I stood with the pious . . .

Abu Yazid al-Bistami (may God sanctify his innermost being), also known as Tayfur Abu Yazid al-Bistami or more commonly known as Bayazid al-Bistami, is the sixth Shaykh in the Naqshbandi Golden Chain, said the following:-

“I stood with the pious but I did not progress with them. I stood with the warriors in the cause but I did not progress a single step. I stood with those who pray excessively and those who fast excessively but I did not progress a footstep. Then I said to God, what is the way to You?” and God said, “Leave yourself and come.”