In one of the residences that we stayed in during our travels, my bathroom did not have a mirror. 

At first, I did not give it much thought.  Then, its lack became a mild inconvenience.  Then, a discomfort, because I couldn’t see my image — to know what was out of place, what needed to be changed. Finally, I accepted its absence. I accepted myself for who I was.

Without the mirrors of our spiritual teachers and our companions on the path, it is difficult to see ourselves, to recognize ourselves truly, and to begin a process of transformation to greater spiritual comeliness and beauty.

It’s a three part process as the Prophetic supplication so beautifully, even perfectly, articulates: O Allah, show me the truth, help me to recognize it, and grant me the strength to follow it….

Without the grace of seeing my spiritual reflection, I will only see an image projected in the chambers of my lower self by my own vanity. And my vanity mirror on my inner wall will tell me that I’m the fairest of them all.

May Allah always keep us connected in positive suhba. Amin.

A few days ago, we hiked through what is known in Turkish as a “Yayla” or highland.  These are vast grassy areas on top of mountains where no trees grow due to the high elevation.  As we travelled on the Yayla, a very powerful hadeeth qudsi came upon my heart.  It was a text I had first heard beautifully explained by Shaykh Mokhtar, may Allah preserve him, years ago. 

يَا ابْنَ آدَمَ تَفَرَّغْ لِعِبَادَتِي أَمْلأْ صَدْرَكَ غِنًى وَأَسُدَّ فَقْرَكَ

O son of Adam, empty yourself for my worship.  I will fill your heart with richness and I will guarantell you freedom from poverty….

The Yayla had no trees, rivers, and little wildlife; but it felt full with beautiful fulfilling serenity.  It was as if it exemplified the text. 

If only I empty my heart from excessive attachments I have built over the years to material elements of this dunya, the Divine himself will fill my heart with what is most beautiful and majestic.  If I can redo my “life schedule” from scratch once again, and add only what it going to be a means to fulfilling my role as an ‘abd, I too may be able to feel the vast fulfilling expanse inside my heart. 

May Allah give us the strength to let go of what holds us down, and to empty our hearts for Him — to then to be filled by our Most Wise and Lovingly Merciful Lord.

In the car, Shaykh reminds us to keep a brother who is very ill in our du‘a when we fast the 9th of Muharram, to remember him after every salah, and the rest “is between you and Allah.”

Shaykh calls him to inquire about his health.  He asks the brother about the symptoms, and how they have evolved.  

We drive into a tunnel.  Shaykh warns him the phone reception might cut-off.  It holds.  As we leave the tunnel, Shaykh tells him, “This is a good fa’l (sign) for you.  As we were talking, we entered into a tunnel and are now leaving it.”  

Alhamdulillah, the brother is doing well.

Our first destination: Trabzon’s Hagia Sophia Hagia mosque, once a Greek Orthodox church, converted into a mosque in 1584, into a museum in 1964, and now into a mosque once more.  

It was under renovation when we visited the year before.  Now it is open to the public. 

Shaykh renews his salams to each brother individually, and asks how they are.  He wants to know who has not been to Trabzon previously.  He wants us to see and experience what he saw and experienced.  “That’s why I brought you here,” he says. “Make sure you are not passive tourists, but active dhakirs.”

As we explore the areas of the  coastal areas of northern Turkiye, our eyes stretch across the vast peaceful expanse of the Black sea, exceptionally calm, and yet we know that beyond that apparent image of peace, there wages war and destruction. 

What is the value of peace, security, aman? What would the Ukranians give for peace and security from fear?

I realize how ungrateful I am in taking peace and security for granted,  and that I do not do enough hamd and shukr even though I am from the ummah of hamd, the ummah of Ahmad, sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam. 

What would I give for inner peace? How much hamd and shukr is due from me for providing me with the mentorship of Shaykhuna Mokhtar, in whose presence and by whose demeanor and character I am lead to inner peace. His spiritual mentorship is truly priceless. 

May Allah continue to make me worthy of it. 

As we entered what appeared to be an “ordinary” mountain cave, we discovered a treasure chest 140 million years old, formed by drops, falling one drop at a time over millions of years. It teaches me the cumulate effects of small actions, good or bad, that produces an internal image, my akhlaq, with which I will be presented before Him, ‘azza wa jall, on a day when what is in the chests will be laid bare.

We are driving and pass a woman selling her wares – clothing that she knitted – along the edge of a stream.  A mountain rises behind her.   “What a nice place to do business!” Shaykh comments, smiling, “But only in dhikr and ‘ibada.”

On one of our short walks with Shaykh Mokhtar, we followed him as he lead us up a windy road amongst tall trees, blue skies and the sounds of nature in its innocence.

At one point, while we were in the remembrance of Allah, we stopped and gazed out over a beautiful vista.  Lo and behold, many of us noticed at that point that we had risen above the clouds.  

It is a wondrous thing what following a spiritual mentor can do for you and where it can take you.  

May Allah allow us all to journey in suhba to the companionship of Allah and His Beloved, and may the mentorship of our teachers help us to rise heavenwards, beyond our material, earth-insistent nature. Amin.