The Morals of Dervishes
STORY LXXXVI
A Pâdshâh was casting a glance of contempt upon a company of Dervishes, and one of them, understanding by his sagacity the meaning of it, said: "O King! In this world we are inferior to thee in dignity, but more happy in life. In death we are equal, and in the resurrection superior to thee."
Though the master of a country may have enjoyment and the Dervish may be in need of bread, in that hour when both of them will die they will take from the world not more than a shourd. When thou takes thy departure from the realm it will be better to be a mendicant than a Pâdshâh.
Externally the Dervish shows a patched robe and a shaved head, but in reality his heart is living, and his lust dead. He does not sit at the door of pretence, away from people, to fight against them if they oppose him; because when a millstone rolls from a mountain he is not an Arif who gets out of the way of the stone.
The way of Dervishes is praying, gratitude, service, obedience, almsgiving, contentment, professing the unity of God, trust, submission, and patience. Whoever possesses these qualities is really a Dervish, although he may wear an elegant robe; whereas a prattler who neglects his orisons, is luxurious, sensual, turning day into night in the bondage of lust, and night into day in the sleep of carelessness, eats whatever he gets, and speaks whatever comes upon his tongue, is a profligate, although he may wear the habit of a Dervish.[1]
O thou whose interior is denuded of piety
But wearest outwardly the garb of hypocrisy,
Do not display a curtain of seven colours;
Thou hast reed mats inside thy house.
- ↑ The word is a'ba, meaning a striped cloak peculiar to Dervishes.
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