Mysteries of God:
You are the Question and You are the AnswerJune 19th- September 4th 2026
Mysteries of God:
You are the Question and You are the AnswerJune 19th- September 4th 2026
Mysteries of God:
You are the Question and You are the AnswerJune 19th- September 4th 2026
Mysteries of God:
You are the Question and You are the Answer
June 19th – September 4th 2026
Friday’s: 7-8:30 pm ET / 4-5:30 PT
Mysteries of God:
You are the Question and You are the Answer
June 19th – September 4th 2026
Friday’s: 7-8:30 pm ET / 4-5:30 PT
A new teaching series exploring the heart’s deepest questions.
How do I find God?
How do I live with more sincerity, trust, and surrender?
How do I carry love in a world marked by conflict, confusion, and suffering?
How do I return to the heart when life feels overwhelming?
What if the questions we carry are not obstacles on the path, but openings?
In this new teaching series, Mysteries of God: You Are the Question and You Are the Answer, we will explore early conversations and stories from the teachings of Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i, Sidi, through the newly released book You Are the Question and You Are the Answer.
These teachings speak to the longing of the human being: the longing to know God, to understand the purpose of life, to heal the heart, and to walk with more love, clarity, humility, and hope.
The Heart of the Series:
This class is not only a reading group. It is an invitation to let the teachings enter our lives.
Many gatherings will include selected readings, reflection, conversation, and simple experiential practices such as brief writing, small-group sharing, or other heart-centered exercises, as guided by the faculty.
These practices are intended to help us:
- Strengthen our himma — our spiritual aspiration and inner resolve
- Anchor the teachings in daily life in practical and meaningful ways
- Nurture friendship and connection through heartfelt conversation
- Create a gentle space of community nourishment
- Bring the teachings from the page into the heart
No book is required to participate. Beloveds are welcome to come as they are.
The Deep Value of the Series:
We are living in a time when many people feel burdened, divided, uncertain, or spiritually tired. The heart may be longing for something deeper than information: it may be longing for remembrance, companionship, meaning, and return.
This series offers a space to sit with teachings that address the essential questions of the human being:
- What is the source of true happiness?
- How do we find God within the heart?
- What does surrender really mean?
- How do we live as people of love, mercy, and service?
- How do we understand conflict, suffering, and the healing of the world?
- How do we carry the light of the path into ordinary life?
Through these teachings, participants are invited to listen deeply, reflect honestly, and discover how the question itself can become a doorway to the answer.
Who Is This Series For?
This series is for anyone who feels called to deepen their relationship with God, the Sufi path, and the living teachings of Sidi.
It may especially support those who are:
- Seeking spiritual nourishment and renewed hope
- Feeling overwhelmed by the suffering of the world
- Longing for a deeper connection with God
- Wanting to understand Sidi’s teachings more intimately
- Desiring community, friendship, and sincere companionship on the path
- Looking for practical ways to bring sacred teachings into daily life
Whether you are new to these teachings or have walked with them for many years, you are warmly invited.
No books are required for the course.
Faculty, teaching times & topics are subject to change.
Most of the books referenced are available at https://sufimaster.org/store/
Series Schedule:
Friday’s: 7-8:30 pm ET / 4-5:30 pm PT
*Note time changes on August 7th and 28th
Week One: Intro & Stories about Sidi
June 19, 2026
Dr. ‘Abd al Haqq Godlas, PhD
An introduction to the series and early stories about Sidi as a spiritual guide, teacher, and servant of the people.
No Class — June 26, 2026
Due to community programming for the day of Ashura, inshaallah.
Week Two: How Do I Find God?
July 3, 2026
Hamid Werder, MSW
A reflection on sincerity, inner searching, and the nearness of God within the heart.
Week Three: Were You Born Insan al-Kamal?
July 10, 2026
Mary Halima Fleming
Teachings and stories connected to spiritual formation, the perfect human being, and the unfolding of the path.
Week Four: What Does It Mean to Be a Slave?
July 17, 2026
Amany Shalaby, MA
A teaching on surrender, servanthood, love, and walking with the order of God.
Week Five: The Shaykh’s Expression of Love for his Beloveds
July 24, 2026
Dr. Mahabbah Young, MD, MDiv
A reflection on the path to Allah, spiritual responsibility, and love for those who remember God.
