“The function of a nutrient is to become transmuted, not to leave unaltered traces.”

“Fettered feet in the presence of friends is better than living in a garden with strangers.”

“It is axiomatic that the attempt to become a Sufi through a desire for personal power as normally understood will not succeed.”

“The Way of the Sufis cannot be understood by means of the intellect or by ordinary book learning.”

“Take the wheat, not the measure in which it is contained”

“I am an idol worshipper; for I understand what idol worship means, and the idolater does not.”

“Practise your knowledge, for knowledge without practice is a body without life”

“He who is fortunately enlightened [the Sufi]Knows that sophistry is from the devil and love from Adam.”

“The totality of life cannot be understood, so runs Sufi teaching, if it is studied only through the methods which we use in everyday living.”

“MAGHRIBI: Learning is in activity. Learning through words alone is minor activity.”

“SAYING OF SHEIKH ZIAUDIN:Self-justification is worse than the original offence.”

“It is not Sufism if it does not perform its function for you. A cloak is no longer a cloak if it does not keep a man warm.”

“It is your duty to do your best. It is not, however, your birth-right to prevail.”