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2
1461-1485

  • A friend is like gold, tribulation is like the fire: the pure gold is glad in the heart of the fire.
  • How Luqmán's master tested his sagacity.
  • (Was it) not (the case) that (this happened) to Luqmán, who was a pure (unselfish) slave, and day and night was brisk in service?
  • His master used to prefer him (to all others) in the work (of service) and deem him better than his own sons,
  • Because Luqmán, though he was slave-born, was the master (of himself) and was free from sensual desire.
  • A certain king said to the Shaykh (spiritual Director) in conversation, “Ask me to bestow some bounty upon thee.” 1465
  • He answered, “O King, are not you ashamed to say such a thing to me? Come higher!
  • I have two slaves, and they are vile, and those two are rulers and lords over you.”
  • Said the King, “What are those two? This is a mistake.” He replied, “The one is anger and the other is lust.”
  • Regard as a king him that is unconcerned with kingship, him whose light shines forth without moon or sun.
  • (Only) that one whose essence is the treasury (of spiritual truths) possesses the treasury: (only) he that is an enemy to (his own) existence possesses (real) existence. 1470
  • Luqmán's master (was) like a master outwardly; in reality he was a slave, and Luqmán was his master.
  • In the topsy-turvy world there is many a one of this (kind): a pearl is less than a straw in their sight.
  • Every desert has been named mafáza (place of safety): a name and specious form has ensnared their understanding.
  • In the case of one class of people, the dress makes (a man) known: (if he is dressed) in a qabá, they say that he belongs to the vulgar.
  • In the case of one class of people (the distinguishing mark is) the hypocritical appearance of asceticism; (but) light is needed, that (any one) may be a spy on asceticism (and detect its true character). 1475
  • Light is needed, (a light) purged of cant and noxiousness, that he may know a man without (the evidence of) deed or word,
  • And enter into his heart by way of the intellect, and behold his real state and not be confined to tradition.
  • The chosen servants of (God) the Knower of things unseen are, in the spiritual world, the spies on hearts.
  • He (such a one) enters within the heart like a fancy: the mystery of the (real) state is unveiled to him.
  • In the body of the sparrow what power and faculty is there that is hidden from the intellect of the falcon? 1480
  • He who has become acquainted with the secrets of Hú (God), what to him is the secret (inmost consciousness) of created beings?
  • He whose walk is on the spheres, how should it be hard for him to walk on the earth?
  • Since iron became wax in the hand of David, what should wax be in his hand, O man of iniquity?
  • Luqmán was a slave in appearance, a master (in reality): servitude was (only) a frontispiece on his outside.
  • When the master goes to a place where he is not known, he puts (his own) clothes on his slave. 1485