A Sufi Journey to the Blessed Feet of My Shaykh

As the end of the year approaches, people around the world prepare for vacations, holidays, and time off. Everyone seems excited about their plans, but all I can feel is how fortunate I am that my journey is taking me to my beloved, my Shaykh, to Hyderabad, Deccan, India, the one my heart has longed for all

year.

Har kas Waseela darad-o-Ma be Waseelaye

Mara Waseela Nist Bajuz Astane to.

Everyone has their own means and support,

but for me, O Beloved, there is no means except Your threshold.

As the date of my journey for the Urs of a luminous soul in my lineage, Shaykhan Wali Hazrat Ibrahim Balkhi Qadri and Hazrat Abdul Baqi Bakhar Balkhi Chishti Qadri my noble Grandfather at Khanqah Sabria, Wadi-e-Irfan (Valley of Gnosis), Gouraram Sharif, Hyderabad, Deccan, India, draws closer, my heart stirs with anticipation drawn toward my Shaykh, toward the gathering, and toward the spiritual home that I have missed all year. Living here in Germany, this longing grows with every passing day, a mixture of excitement, humility, and trembling joy, as the timeless words of the great Sufi poet Hazrat Amir Khusro Rahmatullah Alaih beautifully capture it.

Guftam ki Marg-e-Aashiqan gufta ki dard-e-hijr-e-man

Guftam Ilaaj-e-Zindagi Gufta ki Didar-e-Manast.

Lover: “What is the death of lovers?” Beloved: “The sorrow of my separation.”

Lover: “What is the remedy of life?” Beloved: “My sight, my presence.”

Every thought turns to the Mehfil-e-Sama, the Zikr and those intimate moments in his presence moments where the sohbat (spiritual companionship) of my Shaykh, Hazrat Sabir Pasha Chishti Qadri Balkhi, awakens my heart most profoundly. His gentle words stir even the most dormant hearts, his quiet guidance softens and purifies, and his subtle spiritual light anchors the seeker firmly upon the path, strengthening imaan with every breath. In his presence, the heart naturally inclines toward muraqibah (deep inner awareness) and Mushahidah (spiritual witnessing), for the soul becomes attentive, receptive, and drawn toward the Divine with clarity and tenderness. It is in such blessed gatherings that the meaning of Ihsan begins to unfold, as the Prophet Muhammad taught in Hadees e Jibreel:

Fa-akhbirni ‘ani al-Ihsan?

Qaala: An ta‘budallaaha ka-annaka taraah; fa-in lam takun taraahu fa-innahu yaraaka.

Jibreel A.S “Tell me about Ihsan.”

The Holy Prophet Muhammad taught: “Worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot do so, then know that

He sees you.”

And this is the very essence of muraqibah and mushāhidah the inward seeing and inward witnessing that our Beloved Prophet Muhammad described in this noble teaching. In these moments, the heart tastes states that cannot be taught by words subtle unveilings that descend as pure mercy. Even a single moment in such blessed company can carry the fragrance of the entire Sufi path, opening inner doors, revealing hidden depths, and awakening the soul to truths it has always known.

The three-day Urs Sharif is not simply an event; it is a spiritual feast that reconnects hearts with the teachings, mercy, and presence of the Sufi Masters. The sama opens the heart, the zikr purifies it, and the sohbat (spiritual companionship) with the Shaykh brings the heart to life and fills it with light. The langar (community kitchen) of Khajgaan-e-Chisht (the Chishti Masters), expressed through khidmat (selfless service), is served to the poor and needy, allowing seekers to come together in service, humility, and love, reflecting the generosity and devotion at the heart of the Sufi path. In such gatherings, one realizes that

the true inheritance of the Awliya is not found in customs, rituals, buildings, or structures, but in hearts, in transmission, and in love that passes silently from one chest to another; and to sit in that circle, even once a year, is a mercy beyond words, with the longing that builds on the journey becoming part of the grace

itself.

