'Stored Quotations from 'Timely Thoughts'
( the most recent appears at the top)
From: Intimations of Immortality from
Recollections of Early Childhood.
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life’s Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar;
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:
Heaven lies about us in our infancy!
Shades of the prison-house begin to close
Upon the growing Boy,
But He beholds the light, and whence it flows,
He sees it in his joy;
The Youth, who daily farther from the east
Must travel, still is Nature’s Priest,
And by the vision splendid
Is on his way attended;
At length the Man perceives it die away,
And fade into the light of common day.
William Wordsworth
(April 7th 1770— April! 23rd 1850)
13/06/04
From : To a Skylark’
Hail to thee, blithe Spirit!
Bird thou never wert,
That from Heaven, or near it,
Pourest thy full heart
In profuse strains of unpremeditated art.
Higher still and higher
From the earth thou springest
Like a cloud of fire;
The blue deep thou wingest,
And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest.
In the golden lightning
Of the sunken sun,
O’er which clouds are bright’ning,
Thou dost float and run;
Like an unbodied joy whose race is just begun.
The pale purple even
Melts around thy flight;
Like a star of Heaven,
In the broad daylight
Thou art unseen, but yet I hear thy shrill delight,
Keen as are the arrows
Of that silver sphere,
Whose intense lamp narrows
In the white dawn clear
Until we hardly see—we feel that it is there.
All the earth and air
With thy voice is loud,
As, when night is bare,
From one lonely cloud
The moon rains out her beams, and Heaven is overflowed.
What thou art we know not;
What is most like thee?
From rainbow clouds there flow not
Drops so bright to see
As from thy presence showers a rain of melody.
Percy Bysshe Shelley
(August 4th 1792—July 8th 1822)
Stanzas 1-7 of this 21 stanza poem.
09/06/04
_________________________________________
Men in general judge more from appearances than from reality. All men have eyes, but few have the gift
of penetration.
Macchiavelli
June 28th 2004
Writing about the great Sufi saint Hazrat Ghaus-ul-Azam, Dr Sharib says:
'He saw divine beauty in men, women, and children, who were destitute,
disabled, and deformed.'
from: 'Ghaus-ul-Azam, Piran-i-Pir' (Asma Publications)
April 23rd 2004
_______________________________________________________________________
Firstly - apologies for the long delay in adding to 'Timely Thoughts' . It was due to a heavy burden of daily
work that for the moment I have been able to put down. 'After hardship comes ease'.
Count Leo Tolstoy as well as his great literary skill as exhibited in 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina'
was of a mystic turn of mind and an unflinching advocate of the doctrine of Christ not to oppose evil with
violence. He was an inspiration for Mahatma Gandhi. I have given here a short quotation from one of his
later works: 'The Kingdom of God is Within You'.
The Christian teaching consists in indicating to man that the essence of his soul is love, that his
happiness comes not because he loves this or that man but because he loves the source of all, God,
whom he recognizes in himself through love, and so this love will extend to all men and all things.
This in itself summarises well the Sufi philosophy of love and humanism. The use of the term 'humanism'
on this web site may confuse some since the term is used elsewhere to express non or even anti-religious
sentiment. I have therefore given a more extensive quotation under the articles section.
JMZ April 14th 2004
___________________________________________
Here is a short extract from Robert Browning:
I know, I felt, (perceptions unexpressed
Uncomprehended by our narrow thought,
But somehow felt and known in every shift
And change in the spirit, - nay in every pore
Of the body, even,) - what God is, what we are,
What life is - how God tastes an infinite joy
In infinite ways - one everlasting bliss,
From whom all being emanates, all power
Proceeds: in whom is life for evermore,
Yet whom existence in its lowest form
Includes; where dwells enjoyment there is He!
R. Browning (from Parcelus, Book 5) quoted in 'The Element Book of Mystical Verse' (ed Jacobs:
Element: 1997)
January 2004
____________________________________
22nd July 2003
The demands of modern life create their own pressures: here is a poem by Longfellow quoted by Zahurmian in his small
book entitled The Psalm of Life. You may be able to identify with the sense of unending toil mentioned by him. Zahurmian
goes on to suggest that happiness lies in duties well performed. I used to keep a copy on the wall in my office at work.
