1. Sayyiduna ash-Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (رحمه الله) has presented this noble wazifa for recitation every morning and evening, three times. In so doing, no harm will befall the reciter, by the leave of Allah. (Fuyudat Rabbaniyya p.42)

Translation:

O Allah, truly, truly, truly, verily, surely! ﴾ Ha-Mim ﴿ ^41:1. ﴾ They will not be helped. ﴿ ^41:16 ﴾And We have set a bar before them and a bar behind them, and have covered them so that they cannot see. ﴿ ^36:9 ﴾ Kaf-Ha-Ya-‘Ain-Sad ﴿ ^19:1 ﴾ Ha-Min, ‘Ain-Sin-Kaf ﴿ ^42:1-2 ﴾ From it they get no aching of the head nor any madness. ﴿ ^56:19 O Lord, O Lord, O Lord! there is no power nor any strength except with Allah, the All-High, the Almighty.

2. Sayyiduna ash-Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (رحمه الله) has said anyone who is constant in this daqa’iq, six times daily (or seven according to another report), he will behold countless marvels. The preconditions are truthfulness [sidq], sincere devotion [ikhlas], bond of connection [rabita], and complete dedication of one’s heart [tawajjuh al-qalb].—(Fuyudat Rabbaniyya p.98)

At first sight, this appears to be a mysterious invocation. A closer look reveals a pattern: it mentions five lata’if or “subtle spiritual centres” viz. qalb, qalab, sirr, ‘aql and ruh; five personages rom the Story of Moses viz. Sayyiduna Musa (عليه السلام), Sayyiduna Harun (عليه السلام), Sayyiduna Khidr (عليه السلام), Fir’awn and Haman; and two enemies of man viz. nafs and hawa. It also mentions ‘irfan or Gnosis. Discussing these terms and personages, and the reasoning behind their mention and arrangement as done by Sayyiduna ash-Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (رحمه الله) is beyond the scope of this work.

Translation:

My heart [qalb] is my cardinal pole [qutb] and
my physical form [qalab] is my lubnan
my innermost being [sirr] is my Khidr and
its eye [‘ain] is the source of my Gnosis [‘irfan]
Harun is my intellet [‘aql] and
Musa [kalimi] is my spirit [ruh]
Fir’awn is my lower self [nafs] and
Haman is my passion [hawa].

3. This is a uniquely powerful invocation attributed to Sayyiduna ash-Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (رحمه الله). Known simply as the forty kaf or chehel kaf, its popularity extends from Senegal to Singapore. Consequently, multiple versions with slight variations exist. The version presented here is the one for which the author has been given ijaza for. It is regrettable that some who do not understand it take it to be a tongue twister or, worse, mock it.

Its meaning, in essence, is a reminder to one’s self about being sufficed with Allah Most High. An additional couplet with fifteen more kafs has been added (making it a total of fifty-five kafs).

The benefits from its recitation are tremendous and have been experientially witnessed. Different ways of reciting it have been prescribed by the masha’ikh. For our intent and purpose, once a day in the evening suffices.

Translation:

[O my heart,] your Lord is [and has always been]
sufficient for you in removing obstacles [from your path].
Now, too, He will suffice for you; [as Divine Help
is] a tremendous force [for impending battle].
Like an entangled rope that appears straight, these
snares are severe [to mislead you from the Straight Path].
They come fast and furious, like a raft [on a
dangerous downstream].
[O my heart,] come what may, be like the star on its
orbit—[firm and unwavering],
He (سبحانه وتعالى) will suffice for you in every affliction—
[now and forever]

4. This is from the spiritual bequests of Sayyiduna ash-Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (رحمه الله). It is known as wird al-Ishraq and should be recited at sunrise. In it one seeks to enter into the safety, security and sanctuary of Allah’s protecting mercy by washing away one’s claim to any power or strength. An apt end to the morning invocations and begin the day, in sha’ Allah.

Translation:

The Light of Allah has shone forth, the Word of Allah has become manifest, the Commandment of Allah has been established, the Law of Allah has come into effect, and I have put all my trust in Allah. What Allah has willed [will come to pass] and there is no power or strength except with Allah · I have found shelter in Allah’s hidden grace, and in the grace of Allah’s work, and in the beauty of Allah’s protection, and in the splendor of Allah’s remembrance, and in the strength of Allah’s kingship · I have entered Allah’s domain and I have sought refuge with Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) · I have washed my hands of my personal power and strength and have turned for help to the power of Allah and His strength.

O Allah, shield me and protect me in my religion, my worldly affairs, my family, my property, my children, my companions and my friends with that shield of Yours with which You have shielded Your Essence such that no eye can see You and no hand can reach You · O quintessence of Mercy, protect me from the oppressors! (thrice)—by Your power, O Strong One, O Firm One · O quintessence of Mercy, through You we seek help · O Allah, O Existent in every direction, O Hearer of every voice, O Clother of the bones with flesh after death · Help me and protect me from the disgrace of this world and the torment of the Hereafter · There is no power or strength except with Allah, the All-High, the Almighty ·

5. A short yet highly potent hizb from the corpus of Sayyiduna ash-Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (رحمه الله). In this, Allah Mot High is entreated by expressing one’s abject spiritual poverty, utter hopelessness and absolute neediness. A fitting climax to the invocations in the evening and begin the night, in sha’ Allah.

Translation:

O Allah, loosen this knot · cause this hardship to ease · let me encounter the best of good fortune · guard me against the worst of destiny · provide me with the best of what is sought · protect me from the worst of the final upheaval ·

O Allah this is my needful plea · my equipment is my neediness · my means is the cessation of my deceitfulness · my capital is the non-existence of my cunning · my intercessor is my tears · my treasure is my incapacity · My Lord, a drop from the oceans of Your Generosity will enrich me · an atom from the current of Your Pardon will suffice me ·

So have mercy on me · grant me provision · guide me · give me well-being · pardon me · forgive me · fulfil my need · disperse my sorrow · cheer my concern · & remove my anxiety · by Your Universal Mercy, O Quintessence of mercy! Praise to Allah, Lord of the cosmos.