Category Archives: Blog

Shrine of Shaykh ad-Daghestani in Syria (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Entering Shaykh ad-Daghestani's shrine in Syria (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

What was unveiled to me of experiences and visions cannot be expressed in words. When I entered the seclusion I said to my ego, ‘O my ego, even if I am going to die, I am not going to leave this seclusion. You must know that. Do not try to change my mind or to cheat me.’

— Shaykh Abdullah Fa’izi ad-Daghestani

When I was visiting Sufi shrines in Syria, I did a week-long retreat at the shrine of Shaykh Abdullah Fa’izi ad-Daghestani–the spiritual guide of Shaykh Nazim al-Haqqani (who was buried earlier today in Cyprus). After Shaykh ad-Daghestani died in 1973, Shaykh Nazim succeeded him as the leader of the Naqshbandi Haqqani Order…

What shall I say about myself? I am like the moon. When the sun goes, the light of the moon goes. If the light of my Master leaves me, I am in darkness. I am nothing. Whoever sees me as this one or that one sees me through the Light of my Master…

— Shaykh Nazim al-Haqqani

Remembering Shaykh Nazim (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Shaykh Nazim al-Haqqani

Standing in front of the mirror of eternity
Dressed by true existence
Looking to your own reality
In the ocean of Oneness…

— Mawlana Shaykh Nazim al-Haqqani

Yesterday, I made plans with Sufi friends in Beirut to travel this week-end to Cyprus (a 20 minute trip by plane) to visit Shaykh Nazim in the hospital. But sadly, he died earlier today. So instead of traveling this week-end to Cyprus, I’ll be re-visiting his teachings in Beirut: “Try to be with truth. Truth is the same for Muslims, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists and for all of mankind.”

Mawlana Shaykh Nazim al-Haqqani

I do not change anyone, I do not add to anyone. I only pass on Divine Knowledge.
I give from you to you, from within yourself. I make connections.

— Shaykh Nazim al-Haqqani

The world lost a great Sufi master today. Revered and influential Sufi leader Mawlana Shaykh Nazim al-Haqqani died today in Cyprus, after being hospitalized for lung and kidney failure last month. His son, Shaykh Mehmed, will take his place as the leader of the Naqshbandi-Haqqani Sufi Order.

Sufi shrine in Sudan (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Enter the house of our heart without the slightest hesitation,
because there is nothing in it whatsoever
apart from the pain of separation from You…

— Sheikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani

When I was teaching Sufism and Islamic philosophy this spring in Beirut, several of my students were especially drawn to the Sufi-inspired writings of the great mystic philosopher al Ghazali (d. 1111). In his search for truth, al-Ghazali gave up his prestigious academic position and wealth to journey to Damascus and Jerusalem for spiritual inspiration. The Alchemist of Happiness, a film named after one of al-Ghazali’s celebrated works, portrays the drama of his spiritual quest, and highlights some of the main themes in his writing.

Exploring Sudan (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Everyone who is educated today wants to sit at a comfortable desk under a fan and live in an air-conditioned house surrounded by a garden, coming and going in an American car as wide as the street. If we do not tear out this disease by the roots we shall have with us a bourgeoisie that is in no way connected with the reality of our life…

― Tayeb Salih, Season of Migration to the North

Today in Beirut (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

The songs of the waves and the hymns of the streams are scattered,
and the voices of the throngs reduced to silence;
And I can hear naught but the music of Eternity
In exact harmony with the spirit’s desires.
I am cloaked in full whiteness;
I am in comfort; I am in peace….

— Khalil Gibran

Today in Beirut (Photo: Emily O'Dell)

Though the wave of words is forever upon us,
yet our depth is forever silent…

— Khalil Gibran