We start our day with 'basmalah', the second part of it acknowledges the Grace of Allah. We say, Allah is Most Gracious (Al-Rahman). However, we have little appreciation of this in our daily lives. What is Rahmah (Grace) to each one of us?
When we continue to breath and live, this is Rahmah from Allah. When we wake up feeling refresh and healthy, this is Rahmah from Allah. When we are able to think soundly and righteously, this is Rahmah from Allah. When we are in any position or power to influence, this is Rahmah from Allah.
What we do with the opportunity is up to us. Reflect on the rain falling from the heaven. There are those that go directly into the sewer, there are those that go directly to water the valleys or there are those that go directly into your water container and from it you drink.
What have you done with the Graces of Allah for you today?
Showing posts with label Moro Spirituality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Moro Spirituality. Show all posts
Life is a mystery
Life is a mystery to be embraced and discovered. Humanity will never fully understand life until the last generation discovered the end of it.
Our lives take roots to the Source of Life. It is said we have been created before we were born. This then is our first transformation after creation. Mundane life is the 2nd transformation. The hereafter is the 3rd transformation. In all of these our transformation has been largely been physical passing through birth, maturity and death. While our physical being changes, our spiritual being remains the same. While we may never fully recall our first 'existence', we are fully aware of our existence in this world and in the hereafter.
Thus, living is a journey. We are travelers. This world is just a transit to the next. As with any travel, we need to have provision enough to reach our destiny. What are these provisions? This is something for us to discover. As Muslims, the Qur'an remains us about these provisions. It also reminds us about our destiny, this is why we refer to the Qur'an as 'The Guide' - our guide in this journey.
Our lives take roots to the Source of Life. It is said we have been created before we were born. This then is our first transformation after creation. Mundane life is the 2nd transformation. The hereafter is the 3rd transformation. In all of these our transformation has been largely been physical passing through birth, maturity and death. While our physical being changes, our spiritual being remains the same. While we may never fully recall our first 'existence', we are fully aware of our existence in this world and in the hereafter.
Thus, living is a journey. We are travelers. This world is just a transit to the next. As with any travel, we need to have provision enough to reach our destiny. What are these provisions? This is something for us to discover. As Muslims, the Qur'an remains us about these provisions. It also reminds us about our destiny, this is why we refer to the Qur'an as 'The Guide' - our guide in this journey.
Allah is One
Moros are Muslims and in our theology (aqeedah), there are certain fundamentals that we grow up with. Foremost among these fundamentals is the belief in One God, Allah, without any partner.
We grew up in a country once colonized by the Americans. The English language dominates our education system. Thus, the concept of a deity or god-hood is also based on a Western perspective whose definition evolves from their own experience. This is why many among us do not freely interchange the word God with Allah.
True enough, reading from our own perspective, our conception of God is not based on the gods and goddesses of the Old World; but in the belief that God is unlike anyone of us. He does not in anyway resembles aspects of His Creations. He can't be seen, although He is near to us than our jugular vein, He is all-about, everywhere, here and there simultaneously.
He is one, Alone in all His Aspects.
We grew up in a country once colonized by the Americans. The English language dominates our education system. Thus, the concept of a deity or god-hood is also based on a Western perspective whose definition evolves from their own experience. This is why many among us do not freely interchange the word God with Allah.
True enough, reading from our own perspective, our conception of God is not based on the gods and goddesses of the Old World; but in the belief that God is unlike anyone of us. He does not in anyway resembles aspects of His Creations. He can't be seen, although He is near to us than our jugular vein, He is all-about, everywhere, here and there simultaneously.
He is one, Alone in all His Aspects.
Malakal Mawt* beckons
Your generation is bowing out,
Many willingly and gracefully,
But your likes insist on
Staying a little longer.
While many are leaving ....
Looking forward to transition,
You continue to dwell in the mundane
Fighting against time and age.
Why my lady, why my lady?
Are there secrets in the mundane?
What is it that keeps you from leaving?
What is it that is pulling you back?
Lest you forget my dear lady
Time is ever forward, not back
Age is growing, not regressing -
Have you not prepared enough?
You can lie to us my lady
With all your might and strength -
Never to your conscience
Never to the Almighty!
Listen not to the call of desire,
Neither of the flesh!
