Shaqiq al-Balkhi

Shaqiq al-Balkhi (d. 810) was an early Sufi saint of the Khorasan school. Tradition makes him the disciple of Ibrahim ibn Adham. He emphasized the importance of tawakkul or reliance upon God.

Whoever comes to repent before death is not late.

If you seek a friend, Allah Most High is sufficient for you.

The best atonement for the greater sins if to help the needy and down-trodden folk.

Quotes

The Sayings and Teachings of the Great Mystics of Islam (2004)

• God hath made the pious living in their death and hath made the wicked dead during their lives, i.e., the pious, though they be dead, yet live, since the angels utter blessings on their piety until they are made immortal by the recompense which they receive at the Resurrection.
  • p. 32
• Whoever comes to repent before death is not late.
  • p. 32, An old man said to Shaqiq: "I have sinned much and now want to repent", Shaqiq replied this statement".
• Whose inner state is better than his outer state, is friend of God. Whose inner and outer states are alike, is savant. And whose outer condition is better than his interior, is ignorant and cunning.
  • p. 32-33
• If you seek a friend, Allah Most High is sufficient for you. If we seek comrade, Kiraman Katibin (recording angels) are enough. If you seek consoler, the Holy Quran is enough. If you need work, His worship is enough. If you desire sermon, death is enough. And whatever is said to you is looked undesirable, then Hell is enough for you.
  • p. 33
• Intelligent person, in true sense is that who abdicates the world before it deserts him.
  • p. 33
• Who grumbles at the descent of affliction is like one who holds spear is his hand and fight with the Lord.
  • p. 33
• If you desire purification of the heart then shut your eye from the corporeal world. This is the hole through which heart is defiled.
  • p. 33
• Worship of God which is done for ostentation is submerged in the earth. And that which is done for God's sake ascends to celestial spheres.
  • p. 33
• For the gnostic of God it is highly irksome to sit and talk with the created beings.
  • p. 33
• The best atonement for the greater sins if to help the needy and down-trodden folk.
  • p. 33
• The savant whose learning pursuits the Almighty God, all people hold reverential fear of him, and he whose objective is worldly gain, is afraid of the people.
  • p. 33
• As long as the heart of man remains engrossed in recollection of God he is in prayer may he be in the bazaar. If his lips are too busy in dhikr; it would be much better.
  • p. 33
• When once death has arrived, it does not return. So ever remain ready for it.
  • p. 33
• Defer not the date of repentance for sins and confession in the hope of grace or longevity of life.
  • p. 33
• Depend more on the promises of God than those of men.
  • p. 33
• There are three things which a man in bound to practice. Whosoever neglects any one of them must need neglect them all, and whosoever cleaves to any one of them much needs cleave to them all. Strive therefore, to understand, and consider heedfully.
  • p. 33, About Sufistic theory of Divine Unity.

External links

• Muhammad Riaz Qadiri: The Sayings and Teachings of the Great Mystics of Islam, Gujranwala, Pakistan, 2004