Islamic Non-Dualism: The Sufi Poetry of al-Shushtari

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Support Let's Talk Religion on Patreon: www.patreon.com/letstalkreligion Or through a one-time donation: www.paypal.com/paypalme/letstalkreligion Also check out the Let's Talk Religion Podcast: open.spotify.com/show/0ih4sqtWv0wRIhS6HFgerb?si=95b07d83d0254b All music in the video was made by me. You can find most of it here: open.spotify.com/artist/2O7FLjTvLWdWHDBgog9MPG?si=TjlqNmo6TG-M6w_aBiFFnw

[@letsreact000]

ASSLAM O ALIKOM Dude we still waiting for IQBAL'S PHILOSOPHY please 🙏

[@wolvesarecoming022]

You should put minoxidil for your beard to grow more

[@Warlord_2003]

Brother are you Muslim? You content is 💎👍💯

[@CruizINcognito]

Great upload as always you can please do a video about suffism in Morocco and north Africa in general

[@muhammadbenjuraij7734]

He’s NOT A MUSLIM SO DO NOT GIVE HIM ANY SALAM !!

[@estebanmondragon6726]

I'm grateful you put the original verses along with the translation. Please keep doing it, even if the people that can read it are a minority of this community.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

When I have access to them and they are short enough to fit onscreen, I also think it'll be nice to have it there.

[@imunknown4762]

@@LetsTalkReligion that’s actually fascinating and and helpful to some of us who are following this thread as a course of study. Also, we wish you do a whole review on the Tajaniya sufis just like you did here. 🫶🏽🤍

[@mamnoona]

@@LetsTalkReligion at 24:56 the 3rd verse read and who is the named the people wonder ….in 25:21 and in poverty there is no league like us

[@MusicMissionary]

I can't read it, but I love seeing written Arabic. It's beautiful.

[@RhapsodyOfJoy]

​@@MusicMissionary handwritten Arabic calligraphy is especially beautiful to behold!

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

To me, you are an invaluable window into the richness of the Muslim World. You widen my horizons in ways I can never expect. This specific video may well be the one that resonated the most with my own spirituality - every word said, every thought born, every sensory perception; each is an act of veneration.Thank you.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

That is kind of you! Thank you!

[@M-i-k-a-e-l]

Wonderful comment.

[@ibrahimkayikci2146]

​@@LetsTalkReligion Seriously man, I am part of this community which one of it's pillars is practicing mild sufism. (We believe completely killing our "Naf's" would isolate us from the soceity, so we choose to keep it on a leash instead, because that would cripple our ability to help others, not that we think taking the fulll sufi journey is wrong). I am going to add Turkish subtitles to your video and share it with them in our next gathering. Your channel is a gold mine. You explain complex Islamic concepts in a way that everyone can wrap their head around. Thank you for your precious work!

[@FUTURECREEP2PI]

Man I owe you a lot , you are literally a gold to KZbin...

[@MrNenai]

AND to Spotify

[@F.Khalid]

Dude, you seem to have worked hard to improve your pronunciation of Arabic names, keep it up🫡👍

[@vjMESEC]

We all think that, glad someone said it!

[@topercaker2646]

Wasn't he always really good at that?

[@mr.x653]

Not really although he was better than the average European person. He improves tho from video to video

[@MrResearcher122]

Many of the names of the Mulsims are Persian, Arabic.

[@kuroazrem5376]

Your Arabic pronounciation is basically perfect and a joy to the ears.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

I know that's not true, but thank you! :)

[@zahid4902]

@@LetsTalkReligion your pronunciation really is excellent, great job!

[@schorpioen7466]

I wouldnt really notice when it was bad 😀

[@faizasusan5865]

Couple of months ago I discovered your channel and honestly as a Muslim I cannot tell you how grateful I am for your channel which has enhanced my own knowledge of Islam and my faith as well. Thank you so, so much for your amazing episodes. Love them all.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thank you so much!

[@bradleylintmore3492]

This was actually a beautiful lesson and really applicable to where I am in my life right now. I love your channel thank you.

[@Jonathan_3991]

Awesome content as always. As a self-identified religious studies nerd, your channel brings me so much joy. If you ever have the time or inclination, a video on Yogacara would be fascinating.

[@djawalikar2006]

This is really amazing. The philosophical idea closely resembles the 'Advaita philosophy' of Adi Shankaracharya.

[@Cavillagallery]

So true,shame this philosophy isn’t taught to children in Islam

[@hitherehi135]

Thanks! Your knowledge is profound.

