Shams-i Tabrizi was unwavering and iconoclastic in his approach to the spiritual path, as is shown by the tale of him throwing Jelaluddin Rumi’s precious books in the water. We know that his opinion of Jelaluddin’s circle of students was not high, and this brief passage from his “Discourses” probably refers to them, although it may have been directed elsewhere.

I wonder what these people think friendship with God is. The God who created the heavers, who created the earth, who made the universe appear – is His friendship gained so easily that you come in and you sit before Him, you talk and you listen? Do you fancy this is a soup kitchen? You come in and you drink it down? Then you just leave?

Translation William C. Chittick