the khalwa has begun.
in the most secluded part of night,
far removed from ordinary sight
from the house of worship,
permeating its dome
vibrations of zikr rise
towards the Throne.
the dimly lit outer room of our mosque
creates
a quality of unknowingness.
i look outside the window facing the gardens
there to my surprise is our master's presence!
the master sits alone on the porch
in quietude of the night
leading his holy children
in recalling of Light.
upon his heart, upon his lips,
between Lord and him, goes on
ceaseless remembrance,
the sacred communion of grace.
on this blessed night
if you listened to the sound
of the caravan of khalwa,
you'd have listened only this: Allah! Allah!
(c) Sadiq Salim
jan 7, 2008
photograph & graphic collage by Sadiq
in the most secluded part of night,
far removed from ordinary sight
from the house of worship,
permeating its dome
vibrations of zikr rise
towards the Throne.
the dimly lit outer room of our mosque
creates
a quality of unknowingness.
i look outside the window facing the gardens
there to my surprise is our master's presence!
the master sits alone on the porch
in quietude of the night
leading his holy children
in recalling of Light.
upon his heart, upon his lips,
between Lord and him, goes on
ceaseless remembrance,
the sacred communion of grace.
on this blessed night
if you listened to the sound
of the caravan of khalwa,
you'd have listened only this: Allah! Allah!
(c) Sadiq Salim
jan 7, 2008
photograph & graphic collage by Sadiq
+ dedicated to sister Wendy Salaam McLaughlin, to whom i am grateful for introducing me to Sidi and the tariqa by the Will of the One.
note: during khalwa night (a sufi practice of spiritual retreat) the master (Sidi, may God sanctify his station), while zikr was going on inside the mosque, he himself sat outside, alone. i happened to seen him on such an occasion and it was a beautiful feeling to catch a glimpse of a realized master in his remembrance in solitude with God. the poem derived its inspiration from that glimpse on the night of khalwa (dec 18, 2007). alhamduli'Llah.
. khalwa means spiritual retreat, a tradition of the Prophet Muhammad and earlier Prophets. the opening of heart of Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace, happened also during a blessed night of khalwa or spiritual retreat in a cave of Jabal e Noor (Mountain of Light) near Mecca when divine revelation (Quran) began to descend upon his heart.
. zikr is remembrance of the Divine, can be inwardly, outwardly or both.
. Allah, the unique name of God, is invoked in zikr. Sheikh Shadhili, the founder of the Shadhiliyya path specifically emphasized on the practice of louder mode of remembrance on the particular Divine name 'Allah'.
. khalwa | spiritual seclusion
. diary from the hajj retreat
6 comments:
Dear One Sadiqji,
The Khalwa has begun…such tender thoughts and open heart to share with all so beautifully – layout, graphics, music, and your sweet sensitivity…thank you for taking me there on the wings of your perceptive experience and inspiration.
In That Peace,
Saranya
Hi Sadiq,
You expressed your experience so beautifully that I am also feeling the beauty and peace of it, and blessing you for your pure thoughts.
Shabana.
Really beautiful, Sadiq bhai. You brought tears to my eyes.
Allah! Allah!
Dear One Saranyaji,
Its always refreshing to hear your comment / reaction. I am glad that the words didnt fail much then.
In that Peace, too.
Dear Shabana,
what else can i then ask for. Alhamduli'Llah for your heart and sharing.
Dear Irving bhai,
you have such a tender heart, just the right one for a darvish. may your tears be accepted for you as a witness. amen.
Truly – Masha’Allah Sadiq Bhai
Simply wonderful compilation – by writing and graphics
You are on such a beautiful path – gaaser moton agao Allah’r alor dige…
Thank you for sharing your loving experience...inadvertently you have inspired me to seek deeper into value of dhikr, which this impatient soul has tentatively observed from the outside for far too long. There’s a saying “we are all led to the truth for which we are ready”
A striver of peace,
Tas
dear Tas,
thanks so much for your kind words. yes zikr (chanting) do have a very powerful transformative power. that quote is beautiful. sounds true!
i wish your strive for peace brings richer and richer experience of what Real is!
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