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[MOD NOTE: The project of adding PDF links for every book will continue.] (bismillah) (salam) People want to discuss and learn. Here is a list of books, in no particular order, that might be useful. Akhlaq e-A'imma, Morals & Manners of the Holy Imams AS. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/akhlaq-al-aimma-morals-manners-holy-imams-maulana-sayyid-zafar-hasan-amrohi Ethics and Spiritual Growth. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/ethics-and-spiritual-growth-sayyid-mujtaba-musawi-lari Jami' al-Sa'adat (The Collector of Felicities). Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/jami-al-saadat-the-collector-of-felicities-muhammad-mahdi-ibn-abi-dharr-al-naraqi Moral Values of Qur'an, a Commentary on Surah Hujurat. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/moral-values-of-quran-tafsir-hujurat-ayatullah-dastaghaib Code of Ethics for Muslim men and women. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/code-ethics-muslim-men-and-women-sayyid-masud-masumi Qalbe-Saleem, Immaculate Conscience. Get PDF https://www.al-islam.org/qalbe-saleem-immaculate-conscience-ayatullah-sayyid-abdul-husayn-dastghaib-shirazi Adabus Salat, The Disciplines of the Prayer. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/adab-as-salat-disciplines-of-prayer-second-revised-edition-imam-khomeini Self Building, An Islamic guide for Spiritual Migration towards God. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/self-building-ayatullah-ibrahim-amini Spiritual Discourses. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/spiritual-discourses-murtadha-mutahhari al Siraj: The Lantern on the Path To Allah Almighty. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/al-siraj-the-lantern-on-the-path-to-Allah-almighty-husain-ibn-ali-ibn-sadiq-al-bahrani The Elixir of Love. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/the-elixir-of-love-muhammad-rayshahri Awsaf al Ashraf, The Attributes of the Noble. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/al-tawhid/vol11-no3-no4/awsaf-al-ashraf-attributes-noble-shaykh-khwaja-nasir-al-din-al-tusi Concentration in Prayer. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/concentration-in-prayer-jameel-kermalli Last Will & Testament. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/wasiyatnama-last-will-testament-ayatullah-shaikh-abdulla-mamkani Diseases of the Soul. (No PDF link. Can download at the site.) https://www.al-islam.org/nutshell/diseases_soul/ Anecdotes of the Ahlul Bayt. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/anecdotes-ahlul-bayt-ayatullah-murtadha-mutahhari Jihad al-Akbar, The Greatest Jihad: Combat with the Self. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/jihad-al-akbar-the-greatest-jihad-combat-with-the-self-imam-khomeini Struggle against the Self (jihad al-nafs). [PDF only] https://www.al-islam.org/nutshell/files/jihad.pdf Du’a (Supplication). Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/dua-supplication-sayyid-zafar-hasan-amrohi Sexual Ethics in Islam and in the Western World. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/sexual-ethics-islam-and-western-world-ayatullah-murtadha-mutahhari Principles Of Marriage & Family Ethics. Get PDF http://www.al-islam.org/principles-marriage-family-ethics-ayatullah-ibrahim-amini Rafed.net Ethics articles: https://en.rafed.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=78&Itemid=843

