This document contains sayings and teachings from various Sufi masters about the spiritual path and the search for God. Some key ideas expressed are: seeking God requires abandoning ego and desires; one must have a guide to avoid getting lost; remembrance of God through dhikr is important for spiritual progress; true love means taking on the attributes of the beloved; and insights come from radiant lights in the heart that allow mystics to understand secrets.
Pearls Upon a String: the Essential Unity of ReligionMaya Bohnhoff
A look through scripture at several of the world's revealed religions and their teachings about God, the Founders of faith, and humankind ... and the nature of the relationship between the three.
Pearls Upon a String: the Essential Unity of ReligionMaya Bohnhoff
A look through scripture at several of the world's revealed religions and their teachings about God, the Founders of faith, and humankind ... and the nature of the relationship between the three.
On the Reader peace and the Mercy of God and His Blessings!
The following pages contain an account of the beliefs and teachings of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, an elucidation of the claims of its Holy Founder and the arguments on which they are based. My object in writing these pages, dear reader, is to deliver to you and others the Message which God has addressed to mankind today to bring them again to Islam and its Holy Prophet (on whom be peace and the blessings of God). If you take the trouble to read these through you will not only earn my deep gratitude but also the Grace and Approval of God.
The names Ahmadi, Ahmadiyyat
A point I wish to make quite clear at the outset is that the names Ahmadi, Ahmadiyyat, etc., do not point to a new religion. Ahmadis are Muslims and their religion is Islam. The slightest deviation from it they consider wrong and degrading. True, Ahmadis have adopted the names Ahmadiyyat, Ahmadiyya Movement, Ahmadiyya Jama'at and so on. But the adoption of a name is not the adoption of a new religion. The name Ahmadiyyat is the name of a reinterpretation or a restatement of the Religion of the Holy Quran. It is a restatement presented under divine guidance by the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement. The names Ahmadi, Ahmadiyyat, etc., are meant only to distinguish Ahmadi Muslims from other Muslims, Ahmadi interpretation from other interpretations of Islam
Remembrance and prayer the way of the prophet muhammad (saw) by muhammad al g...docsforu
HAYKH MUHAMMAD AL-GHAZALl (1335-1416 AH/
1917-1996 CE) was one of the pioneers of the contemporary
Islamic revival. Born in Egypt, he graduated from Al-Azhar
University in 1941 and embarked on a career of writing,
lecturing, and calling people to Allah. As the author of over
fifty books, Shaykh Muhammad Al-Ghazali was a leading
authority on Islam throughout his life. For many years he
served in the Department of Awqaf in Egypt before moving on
to teach at Umm al Qura University in Makkah. He was also
an academic advisor at both Qatar University and the Islamic
University of Amir Abdul Qadir in Algeria. In his lifetime,
Shaykh Muhammad Al-Ghazali lived the ideals of his faith,
and his character reflected the close relationship he had
established with Allah. On the 19th of Shawwal in 1416
(March 9,1996) he passed on to the mercy of Allah while on
a visit to the Holy Places, and was buried at al-Madinah.
YUSUF TALAL DELORENZO is an American who, after his
conversion to Islam while still an undergraduate, went on to
study Islamic jurisprudence in the traditional madrassah
system in Pakistan. Following completion of his studies, Yusuf
Talal began a career of teaching Islamic law which in 1980
brought Shaykh Muhammad Al-Ghazali to him for ten days as
his house guest in Sri Lanka where he was director of the
Naleemiyah Institute of Islamic Studies. At the Shaykh’s
suggestion, 1 usuf Talal undertook the translation of this book.
Today, Yusuf Talal DeLorenzo is an expert on Islamic finance
and serves on the Shariah boards of numerous Islamic funds
and financial institutions, including the Dow Jones Islamic
Market Index.
What does “Islam” mean?
