What do you write to a shaykh?

[Helper_man]

:salam:

I would first like to thank brother TRUE LIFE for forwarding me the website of Ashrfiya, I did contact Dr Hanif and he has been very kind and generous to me. JazakmAllah khairn.

I am completely new to this and I have to write to some shuyukh if I could be there student. I just wanted to know what should I write? (My background, education or weaknessess and problems??)

I am told to email several shuyukh and see if I have munasebet with them, how does one get to know this?

To those who have taken bait, can you outline what was the experience like? Starting from the point you contacted your shaykh.

JazakmAllah kharin.

[Ashraf Dockrat]

Yes write who you are age married etc what you do and how you spend your time regualrity with salah zikr etc.
To check Munasabat you will need some suhbah at least I think.



:salam:

I would first like to thank brother TRUE LIFE for forwarding me the website of Ashrfiya, I did contact Dr Hanif and he has been very kind and generous to me. JazakmAllah khairn.

I am completely new to this and I have to write to some shuyukh if I could be there student. I just wanted to know what should I write? (My background, education or weaknessess and problems??)

I am told to email several shuyukh and see if I have munasebet with them, how does one get to know this?

To those who have taken bait, can you outline what was the experience like? Starting from the point you contacted your shaykh.

JazakmAllah kharin.

[FususAlHikam]

so from what i understand you are not bayt as of yet. you are writing to various shuyookh to find munasibat with one and then you will initiate bayt with him.

ok so just write man introduce yourself and tell the shaikh you are writing to see if you have munasibat. shaikh will tell you the best way to judge that possibly he has some book he wants you to read or hear his lectures or visit his website and then judge if the content fits with you. you may have to go in his sohbat possibly for some time also, so prepare for that if you are truly seeking islah. all the best.

[Helper_man]

so from what i understand you are not bayt as of yet. you are writing to various shuyookh to find munasibat with one and then you will initiate bayt with him.

ok so just write man introduce yourself and tell the shaikh you are writing to see if you have munasibat. shaikh will tell you the best way to judge that possibly he has some book he wants you to read or hear his lectures or visit his website and then judge if the content fits with you. you may have to go in his sohbat possibly for some time also, so prepare for that if you are truly seeking islah. all the best.

JazakmAllah khairn brother Ashraf Dockrat.

To brother FususALhikam,

Yes thats absolutely right I was just wondering, is it decent to go and tell that I am looking for munasebet? Isnt it a blessing to just come under a shade of a shaykh?
Should I just contact several and then see the way they reply, their command of instruction, their work etc? Is this a better way without actually telling the shaykh?

Also, could brothers and sisters tell me what does a murid-shaykh relationship consist of? What should I be expecting?

And am I supposed to inform the shaykh about my duniyawee (academic) goals too?

[SASLAMS]

there is a website that offers "cyber bait" I know it sounds funny but its for those who would not be able to travel to meet with Habib Umar. its a very easy tariqah & you dont need to cut yourself away from other orders. the main aim of the Ba alawi tariqah is to have people remembering Allah all the time, so if you mis your wird because you were involved in some other form of i'badah there would be no problem.

[kalamiah]

:salam:

What's the name of the website?

Jazakallah

:ws:

[Helper_man]

JazakmAllah kharn brother, whats the name of the website?

[Ashraf Dockrat]

JazakmAllah kharn brother, whats the name of the website?

And remember the purpose is islah. With bay'ah or without. You can be associated to a Shaykh without taking the bay'ah if you like and continue with matters of your islah.

[SASLAMS]

sorry to come so late with this. I had to scratch it out. it was a mail sent to me from one of the students in Dar Mustafa.


Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Rahim

As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that this finds you steadfastly travelling the way to and in Allah, and that Allah firmly plants your feet in the maharib of serving the da'wa of Mustafa.

I am writing you to convey the great news and weighty trust that Sayyidi Al-Habib Umar has agreed to give a weekly lesson to those who have taken his hand in the spiritual path in foreign lands and others who wish to attend.

