Partial Seclusion Starting Dhul Qa’dah

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

“إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ”

(Qur’ān 09:36)

“Inna ‘Iddata Ash-Shuhūri ‘Inda Allāhi Athnā ‘Ashara Shahrāan Fī Kitābi Allāhi Yawma Khalaqa s-Samāwāti Wa l-Arda Minhā Arba’atun Hurum”

“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are Sacred.” Ṣadaqa Llāhu l-‘Aẓīm.

The sacred months are four months. Three of these sacred months are reserved by Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla for people for ḥajj. And one was made separate by Allah Azza wa Jalla.

Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla is the Creator. He ﷻ created the moon, the stars, the days, years and so. Among them are these four months, the sacred months. They should be respected. There are things to be done and badness is forbidden, He ﷻ says. There is no war. If they were attacked, it is permissible to defend. When necessary, there is another principle. There is a principle for everything.

Tomorrow, in shā’a Llāh, starting tonight at Maghrib enters the month of Dhul Qa’dah; the months of ḥajj. After that, Dhul Ḥijjah then Muḥarram. In these three months, people used to go and return from ḥajj. In order to go and return safely, Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla had ordered this. And it used to be done in old times too, before Islām. These things remained from the time of Ibrāhim ‘alayhi s-salām. The polytheists knew about them too. They respect and followed them.

Nevertheless, they would change these months to other months according to their own minds as it would fit their business. They would put a month in place of another month, and do what they are going to do. That is not permissible either. Allāh ‘Azza wa-Jalla says it is not possible in the Qur’an. Everything has its place and its time. You can’t change it according to your own mind.

For us, the partial seclusion starts from tonight at Maghrib until the tenth of Dhul Ḥijjah. The partial seclusion only. There is no permission for the 40-day seclusion; no one is allowed to do it. If one will do the partial seclusion, he can do it now. If he wants between Maghrib and Isha. If he wants between Asr and Maghrib. If he wants before Fajr until Ishrāq. He makes the intention for seclusion for the sake of Allāh ﷻ. He can do his awrād, his dhikr, his tasbihāt, read Qur’an and so. That would be a great virtue for a person.

People of ṭarīqah should enter seclusion anyway. In the meantime, in this time, there is no need for seclusion for people. Because the worldly situation is terrible. People’s egos can’t handle that seclusion. In this time, it would be more virtuous to do without seclusion. But with the intention for seclusion, the partial seclusion replaces the official seclusion for the murīd. Therefore, it is until the tenth of Dhul Ḥijjah, 40 days straight. And for those who cannot do it now, they can from Rajab until the tenth of Sha’ban. So our seclusion time is twice a year. Other than that, one is free.

May Allāh ﷻ accept it. May our days and months be blessed, in shā’a Llāh. May our lives, years and months be beneficial and of goodness. That is what’s important. Your life is passing. It doesn’t wait for you. It doesn’t stop. That’s why, we must benefit. As much as we can do, in shā’a Llāh, may Allāh ﷻ accept it. May Allāh ﷻ be pleased. Wa min Allah at-Tawfiq.

Al-Fatiha.

• Mawlana Sheikh Muhammad Adil ar-Rabbaniق

28 April 2025/ 30 Shawwal 1446

Fajr Prayer – Akbaba Dergah, Istanbul