Him standing, sitting, and reclining, those who reflect on His creation.
-Action of the heart (Tafakkur) is better than all the actions of the limbs.
-To reflect on one moment is better than a year of Ibaadah.
-The signs of reflection are in 4 directions:
a)Reflection on the Signs of Allah, reflecting on Allah's creation leads to love of Allah in the heart.
b)Reflection on the promise of Allah in terms of rewards this leads to a desire of Akhera (Al Raghba)
c)Relfection on the punishment of Allah this leads to fear (Rahba) of disobedience to Allah.
d)Reflections on the harshness of self towards Allah despite Allah's consistent Ihsan towards us. This leads to shame in front of Allah, having hayaa, and gratitude.
-The heart is the thing that differenciates between good and evil. The heart has these Khawatir/insinuations.
Q and A session:
[i]Question:[/i]
People who are Mutassawifa that is people who claim to be sufis- who do a lot of dhikr but ignore the wajib, what about them?

[i]Answer:[/i]
-First a human has to learn Fardh Ayn. He will go astray without it.The great Imams all say before Tassawuf there has to be Fiqh or you will deviate. Even showing filial piety towards parents has to be superseded by learning the Fardh ayn, this will take about a year of serious study.

[i]Question:[/i]
What about Women who are menstruating?

[i]Answer:[/i]
Women who are menstruating can't read from the Quran. If she memorizes some verses and needs to maintain what she has memorized (from memory) then its okay. She can do anything as far as dhikr, Duah, Istighfaar, etc

[i]Question:[/i]
What about people who are guided to true Islam through sufism?

[i]Answer:[/i]
People are guided by Allah first and foremost. We worship Allah by His Ahkaam, Tawheed, prayers, (Methology of the Rasul [saw]). Pseudo spirituality claims that you can have Haqeeqah without Shariah and that is Anti Spirituality in reality. The fruit is protected by the shell. You can't get spiritual without the Shariah, you will be filled with the diseases of the heart.

[i]Question:[/i]
-If you have done things wrong should you tell people about it?

[i]Answer:[/i]
-If you have done something wrong, veil it and ask for Allah's forgivenss. But if you commit it openly, then this will lead to worse tribulation. A man came to the Rasul [saw] and confessed "I have commited Zina, punish me" The Rasul [saw] turned away from him. The man insisted, so the Rasul [saw] said "Didn't you just pray with us?", "whoever does wrong and says istighfaar and covers it Allah will forgive him, but if he confesses then we have to punish him".
-Companionship in terms of dunya is to always be with someone either lower than you or the same (in terms of wealth). If you hang out with rich people you will begin to desire their wealth. In terms of spirituality always hang out with someone who is higher than you in station. People of Allah tend to look at themselves as lower than everyone else, this will teach you humility. Don't belittle anyone cuz they might be the wali of Allah.
-Imam Malik said "Who are the people of Biddah?" "Anyone who calls himself other than Muslim is Ahl Bidaah".  To say you are Hanafi, Maliki, etc is not wrong, because according to Ahlil Jamaah wa Sunnah, the 4 imams are absolutely by consensus rightly guided. Anyone who asks about the hazy things in the Quran is deviated.

[i]Question[/i]
In age where shuyukh are dying what should do?

[i]Answer:[/i]
Take a simple Aqeedah and learn. Even women can go to places like Mauritania, if your himma is strong enough. There was a young man called Yahya, who was very spoiled. He was on a full ride at Berkely and one day he came to Sh. Hamza to ask him for advice on going to Mauritania to study. Sh. Hamza adviced him to first finish school. Nabila (Hamza's sister) immediately chastized him for that advice she said "You have wronged him. What if in two years he doesn't want to learn anymore?" "What if he faces fitna in college etc?" Sh. Hamza went back to Yahya and took back his advice, Yahya told him "I am glad you changed your mind cuz I wasn't going to listen to you anyway!". This is true himma :)
-Anyone who calls people to Islam and doesn't know the fundamentals is not a true Dayeeah. We should learn the basics and then invite people through that first.

-End of Tape 19.
[wlm]
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
Mohja
03/05/03 at 23:23:44
phew! finally!!!  

j/k :)

jazaki Allahu kheyran sis Maliha.
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
Nawawi
03/12/03 at 12:50:39
I just wanted to say, that I have benefited from this.  ANd my Allah reward you good.  May He make you among hte best of this servants.  May He help you in remembering Him, in giving thanks to Him and worshipping Him properly.
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 20.
Maliha
04/01/03 at 15:36:55
[slm]
[i]Jazaka Allahu Khayran Nawawi, keep the ummah in your duahs:) I hope y'all didn't give up on me :P Purification of the Heart is back ;D[/i]

Purification of the Soul: Part 20

[i]Treatment with Remembrance:[/i]

-No better treatment than dhikr.
-If we get ill, then we treat ourselves with dhikr and sometimes we abandon and have relapse.
-Man wanted to get in to see Umar, and the man’s cousin got in and said “Ya Umar give me what Allah because you are someone who hasn’t given out much, and is unjust.” Umar was mad and the cousin reminded to remember what Allah told him “to forgive ignorance”. And Umar immediately let go.
-Do a lot of dhikr, only people who will benefit Allah’s Messenger are people who remember Allah.
-Tazkiya means to grow- Spiritual work that you do is dependent on Dhikr of Allah.
-Sayyidna Umar wrote to his people “I consider prayer to be most importance,and who is vigilant guarded his deen, and whoever is negligent he is negligent about everything else.
-Know the ahkaam of the prayer.
-People who stay up all night doing dhikr then miss fajr prayer. It’s a waste.
-Prayer is conditional on wudhu and tahara.
-The best remembrance is to remember Allah at His limits.
-The best dhikr is Quran- Recites with reflection.
-The only time the Quran is not the best dhikr is when other dhikr is preferred e.g. after fajr do the dhikr of Sabah (morning remembrance).
-Begin with Istighfaar. Then prayer of Prophet, then Tahlil.
-Then Ikhlaas and Muawadhitayn. (Surah Ikhlaas, Surah Naas, Surah Falaq three times).
-Adab of prayer and guard yourself from lahn (mispronunciation).
-Do wudhu and Qibla (but this is only mandub). You don’t have to if you can’t.
-No one protects his wudhu except a Mu’umin.
-To recite from Mushaf is more reward then (listen or memorize) because eye, ear, the hands, all get the rewards. Some shuyukh haven’t touched a mushaf in 30 years.
-Prohibition of the printing of the Quran was instituted by Ottoman empire for 400 years. They considered it sacreligious to beat the letters into the paper.
-Because there are so many Quran’s today people have no respect for it.
-Beware of bad pronunciation because you can actually say something haraam as a result. Unless you really can’t help it.
-The ulama considered lahn (mispronunciation) a prohibition and it is like one who worships Allah through disobedience.
-The best of ibadah is Tafakkur (reflection) and the highest state is Fanaa (extinction). This comes from the idea that the nafs experiences separation from itself. Newborns have no concept of I. As a child grows it comes into its identity and sees itself as an individual.
Different States:
a)[i]Haal: [/i] When someone is overcome with a spiritual state that’s uncontrollable.
b) [i]Maqam: [/i]Fixed in a state (higher than haal because of its constancy). For example the Maqam of Tawbah is not wanting to do wrong, while the haal of tawbah is when you do wrong and suddenly you feel bad about it.
c) [i]Warid: [/i]In rush that comes into the heart and floods it with light. This is temporary.
d) [i]Fanaa: [/i]highest- when the self is no longer aware of itself. Loss of the experience of the self. It doesn’t last and if it does, it becomes insanity.

