Marc Manley wrote an interesting blog post a few weeks back, where he asked the question,
“[N]ow that Islam has arrived on America’s shores, what will its spiritual tradition look like?”
For me, there is a very easy answer: The Osmanli Naks-i’bendi Sufi Association. There is not much more to it. Really, for me its that simple. The reasons why are spelled out plainly on the front page of the main website saying,
“We are followers of the most distinguished Naks-I’bendi Hakkani Tarikat (sufi order), which traces its traditions directly back to the life-style and teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Sufism (‘Tasawwuf’, in Arabic) is one of the Islamic sciences. Under the guidance of a Sheykh of the Tarikat, sufism is the way of purifying oneself from bad manners and characteristics in preparation for passing clean to the afterlife. Sufism is the spirituality in Islam. The chain of transmission (of the teachings) is documented through the 40 GrandSheykhs of the Tarikat back to Abu Bakr Siddik, the first companion to whom the Prophet passed the sufi knowledge of the heart.”
The spiritual tradition of the Osmanli Naks-i’bendi-Hakkani Tarikat is directly connected to the spiritual tradition of the Holy Prophet (may Peace and Blessings be upon him), his Companions (may Allah’s Mercy be with them) and those that succeeded them (may Allah keep their Secret).
Therefore, our lifestyle – though living in America – should look like that of our shaykh, who is following his shaykh and so on reaching all the way to the Best of Mankind, the Holy Prophet (may Peace and Blessings be upon him). There is not much more to it. It really is that simple. And if you didn’t know, now you do. But a better question is: Now that you know, what are you willing to do about it?
I keep getting these emails from a certain school in Queens. They are having classes at a reduced rate, mashaAllah! A few years back I invested in these and other classes for myself and my family. If you are wondering the results well, lets just say that I would not be the ideal interview. So when I receive these emails I am wondering why would I pay so much money for a trickle of something that comes as a free-flowing river at no cost?
I know this is a rhetorical question and the answer is obvious but I thought it would make an interesting post. I am certainly not claiming to know with certainty what is and what isn’t a Holy gathering, but I am asking Allah Almighty to show me the difference and trusting my heart to know the difference. shukr ya Rabbi (thank you O’ Lord).
And for those who pick Gathering B, unless you have been to both gatherings, I know better than you.
Shaykh Abdul Kerim al-Kibrisi Sohbet gives sohbet at the Osmanli Naksi-i’bendi Dergah for General Zikr on the Holy Month of Rabi’Awwal 1430 (March 2009). (Sydney Center , NY)
“Shaykh Effendi is saying people are learning about Islam through the internet in Firawnic rooms. They discuss fatwas but they don’t know the basics of the religion. Muslims have left the way of the Prophets. Those that say that Allah is enough for them or the Quran is enough for them have cut the Shahadat. The nightmare of Shaitan is to see a man with a turban and beard, with Prophet’s (صلي الله عليه و سلم) sunnat. This nightmare is the same of most of todays Islamic leaders. We must follow those who are following the Prophet’s (صلي الله عليه و سلم) lifestyle.” -Yursil
Selam alaykum. This blog has been around for a good number of years and I’ve received a good deal of comments over the years. Some good and some bad, the bad comments are partly the reason that I developed the comment policy. But over the past few months I have taken some time off of this blog and in that time I have received an unpresidented number of comments. There have been many “selams” and “thank you’s”, there have also been a fair share of “f*&$ you’s” as well So I would like to make this post a general response to all of the “selams” and “thank you’s” offering back selams to everyone, even those who aren’t so polite. Thank you for your comments, there are just too many to respond to all of them over the next few days but I will revisit the blog a bit more frequently than the past few months to return comments and perhaps post something you may find interesting, inshaAllah. So lets see how it goes.
So I would like to make this post a general response to all of the “selams” and “thank you’s” offering back selams to everyone, even those who aren’t so polite. Thank you for your comments, there are just too many to respond to all of them over the next few days but I will revisit the blog a bit more frequently than the past few months to return comments and perhaps post something you may find interesting, inshaAllah. So lets see how it goes.