The word الإسلام [Islam] is an infinitive word derived from س ل م [silm] root in if‘al pattern and used as noun and infinitive. The word silm means “release/keeping away; and to be distant from fear, doubt, trouble, lack of peace, unhappiness, fight, war, pain, suffering, material and spiritual inconveniences, weakness and decaying, and all the negativities.” This word is also the root of salim, selam, teslim, Islam etc. The word’s “Islam” form means “strengthening” [removal from problems, worries, fear, unhappiness, fights, wars, and similar negative things]. Hence, the religion Islam means the “the religion that strengthens humans [entire range of principles that protects and secures people by putting a distance between them and problems, worries, war, weakness, spiritual illness, unhappiness, and similar things].”
For you are all Sons of Light (Towrah)and Sons of the Day (Sabbath)YHWHElder Keironjohn
Knowing the Times and Seasons
Now, brothers, as to the times and the seasons, you do not need to be written to. For you yourselves know very well that the day of YHWH comes as a thief in the night. For when they say,
“Peace and safety!”
then suddenly destruction comes upon them, as labour pains upon a pregnant woman and they shall not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
For you are all sons of light and sons of the day
Personal siddur Techno-Tiflah project. This siddur is the result of a student siddur project developed at the Saligman Middle School through a grant received from the Avi Chai Foundation
This slide program explains concept of Ibadah in Islam. It defines liberty and happiness in Islamic and secular terms. It shows that true liberty and happiness could only be achieved through Ibadah of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala alone.
A General Introduction to the Baha'i Faith (by J. Lane)jessielynn9
This is not an official representation of the Baha'i Faith, but a representation of the understanding of one individual Baha'i.
2-25-13
I threw this powerpoint on here in an attempt to be able to share it with some colleagues. There were some formatting issues after it was uploaded so I didn't end up sharing this version. I never thought that other people would view it, and completely forgot about this site. This morning I got an e-mail saying I had 100 views, and was completely flabbergasted. Since people are finding this useful I'll try and upload the powerpoint again after having made some formatting changes so the text doesn't drop off, etc.
Thanks for reading!
9-12-13
If you find this powerpoint useful I would appreciate feedback about what I've included, whether it be other concepts that could be included or explanations that could be better worded or expressed. Thanks!
On the Reader peace and the Mercy of God and His Blessings!
The following pages contain an account of the beliefs and teachings of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, an elucidation of the claims of its Holy Founder and the arguments on which they are based. My object in writing these pages, dear reader, is to deliver to you and others the Message which God has addressed to mankind today to bring them again to Islam and its Holy Prophet (on whom be peace and the blessings of God). If you take the trouble to read these through you will not only earn my deep gratitude but also the Grace and Approval of God.
The names Ahmadi, Ahmadiyyat
A point I wish to make quite clear at the outset is that the names Ahmadi, Ahmadiyyat, etc., do not point to a new religion. Ahmadis are Muslims and their religion is Islam. The slightest deviation from it they consider wrong and degrading. True, Ahmadis have adopted the names Ahmadiyyat, Ahmadiyya Movement, Ahmadiyya Jama'at and so on. But the adoption of a name is not the adoption of a new religion. The name Ahmadiyyat is the name of a reinterpretation or a restatement of the Religion of the Holy Quran. It is a restatement presented under divine guidance by the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement. The names Ahmadi, Ahmadiyyat, etc., are meant only to distinguish Ahmadi Muslims from other Muslims, Ahmadi interpretation from other interpretations of Islam
Remembrance and prayer the way of the prophet muhammad (saw) by muhammad al g...docsforu
HAYKH MUHAMMAD AL-GHAZALl (1335-1416 AH/
1917-1996 CE) was one of the pioneers of the contemporary
Islamic revival. Born in Egypt, he graduated from Al-Azhar
University in 1941 and embarked on a career of writing,
lecturing, and calling people to Allah. As the author of over
fifty books, Shaykh Muhammad Al-Ghazali was a leading
authority on Islam throughout his life. For many years he
served in the Department of Awqaf in Egypt before moving on
to teach at Umm al Qura University in Makkah. He was also
an academic advisor at both Qatar University and the Islamic
University of Amir Abdul Qadir in Algeria. In his lifetime,
Shaykh Muhammad Al-Ghazali lived the ideals of his faith,
and his character reflected the close relationship he had
established with Allah. On the 19th of Shawwal in 1416
(March 9,1996) he passed on to the mercy of Allah while on
a visit to the Holy Places, and was buried at al-Madinah.
