Prayers from the Friends of Allah, Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Ghaylani
The prayers of Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Ghaylani may his secret be sanctified, the founder of the Qadiriyya Sufi order, contain heartfelt supplications rising from the depths of the heart. These munajat (private devotions) beautifully express love and humility towards Allah.
Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Ghaylani’s Supplication to Allah
O Allah! Grant us the ability to act with grace and kindness, both toward You and toward Your chosen ones. Do not afflict us with the trial of relying on means [sabab] and placing our trust in them! Establish us upon a firm foundation in our tawhid (oneness of God) and our reliance upon You. Make us independent of all but Yourself, directing our needs only to You. Do not test us with our own words and deeds; do not punish us because of them, but rather grant us relief from punishment through Your generosity, mercy, and forbearance. Amen!
O Allah! O Creator of all existence! O Originator of causes [musabbib al-asbab]! Deliver us from the bondage of associating partners with You in worship and creation.
O Allah! Make me, and the one who asks for my prayers, independent of anyone but Yourself! Let us be dependent only on You. Let us find independence through You, remember You alone, and ask only from You.
O Allah! We all desire You. We long for You. Yet, calamities and obstacles block our path, preventing us from reaching You.
O Allah! Awaken us from the sleep of heedlessness [ghafala]. Let some of us benefit from others. Engage us only with Yourself, so that our souls may be reformed. Show us the way to You, and let the remainder of our lives be spent in devotion upon Your path.
O Allah! Save us from destruction; we desire nothing but nearness to You – both in this world and in the Hereafter. Our hearts yearn only for a glimpse of You.
O Allah! Turn all people towards Your door. This is my single, eternal wish. All things belong to You; they are dedicated to You. Let this be a means for me to gain reward – a general supplication [du’a].
O Allah! Send blessings and peace upon Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and upon his progeny. Protect the leader of the Muslim community and the Muslim community itself. Protect those who follow him and the leader among them. Unite their hearts in a garden of goodness [riyd al-hayr]. Let them be united in righteous deeds. Let each deflect the evil of the other from one another; let them not harm one another.
O Allah! You know our hearts, so reform them. You are aware of our needs, so fulfill them. You know our sins, so forgive them. You know our shortcomings and flaws, so conceal them. Do not allow us to be found in places You forbid; let us not stray into forbidden areas. Do not let us be in a state of seeking You when we are not where You command; rather, let us always be found where You command. Do not make us forget Your remembrance [dhikr]. Protect us from Your trials and tribulations; make us independent of anyone but Yourself. Do not allow us to incline towards others or stretch out our hands to them. Separate from us everything that separates us from You. Inspire us with the remembrance, gratitude, and beautiful worship of You.
O Allah! Do not expose our misdeeds; do not tear down the veils that conceal our sins. Do not punish us for our bad deeds. Do not leave us in heedlessness [ghafala], nor punish us with heedlessness and forgetfulness [nisyan].
O Lord! If we forget or err, do not hold us accountable for it.
Our Lord! Do not impose upon us a burdensome load as You imposed upon those who came before us. Our Lord! Do not make us carry what we have no strength to bear. Forgive our sins, grant us Your forgiveness and mercy. Have mercy on us. You are our Master; assist us against the disbelieving people.