Week of November 1st / 10th Jumada al-Awwal | | |
۞ إِنَّمَا يَسْتَجِيبُ ٱلَّذِينَ يَسْمَعُونَ ۘ وَٱلْمَوْتَىٰ يَبْعَثُهُمُ ٱللَّهُ ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ يُرْجَعُونَ
“Only those who hear will respond. As for the dead, Allah will resurrect them; then to Him they will be returned.”
Surah Al-'Anam (6:36)
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| 🔀 Timeless Teachings from the SufiLive Archives | |
The Cord of Connection
Characteristics of Murshid at-Tabarruk
Mawlana Shaykh Hisham Kabbani ق
April 8, 2008
Oakland, CA
This sohbat is the second of a nine-part series on the Four Levels of Irshād (Spiritual Guidance).
In this discourse, Mawlana Shaykh Hisham ق expands on the first lesson, describing the station of the Murshid at-Tabarruk. Within the first station lies 17 levels of spirituality, each carrying its own kind of karamah — the extraordinary graces granted to saints. Through this station, Allah ﷻ may open powers of healing, problem-solving, and unseen support for the benefit of followers — never for display or pride. Beware inflated titles and the arrogance that harms people and teachings.
These teachings come from Mawlana Shaykh Nazim ق, Grandshaykh Abdullah ad-Daghestani ق, and Grandshaykh Sharafuddin ق, who described the distinct levels of guidance; each having its own guide:
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Murshid at-Tabarruk — blessings flow from his words and presence.
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Murshid at-Tazkiyya — purification of the ego (tazkiyya).
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Murshid at-Tasfiyya — elimination/filtration of bad manners.
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Murshid at-Tarbiyya — education/enlightenment; he nourishes all lower levels and prepares seekers for the presence of the Prophet ﷺ.
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"Everyone today has become an ‘Allāma. But do you know what ‘Allāma means in Arabic? It means an encyclopedia — someone who possesses vast, comprehensive knowledge. An ‘Allāma is among the highest ranks of scholars, so rare you could count them on one hand in the entire Muslim world. That is what ‘Allāma truly means. Now everyone uses this title.
An ‘Allāma is someone who holds all branches of Islamic knowledge, higher even than a mufti. The four great Imams were ‘Allāmas.
So — is what we see today correct or not? Let’s give people the benefit of the doubt and say it’s correct; then we remain as students, listening and learning.
But this is where it becomes dangerous. Many people claim titles — yet how can we tell who is real and who is false? We can only know through the teachings of Mawlana Shaykh and GrandShaykh.
GrandShaykh said:
"أن يكون محفوظاً بحبل معنوي من مرشده المربي إلى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم."
An yakoona mahfūẓan bi-ḥablin ma‘nawīyan min murshidihi al-murabbī ila Rasūlullāh ﷺ.
The Murshid at-Tabarruk must be spiritually protected by his teacher, the Murshid at-Tarbiyya, the true educator and guide. He must be under that supervision — connected through a spiritual umbilical cord to his teacher, and from his teacher to the Prophet ﷺ — so that he never falls into deviation or sin.
That is the first condition.The second:
“وأن يكون فيه من مربيه لرسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم سلسلة معنوية لجذب المريدين.”
Wa an yakūna fīhi min murabbīhi li-Rasūlillāh ﷺ silsilatun ma‘nawiyyatan li-
jazhbi ’l-murīdīn.
He must also carry from his teacher a true spiritual chain — a light of attraction (jazbah) that draws seekers without words. People simply come, sit with him, and feel compelled to say, “I need bay‘ah,” “I need guidance,” “Pray for me.” This is the mark of a real Murshid at-Tabarruk — someone already elevated to the first level of guidance.
So think — what about those who are still murids, mere representatives who lead dhikr but have never gone through this transformation? The true murshid must be able to raise his followers to the next stations — Maqām at-Tazkiyya (Purification) and Maqām at-Tasfiyya (Elimination)."
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🎧 Listen To The Recording of the Sohbat
No summary or transcript (or AI) can capture the living rhythm of Mawlana’s words. Take a quiet moment, and listen to the sohbat yourself. Every word carries a secret meant only for you.
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SufiLive2025:
Sohbat with Shaykh Nour
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The Heart of Waliyullah is Nothing but a Mirror
Shaykh Nour Kabbani
Mawlana Shaykh Nazim ق taught that the heart of a saint is a mirror — clear, polished, and reflecting only Truth. Whatever stands before it appears within it, without distortion. Through dhikr, adab, and surrender, the heart becomes free of egoic fears, judgments, and darkness, until it reflects only Divine Light. This is the secret of the Golden Chain: each Wali mirrors his master, carrying the light of Prophetic Reality ﷺ from one generation to the next — a heart reflecting The Oneness of Allah ﷻ. Read more here.
