One day, Aisha said to the Prophet, peace be upon him, “O Messenger of Allah, you pray wherever you find yourself – openly, secretly, everywhere. But there are unclean people roaming in the house.” She added, “You know that children, wherever they go, make a mess.”
The Prophet replied, “Know that Allah has purified impurities. The grace of the Divine has cleansed my place of prostration up to the seventh heaven.” He continued, “Come to your senses! Do not envy kings. Abandon envy; otherwise, you too will become a devil in this world. A Sufi can turn poison into nectar. But if you consume nectar, it becomes poison for you. He has transformed his being into the Divine Being. And his work is the transformation of things.”
It has become a manifestation of divine grace; all fire has turned to light. The birds of Ababil possessed Allah’s power. How could a mere bird destroy such devastation? A mighty army was routed by just a few birds. Observe this and know that this power comes from Allah. If you doubt it, go and recite Surah Fil. Would you dare defy it and claim equality? If you can escape them, then consider me a disbeliever?
A little mouse took hold of the reins of a camel. It stumbled and began its journey. The camel, due to its natural gentleness, continued walking alongside it. The mouse became arrogant, thinking, “I am neither a strongman nor a valiant ascetic.” The light of his thought reflected upon the camel. “Indeed! I will show you!” said the camel.
They traveled and came to a great river. It was so vast and deep that even a mighty elephant would be overwhelmed in it. The mouse froze, stiff as a statue. The camel said, “O my companion, who has been with me on the mountain and in the plain, what is this hesitation? Step into the water like an arrow; you are my guide, my protector. Do not stop midway and remain silent.”
The mouse replied: “This water is very vast, very deep, friend. I am afraid of drowning.” The camel said, “Let me see how much it is?” and immediately put his foot in. He said, “O blind rat, the water is knee-deep! O flaw of animals, why did you hesitate?” The mouse replied: “There’s a world of difference between an ant and a dragon, O skillful camel. From my head to your height is a distance of ten spans.”
The camel said, “Then do not be arrogant again with your body; let your life not burn and be consumed. Measure yourself against mice like yourself. There is no discourse between a camel and a rat.” The mouse said, “I repent! For the sake of Allah, pass me over this destructive water.” Moved by compassion, the camel said, “Climb onto my hump. This crossing is my responsibility. I will carry you and hundreds like you.”
If you are not a prophet, set out on your journey so that one day you may escape from the well and attain to a lofty station. If you are not a sultan, proceed with propriety. If you are not a captain, do not steer the ship recklessly. If you are not perfect in trade, do not open a shop alone; submit yourself to someone’s authority until you are molded and perfected!
“Hear the command: be silent.” If you cannot become the tongue of Allah, remain attentive. If you must speak, speak in questioning form. Speak respectfully with kings and emperors! The beginning of arrogance and malice is desire. And the establishment and strengthening of desire is due to self-conceit. Bad habits solidify and take root when they become customary. You will resent anyone who tries to dissuade you from them. Just as those who worship idols have become enemies of those who forbid them because they made idolatry a habit. Iblis exalted himself, considering Adam inferior to him.
“There is no one more noble than me! A person like me would not prostrate himself!” Arrogance is poison. Except for the soul that has possessed the antidote from eternity. If a mountain is full of snakes, do not be afraid if there is a place within it where an antidote can be found. Arrogance has settled in your head; therefore, whoever breaks you will become your eternal enemy.
If someone speaks words contrary to your habit, you will greatly resent them. You will say, “I will turn this person away from his habit, make him a disciple, and follow him.” If the bad habit of such a person were not obstinate, why would he be inflamed by things contrary to that habit; or why would he yield to opposition and win a place in their heart? For the bad habit has become very strong.
Desire was like an ant, but it has become like a dragon due to self-conceit. Kill the serpent of desire before it is too late. Otherwise, it will quickly turn into a dragon. But everyone sees his own desire as an ant. Ask a heart that possesses love! Just as copper does not know its coppery nature unless it serves gold; just as a bankrupt does not know his bankruptcy unless he has a heart-king.
Like copper, you too must serve the elixir. Endure the harshness of your beloved. Who is a beloved? Know this well. A beloved is one who belongs to the people of devotion. For those who belong are constantly fleeing from the world and do not enjoy themselves in the realm.