[i]Spiritual Psychosis: [/i]Is a real concept. Some people go into meditation and lose their mind because they don’t have the protection of wudhu, salat, etc. Islam is grounding. Its not about getting a spiritual high.
-New age spiritualists have experiences but can’t distinguish between satanic, nafs, and angelic experiences.
-The idea of fanaa is the person who does dhikr is no longer aware of self.
-Sayyidna Ali’s other son (not Hassan or Hussein), was struck by an arrow.His companions waited until he was praying to take it out, because he wouldn’t feel the pain.
-Other people (spiritualists) have incredible experiences that are spiritual. So this concept is not just particular to Islam.
-We don’t believe in the idea of Hulul (incarnation). The human being though can be in a state of absolute witnessing where they see Allah in all of His creation.
-That’s why for a Mu’umin everything good and bad is from Allah.
Adhkaarul Sabah wal Masaa (Morning and Evening Remembrances).
-These adhkaar are formulations and there are different ones out there. Focus on the ones that the Rasul (SAW) before doing Misc. scholars.
-Shaytaan’s foremost task is to get you away from dhikr and if he can’t do that he will get you away from the Quran and Sunnah.

Dhikr:
-Always start with Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim. Whatever action that is done without the name of Allah is cut off from Barakah.

-Ikhlaas 3 times (Surah Ikhlaas is equivalent in weight and meaning to a 1/3 of the Quran).
-Muawadhatayn (Nas and Alaq 3 times)

-“Rabi Inni Audhu Bika Min Hamazatil Shayateen Waudhu Rabi and Yuhdharoon” 3 times.
(“I seek refuge in Allah from the whispering and insinuation of Shaytaan and I seek refuge from their presence”)

-One of the signs of time is that insinuations and whisperings will increase. People’s minds are filled with clutter. The TV is on, or music, bill boards, etc. Its all from shaytaan. By indulging we are giving shaytaan the ticket to whisper and give us visual images that destroy our souls.

-Majority of sports have awrah and we shouldn’t watch. We need to disengage ourselves from useless entertainment, wean ourselves from the dunya.

-“Afahasibtum annama Khalaqnakum 3abathan waanakum ilayna la truja3oon, Fa3la Allahu Malikul Haqqu, Lailaha Illa Huwa Rabbul Arshil Kareem.”
(“Do you think we created you in vain and to us you wouldn’t return? Exalted is Allah, the King, the Truth, There is no God but He, the Lord of the Noble Throne”)/

-“Waman Yad3u ma3a llahi illahan akharan la burhana lahu bihi fainna hisabuhu ma3a rabbihi inn Allaha la yuflihul Kafiroon”.
“ And He who worships with God there is no proof on him, and his account is with Allah, verily Allah will not grant success to the Disbelievers”

-“Wa Qul Rabbi, Ighfir Warham waanta Khayrul Rahimeen”.
“Say My Lord forgive and have Mercy for you are the best of those who show Mercy”.

-“Fasubhana Allahi Hina Tumsoon wa Hina Tusbihoon, Walahul Hamdu Fisamawati Wal Ardhi Wa ashiyan Wahina Tudh-hiroon”.
“Glory be to Allah when you come into the evening and when you come into the morning, and He has praise in the heavens and earhte and in the evening and at Dhuhur time. “

-“Yukhrijul Hayaa Minal Mayyiti Wa Yukhrijul Mayyiti Minal Hayya”.
“He brings the living form the dead and the dead from the living” (this could refer to the heart too).

-“Audhu Billahi Sami3ul Aleem minal Shaytanil Rajeem”
-I seek refuge in Allah the all Hearing the All Knowing from the Accursed Satan.

-Read the last 4 ayahs of Suratul Hashr.

-A poet once said “How wondrous is it that a man can disobey or disbelieve in Allah, while in every movement, and stillness and always there is a witness. Everything in creation is a sign that testifies He is One.

-Attributes are only approximations for humans to understand in our limited scope due to time and space constraints who Allah is.
-The sunnah is like the ark of Noah for the flood of Bidaah, Kufr and all the other vices” –Sayyidna Malik said.

-End of Part 20.
[wlm]
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
AyeshaZ
04/01/03 at 16:13:16
he he I almost did  :P.. alhamdullilah, i finished  it couple weeks ago.. But really feel have to go over my notes, " THE Notes" ;) and  listen to it again..
I can't wait till part 24 ...  :-X
04/01/03 at 16:15:41
AyeshaZ
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) 21
Maliha
04/18/03 at 09:50:28
[slm]
[i]Back ;D You know my esteemed brothers and sisters, I was training you on the issue of Sabr  :-[ yeah, that what it was..not my procrastination of course... :P[/i]

Purification of the Sou Part 21
-Some duahs to do every day:

-"Audhu Bikalimatti llahi Tammati min sharri ma khalaq" (three times)
"I seek refuge in all the complete names of Allah from the evil of His creation".
[i]whoever says this in the morning/evening will not be afflicted by any harm.[/i]

-"Bismillahi Alladhi laa yadhurru ma3a ismihi shay'an fil ardhi wala fisamai wahuwal sami3ul alim".
"In the name of Allah the one who does not harm anything in the earths and heavens and He is the All Hearing the Knower"
[i]Saying this will protect you from harm by poison, animals, creation. There was an anecdote about this duah. Where Khalid bin Walid told some Christians that nothing can harm him without the Will of Allah. The Christians dared him to take poison. He said this duah and took it, and wasn't hurt. CAUTION: Do *NOT* try this at home, our Imaan levels are no where near that of the likes of Khalid bin Walid :P[/i]

-"Allahuma ini Asbahtu minka bini3matin,wa3afiyattin, wasitrin, faitimma ni3matika a3aliyya, wa3afyatika, wasitrika, fil dunya wal Akhera" (three times)
-Oh Allah I have wakened in blessings, health, and covering (from my misdeeds), so complete my blessings, health and covering in this world and the next.
[i]Whoever says this has completed his gratitude.[/i]


-"Allahuma ini Asbahtu ash-hiduka, wa-ashhidu hamalata arshika, wamalaikatak, wa jami3u khalqika annaka Allahu laillaha Illa anta, Wa anna Muhammadan abduka Warasuluka" (4 times)
"Oh Allah I come into the morning calling You to bear witness and the angels that bear your throne, and all your angels and all of your creation that You are Allah without partner and Muhammad  [saw] is Your servant and Messenger"
[i]Releases a man from bondage to anything but Allah.[/i]

-"Alhamdullillahi rabil Alameen Hamdan yuwafi ni3matahu wa kufi mazida" (3 times)
"I praise Allah for the Lord of the Worlds A praise that is appropriate for all His blessings and also recompenses the increase He gives us.

-"Amantu billahil Adheem, wakafartu bil Jibti, wal taghuti, wastamsaktu bil urwatil wuthqaa lanfinsama laha, Wallahu Sami3un 3alim".
"I believe in Allah the Great, and I have disbelieved in magic, and association with Allah, and I have held on to the firmest handle, this handle will never break off, and Allah is the All Hearing, All Knowing".
[i]Saying this removes all shirk and is a protective duah. [/i]


-"Radhaitu billahi Rabban Wabil Islami deenan wabi Muhammadin [saw] nabiyyan warasulan".
"I am content with Allah as my Lord, Islaam as my deen,and Muhammad [saw] is the Messenger and Prophet".

