Copy of The Book of Wisdoms

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The Book of Wisdoms

This webinar was organised by the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) during Ramadan. Titled 'Busy Professionals & Ramadan it was aimed at Doctors and other professionals with the objective to help the attendees to maximize their time during the last ten days of Ramadan.

Get The Most From The Last Ten Days Of Ramadan For Busy People

Shaykh Abdur-Rahman explains that the characteristic of the nafs is such that it is always associated with an object of desire. This desire can either be lawful or unlawful. He goes on to advise that the salik can increase their will power against the cravings of the nafs that is calling to other than the pleasure of Allah by firstly, asking Allah for tawfiq (divine enablement) and assistance and secondly, providing for the nafs a substitute for its source of pleasure. By taking on a study regimen of the Islamic sciences the Shaykh mentions that this will feed the nafs with a constant stream of inspiration, drawing itself closer to Allah, His love and His pleasure and weakening its unlawful cravings.

All About Willpower

The main purpose of the existence of mankind is to recognise and love the Being who created him. It is the heart which recognises the existence of the Creator and it is within the heart where the love of the Creator is cultivated. The Shaykh mentions that in order for the Seeker to build their love for الله then they must become more acquainted with the Holy Qur’an. The Qur’an mentions an entire system: ayyahs include الله glorifying Himself; encouraging and dissuading actions; mentioning those people who are beloved to Him and criticising and making clear His enemies. He removes every doubt and uncertainty from the readers mind and provides proof and reflection after reflection. He declares His independency and that we are utterly dependant on Him. The Shaykh then explains that in order for the heart to experience the full affect of these elevated words the seeker must aim to make their heart the most purest/excellent/furthest of defects. If the heart is not the most purest then the love of الله cannot dominate it, instead the love of the world will engross it.

The Heart And Divine Focus

The speaker discusses Narcissism; the self admiration of oneself and talents, all the while forgetting to attribute it to the One who Bestowed them. He then goes on to mention the spiritual calamities which arise from this evil and  how one may safeguard themselves from it.

Treatise For The Seekers Of Guidance Part 24: Dealing With Self-Admiration And Narcissism

Jesus is believed to be a Prophet, who neither married nor had any children, and is reflected as a significant figure, being mentioned in the Quran over 20 times.  In the following talk the speaker tells the story of Jesus (Isa) and his mother Mary (upon them be peace) as told in the holy Qur'an.

Story Of Jesus (Isa) And Mary As Told In The Qur'an

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]

ZamZam Academy was established in 2003 to help disseminate knowledge of the Islamic Sciences (such as Aqeedah, Fiqh, Usul al-Fiqh, Tafseer, and Hadith) online.

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

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