Auntie Nab, Rabia & Salman in Jerusalem - Umrah Pilgrimage Part 7

(If unclear, please click on picture)

Rabi'ah al-'Adawiyah. She is a saint. Perhaps the most well known and revered of woman saints in the lore of the wise masters and their foolish students.

Auntie Nab. I have heard of her of course. A couple of years back after my mother passed away, I spent time with an old, old friend of my mother, Auntie Nab. She is an integral part of my life because she was the ‘matchmaker’ between my mom and dad. I guess you could say that without Auntie Nab’s timely intervention, I may have never been born.

Auntie Nab is a reader and admirer of Rabia. Women are often fond of Rabia because she always has something to say about man and our weaknesses – exposing our little petty vanities for the world to take lesson (and often giggle at). Like this story…

Hasan and Rabia. One day, Hasan al-Basri (ancient big-time saint and contemporary of Rabia) made a point to visit Rabia. But he did not take the bus, neither did he walk, ride a camel or any of the many mundane ways of transport available to him in those days. Hassan flew. Saints get to do this magical stuffs once in a while. Rabia was outdoor when Hassan came swooping down like an angel from heaven. And as he was descending, Rabia called unto him, saying, “O’ Hasan, even birds can fly!”

Jerusalem. Such is Rabia that she even has things (many, many, many things, in fact) to say to God Himself. I hope I shall be visiting her soon. Her maqam (tomb) is near Jerusalem (or maybe in Jerusalem?), and it is part of the itinerary of the tour for Tuesday. Am I excited? I am, but being it is Rabia herself, I am approaching her with deference (and not a little caution). It is always a good idea for men to be circumspect and careful when dealing with women, especially women saints.

Salman al-Farsi. On the same day we shall also be visiting the maqam of Salman al-Farsi, a great and beloved Companion of the Prophet. My hands trembled when I read the itinerary because I know him. He is a wonderful human being… a true Lover of the Beloved of God.

Have a lovely Monday, sunshine. Today, I am a traveler.

Pax Taufiqa.

.

Once Upon a Time in America

12. It is ok
It is good to be lost sometimes,
For otherwise,
You would not be found.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA, a handsome white-bearded Shaykh was giving a talk at a community centre (if I recall correctly). In his talk (it’s never a speech, you know) he said he noticed outside the hall a ‘Lost & Found’ board on the wall. He commented that your life is a journey (nothing new here), and here you strive to find your bearings, to read the maps properly, and where possible (and fated), you will receive direct guidance from such people who have been appointed for your welfare.

OUR LORD, THE SAVIOR. But despite the best of efforts we often find ourselves lost. You made a mistake but this is okay says the Shaykh. For it is okay to be lost, to become the innocent babe in the woods once again, to be marooned in an unchartered island in the Bermuda Triangle. Because in this perfect storm, God and the Good will come to our rescue. Otherwise how will God be known as The Savior? Yes… it is good to be lost sometimes. If only to find that our God has not, and has never actually forgotten us.

SPIRITUAL TRAUMA CENTER. We also come to hurt because we get distracted desiring something other than the Lord’s pleasure. We want a new car, we want a new wife, we want to win the lottery, we want to be promoted… but even in our spiritual journey we can lose focus – we get mesmerized by magic-laser light shows, we are fooled by people’s praise, we forget our aim, and become fixated with the view along the sacred highway… we don’t see the Deer of God crossing the road and a moment later… *BANG!* The deer goes flying through your windshield and you are in a Saint John’s ambulance heading for the Spiritual Trauma Center. And there… lying on the operating table, suddenly a bright light appears and a voice asks you…”Dear boy, what have you done with yourself?”

“Master… is that You?” I replied.

“Well, I am not Colonel Sanders, old chum.” Then he continued, “You are hurt.”

“I know…*Ouch*… but it’s worth it.” I answered, wincing through the pain.

“Really? How so?”

I cannot but smile, “Because you came for me.”

Then the Master smiled an even wider grin, “Oh no, you silly-billy. It was I who called for you.”

…………….

Have a lovely day, sunshine. May we be lost and rescued by our Lord, the Savior.

Pax Taufiqa.

Choose Your Path!

If you cannot

Master your own self,

How will you ever

Be a servant of God?

And if you are

Not a servant,

What else can

You be but a

Slave to your

Own Ego?

Choose your Path!

But you don't have to choose it now. Maybe tomorrow? Hehehe, its a trick question, really. The question is as never ending as the seconds of your life. Well, until it actually ends. Then we shall see. In the meantime, I leave you to the good grace and blessings of our One God - He who is ever creating and recreating questions for us to answer... That is often the way between the Lover and the Beloved. How lucky we are!

Have a nice Saturday, sunshine,

Pax Taufiqa.

The Ever-Present God, the Lady Fatima az-Zahra, Knights of the White Flame and the Quest

Present Love
Even when I was
In great turmoil and doubt,
Love came to me and smiled
Saying, “Oh seeker, here am I!”

