بخش 74 - یافتن مرید مراد را و ملاقات او با شیخ نزدیک آن بیشه

He was (absorbed) in this (perplexity) when suddenly the renowned Shaykh appeared before him, riding on a lion.

The roaring lion carried his faggots, while that blessed one sat on the top of them.

Because of the honour (in which God held him) his whip was a fierce serpent: he had grasped the serpent in his hand, like an ass-goad.

Know for certain that likewise every Shaykh that exists is riding on a furious lion.

Although that (riding) and this (lion) are not perceived by the senses, yet ’tis not concealed from the spiritual eye.

Under their (the saints') thighs a hundred thousand lions carrying faggots are (present) before the eye that knows the Unseen;

But God has (sometimes) made them visible singly, in order that even he who is not a (holy) man may behold them.

That (spiritual) prince saw him (the disciple) from afar and laughed and said (to him), “O you who are tempted, do not listen to it (the evil suggestion) from the Devil.”

The venerable (saint) knew his secret thought by the light of the heart: yea, ’tis an excellent guide (to knowledge of the occult).

(Then) the master of (mystical) sciences recited to him in detail all that had befallen him (the disciple) on his journey until now.

Afterwards that man of sweet discourse opened his mouth (to speak) on the difficult matter of his wife's disbelief,

Saying, “My long-suffering is not from (the motive of) sensual desire; that (suspicion) is a vain fancy of your carnal soul: do not take that standpoint.

Unless my patience had endured the burden of (supporting) my wife, how should the fierce lion have endured the labour of (carrying) me?

I am (like) Bactrian camels, (speeding) in advance (of the caravan), intoxicated and beside myself under the panniers of God.

I am not half-raw (imperfect) in (fulfilling) the (Divine) order and command, that I should take any thought of revilement by the public.

My public and my private (object) is His command: my spirit is running on its face in search of Him.

My being single or wedded is not on account of sensual desire: my spirit is like a die in the hand of God.

I endure the disdain of that foolish (woman) and a hundred like her, neither from love of colour nor passion for scent.

This much, indeed, is (only) the lesson learned by my disciples; (but) unto what place (attains) the forward and backward movement of my battle!

Unto what place? Unto the place where Place (itself) finds no admittance, and where nothing exists save the lightning-flash of the Moon of Allah.

(’Tis) far beyond all conceptions and imaginations, (’tis) the Light of light of light of light of light of light.”

If I have made my discourse low for your sake, (it is) in order that you may put up with an ill-natured companion,

And smilingly and cheerfully bear the burden of distress, because patience is the key to relief from pain.

When you put up with the vileness of these vile folk you will attain unto the light of the (Prophetic) sunnas (ways and practices);

For the prophets have often suffered affliction from the vile: often have they writhed in anguish on account of such snakes.

Since in eternity it was the will and decree of God, the Forgiver, to reveal and manifest Himself,

(This involves contrariety, for) nothing can be shown without a contrary; and there was no contrary to that incomparable King.