Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan brought the Sufi Message of Love, Harmony and Beauty to Europe and the U.S. from India in the years 1910 – 1926. (Hazrat means Most Respected; Pir-o-Murshid means Head of Order and Senior Teacher. His name is Inayat Khan.) He founded the Sufi Movement, now called The Inayatiyya: A Sufi Path of Spiritual Liberty. Here are some of his teachings.
Note – Some of the material contained on this website found expression before there was any effort to remove gender discrimination from common usage. Out of respect for our historical sources, we have left the language as it was originally given, feeling that a careful reading of the texts in question reveals open-hearted inclusion rather than any intent to exclude any group. Nevertheless, we offer our sincere apologies to any who feel alienated or offended by our choice of words.
On this page:
Ten Sufi Thoughts
by Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan
- There is one God, the Eternal, the Only Being; none else exists save He.
- There is one Master, the Guiding Spirit of all souls, who constantly leads his followers towards the light.
- There is one Holy Book, the sacred manuscript of nature, the only scripture which can enlighten the reader.
- There is one Religion, the unswerving progress in the right direction towards the ideal, which fulfills the life’s purpose of every soul.
- There is one Law, the Law of Reciprocity, which can be observed by a selfless conscience together with a sense of awakened justice.
- There is one Brotherhood, the human brotherhood, which unites the children of earth indiscriminately in the fatherhood of God.
- There is one Moral Principle, the love which springs forth from self-denial, and blooms in deeds of beneficence.
- There is one Object of Praise, the beauty which uplifts the heart of its worshipper through all aspects from the seen to the unseen.
- There is one Truth, the true knowledge of our being within and without which is the essence of all wisdom.
- There is one Path, the annihilation of the false ego in the real, which raises the mortal to immortality and in which resides all perfection.
Click here for the full version with commentary. (PDF)
The Prayers of Hazrat
Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan
The Sufi prayers were brought through by Hazrat Inayat Khan, the founder of the Sufi Movement, now known as the the Inayatiyya. They have descended from above, just as prayers given by spiritual teachers in all ages.
Note – These are the prayers as given by Hazrat Inayat Khan. Pir Zia has modified some of them, and you can find the updated versions at https://inayatiyya.org/teachings/prayers/.
They are divided into four categories:
Plus, there is a Glossary of Terms Used in the Prayers for your convenience.
Many initiates of the Inayatiyya practice these prayers daily, including the repetition of the Silsila (lineage) of the Chishtiyya Sufis of India, from which Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan came to spread the Message of Love, Harmony and Beauty.
Prayers can be said silently or aloud. They are stronger when said aloud, as the vibration of the sounds penetrates the energy centers of the body and reaches to the inner plane of our being.
Prayer with movement is even stronger. Action is psychological. Movement imprints the thoughts expressed in the prayer on every atom of the body. The whole being, even the atoms and cells, becomes the prayer. “Ask and ye shall receive” becomes actualized.
The Morning Prayers
Saum
Praise be to Thee, Most Supreme God, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, All-pervading, the Only Being. Take us in Thy Parental Arms, raise us from the denseness of the earth. Thy Beauty do we worship, to Thee do we give willing surrender, Most Merciful and Compassionate God, the Idealized Lord of the whole humanity. Thee only do we worship; and towards Thee alone we aspire. Open our hearts towards Thy Beauty, Illuminate our souls with Divine Light, O Thou, the Perfection of Love, Harmony and Beauty!
All-powerful Creator, Sustainer, Judge and Forgiver of our shortcomings, Lord God of the East and of the West, of the worlds above and below, and of the seen and unseen beings, pour upon us Thy Love and Thy Light, give sustenance to our bodies, hearts and souls, use us for the purpose that Thy Wisdom chooseth, and guide us on the path of Thine Own Goodness.
Draw us closer to Thee every moment of our life, until in us be reflected Thy Grace, Thy Glory, Thy Wisdom, Thy Joy and Thy Peace. Amen.
Affirmation
May the message of God spread far and wide.
(11 times, hands held up.)
Pir
Inspirer of my mind, consoler of my heart, healer of my spirit, thy presence lifteth me from earth to heaven; thy words flow as the sacred river; thy thought riseth as a divine spring; thy tender feelings waken sympathy in my heart. Beloved Teacher, thy very being is forgiveness.
