Monday, October 26, 2009

Proof of Intelligence

Bismillah.

Everything has an essence, and the essence of man is intelligence ('aql) and the essence of intelligence is patience. Therefore, the proof that a man actually possesses intelligence lies in his endurance (tahammul) of the bother and inconvenience caused by his fellow Muslims, conducting himself with kindly moderation with all people, averting the poison of his base passions, overcoming his own folly, levity, short-temper and irascibility.

- Shihab al-Din Umar Suhrawardi in Awarif al-ma'arif
Reference: The Wisdom of Sufism

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