Sufi Quotes of Data Sahib
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.
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?
God alone can help a man to-do good deed.
God alone can help a man to-do good deed.
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.
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.
Mu'jizat involve publicity, Karamaat secrecy.
Mu'jizat involve publicity, Karamaat secrecy.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Acquiescence is a characteristic of God’s friends, while hypocrisy is a characteristic of His enemies.
Acquiescence is a characteristic of God’s friends, while hypocrisy is a characteristic of His enemies.
Men are ever looking to the Ka'ba, but God is ever looking to the heart,
Men are ever looking to the Ka'ba, but God is ever looking to the heart,
God has eternal attributes, which are peculiar to Him, and subsist through him.
God has eternal attributes, which are peculiar to Him, and subsist through him.
Do not trouble yourself with destiny, for what is destined from eternity will not be changed by your efforts.
Do not trouble yourself with destiny, for what is destined from eternity will not be changed by your efforts.
Knowledge is a Divine attribute and action is a human attribute.
Knowledge is a Divine attribute and action is a human attribute.
God preserves His saints in all circumstances from the guiles of the Satan.
God preserves His saints in all circumstances from the guiles of the Satan.
God created the body and committed its life to the spirit, and he created the soul and committed its life to Himself.
God created the body and committed its life to the spirit, and he created the soul and committed its life to Himself.
To covet this world is to tum away from God for the sake of that which is transitory, and to covet the next world is to turn away from God for the sake of that which is everlasting.
To covet this world is to tum away from God for the sake of that which is transitory, and to covet the next world is to turn away from God for the sake of that which is everlasting.
Blind conformity had taken the place of spiritual enthusiasm.
Blind conformity had taken the place of spiritual enthusiasm.
When food is withheld from the lower soul, it grows weak, the reason gains strength, and the mysteries and evidence of God become more visible.
When food is withheld from the lower soul, it grows weak, the reason gains strength, and the mysteries and evidence of God become more visible.
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.
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 pre-eminence of the prophets depends on their exalted rank and not their being preserved from the defilement of sin, not on miracles or acts which violate custom.
The pre-eminence of the prophets depends on their exalted rank and not their being preserved from the defilement of sin, not on miracles or acts which violate custom.
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.
The Sufi is absent from himself and present with God.
The Sufi is absent from himself and present with 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.
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 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.
Faith and gnosis are love, and obedience is a sign of love.
Faith and gnosis are love, and obedience is a sign of love.
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.
Ordinary people seek indulgences to keep themselves within the pale of the sacred law, but the elect practice self-mortification to feel the fruit thereof in their hearts.
Ordinary people seek indulgences to keep themselves within the pale of the sacred law, but the elect practice self-mortification to feel the fruit thereof in their hearts.
aaj ik aur baras biit gayā us ke baġhair
jis ke hote hue hote the zamāne mere