But to your heart, where your soul resides
To your conscience who'll be with you for ever.
Time to sail on my lady
Time to let go of this precious gem
Stare the horizon, listen to the wind
Malakal Mawt* is beckoning!
* Arabic for Angel of Death
Many willingly and gracefully,
But your likes insist on
Staying a little longer.
While many are leaving ....
Looking forward to transition,
You continue to dwell in the mundane
Fighting against time and age.
Why my lady, why my lady?
Are there secrets in the mundane?
What is it that keeps you from leaving?
What is it that is pulling you back?
Lest you forget my dear lady
Time is ever forward, not back
Age is growing, not regressing -
Have you not prepared enough?
You can lie to us my lady
With all your might and strength -
Never to your conscience
Never to the Almighty!
Listen not to the call of desire,
Neither of the flesh!
But to your heart, where your soul resides
To your conscience who'll be with you for ever.
Time to sail on my lady
Time to let go of this precious gem
Stare the horizon, listen to the wind
Malakal Mawt* is beckoning!
* Arabic for Angel of Death
Be ...
Be the bridge you hope exist;
Be the moderation you hope is available;
Be the right person you hope to see in others.
Be the best idea, the best word;
Be the moderation you hope is available;
Be the right person you hope to see in others.
Be the best idea, the best word;
Be the best action, the consistent one;
Be the best you can be.
Don't settle for good or better;
God has created you in the best mold;
Be His Plan and you shall see.
"Rahm" in our lives
The new Catholic Pope Francis made a remark about the profundity of mercy. A word so familiar to us Muslims because it is by this word that we start our daily thoughts and acts.
Our 'basmalah' consists of two desirable qualities - mercy and beneficence. As followers of the faith, we are supposed not only to form our lives by it, but to re-form and transform our lives by it. Isn't it surprising that as we look around, we are anything else but merciful and beneficent?
Our 'basmalah' consists of two desirable qualities - mercy and beneficence. As followers of the faith, we are supposed not only to form our lives by it, but to re-form and transform our lives by it. Isn't it surprising that as we look around, we are anything else but merciful and beneficent?
Mercy is about compassion or forgiveness. The Qur'an is considered God's mercy as it serves as a criterion and as a guidance. Even those who have transgressed are assured in the Qur'an by the words, "Say: O My servants who have transgressed against their own souls, despair not of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Truly, He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Surah az-Zumar 39:53)
There's a nice definition of beneficence from the UCSF School of Medicine and runs this way, an "action that is done for the benefit of others. Beneficent actions can be taken to help prevent or remove harms or to simply improve the situation of others". It is said that ethicists often distinguish between obligatory and ideal beneficence. The latter "comprises extreme acts of generosity or attempts to benefit others on all possible occasions"; however our obligatory beneficence depends on our individual circumstances and station in life.
We are some of the most religious people on the planet. But we need to grow beyond rituals and rites and live the essence of the mercy and beneficence of our faith in our daily lives. In the end it is not what we know, it is how we act on what we know that makes the difference. Now let's show we are true followers of the "Most Merciful, the Most Beneficent".
There's a nice definition of beneficence from the UCSF School of Medicine and runs this way, an "action that is done for the benefit of others. Beneficent actions can be taken to help prevent or remove harms or to simply improve the situation of others". It is said that ethicists often distinguish between obligatory and ideal beneficence. The latter "comprises extreme acts of generosity or attempts to benefit others on all possible occasions"; however our obligatory beneficence depends on our individual circumstances and station in life.
We are some of the most religious people on the planet. But we need to grow beyond rituals and rites and live the essence of the mercy and beneficence of our faith in our daily lives. In the end it is not what we know, it is how we act on what we know that makes the difference. Now let's show we are true followers of the "Most Merciful, the Most Beneficent".
Right reason
The difference between
life and death
is
the right reason.
life and death
is
the right reason.
What is life
when you do not have
the right reason
to live?
when you do not have
the right reason
to live?
What is death
when you have
the right reason
to die?
when you have
the right reason
to die?
