Epistle of the Reminder

Assalamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

We give thanks to the God the Highest for some knowledge which He made known to us Himself by His Will and Mercy Compassionate Love. Glory be to the God the Highest, there is nothing which comes to our knowledge except that whatever that You have taught us. Indeed, You are the Most Knowledgeable and the only One who possess the Great Wisdom. 

I have made some notes for brothers and sisters out there maybe if you have no reach to our literature then this site is only a bridge for you to other knowledge. I am not so much a teacher nor a lecturer. I am just trying to share things. I just do not like the system of teacher and student. I love the mentor and mentee system for studies. You could be close to your students with common respect and this is the system that the followers of prophet Muhammad s.a.w and the pious predecessors had put in their studying practices. They do not simply make friends around but they find specific friends to be their teachers. Oh yeah, before I forgot. I am begging prayers from brothers and sisters. I just need your prayers here I do not want anything but simply prayers. 

Because people might think that we do not produce any literature about our missions or academic writings. We do have literature but they are more in the form of practices rather than long-winding lecture. Some of them are not for public reading because they are about high spiritual matters. People would have to come into the "Path" step by step when they are interested to learn things. Start everything with the basic ones. Never go from the top-down basis or depending "solely" on materials from the internet. I strongly discourage people using anything from this site as their argument outside but I view this site as a personal experience site which is still opened for sharing before it is destructed. The top-down basis in knowledge seeking would make your head hay-wire and is not good for mental health. Sometimes, you have to sacrifice your life, your money and stepping our of your comfort zone just to seek reliable teachers experiencing pain and sufferings. Patience is indeed beautiful as what the God says in the Glorious Quran (Surah Yusuf 12:18).   

We are just repeating over and over whoever servants' of the God deeds as a token of faith we obey His command to help each other in chastity, charity and in the spirit of taqwa.  For the beginning, I am going to translate this taqwa term as "fear" in English and this word is a spiritual terminology in desert people's religion. Because "Islam" rises again from the desert region so it also uses the term which is used in the spirituality of previous Semitic sages. A noble person in the God's view is a person who possess the taqwa. The God is the Guardian of the fearful servants. And the God the Highest created the creatures such as the human and those hidden from the physical eyes as to serve Him in the Earth but never to enjoy luxurious life or heaping treasures.

Prelude

The God the Highest reminds everyone through prophet Muhammad s.a.w which means, "I was not revealed to heap treasures and to be among merchants, but I was revealed with: Exalt and praise your Lord and be among those who prostrate and worship the God with your sincere devotion services till your soul leaves your body".

Thus, fortunate and perfect is a person who hold fast with the purpose of his creation and keeping himself away from being influenced by the evil of those who use not their mental faculties. Fortunate and perfect is a person who keeps himself away from the ignorant who loves to pamper himself and anything which could obstruct his noble cause.

May the God the Highest pours His mercy always upon Muhammad s.a.w, the noblest among the messengers of the God and the final among the prophets. And the God the Highest had sent Him as a mercy toward the universe. May the God the Highest be merciful upon his family, his companions and those who ministered their path in his foot prints may they be in good condition up to the Resurrection.

Fear is the head of all charities either in the open or closed world. Fear will accumulate the happiness in the world and the hereafter for those who possess it. Since fear is highly valued in the view of the God the Highest and because of its position is highly deemed by the scholars who practice their wisdom and knowledge thus with fear they begin their sermon, advises and their messages to others. Because fear is sufficient and transcendent over all of the desired goodness, thus it would be sufficient too that the preacher in the Friday pulpit being obliged to remind everyone with the mention of fear to the God the Highest. Often too that great scholars of the past reminding those who seek their advise by simply asking them to be fearful to the God the Highest without any elaborate beautiful words. 

Commandment to be Fearful

Fear is a commandment of the God the Highest, Lord of the universe upon those who come before us and He says which means, "... Indeed, We advised those who were given the scripture before you and also to yourselves to be fearful to the God... " - Surah al-Nisa' 4:131

The verse explains that it is a testament between the God the Highest and those who accept the Scripture to be fearful to Him. However, if one chooses not to accept then to Him belongs whatever in the heavens and whatever in the Earth. He is Free of need and Praiseworthy. We can say anything to Him too but we are not the ones who generate the universe. I often hear some Muslims talk about people of the scripture like the Jews and the Christians. About their distorted scriptures and stuffs. Let me ask ourselves about one thing which is certain. Aren't we the people of scripture too? What is the Glorious Quran then? How are we going to contemplate over the revelation? Isn't it for our own insight before it spreads out of the heart?  

