Assalamu ‘Alaikum,

Please see below link to a book titled ‘The Defense of the Sunnah: An Analysis of the Theory and Practices Of Tasawwuf (Sufism)’ by Ibrahim Muhammad Hakim ash-Shaghouri. The title speaks for itself, however, below is an excerpt from the introduction stating the aims of the book:

The purpose of this book is to educate the reader about some of the beliefs of Sufis and their practices, and to demonstrate how they are in full accordance with the Shari’a Tasawwuf from the very beginning has always been integral to the Din, functioning as the realization and implementation of the pillar of Ihsan in the being of the Muslim. Tasawwuf is not a madhhab, nor a sect, nor an ideology, nor a cult, nor a foreign import, nor an heretical invention. It is nothing other than a science concerning the reality of Allah, His Messenger, and the self, transmitted faithfully and without interruption from the Prophet (asws) himself.

It is the belief of the writer that the current corruption of the Ummah and its egradation is a direct result of – among other things – the crumbling away of the pivotal pillar of Ihsan as realized through the practice of Tasawwuf and its principles.

More details on the book and how to purchase can be found at the following link insha Allah:

http://greenmountainschool.org/Defence_Sunnah.html

Was Salam

Jashim

Assalamu ‘Alaikum,

I know I have posted a lot of Yusuf Islam stuff on the blog latey but I just happen to admire the man and believe his doing a good job. I was just reading a review of his concert in the states and was really moved by the ending:

Before diving into the shimmering acoustic melody of “Peace Train” to close the evening, a fan shouted to the former Cat Stevens, excitedly calling him “the best!” Yusuf smiled. “No,” he said, pointing skyward, “He’s the best, he’s the best.”

To me this is such a beautiful form of Da’wah and I love the subtlety in the way in which he sends out key messages in his music, his performances, and interviews.

May Allah bless him in the work that he is doing. I can’t wait to see the Musical Moonshadow when it is complete.

Was Salam

Jashim

Assalamu ‘Alaikum,

Yusuf Islam has just released his second album (after his return) ‘Roadsinger’. There have been many reviews of the album, I’ve put a few links below. Thanks to brother Masud for putting some of these up on Deenport.

Roadsinger Reviews:

By Paul Cashmere for Undercover:

http://undercover.com.au/News-Story.aspx?id=8253

By Michael Quinn for the BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/hc54

Neil Spencer for the Guardian:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/apr/15/yusuf-roadsinger-review

Andy Gill for the Independent:

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-yusuf-roadsinger-island-1676917.html

By Phil Gallo for LiveDaily:

http://www.livedaily.com/news/18968.html

The Rock Doctor:

http://travellingunderground.blogspot.com/2009/03/new-album-roadsinger-from-cat-stevens.html

By Mark Edwards for Times Online:

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/cd_reviews/article6199024.ece

By Thom Durek for All Music:

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:d9frxzq0ld6e~T1

By Lauren Maas for JamsBio Magazine:

http://magazine.jamsbio.com/2009/04/27/being-followed-by-a-cats-shadow-yusuf-roadsinger/

By Simon Cosyns for the Sun:

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/sftw/article2405504.ece?print=yes

Wang-Ziping – Muslim Patriot in China and a Martial Arts Extraordinaire

“Armed with an intense fondness for life outdoors, Ziping traveled all over the countryside, allowing himself to be inspired by the grace and beauty of nature. Sufis are particularly sensitive to the beauty of creation. A verse from the Koran that is particularly beloved by Sufis reads: “Wherever you turn, there is the face of God.” They complement this with a well-known hadith of the Prophet: “God is beautiful, and He loves beauty.”

Ziping hence studied with great care the movements of the birds and mammals- such as an eagle descending on its prey, a rabbit moving quickly across a prairie, a dog leaping skillfully to put itself out of danger. He absorbed all these characteristics to create a unique style of his own. His strength and reflexes allowed him to be both strong and quick- a deadly combination in Wushu.”

Read more at: http://higher-criticism.com/2005/12/wang-ziping-muslim-patriot-in-china.html

Assalamu ‘Alaikum,

Please see below link to Imam Zaid Shakir’s article in the Tikkun magazine titled ‘Obsessed with Defamation and Slander’:

http://www.tikkun.org/article.php/may_jun_09_shakir

Was Salam

Jashim