Blog post brought to you by Laila Katie Helms
What does it mean to pray for one another?
In the Shadhiliyya path, we understand that when any person in our community is suffering, the whole community suffers too. This isn’t just a metaphor—it’s the truth of our interconnection. Our brother or sister who is struggling with stress, mental illness, anxiety, illness, or economic hardship isn’t separate from us. Their difficulty ripples through the body of the community, and our collective heart is called to respond.
The Mercy Circle exists to embody this principle in action.
How does it work?
We gather each month—on the first Monday at 8:00 pm ET—to pray together using Sufi healing methods taught to us by Sidi. During this call, a different host each month offers a teaching and leads us in the Authorized Invocation, a powerful healing recitation that channels Allah’s mercy toward those in need.
But the Mercy Circle isn’t just about one monthly gathering. Our sister RahmaLaila leads a dedicated support team that prays individually for those on our prayer list throughout the month. Whether you’re praying once a week, several times a week, or in the moment when your heart is moved to remember someone—your prayers matter. Your intention matters. Your presence in this circle of healing matters.
How to join the healing circle
If you want to become part of the team that prays for others, email SSC and we’ll connect you with RahmaLaila. If someone you know is dealing with stress, illness, economic hardship, or any other difficulty, add their name to the prayer list—same email. We’ll carry them forward in our collective practice.
You don’t need to be experienced with Sufi healing methods to participate. All you need is a sincere heart and the willingness to show up for your community.
The method: bringing healing through presence and practice
Sidi left us with a complete healing formula in The Gift of Healing. The basic practice is grounded in Islamic tradition—wudu, two rak’ahs with intention, then the Authorized Invocation. You recite specific surahs (verses from the Qur’an) in a slow, melodious voice, paying attention to their meaning as they wash over you and the person you’re holding in prayer.
Some of us have adopted the practice of praying every evening after Maghrib. Others recite the Invocation several times a week. Some days all we can muster is a Fatiha and a sincere du’a from the heart—and that is fine. That is enough.
The healing itself comes from Allah. We are the channels.
A deeper practice: healing by water
Sidi teaches us that water stores healing within it. When you recite the Authorized Invocation over water, the verses imprint themselves into it. Drinking that water, or washing your face or the area of your body that carries pain—these acts carry the healing knowledge to every cell.
“Healing by water is a complete medicine,” Sidi writes. And we have found this to be true.
Our Zoom Sufi Healing Circle meets every first Monday at 8:00 pm ET (5:00 pm PT).
Meeting ID: 882 4966 5537 Passcode: 111111
Soon, The Mercy Circle will have a prayer list embedded in our webpage. For now, to join the prayer team, to add a name to the prayer list, or to learn more, please email SSC and we will forward to the support team.
May mercy replace stigma. May compassion replace judgment. May our love lift up the hearts of our brothers and sisters. May we be doorways for Allah’s Mercy to reach those in need.
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