The Indifferent Murshid

It may be natural for disciples to focus on the greatness of their murshid [spiritual teacher]. Drawn by the murshid’s beauty, awed by his unique combination of power and humility, overwhelmed by his generosity in the face of their unworthiness, they easily can fall into worshipping the murshid. But as Rumi says, “The true teacher knocks down the idol that the student makes of him.” That is, the murshid turns the disciple’s attention toward the truth which is to be found inside himself. As Bahauddin Naqshband (1318–1389), the founder of the [Sufi] Naqshbandi Order, says: “We are the means of reaching the goal. It is necessary that seekers should cut themselves away from us and think only of the goal.”

The vital necessity of turning the disciple’s attention away from the teacher at the crucial time, forcing him to focus on the reality within himself, may explain what seems like strange and harsh behaviour on the part of the murshid. One wealthy young man became a disciple of Abu-Saeed Abil-Kheir. He gave away all his property to the poor and dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the path. For three years, without a murmur of complaint, the young man served the congregation of disciples, doing all manner of menial chores.

Then Abu-Saeed told the other disciples to ignore the young man and treat him harshly, which they did. Through all this the murshid himself continued to be sweet with the young man, and he bore his suffering patiently. Then Abu-Saeed also began ignoring him. He treated him coldly and seemed never even to notice him. Although free food was available to all in the murshid’s kitchen, Abu-Saeed ordered that this young man was not to be given any food. For three days the young man did not get even a crust of bread.

On the fourth night, there was a gathering with lots of delicious food served to all, but even then the youth was ignored and left standing near the door all night, without a crumb of food. Finally, Abu-Saeed looked around and, seemingly noticing him for the first time, scolded him and told him how disgusted he was with him. He ordered the youth to be thrown out and told him not to return. Utterly distraught the young man left. Collapsing at an old mosque, he wept all through the night and prayed, “O Lord, now I have no one to turn to but you.” Suddenly, he was flooded with a great peace.

Just as this peace came upon the young man, the Master asked the disciples to bring a candle and, leaving the khanqah, they headed toward the old mosque. When they reached there, the man was still in that strange state, weeping tears of joy. ‘O Master, what is this you have done with me, I am beside myself, vanished in this state.’…

‘My child,’ the Master said, ‘you had given up all and everyone, but there was still someone between you and your Lord: me! I was the only idol left in the temple of your hopes, wants, and fears and that had to be taken from you for your ego to surrender and take refuge in the Beloved. Rise now, let’s relish this victory!’

Abu-Saeed’s message, like that of all true murshids, was consistent throughout his life. At his death, Abu-Saeed’s last words of advice to his disciples were: “Do not forget God, not even for a moment. Know that during my time, I did not invite you to myself. I declared that in reality we do not exist. I say that he exists, and that is sufficient.”
_{The Spiritual Guide, Vol. II}