In Shaykh’s Company

by Hafeed Abdul Kadeer

Shaykh’s medicine to attain a clean and pure soul has been given in the following ‘doses’:

1. Connection to a Shaykh – Once you find a congenial and compatible Shaykh, frequently stay in his company; readily expose your Nafs and notify him of your symptoms; then meticulously act upon the prescription given.

2. Zikrullah (the remembrance of Allah Subhaanahu wata’aala) – Nothing can ever come close to the way Nabi sallahu alayhi wassalaam remembered Allah, so memorise Masnoon duas; say Bismillah before doing anything; Say Subhaanallah and Alhumdullilah on seeing any good; Say A’oozubillah on hearing bad; Remember remaining in the remembrance of Allah Subhanahu wata’aala will help to purify your heart (Tazkiyah).

3. Mamoolaat (daily litanies and practices prescribed by your Shaykh) – Work hard and hold fast to them and convey any shortcomings you perceive to your Shaykh.

4. Zikr-e-Jehri (audible zikr) – When prescribed by your Shaykh, come what may, don’t leave this [See Spiritual Snacks]. When this is done for a length of time then the Names of Allah will becomes imprinted on the heart! and so a person will achieve the position of sifat-e-ehsaan – “my Allah is watching me and knows what I am doing’, and this itself will become a barrier for committing sin.

5. Du’a – Continue beg Allah Subhaanahu wata’aala to help you. Do you think that a person who sincerely repeatedly calls upon Allah for help, especially for his Hereafter, will ever be ignored?!