Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm
The 14th of Ramadhan marks the haul/uroos of the passing of Shaykh Abū Yazīd Tayfūr al-Bistāmīق, the 6th Grandshaykh of the Naqshbandī Golden Chain.
His life was a testament to divine love, unwavering sincerity, and ascetic devotion. He remains one of the greatest Ṣūfī masters, with Imam Junaid al-Baghdādī declaring:
“Abū Yazīdق holds the same rank among us as Jibrīl (as) among the angels.”
A guardian of Prophetic traditions and a pillar of spirituality, his legacy continues to illuminate the path of self-purification and nearness to Allah ﷻ.
Sultan-ul-ʿĀrifīn
Renowned as Sultan-ul-ʿĀrifīn (King of Gnostics), he attained unparalleled levels of maʿrifah (divine knowledge) through complete annihilation in the love of Allah ﷻ.
Al-Manāwī praised Shaykh Abū Yazīdق, saying:
“He is the leader of the gnostic masters and the Shaykh of the true Ṣūfī masters. It is enough to say that Al-Khawāfī called him ‘the Sulṭān of the Gnostics.’”
Sayyidī Muḥyī al-Dīn ibn ʿArabī, one of the greatest Ṣūfī scholars, called him “Abū Yazīd the Great” and wrote that he was the Quṭb al-Ghawth, the highest spiritual guide of his time.
His profound mystical insights and sayings reflect the depth of his ʿirfān (gnosis). He taught his students (mureeds) to entrust all affairs to Allah ﷻ and fully embrace tawḥīd (the Oneness of God).
His teachings emphasized five key principles:
- Fulfilling obligations as outlined in the Qurʾān and Sunnah.
- Always speaking the truth.
- Keeping the heart free from hatred.
- Avoiding forbidden food.
- Refraining from bidʿa (religious innovations).
Through his unparalleled spiritual experiences and wisdom, Shaykh Bayazidق became one of the most revered figures in Ṣūfism.
Early Signs of Piety
Even before his birth, divine purity was evident in Shaykh Bayazid al-Bistamiق.
It is narrated that while still in his mother’s womb, he would stir restlessly whenever she consumed anything of doubtful permissibility, and would only stop when she took the morsel out of her mouth.
From an early age, he was immersed in the practice of asceticism (zuhd) and self-discipline, striving for purification of the soul (tazkiyah).
However, he attributed his highest spiritual attainments not to his own efforts, but to the service and obedience to his mother.
The Virtue of Serving One’s Mother
One of the most well-known incidents from his life highlights his deep devotion to his mother, a trait strongly emphasized in our religion. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Paradise lies beneath the feet of your mother.” (Sunan al-Nasa’i)
One night, his mother requested some water. Finding both the jug and pitcher empty, Shaykh Bayazidق went to the river to fetch fresh water. Upon returning, he saw that she had fallen asleep.
Rather than disturb her rest, he stood beside her bedside, holding the jug, waiting for her to wake up. When she finally awoke and drank the water, she noticed that the cold had frozen the jug to his hand.
Concerned, she asked why he had not simply placed it down. His reply was filled with love and devotion:
“I was afraid that you might wake up and find me absent when you needed me.”
His unparalleled service to his mother became a key to unlocking several divine secrets. He later testified:
“What I sought through years of self-discipline, I found in the pleasure of serving my mother.”
This story serves as a powerful reminder that true spirituality is not only in worship and seclusion but also in fulfilling our duties towards our parents and humanity.
His Teachings
Shaykh Bayazidق’s teachings became foundational in our Naqshbandi way, emphasizing the concept of khafi dhikr (silent remembrance of Allah) and suluk (spiritual journeying).
He was known for his deep states of fana’ fi Allah (annihilation in Allah) and his passionate yearning for divine closeness.
Even that strictest of scholars, Ibn Taymiyya, who came in the 7th Century A.H., admired Shaykh Bayazidق for this and considered him to be one of his masters.
Ibn Taymiyya said about him, “There are two categories of fana‘: one is for the perfect Prophets and saints, and one is for seekers from among the saints and pious people (saliheen).
Bayazid al-Bistamiق is from the first category of those who experience fana’, which means the complete renunciation of anything other than God.
He accepts none except God. He worships none except Him ﷻ, and he asks from none except Him ﷻ.”
He continues, quoting Shaykh Bayazidق saying, “I want not to want except what He ﷻ wants.”
