Sufi Talks: Background

The Sufi talks you will find on this site are talks that are spontaneous discussions recorded in intimate settings with a Sufi teacher (not Sheikh Hamza) and a small number of students. They were not recorded professionally in a studio, so sound quality may vary, and the topics move fluidly from one to another within the talks, as they address the inner needs of the people present rather than go from one point of an outline to the next. We hope that you will find these talks informative, meaningful and enriching.

Please send any questions, comments or suggestions to webmaster@sufione.org

Sufi Talks 2

The Stages of Love: Discourse on the ascending stages of Divine Love and how to attain them.  Includes a very inspirational explanation of "La ilaha illa Allah" (There is no Reality but Allah)as part of Dhikr and its effect on the Heart. (37:26)
Intoxication and Sobriety: Discourse on the Sufi terms "Intoxication" and "Sobriety".  The School of Sobriety includes Imam Junayd,and Mawlana 'Abd Al-Qadir Al-Jilani through whom the Qadiri Butchishi Tariqa descended.  The School of Intoxication includes Sheikh Jalaluddin Rumi.  Presented are wonderful stories of various Sufi Masters and their experiences. (44:51)
The Prey of the Lion: Discourse on the Quranic terms "Surrender", "Faith", and "Perfection", and what the Sufis do to reach the level of "Perfection".  Includes teachings on how the authentic Sufi Master provides the weapon to help the Murid reach the highest level and become the "Prey of the Lion". (27:32)
Seeking the Face of the Divine: Discourse on "Dhikr Allah" (Remembrance of God) and how, through personal and group Dhikr, the Hearts are opened to the Face of Allah and His Love.  Includes quotations from Qur'an and Holy Traditions where Allah reveals that He has made it His obligation to love those who meet for His sake. (40:40)
Levels of Servanthood: Discourse on "Surrender", "Faith", and "Perfection" from the perspective of Servanthood. Includes inspiring stories of eminent Sufi Masters (including our own Grand Master Sheikh Hamza) and their loving ways to help the Murid advance through the "Levels of Servanthood". (38:55)
Constellation of The Heart: Discourse on the history of the Sufi Spiritual Path and how it was made widely known during the end of the seventh and beginning of the eighth centuries.  Includes the story of Sheikh Ja'far Sadiq who first talked about the "Maqams" (Stations) as the "Constellations of the Heart".  Elaborates on how the Sufi Masters lead you through the "Constellations of the Heart" to the Ultimate Love and Unity with the Divine. (38:27)
The Seed, The Tree, The Fruit: Discourse on the "Seed of Love" that links the Sufi to other human beings, the universe, and to Allah Subhana Wa Ta Ala.  And on how the "Seed" is tended to grow into a "Tree" which ultimately bears the "Fruit" of the Divine. Includes the importance of looking for an authentic Sufi Master Sheikh who is the only one who can tend the "Tree" for it to bear this Divine "Fruit". (48:53)
Spirituality in Islam: Discourse on "Spirituality in Islam" given at the Interfaith Center in Baltimore to interfaith scholars, and members of academia and the Press.  This is a superb general introduction into the Islamic Sufic Tradition with explanations of its purpose, tenets, stations, vocabulary, and the vital role of the Sufi Master Sheikh. (48:33)
Companionship: Discourse on the importance of Companionship as a main component of the Sufi Path.  Elaborates on how to develop the vital link with the Sufi Master Sheikh, and the necessity of the link's development to its ultimate conclusion. (27:45)
The Thread of Harmony: Discourse on the three stages of the Sufi Path, namely "Shari'a" (the stage of outer acts), "Tariqa" (the stage of inner acts), and "Haqqiqa" (the stage of "witnessing" or "seeing").  Explains why Grand Master Sheikh Hamza of the Tariqa takes the murid, as well as a long-time Sufi, through all three stages beginning with the first stage. (33:42)