In the midst of a flower garden...

I came across this quote today by Maulana Rumi:

Whoever is sitting with friends
is in the midst of a flower garden,
though he may be in the fire.
Whoever sits with an enemy is in the fire,
even though he is in the midst of a garden.

-Rumi, "Mathnawi" [IV, 1976-1978]


It reminded of one of the aphorisms of ibn Ata'illah, one that i always quote...

If someone's state does not lift you up,
and his words do not lead you to Allah.
Then do not keep his company.

It may well be that you are in a bad state,
But to keep company with someone worse than you
would allow to see good in yourself.

There is so much wisdom in this. True knowledge is passed from heart to heart, not from books.

As Abu Madyan says in his ode,

The pleasure of life is only in the company of the fuqara....

Therefore keep their company and have adab in their assemblies....

Watch the Shaykh carefully in his states, perhaps a trace of his approval will be seen on you.

May we find ourselves in the midst of a flower garden... in company with the friends (ameen).

Rumaysa Says..

I thought it was about time I posted something in my own little space on the world wide web. I usually hesitate before writing. I guess its just difficult to transfer your thoughts to words and then share it with the world.

Why did I create Rumaysa's Blogspot?

I believe everyone is on a journey, and along the way they might stop and reflect upon the various things they see or the people they meet. These reflections may influence the journey's destination, direction or pace. My blogspot, will hopefully be an account of these reflections. An account of the people and things that inspire me, in hope that they might be a source of inspiration to others. A reading, a quote, a nice poem or song. . .anything beautiful.

The ambition of the spiritual traveller never wants to stop with what it has been shown save that the voices of reality call to him, "what you seek is ahead of you."
[Ibn 'Ata'illah]

While you are alive, your worldy self is like a collector of benefits from Allah's bounties, which come to you from myriads of hands.
[Ibn 'Arabi]

Dala'il al Khayrat

The Index of Good Things

By Imam Jazuli

It is said that the writer of Dala'il ul-Khayrat once went on a journey , when in great need of water for making ablutions. he came upon a well but could not reach the water without a bucket and rope which he did not have. He became very worried . A young girl saw this and came to his assistance. She spat into the well whereupon the water rose to the top of its own accord. Seeing this miracle, he asked the girl " And how is that possible?" The replied "I was able to do this through my asking for blessings upon the Prophet, Allah's blessings and peace be upon the him." Having thus seen the benefit of asking for blessings upon the Prophet, Allah's blessings and peace be upon him , he decided to write Dala'il ul-Khayrat.

Translation of Morroccan Edition of the Dala'il al Khayrat Here ...

The Maqam of Imam Juzali (May Allah sanctify his soul)

Sayiddina Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani

(1077 CE/472H - 1166 CE/561 H)

"Leave the lower self to this world, the heart to the hereafter, and the innermost being to the Master. Do not approach this world with confidence, for it is actually a serpent in beautiful disguise. It lures people with its charming appearance, then it destroys them.

You must affirm the oneness of the Lord of Truth, (Almighty and Glorious is He) until not a single atom of the entire creation is left within your heart, and you wish for nothing except that which is compatible with the affirmation of Divine Unity (Tawheed)."
[The Removal of Cares]


Who is Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani?

Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani's Names and Titles...

Books by Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani...

Necklaces of Gems - A Biography of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani...

The resting place of Shaykh Jilani
(May Allah perfume his resting place)

Al-hikam al-'Ata'iyyah

The Aphorisms of Ibn Ata'illah Iskandari



The translation has been posted before, however this is a link to the original text in arabic. I think those that can read arabic will understand and benefit from it alot more than from reading a translation..



"If you make intense supplication
and the timing of the answer is delayed,
do not despair of it.
His reply to you is guaranteed;
but in the way He chooses,
not the way you choose,
and at the moment He desires,
not the moment you desire."


Read Entire Arabic Text Here...

Rabi`a al `Adawiyya Once Said...

"O Lord...
Once I wanted You so much
I didn't even dare walk past Your house--
And now
I am not even worthy to be let in"

"My Joy
My Hunger
My Shelter
My Friend
My Food for the Journey
My Journey's End
You are my breath,
My hope,
My companion,
My craving,
My abundant wealth"

Sufiyan:

This is my prayer: let God be satisfied with me.

Rabi'a:

How dare you pray that -- when you are not satisfied with God?

"May God steal from you
All that steals you from Him."

"Let me hide in You
From everything that distracts me from You,
From everything that comes in my way
When I want to run to You."

"I swear that ever since the first day You brought me back to life,
The day You became my Friend,
I have not slept --
And even if You drive me from your door,
I swear again that we will never be separated--
Because You are alive in my heart."


"I look everywhere for your love--
Then suddenly I am filled with it.
O Captain of my Heart,
Radiant Eye of Yearning in my breast..."


"O God!
If I adore You out of fear of Hell, burn me in Hell!
If I adore You out of desire for Paradise,
Lock me out of Paradise.
But if I adore You for Yourself alone,
Do not deny to me Your eternal beauty. "

"O God,
You know that the only thing I want in this life
Is to be obedient to Your command.
Even the living sight of my eyes
Is service at your court."

"The real work is in the Heart:
Wake up your Heart! Because when the heart is completely awake,
Then it needs no Friend. "

My Greatest Need is You

Rabi'a al 'Adawiyya

Your hope in my heart is the rarest treasure
Your Name on my tongue is the sweetest word
My choicest hours
Are the hours I spend with You --
O Allah, I can't live in this world
Without remembering You--
How can I endure the next world
Without seeing Your face?
I am a stranger in Your country
And lonely among Your worshippers:
This is the substance of my complaint.


The Story of Rabi'a Al- Adawiyya, a Great Sufi Saint ...