On 30 June 2022 the Royal Ottoman Society continued its “Mawlana on Tour” journey through France, Switzerland and Germany. In this heartfelt sohbet we were reminded of the power of a brief yet intense period of inner purification.
The gathering opened with the familiar invocation “As‑salamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,” followed by prayers for the Prophet (peace be upon him) and for all present. The focus then turned to a practice that many Sufi circles observe during sacred months: a concentrated ten‑day stretch of heightened awareness. Rather than the three full months of Rajab, Sha‘ban or Ramadan, we experimented with a condensed ten‑day window. The purpose was simple but profound – to experience the difficulty of refraining from prohibited actions and to bring our “bad” inclinations into conscious light. By confronting these tendencies directly, we learn to correct behavior before it becomes entrenched.
Throughout the sohbet the emphasis remained on self‑control: “Ne yaparsanız düzeltiriz” (“whatever we do, we correct”). This mantra served as a gentle reminder that Allah observes every outward deed, while our inner intentions also call for sincere attention. The repeated encouragement to avoid haram actions and to keep vigilant over the lower self underscored the communal resolve to finish these ten days with gratitude and renewed strength. May Allah and the Prophet be pleased with us, and may we emerge from this period feeling blessed and uplifted.
If you feel called to join similar journeys or wish to deepen your practice under guided instruction, please explore our Live meetings page for upcoming gatherings.