-"Hasbiya Allahu Laa illaha illa Huwa alaihi tawakaltu wahuwa rabbul Arshil adheem."
"I put my trust in Allah the Lord of the Magnificent Throne"

"Allahuma Sali Alaa Muhammad waala alihi Waashabihi Wassalim".
(Prayers on the Rasul  [saw])
[i]Jibril (AS) gave the Rasul  [saw] glad tidings that whoever says prayers on him, Allah says it on the person 10 times. (Its recommended to do at least 100 in the morning and 100 in the evening.) Uthmaan da Fodio, did prayers on the Rasul  [saw] at least 5000 times daily! Imam Al Jazuli for 14 years in a row, finished the Quran once a day , said Bismillahi Rahmanil Raheem 114,000 times daily while he was in seclusion. When he came out people made tawbah just by seeing his state! This Imam memorized a difficult Maliki fiqh book. He stayed in the room for so long, people convinced his father to go look as maybe he had some hidden treasures in there. His dad went to check on him and saw all over the walls the word "Maut"/death written. The dad then realized his son was in a different station all together. Subhana Allah.[/i]

-"Allahuma inni Asaluka min fujaatil khayri, wa adhubika min fujaatil Sharri".
"Oh Allah I seek good surprises and I take refuge from bad surprises!".

-"Allahuma Anta Rabi laa illaha illa anta. Khalaqtani wa ana abduka. Wa ana ala ahdika wa wa3dika mas tata3tu. Audhu bika min shari ma khalaqtu, a boou bika bini3matikka alayya, faghfirli fainnahu laa yaghfirul dhunooba illa anta." (3 times)
"Oh Allah You are my Lord, there is no God but You, You created me and I'm your servant, and I am under your covenant and your promise as best as I am able to. I seek refuge in you from the evil i have perpetrated. I return in admittance that all my blessings, are from you. I take full responsibility for my sins. So forgive me, for you are the only one who can forgive my sins".

[i] This is called the master of Istighfar..the best way to seek forgiveness.[/i]


-"Mashaallahu Kana wamalam yashaa lam yakun. Walahawla wala quwaata illa billahi aliyil adheem".
"Whatever Allah wills will happen and whatever He doesn't will not. There is no power except from Allah, the Most High, The most Gracious".
[i]Good to recite during calamaties.[/i]


-"A3lamu ana Allaha 3ala kulli shayin qadeer, waanna Allaha Ahadta ala kulli shayin Ilman, Allahuma ini Aduhubika min sharri nafsi, wamin sharri kulli dabbatin, anta akhidhun binasiyatiha. inna rabi ala siratil Mustaqeem."
(3 times)

"I know that Allah is powerful over all things. And He encompasses over all things in knoweldge. Oh Allah I seek refuge in you from the evil of my soul and the evil of every creation that you have taken by the Forelock, my Lord is on the straight path"


-"Yahayyu ya Qayyum birahmatika astaghith, wamin adhabika astajir, aslihi shaani kullahu wala takilni ila nafsi wala ahadin min khalqika tarafata aynin"

-"I am seeking succor of your Mercy and I am seeking respite from your torment, rectify all my affairs, and do not leave me to my soul or anyone from your creation for a blink of an eye!"

[i]This doesn't mean that you won't get help from others, but you will see it from Allah. [/i]

-"Allahuma ini audhubika minal hammi walhuzni, waminal ajzi wal kasli, waminal jubni wal bukhli, wamni ghalabatil dayni wa qahratul rijal.:

-"Oh Allah I seek refuge in your from the grief (of my past), or anxiety (of the future), from incapacity or laziness, from cowardice(of self) or miserliness, and from overpowering debt and oppression of man"

[i]debt is how the kuffar go over the Muslims. its through debt that they could begin to ask for concessions. This whole country is designed to get people in debt. Economic slavery! When you are in debt you are weak and bound to be guilty. The Rasul  [saw] told us to beware of debt and kufr. The fact that its put with kufr shows how bad it is. [/i]

-"Allahuma inni asalukal afwa, wal afiya, wal mu3afatal daima, fi deeni, wadunyaya, wa ahli, wamali. Allahuma istir awrati, waamin raw3ati. Allahuma ihfadhni min bayni yaddaya, wamin khalfi, waaudhu bi adhmatika an ughtala min tahti".

"Oh Allah I seek I am asking for forgiveness and health in my deen, world, family, and wealth. Oh Allah cover my misdeeds and nakedness, secure me from fearr, protect me in between my hands, my back, from above me, and from assasination by trickery from under me."

-"Allahuma anta khalaqtani waanta tut'3imni, waanta tasqini, waanta tumituni, waanta tuhyini".
-"Oh Allah you have created me,and you guide me and it is You who feeds me and quenches my thirst and you cause me to die and to live".

-"Asbahna ala fitratil Islam wala Kalimatul Ikhlaas, wala deeni nabiyana Muhammad  [saw] wa ala millati abeen Ibraheema hanifan Musliman wama kana minal Mushrikeen".
-"We have awoken into the Fitra of Islam, and the pure word, and on the deen of our Rasul  [saw] and on the path of our father Ibraheem (AS), and he was inclining towards truth,submission in Islam and not amongst the polytheist".

-"Allahuma bika asbahna wa bika amsaina, wabika nahya wabika namut wailaika nushur"
-"Oh Allah through you we awaken, and by you we come into life, and through you we die, and to you is our Ressurection".

-"Allahuma ini as aluka khayra hadhal yamu wakhayra ma baadahu, waaudhubika min shari hadhal yaumu, wamin sharri maa badahu"

"Oh Allah I ask the goodness of this day and the goodness of whats after it, and I seek refuge in you from the evil of this day and whats after it"


"Allahuma maa asbaha bi min ni3matin aw bi ahadin min khalqika faminka wahdaka laa sharika laka, falakal hamd walakal shukr"

"Oh Allah there is no blessing that has come on me this morning, or any of your creation except from you there is no partner with you, so to You goes
my gratitude and my praises".

I want to take a moment and say its very hard to write Arabic in English. Mashaallah sis Jannah has an awesome collection of these duahs and more in english and Arabic! Check it out [url=http://www.jannah.org/articles/adhkaar.doc ] Here![/url]. May Allah reward her immensely (Amin).

