Sheikh Ahmad al-Alawi, born in 1869 in Mostaganem, Algeria, was a revered Sufi master and theologian of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He founded the Darqawiyya Alawiyya Sufi order, emphasizing spiritual purification, adherence to Islamic principles, and inner awakening. Sheikh al-Alawi’s teachings emphasized the importance of dhikr (remembrance of God) and spiritual practices for achieving closeness to the Divine.
His profound insights into Sufism and Islam have had a lasting impact on the spiritual landscape of North Africa and beyond. Despite facing persecution, his spiritual legacy continues through his followers who propagate his teachings worldwide. Sheikh al-Alawi’s tomb in Mostaganem remains a revered pilgrimage site, drawing devotees seeking blessings and spiritual guidance. His life and teachings exemplify the enduring significance of Sufism in fostering spiritual growth and understanding across cultures and generations.
Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi Quotes
01. “Knowledge without any support to lean on may cause remoteness.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
02. “Whosoever seeketh God through another than himself will never attain unto God.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
03. “To demand increase showeth ignorance in a disciple.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
04. “Perfection of courtesy demandeth the maintenance of the veil.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
05. “Whoso hath known God in his soul returneth unto it and seeketh to gratify its desires.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
06. “The gnostics are ranged in hierarchy: the knower of his Lord and the knower of himself, the knower of himself is stronger in gnosis than the knower of his Lord.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
07. “Whoso seeketh God in other than himself directeth his path far wide of his mark.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
08. “He that hath realized the Truth of Infinite Plenitude (as- Samdaniyyah) findeth no room for otherness.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
09. “He whose station is equal to his state, telleth unawares the Secret of God.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
10. “Whoso concealeth the Secret is himself veiled from ‘it, and whoso divulgeth it is vanquished.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
11. “Comparisons that are based on the certainty of His Oneness are better than the abstractions of one who is veiled from His Oneness.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
12. “Neither abandon thy soul, not oppose it, but go along with it and search it for what is in it.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
13. “The furthest of all men from their Lord are those who go most beyond measure in affirming His Incomparability.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
14. “The veiled are ranged in hierarchy: the veiled from his Lord, and the veiled from himself. And the veiled from himself is more heavily veiled than the veiled from his Lord.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
15. “It is not a question of affirming beyond all measure His Incomparability but of knowing Him by analogy.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
16. “It is not a question of knowing God when the veil be lifted but of knowing Him in the veil itself.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
17.”Whoso setteth out for God, reacheth Him not, but whoso leaneth upon Him for support is not unaware of Him.”
— Sheikh Ahmad Al-Alawi
