One of the great traditions of Islam is what is referred to as “tabaqat” literature. It is essentially biographical material that highlights the lives and qualities of the great sages, scholars, ascetics, and saints of Islam. The earliest biographical literature, such as Ibn S’ad’s Tabaqat, pertains to the lives of the Prophet’s Companions. The benefit of reading such literature is feeling one’s own meager existence when compared with the luminaries of the past; it also rouses ourselves from our heedlessness in order to set out as those before us, who left, for those to follow, their footprints on that ancient and well-trodden path of purification and ensuing illumination. In light of this, I hope to share with my readers certain highlights and qualities I have witnessed and come to know of in the people whom God has blessed me with knowing and benefitting from. The primary purpose here is to let those who have not been afforded such opportunities, but still love to hear the stories of the righteous, experience vicariously their presence. The scholars say, “When the righteous are remembered, grace descends.” That such luminaries still exist is testimony to the continued spiritual power and effectiveness of our Prophet’s teaching, peace and blessings of God be upon him. God has blessed this community with such men and women until the end of time, and even in this dark time of spiritual sloth and vanity they nurture those who come to know and love them. When the pleasures and the pastimes of the ego have blinded so many of us from the path of purity and piety that leads to salvation and sanctification, they reveal themselves as cogent reminders to those who will listen that the world is temporal, fleeting as dissipating before our very eyes and we too shall follow.
The first is that of the great Moroccan sage, scholar, and saint, Sidi Fudul al-Huwari. Though we make no claims about people’s ranks with God – as God alone knows the hearts – rather, we assume their high spiritual station from our good opinion of them based upon their outward noble character and exemplary piety.
Born around the turn of the twentieth century, Sidi Fudul al-Huwari grew up in Fes and served as an imam in the large mosque next to Bab Boujloud, and also taught Ibn Ashir and other basic texts in the Bou Inania Mosque.
In 1978, when he was still quite vibrant and able to teach, I visited him for the first time. Unbeknownst to me at the time, it was the beginning of a powerful and wonderful relationship that would last for over twenty years and leave an indelible mark on me that I feel to this day. On that first visit, he explained how, from being a barely literate craftsman, he became an imam and a scholar: One day while still in his teens and busy at his job in a shop, a shaykh, whom he had seen on many occasions walking to the Qarawiyyin, stopped and stood outside his workplace, watching him. Eventually Sidi Fudul realized he was being watched; the shaykh then asked the shop’s keeper if the young man could come with him. The man obliged, and the shaykh took Sidi Fudul to the Qarawiyyin and instructed him to sit in the outer circle and simply listen. The shaykh explained that not much would make sense to him but to be patient. He did this for some time, and, soon enough, the lessons did begin to make sense. After many years of study, Sidi Fudul became a scholar in his own right. The shaykh’s name was Sidi Muhammad bin al-Habib, and Sidi Fudul later became his leading student and a commentator of his diwan of mystical poetry. Sidi Fudul was himself a poet of some note.
On one visit, he gave me the original handwritten manuscripts of his commentaries on his shaykh’s diwan, which I still treasure. He also gave me a teaching license (ijazah) in person, orally, and then later had his student, Maulay Hasan Lamdaghari, send me a written one. Sidi Fudul was given the mantle of his own shaykh and was recognized as a spiritual adept but declined to accept it. He once told me, “I know my limits, and I could never fill the shoes of Shaykh Ibn al-Habib.”
Shaykh Bennani, a great scholar and qadi from Fes, told me, “Sidi Fudul is not one of the great scholars. His outward knowledge, while competent, is not vast like the great scholars, but he knows what most of the great scholars do not. He knows his Lord.” By contemporary standards, however, he is a notable scholar of the later part of the twentieth century. He loved to comment on the Qur’an, and had a special affinity for the Verse of Light, which he commented on countless times, always with new insights. His lectures on Ibn Ashir were some of the most well-attended and popular lectures in Fes among common people.
