Revealed Grace: The Juristic Sufism of Ahmad Sirhindi r.a. (1564-1624)

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Revealed Grace
The Juristic Sufism of Ahmad Sirhindi
(1564-1624)

Arthur F. Buehler

ISBN: 978-1-891785-89-4

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Buehler has achieved a groundbreaking translation of a substantial portion of Sirhindi’s Letters, a mystical and philosophical masterpiece that has to date remained largely inaccessible to a Western audience. The work, masterfully introduced and meticulously annotated, is academically rigorous while yet taking seriously the author’s contemplative experiences, mapping the inner and cosmic landscape against which they emerge.
— Marcia Hermansen, Director, Islamic World Studies Program, Loyola University

The Letters of Shaykh Ahmad Sirhindi are widely recognized as a remarkable and influential storehouse of Sufi experience and reflection. Arthur Buehler’s meticulous translation and explanation of these important yet difficult texts is a major contribution to the study of Islamic mysticism.
— Carl W. Ernst, William R. Kenan, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This selection of letters furnishes the contemporary reader with an unusually rare glimpse into the formidably vast, yet finely textured, lifeworld of a towering figure in the history of Sufism, one whose teachings resonated far beyond the South Asian ambit in which they were initially nurtured. Undeterred by the notoriously elliptical Indo-Persian prose of the Maktubat, Buehler’s judiciously selected and skillfully rendered translations make an important contribution to our understanding of this acclaimed “Renewer of the Second Millennium,” a contribution which in the spirit of Sirhindi himself cannot but lead one to reconsider much of what has come before.
— Erik S. Ohlander, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne

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Table of Contents
Dedication vi
Translator’s Preface: Disclaimers and Confessions ix
Introduction 1
Chapter One: Shariat, Sunnat, and JuriStS 63
The basics of faith: Letter 2.67 63
Shariat: Letter 2.46 81
The seven levels of the sunnat: Letter 2.54 90
Islam and other religious communities: Letter 2.55 97
Is there a place beyond the shariat? Letter 1.172 105
Differences between sufis and jurists: Letter 3.39 108
Similarities between sufis and jurists: Letter 3.32 109
Chapter twO: COntemplative experienCe 115
One of Sirhindi’s early contemplative experiences: Letter 1.11 115
Sirhindi’s further contemplative development: Letter 1.13 124
Types of certainty and stations on the sufi path: Letter 1.18 126
Sirhindi’s culminating contemplative experience: Letter 1.290 135
Realizing unity with God: Letter 1.291 159
Chapter three: aSpeCtS Of the Sufi path 169
Getting beyond the ego-self : Letter 1.52 169
Encouraging a youth to the sufi path: Letter 1.73 172
The expanse of the heart: Letter 3.45 178
Shadows versus the Essence: Letter 2.42 180
The sufi path: Letter 2.71 195
Reprimanding a beginner: Letter 2.77 197
Types of seekers on the path: Letter 1.292 201
The end is included in the beginning: Letter 1.200 208
Evaluating spiritual rank: Letter 1.293 212
Those who think they are further along than they are: Letter 1.220 218
Naqshbandi Cosmology: Letter 1.257 224
Sirhindi interpreting verses of Sharafuddin Maneri: Letter 3.33 227
Chapter fOur: Sufi treatiSe 1: letter 1.260 233
Chapter five: Sufi treatiSe 2: letter 1.287 266
Selected Bibliography 301
Index 310

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Printing of this Book was funded by Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education (NFIE).Keep us in your Duas. Ahmed Mirza M.D Servant NFIE

Sufism: A Wayfarer's Guide to the Naqshbandi Way

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Sufism
A Wayfarer’s Guide to the Naqshbandi Way

Originally written in Kurdish by Shaikh Amīn ‘alā ad-Dīn an-Naqshbandī
Translated into Arabic by Dr. Muḥammad Sharīf Aḥmad
English translation (from the arabic) by Muhtar Holland

with a Preface by: Shaikh Muhammad Ma‘sum Naqshbandi (ra)
Forwards by:

Professor Shaikh ‘Abd al-Karīm, Arthur F. Buehler, and Abdal Hakim Murad

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SUFISM: A Wayfarer’s Guide to the Naqshbandi Way, unlike almost all books on sufism
in english, provides a window on the living sufism of the Khalidi-naqshbandi sufis of
Kurdistan.