Labour with what zeal we will,
Something yet remains undone,
Something uncompleted still
Waits the rising of the sun.
By the bedside, on the stair,
At the threshold, near the gates,
With its menace and its prayers,
Like a mendicant it waits;
Till at length the burden seems
Greater than our strength can bear,
Heavy as the weight of dreams,
Pressing on us everywhere.
And we stand from day to day,
Like the dwarfs of times gone by,
Who, as northern legends say,
On their shoulders held the sky.
H W Longfellow
_____________________________________________
May 22nd 2003
On the stage of the world we live in turbulent times, but we are not the first to do so, nor doubtless the last. Listen to the
advice of Hafiz of Shiraz, who knew a thing or two about 'turbulent times' and how to put them into rhymes.
What's all this conflict in this lunatic sphere I see?
On every horizon there is hatred and fear I see.
Brothers do not have any compassion for brothers;
There is no understanding of son by father I see.
The Arab stallion is broken by a heavy saddle load;
Upon the neck of the ass is the golden collar, I see.
Listen to advice of Hafiz kind sir, go and do good;
better than a trunk of jewels, this advice here I see.
Hafiz of Shiraz (Ghazal 442):
Quoted from P.Smith's Introduction to the Divan of Hafiz. Humanity Books. 1996.
May 7th 2003
Today I was visiting a local community centre called Sembal House, and saw the following on the wall - I do not know its
specific source but the words seemed to me good:
We live to serve,
We serve to live.
JMZ
March 31st 2003
Whatever our personal convictions this web site does not take specific political positions but neither does
it sit on the moral fence. The pageantry of history will roll out according to the Divine Will. It will have its
shadows and highlights, and it will put us individually and collectively to the test in both cases. However
there are principles that can and should act as a guide to us when we consider our response to historical
events. Touchstones against which we should measure the merit of our responses. Things for which we
should stand up and to be counted.
One of these was indicated by Zahurmian in one of his lectures, when he said we should espouse the
doctrine of 'Right is Might' ,and avoid the reverse of this, which is contained in the expression that 'Might
is Right'.
'Might is Right' is the law of the jungle, of the lower, selfish, and greedy soul, of the monster within. 'Right
is Might' is the aspiration of the angelic soul, the law of humanity. 'Might is Right', if taken as a principle,
justifies every mugging, murder, rape, or any other inhumane or boorish act. Seeking to ensure that
Right is the criterion for justifying acts supports a civic and responsible society and a sane, sober, and
well integrated individual.
We believe this is the touchstone against which we should measure our response to the current political
and military events that threaten to cast a lengthening dark shadow in the history of mankind. Power,
whether financial, technological, beaurocratic, legal. physical, psychological, intellectual or military
confers the responsibility of just use. It requires that we search to the very bottom our heart so that our
motives in our actions are pure and free of selfishness. We demonstrate the divine gift of patience when
we refuse to use power unless our act, both the end and the means, are good, and the motives are pure.
The more 'overwhelming' the power the more restraint is required from us. It is well said that 'God is with
the patient'. Patience implies restraint.
We hear much of the 'battle for hearts and minds' these days, and it is true that this is the real battle, but
not in the way the commentators imply. Its real meaning is the battle we fight within ourselves to purify
and cleanse our nature of its tendency towards envy, malice, greed, lust, anger, hatred, revenge,
intolerance and selfishness. This is the real 'axis of evil' and we do not need to step out of our door, or
our own mind and heart, to find it. We do not fight it by opposing it, but by replacing it with the axis of
truth, light, beauty, goodness, mercy, tolerance, justice, wisdom and above all love. Let us purge the axis
of our own being from negative thoughts and feelings so that if, and when, we are required to act
outwardly we do so with wisdom, moderation, and from pure motives.
What is certain is that no individual, group, creed, nation, 'civilisation', culture, world-view, or religion has
a monopoly on truth or the right to impose their interpretation of truth by raw force on others. Live and let
live.
JMZ
March 19th 2003
In dark days, when thoughts of military conflict and oppression dominate the mind, let us not forget the eternal underlying
spiritual realities which alone hold the promise of the unfolding of a better way and a brighter future. We should real even
more vividly our duty towards our own development holds the key to the development of a more just and better society.
