Partial Seclusion of Dhul-Qa’dah

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

We are approaching the end of the month of Shawwāl, in shā’a Llāh. After that is Dhul-Qa’dah, Dhul-Hijjah, and Muharram; these three are the sacred months. During these three months, Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla specifically says, “Do not wage war. But you may, of course, fight against those who wage war against you.”

These months are designated as sacred months by Allāh’s ﷻ wisdom, so that people can travel comfortably for ḥajj. In old times, before airplanes, planes, or cars, people traveled to ḥajj by camel or on foot. Therefore, for their safety, by Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla’s wisdom, He ﷻ has designated these months as sacred months since old times. The barakah is also greater.

Now, in our ṭarīqah there is seclusion (khalwah). Seclusion is for forty days. It means sitting in one place without leaving, performing seclusion. Shukr to Allāh ﷻ, it is something that every person in every ṭarīqah should do at least once in their lifetime.

Later on, Mawlānā Shaykh Nāẓim eased this for us because, in our current states, we don’t have the strength to endure seclusion. Therefore, he made it easier. It became a partial seclusion. From the first of Dhul-Qa’dah to the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah.

One wakes up at dawn, that is, before Fajr prayer, and intends to stay until the time of Ishrāq. Or between the Asr and Maghrib prayers, or between Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers, or between Asr and ‘Isha prayers. If one intends that, it also counts as seclusion. Otherwise, it is not permitted in this time to perform seclusion for forty days without leaving a place. Special permission is required.

So now, everyone can perform this partial seclusion; it is easier. There are also responsibilities (adab and awrad) of ṭarīqah. Thus, they both fulfill those responsibilities and receive the reward. By performing acts of worship during the blessed months, one earns more beneficence and rewards.

The state of the world, of course – One shouldn’t be too concerned with the state of the world; Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla’s will is happening in everything. We cannot interfere with that. Our duty is to continue on His ﷻ way, on the way of our Prophet ṣallá Llāhu ‘alayhi wa-sallam, on the way that has been commanded, as much as we can. May Allāh ﷻ help us.

May the worldly affairs not preoccupy us, in shā’a Llāh. May the worldly preoccupations be light. May Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla not test us. May Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla grant us our rizq, all kinds of favors, health, well-being, and īmān without putting us through tests. May we spend our lives on His ﷻ way, in shā’a Llāh. May Allāh ﷻ grant us blessed lives.

May He ﷻ send us the sāhib. May we see those days, in shā’a Llāh. Wa min Allah at-Tawfiq.

Al-Fatiha.

•⁠ ⁠Mawlana Sheikh Muhammad Adil ar-Rabbaniق

15 April 2026/ 27 Shawwal 1447

Fajr Prayer – Akbaba Dergah, Istanbul

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