Rumi's Masnavi - In (the case of) earning food, how has the fear of eternal (eternally predestined) disappointment not made you feeble in your search?

In (the case of) earning food, how has the fear of eternal (eternally predestined) disappointment not made you feeble in your search?

You will say, “Though the fear of disappointment is before (me), this fear is greater (when I am) in idleness.

(When I am) at work my hope is greater: (when I am) in idleness I have more risk.”

Then, O evil-thinking man, why is this fear of loss holding you back in the matter of religion?

Or have not you seen in what a gainful trade the people of this bazaar of ours, the prophets and the saints, are (engaged), 3100

And what mines (of treasure) have appeared to them from this going to the (spiritual) shop, and how they have gotten gain in this market?

To that one the fire became submissive, like an anklet; to that one the sea became submissive and carried him on its shoulders;

To that one the iron became submissive and wax-like; to that one the wind became a slave and subject.

Setting forth how the Prophet, on whom be peace, said, “Verily, God most High hath friends who are concealed.”

Another party go (to and fro) exceedingly hidden: how should they become well-known to the people of externals?

They possess all this (spiritual dominion), and (yet) no one's eye falls upon their sovereignty for one moment. 3105

Both their miracles and they (themselves) are in the (Divine) sanctuary: even the Abdál do not hear their names.

Or art thou ignorant of the bounties of God who is calling thee to come yonder?

The whole world of six directions is (filled with) His bounty: wheresoever thou lookest, it is making Him (His bounty) known.

When a generous man bids thee come into the fire, come in quickly and do not say, “It will burn me.”

The story of Anas, may God be pleased with him: how he cast a napkin into a fiery oven, and it was not burnt.

It has come (down to us) concerning Anas son of Málik that a certain person became his guest. 3110

He (that person) related that after the meal Anas saw the table-napkin (was) yellow in hue,

Dirty and stained; and said, “O maid-servant, throw it into the oven at once.”

Thereupon the intelligent (maid) threw it into the oven, which was full of fire.

All the guests were astounded thereat: they were in expectation of (seeing) the smoke of the (burning) napkin.

After a short time she took it out of the oven, clean and white and purged of that filth. 3115

The party (of guests) said, “O venerable Companion (of the Prophet), how didn't it burn, and how too did it become cleansed?”

He replied, “Because Mustafá (Mohammed) often rubbed his hands and lips on this napkin.”

O heart afraid of the fire and torment (of Hell), draw nigh unto such a hand and lip as that!

Since it (the Prophet's blessing) bestowed such honour upon a lifeless object, what things will it reveal to the soul of the lover!

Inasmuch as he (the Prophet) made the clods of the Ka‘ba the qibla (towards which the Moslems turn), do thou, O soul, be (as) the dust of holy men in (thy) war (against the flesh). 3120