Respect for All
Shaykh Bayazidق was once walking with his students through a narrow alley when they encountered a dog at the other end. The dog, startled by the group, hesitated.
Seeing this, Shaykh Bayazidق stepped aside to let it pass, and his students followed his lead. One of them, surprised, asked,
“O Grand Shaykh, why do you, a noble scholar, give way to a mere dog?”
Shaykh Bayazidق replied,
“My sons, this dog reminded me not to be proud. It told me, ‘O Shaykh, you did not choose to be human, just as I did not choose to be a dog. It is Allah ﷻ who created us as we are, so do not look down upon any of His creation.’”
In this same Sohbah, Mawlana Shaykh Nazimق recalled that he was once walking with Grandshaykh Abdullah Faiz Dagestaniق when he saw a stone on the road.
Knowing that removing obstacles from the path is a virtuous deed, he decided to clear it. But instead of picking it up, he simply kicked it aside.
Grandshaykh immediately corrected him, saying,
“Oh Nazim Efendi, never do that again! Do you not realize that even this stone was created by Allah ﷻ? Show respect to all that He has made.”
This small incident was a reminder that true spirituality is found in recognizing Allah ﷻ’s presence in everything, even in something as simple as a stone.
These stories highlight the essence of Islam, a faith built on humility, respect, and love for all of Allah ﷻ’s creation.
If one can show respect to a dog or a stone, then how much more should we respect our fellow human beings? Pride, arrogance, and envy have no place in the hearts of true believers.
Yet, these negative qualities continue to spread like a disease, poisoning individuals, societies, and even entire nations.
By overcoming these traits and embracing humility, we can move closer to Allah ﷻ, His Prophets, and His ﷻ Most Beloved servants.
Shaykh Bayazidق and The Rabbi
One day, Shaykh Bayazidق was deep in meditation when he heard a voice commanding him to go to a synagogue dressed as a Jew.
At first, he thought it was Shaytan trying to mislead him, but when he kept hearing the same command repeatedly, he decided to follow it.
He dressed as a Jew and entered the synagogue, where a Rabbi was about to give a sermon. The Rabbi remained silent for a while, then suddenly said,
“There is a Muslim among us who has come to test us.”
His followers, angered by this, asked for permission to kill the intruder. But the Rabbi stopped them, saying,
“No, we will defeat him with knowledge and wisdom.”
The Rabbi then turned to Shaykh Bayazidق and said,
“O follower of Muhammad ﷺ, for the sake of your Prophet, please stand up.”
Shaykh Bayazidق stood, and the Rabbi challenged him:
“If you can answer our questions, we will accept Islam. But if you fail, we will kill you.”
Shaykh Bayazidق agreed.
The Rabbi then asked a series of deep questions about the oneness of God, creation, time, and religious teachings. Shaykh Bayazidق, with his vast knowledge and reliance on Qur’anic verses, answered every question perfectly.
The questioning continued, covering everything from the number of skies and prayers to the first murder on Earth and the most pious women. Each time, Shaykh Bayazidق provided clear, confident answers, proving the depth of Islamic knowledge.
Finally, the Rabbi had no more questions and fell silent.
Shaykh Bayazidق then asked,
“Now answer my one question: What is the key to Paradise?”
The Rabbi and his followers were stunned and admitted they did not know.
Shaykh Bayazidق declared,
“The key to Paradise is: There is no god but Allah ﷻ, and Muhammad ﷺ is His Messenger.”
Hearing this ultimate truth, the entire gathering was moved, and they all accepted Islam on the spot.
This event teaches us that true wisdom comes from divine knowledge, and those who seek the truth with sincerity will find guidance in Islam. It also highlights the power of patience, faith, and reliance on Allah ﷻ when facing challenges.
Bringing Light to the Darkness
Shaykh Bayazidق was known not only for his devotion, but also for his compassionate outreach to others. One particularly moving story is that of his interaction with a Zoroastrian family in his neighborhood.
Their child would cry every night due to the absence of light in their home. Noticing their distress, Shaykh Bayazidق knocked on their door and gifted them a lamp.
That night, the child did not cry. Overcome with gratitude, the father declared:
“Since Bayazid’s light has entered our house, it would be a shame for us to continue to live our lives in darkness.”
Recognizing the deeper meaning in his words, the family ended up seeking guidance and embraced Islam through Shaykh Bayazid al-Bastamiق.