Week Six: Can You Speak About the Muhammadan Way?
July 31, 2026
Dr. ‘Abd al Haqq Godlas, PhD
Teachings on the light of Muhammad, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, and the spiritual reality of the Muhammadan way.
Week Seven: Jerusalem, the Heart, and the Healing of Conflict
August 7, 2026
Murshida Fawzia Al-Rawi Al-Rifai, PhD
A profound reflection on Jerusalem, conflict, misunderstanding, and the possibility of living from truth and love.
** note the time change**
10:00–11:30 am PT (U.S.)/ 1:00–2:30 pm ET (U.S.)/ 6 pm BST (UK)/ 7:00-8:30 pm CEST (Austria)
Week Eight: What Does it Mean to Know God?
August 14, 2026
Murshid Dr. Wadude Laird. MD
A reflection on the truth of every human being as a picture of God.
Week Nine: You Are the Mirror in which the Truth Sees Itself Reflected
August 21, 2026
Nura Laird, MEd
A teaching on love, patience, truth, and carrying light for those who are in darkness or confusion.
Week Ten: Can You Speak More on the State of the People of This World?
August 28, 2026
Dr. Rahima Schmall, PhD, RN
A reflection on goodness, family, friendship, and what it means to be beloved by God through how we treat others.
** note the time change**
6:30-8:00 ET / 3:30-5:00 PT
Week Eleven: The Patience of the Prophet Muhammed (صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ), the Rose
September 4, 2026
Salih Kent and Mahdi al Jamal
A contemplative teaching on the Reality of the Prophet, the prophets, and the rose as an image of divine light and unity.
* * Spanish interpretations will be available, inshaallah, pending the availability of our wonderful and amazing volunteer Interpreters.
Teachers for this series:
Registration:
Donations to Unity Peace Prayer Initiative:
Unity Peace Prayer is offered by a 100% volunteer circle of Sidi’s beloveds, in service to the community and our shared walking. These heart-supportive classes are guided by experienced faculty and offered to help the beloveds bring the teachings into lived practice—to truly take the books off the shelves and into daily life, inshaallah
Contributions are offered from the heart, according to one’s ability, and are not meant to be a barrier to participation. Your presence matters—to the teachers, to the circle, and to the whole community—so please don’t let the request for a contribution hold you back if your heart is drawn to be here.
When possible, contributions help sustain the offerings we share together, supporting faculty honoraria, website care, and the tools that make these gatherings accessible. Our system requires a minimum contribution of $3; if this creates any difficulty, please contact us at connect@unitypeaceprayer.org
SUGGESTED DONATION AMOUNT:
Full Offering: $330
Discounted Offering: $240
SUGGESTED DONATION AMOUNT:
Full Offering: $330
Discounted Offering: $240
Please get in touch with Sara Madonna if you have any questions:
Sara at connect@unitypeaceprayer.org or
561-318-1372.
All classes will be recorded.
Get access with a heart-centered registration.
Detailed Schedule of Classes:
Week One: June 19th, 2026
Intro & Stories about Sidi
Dr. ‘Abd al Haqq Godlas, PhD
Sidi was a spiritual leader as well as a temporal leader and taught the people how to follow the religion which God gave to all His Prophets, and comp by leted in the Prophet Muhammad, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him. He said, “All the people in the world need to know the reason for all the suffering is that they have left the real religion. If anyone wants to survive and to rescue their soul and all the people of this planet from suffering, they must return to their religion, which is the source of their happiness.- pg. 8
Book: You are the Question, and You are the Answer: Early conversations and stories with the Guide, Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i.
No Class on June 26th
Inshaallah, there is community programming for the day of Ashura this week.
Week Two: July 3rd, 2026
How do I find God?
Hamid Werder, MSW
If you come to God, you will find Him beside you. If you want God, you must be polite because God is not outside of you. First look inside. Many people read about the truth because they want to know. But God is not with a person if he does not want to know God from his heart… For if you truly want God, He will give you everything, but your heart must be clean for how else can He give you what you want, because He puts everything in its place
Book: You are the Question, and You are the Answer: Early conversations and stories with the Guide, Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i.
Week Three: July 10th, 2026
Were you born insan al-kamal?
