The Ultimate Authority: Allah, Most High
Because we are aspiring Sufis, we approach life with the intention to always remember Allah and to embody the Divine Truth that Allah is One. The true leader of our community has always been and will always be, Allah, the All-Mighty.
Allah has complete authority over all of our affairs. We first and foremost turn to worship Allah alone and serve Him through our service to His creation. He alone is the highest authority over each of the organizations and councils that watch over and support our community.
Allah’s Final Messenger: The Prophet Muhammad
may the peace and blessings of God be upon him
The Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is the prophet and Divine messenger Allah sent to the Arabs in the 6th century CE for the sake of the entire creation. Allah says, “And We have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the worlds,” (Qur’an 21:107). The Prophet Muhammad’s purpose was to spread the Divine message of God’s oneness and to be the vessel of revelation and Divine guidance for everyone and everything, in every time and place. The revelations Allah gave us through him include the collective body of knowledge contained within the Qur’an and the hadith. The Prophet had a perfect character and was the final prophet to receive and transmit a holy book (the Qur’an).
Our beloved guide Sidi was well-educated and extremely knowledgeable in the Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet, may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Everything Sidi taught his students was from the Qur’an and the hadith, and his teachings continue to contain the Divine Light of Allah. Sidi’s students, even those unfamiliar with or fearful of Islam, could feel the beauty, pure goodness, and Divine Light within these prophetic teachings.
Our Guide Who Showed Us The Way
Our beloved guide Sidi Muhammad, qaddasallahu sirrahu, gave and gave and gave to all of us for the sake of Allah, Most High. He modeled how to live in balance and feast from the Divine Table of Wisdom, Knowledge, and Healing. Sidi is a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, both biologically and spiritually. He gave us everything–all of the tools we need to walk, to heal, and to be in deep service to Allah’s creation–and the mandate to do so.
Overview of Organizational Structures Established by Sidi
Systems like those in our community are a traditional part of many Sufi communities. Sidi guided us to form the following organizational structures, educational system, and teacher ranking system to support us as the community grew in North America.
- Shadhiliyya Sufi Center/Communities (SSC)
- The University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism (USHS) which transformed and grew into two separate schools and a non-profit organization; the Institute of Spiritual Healing, the University of Sufism, and Ma’rifa Foundation.
- Councils to advise and support the community and its leaders
- A Teacher Rank system
Important Councils, Organizations, and People
Murshid Council
Before he passed away, Sidi designated those in the Murshid Council to spiritually care for our community after he was gone. These murshids and murshida hold the highest rank established by our guide. They are available to teach and offer guidance and council to all beloveds. They oversee and support the spiritual heart of our community, each in their own unique way, and collectively as a council. Members of the Murshid Council include:
Murshid Advisory Council
This is a council of community members who advise the murshids to help them better serve the changing needs of our community. Current members include; Abdullah Pat Aylward, Salih Kent, Zahra Lee, Mohamed Moosa, and Amany Shalaby.
Wasi’ Council
This is a group composed of major tariqa stakeholders, including members of the Murshid Council, SSC’s Board of Directors, the Institute of Spiritual Healing, the University of Sufism, and others. The intention is to provide a forum for these groups to collaborate and work through issues that affect our community that need unified support.
Ansar Council
An independent council that sets guidelines for community relationships, hears grievances, and offers mediation services between parties that are in conflict. Current members are: Amany Shalaby, Mohamed Moosa, Jamila Faith Killough, and Zahra Lee.
Institute for Spiritual Healing (ISH)
The Institute for Spiritual Healing provides two main programs:
1. Foundations of Spiritual Healing program. This is a pre-requisite to attend the University of Sufism.
2. Advanced Sufi Walking with Murshid Ibrahim Jaffe and Murshida Salima Adelstein.
University of Sufism
The University provides more advanced academic programs. Their vision is to open the heart of humanity to the reality of Divine Love, gnostic understanding, and complete healing.
Amina al-Jamal
Though she is not a member of any of the aforementioned organizations or groups, Amina is a vital part of our spiritual family. She is one of Sidi’s oldest students in the U.S. At Sidi’s behest, Amina created Sidi Muhammad Press, the publisher and distributor of most of Sidi’s books. Amina also offers zawiyah at her home in Petaluma, California, organizes trips around the world, and is close with Sidi’s family.
Salih Kent, Amany Shalaby, The Lairds, The Cottens, all of the community leaders, and so many more…
There were so many people close to Sidi who supported many beloveds in the community. We are grateful to them all and pray that they are all feeling Allah close to their hearts.
All of the Beloveds
Each beloved who has taken hand with Sidi, a murshid, or an authorized teacher and has joined our way has a place in leadership for our community. Our community is one hand, one heart. No one beloved, regardless of rank or station, is greater than or more important than any other. We are all brother and sisters in God. We are mirrors for each other and we rely on each other for support and encouragement as we walk together toward the door of Allah, Who is our only source of peace, freedom, and salvation in this world and the next.