-There are demons all over and we need protection of Allah. By duah we are creating the space around us so that they can't mess with us. If you dilligently practice these duahs you will see a difference in your life.
-Do this for the sake of Allah and the fact that these motivations/rewards we should be more inspired to do os.
-People nowadays are considered to be good Muslims just because they pray!
-Neurosis of this society is that everyday we are in a state of haste, fast food, televisions, fast computers..fast everything. In Islam the morning is a time of tranquility. Haste is from shaytan and the kuffar know this. Take time with Allah. Do your wudhu and still your soul.
-We don't deny the world. e.g Imam Malik had nice clothes, good house, perfumes etc. If Allah gives you wealth then its okay to live in a good state. Initially in the early state of Islam the shuyukh were wearing really ragged clothes. Umar (RA) went to sham and saw Muawiya (RA) was wearing really nicely ornamented clothes, and he got angry! Uthmaan (RA) adviced Umar (RA) and said "these people, if they wore what we wear in the desert would be looked down upon". Indicating there is a hikma in that. So Umar (RA) said " Allah gave us dignity through Islam and if we seek dignity in other than that, Allah is going to humiliate us!"
-There is a ikhtilaaf in the issue of dhikr in congregation. Imam Malik considered it to be Makrooh, Imam Shafi thought it was permissible based on a sound hadith (that Allah was sending speeding angels to the gatherings of dhikr. and when they descend on them, they go to Allah and Allah asks them about His slaves (although He knows better) and they tell Him they found them praising and glorifying Him. )
-The Rasul  [saw] liked poetry (yayyyy! :) ) and he used to listen to it, like anasheed are permissible halal entertainment.
-The point is remember Allah.
-To do Hajj voluntarily is better than Jihaad (the end point of Jihad is worship of Allah.)
-Jihad is what brings us back to life as an Ummah. Never belittle Jihad. (whoever dies without even the yearning for Jihaad has died a Munafiq).
-[i]Somone Asked about celebration of the Rasul's birthday  [saw]. Mawleed.[/i]
-Abu Lahab gets respite with a little water every Monday (in hell) because he freed a slave the day the Rasul  [saw] was born. But the point about it is if you really want to celebrate his birthday just do what he asked you to do! Follow his example and you will be celebrating everyday.

-End of Part 21.
[wlm]
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) part 22
Maliha
04/21/03 at 12:32:26
[slm]
Purification of the Soul: Part 22
-The class ended on the eve of Ramadhan :) Subhana Allah.
-Ramadhan is the best month for implementation of the Matraha.
-They cited the moon in Cali the night before...Back in the day they actually believed that the moon was completely born out of nothingness.
-The reason why Muslims use the lunar calendar is because the sun is used for worldly benefits, while the moon for other worldly benefits.  The ummah's focus should be on the Hereafter.
-If you look at it from a non abstract angle, you see the emergence (citing of the moon). The reason you can see it, it is because the sun light has dimmed and what you see is reflected light. The whole universe is reflected light from Allah. Allah is letting us see what He brings into existence.
-Istihlal-birth  of reflected light (creation).
-Creation are meaning set up as images. and we are supposed to decode that meaning.
-Ilmul Yaqeen-Trusting the knowledge
Aynul Yaqeen-Bearing witness
Haqqul Yaqeen- Experiencing
-The best of Allah's servants are those who are vigilant about new moons and shadows for prayer time as a way of remembering Allah (hadith).
-We went through diseases of the heart:
-starting with the importance of adab and knowledge and the hukum of diseases and their treatments.
-Bukhul-Ramadhan is the month to cure bukhul. The Rasul  [saw] was more generous that the winds bearing gifts during Ramadhan.
-Bughudh-The best sadaqa is rectifying between people during Ramadhan.
-Baghy-don't oppress! say I am fasting.
-Love of position- Ramadhan is about getting position with Allah.
-Love of dunya-wean off dunya.
-Madah-its time to witness our shortcomings and catch up with faults.
-Hasad-envy comes from desire.
-Fear of poverty.
-and he goes through the different diseases we covered.
-"The faster has two joys when he breaks his fast and when he sees His Lord". ahdith.
-As a closing we'll go through some concepts on the "Secrets of Fasting" by Imam Al Ghazali.
-One of the greatest blessings Allah gives us to protect us from the plots of Shaytaan and destory shaytaan's hopes. He made fasting a shield/fortress for believers.
-The means by which shaytaan takes a hold of the believer is through Shahawat.
Two things destroy a person:
a)Shahawaat-sensory pleasures, desires.
b)Shubuhaat-understanding.
-If the shaytaan can't get to the shubuhaat (which is hard if you stick to the right aqeedah), he will try to entice you with desires.
-"fasting is half of patience"..hadith.
-"Patience is half of Imaan"
-Therefore fasting alone is a 1/4 of Imaan.
-The Rasul  [saw] said "Every good action is multiplied by 10 to 700 except fasting for it is Mine and I will reward it accordingly" Hadith Qudsi.
-Fasting teaches us the attributes of the independent one.
-Patience is the key to many openings from Allah. This is why the greatest victories for the Muslims were in Ramadhan.
-The foul smell of the mouth is more pure with Allah than the scent of Musk. Hadith.
-"Everything has a door and the door to worship is fasting" (weak hadith).
-The shaytaan flows in men like the flowing of the blood (that's why its important to abstain from haram food and alchohol), so constrict the way shaytaan can flow by hunger.
-"When Ramadhan comes the gates of Paradise are open, the gates of Hell are shut, the Shaytaan are chained, a caller calls out 'Oh seeker of good come into Islam on Seeker of bad desist!' "
-Allah says in Jannah "eat and drink for the days you were fasting".
-Intelligence Test- short term pleasure for long term gain. There is a test given to children, whether they have one cookie now..or two later. The more intelligent ones opted for two cookies later.
-We defeat shaytaan by taking control of his weapons.
-Pleasure culture-in this country we are like grazers. Snacking all day long.
-Imam Al Ghazali talked about the Fiqh of fasting:
a)Outwardly (Dhahir)
b)Inwardly (batin)
The Rasul [saw] said "How many people fast and gain nothing except hunger and thirst!".

There are three types of fasting:
a)General-The common people fast that abstain the stomach and genitals from pleasure.
b)Elect-Where you hold the limbs accountable too (eyes, ears, tongue, hands, stomach, genitals, feet...the pathways of shaytaan).
c)Elect of elect-The heart fasts too (from bad thoughts etc).
-The body is like a country with seven boundaries (the seven limbs), the heart is the command center to guard the borders from unwanted visitors:)
-End of Part 22
[wlm]



Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 23.
Maliha
05/01/03 at 14:34:15
[slm]
[i]We are coming to the end of the series *sniff*..its been a nice journey my fellow wayfarers..May Allah give us Tawfeeq in this path (Amin).[/i]

Purification of the Soul: Part 23

-Give Amanat to its people (Trust)
-The believer-Mu'umin comes from the word Amana. Allah has given us a trust. The sight, hearing, sound, heart, etc are all a trust from HIm and we have to bring back the Amana safe and sound.
-Children are both a trust and a blessing.
-Fasting trains us on taking care of our trust.
-The fasting of the elect of the elect- Fasting the heart from low aspirations, and worldly thoughts.
-infaq-giving out.
-During Ramadhan we are in Akhera mode we give out a lot (rest of the year we acquire).
-One of the scholars of Andalusia taking thoughts to account is the beginning of our Wilaya with Allah.
-The fasting of the heart is important.
-There was an Imam who used to have a majlis, giving lectures to people. This one man would come from the street every day walk over people's shoulders and whisper in his ear. Then walk away. He did this for a long time, then suddenely stopped. The Imam went to find the guy and asked him why he didn't come anymore. The man said "I have daughters that I have to marry and some people who were envious of you told me to come to you everyday and bother you in your majlis in return for money. They wanted you to become angry and humiliated in front of your students. I came everyday whispering curses in your ear but you never responded or got angry. At last I gave up." The imam said "Why didn't you come to me, I would have given you money and saved you the trouble".
-Salman was brought up a Zoroastrian worshippers of fire. His father was in charge. The fire was supposed to be eternal, but he saw his father keeping the flames up. Then he went to stay with a monk in his search for truth but saw him stealing money. Finally he went to another monk who told him to be patient for a Messenger was going to come from Yathrib, so he went to Yathrib to wait for the Rasul (SAW)
-Recommendations:
-Don’t talk a lot, don’t waste time.
-The Salaf used to pray 6 months before Ramadhan to see it, and used to spend the next six months begging for it to be accepted.
-The greatest proof of deficiency of man is to know he could have done it better.
-Do Qiyaam every night, short surahs are recommended towards the end of time, since most people don’t have the himma or the time.
-Dhuha prayer is mandub either 2,4, or 6 Rakaats.
-Prayer on time, is the most important of all affairs.
-Don’t eat the full meal till after you pray Maghrib.
-Its better to pray Isha in the house, though if you want to do Khatm of Quran go to the Masjid.
-Avoid the mentality that Taraweeh is only 8 Rakaats and while people are doing more, you are outside talking.
-Remember your brothers and sisters.
-Don’t feel giddy with the spiritual light, learn to contain the benefits.
-Imam Malik used to like doing dhikr during Ramadhan and the best of which is Quran.
-Imam Abu Hanifa recommended you read the Quran at least twice a year. More than one Khatm in Ramadhan is good!
-The 7 day schedule of Reading Quran:
a)Day 1: First 3 surahs
b)Day 2: Next 5 Surahs
c) Day 3: Next 7 Surahs
d)Day 4: Next 9 Surahs
e)Day 5: Next 11 Surahs
f)Day 6: Next 13 Surahs
g)Day 7: Finish the Quran.