He has set the date for Sunday 28th Rabi al-Awwal [March 14] (the day before Dar al Mustafa's Annual Mawlid) from 11 AM - 12 PM Makka time (+3 GMT).

Personal questions pertaining to one's suluk or the dawa can also be asked via email at; office@habibomar.com. Brief and pertinent questions are more likely to receive a response and if you can type in Arabic (or scan yourself) please do.

We realize this is short-notice, however, the news came somewhat abruptly and while we were on the road. We have also been discussing the best way to conduct the lessons with those who are already involved in e-learning.

Please find attached an invitation to the lesson which we kindly request you to forward to the aforementioned group (i.e. Habib's murids and those who wish to attend); bearing in mind, however, that many of those who have made a bay`a to him feel isolated and long to have more of a connection, and that the live session is likely to reach capacity so perhaps they should receive priority in terms of invitation.

There are likely to be some bumps and potholes on the way, but with Allah’s tawfiq, we are confident that it will be a blessed aid to people’s journeys as well as a source of good for the lands and slaves of Allah.

We love you all for Allah and are in need of your du'as.

At the service of the Mashayikh and Ikhwan,

[pluto]

Sw.

brother Helper_man, I've a suggestion, if possible, get baya'h with a Shaykh who lives very close to you, like in the same city etc. in the long run, it'll be very helpful, it's so that you can derive maximum benefit from the sohbat, someone you can meet every weekend or at-least twice a month or so. this'll be a great advantage. long distance as per me? :thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

[Helper_man]

sorry to come so late with this. I had to scratch it out. it was a mail sent to me from one of the students in Dar Mustafa.

JazakmAllah khairn brother, thank very much for the effort.

Shukran.

[Helper_man]

Sw.

brother Helper_man, I've a suggestion, if possible, get baya'h with a Shaykh who lives very close to you, like in the same city etc. in the long run, it'll be very helpful, it's so that you can derive maximum benefit from the sohbat, someone you can meet every weekend or at-least twice a month or so. this'll be a great advantage. long distance as per me? :thumbsdown::thumbsdown:

JazakmAllah khairn brother, I tried it myself and asked others as well but my country doesnt really have shuyukh that i can contact with.

So distance is the only solution to me.

[Ashraf Dockrat]

JazakmAllah khairn brother, I tried it myself and asked others as well but my country (oman) doesnt really have shuyukh that i can contact with.

So distance is the only solution to me.

There is nothing wrong with distance. Today you can achieve a lot by visiting for short periods a few times a year and making shura over the phone regularly Insha Allah

[SASLAMS]

JazakmAllah khairn brother, I tried it myself and asked others as well but my country (oman) doesnt really have shuyukh that i can contact with.

So distance is the only solution to me.

ok since you in Oman. take a two day trip on a bus or a flight from salalah to Seiyoun or Mukallah, then take a short drive to Tarim. you will find a some pious ulama over there. Habib Umar is sometime tricky to catch because he is always traveling but you could get habib Kadhim or many others. some only give bayah for barakah & tio my knowledge you can only take complete bayah from habib kadhim & Habib Umar. you might want to stay in Tarim for a few days to benifit from learning circles or dhikr circles. maybe stay in the madrasah for some tazkiyah. daily program:

+/- 1.5 hrs before fajr: tahajjud & adhkaar
after tahajjud to ishraq: adhkaar(wird of Imam Nawawi, & Sakaran RAH) & wirdu lateef & surah Yaseen, exept on thursday & friday for completing khatam & surah kahf
there after duha salah
b4 dhuhr: short wird about 5 min
after dhuhr: hisbul nashr about 10 min
b4 asr: 5min wird
after asr: surah waqiyah & hizbul bahr
after asr is also a dars in sulook from either Imaam Ghazali or Imaam haddad RAH
on monday would be qasida burdah also & friday an extra 45 min- 1hr salawat
before maghrib: wirdul lateef & istighfaar
after maghrib: quraan recitation in groups (khatam) until isha. exept thursday for the weekly maulid plus lectures by some ulamah
before ishaa: ratibul Haddad exept thursday
after ishaf: surah tabarak in sunnah salah, wird of imaam Nawawi, wird of Sh Abu Bakr Sakaran, other adkaar (all together close to 1 hr), on thursday night there are extra surahs read after isha like Kahf & many others would add another 1.5 hrs of recitation.


classes are also conducted throught the day. yiou could get private lessons for free if you like. as you can see you not that far from a well set up program.

