Revealing Flamenco’s Mystical Muslim Roots

Posted on October 6, 2017 by Imam Salim Chishti

From the Fall 2017 issue of Classical Guitar | BY JASON WEBSTER

In his groundbreaking book The Sufis (1964), Sufism authority Idries Shah mentions several Western cultural phenomena which were influenced or inspired by that mystical current of Islam. They include such diverse things as the Troubadour movement, the figure of the Jester, the writings of Cervantes and Goethe (among others), and the development of the Tarot. There is also, in Shah’s view, a clear relationship between Sufism and flamenco. Continue reading →

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Maryam Qadri launches Kickstarter Campaign for a Spiritual Translation Project!

Posted on September 30, 2017 by Imam Salim Chishti

A project from Maryam Qadri – one of our friends and subscribers!

Now Seeking Community Support via Kickstarter, The Project will Translate a Work on Sufism by the Renowned French Woman Mystic, Murshida Lucy Goodenough!Renowned author, publisher, blogger and poetess, Maryam Qadri has proudly announced that she will be translating the work of a renowned Sufi Woman Mystic known as Murshida Lucy Goodenough and for this inspiring project on Sufism, she is seeking community support on the platform of Kickstarter. The project will translate Soufisme d’occident: A Feminine Perspective in English language as the original work has been done in French. Continue reading →

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Mystic Mantra: The mingling of two oceans

Posted on September 24, 2017 by Imam Salim Chishti

The “two oceans” referred to in this book implies Vedic culture and Islamic spirituality.

Source: Mystic Mantra: The mingling of two oceans

Indian culture prides itself in its age-old historical conflation with mysticism. Rishis and Sufis in India introduced a broader notion of syncretism, known as “Rishi-Sufi” tradition. This emerged as a harbinger of harmony in social, cultural and religious regeneration of the Indian polity. As integral part of the Vedic mysticism and Islamic spirituality, India’s spiritual synergy flourished under the aegis of the mystical philosophers of the two faith traditions. Continue reading →

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Showing The Sufi Face of Lahore

Posted on September 21, 2017 by Imam Salim Chishti

LAHORE – A mass media student has launched an online campaign to promote the peacefulness and Sufi culture of Pakistans cultural hub Lahore. The Sufi Face of Lahore, which is aimed to introduce the city to international readers, is a final PR project of students of School of Media and Mass Communication, Beaconhouse National University. It is an effort towards projecting Lahore as a city of love, peace and inclusiveness. Shahbano Shahbaz, the brain behind the campaign, told The Nation that ‘Mehv-e-Ishq’ means “absorbed in Love”. Continue reading →

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Khutba – Sept. 15, 2017CE/24 Dhul Hijjah 1438

Posted on September 15, 2017 by Imam Salim Chishti

bismillah-circleآنا جعلنا في آعناقهم آغلالا فهي آلي آلاذقان فهم مقمحون.

‘INAA JA’ALNAA FE A’NAAQIHIM AGHLAALAN FA- HIYA ‘ILAA AL- ADHQAANI FAHUM MUQMAHOON

We have put yokes round their necks right up to their chins so that their heads are forced up (and they cannot see)

When we do not accept the guidance of Allah (SWT) which is given with compassion and mercy what happens to us? We are in a state of sin and that sin is like a shackle around our necks ever burdening us and making our necks stiff. What is the image of a stiff necked person. That person is terribly hobbled. Unable to look around. In terms of the spirit, it too is hardened by this, the heart is made harder and harder and further from Allah (SWT) And remember these shackles are of our own making when we refuse to believe when we refuse to follow this guidance of Allah (SWT) Continue reading →

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