Visiting the Khaneqah

When visiting our Khāneqāh you are expected to observe certain conditions and rules of conduct. Knowing these house rules will make it easier for you to communicate and associate with the dervishes. These house rules - with their symbolic meaning - are the following.

Originally, Khāneqāh is an Arabic word. In Persian (Fārsi) it is pronounced ‘khāneghāh'. It consists of two words: ‘khāne'(house or place) and ‘gāh' (time). So, literally, it means ‘the House of Time',. In other words: the house where dervishes meet and take the time to remember and honour God.

 - By coming to our Khāneqāhyou express the wish to dedicate yourself to the development and deepening of self-knowledge, a way that can ultimately lead to self-realization.

 - A condition to visit our Khāneqāh is that you are being introduced by someone who is already an accepted member. If you do not know such a member and would like to get the permission to visit us, you can either phone or e-mail us. The Pīr Dalīl - the Pīr's assistant, who is responsible for the management of the Khāneqāh- will have a conversation with you or make an appointment to get better acquainted.

 - When actually visiting our Khāneqāh, it is important that you do so of your own free will and with right and pure intentions. So, the Khāneqāhis not meant to be a place you can turn to for solving financial or material problems. The Khāneqāh is a place where you get the opportunity to learn how to unveil the beauty of your inner self and attain the knowledge of Truth.

 - That is why it is essential to be clean when entering the Khāneqāh. This does not only mean a spiritually pure mind, but also a purified body, which you can achieve by performing an ablution. If you are not familiar with this practice, please ask the Pīr Dalīl for clarification.

 - During your visit it is more convenient for you to wear comfortable, loose and well covering clothing. This applies to men as well as to women. This way, it will be easier for you to sit on the floor, for there are no chairs in a Khāneqāh.

 - When entering the Khāneqāhplease turn off your mobile phone or any other noise-producing device. It is also requested not to bring along children under 12.

 - When entering the Khāneqāh leave all status and rank outside. In the Khāneqāh everyone is equal.

 - It is customary to kiss the floor when entering or leaving the ‘jamkhāne' - this is the place where Zikr and Samā are being held. This is done as follows: bend forward and touch the floor with your right hand. Then kiss your right and bring it to your eyes. By doing so you acknowledge that you are dust under the feet of all seekers on the Path to Self-realization and Knowledge of God, you recognize the distance between you and God, and you show your respect for the principles and traditions of Sufism.

 - In the Khāneqāhit is not allowed to laugh or speak loudly, or to tell jokes. You do not need to stand up out of respect when greeting someone. So, if someone does not stand up for you, this does not mean that you are not being respected. When greeting a friend or acquaintance, it is sufficient to knod your head or discretely say hello.

 - The Khāneqāh's Pīr Dalīl will show you where to sit. It is not allowed to smoke in the Khāneqāh, to drink alcohol or to use drugs. Before taking pictures, or making video or sound recordings you must first ask the Pīr Dalīl's permission.

 - When entering the Khāneqāh tell the assistant your name and that of the person you have invited.

 - Having entered the ‘jamkhāne' or Zikr room, it is important for you to know the rules for sitting properly. You can assume two positions, i.e. cross-legged or on your knees. Of course, if you get leg cramps, you are allowed to switch positions. You are expected not to crouch nor to stretch your legs forward. This is considered to be rude. We also ask not to lean your back against the wall.

 - When seated put your left hand on your left leg, then grab your left wrist with your right hand. This position of the hands symbolizes the words ‘Lā ilāha illāllāh', there is nothing but God. Please make sure never to sit with your back turned to Hazrat Pīr.

 - When Hazrat Pīr enters, everyone stands up and waits for the sign to sit down again. Everyone also stands up when Hazrat Pīr leaves the ‘jamkhāne'.
 Safā or kissing each other's hands. When doing so the hands symbolically form one single heart. By kissing each other's hands you express equality, brotherhood and love for one another. After Hazrat Pīr has sat down, you can go and kiss his hand and then walk backwards to your place.

 - During Hazrat Pīr's speech no questions can be asked. Nobody talks, everybody listens. After Hazrat Pīr has finished speaking you can submit your questions to our Pīr Dalīl, who will answer them or submit them to Hazrat Pīr.

 - When HazratP īr authorizes you to participate in Zikr and Samā, you are free to join in or not. If you do not wish to do so, we ask you to sit down outside the circle. During Zikr everyone is sitting on the floor. While reciting you bend your head towards your heart and you do not look around. You also remain in this position when the dafs (large frame drums) are being played. When Hazrat Pīr rises, the actual Samā begins. You rise too and follow Hazrat Pīr with open eyes.

 - Shared Meal Ritual: Meals are served on a Sofra (a long plastified table-cloth). All participants sit on the floor. In the old Sufi tradition the kitchen is called ‘Duda' and the head of the kitchen ‘dudadār'. The ‘dudadār' makes sure that all guests are being provided with tea and food. At the beginning of the meal bread and salt are being put in front of Hazrat Pīr. Guests sitting ont the right-hand side of Hazrat Pīr are being served first. Obviously, you can only start eating after Hazrat Pīr has said prayers. While eating one does not talk. You are not permitted to leave the Sofra while others are still eating. It is not necessary to share your meal with someone else since everyone can be provided with enough food. The meal ends when Hazrat Pīr has said prayers of thanks.

 - You are welcome to visit the Khāneqāh without any obligation three times with the permission of the Pīr Dalīl. If - after attending our gatherings three times - you accept our procedures, rules and conditions, you can become a member in consultation with the Pīr Dalīl, who will inform you of further conditions of membership.

 - During Hazrat Pīr's absence all his functions will be taken over by the Pīr Dalīl.

 Please carefully read our house rules once again. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.