This text is quite unique, as it contextualizes the practice of sufism both his-
torically and within the islamic religious milieu, clarifying many types of questions non-sufis typically ask.

The author discusses the full spectrum of stations that sufis experience, from repentance to servanthood, before outlining fifteen common altered states of consciousness (sing. hal). This is followed by a detailed discussion of sufi technical terms and praiseworthy and blameworthy attributes.

The final part of the book discusses the Naqshbandi path in detail. given its comprehensive content, this book provides a solid basis upon which to understand Sufism as it is practiced. it is will be of use to those who have never read about Sufism as well as those who are well read in Sufi literature translated into English. what you have in your hands is a serious treatise on Sufism; it is an owner’s manual for Sufi practice (though it is not a substitute for an actual Sufi teacher).

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An invaluably thorough manual of Khalidi-naqshbandi spiritual method, this text
highlights the depths of the islamic revelation in its most authentic form.
— T. J. Winter, Cambridge University

A Wayfarer’s Guide is an important step forward on the understanding of the naqsh-
bandi-Khalidi lineage, especially in the way that the shariah of islam is harmonized
with its inner dimension, in the effectiveness of naqshbandi contemplative practices,
and the resulting transformations. an unusual synthesis of the naqshbandi teaching
written in a clear language and a very didactic approach, amin `ala al-din al-naqsh-
bandi’s book is a worthwhile exposition of sufism written by a prominent shaykh of a
famous sufi family in the Kurdish area of iraq.
— Thierry Zarcone, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris

It is much to be welcomed that this concise introduction to sufism, as understood by
the Khalidi branch of the naqshbandi order, is now available in a clear and straightfor-
ward english, in addition to the Kurdish original and arabic and Persian translations.
Particularly useful are the definitions of the technical terms of sufism. recommended
as an antidote to the psuedo-sufi literature now proliferating on the market.
— Hamid Algar, University of California, Berkeley

https://www.fonsvitae.com/OnlineStore/tabid/58/pid/386/FVsfg-122-Sufism-A-Wayfarers-Guide-to-the-Naqshbandi-Way.aspx

This Book is being printed by Richmond Printing and has been funded by Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education (NFIE).Keep us in your Duas.Ahmed Mirza M.D. Servant,NFIE

