This is a story filled with lessons and warning, anyone who is in a high position of academic activity or in Tasawwuf or in any other service of Deen will derive benefit and guidance from it. They will learn that it is of utmost importance for one to avoid thinking of others as being inferior to him. They should always remember the advice of Shaykh Shahabuddin Suhrawardi (rah), the spiritual guide of Shaykh Saadi (rah): “Never become self-conceited and never look down upon anyone else.”

One sunny spring afternoon Nasrudin was sitting peacefully by the imposing North gate of Samarkand watching the colourful string of caravans following each other and followed in turn by the curious glances of the populace.

A stranger, an obviously rich merchant from Persia about to leave town, felt attracted by Hodja’s honest-looking turban and stopped his convoy to inquire about the dangers of travel.

A young woman teacher with obvious liberal tendencies explains to her class of small children that she is an atheist. She asks her class if they’re atheists too. Not really knowing what atheism is but wanting to be like their teacher, their hands explode into the air like fleshy fireworks. There is, however, one exception. A beautiful girl named Zainab has not gone along with the crowd. The teacher asks her why she has decided to be different. “Because I’m not an atheist.”

The significance and role of theological schools (mazhabs)

To clarify, the existence of four different schools of law [mazhabs] within the same religion, their use and correctness we consult «Treasury of beneficial knowledge», written by outstanding scholar of our time, Shaykh of Naqshbandi and Shazali tariqahs Said-Afandi al-Chirkawi. Here is how he answers these questions: