A disciple who is trained by a man of God will have a pure and purified spirit. But he who is trained by an imposter and hypocrite and who learns theory from him will be just like him: despicable, weak, incapable, morose, without any exit from uncertainties, and deficient in all his senses. “As for the unbelievers — their protectors are idols, that bring them forth from the light into the shadows.” (Qur’an 2:257).
[From the "Fihi ma fihi," translated by W. C. Chittick in "The Sufi Path of Love: the Spiritual Teachings of Jalaluddin Rumi," p. 145]
If the character of someone trained by an impostor is to be:
despicable, weak, incapable, morose, without any exit from uncertainties, and deficient in all his senses.
Then the qualities of a properly spiritually trained individual is to be:
dignified, honored, strong, capable, bright, absolutely certain, completely aware of all his senses.
I took a class with Prof. Chittick. He’s extremely smart and a huge intellectual. Although many laymen Muslim (the majority of the Ummah) will completely be blown away literally and knowledge wise by his words and his lectures.
Masha’Allah.
Thank you Yursil, for sharing this.
‘without any exit from uncertainties’
beautiful wording
Chittick is the man. Very illuminating. I have grown to greatly admire his works.