According to some authors, Sufi is traceable to the Arabic word, pronounced ‘soof’,which literally means, ‘wool’ referring to the material from which the simple rooes of the early Muslim mystics were made.
Mysticism in the Islamic context has traditionally been intertwined with the notion of Ḥikmah, which is at once both wisdom and philosophy (Nasr 1996). The source of mysticism and the mystical elements in Islam are to be traced to the Qur’an and the Islamic doctrine itself. Some of the Qur’anic verses have been viewed by the mystics and philosopher-mystics of Islam as allegorical and esoteric hints for those who can see them. “God is the Outward and the Inward” (Qu’ran 57:3), “he for whom wisdom is given, he truly has received abundant good” (Qu’ran 2:269),
Idries Shah A Sufi master was visited by a perplexed Seeker-after-Truth, who said to him :‘I have only one question to ask. Why is it that, wherever I go, I always seemed to get different pieces of advice from Sufis?’The master answered :‘Come with me for a walk through this town, and we shall see […]
Different Every Time Read More »
‘Saadi of Shiraz’, in his ‘Bostan‘, stated an important truth when he told this miniature tale :A man met another, who was handsome, intelligent and elegant. He asked him who he was. The other said : ‘I am the Devil.’ ‘But you cannot be,’ said the first man, ‘for the devil is evil and ugly.’‘My
Mulla Nasrudin Effendi One day, Nasrudin’s neighbor peered over the fence and saw the Mulla digging a huge hole. “Are you gardening?” he inquired. “No,” answered Mulla, “I’m burying the rubble from building the house. It’s taking up half the garden.” “What about the earth you’re digging up?” asked the neighbor. “Simple,” said Mulla, “I’ll
One day, ‘Nasrudin’ was shopping in the bazaar when a man walked up behind him and slapped him on the back of the head.‘I must apologize,’ said his attacker as the Mulla spun round. ‘I thought you were someone else.’Not satisfied with an apology,’ Nasrudin’ took the man to court. But it turned out that
Fariduddin Attar There is a saying, ‘Whatever goes into a salt-mine becomes salt.’ The Teaching is the worldly manifestation of something, and as such a manifestation it is affected by the deforming character in appearance and operation of those who adopt it into their culture without understanding its inner dimensions. Listen to what happened to
Vicissitudes of Teaching Truth Read More »
There was once a young man, he related, who sought out a Sage, and asked him: I wish to be wise – how can I achieve my wish?’The Sage heaved a great sigh and answered:‘There was once a young man, just like you.‘He wished to be wise, and this wish had great strength.‘Suddenly he found
How Can I be Wise? Read More »
‘He was a doctor, and the king of a certain country called him to treat his ailment. The sage refused. Then the King ordered soldiers to seize the doctor, and to bring him to his presence. ‘When they were face to face, the King said, “I have brought you here, bound hand and foot, to
Who think that “deceit” is always evil Read More »
I am being asked to illustrate that the learning process is distinct from its emotionally stimulative content.There is a story of a teacher who spent much of his salary on alcoholic drink.When this became known, students deserted him, saying ‘We can hardly understand what he says.’A friend, another scholar, suggested that, as he now had
Once, two students of the Sufi Way found themselves in a heated argument about the nature of human understanding. The first student claimed, “Man arrives at Truth through personal effort and diligent research. He begins in ignorance and gradually acquires knowledge.” The second student disagreed, “No, man reaches Truth only under the guidance of expert
A Lesson in Understanding: The Two Sufi Students and the Truth Read More »
There is a story of old, once told by a people who hearkened to wisdom. As the members of that community do not now listen to meanings, it really matters little whether they are told the story or not, or have preserved it or not.But to proceed: the story concerns four men, who lived in
The Four Scholars and Lion Read More »
