Posted in Events, Words of Wisdom

Urs of Shaykh Muhyddin Ansari – Grand Shaykh of Ansari Qadiri Rifai Order

shaykhmuhyiddinansariAnsari Qadiri Rifai Sufi Tariqa celebrates the Urs (union of the devotee with his Beloved) of Shaykh Muhyiddin Ansari, who is our Grand Shaykh, and the Shaykh of our Shaykh, Murshid Shaykh Taner Ansari.

Below is a chapter from the book, “What About My Wood?” by Murshid Shaykh Taner Ansari.

Chapter: Shaykh Muhyiddin’s Treasure

For Shaykh Muhyiddin Ansari, it was very important not to break anyone’s heart, as it should be for all Sufis. Sufis should be able to get along with everyone. When Muhyiddin Baba was with children, he acted as a child. When he was with adults, he acted as an adult. He went along with the mentality of the person with whom he happened to be keeping company.

One day, a friend of his invited him to go on a treasure hunt. He thought that since Muhyiddin Baba was a shaykh, he would be able to help find the treasure with his special powers. Shaykh Muhyiddin consented to go and took one of his young dervishes along.

While they were digging here and there, the young dervish thought, “Why is my shaykh looking for treasure?”

The shaykh was able to read the dervish’s thoughts and said, “My Son, I don’t do this to get rich. Come here, son, let me show you something.” He grabbed a handful of earth and said, “Be gold.” The dirt instantly became a handful of gold.

Shaykh Muhyiddin said, “If I want, I can do this. But I will not. I came here only because I didn’t want to break my friend’s heart. If I want, I can turn anything to gold, just like that. But we obey Allah’s decrees. We don’t try to override them. We want to be natural, simple, and to not do anything against the laws of nature.”

Posted in Words of Wisdom

Choosing Allah consciously

Shaykh Taner Ansari

Excerpt from a talk by Shaykh Taner Ansari:

All humans have nafs (ego), brain and a line to God. We have to find the correct way. Allah is Rahman (The Most Merciful) and Rahim (The Most Compassionate), so He helps us find the right course by logic, by contemplating, deduction and induction.

The first thing is this: you have to accept it – there is a God, but it’s not you. Our job is to find our essence through contemplation. Islam is acknowledgment of the fact that there is a God, and don’t try to be God yourself. You have to accept that there are rules and regulations. You have to be in sync with this.

Do we have any will power? Yes, if we didn’t have any will power, Allah wouldn’t have created us. Why? Because Allah wants to be chosen scientifically with our own free will, with no force. If Allah wanted to force (people to believe), everybody would believe.

Making the choice of choosing Allah has to be the beginning of your life. Everything has to be based on this. This is the truth and this is what we have to make peace with. Islam is making peace with Allah’s decrees and Allah’s systems. This is physics. If you think you have power too, show it to me. I am not going to ask you to make a galaxy. I am going to ask you not to eat, and don’t go to the bathroom. If you think you have power, do this.

One of the rules of being a Sufi is that you have to be on the lookout for Allah’s signs. Listen to my advice. Surrender and learn the easy way. My students have to be conscious of what they are doing. Each action has to be willing (voluntary and conscious). I don’t want you to do habitual actions – habitual actions is the killer of all faiths. Mean what you say each time.

Posted in London

Special Sufi Zikr led by the Heads of our Sufi Order – 19 and 26 October, Monday, 7:30 PM

Dear all,

Shaykh 2015

We are pleased to announce that Shaykh Taner and Shaykha Muzeyyen Ansari, leaders of our Sufi Order, will be leading Zikr (Meditation) on the 19th and 26th October.

Date: 19th and 26th October, Mondays
Venue: Essex Unitarian Church, 112 Palace Gardens Terrace, London W8 4RT

They will present a talk and have a questions and answer session. This will be followed by Zikr (Meditation) and then dinner.

We greatly look forward to seeing you there.

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