My Story

I was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt, where I earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. After immigrating to the United States in 1994, a profound spiritual journey began to unfold. Following a difficult divorce, I experienced what many describe as a "dark night of the soul." This period of inner questioning led me to seek deeper answers about the meaning of life, the nature of the self, and my true purpose. It was during this time that I was introduced to the teachings of Jalaluddin Rumi, Muhyiddin Ibn 'Arabi, and many other great Sufi masters.

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My formal entrance into the Sufi path came through a spiritual connection with the Sufi master Bawa Muhaiyaddeen. Over the years, I explored various Sufi traditions and studied with several living teachers. Eventually, I found my spiritual home within the Shadhiliyya Sufi Order, where I served for twelve years as the simultaneous translator and interpreter for the late Sufi master, Sidi Muhammad al-Jamal. During that time, I translated approximately twenty-two of his books into English.

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The experience of simultaneously translating Sidi Muhammad's teachings was transformative. It required complete presence and attunement, allowing me to immerse myself deeply in the wisdom being transmitted. Through this work, I gained a direct experiential appreciation of Ibn 'Arabi's teachings on the Unity of Being (Wahdat al-Wujud) and the Unity of Witnessing (Wahdat al-Shuhud), not merely as philosophical concepts but as living realities.

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While serving as Sidi Muhammad's translator, I pursued graduate studies and earned a Master's degree in Comparative Philosophy from Middlesex University in London in 2015. My thesis explored a comparative study of the thought of Ibn 'Arabi and the philosophy of Karl Popper. Several years into my service, Sidi Muhammad granted me an official ijazah (authorization) to teach.

After Sidi Muhammad's passing, I expanded my vocation into the field of spiritual care by enrolling in AdventHealth's Clinical Pastoral Education program, where I received professional training and certification as a clinical chaplain.

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Today, I serve as a Hakima (wise woman and clinical chaplain) for the Muslim Women's Organization and for Shadhiliyya Sufi communities throughout the United States. I am also a faculty member of the University of Sufism.

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My teaching integrates insights from science, psychology, philosophy, spirituality, clinical chaplaincy, and direct spiritual experience. At the heart of my approach are compassion, empathy, deep reflective listening, and the facilitation of meaningful self-discovery. I seek to help individuals uncover deeper meaning, cultivate spiritual awareness, and discern their unique purpose in life.

I believe that Holy Love is the primary transformative power in human life. Through love, we come to know ourselves more deeply and to recognize the presence of our Masterful Nurturer—the One Divine Reality, the Singularity of the Divine Essence, whom we call God.

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Over the years, I have taught students, chaplains, and seekers from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. Through classes, retreats, spiritual direction, and pastoral care, I help individuals cultivate self-awareness, resilience, compassion, and a deeper relationship with the Divine.

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My training in Clinical Pastoral Education deepened my appreciation for accompanying people through illness, grief, loss, spiritual struggle, and life transitions. It taught me how spiritual wisdom can be embodied through compassionate presence and attentive listening.

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In addition to translating twenty-two books, I have developed educational programs and workshops on Sufi spirituality, chaplaincy, character development, and the transformative stations of the soul.

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My approach bridges classical Islamic spirituality with contemporary insights from psychology, philosophy, and pastoral care, making timeless wisdom accessible to modern seekers.