The clouds of doubt and fear are scattered by thy piercing glance; all ignorance vanishes in thy illuminating presence; a new hope is born in my heart by breathing thy peaceful atmosphere.
O inspiring Guide through life’s puzzling ways, in thee I feel abundance of blessing.
Sharaj Sharif `Inayati
(Our Sufi Lineage, also called Silsila, which means the chain of transmission)
Allah (God)
Hazrat Jibra`il (Archangel Gabriel)
Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Rasul Allah (The Prophet Muhammad)
Hazrat Khwaja `Ali Wali Allah
Hazrat Khwaja Hasan Basri
Hazrat Khwaja `Abd al-Wahid bin Zayd
Hazrat Khwaja Fuzayl bin `Iyaz
Hazrat Khwaja Ibrahim Adham
Hazrat Khwaja Huzayfa Marishi
Hazrat Khwaja Hubayra Basri
Hazrat Khwaja Mumshad `Ulu Dinwari
Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami
Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ahmad Abdal Chishti
Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti
Hazrat Khwaja Abu Yusuf Chishti
Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Mawdud Chishti
Hazrat Khwaja Hajji Sharif Zindani
Hazrat Khwaja `Usman Harvani
Hazrat Khwaja Mu‚inuddin Hasan Sanjari-Ajmiri
Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Masud Bakhtiyar Kaki
Hazrat Khwaja Fariduddin Ganj-i Shakar Ajhodani
Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin Mahbub-i `Ilahi Badauni
Hazrat Khwaja Nasiruddin Chiragh Dihlavi
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Kamaluddin `Allama
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Sirajuddin
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh `Ilmuddin
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Mahmud Rajan
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Jamaluddin Jamman
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Hasan Muhammad
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Muhammad Azam
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Yahya Madani
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Shah Kalim Allah Jahanabadi
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Nizamuddin Awrangabadi
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Maulana Fakhruddin
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Ghulam Qutbuddin
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Nasiruddin Mahmud Kali Shah
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Muhammad Hasan Jili Kalimi
Hazrat Shaykh al-Masha`ikh Abu Hashim Madani
Hazrat Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan
Hazrat Pirzadi-Shahida Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan
Hazrat Pir Vilayat Khan
Sajjadanishin Zia Inayat-Khan ‘urf Sarafil Bawa
Universel
O Thou, the Maker, Molder, and Builder of the Universe, build with Thine own hands the Universel, our Temple for Thy Divine Message of Love, Harmony, and Beauty. Amen.
The Midday Prayers
Salat
Most gracious Lord, Master, Messiah, and Savior of humanity, we greet Thee with all humility. Thou art the First Cause and the Last Effect, the Divine Light and the Spirit of Guidance, Alpha and Omega. Thy Light is in all forms, Thy Love in all beings: in a loving mother, in a kind father, in an innocent child, in a helpful friend, in an inspiring teacher.
Allow us to recognize Thee in all Thy holy names and forms; as Rama, as Krishna, as Shiva, as Buddha. Let us know Thee as Abraham, as Solomon, as Zarathushtra, as Moses, as Jesus, as Mohammed, and in many other names and forms, known and unknown to the world.
We adore Thy past; Thy presence deeply enlighteneth our being, and we look for Thy blessing in the future. O Messenger, Christ, Nabi, the Rasul of God!
Thou Whose heart constantly reacheth upward, Thou comest on earth with a message, as a dove from above when Dharma decayeth, and speakest the Word that is put into Thy mouth, as the light filleth the crescent moon.
Let the star of the Divine Light shining in Thy heart be reflected in the hearts of Thy devotees.
May the Message of God reach far and wide, illuminating and making the whole humanity as one single Family in the Parenthood of God. Amen.
Affirmation
Pour upon us Thy Love and Thy Light.
(Said 11 times, hands raised.)
Nabi
A torch in the darkness, a staff during my weakness, a rock in the weariness of life,Thou, my Master, makest earth a paradise. Thy thought giveth me unearthly joy, Thy light illuminateth my life’s path, Thy words inspire me with divine wisdom, I follow in thy footsteps, which lead me to the eternal goal.
Comforter of the broken-hearted, support of those in need, friend of the lovers of truth, blessed Master, thou art the Prophet of God.
Universel
O Thou, the Maker, Moulder, and Builder of the universe, Build with Thine own hands the Universel, our Temple for Thy Divine Message of Love, Harmony, and Beauty. Amen.
