Eleven Naqshbandi principles
Encyclopedia
The Eleven Naqshbandi principles or the "rules or secrets of the Naqshbandi", known in their original Persian
as the kalimat-i qudsiya ("sacred words" or "virtuous words"), are a system of principles and guidelines used as spiritual exercises
, or to encourage certain preferred states of being, in Naqshbandi
Sufi
schools of mysticism
.
n Sufi teacher Abdul Khaliq Gajadwani
(died 1179), the last three of the eleven being added later by Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari
(1318–1389), founder of the Naqshbandi Order. Both were Khwajagan
(Masters) of the Sufi tariqah
(path, way or method).
These principles are designed to be borne in mind and used as spiritual practice
s or exercises in the Naqshbandi system of spiritual development. They are carried out under individual tuition, expertly prescribed, monitored for changes, and carefully adjusted by a teacher, rather than being automatically performed.
The principles have been brought to the attention of contemporary Western audiences through the works of the writers Idries Shah
, John G. Bennett
, Omar Ali-Shah
and J. Spencer Trimingham
. The exercises were an important aspect of Omar Ali-Shah's work with groups in the modern Naqshbandi tradition in the West. For instance, one of Ali-Shah's books of edited transcripts, The Rules or Secrets of the Naqshbandi Order, was devoted to this subject.
1. Hush dar dam - awareness of breathing
2. Nazar ba kadam - watching over the steps
3. Safar dar watan - travelling in the Homeland
4. Khilwat dar anjuman - retirement in company
5. Neegar dashtan - watchfulness, use of special faculties
6. Yad dashtan - keeping of the memory, sensing of the being and the body
7. Yad kardan - remembering, recollecting exercises
8. Baaz gasht - restraint
All are agreed about the order of the last three principles:
9. Ukufi zamani - time-halt
10. Ukufi adadi - number-halt
11. Ukufi qalbi - heart-halt or visualisation. from the order presented by Omar Ali-Shah:
1. Hush dar dam (or hosh dar dam) — awareness of breathing
2. Nazar ba kadam (or nazar bar qadam) — watching over the steps
3. Safar dar watan — travelling in the Homeland
4. Khilwat dar anjuman (or khalwat dar anjuman) — retirement in company
5. Yad kardan (or yad kard) — remembering, recollecting exercises
6. Baaz gasht (or baz gasht) — restraint
7. Neegar dashtan (or nigah dasht) — watchfulness, use of special faculties
8. Yad dashtan (or yad dasht) — keeping of the memory, sensing of the being and the body
9. Ukufi zamani (or wuquf-e zamani) — time-halt (or pause)
10. Ukufi adadi (or wuquf-e adadi) — number-halt (or pause)
11. Ukufi qalbi (or wuquf-e qalbi) — heart-halt (or pause) or visualisation
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
as the kalimat-i qudsiya ("sacred words" or "virtuous words"), are a system of principles and guidelines used as spiritual exercises
Spiritual practice
A spiritual practice or spiritual discipline is the regular or full-time performance of actions and activities undertaken for the purpose of cultivating spiritual development. A common metaphor used in the spiritual traditions of the worlds great religions is that of walking a path...
, or to encourage certain preferred states of being, in Naqshbandi
Naqshbandi
Naqshbandi is one of the major Sufi spiritual orders of Sufi Islam. It is considered to be a "Potent" order.The Naqshbandi order is over 1,300 years old, and is active today...
Sufi
Sufism
Sufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
schools of mysticism
Mysticism
Mysticism is the knowledge of, and especially the personal experience of, states of consciousness, i.e. levels of being, beyond normal human perception, including experience and even communion with a supreme being.-Classical origins:...
.
Background
There were originally eight principles formulated by the Central AsiaCentral Asia
Central Asia is a core region of the Asian continent from the Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Afghanistan in the south, and Russia in the north...
n Sufi teacher Abdul Khaliq Gajadwani
Abdul Khaliq Gajadwani
Abdul Khaliq Gajadwani was one of a group of Central Asian Sufi teachers known simply as Khwajagan of the Naqshbandi order....
