You all remember the famous nursery rhyme “Row, row, row your boat?” (c’mon, we all were brought up singing this!) Well, our beloved teacher, Shaykh Afifi al-Akiti (May Allah preserve him and allow us to benefit from him) used this nursery rhyme as an analogy to explain life. Shaykh Afifi said:
Row, row, row your boat (hard work in this life)
Gently down the stream (your life is being directed by Qada’ and Qadar)
Merrily,merrily,merrily, merrily (enjoying life)
Life is but a dream (the reality of this life is summed up in this last verse!)
Hence, the Shaykh mentioned that “wisdom” is the lost camel (property) of the believer. Therefore, we take wisdom from whatever source it comes from, even if it is from our enemies. The Shaykh prayed to show things as how they actually are, and for us to know good when it is good, and to know bad when it is bad, without being distracted by the outer veil.
(Jazaka’llahu khayran to sidi Tun Wildan for narrating, and reminding me of this beautiful gem!)
Healing Hearts 
3 comments
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December 10, 2008 at 11:10 pm
SIU
Salaam darlin’!
Just a quick message to say salaam and I hope the blog goes well insha Allah! I will certainly be perusing it’s contents as regularly as possible…!!! May Allah continue to guide you and share the light in all our lives..!!
Salaam, dua and love.
S.
x
December 14, 2008 at 8:09 am
naeem
AA-
Beautiful post! Amazing how Sh Afifi looked at this simple song in such a profound manner…
December 14, 2008 at 10:53 am
sidramushtaq
Wa-alaykum as-salam!
That’s our Shaykh Afifi for you, masha’Allah tabarakAllah. The shaykh often does end up going into much detail about whatever topic he is speaking out, which is great for us as we end up learning and benefiting more, wal-humdulilah.
Peace,
SM