[Ashraf Dockrat]

This sounds very vigourous and I am sure you have other options



ok since you in Oman. take a two day trip on a bus or a flight from salalah to Seiyoun or Mukallah, then take a short drive to Tarim. you will find a some pious ulama over there. Habib Umar is sometime tricky to catch because he is always traveling but you could get habib Kadhim or many others. some only give bayah for barakah & tio my knowledge you can only take complete bayah from habib kadhim & Habib Umar. you might want to stay in Tarim for a few days to benifit from learning circles or dhikr circles. maybe stay in the madrasah for some tazkiyah. daily program:

+/- 1.5 hrs before fajr: tahajjud & adhkaar
after tahajjud to ishraq: adhkaar(wird of Imam Nawawi, & Sakaran RAH) & wirdu lateef & surah Yaseen, exept on thursday & friday for completing khatam & surah kahf
there after duha salah
b4 dhuhr: short wird about 5 min
after dhuhr: hisbul nashr about 10 min
b4 asr: 5min wird
after asr: surah waqiyah & hizbul bahr
after asr is also a dars in sulook from either Imaam Ghazali or Imaam haddad RAH
on monday would be qasida burdah also & friday an extra 45 min- 1hr salawat
before maghrib: wirdul lateef & istighfaar
after maghrib: quraan recitation in groups (khatam) until isha. exept thursday for the weekly maulid plus lectures by some ulamah
before ishaa: ratibul Haddad exept thursday
after ishaf: surah tabarak in sunnah salah, wird of imaam Nawawi, wird of Sh Abu Bakr Sakaran, other adkaar (all together close to 1 hr), on thursday night there are extra surahs read after isha like Kahf & many others would add another 1.5 hrs of recitation.


classes are also conducted throught the day. yiou could get private lessons for free if you like. as you can see you not that far from a well set up program.

[SASLAMS]

no its not that tuff, its easy when others are doing it too. its part of the madrasah program. sulook & tazkiyah is very important in this madrasah, it comes right after the study of what is fardh ayn

[Helper_man]

JazakmAllah khairn brother SASLAMS and brother Ashraf Dockrat.

Your suggestion is worth considering, I am going to read about it. I am going to try what ever it takes, I just need a chance.

Also I needed help in contacting shuyukh. According to my background, history etc I was told to contact:

1. Shaykh Saleem Dohrat sahib db, Leicester UK
2. Dr Abdul Wahid sahib db Riyadh KSA
3. Mufti Mehmood Ashraf Usmani sahib db Darul Uloom Karachi, Pakistan

I tried contacting Shaykh Saleem Dohrat Sahib and I am waiting for their reply.
I couldnot find Dr Abdul Wahid Sahib and Mufti Mehmood ashraf Usmani Sahibs contact addresses.

How do I contact the shuyukh and should i consider contacting others?

Brother please guide me, I am new in this and need your help.

[SASLAMS]

JazakmAllah khairn brother SASLAMS and brother Ashraf Dockrat.

Your suggestion is worth considering, I am going to read about it. I am going to try what ever it takes, I just need a chance.

Also I needed help in contacting shuyukh. According to my background, history etc I was told to contact:

1. Shaykh Saleem Dohrat sahib db, Leicester UK
2. Dr Abdul Wahid sahib db Riyadh KSA
3. Mufti Mehmood Ashraf Usmani sahib db Darul Uloom Karachi, Pakistan

I tried contacting Shaykh Saleem Dohrat Sahib and I am waiting for their reply.
I couldnot find Dr Abdul Wahid Sahib and Mufti Mehmood ashraf Usmani Sahibs contact addresses.

How do I contact the shuyukh and should i consider contacting others?

Brother please guide me, I am new in this and need your help.

It seems to me like your mind is set on a deobandi scholar to take bayt from. so just go to india my friend. spend in the path of Allah. Allah will return the money spent 10 times insha Allah.
I only mentioned those that I had contact with. & they were in Tarim/Yemen & since you are in Oman I thaught that it would be easier. you could also try going to Abu Dhabi there is a habib Ali Aljifri over there who runs the tabah foundation. he could give you contact details of many sufi sheikhs all over the world.

[Abu Hamza Deccani]

JazakmAllah khairn brother SASLAMS and brother Ashraf Dockrat.

Your suggestion is worth considering, I am going to read about it. I am going to try what ever it takes, I just need a chance.

Also I needed help in contacting shuyukh. According to my background, history etc I was told to contact:

1. Shaykh Saleem Dohrat sahib db, Leicester UK
2. Dr Abdul Wahid sahib db Riyadh KSA
3. Mufti Mehmood Ashraf Usmani sahib db Darul Uloom Karachi, Pakistan

I tried contacting Shaykh Saleem Dohrat Sahib and I am waiting for their reply.
I couldnot find Dr Abdul Wahid Sahib and Mufti Mehmood ashraf Usmani Sahibs contact addresses.

How do I contact the shuyukh and should i consider contacting others?

Brother please guide me, I am new in this and need your help.

salaam,
brother where are u basically from. Are u in oman just for job or a citizen. what's ur mother tongue? where do u visit on vacation and how often? Choosing a shaykh depends on all this. By the way, I called up a khalifa of Shaykh Zulfiqar sb DB and he promised to find out if their's a good shaykh in Oman. I know of contact addresses/phone no. of some shuyukh in Riyadh, Madina, Dammam, UAE etc, But I am waiting for the info on some one in Oman before I can direct you to others. Just wait some time.
wassalaam

[Helper_man]

Asalaam Alykum,

JazakmAllah khairn brother SASLAMS and Abu Hamza Deccani, thank you for helping and advising. I really appreciate it.

Brother Abu Hamza Deccani: I am 23 year old, Pakistani - Omani; medical student. My urdu is relatively weak so I prefer english. We do not get much holidays, my vacation is 2 weeks twice in a year so I dont really travel much. Trips to Pakistan have been rare. Once in 6 - 7 years.
My life revolves around 1. medicine 2. Medical research on prophetic medicine 3. islam
JazakmAllah khairn brother for asking about shuyukh in Oman for me. I will be anxiously waiting.

Brother SASLAMS: Actually, Brother True_life suggested me to contact Dr Hanif who runs ashrifiya.com. I contacted him, he was very kind and generous and after reading about my background, history etc he suggested the 3 names of the shuyukh. He thought they suit me best. Today I also asked one of my professors who I assist under Oman Islamic Information Center, he told me that Tarim would be great as he has been there but he also said I should also consider travelling to Pakistan. I am makign dua brother, waiting to see whats stored for me.

I have no prior experience so I cannot judge if distance will matter or not. I know very little about deobandi scholars. At the moment, Dr Hanif (who himself is a very qualified Dr) has allowed me to stay in contact with him and he guides me accordingly and I am very satisfied. He runs ashrafiya.com. He adviced me not to make haste in finding a shaykh as it takes time and is a very important matter.

Now, my ultimate goal is my islah of myself, spiritual development and tasawuf. I have and I am making dua on these matters.

I apologise if I have sounded ignorant.
Based on the information, what next steps do I take?

Again, thankyou.

[Ashraf Dockrat]

Asalaam Alykum,

JazakmAllah khairn brother SASLAMS and Abu Hamza Deccani, thank you for helping and advising. I really appreciate it.

