The Weight of Our Assumptions About Others – 2
Question: While sayings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, counsel against condemning believers to shame, despising them,…
Sins
22 articles
Facing Oneself – 3
(Circle3: On the touchy implorations by Imam Zeynel Abidin, continued) Together with all of the fears and worries…
Facing Oneself
The Example of the First Circle around the Prophet and Those Who Followed Them So much so a…
Being Preoccupied with the Truth
Question: “Those who are not preoccupied with elevated goals will be consumed by lowly troubles.” What needs to…
How can one reach his or her spiritual potential?
First, it is important to practice concentrated contemplation, which should be directed both into one’s inner self and…
Qabd and Bast (Contraction and Openness)
Qabd (contraction) and bast (openness), emotions felt by almost everyone during their lives, relate especially to those who…
The Means of Detecting Potential Errors and Sins
Question: If a person’s self recognition of errors or sins is the first step to the path of…
Haya (Modesty)
Sufis use haya, which literally means shame, bashfulness, and refraining from saying or doing anything improper or indecent,…
Forgiving Dad
For many years, Zainab had been struggling to understand the true meaning of forgiveness. She was especially distressed…
Taqwa (Piety)
Taqwa is derived from wiqaya, which means self-defense and avoidance. Sufis define it as protecting oneself from God’s…
Because of me
Question: What are the matters that believers should always keep in mind with regard to the fact that…
Khawf and Khashya (Fear and Reverence)
In Sufism, khawf (fear) denotes abstaining not only from all that is forbidden, but also from deeds from…
We should think well of others
People’s way of thinking shapes their behavior. The way they are is parallel to how they think, and…
Muhasaba (Self-Criticism or Self-Interrogation)
The word muhasaba literally means reckoning, settling accounts, and self-interrogation. In a spiritual context, however, it takes on…
Tawba (Repentance), Inaba (Sincere Penitence), and Awba (Turning to God in Contrition)
I HAVE REPENTED AND TURNED TO GOD SO SINCERELY THAT I WILL NOT BREAK [THE VOW OF REPENTANCE]…