Islam and Sufism an introduction

Silk road is an ancient route which travels through a scenic and mountainous area of Pakistan. It brought prosperity to the Muslim regions and China in the golden age period of Islam (from 7th to 18th century).. . 

A link to a lecture on evil by professor Sayyed Huseinsainn Nasr. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=WV7kEztlOxY&t=484s

Silk road route . Interesting rock formations in Pakistan on way to Kashgar in China..

An introduction to Hadith by Professor Jonathan Brown of Georgetown University. https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=kZlEtV0rDPA&t=46s

Silk road route on way to Gilgit, Pakistan. The route goes through a diversity of land forms.

Silk road route, vista 1 on way to Gilgit, Pakistan.

Islam had a glorious past. The golden age of Islam started in the 7th century and lasted to the 18th century and ended when the European powers took control of the Muslim region. It is interesting to note that so many women rulers, scholars and Sufis were in a period when scholarship in Islam, sciences and all other fields was at its height. The decline in the role of women appears to happen when a deficit in the knowledge of Islam among its followers occurred. Deficit in Islamic knowledge when combined with lack of respect for civil liberties and justice for all creates a breeding ground for ignorance, hate and radical groups. This can only be eliminated with high quality education available to all and nurturing values such as inclusiveness, respect for civil liberties and sense of fairness and justice for all.  Here is a brief overview of  women's role as Sufis, scholars and rulers. Khaliq 1. Muslim Women Sufies and Scholars Rabia Al Basri and...

Silk road route in Pakistan goes through a diverse land forms  and climate regions. The Silk Road is a pre-Islamic trade routeIt brought prosperity to the the Muslim regions and China in the golden age period of Islam (from 7th to 18th century)..

A lecture on monotheism by professor Timothy Winters(Abdullah Hakim Murad) of Cambridge university. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGg5FUVJo-E&t=324s

How to control and overcome anger, resentment, greed, envy, inflated ego and other bad desires and impulsive behaviour that fall into the category of "nafs". In Islam prayers and devotion (ibadat) has two components;  1. Salat (namaz) fasting, zakat, haj (those who have health and means to perform it), doing good deeds, truth, honesty, fairness and justice  in all dealings, remembrance of Allah (zikr) etc.  2. The second component is "tasawwuf." It requires one to overcome  7 major and other related characteristics  "nafs." . Muslims are required to comply with the requirements of both components described above. The neglect of one negates the other. Nafs  is the self, soul  in its unrefined state . It is the lowest dimension of one's inward existence. The Nafs has 7 main characteristics and each has several other related characteristics and all of them must be overcome. The main 7 are:  1.Greed (hirs), 2.envy (hasad),...

Silk road route in the Gilgit-Baltistan area of Pakistan. The silk road trade brought prosperity to the Muslim regions and China. The route existed long before the Islamic era began.