Brother Abu Hamza Deccani: I am 23 year old, Pakistani - Omani; medical student. My urdu is relatively weak so I prefer english. We do not get much holidays, my vacation is 2 weeks twice in a year so I dont really travel much. Trips to Pakistan have been rare. Once in 6 - 7 years.
My life revolves around 1. medicine 2. Medical research on prophetic medicine 3. islam
JazakmAllah khairn brother for asking about shuyukh in Oman for me. I will be anxiously waiting.

Brother SASLAMS: Actually, Brother True_life suggested me to contact Dr Hanif who runs ashrifiya.com. I contacted him, he was very kind and generous and after reading about my background, history etc he suggested the 3 names of the shuyukh. He thought they suit me best. Today I also asked one of my professors who I assist under Oman Islamic Information Center, he told me that Tarim would be great as he has been there but he also said I should also consider travelling to Pakistan. I am makign dua brother, waiting to see whats stored for me.

I have no prior experience so I cannot judge if distance will matter or not. I know very little about deobandi scholars. At the moment, Dr Hanif (who himself is a very qualified Dr) has allowed me to stay in contact with him and he guides me accordingly and I am very satisfied. He runs ashrafiya.com. He adviced me not to make haste in finding a shaykh as it takes time and is a very important matter.

Now, my ultimate goal is my islah of myself, spiritual development and tasawuf. I have and I am making dua on these matters.

I apologise if I have sounded ignorant.
Based on the information, what next steps do I take?

Again, thankyou.

My advice would be to continue your ta'allauq with Dr Hanif Sahib. He sounds like a mature and sensible person.

Spend your other energies in researching on Tibb al-Nabawi. Please share some of your work with me I am writing a book on the subject and can send you a draft to look at.

Wassalam
ashraf

[habibati]

:salam:

I don't mean to hijack your thread, but actually, I too have been thinking of writing to a (tasawuff) shaykh for a very long time for advice not bayah.

Would it be permissible for me to do so? and if the answer is yes, are there any good shaykhs that I can email and they can understand english well? For example, would it be okay to write to Maulana Yunus Patel or no?

Any help is appreciated

[SASLAMS]

:salam:

I don't mean to hijack your thread, but actually, I too have been thinking of writing to a (tasawuff) shaykh for a very long time for advice not bayah.

Would it be permissible for me to do so? and if the answer is yes, are there any good shaykhs that I can email and they can understand english well? For example, would it be okay to write to Maulana Yunus Patel or no?

Any help is appreciated

shaikh Yunus Patel is in South Africa am I not mistaken. in the ulama program in Durban with Habib Umar the scholars asked habib Umar to make the closing dua, habib said no & pin pointed Sheikh Yunus from amongst the others & said you make the dua. the two men have never met each other & dont know each other. but hey you know the saying it takes one to know one. ahluAllah recognizes ahluAllah.

[Helper_man]

Asalam Alykum,

JazakmAllah khairn sister bint iftikhar and Habibati and brothers SALSLAMS and Abu hamza Deccani and Ashraf Dockrat Sahib.

I will continue with the Ta'alluq inshallah. I am just a student and a research assistant in the team so its not my project that I could share. Once it is done and completed, I will inform my professors about it and InshaAllah, we'l take it up from there.

JazakmAllah khairn everybody for their input. I am very thankful.

[Student.]

:salam:


:salam:

I don't mean to hijack your thread, but actually, I too have been thinking of writing to a (tasawuff) shaykh for a very long time for advice not bayah.

Would it be permissible for me to do so? and if the answer is yes, are there any good shaykhs that I can email and they can understand english well? For example, would it be okay to write to Maulana Yunus Patel or no?

Any help is appreciated

Sister, you can email Mufti Zubair Dudha Saheb from ITA (Islamic Tarbiyah Academy). MashAllah he gives good advice.

:ws:

[Helper_man]

MashAllah very nice to see brothers and sisters helping our sister Habibati,

Also, to Brother Ashraf Dockrat Sahib, how can I get your contact information? Can you send me your email address?

JAzakmAllah khairn.

[Aram]

which shaykhs would you people recommend within the UK?

[ummitaalib]

which shaykhs would you people recommend within the UK?

assalaamu 'alaykum sister
Alhamdulillah there are many many mashaikh in the UK...You need to first find out if you have compatibility with a shaykh before you make the pledge. For this perhaps you could read articles/books written by different mashaikh (in the UK or elsewhere) or listen to thier talks online. Already Mufti Zubair Dudha's name has been mentioned as well as Shaykh Yunus Patel. Perhaps Shaykh Zulfiqar...

....I recomend Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (hafizahullah). Check out blog ( http://shaykh.wordpress.com/ ) which records his teachings meticulously and perhaps even listen to a few of his lectures ( http://www.idauk.org/ ). Hope you choose well insha Allah

[Helper_man]

assalaamu 'alaykum sister
Alhamdulillah there are many many mashaikh in the UK...You need to first find out if you have compatibility with a shaykh before you make the pledge. For this perhaps you could read articles/books written by different mashaikh (in the UK or elsewhere) or listen to thier talks online. Already Mufti Zubair Dudha's name has been mentioned as well as Shaykh Yunus Patel. Perhaps Shaykh Zulfiqar...

....I recomend Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (hafizahullah). Check out blog ( http://shaykh.wordpress.com/ ) which records his teachings meticulously and perhaps even listen to a few of his lectures ( http://www.idauk.org/ ). Hope you choose well insha Allah

Asalam Alykum Sister,

I am looking for Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (hafizahullah) Sahibs contact address. Could you please forward it to me?
JazakmAllah khairn

[ummitaalib]

Asalam Alykum Sister,

I am looking for Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (hafizahullah) Sahibs contact address. Could you please forward it to me?
JazakmAllah khairn

wa'alaykumus salaam

Try sis bint iftikhar's suggestion or:

Email: there is a contact page on: http://www.idauk.org/ make it "for the attention of Shaykh M S Dhorat". Once you get a reply insha Allah you will have the direct contact details

you can also write to him at the following address:
For the attention of Shaykh M S Dhorat
120 Melbourne Road
Leicester
LE2 ODS

[Aram]

assalaamu 'alaykum sister
Alhamdulillah there are many many mashaikh in the UK...You need to first find out if you have compatibility with a shaykh before you make the pledge. For this perhaps you could read articles/books written by different mashaikh (in the UK or elsewhere) or listen to thier talks online. Already Mufti Zubair Dudha's name has been mentioned as well as Shaykh Yunus Patel. Perhaps Shaykh Zulfiqar...

....I recomend Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (hafizahullah). Check out blog ( http://shaykh.wordpress.com/ ) which records his teachings meticulously and perhaps even listen to a few of his lectures ( http://www.idauk.org/ ). Hope you choose well insha Allah

walaykum asalaam

:jazak: do you know of any female teachers?

[ummitaalib]

walaykum asalaam

:jazak: do you know of any female teachers?

sorry sis...no such thing as a female shaykh!

[Aram]

sorry sis...no such thing as a female shaykh!

really? i was told in another thread on here that there were female teachers of tasawwuf

is there a particular reasons why they are not or cannot be spiritual guides?

[ummitaalib]

really? i was told in another thread on here that there were female teachers of tasawwuf

is there a particular reasons why they are not or cannot be spiritual guides?

I think i remember that thread..did anyone actually say there are female shaykhs of tasawwuf? (cant remember reading that)
as for your question why? lets wait for knowledegeable persons to reply

[Acacia]

:salam:

Related to the question of what to write to a shaykh: how does a woman approach tasawwuf without a husband/father/uncle etc? Is it inappropriate to seek guidance from a shaykh in such a situation?

:jazak:

[nike89x]

:salam:

Related to the question of what to write to a shaykh: how does a woman approach tasawwuf without a husband/father/uncle etc? Is it inappropriate to seek guidance from a shaykh in such a situation?

