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.
God alone can help a man to-do good deed.
God alone can help a man to-do good deed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Prayer requires purification of the body; gnosis requires purification of the heart.
Prayer requires purification of the body; gnosis requires purification of the heart.
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.
Mu'jizat involve publicity, Karamaat secrecy.
Mu'jizat involve publicity, Karamaat secrecy.
God had made the saints the Governors of the universe.
God had made the saints the Governors of the universe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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।
Gnosis when sought by effort, is a shackle and a veil.
Gnosis when sought by effort, is a shackle and a veil.
Gnosis is realized when its true nature is divinely revealed.
Gnosis is realized when its true nature is divinely revealed.
God had saints whom He has distinguished by His friendship.
God had saints whom He has distinguished by His friendship.
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.
In our time the science of Sufism is desolate.
In our time the science of Sufism is desolate.
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.
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.
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.
Lust is our shackle, and sin is our chain.
Lust is our shackle, and sin is our chain.
Although hunger is an affliction to the body, it illumines the heart, purifies the soul, and leads the spirit into the presence of God.
Although hunger is an affliction to the body, it illumines the heart, purifies the soul, and leads the spirit into the presence of God.
Poverty has a form and an essence. Its form is destitution and indigence, but its essence is fortune and free choice.
Poverty has a form and an essence. Its form is destitution and indigence, but its essence is fortune and free choice.
The highest pinnacle of knowledge is expressed in the fact that without it none can know God.
The highest pinnacle of knowledge is expressed in the fact that without it none can know God.
The affliction of poverty is a sign of presence, while the delight of riches is a sign of ‘absence’.
The affliction of poverty is a sign of presence, while the delight of riches is a sign of ‘absence’.
When you have obtained knowledge of the lower soul, you recognize that it can be controlled by discipline, but that its essence and substance do not perish.
When you have obtained knowledge of the lower soul, you recognize that it can be controlled by discipline, but that its essence and substance do not perish.
Anyone, who pretends to know God without lowliness and fear, is an ignorant fool, not gnostic.
Anyone, who pretends to know God without lowliness and fear, is an ignorant fool, not gnostic.
The animal soul is the greatest of alt veils between God and man.
The animal soul is the greatest of alt veils between God and man.
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.
The Sufi is absent from himself and present with God.
The Sufi is absent from himself and present with God.
Whoever is annihilated from his own will subsists in the will of God.
Whoever is annihilated from his own will subsists in the will of God.
aaj ik aur baras biit gayā us ke baġhair
jis ke hote hue hote the zamāne mere