[@betweenearthandsky4091]

When I get a update that you release a new video, it's like receiving a gift from a dear one! I save it preciously for when I have a moment to truly put my attention upon it. And I always know I can hit the like before even watching it hehe 🤗🌸🙏🏼 thank you so much for all the passion and energy you put into these

[@rexboaden1441]

Thank you for this fascinating video, which both captured my weakened attention span and inspires me to follow up! I resonated with al Shushtari’s use of music and his use of poetry to convey profound spiritual experience and insight. Keep up the good work! ❤😊

[@abrahamcollier]

I can’t express how excited I become every time Filip finally posts another update. They get better and better.

[@owlbeno]

Incredible video. As soon as I can afford to, I'm jumping into that Patreon. Love from Johannesburg, South Africa.

[@wannena7574]

Could be the best channel on KZbin.Sir your pronunciation in Arabic is on point.. you casually pronounced الحق . That word is no joke for a foreigner ❤️❤️🔥

[@esotericpilgrim548]

What a wonderful explanation Mr. Flip H. I love indeed your Arabic pronunciation of the poems, you speaks like an Arab man, Allah blessed you really. With Lots of love from a sufi student from India.❤

[@hasibh1]

The sound of the Arabic poems recitation fills me with joy and makes me ache for more. I respectfully ask for a series of videos on Arabic recitation with annotated verses and their meaning. Subhanallah.

[@verdarluz-divinetimingcoac1646]

WOW - favorite episode yet, shushtari my new hero, thank you, bowing

[@gregorythomas7788]

Once a gain a wonderful video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge of these fascinating figures with us!

[@Pranav-vb5ho]

This is so similar to the Advaita Vedanta of Adi Sankara! What a fascinating video, great work!

[@sagaramskp]

Yes brother. When i read Advaita siddanta found it similar to Wahdatul wujud. Knowing each other more will break the walls between communities. Which those in power don't want

[@ariapinandita9240]

So similar with Manunggaling Kawula Gusti from Syekh Siti Jenar/Lemah Abang...

[@tathagatasinha2939]

Cause some aspects of psychosis are same regardless of cultural background of the subject(patient) involved.

[@beingamo4]

@@tathagatasinha2939 hahaha

[@beingamo4]

Wahdat al Wujud is a bit more dynamic than advaita. Advaita is just a denial of everything and exclaiming theres only brahman and we are apart of it, even no we because theres no souls (equivalently saying your God is Islam is no bueno). Wahdat al Wujud is only achieved after full annihilation in God. It still affirms duality in the world and the reality of the world

[@angelicanavarro5311]

This was a beautiful topic to explore. I just ran into your channel today and I love what I’ve seen so far. This topic reminded me very much of the concept of Nirvana-though I know those are from very different religions. But it’s amazing that in the end, everyone really does seem to be one. And that is beautiful ☺️

[@opengnosis8555]

Thank you always, my man! I truly get a little excited and look forward to viewing every new documentary you put out to view, and that is cool to me cause I don't feel excited for many things these days anymore. Every other channel always says "mind blowing new discovery click bait stuff," always about ancient things not talked about commonly these days, and literally have no factual information and are all based on speculation, opinion, and desired "if's." Mostly just baiting people for ratings or to recommend another "pseudo site" for a person to tune into they put up for money gain only. So again, thank you always!

[@carlsmith3709]

This is such a scholarly work beautiful!!

[@rjeckardt8863]

Incredibly beautiful, this whole piece. Thanks so much.

[@tomgeorgearts]

Watching your channel I am awed by the spiritual riches of humanity. So many intriguing characters and cultures exploring the deeper realms of the human soul across milennia. It's too much for one person to take in, yet you seem to have taken in a great deal of it in a few short years, and yet still to be learning all the time. Much respect for you providing some clear guidance to this overwhelmingly rich subject.

[@colingallagher1648]

thanks for your amazing work and presentation

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thank you!

[@roberthouse4228]

It's because of your channel I decided to become A Muslim, as someone that practiced Judaism for all my life born in a Jewish home, I've always had questions , and now my thoughts and questions have been answered, thank you!

[@EliAbramzon]

I'm sad to hear this. All these Ideas can also be found in Jewish circles, because all were influenced by Neo Platonism. I urge you to view Seekers of Unity channel with it's extensive discussions on Maimonides, Kabballah and Chasidism. You can find non duality in the Chabad Lubavich movement.

[@EliAbramzon]

@@dil6681 Thanks!

[@henkhooghuis1680]

We are never separated from God.Only recognition of this will be sufficient to realize God is unconditional love

[@indiiiGo1223]

Titles will always remain difficult when having to explain faith 🙏👁🙏

[@derpfaddesweisen]

Those thoughts are part of all major traditions tho...?

