He answered: “My father was king of Khorasan and I was then a young man who used to go riding and hunting. One day, I went out, with me a dog, on one of my horses; having spotted the tracks of a rabbit or a fox, I started pursuing them, when I heard a Hatef (Invisible Caller) addressing me:” O Ibrahim! Is that what you were created for? Is that what you were commanded to do?” I became frightened and stopped a while, then urged my horse on to gallop. The Hatef returned to me three times (repeating the same questions). At last, I heard another Hatef; this time it was coming from the pommel of my saddle, saying: “By Allah! You were not created for this! Nor was this, what you were commanded to do!”

I descended from my horse, and chanced upon one of my father’s shepherds tending his sheep; I took his woolen robe from him and wore it, then I gave him my horse and all I had, and I proceeded in the direction of Mecca.

As I was in the desert, I met a man who was walking; he did not carry with him (food) vessels or provisions. At sunset, he performed the Maghreb prayer, and then moved his lips, uttering words that I did not understand.  A vessel with food in it and another with drink materialized in front of me; I ate and I drank. I remained with him in this manner for several days, during which he taught me “The Supreme Name of Allah”, then he disappeared and I remained alone.

One day, as I felt quite forsaken in my solitude, I called on Allah with it (Allah's Supreme Name); suddenly I was confronted with a man who grabbed me by the buckle of my belt and said: “Ask! And you will be given”. I was frightened by his words. He added: “Don’t be afraid! No harm shall come to you! I am your brother Al-Khidr. It was my brother Dawood who taught you the “Supreme Name of Allah”, but do not ever use it for du’a (Invocation) against anyone (even) if there is enmity between the two of you, for you would cause his perdition in this world and the next; but do ask Allah to reinforce, with it (The Supreme Name), your cowardice; to strengthen, with it, your weakness; to bestow upon you, with it, companionship in your solitude; and to renew every hour, with it, your desire (for Hu/Him)”. At that, he departed and left me.”

Ibrahim bnu Adham wrote to Sufyan al-Thauri: “Whosoever knows what he is searching for, tolerates with ease the magnitude of his efforts. Whosoever lets his sight roam will have long regrets. Whosoever allows himself free hope (in the Mercy of Allah) will commit wrong deeds. Whosoever gives free rein to his tongue will kill his Self.”    

Reported Muhammad ibn Ishaq al-Balkhi: “My father related to me that, he once asked Ibrahim bnu Adham: “Advise me”. He responded:” Take Allah as your Companion and leave people aside”."

Reported Ahmad bin Khadraway: “Ibrahim bnu Adham said to a man, as they were both circumambulating (the Ka’ba):

“Know that you will not reach the rank of the Saliheen (Good ones) until you cross 6 obstacles:

1. That you close the door of ease and open the door of difficulties
2. That you close the door of grandeur/loftiness and open the door of humiliation
3. That you close the door of rest and open the door of effort
4. That you close the door of sleep and open the door of sleeplessness
5. That you close the door of wealth and open the door of poverty
6. That you close the door of hope and open the door of preparation for death.”"