Many great souls have urged seekers to be persistent, to continue to call for the kindness of the One, and Salih Murri’s statement below might make us think of the teaching of the Master Jesus, who said, “Knock, and it shall be opened.” To Rabia al-Adawiya, though, the seeking was illusory, and only the Presence mattered.

It is related that Salih Murri, may God’s mercy be upon him, often used to say, “Whoever knocks at a door will have it opened in the end.”

Once Rabia was present. She said, “How long will you say, ‘He will open it again’? When did He close it, that He will open it again?”