Kisah Bijaksana

The Teacher in the Tavern

A man saw a famous teacher enter a tavern. “That teacher is a Muhammad by day but an Abu Lahab by night!” he said in disgust. “You’re wrong,” said one of the teacher’s disciples. “Come see.” The man e

Kisah Sufi 108 kata

The Wisest Man in the City

A farmer came to the city seeking advice. “I’m looking for the wisest man to advise me!” he said at the city gate. The guard pointed to a disheveled old man who was playing marbles with some street-ur

Kisah Sufi 100 kata

The Old Man and the Two Strangers

An old man sat outside the town gate. A stranger arrived. “What’s this town like? My hometown was full of thieves and liars. I need a new home.” “Thieves and liars here too,” said the old man. The str

Kisah Sufi 108 kata

Seeking the Tree of Heaven

A woman sought the Tree of Heaven. She asked a dervish for help. “I can teach you,” said the dervish, “but it takes thirty years.” “I can’t wait,” she said. “Then I can’t help you,” he replied. “Seek

Kisah Sufi 100 kata

Advice to a Seeker

A young man left his home to seek a teacher. Along the way, he found an old man sitting under a tree. “Old man,” he said, “I seek a teacher. Where should I look?” The old man smiled as he recited the

Kisah Sufi 108 kata

The Death of Socrates

Socrates had been condemned to death. His pupils, grieving, gathered around him. “After we take you up and wash you and wrap you in your shroud, where do you want us to bury you?” they asked. “If you

Kisah Sufi 100 kata

Muhammad and the Eagle

At the time of prayer, Muhammad took off his shoes. Then an eagle swooped down and grabbed one of the shoes. Muhammad shouted at the eagle as it flew away, “O Creature-of-God, why do you act so rudely

Kisah Sufi 108 kata

Ali and his Servant

The prophet Muhammad had whispered to Ali’s servant that Ali would die by the servant’s own hand. The servant begged Ali to slay him instead. “Let me not commit this terrible sin!” said the servant, w

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Ali and the Knight

Ali had defeated an enemy knight, but just as he was about to strike the death-blow the knight spat in Ali’s face. Ali immediately threw his sword away and said to the knight, “Arise!” “I don’t unders

Kisah Sufi 108 kata

When Hallaj Grew Pale

Hallaj dared to say, “I am the Truth” (Ana ‘l-Haqq). In other words: “I am God.” So the people condemned Hallaj to death. They impaled him, and they cut off his hands and feet. The loss of blood made

Kisah Sufi 100 kata

The Caliph and the Pearl

Caliph Abdul-Aziz possessed a pearl of exquisite beauty, and he had it set in a ring of gold. All the courtiers of the Caliph’s court admired this marvelous pearl. A famine then swept through the coun

Kisah Sufi 108 kata

The King’s Caravansary

A wandering Sufi demanded an audience with the king, Ibrahim ibn-Adham. Intrigued, the king asked him, “What do you want?” “I would like to spend the night here at your caravansary,” said the Sufi. “B

Kisah Sufi 100 kata

King Ibrahim on the Roof

King Ibrahim ibn-Adham still sat on the throne; he had not yet become a dervish. One night, the king heard heavy footsteps on the palace roof. “Who dares disturb my peace?” he wondered, and he went to

Kisah Sufi 108 kata

King Ibrahim Hears the Voice

King Ibrahim ibn-Adham was a skilled horseman and hunter. One day as he chased a deer, he heard a voice shout, “O Ibrahim, were you created for this?” He thought he was imagining things, and he contin

Kisah Sufi 100 kata

King Ibrahim and the Needle

King Ibrahim ibn-Adham had renounced his throne and became a wandering Sufi. One day as he sat by the seashore, using a needle to stitch his patched cloak, a nobleman walked by and saw him. “That is K

Kisah Sufi 108 kata