Khwaja Abdul Khaliq Gajadwani

The pattern of behaviour recommended for a candidate for initiation:

Your overall state should be founded upon know-how, self-discipline

and piety.

Study the works of your predecessors.

Learn the principles aid down by the Prophet of Islam and avoid the society of ignorant Sufis.

Always do your prayers with the congregation, but never undertake

the call to prayer, azan, or lead the prayer yourself, Imam.

Do not seek for fame, for in fame lies calamity.

Do not meddle in the affairs of others.

Never become intimate with kings and princes.

Don’t make a permanent home for yourself and don’t settle down in any place.

Do not engage too much in music and the sacred dance for excess of

these destroys the feelings.

But do not reject the sacred dance for many are devoted to it and rely upon it.

Speak little, eat little, sleep little.

Keep away from the crowd and learn to value your own solitude.

Do not enter into discussion with young people, with women, with rich or with worldly folk.

Eat pure food and avoid doubtful food.

Postpone marriage as long as you can, for marriage arouses desire for this world and if you are attached to this world, your religion is vain.

Don’t laugh uproariously, for too much hilarity destroys the

sensitivity of the heart.

Nevertheless, you must always be cheerful and ready to rejoice with others.

Never despise anyone on any pretext.

Do not embellish your outer person, for ornament is a mark of inner

poverty.

Never quarrel with people and never ask favours from anyone.

Be sure that you are a burden to no-one.

Put no confidence in the world or in worldly people.

Let your heart be filled with abasement and humility, let your body suffer, your eyes weep.

Let your actions be straightforward and your prayers sincere.

Wear old clothes and choose a poor man for your companion.

Let your home be a house of prayer and let the highest truth, Haqq

Taala, be your guide.