'Mysticism is the unfolding of the spirit. As a flower is hidden in the bud, when the bud unfolds there is the
flower and the smell; likewise when the spirit unfolds there appears beauty and grace in life.'
Dr Zahurul Hasan Sharib: The Mystic Vision. Lectures for the Society of Mystics.1986.
Mevlana Rumi says:
'
Do not strike together the iron and stone of injustice, for these two generate like man and woman.'
Masnavi Book 1. line 841.
Society finds itself in a perilous and difficult time yet again. Nations and cultures are in conflict, religion becomes used by
the unscrupulous to forment hatred and division, spirituality becomes a fashion accessory, and the creed of 'might is right'
appears to be the dominant mode.
The words of Zahurmian, speaking as he often did of the dangers of polarisation of opinions and attitudes, echo ever more
strongly in the mind. They have the ring of foresight - that has become realised and made tangible in the political and
social realities of today.
At such a time we must bring to the forefront of our minds the thoughts that drive out pessimism and gloom and we must
renew our inward striving for a tolerant and just society in which cooperation replaces conflict, and mutual understanding
and tolerance replaces mistrust, suspicion, and fear.
Let us eschew escapism and seek a sense of perspective. We should treat these things as a spur finding the inward peace
in our hearts that prepares us to face the dificulties. We should use them as the means for inward development that
precedes outward progress. We can see the thorns - let us search for the rose.
I am currently working on the manuscript of commentary on the the Precepts contained in the holy Qur'an - by Zahurmian.
In this we find the following:
The holy Qur'an says:
'Repay evil with that which is good.' 23:96
Zahurmian comments:
'Evil should not be resisted. If resisted it becomes magnified. Instead of resisting evil it should be turned
into good.'
Islamic law allows resistance to oppression but does not give the right to repay it with oppression nor to
initiate oppression on the basis of religion, or nationality, or culture, or colour, or belief. This applies in
our individual social behaviour and in our social and political life. The way of the sufis has ever been to
'live and let live'.
The imperfect efforts of the international community to finds ways and means of living in peace on this
planet should be respected by the powerful and the powerless both. For human progress right should
replace might as the arbiter of human relations.
JMZ Feb 24th 2003.
February 18th 2003
The common problem, yours, mine, every one's,
Is - not to fancy what were fair in life
Provided it could be, - but, finding first
What may be, then find how to make it fair
Up to our means; a very different thing.
Browning
'O God, grant me to be beautiful within.' Beauty - that is the final expression of character. Strength, great
and wonderful as it is, and greatly admired as it always may be, can never speak the last word. It is not
until the inner life is instinct with beauty; and thought and love, and deed and word, are subdued to its
likeness, that life has approached to its final expression and grace. And this inner beauty is the root of all
beauty that is outward, and the secret of all beneficient power. These things are indisputable; they are
written in shining characters over every part of life.
B.Austin: The Beautiful Gates in Life: Epsworth Press 1923.
February 2003
It is possible that the scrupulously honest man may not grow rich so fast as the unscrupulous and
dishonest one; but the success will be of a truer kind, earned without fraud or injustice. And even though
a man should for a time be unsuccessful, still he must be honest: better lose all and save character. For
character is itself a fortune; and if the high principled man will hold on his way courageously, success will
surely come, - nor will the highest reward of all be withheld from him. Wordsworth well describes the
'Happy Warrior', as he
Who comprehends his trust, and to the same
Keeps faithful with a singleness of aim;
And therefore does not stoop, nor lie in wait
For wealth, or honour, or for worldly state;
Whom they must follow, on whose head must fall,
Like showers of manna, if they come at all.
Samuel Smiles: Self Help: first published 1859
January 9th 2003
It is the birthday of Zahurmian, so appropriate to recall something of his:
'Knowledge to be more effective and useful insists upon charity. What does charity mean and imply taken
in relation to knowledge? It means that the people, not blessed or endowed with the gift of knowledge,
should be led, directed and guided. They should also be allowed to share knowledge.'
Dr Zahurul Hassan Sharib. 'The Mystic Vision'. Lecture of the Society of Mystics. 1986.
_____________________
'There is only one caste in the world - and that is humanity.'
Dr Zahurul Hassan Sharib. Tape recorded conversation.
Here also is an old Turkish Proverb.
Yol yurumekle, borc odemekle (vermekle) tukenir (biter)
'A journey is completed by dint of marching, a debt is finished by dint of paying.'
From 'Turkish Delights' compiled by Nejat Muallimoglu. 1998. Turkey.
January 1st 2003
"We are meeting for the first time in the New year. Let us hope and pray that it will be a year of fruitful
efforts and of international peace and good will. Each and every one of us should try to contribute in
whatever way we can to peace, amity, good will and above all to human happiness."
Dr Zahurul Hassan Sharib. The Pursuit of Spiritual Progress and Perfection. (Society of Mystics Lectures).1986.
November 22nd 2002.
On the occasion of the 'Urs of Hazrat Ali, the fountainhead of the Sufi Orders, I have selected the following from the
inestimable and timeless wealth of his sayings and expressions.
Hazrat Ali said:
'Knowledge is life and health'.
'The best achievement is goodness of moral character'.
Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib.
from : 'The Reflections of the Mystics of Islam'. by Dr Z. H. Sharib. Sharib Press. 1995
Reading the following in the Mesnevi reminded me of how much work has yet to be done to fulfill Zahurmian's vision for
developing the influence of sufi thought and culture in the 'west'. In the news sheet I have asked people who would be
interested in developing an 'Institute of Sufi Culture' to contact me. (JMZ)
July 22nd 2002
Mevlana Rumi said:
"(God's) pulling is, indeed, the original source; but, O fellow-servant, exert yourself, do not be dependent
on that pulling;
For to renounce exertion is like an act of disdain; how should disdain be seemly for a devoted lover (of
God)?"
Mesnevi of Jalaluddin Rumi: Book 6:1476 (Trans: Nicholson: Gibb Memorial Trust Reprint)
November 13th 2002.
Today I was listening to a tape recording of a short informal talk given to disciples by Dr Sharib in Holland
in 1983. He gave us so many pearls that perhaps at the time we did not fully value as we should have
done. So we thank the foresight of those who recorded some of these. Here is one:-
Dr Sharib Said:
'The end of anxiety is the beginning of faith'
Dr Zahurul Hasan Sharib (from a speech recorded in Krimpen, Holland. 1983)
November 7th 2002
We need not only look to books on 'spirituality' for sound advice. Whilst we should not flounder around grasping at every
straw neither should our religious persuasion, or spiritual affinity to a particular path, make us narrow minded or bigoted.
Here is another quote from a contemporary book on self development that accords well with some of the writings of Dr
Sharib. (JMZ)
'Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a
character, reap a destiny'.
S.R.Covey The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Simon & Schuster 1989
November 2nd 2002
We need not only look to books on 'spirituality' for sound advice. Whilst we should not flounder around
grasping at every straw neither should our religious persuasion, or affinity to a particular spiritual path,
make us narrow minded or bigoted. Here is another quote from a contemporary book on self
development that accords well with some of the writings of Dr Sharib.
"You can't have the fruits without the roots.....private victory precedes public victory. Self mastery and
self-discipline are the foundations of good relationships with others."
S.R.Covey The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. Simon & Schuster 1989
Last night the Muslim community celebrated the day of the mystical journey of the holy Prophet Muhammad to Jerusalem
and the ascent of the holy Prophet to heaven.
October 4th 2002.
Hazrat Abdul Qadir al-Jillani says:
'Our Master the Prophet explains this state, "I have a time with Allah. At that moment nothing can come
between us, neither the angel closest to Him nor a prophet." The 'prophet' who cannot enter between our
master and Allah is the material, temporal existence of the Prophet himself. The angel closest to Allah is
the divine Light of Muhammad, the first creation. In that inspired state he is so close to his Lord that
neither his material existence nor even his soul can come between them.'
Hazrat Abdul Qadir al-Jilani - from 'The Secret of Secrets' interpreted by Shaykh Tosun Bayrak. Islamic Texts Society.
1992.
