Defining the Shaykh & the Murid

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is extracted and adapted from Qala’id al-Jawahir by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Yahya at-Tadhifi al-Hanbali (q.s.), and translated by Ustadz Muhtar Holland. 

The shaykh is he who gathers us together in his presence, takes care of us in his absence, trains us by means of his character, teaches us by lowering his gaze in silence, and enlightens our bathin, inner being, by means of his illumination. 

The murid is he who makes his light shine in the company of the fuqara’, through intimate friendship and a cheerful disposition; in the company of the Sufis, through good behaviour, self-effacement, excellence of moral conduct, and modest humility in every situation; in the company of ‘ulama, by listening with careful attention; in the company of those endowed with ma’rifah, by maintaining a calm and quiet state; and in the company of holders of high stations, through the affirmation of tawhid.


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