Posted in Words of Wisdom

Truth is your purpose – Sufi Words of Wisdom

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By Murshid Shaykh Taner Ansari

“When the problem is with you, you have to address the problem, which is you.

You have to enhance your understanding. You have to enhance your perceptions. Open your mind to different possibilities.

And we teach this. There is a way to do this. With Zikr of Allah, you do cleansing on your nafs (person/alter ego), so you will have a better eyesight and better understanding…

… so you can base your stipulation on the real truth.

As a scientist, observe the being as is.

You cannot make the truth as you want it to be. Truth is not going to suit you. That is why it is the Truth. Reality.

We have to accept the truth and base our actions on the solid foundation of the truth.

Allah has created us for this purpose.

But not by force. No forcing. No compulsion. You still volunteer and be willing to accept your duty that you are created for.”

Posted in Events

Zikr during Ramadan is at 8 PM

Dear all,

Please note that during the Holy Month of Ramadan, our weekly Monday Zikr in Notting Hill will commence at 8 PM.

We will begin with a half an hour talk, and then we will have a short Zikr. Afterwards, we will break fast (iftar) together and pray the sunset prayer together, if you wish to join us.

Dinner will be served after the prayer. All who come in peace are welcome, whether you are fasting or not.

Zikr Time: Every Monday, 8 PM (until week ending 19 July 2015)

Zikr Venue: Essex Unitarian Church, 112 Palace Gardens Terrace, Notting Hill, W8 4RT (Nearest Station: Notting Hill Gate)

Love and Salams,
Ansari Qadiri Rifai Sufi Order of the United Kingdom

Posted in Events, Words of Wisdom

Wishing you a blessed month of Ramadan

Ramadan 2015/1436 will begin at sunset on Wednesday, June 17. The first day for fasting is Thursday, June 18.

Shaykh Taner Ansari

Shaykh Taner’s Ramadan message

“Allah is so merciful. He gives us a lot of opportunities to prove our sincerity to Him. He is also creating excuses to forgive us. Ramadan gives us the opportunity to do both. Please take advantage of this. Everything is with the intention. Please intend to do your best for Allah. May Allah make us all successful in His Path.

We need to do a lot of zikr for the World for healing and for peace. Do this zikr (repetition of Allah’s Beautiful Names) every day as many times as you can: Ya Shafi, Ya Salam (translation: O Healer, O Peace).”

Wishing all of you a very blessed month of Ramadan!

Posted in Words of Wisdom

The Islamic Calendar, The Month of Sha’ban & the Holy Night, Nisfu Sha’ban (Sha’ban 14-15, 1436 / June 1-2, 2015)

A note on the Islamic Calendar

Sufis  can  think  of  the  calendar  as  a  way  to  observe  Allah.  Often  when  we  are  caught  up  in   daily  tasks  and  routines  we  consume  time  blindly.  Special  months  and  holy  days  help  us  to   stop  living  automatically  and  pay  more  attention  to  what  Allah  is  sharing  with  us  all  the   time.

“My  servants  annoy  Me  when  they  complain  about  time,  for  I  am  time  (ana  ad-­‐dahr);   in  My  hand  is  the  day  and  the  night”.   — hadith  qudsi

Special  days  can  help  us  contemplate  the  meaning  of  this  hadith  qudsi.  The  calendar  is  one   means  of  noticing  His  qualities  and  actions  in  time  and  how  they  permeate  everything.

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The  Month  of  Sha’ban  

The  month  of  Sha’ban  (the  eighth  month of the Islamic Calendar)  has  its  own  special  qualities.  For  the   pre-­‐Islamic  Arabs,  it  was  called  the  month  of  separation,  when  the  tribes  and  clans  would   disperse  in  search  of  water  or  grasslands  for  their  flocks.

According  to  our  pir  Abdul  Qadir  al-­‐Geylani (may  Allah   sanctify  his  secret),  the  month  is  particularly  associated  with  the  Prophet  Muhammad   (peace  be  upon  him),  and  so  is  an  occasion  to  remember  him  more  and  do  more  salawat.

The  Prophet  (peace  be  upon  him)  used  to  observe  a  lot  of  optional  fast  days  in  the  first  half   of  Sha’ban,  more  than  any  other  month.  In  the  last  half  of  Sha’ban,  he  did  not  fast,  as   Ramadan  is  approaching.

A narrative  holds  that  in  a  sermon,  the  Prophet  (peace  be  upon  him)  said:     “O  people!    Lighten  and  cleanse  your  bodies  by  way  of  fasting  in  Sha’ban,  so  that  it   shall  be  easy  and  helpful  to  you  for  the  fast  during  Ramadan.  Whoso  fasts  for  three   days  during  Sha’ban,  all  his  past  sins  are  wiped  away.”

Holy Day & Night: Sha’ban 14-15, 1436 / June 1-2, 2015 — Nisfu Sha’ban (mid-Sha’ban)

The night when all sins are forgiven if prayed with sincerity. A blessed day to fast. Starts on Sha’ban 14 after sundown and ends at dusk on Sha-ban 15.

For this Holy Day do the following zikr:
1001 Estaughfirallah (trans: I ask for Your forgiveness)
501 Ya Gafur Ya Awf (Gafur: Forgiver, Hider of Faults or Shame; Awf: Forgiver)

Posted in Arts, Interfaith, Words of Wisdom

Interview with the Heads of Qadiri Rifai Ansari Sufi Order – Fundamental concepts of Sufism

In a two-part video interview with the Heads of the Ansari Sufi Order, Shaykh Taner and Shaykha Muzeyyen Ansari, the Heads explain:

  • fundamental concepts of Sufism
  • common misconceptions of Sufism
  • finding Sufism
  • living Sufism
  • the science behind the 99 Names of Allah

Thanks to ITV (a South African local community television broadcasting station) for uploading the interview.