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.
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.
God alone can help a man to-do good deed.
God alone can help a man to-do good deed.
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.
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.
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.
The food of the dervish is ecstasy, his clothing is piety, and his dwelling place is the Unseen.
The food of the dervish is ecstasy, his clothing is piety, and his dwelling place is the Unseen.
The saints are witnesses to the truth of the prophet’s mission.
The saints are witnesses to the truth of the prophet’s mission.
Knowledge and action cannot be divorced in any way, just as the light of the sun cannot be separated from the sun itself.
Knowledge and action cannot be divorced in any way, just as the light of the sun cannot be separated from the sun itself.
Knowledge of God is the science of gnosis; knowledge from God is the science of the sacred Law; and knowledge with God is the science of the Sufi path.
Knowledge of God is the science of gnosis; knowledge from God is the science of the sacred Law; and knowledge with God is the science of the Sufi path.
A man is united to God when God holds him in honor, and separated from God when God holds him in contempt.
A man is united to God when God holds him in honor, and separated from God when God holds him in contempt.
The essence of Sufism involves the annihilation of human qualities.
The essence of Sufism involves the annihilation of human qualities.
The Sufi is entirely present: his sou! is where his body is, and his body where his soul is, and his soul where his foot is, and his foot where his soul is.
The Sufi is entirely present: his sou! is where his body is, and his body where his soul is, and his soul where his foot is, and his foot where his soul is.
Faith and gnosis are love, and obedience is a sign of love.
Faith and gnosis are love, and obedience is a sign of love.
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.
aaj ik aur baras biit gayā us ke baġhair
jis ke hote hue hote the zamāne mere