Reading this in the Mesnevi reminded me of how much work has yet to be done to fulfill Zahurmian's vision for developing
the influence of sufi thought and culture in the 'west'. In the news sheet I have asked people who would be interested in
developing an 'Institute of Sufi Culture' to contact me. (JMZ)
July 22nd 2002
"(God's) pulling is, indeed, the original source; but, O fellow-servant, exert yourself, do not be dependent
on that pulling;
For to renounce exertion is like an act of disdain; how should disdain be seemly for a devoted lover (of
God)?"
Mesnevi of Jalaluddin Rumi: Book 6:1476 (Trans: Nicholson: Gibb Memorial Trust Reprint
I went to visit Mr Mohammed Iqbal in a rehabilitation centre in London just a few days back. He was a great admirer of Dr
Sharib. So much so that during Dr Sharib's stay in London he used every day to bring him a rose. He became known as
'Bulbul Shah' - because he used to sit for long hours regaling Zahurmian with various news. In sufi poetry the bulbul or
nightingale used to give news of the garden to the rose.
It was sad indeed to see that his cheerful talk had been impaired along with his movements. I talked to him for a while
about Zahurmian and Khawaja Saheb. He made a sign for me to come close - I leaned over and he said to me the words
written below - more poignant because of the situation. So here is some news from the bulbul - We pray that his
rehabilitation may be successful and he may once again enjoy better health. (JMZ)
July 18th 2002
'Health is Wealth'
June 18th 2002
"Example is one of the most potent instructors, though it teaches without a tongue. It is the practical
school of mankind, working by action, which is always more forcible than words."
'Self Help': Samuel Smiles. Murray. London.1969
June 6th 2002
"The treasure trove of the real self is within us, but it can be lifted only when the mind is still."
Paul Brunton: The Secret Path. Grey Arrow Books 1959.
Today it so happened that I was involved in a small accident - someone backed into my car. It was a small affair with only
a little damage to the car - more a matter of inconvenience. Thinking over it I recalled something that Zahurmian said
about such things. I quote the gist of what he said rather than verbatim.
May 9th 2002
Zahurmian said:
"When a small accident happens to you such as a cut when shaving or some such similair thing, give
thanks to God's Mercy for it, rather than allow yourself to become upset by it. It may well be that you had
committed some act or had some thought, the proper consequence of which was some serious
punishment to you - but God in His mercy ameliorated the consequence of your thought or deed and
made the punishment a token one."
May 1st 2002
Hazrat Abu Said Abi'l-Khair says:
The world will appear to thee, if not devoid of insight,
A canal flowing in different ways, both wrong and right;
And in each and all of the ways in which this canal is flowing,
Is a secret of the realities of truth, pervading and bright.
Hazrat Abu Said Abi'l-Khair and His Rubaiyat. Dr Sharib. Sharib Press.
Today, my work duties left me with a lot of driving to do. Sitting down reviewing the day I was suddenly lightened by a
memory of Zahurmian when he had been visiting this country - I think in 1992. It so happened that a motor company had
brought out an advertisement based on a popular song. Zahurmian was delighted by the thought. Deliberately misquoting
the original song, the advert said:- "Everything we do is driven by you." Zahurmian I think understood it this way -
April 16th 2002
'Everything we do is driven by You'.
Today, in the UK, the funeral of the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth was held in London with pomp and circumstance. It
was an event that Zahurmian, who was also buried on April 9th, would have followed with the greatest interest as he always
did the history of monarchy. For surely this lady represented well a tradition of duty and service and her life and the funeral
in its formality harked back to the basic concept of royalty as representing the setting of the 'gold standards' of behaviour.
In a society grown ever more pragmatic and casual with regard its rituals and traditions, and social and familial customs,
this is something to value. The following was recited at the funeral:-
April 9th 2002
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years
approach when you will say, -"I find no pleasure in them" - before the sun and the light and the moon and
the stars grow dark and the clouds return after the rain; 'when the keepers of the house tremble, and the
strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the
windows grow dim: when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men
rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when men are afraid of heights and of
dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and
desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and the mourners go about the streets.
Remember Him - before the silver cord is severed or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is
shattered at the spring - or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from -
and the spirit returns to God Who gave it.
Ecclesiastes 12.
