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If you are thankful, truly I shall increase you. [The Qur'an 14:7]
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Fatiha
There is a great need, by those who decide to undertake the
Sufi journey, for the blessings of spiritual association. One of
the ways in which the opportunity for such association is
provided is through the sessions of gathering often referred
to as "fatiha".
Normally, these gatherings take place at least once a week.
From time to time, there may be more than one session
during any given week.
Thursday, some time after sunset, is a common period for
these sessions. However, depending on circumstances, other
days may be selected as well.
On the surface the fatiha appears fairly simple and
straightforward. The person (usually, but not always, the
shaykh) recites some chapters of Divine revelation. Blessings
are sought for certain spiritual personalities from the past
who are of significance to the Sufi Order under whose
authority the fatiha is being conducted. Petitionary prayers
are offered seeking spiritual benefit for both those
participating in the fatiha, as well as for all humanity.
Sometimes, in certain orders, sacred music and songs are
listened to after the completion of the recitation of the fatiha.
Sometimes, in certain orders, sacred turning is performed
following the fatiha.
Almost invariably, there will be time set aside during the
session for some amount of chanting or remembrance of
God. These remembrances may take on a wide variety of
forms from order to order and from shaykh to shaykh.
In addition, there often also are talks or question and answer
periods at some point during the fatiha gatherings.
Furthermore, sometimes the shaykh will talk privately with
different initiates.
Fatiha, however, is more than just the simple acts of
recitation, prayers, chanting, music, turning and discussion.
There are deeper structural complexities to the gathering.
These complexities are due to the fact there are many levels
on which the fatiha takes place, of which the spatial-temporal
co-ordinates of the session is but one aspect. Depending on
what level one engages and/or is engaged by during the
fatiha session, very, very different kinds of process are
observed to transpire. At the heart of this level of
engagement issue is the dimension of spiritual association
between a fatiha participant and her or his shaykh. As a
result of such spiritual association, a fatiha session has the
potential for affecting, God willing, every aspect of the
human being. Body, ego, mind, emotions, heart, spirit and
other dimensions of the individual may all be affected, to
varying degrees, by what transpires during fatiha as a result
of spiritual association between shaykh and devotee.
Spiritual association is the prism through which the lights of
recitation, prayers, chanting and so on are cast upon, and
affect, God willing, the properly receptive devotee. Spiritual
association is the lens which focuses the blessings of the
gathering on different individuals in different ways according
to the efforts and struggles which are taking place.
More specifically, the body, ego, emotions and mind must all
be trained. The body must be cleansed, as well as accept
some degree of constraints on its movements and its
appetites. The ego must be quieted. The emotions must be
brought into proper balance. The mind must learn to stop
wandering and concentrate on the tasks at hand.
In addition, the heart must be turned away from the
influences of the body, ego, emotions and mind. The spiritual
qualities of the heart must be permitted to manifest
themselves, and this only can occur, God willing, after the
heart has been purified and polished.
The spirit is the locus for the manifestation of true spiritual
love. However, this love will not be manifested in its full
beauty until the spirit has been perfected.
The fatiha gatherings can be a powerful source of assistance
and support in all of the foregoing. This spiritual help is an
expression of what is meant, in part, by the blessings which
come from spiritual association.
The manner in which one approaches fatiha, even before the
session begins, is very important. For example, one must
have a clear spiritual purpose in attending fatiha.
Fatiha is not a social club. Fatiha is not about fashion, status,
or prestige. Fatiha is not a career move. Fatiha is not a
leisure time activity.
Fatiha is an opportunity to seek God and be brought closer
to the realization of the secret of one's essential nature.
Fatiha is a chance to turn away from the world and the ego.
Fatiha is a means of throwing overboard all the jetsam of
one's existence. Fatiha is a doorway to the deepening,
strengthening and enrichment of faith.
Fatiha is a passageway to repentance, humility, patience,
gratitude, sincerity and dependence on God. Fatiha is a
medium for healing, God willing, all our spiritual diseases.
One does not go to fatiha looking for mystical experiences.
One does not go to fatiha preoccupied with thoughts of
acquiring lofty spiritual states or miraculous powers.
One goes to fatiha to struggle with, and undermine, one's
desires and entanglements. One goes to fatiha to learn about
submitting to God's will.
