Tawba: Sacred Return to the One
A New Unity Peace Prayer SeriesJan 23rd – May 29th, 2026
Tawba: Sacred Return to the One
A New Unity Peace Prayer SeriesJan 23rd – May 29th, 2026
Tawba: Sacred Return to the One
A New Unity Peace Prayer SeriesJan 23rd – May 29th, 2026
Tawba: Sacred Return to the One
To learn how to be in this world, but not of this world-
remembering always that Allah is the Source of all help.
Jan 23rd- May 29th
Friday’s: 7-8:30 pm ET / 4-5:30 PT
Tawba: Sacred Return to the One
To learn how to be in this world, but not of this world-
remembering always that Allah is the Source of all help.
Jan 23rd- May 29th
Friday’s: 7-8:30 pm ET / 4-5:30 PT
This class series invites beloveds into an experience of tawba as a love story with Allah, as an ongoing movement of the heart toward light, truth, and nearness.
Grounded in the teachings, prayers, and lived wisdom of Shaykh Sidi Muhammad Saʿīd al-Jamāl ar-Rifāʿī ash-Shādhilī, this course frames tawba as a continual return to mercy, presence, and truth.
Through sacred readings, lived reflection, and gentle spiritual practices, the course creates a container of tenderness and hope, reminding the seeker that Allah’s door remains open, and that every return is already welcomed, inshaallah.
Sessions are offered in a spirit of gentleness and spaciousness, allowing room for reflection and lived engagement.
Beloveds who join often find:
- A Softening of the inner voices
- A renewed sense that Allah’s door is already open
- Language for forgiveness that feels embodied, not abstract
- A rhythm of remembrance that gently enters daily life
- Companionship on the path
Sessions unfold in an atmosphere of gentleness and spaciousness, allowing each participant to engage at their own pace, according to their own capacity.
This series may be especially meaningful if you:
- Feel drawn to Sufism and long for a heart-centered entry point
- Are you navigating grief, fatigue, or a sense of spiritual distance
- Carry old narratives of fear around repentance and wish to relearn it as mercy
- Desire a steady, trustworthy rhythm of spiritual nourishment
- Appreciate learning in a community, guided by experienced teachers
A word about tawba…
In Sidi’s teachings, tawba is not a single act—it is the foundation of every station, the quiet return that renews all movement toward Allah.
Every turning matters.
Every return is received.
Every sincere step is already answered.
This series exists to remind us of what the heart already knows.
You are warmly invited into this circle.
Each gathering weaves together:
- Sacred readings from Sidi’s works and related texts
- Guided reflection and contemplative listening
- Occasional music and experiential practices, offered as invitations
- Practical ways of integrating tawba into ordinary moments of living
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/
Tawba sacred return to the One
In the quiet of dawn, where whispers meet light,
A heart stirs from slumber, drawn to the height.
With every breath, a yearning unfolds,
To dance in the presence of love untold.
In the vastness of night, stars scatter like dreams,
Each one a reflection of sacred moonbeams.
With palms open wide, I seek the embrace,
Of boundless compassion, of infinite grace.
A river of mercy flows through the soul,
Washing away shadows, making the spirit whole.
In the silence, a promise, a soft, gentle call,
To rise, to surrender, to give it my all.
In the garden of faith, blossoms of hope,
With petals of patience, I learn how to cope.
Every tear is a prayer, every joy a song,
In the rhythm of devotion, I finally belong.
Through valleys of doubt, I wander and roam,
But in the heart’s echo, I find my true home.
The light of His love, a beacon so bright,
Guiding my footsteps through day and through night.
In each moment, a story, woven in time,
A tapestry rich, with the sacred and sublime.
Oh, Tawba, sweet turning, a return to the One,
In the dance of existence, we are never undone.
With each heartbeat, a testament flows,
In the depths of the soul, where true love grows.
In the stillness, I hear it, a whisper so clear,
“Come, dear beloved, for I am right here.”
