A few days into Ramadan in 2017, I sat in the Sheikhâs living room after bringing him home from the airport. He had just returned from Umrah, which he had to cut short due to a death in the family.
In the taxi home, he had just read the first few pages of my soon-to-be-released book, âInside the Soul of Islamâ which was the purpose of our meeting.
Or so I thought.
âSo, you want to get married?â
My somewhat surprised response was an emphatic, âYes!â.
âBut you were married and you got divorced.â
Looking down, I responded with a more humble, timid, âYes.â
âSo how do you know you wonât get divorced again?â
That question stopped me in my tracks.
My first thought was: âPerhaps I should explain how I had a huge insight about the nature of thought, consciousness and presence that relieved me of my negativity and judgmentalnessâŚâ
Thankfully, that thought quickly passed. When youâre with a spiritual master of the Islamic tradition (in the truest sense of each of those words), you donât talk. You listen.
âLet me tell you howâŚâ
The Sheikh went on to give me several âgemsâ of advice that have stayed with me to this day. Not only have they saved my marriage and improved it several times over and over again, but theyâve had a similar impact on every client Iâve shared them with.
The man I was blessed to be sitting with was a living example of someone who lives the Prophetic practices (sunnah) in real-life, on a day to day basis. Not by coincidence, he is one of the most intensely present, loving and wise people Iâve ever met.
Any time things arenât going particularly well between Rachida and I, all it takes is for me to glance over my calendar or journal and think back over the last few weeks to see if Iâve been making the space and time for the simple, spiritual relationship practices he recommended.
Usually, when things arenât going well, the answer is an obvious, âNo!â.
And yet, when Iâm wise enough to follow through and take action on them, our marriage is as wonderful as I can imagine.
Finally, before wrapping up the meeting, the Sheikh gave me a very warm, sincere warning:
âIf you donât do these simple practices and you get divorced, then it will be 100% your own faultâ.
If youâd like me to share what these spiritual practices are, Iâd love to. Along with a few of the most useful, practical lessons Iâve ever learned on connecting with Allah, the Most Loving, in a way that uplifts you and enhances all of your most important relationships.
But, itâs not all going to fit in an email. And, like many things in life, itâs best to receive this type of knowledge and wisdom in person, so I can answer your questions and make sure everything is clear, before you try and implement it.
Thatâs why Iâm inviting you to come to my next live, online event called, âLoving With Presenceâ.
You can read all the details and sign up here:
