Sheikh Ibrahim Efendi (1591? – 1655 CE) was a Turkish dervish in the Helveti Order, who lived in Istanbul. Little is recorded about his personal life. The following are the opening verses of a poem called ‘The Sufi Way,’ which has received much comment.

They say the Sufi way
     is to give one’s life away.

The Sufi way is to become a sultan
     on the throne of the soul.

In the station of the Path,
     it is to destroy appearances.
In the station of Reality,
     it is to become a guest
in the innermost palace of the heart.

They say it is to be pure of body,
     the light of the Beloved.
The Sufi way is to gradually take off
     the dress of earth and water.

They say it is to burn up in Love’s fire —
The Sufi way is to be utterly inflamed
     with the light of the Beloved.

Translation Jennifer Ferraro & Latif Bolat