The middle way
"We have made you a median global community; in order that you may serve as a testimony/example to humanity [Qur'an 2:149]"[1]
"Wasat is the Arabic word for middle, centered, balanced. In Islamic context, it refers to the "middle way", a justly balanced way of life, avoiding extremes and experiencing things in moderation."[2]
"Linguistically, the word "Wasat" means the just, the best (in goodness), the top choice, the finest, the best (in quality), and the most honorable. It was stated in Lisaan Al-Arab: "The most 'Wasat' of a thing is the best of it, the finest of it and the most just of it". Ibn Katheer said: "The 'Wasat' is the top choice and the best quality", as it was said: "Quraysh is the most 'Wasat' of the Arabs in lineage and in quality of living", i.e. the best. And it is said: "Muhammed, the Messenger of Allah, sallAllahu 'alayhi wasallam, was the 'Wasat' amongst his people", i.e. the most honorable amongst them in lineage." [3]
"The 'awsat' is the centre most part of anything, the median between extremes. The wise expression documented in the hadith collection of Bayhaqi, we find the best being linked to the centrist rather than the extreme ... The best of affairs are the (awsatuha) middle ones." [4]
"'Wasat' is also synonymous with good merit, virtue, goodness, justice, and balance. "The awsatuhum/ most balanced among them said "Did I not tell you, 'Will you not extol God's limitless glory?' " [Qur'an 68:28]" [4]
"Wasat is the Arabic word for middle, centered, balanced. In Islamic context, it refers to the "middle way", a justly balanced way of life, avoiding extremes and experiencing things in moderation."[2]
"Linguistically, the word "Wasat" means the just, the best (in goodness), the top choice, the finest, the best (in quality), and the most honorable. It was stated in Lisaan Al-Arab: "The most 'Wasat' of a thing is the best of it, the finest of it and the most just of it". Ibn Katheer said: "The 'Wasat' is the top choice and the best quality", as it was said: "Quraysh is the most 'Wasat' of the Arabs in lineage and in quality of living", i.e. the best. And it is said: "Muhammed, the Messenger of Allah, sallAllahu 'alayhi wasallam, was the 'Wasat' amongst his people", i.e. the most honorable amongst them in lineage." [3]
"The 'awsat' is the centre most part of anything, the median between extremes. The wise expression documented in the hadith collection of Bayhaqi, we find the best being linked to the centrist rather than the extreme ... The best of affairs are the (awsatuha) middle ones." [4]
"'Wasat' is also synonymous with good merit, virtue, goodness, justice, and balance. "The awsatuhum/ most balanced among them said "Did I not tell you, 'Will you not extol God's limitless glory?' " [Qur'an 68:28]" [4]
According to Imam Ahmed Saad, "Al-Wasatiyyah" is the Lost Middle Path. "The absence of the concept of Wasatiyyah from the Muslim mind and life has led to Muslims entering an intellectual and practical Diasporas. The absence of this concept gave space to extremism in understanding the truth and contributed to the appearance of many extreme political, intellectual and religious groups that curse one another and brand their opponents unbelievers and claim that they are the only true Muslims." [5]
Further, Imam Ahmed said, "The terminology itself refers to a praised state in which man is kept from falling into extremism. This term of wasatiyyah is as old as history itself and that is why we can find many of its synonyms like moderation, balance, justice and fairness. Therefore, we can say that wasatiyyah is simply: leading a life of balance, leading a life of moderation and leading a life very close to fitrah (primordial innate nature)." [5]
According to Ustadz Maulana Ulbarshah, Lecturer for the Department of Islamic Revealed Knowledge, Human Sciences,International Islamic University Malaysia, "Moderation is an Islamic principle for social life; this wasatiyyah is an antidote to ... ghuluww (excessiveness), tanattu' (harshness), tashaddud (severity), tatarruf (extremism) ... in all its forms. Wasatiyyah should not, however, be misconstrued as compromise on principles or undermining of universal ethics; for what practical, social and ethical value can person of faith have in the absence of principles."[6]
Dr Mohammad Kamal Hassan of IIU Malaysia in his draft paper on the subject listed about eight (8) implications to Al-Wasatiyyah in Muslim society which often caught between immodation and negligence. [7]
The advice of Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim is: "Always encourage people to take a moderate stand, because it will rescue you from transgression. So we find the middle position between two extremes to be the most balanced and just, where a person will find all the benefits and comforts of this worldly life and the Hereafter. Furthermore, even the human body cannot live normally without the benefits of moderation. If a person is moderate when sleeping, waking, eating, drinking, exercising, in staying away or mixing with others, then the body will function properly. However, if a person goes to an extreme in one of these aspects, then the body will not function properly and the person will not live a normal life." [8]
Source:
[1] http://www.islamicity.com/articles/articles.asp?ref=IC1007-4239&p=1#sthash.XGJoaXFo.dpuf
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasat_(Islamic_term)
[3] http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?70255-Ummah-Wasat-So-That-The-Meaning-Is-Not-Lost-In-Translation
[4] http://www.islamicity.com/articles/articles.asp?ref=IC1007-4239&p=1#sthash.XGJoaXFo.dpuf
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wasat_(Islamic_term)
[3] http://www.ummah.com/forum/showthread.php?70255-Ummah-Wasat-So-That-The-Meaning-Is-Not-Lost-In-Translation
[4] http://www.islamicity.com/articles/articles.asp?ref=IC1007-4239&p=1#sthash.XGJoaXFo.dpuf
Oblivious
He never left us,
We are just oblivious
To His Presence.