Even while living far away in Germany, far from my spiritual home, surrounded by a different culture, different people, and a different pace of life, I feel very fortunate, my heartfelt thanks to Shaykh Dr. Irshad Balkhi Chishti (Founder Maktab-e-Sufi), who guides the monthly Mehfil-e-Samāʿ, Zikr, the whirling of Dervishes, and Tasawwuf at Maktab-e-Sufi, in Hamburg, where I am immersed in the same fragrance, love, and devotion of the Sufi path that continues to nurture my heart. I meet souls from diverse cultures, languages, backgrounds, and faiths, and for example, seekers from the Qadri, Mevlevi, Naqshbandi, and Shadhili orders, yet the same burning longing for the Beloved stirs in every heart, a reminder that the path of love transcends all boundaries and unites us in the Divine Presence. Each gathering awakens the heart to the beauty of the path, the humility it nurtures, and the quiet joy of being in the luminous presence of those who embody the teachings. In these moments, the heart feels at home, even miles away from my Shaykh’s Feet.

Places like Maktab-e-Sufi, however, are rare in the West. Sacred spaces where hearts are nurtured, humility is cultivated, and love for the Divine deepens.

This truth was beautifully echoed by Dr. Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad (Timothy Winter), Founder of Cambridge Muslim College UK, a leading Muslim intellectual in Europe and an Islamic and Sufi scholar, during his lecture and conversation in Hamburg, Germany in July 2025, on his book Travelling Home:

Essays on Islam in Europe.

He emphasized that as Muslims migrated to the West, they brought their culture and faith with them, building mosques, madrasas, halal shops, and spaces that carry the outward forms of the deen. Yet something essential is still missing: khanqahs, spiritual spaces where zuhd is practiced, hearts are softened, and love is nurtured. These are places where people immerse themselves in spirituality, cultivate humility, awaken the heart, and experience the deeper dimensions of faith in a living, heartfelt way.

He reminded us: in masjids, only Muslims enter. But in khanqahs (spiritual retreat centers), anyone with a seeking heart may enter. These are places where the door opens to every soul. They are spaces of inclusivity, healing, gentleness, and spiritual companionship places that build love within communities and open doors for all who yearn for the path. Spaces like these offer a perfect glimpse into the inner truth of the faith.

The talk left me reflecting on our own role in reviving such spaces, places where hearts are softened, communities are united, and seekers find companionship on the spiritual journey.

My heart is filled with gratitude for the opportunity to travel, for the teachings, and for those who maintain the spiritual flame across the world. May Allah bless Maktab-e-Sufi and all such places, all seekers of the path, and everyone who nurtures the love of the Divine and the love of the Prophet Muhammad in

their hearts. The luminous guidance of the noble teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the Awliya, nurtured through the devotion at Maktab-e-Sufi, continues to awaken hearts and illuminate the path of seekers on the spiritual journey.

Ilahi tabuvad khursheed o mahi,

Chiragh-e-Chishtiyan ra roushani.

O Lord, may the Sun and Moon shine,

And may the lamps of the Chishti order be radiant.

As each day of my Hazri (presence at the Shaykh’s feet) draws near, I am reminded once again of the very feeling that has accompanied me from the start that sweet, restless longing for my Shaykh, the circle of the seekers, and the sacred space where love and guidance flow freely. Being there, in that presence, the heart feels at peace, and the soul quietly rejoices in the blessings of the path.

Eid-gah-e-ma gharban ku-e-tu

Imbisat-e-Eid didan ru-e-tu

Our festival is at Your street, O Beloved!

Our celebration is in beholding Your face.

May Allah fill our hearts with the love of Rasool Allah, guide our steps on the path of His teachings, and illuminate our souls with His light. May Allah grant us hearts that are ever devoted, tongues that remember Him, and souls that are enlightened by His love. May He bless us with steadfastness, mercy, and the companionship of those who walk in His love.

