The Meaning of Al Jihad

• combination of Thursday Speech of April 15th, 2004; Safar 25th, 1425 HC. & Friday after Dhikr Speech of April 16th, 2004; Safar 26th, 1425 HC.
  Translated by: Aisha Rafea

Jihad" is a life long path in which a "human" being exerts himself for manifesting higher values, for presenting a better say, for working goodness, for spreading words of truth, kindness and "peace". This is the basis of Jihad as we understand it.

Prophetic Intercession (A'Shafa's)

• Translated by: Aliaa Rafea

A’ Shafa'a   is an aspect of the holistic law of Mercy that does not contradict with divine justice; rather it is integrated with it. When we understand it this way we shall exert ourselves sincerely so as not to lose our light, our life, or the word of Allah within.

The Path Is a Refuge and Shelter for Whoever Seeks the Truth

• Synopsis from Master Ali Rafae' Speeches given in Ramadan 1423 H (November, 2002)
• Translated by: Magda el Seba'i
• Prepared for publishing by: Aisha Rafea

What we say today is the result of numerous years through which our path and our gathering have passed. It is an accumulation of experiences we lived through or were informed of. The beginning of this path was recourse to Sufism and to those who enriched our Spiritual Heritage through their knowledge and contributions. When we talk about Sufism, we point here to those who previously contributed to this path such as Ibn Al Arabi and Ibn Ataa' Allah and others. However, we don't mean those whose various expressions and manifestations have changed into mere appearances and forms.

Man between the Unseen and the Manifest (1)

• Friday’s Speech of September 25th, 1998, Gamad Akhar, 1419HC.
• Translated by: Aisha Rafea 

Master Ali Rafea teaches that within man, two realms of existence, the unseen and the manifest, meet. Innately, he is meant to live in harmony on the two levels, but in life, confusion between the two realms often occurs, causing man to reach incorrect and often illogical conclusions, which can lead him astray. For example, man’s belief that the Unseen’s will is all encompassing, may lead him to intentionally refrain from pursuing his own will within the manifest, thus preventing him from active doing. In this speech, master Ali Rafea resolves the misconception of the existence of a contradiction between the two realms, and explains how striking a balance between the two can actually lead man to attain a more balanced existence and life. Read more ...

Servants of God

He whom Allah guides is rightly guided; but he whom Allah leaves to stray; for him wilt thou find no protector to lead him to the Right Way.(HQ: 18: 17)
It is true thou wilt not be able to guide every one whom thou lovest; but Allah guides those whom He will (HQ: 28: 56)

Oneness of God, And Oneness of God's Messengers

• Friday, November 6th, 1998; Ragab 17th, 1419 AC.
• Translated by: Aisha Rafea

Master Ali Rafea teaches that followers of all religions can be much more tolerant with each other, and can coexist in peace and love. They can do so if they go beyond names and labels exploring the one essence of all Revelations, and their common teachings, which are aimed at guiding humans to the means by which to make their earthly journey spiritually fruitful. If humankind discern the core teachings of all the Prophets, they will recognize them not as mere persons, but rather, as expressions of divine love, light, and grace. People’s tendency to try to prove the superiority of one Prophet over another is out of ignorance of the essence of Revelations. Read more about the oneness of the Prophets in this Speech.

Servants of God, you who aspire to meet God, who seek His Face, and gather in His remembrance, the talk of the Truth is for you. He addresses you by words to reach your very souls. He teaches you how to live truly, how to be spiritually connected to Him, and how to evolve endlessly.
He teaches you that your ultimate objective is to be Servants of God. Then, your earthly journey becomes a means for you to realize that objective, i.e.   your life on earth is but a means for your spiritual transformation. All religions have not come but to teach you that: how to attain Life, and how to make of this lifetime a fruitful one.

Forgivenees Is A Divine Law

• (Friday Speech, September 22nd, 2000. Jamad Al Akhar 24th , 1421 HC)
• Translated by: Magda El Mufti
• Last updated: 2004-06-02

Introduction: Should we seek the Divine’s forgiveness (Istighfar) only when we need purification from a sin we have committed? Master Ali Rafea says that divine Forgiveness is a spiritual working law according to which humans are supplied with the spiritual power that leads to their transformation and elevation. And, as such, we need to seek forgiveness all the time. How can we be accessible to that law? Can we know whether we received Forgiveness or not? You will most probably find answers to these questions in this speech.
Servants of God! The Primordial Religion (Religion of Fitra)[1] has shown us the path of Forgiveness Maghfira, as well as the law of asking for forgiveness Istighfar. This is the law that governs all our life. If we had believed that there was no ground, for asking for forgiveness, we wouldn’t have been bold enough to do anything, or even move one step ahead. However, we are taught that if we commit some negative act, we will pay for it, and yet if we perform some positive act we will be repaid for it twofold. Sometimes we learn from our mistakes more than learning from our good actions. Then, we repent, return to Allah, and ask for His forgiveness

