30.
Project Gutenberg EPUB edition
Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
Another great and good man once observed: “Jelāl is a great saint and a sovereign; but he must be dragged forth from among his disciples.” This was reported to Jelāl, who smiled, and said: “If he can!”
Soon afterwards he added: “Why, then, is it that my followers are looked upon with spite by the men of the world? It is because they are beloved of God, and favourably regarded by Him. I have sifted all mankind; and all have fallen through my sieve, excepting these friends of mine. They have remained. My existence is the life of my friends, and the existence of my friends is the life of the men of the world, whether they know this, or whether they ignore it.”