YUSUF TALAL DELORENZO is an American who, after his
conversion to Islam while still an undergraduate, went on to
study Islamic jurisprudence in the traditional madrassah
system in Pakistan. Following completion of his studies, Yusuf
Talal began a career of teaching Islamic law which in 1980
brought Shaykh Muhammad Al-Ghazali to him for ten days as
his house guest in Sri Lanka where he was director of the
Naleemiyah Institute of Islamic Studies. At the Shaykh’s
suggestion, 1 usuf Talal undertook the translation of this book.
Today, Yusuf Talal DeLorenzo is an expert on Islamic finance
and serves on the Shariah boards of numerous Islamic funds
and financial institutions, including the Dow Jones Islamic
Market Index.
What does “Islam” mean?
The word الإسلام [Islam] is an infinitive word derived from س ل م [silm] root in if‘al pattern and used as noun and infinitive. The word silm means “release/keeping away; and to be distant from fear, doubt, trouble, lack of peace, unhappiness, fight, war, pain, suffering, material and spiritual inconveniences, weakness and decaying, and all the negativities.” This word is also the root of salim, selam, teslim, Islam etc. The word’s “Islam” form means “strengthening” [removal from problems, worries, fear, unhappiness, fights, wars, and similar negative things]. Hence, the religion Islam means the “the religion that strengthens humans [entire range of principles that protects and secures people by putting a distance between them and problems, worries, war, weakness, spiritual illness, unhappiness, and similar things].”
For you are all Sons of Light (Towrah)and Sons of the Day (Sabbath)YHWHElder Keironjohn
Knowing the Times and Seasons
Now, brothers, as to the times and the seasons, you do not need to be written to. For you yourselves know very well that the day of YHWH comes as a thief in the night. For when they say,
“Peace and safety!”
then suddenly destruction comes upon them, as labour pains upon a pregnant woman and they shall not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
For you are all sons of light and sons of the day
Personal siddur Techno-Tiflah project. This siddur is the result of a student siddur project developed at the Saligman Middle School through a grant received from the Avi Chai Foundation
This slide program explains concept of Ibadah in Islam. It defines liberty and happiness in Islamic and secular terms. It shows that true liberty and happiness could only be achieved through Ibadah of Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala alone.
A General Introduction to the Baha'i Faith (by J. Lane)jessielynn9
This is not an official representation of the Baha'i Faith, but a representation of the understanding of one individual Baha'i.
2-25-13
I threw this powerpoint on here in an attempt to be able to share it with some colleagues. There were some formatting issues after it was uploaded so I didn't end up sharing this version. I never thought that other people would view it, and completely forgot about this site. This morning I got an e-mail saying I had 100 views, and was completely flabbergasted. Since people are finding this useful I'll try and upload the powerpoint again after having made some formatting changes so the text doesn't drop off, etc.
Thanks for reading!
9-12-13
If you find this powerpoint useful I would appreciate feedback about what I've included, whether it be other concepts that could be included or explanations that could be better worded or expressed. Thanks!
Exploring the Mindfulness Understanding Its Benefits.pptxMartaLoveguard
Slide 1: Title: Exploring the Mindfulness: Understanding Its Benefits
Slide 2: Introduction to Mindfulness
Mindfulness, defined as the conscious, non-judgmental observation of the present moment, has deep roots in Buddhist meditation practice but has gained significant popularity in the Western world in recent years. In today's society, filled with distractions and constant stimuli, mindfulness offers a valuable tool for regaining inner peace and reconnecting with our true selves. By cultivating mindfulness, we can develop a heightened awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, leading to a greater sense of clarity and presence in our daily lives.
