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of hell-fire.” It is related also of Sufyan that he said, “To look upon the face of a tyrant is a sin.”’
Then the third damsel retired and a fourth came forward, who said, ‘I will treat of sundry traditions of pious men. It is related that Bishr el Hafi[1] said, “I once heard Khalid say, ‘Beware of secret hypocrisy.’ Quoth I, ‘What is secret hypocrisy?’ He answered, ‘When one of you, in praying, prolongs his inclinations and prostrations till a cause of impurity[2] come upon him.’” Quoth one of the sages, “The doing of good works expiates evil deeds.” Quoth Ibrahim ben Adhem,[3] “I sought assiduously of Bishr el Hafi that he should acquaint me with some of the theological mysteries; but he said, ‘O my son, it behoves us not to teach this knowledge to every one; of every hundred, five, even as the poor-rate upon money.’ I thought his answer excellent, and when I went to pray, I saw Bishr praying: so I stood behind him, inclining myself in prayer, till the Muezzin made his call. Then rose a man of poor appearance and said, ‘O folk, beware of truth, when it is hurtful, for there is no harm in beneficial falsehood, and in compulsion is no choice: speech profits not in the absence of good qualities nor is there any hurt in silence, when they exist.’ Presently I saw Bishr drop a danic[4] so I picked it up and exchanged it for a dirhem, which I gave him. ‘I will not take it,’ said he. Quoth I, ‘It is a fair exchange;’ but he answered, ‘I cannot barter the riches of the world to come for those of this world.’” It is reported also that Bishr’s sister once went to Ahmed ben Hembel[5] and said to him, Night lxxxii.“O Imam of the Faith, we are a family that
- ↑ i.e. Barefoot. A native of Merv and a famous ascetic of the eighth and ninth centuries.
- ↑ Necessitating a fresh ablution, before the prayer can be ended.
- ↑ Another noted ascetic of the time.
- ↑ About a penny.
- ↑ A well-known legist and devotee of the eighth and ninth centuries at Baghdad, founder of one of the four great orthodox Muslim schools.