-The issue of making up prayer was discussed.
-End of Part 23.
[wlm]
05/01/03 at 14:34:55
Maliha
Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 24
Maliha
05/01/03 at 14:39:34
[slm]
[i]I am cutting and pasting the transcription posted by brother Tawbah of tape 24. Alhamdullilah this was available, since Sh. Hamza was reading this counsel it was going really fast, it would have been hard to follow. Jazakumu Allahu Khayran for bearing with me...All Mistakes are mine..and All credit goes to Allah (SWT).[/i]

Purification of the Soul: Part 24
Counsel Sidi Ahmad Zarrooq (d. 1492 C.E.)

Know (may Allah give you and us success, and rectify our worldly and other worldly lives and grant us adherence to way of the truth in our journeys and in our sojourns) that:

Repentance is a key. And Taqwaa [awareness of Allah] is vast. And Uprightness is the source of rectification. Furthermore a servant is never free of either blunders, or shortcomings, or lassitude. Therefore never be neglectful of Tawbah [repentance], and never turn away from the act of returning to Allah (SubHana Wa Ta`ala ), and never neglect acts that bring you closer to Allah
(SubHana Wa Ta`ala ). Indeed, every time one of these three occurs, repent and return.

Every time that you make a mistake, listen and obey. Any time you display shortcoming or lack of enthusiasm, don't desist in your efforts. Let your main concern be to remove from your outer state anything that is displeasing, and then maintain its outward state from continuous counsel. Continue doing this until you find that your fleeing from anything outwardly displeasing is second nature, and your avoidance of the boundaries of prohibited things is as if it acts like a protective net that is placed before you. At this point, it is time to turn inward, toward your heart's presence, and to its reality with both reflection and remembrance. Don't hasten the end result before you have completed the beginning. But likewise, don't begin without looking toward the end result. This is so because the one who seeks the outset at the end loses providential care; and the one who seeks the end at the outset loses providential guidance.

Act in accordance with principles and the appropriate legal rulings, and not in accordance with stories and fantasies. Don't even consider stories of how things went with others, except as a tonic to strengthen your resolve. Certainly not as a reference based upon their outward forms, or what they seem to be telling us. In all of this, depend upon a clear path you can refer to, and a foundation that you can depend upon in all of your states. The best of these is the path of Ibn Ata'illah, given that in it is a clear direction to Allah.

Do not take from others' words unless it is in accordance with your own path, but submit to their implications if you desire realization.

Avoid all forms of vain and foul speech to your absolute utmost. Put aside anything that you cannot discern its benefit immediately.

Beware of being extremely hard on yourself before you've obtained a mastery over it. But also beware of being too lax with it, in anything that concerns sacred rulings. This is so because it is constantly fleeing from moderation in everything, and it inclines towards extremism in both matters of deviance and guidance.

Seek out a companion to help you out in your affairs, and take his counsel concerning matters that occur from both your inward states and your outward affairs. If you do indeed take his companionship, then treat him in a manner commensurate with his state and give him of your counsel based upon his inabilities and abilities, because a perfected friend is no longer to be found. Indeed, in these times even a suitable companion who is agreeable rarely lasts!

And beware of the majority of people in matters that concern your religious and your worldly states, unless you have ascertained he has some sound relationship with his Lord based upon a knowledge that is free of his caprice or love of leadership, and a sound intellect free of the pitfalls of hidden agendas. Do not be heedless of the machinations of others or their hidden states. Consider these two from both their origins and their actions. A person of character and family-distinction rarely affects you with other than good. And yet a person of low origin's roots usually cause him to disregard you when times get tough.

Be extremely vigilant of the dominant qualities of a given people in any given land, and don't be heedless of the Divine Wisdom in the creation. And notice gathered-ness and separation, some of this we have already covered in our book Al-Qawaa'id, so take a look at it there.

Organize your time in a manner appropriate to the time-specific needs using gentleness and toleration. And be very wary of either harshness or laxity. This is so because too much laxity concerning permissible matters pulls the heart backward in its journey, until even a man of resolve ends up looking like a foolish boy.

Work for this world as if you would live forever, but work for your next life as if you would die tomorrow. Thus do not neglect the externals of your worldly needs. In the meantime do not be heedless of your end and final resting-place.

Be extremely vigilant about avoiding positions of leadership, but should you be tried with such matters at least know your own limitations. Be absolutely sincere to Allah with the sincerity of one who knows full well Who is placing demands upon him.

Surrender completely to His Decree with the submission of one who knows he can never overcome Him.

Have a firm foundation for all of your affairs and you will be safe from their pitfalls.

Organize your devotional practices, and you will find your time extended due to the barakah [blessings] in it.

Never be fanatical about anything, whether it is the truth or whether it is false, for your heart will then remain in a state of soundness towards others.

Never claim anything you are entitled to - not to mention what you're not entitled to - and you'll be safe from tricks and treachery. This is so because anyone who claims some rank above his own will fall in humiliation. Whereas those who claim a rank they want will have it stripped from them. While those who claim a station less than their true rank will be elevated to even higher levels than they actually deserve.

Never give your companion anything of your state other than what his own state wants. This is so because if you go down to his level, he will show you contempt. Whereas if you attempt to raise him up to your level, he will abandon you.

Never demand a right from anyone whether an intimate or a stranger. The reason for this is a stranger in reality owes you nothing, and someone close to you is too precious to direct your blame to him.

Never assume that anyone in this world can really understand your circumstances other than from the perspective of his own circumstances. This is so because in reality everyone only sees things in accordance with their frames of reference and their personal path. However when aims, purposes and aspirations are similar, people tend to work together toward a common goal.

Never belittle any talk that involves absent people, even if there is no harm in it due to the possibility of harm entering into it. Guard your secrets even if you feel safe with someone, because the one you divulge your secret to is not a safer place than your own heart from whence
it emanates.

Never leave an atom's weight of your regular devotional practice. Never be lenient with yourself in either lax times or times of high resolve. Indeed, should you miss some of your practice in a given time, redress it in another time. If you're not able to do your usual practice, at least occupy yourself with something else similar.

