Sufis in Sudan…

When I was visiting (living and dead) Sufi teachers in Sudan this winter, this Sufi shrine in the middle of the desert was one of my favorites.

A spiritual teacher is not a true teacher unless he possesses twelve qualities. Two of these qualities are from the attri­butes of God the Most High. They are to hide the faults of man and the rest of creation, not only from others, but even from themselves and to have compassion and forgiveness for even the worst of sins. Two qualities are inherited from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — love and gentleness. From Hadrat Abu Bakr, the first of the four Caliphs, a true teacher inherits truthfulness, honesty and sincerity, as well as devo­tion and generosity. From Hadrat ‘Umar, justice, and imposing the right and preventing the wrong. From Hadrat Uthman, humility, and staying awake and praying while the rest of mankind are asleep. From Hadrat ‘Ali, know­ledge and courage…

— Sheikh ‘Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani