Do you think the world works like this?

[sandandfoam]

I was thinking this morning about coincidence.
A couple of years ago, when I was very sick, I realised I wasn't alone. That was a turning point for me and set me on my way back to God. My doctors name was Muhammad.
Later on, my own doctor sent me to a therapist because he thought I needed help to stop pushing myself. I thought it sounded a bit nuts. But I went.
One day, out of the blue, the therapist told me in passing about this Sufi guy she had met. She wasn't a muslim, indeed, when I asked her, she had no interest whatsoever in Islam. But the Sufi has remained in my head and has lead to my reading about Sufism and a strong interest in it.

Are these things mere coincidence? Or is it how the world works?

[Bismillah]

Hi stephen this is a very interesting post. Inshallah I'll get some good resources on Qadr, it is a very in-depth topic and I could use the analysis as well.

[Bringing Truth]

Sufism is also known as tassawuf (hence I will use the word tassawuf)

Tasawwuf is a branch of Islamic knowledge which focuses on the spiritual development of the Muslim.

And to be sufi, you MUST be a muslim, you MUST follow islam under the sharia'a and you MUST act upon the sunnah.

Or if person claims to be a sufi, and is not a muslim, then know that he/she is false, this is one sign of wrong sufi.

Moulana Jalaludeen Rumi (ra) was muslim, Imam ghazali (ra) was muslim, Moulana saadi (ra) was muslim, Junaid al baghdadi (ra) was muslim, Imam Hasan al basri (ra) was a muslim e.t.c name any great mashaykh of sufi, they are ALL muslims.

There are few "true" sufis alive, and you need to search for them. All hamdullillah I do know some of them, some are senior shaykh in Masjid Al Haram e.t.c

Remember, if that person who claims to be a sufi, is not a muslim then know that he/she is lying. sufism is not a sect in islam, but a branch in islamic knowledge, just like tafsir, Fiqh e.t.c

the starting point of tassawuf is to clear your intentions, clean yourself from hatred, arrogance and all these bad acts. The ending stage is to achieve "Ihsan" which is to worship Allah (swt) in way that you see him.

The goal of student of tassawuf is complete submission to the shariah and sunnah in order to attain purification of the heart and soul and to develop a true, deep, and lasting connection with Allah (swt).

Who are the true sufis?
Many of our scholars have addressed this question by listing the "signs" of a true shaykh. Needless to say the common principle has always been submission to the shariah, by following the teachings of one of the four schools of fiqh, and a complete submission to the inner and the outer of the sunnah. This is based on the idea that the Prophet (saw) is the nearest and most God conscious of Allah's creation. His daily acts are an exemplification of how the most God-conscious of all of creation lived his life. For example, the Prophet's treating others with kindness, soft speech, humility, preference for white clothing, growing of a lengthy beard, use of the tooth stick, etc are all intentional acts of service to Allah (saw). If someone lacks these sunnan, while claiming they can help bring you closer to Allah, know that they will eventually lead you to a dead end.

[Bismillah]

Sufism is the esoteric means to attain the ideal and impossible state of Ihsan. It is an essential part of Islam.

[Bringing Truth]

Originally Posted by Bismillah

Sufism is the esoteric means to attain the ideal and impossible state of Ihsan. It is an essential part of Islam.

Just to let you know, sufism is not the only way. Many great mashaykh have told me that there are other ways also, if you attain high taqwa you can attain the level of Ihsan e.t.c

Tho you are right, I have stated that in my post aswell.

[Peace]

I believe the following verse is the answer to your question Stephen

"Verily, all things have We created in proportion and measure". (Quran, 54:49)

And I would also say it's the guidance and care of the One who created you.

[maro]

Originally Posted by stephenw

Are these things mere coincidence? Or is it how the world works?

it is how the world works

haven't you read how Omar ibn el khatab ,the second caliph , came to Islam ?
and how Malik ibn Dinar , the great Tabi came to islam ?
and also how many of the converts these days come to islam ?

it's how Allah bring guidance to whom he likes

[Bismillah]

Hey Stephen totally forgot about this!

Here's a handy link explaining Qadr, it's a very good introduction. I'll try and find some of the more in-depth articles I have bookmarked somewhere

Qadr (Fate) and Free will! | Islamic Times and Reflections

[Starsoul]

All I have to say is that I love all these unexpected coincidences, which I've never really thought about, and yet they happen, somehow to bring you to something that is always the right one for you. Again, I was craving for some real chocolate stuff and out of nowhere we had to stop by at an aunt's place to drop something, she called us in, made us sit and offered a yummy thick fudge ice cream, oh heaven SubhAnAllAh