The Beginner's Journey to Practicing Sufism
A 5-week class with Dr. Rahima Schmall & Rahima Hayes
Falling in Love with the Sufi Path
Do you remember what it’s like to fall in love? Everything ordinary shines with new possibility! Your heart is filled with joy and is opening and opening…but there are also fears, doubts, insecurities, and uncertainties. How do you keep this new love protected so that it can grow strong and straight and true?
Falling in love with Allah and the Sufi path is similar to falling in love with a person. While the rosy glow of love permeates everything, exploring a new, vulnerable space where the heart is so open can be daunting. We need guidance and support for all of the questions and concerns that arise.
We invite those who are falling in love or are already deeply in love with Allah and His Sufi path to join us for the upcoming run of our veteran series, The Beginner’s Journey to Practicing Sufism.
Begin with a Strong Foundation
Over the course of 5 weeks you will explore basic Sufi spiritual practices and receive the helping hand you need to strengthen and grow your love for Allah into a beautiful tree bearing nourishing fruits which feed everyone you touch.
This series will cover the basics of the Sufi “walking,” by offering information, facilitating guided practice, and giving everyone a chance to ask questions and process their experience.
Rahima Schmall and A’amina Arnoth have extensive experience in practicing Sufism and teaching Sufism. In order to receive the greatest benefit, they encourage you to attend the entire five-week series.
Topics Covered
- The Deep Heart is the Doorway to the Divine
- The Practice of Remembrance
- Walking the Path: The Stations of the Way.
- The Practice of Reading and Writing Sidi’s teachings
- The Healing is the Walking and the Walking is the Healing
- How to Clear the Misconceptions that Veil the Deep Heart.
- Tawba: Returning our Mistakes and Misconceptions to Allah
- Practices, Taking the Promise, and Community Resources
About Dr. Rahima Schmall
Rahima Schmall, Ph.D., RN, became a student of Sidi’s in 1999. She then moved to the Land in Pope Valley where she became the lead teacher of the zawiyyah retreat and then director of the Healing Intensive, a program through SSC which she still leads today.
In 2004 Rahima was one of the founding faculty of the University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism and the department chair of the Spiritual Healing and Counseling Master’s until her resignation in 2019. Today, Rahima lives in Santa Fe where she works as a clinical psychologist and Sufi healer and teacher. She remains passionate about helping people walk and heal in the Sufi way.
About Rahima Hayes
Rahima was born and raised in Mexico City. In 2008 she met Sidi Muhammad Said al Jamal, whom she recognized as a very holy and humble servant of God and started her studies at University of Spiritual Healing and Sufism. She moved to the US in 2012 and currently lives in CA withe her husband and son.
What she loves to share is the calling to explore the subtle inner worlds inside ourselves. To learn to read our own book, like the Prophet swas and Sidi taught us and find a higher Source of wisdom that is full of Divine Love, Mercy, and Compassion.
Suggested Donation
The suggested donation for the entire series is $200. As always, SSC will not turn anyone away because of an inability to pay. When you register you can enter the donation amount that works best for you.
In the Sufi way it’s traditional for those who have more to give more. If you’re able to offer more than the suggested donation, SSC and those we serve greatly appreciates it.
- Twenty-five percent of your donation will go to SSC’s Beloveds in Need program.
- Fifty percent of your donation will go to the teachers.
- Twenty-five percent of your donation will cover operating costs.
Logistics and Payment
Dates: 5 Wednesdays – Apr 22, Apr 29, May 6, May 13, May 20, 2026
Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm PT / 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm PT
Teachers: Dr. Rahima Schmall and Rahima Hayes
How to Access the Class: The Zoom access information will be emailed to you once you register for the class.
Recordings: Participants will have access to class recordings.