Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali - Famous Sayings

Famous Sayings

The saint's attack on hypocrisy is interesting says he:

"By bowing down, thou shalt not become a Rishi; the pounder in the rice- mill did not ever raise up its head."

"By entering a cave, God cannot be attained: the mongoose and the rat seldom come out of their holes".

"By bathing, the mind will not be cleansed: The fish and the otter never ascend the bank."

"If God was just pleased by fasting, the indigent rarely cook food in pots."

Once, on his way to a garden, accompanied by a disciple, he stopped and would not move. On his disciple requesting him to proceed, he made the following reply: "Every minute that I spend there, will be deducted from my stay in heaven". On another occasion, when invited to a feast, Nur-ud-din went in ragged dress, earlier than the appointed time. The servants, not recognizing him, would not permit him to enter, and he had to go back to take his food at home. When all had sat for the sumptuous dinner, the Shaikh was specially sent for. He came, this time in a flowing chugha (cloak) and was given the seat of honour. But the Shaikh instead of partaking of the food stretched forth his sleeves and put them on to the plates. The people were astonished at the sight and asked him the reason. He replied: "The feast was not really for Nur-ud-Din but for the long sleeves!"