Al-Malik- The King,
a revealed Name of Allah
Universal Islam is the name inspired to Shaykh Nur al-Jerrahi to describe the generosity, vast openness and universality of the path of Islam. Islam is submission to the Source of Love, conscious merging into the Source, and re-emerging as pure love moved by the Divine Will alone, anointed with the beautiful attributes of the Beloved. Holy Quran identifies five pillars, or fundamental supports, of this universal way. In observing these five pillars, and in abstaining from what is not pleasing to Allah, one is honoring the divine law or sharia of the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah shower him in radiant Peace.
First pillar: The heart of this great path is awakening into “Pure Unity of Being”, wahdat al-wujud. Allah Most High reveals La ilaha Ilallah as the essential affirmation of Unity and completes it with Muhammad Rasulullah, humanity is its perfect manifestation. The dervish affirms this truth through dhikr and tasbih, and through aligning the heart with the heart of the shaykh.
The second pillar: Overflowing with the infinite love of La ilaha Ilallah, we prostrate in continuous prayer to our Creator and Cherisher. This adoration finds expression in salat, the cycle of five daily prayers enjoined upon the lovers of Love by Allah Most High as a way of meeting with Him.
Third pillar: Filled with the gratitude of La ilaha Ilallah, we long to share with all beings the bounties bestowed on us by the Generous One. This is manifested by sharing a portion of lawfully earned income with those in need, zakat.* Beyond this is the continuous flow of generous actions, thoughts and gestures. The Prophet of Allah has enjoined that we offer charity constantly through every limb of our body. A loving smile is counted as charitable offering.
Fourth pillar: Called to Divine Nearness through La ilaha Ilallah, the dervish fasts from the limited self and feasts on Divine Love alone. Our celebration of the first revelation of the Divine signs to the heart of Muhammad, peace be upon him, occurs in the noble month of Ramadan, when we restrain from food, drink, and sexual embrace during the day, and at night plunge into the extended Tarawih prayers. Ramadan is a beautiful embodiment of our burning love for Allah.
Fifth pillar: Intimately guided by the wisdom of La ilaha Ilallah, the dervish embarks on life’s pilgrimage through Divine Radiance back into to the Source of Love. Once in our lifetime, we are called to the holy city of Mecca to circumambulate the Kaaba, the physical temple representing Divine Essence, Transcendence, and Mystery. Here we offer our gratitude for Allah’s guidance to humanity revealed through the stream of prophetic souls, beginning with Adam and culminating with the Seal of Prophecy, Muhammad the Glorious, may peace be upon him and upon all the community of messengers.
When asked “What is Islam?” Shaykh Muzaffer replied, “Islam is everything beautiful.”
O Kaaba
O mystery
O majesty
O sublimity
O radiance
O peace
O black light of Essence
O trusted guardian
O adored
O refuge of the lovers
O primal form
O beginning
O last station before annihilation
O sun in the heart of Muhammad may Allah shower upon him Divine peace
O blessed giver of blessing
O friend O intimate one
O seal of secrets
O generous
O essence of Allah in the Cube
O face of Allah in the pilgrims
O door to Essence
O mirror of the formless face gazing in adoration at itself in humanity
O perpetual Ramadan of the most Merciful of the Merciful
O gathering of all nations of praise
O great chant from the Mother of the Book
O divine presence assuming all forms loving all forms
O greatest freedom with Allah
O empty space beyond all religions
O turbulent ocean of all praise
O Mystery perpetually revealing itself and concealing itself
O one wrapped in the black cloak
O most noble
O Sherif of all holy grounds Sublime threshold of the far lote tree
O station of nearer than two bow lengths
O Kaaba