What you seek is seeking you
-Rumi
What you seek is seeking you
-Rumi
Lets Embark on a Journey of Divine Reflection
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At Tadhakkur, we delve into Islamic philosophy through reflection and insight, inspired by the Quran and Hadith. We uncover timeless truths that illuminate our paths, reminding us that seeking knowledge brings us closer to the Divine. As Allah says in Surah Al-Mujadila (58:11), "Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees." Join us on this journey of discovery and spiritual awakening.
Lets Embark on a Journey of Divine Reflection
.
At Tadhakkur, we delve into Islamic philosophy through reflection and insight, inspired by the Quran and Hadith. We uncover timeless truths that illuminate our paths, reminding us that seeking knowledge brings us closer to the Divine. As Allah says in Surah Al-Mujadila (58:11), "Allah will raise those who have believed among you and those who were given knowledge, by degrees." Join us on this journey of discovery and spiritual awakening.
I pray for the day when children of Palastine can wake up to the sound of birds, not Bombs
Let's seek ourselves
How do the Five Pillars of Islam shape a person's character and enhance their life in a meaningful way?
Shahada (Faith) – Declaration of Faith
- Internal Transformation: The Shahada instills a deep sense of purpose and direction by affirming belief in the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH). This belief fosters humility, self-awareness, and accountability in one’s actions.
- Moral Compass: By accepting the central belief of Islam, individuals are reminded that they are part of a larger plan and are responsible for their actions. This encourages ethical behavior, honesty, and integrity in daily life.
- Resilience: Faith provides the strength to face life’s challenges, with the understanding that everything happens by the will of God (Qadr). This sense of reliance on God helps a person remain grounded and peaceful during hardships.
Salah (Prayer) – Five Daily Prayers
- Discipline and Structure: The five daily prayers establish a routine that cultivates discipline and time management. By pausing throughout the day for prayer, individuals learn to manage their time effectively, balancing spiritual, personal, and professional obligations.
- Mindfulness and Focus: Salah encourages mindfulness and mental clarity, as one has to disconnect from worldly distractions and focus on their connection with God. This practice of mindfulness can extend into everyday tasks, helping individuals remain calm and centered.
- Humility and Gratitude: Regular prayer fosters humility by reminding a person of their dependence on God and by practicing gratitude for life’s blessings. This attitude translates into greater patience and a positive outlook in daily life.
Zakat (Charity) – Giving to the Needy
- Generosity and Compassion: Zakat emphasizes the importance of giving to those in need. By actively participating in charity, a person develops empathy and compassion for others, fostering a sense of community and responsibility toward the less fortunate.
- Purification of Wealth and Heart: Giving Zakat purifies one’s wealth and helps prevent greed or selfishness. It instills a mindset that wealth is a means of benefiting others, reducing materialism and encouraging a simpler, more meaningful life.
- Social Responsibility: Zakat also creates a sense of duty towards social justice. Individuals who regularly give back are more likely to contribute to a healthier, more just society, creating positive change in their communities.
Sawm (Fasting) – Fasting during Ramadan
- Self-Control and Patience: Fasting during Ramadan trains individuals in self-control and restraint, not only by abstaining from food and drink but also from negative behaviors like anger, gossip, and impatience. This practice builds strong willpower, making individuals more resilient to temptations.
- Empathy for the Poor: Fasting helps one feel the hunger and suffering experienced by the less fortunate, fostering empathy and a heightened sense of social awareness. This experience leads to greater compassion and a desire to help those in need.
- Detoxification of Body and Soul: Sawm is not just a physical cleanse but a spiritual one. By practicing self-restraint and focusing on spirituality, individuals purify their hearts and minds from unhealthy habits, both physical and emotional, leading to a healthier lifestyle.
Hajj (Pilgrimage) – Pilgrimage to Mecca
- Unity and Equality: The pilgrimage is a powerful reminder of the unity and equality of all people, as Muslims from every background and nationality stand together in prayer. This fosters a sense of brotherhood, mutual respect, and an understanding that all human beings are equal in the sight of God.
- Spiritual Renewal: Hajj is a transformative spiritual journey that encourages self-reflection and renewal. Pilgrims return with a heightened sense of purpose, humility, and commitment to bettering themselves in their everyday lives.
- Patience and Endurance: The physical and emotional challenges of Hajj teach patience, perseverance, and sacrifice, which help individuals handle life’s struggles with a stronger and more positive mindset.
- Internal Transformation: The Shahada instills a deep sense of purpose and direction by affirming belief in the oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH). This belief fosters humility, self-awareness, and accountability in one’s actions.
- Moral Compass: By accepting the central belief of Islam, individuals are reminded that they are part of a larger plan and are responsible for their actions. This encourages ethical behavior, honesty, and integrity in daily life.
- Resilience: Faith provides the strength to face life's challenges, with the understanding that everything happens by the will of God (Qadr). This sense of reliance on God helps a person remain grounded and peaceful during hardships.
- Discipline and Structure: The five daily prayers establish a routine that cultivates discipline and time management. By pausing throughout the day for prayer, individuals learn to manage their time effectively, balancing spiritual, personal, and professional obligations.
- Mindfulness and Focus: Salah encourages mindfulness and mental clarity, as one has to disconnect from worldly distractions and focus on their connection with God. This practice of mindfulness can extend into everyday tasks, helping individuals remain calm and centered.
