How the guest came to Joseph, on whom be peace, and how Joseph demanded of him a gift and present on his return from abroad.

The loving friend came from the ends of the earth and became the guest of Joseph the truthful,

For they had been well acquainted in childhood, reclining (together) on the sofa of acquaintance.

He spoke to him (Joseph) of the injustice and envy of his brethren: Joseph said, “That was (like) a chain, and I was the lion.

The lion is not disgraced by the chain: I do not complain of God's destiny.

If the lion had a chain on his neck, (yet) he was prince over all the chain-makers.”

He asked, “How wert thou in regard to the prison and the well?” “Like the moon,” said Joseph, “in the interlunar period (when she is) on the wane.”

If in that period the new moon is bent double, does not she at last become the full moon in the sky?

Though the seed-pearl is pounded in the mortar, it becomes the light of eye and heart and looks aloft.

They cast a grain of wheat under earth, then from its earth they raised up ears of corn;

Once more they crushed it with the mill: its value increased and it became soul invigorating bread;

Again they crushed the bread under their teeth: it became the mind and spirit and understanding of one endowed with reason;

Again, when that spirit became lost in Love, it became (as that which) rejoiceth the sowers after the sowing.

This discourse hath no end. Come back, that we may see what that good man said to Joseph.

After he (Joseph) had told him his story, he (Joseph) said, “Now, O so-and-so, what traveller's gift hast thou brought for me?”

To come empty-handed to the door of friends is like going without wheat to the mill.

God, exalted is He, will say to the people at the gathering (for Judgement), “Where is your present for the Day of Resurrection?

Ye have come to Us and alone without provision, just in the same guise as We created you.

Hark, what have ye brought as an offering—a gift on homecoming for the Day when ye rise from the dead?

Or had ye no hope of returning? Did the promise of (meeting Me) to-day seem vain to you?”

Dost thou (O reader) disbelieve in the promise of being His guest? Then from the kitchen (of His bounty) thou wilt get (only) dust and ashes.

And if thou art not disbelieving, how with such empty hands art thou setting foot in the Court of that Friend?

Refrain thyself a little from sleep and food: bring the gift for thy meeting with Him.

Become scant of sleep (like them that) were slumbering (but a small part of the night); in the hours of dawn be of (those who) were asking pardon of God.

Stir a little, like the embryo, in order that thou mayst be given the senses which behold the Light,

And (then) thou art outside of this womb-like world: thou goest from the earth into a wide expanse.

Know that the saying, “God's earth is wide,” refers to that ample region into which the saints have entered.

The heart is not oppressed by that spacious expanse: there the fresh boughs of the palm-tree do not become dry.

At present thou art bearing (the burden of) thy senses: thou art becoming weary and exhausted and (ready to fall) headlong.

Since, at the time of sleep, thou art borne (on high), and art not bearing (the burden), thy fatigue is gone and thou art free from pain and anguish.

Regard the time of sleep as a (mere) taste (sample) in comparison with the state in which the saints are borne (on high).

The saints are (like) the Men of the Cave, O obstinate one: they are asleep (even) in rising up and turning to and fro.

He (God) is drawing them, without their taking trouble to act, without consciousness (on their part), to the right hand and to the left.

What is that right hand? Good deeds. What is that left hand? The affairs of the body.

These two (kinds of) actions proceed from the saints, (while) they are unconscious of them both, like the echo:

If the echo causes thee to hear good and evil, the mountain itself is unconscious of either.