--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Sufis say, \"This is not a religion…" description: "\"“The Sufis say, \"This is not a religion; it is religion”\" — Idries Shah" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/232/idries-shah-450_religion_the-sufis-say-this-is-not-a-religion-it_1244207.jpg" --- # The Sufis say, "This is not a religion; it is religion ![“The Sufis say, "This is not a religion; it is religion” quote by Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/232/idries-shah-450_religion_the-sufis-say-this-is-not-a-religion-it_1244207.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/232/idries-shah-450_religion_the-sufis-say-this-is-not-a-religion-it_1244207.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/232/idries-shah-450_religion_the-sufis-say-this-is-not-a-religion-it_1244207.jpg) > ““The Sufis say, "This is not a religion; it is religion”” [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests Sufis view the essence of religion as beyond formal doctrine, a direct experience of the divine **In simple terms:** Religion is beyond formal structures, a direct spiritual experience Key Takeaway Seek personal spiritual experience over rigid rituals Themes spirituality philosophy religion Sufism Mood contemplative mystical Type philosophical religious When to use this quote - personal meditation - interfaith dialogue - spiritual retreats - education programs Key Concepts essence inner path transcendence Questions to Reflect On - How can individuals balance personal spirituality with communal worship? - What role do rituals play in personal faith? A Different Perspective Rigid institutions may resist such fluid interpretations ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hindu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hindu/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religion Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion-religion/) [Say Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-religion-1845300/) [Sufi wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufi-wisdom/) [Sufis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufis/) [Sufis Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufis-say-3895815/) [Sufism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufism/) ## Related quotes > [“Sufism is known by means of itself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/sufism-is-known-by-means-of-itself/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [The Sufis say there are three ways to know fire - by hearing it described, by seeing it, or by being burned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huston-smith/the-sufis-say-there-are-three-ways-to-know-fire-by-hearing-it/) [Huston Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huston-smith/) > [ “He who is fortunately enlightened \[the Sufi\] Knows that sophistry is from the devil and love from Adam.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/he-who-is-fortunately-enlightened-the-sufi-knows-that-sophistry-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“It is necessary to note," says Rumi, "that opposite things work together, even though nominally opposed" (Fihi Ma Fihi).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/it-is-necessary-to-note-says-rumi-that-opposite-things-work-together/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“One of the basic Sufi needs is to enable people to see themselves as they really are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/one-of-the-basic-sufi-needs-is-to-enable-people-to-see-themselves-as/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“Sufism is the essence of all religions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/sufism-is-the-essence-of-all-religions/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“The Sufi way is through knowledge and practice, not through intellect and talk. As Prince Dara Shikoh says, in a Persian poem: Do you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/the-sufi-way-is-through-knowledge-and-practice-not-through-intellect/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“Abu-Yaqub al-Susi: the Sufi is 'One who does not care when something is taken from him, but who does not cease to seek for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/abu-yaqub-al-susi-the-sufi-is-one-who-does-not-care-when-something-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [The Sufi is One who does not care when something is taken from him, but who does not cease to seek for what he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/the-sufi-is-one-who-does-not-care-when-something-is-taken-from-him/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [The sufis believe that they can experience something more complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/the-sufis-believe-that-they-can-experience-something-more-complete/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“The Sufi teacher’s mission is to be in the service of those who can learn.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/the-sufi-teacher-s-mission-is-to-be-in-the-service-of-those-who-can/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“It is a Sufi contention that truth is not discovered or maintained by the mere repetition of teachings. It can only be kept understood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/it-is-a-sufi-contention-that-truth-is-not-discovered-or-maintained-by/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [It is the message, not the man, which is important to the Sufis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/it-is-the-message-not-the-man-which-is-important-to-the-sufis/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“Sufism is transmitted by means of the human exemplar, the teacher.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/sufism-is-transmitted-by-means-of-the-human-exemplar-the-teacher/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“To be a Sufi is to detach from fixed ideas and from preconceptions; and not to try to avoid what is your lot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/to-be-a-sufi-is-to-detach-from-fixed-ideas-and-from-preconceptions/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) ## More by Idries Shah > [“To be a Sufi is to detach from fixed ideas and from preconceptions; and not to try to avoid what is your lot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/to-be-a-sufi-is-to-detach-from-fixed-ideas-and-from-preconceptions/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“Teach honesty by all means - you do know what it is, don't you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/teach-honesty-by-all-means-you-do-know-what-it-is-don-t-you/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“Sufism is transmitted by means of the human exemplar, the teacher.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/sufism-is-transmitted-by-means-of-the-human-exemplar-the-teacher/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“No existe práctica en aislamiento.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/no-existe-pr-ctica-en-aislamiento/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [A king who feared wasps once decreed that they were abolished. As it happened, they did him no harm. But he was eventually stung…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/a-king-who-feared-wasps-once-decreed-that-they-were-abolished-as-it/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“Do not tell your secrets to everyone in this headquarters, Earth. We have surveyed it well. There was nobody to whom to entrust secrets.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/do-not-tell-your-secrets-to-everyone-in-this-headquarters-earth-we/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“Sufis are those who have expunged from their minds the human tendencies of envy and enmity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/sufis-are-those-who-have-expunged-from-their-minds-the-human/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“Yes, the world is an illusion. But Truth is always being shown there.