The Short Words

The Eighth Word

“These strange events are connected with one another. It seems as though they are taking place by the command of a single commander. This means that a deeper meaning is hidden behind these events. Truly, they are occurring by the command of a hidden ruler. So I am not alone. That hidden ruler is watching over me; he is testing me. For a certain purpose he is leading me somewhere.”

This gentle fear and these beautiful thoughts awakened his curiosity: “I wonder who it is who wishes to make himself known to me and who, by testing me in this strange way, is leading me toward a purpose?”

From this curiosity arose in him a love for the ruler who was testing him. From this love arose the desire to unveil this mystery. And this desire gave him the will to adopt a good attitude that would please the owner of this mystery. Then he looked at the top of the tree and saw that it was a fig tree. Yet he saw that thousands of different fruits were hanging from its branches. At that moment his fear disappeared completely. For he understood very well that this fig tree served as a list, a summary, and an exhibition. He concluded that the hidden ruler had, in a mysterious and wondrous way, hung the samples of the fruits in his garden upon that tree—as a sign of the foods he had prepared for his guests. Otherwise, it would not be possible for a single tree to produce the fruits of thousands of different plants.

Then he began to supplicate: “O ruler of this land. My fate lies in your hands. I seek refuge in you. I am your subject and wish to please you. I am searching for you.” Thereupon the key to the mystery was inspired in him. The wall of the well suddenly split open, and a gate opened onto a magnificent, beautiful, and radiant garden. Wonderfully, the mouth of the dragon turned into that gate. The lion and the dragon took on the form of two servants; they invited him to enter. The lion even became a horse placed at his service.

Now, O my lazy nafs and my listening friend! Come, let us weigh the states of these two brothers, so that we may see and understand how optimism brings forth good and pessimism brings forth evil.

The unfortunate traveler on the left road trembles with fear, for at any moment he may fall into the dragon’s mouth, while the happy brother is invited into a fruitful and splendid garden.

The unfortunate man’s heart is torn apart by tormenting anxiety and great fear, while the happy man observes the strange events around him with a gentle fear, draws a wise lesson from them, and gains pleasant knowledge.

The unfortunate man suffers torment and pain through fear, hopelessness, and loneliness, while the happy man delights in his state, in which he longs for his ruler in familiarity and hope.

The unfortunate man sees himself as a prisoner fallen prey to wild beasts, while the happy man, as an honored guest, enjoys the company of the servants of the Generous Host.

That unfortunate man hastens his suffering by eating fruits that appear delicious but are in reality poisonous. For those fruits are samples. It is permitted to taste them so that one may long for their originals. It is not permitted to devour them like animals. The happy man, however, tastes the fruits and understands their purpose. He postpones eating and joyfully waits for the originals of those fruits.