Monday, 30 December 2013

WE CANNOT PURSUE HAPPINESS


WE CANNOT PURSUE HAPPINESS
Kate Bates (Kaamilah bint Qadar)
From “Refinement of the Heart”  
by Sheikh Hamza Yusuf Mark Hanson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwrfirtMTcw&list=TLsPb_2H6k5hgvosDMHcPzTqcePpYPJE6J


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBjGz1dgLK8 

The Secular and the Sacred in Higher Education -- Shaykh Hamza Yusuf & Dr. John Sexton

19,071 views
•20 Oct 2016

53.5K subscribers
The Secular and the Sacred in Higher Education: A Conversation with Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and Dr. John Sexton, moderated by Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, was presented by the Of Many Institute for Multifaith Leadership at NYU, the Islamic Center at NYU, and the New York Community Trust on September 27, 2016. https://www.facebook.com/events/15565... A fuller, higher-res version is at an NYU-related channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQJnj...


In the Islamic Traditions, happiness – SA’ADA - is not a state.  You cannot BE happy at any point of your life, but you can FEEL happy.  Happiness is the sum total, the result of your life, whether you lived a happy or a miserable life based what you did in your life.

  Ghaguib Isfahani, a great ethicist, a mufassir, one of the great Ulama of Islam (and Imâm al-Ghazaali) said: the whole purpose of life is happiness.

There is no SA’ADA in the Dunya (material world).  The prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was commanded by Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala to be humble.

The beginning of humility is to force your Self (Nafs) and the Holy Qur’ân mentions  

NAFS AL AMMÂRH = ANIMALISTIC COMMANDING SELF
NAFS AL LAWWAMA = THE REPROACHFUL NAFS
NAFS AL MUTMA’INNA = THE NAFS AT PEACE


See Tazkiah – term alluding to "tazkiyah al-nafs" meaning "purification of the self".

Wikipedia

Egocentricity makes life miserable for everybody.  Sayyidina Umar (RA), may Allah be pleased of him: Be tough on yourself because blessing does not last. The real happiness is on serving others.  ETHAAR = to begin to prefer other people.  ‘Giving charity’ makes us feel good.  It fires off all the pleasure centres of the brain when people give charity, according to a recent study. This is how Paradise on Earth can be built. 

This is the (compassionate) way we are designed, but, the Nafs is here to prevent this from happening.  Nafs, Shaytaan, Hawa and Dunya are the enemies of the human.  The Qur’ânic Science of Tassawuf – Gharbat un Nafs - is destined to overcome the Self


Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
I did not see any evil, but I warned you about it.  And I did not see any good but I guided you to it.

Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
None of you will enter Paradise until you believe, and none of you will believe until you love one another.

Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
Can I tell you something that if you do it love will begin to grow amongst you?

The Companions answered: Yes, indeed, ya Rassuul Allah.

Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
Spread peace amongst you. 

The primary meaning of that is give the greeting of peace, but it also means what it says: SPREAD PEACE!

The Prophet, peace be upon him, came with such principles to help people help themselves, navigate the world in a way that makes it much easier to bear because it is already difficult.  The world is difficult.  It is a test, an IBTILA'A.

Our problems come from egocentricism when we think we are the sun and everything else should revolve around us; when we think money is more important than the family.  The Nafs likes things that are delightful = LAZZAT. 

The  crisis of this Ummah (of Muhammad) is ADAB. 

Adab is proper behaviour, etiquette, “refinement, good manners, morals, decorum, decency, humaneness.”

Akhlaaq is getting our character aligned with the character of the Prophet, peace be upon him.  One aspect of his character is smiling.  The Prophet was constantly smiling.  He always smiled when he saw people.  In all states (ahwaal, singular haal), he remembered Allah.  He did constant Zikr (dhikr), remembrance of Allah.  Tassawuf, the Qur’ânic science of Sufism, revolves around SINCERITY. 

But, Muslims blame their QADAR for their own ineptitude.  They say Allah decreed it (their fate or destiny).

QADAR is rendered as FATE and is the good and the bad thereof which are from Allah, and one of the six articles of faith.  “Imaan e Mufassal”.

Belief in Allah
Belief in the Angels
Belief in the Revealed Books
Belief in the Messengers
Belief in Qadr
Belief in the Last Day

But, we can say QADAR ALLAH only when we have done everything in our power and according to our means to make things better.  But, in Islam there is no such thing as fatalism.  It is only a disease of humans to complain when they do not do the works (Jihaad).

