Suhrawardi is the master of the philosophy of illumination. He says: “What is conceived metaphysically as existence (wujud) coincides with what is grasped in terms of root experience as Light (nur). In this context existence is light.

Suhrawardi is the master of the philosophy of illumination. He says: “What is conceived metaphysically as existence (wujud) coincides with what is grasped in terms of root experience as Light (nur). In this context existence is light.

The Supreme Light is the source of all existence, since the universe in all its planes of reality consists in nothing more than degrees of light and darkness.

The Supreme Light is the source of all existence, since the universe in all its planes of reality consists in nothing more than degrees of light and darkness.

The condition of the soul after death, depends upon the degree of illumination and purification it has reached during this life: life is a constant process of striving to attain that primordial (azli) light in its purity. The perfect state is granted only to the elect few, yet it should be everybody's goal.

The condition of the soul after death, depends upon the degree of illumination and purification it has reached during this life: life is a constant process of striving to attain that primordial (azli) light in its purity. The perfect state is granted only to the elect few, yet it should be everybody's goal.

Shaikh shoutd pardon mureed’s blunder if he sees a defect in abandoning a service or neglecting a rule. He should forgive him, and by kindness and grace incite him.

Shaikh shoutd pardon mureed’s blunder if he sees a defect in abandoning a service or neglecting a rule. He should forgive him, and by kindness and grace incite him.

Everything in the world is derived from the Light-of His Essence and all beauty and perfection are the gift of His bounty, and to attain fully to this illumination is salvation.

Everything in the world is derived from the Light-of His Essence and all beauty and perfection are the gift of His bounty, and to attain fully to this illumination is salvation.

The Marifat of God is dependent upon and bound up with the Marifat of the nafs. It signifies: “The recognising of the nature, and the qualities of God in the form of detailed circumstances, of accidents, of calamities, after that it becomes known that He is the True Existence and the Absolute Agent. The argument of His existence is His existence; the proof of His witnessing is His witnessing.

The Marifat of God is dependent upon and bound up with the Marifat of the nafs. It signifies: “The recognising of the nature, and the qualities of God in the form of detailed circumstances, of accidents, of calamities, after that it becomes known that He is the True Existence and the Absolute Agent. The argument of His existence is His existence; the proof of His witnessing is His witnessing.

Ilm (knowledge of God) is a light from the candle of prophecy in the heart of the faithful slave whereby he gaineth the path.

Ilm (knowledge of God) is a light from the candle of prophecy in the heart of the faithful slave whereby he gaineth the path.

The purpose of retreat (khalwa) is to draw near to God and the heart is filled with joy... and the filling of the heart with light strengthens the attractive force of the Spirit of God which draws it. The heart when polished reflects the Divine radiance.

The purpose of retreat (khalwa) is to draw near to God and the heart is filled with joy... and the filling of the heart with light strengthens the attractive force of the Spirit of God which draws it. The heart when polished reflects the Divine radiance.

The Essence of the First Absolute Light, God gives constant ' illumination, whereby it is manifested and it brings all things into existence, giving life to them by its rays.

The Essence of the First Absolute Light, God gives constant ' illumination, whereby it is manifested and it brings all things into existence, giving life to them by its rays.

Music does not give rise, in the heart, to anything which is not already there. He whose inner self is attached to anything else than God is stirred by music to sensual desire, but the one who is inwardly attached to the love of God is moved, by hearing music to do His will.

Music does not give rise, in the heart, to anything which is not already there. He whose inner self is attached to anything else than God is stirred by music to sensual desire, but the one who is inwardly attached to the love of God is moved, by hearing music to do His will.

The soul has a previous existence in the angelic world and upon entering the body it is divided into two parts, one remaining in heaven and the other descending into the prison or ‘fort’ of the body. That is why the soul is unhappy in this world; it searches for its other half and must be reunited with its heavenly prototype in order to become perfected and to become one itself again.

The soul has a previous existence in the angelic world and upon entering the body it is divided into two parts, one remaining in heaven and the other descending into the prison or ‘fort’ of the body. That is why the soul is unhappy in this world; it searches for its other half and must be reunited with its heavenly prototype in order to become perfected and to become one itself again.

The esoteric status of a being depends on the degree to which it is illuminated or veiled. The light radiates through longitudinal and latitudinal orders of angels who stand in well-defined relations to each other.

The esoteric status of a being depends on the degree to which it is illuminated or veiled. The light radiates through longitudinal and latitudinal orders of angels who stand in well-defined relations to each other.

Though the term Sufi is not used in the holy Quran, the word “Muqarrab” connotes the same meaning which is expressed by the term Sufi.

Though the term Sufi is not used in the holy Quran, the word “Muqarrab” connotes the same meaning which is expressed by the term Sufi.

When the Shaikh sees weakness of resolution, and know that his mureed is unable to rid lust, he should display kindness. He should reduce his austerities so that mureed may not shun him.

When the Shaikh sees weakness of resolution, and know that his mureed is unable to rid lust, he should display kindness. He should reduce his austerities so that mureed may not shun him.

صوفیہ کا ایک اخلاقی وصف ایثار ہمدردی بھی ہے، اس کام پر ان کی قدرتی رحم و شفقت اور قوتِ ایمانی انہیں آمادہ کرتی ہے، وہ موجود چیز کو قربان کر دیتے ہیں اور گم شدہ چیز پر صبر کرتے ہیں۔

صوفیہ کا دوسرا اہم اخلاق ’’فعل تحمل و مدارات ہے‘‘ وہ مخلوق کی اذیت کو بخوشی برداشت کرتے ہیں۔

’’حسن سلوک‘‘ سے انسان کی انتہائی عقل مندی، وسعتِ علم اور بردباری کا ثبوت ملتا ہے، کیوں کہ نفس کی یہ عادت ہے کہ جو اسے ناپسند ہو یا جو اس کی مرضی کے خلاف کام کرے، اس وقت اس میں غیظ و غضب کی آگ بھڑک اٹھتی ہے، لہٰذا حسن مدارات اور نرمی سے نفس کی حدت و طیش اور نفرت کا الزالہ ہو جاتا ہے۔

صوفیہ کے اخلاق کی ایک نمایاں خصوصیت سادگی اور بے تکلفی ہے، تصوف کا اصل مفہوم یہ ہے تکلف کو چھوڑ دیا جائے کیوں کہ تکلف ہی تنزل ہے اور اس کی وجہ سے انسان مخلص بندوں کی راہ سے پیچھے رہ جاتا ہے۔

تواضع سے افضل بندگی کا کوئی لباس نہیں جو تواضع کا خزانہ حاصل کرتا ہے وہ ہر شخص کے سامنے اپنی اصل حیثیت کو قائم رکھتا ہے اور خود بھی ہر ایک کو اس کے صحیح رتبہ پر برقرار رکھتا ہے۔

صوفیائے کرام کی مزید اخلاقی خصوصیت یہ ہے کہ وہ دنیا کی تھوڑی چیز پر قناعت کرتے ہیں۔

تصوف سراپا ادب ہے۔