Copy of The Book of Wisdoms

The following aphorism is covered in this talk:

"So long as you are in this world, be not surprised at the existence of sorrows. For, truly, it manifests nothing but what is in keeping with its character or its inevitable nature"

Don't Be Surprised By The Difficulties Of The World [Hikam 24]

***The Book of Wisdoms series***

The following aphorism is covered in this talk:

"To soften for you the suffering of affliction, He has taught you that He is the One who causes trials to come upon you. For the one who confronts you with His decrees of Fate is the same who has accustomed you to His good choice."

Difficulties And Good Come From The Same God [Hikam 105]

In this talk the Shaykh emphasizes how the spiritual seeker should not become despondent of the mercy of Allah, and that even after one has sinned he or she must think of the mercy of His Lord. The Shaykh reveals that the problem lies with habituated sins and that the key of removing this is making sincere repentance and having conviction that only Allah can safeguard them from their evil desires. If one does not believe this he or she has underestimated the Divine Power. The seeker should hold firm to the fact that nothing is beyond Allah's power. He is dominant over everything and the only administrator and manipulator of the hearts. Shaykh Abdur-Rahman mentions that at times Allah places situations of darkness or confusion upon His servants to make them realise that it is only Allah who can bring them out of it and that they just need to have hope and good thoughts about Him.

This talk covers Hikam number 197 which can be found on page 165 in The Book of Wisdoms https://www.whitethreadpress.com/the-book-of-wisdoms-2/

The Ray Of Hope In The Darkness [Hikam 197]

"And if you attempted to count all the favours of Allah, you will not be able to innumerate them..." (Surah Nahl)

From all the limitless bounties Allah has decended upon His creation, the Shaykh discusses two graces that are inevitable  and inseparable for every creature; the grace of existence and the grace of sustenance.

Muslim religious life not only consists of belief in orthodox tenets of faith and a determined effort to follow the Sacred Law, it also requires one to scale the heights of the spiritual path. In this series we will study the book 'The Kitab al-Hikam' of Shaykh Ibn ‘Ata’illah al-Iskandari. It is the inspiring explanation of the soul’s journey through this life, as determined through the Qur’an and Sunna. Along with his treatises and intimate discourses (munajat), the substantive feature of the work is the author’s 264 spiritual aphorisms (hikam)­—concise, comprehensive and sublime sayings on self purification (tazkiya), and guidelines to help strengthen the relationship between humans and their Lord. These aphorisms, which have never failed to inspire.

The Two Indispensable Graces of God [Hikam 97 & 98]

In this lecture Shaykh Abdur-Rahman mentions the two states of the Path, and how for the seeker it necessitates for him to contemplate on the creation to then understand the Divine Names of the Creator. Shaykh then goes on to mention how the purity of ones deeds gets contaminated and what the seeker must remove from themselves to ensure that their good deeds are accepted in the Divine Court.

This talk covers Hikam number 261 which can be found on page 134 in The Book of Wisdoms

Remembrance to Reflection [Hikam 261]

This talk covers the following aphorisms:

"When He alienates you from His creatures, then know that He wants to open for you the door of intimacy with Him"

" When He wants to show His grace to you, He creates states in you and attributes them to you"

Allah's Grace And Intimate Discourse With Him [Hikam 101 & 123]

In this lecture the Shaykh reveals the major cause for grief and explains how it is a self inflicted issue. He explains that when a person has a strong attachment to worldly objects and then suffers their loss, great misery and distress overcomes them. This is because they have failed to understand that this is a temporal imperfect world, and therefore, all its goods will be defective and its use will only be for a limited time. Shaykh Abdur-Rahman advises that by managing ones possessions and sufficing upon needs only, they will be content at times of loss as they posses only little. By this sacrifice Allah will grant the person honour and His close friendship, all which never perishes.

Never Grieve Again - Removing the Causes of Grief [Hikam 226]

Understanding the mercy of Allah when experiencing any sort of affliction/distress at the hands of people.  

"He only made affliction come at the hands of people so that you not repose in them. He wanted to drive you of everything so that nothing would divert you from Him" [Hikam 235, Page 207 The Book of Wisdoms]

Why Are We Sometimes Harmed By People We Love [Hikam 235]

The following two aphorisms are covered in this talk:

Hikam 131 - "Were it not for the kindliness of His veiling, no deed would be worthy of acceptance" 

 Hikam 134 - "Whoever honors you honors only the beauty of His veil in you. Therefore, praise is to Him who veiled you, not to the one who honored and thanked you"

The Blessing Of The Divine Veil [Hikam 131 & 134]

"There is none from amongst you except that he has a devil attached to him". (Muslim) 

"If you know that the devil does not forget you, then do not forget, for your part, Him who has your forelock in His hand. (Hikam 236)

The 'qarīn' (evil companion) appointed to each person from birth his task to cast evil promptings into the heart of a person whenever he finds him to be inattentive of Allah.

Never Forget God When Shaytan Never Forgets You [Hikam 236]

The Book of Wisdoms Series: Hikam 237 page 208

"He made the devil your enemy so that, through him, He could drive you toward Himself, and He stirred up your soul against you so that your drawing near to Him would be permanent". 

The soul (nafs) and the devil (shaytaan), despite being sources of trials, problems and difficulties the above wisdom unravels how these entities are infact the means of a person attaining divine proximity and advancing on the spiritual path.

How The Shaytan And Nafs Drive One To Allah [Hikam 237]

Book of Wisdoms [Hikam 255 page 202] 

"He made you witness before He asked you to give witness. Thus, the outer faculties speak of His Divinity while the heart and the innermost consciousness have realized His Unity"

You Testified To Your Faith Before Your Birth [Hikam 255]

"He put you in the intermediary world between His Kingdom and His Realm to teach you the majesty of your rank amongst His created beings and that you are a jewel wherein the pearls of His creation are hidden"

Book of Wisdoms [Hikam 245 page 209] https://www.whitethreadpress.com/publication/the-book-of-wisdoms-kitab-al-hikam/

The World Is Your Oyster (A New Meaning) [Hikam 245]

Book of Wisdoms [Hikam 43 page 211]

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"Do not keep company with anyone whose state does not inspire you and whose speech does not lead you to God"

Whose Company Not To Keep [Hikam 43]

In this talk, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman describes the desires of the nafs and the heart and how the Saalik can detect and overcome negative passions. Desires of the nafs relate to bodily fulfilments such as eating, drinking, wearing fine garment, etc.,… and desires of the heart are seeking honour and fame in the sight of people. The Shaykh finally reveals three points, which if the seeker kept in mind his or her spiritual condition will be elevated.

Dhikr, Good Company and the Correct Perspective [Hikam 201]

In this session, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman discusses how one can progress with their dhikr and how it is important to not abandon it despite low levels of concentration. It is a ploy of Shaytaan to get one to abandon dhikr altogether as he knows the great benefit dhikr holds.

The Shaykh goes on to mentions that concentration levels develop over time and it is important for one to not become hopeless or despondent. The journey of dhikr is such that one must first engage their tongue in the rememberance of Allah and the heart will then follow, both becoming in sync.

Allah has said “If you remember me then I will remember you”. This is how the Lord honours and bestows His grace upon His obedient servants by allowing them to remember Him and He remembering them. By acknowledging this the Seeker of the Path holds dear each precious second of the dhikr and mediation and enthusiastically builds upon it.

Don't Abandon Dhikr Just Because You cannot Concentrate [Hikam 47]

Shaykh Abdur-Rahman reveals the two types of abodes: the Abode of Deception - this worldly life, and the Abode of Permanence - the Akhirah.
The Shaykh explains that sometimes when Allah deprives you of something you consider good (such as wealth, honour and sustenance) it is in reality an actual bounty because He desires to reward you in full in the Everlasting Abode since this world is deemed insufficient. This world is low, inferior and degraded and the akhirah is high, superior and elevated.
The Shaykh advises that by the seeker continuing with their regular adhkar and remembering death frequently will strengthen their conviction in the hereafter, they will see the reality of the delusion of this world, persevere in the struggle to disassociate their nafs from this false world and strive to acquire the permanent good of the akhirah.

The Abode Of Deception [Hikam 71 And 83]

This talk, the last one held in the Ramadhan, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman begins by giving a few advises to the salik (the one on the path of spirituality) and how their behaviour of conduct should be of forbearance and seeking excuses for others. Shaykh then goes on to mention some aphorisms on sincerity compiled in ‘The Book of Wisdoms’ written by the great 14th century Sufi and scholar Shaykh Ibn Ata’illah al-Iskandari. He writes that ‘actions are lifeless forms, the presence of sincerity within them is what endows them with a living spirit’. Shaykh Mangera mentions that it is important for the initiate to keep his intention firm and not get distracted or too engrossed in the sweetness of the unveilings of mystical experiences. These experiences Iibn Ata’illah mentions are just creations like ourselves and serve as trials to test ones true desire for worship. By this, Shaykh Abdur-Rahman mentions that entertainment and pleasure, the main fitna and challenge in today's society is both a danger for the salik and the non-salik.

Importance of Sincerity and the Dangers of Entertainment [Hikam 10 & 20]

Book of Wisdoms [Hikam 135 page 212] 

"No one is a companion of yours except the one who, while knowing your defects, is your companion, and that is only your generous Lord..."

Despite being aware of our countless deficiencies and faults which can easily cause rifts between close friends, Allah maintains His relationship with His servants. The lecture mentions how one can strengthen their bond with the Creator and to not forget the 'deal' already made by Allah.

Allah's Deal With The Believers [Hikam 135]

"...The best one to take on as a  companion is He who does not seek you out for the sake of something coming from you to Him."

Despite being aware of our countless deficiencies and faults which can easily cause rifts between close friends, Allah maintains His relationship with His servants. The lecture mentions how one can strengthen their bond with the Creator and to not forget the 'deal' already made by Allah.

Book of Wisdoms [Hikam 135 page 212]

https://www.whitethreadpress.com/publication/the-book-of-wisdoms-kitab-al-hikam/

Copy of The Book of Wisdoms

Amatullah