Our teacher, Shaykh Sidi Muhammad Al-Jamal Ar-Rifai Ash-Shadhdhuli taught us about a love that reaches out to the aspirant wherever they are, but does not allow them to stop anywhere. Love which accepts all comers in all stations, but always pulls us deeper towards the Truth.
That which inspires us to say within ourselves, “Yes, I’ll do it, I’ll walk, I want to be a slave for the face of Allah. I know in my deep being this is what’s most important to me.”
The love that Sidi shared with us is not a small or limited love, but a love that contains all the qualities in balance within it. The love of the Prophets (AS), perfected in the example of our final Prophet (ﷺ), and then carried from lover to lover until it reached us. It is both a discipline and a carriage.
Come, let’s take a drink.
Zoom Event Information
Event Start: Thursday, 15th of October, 2026 @ 7:30 pm EDT
Event End: Monday, 19th of October, 2026 @ 11:15 pm EDT
Teachers and Schedule
Murshid Dr. Wadude Laird
Qais al-Rifai (joining remotely)
Nura Laird
Dr. Abd al-Haqq Godlas
Dr. Rahima Schmall
Amany Shalaby
Anis Lahlou
Maryam Thea Elijah
Rahima Hayes
Fawzia Al-Rawi (joining remotely)
Register to Join Us!
We receive in order to expand what we can give, and in giving, we open the way to receive ever more, ʾinshāʾllāh.
Our Guide, Sidi Muḥammad al-Jamal ar-Rifaʿi, always asked for donations as “sacrifices, for the face of Allah.” Sacrifices are for the benefit of the seeker. They express our gratitude, generosity and trust in Allah’s provision. They also help us loosen our attachment to the material world, quiet the ego’s urge to manage everything, and stop turning to anything other than Allah, money included, for our safety and security. (Modern research on giving points the same way: generosity is linked to greater happiness, connection, and compassion.)
So the opportunity to give for the face of Allah is a gift for you, a way to multiply the blessings you receive, ʾinshāʾllāh.
The suggested donation for 20-25 hours of online programming is $250 for those who can comfortably afford it.
Please don’t let that number become a barrier to your participation! The registration form lets you enter any amount, including $0, with no request or explanation needed. No one will be judged or turned away because of what they are able to give. Allah sees the sincerity of the intention, not the size of the gift.
Only Allah and you truly know your situation. We invite you to turn to Allah as al-Ḥakīm (the Wise) and al-Hādī (the Guide) to find the amount that carries the most light for you and best honors your own Divine Connection. The Sufi path is the middle way: where is your middle between being hard on your nafs and receiving Allah’s Mercy, Compassion, Generosity and Abundance?
FAQs
1. Why did we choose the theme of the Deep Love at this particular time?
We chose the Deep Love because it is the first essential ingredient on our path to Allah, as well as the foundation of a healthy community. Some people have fear about community divisions, and aren’t sure where they belong.
The Deep Love is a through-line in what Sidi brought to all of us. We want to embody this together. We want to walk in a practical way with what each beloved is carrying, and with what each of us needs as support to access this deep love together.
Here at the International Gathering, we especially want to create a place of belonging for anyone who is looking to connect in their heart with other beloveds of Sidi.
2. We are living in a world -and a community– that is divided. How do we walk with this, individually and together?
The purpose behind how we have crafted the conference schedule is to have time to work with these questions, and walk with these questions. There will be time for discussion, healing, and inquiry each afternoon.
You are welcome to come ‘as you are,’ and bring your questions, your places of not being sure, your navigation and your walking around any divisions in the community. Our teachers will specifically be addressing this in their teachings around topics such as how to disagree and even say “No” with love, what it means to be Sufi friends (rather than just a social friend), and how to honor each other’s process of finding our own way.
This conference is an opportunity for the hearts of our brothers and sisters to support each other and to listen to each other. We will be developing the skills for how to walk into the unity in our hearts and embody the love in Sidi’s teachings. These are practical skills for embody Deep Love beyond any division we might be experiencing in our spiritual community, with our neighbors, at work, in families, and in the world.
3. Do I have to be a student of a particular teacher to attend?
No, we welcome all students of any or no teacher to attend.
4. Can I be a student at the University to attend the gathering?
Yes! You are very welcome to attend.
5. Can I be a student of Sidi Ahmed and attend?
Yes! You are very welcome to attend.
6. Do I need to have taken hand with any teacher to attend?
No. Anyone who seeks to embody Sidi’s teachings more deeply is welcome to attend.
7. Which teachers will be there?
Teachers include: Murshid Dr. Wadude Laird; Qais Al-Rifai (joining remotely); Nura Laird; Dr. Abd al-Haqq Godlas; Dr. Rahima Schmall; Amany Shalaby; Anis Lahlou; Maryam Thea Elijah; Rahima Hayes; Dr. Fawzia Al-Rawi (joining remotely).
8. What are some of the session topics?
Topics include: Returning to the love through tawbah; Love as a discipline and an attraction; Our rich history of Sufi lovers; Friendship and community on the path; Sufi love poetry and cultural conceptions of love; Intimacy with Allah; and more…
9. What is the refund policy?
The last day to apply for a refund is Tuesday, October 29th, 2026. A processing fee of $35 will be deducted from any issued refund.