As the end of the year approaches, people around the world prepare for vacations, holidays, and time off. Everyone seems excited about their plans, but all I can feel is how fortunate I am that my journey is taking me to my beloved, my Shaykh, to Hyderabad, Deccan, India, the one my heart has longed for all

year.

Har kas Waseela darad-o-Ma be Waseelaye

Mara Waseela Nist Bajuz Astane to.

Everyone has their own means and support,

but for me, O Beloved, there is no means except Your threshold.

As the date of my journey for the Urs of a luminous soul in my lineage, Shaykhan Wali Hazrat Ibrahim Balkhi Qadri and Hazrat Abdul Baqi Bakhar Balkhi Chishti Qadri my noble Grandfather at Khanqah Sabria, Wadi-e-Irfan (Valley of Gnosis), Gouraram Sharif, Hyderabad, Deccan, India, draws closer, my heart stirs with anticipation drawn toward my Shaykh, toward the gathering, and toward the spiritual home that I have missed all year. Living here in Germany, this longing grows with every passing day, a mixture of excitement, humility, and trembling joy, as the timeless words of the great Sufi poet Hazrat Amir Khusro Rahmatullah Alaih beautifully capture it.

Guftam ki Marg-e-Aashiqan gufta ki dard-e-hijr-e-man

Guftam Ilaaj-e-Zindagi Gufta ki Didar-e-Manast.

Lover: “What is the death of lovers?” Beloved: “The sorrow of my separation.”

Lover: “What is the remedy of life?” Beloved: “My sight, my presence.”

Every thought turns to the Mehfil-e-Sama, the Zikr and those intimate moments in his presence moments where the sohbat (spiritual companionship) of my Shaykh, Hazrat Sabir Pasha Chishti Qadri Balkhi, awakens my heart most profoundly. His gentle words stir even the most dormant hearts, his quiet guidance softens and purifies, and his subtle spiritual light anchors the seeker firmly upon the path, strengthening imaan with every breath. In his presence, the heart naturally inclines toward muraqibah (deep inner awareness) and Mushahidah (spiritual witnessing), for the soul becomes attentive, receptive, and drawn toward the Divine with clarity and tenderness. It is in such blessed gatherings that the meaning of Ihsan begins to unfold, as the Prophet Muhammad taught in Hadees e Jibreel:

Fa-akhbirni ‘ani al-Ihsan?

Qaala: An ta‘budallaaha ka-annaka taraah; fa-in lam takun taraahu fa-innahu yaraaka.

Jibreel A.S “Tell me about Ihsan.”

The Holy Prophet Muhammad taught: “Worship Allah as if you see Him, and if you cannot do so, then know that

He sees you.”

And this is the very essence of muraqibah and mushāhidah the inward seeing and inward witnessing that our Beloved Prophet Muhammad described in this noble teaching. In these moments, the heart tastes states that cannot be taught by words subtle unveilings that descend as pure mercy. Even a single moment in such blessed company can carry the fragrance of the entire Sufi path, opening inner doors, revealing hidden depths, and awakening the soul to truths it has always known.

The three-day Urs Sharif is not simply an event; it is a spiritual feast that reconnects hearts with the teachings, mercy, and presence of the Sufi Masters. The sama opens the heart, the zikr purifies it, and the sohbat (spiritual companionship) with the Shaykh brings the heart to life and fills it with light. The langar (community kitchen) of Khajgaan-e-Chisht (the Chishti Masters), expressed through khidmat (selfless service), is served to the poor and needy, allowing seekers to come together in service, humility, and love, reflecting the generosity and devotion at the heart of the Sufi path. In such gatherings, one realizes that

the true inheritance of the Awliya is not found in customs, rituals, buildings, or structures, but in hearts, in transmission, and in love that passes silently from one chest to another; and to sit in that circle, even once a year, is a mercy beyond words, with the longing that builds on the journey becoming part of the grace

itself.