Basic Principles On the Spiritual Path

 Introduction: When humans choose to make the ultimate goal of their existence to become servants of God, they actually choose a path of self transformation and change. But how can we undergo this path of change? Are there landmarks on the road that show us where we stand, and how we can proceed? Will there be a time when we achieve our ultimate goal? In this speech, Master Ali Rafea addresses these questions and explains how attributes and qualities of Servants of God can illuminate the path of those who aspire to the same goal. Read more about these issues in this speech of Friday, April 20th, 2001, Muharrem 26th, 1422 HC.

We seek the support of Allah and pray to Him for His protection that we may not be among those who speak falsehood, spread iniquity, and display arrogance. We direct ourselves to Him, rely upon Him, and start each and every thing in our life and our talks in His name the Most Gracious and Most Merciful.  We pray to Him to endow us with mercy, forgiveness and success in our message on this earth for which we were created, and for which we exist to fulfill. We know as well as learn that the talk of the Truth and His Signs are directed to those who fear God; who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what God has provided for them

The Birth of the Truth .. Within

• Translated by: Aisha Rafea

The Prophets and Messengers of God are not mere historical figures. They are manifestations of Light, Mercy and Love. As such, they have never abandoned Earth. They are, forever, in the pure hearts of those who seek God’s Face. Master Ali Rafea teaches that the existence of the Prophets, Messengers of God, and all Spiritual Teachers on Earth is part of the Graciousness of the Divine because it is by the spiritual illuminating power that accompanies them that people’s hearts are touched and purified. Here is more about what the Birth of the Prophet Muhammad implies according to Master Ali Rafea. Aisha Rafea translated his Speech and prepared for publication. (From Friday Speech, July 2nd, 1999, Rabi’ Awal, 18th, 1420 HC).
Servants of God, we commemorate these days the blessed anniversary of the Birth of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and treasure it in our hearts. That Birth, was a turning point for humankind, and for Earth; it is rich with many symbols, and it reveals to us the meaning of life and the significance of our earthly journey.

Sacrifice the Lower and Attain the Higher!

• From the Feast Speech of Master Ali Rafea (Dhi-el-Hejja10th, 1420 HC/March 16th, 2000)
• Translated and Prepared for publishing by: Aisha Rafea
• Date: 2002-02-21

Master Ali Rafea touches upon a basic truth that man needs to be aware of, and to experience truthfully in his spiritual journey (suluk). A soul who seeks being spiritually realized needs two things: First, the support of a higher source of Light to supply him with spiritual power; second, the exertion of his soul in resisting the temptation of the lower self. This is the core of the Path to attain Servanthood to Allah. Master Ali Rafea reflects upon this truth as implicit in the rituals of the Sacrifice Feast Eid al Adha.
We start our Sacrifice Feast Eid al Adha by Takbeer and Hamd (revering Allah’s Greatness and praising Him), as a sign that we long for Him, the Most Great and Most Sublime, and that we are full heartedly grateful to Him for His Grace. It is He Who has taught us what we knew not before, and guided us to the Way of truth and fruitfulness. The Sacrifice Feast Eid Adha is rich with many meanings and conceptions that would guide us to the Righteous Path.

.. to thy Lord turn in Prayer and Sacrifice. (HQ: 108: 2)

Ascension to Heaven and Coming Back to Earth!

• From a Friday Speech of Master Ali Rafea (Dhi el Hijja 9th, 1419 HC/March 26th, 1999)
• Translated and Prepared for publishing by: Aisha Rafea

On the honorable day of Arafat;1 the day of ascent to God's Call; the day of forgiveness, we reflect upon the great occasion to be able to read God's message to us. We need to ponder upon (the Prophet's saying:) Pilgrimage "Hajj" is Arafat.2 The ritual of staying for some holy time on mount Arafat (during Hajj) is rich with meanings and symbols. Alas people as usual have turned them into lifeless images and rigid forms. They think that their mere staying on mount Arafat physically would make them in conformity with some Prophetic Hadiths that assert that anyone who performs pilgrimage, or even him who celebrates the holy day by fasting (if he was not a pilgrim), would be totally freed from his trespasses. Actually, the Prophetic Hadiths, we assume, point to those who discern the meaning of Arafat truly, live it fully, and their fasting stems from the genuine meaning they have nurtured deep within.

