Did You Know

Inserting verses from other poems into the silent text in the qawwali performance is called Girah lagana (tying a knot)

Sufi Literature

THE ALCHEMY OF HAPPINESS

An important part of our knowledge of God arises from the study and contemplation of our

Imam Ghazali

Malfooz

Someone said: “A true lover must be submissive and abject and longsuffering.” And they listed other

Maulana Rumi

Malfooz

From a certain tree, sweet fruit grows. Although that fruit is only one part, yet God has chosen and distinguished that part above the whole, for in it God deposited a sweetness that He did not deposit in the rest. By virtue of that flavor, that part became superior to the whole, and proved the pith and purpose of the tree. So God declares:
“Nay, but they wonder that a warner has come to them from amongst themselves.”

Maulana Rumi

Maktub

The company of the saints

It thou wouldst know the unknown, taste the nectar of grace and transcend the seven heavens,

Sheikh Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri

Persian Sufi Poetry

gauhar-e-maKHzan-e-asrar-e-hamanast ki bud

taalib-e-la.al-e-guhar niist vagarna KHurshiid
ham-chunaa.n dar amal-e-ma.adin-o-kaanast ki buud

Hafiz

Malfooz

For a place of prayer.’”
The literalists say that what is intended by this “House” is the

Maulana Rumi

Persian Sufi Poetry

hikayat-e-mobid-e-hindu ki marifat yaft

sairafe gauhar-e-aa.n raaz shud
taa ba-adam suu-e-gauhar baaz shud

Nizami Gnajavi

Persian Kalam

gauhar-e-ishqat ze kaan-e-diigarast
tiir-e-shakat az kamaan-e-diigarast

Khwaja Ahmad Jaam

Quote

I want to see you

then let them part,
just the slightest bit,

Maulana Rumi

Sufi-Terminology

6. Khilafat-e-takleef: When a murid tries to get khilafat from his sheikh by personal effort and recommendations

Malfooz

The physical has such power that passion can bring us into a state where we are

Maulana Rumi

Persian Sufi Poetry

guftar dar baz justan-e-dil

be-namakaa.n raa tuu jigar mii-dehii
ganj ze-durr zar ze-gauhar mii-dehii

Nizami Gnajavi

Sufi-Terminology

Believe ye then part of the Book,
And deny part? (Al-Baqana, 2:85)

Persian Kalam

qatra-haa-e-ashk baashad gauhar-e-ammaan-e-ishq
paara-haa-e-dil buuvad yaaquut-e-laal-e-kaan-e-ishq

Hasan Bihari

Kalaam

kyaa aab hai kyaa taab hai ai jauharii aa dekh
aa.nsuu hai.n mire la.al-o-gauhar ke baraabar

Shah Turab Ali Qalandar Kakorwi

Sufi-Terminology

4. When a murid is the victim of continuous carelessness on the part of his Shaikh to

Persian Sufi Poetry

kard chu aan band gushai mara

chuu.n pai-e-gauhar suu-e-dariyaa shitaaft
hech guhar juz guhar-e-KHud na yaaft

Mulla Jami

Malfooz

Rumi said: If I appear lacking in gratitude and appreciation for the kindness and support you

Maulana Rumi

Persian Sufi Poetry

sawal - che bahar-ast aan ki ilmash sahil aamad

ze-kaar-e-uu che gauhar haasil aamad
javaab

Mahmud Shabistari