3261- (Some one asked), “What is Súfism?” He (the Shaykh) said, “To feel joy in the heart at the coming of sorrow.”

3262- Regard His chastisement as the eagle which carried off the boot from that man of excellent disposition,

3263- That she might save his foot from the serpent's bite. Oh, happy is the understanding that is undimmed.

3264- He (God) hath said, “Grieve not for that which escapeth you,” if the wolf come and destroy your sheep,

3265- For that (God-sent) affliction keeps off great afflictions, and that loss prevents huge losses.

How a certain man demanded of Moses (that he should teach him) the language of the beasts and birds.

3266- A young man said to Moses, “Teach me the language of the animals,

3267- That perchance from the voice of animals and wild beasts I may get a lesson concerning my religion.

3268- Since the languages of the sons of Adam are entirely for the sake of (acquiring) water and bread and renown,

3269- It may be that the animals have a different care, (namely), that of taking thought for the hour of passing away (from this world).”

3270- “Begone,” said Moses; “abandon this vain desire, for this (desire) holds (involves) much danger before and behind.

3271- Seek the lesson and the (spiritual) wakefulness (which you want) from God, not from books and speech and words and lips.”

3272- The man became more eager in consequence of the refusal which he (Moses) made to him: a man always becomes more eager from being refused (what he craves).

3273- He said, “O Moses, since thy light has shone forth, whatever was a thing has gained (its) thinginess from thee.

3274- Tis not worthy of thy bounty, O generous one, to disappoint me of this object of desire.

3275- At this time thou art the vicegerent of God: it will be despair (for me) if thou prevent me.”

3276- Moses said, “O Lord, surely the stoned (accursed) Devil has subdued this simple man.

3277- If I teach him, it will be harmful to him; and if I do not teach him, he will become faint-hearted.”

3278- He (God) said, “Teach him, O Moses, for We in our loving-kindness never have rejected (any one's) prayer.”

3279- He (Moses) said, “O Lord, he will feel repentance and gnaw his hands and rend his garments.

How Revelation came from God most High to Moses that he should teach him the thing demanded by him, or part of it.

3286- God said, “Do thou grant his need: let him have a free hand to choose (good or evil).”

3287- Choice (free-will) is the salt of devotion; otherwise (there would be no merit): this celestial sphere revolves involuntarily;

How that seeker was content to be taught the language of domestic fowls and dogs, and how Moses, on whom be peace; complied with his request.

3303- He said, “At any rate (teach me) the language of the dog which is at the door and the language of the domestic fowl which has wings.”

3304- “Hark,” said Moses, “thou knowest (best)! Go, it (the fulfilment of thy wish) has arrived: the language of both of these will be revealed to thee.”

3305- At daybreak, in order to make trial, he stood waiting on the threshold.

3306- The maid-servant shook the table-cloth, and a piece of bread, the remnants of last night's meal, fell out.

3307- A cock snatched it up as (though it were) the stake (in a race). The dog said, “You have done injustice-to me. Begone!

3308- You can eat a grain of corn, while I am unable to eat grains in my abode.

3309- You can eat corn and barley and the rest of the grains, while I cannot, O jubilant one.

3310- This crust of bread, the bread which is our portion—you are taking away from the dogs such a (small) quantity (of food) as this!”

The cock's answer to the dog.

3311- Then the cock said to him, “Be silent, do not grieve, for God will give you something else instead of this.

3312- The horse of this Khwája is about to die: to-morrow eat your fill and be not sorrowful.

3313- The horse's death will be a feast-day for the dogs: there will be abundant provender without toil or earning.”

3314- When the man heard (this speech), he sold the horse. That cock of his was disgraced in the eyes of the dog.

3315- Next day the cock carried off the bread in the same fashion (as before), and the dog opened his lips at him,

3316- Saying, “O beguiling cock, how long (will you tell) these lies? You are unrighteous and false and without lustre.

3317- Where is the horse that you said would die? You are (like) a blind man who tells of the stars and you are deprived of truth.”

3318- That knowing cock said to him, “His horse died in another place.

3319- He sold the horse and escaped from loss: he cast the loss upon others;

3320- But to-morrow his mule will die: that will be good fortune for the dogs, (so say) no more.”

3321- The covetous man immediately sold the mule and at that instant obtained deliverance from grief and loss.

3322- On the third day the dog said to the cock, “O prince of liars with your drums and kettledrums!”

3323- He (the cock) said, “He sold the mule in haste, (but), ”said he, “to-morrow his slave will be stricken down,

3324- And when his slave dies, the next of kin will scatter pieces of bread upon the dogs and beggars.”

