Sufis Quotes - Page 6

The definition of the word 'finished' is: 'This word means finished.

Knowledge. How curious that a man who closes his hand upon air so often thinks that he has a ruby within his grasp.

Sufism is education, in that it has a body of knowledge which it transmits to those who have not got it.

When sense has left a head, it should be called a tail.

When you feel least interested in following the Way which you have entered, this may be the time when it is most appropriate for you.

Sufis deny the absolute reality of time, space and physical form. These things are both relative and local. They only appear to be absolute.

One of the basic Sufi needs is to enable people to see themselves as they really are.

Much smoke has been seen, and caused great fear of fire — even when no fire ensued.

Man (as he imagines himself to be), in general, is a possibility, not a fact.

Almost every day I am reminded of Saadi's reflection that there is no senseless tyranny like that of subordinates.

The degree of necessity determines the development of organs in man… therefore increase your necessity.

If you really want to learn, do not be surprised if someone tries to teach you. And do not lightly reject the method.

Brave is the thief who carries a lamp in his hand.

Hariri says, in his Maqamat: ‘Safety is on the river’s BANK.

What you have to learn is how to find the unworldly in everything.

A donkey eats a melon, it remains a donkey

They have fixed our nutrition and arranged our life-span. More than this, and ahead of this, efforts will not be productive.

WisdomSufian said: 'The wisdom which is invisible but which sustains is a hundred times better than the appearance of wisdom, for that has itself to be sustained.

If you are 'humble', it may help you in ordinary life. If you are not, you will get nowhere in higher things.

if... says: 'Do not be greedy, be generous', you may inwardly interpret this in such a manner that you will develop a greed for generosity

He is the completed Man who, from his completeness, performs, with his Mastership, the work of a slave.

Sayings of the ProphetTrust: Trust in God – but tie your camel first.

Trying to force something is the best way to stop it happening.

Definitions from Mulla Do-PiazaEmotionalist:A man or woman who thinks he has experienced the divine.

Contrary to Expectation. A wise man, the wonder of his age, taught his disciples from a seemingly inexhaustible store of wisdom. He attributed all his knowledge to a thick tome which was kept in a place of honour in his room. The sage would allow nobody to open the volume. When he died, those who had surrounded him, regarding themselves as his heirs, ran to open the book, anxious to possess what it contained. They were surprised, confused and disappointed when they found that there was writing on only one page. They became even more bewildered and then annoyed when they tried to penetrate the meaning of the phrase which met their eyes. It was: 'When you realise the difference between the container and the content, you will have knowledge.

Definitions from Mulla Do-PiazaPenitent: Someone who has been made incapable of enjoying himself.

Correct teaching brings out human excellence.

Sufism was formerly a reality without a name: now it is a name without a reality.

Abu-Yaqub al-Susi: the Sufi is 'One who does not care when something is taken from him, but who does not cease to seek for what he has not.

The hearts of the noble are the graves of confidences.

The totality of life cannot be understood, so runs Sufi teaching, if it is studied only through the methods which we use in everyday living.

Q: How can I help myself?A: By remembering the proverb: ‘The Path is not to be found anywhere except in human service’, from Saadi.

Have the nature of a dervish: then wear a stylish cap.

The existence of relative truth does not prove the non-existence of universal truth.

And there are many people, both Moslem and Christian, who have a good grasp of each others0 conceptions of surrender to God an other principles. But the widespread existence of bias, misinformation and lack of knowledge (…) militate against the effectiveness of dialogue, (…) by the most subtle and one of the most effective of instruments, the subconscious, almost the subliminal, introduction of hostility.

Forms are vehicles and instruments, and vehicles and instruments cannot be called good or bad without context.

Whoever gives knowledge to a fool loses itAnd who keeps it from the deserving does wrong.

The major barrier to understanding is wishful thinking and following that which pleases one.

And Rumi tells us, ‘Soul receives from soul that knowledge, therefore not by book nor from tongue’.

Saying of the ProphetObligation to LearnThe pursuit of knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim.

He discards a quilt for fear of bugs.

Much religious teaching in the world is in reality a confused or deteriorated form, very different from its roots.

Definitions from Mulla Do-PiazaPatience: A support for the disappointed.

Saying of the Prophet.Lies, promises, trustHe is not of mine who lies, breaks a promise or fails in his trust.

Forms have changed through the centuries in obedience to the external world to which all forms belong.

The bird which has no knowledge of pure water, has his beak in salt water all year round.

Learning how to learn involves examining assumptions. Mulla Nasrudin tales very often fulfil this funcition.

They asked Abboud of Omdurman: 'Which is better, to be young or to be old?' He said: 'To be old is to have less time before you and more mistakes behind. I leave you to decide whether this is better than the reverse.

Give and TakeThe Chief takes less than he is givenAnd gives more than he has taken

Saying of the ProphetStruggleThe holy warrior is he who struggles with himself.

DeathIf he is a good man, death will be a release;If he is a bad one, it will release others from him.

Saying of the Prophet.Ink and Blood:The ink of the learned is holier than the blood of the martyr.

Saying of the ProphetAngerYou ask for a piece of advice. I tell you: 'Do not get angry.' He is strong who can withhold anger.

One day we will all wear a garment which has no pockets...

Superior experience and knowledge will be made available to a man or woman in exact accordance with his worth, capacity and earning of it

It is the goldsmith who can assay the gold.

If you want special illumination, look upon the human face:See clearly within laughter the Essence of Ultimate Truth.

Generosity is also marked by doing what one says one will do.

Definitions from Mulla Do-PiazaBribetSubstitute for law, which is a substitute for justice.

If you will not reprove yourself,’ Saadi says, ‘you will not welcome reproof from another.