The Principles of Tasawwuf by Sheikh Muhammad al-Ya`aqubi

The Principles of Tasawwuf
by Sheikh Muhammad al-Ya`aqubi

إن مبادي كل فن عشره الحد و الموضوع ثم الثمره و فضله ونسبة و الواضع و الاسم الاستمداد حكم الشارع مسائل و البعض بالبعض اكتفى و من درى الجميع حاز الشرفا 1. The definition- (الحد) Hundreds of definitions of Tasawwuf have been drawn. The great scholar sidi Ahmed Zarouq says: ”Tasawwuf has more than two thousand explanatory definitions; all ultimately refer to the following: True devotion to Allah from where He likes by the means He likes (صدق التوجه إلى الله من حيث يرضاه بما يرضاه) Some of the common definitions are: Acting upon knowledge العمل بالعلمNoble characterالتصوف أخلاق Acquiring the good characters and getting rid of the bad. 2. The subject-الموضوع: The Divine Essenceالذات العلية as how Allah can be known. Another opinion says that the subject of this discipline is hearts and souls; because it works on their purification and cultivation. Both opinions are correct as the latter looks at the goal and the former looks at the means; as it has been correctly said, ”He who knows himself will know his Lord”. 3. The fruit- الثمرة: The fruit or the benefit of this discipline is the purification of the heart and knowing the Master of the worlds. 4. The merit- فضله :Tasawwuf is a noble discipline of high merit. Its nobility stems from from its subject. Al- Ihsan الإحسان is one of the three levels of this deen and the highest. 5. The relation of this discipline to others- نسبته إلى غيره من العلوم: Tasawwuf is the base of the Sharia; without it all acts of worship would be imperfect. It is the core of the Quran and the Sunnah and the tissue of muslims spiritual life. Imam Malik says: من تصوف و لم يتفقه فقد تزندق و من تفقه و لم يتصوف فقد تفسق و من جمع بينهما فقد تحقق ”Whoever acquires tasawwuf without fiqh is a heretic and whoever studies fiqh without tasawwuf is unrighteous and who combines both has the reality” 6. The pioneer- الواضع : The word al-wadi means the one that sets forth this branch of knowledge. It is of course the Prophet (s). Many ahadith highlight this fact, most famous of wich is hadith Jibril (s). The first one who made this knowledge known is Sayyiduna Ali (r) and then his son Sayyiduna al-Hasan (r) and al-Hasan al-Basriy. 7. The name- الاسم: The name of this science is tasawwufعلم التصوف The word is derrived from souf: wool; or from safa: purity; or from suffa: the special place of a group of the sahaba in the Holy Sanctuary of the Prophet . The discipline has been known by this name since the second century of hijra, i.e. the time of the salaf . It has been frequently called ilm as-Sulouk, ilm al-Ihsan, ilm at-Tarbiyah or ilm at-Tazkiyah. 8. The sources- الاستمداد : Tasawwuf relies on al-Quran and as-Sunnah as the sources and proofs of its material. The sayings of the great scholars are a rich treasure for the seekers and the masters alike. 9. The legal ruling- حكم الشارع : The legal ruling of studying tasawwuf is fard i.e. obligatory. Since all human beings are susceptable to sins save for the Prophets. Imam Abul Hasan ash-Shadiliy saysمن لم يتغلغل في علمنا هذا مات مصرا على الكبائر و هو لا يشعر ”Who does not deeply study this discipline will die persisting on major sins without being aware of it”. 10. The issues discussed- مسائله: Tasawwuf tackles some of the cardinal elements of the deen such as ikhlas: sincerity; sidq: truthfulness; wara: religious cautioness; tawakkul: reliance; zuhd: asceticism; mahabba: love; and similarly their opposites, wich are called the diseases of the hearts such as insincerity; hypocrisy; arrogance; greed. It also tackles some of the subtlest subjects such as the passing of thoughts; the states of the heart; inspiration. One of its most important subjects is dhikr, the remebrance of Allah and its virtues; another is the sheikh and his qualifications, the disciple murid and his adab. Basic works in tasawwuf: The Beauty of the Righteous by al-Hafiz Abu Nuaym al-Asfahani The Revival of the Sciences of the Deen- Ihya Ulumid-Deen by al-Imam al-Ghazali Al-Risalah of Imam Abul Qasim al-Qushayriy The Aphorisms- al-Hikam og Imam Ibn Atta Allah Revelation of the Unseen by Imam Abdul Qadir al-Jaylaniy http://seekerofthesacredknowledge.wordpress.com/

Dr.Arthur Buehler at Mawlid,Gilbert,AZ

Dr Art Buehler

Senior Lecturer,
School of Art History, Classics and Religious Studies.University of Victoria,at Wellington.NZ

Video-Mawlid & Talk April 24,2011 Gilbert,Arizona

Topic: Translation of Letters of Imam Ahmad Sirhindi RA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wep_wM5S_Fc&feature=channel_video_title

Qualifications

PhD (Harvard University)

Research Specialties

Art Buehler, a scholar of transregional sufi networks and the transmission of Islamic revivalist ideas, is senior editor of the Journal of the History of Sufism. He began his career teaching Arabic in Yemen for the British Council. After five years in the Arab world he entered the History of Religions Program at Harvard University specialising in South Asian Islam under the tutelage of the late Annemarie Schimmel. His subsequent two books are the result of four years of fieldwork in Indo-Pakistan. He has just finished a selected translation of Ahmad Sirhindi's (d. 1624 Sirhind, India) Indo-Persian sufi letters, which will be published by Paulist Press in 2012.

Imam Zaid Shakir at NFIE Mawlid 2011

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVDu3o57PhU

The Mawlid un Nabi (saws) Conference, organized by the Naqsbandiya Foundation for the Islamic Education (NFIE) , was held on Saturday March 19th at the Chandler Community Center. Over 500 Muslims around the valley and its vicinity attended this spiritual event. The theme of the conference was “Celebrating the Prophet saws of Universal Mercy, Love and Beauty”. This was the 10th annual event of its kind in the valley.

Muhammed Bilal Siddiqui welcomed the guests and gave a brief background of the history of the Naqsbandiya Foundation in the valley. NFIE was founded by Dr. Ahmed Mirza in 1992 with the mission of serving Islam with a special focus on Tasawwuf (Islamic Spirituality).

The program commenced with the beautiful recitation of Surah Rahman by Al-Shaykh Qari Masood Omar Mohammad. Yousuf Bhuvad recited the popular “Ya Taiba” nasheed based on the love for the city of Medina. Sabah el-Ganimet, the Munshid from Iraq, also recited an Arabic nasheed. Imam Didmar Faja, the Imam Albanian American Islamic Center (Greenway Masjid), gave opening remarks on the purpose and the significance of Mawlid in the light of Sirah of Prophet Mohammed (SAWS). Syed Mansoor Johar presented the nasheed “Lam Yati” a well known rendition in 3 languages.

Dr. Ahmed Mirza, Secretary, NFIE, thanked the audience for making this event a success a year after year. He elaborated that NFIE was established in loving memory of Sayyid Jamaat Ali Shah Naqshbandi (rahmat Allah alayhi) and Shaykh Muhammad Masum Naqshbandi (rahmat Allah alayhi). He appreciated the local and guest scholars for their presence on this auspicious event.

Al-Shaykh Qari Abdelkarim Liousfi, the famous Munshid from Morocco, recited Nasheeds in Arabic. After the Salat al-Maghrib, Muhammad Bilal Siddiqui presented the famous Urdu nasheed ”Jashn-e-Amde Rasul" followed by Arabic nasheeds by Qari Abdelkarim Liousfi.

Imam Zaid Shakir, the keynote speaker from the Zaytuna College, captivated the audience by his talk on the life of Prophet (SAWS) on the theme of his mercy, love and beauty.

“He was kind and merciful to everybody around him including his enemies,” he said. He advised Muslims to expand their hearts and love to one other.

Imam Zaid Shakir teaches regular courses on Arabic, Islamic law, History, and Islamic spirituality at the Zaytuna College. New York Times described him as a “leading intellectual light” and was ranked as “one of America’s most influential Scholars”. This was his second visit to the valley in less than a month.

Imam Zaid Shakir conducted a Q & A session with Imam Didmar Faja on the Islamic Guidance and Spirituality.

The program ended with the Qiyam, Salat-o-Salam and Dua by the scholars. Salat al-Isha was offered and a delicious dinner was served.

For pictures and slideshow of the event, please visit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/azpakcommunity/sets/72157626312690260/show/

The Video & Audio will be available soon. For the monthly Mawlid and other information, please contact info@nfie.com and visit www.nfie.com.

To view NFIE videos on YouTube , please search for nfie and nfie1. NFIE appreciates your generous support and send your tax deductible donations to NFIE, P.O.Box 2978, and Gilbert AZ 85299