(died 1179), the last three of the eleven being added later by Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari
Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari
Baha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari was the founder of what would become the Naqshbandi. He was born in Bukhara which is located in Uzbekistan...
(1318–1389), founder of the Naqshbandi Order. Both were Khwajagan
Khwajagan
Khwājagān is a Persian title for "the Master". Khwajagan is a word often used to refer to a chain of Central Asian Naqshbandi Sufi Masters from the 10th to the 16th century...
(Masters) of the Sufi tariqah
Tariqah
A tariqa is an Islamic religious order. In Sufism one starts with Islamic law, the exoteric or mundane practice of Islam and then is initiated onto the mystical path of a tariqa. Through spiritual practices and guidance of a tariqa the aspirant seeks ḥaqīqah - ultimate truth.-Meaning:A tariqa is a...
(path, way or method).
These principles are designed to be borne in mind and used as spiritual practice
Spiritual practice
A spiritual practice or spiritual discipline is the regular or full-time performance of actions and activities undertaken for the purpose of cultivating spiritual development. A common metaphor used in the spiritual traditions of the worlds great religions is that of walking a path...
s or exercises in the Naqshbandi system of spiritual development. They are carried out under individual tuition, expertly prescribed, monitored for changes, and carefully adjusted by a teacher, rather than being automatically performed.
The principles have been brought to the attention of contemporary Western audiences through the works of the writers Idries Shah
Idries Shah
Idries Shah , also known as Idris Shah, né Sayed Idries el-Hashimi , was an author and teacher in the Sufi tradition who wrote over three dozen critically acclaimed books on topics ranging from psychology and spirituality to travelogues and culture studies.Born in India, the descendant of a...
, John G. Bennett
John G. Bennett
John Godolphin Bennett, was a British mathematician, scientist, technologist, industrial research director, and author. He is perhaps best known for his many books on psychology and spirituality, and particularly the teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff...
, Omar Ali-Shah
Omar Ali-Shah
Omar Ali-Shah was a prominent exponent of modern Naqshbandi Sufism who lived from 1922 to 2005. He wrote a number of books on the subject, and was head of a large number of sufi groups, particularly in Latin America, Europe and Canada.- Life and work :...
and J. Spencer Trimingham
J. Spencer Trimingham
-External links:**Scanned copy of the entire book...
. The exercises were an important aspect of Omar Ali-Shah's work with groups in the modern Naqshbandi tradition in the West. For instance, one of Ali-Shah's books of edited transcripts, The Rules or Secrets of the Naqshbandi Order, was devoted to this subject.
The eleven principles
The eleven principles are as follows, shown in the order used by Idries Shah in A Perfumed Scorpion, which differs slightly (in items 5 to 8)1. Hush dar dam - awareness of breathing
2. Nazar ba kadam - watching over the steps
3. Safar dar watan - travelling in the Homeland
4. Khilwat dar anjuman - retirement in company
5. Neegar dashtan - watchfulness, use of special faculties
6. Yad dashtan - keeping of the memory, sensing of the being and the body
7. Yad kardan - remembering, recollecting exercises
8. Baaz gasht - restraint
All are agreed about the order of the last three principles:
9. Ukufi zamani - time-halt
10. Ukufi adadi - number-halt
11. Ukufi qalbi - heart-halt or visualisation. from the order presented by Omar Ali-Shah:
1. Hush dar dam (or hosh dar dam) — awareness of breathing
- Being aware or conscious of one's breathing. Breathing deeply in a natural rhythm without being preoccupied by breathing. Inhaling and exhaling whilst in remembrance of God.
2. Nazar ba kadam (or nazar bar qadam) — watching over the steps
- Watching over one's steps, ie being aware of one's intention. Paying attention and not being distracted from one's goal, maintaining awareness and being open to opportunities, so that one does the right thing at the right time.
3. Safar dar watan — travelling in the Homeland
- Making an interior journey, ie inside oneself, observing oneself in a detached and not overly-critical manner, learning from one's errors and travelling from blameworthy to praiseworthy qualities.