Like a child
We thought
We can walk
On our own,
Then we stumbled
And realized our mistake,
It is then
We cried to high heaven
Asking for His Help...
We are just oblivious
To His Presence.
Like a child
We thought
We can walk
On our own,
Then we stumbled
And realized our mistake,
It is then
We cried to high heaven
Asking for His Help...
A thing
In the face of anything, I am something.
In the face of something, I am everything.
In the face of everything, I am nothing.
In the face of something, I am everything.
In the face of everything, I am nothing.
The passing
We all have our time
And a space
Under the Sun.
A time to be born
To grow
To enjoy ...
Time to be
To become
To yearn ...
Time is moving
Never goes back
It is ever forward.
When one's time is up
It is to bow down
And gracefully.
And a space
Under the Sun.
A time to be born
To grow
To enjoy ...
Time to be
To become
To yearn ...
Time is moving
Never goes back
It is ever forward.
When one's time is up
It is to bow down
And gracefully.
Anew
As long as we are alive,
we have the chance
to grow,
to improve,
to make amends,
to do whatever
we need to.
However,
in doing so
it is imperative
we are aware
of its consequences
and that we improve
for the better.
we have the chance
to grow,
to improve,
to make amends,
to do whatever
we need to.
However,
in doing so
it is imperative
we are aware
of its consequences
and that we improve
for the better.
Humanity, hell and heaven
God created all beings, seen and unseen; past, present and future.
We recognized the oneness of humanity as higher form of created being collectively entrusted with an Amanah, stewardship over other creations. We recognized that humanity is divided into nations and tribes; and this diversity is a manifestation of Divine Majesty.
Every day, we seek refuge with their Creator, who is also King and Sovereign of all humanity. Our day begins and ends by seek divine protection from the devil. In our psyche, the devil whispers into ears and hearts of people all throughout life.
But what is important is not how many times we succumb to inordinate desires, animal passions and temptations of the ego; but how many times we rise against the devil and sought God's grace. Rising is a daily struggle (jihad), life is punctuated by ups and downs, twists and turns of self-control, patience, chastity and other virtues. We recognized that while the road to hell is easy, the road to paradise is challenging and difficult.
We recognized the oneness of humanity as higher form of created being collectively entrusted with an Amanah, stewardship over other creations. We recognized that humanity is divided into nations and tribes; and this diversity is a manifestation of Divine Majesty.
Every day, we seek refuge with their Creator, who is also King and Sovereign of all humanity. Our day begins and ends by seek divine protection from the devil. In our psyche, the devil whispers into ears and hearts of people all throughout life.
But what is important is not how many times we succumb to inordinate desires, animal passions and temptations of the ego; but how many times we rise against the devil and sought God's grace. Rising is a daily struggle (jihad), life is punctuated by ups and downs, twists and turns of self-control, patience, chastity and other virtues. We recognized that while the road to hell is easy, the road to paradise is challenging and difficult.
Sarang-sarang (Moderation)
As Tausug, we were nurtured to face life and relations with moderation. "ayaw makalandu', sarang-sarang sadja" (not to be extreme, but to be moderate), a good guide to life and living.