Regards

Yousuf

Returning to the Prophet saws by Shaykh Habib Umar

In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate

The following is a translation of Sayyidi Habib ‘Umar bin Hafiz in a recent talk delivered at a mawlid in Tarim provided by Ustadh Amin Buxton (Allah preserve and increase him and his teachers).
Please benefit and share:
At a time when the squares of some Arab cities are full of violence and chaos, the town square of Tarim last Monday night was full of people standing in celebration of the Beloved (may bless him and grant him peace).
Sayyidi Habib `Umar bin Hafiz mentioned the following:
Allah says: A Messenger has come to you.
To you, – all of us are being addressed, do you not realise? What is your portion of his coming to you? A Messenger has come to you from amongst yourselves; it grieves him that you should suffer; ardently anxious is he over you; to the most believers he is most compassionate and merciful. May Allah give us the taste of this compassion and mercy in our hearts!
The truthful ones amongst this Ummah are in a state of bliss in this life before the next due to their experiencing this through their connection to the Best of People (peace and blessings be upon him). They made Muhammad their foundation so no one is able shake them. Those who turned away from him are the ones in danger.
Allah says: Let those who disobey his order beware lest tribulation befall them or a painful punishment be inflicted upon them.
I swear by Allah that every tribulation that befalls any part of the Ummah in any place and at any time or any punishment that is inflicted is the result of disobedience to the Beloved (peace and blessings be upon him). Likewise the only cause of receiving the mercy of Allah and experiencing bliss in this life is following him, loving him and sacrificing everything in support of him.
The Prophet is more compassionate to the believers than they are to their own selves. Do you know Who is saying this, the sweetest of statements? When will you surrender the reins to him? When will you give him priority in your affairs and the affairs of your family? How can we not reflect upon following him, remembering him, praising him?
Let the hearts and souls respond because the call is addressed to them.
He said to the Ansar, and it is a message to anyone who gives support to him in any time: “Have patience (sabr) until the time when you meet me, for I am waiting for you at the Basin (hawd).”
Our presence in this gathering is only the result of his compassion, which has reached us through the most blessed of channels.
Raise yourselves above base desires – seek something higher. However much wrong anyone has done the door is open. Allah said of this door: If only when they wrong themselves they came to you and sought the forgiveness of Allah, and the Messenger sought forgiveness for them, they would find Allah Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. Allah is saying: if they feel that they have fallen into heedlessness then let them come to you. If they do so they will find Me, and in what state will they find Me? Oft-Returning, Most Merciful. Thus their previous sins will be wiped out.
It is only fitting that we express our joy for the existence of the Best of Creation, and for connection to him. It is only fitting that we not be distracted by the news bulletins of the lower world when we have received bulletins from the Lord of the higher world, brought to us by the Master of the higher world (peace and blessings be upon him).
Allah give life to our hearts as you give to the hearts of so many in this month.
Muhammad! Muhammad! By Allah do you not know what is received when his name is mentioned?
O Allah make us beloved to him and make us amongst the best of his Ummah, those who receive the greatest portion of his love and mercy.

Mawlid-Un-Nabi Conference 2011

Mawlid-Un-Nabi Conference 2011

SATURDAY, MARCH 19^th, 2011, 4:30 – 8:30 pm

Chandler Community Center

125 Commonwealth Ave

Chandler, AZ 85225

Sponsored By

Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education

Celebrating the Prophet ^(pbuh) of Universal Mercy, Love & Beauty

Imam Zaid Shakir

Born in Berkeley, California, accepted Islam in 1977 while serving in the U.S Air Force. He Obtained BA with honors in International Relations at American University and MA in Political Science from Rutgers University. After a year in Cairo studying Arabic, he settled in New Haven, as Imam of Masjid al-Islam from 1988 to 1994. For seven years in Syria and briefly in Morocco he immersed himself in an intense study of Arabic, Islamic law, Qur’anic studies, and Islamic spirituality with some of the top Muslim scholars of our age. In 2001, he graduated from Syria’s prestigious Abu Noor University and returned to Connecticut to continue his work with the Muslim community in America. In 2003, he moved to Hayward, California with his family to serve as a scholar-in residence and lecturer at Zaytuna Institute. In 2009 he co-founded Zaytuna College where he now teaches regular courses on Arabic, Islamic law, History, and Islamic spirituality. New York Times described him as a “leading intellectual light” and was ranked as “one of America’s most influential Scholars”

Qari Abdelkarim Liousfi

Quran and Arabic Teacher. Studied Quran, Tajweed, Nasheeds with Eminent scholars in Morocco. As one of the best Munshids for 33 years, he used to recite Mawlid in front of the King and on the Moroccan TV.

Register for Free Conference & Dinner online, by phone or by email

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Please make Checks Payable to: NFIE. (Tax ID: 37-1303679)

Naqshbandiya Foundation for Islamic Education

P.O.Box 2978,Gilbert Az 85299. E-mail info@nfie.com website www.nfie.com

Ahmed Mirza M.D Secretary, 480-792-9746 (H), 480-600-4707 (C)

Muhammad Bilal Siddiqui, 602-315-7433