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/yes-the-world-is-an-illusion-but-truth-is-always-being-shown-there/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [It is the message, not the man, which is important to the Sufis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/it-is-the-message-not-the-man-which-is-important-to-the-sufis/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [The human being, whether he realises it or not, is trusting someone or something every moment of the day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/the-human-being-whether-he-realises-it-or-not-is-trusting-someone-or/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“Who is the wrong person to criticise? You”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/who-is-the-wrong-person-to-criticise-you/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“You may be able to get the bone down your throat But if it reaches your stomach it will tear your navel. (Gulistan)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/you-may-be-able-to-get-the-bone-down-your-throat-but-if-it-reaches/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [“People are always trying to understand. There is only one way to do that. It is to discover < + i + >why< +…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/people-are-always-trying-to-understand-there-is-only-one-way-to-do/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [We view Sufism not as an ideology that molds people to the right way of belief or action, but as an art or science…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/we-view-sufism-not-as-an-ideology-that-molds-people-to-the-right-way/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) [Explore all 365 Idries Shah quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) ## More Hindu quotes > [“To be a Sufi is to detach from fixed ideas and from preconceptions; and not to try to avoid what is your lot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/to-be-a-sufi-is-to-detach-from-fixed-ideas-and-from-preconceptions/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [Realized souls in the Hindu tradition are called rishis, but realized souls are not confined to the Hindu tradition. Seekers across geographical and religious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramesh-bijlani/realized-souls-in-the-hindu-tradition-are-called-rishis-but-realized/) [Ramesh Bijlani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramesh-bijlani/) > [“Sufism is transmitted by means of the human exemplar, the teacher.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/sufism-is-transmitted-by-means-of-the-human-exemplar-the-teacher/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [I am a proud staunch Sanatani Hindu.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-am-a-proud-staunch-sanatani-hindu/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [It is the message, not the man, which is important to the Sufis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/it-is-the-message-not-the-man-which-is-important-to-the-sufis/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [My father's family hails from Banaras. My grandfather taught mathematics at Banaras Hindu University. Banaras is also dedicated to Lord Shiva, home to one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amish-tripathi/my-father-s-family-hails-from-banaras-my-grandfather-taught/) [Amish Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amish-tripathi/) > [We view Sufism not as an ideology that molds people to the right way of belief or action, but as an art or science…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/we-view-sufism-not-as-an-ideology-that-molds-people-to-the-right-way/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [We all are Indians, and that should be our only religion. What is the need to be called a Hindu, Muslim, or Christian? Does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nana-patekar/we-all-are-indians-and-that-should-be-our-only-religion-what-is-the/) [Nana Patekar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nana-patekar/) > [“Moksha – the liberation form, the web of maya be, Freedom from the cycles of birth and death clearly; - 33 -”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munindra-misra/moksha-the-liberation-form-the-web-of-maya-be-freedom-from-the-cycles/) [Munindra Misra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munindra-misra/) > [Each nation has an identity and destiny. As far as Bharat is concerned, Hindu is its identity and religion is its way of working](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/each-nation-has-an-identity-and-destiny-as-far-as-bharat-is-concerned/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [I don't teach my children what is Hindu and what is Muslim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shahrukh-khan/i-don-t-teach-my-children-what-is-hindu-and-what-is-muslim/) [Shahrukh Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shahrukh-khan/) > [I'm interested in mythology generally, but India has no special place in my heart - although Hindu gods seem a lot more fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/i-m-interested-in-mythology-generally-but-india-has-no-special-place/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [BJP are opposed to a Muslim boy marrying a Hindu girl. Then how did BJP have an alliance with Mehbooba Mufti or Nitish Kumar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uddhav-thackeray/bjp-are-opposed-to-a-muslim-boy-marrying-a-hindu-girl-then-how-did/) [Uddhav Thackeray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uddhav-thackeray/) > [I am no Hindu, but I hold the doctrine of the Hindus concerning a future state (rebirth) to be incomparably more rational, more pious,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-jones/i-am-no-hindu-but-i-hold-the-doctrine-of-the-hindus-concerning-a/) [William Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-jones/) > [“उद्यत्भानुसहस्राभा चतुर्बाहुसमन्विता रागस्वरूपपाशाढ्या क्रोधाकाराङ्कुशोज्ज्वला ॥२ Udyath-bhaanu-sahara-aabhaa Chatu-r-baahu-sama-anwithaa Raga-swa-roopa-paasha-aadhya Kroedha-aakaara-angusha-o-ujjwalaa 2. Who enlightens and destroys evil of devotee, With four arms in all directions destroys…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munindra-misra/udyath-bhaanu-sahara-aabhaa-chatu-r-baahu-sama-anwithaa-raga-swa/) [Munindra Misra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munindra-misra/) [Browse all 252 Hindu quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hindu/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The Sufis say, \"This is not a religion; it is religion”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Idries Shah" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/the-sufis-say-this-is-not-a-religion-it-is-religion/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Hindu" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/the-sufis-say-this-is-not-a-religion-it-is-religion/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/232/idries-shah-450_religion_the-sufis-say-this-is-not-a-religion-it_1244207.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/232/idries-shah-450_religion_the-sufis-say-this-is-not-a-religion-it_1244207.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/232/idries-shah-450_religion_the-sufis-say-this-is-not-a-religion-it_1244207.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The Sufis say, \"This is not a religion; it is religion” — Idries Shah", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Idries Shah", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“The Sufis say, \"This is not...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/the-sufis-say-this-is-not-a-religion-it-is-religion/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/the-sufis-say-this-is-not-a-religion-it-is-religion/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```