Even while living far away in Germany, far from my spiritual home, surrounded by a different culture, different people, and a different pace of life, I feel very fortunate, my heartfelt thanks to Shaykh Dr. Irshad Balkhi Chishti (Founder Maktab-e-Sufi), who guides the monthly Mehfil-e-Samāʿ, Zikr, the whirling of Dervishes, and Tasawwuf at Maktab-e-Sufi, in Hamburg, where I am immersed in the same fragrance, love, and devotion of the Sufi path that continues to nurture my heart. I meet souls from diverse cultures, languages, backgrounds, and faiths, and for example, seekers from the Qadri, Mevlevi, Naqshbandi, and Shadhili orders, yet the same burning longing for the Beloved stirs in every heart, a reminder that the path of love transcends all boundaries and unites us in the Divine Presence. Each gathering awakens the heart to the beauty of the path, the humility it nurtures, and the quiet joy of being in the luminous presence of those who embody the teachings. In these moments, the heart feels at home, even miles away from my Shaykh’s Feet.

Places like Maktab-e-Sufi, however, are rare in the West. Sacred spaces where hearts are nurtured, humility is cultivated, and love for the Divine deepens.

This truth was beautifully echoed by Dr. Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad (Timothy Winter), Founder of Cambridge Muslim College UK, a leading Muslim intellectual in Europe and an Islamic and Sufi scholar, during his lecture and conversation in Hamburg, Germany in July 2025, on his book Travelling Home:

Essays on Islam in Europe.

He emphasized that as Muslims migrated to the West, they brought their culture and faith with them, building mosques, madrasas, halal shops, and spaces that carry the outward forms of the deen. Yet something essential is still missing: khanqahs, spiritual spaces where zuhd is practiced, hearts are softened, and love is nurtured. These are places where people immerse themselves in spirituality, cultivate humility, awaken the heart, and experience the deeper dimensions of faith in a living, heartfelt way.

He reminded us: in masjids, only Muslims enter. But in khanqahs (spiritual retreat centers), anyone with a seeking heart may enter. These are places where the door opens to every soul. They are spaces of inclusivity, healing, gentleness, and spiritual companionship places that build love within communities and open doors for all who yearn for the path. Spaces like these offer a perfect glimpse into the inner truth of the faith.

The talk left me reflecting on our own role in reviving such spaces, places where hearts are softened, communities are united, and seekers find companionship on the spiritual journey.

My heart is filled with gratitude for the opportunity to travel, for the teachings, and for those who maintain the spiritual flame across the world. May Allah bless Maktab-e-Sufi and all such places, all seekers of the path, and everyone who nurtures the love of the Divine and the love of the Prophet Muhammad in

their hearts. The luminous guidance of the noble teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the Awliya, nurtured through the devotion at Maktab-e-Sufi, continues to awaken hearts and illuminate the path of seekers on the spiritual journey.

Ilahi tabuvad khursheed o mahi,

Chiragh-e-Chishtiyan ra roushani.

O Lord, may the Sun and Moon shine,

And may the lamps of the Chishti order be radiant.

As each day of my Hazri (presence at the Shaykh’s feet) draws near, I am reminded once again of the very feeling that has accompanied me from the start that sweet, restless longing for my Shaykh, the circle of the seekers, and the sacred space where love and guidance flow freely. Being there, in that presence, the heart feels at peace, and the soul quietly rejoices in the blessings of the path.

Eid-gah-e-ma gharban ku-e-tu

Imbisat-e-Eid didan ru-e-tu

Our festival is at Your street, O Beloved!

Our celebration is in beholding Your face.

May Allah fill our hearts with the love of Rasool Allah, guide our steps on the path of His teachings, and illuminate our souls with His light. May Allah grant us hearts that are ever devoted, tongues that remember Him, and souls that are enlightened by His love. May He bless us with steadfastness, mercy, and the companionship of those who walk in His love.