Sufi Quotes of Data Sahib
Once Ibrahim Adham saw a stone on which was written - turn me over and read. On the other side, he read - you do not practice what you know, why then do you seek what you know not?
Once Ibrahim Adham saw a stone on which was written - turn me over and read. On the other side, he read - you do not practice what you know, why then do you seek what you know not?
Many shaikhs observe the following rule. When a novice joins them, they subject him to the spiritual discipline for three years. He can be admitted to the path only if he fulfills all the requirements of this discipline. The first year is devoted to the service of the people, the second year to the service of the god, and the third year to watching over his own heart.
Many shaikhs observe the following rule. When a novice joins them, they subject him to the spiritual discipline for three years. He can be admitted to the path only if he fulfills all the requirements of this discipline. The first year is devoted to the service of the people, the second year to the service of the god, and the third year to watching over his own heart.
The term ‘Sufi’ has no derivation answering to etymological requirements inasmuch as Sufism is too exalted to have any genus from which it might be derived.
The term ‘Sufi’ has no derivation answering to etymological requirements inasmuch as Sufism is too exalted to have any genus from which it might be derived.
God alone can help a man to-do good deed.
God alone can help a man to-do good deed.
Marriage is proper for those who prefer to associate with mankind and celibacy is an ornament for those who seek retirement from mankind.
Marriage is proper for those who prefer to associate with mankind and celibacy is an ornament for those who seek retirement from mankind.
Unless God exerts Himself towards a man, that man’s exertion is of no use.
Unless God exerts Himself towards a man, that man’s exertion is of no use.
Formerly the practice of Sufism was known and the pretense unknown; nowadays the pretense is known, and the practice is unknown.
Formerly the practice of Sufism was known and the pretense unknown; nowadays the pretense is known, and the practice is unknown.
God had made the saints the Governors of the universe.
God had made the saints the Governors of the universe.
Human nature is more prone to ignorance than to knowledge.
Human nature is more prone to ignorance than to knowledge.
The Sufi Sheikhs are physicians of men’s souls.
The Sufi Sheikhs are physicians of men’s souls.
The lust of the eye is sight, that of the ear is hearing, that of the nose is smell, that of the tongue is speech, that of the palate is taste, that of the body is touch, and that of the mind is thought.
The lust of the eye is sight, that of the ear is hearing, that of the nose is smell, that of the tongue is speech, that of the palate is taste, that of the body is touch, and that of the mind is thought.
Mu'jizat involve publicity, Karamaat secrecy.
Mu'jizat involve publicity, Karamaat secrecy.
Dervish hood in all its meanings is a metaphorical poverty, and amidst all its subordinate aspects, there is a transcendent principle.
Dervish hood in all its meanings is a metaphorical poverty, and amidst all its subordinate aspects, there is a transcendent principle.
Prayer requires purification of the body; gnosis requires purification of the heart.
Prayer requires purification of the body; gnosis requires purification of the heart.
This world is the abode of trouble, the pavilion of affliction, the den of sorrow, the house of parting, and the cradle of tribulation.
This world is the abode of trouble, the pavilion of affliction, the den of sorrow, the house of parting, and the cradle of tribulation.
The glory of poverty is this, that the poor man’s body is divinely preserved from base and sinful acts, and his heart from evil and contaminating thoughts.
The glory of poverty is this, that the poor man’s body is divinely preserved from base and sinful acts, and his heart from evil and contaminating thoughts.
In the mystic path, he who says ‘I have arrived’ has gone astray.
In the mystic path, he who says ‘I have arrived’ has gone astray.
Man, enamored of his gross environment, remains sunk is ignorance and apathy, making no attempt to cast off the veil that has fallen upon.
Man, enamored of his gross environment, remains sunk is ignorance and apathy, making no attempt to cast off the veil that has fallen upon.
Divine guidance involves self-mortification without which contemplation is unattainable.
Divine guidance involves self-mortification without which contemplation is unattainable.
Humanity is the greatest barrier that separates man from Divinity.
Humanity is the greatest barrier that separates man from Divinity.
Mortification stands in the same relation to contemplation as Divine blessing to obedience.
Mortification stands in the same relation to contemplation as Divine blessing to obedience.
