The Rules Of The Ear

(Excerpted from Futuwat namah by Khwaja Husayn Wa’iz Kashifi Sabzawari An Naqshbandi Translated by M. Nur Abdussalam)

If asked: How many are the rules of the ear? Say: Two. 

1.      One should open one’s ears to three things
2.      One should close them to three things.

If asked: What are the three things one should listen to? Say: 

1.      The Word of God
2.      The traditions of the Prophet and the people of his household
3.      The words of spiritual guides and the wise in order to amass the provisions for the next world and eternal bliss.

If asked: What are the three things to which one should not listen? Say:

1.      False and heretical discourse.
2.      Nonsense, foul language, and worthless talk.
3.   Calumny, traducement, and fault-finding about Muslims, for the listener is said to be a partner in the mischief.