Rumi's Masnavi - (For,” he thought to himself), “he (the defendant) is weak and ill and poor and infirm: he will need three dirhems for vegetables and loaves.”

(For,” he thought to himself), “he (the defendant) is weak and ill and poor and infirm: he will need three dirhems for vegetables and loaves.”

His (the defendant’s) eye fall on the nape of the Cadi’s neck: it was better (more inviting) than the nape of the Súfi.

He raised his hand to slap it, saying (to himself), “The retaliation (penalty) for my slap has been made cheap.” 1565

He approached the Cadi’s ear (as though) for the purpose of (whispering) a secret, and dealt the Cadi a (severe) blow with his palm.

“O my two enemies,” he cried, “take all the six dirhems: (then) I shall be free (from care and) without trouble and anxiety.”

How the Cadi was incensed fry the slap of the poor (sick) man and how the Súfi taunted the Cadi.

The Cadi was incensed. “Hey,” cried the Súfi, “your decision is just, no doubt (about it): there is no error.

O Shaykh of the (Mohammedan) religion, how can you approve for a brother (Moslem) what you disapprove for your self, O man of trust?

Don’t you know this, that (if) you dig a pit for me you will at last let yourself fall into the same pit? 1570

Haven’t you read in the Traditions (of the Prophet), ‘Whoever digs a pit (for his brother will fall into it)’? Practise what you have read, O soul of your father!

This one judicial decision of yours was like this, for it has brought you a slap on the nape.