Exposing Ourselves to Mercy: Commemorating the Urs of Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani with Nafahat
Nafahat — a name drawn from a beautiful tradition of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “Your Lord has nafahat (fragrant exhalations) [of His mercy] in these days of your time—so expose yourselves to them. Perhaps you will attain a whiff of them, after which you will never know despair.” This name perfectly captures the mission of this nonprofit organization: building a community centered around spiritual practice.
I recently had the chance to attend one of their deeply spiritual events: the commemoration of the Urs of Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani on October 2, 2025.
An Evening of Remembrance and Spirituality
Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani, a 5th-century Hijri mystic from Baghdad, is revered as one of the greatest scholars in Islamic history. The event was held on the occasion of his death anniversary (the 10th of Rabi al-Thani) and was dedicated to honoring his legacy and discussing his profound approach to Islamic spirituality.
The evening’s program offered a unique experience, particularly for those unfamiliar with some of its customs. It was a beautiful immersion into tradition and devotion. The Imam, Adnan Rokadia, opened the program with the recitation of Surah Yaseen. This was followed by another gentleman leading a dedicated recitation of Surah Ikhlas a considerable number of times—a powerful and focused act of worship that commanded attention.
I was also intrigued to see a gentleman moving through the room offering ‘Itr (perfume/attar) to the men—a lovely custom I hadn’t witnessed before, though I know good scents are traditionally associated with Angels and purity in Islam.
The Imam then transitioned the evening, reading a few pages from a book and concluding the program with heartfelt poetry and Nasheeds in praise of the Prophet ﷺ, his inheritors, and God. The atmosphere was one of palpable devotion and connection.
Community and Wholesome Connection
After the program concluded, the community gathered to pray Isha together, followed by a communal dinner. It was a wonderfully wholesome way to end the evening—sharing Islamic knowledge and breaking bread together.
Overall, I found the event to be an interesting and deeply enriching experience. Whether you’re an introvert seeking quiet spiritual reflection or an extrovert looking to connect with a spiritually-minded community, Nafahat offers a welcoming space. I would absolutely recommend checking them out and hope to attend another one of their events soon.
Have you ever attended an event dedicated to commemorating the life of a major Islamic scholar?
