THE SEVENTY-FIFTH DISCOURSE On spiritual culture (tasawwuf) and what it is based on

I admonish you to fear God and to obey Him and to adopt the externals of law and purity of heart and self-control and cheerful appearance, and the habit of making gifts of useful things and removal of suffering and poverty, and the guarding of the sanctity of spiritual people and good dealing with the fellow-members of society and good counsel for the youngster, and to discard enmity with companions and to refrain from hoarding, and to discard the companionship of those who do not belong to the class of spiritual pilgrims and to render help in matters religious and worldly. The reality of religious poverty is that you should not convey your needs to one who is like you and the reality of affluence is that you should be above the need of creatures like yourself. Tasawwuf (spiritual culture) is obtained, not through discussion and talk, but through hunger and the giving up of things liked and approved of. Do not keep your knowledge in the forefront while approaching a darvesh; rather keep gentleness as (your principal characteristic), because a display of knowledge will make him uncomfortable whereas gentleness will make him feel at home. Tasawwuf is based on eight qualities (1) Generosity like that of Prophet Abraham; (2) Cheerful submission like that of Prophet Isaac; (3) Patience like that of Prophet Jacob; (4) Prayer like that of Prophet Zachariah; (5) Poverty like that of Prophet John; (6) Wearing of woollen dress like that of Prophet Moses; (7) Travelling about like that of Prophet Jesus; and (8) Religious poverty like that of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and all the rest).