Sahl bin Abdullah al-Tustari was a significant figure in Sufi mysticism during the 9th century CE, born in Tustar, Iran. Renowned for his spiritual insights, he emphasized the importance of tawhid (the oneness of God) and inner purification in the Sufi path. His major work, “Tafsir al-Quran al-Azim,” offers profound commentary on the Quran, focusing on its esoteric and mystical dimensions. Sahl al-Tustari’s interpretations are highly esteemed for their depth and spiritual insight. As a Sufi master, Sahl al-Tustari attracted numerous disciples who sought his guidance on the journey to spiritual enlightenment. His teachings have left a lasting impact on Sufi thought and practice, particularly within Islamic mysticism. Despite his passing in the 9th century, Sahl bin Abdullah al-Tustari’s legacy endures, influencing generations of seekers with his profound spiritual wisdom and contemplative approach to understanding the divine.
Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari Quotes
01. “There are three kinds of if: Ilm from God which is the science of law, Ilm with God which is the science of Sufi states and if of God which is the knowledge of His Attributes and Qualities
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
02. “The carnal self (ego) is the real cause of evil and the worst enemy of the seeker of God. Thus, self-mortification is indispensable for the attainment of spiritual discipline.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
03. “There is no worship of God like that of opposing the soul and passion.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
04. “Someone asked about good conduct of Sufis. He replied: ‘Its minimal requirements were to suffer evil with forbearance, to abstain from retribution, and to have compassion for him who wrongs you. It is these qualities which are characteristic of the Sufis and not what is said and committed by the simulators; their Perverted claims are denounced.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
05. “Devotion is not sound for anyone until he feels no concern for four things: hunger, nakedness, poverty and disgrace.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
06. “Retreat is only sound by eating licit foods, and eating licit foods in only sound by discharging what is due toward God.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
07. “Mystic man, in mystical introspection re-actualizes this secret as the secret of Divine Lordship enshrined in his inmost being since the Day of covenant. (Aalst)
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
08. “The Sufi is he who would not object if his blood were shed and his property taken.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
09. “The mystic path is to be covered through the stations of turning towards God, repentance, forgiveness of sins, loveliness, steadfastness, meditation, gnosis, spiritual discourse and intimacy with God.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
10. “He was asked: “When is the dervish saved from his ego?” He answered, “When he will not allow his ego to concern itself with any other time but the moment within which he is. That is when the Sufi will find peace.””
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
11. “There are three modes of theophany (Rajalli); theophany of the Divine Essence (Tajalli dhat) which is unveiling (Mukashafa), theophany of Divine decree (Tajalli Hukm ad-dhat) which is life in the world to come,
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
12. “When God created the world, He placed sin and ignorance within satisfaction of the appetite and knowledge and wisdom within hunger. When Sahl hungered, he was powerful, and whenever he ate, he became weak.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
13. “Not a day passes but that the Exalted cries out; “O My servant, you treat me unjustly. I remember you, but you forget Me. I invite you to Myself, but you go to other. I take away afflictions from you, but you continue to sin. O son of Adam, what will you have to say on the morrow when you meet Me?”
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
14. “The first station of trust in God is that the servant be between the hands of God exactly as the dead body is between the hands of the one who washes the dead.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
15. “A man came to Sahl and told him; “A robber broke into my house and stole my belongings!” Sahl said! “Give thanks to God, if a robber had entered your heart and corrupted your belief in God’s Oneness, then what would you do?
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
16. “The eye by which you see the truth, the ear by which you hear the truth, are the tongue by which you proclaim the truth-are ail the secret of the soul.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
17. “The gnosis (Marifat) is not only an act of intuitive perception and mystical knowledge, but also the recognition and confession on the past of man of his fundamental state as a creature before God’s sovereignty.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
18. “Knowledge is established by gnosis, and the intellect is established by knowledge, but as for noses, it is established by its own essence.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
19. “Love consists in embracing acts of obedience and in avoiding acts of disobedience which implies that the devotee of God develops his kinship with God as he merges his will in His will and avoids that which is forbidden by Him.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
20. “Tasawwuf is to eat little and to take rest with God, and to flee from men.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
21. “Know that God has a trust in your hearing, your sight, your tongue, your private parts and in your outward and inward being. He put it before you; if you do not guard it, you are treacherous, but God does not love those who are treacherous.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
22. “Five things express the beauty of a being: when the poor appear rich; when the hungry appear satisfied: when those with heavy hearts appear Joyful; when love is shown to an enemy, when feebleness does not appear despite fasting the whole day and praying the whole night.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
23. “The saint’s actions are Perpetually in accord with the-divine law.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
24. “It is illicit for the heart to smell! the scent of certainty while contentment with other-than-God dwells therein.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
25. “If a man closes his eyes to God but the twinkling of an eye, he will not be guided for, the length of his life. He also said: “God did not strengthen the pious through compulsion, He strengthened them through faith.”
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
26. “Certainty comes from an abundance of faith and its inward realization. Certainty is a branch of faith and short of confirming the trust of faith. And the beginning of certainty is unveiling.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
27. “He who subdues his soul with correct behavior worships God sincerely.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
28. “The utmost degree of gnosis is dismay and perplexity.
— Sahl Bin Abdullah Tustari
