Frugality

In such a case, the ruler of the palace receives a gift worth three euros, while the doorkeeper receives a tip nine times greater than what is appropriate. This may lead him to rebellion, causing him to imagine himself the ruler. He will admit whoever gives him the largest tip and the greatest pleasure, thereby causing disorder and setting fire to the palace. Eventually, he will cry out: “Call the doctor, so that he may soothe my burning heat and extinguish the fire of my fever.”

Indeed, frugality and contentment are attitudes that accord with Divine wisdom. They keep the faculty of taste in its place as a doorkeeper and reward it accordingly. Wastefulness, however, contradicts this wisdom and quickly leads to trouble: it disturbs the stomach and destroys true appetite. A false, artificial appetite awakened by wastefulness provokes an irresistible craving for various foods, which ultimately causes indigestion and illness.

The Third Point

In the Second Point, we explained that the faculty of taste functions as a doorkeeper. However, this applies to those who are heedless, make no spiritual progress, and fail to show gratitude to Allah. To satisfy this faculty of taste, one should not fall into wastefulness or spend ten times more than necessary.

By contrast, as mentioned in the comparison found in The Sixth Word, the faculty of taste assumes a different role for those who are sincerely grateful and able to perceive the truth with both their intellect and their heart. It functions as an observer and connoisseur of the gifts of Divine mercy, as though they were displayed in the kitchens of Divine mercy. Within this faculty are, as it were, subtle instruments that measure and distinguish the countless Divine blessings, conveying awareness of them to the body and the stomach in the form of gratitude.

Indeed, from this perspective, the faculty of taste is not concerned solely with the physical body. Since it is also connected to the heart, the soul, and the intellect, it occupies a position and fulfills a function more exalted than that of the stomach. This means that those whose faculty of taste serves as an observer and connoisseur of Allah’s gifts of mercy may enjoy delicious foods, provided they avoid wastefulness, express gratitude, recognize and appreciate the diversity of Divine blessings, remain within the bounds of halālThat which is permitted in Islam., and do not degrade themselves or resort to begging. Therefore, the tongue, which bears the faculty of taste, may prefer delicious foods on condition that they are used as a means of giving thanks.

The following incident is a karāmahA miraculous event granted by Allah through a righteous believer who is not a prophet. of the GhawthA title given to one regarded as a spiritual guide and a source of divine assistance for others that points to this truth:

Once, the only son of an elderly and sensitive woman was under the spiritual guidance of Shaykh GīlānīAbd al-Qādir Gīlānī; the celebrated Muslim scholar and Sufi master, founder of the Qādiriyyah order., the Greatest GhawthA title given to one regarded as a spiritual guide and a source of divine assistance for others. One day, the woman visited her son and found him eating nothing but a piece of dry black bread. Seeing how emaciated he had become as a result of his ascetic practice stirred her shafqaCompassionate and unconditional love, such as a mother's love for her child.. Moved by compassion, she decided to bring her complaint before the GhawthA title given to one regarded as a spiritual guide and a source of divine assistance for others. When she arrived, she found him eating roasted chicken. Distressed, she exclaimed, “O Master! While my son is dying of hunger, you are eating chicken!”

The GhawthA title given to one regarded as a spiritual guide and a source of divine assistance for others then turned to the chicken and said, “Rise, by the permission of Allah!” At once, the bones of the roasted chicken came together again, and the chicken sprang to life and leapt from the dish.