Never obey your ego even for a moment, nor believe any of its claims no matter what it tells you.

Be vigilant about your resolve in all of your affairs to your utmost. In fact, should you resolve to do something, then do it immediately before the resolve wanes.

Examine your soul constantly in matters that you are obliged to do, or are needed to be done. Anything you are in no need of doing, leave it. Even if it is something that is recommended. That means not involving yourself in anything other than absolutely necessary things, and real discernable needs.

Treat others just as you would want to be treated, and fulfill to them what is due to them.

All of this is really epitomized in the words of the poet when he said,

If you desire to live such that your religion is safe, And your portion is full and your honor is sound,
Guard your tongue and never mention another's faults Remembering you yourself have faults and others have tongues.

Watch your eye; Should it ever reveal to you the faults of others Say to it,
"O my eye! Other people have eyes too!"

Live treating others well And avoid aggression. And should others aggress against you. Leave them but in the best way. The source of these words is in fact nothing other than the traditions of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him ) when he said, "Be vigilant of Allah wherever you are, and follow a misdeed with a good deed, and it will remove it. And treat others with the most excellent of character."

In another, he (Peace Be Upon Him ) said, "Every child of Adam makes mistakes, and the best of those who make mistakes are those who seek to redress them. Again, the Holy Spirit inspired my heart's core that no soul will die until it fulfills its decreed portion of this world and its appointed time here. So be conscious of Allah and make your request with dignity."

In summation, Repentance, Awareness of Allah and Uprightness are the foundations of all that is beneficial. The Truth is clear, and its details are weighty and significant. The affair belongs only to Allah. Success is in His Hands.

========================

[Taken from tape 24 from Sheikh Hamza's Purification of the Heart series]

[wlm]
:-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :'(THE END :'( :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
:-X  :Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
AyeshaZ
05/01/03 at 14:41:40

JazakumAllah Khayran Khateeran sr.Maliha :)
Subhan'Allah.. Allahu Akbar
May Allah(swt) reward you much in this dunya and akhirah. ameen :)

so whats next?  :P  **hint* *hint* ( Rights and Responsibilities of Marriage, onlyyyyy 14 CD's or the Seerah series by Shaykh Hamza)..
errrr are we asking for too much here??  ;D ;)

:-X  :-X  :-X  :-X :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X
05/01/03 at 14:44:23
AyeshaZ
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
deenb4dunya
05/02/03 at 17:07:24
Mashallah.. an amazing student. May Allah reward you...

I suggest the next thing be notes/ summaries/ quotes from "The Invocation of God" (Ibnul-Qayyim)  ;D ;)

Wassalmu Alaikum,

Deen :-)
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
AbdulBasir
05/03/03 at 22:57:55
[slm]
May Allah reward you sister for sharing this tremendous resource with all of us. Nowadays whenever I want to review something inshallah from this series I no longer have to fiddle around with a bunch of tapes, trying to figure out what tape the topic of interest is on, then rewinding and fast forwarding back on forth and all that nonsense. Now I can immediately refer to these wonderful notes and benefit even more from Shaykh Hamza's series. May Allah reward you immensely and give all the students of tazkiya the tawfeeq to understand and implement the guidance present in these resources.
[slm]:)
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
Nawawi
05/10/03 at 13:31:40
I wanted to send Prayers and Blessings to the Sister who posted this.  May Allah reward Her good for mosting here note of one of the greatest Daees we have in America, Shaykh Hamza Yusef Hanson.

Of the many daees, he is probably one of the most knowledgeable I've heard.  And I've listened to many speakers, to name a few, Shaykh Nuh Keller, Zaid Shakir, Shaykh  Abdal Hakim Murad, and many more.

And I truly believe Shaykh Hamza Yusef is one of the greatest, in terms of Islamic Knowledge as well as secular knowledge and he has been blessed with the gift of speech.

SO may Allah reward him good for giving this lecture as well as person who took the time to write out these notes.

so Al hamdullah.  Thanks again.
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
Yasmeena
05/16/03 at 13:21:24
[slm]

Thank you very much for the hard work you put into posting this for all of us.  It has helped me so much that I am making a copy of it to send to my daughter, Falaah.  She is in prison in South Carolina and doesn't have access to the internet.  She leads the Islamic study group in her institution and can use this for their studies. ;)

May Allah ta 'ala bless you for all your efforts to share this with all of us. :-*

Yasmeena

[wlm]
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
AyeshaZ
06/09/03 at 14:49:23


It's right here :)  :-X
Thanx for the reminder i need to save these precious notes!!
Re:  :-X  :Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
Nawawi
06/10/03 at 19:23:45
[quote author=AyeshaZ link=board=library;num=1040692382;start=30#39 date=05/01/03 at 14:41:40]
JazakumAllah Khayran Khateeran sr.Maliha :)
Subhan'Allah.. Allahu Akbar
May Allah(swt) reward you much in this dunya and akhirah. ameen :)

so whats next?  :P  **hint* *hint* ( Rights and Responsibilities of Marriage, onlyyyyy 14 CD's or the Seerah series by Shaykh Hamza)..
errrr are we asking for too much here??  ;D ;)

:-X  :-X  :-X  :-X :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X  :-X[/quote]

Yeah that would be nice. The Rights and Responsibilities of Marriage.  That is an excellant series.  It would be nice if someone would go through that and write down the notes for that.

Hint Hint LOL
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf) Part 2
salaampeaceshalom
09/24/03 at 04:20:53
[slm]

I started reading this as I thought it looked really interesting and beneficial.  U've done a great job sis, but there are a couple of things I find to be disturbing so I just wanted u to clarify....

[quote]The best remembrance is to remember Allah at His limits. [/quote]

Whose limits are being referred to? The individual's or Allaah's? Becuase we know Allaah doesn't have any limits so such a thing cannot be said about Him.

[quote]The human being though can be in a state of absolute witnessing where they see Allah in all of His creation. [/quote]

This part is the most worrying, it actually seems to be blasphemous (sp?).  We don't believe that Allaah is 'in' his creation, that's what certain other groups believe, like the christians etc.  As Muslims we believe, and are even told to in the Qur'aan, to see the Signs that Allaah has made apparent for us in the creation but what u have written is so incorrect.  Was that a typo on ur part or is that what Hmaza Yusuf actually said?

I just was really amazed to read that so I just wanted someone to explain to me, because who knows, maybe I've misunderstood somewhere.

Earnestly waiting for a reply...

wa'salaam
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
Nawawi
09/26/03 at 07:26:18
[slm]

Both of your quotes from Shaykh Hamza Yusef came from part 20.
These are excellent questions,

[quote author=salaampeaceshalom link=board=library;num=1040692382;start=45#46
date=09/24/03 at 04:20:53] [slm]


Whose limits are being referred to? The individual's or Allaah's? Becuase we know Allaah doesn't have any limits so such a thing cannot be said about Him.[/quote]

deleted by me


[quote]
This part is the most worrying, it actually seems to be blasphemous (sp?).  We don't believe that Allaah is 'in' his creation, that's what certain other groups believe, like the christians etc.  As Muslims we believe, and are even told to in the Qur'aan, to see the Signs that Allaah has made apparent for us in the creation but what u have written is so incorrect.  Was that a typo on ur part or is that what Hmaza Yusuf actually said?