The notion of love has it's roots in the trait of kindness. Only a kind person can understand and exhibit love. Now, kind here is not someone who gets delighted after seeing a baby or a dog and starts adoring it. Neither it is someone who starts crying everytime after watching something bad happening to someone. So, what is kindness? A kind person is the one who is bent upon helping anyone with whatever problem one has. He is thirsty of such people who need help. An extremely kind person doesn't want anyone to ask him to help. He feels ashamed if such a thing happens. So, kindness is the pure trait of helping different beings in their works with utter selflessness. Only faith can depict such traits. As Ayatullah Shaheed Murtadha Mutahhari writes in his book, "It is religious faith alone which, above all, respects Truth, honors justice, encourages kindness". So, kindness is a spiritual trait. As this trait becomes more and more apparent within the realm of spirit; it indicates towards a strong, inevitable and beautiful reality. This is called love. It seems, overtly, as if kindness causes love. But no, it is actually love that is the cause of this kind behavior. Love is a feeling while kindness is a trait. Love, though is an extreme force, not easy to control but it has levels. It seems as if it ascends from relative realities to absolute reality. Actually, it breaks down from absolute reality to relative bounds. At the lowest level of this hierarchy is human to human love. This has no essence of itself. It's core lies in faith only. This is just a symbol. Despite being very limited and quite less, it exists. The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) has said, "Allah has divided kindness into 100 parts. Out of which 1 part is induced in all humanity." So, the love amongst the humans is basically, 100th part of the entire phenomenon. Amazing. This love can be seen everywhere and everyone has experienced it. May Allah let every person have a taste of love. Love of a mother for her child, a father for his child, among siblings, friends, family relatives, husband and wife etc. It doesn't even matter how they are related or is their even any relationship or not. Love is independent of any relationship, distance or any material dimension. It can be resembled in different ways but love doesn't depend upon it's symbol. At this point, a human mind starts to tremble. Because this feeling is incomprehensible and unpercievable. He tries to break and kill all the false perceptions that might be their. Love, as I said, has no physical dimension. Though, a human mind lagging the ability to understand it, might mistake it (and it happens very often). False notions are created which shame the truth and pure character of love. Carnal desires related to lust and greed always wander in a human mind. But problem occurs when these satanic thoughts are confused or assumed wrongly as love. From this point, this spiritual notion gets materialized and humiliated. This happens to such an extent that as a result it stops the progress of the spirit of a human being. It makes a person blind towards the reality of love — which is progressive — and stops the journey of soul towards it's ultimate destiny. Human love is just a medium to reach the divine and absolute reality of love but greed makes a person feel as if human love itself is divine and he has found our god in the form of that person or being we love in this material world. So, the final result of this false notion is infidelity. Here is the difference between both. The fake love vs real love. One is destructive to an extent that it directs you to hell and the other might help you reach heaven without any punishment. Heaven and hell? Where did that come from? Yes, as I said, Love is truth. Truth is love. And it is divine and absolute. If a human being on the path of love and kindness doesn't recognize Allah or as a result of love, his faith doesn't reach closer to certainty, then he is trapped in a false notion. Above the level of love is worship which is the last. Love is a consequence of the manifestation of divinity (Maarefat e Ilaahi). As I said love doesn't combines, it breaks down. When we practice taqwa, adhere to our faith, earn knowledge, struggle, stay patient and thus our counted amongst the guided ones; we see the beauty of Allah through the eyes of our heart. It amazes us and turns us crazy. Maula Ali (عليه السلام) says when Asked by his companion Dhalib al Yemani, "Yaa Amir ul Momineen (عليه السلام), Have you seen your Lord?" Maula says, "Would I worship that which I do not see? When Asked, "How do you see him"; Amir up Momineen (عليه السلام) says, "Eyes do not see him with direct witnessing. But hearts percieve him through the realities of authentic belief". Seeing the beauty of Allah though he is unseen. This is Maarefah of Allah. This maarefah from worship and a constant search of being, causes love. But love pays back. Love increases the power of worship and makes it more extreme. It beautifies the already beautiful worship of Allah. It makes a person forget this world. It makes him turn away from this world. Such a human being who is drowned in this extreme love of his beloved (Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) ) is dying to meet his Lord as is also clear from the munajaat of Maula Ali (عليه السلام). Love of Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and AhlulBayt (عليه السلام) for Allah and it's depiction in history is the only way we can fascinate ourselves with the beauty of this feeling. Such a person, loves everything associated with Allah. He can sacrifice himself for the sake of Allah. Not only himself, his entire existence without any hesitation. It is written about Maula Ali (عليه السلام) that when some muslims came to the Holy Prophet (عليه السلام) to complain about Ali (عليه السلام), the Prophet (عليه السلام) said, "Don't complain about Ali, he is crazy (Majnoon) in love of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى)." Now, removing all conseptualization let me make it clear through the intercession of AhlulBayt (عليه السلام). Love is, when a man sleeps for the sake of Allah on the bed of The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) even after knowing that he is surrounded by swords. Love is, when Fatima (SA) spends days in hunger and nights in prayer of the Almighty but never complains to anyone about her pains. Love is, when this woman (Fatima (SA)) stands like a mountain between his husband — Wali of Allah — and the oppressors who were burning her house to defend Haq. Love is, when a woman(Fatima (SA) again) being a child accompanies her father and supports him when he is attacked, laughed off and taken lightly by the meccans for the message he conveys and as a result is called as Umm Abiha. Love is, when a man (Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) ) who has committed himself to sacrifice, after