resigning his post returned to Mecca. People flocked to him» for blessing as he was known to be one whose prayers were always heard. Says Abdullah bin Said: "I was then a mere boy; I too went to pay my respects to the venerable Said. He spake kindly to me and blessed me, Then I said: 'Uncle, how is it that you who are praying for everybody would not pray for the restoration of your eyesight?' 'My son', answered Said with a smile, 'to be pleased with His sweet will is better than eyesight".
Some people went to see Shibli[1] at Maristan, where he was imprisoned. "Who are you?" asked the saint, "Friends", they all replied with one voice. Hearing this Shibli fetched some stones and began to throw them at them, and they all fled calling him a madman, "What's this", exclaimed Shibli, "You call yourselves my friends but if you are sincere, bear patiently what ye receive from me," and
- ↑ The Arabs address elders in this way.