The Evening Prayers
Khatum
O Thou, Who art the Perfection of Love, Harmony, and Beauty, the Lord of heaven and earth, open our hearts, that we may hear Thy Voice, which constantly cometh from within. Disclose to us Thy Divine Light, which is hidden in our souls, that we may know and understand life better. Most Merciful and Compassionate God, give us Thy great Goodness; teach us Thy loving Forgiveness; raise us above the distinctions and differences which divide us; send us the Peace of Thy Divine Spirit, And unite us all in Thy Perfect Being. Amen.
Affirmation
Disclose to us Thy Divine Light
(Said 11 times, arms crossed on chest and hands resting on shoulders, like folded wings.)
Rasul
Warner of coming dangers, wakener of the world from sleep, deliverer of the Message of God, thou art our Savior.
The sun at the dawn of creation, the light of the whole universe, the fulfillment of God’s purpose, thou the life eternal, we seek refuge in thy loving enfoldment.
Spirit of Guidance, source of all beauty, and creator of harmony; love, lover, and beloved lord, thou art our divine ideal.
Universel
O Thou, the Maker, Moulder, and Builder of the universe, build with Thine own hands the Universel, our Temple for Thy Divine Message of Love, Harmony, and Beauty. Amen.
Other Miscellaneous Prayers
Nayaz
(for healing)
Beloved Lord, Almighty God! Through the rays of the sun, through the waves of the air, through the All-pervading Life in space, purify and revivify me, and, I pray, heal my body, heart, and soul. Amen.
Nazar
(Said before meals)
O Thou, the Sustainer of our bodies, hearts, and souls, bless all that we receive in thankfulness. Amen.
Prayer for Peace
Send Thy peace O Lord,
which is perfect and everlasting, that our souls may radiate peace.
Send Thy peace O Lord,
that we may think, act and speak harmoniously.
Send Thy peace O Lord,
that we may be contented and thankful for Thy bountiful gifts.
Send Thy peace O Lord,
that amidst our worldly strife, we may enjoy Thy bliss.
Send Thy peace O Lord,
that we may endure all, tolerate all, in the thought of Thy grace and mercy.
Send Thy peace O Lord,
that our lives may become a Divine vision and in Thy light, all darkness may vanish.
Send Thy peace O Lord,
our Father and Mother, that we Thy children on Earth may all unite in one family. Amen.
Dowa
Save me, my Lord, from the earthly passions and the attachments which blind mankind.
Save me, my Lord, from the temptations of power, fame, and wealth, which keep man away from Thy Glorious Vision.
Save me, my Lord, from the souls who are constantly occupied in hurting and harming their fellow-man, and who take pleasure in the pain of another.
Save me, my Lord, from the evil eye of envy and jealousy, which falleth upon Thy bountiful Gifts.
Save me, my Lord, from falling into the hands of the playful children of earth, lest they might use me in their games; they might play with me and then break me in the end, as children destroy their toys.
Save me, my Lord, from all manner of injury that cometh from the bitterness of my adversaries and from the ignorance of my loving friends. Amen.
Glossary
Hazrat A title of respect given to saints, meaning “noble presence”
Murshid Teacher; guide; a Sufi sheikh
Pir An elder spiritual guide; a sheikh or murshid of a high order, often the founder of an order through which spiritual transmissions pass to initiates
Nabi A prophet, bearer of a message for a particular time and group of people
Rasul Messenger, bearer of a universal message
Dharma Universal law
Universel The temple of all religions envisioned by Hazrat Inayat Khan and finally built at Suresnes, France, outside of Paris
Questions and Answers about Sufism
What is Sufism?
Inayat Khan says: “If one asks what Sufism is, what kind of ‘religion’ it is, the answer is that Sufism is the religion of the heart, the religion in which the thing of primary importance is to seek God in the heart of humanity.
There are three ways of seeking God in the human heart. The first way is to recognize the divine in everyone and to be considerate toward every person with whom we come in contact, in our thought, speech and action. Human personality is very delicate. The more living the heart, the more sensitive it is; but that which causes sensitiveness is the love element in the heart, and love is God. The person whose heart is not sensitive is without feeling. Their heart is not living; it is dead. In that case the Divine Spirit is buried in their heart. The one who takes notice of the feeling of another person with whom s/he comes in contact practices the first essential moral of Sufism.
