Masjid-e-Qurtaba

Here’s a truly evocative reading of this great poem by Allama with some beautiful pictures as well.

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Causality and Necessity

Another interesting piece related to the previous post.
Discussions of causality and necessity in Islamic thought were the result of attempts to incorporate the wisdom of the Greeks into the legacy of the Qur”an, and specifically to find a philosophical way of expressing faith in the free creation of the universe by one God. Moreover, that [...]

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Neo-Platonism in Islam

Here is a brief but interesting summary of the impact and influence of Neo-Platonisn on Islamic thought by Ian Richard Netton who is the author of a number pf works on Islamic philosophy and mysticism. He writes:
Islamic Neoplatonism developed in a milieu already saturated with the thought of Plotinus and Aristotle. The former studied in [...]

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Javed Nama

A classic rendition by Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali of Allama’s poem JavedNama.

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An Enlightening Quote

I would not give up my knowledge of dissenting opinions for the whole world.
Hz Ibn Umar (RA).

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Shahabiyat 3.2 (on tawba)

……It was by a chance encounter that my attention was drawn towards tawba (repentance). I was once honoured by the visit to the tomb of the author of the Masnavi Mawlana Jalauddin Rumi (RA). On the main entrance to the dergah I noticed a quatrain that says:
Return! Return! whoever you are return!
Whether you be an [...]

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Shahabiyat 3.1 (on tawakkul)

…Apart from Taqwa I was also quite confused about tawakkul (reliance/trust in God). Over time these verses of the Quran have helped to clarify things for me:
If Allah helps you, none can overcome you: If He forsakes you, who is there, after that, that can help you? in Allah, then, Let believers put their [...]

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Shahabiyat 3 (on taqwa)

…..I was also confused about the true meaning of taqwa (piety, God-consciousness), tawakkul( reliance on God) and tawba(repentance). I had read somewhere that in order to understand the Quran one must have a wholesome disposition, a wholesome intellect, breadth of vision and the “light” of understanding and these come about through taqwa. What is taqwa [...]

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Eid Today

Eid Mubarak and best wishes to all of you!

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Don’t plant anything but Love

Here’s more vintage wine from the master.
When you plant a tree
every leaf that grows will tell you,
what you sow will bear fruit.
So if you have any sense, my friend
don’t plant anything but love,
you show your worth by what you seek.
Water flows to those who want purity
wash you hands of all desires and
come to the table [...]

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