Sohbet As "Soul Friendship"

Based on a hierarchical relationship (that of Master and disciple), sohbet is a practice of muridiyya that needs to be reconsidered.

The Prophet Muhammad himself had companions--not disciples--but Sufi shaykhs and shaykhahs have chosen late ancient Christian practices for their model. This is an error that has led, over the centuries, to the slow enervation of tasawwuf.

An egalitarian relation of Buberian "I-You," of mirroring friends, of comrades in solidarity, of conversation partners committed to candor and deep discussion long into the night...That should be the model to emulate.

"He liked men near him with a large sense of life..." Not servants or sycophants. Pietists can be their own worst enemies.