1. The Speech of Paradise:
Sultan Walad told us:
One day, a group of distinguished men came to visit my father. That day, quite passionately, he explained certain aspects of mysticism:
“O Bahauddin, if you wish to be in Paradise forever, be a friend to everyone and never hold malice towards anyone in your heart.”
Then he recited:
Don’t ask for more; don’t be superior to others;
be like balm and candle, not a stinging needle.
If you don’t want evil to come to you from anyone,
don’t speak evil, teach evil, or even think evil of anyone.
When you speak with goodwill about others,
you will always be happy, and this happiness is paradise itself.
If you speak with bitterness about someone,
you harbor anger, and this anger is hell itself.
When you remember your friends,
the garden of your heart blooms with happiness,
filling with roses and basil.
If you speak of enemies,
thorns and snakes enter the garden of your heart,
and you grow tired and wither.
All the prophets and saints (May peace be with them)
have realized this and acted accordingly.
Their fellow human beings, overwhelmed by their beautiful character,
are drawn to their kindness and willingly, happily, follow their path.”
2. Saadi of Shiraz tells this story about himself:
When I was a lad, I was a pious boy, fervent in prayer and devotions. One night I was keeping vigil with my father, while holding the Qur'an on my knees. Everyone in the room began to doze off and soon fell fast asleep.
So I said to my father:
Not a single one of those sleepers is able to open his eyes or raise his head to say his prayers. One would say that they are all dead.
And my father replied:
My dear son, I would rather that you too were asleep like them, instead of whispering.
* Link: https://sufism.org/