Then Love gazed upon
My shameful countenance,
And said,
“If you never fail,
You would not
Seek My Guiding.
Then we would both
Lose a precious thing,
The you that is
Always seeking Me,
The Most Sought,
And the Me that is
Always with you,
As your Ever-Present God.
……………

THE SCIENCE OF FAILING. It is okay to fail. That is what makes us human. And this sinner is an expert in failure. Initially I only obtained a Degree in the Science of Failing (DsF) from University of Life. Later I progressed to Masters in Failures (MsF). I have a talent for this sorta things. I need very little help to be a fool.

I am making ha-ha.
.

BUT SERIOUSLY. The above prose was recorded in May – April 2009. It is the electrical fire that runs through the soul circuitry.

CLUBBED. It is 6.30 a.m. on the second Sunday of 2011. I was out attending a birthday soiree at a club in town. I am winding down the night at a 24/7 Indian Muslim restaurant near my house. It is now full of boys and girls back from the clubs. I am not gonna sleep as I am going to pick up my buddy, King, for a super-early breakfast.
....
FULL LIFE. I guess you could say that my life is full. It was once full of failures, but now, with Heche and Mika turning my life upside-down, it is also full of wholesome goodness. Thank God for that and thank you for spending a few precious minutes with me.

THE QUEST. Just a final note, my sweet – Love doesn’t provide all the answers. But it makes the quest for the answers worth it. And yes, do not be fooled, for IT IS a Quest. And you are all knights of the White Fire, heralds in the bridal train of the Lady Fatima az-Zahra. You did not choose to be knights and heralds? You did, my friends – when you fell in love with love.

Have a sunny Sunday, sunshine.

Pax Taufiqa.

The Whirling Verse Part 3/3

I am now
Both the verse
And the body
That sings and spins,
So like the Sea of Din
Lapping on the Shores of Sin,
Where does Love now ends
And my lie begins?

The reply: O’ little fool!
What foolishness is this?
God has no end.

........................................................

Well, this is the 3rd and final part 3 of ‘The Whirling Verse’. As you can see, being the lazy person that I am, I merely overlapped the 1st sketch with the 2nd sketch. I think it is a good composition, and I hope you like it. Click here for Part 1 and Part 2, if you have nothing better to do.

To my untrained eye, the picture looks messy but pretty. I like to think that Angels have a similar bird’s eye view of us human beings. Messy but pretty. Clay vessels animated by the Breath of God. Fragile and filled with all sorts of unruly passions. The Angels asked God, “What is this thing that You have created?”, but God simply replied, “I know what you know not.” Oh, thank You very much, God, that really clarified the matter.

Hehehe. Very funny, Taufiq.

In fact, I find myself scrutinizing the reflection on the mirror, often asking God the very same question. But the answer I hear is different.

So we are creatures made of earth and water. But where do the ancient hide their greatest horde of gold and wealth, if not buried deep in the bosom of the earth? So you see, perhaps on the face of it, we are nothing. But in that nothingness, there is Something. It is in you, my friend, marked ‘X’. There is a map and a guide to the secret treasure, called the al Quran and Sunnah. There are also professional treasure-hunters still offering their services, and they can aid you.

They will help you find the treasure. The buried gold. That hidden secret Something. But in order to find that Something in you, you must first become nothing. In that quest they will also help you.

God Bless the treasure-hunters of God. God Bless you, and Hurrah for the Green Man!

Pax Taufica.

The Whirling Verse Part 2

I was once a verse
Then I was given a body
And the body began to whirl,
As the Robe and the Rose
Began to unfurl,
All in accord
For his Loving God.

.......................................

This is Part 2 of 3 of the sketchverse called 'The Whirling Verse'. I am going somewhere with this, you'll see. Part 1 is clickable here.

It appears I have two Eidul Fitri open houses for tomorrow. Bless the generous little souls who are adamant to make me fatter. And bless me for being their willing supplicant. Hehehe.

Pax Taufica.

The Whirling Verse Part 1

I was once a verse, and I followed as...

The verses whirl
On their own accord,
Turning for the Pearl
And his Loving God.

.........................................................

This is part 1 of 3 of a sketchverse called 'The Whirling Verse' for the current and untitled chapter. I know its hard to read the words, but they are all there. Molecules whirl, atoms whirl, planets whirls, so why not verses?

Pax Taufica.

My prophet is not dead... He Resonates!

122. Not Dead
Oh, my Mighty King!
I have not left my flock unattended,
I have not left any fences unmended,
I have left stars that any, if lost, may follow home.

But a cold wind is blowing,
Carrying my memories far away,
Blackness is creeping in,
And though they know how to pray,
They have left my way.

Save for my heirs and heralds,
The fulcrum of this Age,
Still toiling in their mortal cage,
Long-bearded, the white, the black and the grey,

In their hearts, evil holds no sway,
In their hearts, Your Name resonates,
In their hearts, I still live,
Not dead.

(From the Dam.SunSun.Ana)

Hemlock and Wine (Our two masters)

At this crossroad,
Both the Saint
And the Devil
Are our masters,
One guiding,
The other misguiding,
One to be listened to,
The other to be ignored.

And as we are shown
Subtle and beautiful truths,
So too do the lies become
Cunningly fine,
To test us again and again,
Which is hemlock,
And which is wine.