The Shaykh's visit to Europe – Lille (30/03/2017)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
و الصلاة و السلام على أشرف المرسلين
و على اله و اصحابه أجمعين

In 2017, Shaykh Sidi Mohamed Faouzi al-Karkari (may Allah sanctify his secret) took the initiative of visiting Europe again between March and April. His first stop was, as on almost every one of his visits (to France), the zawiya of Lille, more precisely in Wattrelos. A zawiya he had himself inaugurated during a previous visit.

Of course his visit is a godsend for his disciples. It is a spiritual recharge, an awakening, a breath of fresh air that sweeps away on its passage the worries and states of heedlessness of the disciple. Although in appearance the disciples take care of welcoming the Shaykh according to the rules of courtesy, in reality it is he who is the host. We (the disciples) are indeed his guests in the abode of Love and bliss; he gives us spiritual support (madad) and covers our hearts with Light by the permission of Allah ﷻ.

On 30 March 2017, the Shaykh was at the zawiya with his disciples and all the visitors who had come to meet him.

The fine weather was a perfect opportunity to settle in the garden with the Shaykh. Every disciple and visitor had the chance to speak to him in private or in a group on various and varied questions. Requests for bay‘a (pledge) were made, questions were asked, and more than ten disciples were filled with joy by his presence.

Until the ‘asr (afternoon) prayer the Shaykh again conversed with some disciples and a visitor who asked for the pact. At the end of the day, the Shaykh and the fuqara joined the zawiya in the basement to begin the majma‘. First those who wished were invited to ask questions, and then the dhikr (invocation) began.

Finally, as in every majma‘, the dhikr of Allah is omnipresent, although this year and for this evening in particular, the Hadra was brought about solely by the dhikr of the Name “Allah” invoked continuously, whereas usually it is the chanted poems that set the rhythm for the rising of the Hadra (Sufi dance). A moment so far unique and very intense.

The Hadra (Sufi dance)

And as in the Islamic tradition, it closes with the Qur’an and invocations (du‘a).

It was a magnificent evening. Many visitors were able to meet the Shaykh, put questions to him or ask for the bay‘a. As for the latter (bay‘a), only one woman, who came from Belgium, obtained it on the spot in the blessed zawiya of Lille; may Allah add to her Light upon Light.

On Friday 31 March, Shaykh Sidi Mohamed Faouzi al-Karkari (may Allah sanctify his secret) set off for Paris for the Friday prayer, to join and open the majma‘ organised at the home of a disciple.