Are We Devoted to Forms or Meanings?

• From a Friday Speech of Master Ali Rafea (Ramadan 2nd, 1420 HC/December 9th, 1999)
• Translated and Prepared for publishing by: Aisha Rafea

This Religion is steadfast; walk along(the Path) gradually and gently, for he who indulges hastily and exaggeratedly would be too exhausted to go forward or move back. (PH)1

It is the Straight Religion, the Religion of the primordial nature, the Religion that respects reason most.

Reason is the origin of my faith(PH)2

It is the Religion of Love and the Religion that pushes man forward towards whatever is best, most perfect and most forthright in all aspects.

Holy Ramadan: A Divine Message about the Meaning of Life

• From a Friday Speech of Master Ali Rafea (Sha'ban 25th, 1420 HC/December 3rd, 1999)
• Translated and Prepared for publishing by: Aisha Rafea

Master Ali Rafea teaches that Ramadan, the holy month of fasting uncovers to humans many truths about the spiritual journey to real life. The authentic meaning of Ramadan, he asserts, is not experienced automatically with the mere prevention of food and drink. It is only when man is faithful in his search for a meaningful life, turns his face to God seeking His support; and when he is being attached to a higher source of guidance seeking spiritual power
We are about to start the holy month of Ramadan, which reveals to us some truthful guidance to the Path of Life. During the holy month we experience the great struggle Jihad Akbar against the lower self nafs. The meaning (of Jihad Akbar) is uncovered clearly in this holy month, so that we might learn truly that it is our means for being transformed into Servants of God: Ascending to Him and following His Path. As usual, we remind ourselves that each of the holy months carries a certain message for man, and highlights a sign or a meaning that he must experience.

Which Way to Choose: Divinity or Devilishness?

• From a Friday Speech of Master Ali Rafea (September 17th, 1999)
• Translated and Prepared for publishing by: Magda El Mufti

Master Ali Rafea teaches that man is created to have a role in deciding his spiritual Destiny. He can either be spiritually elevated so highly, or degenerate to the lowest of the low. What is his role in bringing one of the two opposite directions forth? How could he keep himself on the Path of Allah, if he chose that Path?

O Servants of God! Man on Earth, leads an existence that is apt to embody divinity or devilishness. He is potentialized for good and evil; light and darkness; truth and falsehood. Such has been Divine wisdom; to have created man with a duality.

The Eternal Call To Man - A Perspective on Religion Dialogue

• From a Friday Speech of Master Ali Rafea (Rabie Thani 12th, 1421 HC/July 14th, 2000)
• Translated and Prepared for publishing by: Aisha Rafea

Master Ali Rafea teaches that the Islamic Call, as revealed by the Divine to Prophet Muhammad , is a rejuvenation of an eternal Call from Allah to Man guiding him to discern the real life within, and give it the chance to grow and flourish. When man hears that Call from within and around, and responds to it he begins to harmonize with the Law of Life. He surrenders to the Sublime Law. That is the implied meaning in the Islamic core pillar "There is no god But God, Muhammad is the Messenger of God" La Ilaha Illa Allah, Muhammad Rasulu Allah. Master Ali Rafea suggests that a Muslim, in his speech with followers of other religions should remind them of the shared Call of all Revelations and make it the point of departure on which they have to build up their discussions. Variations of concepts and practices, in all these Revelations, Master Ali Rafea clarifies, should not stop followers of those Revelations from reinvigorating the shared Call in the hearts of all of them impartially.
O Servants of God! Would you reflect upon the Signs of Allah within and around yourselves so that you might surrender to Him, be (truly) His Servants, attain real life, accomplish a fruitful earthly journey and hence fulfil the mission you are created for?

When God Takes His Servant On A Night Journey!

• From friday speech of Master Ali Rafea (Ragab 20, 1420/October 29, 1999)
• Translated and Prepared for publishing by: Aisha Rafea

We have been learning unceasingly that all events and Signs that took place during the Revelation of Prophet Muhammad are living wisdom. When we treasure each in our hearts, contemplate and discuss together, we are prepared to read God's implicit messages and be guided by them.
The Night Journey of the Prophet to the Aqsa Mosque Israa, is rich with guidance from which we can learn a lot. We are guided to prepare ourselves fully, so that we are ready for receiving God's graces. By being responsive to divine graces unceasingly, a time will come when we are qualified for attaining the "maximum" that is spiritually attainable while on Earth. (Aqsa in Arabic means maximum).

