The purpose of the Spiritual Growth Course is to assist anyone who finds themselves at a standstill on their spiritual journey and is in search of guidance to progress beyond their current state and advance to even higher spiritual levels. It must be clearly stated that, in our view, the highest spiritual station is the Station of Servitude (Maqām-e-‘Abdiyyat), which signifies closeness to Allah.
Every Muslim should strive for continuous growth so that at some point in their life, they become capable of attaining this esteemed station.
Another important point to consider is that when discussing spiritual ranks, terms like Ghawth (Helper), Qutb (Axis), Abdal (Substitutes), and Awtad (Pillars) are commonly mentioned. However, these designations are related to administrative spiritual responsibilities rather than personal spiritual advancement. They should not be linked to spiritual stations in the way they are commonly perceived.
Countless revered saints (Awliya Allah, may Allah have mercy on them) have attained levels beyond the Station of Ghawth without ever holding any of these intermediary ranks.
There are even saints who remain unaware of their own sainthood, yet they still reach the Station of Servitude (Maqām-e-‘Abdiyyat)—the highest spiritual station.
Another common misconception is that the Station of Ghawth is the highest rank, whereas, in reality, there are spiritual stations beyond it. Many esteemed spiritual masters (Mashaikh) have affirmed that the highest of all stations is the Station of Servitude (Abdiyyat).
Objectives and Purpose of the Spiritual Growth Course
Our Spiritual Growth Courses include specific practices designed to guide individuals on their journey of self-purification (Tazkiyah). We have adopted various methods to facilitate this spiritual progress, primarily through dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and meditative contemplation (muraqabah). The course includes structured recitations such as:
- Kalima Tayyiba (Lā ilāha illā Allāh)
- Selected Qur’anic Surahs
- Salutations upon the Prophet (Durūd Sharīf)
Each person is encouraged to engage in the practice that aligns best with their inclination—whether it be Qur’anic recitation, dhikr, or salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ.
Key Elements for Spiritual Growth
True spiritual progress is not merely about engaging in dhikr and muraqabah but also about developing inner virtues, including:
- Truthfulness
- Contentment
- Love & Sincerity
- Compassion & Humility
- Silence & Reflection
- Service to Humanity
These virtues must be actively cultivated alongside our prescribed recitations and spiritual exercises.
Obstacles to Spiritual Growth
Certain traits hinder spiritual progress, acting as thieves on this sacred journey. These include:
- Greed & Lust
- Anger & Arrogance
- Materialism & Ego
- Jealousy & Envy
We must strive to eliminate these negative attributes as much as possible.
Course Practices & Guidelines
- Structured Dhikr & Muraqabah
- Each individual should adopt a specific dhikr, recitation, or meditation as part of their daily practice.
- Positive attributes must be cultivated, while spiritual obstacles must be avoided.
- Strict Adherence to Religious Duties
- Daily prayers must be performed completely, including Sunnah & Nawafil.
- The Qur’an must be recited in sequence, from the first page to the last, rather than selectively choosing Surahs based on personal preference.
- At minimum, one rukūʿ per day should be recited, or if possible, more.
- Correction of Qur’anic Recitation
- If one’s Tajweed (pronunciation) is incorrect, immediate correction must be sought.
- Often, people memorize selected Surahs, but they should also integrate them into their prayers, rather than just reciting them separately.
- Fulfilling Missed Obligations Before Extra Acts
- Missed obligatory prayers (Qada) should be prioritized over voluntary (nafl) acts.
- Sunnah adhkar (remembrances) should be consistently adopted.
- A booklet of recommended supplications has been compiled and can be requested.
Three Categories of Sunnah Adhkar
- Post-Prayer Adhkar (as recited by the Prophet ﷺ)
- Morning & Evening Supplications
- Protective Supplications for healing from evil influences (e.g., black magic, envy, or negative energies).
Enrollment & Additional Spiritual Practices
- After fulfilling the essential duties, individuals may seek permission to participate in our spiritual courses.
- The Qadiri Order (Silsilah Qadiriyyah) forms the foundation of these teachings.
- Beyond the formal Sufi path (Tariqah), additional spiritual exercises include:
- Kalima Tayyiba, Surah Al-Fatiha, Al-Kawthar, Al-Ikhlas, Al-Falaq, An-Nas
- Ayat-ul-Kursi, Istighfar, Asma’ul Husna, La Hawla wa La Quwwata illa Billah
- Various Durood (Salutations upon the Prophet ﷺ):
- Durood Ibrahimi, Qadiri, Chishti, Naqshbandi, Suhrawardi, Owaisi, Qutbi, Taj
- Other Recommended Practices:
- Aurād-e-Fatiha, Hizb al-Bahr, Hizb al-Nasr, Qasidah Burdah
- Dalail-ul-Khairat, Awail-ul-Khairat, Ayat-e-Shifa, Chahil Kaf Sharif
Participants may choose one of these practices based on their personal inclination and seek permission to engage in it.
No Conditions of Allegiance (Bay’ah)
- There is no requirement for formal spiritual allegiance (Bay’ah).
- There are no restrictions of Jalali (strict) or Jamali (gentle) spiritual disciplines.
- All spiritual courses are offered solely for the sake of Allah (Fi Sabilillah).
The only expectation is that participants sincerely strive to become better Muslims by following these spiritual disciplines.
Our Ultimate Goal
Our primary aim is to guide as many people as possible onto the path of Tazkiyah (self-purification).
May Allah grant us strength, courage, and His divine permission (Idhn) & ability (Tawfiq) to walk this sacred path.
Ameen, Ya Rabb al-‘Alameen.
— By Shah Jahan Chishti