The speculations of the Sufis may be divided into two classes: to
the first category belong all the phrases about love to God and
union with Him, which according to them compensate for all
outward works. Many of them allege that they have attained to
complete oneness with God; that for them the veil has been
lifted; that they have not only seen the Most High with their
eyes, but have spoken with Him, and go so far as to say "The Most
High spoke thus and thus." They wish to imitate Hellaj, who was
crucified for using such expressions, and justify themselves by
quoting his saying, "I am the Truth." They also refer to Abu
Yazid Bistamy, who is reported to have exclaimed, "Praise be to
me!," instead of "Praise be to God!" This kind of speculation is
extremely dangerous for the common people, and it is notorious
that a number of craftsmen have left their occupation to make
similar assertions. Such speeches are highly popular, as they
hold out to men the prospect of laying aside active work with the
idea of purging the soul through mystical ecstasies and
transports. The common people are not slow to claim similar
rights for themselves and to catch up wild and whirling
expressions. As regards the second class of Sufi speculation, it
consists in the use of unintelligible phrases which by their
outward apparent meaning and boldness attract attention, but
which on closer inspection prove to be devoid of any real sense.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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