O man, know iman
And you will understand
The rules and the content of Iman-Islam.
Iman, or absolute faith and certitude in God, is Islam. The
preface to Iman-Islam is patience, and then the inner patience or
sabur, contentment or shukur, trust in God or tawakkal-Allah,
and giving praise to God for each thing that happens, or al-hamdu
lillah.
Whatever is to happen at the very next moment is known only
to Him. Therefore, we must say, “Tawakkal-Allah,” placing
all our trust in him. Whatever is given as nourishment at any
moment we must accept with contentment, saying, “Bismillahir-
Rahmanir-Rahim, in the name of God, Most Merciful, Most Com-
passionate.” We must praise Him whether we have been given a
lovely feast or merely a glass of water.
Allahu ta’ ala, Almighty God, gave the power of inner patience
to Prophet Muhammad Mustafar-Rasul (Sal.) and instructed him
to tie it around his stomach in order to control the fire of his hunger
and his desires. He directed the Prophet (Sal.) to unfold the
umbrella of patience and good qualities over all the universes and
to embrace all lives within its shade.
Allahu ta’ ala explained this step by step through the 6,666
ayats, the verses of the Qur’an. The growth of good qualities
and actions is called Iman-Islam.
In a hadith, Allah said, “O Muhammad! I would not have
created anything but for you.”
All of everything which feels the rays of His power is in a state
of perfect purity. Islam means perfect purity; hence everything
was created as Islam. But it is only when the grass and weeds
that choke it are removed and it is allowed to flourish that it can
be called Iman-Islam.
Allahu ta’ ala bestowed this precious gift upon an-Nabi Muham-
mad Mustafa (Sal.) who taught it to all those who had faith.
Anyone who receives and tastes it is a rich being. Those who do
not receive this wealth are the poor akhir, the hereafter. In
sha’allah, if God so wills. Allah alone knows.
Muhaiyaddeen, M.R. Bawa. The Golden Words of a Sufi Sheikh. Philadelphia:Fellowship Press, 1981,2006