Today is Easter Sunday for the Christians. In the UK the signs of spring in the garden become stronger, the blooms more
evident. The 'Queen Mother' Elizabeth passes away. In the political world events in Palestine grow darker and attitudes
harden.... In Ajmer the people become excited on account of a 'miraculous' sighting of some patina on the shrine of the
revered Khawaja Saheb - let us gain some perspective by thinking about the truly lasting important things. As this from
Mevlana Rumi.
March 31st 2002
People of Love
People of intelligence must be broken, if they are to appear before God; people of love break themselves
before God out of choice. People of intellect are like slaves in chains; people of love are sweet and
beautiful. People of intellect must be dragged towards God; people who have lost their hearts come
willingly.
Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi - Mesnevi from:- '366 Readings from Islam'. Global Spirit Library.
March 25th 2002
The 10th of Muharam
The great spiritual master, Khwaja Mu’inuddin Chisti said; “Husayn is king, truly the king is Husayn, the
manifestation of Faith is Husayn and the protector of Faith is Husayn. Husayn gave his head (was
prepared to die) but not his hand (in allegiance) to Yazid. In reality, among the securers of the foundation
of LA ILAHA ILLALLAH is Husayn.”
Taken from the web site Islamicity.com
I had the occasion to attend two funerals recently - one of my dear friend Ijlal Siddiqi, and one of a client with whom I
worked in my capacity as a therapist. Both were unexpected.
March 22nd 2002
Living
Marcus Aurelias (the Roman Emperor) said - in his wonderful work known as 'Meditations';-
"Then hath man attained to the estate of perfection in his life and conversation, when he so spends every
day, as if it were his last day: never hot and vehement in his affections, nor yet cold and stupid as one
that had no sense; and free from all manner of dissimulation."
Meditations: Marcus Aurelias. 8:40 .Penguin.Popular Classics: 1997.
It is a matter of common knowledge that the body passes through stages of development as an infant, a child, an
adolescent and so on. This is visibly evident and it is also easy to see, for most, that when the body has reached its peak
and begins to decline, cognition, or the mind, may continue to develop. What is less evident or easy to believe is that even
when the mind has reached its peak and begins to deteriorate the soul's development may continue.
It is the spring season in the northern hemisphere and thus an appropriate sign for this may be observed in nature .In the
development of a flower, first the stage of the bulb is left behind, then the leaves develop and are left behind, and finally
the flower makes its appearance fulfilling the purpose of the growth.
Each stage in the development of an individual is not understandable in the previous stage, the person is ignorant of it,
and it requires a figurative 'death' and 're-birth' to awaken to the new stage. From lack of belief in what is not known how
many are there that remain stuck in a stage not reaching the fulfilment of the next stage, or the final flowering of their
existence. In light of this we offer this from Imam Ghazalli and with the knowledge that it is the Islamic New Year which as
with all new years,signifies the death of the old and the re-birth of the new.
March 16th 2002
Re-birth
'Whoever lifts another out of ignorance to knowledge has created him anew and revivified him to a
blessed life.'
Al-Ghazali: The Ninety-nine Beautiful Names of God. trans; D. Burrel & N. Daher
Examples of religious, sectarian, communal, and racial hatred abound. In India muslims and Hindus kill each other,
Palestine and Israelis destroy each other in a continuing spiral of violence. Hatred begetting more hatred. We cannot
correct a wrong by means of another wrong. We cannot oppose evil by evil, only by good. Within ourselves this should
inspire us to oppose our own evil inclinations by means of following only our good inclinations and making them manifest
in our lives through developing cordial relations with others whether they reciprocate initially or not. Today more than ever
we cannot afford intolerance and must strive to live by the golden rule of 'live, and let live' that was taught by, amongst
others, the sufi mystics such as Khawaja Gharib Nawaz, Hazrat Abdul Qadir al-Jillani, and Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, and
by the founding spirit of this web site, Hazrat Dr Zahurul Hassan Sharib. If we live by the golden rule maybe we can yet
live in 'a golden age'.
March 5th 2002
Repelling Evil
God says in the holy Qur'an:
"Repel evil with that which is best".
Qur'an: 23:96
This is the time for eid for the muslims. During this time people met together for prayers and to embrace in brotherhood.
They also visit near and dear ones, friends and family both.
