The butcher was overjoyed at this welcome intelligence, and went
forthwith to communicate the news to Jelāl. The latter smilingly
replied: “Yes, yes! Jelālu-’d-Dīn was the horseman who obtained a
victory over the enemy, and showed himself a Sultan in the eyes of the
people of Islām.” On hearing this, his disciples rent the air with
their shouts of joy and triumph, and the townspeople of Qonya decked
out and illuminated the city, holding public rejoicings.
This miracle of power became noised abroad, and everywhere Jelāl’s
friends and adherents were transported with ecstasy at its occurrence.
17.
On one occasion a rich merchant of Tebrīz came to Qonya. He inquired of
his agents there who was the most eminent man of learning and piety in
the city, as he wished to go and pay his respects to him. He remarked
to them: “It is not merely for the sake of making money that I travel
about in every country on earth; I desire also to make the acquaintance
of every man of eminence I can find in each city.”
His correspondents told him that the Sheykhu-’l-Islām of the capital
had a great reputation for learning and piety, and that they would
be proud to present him to that celebrated luminary. Accordingly, he
selected a number of rarities from among his store, to the value of
thirty sequins; and the party set out to visit the great lawyer.
The merchant found the dignitary lodged in a great palace, with guards
at the gate, crowds of servants and attendants in the courtyard, and
eunuchs, pages, grooms, ushers, chamberlains, and the like, in the
halls.
Turning to his conductors, he expressed some doubt as to whether they
had not, by mistake, brought him to the king’s palace. They quieted
his fears, and led him into the presence of the great fountain of
legal erudition. He felt a very great dislike for all he saw; and he
remarked to his friends: “A great lawyer is never anything the worse
for possessing a clear conscience. A physician may himself indulge in
sweetmeats; but he does not prescribe them to a patient suffering with
fever.”
He now offered his presents; and then inquired of the great lawyer
whether he could solve a doubt under which he was then labouring.
This he stated as follows:—“Of late, I have been sustaining a series
of losses. Can you indicate a way by which I may escape from that
unfortunate position? I give, every year, the fortieth part of my
liable possessions to the poor; and I distribute alms besides, to the
extent of my power. I cannot conceive, therefore, why I am unfortunate.”
Other remarks he made also to the same effect. They appeared to be
lost on the great luminary, who affected to be otherwise preoccupied.
At length the merchant took leave without obtaining a solution to his
difficulty.