sacrificing his whole family, with his body bathed in blood puts himself into the last prostration (sujood) to his lord. Love is, when a woman (Zainab (SA) ) despite all what she saw, despite the chains around her body, despite the thirst killing her throat and the humility she beared as a consequence of her veil being taken away; despite no one, except her ill nephew, standing for her, speaks so loud and so clear that the throne of the tyrant of that time and everytime and his system from top to bottom trembles and breaks into pieces. Love is, when this woman is asked in a disrespectful tone, "Did you see what Allah did to you?" She says, "I saw nothing but the beauty of Allah ((سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى))". I cannot go ahead of this. So, it becomes clear that love is only for Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) and from Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). It resembles kindness and sacrifice. It actually needs sacrifice to flourish in every heart. It needs sacrifice as it's own resemblance. It needs sacrifice for the success of human spirit. Not only from an individualistic stand point because sacrifice has an impact on masses. So, here comes the importance of the greatest effect of love on a soul which is the spirit of sacrifice. Like Ibrahim (عليه السلام) did of his son. Like Lady Hajra (عليه السلام) did of her calm life with her husband and accepted to stay in a desert relying only on her beloved (Allah). So, sacrifice is the greatest symbol of love. And what is the greatest example of sacrifice? Karbala. Can you imagine a person who says to his companions that you will be martyred, your heads will be slaughtered and raised on lances? Who says: 'Leave me alone to die as my enemies need me and not you.' ? But however he may insist, his companions don't move. They are seeing themselves cut into pieces but our eager to go to the battle ground. Who cannot be stunned by such conviction? Who are these people? Who are we in front of such people? We follow our rubbish lame desires. Are we blind or is the history of such people not clear enough? What if we start to follow Weheb al Kalbi (رضي الله عنه), who got martyred and slaughtered while he just got married. What if the woman become like her wife, who saw her smart, young and wonderful husband getting slaughtered in front of her? What will go wrong if mother's take pride in sacrificing their children for the sake of Allah, wherever and whenever possible instead of pampering them and teaching them to become coward? Have you ever seen a sacrifice of a 6 months child? Can anyone imagine herself in place of Bibi Umm Rabab (رضي الله عنه)? Have you seen a mother who prays to Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) and prostrates in front of Allah out of thankfulness when she hears the news that both of her dear sons got martyred? She doesn't even cry on them. She barely asks about their dead bloodied bodies. Allahu Akber! What can one say? Just doing this conversation and penning down this glorification of love is making me tremble. Karbala's example is unique just like our religion and the holy figures that stand as divine guides for us. Though Karbala carries the legacy of simple human beings like us. But can you see how love changes everything? Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) created friends of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) out of human beings. His Caravan of sacrifice led the greatest example of divine love humanity will ever see. What can we take for us from here besides humility as lovers and shame as worshippers. Humility about our weak hearts who don't nourish the feeling of love to such an extent. Shame that our prostrations, if even as much as the stars in the sky, cannot equate to the millionth of the prostrations of the Martyrs of Karbala on the plains of Karbala. But their is a glimmer of hope. It's true that love of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) is far beyond from the realm of imagination and we cannot sustain it so easily. But their is hope. Hope that comes from AhlulBayt (عليه السلام). Hope that takes an afflicted, painful heart full of regret in the camp of Yazid, from his calm abode to Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) within a night. Hope that makes us quit our food and drinks on the 10th of Ashura (those who genuinely do) and makes us cry and vail for Imam Hussain (عليه السلام). As this hope remains, it is developed through love. Love for Ahl ul Bayt (عليه السلام). Love for Imam Hussain (عليه السلام). If we make efforts, it is not difficult. When Hurr ibn Yazid al Riyahi (رضي الله عنه) changed his fate in one night by developing all these traits, realising all these instincts; why can't we? He developed love for Imam Hussain (عليه السلام). This is intercession. When Imam (عليه السلام) becomes your beloved, your destiny, he will divert your path towards the divine love of Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). The notion of mourning the martyrdom and misery of Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) opens the door of love, devotion and self sacrifice within the soul of a human being. It's so deep that it can revive a dead soul. Imam Khomeini has said, "Keep the event of Karbala and the holy name of Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) alive. For by it's survival, Islam will survive." So, don't miss these mourning events. Marsiya and Nauha recited for our beloved Imam (عليه السلام). You will automatically notice that Allah has changed you. You will experience that change at the end of Muharram. As if some new hidden realities have been shown to you. Even if you read down entire books of Hadith and Qur'an and pray day and night, the effect on your soul will not be as swift as contemplating on the tragedy of Karbala and the life of Ahlul Bayt (عليه السلام). Qur'anic verses are beautified by the character of Ahlulbayt (عليه السلام). Qur'an is a book and it's visual reality is the life of Ahlulbayt (عليه السلام). If you have love for Ahlulbayt (عليه السلام), you'll fall in love with Qur'an automatically. Falling in love with both of them will let you gain Maarefat of The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) and his Maarefat to the love of Allah. When this divine love will be in your heart, it will break down into infinite denominations and will fall as kindness upon every creature of Allah. In this way, you'll find yourself in love with everything. As Imam Hussain (عليه السلام) says, "O Allah, What did he find who lost you? What did he lose who found you?" [Dua Arafah]. Start your journey of love and immerse yourself in this ocean of love. Though this is nothing in comparison to what an explanation of love should be and my words are not enough to express it. Even if I write what all encompasses my mind, I won't be able to convey it completely.

