TLDR;
This YouTube video by ATTHARIQ ALFARISI discusses the importance of remembering Allah in every breath and focusing the heart solely on Him. It explores the concept of "zikir anfas" (remembrance of Allah with every breath), the nature of the soul, and the pitfalls of being attached to worldly desires. The talk also touches on the characteristics of a true Sufi and the dangers of associating with those who are spiritually negligent or promote falsehoods.
- Remembering Allah in every breath is key to spiritual growth.
- The heart should be focused solely on Allah, avoiding attachment to worldly desires.
- True Sufism is about inner transformation and drawing closer to Allah, not outward appearances or seeking magical powers.
The Essence of Zikir: Hu Allah [0:00]
The discussion begins with the proper way to pronounce and understand the zikir "Hu Allah". It's explained that the "hu" represents the essence of Allah, referencing Surah Al-Ikhlas. The correct pronunciation and understanding of the zikir are emphasised, cautioning against misinterpretations that may lead to misguidance.
Gratitude in Every Breath: The Gift of Life [1:17]
The speaker expresses gratitude to Allah and reflects on the significance of each breath as a blessing. Drawing from Imam Abu Madyan's teachings, it's highlighted that a person's true "birthday" is every breath they take, urging thankfulness to Allah at every moment. The unique honour given to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), where Allah swears by his life, is mentioned, linking it to the concept of each breath being a sacred gift.
Zikir Anfas: Remembering Allah with Every Breath [5:44]
The importance of "zikir anfas" is discussed, which involves remembering Allah with every inhalation and exhalation. The speaker shares personal experiences during the pandemic, where he rediscovered the power of this practice. The core message is to strive to make each breath a means of drawing closer to Allah, rather than a source of distraction or harm.
The Single Direction of the Heart: Focusing on Allah [12:50]
The speaker explains that the heart can only truly love one entity, which is Allah. Excessive attachment to worldly things can make a person a slave to those things. The speaker references a divine message stating that Allah created creation so that He could be known. The heart should be directed towards Allah alone to find peace and avoid being enslaved by worldly desires.
Freedom from Attachment: The Key to Peace [17:30]
Drawing from the teachings of Imam Ibn Athaillah Asakandari, the speaker explains that freedom comes from detaching the heart from anything other than Allah. When the heart is connected to worldly things, it becomes restless and anxious. The speaker uses the analogy of children engrossed in games to illustrate how the heart becomes oblivious to everything else when focused on a single object.
Allah's Jealousy: The Importance of a Pure Heart [21:55]
Allah is described as being "jealous" in the sense that He desires our hearts to be solely devoted to Him. The speaker stresses the importance of remembering Allah upon waking and avoiding any inclination of the heart towards other than Him. The speaker encourages seeking forgiveness from Allah for any infidelity of the heart, approaching Allah with love and humility rather than fear.
The Loss of Spiritual Delight: The Consequences of a Divided Heart [23:35]
The speaker discusses why people often fail to experience the sweetness of prayer, remembrance and intimate conversation with Allah. It is because the heart has a tendency towards things other than Allah. The speaker encourages self-reflection and repentance for any inclination of the heart towards other than Allah, comparing it to seeking forgiveness from a beloved.
The Generosity of Allah: A Blessing Despite Forgetfulness [25:55]
Allah's immense generosity and compassion are highlighted, even towards those who forget Him. The speaker contrasts Allah's generosity with human jealousy, pointing out that Allah continues to provide even when we are not mindful of Him. The speaker touches on the story of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the biawak (a type of lizard), using it to illustrate the unique blessings bestowed upon the Prophet's community.
The Importance of Intention: Purity in Action [28:36]
The speaker advises against letting the heart be drawn even slightly towards anything other than Allah. Work should be approached as a task to be done, not a preoccupation that invades one's prayers. The speaker encourages listeners to seek fame through Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) rather than seeking personal fame.
The Characteristics of a Wali (Friend of Allah) [31:11]
The speaker clarifies that spiritual experiences alone do not signify sainthood. A true "wali" is one who knows Allah. The speaker uses the analogy of airport security to illustrate how those close to Allah will be granted ease in the afterlife. The speaker stresses the importance of having Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as an intercessor.
The Need for a Guarantor: Prophet Muhammad as Intercessor [33:01]
The speaker emphasises the need for an intercessor, particularly Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), to ease passage into the afterlife. The speaker shares a story from his travels to illustrate the importance of having someone to vouch for you. The speaker explains that on the day of judgement, one's tongue and body may give conflicting accounts, highlighting the need for a strong connection with Allah.
Avoiding Worldly Displays: Seeking Sincerity [35:18]
The speaker advises against seeking recognition or praise from others, as it leads to exhaustion. The speaker encourages listeners to follow their inner guidance rather than external pressures. The speaker criticises those who undergo cosmetic surgery to gain approval from others, describing them as slaves to popularity.
The Loss of Zikir's Sweetness: The Consequences of Worldly Inclinations [37:48]
The speaker explains that when the heart has even a slight inclination towards things other than Allah, the sweetness of remembrance is taken away. The speaker shares a story of a student asking Imam Abu Yazid why he no longer finds pleasure in his spiritual practices. The Imam responds that it is because of betrayals to Allah during the day.
The Dangers of Distractions: Protecting the Heart [41:49]
The speaker identifies three dangerous influences that can corrupt the heart: associating with a scholar who is negligent of Allah, a Sufi who is ignorant, and a preacher who exaggerates or fabricates stories. The speaker quotes a verse from Surah Al-Kahf, warning against following those whose hearts are made heedless by worldly distractions. The speaker stresses the importance of repentance and seeking forgiveness for sins of the eyes and heart.
The Importance of a Spiritually Attentive Teacher [47:52]
The speaker stresses the importance of seeking knowledge from a scholar whose heart is filled with the remembrance of Allah. The speaker shares that his teachers forbade him from preaching until he had spent considerable time in seclusion, focusing on his connection with Allah. The speaker contrasts this with those who seek to entertain rather than inspire spiritual growth.
The Sufi Path: Beyond Outward Appearances [49:38]
The speaker cautions against those who adopt the outward appearance of a Sufi without understanding the true essence of Sufism. The speaker shares an anecdote about his teacher who forbade wearing a turban in countries where it is not customary. The speaker clarifies that while outward appearances are cultural, covering the body is a religious requirement.
The True Aim of Sufism: Drawing Closer to Allah [56:42]
The speaker clarifies that the goal of Sufism is to draw closer to Allah, not to seek magical powers or worldly gains. The speaker cautions against judging people based on their outward appearance, as a person in ordinary clothes may have a heart more attuned to Allah than someone dressed as a religious figure. The speaker warns against preachers who rely on sensationalism or falsehoods.
The Importance of Guidance: Seeking Words That Lead to Allah [58:35]
The speaker quotes Imam Nahaillah, advising against associating with those whose words do not guide you to Allah but instead harden your heart. The speaker criticises those who become more rigid and judgmental after embarking on a spiritual path. The speaker warns against misinterpreting religious texts to justify mistreating family members.
Questions and Answers: Navigating Faith and Spirituality [1:00:59]
The session concludes with a question-and-answer segment. The first question addresses how to maintain devotion in a non-Ahlusunnah environment, to which the speaker responds that Ahlusunnah is flexible and encourages consulting local scholars. The second question concerns the nature of the soul, with the speaker differentiating between creation from earth and the breath from Allah, advising against philosophical traps and highlighting the diverse meanings of "ruh" in the Quran. The speaker references Sheikh Abdul Muhi Pamijahan as a scholar of the soul in Sunda, encouraging further exploration of this topic.