However, in reality life is full of people from different strands of the spectrum. There those who shun life and lived solitary life. For them, mundane life is an illusion. What matters most is the hereafter, so the decision to withdraw from mundane life. There those who live their families to pursue spiritual goals, thinking the leaving and the sacrifice is a minuscule compared with spiritual growth. Foregoing relationship or leaving one all-together is a temporary setback compared with the spiritual benefits.
There are those who believe there is only one life, the current one and the hereafter is an illusion. Life after death can not be proved by science and therefore it does not exist. Just one life and to enjoy it to the fullest. There is no sacred or divine. Divinity is a mental invention. We can choose to un-invent it. so we might as well enjoy a life of hedonism and humanism.
There are those who would force us their beliefs. They think they are right and everyone else is wrong. Their's is one single truth and that is what they will tell you or which they will agree. They are the arbiter of righteousness. We do not mind them living their own thing. However, they do and want us to succumb to their beliefs. it is not enough we respect them, we have to yield and I am not saying about extremists from my religion only. Extremists cut across religious, cultural and society's borders. Ostracism, exclusion and violence are common weapons to exact submission.
And so I went back to my ancestor's lore of moderation, "sarang-sarang". For in here, is a guide to living neither of the extremes, the exclusion of others or of violence. Live and let live. Just as our community imam (religious leader) frequently say, to you is your religion, and to me is mine; yes, we can live as neighbor with respect for each other's peculiarities.
However, in reality life is full of people from different strands of the spectrum. There those who shun life and lived solitary life. For them, mundane life is an illusion. What matters most is the hereafter, so the decision to withdraw from mundane life. There those who live their families to pursue spiritual goals, thinking the leaving and the sacrifice is a minuscule compared with spiritual growth. Foregoing relationship or leaving one all-together is a temporary setback compared with the spiritual benefits.
There are those who believe there is only one life, the current one and the hereafter is an illusion. Life after death can not be proved by science and therefore it does not exist. Just one life and to enjoy it to the fullest. There is no sacred or divine. Divinity is a mental invention. We can choose to un-invent it. so we might as well enjoy a life of hedonism and humanism.
There are those who would force us their beliefs. They think they are right and everyone else is wrong. Their's is one single truth and that is what they will tell you or which they will agree. They are the arbiter of righteousness. We do not mind them living their own thing. However, they do and want us to succumb to their beliefs. it is not enough we respect them, we have to yield and I am not saying about extremists from my religion only. Extremists cut across religious, cultural and society's borders. Ostracism, exclusion and violence are common weapons to exact submission.
And so I went back to my ancestor's lore of moderation, "sarang-sarang". For in here, is a guide to living neither of the extremes, the exclusion of others or of violence. Live and let live. Just as our community imam (religious leader) frequently say, to you is your religion, and to me is mine; yes, we can live as neighbor with respect for each other's peculiarities.
On Waqt (Time)
Each one is given time to make a difference.
Some longer, some shorter;
Either way, our time is fixed,
Not a minute longer,
Not a minute shorter.
Let us use it
To make a difference
In the lives of our fellows.
It is not how long or how short our time is,
It is what and how we make use of it.
Human nature
Humans have both animalistic and angelistic tendencies ... a day to day tug of war between giving in to basal animal nature, i.e. main or kill, or striving to reach and express angelistic, i.e. forgive or love.
And religion is a reminder of who we are and what we can be.
And religion is a reminder of who we are and what we can be.
Provocation
As they are provoke to see enemies,
we are provoke to see humanity.
As they are provoke to hear call to war,
we are provoke to hear the sound of peace.
As they are provoke to curse,
we are provoke to compliment.
As they are provoke to divide,
we are provoke to bridge.
As they are provoke to kill,
we are provoke to heal.
As they are provoke to hegemony,
we are provoke to live harmoniously.
As they are provoke to react,
we are provoke to pro-act.
we are provoke to see humanity.
As they are provoke to hear call to war,
we are provoke to hear the sound of peace.
As they are provoke to curse,
we are provoke to compliment.
As they are provoke to divide,
we are provoke to bridge.
As they are provoke to kill,
we are provoke to heal.
As they are provoke to hegemony,
we are provoke to live harmoniously.
As they are provoke to react,
we are provoke to pro-act.
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