Sidi Yousuf Azhar, a survivor of spiritual abuse, gives a personal account about his difficult decision to leave a spiritual community (tariqa).

Brother Yousaf said he had found kindred spirits within the Sufi group, but he grew disillusioned as he learned about alleged spiritual abuse by the Sufi tariqa's leader.

Sidi Yousuf shares his spiritual insights and his experience in an effort to neutralize spiritual misuse, which is when a community leader, a religious figure, or a spiritual group may use the potent power of faith to exploit a congregant's sincerity for personal gain and even to harm others.

"They are using these mind games to make you think: no matter what the sheikh is doing, no matter what the sheikh is saying, you just submit and do it” - Yousuf Azhar, a survivor of spiritual abuse

He spoke at the weekly men’s halaqa as a substitute for Shaykh Rami Nsour (watch recordings at http://mcceastbay.org/reminders).

MCC Youth Director Shaykh Rami Nsour recorded this public service announcement (PSA) about spiritual abuse in the American-Muslim community:    • PSA  

- More Brother Yousaf: https://mcceastbay.org/yousuf

Lessons I Learned From Being in a Muslim Cult for 13 Years:   / lessons-i-learned-from-being-in-a-muslim-c...  

Here is an interview with In Shaykh's Clothing with Sidi Yusef: https://inshaykhsclothing.com/account...

Watch a detailed discussion about this important community issue at    • Addressing Spiritual & Sexual Abuse i...  

Here is an article about leaving spiritual abusive groups: https://inshaykhsclothing.com/home/in...

- More topics addressing community & social justice issues: http://mcceastbay.org/community

This talk was delivered at the Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California on Friday, December 20, 2019.

When Yousuf Azhar first joined a religious Sufi community in Chicago, he felt more connected to his faith and to Allah. He made close friends, and followed the guidance of his ​​shaykh and mentors. Azhar and his family stayed in the community for thirteen years, and lived under the guidance of leaders until Azhar became suspicious that something was amiss.

In this week’s episode, Yousuf shares what it’s like to be in a cult – and what it’s like to leave one.

Yousuf tells us about the ways that cults pull people in, and how they trap their followers with manipulation, fear, and dehumanization. Now that he’s on the other side, he shares the importance of knowing the red flags of these groups, and how to avoid getting sucked into them. He also tells us what it’s like to gain personal and spiritual independence after thirteen years of reliance on others to make his decisions. Yousuf’s story is one of immense resilience, and is a testament to the strength of personal spirituality and self determination.

Want to learn more about Yousuf?
Follow him on Instagram:   / yousufsketchnotes  
Link up on LinkedIn:   / yazhar  
Find him up on Facebook:   / yousuf.s.azhar  
Tweet him via Twitter:   / ysazhar  
Check him out on YouTube:    / ysazhar  

#spiritualabuse #abuseinthecommunity

Lessons I Learned From Being in a Muslim Cult for 13 Years
Yousuf Azhar, Muslim Sketchnoter
May 20, 2020

No one thinks they are in a cult while they’re in a cult. It’s easier than you think to fall prey to a corrupt shaykh/teacher. We assume that people who don religious garb are honest and sincere in wanting to help us. When we let our guard down and cease to assess them critically, we open ourselves up to abuse and exploitation. That’s what happened to me. Alhamdolillah, I was able to get out of the Muslim cult I was in. After spending a few years thinking about the lessons I learned, I decided to compile them for the benefit of others. I pray no one goes through the emotional torture I went through when leaving the cult I was in.
LESSONS

The moment you get comfortable NOT critically analyzing something is the moment you are setting yourself up for abuse.
People who justify their inconsistent behavior are lying to you.
If you find yourself justifying the wrong actions of your shaykh/teacher, you need to realign your loyalty to the truth and call out your shaykh/teacher.
Unlike true prophets of Allah, abusive shaykhs/teachers EXPECT reward from you for their help through your donations and your service to them or their causes.
If a shaykh/teacher tries to cut you off from information other than the Shaykh’s/teacher’s, know that your shaykh/teacher wants to control you.

Read more:   / lessons-i-learned-from-being-in-a-muslim-c...  

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