:jazak:

Bismihee Ta'aala

Asalamualaikum.

Dear Sister Acacia,

I am a nobody with very limited knowledge, but even without a husband/father/uncle, I don't believe it would be inappropriate to seek guidance from a shaykh. My suggestion though would be to find a shaykh that doesn't live close by. Find a shaykh somehwere where it would be impossible to meet him, so that way you would only be able to correspond over email.

Everyone needs their islaah done, so don't let things like this get in your way. If it's inappropriate then the shaykh would tell you. However, when you do get married insha Allah, let your husband read your emails to make sure nothing inappropriate is being done.


And Allah (SWT) knows best

[nike89x]

I think i remember that thread..did anyone actually say there are female shaykhs of tasawwuf? (cant remember reading that)
as for your question why? lets wait for knowledegeable persons to reply

Bismihee Ta'aala

Asalamualaikum

From what I was told by misha'ik, is that women cannot be shaykhs. I don't remember the reason though.

However, that doesn't mean that women can reach a higher level then some shaykhs. I rmr one khalifa of Shaykh Zulfiqar telling me that his wife was on a higher level than some Shaykh Zulfiqar's khalifas (wasn't trying to brag or anything like that).

But khair maybe Shaykh Fusus can answer in much more detail insha Allah.

[Acacia]

Bismihee Ta'aala

Asalamualaikum.

Dear Sister Acacia,

I am a nobody with very limited knowledge, but even without a husband/father/uncle, I don't believe it would be inappropriate to seek guidance from a shaykh. My suggestion though would be to find a shaykh that doesn't live close by. Find a shaykh somehwere where it would be impossible to meet him, so that way you would only be able to correspond over email.

Everyone needs their islaah done, so don't let things like this get in your way. If it's inappropriate then the shaykh would tell you. However, when you do get married insha Allah, let your husband read your emails to make sure nothing inappropriate is being done.


And Allah (SWT) knows best

:ws: and :jazak: brother for your thoughts. I've already submitted an e-mail request for names of shaykhs in my area (or close-by) through tasawwuf.org and am waiting for their reply - I hope they will let me know about the proper way to approach this. Of course, the e-mail was sent before I read this thread and wondered what complications gender would pose in this situation.

This decision is equally important for men and women so the ways outlined in this thread and others in selecting a shaykh must also apply to women - hence my question. And I wonder: do the wives/mothers/sisters of shaykhs or the wives/mothers/sisters of their students assist in these circumstances? A part of the reason for seeking a teacher to guide me is to also keep good company (female company obviously).

If others have anything to add, please let me know. I don't want to be so distant that I can't take part in learning and I've noticed brothers advising each other (other brothers) to find a shaykh close to home so I would imagine the same reasons would apply to women.

:salam:

[nike89x]

:ws: and :jazak: brother for your thoughts. I've already submitted an e-mail request for names of shaykhs in my area (or close-by) through tasawwuf.org and am waiting for their reply - I hope they will let me know about the proper way to approach this. Of course, the e-mail was sent before I read this thread and wondered what complications gender would pose in this situation.

This decision is equally important for men and women so the ways outlined in this thread and others in selecting a shaykh must also apply to women - hence my question. And I wonder: do the wives/mothers/sisters of shaykhs or the wives/mothers/sisters of their students assist in these circumstances? A part of the reason for seeking a teacher to guide me is to also keep good company (female company obviously).

If others have anything to add, please let me know. I don't want to be so distant that I can't take part in learning and I've noticed brothers advising each other (other brothers) to find a shaykh close to home so I would imagine the same reasons would apply to women.

:salam:

Bismihee Ta'aala

Well since you wrote to tasawuff.org, I assume you are looking for 1. A Naqshabandi Shaykh and 2. A Khalifa of Shaykh Zulfiqar (D.B.)

