Islam has been called the Middle Way between spiritual and worldly duties. The Muslim saint is one who participates in social life but is always conscious of the Absolute. The great Sufi Abu Said Abu'l-Khayr says,
"The true saint goes in and out amongst the people and eats and sleeps with them and buys and sells in the market and marries and takes part in social intercourse, and never forgets God for a single moment."
The Naqshbandi's refer to this as "Solitude in the Crowd" (khalwat dar anjuman).
"Solitude is a [quality] of the mind. A man attached to [worldly] desire cannot get solitude wherever he may be; a detached man is always in solitude."
- Ramana Maharshi
[Source: Talks with Ramana Maharshi: On Realising Abiding Peace and Happiness]
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