It is in consequence of this that the further the Sufis and those who seek reality advance, their long­ing for the truths of the Shari'a increases, as does their captivation by them and their following them. They consider the most minor aspect of the Prophet's (PBUH) practices to be their greatest aim, and strive to follow them and imitate them. For how­ever higher divine revelation is than inspiration, the conduct of the Shari'a, which is the fruit of revela­tion, is higher to the same degree than the conduct of the Sufi path, the fruit of inspiration. Therefore, fol­lowing the Prophet's (PBUH) practices is the basis and principal element of the Sufi path.

Second Point: The Sufi path and way of reality should not exceed being means. If they are made the ultimate aim, the incontrovertible teach­ings and actions of the Shari'a and following the practices of the Prophet (PBUH) become merely a matter of form, while the heart looks beyond them. That is to say, such a person thinks of his circle for the remembrance of God rather than the obligatory prayers; he is drawn more to his recitations and sup­plications than to his religious obligations; he is more concerned with avoiding offending against his order's rules of behaviour than with avoiding grie­vous sins. Whereas the recitations of the Sufi path cannot be the equivalent of the obligatory acts that constitute the incontestible matters of the Shari'a; they cannot take their place. The etiquette of the Sufi path and its invocations should be a solace and a way of obtaining true pleasure from the obligatory acts; they should not themselves be the source. That is, the tekke should lead a person to perform the five daily prayers assiduously in the mosque. If he per­forms them there hurriedly as a formality, thinking that he will find true pleasure and perfection in the tekke, he is drawing away from reality.

Third Point: It is sometimes asked: "Can there be any Sufi path outside the practices of the Prophet (PBUH) and matters of the Shari'a?"

The Answer: There are some such paths, and there are not. There are, because some of the highest saints were executed by the sword of the Shari'a. And there are not, because the authoritative scholars among the saints (muJiakkikin-i evliya) have agreed on this rule of Sa'di-i Shirazi: "It is impossible, Sa'di, to be victorious on the way of felicity, except by following the Chosen One." That is, it is impossible for one outside the highway of God's Messenger (Upon whom be blessings and peace), who does not follow him, to attain the true lights of reality. The meaning of this is as follows: