An Introduction to Irfan

Be not haughty, for the mount of many a mighty man 
Has been hamstrung among rocks in the desert; 
But neither despair, for even wine-drinking libertines 
Have suddenly arrived at the destination by a single song. 

Similarly, on moderation between generosity and thrift he offers the following advice:

 Be not like an adze, drawing all to yourself, 
Nor like a plane, gaining nothing for your work; 
In matters of livelihood, learn from the saw, 
It draws some to itself, and lets some scatter. 

Ahmad Jami died around the year 536/1141.

 4. 'Abd al-Qadir al-Gilani: 

He is one of the most controversial figures of the Islamic world. To him is attributed the Qadiriyyah order of sufis.

 His grave at Baghdad is well known and famous. He is amongst those from whom many supplications and high-flying sayings have been recorded. He was a sayyid descended from al-'Imam al-Hasan (A). He died in 560/1164 or 561/1165.

 5. Shaykh Ruzbihan Baqli Shirazi: 

He is known as Shaykh-e Shattah on account of his prolific theopathetic exclamations. In recent years some of his books have been published, mainly through the efforts of the orientalists. He died in 606/1209. 

'Urafa' of the Seventh/Thirteenth Century:

This century has produced some mystics of the highest stature. We will mention some of them in a chronological order:

 1. Shaykh Najm al-Din Kubra: 

One of the greatest and most celebrated of mystics, the chains of many orders go back to him. He was the pupil and disciple of Shaykh Ruzbihan, and was also his son-in-law. He had many pupils and disciples, amongst whom was Baha' al-Din Walad, the father of Jalal al-Din Rumi.

 He lived in Khuwarizm (in the present day USSR) at the time of the Mongol invasions. Before his city was attacked, he was sent a message informing him that he could lead a party of his family and disciples out of the city to safety. Najm al-Din's reply was that, 'Throughout all the days of comfort I have lived alongside these people. Now that the day of difficulties has come I will not leave them.' He then manfully strapped on a sword and fought alongside the people of the city until he was martyred. This happened in the year 624/1227.