[@sabkabaap9909]

What I love about this channel is that , you give completely unbiased information. Quite neutral

[@zahidhamid3029]

I often watch your videos since last year , fortunately i met your KZbin channel. Very informative video . Thanks a lot .

[@UnboxwithSahar]

Fantastic! Thank you 🙏 really enjoyed this episode. I shall look up Al Shushtari!

[@RhapsodyOfJoy]

Your channel is a treasure! Thank you so much for the scholarly researched topics presented in such an easy, accessible manner 🙏

[@Facerip]

The love i have for your channel is deep! Thanks for the inspiration and information, even for an eternal atheist like myself. :)

[@abulfadhl605]

What a wonderful session. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

[@Mr00000111]

תודה!

[@panjara]

Excellent video!!! Arabic sufi poetry is definitely underrated

[@TheMagicofJava]

I am so grateful to you Filip for this. In fact, I was close to tears listening to this. I have returned to looking into Ibn Arabi, but Al-Shushtari seems to provide a solution to those areas of Ibn Arabi that I am uncertain of, based on my Kejawen beliefs. In particular his distrust of those in authority and jurisprudence. I also note the influence of Suhrawardi whom you introduced me to. This has certainly made me very excited to find out more.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

It's interesting to think whether Suhrawardi would have been influential on this movement! I haven't seen any direct indication, althought it is of course possible. If I'm not misremembering, I think Ibn Sab'in at some point refers to something called the "Hikmat al-Mashriq" (Eastern wisdom), which might be referring to Suhrawardi, and is pretty close to Hikmat al-Ishraq.

[@TheMagicofJava]

@@LetsTalkReligion what I picked up on was that he was influenced by Suhrawardi's followers. In particular, I have come across a reference to Ibs Suraka al-Shabiti, but I can find no more on this person. However, from what I can understand about his philosophy there does indeed appear to a link to Suhrawardi, although not explicit.

[@TheMagicofJava]

@@LetsTalkReligion ah it would seem that he was influenced by Shahab al-Din Abu Hafs Umar Suhrawardi, the founder of the Sufi order and not Shihab al-Din Yahya ibn Habash Suhrawardi. Is there any connection that you know of?

[@LetsTalkReligion]

@@TheMagicofJava Ah! Yes that is probably even more likely

[@TheMagicofJava]

@Neo have you considered that your description may not apply to all, even though we are ultimately one? The scriptures appear to be telling us that personality shapes creation. Some 20% belong to the dark triad, fearful, hateful, vengeful. Trapped in their own hell and keeping others from finding paradise. Insisting that all is temporal, that the scriptures are literal and all are like them. These are disproportionately represented in our prisons and as our law makers, leaders of companies, governments and yes religions. Many others are simply followers. Following the the creation of the dark triad, never really questioning the alternatives. Unable to escape outside the dimensions of temporal thinking. Addicted to the trinkets and idols of this temporal plane. But then 1% (these are empaths but those with we empathy could rise to 20%) may at least glance at an alternative. They have the ability to co-create an alternative, by focusing on love which reduces entropy. So your matrix may describe the temporal world (that which is below the moon). A matrix created and co- created by a playful God, for his entertainment. But what of God's full cosmos? That which lies beyond the moon. His essence and not his shadow.

[@xx3768]

♥️, can't describe the feelings you share with us in your videos.

[@kfwimmer]

Wow, dude, excellent, excellent, excellent! You get better and better. Thank you

[@vjMESEC]

Never thought I would do this, I've been around since MsDOS and IRC, and my whole life, I've been disabling all and every posible notification everywhere. You are now the first and only channel, where I hit the bell button. Epic.

[@markcharron]

Absolutely fantastic content. One of the most educational channels on KZbin.

[@plainnsimplme]

What a gift to offer , thank you. Truly satisfied inside...

[@Azeez89]

Amazing video! I can’t have enough of this channel 😊

[@verafleck]

This was beautiful in so many ways.

[@pardismack]

amazing video like always. thanks for all the research and knowledge.

[@HassanRadwan133]

I really appreciate this video.

[@ramizafghani]

Thank you so much for this brother, may God bless you ❤

[@Uzair_Of_Babylon465]

Fantastic video keep it up you're doing amazing job

[@SriniGundelli]

Your primary and secondary research is so good, and that extra effort to make sure the pronunciation is right is commendable.. thank you for sharing this knowledge

[@projectterranova]

I turned on KZbin for some inspiration for my poetry, and this was my first recommendation. Haha gotta love it!

