The Sufis have always been aware of the importance of the paradox of Oneness and Separation.Unfortunately many of the “spiritual illuminati” are not.And that is a dangerous position.So I am reassured when I come across sources that re-affirm my position on this,against all the New Agers and Adavaitists and Buddhists who,often with good intentions, are misleading people.So here are a few quotes from a series of tapes entitled”The Poor Man’s Book of Assistance” a commentary by  Sheikh Hamza Yusuf on the work of a great Sufi scholar Ahmad Zarruq.

1)”Cling to the haqiqat(absolute truth) but in accordance with the necessities of Tawhid(Oneness)”Ahmad Zarruq.The oneness here is referring to our Creator who has established the rules of existence for His creatures.So we could paraphrase this statement as “hold on to your enlightenment but fear your Lord at the same time.” Very important advice for New Agers.

2) “Protect me from the dangers of Tawhid” Abdul-Salaam Ibn Mashish,another great Sufi mystic.What he is saying here is that enlightenment can lead you astray ,as anyone with even a cursory knowledge of gurus in America, both from the East and from the West, should be well aware of .Ibn Mashish knew that hal(spiritual states ) can easily mislead people.

3) “We have to believe that Allah is Allah and the servant is the servant”Hamza Yusuf .i.e. Don’t lose sight of your relative,small self by being engrossed in the Absolute.The small self has it’s own rights and obligations which must be respected.

Salaams,ibrahim