Mary Halima Fleming
I was born insan al-kamal but it came slowly, slowly. I was not born in a house but in the garden between the sheep. My mother was alone and did not feel any pain. She said she had never felt anything like it before it was very easy. From the beginning I lived all my time by myself. Then when I was 5 years old, the uncle of my guide took me to live in the Zawiyyah.
Book: You are the Question, and You are the Answer: Early conversations and stories with the Guide, Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i.
Week Four: July 17th, 2026
What does it mean to be a slave?
Amany Shalaby, MA
To be a slave for your God is the highest station a faqir can hope to reach. He stands in front of his God, face to face all the time. In every waking moment he moves with the order of God, totally surrendering everything to Him without desire for anything but the love of God.
Book: You are the Question, and You are the Answer: Early conversations and stories with the Guide, Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i.
Week Five: July 24th, 2026
The Shaykh’s Love for his Beloved
Dr. Mahabbah Young, MD, MDiv
I am responsible for the path to Allah, Most High. My connection with them is that they say Allah and he who says Allah, I love him.
Week Six: July 31st, 2026
Can you speak about the Muhammadan Way?
Dr. ‘Abd al Haqq Godlas, PhD
Yes, I want to speak about Muhammad, the Father of the Light. Before God made Adam, He created the light of Muhammad and said, “I want to see Myself in this mirror so I created this light and this is the first light from Me.”
Book: You are the Question, and You are the Answer: Early conversations and stories with the Guide, Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i.
Week Seven: August 7th, 2026
Time: 10:00–11:30 am PT (U.S.)/ 1:00–2:30 pm ET (U.S.)/ 6 pm BST (UK)/ 7:00-8:30 pm CEST (Austria)
Jerusalem, the Heart, and the Healing of Conflict
Murshida Fawzia Al-Rawi Al-Rifai, PhD
If the Muslims, Christians and Jews were really in the truth of their way there would be no more war and conflict. These people who fight with the Name call themselves believers but they misunderstand. The fighting comes between them and each of them says, without proof through his action, that he is the love.
Jerusalem is like a pearl that everyone wants for himself and he does not want to share. This is the opposite of what God wants. He has made this city for everyone. When the people know this, that will be an end to the wars, but they do not know.
Book: You are the Question, and You are the Answer: Early conversations and stories with the Guide, Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i.
Week Eight: Aug 14th, 2026
What is Meant by Knowing God?
Murshid Dr. Wadude Laird. MD
It is not only religious people who know God. Every human being is a picture of God. Every human being is a picture of God. If a person is not religious but good comes from his heart that is God manifesting through him and in the end he will know God.
When someone knows the truth between right and wrong, he knows God.
Book: You are the Question, and You are the Answer: Early conversations and stories with the Guide, Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i.
Week Nine: Aug 21st, 2026
You Are the Mirror in which the Truth sees itself Reflected
Nura Laird, MEd
I ask Him who is the Greatest to make us children of His children to carry the banners of love and patience to everyone who wants because there is no life and no happiness without this.
The knowing of the truth is the real medicine for all who are sick on this earth. It is the illuminated lamp which brings light to all those who are in the darkness.
In this way we are His lovers because God gives us to carry the complete message and we promise Him and we promise ourselves to take them from the darkness to the light, from unknowing to knowing, from confusion to assurance.
Book: You are the Question, and You are the Answer: Early conversations and stories with the Guide, Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i.
Week Ten: Aug 28th, 2026
Can you speak more on the state of the people of this world?
Dr. Rahima Schmall, PhD, RN
All people are the sons of God. The beloveds of God are those who are good for the people. If you do not yell at your friends and you treat your family well, then you are a beloved of God.
Book: You are the Question, and You are the Answer: Early conversations and stories with the Guide, Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i.
Week Eleven: Sept 4th, 2026
The Patience of the Prophet Muhammed (صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ), the Rose
Salih Kent and Mahdi al Jamal
All people are the sons of God. The beloveds of God are those who are good for the people. If you do not yell at your friends and you treat your family well, then you are a beloved of God.
Book: You are the Question, and You are the Answer: Early conversations and stories with the Guide, Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i.
No books are required for the course.
All classes are primarily from the book: You are the Question and You are the Answer.
The book is available at SufiMaster.org
Faculty, teaching times & topics are subject to change.
For questions or suggestions, please reach out to Sara at 561-318-1372 or connect@unitypeaceprayer.org