April 2000

Recognizing Naqshbandiyya of Past and Present

In a brief luncheon statement at the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Ambassador Safaev seized the opportunity to educate his guests on the importance of spirituality and traditional scholarship of past and present. In a special mention, he offered the following introduction of ISCA Chairman, Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani:

 “I am honored to have here with us today, a man who has done immense work to build a greater understanding between the different peoples of the human race. His contribution of reviving the ideas of enlightened Islam, bringing ideas of traditional Islamic philosophy, is a teaching for people throughout the world. He is a great man and his publications, his books, contribute greatly to bringing the name of Muhammad Bahauddin Naqshbandiyya to the contemporary world again. I’d like to share a quote with you and with him, [Shaykh Hisham Kabbani], from our teacher, a great teacher, who once said:

 ‘Spiritual knowledge is like water. It takes the color and shape of the cup. Allah’s knowledge is so great, that no matter how much you take, it is like a drop in the ocean. It is like a vast garden – however much we take from it, it as if we take but one flower.’

We are all at the beginning of comprehending our spiritual lives. There is always plenty of room to study. I think that we will always appreciate such persons who dedicate their lives, their talents and abilities, to helping us in that quest. Distinguished Shaykh Kabbani is among them and I thank him for his contribution. It is my pleasure and honor to invite him to address this embassy’s gathering.”