Sidi Fudul was a beautiful man, who symbolized a Morocco that is fast disappearing. He was a true gentleman, erudite, learned, forbearing, and above all, he was in a constant state of submission to his Lord. He once lamented to me that modern-day Morocco had drifted far from the Islam of their past, and he warned me of the new trends of Islamic revival, which he saw as having more to do with politics than with the spiritual center of Islam. In his earlier life, Sidi Fudul had been active in the politics of Fes, driven not by the utopian fantasies of some modern Islamists but rather by a sense of civic duty. He once said to me, “Calling other Muslims innovators is an innovation.”
Once, late in his life, I visited him when he was in a coma, lying on his bed. He had lost both his hearing and sight at this stage. His daughter, Fatima, at that time in her seventies, was looking after him. We greeted him, and Maulay Hasan said to me, “He cannot hear anymore.”
At that point, Sidi Fudul spoke up: “Give me a moment. I am coming to visit.”
A few minutes later, he asked to be helped to sit upright, and we complied. He then asked for his eyeglasses. Fatima brought them and put them on for him. He suddenly opened his eyes wide, scanned the room, and proclaimed, “Yasin!” He then began to recite Sura Yasin, the thirty-sixth chapter of the Qur’an. We all joined him in the recitation. When we finished, he began to tell us of wonders he had been experiencing in his state. He also conveyed to us that he had exhausted all of the demons and that they had given up on sowing doubt in his heart about his Lord. This memory of my last meeting with Sidi Fudul forever abides in my heart.
Sidi Fudul spent his life acquiring and then teaching the sciences of Islam. He was a well-respected scholar in Fes and present at the gatherings of notables. He had a gentle character, and should your eye fall upon his face, you were reminded of your Lord. His tongue was always moist with the remembrance of God, and he always had time for anyone who needed advice or to know a legal ruling. He had a small spice shop in the market near his house, and he could be found there reciting Qur’an or reading a book of knowledge while waiting for his provision. Shaykh Muhammad Alawi al-Maliki, the great Meccan scholar, whenever he visited Morocco, would always visit Sidi Fudul in his house in Fes. Just as birds of a feather flock together, saints find sanctuary in one another’s company.
Copyright: From the forthcoming book, Meetings with Mountains, by Peter Sanders. www.petersanders.com
Rihab Khalil Posted on 01/13/2012
Mashaalla.. God bless you Sheikh Hamza.
I was wondering where were those scholars… now a days!!. I lived in the Middle East for nearly 22 years and was not lucky enough to come across such an enlightenment scholar. When I moved to England I had the chance to see you sheikh on a famous programme called Rihla on the MBC channel. You were explaining to the young lads who joined you on the programme about the history of Andalusia and you were in tears. Only then I felt light penetrating my soul, and only then I felt deep down my heart what does it mean for a scholar to reach a degree of Ihsan. That day in 2003 was a turning point in my life and was the wakeup call for me to start my journey towards my lord. Baraka Allaho feek and preserve you a light to guide people’s souls.
S. Asmaa Posted on 01/08/2012
This is another great article form HYH such like the book on teaching according the Islamic tradition. This article helps to reflect on the situation of the Muslim worlds/countries (Egypt) in particular and the muslim world in general. Teaching at international private schools here really brings to focus how far we have moved away from the essentials of teaching in a way that fulfills our obligations to the duniyah and learning for the akirah.
Local schools with the brand Islamic (international) don’t even offer these kinds of authentic literature on scholars of the past or their contribution or method of learning, and as such there are students in the thousands claiming to be muslim (grandparents have muslim names) but know nothing of real importance. Materials should be put together by teams of scholars for schools to use as literature, English and Arabic, history and humanities. In light of the ongoing revolution we have a lot to lose our students are being exposed to internet learning with materials that can be changed on line and in keeping with hidden agendas.
