Sufism

Our Prophet said to Hazrat ‘Ali (r.a.):

“O ‘Ali, you are the Lion of Allah, strong, courageous, most valiant,
Yet confide not in thy lion-like valour,
But seek refuge under the palm-trees of the ‘Hope’.
Come under the shadow of the Wise Murshid
That man turns not away from obedience to him in any way.
His shadow on earth is as that of Mount Qaf,
His spirit is as a Simurgh soaring on high.
Were I to tell his praises till the last day,
My words would not be too many nor admit of curtail-
ment.
He is the sun of the spirit, not that of the sky,
For from his light men and angels draw life.
That sun is hidden in the form of a man,
Understand me! Allah knows the truth.
O ‘Ali, out of all forms of religious service
Choose thou the shadow of that man favored by the mercy of Allah.!
Every man takes refuge in some form of service,
And chooses for himself some asylum;
Do seek refuge in the shadow of the wise man,
That you may escape your fierce secret foes.
Of all forms of service this is fittest for you;
You shall surpass all who were before you.
Having chosen your Pir, be submissive to him.
Even as Moses submitted to the commands of Khizr;
Have patience with Khizr’s actions, O sincere one!
Lest he says, ‘There is a partition between us.’
Though he staves in your boat, yet hold your peace;

Though he slays a young man, heave not a sigh.
God declares his hand to be even as God’s hand,
For He said, “The Hand of Allah is placed on their hands.”
The hand of Allah impels him and gives him life;
Nay, not life only, but an eternal soul.
A Pîr is needed; travel not the road alone,
Take not your own way through this desert!
Whoso travels this road alone
Only does so by aid of the might of holy men.
The hand of the Pir is not weaker than theirs;
His hand is none other than the grasp of Allah!
If absent saints can confer such protection,
Doubtless present saints are more powerful than absent.
If such food be bestowed on the absent,
What dainties may not the guest who is present expect?
The courtier who attends in the presence of the king
Is served better than the stranger outside the gate.
The difference between them is beyond calculation;
One sees the light, the other on]y the veil.
Strive to obtain entrance within,
If you would not remain as a ring outside the door.
Having chosen your Murshid, be not weak of heart,
Nor yet sluggish and lax as water and mud;
But if you take umbrage at every rub,
How will you become a polished mirror?”
Even if men were angels, with no help from God, their record (of deeds) would come out in black (full of sins).
Angels also need the help of God, and the intercession of the Complete Men who are God’s finest servants .