Rumi's Masnavi - Again, when the moon is born from the Hindú, Night, a light falls upon every window.

Again, when the moon is born from the Hindú, Night, a light falls upon every window.

Count the light of those hundred houses as one, for the light of this (house) does not remain (in existence) without (the light of) the other.

So long as the sun is shining on the horizon, its light is a guest in every house;

Again, when the spiritual Sun sets, the light in all the houses disappears. 460

This is (only) a parable of the Light, not a (complete) similitude; for you (it is) a true guide, for the enemy (of the Light) a highwayman.

That evil-natured person resembles the spider: he weaves stinking veils (cobwebs).

Of his own gossamer he made a veil over the Light: he made the eye of his apprehension blind.

If one takes hold of a horse's neck, he gains advantage; and if he takes hold of its leg, he receives a kick.

Do not mount the restive horse without a bridle: make Reason and Religion your leader, and farewell. 465

Do not look scornfully and contemptuously on this quest, for in this Way there is (need of) self-denial and grievous anguish to (men's) souls.

The rest of the Story of the building of the Farther Mosque.

When Solomon began the building—holy like the Ka’ba, august like Miná—

In his building were seen splendour and magnificence: it was not frigid (dull and lifeless) like other buildings.

From the first, every stone in the building—(every stone) that was broken off from the mountain—was saying clearly, “Take me along!”

As from the water and earth of the house (bodily tenement) of Adam, (so) did light shine forth from the pieces of mortar. 470

The stones were coming without carrier, and those doors and walls had become living.

God saith that the ‘wall of Paradise is not lifeless and ugly like (other) walls;

Like the door and wall of the body, it is (endowed) with intelligence: the house (Paradise) is living since it belongs to the King of kings.

Both tree and fruit and limpid water (take part) with the in habitant of Paradise in conversation and discourse,

Because Paradise has not been fashioned out of (the builder’s) materials; nay, but it has been fashioned out of (good) deeds and intentions. 475

This edifice has been (made) of dead water and earth, while that edifice has arisen from living piety.

This (edifice) resembles its foundation (which is) full of defect, and that (edifice resembles) its foundation, which is knowledge and action.

Both throne and palace and crown and robes are (engaged) in question and reply (conversation) with the inhabitant of Paradise.

The carpet (there) is folded without the farrash (carpet- spreader); the house (Paradise) is swept without the broom.

Behold the house of the heart: it was disordered by (worldly) cares: without sweeper it was swept (clean) by a (vow of) repentance. 480

Its throne moved along without carrier; its door-ring and door became (sweet-sounding like) musician and singer.