Slide 3: Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Well-being
Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and anxiety levels, improving overall quality of life.
Mindfulness increases awareness of our emotions and teaches us to manage them better, leading to improved mood.
Regular mindfulness practice can improve our ability to concentrate and focus our attention on the present moment.
Slide 4: Benefits of Mindfulness for Physical Health
Research has shown that practicing mindfulness can contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is beneficial for heart health.
Regular meditation and mindfulness practice can strengthen the immune system, aiding the body in fighting infections.
Mindfulness may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and obesity by reducing stress and improving overall lifestyle habits.
Slide 5: Impact of Mindfulness on Relationships
Mindfulness can help us better understand others and improve communication, leading to healthier relationships.
By focusing on the present moment and being fully attentive, mindfulness helps build stronger and more authentic connections with others.
Mindfulness teaches us how to be present for others in difficult times, leading to increased compassion and understanding.
Slide 6: Mindfulness Techniques and Practices
Focusing on the breath and mindful breathing can be a simple way to enter a state of mindfulness.
Body scan meditation involves focusing on different parts of the body, paying attention to any sensations and feelings.
Practicing mindful walking and eating involves consciously focusing on each step or bite, with full attention to sensory experiences.
Slide 7: Incorporating Mindfulness into Daily Life
You can practice mindfulness in everyday activities such as washing dishes or taking a walk in the park.
Adding mindfulness practice to daily routines can help increase awareness and presence.
Mindfulness helps us become more aware of our needs and better manage our time, leading to balance and harmony in life.
Slide 8: Summary: Embracing Mindfulness for Full Living
Mindfulness can bring numerous benefits for physical and mental health.
Regular mindfulness practice can help achieve a fuller and more satisfying life.
Mindfulness has the power to change our perspective and way of perceiving the world, leading to deeper se
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way.pptxCelso Napoleon
Lesson 9 - Resisting Temptation Along the Way
SBs – Sunday Bible School
Adult Bible Lessons 2nd quarter 2024 CPAD
MAGAZINE: THE CAREER THAT IS PROPOSED TO US: The Path of Salvation, Holiness and Perseverance to Reach Heaven
Commentator: Pastor Osiel Gomes
Presentation: Missionary Celso Napoleon
Renewed in Grace
The PBHP DYC ~ Reflections on The Dhamma (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
A PowerPoint Presentation based on the Dhamma Reflections for the PBHP DYC for the years 1993 – 2012. To motivate and inspire DYC members to keep on practicing the Dhamma and to do the meritorious deed of Dhammaduta work.
The texts are in English.
For the Video with audio narration, comments and texts in English, please check out the Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF2g_43NEa0
The Good News, newsletter for June 2024 is hereNoHo FUMC
Our monthly newsletter is available to read online. We hope you will join us each Sunday in person for our worship service. Make sure to subscribe and follow us on YouTube and social media.
What Should be the Christian View of Anime?Joe Muraguri
We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).
The Chakra System in our body - A Portal to Interdimensional Consciousness.pptxBharat Technology
each chakra is studied in greater detail, several steps have been included to
strengthen your personal intention to open each chakra more fully. These are designed
to draw forth the highest benefit for your spiritual growth.
HANUMAN STORIES: TIMELESS TEACHINGS FOR TODAY’S WORLDLearnyoga
Hanuman Stories: Timeless Teachings for Today’s World" delves into the inspiring tales of Hanuman, highlighting lessons of devotion, strength, and selfless service that resonate in modern life. These stories illustrate how Hanuman's unwavering faith and courage can guide us through challenges and foster resilience. Through these timeless narratives, readers can find profound wisdom to apply in their daily lives.
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book in the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament, and is the first book of the Deuteronomistic history, the story of Israel from the conquest of Canaan to the Babylonian exile.