3325- He (the master) heard this and sold his slave: he was saved from loss and his face was lit up (with joy).

3326- He was giving thanks and making merry, saying, “I have been saved from three calamities in the world.

3327- Since I learned the language of the fowl and the dog I have pierced the eye of evil destiny.”

3328- Next day the disappointed dog said, “O drivelling cock, where are the sundries (you promised me)?

How the cock became abashed before the dog on account of being false in those three promises.

3329- How long, pray, how long (will) your falsehood and deceit (continue)? Truly, nothing but falsehood flies out of your nest.”

3331- We cocks are veracious like the muezzin: we are observers of the sun as well as seekers of the (right) time.

3337- Tis only the (spiritual) cock, the Soul of (Divine) inspiration, that is protected (by God from sin) and purged of error.

3338- His (the master's) slave died in the house of the purchaser: that was that purchaser's loss entirely.

3339- He saved his money, but he shed his own blood. Understand (this) well!

3340- One loss would have prevented (many) losses: our bodies and money are the ransom for our souls.

3341- In the presence of kings, in (the hour of their) dispensing punishment, you offer money and purchase your head (life):

3342- How (then) have you become, in (the case of Divine) destiny, (like) a churl withholding your money from the (Supreme) Judge?

How the cock foretold the death of the Khwája.

3343- “But to-morrow he will certainly die: his heir, in mourning (for him), will slaughter a cow.

3344- The owner of the house will die (and) depart (from this world): lo, to-morrow a great deal of food will reach you.

3345- High and low will get pieces of bread and dainty morsels and viands in the midst of the street.

3346- (The flesh of) the sacrificed cow and thin loaves of bread will be scattered quickly over the dogs and the beggars.”

3347- The death of the horse and mule and the death of the slave were bringing round the doom of this foolish deluded man.

3348- He fled (escaped) from the loss of wealth and from grief thereat: he increased his wealth and shed his own blood.

3349- These austerities of dervishes—what are they for? (The reason is) that that tribulation (imposed) on the body is (in effect) the everlasting life of spirits.

3350- Unless a (mystic) traveller gains the everlasting life of his (spiritual) self, how should he make his body a sick and perishing (thing)?

3351- How should he move his hand to (acts of) altruism and (devotional) work unless he sees (the salvation of) his soul in exchange for what is given (by him)?

How that person ran to Moses for protection when he heard from the cock the announcement of his death.

3367- When he heard these things, he started running in hot haste: he went to the door of Moses, with whom God conversed.

3368- He was rubbing his face in the dust from fear, saying, “Save me from this (doom), O Kalím!”

3369- He (Moses) said, “Go, sell thyself and escape! Since thou hast become expert (in avoiding loss), jump out of the pit (of death)!

3370- Throw the loss upon true believers! Make thy purses and scrips double (in size)!

3371- I beheld in the brick this destiny which to thee became visible (only) in the mirror.

3372- The intelligent man sees with his heart the end (final result) at the first (in the beginning); he that is lacking in knowledge sees it (only) at the end.”

3373- Once more he (the doomed man) made lamentation, saying, “O thou who hast goodly qualities, do not beat me on the head, do not rub into my face (the sin I have committed).

3374- That (sin) issued from me because I was unworthy: do thou give good recompense to my unworthy (action).”

3375- He (Moses) said, “An arrow sped from the (archer's) thumb-stall, my lad: ’tis not the rule that it should come back to the source (the place whence it started);

3376- But I will crave of (God's) good dispensation that thou mayst take the Faith away with thee at that time (of departing from the world).

3377- When thou hast taken the Faith away (with thee), thou art living: when thou goest with the Faith, thou art enduring (for ever).”

3378- At the same instant the Khwája became indisposed, so that he felt qualms, and they brought the basin.

How Moses prayed for that person, that he might depart from the world (die) in the Faith.

3383- At dawn Moses began (his) orison, saying, “O God, do not take the Faith from him, do not carry it away!

3384- (O God, O King) Act in royal fashion, forgive him.

He (God) said, “Yes, I bestow the Faith upon him, and if thou wish I will bring him to life at this moment;

3390- He (God) said, “Yes, I bestow the Faith (Iman) upon him, and if thou wish I will bring him to life at this moment;

3392- Moses said, “This is the world of dying: raise (them to) that (other) world, for that place is resplendent.

3395- (I have related this story) that you may know that loss of the body and of wealth is gain to the spirit and delivers it from bane.

3396- Therefore be a purchaser of (ascetic) discipline with (all) your soul: you will save your soul when you have given up your body to service (of God).

Ya Ali Madad