February 24th 2002
Brotherhood
The holy Prophet said that, 'God says: My meeting becomes sure for those who meet one another for Me. My love
becomes sure for those who love one another for Me. My help becomes sure for those who help one love another for Me.'
another for Me.'
love becomes sure for those who love one another for Me. My help becomes sure for those who help one another for Me.'
from: Ihya Ulum-id-Din of Imam Ghazzali
The 14th of February, St Valentine's Day, is associated with 'love' in the UK and perhaps many other western countries. It
is an occasion when lovers send cards and gifts to each other. To the sufis this kind of love is called majazi, meaning it is
unreal as compared with divine love. Nevertheless, at its best, majazi love can be a stepping stone to Real Love. Though
one must not forget that this requires that one is prepared to move on to Real Love and not to remain attached to the
unreal love. Do not think this is an easy way. It requires much preparation and refinement of the heart and to be imbued
with a deep sense of morality. It has been said 'Do not take one step on the path of love without the spiritual guide'.
February 14th 2002
The Way of Love
'In the beginning love seemed easy.'
The Diwan of Hafiz (trans. Smith 1983. New Humanity Books)
Please accept this as my valentine to you:-
February 14th 2002
Send, by way of the breeze, a handful of roses from Your cheek,
So I may smell the sweet dust of Your garden's fragrance.
The Diwan of Hafiz (based on trans. Smith 1983. New Humanity Books)
Having just returned from a two day conference at an Islamic Centre in Maida Vale, London, it seems appropriate to use
another Mevlana Rumi quotation. We accompany it with our gratitude to the organisers and many speakers who put so
much effort into this particular form of 'Rumi appreciation' including, of course, the eminent and impressive speakers and
scholars, Mr Chittick and Mr Nasr. It was a golden opportunity to share some of the fruits of their hard labours which in
themselves are an act of appreciation and devotion which we hope will be appropriately rewarded.
This quotation is from the very famous first part of the Mesnevi containing the description of the ney's (reed flute's) lament
at having been separated from the reed bed (its source). Given the inevitable diversity of views found amongst academics,
theologians, 'Rumi lovers', linguists, sufis and so on this line seems to speak straight from the heart of Mevlana Rumi,
though it is given as if 'spoken' by the Ney.
Its universal (even political) message, in an increasingly polarised world of compartmental thinking, almost pleads with
us to seek the truth (as distinct from the justification of an opinion), within - rather than taking 'positions' and 'stances'.
January 26th 2002
Seeking the Truth
'Every one became my friend from his own opinion; none sought out my secrets from within me.'
The Mesnevi of Jalaluddin Rumi (trans: R. A. Nicholson.) Book 1, line 6.
I have received several inquiries concerning the appropriateness of taking a second sheykh. Mevlana Rumi it seems to
me has the definitive answer to this.
January 11th 2002
The Disciple and the Sheykh
'Till you gain the pearl from one dervish, how should you seek the pearl from another dervish?'
The Mesnevi of Jalaluddin Rumi (trans: R. A. Nicholson.) Book 1, line 3770.
Happy New Year for 2002. The world situation as we enter the New Year is not more sanguine than it was in 1983/4 when
Zahurmian wrote this for the lecture of the Society of Mystics. His assessment was grim and realistic but his message of
determination to overcome difficulties rang out clear like the bells ushering in the New Year and sparkled like the
sunshine glistening on the frost outside as I write this.
Not merely in the hope of cessation of war, I wish you As-salaam - peace in the New Year.
January 1st 2002
The New Year
Let me offer you my cordial greetings for a happy, bright and a prosperous New Year. Let us move on hopefully with Faith
as our armour and Hope as our lantern. It is true that our present day world is seething with faction and discontent. The
present day world is divided into watertight compartments. There are ideological differences. There are cultural contrasts.
There are invidious distinctions of caste, colour, religion, and region - but in spite of all this, the difficulties and problems
facing the modern man can be surmounted, provided we have the spirit of toleration and mutual adjustment.
Dr Zahurul Hassan Sharib - The Signature of Happiness: The Society of Mystics December 1983
Two events coincide at this time so we have chosen two quotations: The first following the Urs of Mevlana Jalaluddin
Rumi (December 17th 2001) is one which was widely on display in Konya during the festival.