4. Khilwat dar anjuman (or khalwat dar anjuman) — retirement in company
- Developing the ability to detach from and distance oneself from external noise, disturbance and confusion when in company, and remain tranquil, perhaps with the aid of a zikrDhikrDhikr , plural ; ), is an Islamic devotional act, typically involving the repetition of the Names of God, supplications or formulas taken from hadith texts and verses of the Qur'an. Dhikr is usually done individually, but in some Sufi orders it is instituted as a ceremonial activity...
, an exercise in remembrance of God. Also being able to re-attach one's attention to the outward when necessary. Though outwardly the Sufi is in the world, inwardly he or she is with God.
5. Yad kardan (or yad kard) — remembering, recollecting exercises
- Remembering experiences one has had and that one is a part of the Tradition from which one may draw positive energy and derive strength. Using inner or vocalized zikr, remembrance or "making mention" of the Divine names, to remain attentive and alert, and so that the heart becomes aware of the presence of Truth (Al HaqqHaqqHaqq is the Arabic word for truth. In Islamic context, it is also interpreted as right and reality. Al-Haqq, the truth, is one of the names of God in the Qur'an. It is often used to refer to God as the Ultimate Reality in Sufism....
).
6. Baaz gasht (or baz gasht) — restraint
- Being self-disciplined, for example cultivating the quality of patience, keeping one's thoughts from straying when repeating the ShahadaShahadaThe Shahada , means "to know and believe without suspicion, as if witnessed"/testification; it is the name of the Islamic creed. The shahada is the Muslim declaration of belief in the oneness of God and acceptance of Muhammad as God's prophet...
(the declaration of the Oneness of God and the acceptance of MuhammadMuhammadMuhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
as his prophet), being repentant and returning to righteousness.
7. Neegar dashtan (or nigah dasht) — watchfulness, use of special faculties
- Concentrating on the presence of God. Being alert, watchful for and open to subtle perceptions, positive energy, positive opportunity and positive impacts. Being watchful over passing thoughts.
8. Yad dashtan (or yad dasht) — keeping of the memory, sensing of the being and the body
- Sensing one's being and one's body, recalling positive memories and positive experiences.
9. Ukufi zamani (or wuquf-e zamani) — time-halt (or pause)
- Suspending intellect, judgement, preconceptions and conditioned thought. Reprising one's thoughts and actions. Accounting for how one's time is spent, being thankful for acts of righteousness and asking forgiveness for wrongdoing.
10. Ukufi adadi (or wuquf-e adadi) — number-halt (or pause)
- Carrying out exercises involving numbers, such as the awareness of the number of repetitions when carrying out one's silent heart zikr exercise, and also certain forms of counting using the Abjad system.
11. Ukufi qalbi (or wuquf-e qalbi) — heart-halt (or pause) or visualisation
- Visualising one's heart (QalbQalbقلب is an Arabic word meaning "Heart". It is the second among the six purities or Lataif-e-sitta in Sufi philosophy.-Sixteen stages of Taming Qalb:To attend Tasfiya-e-Qalb, the Salik needs to achieve the following sixteen goals.#Zuhd or abstention from evil...
), perhaps with the name of God inscribed on it, and identifying with Truth or with God.
See also
- Abdul Khaliq GajadwaniAbdul Khaliq GajadwaniAbdul Khaliq Gajadwani was one of a group of Central Asian Sufi teachers known simply as Khwajagan of the Naqshbandi order....
- Baha-ud-Din Naqshband BukhariBaha-ud-Din Naqshband BukhariBaha-ud-Din Naqshband Bukhari was the founder of what would become the Naqshbandi. He was born in Bukhara which is located in Uzbekistan...
- Spiritual practiceSpiritual practiceA spiritual practice or spiritual discipline is the regular or full-time performance of actions and activities undertaken for the purpose of cultivating spiritual development. A common metaphor used in the spiritual traditions of the worlds great religions is that of walking a path...