Stories and Sayings of Khwaja Bahauddin Shah Naqshband

Khwaja Muhammad Bahauddin Shah Naqshband (may God sanctify his innermost being), the seventeenth Shaykh in the Naqshbandi Golden Chain and at the same time, the eighth Khwaja of the ‘Khwajagan’ – the Masters of Wisdom of Central Asia, said the following:-

“Our method is to work through friendly dialogue. Seclusion fosters repute, with all its attendant dangers. Welfare lies in association. Those who follow this way derive great benefit and blessing from gathering together in friendly spirit.”

“It was from a gambler that I learned steadfast devotion in the quest for Truth. This man lost everything in the gambling den and his companion advised him to give it up, but he said, ‘Ah my friend, I couldn’t stop playing this game if I knew it would cost me my head.’ When I heard this, my heart was filled with an enthusiasm that still fuels my endeavours.
At the outset of my spiritual quest, my state was such that I would always lend an ear if I saw a couple of people in conversation. If their discussion was of God, I felt blissful; if they were talking about anything else, I felt sad and heavy at heart.”