Salaam all, I thought it might be beneficial to have a thread where we can specifically post videos/clips. Whether you find them to be motivational, inspirational or spiritually uplifting and think they may benefit others. I was sent this clip the other day and thought it was beautiful and very spiritual.

Personally I think there are so many problems with being a believer. When you say “I believe” you are fundamentally saying, “I am unwilling to admit that I do not know”. The seeker is willing to admit he doesn’t know! The believer is unwilling to make this admission. He draws conclusions about what is not yet within his experience. A believer may make assumptions about the day of the judgement! Further, the moment you believe something, you are in conflict with the opposing belief. You can postpone it with moderate talk. But conflict is inevitable. Isn't it that Abu Darda reported: Did Imam Ali (عليه السلام) not affirm in his last will, I do not see how one can attain ultimate bliss by believing in something that they do not know, by not having the courage nor commitment to seek what is true and just by wanting to assume something. The fundamental human nature is to seek, isn't it how we grow? But then why have faith in something? Well, personally, belief is a big no-no to me but faith is a big yes-yes! It is because faith is something that happens along the spiritual path. It is not something that is forced upon your mind. Belief is brainwashing; faith is a realization through experience. Faith is about recognizing that there is an intelligence in the universe that is beyond our limited logic, and seeking ways to access that. But right now, unfortunately, faith has been misunderstood to mean rigid dogma. How is Belief different from Faith? Even further, the word mistranslated into English as believer has the roots, hamza-meem-nun, meaning to have faith. Of course, "belief" is a synonym to "faith" in English, but languages like Arabic are fundamentally different from languages like English. Arabic is a language where a single word is capable of a multitude of meanings while English is a language where different words can have an exact same meaning! It must be understood that Classical Arabic is too accurately grammatized and too literal. However, the language was still very young at the time the Qur'an Sharif was written. The language of the sacred text carries no such smartness or cleverness as its Classical form because its propounder, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم), was himself just too simple. That being said, with very less grammar and much sense of colloquialism there were naturally many different meanings of a single word but even so, inter-related. It is only the gift of the so-called 19th century western philosophers and translators that the essence of spiritual processes were corrupted. Now, I understand why Benjamin Franklin had said, "Give me twenty-six lead soldiers and I will conquer the world." Indeed, Edward Bulwer-Lytton agreed that "The pen is mightier than the sword." Today, along with the so called religious scholars of their own religion, the English translators since 17th century have harmed much of the philosophies of the world. English is a widespread language that has emerged out of the need to communicate and it has the least vocabulary to become a translated target-language. It lacks the vast memory and moods found in languages like Arabic. English is a language for materialistic purposes only! What Qur'an has to say about Islam? Qur'an itself refers to Islam as Din - While the word "religion" would again connect Islam with a certain form of theism, Din is an Arabic word with its root being d-y-n, meaning ‘to dissolve.’ Thus, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم) himself is telling that Islam has nothing to do with any belief-system, rather it is about submission to the whole of the creation and becoming one with it and obviously it needs faith to walk such a truthful path and dissolve. This is why Allah has the name Al-Ahad - The Unifier. For me, Islam is not a Religion but a Way of Life and a Spiritual Quest and I am not a believer but indeed faithful to Islam. What are your views?