In Jude 17-23 Jude shifts from piling up examples of false teachers from the Old Testament to a series of practical exhortations that flow from apostolic instruction. He preserves for us what may well have been part of the apostolic catechism for the first generation of Christ-followers. In these instructions Jude exhorts the believer to deal with 3 different groups of people: scoffers who are "devoid of the Spirit", believers who have come under the influence of scoffers and believers who are so entrenched in false teaching that they need rescue and pose some real spiritual risk for the rescuer. In all of this Jude emphasizes Jesus' call to rescue straying sheep, leaving the 99 safely behind and pursuing the 1.
1. Sayings of Sufi Masters
The thing we tell of can never be found by seeking,
yet only seekers find it.
(Bayezid Bistami)
Dedicated to Sant Kirpal Singh
2. -1-
Opportunity is precious and time is a sword.
(Sa‘di)
God travels with whoever looks for Him,
and having taken the seeker by the hand,
He arouses him to go in search of himself.
(Al-Ansari)
3. -2-
To be a Sufi is to give up all worries and there is no
worse worry than yourself. When you are occupied
with self you are separated from God. The way to
God is but one step: the step out of yourself.
(Abu Sa id ibn Abi-L-Khayr)
One of the attributes of the saint is that he has no fear,
for fear is anticipating some disagreeable event that
might come or expecting that something beloved
might pass away in the future. The saint is concerned
only with the present moment. He has no future
to fear.
(Traditional)
4. -3-
Sufism means that you possess nothing
and nothing possesses you.
(Sumnun)
An intending disciple said to Dhu-L-Nun, the
Egyptian mystic:
“Above everything in this world I wish to enroll in
the Path of Truth.”
Dhu-L-Nun told him: “You can accompany our
caravan only if you first accept two things.
One is that you will have to do things which you do
not want to do.
The other is that you will not be permitted to do
things which you desire to do.
It is ‘wanting’ which stands between man and
the Path of Truth.”
5. -4-
One day a man from Mount Locam came to visit
Sari al-Saqati. "Sheikh So and So from Mount
Locam greets you," he said.
"He dwells in the mountains," commented Sari.
"So his efforts amount to nothing. A man ought to be
able to live in the midst of the market and be so
preoccupied with God that not for a single minute is
he absent from God."
(Sari)
The perfect mystic is not a saintly recluse shunning
all commerce with mankind, but "the true saint" goes
in and out amongst the people and eats and sleeps
with them and buys and sells in the market and
marries and takes part in social intercourse, and never
forgets God for a single moment.
(Abu Sa id Ibn Abi-L-Khayr)
6. -5-
Solitude in the crowd: in all your outward activity
remain inwardly free. Learn not to identify with
anything whatsoever.
(Abd'l-Khaliq Ghijduwani)
Shibli sought the mystic Junayd as a teacher and said
to him, “You are recommended as an expert on pearls
(enlightenment). Either give me one, or sell one to
me.” Junayd replied, “If I sell you one, you will not
have the price of it, and if I give you one, having so
easily come by it you will not realize its value. Do
like me; plunge head-first into this Sea, and if you
wait patiently you will obtain your pearl.”
7. -6-
If you prefer the secrets of the love of your soul to be
revealed to you, you will sacrifice everything. You
will lose what you consider valuable, but you will
soon hear the sacramental word “Enter.”
(Attar)
It is a grave error for anyone to imagine he will attain
anything or that anything will be revealed to him of
the Path without persistent striving on his part.
(Abu Uthman Al-Hiri)
8. -7-
The thing we tell of can never be found by seeking,
yet only seekers find it.
(Bayezid Bistami)
Whoever believes he can reach God by his own
efforts toils in vain; whoever believes he can reach
God without effort is merely a traveler on
the road of intent.
(Abu Sa ‘id Al-Kharraz)
9. -8-
Keep strenuously toiling along this path,
do not rest until the last breath;
for that last breath may yet bring the blessings
from the Knower of all things.
(Rumi)
Search, no matter what situation you are in.
O thirsty one, search for water constantly.
Finally, the time will come when you will reach
the spring.
