As salaam alaykum! As we progress through the sacred month of Rajab, our heart connection with Allah (swt) deepens in preparation for the return of the “friend” during Ramadhan, insha’allah. We find ourselves in remembrance more and more, our salat deepens in meaning, our desire for that connection growing stronger and stronger.

In our desire for that connection we are drawn to practices in time taken out of our daily routines. These practices are very meaningful and lead us on a path of joy and harmony. We must remember that Allah (swt) our creator and sustainer remembers us just as we remember Him. Practitioners of the methods of gaining insight into the inner life, the inner guidance which constantly comes to us have been inspired to pass on some of these methods to us.

Here I speak particularly of the du’a of Awli Abbas, brought to us by Sheikh Nazim (ra). It is said to be performed in Arabic or your native tongue three times per day during the month of Rajab leaving you as pure as a newly born child. What a wonderful way to greet Ramadhan!

After performing wudhu you may recite:

Bismillah ir Rahman ir Rahim

Allhumma inni astaghfiruka min kulli ma tubtu laha ilayka thumma adtu fihi.  Wa astaghfiruka min kulli ma aradtu bihi wajhaka wa khalatani fihi ma laysa fihi ridaka.  Wa astaghfiruka Im ni’am allati taqawwaytu biha ala ma’siatika.  Wa astaghfiruka minadh dhunub illati la ya’lamuha ghayruka wa la yattali’u alayha ahadim siwaka wa la yasa’uha illa rahmatuka wa latunji minha illa maghfiratuka wa hilmuka.  La ilaha illa anta Subhanaka inni kuntu minadh dhalimin.

Allahumma inni astaghfiruka min dhulmin dhalamtu bihi ibadaka fa ayyama abdin min ibadaka aw amatin min ima’ika dhalamtu fi badamihi aw irdihi aw malihi fa atihi min khara’inik allati la tanqusu wa as’aluka an tukrimani bi rahmatik allafi wasi’at  kulla shay’.  Wa la tuhimani bi adhabika wa ta’tiyani ma as’aluka fa inni haqiqun bi rahmatika ya Arhamar Rahimin.  Wa sali’Allahu ala Sayyidina Muhammadin wa alihi wa sahbihi ajma’in.  Wa la hawla wa la quwwata illa billahi Aliyy al Adhim.

In the Name of Allah, The All Beneficent, The All Merciful.

O Allah, I ask forgiveness of you for everything for which I repented to You and then returned to.  I ask forgiveness of You for everything I displeased You with and all that concerns me with which You are displeased O Allah.  I ask forgiveness of You for the favours which I used for increasing my disobedience towards You.  I ask forgiveness of You for the sins which no one knows except You and no one sees except You and nothing encompasses except Your mercy and nothing delivers from except Your forgiveness and clemency. There is no god except You alone. You are most High, and I was one of the oppressors.

O Allah, I ask forgiveness of You for the injustice I committed against Your servants.  Whatever of your male or female servants whom I have hurt, physically or in their dignity or in their property, give them of Your bounty which lacks nothing.  And I ask You to honour me with Your Mercy which encompasses all things.  Do not humble me with your punishment but give me what I ask of You, for I am in great need of Your Mercy.  O Most Merciful of the merciful.  May Allah send blessings upon Muhammad and all his companions.  There is no power nor might except in Allah, The High, The Exalted.