If you wish to walk the Sufi path toward Allah and become part of our community, taking Sidi as your guide and the Murshids as your teachers, then you need to take a special oath called “The Promise.” The video below describes what it’s like to take the promise, step-by-step.
Taking the promise is transformative–in just a few moments you change from the person you’ve been into a new creation. It may take a few days for the changes to be noticeable to others, but you will quickly notice some of your old habits, mistakes, misconceptions, and misperceptions are gone. Many people feel as if they have a new lease on life or as if they’ve been deeply cleansed.
Overview of the Process
If you would like to take the promise and become a member of our community, follow the steps below. If you need assistance, please reach out to us and we will respond as quickly as we can (802-427-4724 or help@suficommunities.org).
1. Set a time with a qualified teacher to take the promise in person, on Zoom, or over the phone. If you are not personally familiar with any of our qualified teachers please complete this form and we will connect you with one.
2. Make a promise sacrifice (a financial donation that helps your spiritual growth). Making a sacrifice is an integral part of taking the promise. Learn more here.
3. Complete our bayah form (or you can ask the teacher who gave you the promise to complete it for you).
4. The teacher who gave you the promise will request a name on your behalf.
Note: This entire process (finding a teacher, giving a sacrifice, and completing a bayah form) can also be completed through the Ma’rifa Foundation. If you have already completed any of these steps through the Ma’rifa Foundation you do not have to duplicate your efforts and complete them with us, too.
The Promise
The general oath Sidi would ask students to take is below, but Sidi would tailor it to his new student(s) as needed and the murshids do this, as well.
Sidi would preface the Promise with:
“Put your hand in my hand. Repeat after me. Bismillah…”
I promise Allah
to carry His religion,
the religion of all the prophets.
I promise Allah
to be one from His people.
I promise Allah
to give my body,
my heart,
my soul,
for the Face of Allah.
I promise Allah
to be always for His Face
and to carry His message,
the message of all the prophets.
And to be honest,
to be sincere,
to walk straight,
for the Face of Allah
all my life.
And [you, Sidi] to be my father,
to carry your message:
peace and love and mercy and justice [and freedom and equality],
the message of Allah.
To walk Your way,
the Sufi way,
the Shadhiliyya way.
Amin.
Then Sidi would recite the Qur’anic verse pictured above (48:10), which states:
Indeed, those who give their promise to you (oh Muhammad) are giving the promise to Allah.
Qur’an 48:10
The Hand of Allah is over their hands.
Then, those who break their promise break it only to their own detriment,
and those who fulfill what they have promised Allah, Allah will bestow on them a great reward.
What People Say About Taking the Promise
Receiving Your Name
When you take the promise for the first time you will receive your “Sufi name.” This is an Arabic name that will help you in your walking. Sidi said that receiving this name was great blessing, because it gives you a new creation. It’s like being reborn into a new reality, the Divine Reality. After taking the promise and receiving a name, people often feel as if they’ve been given a new lease on life–they’re energized, inspired, and excited to dive into and live the Sufi path.
The Divine qualities and life lessons contained in your name show the shape of your walking. For instance, if you are given the name Musa (Moses), the life path and life lessons of the Prophet Moses, alayhi-s-salam, will mirror your life path and life lessons. The qualities the Prophet Musa carried are qualities that you also carry. If you are given the name Rahima, which means Divine Mercy, it will be important for you to understand the exact nature of the Divine Name ar-Rahim and how you can embody it even more deeply than you already do. Using that quality in your remembrance and prayers will be especially powerful.
When people call you by your Sufi name it evokes the qualities within your name, reminding your innermost being of who you truly are. You already contain all of the qualities and wisdom you need. Now your job is to continue to purify and cleanse your nafs (lower ego) until your heart shines.
Giving a Sacrifice
Giving a sacrifice after taking the promise, whether it is your first time or fiftieth time, is an integral part of the process of renewing your covenant with Allah Most High. A sacrifice is a financial donation of $500 used to acquire a sheep and distribute the meat to the poor. If you don’t have $500, or you would have to go into debt in order to pay it, then give what you can.
How Do I Arrange to Take the Promise?
If you are ready to become a member of our community, you can take the promise with an authorized teacher. If you’re not sure who can give you the promise or how to arrange it, contact us and we will connect you someone close to you geographically, insha’allah.
The Promise Packet
Once you take the Promise it’s important that you complete the Bay’ah Form. When you complete this form you will have the opportunity to let SSC know of any needs or questions that we can help you with. Completing this form enters you in our database and will allow you to be notified of important community news and events.
Once you’ve completed the Bay’ah Form, SSC will happily send you a promise packet. The promise packet contains a book with spiritual practices and teachings geared toward people learning about the Sufi path. It also contains a a welcome letter, a set of prayer beads selected by Sidi’s family in Jerusalem, a picture of Sidi, a laminated card with spiritual recitations on one side and the name of God on the other, and information on the local community closest to you.
There is no charge for promise packets received through SSC. This is just another free service we offer our beloved community by the grace of Allah Most High and the generous donations of beloveds who support our mission.
May Allah Bless You
We pray you receive many blessings on your spiritual journey and that you always receive Divine guidance and peace. May Allah bless you.
