The kite called to the geese, “Come see the plains where sugar flows from the water!” The wise geese replied, “O kite, distant from the water, the water is our fortress, our peace, our joy.” Like the kite, Satan is also deceptive. “Hasten, geese! Return to yourselves! Do not stray far from the water’s fortress.” To the kite, they said, “Go on your way, turn back, worthless one; leave us!”
We are far from your invitation; let it be yours. We will not even taste your breath, you unbeliever! The fortress is ours, and the land of sugar is yours. We have no need for your gifts; keep them! If there’s life, sustenance will surely arrive. There are soldiers, a flag – they will certainly be found. The prudent city-dweller offered countless excuses to that reckless jinn.
“I have important matters now. If I go, they will be overturned. They won’t fall into order. The Sultan commanded me an important and delicate task; he is not even sleeping at night, expecting me to accomplish it. I cannot defy the Sultan’s command; I cannot appear before him with a darkened face. Every morning, every evening, his special messenger comes asking about the outcome of the work.”
“Would you allow me to visit my village and have the Sultan turn his face away from me, furrow his brow? What remedy would I find for his anger? Should I bury myself alive in the earth?” he continued, offering hundreds more such excuses. But his deceptions were no match for Allah’s decree and destiny. The particles of the universe may mingle, but they are utterly insignificant against Allah’s decree and destiny!
How can this earth escape from the heavens? How can the earth conceal itself from the heavens? Whatever falls from the heavens to the earth does so; the earth cannot escape, seek a remedy, or hide in ambush. Even if fire rains down from the sun, it has laid its face upon that fiery rain.
Even if rain falls and storms rage, and the cities above are destroyed and leveled, it still surrenders like Job, saying, “I am a captive; let whatever you will fall on me.” You too are a part of this earth; do not rebel when you see Allah’s decree. Did you not hear the words, “We created you from dust”? It is asking you to be of the earth, so do not turn away!
(Allah says:) “I have sown countless seeds in the earth. Mankind was also made of dust; I raised him up. Now make an effort and ascribe the quality of being earthy to yourself, humble yourself. Then I will make you a ruler over all lords.” Water flows from above downwards, then flows upwards from below. Wheat goes from above downwards into the ground, and then emerges from the earth and rises.
The seed of every fruit grows from the earth and then arises from the earth. The origins of blessings generally come down from the heavens to the earth, descend, and become nourishment for the pure soul. As humility descends from the heavens to the earth, it becomes a small part of the living and valiant one. Thus, that being acquired human qualities, soared above the heights of the throne, and rejoiced. First, we came from the living world, then we rose again from lowliness to glory.
Saying, “Surely, we return only to Allah,” they utter it in all states of movement and stillness. The remembrance and glorification of hidden parts release a murmuring sound. When plotting began, the city-dweller was outwitted by the villagers. The city-dweller, with his thousands of opinions and precautions, was defeated and suffered from calamities on this occasion.
He had confidence in his own stability; he was like a mountain, but a half-flood swept him away. When calamity and sorrow arise from the heavens, all minds become blind and deaf. Fish throw themselves out of the sea. A trap subdues the flying bird. Fairies and devils enter glass bottles. Even Harut’s Babil is captured and hunted by fate and destiny.
But only he who flees to fate and destiny from fate and destiny is saved. No precaution can spill his blood. Only that person who flees from Allah’s fate and destiny to Allah’s fate and destiny can be rescued from any trickery, calamity, and destiny.