The next way of practicing this religion is to think of the feeling of someone who is not with one at the moment. One may feel for those who are present, but one often neglects to feel for someone who is out of sight. One speaks well of someone to his face, but it is better to speak well of him/her when s/he is absent. One sympathizes with the trouble of someone who is with one at the moment, but it is more praiseworthy to sympathize with one who is far away.
The third way of realizing the Sufi principle is to recognize in one’s own feeling the feeling of God, to realize every impulse of love that rises in one’s heart as a direction from God, to realize that love is a divine spark in one’s heart, to blow that spark until a flame may rise to illuminate the path of one’s life.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan
What is a Sufi?
From the perspective of The Inayatiyya, this question may be answered in several ways. Essentially a Sufi is one who recognizes that an aspect of truth is contained in all the authentic religious traditions. Therefore the various spiritual teachers of humanity are equally respected by one who lives from this belief. Hazrat Inayat Khan envisioned the Sufi as a person who appreciates the beautiful diversity celebrated in the various paths while discerning in them an underlying unity. The Sufi’s way of life is to continually seek to recognize the divinity contained in all human beings and the inherent sacred oneness of life.
There are, of course, many who live according to this essential definition of a Sufi, who have never heard of the name but who are a living expression of this spirit. According to Hazrat Inayat Khan, the Sufis have no official date or place of origin, for in essence they represent those mystics who have sought the truth in all ages. However at a certain time in history the name became associated with various orders which developed spiritual disciplines.
The Inayatiyya accents the note of universal spirituality found in the teachings of many of the Sufi masters of the past while seeking to make the teachings and practices of the past relevant to the needs and consciousness of our time. Our universal perspective goes beyond traditional Sufi orders as exemplified in our inclusion of spiritual practices gleaned from various traditions. Our prayers and Universal Worship service are a new expression of a vision of unity so necessary now as humanity begins to awaken to a planetary consciousness. In sharing a message of love, harmony and beauty, The Inayatiyya hopes to foster a vision of one human family.
Is The Inayatiyya a new religion?
No. The purpose of our work is to “help bring together the different organs of one body which are meant to be united and not thrown apart. How do we bring about such reconciliation? By realizing in ourselves that the essence of all religions is one, is wisdom, and by considering that wisdom to be our religion, regardless of our form.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan
What is the objective of The Inayatiyya?
“The objective of The Sufi Order is the uniting of life and religion, which so far seems to have been kept apart. When a person goes to church once a week and devotes all the other days of the week to their business, how can they benefit by religion? Therefore, the teaching of Sufism is to transform everyday life into a religion so that every action may bear some spiritual fruit.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan
What is the moral principal which guides the work of The Inayatiyya?
“If there is any moral principle it is this: that the whole of humanity is like one body, and any organ of that body which is hurt or troubled can indirectly cause damage to the whole body. And as the health of the whole body depends upon the health of each part. So the health of the whole of humanity depends upon the health of every nation.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan
Can a person continue to be a member of a religious tradition and become a member of The Inayatiyya?
Absolutely, yes; as a matter of fact we encourage this. The Inayatiyya is not concerned with converting or saving others. Our hope is that a person’s involvement in the teachings may deepen and expand his/her understanding of the tradition with which s/he is affiliated.
“The Sufi Message does not call a person away from a belief or church; it calls one to live it.” – Hazrat Inayat Khan
Isn’t The Inayatiyya oriented toward Islam?
No. Although there are Sufi roots in Islam, The Inayatiyya aligns itself with no particular religion, but rather honors all religions as coming from the One Divine Source at different times throughout history, in answer to the call of humanity. We seek the thread of Truth which is woven among all religions. We honor the Divine in all Its Names and Forms.
What is the attitude of The Inayatiyya towards women?
Hazrat Inayat Khan, founder of The Inayatiyya, offered this insight in the early part of this century: “The hour is coming when women will lead humanity to a higher evolution.” Women have always functioned in all roles of spiritual leadership within the Order. Spiritual practices and service are fully integrated and initial attempts have been made to update the language of the teaching to include the feminine. Several of the women teachers in the Order have made rich contributions by developing practices that facilitate an awareness of, and a deeper identification with, the feminine aspect of the divine.