[/quote]

The problem is you did not quote the whole quote.  You presented part of the quote.  And also it’smeaning is explained in the statement that comes after it.

You said he said,
[quote]
The human being though can be in a state of absolute witnessing where they see Allah in all of His creation. [/quote]

You didn't quote the whole statement that was post.  If you read this statement alone it makes it appears that Shaykh Hamza Yusef is trying to teach Allah is literally in creation of Allah.  Hamza Yusef is an Ashari and no Asharis believe Allah indwells in His creation in the literal sense of the statement unless he does not understand the Aqidah of Ahlus Sunnah.

Two Ashari scholars specifically said Allah does not indwell in creation and Hamza Yusef regards both of these scholars as authoritative. Imaam Al Ghazali and Imaam Nawawi.

Imaam Nawawi said in his Majmoo, “that He (Allah) is above indwelling in created things (hulul,).”

Imaam Al Ghazali said in his Ihya Ulum Ad Deen, He (Allah) does not indwell in anything, nor anything indwell in 'Him.

And every Ashari Shaykh I know regards Ihya Ulum ad deen as the best basic text on Aqidah.

In the post Hamza Yusef said (in part 20),
[quote]
We don’t believe in the idea of Hulul(incarnation). The human being though can be in a state of absolute witnessing where they see Allah in all of His creation. That’s why for a Mu’umin everything good and bad is from Allah. [/quote]

Read, he  says, We don’t believe in the idea of [color=blue]Hulul (incarnation). [/color]  Hamza Yusef is using the wordWe defining the Muslims, in particular Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah. Do not believe in the idea of Hulul (incarnation).

Hulul is the key word. Hulul meaning incarnation or indwelling To be in something.

What this means is that We(meaning Ahlus Sunnah) does not believe Allah indwells in creation or is in creation in the literally sense. Hulul.

So Shaykh Hamza Yusef first negates that we as Muslim are to believe that Allah indwells in creations.

Then afterwards He says, The human being though can be in a state of absolute witnessing where they see Allah in all of His creation.

Many times you will see scholars who do this, even ibn Taymiyyah does this, when he explains certain aspects of Aqidah.   Their statements sometimes appears to contradict the Aqidah of Ahlus Sunnah but what they are intending you to understand is not a contradiction.  

Sometimes people have an idea they want to express, but the problem is they are limited to the language they are speaking.  Or they may want to emphasis a particular point or a certain concept by things which may appear to contradict the whole system, although the literal meaning is not intended.  

It is obvious Shaykh Hamza Yusef does not want the Muslim to believe Allah indwells in creation, but rather Hamza Yusef merely wants you to realize that it is Allah who causes everything to happen.  And is the one who is actually in control.

And this is why he made the following statement.

[quote] That’s why for a Mu’umin everything good and bad is from Allah.[/quote]

For a believer everything comes from Allah.  So when a so-called bad thing happens, he knows it is from Allah, realizes nothing but good comes from Allah, even if I don’t understand why he is causing this to happen.  We don’t know the wisdom behind it.

So in reality if you look at the world, Allah is the one controlling it, every single aspect of it, He is the one who makes so and so do this.  You will see only Allah doing things.  In a way everything points to Allah, so you look beyond created things and see only Allah, thus you are pointing to Allah.

It is like Watching a movie with alot of special effects in it, like the MAtrix and some people will be amazed, other people will be like, they can't really do that, it some type of special effect.  No one can do that.  And think this movie is stupid its not real.  And that is the reality of the Movie it is not Real.  Because there to many special effects, a person may not like the movie.

So if hamza Yusef say, Allah is in creation, he wants you to look at it from a metaphorical point of view and not from a literal point view, as we as Muslim cannot believe in it from a literally point of view.

As hamza yusef stated, in the beginning of that statement. We don’t believe in the idea of Hulul(incarnation).

Meaning we ahlus sunnah do not believe Allah indwells in creation in the literal sense.

There are many statement concerning Allah that we do not take in the literal sense, but try to understand it by way of tafweed or tawil.  Like for example.  Allah is closer to man than his jugular vein.  There is three ways to look at this.  

1)      Take the apparent meaning and say That this entails Allah indwells in creation.  This is impossible for Allah so this meaning is rejected.

2)      Make tafweed and say, Allah says He is closer to man than his jugular vein, but I don’t understand exactly what it means, but I know and understand that Allah does not indwell in creations, so it can’t mean that or that creation is indwelling in Allah, so it can’t mean that.  And Allah and His Messenger have not specifically explained it, so I say Allah and His Messenger knows best, and I just believe in it exactly.

the way it was reveal without going into the meaning.

As Imaam Shafi said, “I believe in Allah and in what has been reported concerning Allah, upon what was intended by Allah…”


3)      Or Make tawil, meaning explaining its meaning.  Some scholars say this means by His knowledge, as Allah says Allah encompasses all things by His knowledge.  This is using Qiyas or analogy, the joining of two verses.  Or the other explanation I’ve heard is that, it means that is closer to you than you very life.  As the jugular vein if cut, will cause you death.  So Allah is in control of your life.

1. The first point is impermissible to take that meaning.  2 and 3 are permissible beliefs of Ahlus Sunnah.  

I hope and pray that makes sense.  Any mistake is from me and anything that is correct is from Allah.
09/26/03 at 21:51:28
Nawawi
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
salaampeaceshalom
09/26/03 at 08:57:06
[quote author=aMuslimForLife link=board=library;num=1040692382;start=45#47 date=09/26/03 at 07:26:18]

You didn't quote the whole statement that was post.  If you read this statement alone it makes it appears that Shaykh Hamza Yusef is trying to teach Allah is literally in creation of Allah.  Hamza Yusef is an Ashari and no Asharis believe Allah indwells in His creation in the literal sense of the statement unless he does not understand the Aqidah of Ahlus Sunnah.

Two Ashari scholars specifically said Allah does not indwell in creation and Hamza Yusef regards both of these scholars as authoritative. Imaam Al Ghazali and Imaam Nawawi.

Imaam Nawawi said in his Majmoo, “that He (Allah) is above indwelling in created things (hulul,).”

Imaam Al Ghazali said in his Ihya Ulum Ad Deen, He (Allah) does not indwell in anything, nor anything indwell in 'Him.

And every Ashari Shaykh I know regards Ihya Ulum ad deen as the best basic text on Aqidah.

In the post Hamza Yusef said (in part 20),

Read, he  says, We don’t believe in the idea of [color=blue]Hulul (incarnation). [/color]  Hamza Yusef is using the wordWe defining the Muslims, in particular Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah. Do not believe in the idea of Hulul (incarnation).

What this means is that We(meaning Ahlus Sunnah) does not believe Allah indwells in creation or is in creation in the literally sense. Hulul.

Then afterwards He says, The human being though can be in a state of absolute witnessing where they see Allah in all of His creation.

.. Their statements sometimes appears to contradict the Aqidah of Ahlus Sunnah but what they are intending you to understand is not a contradiction.  

Sometimes people have an idea they want to express, but the problem is they are limited to the language they are speaking.  Or they may want to emphasis a particular point or a certain concept by things which may appear to contradict the whole system, although the literal meaning is not intended.  

 In a way everything points to Allah, so you look beyond created things and see only Allah, thus you are pointing to Allah.

