In the Mystic Footsteps of Saints (Sufi Wisdom Book 1)
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The second category of knowledge the holy Prophet was instructed to reveal to initiates, to seekers of truth, in accordance with their thirst for deeper understanding. This knowledge was only for those who had become suitable recipients for extraordinary revelation that would only shock or confuse the uninitiated.
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if you consider yourself to be a seeker of truth, don’t be lazy or timid in your quest, but seek to benefit from the clues provided by those who received initiation into this second category of knowledge.
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don’t try to force such an understanding on those who are not seeking it, for it is not intended for all.
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Sayyidina Ali, the cousin and son in law of the Prophet, was one of those who received the most in depth knowledge; he once said to some of the other companions: “There are two categories of knowledge I received from the holy Prophet: one I reveal to you, and the other, were I to even intimate something of it, you would try to kill me.”
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“Give to those who may receive”,
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don’t be oblivious to the reactions of these who you address, don’t run up against a wall, gaining nothing in the process except a bump on the head. Find common ground, then build on it step by step.
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If your practice brings you inner peace and wisdom others will emulate those practices voluntarily.
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“Make things easy for people, not difficult; give them good tidings and don’t drive them away.”
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The attainment of familiarity is a miracle in itself, as our egos are usually too proud to put themselves on the same footing with anyone else. Each ego sees itself as being unique and incomparable. Just as a king must be alone on his throne, so our egos envision themselves at an exalted station.
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It is only that destiny has not apportioned us the circumstances for the development of such extreme ego indulgence. But no doubt your ego given half a chance would establish itself on that throne of blasphemy. Therefore, we must be ashamed to say: “That person doesn’t pray”, or “That person transgresses the Law of God.”
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They have acquired wisdom through seeking it.
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Wisdom pearls may only be kept with a strong faith and method. So many people have overlooked this necessity. If you have the thread, one by one you may obtain the pearls and string them.
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Be wise and learn from this tale. If you think that a government is oppressive, look at the people being ruled and you will understand why they are suffering.
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long as you are in this world there must be some work that you can do with your hands.
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No “barakah” comes from unearned money, and the result of such a life will be both physical and mental illness.
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if you value your health and your sanity, eat from the work of your hands!
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“You must work for your honest provision as if you are going to remain in this world forever, and for the afterlife as if you will die tomorrow.”
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exaggeration on the one had, and the total abandonment, on the other, of any aspect of life is a sign of ignorance.
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there is nothing that the ego hates more than being blamed or accused.
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“And if you were short tempered, severe and hard hearted they would flee from you.” This verse indicates that only through exemplary tolerance and kindness can any impression be made on ill mannered and badly educated people.
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“essence of knowledge” – wisdom. Knowledge may be arrived at through the process of experimentation and observation: it is the understanding of the observable.
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Knowledge is the fruit of thought,
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Your minds have limits but not your hearts, for they are receptacles of endless capacity; but you must open your hearts to this knowledge, as nothing may pass through what is closed.
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the beauty of a diamond may be enhanced by a beautiful gold ring or be hidden by wrapping it in cotton, so do external influences determine to what extent that divine personality is able to shine forth.
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Our egos are but vehicles to make possible for our souls to exist in this realm, but the ego puts forward claims to being the man and not just the horse.
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what people call pleasure is only a kind of forced enjoyment.
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spoonful of honey is sweeter than a cupful which will only make you sick. But because the philosophy of endless greed is now the common creed, people think that finding a beehive would be their greatest good fortune. How wrong they are!
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consumer in the amusement market.
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Why should he need to escape from his house every night to the discotheque, theater or gambling casino when his heart provides him with all he needs to be happy?
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“stimulation addicts”;
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every mistake we make is an opportunity to realize something valuable about ourselves, and to awaken to the need for improvement.
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hypnotized by the dazzle of city lights.
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“He fled from the rain to the hail.”
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your worth is determined by the magnanimity of your heart.
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A person who stands for justice is called “Haqqani”,
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“Rabbani” or beings who pertain to the Lord intimately.
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“Oh my Lord, I ask You to grant me understanding, and to enable me, Oh my Lord, to make others understand.”
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a person’s perfection in Islam is his abandonment of useless activities (“that which doesn’t concern him”).
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“fana and baqa”, or “annihilation and permanence
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be patient with those events that are not to our liking,
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Human beings, the “Crown of Creation”,
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who tastes of that love asks for more.
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Common people do not envy each other as much as the upper classes do.
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“Oh our village, our mountains, our rivers, our seas, our old friends!”