Your spiritual year! Take part in the one-year study of the Academy of Islamic Theology. See the flyer on: https://ibb.co/nzhFLYJ Limited places. Please share and earn Hassanat Further information on: https://theologie-akademie.de/kurzstudium/

I wish to share my thoughts on the concept of Unity. To do that, I have a perspective which is a cumulation of all the experiences of my life put together. My perspective may have a bias since it is a combination of the realities that I have lived and observed at different points in time. In order to explain my thoughts, I am compelled to make the best use of my language skills. I believe the English Language is one of the most, if not THE most spoken languages in contemporary times. I start off by introducing myself to the reader. I like to think of myself as a being that is subject to constant evolution. Evolution in the form of mind, body, brain, soul, spirit, etc. So in order to understand me, the reader should have a basic understanding of the concept of Unity, Duality, Multiplicity, and Infinity. Since only certain things can be explained at any one point in time (because time is relative), my goal here is to explain the concept of Unity. In Arabic (the language of the Arab people), Unity is analogous to the concept of 'Tawhid'. But in order to continue in English, I will have to proceed and due to my limitations to explain this concept, and the readers' limitations to understand this concept, I will have to improvise. Understanding Unity via Duality can be done in countless ways. The way I wish to do so is through the relativity of time. Basically, in order to explain Unity to you, I will keep time as a constant for a short period of time. It is at my discretion (at present) to pick a point in time to explain to you the concept as I am the speaker and you are the listener (presumably). The point of time that I pick is one from history. I have picked it because of its significance in countless ways, depending on the observer of time. The date I've picked is the 10th of October 680 C.E (Common Era). Since I am explaining Unity through Duality, I would now like to divide the recording of time in history via two methods already used. The Gregorian Calendar (the 12 months commonly used today, supposed to have marked the beginning of the Common Era, following the birth of Jesus Christ) and The Hijri Calendar (the 12 months commonly used by the Muslim population of the world, following the migration of Muhammad to Mecca). 10th of October in the Gregorian Calendar coincides with the 10th of Muharram in the Hijri Calendar. More specifically, 10th October 680 C.E = 10th Muharram 61 A.H. Since we are now keeping 'time' a 'constant', we have limited 'space' to keep making progress. So, in a few words, Unity explained via Duality means that at it's most basic, yet Absolute, Unity means two things (keeping in mind that time is NOT a constant). As we understand, Unity exists via space relative to time. I repeat, Duality of Unity is known in contemporary times as the Space-Time continuum. Do we understand the Space-Time continuum? Maybe, maybe not. I'd prefer to think that we do understand this continuum. You, me, we, all of us understand it in a different way. Coming back to time. To conclude this, on the 10th of October 680 C.E. (10th of Muharram 61 A.H.), an event took place. ONE event, best explained to be a combination of Infinite events, held at the same point in time for Existence to comprehend the Infinite potential of mankind in the form of Duality. The Duality of Right vs. Wrong. The Duality of Truth vs. Falsehood. The Duality of Being a Creation Vs. The Creator. As long as we can compel ourselves to observe all of history via the concept of Unity and applying Duality at it constantly, it will only be by a miracle that we don't/can't SEE the truth, HEAR the truth, FEEL the truth. Anything and Everything else is just pure coincidence. The End.

Salam everyone, I saw this book named 'Spiritual Prescriptions' by Shaykh Azhar Nasser. I thought I would buy it but the price ($34.99) gave me a not so minor heart attack. Nevertheless, I think this would be a good buy for those interested in the topic. Maybe the brother will send me a free copy or else I will wait for a sale. Given his light hearted approach when giving advice, I believe this would be an easy fun read. https://www.amazon.com/dp/107255996X?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860 The topic of Islamic spirituality has often faced the challenge of remaining comprehensible to a limited few who have been able to decipher the realm of the esoteric and theoretical. The book before you seeks to accessibilize spirituality by distilling difficult concepts into digestible nuggets of wisdom. Contained within these pages are 100 spiritual prescriptions which offer simple cognitive/and or behavioral instructions to help nurture and illuminate the soul. In keeping with the Prophet's (s) final testament of adhering to the Qur'an and his immaculate family, each spiritual prescription is rooted in the Qur'an and the prophetic legacy as transmitted to us through those who knew him best.