There are many khalifas of Shaykh Zulfiqar here in the United States, not sure about Canada. There is:

1. Shaykh Husain Abdul Sattar (Chicago)

2. Shaykh Ahmad Arshad (New York)

3. Shaykh Khokar (New York or New Jersey)

4. Shaykh Khalid Abdul Sattar (Maryland, he is the brother of Shaykh Husain)

5. Shaykh Omer Hussaini (St. Louis, Missouri)


These are the ones I can think of on top of my head. I know for sure that Shaykh Ahmad's wife does assist with females mureeds if they don't feel comfortable contacting her husband (Shaykh Ahmad). She also holds many programs and is exteremely knowledgable Alhumdulillah. She also does an on the phone Aalima Program.

Not sure about the other wives of these shaykhs. However, you can always ask.

The reason I say that women should be careful and should get further away shaykhs (in my opinion) is because of the fitna that can occur between a a female mureed and a shaykh. I know of 2 instances where a shaykh and a female mureed have gone too far beyond the lines of what should have been. These shaykhs were khalifas of some very big shaykhs.

Especially if a woman doesn't have a male relative to watch over their conversations with their shaykh, then that is why I recommend contacting a shaykh from a different country. I believe all of Shaykh Zulfiqar's khalifas have weekly programs that they hold. You don't have to be present to hear them. They are all live broadcasted over the internet. Also many of their wives, for example Shaykh Tauqeer's wife and Mufti Kamaluddin wife have many programs for females as well.

But khair do istikara and talk with some more knowlegadble people before you choose a shaykh. One thing I have learned in my journey for a shaykh is that is doesn't matter how close your shaykh is to you, but what does matter is who you have the most connection with it. Also who has the most time to help you.

And Allah (SWT) knows best

[nike89x]

:ws: and :jazak: brother for your thoughts. I've already submitted an e-mail request for names of shaykhs in my area (or close-by) through tasawwuf.org and am waiting for their reply - I hope they will let me know about the proper way to approach this. Of course, the e-mail was sent before I read this thread and wondered what complications gender would pose in this situation.

This decision is equally important for men and women so the ways outlined in this thread and others in selecting a shaykh must also apply to women - hence my question. And I wonder: do the wives/mothers/sisters of shaykhs or the wives/mothers/sisters of their students assist in these circumstances? A part of the reason for seeking a teacher to guide me is to also keep good company (female company obviously).

If others have anything to add, please let me know. I don't want to be so distant that I can't take part in learning and I've noticed brothers advising each other (other brothers) to find a shaykh close to home so I would imagine the same reasons would apply to women.

:salam:

Bismihee Ta'aala

One more thing I would like to add. Just because a female is bay'at to a shaykh in a different country, that doesn't mean they can't benefit from other masha'ik closer by. My Shaykh always tells me to go to other masha'ik programs and benefit from them.

Obviously you only do what your Shaykh prescribed, but theres no harm in sitting in the company of other masha'ik. Especially if you are looking to find a Naqshbandi Shaykh, since all of Shaykh Zulfiqar's khalifas teach practically the same way. You can always go to their programs and meet the females over there.

[Acacia]

:jazak: brother, very beneficial information for me. Yes, I am looking for a shaykh with women who can assist them in communicating with me and I am interested in knowing more about 2: Shaykh Zulfiqar's and Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Saheb's (rahmatullah alayh) khalifas.

I will wait for a reply from Shaykh Zulfiqar.

:salam:

[nike89x]

Bismihee Ta'aala


Shaykh Zulfiqar has many khulafa around the world, while Maulana Yunus Patel only has 2 khalifas, both of which are in South Africa.

They follow different silsilas, however strive for the same goal (ihsan). Best thing to do is not rush into bay'at, but correspond and see which silsila is better for you.

Either way, you will not go wrong with picking any of these masha'ik insha Allah.

[Acacia]

Bismihee Ta'aala


Shaykh Zulfiqar has many khulafa around the world Alhumdulillah. However, Maulana Yunus Patel only has 2 khalifas, both of which are in South Africa.

Either way, you will not go wrong with picking any of these masha'ik.

:jazak: that is the sense I get, insha'Allah.