Finally, in Sheikh Hamza Yusuf’s lecture on “Articles of Faith”, he relates a Greek story.
 Articles of Faith Part 1 of 2


Prometheus gives man fire, that is, knowledge. 
Prometheus is cursed by the Gods as they do not want man to have knowledge because man would compete with the Gods.
When Prometheus was asked what he gave to man, he said:
I gave him the fire and I taught him the crafts.
Then, he was asked: What else?
Prometheus answered:
I gave him FAITH.

Meaning, without faith the human being is in a hopeless state.  Humans need faith.  Without faith we are in a state of despair.  With faith, we have HOPE.


Caution when reading words translated from Arabic.  Allahu ‘alam (Allah knows best)

Kate Bates
Monday 30th of December 2013

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Wednesday, 25 December 2013

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUSAN AND MUHAMMAD ALI'S ADVICE OF MODESTY TO HIS DAUGHTERS



Happy Birthday Susan!


I was listening to this exquisite singer thinking of you, my faraway daughter.


Take a couple of minutes and listen to this girl sing.  I never heard of her; just tripped over her on UTube.


May you be well in health and spirit and nurture your good and loving qualities, and stay on the straight path…it is so much easier, and stay productive.


Love
Mumm and Basheer

Kate Bates
 
Muhammad Ali's advice to his daughters...
Muhammad Ali's advice to his daughters...Powerful! An incident transpired when Muhammad Ali’s daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were quite revealing. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters: “When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchangedmany hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day. My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them.” He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.” From the book: More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali's Life Lessons Through His Daughter's Eyes.

 “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.”

  "THE HUMAN BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF CHRIST!"
Quoted by Kaamilah Bint Qadar

 Urszula Maria Pickford shared Dr. Farrah Gray's photo.
 Powerful!

An incident transpired when Muhammad Ali’s daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were quite revealing.

Here is the story as told by one of his daughters:
“When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchangedmany hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day.

My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to.

Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected.

Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell.

Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get to them.”

He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.”

From the book: More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali's Life Lessons Through His Daughter's Eyes.

...to this day 10 July 2021!

Happy Birthday Susan!


I was listening to this exquisite singer thinking of you, my faraway daughter.


Take a couple of minutes and listen to this girl sing.  I never heard of her; just tripped over her on UTube.


May you be well in health and spirit and nurture your good and loving qualities, and stay on the straight path…it is so much easier, and stay productive.


Love
Mumm and Basheer
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDPjE9Sg7to

Jesse Ventura gets emotional talking about Muhammad Ali

1,071,062 views
22 Dec 2015
Graham Bensinger

Photos Of The Day: Malcolm X’s Iconic Friendship With Muhammad Ali

By on May 19, 2016
Malcolm X Ali
A crowd gathers around Muhammad Ali at diner where he’s celebrating his victory over Sonny Liston earlier than evening. The onlookers are eager to just catch a glimpse of the boxer eating, while Malcolm X looks playfully over his shoulder. 
Bob Gomel/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

History remembers Malcolm X as a militant revolutionary who fought relentlessly for the rights of African-Americans. Though he was often at odds with Martin Luther King’s nonviolent approach (?)* to change, and hounded by controversy most of his life, in these photos Malcolm X shares lighthearted moments with Muhammad Ali, with whom he shared a tumultuous friendship.


Malcolm X Photographer
Malcolm X takes a photo of his elated friend from behind the diner’s counter. 
Bob Gomel/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

Ali Malcolm X
Ali roars At Malcolm X, who pretends to calm him down. The two had a falling out and Malcolm X was assassinated before Ali could apologize. Ali later said one his life’s biggest regrets was “turning his back” on Malcolm. 
Bob Gomel/The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images

Next read Malcolm X’s most profound quotes. Then, watch Muhammad’s Ali’s most awe-inspiring knockouts.
 




