Books
Foreword, Introduction and Books
Foreword
by
Hadi Hazem Abu Ghazaleh
Humble Servant of the Qadiri Shadhili Tariqah
Asalaamu Alaykum
It is with extreme pleasure I put this foreword for dear brother Salie Manie on behalf of Shaykh Hazem Abu Ghazaleh (may Allah be pleased with him).
I have known brother Salie Manie over several years and was blessed with his company in South Africa, Jordan, Botswana, Mecca and Madinah Munawara. Allah has bestowed on him pure knowledge of the Divine Most High together with expansive love for our Most Beloved Prophet.
Along with that, Allah has blessed him with attentive listening, analytical mind and very accommodating heart. Once he receives a concept from Shaykh, he digests it perfectly well himself and does not settle before it is crystal clear; then paraphrases it in a way that appeals to a wider community.
He puts his soul in his writing, and accordingly, the reader can easily connect with the soul of the message.
He writes with purpose and aims at a wholesome spiritual development of the community through which they can truly recognize the Divine with full transcendence and extreme awe mixed with boundless love and appreciation.
On top of the vast volume of pure knowledge Allah bestowed on his heart, brother Salie Manie inherited a glimpse of Prophetic humility together with a spirit of unlimited love and giving. His efforts are well appreciated.
May Allah bless his efforts, reward him abundantly and accept him among the Righteous! Ameen.
Introduction
Knowledge is one of the Attributes of our Glorious Creator and therefore has no limits and boundaries. No human being can acquire absolute understanding about anything because knowledge has endless, layers upon layers of meanings and understanding. As Muslims we believe that life has two very distinct components – a material as well as an unseen component. Only Allah SWT has full and total understanding of everything.
He the Almighty is Al Aleem. I started my journey to seek knowledge since I was a teenager. My questions in the early days were very basic and focused mainly on logic and the material world. It was always difficult for me to accept things without understanding – this led me to be asking questions all the time. Some of these questions took years, even decades for me to find answers. It did not mean that these questions were settled forever.
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New and deeper questions would arise all the time. I realised that one will never reach a point where one there are no more questions.
In reality one can actually never say that one knows everything that there is to know about any matter. That is why we are commanded to seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.
It is absolutely impossible for an ordinary person to work through the countless questions about the unseen on their own. My life-changing moment was when I attached myself to the world leader of the Shadhili Order, a true knower of Allah (Arif-billah) – Shaykh Hazem Abu Ghazalah. With the assistance of his teachings, inspiration and guidance I have found it possible to grapple with matters of the unseen. The most significant impact it had on me is how it improved my understanding of Tawhid and the Beautiful Names.
The various articles and booklets I wrote reflects my thinking and understanding of matters at that particular time of writing. Over time I have managed to acquire a better understanding and deeper insight into some of these topics. One reason why I have not replaced the previous articles with my latest views is to cater for those people who might find themselves at the same juncture where I was, at that point in my search. A key reason that motivated me to put my thoughts on paper was to attempt to simplify some very difficult and complex matters, so that it can become accessible to more people.
I have found that the success to one’s search for the truth is directly linked to improved behaviour in one’s daily life. This should start by trying to do the smaller things correctly – to consciously avoid committing minor sins.
If we are truly sincere and yearning to get closer to Allah SWT, then the veils will be lifted. The first sign of progress is when one is given answers and improved understanding of matters.
If one perseveres then one is blessed with wisdom. For a few fortunate one’s it is then followed by actual experience and witnessing of the Truth.
The path of the true seeker is not easy, but for the weak slaves like us, all that are required is to put in determined, sincere effort.
I pray for forgiveness for all the errors and shortcomings contained in these articles.
Close Accordion
Books
I have to date written six books focussing only on spiritual topics and matters pertaining to Tasawuf (Sufism). What I have done was to simplify and comment on works of existing well known scholars. The lectures and books of my spiritual guide, Shaykh Hazem (RA) have informed and inspired the bulk of what I have written.
Book 1
Life’s Lessons
A Word by the Author
This booklet started off as an exercise to put in writing some of the lessons which I have learnt over many years. It has a very practical and simple approach and makes use of everyday real life examples. It is aimed at a very broad target group who are not necessarily Muslim. Although the second part of the booklet, “Letter to my Grandchildren” is based on advice to younger people, it can also be used as a useful tool for parents.
Book 2
In Pursuit of Truth
A Word by the Author
The first chapter in this book deals with some very basic but fundamental matters which I was confronted with in the beginning of the path of Tasawuf (Sufism). The topics covered may appear not to follow each other in a coherent manner. The reason for this was my strong desire to immediately capture in writing whatever new or deeper understanding I developed in my search. Some of these topics I have elaborated and expounded on in my later books.
The second chapter is a summarised and simplified version of one of the true gems of Imam Al Ghazali (RA) called “The Seven Valleys”. This a must read which charts a fantastic course on what to do and what to avoid on the path of purification of the heart.
Book 3
Essentials of Tawhid
A Word by the Author
This book is the most important in the series. It deals with the fundamentals of our belief system. The overwhelming majority is based on my Murshid’s two books, “Monotheism” and “The Grand Names of Allah”. Correct understanding of the Sifaat (Attributes) forms the very crucial foundation of our beliefs as Muslims.
The second part deals with the Beautiful (Grand) Names of our Lord.
This particular book is not a once-off read; it should be reread to extract the maximum benefit. Difficult concepts like ‘good and bad comes from Allah’ and predestination will hopefully be understood better.
Book 4
A Journey of the Heart
A Word by the Author
This book covers the actual experience when visiting my spiritual Guide in Jordan and the many lessons which were learnt. It also includes an assessment of what I did with this new knowledge and insight on my return.
Two other articles are included. Who and what is a true guide and the etiquette required when in his presence.
Book 5
Hidden Secrets
A Word by the Author
The name of this book gives a glimpse of its content. The articles in this book was chosen to clarify and remove doubt and uncertainty with respect to certain Hadith and Quranic verses. Some of the topics are extremely deep and complex. I have attempted to interpret them in a manner which does not conflict with our understanding of Tawhid. Most of these articles require for it to be reread and pondered on.
Book 6
The Big Bang
A Word by the Author
This book was inspired by the Quranic verse: 41:53
“We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Quran) is the truth”.
The first part explains how the Universe was created (Big Bang) and linking it to specific verses in the Quran.
The second part describes how the human body operates and linking it to some of the Attributes and Beautiful Names of Allah.
Although this book draws extensively on current scientific knowledge and natural laws, the objective is for it to lead to an increase in Iman and Taqwa. It should not be read to satisfy our curiosity alone but to draw us closer to Allah SWT.
VOC Radio Program
Because of the popularity of the sixth book (The Big Bang and the Amazing Human Body) the Voice of the Cape Radio Station requested me to do a regular presentation on Thursdays between 6pm and 7pm. We have started this series last year and will be continuing indefinitely. At the request of listeners, back recordings are available from the following link : https://iono.fm/c/4907