Protection from knowledge and even God

Al-Hujwiri was a Sufi saint belonging to the 11th Century, born near Ghazni (more known for the Muhamad of Ghazni, the invader) in Afghanistan.

Like many of the statements of the Sufi saints, some of his chief statements attracted me.

In his work, ‘Kashf al-Mahjub’ he is quoted as to saying:

“Whatever may be an activity, good or bad, once one gets used to it, mind easily accepts it. When such a habit is formed, then this practice itself becomes a screen between oneself and God. To tear that screen becomes the chief duty of a Sufi”.

It is stated that Mohammed the Prophet used to say that the fasting of brother Dawood Alaihislam was the greatest method of fasting because he would fast one day and would not do so on another day.

Fundamentally, all this point towards annihilating ritualism and even what one would hold as great knowledge.

This reminds one of the verse 9 of the Isopanishad which says,

“They who worship ignorance enter into darkness
They who worship knowledge enter into greater darkness”.

For an ordinary mind the first part is clear while the second is stupefying since knowledge only is capable of extinguishing ignorance and knowledge is after all held to be power.

This seemingly contradictory statement has been explained by great ones clarifying that worship of knowledge is different from acquiring knowledge and worshipping knowledge means one has stopped learning, but become ritualistic and hence is an impediment in really getting enlightened. It has been explained like this: To remove the thorn of ignorance, the thorn called knowledge is required and once the thorn called ignorance is removed, then the use of the thorn called knowledge also vanishes.


There is a story narrated about Abu Bakr al-Shibli, one of the great Sufi mystics.

It goes that when Shibli had a wash of himself and was about to enter the shrine, a voice within himself asked, ‘Do you think that you are very pure just because you have washed yourself?’.

When he was about to turn around and leave, the voice asked, ‘Having come to my house, are you returning without entering and thus insulting me?’.

When Shibli started lamenting about this predicament aloud, the voice within asked, ‘Are you shouting at me?’.

When Shibli kept quiet, the voice asked, ‘Are you putting on an act as if you are putting up with all ordeals?’.

In sheer exasperation Shibli cried, ‘Hey God, I pray that you may protect me from you’.

Sacrifice of oneself at the alter of God is said to be the greatest sacrifice.

All spiritual greats have repeatedly said this over centuries, all across the globe at various times.

God, grant us that wisdom.

Id Mubarak on this Bakrid to all friends.