Pilgrimage in Islam with no grasp of the Meanings underlying Practices is mere Idolization

• From friday speech of Master Ali Rafea - March 16th 2000 - Zul-Hijjah 10th 1420

These days of the year we commemorate, and immortalize the meaning of Pilgrimage Hajj. It is one pillar of Islam; an expression of a truthful concept that man has to perceive so that he may live its meaning. As we always say, all religious practices, we are guided to observe, are expressions of basic concepts related to man’s issue of existence, and his relationship with the Unseen al Ghayb, on one hand, and the Manifest ashahada, on the other. Rituals and religious practices are vehicles of communication where “the movement” expresses the truthful concepts to man.
Practices of pilgrimage such as: the circmambulation (going seven times around the Holy kaaba); the litany chanting Labbayk (a pilgrim’s expression that he is responding with his whole existence to the Call of God); the Slaughtering Annahr; (offering a sacrifice symbolizing man’s killing of his animal nature); the Stoning Arrajm, (stoning a symbolic body of Satan as an expression of man’s will to reject the evil in him and around); the State of pilgrim’s Sanctity Ihram ( for very few specified days, a pilgrim wears a sheet of cloth that is not sewn, stops doing so many things that are permitted at other times such as combing the hair, bathing, killing insects …etc., as a symbol that man is in a complete Divine Oneness:) are full of messages. Every practice in pilgrimage reflects an aspect of man’s devotion to God.

The Starting Point is Man Himself Not Holy Scripture

• From a Friday Speech of Master Ali Rafea (May 29th, 1998).
• Prepared for publishing by: Aisha Rafea

The objective of this “path” Tareek is to present a new vision of Holy Koran and Prophetic Tradition (Sunna). We say “new” because some of the prevailing ones are so stagnant and rigid. It is very natural that several approaches to Holy Scripture exist. Actually there should be. There is no harm as long as different approaches extend mutual respect. The harm occurs only when each group supposes that theirs alone is the absolute truth. No man or group, however exalted, can reach absolute truth. What any person or group presents is always relative. Out of that conviction we assume that ours is one of some existing approaches. Some others were there in the past, and there will be new ones in the future, always.

Man's self can be as dimmed as clay or as Transparent as crystal

• Translated by: Aisha Rafea

To you, who want to meet Allah, seek His Face, gather in His remembrance, the talk of the Truth is addressed. It guides you to your goodness, to fruitfulness, to Life. The Truth reveals to you that He has entrusted you with a touch of His Secret, His Spirit, and His Light. However, the day you were encased in earthly existence, secrets of Life are veiled from you. Prophetic Revelations came to uncover to you what God had entrusted you with, deep within.

How to be a Servant of God?

• Translated by: Aliaa Rafea

You who look forward to being attached to God, seek His Face, who search for the truth, and who want to learn the Law of Life, God speaks to you in all His manifestations, in the natural world as well as in the Holy Books, and the Messages of prophets.
It is a continuous talk and it will never stop. You just need to listen. Whenever you listen, you will know more and get closer to God.

“Though the sea became ink for the Words of my Lord, verily the sea would be used up before the Words of my Lord were exhausted, even though We brought the like thereof to help.” (HQ:18:109)1

There Is One Eternal Law of Life

To you who are aspiring to the Truth, seeking Him sincerely, His words are directed. He guides you to realize that: you are created to survive, and your life is eternal. Your earthly existence is a transient phase within an everlasting life. You existed before the earthly phase, and you will continue to be after it comes to an end. You are not mere physical bodies, you are spirits. You have celestial, and not only material existence. You will take off your material existence one day and move to another world that has its own laws. Every activity that man practices here on earth is transferred into an energy that he finds in his company when he moves to the afterlife. He will find good and luminous energy or evil and gloomy energy depending on the way he was while on earth. The coming life is an uninterrupted continuation of this life. Verses of Koran say that when man leaves earthly life, “Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it! And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it” (HQ:99: 7, 8). Your whole earthly life is a good chance for you to acquire an eternal life. God has given you His Trust (the divine part in you) to be qualified for gaining eternity. Every moment of this life, every gesture can be adding to your eternal existence if it were helping in making you develop into “better beings” on all levels, and in all aspects of life, infinitely.