THE SUFÍS WHO SOLD THE TRAVELLER'S ASS 251
Blind imitation of them has brought me to ruin: two hundred curses be on that imitation!
Especially (on) imitation of such good-for-nothing rascals- the wrath of Abraham be on them that sink!
The delight of that company (of Şúfis) was casting a re- flexion, and this heart of mine was becoming delighted by that reflexion.”
The reflexion (cast) from goodly friends is necessary until you become, without (the aid of any) reflexion, a drawer of water from the Sea.
Know that the reflexion first cast is (only) imitation, (but) when it has become successive (continually recurrent) it turns into (direct) realisation (of the truth).
Until it has become realisation, do not part from the friends (by whom you are guided); do not break away from the shell:
the rain-drop has not (yet) become a pearl.
If you wish eye and understanding and hearing to be pure, tear in pieces the curtains of selfish desire,
Because the Şúfi's imitation, (which arose) from desire,
debarred his understanding from the light and radiance.
Desire for the viands and desire for that delight (shown by the Şufis) and for the sama hindered his understanding from (gaining) knowledge (of what had happened).
If desire were to arise in the mirror, that mirror would be like us in (respect of) hypocrisy.
If the balance had desire for riches, how would the balance give a true description of the case?
Every prophet has said in sincerity to his people, “I ask not from you the wages for my message.
I am (only) a guide; God is your purchaser: God has appointed me to act as broker on both sides.
What are the wages for my work? The sight of the Friend (God), even though Abú Bakr give me forty thousand (dirhems).
My wages are not his forty thousand (dirhems): how should glass beads be like the pearls of Aden?”
I will tell you a story: listen to it attentively, that you may know that selfish desire is a plug in the ear.
Whosoever hath (such) desire becomes a stammerer (morally confused); with desire (present), how should the (spiritual) eye and the heart become bright?
The fancy of power and wealth before his eye is just as a hair in the eye,
Except, to be sure, (in the case of) the intoxicated (saint) who is filled with God: though you give (him) treasures (vast riches), he is free;
(For) when any one enjoys vision (of God), this world becomes carrion in his eyes.
