Blog
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Luqman’s Advice to His Son: Seven Lessons From the Qur’an
What the Qur’an tells us of Luqman’s advice to his son in Surat Luqman (31:12-19), with a hadith reference and…
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The Story of Ka’b ibn Malik: How Telling the Truth Saved Him
The authentic story of Ka’b ibn Malik, who stayed behind from Tabuk and refused to lie, with Sahih al-Bukhari 4418,…
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Haya’ (Modesty Before Allah) in Classical Sufi Teaching: What Qushayri’s Risala Says
Haya’ in Sufism is more than shyness. In the chapter on haya’ in his Risala, Abu al-Qasim al-Qushayri (d. 465…
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Wara’ (Scrupulousness) in Classical Sufi Teaching: What Qushayri’s Risala Says
Wara’ in Sufism is the habit of stepping back from anything doubtful. Abu al-Qasim al-Qushayri (d. 465 AH) defines it…
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Rida (Contentment) in Classical Sufi Teaching: What Qushayri’s Risala Says
Rida, or contentment, in Sufism is not a feeling of never being hurt. In the chapter on rida in his…
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Sidq (Truthfulness) in Classical Sufi Teaching: Al-Ghazali’s Six Levels
What sidq (truthfulness) means in classical Sufi teaching, its Qur’anic and hadith roots, and al-Ghazali’s six levels of truthfulness from…
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Fear and Hope (Khawf and Raja’) in Classical Sufi Teaching
How classical Sufi teachers described fear and hope (khawf and raja’) as two wings, with Qur’an verses, an authentic hadith…
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Muhasaba (Self-Accounting) in Classical Sufi Teaching
What muhasaba (self-accounting) means, its Qur’anic root, how al-Ghazali described reflection and introspection, and a calm nightly review to try.
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Zuhd (Detachment from the World) in Classical Sufi Teaching
Zuhd is often translated as asceticism, which can sound harsh or unrealistic for people with jobs and families. Classical teachers…
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Good Character (Husn al-Khuluq) in Islamic Spiritual Teaching
In Islamic spirituality, inner states are tested in how we treat people. That is why classical teachers placed so much…