- Humility and Gratitude: Regular prayer fosters humility by reminding a person of their dependence on God and by practicing gratitude for life’s blessings. This attitude translates into greater patience and a positive outlook in daily life.
- Generosity and Compassion: Zakat emphasizes the importance of giving to those in need. By actively participating in charity, a person develops empathy and compassion for others, fostering a sense of community and responsibility toward the less fortunate.
- Purification of Wealth and Heart: Giving Zakat purifies one's wealth and helps prevent greed or selfishness. It instills a mindset that wealth is a means of benefiting others, reducing materialism and encouraging a simpler, more meaningful life.
- Social Responsibility: Zakat also creates a sense of duty towards social justice. Individuals who regularly give back are more likely to contribute to a healthier, more just society, creating positive change in their communities.
- Self-Control and Patience: Fasting during Ramadan trains individuals in self-control and restraint, not only by abstaining from food and drink but also from negative behaviors like anger, gossip, and impatience. This practice builds strong willpower, making individuals more resilient to temptations.
- Empathy for the Poor: Fasting helps one feel the hunger and suffering experienced by the less fortunate, fostering empathy and a heightened sense of social awareness. This experience leads to greater compassion and a desire to help those in need.
- Detoxification of Body and Soul: Sawm is not just a physical cleanse but a spiritual one. By practicing self-restraint and focusing on spirituality, individuals purify their hearts and minds from unhealthy habits, both physical and emotional, leading to a healthier lifestyle.
- Unity and Equality: The pilgrimage is a powerful reminder of the unity and equality of all people, as Muslims from every background and nationality stand together in prayer. This fosters a sense of brotherhood, mutual respect, and an understanding that all human beings are equal in the sight of God.
- Spiritual Renewal: Hajj is a transformative spiritual journey that encourages self-reflection and renewal. Pilgrims return with a heightened sense of purpose, humility, and commitment to bettering themselves in their everyday lives.
- Patience and Endurance: The physical and emotional challenges of Hajj teach patience, perseverance, and sacrifice, which help individuals handle life's struggles with a stronger and more positive mindset.
The Veil of Light
~Al-Ghazali
In the stillness of the heart’s deep night,
Where whispers of the soul take flight,
A yearning stirs, a quest divine,
To pierce the veil, to seek the sign.
Through the shadows of the mind we roam,
In search of truth, we find our home.
Love, the lantern that lights the way,
Guides the lost through the longest day.
Oh, fleeting life, a transient dream,
Yet in its depth, we glimpse the gleam.
Each moment a gift, a fleeting spark,
In the tapestry woven, we leave our mark.
When death’s embrace shall softly call,
Fear not the darkness, for love conquers all.
The soul, like water, flows to the sea,
In the realm of the infinite, we are free.
So seek the light within the soul,
For in its glow, we become whole.
A journey of hearts, a dance of grace,
In every ending, a new embrace.
The Poem of the Return
~Ibn Arabi
In the quiet of the night, I ponder,
Life’s fleeting moments, like whispers, wander.
What is this body but a transient shell,
A vessel for the soul, a tale to tell?
When the final breath takes flight,
Fear not the shadows, nor the fading light.
For death is but a door to the Divine,
A return to the source where souls entwine.
Each heartbeat echoes a sacred song,
A reminder that we’ve never been wrong.
In the dance of existence, we learn to see,
That death is the path to eternity.
So embrace the journey, each rise and fall,
For in love and loss, we find the all.
When the time comes to bid this world adieu,
Know that you return to the One, ever true.
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Purpose of life
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."
This verse emphasizes that the ultimate purpose of life, for both humans and jinn, is to worship Allah—meaning to live in alignment with divine will and guidance, cultivating a relationship with the Creator through acts of devotion and righteousness.
In Islam, the purpose of life is to worship Allah at all times, but this worship is not confined to rituals like prayer and fasting. Rather, it is a holistic engagement with life, where every action can become an act of devotion when aligned with divine guidance and intention.
Quranic Reflection:
The Quran emphasizes that every aspect of life, when dedicated to Allah, becomes worship:
"قُلْ إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ"
“Say, ‘Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.’”
— Surah Al-An'am (6:162)
This verse indicates that all of life’s actions—from the spiritual (prayer and sacrifice) to the material (living and dying)—can be dedicated to Allah, showing that worship is not restricted to rituals but encompasses the entirety of life.
Hadith Reflection:
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) further explained how everyday actions can be acts of worship:
"حَتَّى اللُّقْمَةَ تَجْعَلُهَا فِي فِي امْرَأَتِكَ صَدَقَةٌ"
"Even a morsel of food that you put in your wife’s mouth is a charity."
— (Sahih Bukhari)
This hadith teaches that even the most ordinary acts, like feeding one’s spouse, are counted as acts of worship when done with the right intention. The Prophet also said:
"إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ"
“Actions are judged by intentions.”
— (Sahih Bukhari)
This highlights that the intention (Niyyah) behind every action transforms it into worship. When one’s heart is aligned with the purpose of pleasing Allah, even mundane tasks become sacred acts of devotion.
The Quran and Hadith show that worship in Islam transcends rituals; it is embedded in every action when done with sincerity for the sake of Allah. Whether in prayer, work, or daily interactions, by being mindful of Allah’s presence and maintaining the right intentions, life becomes a continuous act of worship, fulfilling its ultimate purpose.
I choose to love you in silence… For in silence, I find no rejection
~Rumi