Salam alakum, Alhamdilalah I am a practicing Muslima with faith in Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى). I experience real moments of connection with Allah on a day to day basis and during ibadah and understand from a rational/ logical perspective that He knows what's best for me with regards to putting me through hardship, making me wait to meet a partner and reach my career goals etc etc. However, I feel like my heart does not fully believe this because why am I anxious about the future, uncertain and unsatisfied with my current situation? I'd like to know if you struggle with this with too and whether you have any recommendations for 3amal/ duaas prayers, for reading or general lifestyle tips. I hope this makes sense- I know the question is a little bizarre. Thanks in advance.

Part II A Detailed Description of the Method and Way of Godward Wayfaring My notes on the book's content. I had to reformat and reduce the size of file to meet the specifications of the forum. Hopefully this image will be readable after zooming.

An insightful 1 hour video on Sufism by Syed Ammar.

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Despite the repeated use of the phrase “there is no proof or evidence for the existence of God,” I would imagine most atheists, and indeed most people, are unaware that there is in fact a technical difference between evidence and proof. Fittingly, the distinction between proof and evidence was initially taught to me in an introductory evolutionary biology course by an ardent atheist professor during my first year of university. My professor used this distinction to justify why she would not be receiving objections to evolution in her class. (Literally, she said that we were not allowed to question evolution or present counter evidence during the lecture, and that she would not entertain it during her office hours.) It was the most bizarre and dogmatic moment I had in my entire education, and I say this as someone who was blessed to study theology in a seminary environment for a year. Contrary to popular opinion, the seminaries are far less dogmatic when it comes to foundational beliefs, as they permit questioning the existence of God and raising objections to the proofs offered. She argued that evolution was based upon good evidence, but could never attain the status of complete certainty. It was a probabilistic argument, like virtually all of science, rather than a demonstration, as in the case of mathematical proofs (and, as we shall see, metaphysical arguments.) I still vividly remember the slide used to showcase an example of rational certainty – it was that of a triangle with some lines and an accompanying trigonometric proof. Because evolution (along with all empirical science) could never attain 100% rational certainty, she argued that it was always possible to be a skeptic, to raise objections about inductive inferences which are probabilistic at best, or to posit alternative explanations that could explain the data, no matter how improbable. Oh the irony. If scientific atheists only applied their standards consistently, they would either deny science or accept God. We will see why more clearly later on when we explore the evidence for the existence of God. But there is neither here nor there. For now, what I want to do is just go over some basic concepts in reason in order to set the table for the coming arguments... This article was originally published on themuslimtheist.com. Click here to continue reading.

Salam, Here's a fantastic article/manifesto for a post-materialist sciences. http://www.explorejournal.com/article/S1550-8307(14)00116-5/fulltext Read it carefully. Some of the scientific findings do not easily fit with Shia ideology or Islam. Let me know what you think. Thanks!

In His Name As an ethical expression, muhasaba al-nafs (literally, soul's accounting) plays a key role in spiritual and moral discussions. Commonly translated as spiritual accounting or inward accounting, muhasaba al-nafs has been paid much attention in Shi'ite narrations by the Infallibles and books by many scholars. To put it in a nutshell, muhasaba al-nafs requires one to appropriate a specific time (usually on a daily basis) and contemplate deeply on his deeds in the past (day, days, months or whatever the case may be) and thank Allah The Almighty for whatever good deeds that he has done and ask Him for forgiveness for all the sins he has committed and take on himself not to repeat them. In spiritual wayfaring, the process of muhasaba al-nafs, if followed properly, will lead, in the long term, to reducing one's sins and his progress in spiritual journey. Due to the great importance of muhasaba al-nafs, during the Islamic history, many scholars have dealt with this issue either by compiling independent books on this subject (mention should be made of Muhasaba Al-Nafs by Ibrahim ibn Ali Al-'Amili Al-Kaf'ami (840-905 AH), Shaykh Ibrahim Kashifi, Sayyid Muhammad Husain Shahrestani etc.) or appropriating a chapter of their books to this matter. In this regard, Muhasaba Al-Nafs by Sayyid ibn Tawus is a notable work. Inshallah, I will share some narrations from this book in this thread.

