Chicago Shadhuli
                  Sufi Community





What is Sufism?
Sufism is the name of a spiritual path whose goal is direct knowledge of God.  The term Sufism comes from the Arabic word, safa, which means purity.  Another origin of the word suggests that the term comes from the Arabic word, suf - wool, as this was the garment of pious people many centuries ago.  The aim of Sufism is to purify the self, the heart, and the soul to come to know God.

What is the Shadhuli denomination of Sufism?

As with many spiritual traditions Sufism has a number of denominations.  Our denomination is the Shadhuli (Shad-hu-leah) branch that follows the teachings of Abu-l-Hasan ash-Shadhuli who was born in Morocco in the 13th century.  Sidi Abu-l-Hasan taught that spirituality and daily life should not be separate.  Instead, he saw the duties of daily life as part of his spiritual exercises, along with spiritual retreat, prayer, and mediation.  Sidi Abu-l-Hasan's tradition is carried on today by our guide, Sidi Muhammad al-Jamal ash-Shadhuli. 

 
What is a guide?  

The Shadhuli Sufis understanding is that a guide is like the one who knows the way to a distant land.  How can we travel on a long and difficult journey unless we follow someone who knows the way?  Our belief is that students learn best from a teacher who knows the way to God.  The spiritual guide is someone who is deeply committed to God and in helping us find our way.  We are never asked to follow the guide blindly, but to use all our faculties to reach God.  


Who is Sidi?

Sidi, Shaykh Muhammad Sa'id al-Jamal ar-Rifa'i as-Shadhuli, is the Head of the Higher Sufi Council in Jerusalem and the Holy Land Teacher at the holy mosques at al-Aqsa (Dome of the Rock) in Jerusalem.  

Sidi's life has been dedicated to world service from the time of his youth, when his grandfather instructed him not only in the esoteric aspects of Sufism, but in the healing arts and use of plants as medicine.  Sidi is a master herbologist and is frequently consulted for medicinal compositions as well as prayer formulas to heal physical, emotional, and spiritual disease.  Sidi is also schooled in law and for many years served as a judge.  
Sidi teaches the message of peace, love, mercy, justice, and freedom.  He devotes his life to the spiritual well being of all people and to the deepening of their level of unity with God.  He works to help the poor, the suffering, and the sick.

Shadhuli Sufi teachings, as with many esoteric traditions, have been passed down orally and held very closely. Recently, as the consciousness of the world has elevated, these guidelines have changed.  Sidi believes it is now time for these teachings to reach the greater population, especially in the United States.
  

What are our beliefs?

The name Allah means “The One”.  We believe through inner witnessing that Allah is One, unique, and that there is no reality worthy of worship but Allah.  Our practices support us in increasing our proximity to God and to know whom we are.  We believe that Allah speaks to humanity through all the prophets, from Adam and Abraham to Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all.  This message contains the divine order to live in peace, love, mercy, justice, freedom, and equality.

 

What is the connection with Islam?

Islam means true surrender to God and the Muslim is the one who surrenders in love.  Sufism is the inner secret of the religion of Muslims.
 

How can I reconcile this message with the violent image of Islam?

The modern age has seen many destructive and callous belief systems, from groups of socialists and fascists to suicide cults.  Some Muslims have developed ideologies alien to traditional Islam by means of which they seek revenge and redress of wrongs.  Islam law strictly forbids violence against noncombatants, property, and the natural world.  We seek to understand and live the religion of the prophets, a way that transforms hearts, families and cultures, without taking on transient customs and politics.  

Why do you wear head coverings?

Covering the head and body is a means of remembering Allah.  These clothes also protect us from harmful looks and undesired attention.  Our intention is to live in the heart: voluntary, modest clothing for both men and women helps everyone focus on the heart and not on the body.  

Do I have to be on the Sufi path to participate in your events?

Sufism is a path of attraction and personal experience or “tasting”.  We are happy for any one of any background to come and taste.

The Promise or Bay'ah


What is the promise or Bay'ah?  

Sidi Muhammad offers to be our guide.  When we wish to accept his offer to be our guide, we “take his hand” and “make a promise” of our intention to walk on the path to God.  The goal of the Sufi is to increase his proximity to God.  With this comes many other changes, but the goal is proximity.
 
Sacrifice:  In the Sufi tradition, in order to help yourself, you must first give to others.  When you take the promise, you make a sacrifice.  Abraham was asked to sacrifice his beloved son, but his son was spared his death and a sheep was exchanged for him.  So you too are asked to offer a sacrifice for yourself.  Traditionally people who make the promise give up to $500.  If you can give this amount, it is good.  If you cannot, please give what you feel is the right amount for you.  Any sincere offering is accepted.  This sacrifice is a sacred ritual that carries very deep and holy meanings.  It is symbolic of you sacrificing your self/ego to live completely in God and to live for the people.  The money is given for food to help the poor.  Sacrifice to give life to others.  This is the way of the Sufi.

If you are thinking about taking the promise it is important to know:

This tradition has been handed down over the centuries in Sufism as a means of creating a sacred relationship with a spiritual teacher. Although in this action a student is taking the guide as a teacher, the promise is really to God, signifying a commitment to place God in the center of his/her life.

By taking hand, the student and teacher acknowledge a deep and lasting bond.  The student promises to dedicate his life to God and the search for Truth, while the teacher promises to help him do this in the highest way possible.  

In his native language, Sidi is a poet.  He has recently studied English. The following phrases are taken from the language Sidi uses to give the promise.  In the promise Sidi asks his students to promise to God:

- To be one from His children (not make separation between people)

- To follow His way (God's laws for humanity such as not to hurt each other)

- The Sufi way (a way which includes both inner/personal work as well as an outer focus to serve mankind and creation)

- To follow all the holy prophets and all the holy books (Sidi does not make separation between religions)

- To be my father (take Sidi as a guide)

- To give everything for the Face of your Beloved God (giving up of the ego/self)

- To carry His message, the message of Peace and Love and Mercy and Justice and Freedom 

- To walk His way, the Sufi way, the Shadhuli way 

- To be honest, to be sincere, to listen for His voice

The parentheses are simply to clarify, but simply touch the surface of the deep and holy meaning behind each statement.   

After taking the promise:

A beautiful tradition of our way is the receiving of a new Sufi name.  This name has major significance to a person's life.  It reveals a deep quality of his/her soul.  Sufis spend the remainder of their lives learning how to truly embody the qualities of that name.  

Prayer beads are also given at this time.  These are to be used for the remembrance of God.  Anytime is appropriate for remembering God; dawn and dusk are believed to be especially holy.  

There are many practices on this path to speed our walking to God.  Foundational to Sufism is that there is no compulsion in religion.  There are many choices, each one appropriate to its own time.   

What is the Prayer for Protection?

 Sufis will often ask for a special prayer of protection for themselves or on behalf of family members.  In this, the petitioner prays for God's protection and mercy.  This is not a “routine” request for prayers and support.  It is very special and therefore requires the payment of a sacrifice on behalf of the person for whom these special prayers are requested.  Often this protection is asked for a parent who has departed this world to assist them as they travel through the worlds of the spirits.  Again, all money given is used to help the poor.