(?)*Martin Luther King’s nonviolent approach (?)* 
Michael King alias Martin Luther King Jr was a pervert, a racist, a collaborating Zionist, an Uncle Tom, a plagiarist, a lover of homosexuals, Judaics, Socialists, Marxists and Israel!  He changed only in his last days just before he was murdered.  He hated Malcom X and Islam.  (BAFS)

These Unearthed Photos Show a Never-Before-Seen Side of Muhammad Ali In 1974

By Mandy Kennedy Over 1 million people just like you 'Like' us »
1

In 1974, Photographer Angelo Simon had the enviable assignment of spending two days with boxing legend and American icon Muhammad Ali as he trained in rural Pennsylvania for his Rumble in the Jungle fight against George Foreman.


via: Peter Angelo Simon
2

Ali was training to take back the title he had lost, but in these photos, he's a picture of serenity.


via: Peter Angelo Simon
3

The pictures were taken at a retreat known as "Fighter's Heaven" which allowed him to train away from the public eye.


via: Peter Angelo Simon
4

Because he was out of the spotlight, these pics show a side to Ali that is often overlooked when he's discussed today.


via: Peter Angelo Simon

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5

The bravado and magnetism are foregone in favor of a serene and gentle disposition.

 via: Peter Angelo Simon
6

It probably surprises many casual fans to see him in this light.

 
via: Peter Angelo Simon
1 / 2

These Unearthed Photos Show a Never-Before-Seen Side of Muhammad Ali In 1974

By Mandy Kennedy Over 1 million people just like you 'Like' us »
7

You can see him in this picture performing magic tricks (which he was quite fond of) for other guests at the location.

 
via: Peter Angelo Simon
8

Ali said that no one's ever taken as many pictures of him as Simon did over those two days.

 
via: Peter Angelo Simon
9

He reportedly used 33 rolls of film, which tells us that there are most certainly more photos of the time spent with Ali.

 
via: Peter Angelo Simon
10

But when we get to see THOSE is anyone's guess.

 
via: Peter Angelo Simon
For those of us d'un certain age the above title sums up Muhammed Ali. Unusually this eloquence was not coined by the Champion of all Champions but by Drew "Bundini" Brown one of Ali's corner-men (unwelcomed by coach Angelo Dundee) a hyper-ventilating fluffer who's task was to pump Ali up for the battles in the ring and out of it.
As so much commentary has centred on Ali's political and religious life let me take a moment to take you back...
It was 1964, I was ten years old, and my father got me out of bed in what seemed to be the middle of the night, to watch the apparently crazed contender the then Cassius Clay face the mighty smouldering hulk of Sonny Liston then heavyweight Champion of the World.
Few, at least among us white folks, gave him a prayer of any kind. My father and therefor me were exceptions to that rule. No-one else in his factory or my school gave the "Louisville Lip" a hope in hell. And almost all looked forward to the lip being fattened and the boastful braggart being flattened by the stoic ex-convict Liston.
Liston had been awarded temporary membership of the white race in the run up to the fight because Clay wasn't no "Gentleman Jim".
Clay was everything which terrified most whites at that time. He didn't just look the descendants of the slavers in the eye as an equal but stared them down in contempt. He was the black folks revenge. He was 22 and handsome he was 6ft 3ins big and strong. But more than that, he was smart. And as a boxer he was sublime. No-one before or since combined such gigantic physical stature with such grace such speed. He could dance like a Prince he could punch like a piston. And he was the only man alive who wasn't scared of Sonny Liston.
Cassius Clay or Muhammed Ali as he would become just days later gave birth that night (at least for the white world) to a new kind of blackness. It was the arrival of the field negro in the drawing rooms of the rest of us. It was the beginning of the end of the house servant image of maids and white-jacketed black butlers. And for people like me it was a moment of epiphany.
When Liston slumped on his chair and failed to rise for the heralding the beginning of the 8th round the bell tolled not just for him but for the old order in which he had played his last allotted part.
Clay cascaded across the ring looking for the ropes and the cameras beyond. I told you he said, I told you...
Most of the rest of the 60s passed as a black and white TV boxing blur with Ali doing his shuffle his left jab lacerating all who came before him finishing an array of opponents usually in the round he had predicted.
Sometimes he kept them standing for further punishment, usually if they had failed to keep up with the lightening fast transformation of blackness which he personified. If he considered them "Uncle Toms".
Remarkably swiftly, looking back, then came the draft. "White people sending black people to kill yellow people for a country they had stolen from red people" as Ali put it, none too politically correctly.
In 1967 Ali was drafted to fight in Vietnam in the war then raging, where 58,000 US soldiers perished, hundreds of thousands were maimed and damaged and where more than two millions of Vietnamese and later Cambodians were slain, their countries drowned in an ocean of chemical weapons which still bear strange fruit in the maternity wards of Indo-China half a century later.
Again, no-one could have put the dilemma more clearly than the Champion himself
"My conscience won't let me go shoot my brother, or some darker people, or some poor hungry people in the mud for big powerful America. And shoot them for what? They never called me nigger, they never lynched me, they didn't put no dogs on me, they didn't rob me of my nationality, rape and kill my mother and father. Shoot them for what? How can I shoot them poor people? Just take me to jail"
Ali was sentenced to five years of imprisonment, fined $10,000 and banned from boxing for nearly four years - at the very height of his athletic prowess. The US committed many more terrible atrocities in this era but this crime must be added to the list.
And yet as so often what seemed like his darkest hour became in fact the making of a legend.
If Ali had been "just" a prizefighter, even the greatest the world has ever seen his death this weekend would have been notable but limited in scope and duration.
But Ali has died - after 30 years of virtual silence from the most talkative man on the planet - to truly universal regret and a round of applause which will surely never die out.
His enemies, now long forgotten, together with the gifts given to him by a God in which he truly fervently believed made him into the best known man on the planet and surely one of most loved, ever.
When I think back to that middle of the night sofa in 1964 that all seems like some kind of a miracle. And maybe it was.
Ali was no angel though with the angels he surely now dwells. He was a man. Take him for all and all, we shall not look upon his like again.
Muhammed Ali

