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Jalal al-Din Rumi, Maulana and Redhouse, James W. (James William), Sir
Jelāl one day went forth and preached in the market. Crowds collected round him. But he continued until night fell around him; so he was at length left alone.
The dogs of the market-place now collected in a circle about him, wagging their tails and whining.
Seeing this, Jelāl exclaimed: “By the Lord, the Highest, the Strongest, the All-Compelling One, besides whom none is high, or strong, or powerful! These dogs comprehend my discourse, and the truths I expound. Men call them dogs; but henceforward let them not be so termed. They are of the family of the ‘Seven Sleepers.’”14