(Rumi)
Beware! Don’t despair if the Beloved turns you
down. If He sends you away today, might He not call
you to Himself tomorrow? If He shuts the door on
you, wait there and don’t go away. After testing
your patience, He will give you the seat of honor.
(Rumi)
10. -9-
It is easier to drag along a mountain by a hair
than to emerge from the self by oneself.
(Abu Sa ‘id Ibn Abi-L-Khayr)
Choose a Master, for without Him this journey is full
of tribulations, fears, and dangers. With no escort,
you would be lost on a road you would have already
taken. Do not travel alone on the Path.
(Rumi)
Do not take a step on the Path of Love without a
guide. I have tried it one hundred times and failed.
(Hafiz)
11. -10-
O Master! Whatever punishment Thou may inflict
upon me, do not punish me with the agony of being
veiled from Thee.
(Abu L Hasan Sari As-Saqati)
The Master’s love cannot be more or less. For Him
the very beginning and the end are the same; it is a
closed circle. His love for the disciple does not go on
increasing; for the disciple, of course, it is very
different; he has to complete the whole circle. As the
disciple progresses he feels the Master nearer and
nearer, as the time goes on. But the Master is not
nearer; He was always near, only the disciple did not
know it.
(Bhai Sahib)
12. -11-
God can only be known through the Master. If you
are being merged into the Master, you will know God.
Only the Master is important for you. Only the
Master. The Divine Master is complete in every way.
By simply becoming like Him one becomes complete
in every way.
(Bhai Sahib)
Sant Kirpal Singh
The saint is a fragrant plant placed in the earth by
God. The truthful take in His fragrance and it comes
into their hearts so that they long for their Master.
(Yahya Ibn Mu’Adh Ar-Razi)
13. -12-
The source of my grief and loneliness is deep in my
breast. This is a disease no doctor can cure.
Only union with the Friend can cure it.
(Rabia)
Sant Kirpal Singh
I will cry to Thee and cry to Thee and cry to Thee
until the milk of Thy kindness boils up.
(Rumi)
14. -13-
The world is full of beautiful things until an old man
with a beard came into my life and set my heart
aflame with longing and made it pregnant with love.
How can I look at the loveliness around me, how can
I see it, if it hides the face of my Beloved?
(Persian song)
If the eight Paradises were opened in my hut,
and the rule of both worlds were given in my hands,
I would not give for them that single sigh which rises
at morning-time from the depth of my soul in
remembering my longing for Him.
(Bayezid Bistami)
15. -14-
Until the beam of His love shines out to guide the
soul, it does not set out to behold the love of His face.
My heart feels not the slightest attraction towards
Him until an attraction comes from Him and works
upon my heart. Since I learnt that He longs for me,
longing for Him never leaves me for an instant.
(Maghribi)
Krishna and Radha
One must have spiritual longing, for there is no
shorter way to God for the devotee; if it passes
through solid rock, water springs forth. Spiritual
longing is fundamental for the seeker; it is the
bestowal of God’s mercy upon them.
(Abu Sa’id Ibn Abi-L-Khayr)
16. -15-
Spiritual need is a living and luminous fire placed by
God in the breasts of His servants that their “self”
(ego) may be burned; and when it has been burned
this fire becomes the fire of longing which never dies,
neither in this world nor in the next.
(Abu Sa’id Ibn Abi-L-Khayr)
It is He who suffers His absence in me
who through me cries out to Himself.
Love’s most strange, most holy mystery –
we are intimate beyond belief.
(Rumi)
17. -16-
Of all spiritual practices…the dhikr (simran) is the
practice most apt to free spiritual energy…The
advantage of the dhikr is that it is not restricted to any
ritual hour; its only limitation is the personal capacity
of the student.
(Henry Corbin)
The breath that does not repeat the name of God
is a wasted breath.
(Kabir)
18. -17-
God said, “I give more to the one who is so occupied
with My remembrance that he does not ask things of
Me, than I give to the supplicants.”
(Hadith)
Keep God, the Beloved, always in your heart.