Young scholars need to be brought back to the real essence of teaching and learning for especially the strengthening of the ummah.
najwa Posted on 01/06/2012
Alsalamu alaykum
Mashallah this was truly inspirational,I enjoyed every detail about this wonderful scholar.
Jazak allah khair ! Sheikh Hamza Yusuf
mohammed badr Posted on 12/17/2011
selem
may allah save you beloved shaikh
Husnaa Posted on 12/14/2011
Assalamualaykum Warahmatullah,
Beautiful piece Masha’Allah!
Makes me traverse the souk of Fes again, BabJouloude! Aww! There are many people in Fes who are totally amazing… I think it’s probably the influence of the Jame’al-Qarrouine. I would love to go there to study, Insha’Allah!
SubhanAllah do keep us informed please Ya Shaykh,
May Allah bless you and accept all your efforts. Ameen!
Wassalam
PS Does anyone know where I can get an affordable copy of ‘Purification of the Heart’? I really need to read it again, but I can’t get my hands on a copy!
lh Posted on 12/14/2011
“In his earlier life, Sidi Fudul had been active in the politics of Fes, driven not by the utopian fantasies of some modern Islamists but rather by a sense of civic duty… He once said to me, “Calling other Muslims innovators is an innovation.” (Hamza Yusuf)
Whilst praising Sidi Fudul, looks like the man’s wisdom was lost on him!
H.M Posted on 12/13/2011
A dear frined gave me your lect & i enjoyed it, may Allah bless both of you. May Allah bless you for the sidi Fudul’s biography.
malika Posted on 12/11/2011
Salam,
In my last comment here, I have mentioned that on 07 dec 2011 in France, a socialist group (radical one) wanted to suggest a law (who will forbid women to wear the hijab in a nursery and maybe in public (not clear…)) during the assembly which occurs each wednesday.
I did not have time to watch it myself on tv as I worked all day but my sister did and nothing about this stupidity appears, I mean, they did not talk about that all. Except, maybe, during the first 5 minutes, my syster did not watch it because of her two little babies, mashaAllah too cute but hard to manage as well (lol)
In on word : AL HAMDULILAH
Maybe some speakers will talk about that during the International Fair of the muslim Word in Paris next week, will see…
There will be speakers around the world, shops (Fashion dress from Dubaï for exemple, Fashion dress in Paris is just disgusting, Something it’s like we need a doctorate to know how to dress in this country lol…), workshop of art, for children (good for my nephiews..)
Great !
Salam
malika
France
(english is not my mother tongue so my apologise if there is mistake)
Aya Posted on 12/11/2011
It’s beautiful. Gazak allah khairan shaykh Hamza.
malika Posted on 12/06/2011
Salam,
Some information muslims need to know :
I can entitled that : Welcome in France… (irony)
Quite scary when today I have received a message from a friend of mine, why ? read this :
on 07th December 11, the socialist group will propose to the SENAT, a law for vote.
This law : prevent women who are working in a nursery to wear their hijab, and maybe even if they are working at home !
In 2003, it’s forbidden to wear hijab at school. Then, for mothers who accompagny their children at school or during a trip. Then, a lot of problems in company due to the interpretation of law they made. Then, 25 or more (don’t remember) proposition of law against us. Then, this proposition of law…
One by one, exactly the same situation happens to jews before, according to some articles I have read.
Well, hope every muslims will keep calm after that (really hard…) and pray, make du’as and make things to set up their companies, school or just leave that country ! Yemen seems to be cool according to one reportage i have seen. Anyway, we don’t live here to be cool, I know…
Seriously, I have two friends who work as nursery…they will never ever leave it, for sure. Al Hamdulilah, they have husbands so they can stop working without pbs, I guess.
SoubhanAllah, country in the west begins to show what they conceal and I notice that country in the East seems to wake up, interesting….