"O you who have believed, fear the God and speak words of appropriate justice". - Surah al-Ahzab 33:70

"O you who have believed, fear the God as He should be feared and do not die except as people who submit to Him". - Surah Ali-Imran 3:102

"O mankind, be fearful to your Lord, the One who creates you from a "soul" and created from it, its mate and dispersed from both of them, men and women. And fear the God, through whom you ask one another, and the wombs. Indeed, the God is ever an Observer over you!" - Surah al-Nisaa' 4:1

"So, fear the God as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend righteously; It is better for yourselves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul; It is those who will be successful". - Surah al-Taghabun 64:16

There are many verses recorded in the Glorious Quran when we talk about the commandment to be fearful. There are many benefits when a person becomes a God fearing person.

Benefits of Fear

Quran

A fearful person would get way out from difficulties and thus founding sustenance in the way which he never imagine before (Surah al-Talaq 65:2-3). 

And the God will guide him, "That is the scripture without any doubt in it as a guidance for those who are fearful" (Surah al-Baqarah 2:2). 

The God the Highest will become the Teacher for those who are faithful (Surah al-Baqarah 2:282). 

They will get the light which banishes the darkness of ignorance and their sins will be forgiven and banished by the God, the Lord of the universe (Surah al-Anfal 8:29). Some exegesis mentions that the God will put the light in the heart of the God fearing person as it will guide him to distinguish the righteousness and the evil so his "self" could choose which one is preferable based on his intellectual faculties such as the heart and mind. 

Thus, the God will become their Guardian and Protector (Surah al-Jaathia 45:36). They will be receiving salvation (Surah Maryam 19:72). And they will be entering the paradise (Surah al-Ra'ad 13:35; Surah Muhammad 47:15; Surah al-Qalam 68:34; Surah Qaf 50:31). 

Sunnah

Be fearful to the God wherever you are and topple you evil deeds with the good ones may the latter banishes the previous ones and deal with others through noble manners. And the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w says that, "I advise you to be fearful and listen or obey the command of fearfulness though the person who reminds you is an Ethiopian slave... ".

Be fearful of the Hell although if it is just the size of a date and it is sufficient with good words if you have no fear in your heart. And the noble prophet Muhammad s.a.w as a guide to others said the supplication, "Dear the God I pray for the guidance, the fear and seeking refuge from asking things from others and for the richness of one self which is the manner and morality".

There is no difference between the whites and the blacks. No difference between the Arabs and gentiles. Everyone is the same human race. Human race and creatures are all from the Earth. The difference of one's rank with the other is only the fear in his heart.

Never eat except with fear and never drink except with fear. And the person who is deemed very highly by the God and by the prophetic standard is a God-fearing person.  

Quotes of Figures

Lady Aisha r.a mentioned that, "Nobody in this world amazes prophet Muhammad s.a.w except that he is a God fearing person". 

Ali r.a. said that, "Indeed, nothing could destruct the crops of a tribe with the blessings of their fearfulness to the God".

Qatada b. al-Nu'man reports that the Torah also mentions about the fearfulness, "Be a God fearing person and sleep wherever you like in the Earth".

Sulayman al-Amash in a quote says that, "Those with fearfulness as their capital, the tongue would be in difficulties while drawing its profit".

Bishr the Barefoot in his poem said which means:

A God fearing person is like a never-ending life. While a tribe has died out while among human they are breathing and alive.

Shortly, it can be concluded that the benefit of fearfulness to the God is countless. Abu Hamid al-Ghazali explains in an elaborate manner through his book, "The Method of the Servants" and I would put this in a separate part before compiling them again in a page so everybody could access it and get it kept in their own notes, through His Will. Laa hawla wa laa quwwata illa billahil 'aliyyil 'adhim...  

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin!

Qadiri Complex in China : 靈明堂 Ling Ming Tang

Assalaamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah

Just few pictures from various websites...