By Zulaikha Jacobs
Course Topics:
Friday’s: 7-8:30 pm ET / 4-5:30 pm PT
*Note time change on May 22
Week One – Jan 23, 2026
The Foundational Teachings for Tawba: Allah’s Order for Sidi to Bring us the Teachings
Salih Kent
Week Two – Jan 30, 2026
Washing with Light: Al-Wudu’ and the Purification of the Heart
Mahdi al Jamal
Week Three – Feb 6, 2026
Healing Through Mercy: Forgiveness as a Medicine for the Heart
Rahima Schmall, PhD, RN
Week Four – Feb 13, 2026
Your True, Divine Birth: At Tawba Repentance
Mahabbah Young, MD, MDiv
On Hiatus for Ramadan
Week Five – Mar 27, 2026
He is Waiting for You: At-Tawba
Nura Laird, MEd
Week Six – Apr 3, 2026
Purifying our Souls and Spirits with the Water of Mercy
Faculty TBA
Week Seven – Apr 10, 2026
Intimate Conversations with the Guide on Forgiveness
Faculty TBA
Week Eight – Apr 17, 2026
The Repentance (Tawbah) in the Annihilation (Fana’) of the Traveller
Dr. ‘Abd al-Haqq Godlas
Week Nine – Apr 24, 2026
Allah Accepts Repentance: The Vastness of Divine Acceptance
Kamila Carolyn Shenmen, PhD, DiplAc, DiplCH, MDiv
Week Ten – May 1, 2026
The Living Model of Mercy: The Character of the Beloved Prophet
Hamid Werder, MSW
Week Eleven –May 8, 2026
Opening the Gates of Mercy: Suratu Ghafir and the Path of Forgiveness
Murshid Dr. Wadude Laird, MD
Week Twelve – May 15, 2026
The Veils and Repentance, part I
Amany Shalaby, MA
Week Thirteen – May 22, 2026
NOTE: Time change, 1-2:30 pm Eastern
Opening the Gates of Mercy: Suratu Ghafir and the Path of Forgiveness, part II
Murshida Fawzia Al-Rawi, PhD
Week 14- May 29, 2026
The Return of the Ruh to the Presence
Murshid Dr. Ibrahim Jaffe, MD, MD (H), DD
* * 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: $420
Discounted Offering: $200
SUGGESTED DONATION AMOUNT:
Full Offering: $420
Discounted Offering: $200
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: Jan 23, 2026
The Foundational Teachings for Tawba: Allah’s Order for Sidi to Bring us the Teachings
Salih Kent
“My Lord, I ask You to keep all of my beloveds in this way.
I ask You to keep always Your door open for everyone
Who comes to You searching for the truth.
I ask You to heal everyone who is sick, to heal him, to use him in the right way.
I ask You to send the peace and the love and mercy and justice and freedom everywhere, for all the people in the world.
I ask You to give the people who live in America the real peace,
The real love, the real freedom.
Protect every child here from every bad thing, from the devils, from the bad spirits.
Heal everyone who is crying and who is hungry.
Send Your flag, the flag of the unity, the flag of the love to this country.
Help the people who live here and in Europe and in Africa and everywhere
To live with each other, to help each other.
Help me to hear the voice, the song of the peace and the love.
Help us always to see the flag of Allah in every home, and to sing this holy song.
Amin Amin Amin.
Allah bless everybody.”
-Sidi’s prayer. pg. 146
Book: The Sufi Realities, pp 141-146
Week Two: Jan 30, 2026
Washing with Light: Al-Wudu’ and the Purification of the Heart
Mahdi al Jamal
“Know, O beloved, that ritual purity is brought about by water of absolute purity which is the Water of the Unseen. It is necessary for the knower, through his witnessing, to reveal the clarity of this water, for although it manifests in numerous ways and places, yet its nature, which is pure in its self (nafs), is unique and hidden with respect to its obligation, because of the strength and the absoluteness of its manifestation. This immutable water is the source for the ritual ablution.” pg. 79
Book: The Deeper Meaning Behind the Pillars of Islam, pp. 79-85
Week Three: Feb 6, 2026
Healing Through Mercy: Forgiveness as a Medicine for the Heart
Rahima Schmall
“You should seek Allah’s forgiveness 100 times every morning and every evening by saying: ‘I seek the forgiveness of Allah, the glorious and return in repentance to Him” (Astaghfiru llāha l-ʿAdhīma wa atūbu ilayhi).’ Seeking forgiveness is also beneficial for receiving provision and fixing the affairs of one’s children. Its blessings can save you from danger and harm. It is a cure for all types of illness.” pg. 20
Book: The Gift of Healing, pg. 20
Week Four: Feb 13, 2026
Your True, Divine Birth: At Tawba Repentance
Mahabbah Young MD, MDiv
“Allah will guide you to be with him, the one who has a whole and complete heart. The full heart is devoid of hate, envy, racism and all that opposes love, and it is full of love and mercy. When one cleans his hearing and his seeing, his hearing and sight then become divine. The first obstacle is to clean your hearing and seeing. Allah says to accept the one who comes to you with a full whole heart.” pg. 193
Book: The Religion of Unity, pp. 191-202
Week Five: Mar 27, 2026
He is Waiting for You: At-Tawba
Nura Laird, MEd
“We all come from one soul, not from multiple sources. It is all one soul. This is the true meaning of unity. Allah created them from one soul, and He is One. That is why when you look with the eye of Reality, you will find nothing in existence except Allah. He is the One and only, the Unique.
He created humans so that He may manifest Himself through humans. The divine word knows no gender because Allah has no gender. He is not a female or a male. He is Allah. Allah is the essence, the light of the essence that has no beginning and no end. He is the Creator who manifests Himself through His creation.”