To be continued…
Salam
malika
France
Baraa Alloush Posted on 12/06/2011
Yes Sheikh Hamza, we are in dire need of scholars who know their Lord by contemporary standards, those who – for example- don’t say that art is haram; such wrong and “subjective” fatwa makes a myriad of people feel bad about Islam.
It is sad even to think that we won’t be able to read or even know about all those who are like Sidi Fudul al-Huwari, so thank you for making such a unique scholar known to us. I would like to read about other luminaries whom you know.
May Allah bless you.
Baraa Alloush
Kamila Shakirova Posted on 12/03/2011
JazakAllah Khair, Shaykh Hamza, for the beautiful post. Looking forward to continuation. May Allah bless you. Amin.
Heba H. Posted on 12/03/2011
Sheik Hamza,
Thank you for this beautiful piece.
May Allah SWT bless you, your children and wife.
Salam, Heba
Loqman Posted on 12/03/2011
As-salam ‘alaykum
Nice piece of tabaqat, may Allah protect our beloved masters.
Fes is a blessed place. I have met a man once down the market (tala) who literally lifted my soul up to heaven for the rest of the day with a simple glance.
To my knowledge however, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Habib’s leading student is indeed Sidi Muhammad ibn Qurshi
Jazaka Allah khayr
READ THIS! Posted on 12/02/2011
Why is it you neglect your own students ..shouldn’t they deserve what you obtain from such scholars? especially when they have paid 26k! …subhanallah….Islam is not becoming political…he was right…
Youssef Ismail Posted on 12/02/2011
YaLatif!
vanda Posted on 12/02/2011
salam,
Thanks Brother Hamza for radiating to us the momentous life of Sidi Fudul Al-Huwari. His humbleness before the Lord is very inspiring. It made me think why brother Hamza had the enthusiasm to write the life of saint Sidi, I think people of the same frequency have common inclination towards Allah, as what Brother Hamza mentioned from the above biography of the said saint and I quote, “just as birds of a feather flock together, saints find sanctuary in one another’s company.” You brother Hamza is also an inspiration to us in a way that u emanate to us the life of FRIENDS OF ALLAH. I think you are one of THEM.
Thank you Brother Hamza.
vanda Posted on 12/02/2011
salam,
Words of wisdom are radiated and i found them soothing to my spiritual heart. Alhamdulillah. Im looking forward to read more about the life prophetic people in Islam.
And also, my salute to brother Hamza for emanate to us the life of Sidi Fudul. And for me, your are one of them. You know…people of the same frequency are enthusiast to read about the momentous life of Muslim saint like the life of Sidi Fudul, a beneficial carrier of inspiration. As you have mentioned above and I quote, “just as birds of a feather flock together, saints find sanctuary in one another’s company.”
Thank you Brother Hamza for unveiling this to us. Continue radiating the light of Allah. May Allah count you as one of HIS BELOVEDS. Ameen.
Mohamed Talha Posted on 12/01/2011
JazakaAllah Sheikh Hamza for your time, effort and service to the Muslim community, your blogs are wonderful and inspiring.
malika Posted on 12/01/2011
Salam,
If my understanding is correct, it deals with science and about a scholar who passed away. May Allah rewards all scholars of Islam, He is the most Generous.
I have a dream :
My dream is that one day, all muslims will understand deeply how learning Islam is FONDAMENTAL and NOT an option. It’s a question of Life.
I have a dream that one day we understand that so that we could live our life step by step according to what we learn. how wonderfull the life will be if we understand that….
Just today : I have heard about horrible things and when I think about it, it makes me sad. I was speaking with a friend of mine, an algerian woman, saying that in her village, a girl has been killed by his cousin.
Next, I have heard about someone who put his baby (3 years old) in a machine because he was just crying and crying.
Animals don’t react like that ! Human being, when he is not as he’s supposed to be, a representant of ALLAH, he is worst than animal.
We have proof every day.
First word Allah have sent to our prophet is IQRA.
