The Gathering (Majlis) of Sacred Knowledge

Last night, we had a meditating, zikir and gathering (majlis) of sacred knowledge session with our spiritual guide. This is in conjunction with remembrance of the Mawlid this coming Thursday.

There were many stories, counsel and sacred knowledge imparted by our guide. He touched on the advice by the Prophet s.a.w. on keeping on the right path. He commented on the Amina Wadud issue. In between all these, he interpersed with the usual sufic stories and humor.

Strangely, I was supposed to be very tired yesterday but alhamdulliah I stayed awake and fresh throughout the 2 hours session. I reached one of my fellowship's members home (where the session is being held) which a half hour drive from my house. Since I only could leave office at 6.00 p.m., I ended up doing my evening Maghrib prayers at home and unable to join in the zikr session. It is of course preferable to be able to do the zikr together with my fellowship members and my guide but I had to choose a more pragmatic approach - reach home early, do the Asr prayers, had dinner, take a bath and do Maghrib prayers. So I am left with a more refreshing feeling and ready to listen attentively, God permits.

One of the night's main counsels was the advice by Prophet Muhammad (peace unto him).

1. Give salutations of peace (salaam) to fellow Muslims. Our guide commented that this means utmost sincerity. It is hypocritical to then backbite, spread fitnah or speak evil on those whom we have given our salaams. One of the reasons for the pitiful state of the Muslim ummah is because of a lack of sincere salaams. One which is given with the spirit of the doa "May Allah grant you peace and happiness".
2. Maintain good relations with your family. On this our guide mentioned that should do good to our family members. Do not create enmity between siblings. The family should be kept intact with love and care. Nowadays, it seems problems between families tend to land in the court of law. The sacred bond that ties parents and children or between siblings are becoming more fragile. The family institution has failed in its duty to develop "good citizens" and responsible Muslims. The moral decay has permeated the Muslim family.
3. Be a good neighbour. The rights of neighbours must be given. Our guide commented on the community spirit of the past where families shared food especially during Ramadan. Show kindness and love to your neighbour's children like your own.
4. Strive to do the night virgils/prayers. This has been the practice of all the prophets, including Prophet Muhammad(peace be unto him). Our guide specifically quoted the story of Prophet Noah who lived for 950 years. Out of that, he suffered for 800 years because of rejections by those he delivered the message of God. Even his wife and children desert him. At the end he was left with 83 followers that believed him. But through his night virgils/prayers, God elevate and ease his burden. Thus he was able to endure the sufferings which when compared to what we facing is incomparable.
   

He followed with profound sacred knowledge n the four categories of worships:

1. Those who worship the "Form" but not the "Name". These people are the disbelievers(kafirs). These are muslims who said that they worship the One God but in reality they subtly seek the power of other gods to achieve their spiritual or material goals.
   
2. Those who worship the "Name" but not the "Form". These people are the hypocrites (munafik). They do what others do. If others pray, they will pray. When others commit sin, they commit sin. When others condemned the religion they will do likewise. They like the hypocrites in the times of the Prophet who entered Islam but actually were against the religion and Prophet.
   
3. Those who worship the "Name" and the "Form". These are the polytheist (musyrik).
   
4. Those who worship neither the "Name" nor the "Form". These are the faithful (mu'min). They witness the Existence(Wujud) of God. They know that God is the "Real Actor" in this cosmic reality. Their ritual prayers(salat) are the result of God's Bountiful Mercy & Grace and not due to their own efforts. Be like them.

On the Amina Wadud's issue. He said that the action by her made her a Fasiq(wrongdoer who does not follow the Shariah). In the affairs of the world, woman can do anything, even be a leader or do what men does. But when it comes to matters of the faith, the woman should act within God's Law. The woman needs to understand that God has created her differently for a special purpose. He reminded us that God created Adam first to assume the khalifah status. Eve was created later as a result of Adam's plea to become his companion and provide the emotional support and love he desires. (Like the Prophet said woman are men's partners and helpers.)

On the hadith quoted in support of woman imam in which the Prophet had allowed a woman to lead a prayer during his times, our guide clarified that the woman had converted to Islam much earlier before her husband who was a new convert and also a slave. So the context of this allowance was specifically for that particular incident and within the family. It is not meant to set a precedent for leading a congregation of men. More so for a jum'ah congregation. If it had been intended as such, surely the Prophet would had said or affirm it.

In this relation our guide also narrated a parable of the donkey, his sufi master and the farmer. One day the sufi and his donkey was walking in the countryside when they came across the farmer who was tending his land. The farmer asked the sufi to pray for rain as his land has been dried up by drought. The sufi agreed. Days later there was rain and the farmer's land had grown fertile. The sufi then returns with his donkey and met the farmer in his land again. The farmer, feeling joyous, said that he wished to share his thankfulness. He told the sufi that he would like to buy the donkey and set it "free". The donkey responded by saying to the farmer,"Why would I want to be freed as I am already free. I have a wonderful master who takes good care of me. If you buy and free me from my master, then I would roam the land without a master. Perhaps one day another master will come and take me but I will not know of this new master of mine. So, I may not be "independent" but I am already free." On hearing that the farmer declined to buy and give the donkey its "independence".

Like the donkey(not used in the pejorative sense), a woman in Islam is already free. Free to do whatever she wants within the bounds of God's law (Shariah). She can study up to the highest level of education. She can go out to work to support her family. She may become the leader of a country. There is no limit. However, if she seeks independence outside of God's Law, she may achieved something but without God's Grace and Mercy.