If the true return and repentance to Allah is actualized, Allah will prevent these disasters and storms. Allah can order a single angel to spread his wing in front of a storm and prevent it from happening.” pg. 149
Book: The Religion of Unity, pp. 147-160
Week Six: Apr 3, 2026
Purifying our Souls and Spirits with the Water of Mercy
TBA
“You are all poor and in need of Allah.
Hold on to Allah’s message, love Allah and follow His commands. These are the true human beings, the beloveds of Allah, the lovers of Allah who carry the message of peace, mercy, justice, love, and the unity. These are the true people, the true poor in need of Allah, and they are rich because they do not need anything else but Him.” pg. 376
Book: The Religion of Unity, pp. 369-377
Week Seven: Apr 10, 2026
Intimate Conversations with the Guide on Forgiveness
TBA
“My child, my beloved, do not allow your sin to stop you. Do not let your past sins stop you from knocking on the door of your Lord. Go to His door and cry between His arms. Cry between His hands. Your crying and your tears will wash away previous sins and will purify your body, the hearts, and the spirits from what occurred before. Then you will have an answer and a response to your prayer from Allah, because now Allah can see that you are true and sincere in your repentance. Have no fear from your past sins. Hold onto your Lord. He will take over your affairs. Allah loves the repenters.” pg. 228
Book: The Sufi Realities, pp. 228-243
Week Eight: Apr 17,2026
The Repentance (Tawbah) in the Annihilation (Fana’) of the Traveller
Abd Al Haqq Godlas
“To turn in repentance (tawbah) is the source and foundation of every station (maqam), and the key to every state. It is the most important of all the stations, for he who has no repentance has no state or station.” pg. 133
Book: How the Arrival is Realized O People of Hearts and Souls and Intellects, pp.133-137
Week Nine: Apr 24, 2026
Allah Accepts Repentance: The Vastness of Divine Acceptance
Kamila Carolyn Shenmen, PhD, DiplAc, DiplCH, MDiv
“O son of Adam, so long as you call upon Me and hope in Me, I shall forgive you for what you have done, and I shall not mind. O son of Adam, were your sins to reach the clouds in the sky and were you then to ask for forgiveness of Me, I shall forgive you.” -hadith, pg. 58
Book: Walking the path of Sufism with Sidi Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i, pg. 55-60
Week Ten: May 1, 2026
The Living Model of Mercy: The Character of the Beloved Prophet ﷺ
Hamida Werder, MSW
“Allah (swta) says, “It was by the Mercy from Allah that you dealt with them gently. And had you been harsh or hard in heart, they would have scattered away from you. Pardon them and seek forgiveness for them.” pg. 245
Book: The Resolute Prophets, pp. 245-251
Week Eleven: May 8, 2026
Opening the Gates of Mercy: Suratu Ghafir and the Path of Forgiveness
Murshid Dr. Wadude Laird, MD
“The surah begins with the ‘Forgiver of Sins, the Acceptor of Repentance’ affirming that Allah’s mercy, gentleness and forgiveness dominate His severe qualities. This is why the surah is named Ghafir, the Forgiver.” pg. 22
Book: Tafsir of Shaykh Sidi Muhammad Sa’id ar-Rifa’I ash-Shadhdhuliyyah of Quds, pp. 9-58
Week Twelve: May 15, 2026
The Veils and Repentance, part 1
Amany Shalaby, MA (tentative)
“This is why Allah says, “Whoever empties his heart of other-than-Me and makes his heart My home – no one can know what I will give him.” pg. 16, Spirit’s Path to Joy
Book: He Who Knows Himself Knows His Lord, pp. 58-63
Week Thirteen: May 22, 2026
NOTE different time: 1-2:30 pm EST
Opening the Gates of Mercy: Suratu Ghafir and the Path of Forgiveness, part II
Murshida Rosina-Fawzia Al-Rawi Al-Rifai, PhD
“My beloved, open your heart; for I shall show you how to walk to the Real through your soul (an-nafs) and its stations. And I say, “Allah is the One sought for help.” pg. 63
Book: He Who Knows Himself Knows His Lord, pp. 58-63
Week Fourteen: May 29, 2026
The Return of the Ruh to the Presence
Murshid Dr. Ibrahim Jaffe MD, MD(H), DD
“Know that when Allah wanted to place a vicegerent upon His earth to represent His essence and His attributes, He created a spirit for it in the best of forms. Then He turned it to the lowest of the low, that is, the body, and veiled him with the veils of light and spiritual matters and the veils of the darkness of bodies. These are the two worlds of the seen and the unseen.” pg. 309
Book: Path to Allah Most High, pp. 308-311
No books are required for the course.
Most of the books listed as additional resources are available at https://sufimaster.org/store/
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