Maroof Karkhi, also known as Maruf al-Karkhi, was an eminent Sufi saint and mystic of the 8th and 9th centuries, born in Karkh, Baghdad, Iraq. He was a disciple of Hasan al-Basri, a prominent early Sufi master, and later became renowned for his own spiritual teachings. Maroof Karkhi emphasized asceticism, piety, and devotion to God in his teachings, attracting numerous followers seeking guidance on the Sufi path. He stressed the importance of sincere love for God and humility in spiritual practice. Maroof Karkhi’s legacy persists through his profound teachings, which continue to inspire Sufi practitioners and spiritual seekers worldwide. His tomb in Baghdad remains a revered pilgrimage site, where devotees seek blessings and spiritual solace in his memory.

Maroof Karkhi Quotes

01. “The saints of God are known by three signs: their thought is of God; their dwelling is in God, and their business is with God.”
— Maroof Karkhi

02. “Shut your eye from all, especially don’t cast it with evil intention, i.e., don’t cast a lustful glance.”
— Maroof Karkhi

03. “Those who attain the knowledge of God live in Eternal Bliss. If the gnostic has no bliss, he himself is in every bliss.”
— Maroof Karkhi

04. “That person is not a faithful slave who does not enjoy the lash of his master; his claims of being honest are false.”
— Maroof Karkhi

05. “The affliction or calamity from which people should flee is merriment.”
— Maroof Karkhi

06. “If the belief is not perfect, worship too is worthless.”
— Maroof Karkhi

07. “Love is a Divine Favor bestowed by God on His real devotees. It is not to be learnt from men; it is one of God’s gifts and comes as a grace.”
— Maroof Karkhi

08. “The amount of damage in the companionship of rich folk is beyond measure. Flee from them.”
— Maroof Karkhi

09. “He who trusts in God remains secure from the evils of the people.”
— Maroof Karkhi

10. “That foundation which is imperishable is ‘justice’; that bitterness which results in sweetness is ‘patience’, and that sweetness which results in bitterness is sensuality. The disease which is incurable is foolishness.”
— Maroof Karkhi

11. “Realizing verities and subtleties (Haqaiq and Daqaeq) as true and explaining them to people is pure Tasawwuf.”
— Maroof Karkhi

12. “Love is such an entity which is neither learnt nor taught.”
— Maroof Karkhi

13. “He who does a good act for the sake of recompense is a trader; he who does it for the fear of Hellfire is a slave who fears beating by the hand of his master, and he who does it for the pleasure of the Lord is one of the liberated.”
— Maroof Karkhi

14. “Who remains indifferent to worldly enticement takes relish of Divine love. Still, this love is also based on Divine grace.”
— Maroof Karkhi

15. “Gnostics are a treasure-mine of wealth in themselves. They need not any other richness.”
— Maroof Karkhi

16. “He was asked: ‘What is the solution for worldly tribulations?’ He answered, ‘remoteness from the public and nearness to the Almighty.'”
— Maroof Karkhi

17. “To discourse on the matter which is not beneficial to anyone is a sign of going astray.”
— Maroof Karkhi

18. “An adorer of God is His lover, and whom He makes His lover, doors of blessedness are made open to him, and doors of evil are shut to him.”
— Maroof Karkhi

19. “Obedience to the carnal soul is a seizure of God.”
— Maroof Karkhi

20. “To have a relationship with the sinner is to affirm his sinful acts, and to conform with the sin is equal to sin.”
— Maroof Karkhi

21. “Ignoring the results of evil consequences, one should not talk of the good and ill of others.”
— Maroof Karkhi

22. “There are three signs of generosity: to keep faith without resistance, to praise without being incited thereto by liberality, and to give without being asked.”
— Maroof Karkhi

23. “A true servant of God is a God-intoxicated saint who seeks nothing except his Beloved.”
— Maroof Karkhi

24. “He would often say to his baser self to leave him so that you also get freedom.”
— Maroof Karkhi

25. “Immodest talks are signs of going astray, and to remain conscious is the sign of knowing the Truth.”
— Maroof Karkhi