Reality of Seclusion

Question: What does it mean to be secluded amongst the crowd?

Shaykh AI:

B’ism Allah… Alhamdulillah, from the teachings of Mawlana Shaykh Nurjan Mirahmadi (QS), being secluded in the crowd refers to the state of internal seclusion while being outwardly present among people. It involves two categories of seclusion: external and internal.

External seclusion requires the seeker to isolate himself in a private place, concentrating on Dhikrullah (remembrance of God) to reach a state where the Heavenly Realm becomes manifest. This leads to the second category, internal seclusion, where the seeker’s heart is present with the Lord while being physically present among people.

The seeker becomes deeply involved in silent Dhikr, to the extent that even in a crowd, they are absorbed in the remembrance of God, unaware of everything but their Lord. This state is considered the highest form of seclusion, as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an: “Men whom neither business nor profit distract from the recollection of God” [24:37].

The primary seclusion of the shaykhs of the Naqshbandi Order is the internal seclusion. They are with their Lord and simultaneously with the people, following the example of the Prophet who said, “I have two sides: one faces my Creator and one faces creation.”

In essence, being secluded in the crowd means maintaining a deep connection with the Divine while being present and engaged with people. It involves internal focus and remembrance of God amidst the external interactions and activities of daily life.

May Allah bless you with the ability to maintain this beautiful state of seclusion in the crowd and elevate your spiritual journey. Ameen.

Your support to Tariqa is incredibly valuable, and if it’s within your means, consider aiding the noble cause at www.MuslimCharity.com. Every bit counts.