Greetings everyone, I hope you are doing well. Well I need to state that I'm a non-Muslim seeking my path of being a better human and in process of researching all sorts of things (religions, spirituality, occult, etc) I was always attracted to Arabic things, especially taweez (talismans), vefks and similar. What I noticed is that Sufism would fit me as I begun meditating on Allah's names as mantras and they really make my meditations better. I'm also attracted to out-of-body experiences and surfing the Internet I got a feeling that Shia community is far more accepting to personal development (one's path) to Allah and relationship with the Qur'an. Did I conclude wrongly or is this true? I feel absolutely as I said in love with mystical side of Arab/Islamic world that I can't help it but still have a need of having some belief and prayers to God so would you recommend me a Shia/Sufi mixture of self development or? Oh and just to be clear - taweez only and only in case of helping others overcome ill situations both physically, spiritually and morally (and I do believe that the power from them comes from God himself but I don't agree that God is long bearded guy somewhere in the cloud but more as an intelligent (supreme) energy (all attributes with the names of God apply). Any advice and help is appreciated!

Osiyo fellow humans. I thought, instead of posting in my greetings post more, I should start a topic in this place, as I have reviewed the guidelines and realized the rules suggest appropriate location of threads. Recently I have been writing something, I guess one could call it magic as it focuses intent and places investment in will. It is also an understanding I suppose. I apologize if this is difficult for some to see/focus on. It was written with a shiny ink and eagle feather. I call this Heaven's Gate, and it is positioned (the prayer or invocation) behind a grouping of minor sigils, which in terms for me, minor is like realm or reality or understanding. I will post when I have photograph of this. I promise, this is not profanity, and is not an attempt to challenge anyone's views. I have a key for the symbols but not photograph of it yet. The first line says, I stand with a lion's fist and pray send you understanding. I have already memorized the symbols, so translation is possible for me to do very quickly if requested/required. Anyways, I wanted to share this.

Salaamu alaykum all, I've decided to begin a new personal project in which I try to implement a new sunnah of the Prophet every day of the following week (and till the 40 days after such that it becomes a habit.) I will start with the duas of the Prophet SAWS. He had a unique one for nearly every action in his daily routine. This will help us remember Allah throughout the day, as a matter of course. My motivations behind starting this project are in this post entitled A Sunnah a Day Keeps the Devil Away. I invite you all to join me in this project which will begin July 15th inshaAllah (I decided to give it a week to get more people on board.) We will hold each other accountable and encourage one another to righteousness, inshaAllah. Make sure to subscribe to the email list for updates!

Recently we have had a family member pass on. I have started to notice that flies will appear and linger around me for some reason. Well it is always only one fly, and prior to my family member passing on this would not happen, however since it has become very noticeable - and in different environments on different days (ex. at work, at the gym). For the jokers out there, I would note that I shower and change my clothes regularly at least once a day. This may just be coincidence but does anyone know if there would be any significance to this kind of stuff happening? If so, does anyone know of any references in ahadith or literature? I've been hearing things that lead me to believe there is some significance but I don't want to buy into rumours without having a basis for looking into them further. I thank you in advance for your time Was salaam

Salaamu Alaykum everyone, I wrote this post detailing how to re-establish a connection with God when you feel like you're in a state of spiritual recession. It includes a more detailed guide on repentance for new converts (which those more experienced can browse over) and then a golden tip which I think everybody should read. It's one of the great realizations of my spiritual journey. Make sure to like/share/comment/subscribe inshaAllah! http://themuslimtheist.com/how-to-escape-being-burried-in-your-sins/

