| Teacher Ranks and Responsibilities in Our Tariqa |
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Roles and Responsibilities of the Ranks Praise be to Allah, Who hath sent to His Servant, The Book, and hath allowed therein no crookedness. Surah Al-Kahf 18:1 All ranks are expected to
engage in some service to their local community and/or the tariqa.
The Murshids are
the lighthouse of guidance and caring.
Help to guide people who are lost find their way back to the safety of
Allah. Have the real gnosis and carry
out responsibilities with real mercy and love. Hold the national
communities. Guide the regional and local
community leaders. They exhibit
exemplary giving in real mercy and love.
Understand the orders. Carry the
authority to guide. Have oversight and
authority with tariqa Study all of Sidi’s books for deeper understanding. Engage in discussions on meaning and understanding of Sidi’s writings and teachings. As salaam alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh beloveds- Happy New Year! May Allah bless and protect you, your families and loved ones in 2020. We have not been in touch for some time as the Murshid Council, but know that we are here, been in service and we hold you all with sincerest love from the depths of our hearts. The issue of teacher promotion and ranks has been on our plate for many years. With Sidi's passing, it has created new questions and challenges for us in how to provide clear guidelines of the roles, responsibilities and expectations as well as how and when to make such related decisions. With the teacher promise, we promised to carry the messages of our guide based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad PBUH and the Qur'an with love, peace, mercy, freedom, justice and unity. Sadly some of our tariqa teachers have allowed their pictures of ranks to cause or create separation, oppression, misunderstanding and hurt among beloveds nationally and internationally over the years, even when Sidi was alive. We all must work together to change this dynamic. Because we want to be in full integrity with providing a structure that pleases Allah, follows the intention of Sidi's guidance, promotes love and unity, and provides sufficient support and guidance, the Murshid Council in consultation with a small committee of community members, decided to place a 2 year moratorium on offering any new teacher rank and promotions. During this time, we wish to focus on supporting beloveds and existing teachers in understanding the teacher promise, roles and expectations regardless of rank regarding responsibilities and roles, levels and depth of service, community building and unity, being earth for others and spreading the message of love, peace and mercy and to support their transformation of any places where they are not in alignment. Many also have their titles but have not stepped into holding their position with time, love, commitment and alignment. We have attached the roles and responsibilities of the different teacher ranks - reading and writing of Sidi's books, service, practices, knowledge, faith ( iman) and politeness (adab) and the same information will be available on the SSC website. We encourage everyone to continue reading and writing Sidi's books, doing salat and practices, reading Qu'ran and welcome all to share the holy messages of love, peace. mercy via practices like remembrance, al-Wird, salat, reciting Qu'ran and others even if not been formally made a teacher in our tariqa. It is between each us and Allah- what we do for His face, give the love to others for Him and serve Him. As Sidi used to say , "Teach what you know!". He also said, " How can you teach my books if you have not read them!" So take the time to read and write, do the practices, recite Qu'ran.... We pray and want these blameworthy qualities and dynamics to shift in a deep way to reflect greater love, unity and service for the face of Allah. As we need time together to transform our present system and dynamics, we request your prayers, support, containment and cooperation going forward. Our tariqa like the rest of the world is undergoing many many deep and needed changes! Thank you for your prayers and support with this important matter. May Allah give us much love and guidance. If you have any questions or comments, please contact a member of the Murshid Council: Ibrahim Jaffe
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Ma salaama, The Murshid Council |