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Spiritual Retreat (khalwet)A'isha, the wife of the Apostle of Allah (saws), reported: The first (form)
which was started with the revelation to the Messenger of Allah was the true vision
in sleep. And he did not see any vision but it came like the bright gleam of dawn.
Thenceforth solitude (khalwet) became dear to him and he used to seclude himself
in the cave of Hira' where he would engage in tahannuth (and that is a worship
for a number of nights) before returning to his family and getting provisions
again for this purpose. From time to time, following the example of the Prophet (saws), the Sufi student will be instructed by his or her Shaykh to go into seclusion for the purpose of re-focusing and drawing nearer to Allah. During the khalwet a special set of practices are given that are specific to the needs of the student. The Shaykh may also prescribe a special diet or exercises. The benefit of this kind of retreat is to provide an intensive work environment free from the distractions of the everyday world. It should be understood though that the retreat is just an intermediate step. The final outcome is "solitude in the crowd" which is to be outwardly fully participating in society and inwardly with Allah at all times. |
Just sit there right now, don't do a thing, just rest. A Cushion for Your Head |
