Rumi's Masnavi - The bird said to him, “O Khwája, don't stay in (monastic) seclusion: monasticism is not good in regard to the religion of Ahmad (Mohammed).

The bird said to him, “O Khwája, don't stay in (monastic) seclusion: monasticism is not good in regard to the religion of Ahmad (Mohammed).

The Prophet has forbidden monasticism: how have you embraced a heresy, O trifler?

The conditions (imposed by Islam) are: (to take part in) the Friday worship and the public prayers, to enjoin good and shun evil, 480

To bear patiently affliction caused by the ill-natured, and to confer benefit on (God's) creatures as (bounteously as) the clouds.

O father, the best of the people is he who benefits the people: if you are not a stone, why are you consorting with the clod?

Live amongst the community that is the object of (Divine) mercy: do not forsake the religion of Ahmad (Mohammed), be ruled (by his practice).”

He (the fowler) replied, “Any one whose intelligence is infirm, he in the opinion of the intelligent is like a stone and clod.

One whose (only) wish is for bread resembles an ass: companionship with him is the essence of monkery. 485

(Do not associate with him), for all except God crumbles away, (and) everything that is coming after a time will (inevitably) come.

His predicament is the same as that of his qibla (object of desire): call him ‘dead’ inasmuch as he seeks the dead.

Any one who lives with these (worldly) people is a monk, for his companions are (like) clods and stones.

In sooth, (actual) clods and stones never waylaid (and ruined) any one, (while) from those clods come a hundred thousand corruptions.”

The bird said to him, “(Well), then, the Jihád (spiritual war) is (waged) at the time when a brigand like this is on the road. 490

The valiant man enters on the unsafe road for the purpose of protecting and helping and fighting.

The root (innate quality) of manhood (only) becomes apparent at the time when the traveller meets his enemies on the road.

Since the Messenger (of Allah) was the Prophet of the sword, (the people of) his community are heroes and champions.

In our religion the right thing is war and terror; in the religion of Jesus the right thing is (retirement to) cave and mountain.”

He (the fowler) said, “Yes; if one has help (from God) and strength to make a mighty attack on evil and mischief. 495

(But) when there is no strength, ’tis better to abstain: spring easily away in flight from what cannot be endured.”

It (the bird) replied, “Firmness of heart is needed for achievement, but a (firm) friend does not lack friends.

Be a (firm) friend, that you may find friends innumerable; for without friends you will be left helpless.

The Devil is a wolf, and you are like Joseph: do not let go Jacob's skirt, O excellent one.

Generally the wolf seizes (his prey) at the moment when a year-old sheep strays alone by itself from the flock. 500

He who has abandoned (the performance of) the Sunna with the (Moslem) community, has not he drunk his own blood (exposed himself to destruction) in such a haunt of wild beasts?

The Sunna is the (safe) road, and the community are like (your) companions (on the road): without the road and without comrades you will fall into (sore) straits;