When the Light of the heart is reflected in the beauty of the face, that beauty is Futuwwah.
- Ibn al-Husayn al-Sulami
Taught by a highly respected saint and scholar of the 10th century, and compiled as a guide for enlightened behavior for the spiritual aspirant, Futuwwah teaches proper conduct and Sufi chivalry, revealing the true meaning of compassion, love, friendship, generosity, and hospitality, as well as right actions associated with these virtues. According to the Sufis, Futuwwah is a code of honorable behavior that follows the example of the prophets, saints and sages. By adhering to its precepts, the student learns detachment from the ego.
I, the Desert, step out of myself to read in You, Your most generous Name.
O God, Creator, Instructor, teach my heart; enlighten my way; that I may come close to You and read in Your Name Your miraculous lines.
Happiness Without Death, Desert Hymns, by Assad Ali, Threshold Books. 1991, Translation by Camille Helminski, Kabir Helminski, and Dr. Ibrahim Al-Shihabi Excerpt from chapter 1: Life Geometry
I am burning. If anyone lacks tinder, let him set his rubbish ablaze with my fire. - Rumi
Mathnawi I, 1721 Translated by Kabir Helminski and Camille Helminski
The soul comes once, this body a thousand times.
I am everything, coming in, going out How can I speak of another?
Like a wave my body is here and gone, Look closely - a million waves, one sea.
The soul comes once, the body a thousand times.
Why talk of the soul/ Why mention the body when both are myself?
With much effort I have stayed on this path, and now this body finds a great soul within it.
A Garden Beyond Paradise, The Mystical Poetry of Rumi,