Let your prayer, dhikr, be prayer of your heart.
(‘Abd’l-Khaliq Ghijduwani)
One cannot taste the intimacy of remembrance
without having suffered the desolation
of forgetfulness.
(Abu ‘Uthman Al-Hiri)
19. -18-
When God wishes to befriend one of His servants, He
opens for him the gate of His remembrance. When
he experiences the sweetness of remembrance, He
opens for him the gate of nearness. Then He raises
him into the gatherings of His intimacy. Then He
settles him upon the throne of unity. Then He lifts
the veil from him and leads him into the abode of
unicity and reveals for him the divine splendor and
majesty. When his eyes fall upon the divine splendor
and majesty, naught of himself remains. Thereupon
His servant is entirely extinguished for a time. After
this he comes under God’s exalted protection, free
from any pretensions of his self.
(Abu Sa’id Al-Kharraz)
There is a punishment for all things. The punishment
for the mystic is to be cut off from His remembrance.
(Sufyan Ath-Thawri)
20. -19-
How is it that those people are most beautiful who
pray at night? Because they are alone with the All-
Merciful who covers them with Light from His Light.
(Hasan Ibn ‘Ali)
All this talk and turmoil and noise and movement is
outside the veil; inside the veil is
silence and calm and peace.
(Bayezid Bistami)
21. -20-
You imagined that you would accomplish this task
through your own strength, activity, and effort. This
is the rule that has been established: expend
everything you have in journeying on the Way. Then
the bounty will come to you. On this endless road,
you are commanded to travel with your own feeble
hands and feet. God knows that you cannot traverse
this Way with feet so feeble. Indeed, in a hundred
thousand years you will not arrive at the first way
station. However, when you travel this road until
your legs are exhausted and you fall down flat, until
you have no more strength to move forward,
then God’s grace will take you in its arms.
(Rumi)
22. -21-
Dhu –L-Nun was asked, “What is the end of the
mystic?” He answered:
“When he is as he was where he was before he was.”
Whether your lot be glory or disgrace, be pure of
both hatred and love of self. Polish your mirror, and
perhaps that sublime beauty from the regions of
mystery will shine in your breast – just as it did for
the prophets. And then, with your heart illumined by
that splendor, the secret of the Beloved will no longer
be concealed from you.
(Jami)
23. -22-
Struggle with all alien thoughts, be always mindful of
what you are doing and thinking, so that you may put
the imprint of your immortality on every passing
incident of your daily life.
(Abd’L-Khaliq Ghijduwani)
The meaning of noble character is that the harshness
of men does not affect you once you have become
attentive to God.
(Al-Hallaj)
All wisdom can be stated in two lines:
What’s done for you – allow it to be done.
What you must do yourself – make sure you do it.
(Khawwas)
24. -23-
Do to me what is worthy of Thee,
and not what is worthy of me.
(Sa‘di)
True ecstasy is the conjunction of light with Light,
When the soul of man meets the Divine Light.
(Abdu’L-Qadir Al-Gilani)
O Light of light, Thou art veiled to Thy creatures and
they do not attain to Thy Light. O Light of light, Thy
Light illuminates the people of heaven and enlightens
the people of earth. O Light of all light, Thy Light is
praised by all light.
(Mohammed)
25. -24-
O God, the stars are shining: all eyes have closed in
sleep; the kings have locked their doors. Each lover
is alone, in secret, with the one he loves. And I am
here too: alone, hidden from all of them – with You.
(Rabia)
The one whom God has placed in the rank of His
lovers, He gives the vision of Himself, for He has
sworn, saying, “By my Glory, I will show him my
face and I will heal his soul by the vision of Myself.”
(Muhasibi)
I am nearer to you than yourself to yourself.
(Rumi)
26. -25-
Al-Junayd was asked, “What makes the lover weep
when he meets the Beloved?” He answered, “This is
only because of his great joy over Him and because
of the ecstasy born of his great longing for Him.
