

Shaykh Yusuf da Costa: What one dreads
Many of the senior people in the organization are spending the final period of their lives on this planet. We are sure, that there is in each one a deep gratitude to their Lord for having been given the privilege of life as a special creation, and the honour of being...
Shaykh Yusuf da Costa: Reversions to Islam
Most of us grew up in Islam and so there was never any moment at which we had to make a firm declaration with regards to our Islamic beliefs and practices. We just moved into these beliefs and practices as part of the normal routine of things in our lives as...
Shaykh Yusuf da Costa: The burdens on one
One is not always fully aware, as the representative of Mawlana Shaykh Nazim, of the impact that matters of the murids and others are having on one. I had thought that being a “representative” just had to do with performing certain duties with regard to the murids;...
Shaykh Yusuf da Costa: Naqshbandis operating in a sea of antagonism, ignorance & criticism
To walk a spiritual path in Islam is extremely difficult, because one generally operates in a sea of antagonism, ignorance and criticism. Over the centuries the teachings of Islam on spiritual development have been suppressed and in some countries, these teachings...
Shaykh Yusuf da Costa: We must work to be 100% for Allah (ﷻ)
One of the most difficult things for all of us is, not only to work in the Cause of Allah Almighty, but also to do so with a 100% of our hearts. So, because of all the attractions of this world and the role of our egos, we tend to vacillate between being for Allah...
Shaykh Yusuf da Costa: Prejudice against others
Perhaps in this country, more than in most other countries, people are judged by the colour of their skins, the shape of their noses, the type of hair they have, and their African countries of origin. We have lived through long periods of different forms of racism,...
Shaykh Yusuf da Costa: Futuwwah towards the inheritors of the Prophets (a.s.)
In a previous letter to you, I mentioned that Futuwwah is the best possible behaviour that one can have towards Allah Almighty and His Messenger (ﷺ). There are also a number of other categories and in this letter I wish to cover...

Shaykh Yusuf da Costa: Futuwwah with regard to Allah Almighty and His Messenger (ﷺ)
Obeying the principle of “Futuwwah” is one of the most difficult things in Tasawwuf. By Futuwwah we mean to have the proper adab (etiquette or refined behaviour) on all occasions. Because of the way we have been reared, and the way we live, these principles have never...

Shaykh Yusuf da Costa: 10th of Muharram
There are times in our lives when we do things or say things that cause major damage to our spiritual growth. This is mainly on an individual level. On a social or political level, there have been events in Islam, which not only caused major damage to the ethos...

Shaykh Yusuf da Costa: The need for a guide
Allah Almighty says: وَ اصْبِرْ نَفْسَكَ مَعَ الَّذِيْنَ يَدْعُوْنَ رَبَّهُمْ بِالْغَدٰوةِ وَ الْعَشِىِّ يُرِيْدُوْنَ وَجْهَهُ وَ لاَ تَعْدُ عَيْنَاكَ عَنْهُمْ And keep your soul content with those who call on their Lord morning and evening, seeking His Face, and let...