So if hamza Yusef say, Allah is in creation, he wants you to look at it from a metaphorical point of view and not from a literal point view, as we as Muslim cannot believe in it from a literally point of view.
[/quote]

 Salaam,

Thanks for replying bro  :)

I really like the way u have tried to explain my questions, so thanks.  However, I think I have a problem with the word 'limit'.  I completely understand what u have said in response to that, and like I said, maybe I just dislike the word 'limit' being used in reference to Allaah.  I agree that He is the opposite to things that we may think of, like u said, he is Powerful,, and not weak, but I don't think the word 'limit' is appropriate.  When I think of that word, I think of restrictions.  

I think u and myself have a similar stance on Islaam, but I guess my issues are with words rather than anything else.  I don't even know if what I've typed makes sense to u anyway  :)

 I also understand what u say about the next part.  However, I wish Hamza Yusuf had just simply said it the way u had, so that I could have understood what he was saying right from the start.  Maybe he did actually: I haven't actually listened to the tape, I was just reading these notes that were put on here.

  It did sound like a major contradiction that he'd made, as on the one hand he said we don't believe in incarnation but then he goes on to say... But that's why I pointed out that we are meant to recognise and are encouraged to look for Signs, so again I guess it's just a dislike of certain words and even a misunderstanding on my part.  Gosh I never realised I was like this with words  ::) :)

   Anyway thanks a lot for replying.  I wasn't sure if anyone was going to read this thread anymore and so my questions would remain unanswered.  You've put my mind back at ease now, so thanks  :)

wa'salaam
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
Maliha
09/26/03 at 18:25:25
[slm]
Wow..I didn't see this new development in discussion. Honestly i feared in the beginning typing these notes and sharing them for this purpose. A lot of what we try to translate can be misread....people, please don't take these notes as "whole" by themselves..use them in the context of listening to the tapes. You can't depend on someone else's endevour becuz that leaves room for lotsa mistakes and fitna.

Okay let me try to answer to the best of my knowledge/rememberance/and understanding of exactly what Sh. Hamza was trying to impart:

on the issue of Limits:
No Allah has NO limitations! Please there is no way to justify in ANY Way that Allah has Limitations...Even what HE can't be is NOT a Limitation rather an enhancement and we can not begin to delve into the topic of what Allah is and not except through exactly what HE told us. That is His attributes as according to the Quran and Sunnah and we leave it at that.
So what about the Limits?
I think it's in the notes when taken in it's entirety. Limits is the laws Allah put down for His creation. That is He created us, and told us what to do and what we *can't* do. Now To remember Allah in this context, is let's say i am close to being in a situation of sinning, like people are drinking alcohol and someone offers me a drink...that's the point (and hopefully before that) I remember "Subhana Allah, I can't drink". And leave the sin. Or before you actually lose your temper, you bring to mind what Allah and the Rasul (SAW) say about anger. You control it. That is you do NOT transgress what Allah has set for us. The boundaries...thereby the limits. Not the limits of Allah, For He is Exalted above all limits, but the limits HE set for us mere mortals for our own good.

I hope thats clear. And again please don't take these notes as is, only use them while actually listening for yourself.

The point of remembering Allah through His creation, is logical. It is not saying Allah is *in* the creation....if the wording alluded that, then all mistakes are mine and please forgive me. It's saying reflect upon the universe, look at the stars, the earth, the wind, the rain, etc. And in all these are signs and we are perpetually in dhikr of Allah..like the end of Imran that speaks about those who Remember Allah sitting, standing and on their sides...the Rasul (SAW) was the perfect epitome of such reflection and wonderment at Allah's marvels and everyday miracles. The Quran is our first source of legislation, but Allah implanted all around us wisdoms for those who reflect to be able to extract from grow, learn and be that much the wiser by His Will and Guidance Inshaallah.
Again please, don't read this notes by themselves.....and try to come up with any conclusions..go to the source, the tapes themselves. sigh..shouldn't have put them up in the first place:(

Sis,
sorryIfImisleadYou :(
[wlm]
Re: Purification of the Heart (Hamza Yusuf)
salaampeaceshalom
09/27/03 at 07:35:45
[quote author=Nur_al_Layl link=board=library;num=1040692382;start=45#49 date=09/26/03 at 18:25:25] [slm]
people, please don't take these notes as "whole" by themselves..use them in the context of listening to the tapes. You can't depend on someone else's endevour becuz that leaves room for lotsa mistakes and fitna.
[/quote]


Salaam,
 
 Thanks for replying sis  :).  Ur above statement is so true, as we have just witnessed  ;D

[quote]go to the source, the tapes themselves. sigh..shouldn't have put them up in the first place [/quote]

 No, am glad u did put them up, and now this misunderstanding has been cleared up so it's all ok  :).  The reason I decided to read ur notes first is because I became aware of the cassettes awhile back, but I didn't really know what they were about, if they were any good, and hence if I should buy them (I have no money at t mo! ;D).  That's why I thought I would read ur notes to get a 'flavour' of the tapes as I've been debating whether or not to get them for myself for awhile now.

 [quote]No Allah has NO limitations! Please there is no way to justify in ANY Way that Allah has Limitations...Even what HE can't be is NOT a Limitation rather an enhancement and we can not begin to delve into the topic of what Allah is and not except through exactly what HE told us. That is His attributes as according to the Quran and Sunnah and we leave it at that.[/quote]  Completely agree  :), I don't think the word 'limit' can be applied to Allaah regardless of any context .

[quote]Limits is the laws Allah put down for His creation. That is He created us, and told us what to do and what we *can't* do.  That is you do NOT transgress what Allah has set for us. The boundaries...thereby the limits. Not the limits of Allah, For He is Exalted above all limits, but the limits HE set for us mere mortals for our own good.[/quote]  Ok this makes a lot more sense when u've put it like this, rather than how it ws initially worded.  That was my question, whether u were referring to Allaah's limits, which is wrong, or the individual's?  U've answered my question by saying it is the limits of Allaah's laws that are placed on us.  So that's fine, I agree with that and now understand what u meant :)

 [quote] It is not saying Allah is *in* the creation....if the wording alluded that, then all mistakes are mine and please forgive me. [/quote]

 This is what u had written in ur notes[quote]We don’t believe in the idea of Hulul (incarnation). The human being though can be in a state of absolute witnessing where they see Allah in all of His creation. [/quote]  U wrote 'they see...in all of His creation', which set of my other confusion and major point of concern.

 But ur now saying that what u meant was..
[quote]It's saying reflect upon the universe, look at the stars, the earth, the wind, the rain, etc. And in all these are signs and we are perpetually in dhikr of Allah..like the end of Imran that speaks about those who Remember Allah sitting, standing and on their sides...The Quran is our first source of legislation, but Allah implanted all around us wisdoms for those who reflect to be able to extract from grow, learn and be that much the wiser by His Will and Guidance Inshaallah.[/quote]

which is in accordance to what I said [quote]We don't believe that Allaah is 'in' his creation, that's what certain other groups believe, like the christians etc.  As Muslims we believe, and are even told to in the Qur'aan, to see the Signs that Allaah has made apparent for us in the creation but what u have written is so incorrect.  Was that a typo on ur part or is that what Hmaza Yusuf actually said? [/quote]  It was just ur wording in ur initial post that made me question what u actually meant.

Thanks for trying to clear it up, and really, it was good to read ur notes, and they were full of useful info  :)  If it helps and just to prove it was a good idea of u starting this thread, I'm actually thinking of going ahead and getting the cassettes once I have money to spare  :)

wa'salaam


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