How is it possible that when I speak to “muslim” about learning the religion, I have noticed many many many many times that learning the religion is like an OPTION ????
How ? and they want to be human being ?! Al Hamdulilah Allah is patient with us !
Message to Hamza Yusuf : “Calling other Muslims innovators is an innovation.” Despite the fact that I did not learn it yet, I know that it’s really really dangerous to call a muslim something he does not deserve. It reminds me one of my comment here. Actually, it was my last comment. So please accept my apologise when I say something like ” you are not part of Sunna”. Allah is the Judge not me. I have heard something from you and then later on, I have heard the opposite. I will not rely to internet anymore to judge anyone.
Salam
malika
Abdullah Posted on 12/01/2011
Jazak Allah khair Sheik Hamza.
A suggestion for future similar columns, if you could give us more quotes you remember from those rightouse people. So we could know them better through their own words and get a closer look :)
Thank you.
May Allah swt bless you, your children and wife.
Salam.
Juanito Posted on 02/24/2012
Salaam,Powerful, this is the enecsse. Truly amazing men, as Isa alayhisalaam mentions, a vessel can only pour what it contains.Jzk, and request for more shared wisdom!Wasalaam
hala Posted on 11/30/2011
mashallah….thank u….:)
Hakim S Posted on 11/30/2011
As salamu alaikum.
Jazakumullahu khairan for such an awe-inspiring work.
It is really sad that we are gradually losing all our exemplary scholars and teachers, and we do not have others to replace and recover the loss. I feel we still have some great teachers of Islam, who convey to their students more than just knowledge, they convey to them adab. They teach their students how to behave as a human being. There are also a lot of students of knowledge who would be greatly honored to be able to study under such great human beings. But I think there is a serious communication gap. Often the students do not know where to go. Therefore, I am hoping that you will do something to bridge this gap. We are in serious crisis in terms of scholarship, and if young people are not given a direction it will be very unfortunate for the ummah as a whole.
Jazakumullahu khairan for everything Shaykh, you are always in our dua.
Umm Yusuf Posted on 11/29/2011
Assalamu Alaikum,
This brought tears to my eyes…please make duah that I -and all those who long for it – may always be in the company of the righteous in this life and the next, ameen.
Tasneem Ahmed Posted on 11/28/2011
Assalmau’alaikum wrwbth dear Shaykh, You have made me view Islam in such a noble way that I love you for Allah SWT’s Sake. I pray for you every morning at Tahajjud, as my very own persinal Shaykh ( even though you do not know me at all). Through you I have learned about so many luminaries of Islam. I always feel inspired and charged by stories of their noble lives. Allah SWT has blessed you with words that touch our hearts and the very core of our beings. I travel a lot and your CD sets or your books are my travelling companions. May Allah SWT bless you, your family, and your descendants till the end of time and bless you with the Highest Jannah in the Company of our dear Prophet Muhammad Sal Allahu Alaihi Wassallam.
Mark Posted on 11/27/2011
Sir, due to my OA albinism I am registered blind. I feel now however that Allah limited by sight in the duniya to give me better insight regarding spiritual matters. By this I simply mean I was very wayward vis a vis Islam until I was bought back and my spiritual eyes were open. In my years of ghafla’ I did have a strong memory of an encounter I had with a sheikh which acted as a guiding force. Around 14 Shaykh Nazim al Haqqani of the Nasqhbandi ‘tariqa’ visited my hometown in the UK. I had encountered those who had claimed to be spiritual but this was vastly different. There was a Presence about this gentleman which I, in my confused adolesant could not understand or dismiss. During my struggle to find a spiritual sanctity this feeling always stayed with me. I now know it was a Divine Light reflected on the Shaykh. I find a similar Light on Shaykh Muhammed al Yacoubi, Shaykh Habib Ali Jifri, Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad. Whenever Allah has blessed me to encounter yourself in a dream there is also a Light on your face.When I ‘saw’ you in Oxford I felt the same way.