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Jummah’s Light, October 31, 2025
Be with the ones who remember Allah ﷻ day and night with love and seek to learn about the ways of Prophet ﷺ
Watch Jummah Khutbah.
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Thursday Sohbat, October 30, 2025:
A true Awliyallah is the one who gathers people together, with the divine attribute of Al-Jami'; the one who brings hope to the hopeless, through spiritual family and community.
Watch the sohbat here.
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سماع الفهم
In moments like these, listening becomes more than hearing — it becomes samʿ al-fahm, listening with understanding, the heart’s way of receiving what cannot be spoken.
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💎 More Sohbat Gems from Last Week's DC Visit 💎
💯 "We should know 100% what Rasulullah ﷺ has brought, and then 100% stick to it. Because if you are 100% sticking to Rasulullah's ﷺ way, then it is 100% certain that you will reach the Divine Presence." Link to video
🕌 "If all the Muslims in the world went into the masjids after 'Isha and recited, Du'a al-Qunūt and 'Hasbunallah wa ni'mal Wakil,' until Fajr, Allah would transform all the problems of the whole world into peace." Link to video
🥅 "Our intention by coming here is to be of service to the ummah of Rasulullah ﷺ...The invitation is for everyone. Some have accepted, and some are still waiting to show up. The intention is to elevate the ummah of Rasulullah ﷺ, purely for Allah's ﷻ pleasure." Link to video
🤲 Du‘a al-Qunūt (Naqshbandi–Shafi‘i version)
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنَا بِفَضْلِكَ فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ، وَعَافِنَا فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ، وَتَوَلَّنَا فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ، وَبَارِكْ لَنَا فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ، وَقِنَا وَاصْرِفْ عَنَّا شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ، فَإِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلَا يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ، وَإِنَّهُ لَا يُذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ، وَلَا يُعِزُّ مَنْ عَادَيْتَ، تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ، فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ عَلَى مَا قَضَيْتَ. نَسْتَغْفِرُكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَنَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ، وَصَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ الأُمِّيِّ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَسَلَّمَ.
اللَّهُمَّ اسْقِنَا الغَيْثَ سُقْيَا رَحْمَةٍ، وَلَا تَجْعَلْنَا مِنَ القَانِطِينَ.
رَبِّ اغْفِرْ وَارْحَمْ، وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِينَ.
اللَّهُمَّ اكْشِفْ عَنَّا مِنَ البَلَايَا مَا لَا يَكْشِفُهُ غَيْرُكَ،
اللَّهُمَّ افْتَحْ لَنَا فَتْحًا مُبِينًا، وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الفَاتِحِينَ.
O Allah, guide us by Your grace among those You have guided, Pardon us among those You have pardoned.
Bring us close to those whom You have befriended, and bless us in what You have given.
Protect us and turn away from us the evil of what You have decreed. Indeed, You decree and none can decree over You;
None whom You befriend shall be humiliated, as none whom You oppose shall be honored.
Blessed and Exalted are You, our Lord. To You is all praise for what You have decreed.
We seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.
O Allah, send blessings upon the Unlettered Prophet ﷺ and upon his family and companions.
O Allah, lift from us trials and calamities that none can lift but You.
Send us drink from the rain of Your Mercy, and do not make us among the despairing.
My Lord, forgive and have mercy, for You are (Most) Merciful.
O Allah, open for us a clear victory, for You are the best of Openers.
Read more about the Fajr Awrad practice
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NYC TOUR – NOVEMBER 2025
Join us for uplifting gatherings of love, remembrance, and spiritual guidance in the company of Shaykh Nour Kabbani. All are welcome!
Event Schedule:
🕖 Thursday, November 13th – 7 PM
Naqshbandi Zawiya
260 Boyd Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07304
🕐 Friday, November 14th – 1 PM
Jumah at Muslim Federation of NJ
530 Montgomery St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
🕖 Friday, November 14th – 7 PM
Interfaith SBU SACK
Dr. Nour Kabbani & Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter
SC Room 302, 100 Nicolls Rd,
Stony Brook University, NY 11790
Contact for more info:
Diomande: (917) 399-1767 |
Madani: (551) 242-8905
🎥 Watch Live on Facebook: @DrNourMohamadKabbani
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Encyclopedia of Islamic Doctrine (7 Volumes)
Compiled by Mawlana Shaykh Hisham Kabbani, this series explains the doctrines through which Muslims maintained remarkable unity in faith and understanding for over a thousand years, despite living under many different dynasties. This harmony began to fracture in the 18th century with the rise of the Wahhabi/Salafi movement, which challenged that unity. Through this work, Shaykh Hisham presents clear evidence of traditional Sunni doctrine, inviting readers to compare both views and discover what he calls the true, balanced teachings of Islam.
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"I would recommend everyone to have a copy of this series, especially the parts about the forgotten aspects of worship"
--Shaykh Nour Kabbani
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Extending Our Care to Those in Need
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Sufilive.com/Donate
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