Additional menu

Shadhiliyya Sufi Communities

Connecting, Listening, Serving

Home » Reclaiming the Sacred Reality of Femininity

Reclaiming the Sacred Reality of Femininity

A 3-Workshop series with Amany Shalaby

Embodying the Truth of Who We Are

Throughout our lives we are being bombarded by what others believe femininity to be. Society, art, and the media portray many distorted versions of the feminine, and difficult life experiences can solidify negative understandings about the value of women.

This three-workshop series offers a chance to free ourselves from limiting misconceptions about women and embrace the true essence of the feminine as a Divine trust (amanah). Together in this class we can reclaim the truth of who we are as women or as men in relation to women, and learn what Allah teaches us in the Qur’an and what the Prophet (saws) shared with us about this sacred reality. 

Guided spiritual practices and reflective exercises will be used to support the release of toxic beliefs and the embodiment of Divinely-inspired truths.

Insha’allah, you will leave with a transformed understanding of femininity, a personalized spiritual practice, and a deeper understanding of true womanhood as a means of drawing closer to Allah.

Recordings & Handouts

Recordings

Handouts

Class Descriptions

Workshop 1: Unveiling the Layers – Letting Go of Misconceptions

Together we will identify and deconstruct societal, cultural, and personal misconceptions about femininity that hinder spiritual and personal growth.

Shedding Misconceptions

  • Journaling and dialogue: “What have I been told about being a woman, and what does Allah say?”
  • Sufi practice: Dhikr of purification (e.g., reciting Ya Quddus, Ya Haqq** to cleanse false perceptions)

The Journey of Letting Go

  • The concept of Takhliyah (emptying the self) in Sufi tradition
  • A guided meditation on releasing false narratives and embracing Divine truth
  • Group activity: Symbolic act of letting go (e.g., writing misconceptions on paper and immersing them in water)

The Feminine in the Divine Order

  • Reflection on Allah’s Names related to feminine attributes (e.g., ar-Rahman, al-Wadud, al-Latif)
  • The balance of Jamal (beauty, gentleness) and Jalal (strength, majesty) in femininity
  • Understanding feminine qualities in Qur’anic figures (e.g., Maryam, Hawa, Asiya, and Bilqis (the Queen of Sheba)).

Together we will re-discover the spiritual power, dignity, and wisdom in being a woman, as honored by Allah.

The Feminine as a Reflection of Divine Wisdom

  • The womb (rahm) as a reflection of ar-Rahman
  • The cycles of life, creation, and intuition in light of Allah’s divine order
  • Women as nurturers of faith, knowledge, and spiritual transformation

The Strength of the Feminine Soul

  • Lessons from women in Sufi history (e.g., Rabi’a al-Adawiyya, Fatima al-Nisaburiyya)
  • The balance of Tajalli (Divine Manifestation) in women’s emotional, intellectual, and spiritual realms
  • Sufi storytelling: How femininity shapes the path of spiritual travelers

Embodying Sacred Femininity

  • Sufi practice: Journaling Divine Names related to feminine empowerment
  • Dhikr & movement meditation (exploring the sacred presence of Allah in the body)
  • Group reflection: “How do I honor my femininity in worship, relationships, and daily life?”

Together we will consider how to integrate the wisdom of femininity into our daily lives with spiritual confidence and trust in Allah.

Femininity as a Path to Divine Nearness

  • Recognizing femininity as a means of worship and servitude to Allah
  • Feminine receptivity to Divine guidance: The power of silence, intuition, and inner knowing
  • Living with Tawakkul (trust in Allah) in all aspects of womanhood

Healing and Wholeness in the Feminine Self

  • Overcoming past wounds and embracing emotional resilience
  • The role of Sabr (patience) and Shukr (gratitude) in feminine strength
  • Healing dhikr: Reciting Ya Jabbar, Ya Rahim, Ya Latif for inner balance

Walking in the Light of Sacred Femininity

  • Designing a personal Sufi practice for nurturing femininity (daily dhikr, meditation, creative expression)
  • Group sharing: Writing a personal commitment statement—”How will I embrace my femininity as a Divine Amanah?”
  • Closing ritual: A collective prayer for spiritual renewal and honoring the sacred feminine.