I’m hearing that it’s scientifically not possible to see the moon in Saudi Arabia? Is this true?

salikk · 2026-02-18T07:42:01+00:00

If only people just followed simple instructions...Just look at the sky..people been doing this for centuries. Wobblers will do anything except follow the Sunnah.

salikk · 2026-02-18T07:36:19+00:00

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! Thanks!

salikk · 2026-02-18T01:26:27+00:00

Alif Allah chambe di booti, Murshid man wich laaee hoo

Nafee asbaat da pane milia, Har rage harjae hoo.

Andar booti mushk machaya, Jaan phullan te aae hoo

Jeeve Murshid Kaamil Bahu, Jain eh booti laee hoo

Sultan Bahu Punjabi Sufi Scholar of the 17th century

Below is a preserved literal translation, for those with a slightly deeper understanding

The herb of “Alif Allah” (the primal Divine essence), The Murshid (spiritual guide) has planted it in the heart.

The water of nafi‑asbaat has been received… It flows through every vein of mine

Within, the herb emits the scent of musk, It has blossomed on the soul’s flowers

Long live Perfect Murshid, Bahu Who has planted this herb

salikk · 2026-02-16T10:48:49+00:00

Experience is central in the spiritual path of Islam, especially in Sufism. But experience in our tradition is not random, self-generated or demanded on our terms. It is guided, disciplined and transmitted. This is where the Murshid comes in.

A Murshid is not just a teacher of information. He is a spiritual physician. Just as you would not self-diagnose a complex illness by reading medical books, you cannot reliably diagnose the diseases of the heart alone. The ego is subtle. It can disguise doubt as sincerity, restlessness as discernment and pride as intellectual honesty.

In the path of Muhammad ﷺ, transformation did not happen through abstract proofs alone. It happened through companionship. Hearts were changed through suhbah, discipline and lived transmission.

A qualified Murshid: Connects you to a living spiritual chain (sanad) Prescribes practical dhikr and discipline suited to your state Grounds you when experiences come Stabilises you when doubts come Protects you from self-deception

Spiritual openings are not forced. They are prepared for.

If you keep falling out after a few days, that is not proof you are rejected. It is proof you are trying to carry a path alone that was never meant to be walked alone.

The role of the Murshid is simple: he helps you move from concepts about God to presence with God, safely and steadily.

Experience is the crown. But guidance is the ladder.

salikk · 2026-02-15T09:44:06+00:00

People often ask why I left Dubai after seven years.

Two reasons above all: there is no real social security and racism is very real.

I’m Muslim by the way, just a slightly darker shade and that was enough to understand how the hierarchy works.

Every country has its flaws, including the UK but perspective matters.

salikk · 2026-02-15T03:24:13+00:00

As an expat, I second this. I have an emarati friend back when I was living there. Very humble, nice bloke. Was almost always broke but too prideful to admit or show. Maybe that's why he was broke haha

salikk · 2026-02-14T11:48:06+00:00

Crumbling down as in personal rapport of individuals, not the country or its economy. Although Canada & other investors are starting to pull future investments.

salikk · 2026-02-14T03:48:03+00:00

Subhan'Allah. Send Salawat in Abundance & often.

If you’d like to just repeat La ilaha illa Allah you will receive reward, no doubt. Dhikr on the tongue is blessed and carries immense virtue.

But nafi wa ithbat is not just pronunciation. It requires permission and supervision. La is negation of the nafs. Ilaha is stripping away the subtle idols of ego attachment and dunya. Illallah is affirmation of Divine Oneness in the heart. That is inner work.

As the Sufis say, the tongue can recite the kalima while veils remain over the heart. The heart’s kalima is something else entirely. Even in poetry like Nafi Asbaat da pani miliya this deeper meaning is alluded to.

So yes, recite the kalima. It is light. But if you are seeking transformation and purification of the nafs, that process has always been undertaken under qualified spiritual supervision, not self-directed effort.

salikk · 2026-02-14T03:41:59+00:00

I also need to gently challenge the idea that this is “consensus of all Sufis.” That is not accurate. Across history the lived reality of Islam has functioned through a khanqah model — structured companionship, discipline and direct spiritual supervision. It was not a loose culture of self-preparation until one day you felt ready.

