When You Hear Hoof-Beats Think of a Zebra by Shemsudin Friedlander

In the Name of Allah, the First

Islamic books have no contention to the Un-Islamic ones. It is written for the betterment of earthlings. You may peruse it, with the intention of leisure and adornment of knowledge in company, and by the Grace of the Almighty, He would still bestow you with the beneficial from it. And Alhamdolilah, beginning with a desire to extradite the errant from your manner, and empower your knowledge with good, it would be if the Almighty Wills, gather your deeds. Sufism was once a reality without a name. Now, it is a name without a reality.

The book delves into how we’re alive in a semi-sleep. It has that special light, the one that inspires you to read further, and more imperatively, practice on the author’s annotations. Islam asks of us a simple thing, to submit. And we, to do that, should hold water on easy aspects; truthfulness, gratefulness, humbleness. The essence of living a fulfilling life; is to never forget our eminent death.

As the humble slave of Allah, I think the book is not drowning into a sea of unknown aspects of Sufism but paints a picture of how to live your life in the simplest of manners, with the bounty of reward. It greets you with sincerity. Lessons are taught, telling tales and parables of people that lived before, with the authors’ continuous commentary and manners on how to trust ourselves unto our Creator.

There are two doubts I wish to express, one;

The author tells of a Sufi sect, called the Rufai, somewhere in Iraq, where the men have the ability of being burnt, cut or whipped, but without getting a smidgen of hurt and nor feeling the pain. Not only can they do this, but they can also stab somebody with a hundred swords and nothing at all will happen to him. This entire process is reportedly said to have been an inherited gift and too, most especially, they do this by repeating the Glorious Name of Allah, Al-Hayy.

I have heard about this somewhere before, where humans can transport their minds to other realms in other not to be affected by the torture they go through in this world. There are also so many, who do incomprehensible doings, because of adrenaline rush, or to show off. In the case of these Sufis, they actually induce forms of mistreatment of their very own selves. Like, as mentioned in the book, the old dervish walked on a bed of hot coals and licked a hot white poker and continued to so, while seemingly getting younger and younger. I do not understand why one would do such a thing, and what advantage it would do to his book of deeds. Allahu Alim, He is the All-Knower and we are only here to worship Him.

And why is it, that the Effendi who past away, had a gold turban placed on his bier?

Allahu Alim

In the Name of Allah, the Healer of all beings

The book of Sufi Healing by Sheikh Muhinudeen Chisti

Medicine is something originated with a human being, connecting with a human soul. It’s associated with this deep sense of healing, and curing, and most essentially, helping. How would you help your essence to attain this heightened sense of spirituality when you tear up your physical self with un-wholesome fare? Subhannallah. Our guide, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentions ‘Eat wholesome food’ and, this book attempts to explain this and other very fulfilling narrations, as well as most beautiful verses of the Glorious Quran, attainting to the physical, spiritual and mystical.

It took quite a time to read this book, as it often happens with Islamic ones. You need to somehow, brood, over all that is written. Contemplate; take notes, sigh with submissiveness over the significance of very beneficial words. The book is about Sufism, which first of all, has this entire susceptible air about it. There is somehow, more than need be, of realms, reverence and roses. I think you need to read the allusions of ‘souls coming to visit sheikhs’ and ‘the essence of the soul of the rose’ with care.

After the precautionary measures, one can delve into potions for various diseases, foods prescribed by the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him), a bouquet of perfumes that can cure a thousand sicknesses and a cauldron of other inspiring matters. The Sheikh describes the colossal profits we gain from each position in salaah, and which we do not realize, but these prayings assist us in a regular flow of blood to the very different paths of our body.

Subhannallah, our Masterful Fashioner of Shapes Creator has made us a most masterful creation. The Quran, for instance, is our Ultimate Book. The Quran too, is the perfect Guide for breathing. When one reads prescribing the methods of pausing and pulling, it strengthens the lungs and allows in further air. Allahuakbar. Allah, Al-Kabir gave us occasions that guide us and make us of those who fulfill these special opportunities.

Alhamdullilah, one of the very better benefits I gathered was when I cooked, I felt the hearts of the spices and their specialties beautify the essence of food, instead just chucking in things without experiencing anything.

Souls become amazing discoveries once they are guided onto the Straight Path.

Allahu Alim