The excellence of the remorse felt by one who was sincere (in his devotion) for having missed the congregational prayers.

A certain man was going into the mosque (when) the people were coming out of the mosque.

He began to ask (one of them), saying, “What ails the congregation that they are coming out of the mosque (so) soon?”

That person said to him, “The Prophet has prayed with the congregation and finished (his) communion.

How art thou going in, O foolish man, when the Prophet has given the blessing?”

He cried, “Ah!” and smoke issued from that (burning) sigh: his sigh was giving forth the smell of blood from his heart.

One of the congregation said, “Give me this sigh, and my prayers are thine.”

He answered, “I give the sigh and accept the prayers.” He (the other) took that sigh with a hundred yearnings (towards God).

At night, whilst (he was) asleep, a Voice said to him, “Thou hast bought the Water of Life and salvation.

In honour of this choice and this appropriation the prayers of all the people have been accepted.”