The Least Expected

Our brains are phenomenal interpretative machines. The eyes send staccato visual sensory signals to the visual cortex within our brains that stitch it all into a seamless whole. Giving us the “sensory illusion” that we inhabit a congruent world.*1

More recently it has been shown that the sounds that we hear affect our perception of taste: that music with higher notes actually causes us to taste things more sweetly, and deeper notes more bitter tones. 

That our brains interpret without even the slightest conscious effort. And that everything is coloured by the lenses that we each choose to adopt. *2

This is evident even within our greatest prize- language itself. 

That even when certain letters are missing within a sentence, that we are still able to make sense of it. Or auto correct when a  a word is mistakenly duplicated twice, without any conscious effort. *3

That each revelation came to bring meaning into our lives, not just by emphasising our God-given purpose *4, but by also awakening us to the reality of things. 

That is why Nabi Isa (as) [Jesus] said I call you to life *8. Just as the Message sent to Muhammed (saw) likewise invokes an awakening from slumber into the light of knowledge. 

But that knowledge is not something hidden like the Sufis claim, rather it is something evident and clear. 

So clear that it is missed by the vast majority. 

That we need seeming contradictions to wake us from our slumber. *5

And even the Quran with its phenomenal speech. What will awaken you to it’s wonder?

Settle your mind on it’s contemplation. 

And when we allow our minds natural interpretative skill to consider it, we should be startled by it’s unusualness. *6

That the Most Gracious does not start with Glory be to God, the creator of all things (in Arabic - Kulli Shay). 

But rather He says…

All thanks is due to God, the Sustainer of the Worlds. 

Imagine this Spring as you walk through the park and see a fully formed and distinct cloud of flies, consider is this not a World for each of those flies. That Allah t’ala sustains them and their communities, and provides for them from places that we cannot see. 

Contemplate the Worlds below which our vision cannot unaided see, does He not sustain them, miraculously? 

And at times He might opens your eyes to the invisible World, that we each believe exists but cannot see. 

The Most Merciful, The Most Gracious. 

What will awaken you to His wonder?

So allow your mind to contemplate what it expects, so that it might be awoken by that which doesn’t fit the mould. *7

END

*1 congruent in the sense that the image/model of the World that we house within our psyche is congruent with the real World beyond our senses. 

https://shafeesthoughts.blogspot.com/2011/12/what-can-we-truly-know-part-1-theories.html?m=1

*2 For example the famous Gorilla experiment, where people were given the task to count something that occurs within a video footage, and seem oblivious (cannot see) to a Gorilla that comes within the frame of view. 

*3 The sentence written here for you is 

is false. See if that works for you. 

Or look again at the sentence that you read to get here. 

*4 “We did not create Men, nor Djinn, except to worship Me” said the Most Gracious to whom all praise is due, from whom all goodness emanates. 

And it is that purpose that resonates within the whole of Creation. 

*5 Like the last three days of Nabi Isa’s (as) earthly life. 

 https://shafeesthoughts.blogspot.com/2012/02/coming-comforter-physical-proof-of.html?m=1

Or the event of Hudabiyyah 

https://shafeesthoughts.blogspot.com/2021/02/hudabiyyah-proof-of-messenger.html?m=1

*6 this is like the method used by Tabari in contemplating verse 2 of Baqara. 

Here he says… why does Allah t’ala say Dhalika (that is..) as opposed to Hadha (here is…). And that itself is a beautiful contemplation in which some would differ from what he wrote. 

*7 this is Tadabbur which I hope with Allah t’ala’s help that I might start in a structured manner with a group of like minded brothers soon. InshaAllah. 

*8 this is the epitomised by Muslim society with its 5 daily prayers that mean a constant movement throughout the day, it’s lunar months- never fully predictable, and the Ramadan which dishevels your whole life. Fully a society constructed to awaken you from slumber. 

The Supplication

When we consider the religion and the centrality of dua, sincere supplication, to it, then there is a lesson that we often neglect. 

This centrality is evident within the 1st pillar, because God’s nature that is emphasised in the Kalima Shahadah is that He is the one that responds to our duas. 

We know that Islam is perfect, and that any addition or subtraction from it, and any innovation is a going astray. 

But the question that I would like for you to deliberate today, is whether that accepted rule also relates to our method of supplication, and asking for God’s help?

In essence Is dua part of the rituals of our phenomenal religion, because we need to guard and protect each one of our religious rituals from innovation. 

These rituals in essence relate to the 5 pillars. That we cannot add to, or subtract from, or in any way alter or innovate in 

- the Shahadah, that makes us Muslim 

- The prayer, including all the prayers that we have been given from the Jannazza to Salatul Tasbih. 

- And in anything that relates to the prayer from the Adhan to the Wudu (and Ghusl) that are the keys to a successful Salat (vis a vis Hadith)

- The Zakah, and the categories of beneficiaries. 

- The Sawm of Ramadan, and what it constitutes

- The Hajj and Umrsh, and their arkaan.  

Then what about dua. 

Considering it’s centrality to our religion?

When you consider that question then you would be well versed if you note. 

1- no where do we find a similar instruction in regards to dua as we have in regards to the prayer - “pray as you have seen me pray”

2- whilst we do have examples of how the Messenger (saw) raised his hands, and these are the best to follow, we have no indication that these are the only ways of asking. 

3- that we are informed in the sublime recitation that God, most gracious, even responds to the supplication of the disbelievers when they are in distress. 

And then you come upon that phenomenal verse in Baqara-

“They ask you about me. 

Indeed I am near.”

When you consider these then you would hopefully see that the rule against innovation in regards to supplication does not exist. 

For the Most Gracious solely wants for you to turn to Him, to ask from Him, to supplicate to Him, and to believe that He is the One that hears and responds. 

So if you see a Muslim raising his hands and wiping his face thereafter, do not be so foolish as to think that he has innovated. 

For the Most Gracious accepts the supplication of any that asks, and in any manner that they ask. 

Famously we have the saying of the Messenger (saw) to tie your camel first and then have faith, here action preempts faith. 

But with the supplication it reverses. 

For then we have that you ask of the Most Gracious, and then with a firm belief in His response you seek for what you had asked for- and indeed that is something that the Most Gracious loves. 

And this method we find so many times in the Seerah of our noble Messenger (saw), that He asked and then he acted in a decisive manner. 

And the best of things to ask for are those which are better and much more longer lasting- 

- For guidance, for indeed God loves to do good and loves that do good. And hates those who wrong and oppress.

- For freedom from oppression, for any oppression against the soul is the kin of disbelief. And then to act to free yourself from that oppression. 

- to save you from the torment of the fire, which is real, and for you to enter in to everlasting Paradise. These relate to our unseen beliefs and to ask for them is something that the Most Gracious delights in. 

Indeed the Most Merciful is the ever living, the keeper of the everlasting and most beautiful of things, to Him belong the finest mysteries so ask from Him for the best.

The Retractable Blade

The retractable blade 

The retractable blade 

Does not hurt no more 

It is a game, a gimmick 

Made for the show. 

To come alive we do not need 

To feel the breath of death 

Nor suffer its pangs

Not for the pleasure of any crowd 

Save only to witness Ramadans sweetness 

Then we give, and give, 

and give 

Some more 

And when death comes looking 

We would never smother it’s embrace 

For we made a statement that we will never retract 

Never recant 

That God is One, 

And that the Messenger did deliver this Truth. 

Shafees 

Freedom is but a statement away. 

And then to believe, that is a journey towards closeness.