#SgSohbah: Our Way is Companionship (Commemorating Shah Naqshband’s Birthday)

السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In Loving Memory of Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Sattar Khan

Following Mawlanaق’s calendar, tonight is the eve of 14th Muharram, marking the birth of Mawlana Shaykh Baha’uddin Shah Naqshbandق.

Shah Naqshbandق made this du’a,

O my Lord ﷻ, do not let any one who takes me as a guide and those who came after me or before me, exist without support from You ﷻ.

All the angels of the heavens all said, “Ameen”.

Grandshaykhق said that the barakah of this du’a descends four times a year, bringing protection to the followers of Shah Naqshbandق:

✅ 14th of Muharram, on Shah Naqshband’sق birthday
✅ on the 1st day of Ramadhan,
✅ the 15th of Ramadhan,
✅ and Laylatul-Qadr (LLQ).

So the barakah of that du’a descends tonight, we must ask to be given a share of it.

It is highly encouraged for us to congregate for Khatamul Khwajagan and Zikir, recite Mawlid un Nabi (Praises upon the Prophet ﷺ), Sarah Yasin and Al-Fatiha in dedication to himق, and read excerpts of hisق blessed life.

Here is a summary of a Sohbah commemorating this day given by Almarhum Sheikh Abdul Sattar Khan back in 2021:

Mawlana Shaykh Baha’uddin Shah Naqshbandق, the 17th GrandShaykh of the Naqshbandi Way, was granted 12,000 spiritual specialties, each one received through his Mi’raj with Rasulullah ﷺ.

Heق delivered the gems of these divine teachings to hisق followers through Sohbah (companionship). Heق would sit with them, sowing seeds of progress towards good character in their hearts, removing their attachments to the dunya (world), and polishing their souls until they saw themselves as nothing.

Heق said,

“Tariqatuna as-suhbah wal-khayru fil-jam`iyya”

“Our tariqah is association, it is keeping company, Sohbah (association), and there is goodness in the gatherings.”

Without companionship, without spiritual advice, there is no way to benefit.

The two pillars of this Way are companionship with the Murshid (Guide), and companionship with fellow mureeds (seekers).

Establishing rabitah, a heart-to-heart connection with a Waliyan Murshida (Saintly Guide), is the doorway to receive training on proper conduct in the Presence of Allah ﷻ.

The Shaykhق holds the key to each destined mureed, unlocking the way to Allah ﷻ with every Sohbah heق gives.

Association with other seekers in this Way is also important for progress. It is said that even if two mureeds gather for the sake of Allah ﷻ and one says, “La ilaha illallah”, and the other replies, “Muhammadur Rasulullah ﷺ”, a Sohbah has taken place and they will have benefitted from that small gathering.

Allah ﷻ sits with those who remember Him ﷻ. His ﷻ Divine Hand is over the majlis (gathering) that is held solely for His ﷻ sake.

The duty of a Saintly Guide is to gather hearts. As the mureeds come together, their hearts are lifted and nourished through that gathering. Stay connected with fellow seekers, for as the saying goes, “The lone sheep is taken by wolves.”

We must be in syukur, true thankfulness to Allah ﷻ, that He ﷻ has placed us together in this journey, to seek companionship with Great Saints.

Through every Sohbah, which is the highest form of Zikrullah, we are brought closer and closer to tasting the sweet honey of Servanthood to Allah ﷻ.

With every Sohbah, hearts are slowly cleansed to discard off all that displeases Allah ﷻ, disobeying the lowly ego and fulfilling our duty to be in complete obedience to Allah ﷻ alone.

May Allah ﷻ keep us with Mawlana Shah Naqshbandق and our fellow companions in this Way, in humility, holding on firmly to the handhold of our Guideق and hisق tariqah.

Listen to the full Sohbah here:

• Almarhum Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Sattar Khan

22 August 2021/ 14 Muharram 1443

Our beloved Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Sattar Khan reunited with his true love, Allah Almighty, on 11 November 2023. 

May Allah forgive his shortcomings, bestow upon him endless blessings, mercy, and light, and elevate his rank for the sincerity of his efforts and contribution during his lifetime. 

May he be placed among those closest and dearest to Allah Almighty.

Al-Fatiha for Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Sattar Khan.