I have heard the story of two brothers who embraced
after a long separation. One of them cried,
“Ah, what longing!” The other responded,
“Ah, what ecstasy!”
Between the lover and the Beloved there must be no
veil. Thou thyself art thine own veil, Hafiz –
get out of the way!
(Hafiz)
27. -6-
The servant’s love for God is a state too subtle for
words. This state brings him to glorify God and to
try to gain His pleasure. He has little patience in
separation from Him, feels an urgent longing for Him,
finds no comfort in anything other than Him, and
experiences intimacy in his heart by making
continual remembrance of Him. The servant’s love
for God does not imply affection or enjoyment in the
human sense. Describing the lover as annihilated in
the Beloved is more fitting than describing him as
having enjoyment of Him.
(Al-Qushayri)
28. -27-
Love means that the attributes of the lover
are changed into those of the Beloved.
(Al-Junayd)
Call me, and though hell-fire lie between,
my love will make it easy to pass through the flames.
(Abu Sa‘id Ibn Abi-L-Khayr)
It is burning of the heart I want; this burning which is
everything, more precious than a worldly empire,
because it calls God secretly, in the night.
(Rumi)
29. -28-
He who loves does not think about his own life;
to love truly, a man must forget about himself,
be he ascetic or libertine. If your desires do not
accord with your spirit, sacrifice them, and you will
come to the end of your journey. If the body of
desire obstructs the way, reject it; then fix your eyes
in front and contemplate.
(Attar)
Love is a fire in the heart that burns up all
but the Beloved’s wishes.
(Traditional)
Love means that all loves but love of the Beloved
fall away from the heart.
(Al-Junayd)
30. -29-
Insights consist of radiant Lights in the heart,
enabling mystics to carry secrets from one hidden
realm to another, such that one may see things in the
way that God displays them to him, so that he may
speak about the innermost part of creation.
(Abu Bakr Muhammad Al-Wasiti)
Man is My secret and I am his secret.
The inner knowledge of the spiritual essence is a
secret of My secrets. Only I put this into the heart of
My good servant, and none may know his state other
than Me.
(Hadith)
31. -30-
I was a hidden treasure, and I desired to be known,
so I created the world.
(Hadith)
Things lie hidden in their opposites,
and but for the existence of opposites,
the Opposer would have no manifestations.
(Al-Alawi)
32. -31-
Who do you think I am? A drunkard? A love-sick
fool, a slave of my senses, made senseless by desire?
Understand: I have risen above all that, I am the King
of Love in majesty. My soul is purified from the
darkness of lust, my longing purged of low desire,
my mind free from shame. I have broken the teeming
bazaar of the senses in my body. Love is the essence
of my being. Love is fire and I am wood burnt by the
flame. Love has moved in and adorned the house,
my self tied up its bundle and left. You imagine that
you see me, but I no longer exist:
what remains is the Beloved.
(Nizami)
33. -32-
Love has come and it flows like blood beneath my
skin, through my veins. It has emptied me of my self
and filled me with the Beloved. The Beloved has
penetrated every cell of my body. Of myself there
remains only a name,
everything else is Him.
(Rumi)
When the lover is annihilated in Love his love
becomes one with the Love of the Beloved, and then
there is no bird and no wings, and his flight and love
to God are by God’s love to him.
(Najm Al-Din Kubra)
34. -33-
In the state of unification man perceives that all is
God, and all is by God. What formerly was known
by hearsay now becomes known intuitively as he
contemplates the works of God. Then he entirely
recognizes that he has not the right
to say “I” or “mine.”
(Abu Sa‘id Ibn Abi-L-Khayr)
Then the pilgrim returns home, to the home of his
origin,…that is where the home of the inner pilgrim
is, and that is where he returns. This is all that can be
explained, as much as the tongue can say and the
mind grasp. Beyond this no news can be given, for
beyond is the unperceivable, inconceivable,
indescribable.
(Abdu’l L-Qadir Al-Gilani)
35. May your soul be happy;
journey joyfully.
(Rumi)
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