Discourse: The Etiquette and Ethics of the Sufis

by Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh

Text of a speech to a Sufi gathering

While the etiquette and ethics of the Sufis correspond to the way and custom of the highest, the perfected human beings, I shall present several notable examples which may serve as a reminder to Sufis and as a source of information for others:

1. The Sufi gives precedence to all of creation over himself.
2. The Sufi is fair to all, yet expects fairness from no one.
3. The Sufi is not self-centered, or egocentric.
4. The Sufi serves all of God’s creation.
5. The Sufi observes the rights of others.
6. The Sufi loves all God’s creatures.
7. The Sufi praises all that is beautiful.
8. The Sufi harbors no resentment and regards no one as his enemy.
9. The Sufi takes the trouble to make things easy for others.
10. The Sufi never speaks with an acid tongue, being kind and respectful towards others.
11. The Sufi is never pessimistic.
12. The Sufi never feels offended by anyone.
13. The Sufi never complains about anyone, nor does he claim anything for himself.
14. The Sufi is never mean or envious.
15. The Sufi never gets angry or harsh with anyone.
16. The Sufi keeps his word even if his life depends on it.

Anyone who considers himself a Sufi and does not possess this etiquette and ethics, wears the Sufi garb under false pretenses and risks giving a bad name to people who are well thought of.