Share, alike: Damian Entwistle’s Thought for the Week

‘I find Zikr speaks to me.’

Once or twice each month, I join with Sufi friends and attend Zikr – a form of Islamic worship in which phrases or prayers are repeatedly recited for the purpose of remembering God – at the local mosque.

Order, whom I join, Zikr is a programmed and structured worship, featuring recitations from the Qu’ran, simple chants, and litanies. It is an intimate experience. Led by a cantor, everyone present participates. Worshippers gather around the presider (women are screened), seated on the floor, under the dome of the mosque, after evening prayers. The lights are turned off, and worship commences. Generally-speaking, Zikr might last an hour, and is followed by a simple meal, shared by all present.
I became a Friend more than thirty years ago, but my tradition and upbringing is Catholic. This perhaps gives me some insight and experience with respect to Zikr. And Quaker spirituality affords encouragement to recognise and accept new light, whatever the source.

I find Zikr speaks to me. It has a familiarity. I don’t find it difficult to centre down, to gather my energy and focus, to resonate with those present, to experience of the in-breaking of God.

At a recent gathering, while chatting during the communal meal, one neighbour remarked that the Zikr that evening had been particularly resonant. I had felt it, too: the movement of voices together, the piping notes of enthusiastic children, the gravitas of the cantor, the rhythmic sway of worshippers, the focussed trajectory of the chants… it was palpable. My companion offered this explanation: ‘When each person opens their heart and unites with others, this is a key that unlocks God’s blessing.’

That this Sufi friend might just as easily have been describing a gathered Meeting for Worship was immediately, and joyfully, apparent: ‘when we join with others in expectant waiting we may discover a deeper sense of God’s presence. We seek a gathered stillness in our meetings for worship so that all may feel the power of God’s love drawing us together and leading us’ (Advices & queries 8).

My Sufi friend’s heart spoke to my own heart in this, and I in turn explained the experience that underpinned Quaker worship. It was a moment of spiritual insight that we were able to explore, and celebrate, together.

Two distinctive spiritual traditions, two distinctive forms of worship, but one message, one insight. An opportunity to experience the love of God, drawing us together, can be unlocked by a gathered silence – but equally, by a gathered sound.

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Comments

That sounds amazing, Damian. Thank you for sharing. However, I find myself concerned about the women being screened off. I think I’d feel uncomfortable in such a space. How does it feel for you?

By abridgeover on 2024 06 13

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