+1
Ahmed aweis Posted on 11/27/2011
Sheikh hamza, thank you so much for these blogs, I leave in London Runing after life every single day, sad to say.
i ask Allah s.w to enable me to meet you and ask you to make duaa for me and my family in ur presence I love you for the sake of Allah. I take you as my only sheikh if someone asks me if I have one. Why because I love you very much. I hope to come to your rihla one day and spend a month or two with you inshallah. I maried My wife from San Diego, California I always wanted to come to but it was’t meant to be. Inshallah one day I hope to meet you in person
Jzakalah
Ahmed Aweis
abbysamia Posted on 11/27/2011
Asalamu Alaykum
Dear Shaykh Hamza,
We hope you are in the best of health and Iman.
Thank you for writing this, we were waiting for you to write a blog for a looooong time!
We absolutely LOVED reading this blog!!!
Please remember us in your duas,
Lots of love, Abby and Samia xXx
Sarab Posted on 11/27/2011
مما يسر له القلب وينشرح له الصدر ونحمد الله عليه ان رزقنا الله برجل يهتم لامر المسلمين فجزاك الله عنا خير الجزاء ورزقك من واسع فضله وأدخلك فسيح جناته وحشرك في زمرة نبنا محمد صل الله عليه وسلم
اللهم أمين
Abdu Allah Posted on 11/27/2011
Jazak Allah khair, very nice and inspiring.
Orlando Posted on 11/26/2011
subhanllah were do you find men and women like this in the modern age i need a person like him the teach the science of the heart that is what i’m looking for people like him rahimullah may Allah bless sheikh Hamza i never met you but i really look up to u As salamu alaykum
mustafa Posted on 11/26/2011
PLEASE keep these glimpes into the lives of modern day saints coming. Would love to hear about some of the miracles and wonders of Habib Mashhur al haddad and Murabit al haj. For those of who have not had the fortune to meet these giants and who are constantly surrounded by irreligious people, relating theirs stories gives us hope that the awliya are real and really have and will continue to exist.
Nadia Khan Posted on 11/26/2011
Jazakallahu khairun Sh. Hamza for this beautiful reminder of the illustrious characters which continue, by the grace of Allah swt, to light up guiding beacons of guidance along this dark road the human race finds itself travelling along now.
I don’t know about others, but reading about such scholars, as well as making me reflect on my own shortcomings and what i need to do to improve my spiritual state, also gives me a deep sense of joy and hope – there ARE luminaries there in each age and Allah swt continues to shower His blessings upon us by providing contemporaries who we can aspire to and learn practically from. Alhamdulillah!
I really like the analogy of these scholars being like mountains – firm and unshakeable when the rest of the tectonic plate may be aching and groaning around them. It also brings a wonderful reminder about Muhammad salalaahualaihiwasalam – had Allah’s revelation descended on the mountains they would have dessimated to dust, and yet the heart of our leader peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, bore it and became to the path through which His completed Mercy was manifest. Subhanallah!
I look forward to the book coming out insha’Allah soon
Salam everyone :)
Maryam Hajar Posted on 11/26/2011
Jazak Allah khair…this is what we need to hear in these tumultuous times. We may get frustrated when we can’t ‘change the world,’ but we can change our character to become more shining and beautiful, inshaAllah.. and strive for exemplary adab, as the Sidi here…..which brings everything into order and elevates us all. Alhamdulillah for you, Shakyh Hamza. All blessings to you and your family.
hajjissa Posted on 11/26/2011
Thank you, Shaykh Hamza.
As someone who took from this great wali, both in his Shaykh’s zawiyyah and in the house you mention, the heart is filled with his majestic presence again. May Allah continue to bless you with such encounters. Allah reward you with His pleasure.
ZJ Posted on 11/26/2011
Allah….
