The Complete Works of Al-Niffari

Author's Name: Muhammad ibn Abd al-Jabbar al-Niffari

And if you are overwhelmed by the urges of your soul, then turn to your wife; if still overwhelmed, then to the people of your knowledge; if still overwhelmed, then to the people of your spiritual insight; if still overwhelmed, then travel the earth; if still overwhelmed, then adhere to my door; if still overwhelmed there, then be patient; if still overwhelmed there, then be patient, and its light will open to you, and it will not abandon you in distress, and be patient and wait. And the inclination towards solitude does not create disciples to carry his ideas, and constant travel leads to people's ignorance of him and lack of recognition. Furthermore, we can consider his highly symbolic style, which is difficult for many people to understand and grasp its intentions, as one of the reasons he did not achieve widespread fame and recognition. The result is that what we know about Al-Niffari's life is little; he was a wandering ascetic. He died in the land of Egypt in the year 354 AH, and this determination is supported by many chains of transmission shown in the study you have in hand.