Reporter Ibrahim Ma Weijun for China Muslim Youth Club and Imam Wang Shoutian

The reporter of China Muslim Youth Club and his friends warmly welcomed by the complex committee

Sources :

1. xaislam

2. muslimwww

3. china muslim youth club

Sealed with prayers for mercy, peace and love, amin! 

Introduction to Yemenite Sufi Order

Assalamu'alaikum wa Rahmatullah!

This is a little bit about our ancestral root. When we lose our identity, we also lose our religion and always in disaster. This is what I believe now because God will take away blessings from us.  Before going further? What is tasawwuf? Some people are so allergic to this mention. Last time, I was so afraid of this mention too because I was afraid that it could deflect me from salafi track. At least what I had been taught in Mecca which is apart of Saudi Arabia.

Tasawwuf is a way for us to be close to Allah. It is actually mentioned in the hadith that I had provided last time in few gap of posts. Islam was build upon three basis. They are the Aqidah, Ibadah, and Ihsaan. Ihsaan is a way for us to feel close to Him. Ihsaan is tasawwuf. Why some people view tasawwuf in different way or could we say negativity? 

It is because some people had mixed tasawwuf with other teachings from foreign influence until it is difficult to differentiate between what had been taught through Quran and Sunnah and others. Well, I think I am not safe from infidelity since last time I was also an infidel. But I was also being confused by those who assume themselves as 'salafis' until I was afraid of tasawwuf mention because as a follower of Buddha Guru and Panchasila last time, I did meditations a lot by chanting mantras and kathas (longer version of mantra) because I am trying to find what is my dharmma despite of feeling unfortunate in this life and feeling like giving up. But few things we performed in our daily life as Muslims undeniably have connection to tasawwuf like dzikrullah and ma'thurat. This is what I understood as a once again beginner in Islam.

What is Yemenite Sufi Order or Tariqat aal Baa'alawi? It is actually a Sunnah Sufi order established by Muhammad b. Ali Baa'alawi who is also known as Faqih al-Muqaddim. It is also known as the Tariqat of the Yemenite. The founder of this sufi order was born in the valley of Tarim in Yemen, Southern of Arabia Peninsula around 574 H. He passed away in the city around 653 H.

The new reformed order was established by Imaam Abdullah b. 'Alawi al-Haddad. I still keep his kitaab regarding dzikr and other qasidah. It spreads mainly in Yemen. It is also prominent among the Yemeni diasporas in South East Asian countries like in Malaysia,  Myanmar, Singapore, and Indonesoa. It spreads also in Malabar Coast in South India, Surat, and Ahmedabad in Gujerat province of India. Eastern Africa like in Kenya and Tanzania. I even heard the sub-sufi order called Shahidliya is also prominent in North Africa and France. 

Most of Yemeni diaspora especially those in northern Malaysian peninsula also have connection with India sub-continent like India and Pakistan due to inter-marriages. The first recorded Yemeni  Islamic da'i (missionary) who arrived in Northern Malaya was known as Syeikh Abdullah around 10th C. Later in 17th C, two maharaja's qadhis (royal judges) were invited by the Sultanate of Kedah into the kingdom. One is a Yemeni known as Syeikh Abdul Jalil al-Mahdaly from Sana'a and his disciple Hafez Sab from India. 

Later, many other judges from Arabia were invited by the Sultanate into the court, even some of them could not speak in proper Malay but only in Arabic and only their descents today speak in Malay. We are from Kedah Sultanate, I was also born in Sungai Petani. It is a town in Kuala Muda district in Kedah which looks not so much different with India when you go through dusty roads and in term of climate, lol. 

The jurisprudence school of the sufi order is Syafi'ie jurisprudence. It is now like a formal jurisprudence school in Malaysia and very prominent. As a Hadrami (Yemeni) descent, I am not a Syafi'ie but a Hanbali. Because when I repent in Mecca, I had been taught the manner of Hanbali in my way of salaat and others. Ulamas said that if we follow a certain jurisprudence, better be in full and not half of it. So I would just stick to Hanbali jurisprudence although my family members are all loyal Syafi'ies. I am also influenced by Imaam Ahmad b. Hanbal so much even in characteristics because I love him too. However I have equal respect to all of Imaam and not a fanatic. They are scholars of religion and deserve respects. The creed of this sufi order is based on the al-Ash'ari and Maturidi sunnah teachings.  

Important aspect of this sufi order is that it emphasizes the learning of Islamic sciences. I see, so now I know why our elders had advised my dad to send me to a madrasah in Perlis when I was 13 years old and not to be schooled in southern peninsula because we couldn't find our people easily down there at that time and those genuine ones are in Johore and Singapore. I didn't understand that. So, did my dad because he just followed without asking what is the reason for that. 

This sufi order also emphasizes the importance of history and seerah nabawiyah for sunnah tradition. The learning becoming systematic day by day and combined with other knowledges as well. I still keep my kitaab during I was 13 years old in I'dadi level but I had forgotten all that had been memorized because I hate the lessons and teachers so much, I hate what my parents had done to me by sending me alone to Perlis. I hate my life too because I didn't understand the meaning of life, hahaha. Maybe I need to start it again.

Most of adherents of this sufi order are the sayyids which are the descendants of Ali (r.a) and Fatimah (r.a) through their son imaam Hussein (r.a). What I had heard, around 381 H a descent of Hussein had migrated from Basrah in Iraq first to Mecca and later to Madinah. Later because of few troubles with Abbasid caliphate, they have to move out into Hadramaut in Yemen. These people have so many followers until being suspected by the caliphate of plotting revolt and trying to overthrow the caliphate. 

So, from the mention of Hadramaut, the descents are called as the Hadramis whether peranakan (with Indian mother or Malay mother, Chinese mother and Siamese mother) or the genuine one. Those with Indian mother may come from Surat or Ahmedabad in North India or Malabar coast of South India. My father could trace his lineage from the mother with parentage of Ahmedabad. Last time, I became a Buddhist (can be considered a Hindu but without God) because I thought I was an Indian. Even until now, many people had mistaken me for a Nepali. I had made friends with Nepalis in the airport where I worked last time and also met few Indians from Jhalandar near Punjab. They thought that I am their country man and some of them communicating with me in Hindi but I just replied them in English because Hindi-Urdu had long been forgotten. I remembered I was also fluent in Hindi-Urdu so did my sisters. Now we could only understand it but could not reply anymore. Long time living in Chinese environment, our identity is only at home.

During Umayyad and Abbasid caliphate, the descent of Fatimah and Ali (r.a) were the source of Islamic knowledge. Many people referring them for religious problem until the caliphate feel intimidated although these people have no political ambition to be leader of anyone. 

Nowadays, do not have to worry. Most of us had lost our religion, even had forgotten our ancestral root. Thanks to leaders of the world for being suspicious and thinking bad of others and not listening to Quranic and Sunnah teachings. I would also avoid having evil thought to those who have pure intention in religion.  If I could sense sincerity, I would protect them in every aspects even if I have to sacrifice myself and property and kick the ass of those who talked bad and negative things about my brothers of other affiliation or jama'at, may He permits it because now I just know to do anything because of Him. I don't know other things.

Some of those who still retain their sayyid and syarifa title are quite Westernized. I notice this when I visit their house. Some had engaged with evil and wickedness due to trials and tribulation so they have to lose their title because feeling ashamed of their selves.  When it comes to descents, all of them had forgotten about it and never realize about their root anymore. Some are with the title wan because they were granted lands and position like chieftain by Sultans in the country that they landed in. This is what I heard in our maternal family assembly last two years in Sungai Acheh, Penang. So many people, I don't even know them but we are related to each other, haha. I hope I can see them again, I guess around 2000 people there.

I had been advised by elders to join any tariqa activities if I could not find our members any close especially in their majlis. Last time I was also afraid to join jama'at-e-tabligh member but when I heard this I am relieved, at least I would just support their activities. Only to make sure everything going according to Quran and Sunnah. That is the first thing I am worried of.     

Sealed with prayers for peace. May Allah bless us with wisdoms and helping my brethren in faith ministering their path to see You. May we be together in this life and hereafter. May all of us being successful in everything that we do and perform. May our intention in performing life only as ibaadat and a form of worship to Allah, aaamin!