Hajjah Dhameera Posted on 11/25/2011
While wondering in Fez we meet craftsmen who knew Sheikh Hamza Yusuf. They were astonished to meet us and their generosity was like none we had ever experienced. Now I understand better the light from that trip knowing Sidi Fudul al-Huwari and others walked that Medina in Fez, Morocco.
Indah Prass Posted on 11/25/2011
Subhanallah…impressive…very amazing….thank u…
soufiane Posted on 11/25/2011
really spiritually uplifting article, thank for sharinf you story with this honorable sufi master, actually Morroc is particulary full of saints and nobles mashaellah- I have a request chaikh could you blog more on your experience with saints and gnostic feel more enrgized when i Hear those stories spirirtual vitamines, thank a lot and happy thanks giving for you and your family may allah bless you sayiddi. soufiane
Rashid Posted on 11/25/2011
Subhan ALLAH! Simply beautiful… It was so amazing to read that he passed his life like ordinary people (selling spices, and earning livelihood), and at the same time, was an excellent scholar, and so close to Allah Azzawajal. There is a lot to learn from this. May Allah Almighty grant us the Tawfeeq to follow the teachings of these Men of Piety on the account of Shaykh Fudul al-Huwari, Ameen! Dear Shaykh, we are eagerly waiting for the upcoming posts…
soufiane Posted on 11/25/2011
Salam sayiddi shaykh Hamza,
Thank you for this really spiritually uplifting article. Actually, Iam Morrocan and im very proud of the history of Morocco knowing that it was without comparison a history of true man of allah and gnostics. When I ask my father about for which reason the saints that were almost in every home disappeared, he answered that people are not worth seeing them.May allah sbhanahu wataala grant us the privelege of bieng true servants and again thank so much sayiddi cheikh may allah open your Bassira more and more- I love you in the sake of allah and rassoula allah pray for me soufiane from Morocco.
Shifa Posted on 11/25/2011
“Calling other Muslims innovators is an innovation.”
Beautiful words of wisdom that could unify believers inshAllah.
Lina Posted on 11/25/2011
Elhemdulillah that Allah bring us such lights to help us maintain our faith around the dark influences.
Bilal Waheed Posted on 11/25/2011
Jazakallah shaikh HY, and thanks for sharing such inspiring narration. May Allah swt protect you in this world and the next inshallah.
Abdul Waheed Jamal Posted on 11/25/2011
ASS,
Shukran Gahzeelah
To Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and the Sandala Team,
May God give always protect you and shower you all with Light, And May He protect and preserve our Ulemah, our Pearls, Ameen Ya Rabbil ala Meen…..
WSS
Anjum Khan Posted on 11/25/2011
Jazakullahu khair! We r so lucky 2 have u.
tahir ahmed Posted on 11/25/2011
Rahiullah
a.s Posted on 11/25/2011
جزاك الله ومن كتبت عنه خير الجزاء
a.a. Posted on 11/26/2011
Mash’Allah we are lucky to stay in touch with Sheikh Humza Yusuf through Web media, experiencing these rare moments spent with great scholars insights makes one feel close to Allah and may Allah make our iman strong to stay close to Allah ameen!!!
moon yet Posted on 11/25/2011
very impressive. in fact the most important is what we hold in our hearts. allah mosta3en
shihabudeen thangal Posted on 11/25/2011
illuminating narration Yaa Shaykh Hamza
I feel that we are in fact living in the last part of spiritual age. One by one we miss the glorious presence of pious people and young generation are deprived from such blessings. During my childhood in India (Kerala, southern state) I use to visit a pious man mostly along with my Father and that feeling of spiritual richness from his presence is beyond words and i still carry that with me when i think of him.
People use to respect him much and seek his dua for them. He spoke only if needed and always recite salath upon our blessed prophet Sallallah Alaihi wa sallam.
Whatever he received from people was distributed among poor or he will tie them in his dress to give needy when he see them.
I was really touched by the way you explained this Yaa Shaykh and it reminded me the moments of my meeting with him. May Allah benefit us from the legacy Sidi Fudul and other pious people they left for us..