WRITER
George Galloway
George Galloway is a British politician, broadcaster, and writer. He is the leader of the UK Respect Party. George is the producer, writer and presenter of the soon to be released feature film The Killing$ of Tony Blair (Bulldog Films Ltd). He is currently campaigning for election as Mayor of London, to be held in May.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuKoqlKoaGc
  How Muhammad Ali and Prince formed a close bond 
Published on 5 Jun 2016
Prince spent his life partying with the rich and famous, but there was only one celebrity who could leave him starstruck: Muhammad Ali.
The late singer met the self-proclaimed greatest boxer of all time in 1997 as they made plans for a charity concert.
The Purple Rain star, who died in April this year, revealed after the meeting that he was in awe of Ali - and would have done anything for him.
Speaking at a press conference after their get-together, Prince revealed his excitement at meeting his childhood sporting hero.
'My friend Londell McMillan called me a couple of days ago and asked me. He said, "Muhammad wants you to" - and I said "Yes".
'I didn't even let him finish. He could have said, "Mow the lawn", and I would have been down with it,' Prince said.
'Muhammad's my hero. He has been since I was a child. As you can see, he's such an inspiration to many people,' he added.
Prince, who was sitting next to Ali as he shook because of his Parkinson's disease, raised laughs with reporters in the room - but it was clear that he was serious.
Photographs of the pair chatting earlier that day showed Prince beaming from ear to ear as Ali ruffled his hair.
The legends in their own fields were also snapped with their arms around each other as they made plans for The World Healing Honors.
The benefit gig was to raise money for charities and groups trying to tackle racism and prejudice around the world, the Los Angeles Times reported.
'I wish people would love everybody else the way that they love me,' Ali said at the time.
'I hope I can encourage people to show the same love and respect for each other. If so, it would be a better world.'
Ali - who died on Friday evening after a 32-year battle with Parkinson's - continued to share a close bond with Prince and was among the celebrities who led tributes to the singer after he died.
'We've lost a true original. @Prince was someone who cared for others & used his genius to help many,' the three-time heavyweight champion of the world tweeted, alongside a picture of the two in 1997.
Ali died at a hospital outside Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday, days after he was taken there with difficulty breathing.
The father of nine married four times and will be remembered for his outstanding victories over Sonny Liston, George Foreman, Joe Frazier and Leon Spinks, as well as his gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome.
He was also known for his trash-talking, coming up with phrases such as 'float like a butterfly, sting like a bee'.
President Barack Obama was among those who paid tribute to the boxer, thanking him for 'gracing our time'.


Jesse Ventura gets emotional talking about Muhammad Ali

1,071,062 views
22 Dec 2015
19K302ShareSave
571K subscribers
Jesse Ventura talks about his lifelong adoration of Muhammad Ali and spending a day with “The Greatest”
 
 
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