Bismi’Llāhi ir-Raḥmān ir-Raḥīm
In the Name of God, the Universally Merciful, the Singularly Compassionate
Shaykh Muzaffer Effendi (may Allāh ﷻ be pleased with him)—the late grand shaykh of the Khalwati-Jerrāhi Sufi Order based in Istanbul, Turkey—would often ask his community why they were not crying for Allāh ﷻ. He would then reprimand them (translated from Turkish), “If you are not crying for Allāh ﷻ, then you should be crying because you are not crying.”
Life is challenging, to say the least. It is easy to be consumed in the swirl of relationships, responsibilities, and projects. Without taking some time to pause and reflect on a regular basis, we are likely to forget the point of life and living in the first place. Ramaḍān is a special time for returning to your center to remember what is of ultimate concern—your relationship with Allāh ﷻ. The state of your soul is a function of the quality of this most essential relationship, and it sets the tone for the rest of your life. Are you giving your relationship with Allāh ﷻ the attention that it deserves? Consider the things you get excited about. Then consider your “enthusiasm” for Allāh ﷻ. Enthusiasm is a good word, as it means “to be inspired by God ﷻ” or “having God ﷻ within.”
Beyond the known acts of worship, the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, our exemplar on the spiritual path of life, would spend his nights in intimate conversation with his Lord ﷻ. We can do so as well. Disclose your fears, angst, and heart’s longing to the only One Who ﷻ is really there for you in a way that no one else can ever be, for He ﷻ is your Friend ﷻ and Confidant ﷻ. Then take the time to put aside your preoccupations so that you might know Him ﷻ as He ﷻ deserves to be known. And Allāh ﷻ knows best.
© Ḥakīm Ilyās Kāshānī
