To the question of "what is a Sufi" the only fitting reply is the words of living and dead wise men and women.
Each quotation is followed by the author's name:

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Sufism is good character, so anyone who improves your character has improved your Sufism also.


Al-Khattani


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FREEFALL

If you have one hour of air
And many hours to go,
You must breathe slowly,

If you have one arm’s length
And many things to care for,
You must give freely.

If you have one chance to know God
And many doubts, you must
Set your heart on fire.

We are blessed.

Each day is a chance.
We have two arms.
Fear wastes air.


Mark Nepo


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Bahlul, the wise fool, happened to meet the Caliph Harun a Rashid. “Where are you coming from like this, Bahlul?” the ruler asked him.
“From Hell,” was the prompt reply.
“What were you doing there?”
Bahlul explained, “Fire was needed, Sire, so I thought of going to Hell to ask if they could spare a little. But the fellow in charge there said, ‘We have no fire here.’ Of course I asked him, ‘How come? Isn’t Hell the place of fire?’ He answered, ‘I tell you, there really is no fire down here. Everybody brings his own fire with him when he comes.’”

Sheikh Muzaffer


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He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool – shun him.

He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a child – teach him.

He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep – wake him.

He who knows, and knows that he knows, is a wise man – follow him.


Traditional


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Fasting is a way to save on food.
Vigil and prayer is a labor for old folks.
Pilgrimage is an occasion for tourism.
To distribute bread in alms is something for philanthropists.
Fall in love:
That is doing something!

Ansari


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Real friendship among brothers and sisters on the Sufi path includes the following eight responsibilities:

- Material aid. Help your companions wiith food, or money, or other things they need for their own survival or development.
- Personal support. If they are sick, vvisit them; if they are busy, help them; if they have forgotten, remind them.
- Respect. Do not complain of their fauults to them or others. Do not give advice when you know it cannot be acted upon.
- Praise and attention. Praise the good qualities of you companions, and let them know that you care for them.
- Forgiveness. Forgive your companions for their failings.
- Prayer. Pray for the well-being of yoour companions with the same fervor you pray for your own well-being.
- Loyalty. Be firm in you freindships soo that you can be depended on by those who put their trust in you.
- Releif from discomfort. Do not createe awkward of difficult situations that involve your companions. Do not be a burden to others.

Al-Ghazzali



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Saints, I see the world is mad.
If I tell the truth they rush to beat me,
If I lie they trust me.
I’ve seen the pious Hindus, rule followers,
Early morning bath takers –
Killing souls, they worship rocks.
They know nothing.

I’ve seen plenty of Muslim teachers, holy men
Reading their holy books
And teaching their pupils techniques.
They know just as much.

And posturing yogis, hypocrites,
Hearts crammed with pride,
Praying to brass, to stones, reeling
With pride in their pilgrimage,
Fixing their caps and prayer beads,
Painting their brow-marks and arm-marks,
Braying their hymns and their couplets,
Reeling. They never heard of Soul.

The Hindu says Ram is the Beloved,
The Turk says Rahim,
Then they kill each other.

No one knows the secret.
They buzz their mantras from house to house,
Puffed with pride.
Their pupils drown along with their gurus.
In the end they’re very sorry.
Kabir says, listen saints:
They’re all deluded!
Whatever I say, nobody gets it.
Its so simple.

Kabir


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For some time I would seek Him yet would find my self. Now I seek my self and find Him.

Ansari



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