Category: The Jewelled Garden

Semnun bin Hamza (d. 911? CE) was born in Basra and spent much time in Baghdad, where he was a friend of Junaid. He is remembered in particular for his Continue Reading →

For some background about this 16th c. CE mystic and poet, see this earlier post. Uninteresting are your golden temples,     always bright with precious stones          and rows of shimmering lamps. What to Continue Reading →

Usman al Hiri (844 – 910 CE) was a renowned Persian Sufi master born in Rayy. He studied with Hafs al Haddad in Nishapur, and is known to have visited Continue Reading →

Travellers on the spiritual path such as Junaid Baghdadi know that their personal efforts, although indispensable, have less importance than the compassion of God. Junaid said: Whatever I gained spiritually Continue Reading →

The Persian Sufi and poet commonly known as Fariduddin Attar had a profound effect on the development of Sufism, and it was his use of a particular poetic form that Continue Reading →

For more about the Andalusian Sufi Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi (1165 – 1240 CE) see this earlier post. My heart wears all forms: For gazelles it is an open field,for monks Continue Reading →

For some information about the influential Sufi Junaid Baghdadi, see this earlier post. Junaid Baghdadi said that one day a beggar came to his door. He was so robust, said Continue Reading →

For a little more about this dervish and revered Psshto poet, see this earlier post. Sow flowers to make a garden bloom around you,The thorns you sow will prick your Continue Reading →

Junaid Baghdadi (830? – 910 CE) was a Persian mystic and Sufi saint who taught all his life in Baghdad. He had a deep influence upon the development of Sufi Continue Reading →

Muktabai was a 13th c. CE mystic and poet of Maharashtra. She is considered a saint of the Varkari movement, within the Hindu Bhakti tradition, as is her older brother, Continue Reading →