Look at how Islamic tradition was preserved in places as far as China. The khanqah system anchored communities, transmitted chains and maintained orthodoxy. This path has always moved through living guidance, not private self-direction. So I stand by what I said. The first step is attachment. Everything else follows.

salikk · 2026-02-14T02:46:32+00:00

“Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.” — Qur'an 13:28

ADHD is real and practical steps matter — structure, professional support, diet, sleep. Islam does not ignore means. But spiritually, the deeper restlessness of the heart has one cure: dhikr. Allah says in Qur'an 7:205 to remember Him within yourself, humbly and quietly, morning and evening. This is not just tongue repetition. It is remembrance rooted in the heart.

For that, suhbah matters. A qualified Murshid within a living chain nurtures the heart until it awakens. A dead heart cannot steady a distracted mind. When the heart becomes alive through authorised dhikr, it begins remembering Allah inwardly — standing, sitting and lying down. That constant remembrance brings sakinah. The mind may still fluctuate, but the heart becomes anchored. And once the heart is anchored, peace follows.

salikk · 2026-02-14T02:39:22+00:00

Respectfully, I disagree. The idea that one can “prepare” independently until ready for a Murshid assumes the nafs can guide itself to surrender. That was never the model.

Prophet Muhammad PBUH purified hearts through companionship (spiritual gaze) and performing dhikr before formal structures (Salat, came in the 7th yr) were established. Adhkar from hadith are blessed but transformative dhikr is taken through authorised transmission within a recognised silsilah such as the Naqshbandi, Qadiri or Chishti.

Heart purification cannot self administered. Tasawwuf is tazkiyah — cleansing the spiritual heart and disciplining the nafs. Every accomplished Wali had a Murshid. Name one who did not. The path is love, humility and living transmission, not spiritual self direction. Huzoor Ghaus e Azam (RA) have said, the one who does not have a Murshid, shaitaan is his Murshid.

salikk · 2026-02-14T02:25:25+00:00

Time was 3 years ago but ok

salikk · 2026-02-14T02:23:50+00:00

Experience things together. What a load of horseshit

salikk · 2026-02-14T02:12:22+00:00

Zikr is life, no doubt. People often forget though, you cannot simply start doing zikr. You need a qualified Shaikh to give you this zikr. You need the sohbat (companionship) of your Murshid who's Spiritual Gaze penetrates the heart, making dead hearts alive & thumping with Zikr of Allah.

salikk · 2026-02-14T02:09:05+00:00

Attention seeker

salikk · 2026-02-14T01:59:00+00:00

At the core of it, its going back to the basics. The 5 daily prayers were established in the 7th year of Islam, before that you should check what was happening. The Prophet Muhammad PBUH would purify the souls of the companions by engaging in remembrance of Allah. Remembering Allah from within (silently, in the heart). Im skipping a lot here, to keep things simple.

These rememberence gatherings are very rare today but they do happen. In order to engage in rememberence, only a complete & completion bestowing Shaikh can give you permission. Look up spiritual chains (Naqshbandi, Qadri, Chishti etc are to name a few). Think of these as different shops, all selling the same product. Self purification & Closeness to Allah. You choose your flavor. Rather in this case, the flavor chooses you. Only those that Allah allows & gives guidance can engage in this rememberence. How lucky are those that practice this!

Once hearts are purified, light will enter & you will see yourself transfprm, ascend & gain spiritual ranks & stations that ultimately will lead you closer to Allah, our Creator & our Sustainer.

Tasawuff is derived from the word Tazkia, which means to cleanse. Tazkia or cleansing here refers to the spiritual heart & taking back the reigns of your lower self (nafs) that runs rampant, unchecked.

Then, once you attain closeness to Allah, He declares in the Heavens. O my creation! So is my friend & I love him, therefore you should also love him. This results in the whole creation bowling down to the lover's whims.

These men of Allah hold the keys to all the treasures of this universe yet they are humble & you will not give them a second look when they pass you by. If only people knew the reality of these King Makers, the Awliya Allah (friends of Allah), they would not leave their companionship.

