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Sufi Sama’ Education, Ethics and Behavior
As did the lute that produced musical sounds finer than magic My salutation and peace to my brethren As long as the scent of the aloes-wood, the incense, and the white rose In the air spreads My salutation and peace will keep our friendship a virgin flower Lightening the many horizons of land and sea There are other requirements that need to be taken into account; some are physical, others are behavioral. Physically speaking, the performer(s) must be clean36 and make sure that his clothes and his sitting place are spick and span. He must smell good, have a fine voice, and must be familiar with what is to be chanted. He must have a musical ear and must be aware of the different types of rhythm, cadence, and tempo; elegance and finesse in the matter always impress the audience. Should a disciple feel he is not fit for Sama’, he should leave it to someone else who is more capable in the matter. Sheikh al-Alawi always said : “I would never allow my fuqara (plural for faqeer) to sing/chant when they are not good at it, nor would I allow those who are good at it not to do it.” Behaviorally speaking, disciples/performers must be humble, good-hearted, devoted, and loving. They must show no arrogance— they must definitely not see themselves in higher ranks because of their performance. Their good discipline creates an atmosphere of unity and uniformity. Concerning ethics Al-Bakhirzi37 says in his book, Awrad al-Ahbab wa Fossus al-Adab ( the Lovers’ Invocations and the Disciplinary Pearls) : “For their sessions of Sama’, Sufis arrive early, sit with poise and reverence, and keep their inner peace, tran36- Cleanliness here refers to ablution, which every Muslim must perform
before he/she engages in prayer or any other religious act and which he/she must preferably keep whatever the circumstances. 37- Abu al-Mafakhir Yahya Ibnu Ahmed Persian Sheikh. ( died in 724h )