Jazakumullah Khair
Jonas van Daal Posted on 11/25/2011
Assalaam aleikoum sheikh
I was watching the video’s from the time you taught non-Muslim teachers at dar al islam institute. You mentionned about how Islam is related to the horizontal, Imen to the vertical and Ihsen to depth. Could you elaborate on this, maybe by giving an example?
Jazaakallahou khaira
Jonas (Belgium)
khalid mahmood Posted on 11/25/2011
masha Allah, a beutifil insight again by our dear shaykh Hamza Yusuf. There are very few people in the world who i can truely relate to and the teachings you present are truely excellent. May Allah SWT bless you and give you increase always. Salams, Khalid
SHIBIN K P Posted on 11/25/2011
Alhamdulillah..
The most blessed thing in the world is a shaykh to deliver the light of the lord..I too was living a life of delution…as many people, but in one point in life i realised the existence of god and his attributes as never before, when allah decided to draw me to Him..manifesting His attributes of Hannan and mannan, through my Shaykh of Kadri chisti thwareeqa. After that I lived a life which was never before like that, as my Shaykh says, once a fish which denies of water is taken away from water for a while, shall realise its true value, and would be never the same life again in water.
O Allah, keep us hold on to your rope and make us live and die in your way..ameen
MJ Posted on 11/25/2011
Ya-Rabb!!
Tell us of others dear Shaykh Hamza.
Imran Zeb Posted on 11/25/2011
Sir,
We find ourselves in a very material world and as such the reality of spirituality has been eroded. Even within our own Islamic tradition we many over zealous people who wish to place the science of tasawuf on the backburner. Religion has become rigid. Li Xiaolong, known in the West as Bruce Lee complained that Chinese ‘gungfu’ had become about form an not about art. He believed that ‘we have made rigid something which was once fluid’. I feel that in many ways such has become or becoming, depending upon one’s optimism the case with Islamic practice for many people. As such we need those people who have traversed the spiritual to remind us about the road less travelled.
Sir, due to my OA albinism I am registered blind. I feel now however that Allah limited by sight in the duniya to give me better insight regarding spiritual matters. By this I simply mean I was very wayward vis a vis Islam until I was bought back and my spiritual eyes were open. In my years of ghafla’ I did have a strong memory of an encounter I had with a sheikh which acted as a guiding force. Around 14 Shaykh Nazim al Haqqani of the Nasqhbandi ‘tariqa’ visited my hometown in the UK. I had encountered those who had claimed to be spiritual but this was vastly different. There was a Presence about this gentleman which I, in my confused adolesant could not understand or dismiss. During my struggle to find a spiritual sanctity this feeling always stayed with me. I now know it was a Divine Light reflected on the Shaykh. I find a similar Light on Shaykh Muhammed al Yacoubi, Shaykh Habib Ali Jifri, Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad. Whenever Allah has blessed me to encounter yourself in a dream there is also a Light on your face.When I ‘saw’ you in Oxford I felt the same way.
May Allah make things easy on you all and increase us all in iman.
Imran Zeb, Shanghai
hassanat ahmed Posted on 11/25/2011
mashallah. very nice.
Nadia S. Posted on 11/25/2011
Beautifully and scholarly writing. I needed to circle and look up many words in the first paragraph.
I was reminded of a story my mom tells of my grandfather on his death bed. He said, “Oh, it’s time to go?,” after noting the bright white light. Testament once again that there is a more meaningful and beautiful existence beyond this life waiting for us, Inshallah.
Thankyou and Best Always
Zeina Posted on 11/25/2011
Very well written as usual our dearest shk. Hamza
Barak Allah fekum, all Sandala Team
Sofia Ahsanuddin Posted on 11/25/2011
Very beautiful reminder of our own meager existence compared to the lives of the Sahabah. :) Mashallah, thanks so much Sheikh Hamza Yusuf.