“_I desired my beloved, but when I saw him I was dumbfounded and possessed neither tongue nor eye._” CHAPTER XXIII. THE UNCOVERING OF THE NINTH VEIL: CONCERNING COMPANIONSHIP, TOGETHER WITH ITS RULES AND PRINCIPLES. The Apostle said: “Good manners (_ḥusn al-adab_) are a part of faith.” And he also said: “My Lord corrected me (_addabaní_) and gave me an excellent correction.” You must know that the seemliness and decorum of all religious and temporal affairs depends on rules of discipline (_ádáb_), and that every station in which the various classes of mankind are placed has its own particular rule. Among men good manners consist in the observance of virtue (_muruwwat_); as regards religion they consist in the observance of the Apostolic custom (_sunna_); and as regards love they consist in the observance of respect (_ḥurmat_). These three categories are connected with each other, because one who is without virtue does not comply with the custom of the Apostle, and whoever fails to comply with the custom of the Apostle does not observe due respect. In matters of conduct the observance of discipline is the result of reverence for the object of desire; and reverence for God and His ordinances springs from fear of God (_taqwá_). Anyone who disrespectfully tramples on the reverence that is due to the evidences of God has no part or lot in the Path of Ṣúfiism; and in no case are rules of discipline neglected by seekers of God, because they are habituated to such rules, and habit is second nature. It is impossible that a living creature should be divested of its natural humours: therefore, so long as the human body remains in existence men are bound to keep the rules of obedience to God, sometimes with effort (_takalluf_) and sometimes without effort: with effort when they are ‘sober’, but when they are ‘intoxicated’ God sees that they keep the rules. A person who neglects the rules cannot possibly be a saint, for “good manners are characteristic of those whom God loves”. When God vouchsafes a miracle to anyone, it is a proof that He causes him to fulfil the duties of religion. This is opposed to the view of some heretics, who assert that when a man is overpowered by love he is no longer subject to obedience. I will set forth this matter more lucidly in another place.