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The Millenium Discourses
This book is a selection of discourses often referred to as a dars. Within the Darqawi Sufi order a dars is usually delivered by the shaykh or a designated muqaddam (representative) after a session of dhikr (remembrance or invocation), when all concerned are in a deep and quiet state. It is never rehearsed or prepared, it is spontaneous and can be described as the process whereby the shaykh teases out a theme which becomes apparent to him in the few moments of silence that follow the final recitation of Qur’an after the dhikr. When one participates in the dhikr circle, one eventually starts to be connected by and with the other people in the circle. One stops existing as an isolated individual. The people who on a routine basis do dhikr together become connected in the unseen. This connectedness creates the possibility of great openings for everybody concerned. It is as if, when people sit in the dhikr circle they form a lens that focuses the Divine Light to such an intensity that it dissipates; any darkness within and the assumption that they are separate from existence. Those who sit in the circle become peaceful, undistracted and undisturbed, because they have pursued and failed frequently enough to have given up. Their eloquence is in submitting, not in commanding. It is a handing over of control rather than being in charge. These discourses should therefore not be viewed as a position taken in a debate. They should be viewed as a totality and mulled over in order to taste the state of both the shaykh and the company of fuqara at the time. A further point of interest regarding this particular series of dars is that they were recorded in 2000 and 2001, a very significant time for us all. It was a time when the combative confrontation between Islam and the West had taken on both global and millenarian proportions. This means that there is a theme sitting at the root of these discourses, which is a struggle with what it means to be appropriate in these highly polarised times.
- GenresIslam
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 8, 2020
4.5⭐/5
The book is like a self-help book based on Islamic practices overarching on topics to name a few humility, gratitude, kindness, mindfulness and self-awareness. Among other things that is relevant to our times right now, the book also includes topics like the importance of silencing our inner dialogue/noise, of letting go of things that are not in our control, minding our own business and to not easily pass judgements (hear, hear!). As I delved further into the book, I could see a pattern where each discourses return to the same point i.e complete submission in Allah. A very good read and a book that should be re-read in the future! Highly recommended 💯💯
The book is like a self-help book based on Islamic practices overarching on topics to name a few humility, gratitude, kindness, mindfulness and self-awareness. Among other things that is relevant to our times right now, the book also includes topics like the importance of silencing our inner dialogue/noise, of letting go of things that are not in our control, minding our own business and to not easily pass judgements (hear, hear!). As I delved further into the book, I could see a pattern where each discourses return to the same point i.e complete submission in Allah. A very good read and a book that should be re-read in the future! Highly recommended 💯💯
October 25, 2022
love this book, I read it very slowly trying to understand each sentence. it is written beautifully and the metaphor / analogy used is clear and logical which I appreciate so much
September 21, 2023
my lifeline for these past few weeks
November 9, 2021
Review on 29 Apr 2017:
This is an amazing book to transition the self to allow Totality to encapsulate you. Beautifully written and each discourse takes you to achieve a higher level of faith and understanding! SubhanAllah.
Updated 9 Nov 2021:
This is the second time I completed TMD and it will be the book that I keep going back to because it’s the lifebuoy I need to prevent me from drowning further in despair from my sense of self. The core message that Shaykh emphasised is to be silent inwardly, to surrender, let go of the ‘self’ and give up control in order to witness the One and be completely witnessed. To let Totality encapsulate us through remembrance. Shaykh shares with us stories and analogies that are relatable to our everyday lives.
“The most significant thing that you can do is not to achieve great feats in the world. It is about achieving feats of perception.” We are here to grant significance, not to make ourselves significant. I’ve learned to constantly say these 4 things to myself:
1. I am in Allah’s presence; He is watching me.
2. Everything I have has been given to me by Allah.
3. Nothing in this world can happen without His permission.
4. I am going to return to Allah one day and that day could be today.
This is an amazing book to transition the self to allow Totality to encapsulate you. Beautifully written and each discourse takes you to achieve a higher level of faith and understanding! SubhanAllah.
Updated 9 Nov 2021:
This is the second time I completed TMD and it will be the book that I keep going back to because it’s the lifebuoy I need to prevent me from drowning further in despair from my sense of self. The core message that Shaykh emphasised is to be silent inwardly, to surrender, let go of the ‘self’ and give up control in order to witness the One and be completely witnessed. To let Totality encapsulate us through remembrance. Shaykh shares with us stories and analogies that are relatable to our everyday lives.
“The most significant thing that you can do is not to achieve great feats in the world. It is about achieving feats of perception.” We are here to grant significance, not to make ourselves significant. I’ve learned to constantly say these 4 things to myself:
1. I am in Allah’s presence; He is watching me.
2. Everything I have has been given to me by Allah.
3. Nothing in this world can happen without His permission.
4. I am going to return to Allah one day and that day could be today.
May 21, 2019
This book is just perfect for my Ramadhan read as I read it inbetween lectures and exams note. Originally a discourses given from time to time it is beautifully conveyed. Although I have a few hard times digesting a few 'sufis' stuff I still love this book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews