Do not enter the ‘Tavern of Ruin’
without observing its manners,
for the dwellers at its door are
the confidants of the King.
— Hafiz
Entering the path of the people of the heart involves observing certain rules and manners (adab) and ceremonies that have, for centuries, been respected and upheld by the Nimatullahi Sufis. These traditions have been transmitted through generations of masters of the Path and are still practiced today.
The seeker prepares five symbolic objects to present to the master, signifying readiness to embark on the journey toward Unity. These are: a few yards of white cloth, a whole nutmeg, a ring, a coin, and some rock candy. Each object represents a distinct spiritual commitment—an anchor for remembrance on the traveler’s inner path.
The white cloth represents the traveler’s shroud and symbolizes complete surrender—just as a body is entrusted to the ghassal (the washer of the dead). It teaches the seeker to yield fully to the Divine Will: to accept what lies beyond control and to strive earnestly to improve what can be changed.
The nutmeg represents the traveler’s vow to safeguard the Divine secrets entrusted to them. It stands for discretion, humility, and the inner silence of the heart.
The ring recalls the band worn by slaves in earlier times and symbolizes the seeker's devotion to God. By offering it to the master, the traveler pledges to dedicate themselves entirely to God and to renounce attachment to all else.
The coin signifies worldly wealth and material attachment. By presenting it, the seeker promises to free the heart from greed and dependence. The aim is not to reject wealth itself, but to remain inwardly unaffected by either richness or poverty. In abundance, the Sufi is generous; in poverty, patient and content.
The Rock Candy symbolizes sweetness and renewal. It is offered at the seeker’s ‘second birth’—the passage from the world of nature and multiplicity into the world of love, compassion, and Unity. It reminds the traveler that the Path must be walked with serenity and gladness, not with complaint or sorrow.
Before entering the circle of spiritual poverty, the seeker makes five solemn commitments to the master. Only when these are understood and accepted does the master begin to guide the traveler along the straight Path of Unity.
The seeker vows to submit completely to the Divine Will—outwardly and inwardly—and to remain content with whatever God decrees.
The Sufi promises never to harm any of God’s creatures and to treat all beings with kindness and compassion.
The Sufi vows to guard the mysteries of the Path and never reveal them—whether to a stranger, friend, or fellow darvish. These secrets include the forms of remembrance, contemplation, and revelation experienced in Unity.
From beginning to end, the Sufi’s journey is defined by service—acts of selfless assistance offered without expectation of reward. As the masters say, “Whatever the Sufi finds, they have found through service.”
Upon entering the state of spiritual poverty, the Sufi declares inwardly: “I have come to sacrifice myself for the Friend.” This sacrifice represents the surrender of the ego. A meal, often prepared from a sheep, is traditionally shared among the darvishes according to the customs of the Order—an offering of love and humility.
