The Rules Of Conduct Of Disciples  

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

If asked: What does “disciple” (murid) mean? Say: Philologically, it means “one who desires or wills.” So long as there is no inner desire, he will show nothing worthwhile. In the language of the way it means one who has freed himself from all the desires (murad) of the carnal self and who has no wish at the pleasure of his spiritual guide.

If asked: How many are the rules of conduct for a disciple? Say: Eight:

1.      He must scrutinize his own behavior. If he sees himself as a person for the arena of spiritual poverty, then he must gird his loins manfully and go forward.
2.      He must come forward in correct belief.
3.      When he comes to the attention of the spiritual guide, he must give up his own habits and affairs so that he may busy himself with whatever his preceptor commands.
4.      He must abstain from looking at what is unsuitable.
5.      He must abstain from listening to that which is unsuitable.
6.      He must hold his tongue from unworthy utterances.
7.      He must restrain his hand from all forbidden acts.
8.      He must not associate with anyone who opposes his spiritual guide.

If asked: How many are the rules of conduct of discipleship? Say: Eight:

            1.      He should greet with “[peace]” upon entering.
            2.      He should refrain from unnecessary speech in the presence of the master.
            3.      He should lower his head.
            4.      He should refrain from looking about.
            5.      He should request permission before posing a question.
            6.      He should not protest the reply.
            7.      He should not whisper to anyone in the presence of the master
            8.      He should sit and rise respectfully