The true object of pilgrimage is not to visit the Kaaba, but to obtain contemplation of God.
The true object of pilgrimage is not to visit the Kaaba, but to obtain contemplation of God.
Religion is the root and Sufism is the branch.
Religion is the root and Sufism is the branch.
Lust is our shackle, and sin is our chain.
Lust is our shackle, and sin is our chain.
Unless Divine protection is predestined to a man, he cannot abstain from anything by his own exertion.
Unless Divine protection is predestined to a man, he cannot abstain from anything by his own exertion.
Gnosis is realized when its true nature is divinely revealed.
Gnosis is realized when its true nature is divinely revealed.
All humans action and inaction are the act and creation of God.
All humans action and inaction are the act and creation of God.
The spiritual path is hard to travel except for those who were created for the purpose.
The spiritual path is hard to travel except for those who were created for the purpose.
Saintship is a divine mystery which is revealed only through conduct.
Saintship is a divine mystery which is revealed only through conduct.
स्वर्ग की चाह मत रखो, क्योंकि यह भी एक प्रकार की सज़ा ही है। सिर्फ़ ख़ुदा का चाहने वाला बनो, क्योंकि ख़ुदा का चाहने वाला समझदार, निडर और बहादुर होता है।
contemplation is this world resembles vision of God in the next world.
contemplation is this world resembles vision of God in the next world.
Substances, accidents, elements, bodies, forms and properties-all these are veils of Divine mysteries.
Substances, accidents, elements, bodies, forms and properties-all these are veils of Divine mysteries.
Hunger sharpens the intelligence and improves the mind and health.
Hunger sharpens the intelligence and improves the mind and health.
The saints of God attain to a place where place no longer exists, where all degrees and stations disappear and where outward expressions fall off from the underlying realities.
The saints of God attain to a place where place no longer exists, where all degrees and stations disappear and where outward expressions fall off from the underlying realities.
A miracle is a token of saint’s veracity, and its cannot be manifested to an imposter except as a sign that his pretensions are false.
A miracle is a token of saint’s veracity, and its cannot be manifested to an imposter except as a sign that his pretensions are false.
Eternal life is gained by spiritual sacrifice and by renunciation of self-interest in fulfilling God’s commandments.
Eternal life is gained by spiritual sacrifice and by renunciation of self-interest in fulfilling God’s commandments.
Love is an attribute of the beloved, therefore no explanation of its real nature is possible.
Love is an attribute of the beloved, therefore no explanation of its real nature is possible.
There is no flame of lust that cannot be extinguished by strenuous effort, because when vice proceeds from yourself. you possess the instrument that will remove it.
There is no flame of lust that cannot be extinguished by strenuous effort, because when vice proceeds from yourself. you possess the instrument that will remove it.
The miracles of a saint confirm the evidence of the prophet.
The miracles of a saint confirm the evidence of the prophet.
That which is transitory perishes and its renunciation becomes naught, but that which is everlasting cannot perish, hence its renunciation is also imperishable.
That which is transitory perishes and its renunciation becomes naught, but that which is everlasting cannot perish, hence its renunciation is also imperishable.
Ignorant Sufis are the vilest creatures of God; just as wise Sufis are the noblest.
Ignorant Sufis are the vilest creatures of God; just as wise Sufis are the noblest.
In our time the science of Sufism is desolate.
In our time the science of Sufism is desolate.
He who is most sincere in self-mortification is most firmly grounded in contemplation, for inward contemplation is connected with outward mortification.
He who is most sincere in self-mortification is most firmly grounded in contemplation, for inward contemplation is connected with outward mortification.
Knowledge of God requires abandonment of forethought, and abandonment of forethought is resignation.
Knowledge of God requires abandonment of forethought, and abandonment of forethought is resignation.
God had saints whom He has distinguished by His friendship.
God had saints whom He has distinguished by His friendship.
When a man is satisfied with God’s decrees, it is a sign that God is satisfied with him.
When a man is satisfied with God’s decrees, it is a sign that God is satisfied with him.
Gnosis when sought by effort, is a shackle and a veil.
Gnosis when sought by effort, is a shackle and a veil.
aaj ik aur baras biit gayā us ke baġhair
jis ke hote hue hote the zamāne mere