His gentle character and sincere love for others illuminated countless hearts, guiding them towards the truth through compassion rather than coercion.
Leaving the Ego
In one of Mawlana Shaykh Nazimق’s Sohbahs, he shared a profound story about the struggle against the ego, drawing from the experience of Shaykh Bayazid al-Bistamiق.
Shaykh Bayazidق, in his deep yearning for nearness to Allah ﷻ, once asked,
“O my Lord, how can I come to You?”
Allah Almighty replied,
“Leave your ego and come. Do not come with your ego—I do not accept partners.”
This response highlights the essence of our Sufi path: the ego is the greatest barrier between a seeker and the Divine. It is stubborn, resists surrender, and refuses to relinquish its false sovereignty.
Until a person fully submits, first to a Shaykh for training, then to the guidance of the Prophet ﷺ, they cannot truly submit to Allah ﷻ. If one approaches the Divine Presence still clinging to their ego, they will be rejected.
Mawlana Shaykh Nazimق explained that this is why the Sufi path emphasizes humility, obedience, and the need for a true guide. A seeker must silence the demands of the ego, trusting in their Shaykh’s wisdom rather than their own limited understanding.
Many scholars possess outward knowledge of the Quran and Hadith, but without spiritual discipline, they remain veiled from the deeper realities of faith.
True progress requires surrender, acknowledging that the heart must be emptied of arrogance and filled with divine wisdom.
Only when a person humbles themselves, setting aside their ego, can they truly know themselves—and in knowing themselves, they come to know their Creator.
Loving the Saints
A man once asked him:
“Show me a deed by which I will approach my Lord.”
Shaykh Bayazidق replied:
“Love the friends of Allah ﷻ in order that they will love you. Love his saints until they love you.
Because Allah ﷻ looks at the hearts of His saints and He will see your name engraved in the hearts of His saints.
And He will forgive you.”
His Death
When Shaykh Bayazid al-Bistamiق passed away, he was over seventy years old. Before his departure, someone asked him his age. He responded:
“I am four years old. For seventy years I was veiled. I got rid of my veils only four years ago.”
This profound statement reflects the reality that true spiritual life begins only when one attains complete self-purification and divine closeness.
Grandshaykh Abdullah Faiz Daghestaniق, referenced this saying in his encounter with Sayyidina Khidr (as).
Sayyidina Khidr (as) pointed to the graves of great scholars in a Muslim cemetery and remarked:
“This one is three years old; that one, seven; that one, twelve.”
This highlights the idea that the true measure of one’s life is not in years lived, but in the moments of divine realization attained.
A Legacy of Love and Purity
Shaykh Bayazid al-Bistamiق remains a towering figure in Islamic spirituality, embodying selflessness, devotion, and unwavering sincerity.
His life is a testimony to the power of love—love for one’s parents, for humanity, for Awliya Allah, and above all, for Allah ﷻ.
His legacy continues to inspire seekers of truth, reminding us that the path to divine closeness is paved with humility, service, and a heart illuminated with dhikr.
Shaykh Bayazidق famously said:
“I made four mistakes in my preliminary steps in this way:
I thought that I remember Him ﷻ and I know Him ﷻ and I love Him ﷻ and I seek Him ﷻ.
But when I reached Him ﷻ, I saw that His ﷻ remembering of me preceded my remembrance of Him ﷻ.
His ﷻ knowledge about me preceded my knowledge of Him ﷻ.
His ﷻ love towards me was more ancient than my love towards Him ﷻ.
And He ﷻ sought me in order that I would begin to seek Him ﷻ.”
This quote from Shaykh Bayazidق reminds us that our spiritual journey is not initiated by us, but by Allah ﷻ’s love, knowledge, and remembrance of us.
It encourages humility by recognizing that Allah Almighty has always been present, guiding and seeking us long before we sought Him ﷻ.
In everyday life, this is a reminder to be grateful for the moments of connection with the Divine, trust in His ﷻ plan, and remain humble in our efforts, knowing that any desire for closeness to Him ﷻ is itself a response to His ﷻ prior attention and love.
Tonight, do send gifts of Surah Al-Fatiha & Surah Yasin to our 6th Grandshaykh of the Golden Chain.
May Allah ﷻ sanctify his secret, elevate his station, and grant us the love of His Awliya.
Ameen.
English
Arabic
Chinese (Simplified)
Dutch
French
German
Indonesian
Italian
Portuguese
Russian
Spanish
You must be logged in to post a comment.