Dr. Waffie Mohammed
The first Trinidad national to have earned a doctorate in the study of Islam, Dr. Waffie graduated from the University of Karachi with a PhD in Islamic Studies, obtained in parallel with Al-Kamil certification from the Aleemiya Institute established by Dr. Fazlu R. Ansari.
On his return to Trinidad, Dr. Waffie contributed to the development of the Muslim communities located throughout the country and the region, while at the same time serving the wider national communities. This led to his appointment to the Senate in 1981, and his later appointment as Director of the Muslim World League regional office for the Caribbean and Latin America, a position in which he contributed to global Muslim development, until his retirement in 2003.
Dr. Waffie is currently serving as the Principal and Director at the Markaz al Ihsaan Institute of Islamic Theology. He also serves as a spiritual leader of the local chapters of the Qadri and Nakshbandi Orders within Islamic Spirituality Circles.
The author of numerous books, articles and publications dedicated to Islam and contemporary social issues, Dr. Waffie also has a growing number of pioneering works in contemporary Islamic studies. Dr. Waffie blogs often at http://drwaffie.blogspot.com
Keeping a sound heart
- By Dr. Waffie Mohammed
- Published 07/6/2010
Inni -y wajjahtu wajh –e a li-lladhe fat.ara as- samaawaati wa- al- 'arda hanef(an) wa- maa 'anaa min al-mushrikeen
"For me, I have set my face, firmly and truly, towards Him (Who is facing me) Who created the heavens and the earth, and never shall I give partners to Allah."
Islamic sprituality teaches a person to aspire to attain this feeling of being in the Divine Presence’. In order to attain this one must purify himself. Allah says in His Holy Words;
Yawma Lā Yanfa`u Mālun Wa Lā Banūna 'Illā Man 'Atá Al-Laha Biqalbin Salīmin
‘The Day whereon neither wealth nor sons will avail, but only he (will prosper) that brings to Allah a sound heart’. (Chapter 26, verse 88-89)
Only those who ‘bring to Allah a sound heart’, free from ‘blemishes’ will be among the successful ones. Allah is pure and as such only those whose personality is clean and pure will be able to feel himself standing in the Divine Presence. One example of such a person is Prophet Abraham (as) as Allah mentions in the Qur’an;
Wa 'Inna Min Shī`atihi La'ibrāhīma 'Idh Jā'a Rabbahu Biqalbin Salīmin
‘Verily among those who followed His way was Abraham. Behold! He approached His Lord with a sound heart’. (Chapter 37, verse 83-84)
Abraham (as) was one who purified himself from the impurities of this world, thus Allah refers to him as one who followed the rightous path.
It is important to note that purification from impurities also implies purifying the environment and the company we keep. Allah advises us that we should interact or socialize with the true believers. There was this one time where some Jews came to see Prophet Muhammad while he was in the company of his Companions. The Jews requested private meeting with him, away from his Companions. As such Allah revealed the following ayat;
Wa Aşbir Nafsaka Ma`a Al-Ladhīna Yad`ūna Rabbahum Bil-Ghadāati Wa Al-`Ashīyi Yurīdūna Wajhahu Wa Lā ۖ Ta`du `Aynāka `Anhum Turīdu Zīnata Al-Ĥayāati Ad-Dunyā Wa Lā ۖ Tuţi` Man 'Aghfalnā Qalbahu `An Dhikrinā Wa Attaba`a Hawāhu Wa Kāna 'Amruhu Furuţāan
‘and keep thy soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face; and let not thine eyes pass them, seeking the pomp and glitter of this life; nor obey any whose heart We have permitted to neglect the remembrance of Us, one who follows his own desires whose case has gone beyond all bounds’. (Chapter 18, verse 28)
It is better for us to stay in the company of believers who engages in those activities that lead to seeking the Divine Countanance of Allah . Running after the world and idolizing the wealthy and powerful serves no benefit to you.
Work towards feeling yourself in the Divine Presence of your Lord and Master and through this process Allah will grant you success. Be mindful of what is inside the heart and the company you keep, as Allah is All Seeing and He knows what your true status is. May Allah bless us and take care of our affairs.
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