Salaamu alaykum all, It's been a long while, but some of you may remember from my suggested Shiachat Wikipedia Project which did not take off due to a lack of participation. I've decided to do something more within my reach inshaAllah - so I've started a blog addressing more philosophical and mystical topics. I feel that it is essential for Muslims to be pushing the Divine mission into cyberspace. My aim in starting this blog is 3: 1. To create a forum for spirituality. The Islamosphere is seriously lacking in blogs that promote spiritual material that will help us grow in our journey towards Allah 2. To bring back a traditional Islamic worldview. Because we live in the modern world, we do not realize the extent to which we assimilate values that are antithetical to Tawheed. I wish to share what I've learned along this philosophical journey. 3. To refute atheism. Currently there are hundreds of atheist blogs attacking God and religion - we have barely given a response, let alone a serious one. I view this as a wajib kifaa'i which we are currently failing to fulfill. If this sounds interesting to you - see my first post Intentions to learn more. I'd also really appreciate any likes on my facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/themuslimtheist/ . You can also follow me on twitter for updates: https://twitter.com/TheMuslimTheist Setting up this blog was A LOT of work (there's still more to be done, but I wanted to get the ball rolling.) I'd really appreciate any comments or shares! JazakAllah Khayr

Salam. Please read the article here: Spriitual Journeying.pdf

Ramadan: A Month of Quranic Education and Spirituality, by Syed Muhammad Hossein Fadlallah: http://english.bayynat.org/occasions/Ramadan_QuranicEducationSpirituality.htm

Salaam Alaikum my brothers and sisters! My topic is a particularly pertinent one, and one that is not about laws, jurisdictions, etc. I am a fairly recent convert (about a year now), and I came from atheism to Islam, an adventure that took a while and filled with reflection, and sometimes doubt. In college I was taught that religion was inherently "foolish," an idea that feeble-minded individuals hold unto; I was continuously bombarded with the message that religion was innately against human nature, and that God was supposedly "non-existent." So my story comes from doubt to faith and to the beautiful religion of Islam (hamdullilah). My path to Islam was not motivated by an external event, nothing particularly drastic happened in my life, rather my journey was a constant one of reflection and studying, a search for a religion that was the most logical, the most sound, and the most rewarding to the spirit and mind. Therefore, I consider myself a "rational" and usually a rather "logical" thinker; however, this is also a problem. My question today is a little more abstract and reflective than my other posts, and concerns how to achieve a more emotional relationship with Allah s.w.t. Because of my rationality, I struggle to express my emotions to an extent that I truly wish. I admire my husband who cries over Hussein (a.s.) and possesses a very close, spiritual relationship with Allah s.w.t. He has helped me a tremendous amount and has been there through my doubts, and has read the Qur'an to me on nights where I am my lowest. Hamduillah, he is a great spiritual partner. However, today I hope to have people both share their experiences and how they achieve a more emotional outlook with Islam. I would very much appreciate suggestions, passages that move you, stories that are powerful, and any other suggestions how to achieve this. ​I follow the religion to the best I can, I make it an effort to pray on time, observe fasting, wear and embody hijab, and act accordingly. I always have fear when my prayers are not on time or when I am in class during the prayer time. While I believe this fear is incredibly important, I would like to have a stronger emotional relationship with Allah s.w.t. I welcome all suggestions, and sorry if this is a rant. Salaam.

What do you think of this diagram?

(bismillah) Salam, everybody. I would like to immerse myself in Shi'i spirituality to draw nearer to Allah SWT. What are some of the sunnahs the irfani scholars highly recommend for initiates starting out? According to our Blessed Imams, are there any specific prayers recommended to attain zuhd or detachment? What are the du'as taught to us by the Holy Prophet and his family to prevent our hearts from latching on to the dunya? How important is Tahajjud? Is God nearest to the dunya during the last third of the night? Do I need a teacher? Are the disciplines similar to that of sufism(the kind that does not accept bidah)? I would appreciate any response to these questions. Take care. Mithrandir. ws.

Whispered Prayer - Munajaat Do you want the Creator to impress His Divine Light onto your soul? Do you want to have a strong inner connection with Infinity? Do you want to communicate with your Creator and be completely sure that He has heard you? Whispered Prayer (known as Munajaat in Arabic) is the key to this – it is a divine secret revealed to us by the infallible pure Imams. [...] Read more at: http://losthumanity.org/2015/01/01/whispered-prayer-munajaat/ -- Lost Humanity Blog (http://losthumanity.org)