Ahlan wa sahlan and a warm welcome to the virtual Takiyyah (syn. zawiyah, ribat, khanqah and tekke) of Tariqatu-l Arusiyyatu-l Qadiriyyah Worldwide Association (Singapore) known by the acronym, TAQWA.sg.
We are a fledgling, aspiring Sufi community in Singapore who have been taken under the spiritual wings of our venerable spiritual guide, Shaikhuna Dr. Taika Shu’aib ibn Ahmad Abdul Qadir al-Kirkari al-Siddiqi, may Allah protect and bless him, his family, progeny, deputies and disciples, and benefit us through his blessed being!
We aim to update this site with regular postings of precious gems from the treasure troves that our spiritual masters have left us with and with the golden reminders that our spiritual guide imparts.
Browse around and enjoy your visit to TAQWA.sg. If you have any questions, suggestions or requests, please do not hesitate to contact us.
The ‘Arusi Story
TAQWA (Singapore) is the local chapter of the ‘Arūsiyyah branch of the Qādiriyyah way (Arabic: الطريقة العروسية القادرية Aṭ-Ṭarīqatu-l ‘Arūsiyyatu-l Qādiriyyah) of Islamic spirituality (Arabic: تصوّف Tasawwuf syn. Sufism). It is a Sufi way that is widely followed in South India, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates and other parts of the world.
The ‘Arūsi way originated and took shape during the 18th century under the watchful gaze of scholars and savants from the Arwi region (modern-day South India and Sri Lanka). They inherited the mantle of the Qâdiri path from Indian and Arab spiritual guides.
This branch of the Qādiri path derives its name from the 19th century renewer of the Islamic faith (Arabic: مجدد Mujaddid) from the Arwi region, Shaikh Sayyid Muhammad b. Ahmad Lebbai, who is known by the Arabic and Tamil epithets Imāmu-l ‘Arūs and Māppillai Lebbai ‘Ālim respectively.
The present spiritual guide (Arabic: مرشد Murshid) of the order is Shaikh Dr. Tayka Shu’ayb b. Ahmad Abdul Qadir al-Kirkari al-Siddiqi. His son, Tayka Ahmad Nasir b. Tayka Shu’ayb, is the appointed deputy and successor-in-waiting (Arabic: خليفة Khalifa).
The ‘Arusi Way
The spiritual masters of the ‘Arūsi way have written substantially on the principles and propriety of the spiritual path. Shaikh Dr. Taykā Shu’ayb has summarized them as the “Fundamentals of the Way” in the covenant that one pledges to when the oath of allegiance (Arabic: بيعة Bai’ah) is undertaken:
- To perform with excellence all that God and His beloved Prophet have mandated and recommended.
- To abstain with contentment all that God and His beloved Prophet have prohibited and disliked.
- To beseech swiftly for God’s forgiveness when transgressions (mistakes, wrongs, or sins) occur; however minor or major.
- To recite consistently the stipulated litany of the order (Arabic: ورد الطريق ”Wirdu-ṭ Ṭarīq”) and other prescribed recitals.
Statement of Faith
The fundamental beliefs of Tariqatu-l Arusiyyatu-l Qadiriyyah Worldwide Association (Singapore) are articulated in the following Statement of Faith:
» The Core Essence
We believe in God and that which is revealed unto us and that which was revealed unto Abraham, and Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the Tribes, and that which Moses and Jesus received, and that which the Prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and unto Him we have submitted. [The Holy Qur’an, 2:136]
We believe in Prophet Muhammad, God bless him and give him peace, as the final Prophet [The Holy Qur’an, 33:40] in a long line of Prophets and Messengers [The Holy Qur’an, 37:37] through whom God delivered the final Message [The Holy Qur’an, 26:192-197] and about whom God has commanded the believers to follow unreservedly. [The Holy Qur’an, 33:36]
We believe that Singapore is Daru-l Aman or “Land of Safety and Security” for Muslims. This means we follow the laws of this land as long as we are not ordered to do anything that is against Shari’a or “Sacred Law”[1]. In this regard, we refer to the guidance set by the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) and subscribe to forging the “Singapore Muslim Identity (SMI)”[2].
» The Methodology
We abide completely to the ethos of Traditional Islam[3] and adhere strictly to the precepts of Ahlu-s Sunnah wa-l Jama’a or “People of the Prophetic tradition and community” – with emphasis on emulating the life of the last Prophet, Muhammad, God bless him and give him peace. What this means in practical reality is:
- In matters of Fiqh or “Jurisprudence”, our members adhere to one of the four established schools of Sunni law namely:
1. Hanafi
2. Maliki
3. Shafi’i
4. Hanbali
- In matters of Aqidah or “Creed”, our members adhere to one of the two orthodox schools of Sunni doctrine namely:
1. Ash’ari
2. Maturidi
- In matters of Tasawwuf or “Sufism/Islamic Spirituality”, we recognise all the legitimate Shari’a-based Sufi orders and mystic brotherhoods but we follow exclusively the teachings of the Arusiyyah branch[4] of the Qadiriyyah way[5] of Islamic spirituality.
Notes
[1] Please see the article “Obeying the Law of the Land” at: http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=2409&CATE=144
[2] Please see the PDF booklet produced by MUIS on the “Singapore Muslim Identity (SMI)” at: http://www.cscollege.gov.sg/cgl/pdf/SMI.pdf
[3] Please refer to the following two articles for a brief exposition of Traditional Islam:
[4] Founded by the Arwi savant and saint Imam al-Arus Sayyid Muhammad (d. 1898 CE) in South India in the 19th century.
[5] Founded by the Persian scholar and saint Muhyi-d Din ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (d. 1166 CE) in Baghdad, Iraq in the 12th century. Please visit his biographical page at: http://www.al-baz.com/shaikhabdalqadir/
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Success and guidance is from Allah. There is no power or might, except Allah. Blessings and peace be upon the chosen beloved, Prophet Muhammad, his pure family, noble companions, and all who follow his beautiful way. Praise be to Allah, Lord of all the worlds.