[@hrtzaur3389]

Highly appreciate your work and efforts in explaining and exploring many philosophies and teachings of all cultures, it's very inspiring for many of us. Thanks a lot and God bless you. From Pamir

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thank you!

[@cecilcharlesofficial]

You’re so good at these.

[@HebaAldressi]

Thank you for making such beautiful videos ❤

[@reyrene]

Another great one. Thanks for the recommended readings and music.

[@shattered_lightsb8381]

Imagine how different Islam would look today if their core philosophy was such a powerful non-dualism as this

[@plainnsimplme]

Man oh man, this was beautiful!!

[@RassBrass]

There are today still many Shushtari’s textes sang in weddings, in Algiers, in Chaabi popular music . Just to name few طلع النهار و اشعل لي مصباحو زرتني منيتي و زال الباس ضوء الصباح قد رفع حجابه يا أهيل الحمى لقد طال عشقي قلبي مولع عشقت سلطان الملاح

[@Boxghost102]

I know absolutely nothing about Islamic history and mythology and poetry, beyond the basics any american schoolkid would know. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us all.

[@naseem1949]

Thanks

[@AA-tx1oi]

Thank you for this. I would love to hear you speak about Hazrat Baba Bulleh Shah. His poetry is written in Punjabi. The same with Hazrat Waris Shah. For this reason I feel they haven't received much attention.

[@mirowestmaas4566]

Yes same. He's my favourite islamic Sheikh.

[@basharatali9946]

Sultan Bahu, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, Shah Hussian etc

[@ishaan551]

Extremely informative. Thank you. Please make comprehensive videos on Chisti and Qadri silsilas too. Again, thank you so much.

[@barrymoore4470]

Clearly a major figure who was unknown to me before attending this upload. I very much appreciate learning of these important names and works embedded in this rich tradition.

[@richspring1]

Excellent! My Master, Prem Rawat opens the gate..

[@aratigupta1520]

Thank you so much! Such beauty and enlightenment! I must know more

[@abdulmujeeb8764]

Very good work Philip I would love to see if you cover sufisim in indian subcontinent and sufi poetry and development of urdu as a language

[@bmw3-er]

Nice video as always!

[@djawalikar2006]

i once again listened to the discourse and was once again amazed by its contents. i am really looking forward to hearing from you on indian Upanishads especially ' mandukya' and' katha' Upanishads.

[@Jayapullani]

Wonderful speaking and sharing, thank you.

[@michaeldillon3113]

The Realizers section was very interesting . The first time I have heard the concept of ' no creation ' ( ajata )expressed anywhere other than in Advaita Vedanta. 🕉️

[@evahakes9381]

Thank you for this most wonderful video!

[@edward2175]

Doors and windows blown open..... Pure gold, thank you sir.

[@ORDENSSTAAT_]

You should really do a video on the Khurramites and al-Muqanna, they haven’t been covered that much and it’d be an interesting topic.

[@Ace_Of_Bace]

Loved this clip! Thank you!

[@Bd569h]

Your videos are making me a better Muslim. I feel like I’ve realized a totally different Islam than what is practiced today. This is so unbelievably unifying and complete that it really explains how deep our deen is.

[@ajaydalaya2195]

Nope. You would rather leave Islam as the correct form of Islam doesn't agree with Non dualism. Allah doesn't associate with partners and neither does did Allah became creation. Allah is separate from creation sitting on the 7th Heaven on his Arsh. He is also a jealous God who puts kaffurs in hell fire. If you believe in islam u r a Muslim If you know Islam you r an ex muslim. Ex muslim movement zindabaad

[@derpfaddesweisen]

​Can you stop this nonsense? It's like atheists trying to argue that you have to read the bible hyper-literal to be a christian. Scripture is always a way of describing the undescribable, which means that it has to be read in search of the truth that can't be found in the words themselves. Every Holy Scripture is a gesture toward something greater. Fundamentalists are the result of ideologues who read scripture full of zeal but without the necessary wisdom to discern the spirits. You argue that fundamentalism is the only reading a muslim should except. I would argue that you are never a man of God as long as you are a fundamentalist, the religion is irrelevant.

[@Bd569h]

@@ajaydalaya2195 I don’t think that’s right at all. One of Islam’s main tenants is Tawhid (oneness). Tawhid is a very complex and deep concept that from face value just sounds like there are no other gods but God. Which is almost to simple to be the entirety of the main foundations of the faith. From a dualist approach, can’t we say that God and the Universe being two separate entities, puts god at a partner level, rather than supreme, just One? I think this is a beautiful and profound explanation of Tawhid. All that other stuff you wrote really just sounds immature and not well thought out to me.

