As we progress through this month we are aware of the approach of Ramadan coming on the horizon. Our preparations for reaching that sacred time can prepare our heart for all the inner works and insights available to us during that time.

Of course we continue our du’a, imploring Allah (swt) to grant us blessing during this month and the next, Sha’aban, and allow us to reach Ramadan. This du’a can be repeated as often as you wish during these two months. Remember to clear your heart and mind of distractions and make your intention to sincerely ask for this blessing.

We should also always remember the benefits of zikr Allah. This remembrance brings us closer to Him, acting as a divine bridge. It also causes us to clear and soften out hearts. Rasul Allah (saw) has been known to say that there is a polish for every substance and the polish for our hearts is zikr Allah.

This polishing softens our heart so we may be more aware of His presence (taqwa) and so that we may become a clear mirror, free of distortions and impurities. Of course, as always, we must set our niyya (intention) for this and clear our hearts and minds of any distractions. Zikr allah is ok for you to perform as many times as you feel comfortable with. We are not advocating any particular numbers.

The words of Shabistari also seem appropriate at this time as this zikr sweeps out those things in our hearts that keep us far from the beloved –

Hazrat Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani mentions that there are fourteen nights during the year when it is particularly commendable to keeping a vigil. Three of these occur during the month of Rajab – they are:

1. The first night of the month of Rajab.
2. The night that comes in the middle of Rajab
3. The night of the 27th of Rajab

During these nights one may stay up throughout the night performing du’a, recitations and other forms or devotion, worship and adoration of Allah (swt)

I will be posting again during this month and on into Sha’aban and Ramadan, insha’allah. If you want more information about this I suggest that you might care to read Muhtar Holland’s translation of Sufficient Provision for Seekers of the Path of Truth (Al-Ghunya li-Talib Tariq al–Haqq). This post and the upcoming ones are based on discourses from Volume 3.