• Lofty aspiration is the mark of one who has readied himself for the meeting with the Beloved, sending his gifts ahead of that rendezvous and greeting the moment of arrival with gladness: “Send forth for your own souls whatever good you do, and be mindful of Allah, and know that you shall meet Him, and give glad tidings to the believers” (2:223).

• By Allah, the enemy only assailed you after the Protector turned away; do not think that Satan prevailed—rather, the Guardian withdrew.

• Beware of your own self! No trial has ever struck you except through it. Make no truce with it. By Allah, no one truly honours it who does not first humble it; no one exalts it who does not abase it; no one mends it who does not break it; no one grants it rest who does not first weary it; no one secures it who does not alarm it; and no one gladdens it who does not first grieve it.

• Glory be to Allah! Outwardly you adorn yourself in the garment of piety, yet inwardly you are a vat for the wine of passion. Whenever you scent the robe with perfume, the odour of the intoxicant seeps out from beneath it. The truthful back away from you, while the libertines gather around you.

• The thief of desire slips in upon you while you are secluded in worship. Seeing that you do not drive him away, he persists until he expels you from the mosque.

• Be sincere in your quest, and help has already arrived.

• A man once said to Maʿrūf, “Teach me love!” He replied, “Love does not come by instruction.” (1)

Yearning proclaims where the youth was slain,
when it no longer promises the ardent lover a meeting with his Beloved. (2)