[@Regresse_d]

​@@ajaydalaya2195 Enjoy your stay there

[@DoodleDoo2]

@@ajaydalaya2195 u sound like a Hindu extremist and probably are one too LMAO

[@ai41378]

Just started watching your videos today and am completely in love with your channel, so much fascinating knowledge here! I became curious - is there any way you could post a personal video about yourself telling what has lead you to study religions, whether you're doing a phD at the moment, and maybe sharing about some of the spiritual practices you do in your own life if you want to share? :) A personal video about your life and how this channel came to be. Would be highly informative and inspirational, as your videos have already inspired me very much!

[@waldwassermann]

14:04 For those who are interested in etymology. The Arabic word ṣaḥārā is related to the Sanskrit word sāgara which means means 'ocean' or 'sea'. Which is quite interesting because the desert with its dunes does indeed appear like the sea. Premasagara for example means ocean of love in Sanskrit.

[@jaif7327]

theyre not related, arabic is a semitic language not indo european. the town batman in turkey doesnt have any relations with the real batman does it

[@naseem1949]

Thank you for the informative and inspiring talk

[@Turkistonkanal]

Great video as always!

[@7cuchulain]

I'm learning so much, thank you.

[@amywas1]

Very beautifully spoken.

[@ben-dr3wf]

Thanks for the your valuable videos

[@michaeldillon3113]

I was watching this and an interesting programme came on Al Jazeera about Albanian Bektashism. Very interesting. . The Sufi featured here is great indeed . His ' who am I ' seems uncannily like the teaching of my Beloved Sri Ramana Maharshi 🙏🕉️

[@F.Khalid]

I have a small suggestion Try to generate some images with *Midjourney* to use in your videos instead of using those old images we've seen many times before. Great content BTW keep it up 👍👍

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@DoctorWhoNow01]

Kind of detracts from the historical/cultural aspect of it imo

[@F.Khalid]

@@DoctorWhoNow01 I am talking about the random images

[@shafawatullah1968]

Heartiest thanks. Learned a lot.❤

[@Rybot9000]

Thanks so much for sharing I have never heard of this individual

[@alinavoliarchuk]

Thank you very much for the video! 🕋

[@tedkaczynskiamericanhero3916]

This channel is perfect. I'm not religious, realistically I'm agnostic. If I could get away with it, I'd live life celebrating every religion. I've always been interested in learning as much as I could, but it's hard to ask people without them thinking I'm going to ridicule them or "convert" Thank you.

[@heddwyn3914]

Don't worry about what people think 🙏

[@mexicanshawarma5971]

I love your video, I wanted to ask will you ever do a video about the Nation of Islam

[@ellenc2527]

Thank you so much for sharing! Even though I can't understand a word, your readings of his poetry had so much feeling, the beauty of his works shone through! Looking forward to more of your videos :)

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thank you!

[@ruygranja]

Thank you for sharing this wonderful content. I realised that part of my soul is Sufi.

[@duygukaptanoglu3467]

Woww Great ! Thank you for sharing 💙💙💙🙏🙏🙏💖💖💖

[@shadbakht]

Shushtari is actual one of the Persian musical modes.

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Yep!

[@Meems1012]

Love your content brother!! Keep it up!

[@Meems1012]

You read Arabic better then most Muslims. You also know the religion better then them!

[@freedomfan]

Learning a lot about Sufism from you

[@aidaaida7835]

Very wonderful scholarly lecture. Your Arabic language is perfect. It gives power to your lectures. I would like you please to give us a lecture on North African historical Sufi women. Thank you

[@falnica]

In "The Conference of the Birds", how predictable would the plot twist at the end have been for a learned sufi scholar? Was it obvious from the word "Simurgh"?

[@LetsTalkReligion]

I still think it would have been somewhat of a plot-twist, since the Simorgh is a famous mytholoical bird even outside the poem.

[@alexandersilady4751]

​@@LetsTalkReligion Maybe only a Sufi scholar who was really into puns would guess it right away.

[@irenealomar5240]

You read so beautifully

[@nudlz5343]

My god your pronunciation is so GOOD! How did you learn Arabic if you don't mind me asking?

[@LetsTalkReligion]

Thanks! Combination of being exposed to a lot of Arabic through studying this stuff, having Arabic speaking family members and friends, and studying Arabic officially at university for a year.

[@saurabhdang7307]

We need these people who know the real meaning of religion.

[@atharajazkhan]

Its amazing how hafiz also seems to differentiate between sufis and rinds. To add it has been pointed out that hafiz himself may have belonged to any of the qalandari orders where extreme asceticism was practiced

[@LetsTalkReligion]

I'm no expert on Hafiz, so that is certainly interesting!