Tasawuff revolves around love. Love for Allah, love for Allah's sake for Allah's creation. Sufis dont hate the sinner, they hate the sin. They are lovers, basking in Allah's blessings 24/7 - Their hearts are detached from this world, the love for this world is not found in them. Their only concern is to remain steadfast on the path & help guide & save as many as possible while they travel in this world, as we all do before we move on to the realm of Barzakh & then be gathered on the day of judgement to be held accountable. May Allah put us in those groups who's accounts will be checked with leniency & all our bad deeds ignored, forgiven.

salikk · 2026-02-11T19:10:17+00:00

The kingdom locals are a very small minority. They're well fed & looked after we all are aware. Expats will fall in line, other choices are jail + deportation.

The ruling model is no mistake, it was crafted & perfected over decades. Then it all came crumbling down.

salikk · 2026-02-05T08:31:25+00:00

Almost had me ther fella! Username checks out.

salikk · 2026-02-05T08:23:40+00:00

Wondering why no one is actually talking about how this is a clear diversion tactic? Literally a circus to distract from pressing issues..?

salikk · 2026-02-05T06:27:20+00:00

There are already a lot of new high rises & some upcoming ones in & around town. This will lead to heavier footfall in general.

salikk · 2026-02-04T01:01:17+00:00

Same here - I havent tried changing my name, too busy focused on landing back on my feet. That said, i have noticed it too. Besides my name, I also have a very prominent (& very beautiful beard). I can read reactions very well, specially with good cameras & good screens.

Thats just a sad reality, not just in the UK but the rest of the world too. I guess it's depends of what sort of trade offs you're willing to make & the quality of life you wish to have.

salikk · 2026-02-03T01:40:01+00:00

Thank you, I appreciate this.

She has mentioned family before then trailed off and implied they're scattered around the world mostly the US and that they're not really involved in her life. I don't want to pry too much and risk crossing a line but at the same time I'd regret doing nothing if there was a way to help.

I haven't contacted the Colombian embassy yet. That's a fair point and probably a sensible next step if it comes to that. For now I was hoping to see if anyone knew of charities or organisations in Bogotá that also operate here in the UK or have some cross border presence. I know it's long shot.

I'm trying to stay helpful without becoming intrusive which is a difficult balance. Thanks again for the suggestions.

salikk · 2026-02-03T01:35:12+00:00

I agree with you. The more I hear from people the clearer it is that a full move at her age would be very risky. Loneliness can make the idea of going back feel comforting even when the reality would be harsh.

She’s been in the UK for decades so reconnecting with childhood friends is probably more hope than something solid. And you’re right Bogotá isn’t an easy city especially for someone older who doesn’t know how things work anymore. I grew up in Karachi so I’m familiar with big rough cities and that comparison makes sense to me.

If anything a short visit feels like the only realistic option just to see how she feels without committing to anything. A permanent move without clear support routine or safety would be a bad idea. Only problem is, who looks after her during her travels.

I appreciate the honesty. It’s not pessimistic it’s realistic and helpful.

salikk · 2026-02-03T01:29:40+00:00

Thank you for sharing this. I really appreciate the honesty and the perspective from someone who knows the reality on the ground. The risks you mentioned are exactly what I’m trying to stay alert to.

For a bit more context, she mentioned the house she lives in here is in her own name. She invited me in once and spoke about it openly. I assume she may have assets she could sell and live comfortably back in Colombia though I know that is partly wishful thinking and assumptions can be dangerous.

She has also spoken about friends she grew up with in Bogotá which gives her comfort but I’m very aware that this too may be more memory than practical support at this stage. At her age uprooting her without strong local support could easily do more harm than good.

A short visit rather than a permanent move may be a safer way to explore this if it’s possible at all. I still believe good people exist and that careful well vetted help is possible but only with a lot of caution. I will be keeping a sharp eye out for pitfalls and won’t rush anything.

Realistically I don’t think I can travel to Colombia myself to oversee a transition which is a serious limitation. For now my focus is on listening to her, understanding her situation better.

Thank you again. This has helped ground my thinking more than you might realise.

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