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1
953-977

  • (But) except the portion which came to pass (was predestined) in eternity, nothing showed its face (accrued to them) from their hunting and doing.
  • They all fell from (failed in) plan and act: the acts and decrees of the Maker remained.
  • O illustrious one, do not regard work as aught but a name! O cunning one, think not that exertion is aught but a vain fancy!” 955
  • How ‘Azrá‘íl (Azrael) looked at a certain man, and how that man fled to the palace of Solomon; and setting forth the superiority of trust in God to exertion and the uselessness of the latter.
  • One forenoon a freeborn (noble) man arrived and ran into Solomon's hall of justice,
  • His countenance pale with anguish and both lips blue. Then Solomon said, “Good sir, what is the matter?”
  • He replied, “Azrael cast on me such a look, so full of wrath and hate.”
  • “Come,” said the king, “what (boon) do you desire now? Ask (it)!” “O protector of my life,” said he, “command the wind,
  • To bear me from here to India. Maybe, when thy slave is come thither he will save his life.” 960
  • Lo, the people are fleeing from poverty: hence are they a mouthful for (a prey to) covetousness and expectation.
  • The fear of poverty is like that (man's) terror: know thou that covetousness and striving are (like) India (in this tale).
  • He (Solomon) commanded the wind to bear him quickly over the water to the uttermost part of India.
  • Next day, at the time of conference and meeting, Solomon said to Azrael:
  • “Didst thou look with anger on that Moslem in order that he might wander (as an exile) far from his home?” 965
  • Azrael said, “When did I look (on him) angrily? I saw him as I passed by, (and looked at him) in astonishment,
  • For God had commanded me, saying, ‘Hark, to-day do thou take his spirit in India.’
  • From wonder I said (to myself), ‘(Even) if he has a hundred wings, ’tis a far journey for him to be in India (to-day).’”
  • In like manner judge of all the affairs of this world and open your eye and see!
  • From whom shall we flee? From ourselves? Oh, absurdity! From whom shall we take (ourselves) away? From God? Oh, crime! 970
  • How the lion again declared exertion to be superior to trust in God and expounded the advantages of exertion.
  • “Yes,” said the lion; “but at the same time consider the exertions of the prophets and the true believers.
  • God, exalted is He, prospered their exertion and what they suffered of oppression and heat and cold.
  • Their plans were excellent in all circumstances: everything done by a goodly man is goodly.
  • Their snares caught the Heavenly bird, all their deficiencies turned to increment.”
  • O master, exert thyself so long as thou canst in (following) the way of the prophets and saints! 975
  • Endeavour is not a struggle with Destiny, because Destiny itself has laid this (endeavour) upon us.
  • I am an infidel if any one has suffered loss a single moment (while walking) in the way of faith and obedience.