The First Educator Shaykh

This shaykh was the first Sufi master with whom Ibn al-Arabi committed himself as a seeker, and served him and benefited from him. Speaking about absolute servanthood, he said that this was the state of his Shaykh Abu al-Abbas al-Ureybi from western Andalusia, and “he was the first shaykh whom I served and benefited from.” [Futuhat: III.539].

On this highest state of servanthood, Shaykh Abu Yazid al-Bustami, may Allah be pleased with him, says: “I laughed for times and cried for times, and today I do not laugh nor cry”, and when he was asked how is your morning, he said in this regard: “I have no morning or evening, but the morning and evening are for those who have characteristics, and I have none. [See also: The Meccan Revelations: II.73, II.187, III.539, IV.40].