What Is Islamic Spiritual Direction?
by Jamal Rahman (appears on the Web site for Spiritual Directors International)
Islam means to surrender to God in peace. The journey of surrender is the lifelong work of transforming the ego, opening the heart and becoming conscious of God. We need to bring divinity into the center of our lives. The guidance, inspiration and support of a spiritual director, spiritual teacher or spiritual friend is crucial to this process. The 13th-century sage Rumi says that whoever travels without a guide needs two hundred years for a two-day journey.
A Muslim spiritual director, teacher or friend has abiding faith in the spiritual guidance abounding in the Qur'an, insights of the Prophet Muhammad and teachings of Islamic sages. The Qur'an tells us that "God is closer to you than your jugular vein" and "Everywhere you turn is the Face of Allah." To remove the veils between us and our creator, the Prophet Muhammad says: "Know thyself and you will know thy Lord" and "Die before you die." He also explains the role of a spiritual teacher and companion: "The teacher kindles the light; the oil is already in the lamp."
Mystics advise seekers to exercise discernment in their choice of a spiritual guide. Choose someone who reminds you of God, one who counsels you not with the tongue of words but with the tongue of deeds. Rumi's prayer for us is that over a lifetime we connect with several spiritual teachers, guides and friends so that we can "come out of the Circle of Time and enter the Circle of Love."
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- November 2009: "Getting to the Heart of Interfaith: A Pastor, Rabbi and a Sheikh Share a Deep, Abiding Friendship." Article in Northwest Prime Time.
- November 1, 2009: "Now Is the Time for Interfaith Dialogue." Opinion piece in The Bellingham Herald.
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- August 26, 2008: "Three Faiths, Three Friends," in The Christian Century.
- June 2007 column "Articles of Faith" in the Seattle PI.
- December 2006 article "Finding Peace on Earth" by David Bloom, adjunct faculty Antioch University.
- November 2006 ColorsNW magazine: "Examining the Mideast Conflict Through Interfaith Dialogue."
- November 2006 article "Abraham to Decendants," a roundtable discussion with Yes! magazine.
- Seattle Times, Aug. 4, 2006, article about Jamal, Rabbi Ted, and Pastor Don: "They're as Good as Their Word."
- July 26, 2006 "Prayers for Peace in Seattle," in the Seattle PI.
- January 2005 ColorsNW magazine: "Where do we go from here? Religious leaders of color on ‘moral values,’ gay rights, MLK, faith and the future of civil rights."
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