Sidi Shaykh Muhammad al-Jamal is the spiritual guide of UOS. Many of us have taken him as our personal guide as well, and in doing so, we took a Promise. 
Our promise includes to be honest, to be sincere, to walk straight, to follow the way of the prophets, and to adhere to the true teachings of the Holy Books. Our commitment is to carry the message of peace, love, mercy, justice and freedom all our lives, in what we do and in what we are. We commit to not make any separation between ourselves and any of our brothers and sisters. Our challenge is to maintain the promise and commitment in an ever-changing world that appears like a stranger with every new day, to continue to seek the Face of God in everything that comes before us, to put nothing before God (not even our own fears), to continue to call on The One for help, and to remember to forgive ourselves when we make mistakes. Our challenge is to be content, but never complacent – to trust in what Allah brings, and to be ever-watchful for the opportunities to draw nearer to Truth, Love and Light. In his book, The Path to Allah Most High, Sidi writes:
In slavehood, surrendering everything to be a servant for God in this world, the ego is purified. Who we are and what we do becomes not about us, but about service and love. This is what the human heart aspires to reach. In losing our selves, we find everything. Sidi reminds us to “busy yourself with the remembrance of His name by saying Allah or Ya Allah. Be busy with the remembrance and do not be distracted with what appears to you.” As you move into the weekend, already a month into the new year, may you remember the Name with every breath, and not stop with any outside pictures. As Sidi used to say, “Go behind, and behind, and behind, and behind… until you reach the truth.” May Allah bless you and your loved ones, keep you safe and near to Him. With love and gratitude, Mastura Graugnard on behalf of all your friends and family at UOS
* Quotes in this article are from The Path to Allah, Most High, pp. 149-152, Al-Mutma’inna: The Nafs in Complete Rest and Satisfaction, The Fourth Station, by Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id Al-Jamal ar-Rifa’i ash-Shadhuli.
