When a child, unable to distinguish between right and wrong, I once resolved to fast, and a certain devout man thus taught me to perform my ablutions and devotions: “First,” he said, “repeat the name of God, according to the law of the Prophet; secondly, make a vow; and thirdly, wash the palms of the hands. Then wash thy nose and mouth three times and rub thy front teeth with thy forefinger, for a tooth-brush is forbidden when fasting. After that, throw three handfuls of water upon thy face; then wash thy hands and arms up to the elbows and repeat thy prayers by the telling of beads and the recital of the attributes and praises of God. Lastly, wipe again thy head and wash thy feet—thus end in the name of God.” “No one,” added the old man, “knows the form of ablution better than myself. Dost thou not see that the elder of the village has become decrepit?” Hearing these words, the elder cried: “O impious wretch! Didst thou not say that the use of a tooth-brush was unlawful in fasting?—I suppose, then, that slander is lawful? Before thou settest about a fast, wash first thy mouth of improper words.” STORY OF A SUFI’S REBUKE Some Sufis were sitting together in private, when one of them opened his mouth in slander. “Didst thou ever make a crusade in Europe?” he was asked. “Beyond the four walls of my house,” he replied, “I have never placed my feet.” “Never have I met so unfortunate a man,” observed the questioner. “The infidel remains safe from his enmity, yet a Mussulman escapes not the violence of his tongue.” CONCERNING ABSENT FRIENDS In relation to an absent friend, two things are unlawful. The first is to squander his possessions; the second, to speak evil of his name. Look not for good words from him who mentions the names of men with scorn, for behind thy back he says those things which he said to thee of others. He only is wise who concerns himself with his own affairs and is indifferent to the world. WHERE SLANDER IS LAWFUL Three persons only is it permissible to slander. The first is a tyrannical king who oppresses his subjects; it is lawful to speak of his misdeeds so that people may beware of him. The second is he who is shameless; deem it not a sin to speak ill of such a one, for by his own actions are his faults revealed. The third is he that gives false weight and is a cheat; say what thou knowest of his evil ways. TALE-BEARERS WORSE THAN BACK-BITERS Some one said to a pious man, “Knowest thou what such a one said concerning thee?” “Silence!” he replied; “it is best not to know what an enemy said. Those who carry the words of an enemy are assuredly worse than the enemy himself. Only they convey the speech of an enemy to a friend who are in agreement with the enemy. Thou art worse than an enemy, for thou revealest what he said in private.” A tale-bearer makes an old strife new; fly as far as thou art able from one who stirs up a dormant quarrel.