The mere physical presence of someone in a fatiha gathering
does not necessarily guarantee that individual will receive the
blessings of spiritual association. If one does not attend
fatiha with a clear spiritual purpose in mind, one, potentially,
will be depriving oneself of the blessings of spiritual
association in direct proportion to the cloudiness and
darkness of one's purpose.
Not only should one have a clear spiritual purpose, one also
ought to have a pure intention. Everything one does should
be done out of a desire to please God as an end in itself.
One does not seek to please God in order to get something.
God is not a means to an end.
One struggles and sacrifices because one loves God. A love
which is dependent on getting something beyond love is not
love.
Many of the benefits which the fatiha gatherings make
possible, God willing, involve lessons of spiritual etiquette.
There is an etiquette appropriate to every circumstance and
relationship. Spiritual association takes one by the hand and
teaches one about these etiquettes.
To begin with, there is an etiquette appropriate to one's
relationship with God. One needs to learn to become a
servant of God in order for this etiquette to be manifested.
There is an etiquette appropriate to the Prophets and saints
who constitute the foundation on which fatiha rests. Part of
this etiquette is incorporated in the portion of the fatiha
proceedings dedicated to a remembrance and
commemoration of, as well as a seeking of blessings for,
one's spiritual progenitors.
There is an etiquette appropriate to one's relationship with
one's spiritual guide. This is so irrespective of whether one's
guide is physically present at the fatiha or not. In fact, an
understanding and appreciation of the different varieties of
etiquette is acquired primarily through one's spiritual
association with one's guide.
There is an etiquette appropriate to the other people who
attend the fatiha gatherings. There is an etiquette
appropriate to the people one meets after leaving fatiha, for
if the lessons of fatiha are left in the room where the
gathering takes place, one might as well not go to fatiha.
There is even an etiquette appropriate to one's essential self.
This etiquette will not be properly observed until one learns
to sacrifice the false self on behalf of the true self.
Fatiha is not said just for the benefit of those who attend the
gathering. It is said on behalf of all of humanity and creation.
Moreover, it is offered on behalf of those souls which have
passed on from this world.
It is said for the sick and the lonely, for the homeless and the
hungry. Fatiha is said for the hearts which have been broken
and the lives that have been abused. Fatiha is said for the
families of the participants, as well as for both the local
community and the communities of the world.
Fatiha is intended to be a spiritual fountain which will flow
into the lives of people outside of the fatiha. Fatiha is
intended to be a radiating beacon of blessings to be shared by
everyone independently of considerations of merit.
Through the blessings of spiritual association which, God
willing, come through the gathering of fatiha, one learns how
to pray for others. One learns how to support, encourage and
assist others. One learns how to love and serve others.
Fatiha is an occasion to recite the Names and Attributes of
God. Fatiha provides an opportunity to reflect on, and
contemplate, the wonders of God's creation.
Fatiha provides much material on which to work after one
leaves the fatiha gathering. At the same time, the blessings of
spiritual association, which, God willing, are conferred
during fatiha, provide one with the strength, courage and
perseverance to struggle with the 'homework' material
generated during fatiha and, therefore, not waste the time
between fatihas.
Association is not just a matter of physical proximity.
Association is, in essence, a matter of spiritual intimacy.
According to the masters of the Sufi path, God has
established spiritual association as one of the primary ways
through which blessings concerning the realization of: the
purpose of life; true identity, and essential capacity are to be
conferred.
Spiritual association is a bridge created by God which
enables the individual to travel from illusion to truth, and
from the false self to the true self. Fatiha is a vehicle on the
bridge of spiritual association.
The blessings of spiritual association come in very subtle
forms. One cannot see the mode of transmission. Moreover,
one even may not be aware of the transforming effect which
such spiritual association is having.
One may go to fatiha gatherings week after week and feel
one is receiving no benefit. However, if one is sincere in one's
efforts, then, God willing, there shall come a time when one
will notice determinate changes coming into one's life.
These changes alter the character of one's opinions,
attitudes, interests, understandings, behaviors, priorities and
commitments. The nature of these transformations
increasingly will come to reflect the spiritual qualities of the
guide with whom God has brought one into contact for the
purposes of receiving the blessings of association.
If one does not give up on fatiha, then, God willing, fatiha
will not give up on the individual. In time, the blessings of
spiritual association with the teacher will manifest
themselves, if God wishes, through, among other things, the
countless benefits of the fatiha gatherings.
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