December 23rd 2001
Virtuous Behaviour
Mevlana Rumi has the following advice:-
'In generosity and the helping of others be like a river
In compassion and grace be like the sun
In concealing the faults of others be like the night
In anger and fury be like the dead
In modesty and humility be like the earth
In tolerance be like the sea
Either appear as you are or be as you appear.'
Hz. Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi.
The second quotation is to mark the occasion of the Urs on December 23rd 2001 of Hazrat Khawaja Uthman Haruni - who
is the spiritual guide of Khawaja Muinuddin Hasan Chishti.
December 23rd 2001
The Friend
Khawaja Uthman Harooni said:
'Once the Friend becomes your friend the whole universe becomes yours - but it is necessary then that you should be
unmindful of anything else and be ever with the Friend and follow Him faithfully and assiduously.'
from 'Live - the Message of Khawaja Uthman Haruni' by Dr Zahurul Hassan Sharib
The Urs of Imam-ul Awliya Hazrat Ali is celebrated from 17th to 21st of Ramadhan (Dec 3rd - 7th 2001) so we have
chosen the following quote from the many examples of profound wisdom which he left to us.
December 9th 2001
Living
Concerning the heart Imam-ul Awliya Hazrat Ali says:
'The Heart gets fatigued in the same way the body becomes lazy. Choose the way of knowledge and wisdom, so that
feeling may remain alive.'
The Path of Tasawuuf by Hazrat Mohammed Khadim Hasan Shah Zuberi Moini Gudri Shah Baba.
The 9th and 10th of Ramadan is the 'Urs (death anniversary) of Sayyid Malik Muhammad Alam (also known as Saeen
Gudri Shah Baba) . It is celebrated in style each year in Ajmer at his tomb on Chilla Sharif. The quotation is apposite for a
time of fasting and abstinence from wordly preoccupations.
November 27th 2001
Overcoming Desires
Saeenji Gudri Shah Baba said:
'In order to receive the blessings of God, one must overcome the devil of inordinate desires'
The Reflections of the Mystics of Islam by Dr Zahurul Hassan Sharib (Sharib Press 1995)
At any time the harmonious working of society is an important goal, during Ramadhan particularly the muslims try to
emphasise this.
November 25th 2001
Criticism
Dr Zahurul Hassan Sharib said:
'Criticism of others is a misuse of time'
The Society of Mystics Lectures
At the time of Ramadhan a reminder that it is not only stopping eating that constitutes the fast.
November 15th 2001
Eating Together
The holy Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) said:
'Eat together not seperately, for the blessing is to eat with company.'
Hadith reported by 'Umar transmitted by ibn Majah (from'Submission' by Shems Friedlander).
Frequently the words of the wise are brief and to the point. Hence this series of 'timely thoughts' -
November 10th 2001
The Virtue of Brevity in Explanation
'.....the discerning one is satisfied with a little and the dull-witted one is only confused by more.'
Al-Ghazali: The Ninety-nine Beautiful Names of God. trans; D. Burrel & N. Daher
As we move through autumn towards winter this is a timely reminder -
November 6th 2001
The Scent of the Unseen
Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi said:
'O brother, collect thy wits for an instant (and think): from moment to moment (incessantly) there is autumn and spring
within thee.
Behold the garden of the heart, green and moist and fresh, full of rosebuds and cypresses and jasmines;
Boughs hidden by the multitude of leaves, vast plain and high palace hidden by the multitude of flowers.
These words, which are from Universal Reason, are the scent of those flowers and cypresses and hyacinths.'
Didst thou ever smell the scent of a rose where no rose was?
The Mesnevi Bk 2 ( line 1896-99) translated by R.A. Nicholson
When religious discord and narrow minded attitudes appear to dominate -
November 4th 2001
The Religion of Love
Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi said:
'The religion of Love is apart from all religions; for lovers the only religion and creed is - God.'
The Mesnevi Bk 2 ( line 1770) / translated by R.A. Nicholson
At a time when political and religious extremism in various forms continues to make the world appear an unstable place -
November 3rd 2001
Extremism in Religion
The holy Prophet Muhammed said:
'Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you
should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded.'
rewarded.'
rewarded.'
Huraira/Bukhari/translated by Dr Mhd. Muhsin Khan
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