Eight Famous Ascetics

4. Shah Naqshband: The Exemplar of the Sufi Path

Integral to the Shia Sufi tradition, Shah Naqshband merges rigorous spiritual discipline with the experiential aspects of faith. His emphasis on the importance of companionship with like-minded ascetics reveals the communal nature of spiritual growth. The metaphor of the flame and the spark juxtaposes their roles; while the latter needs the former to ignite, the ascetic community becomes crucial for electron-like seekers of truth striving for enlightenment in a world reminiscent of a ceaseless storm.

5. Sheikh Sadi al-Shirazi: The Ascetic Poet